Top MLB Betting Picks of the Week (May 2nd, 2022)

By Hank Blaine • May 2, 2022

The Cincinnati Reds are absolutely atrocious and the news continues to get worse. The 2021 NL Rookie of the Year, second baseman Jonathan India, returned to the injured list Sunday with a recurrence of hamstring tightness. India is batting .295/.311/.341 in 11 games and was hitting well — 6-for-15 in four games — after he was activated from the IL on April 26. But he wasn’t moving around too well while running Friday. Here’s a look at two early-week games. Check back for MLB odds.

Top MLB Betting Picks of the Week (May 2nd, 2022)

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Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros

When: Monday, May 2, 2022.
Where: Petco Park, San Diego, CA
TV: ROOTNW, ATT SportsNet-SW
Radio: KIRO 710 (Mariners) / KBME 790 AM (Astros)
MLB Betting Odds: TBA

The Astros are expected to activate second baseman and former AL batting champion and MVP Jose Altuve from the injured list ahead of this game. Altuve has been on the 10-day injured list since April 19 with a left hamstring strain after getting hurt running down the baseline in the eighth inning of the Astros’ home opener on April 18. Altuve was off to a slow start in hitting .167 with a home run, three RBI, and two stolen bases.

The Mariners are down one of their best players as outfielder Mitch Haniger has a Grade 2 high ankle sprain Haniger was placed on the injured list on Saturday retroactive to April 29, but this will almost assuredly be a longer stint than the 10-day injured list. The Mariners will miss Haniger’s offense. Though hitting only .200 this season, the 31-year-old veteran has three home runs and seven RBIs for a team that has been gaining momentum at the plate after a slow start.

Another lengthy injury absence also wouldn’t help Haniger’s future market value, as he is slated to hit free agency after the season. Haniger has been mentioned as a possible extension or trade candidate for the M’s, though the possibility of a trade would seemingly diminish if this high ankle sprain keeps him sidelined for most or all of the pre-deadline period. He has been injury prone lately. Utilityman Dylan Moore figures to get more playing time with Haniger out, plus the Mariners could use Adam Frazier in left field rather than at second base.

Marco Gonzales is on the mound for Seattle. Gonzales (1-2, 3.86) was diagnosed with a left wrist contusion after taking a 109 mph comebacker off of him during Wednesday’s start against the Rays. Gonzales was able to throw his regular between-starts bullpen session at full effort on Friday so he’ll be good to go.

Houston starts Jake Odorizzi (1-2, 6.00). Odorizzi gave up one run over six innings in last Tuesday’s win over the Rangers. He also allowed one hit, issued a walk, and whiffed four. After giving up nine earned runs with a 5/7 K/BB over his first three starts of the season (nine innings), Odorizzi was much better.

MLB Betting Pick: Astros

San Diegp Padres vs. Cleveland Guardians

When: Tuesday, May 3, 2022.
Where: Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, IL
TV: Bally Sports San Diego, Bally Sports Great Lakes
Radio: KWFN 97.3 (Padres) / WTAM 1100 (Guardians)
MLB Betting Odds: TBA

This will be the season debut of pitcher Mike Clevinger, who was acquired in the 2020 season from Cleveland for outfielder/first baseman Josh Naylor, catcher Austin Hedges, right-hander Cal Quantrill and a few prospects.

Clevinger posted a 2.84 ERA in four starts down the stretch for San Diego in 2020 but elbow impingement limited Clevinger to just a single postseason inning, and that elbow problem soon proved to be dire, as Clevinger had to undergo Tommy John surgery in November 2020. After missing all of last season recovering, Clevinger then had some knee soreness during Spring Training that further delayed his return to the mound. Clevinger had a 2.96 ERA, 28% strikeout rate, and nine percent walk rate over 489 1/3 innings with Cleveland from 2017-20.

“I’ve had that one marked on my calendar since before the season,” said Clevinger of Tuesday’s game.

He made three rehab starts, including his most recent on Wednesday in which he threw 67 pitches for Triple-A El Paso, allowing a run on four hits and one walk while striking out five over 3 2/3 innings.

“I’m commanding all five pitches pretty well,” Clevinger said. “So I feel like I’m ready to take that next step.”

Cleveland shortstop Amed Rosario has missed a couple of games with wrist soreness and is day-to-day. On the mound Tuesday will be Zach Plesac (1-3, 2.80) for Cleveland. Plesac surrendered seven runs (six earned) on seven hits over 3 2/3 innings in last Wednesday’s loss to the Angels. The 27-year-old right-hander had allowed just three earned runs over his first three starts before being shelled.

MLB Betting Pick: Padres.

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