Monday’s schedule features nine games, and we have narrowed our choices down to a pair of MLB picks today that have caught our attention. As you prepare to lock in your plays, be sure to monitor the live betting lines at the top offshore betting sites to find the best possible value before first pitch.

We will discuss these matchups and reveal why they are our expert MLB picks as we bolster our bankroll for the coming week!

MLB Picks Today At-A-Glance

Our best baseball bets feature wagers on one interleague matchup between the Royals and the Reds, while the other is a West Coast showdown in the desert as the Dodgers travel to Phoenix to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Let’s analyze these matchups and find out how these teams compare and which two are the sharp sides in these Monday night contests, with MLB odds courtesy of BetOnline.

Kansas City Royals vs. Cincinnati Reds

Monday, June 1, 2026 – 7:10 PM ET

It’s not often we see a middling team like the Cincinnati Reds as significant favorites in our matchup previews, but when the team they are facing is among the worst in the league, and the pitching matchup is so lopsided, then the oddsmakers do what they’re supposed to do and try to get someone, anyone, to bite on the underdog.

Well, it won’t be me, and I hope it won’t be you either, because the Royals are a mess, having dropped five straight entering their series finale against the Rangers. Moreover, they will hand the ball to an underwhelming reliever in Luinder Avila (0-2, 5.86 ERA, 1.83 WHIP), who has only one start this year under his belt. When last we saw Avila, he was getting touched for three runs over three innings of work in the Royals’ 15-1 loss to the Yankees last Tuesday.

On the flip side, the Reds will send their best pitcher to the bump in Chase Burns (7-1, 1.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP), who has found his groove in a big way in this, his sophomore season in the bigs. Burns has been a man possessed this season and has allowed just four runs over his last five games, comprising 30.1 innings.

I realize the MLB odds on the Royals might be a bit steep, but just remember, you don’t pay the vig when you win!

Expert MLB Pick: Reds -173 at BetOnline

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

Monday, June 1, 2026 – 9:40 PM ET

And as I review the MLB odds and monitor the live betting lines on this late-night matchup, I am not surprised the Dodgers are laying the lumber despite being on the highway after playing yesterday afternoon. The Dodgers have owned the D-Backs, winning five straight, including a sweep of their three-game set in March.

Los Angeles will send Emmet Sheehan (3-1, 4.70 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) to the hill after pitching a solid six full innings of five-hit, two-run ball in a 5-3 win over the Rockies exactly one week ago. Although Sheehan’s stats this season will not wow you, it is important to know that he’s getting back on track after a bumpy beginning and will most likely return to the same form as last season, which ended with him boasting a 2.82 ERA with a 0.97 WHIP.

I feel the opposite way about the Snakes’ starter on Monday, the once-notable E-Rod, who came to the Boston Red Sox in 2015 but feels like he’s been in the majors since 1915. Eduardo Rodriguez (5-1, 2.31 ERA, 1.21 WHIP) is not nearly as impressive as his stats indicate. He has a career 4.10 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP, which makes him a fourth starter in an average rotation.

Take my word for it, E-Rod will regress to the mean, especially since he’s no longer a spring chicken, but being a lefty will guarantee him at least a few more years of multi-million-dollar paydays. I say Big Blue will tee off on him on Monday night.

Expert MLB Pick: Dodgers -133 at BetOnline

Place Your MLB Picks Now

The MLB picks I posted today have specific odds, but they don’t remain stagnant forever. Odds, run lines, and totals are dynamic, so the moneylines, run lines, and totals you see here may not be available by game time. This means it is essential that you obtain the sharpest line available, and the only way to do that is to immediately wager on your preferred games and ensure you have an active account.

That’s right: make sure your account is funded and sign up for accounts at two or more online sportsbooks so you can compare the numbers. But the key is to get down at a place you trust and with the best lines and MLB odds available.

Responsible Gaming

It’s important to approach betting responsibly. Follow these tips to help manage your play:

  • Manage your bankroll: Only wager what you can afford to lose.
  • Avoid chasing losses: Emotional betting often leads to poor decisions.
  • Stay disciplined: Stick to a strategy rather than reacting impulsively to results.
  • Recognize variance: Don’t put too much emphasis on trends in small samples.
  • Utilize responsible gaming tools: If you need a temporary break, don’t hesitate to do so.

*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.