MLB Picks Today:

Expert baseball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top MLB picks today for Tuesday, May 26.

Check out Greg’s Daily MLB Lines and his Baseball Betting Show Podcast. Also, check out our MLB Betting Splits and tools from our friends at Ballpark Pal, including Strikeout Prop Projections and the MLB YRFI Report.

Our brand new Opta AI MLB Player Prop Projections are also available.

6:10 PM Eastern

Washington Nationals vs. Cleveland Guardians

The Nationals lead the league in scoring with 5.4 runs per game and will look to get to Guardians starting pitcher Joey Cantillo, who owns a 3.05 ERA but a higher 4.15 fielding independent with 4.3 walks allowed per nine innings. Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli has a 3.88 ERA with a lower 3.16 fielding independent, as he has allowed just 0.5 home runs while recording 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings. However, he is backed by a bullpen that ranks 27th in ERA at 4.77.

Pick: Nationals vs. Guardians Over 7.5 Runs

Greg’s Handicap: Total 8.1

6:40 PM Eastern

Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Cubs starting pitcher Jordan Wicks is making his first MLB appearance of the 2026 season. He owns a career 5.21 ERA with 1.5 home runs and three walks allowed per nine innings at the major league level, and at Triple-A this season, Wicks posted a 4.44 ERA with 1.7 home runs and 4.1 walks allowed per nine innings. Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft has been sharp with a 2.89 ERA while allowing 0.9 home runs and 2.3 walks per nine innings.

Pick: Pirates Moneyline -125

Greg’s Handicap: Pirates -139

Los Angeles Angels vs. Detroit Tigers

Tigers starting pitcher Keider Montero has improved significantly from past seasons, posting a 3.83 ERA with 1.1 home runs and 2.6 walks allowed per nine innings. Angels starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz owns a 4.55 ERA with 6.4 strikeouts and 4.6 walks per nine innings and is backed by a bullpen that ranks 29th in ERA at 5.41, while the Tigers bullpen ranks 15th at 3.99.

Pick: Tigers Moneyline -130

Greg’s Handicap: Tigers -154

6:45 PM Eastern

Atlanta Braves vs. Boston Red Sox

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Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider appears to be returning to peak form, having allowed just four runs over his past three starts spanning 17 2/3 innings while recording 21 strikeouts. He also faces a Red Sox lineup that ranks last in home run production with just 2.9 runs per game. Red Sox starting pitcher Ranger Suarez owns a 2.40 ERA with 0.6 home runs and 2.6 walks allowed per nine innings, but he now faces a Braves lineup that ranks second in road scoring with over six runs per game.

Pick: Braves Moneyline -108 and Under 8.5 Runs

Greg’s Handicap: Braves -130 and Total 7.5

7:40 PM Eastern

New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals

Royals starting pitcher Bailey Falter is unlikely to factor heavily into this game, as he owns a 9.82 ERA through four appearances this season and has not pitched longer than three innings in any outing. The Royals’ bullpen approach now faces a Yankees lineup that leads the league in home scoring with nearly 5.7 runs per game, though New York ranks just 23rd in road scoring at 3.9 runs per game. Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler has been lights out with a 1.50 ERA and 1.79 fielding independent while recording 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings and allowing only two home runs across 66 innings in 11 starts.

Pick: Yankees vs. Royals Under 9 Runs

Greg’s Handicap: Total 7.8

Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox

Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan has been reliable this season with a 3.02 ERA and 2.52 fielding independent while recording 9.7 strikeouts and allowing just 0.5 home runs per nine innings. However, he is backed by a bullpen that ranks 25th in ERA at 4.75, while the White Sox bullpen ranks 27th at 4.82. White Sox starting pitcher Sean Burke owns a 4.08 ERA with 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings.

Pick: White Sox Moneyline +105 and Over 7.5 Runs

Greg’s Handicap: White Sox -113 and Total 8.2

8:05 PM Eastern

Houston Astros vs. Texas Rangers

Astros starting pitcher Jason Alexander has struggled this season, posting a 7.30 ERA with 1.5 home runs and 4.4 walks allowed per nine innings. He is also backed by the worst bullpen in baseball, as Houston ranks last in bullpen ERA at 5.60. Rangers starting pitcher Jack Leiter has had his own issues with a 4.61 ERA while allowing 1.3 home runs and 3.8 walks per nine innings, but he is supported by the far superior bullpen, with the Rangers ranking second in bullpen ERA at 2.96.

Pick: Rangers Moneyline -134 and Over 8 Runs

Greg’s Handicap: Rangers -161 and Total 8.7

9:10 PM Eastern

Colorado Rockies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland has endured a rough start to the season, posting a 7.04 ERA with 2.1 home runs and 3.3 walks allowed per nine innings. He now faces a Dodgers lineup that ranks third in scoring with 5.2 runs per game. Dodgers starting pitcher Eric Lauer makes his first start for Los Angeles after struggling with the Toronto Blue Jays this season, posting a 6.69 ERA and 6.91 fielding independent with 2.7 home runs and four walks allowed per nine innings.

Pick: Rockies vs. Dodgers Over 8.5 Runs

Greg’s Handicap: Total 9.3

9:40 PM Eastern

Philadelphia Phillies vs. San Diego Padres

Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola’s numbers this season closely resemble his rough 2025 campaign, as he owns a 6.04 ERA with 1.6 home runs allowed per nine innings. Padres starting pitcher Randy Vasquez has been effective with a 2.96 ERA while allowing 0.8 home runs and 2.6 walks per nine innings. He also faces a Phillies lineup that ranks 24th in road scoring with 3.9 runs per game. The Padres bullpen ranks sixth in ERA at 3.16, while the Phillies rank 16th at 3.99.

Pick: Padres Moneyline -115 and Over 7.5 Runs

Greg’s Handicap: Padres -146 and Total 8.1

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