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Tides’ Takes: Free Expert Betting Picks For Today (5/5/22)

Timothy Buell Thu 5/5 11:19am PT
Image Credit: Imagn

ScoresAndOdds analyst Timothy Buell gives free expert advice and betting picks for Thursday’s NHL and MLB slates.

Happy Thursday everyone! Welcome to this new article for ScoresAndOdds, where we will offer betting picks and advice for multiple sports that are happening on a given day.

The MLB season is here! We’ll focus on MLB odds and props, while continuing to analyze NHL odds. We will also be throwing in some traditional parlays and some same game parlays as we see fit.  

Make sure to use our tools at ScoresAndOdds to find the best lines at your favorite legal sportsbook.  

We have six MLB games and four NHL games to choose from this evening.  Let’s get started with the betting picks!  

Free MLB Betting Picks For Today

New York Mets @ Philadelphia Phillies

I considered laying the -160 on the Phillies for the entire game, but I decided that I liked the value of the first 5 inning wager better and I felt like I could get what I really wanted out of this game and that was attacking Taijuan Walker. Betting in this fashion also takes the variance of worrying about bullpen performances later in the game. 

This will be Walker’s third appearance against the Phillies already this season. Although he has held them scoreless across seven innings, I like for the Phillies hitters to make the proper adjustments to finally break through against him. Now, on the other side of this pitching matchup is Aaron Nola, who is also facing the Mets for the third time this season. Nola hasn’t had the same success as Walker in keeping the opposing team off the scoreboard, but my bet today is on long-term pitching and talent –– not recent performance. There is also tie equity on betting F5 in MLB, if the two teams are tied at the end of the fifth inning, you get your bet back.  

MLB Player Prop – Byron Buxton

After a day off yesterday, I am assuming that Buxton will be right back at the leadoff spot against the Orioles today. He gets a matchup against Spenser Watkins, who is one of the worst starting pitchers in all of baseball. Now, obviously there is variance in baseball, and Buxton could go 1-4 with a single –– and we have ourselves a losing bet. But I think there is value in betting this over. Buxton gets the leadoff spot on the road, which means he is guaranteed four at bats, but I am going to go out on a limb and say he gets five, with a potential for even more. 

If the Twins can get to Watkins early, which I think they do, then it will be Buxton against a below-average bullpen. If you are not an avid fan of baseball, just know that Buxton is one of the best hitters in the sport and could be an MVP contender any given year if he stays healthy. 

Free NHL Betting Picks For Today

Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers

I normally don’t like to bet an over where Igor Shesterkin is involved, but I think that given the circumstances of this series, I can justify making this play. The Rangers are in must-win mode in fear of falling 0-2 in the series. They should open up their pace of play a little bit and force Louis Domingue to save the day once again. As cool of a story as he was in Game 1, I am not a believer of his long-term skills. 

He is a career journeyman and I don’t think he will have much success overall for the rest of the postseason. The Penguins saw plenty of success in Game 1 with Jake Guentzel potting two goals with ease. Pittsburgh’s top-6 should be able to produce even against the best goalie in hockey and I can see this game being a 4-2 or 5-3 affair.  

NHL Shot Prop – Joe Pavelski

There isn’t a lot to like in this series from an offensive perspective but I do like Joe Pa’s over in the shot prop market.  He put up a complete dud in the first registering zero shots on goal, and his team was shutout 1-0.  I think he comes in with some veteran leadership and tries to give the offense a spark and is more aggressive with the puck when he gets into the offensive zone.  If the Stars can’t lean on the Flames a little bit in this game and get on the scoreboard early than this series is all but over.  I can’t justify betting on the Stars straight up but I think this is a profitable way to get exposure to a potential bounceback spot.