acuna-braves-usatsi.jpg
USATSI

After an MLB lockout that threatened the season and a shortened MLB spring training, we're over three weeks into the 2022 MLB season, and starting pitchers are still being stretched out. Gerrit Cole got up to 92 pitches in his last start out, which was his best of the year as he threw 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball while striking out nine. Cole is scheduled to make his fifth start of the season against the Royals on Saturday night and the Yankees are -220 favorites (risk $220 to win $100) in the latest MLB odds from Caesars Sportsbook.

Clayton Kershaw famously saw his opening start ended after just 80 pitches despite throwing seven perfect innings and he's thrown 87 pitches and 75 pitches in his ensuing two starts. He'll be on the mound for the Dodgers against the Tigers with Los Angeles listed as the -340 favorite. Where are the best values for MLB best bets on Saturday? Before making any MLB picks or parlays, be sure to see the predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times and it is off to a sizzling start to the 2022 season. It's on a 25-11 roll on top-rated MLB money-line picks through three weeks, returning almost $1,100 for $100 players. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has locked in four confident MLB best bets for Saturday. They all involve games that start after 6:10 p.m. ET, so there's still time to get these MLB picks in. If you successfully parlay the picks, you'd be looking at a payout of well over 13-1. You can see the model's MLB picks for Friday only at SportsLine. 

Top MLB picks today

The model, which ran 10,000 simulations on every game on Saturday, is taking Atlanta (-115) to beat Texas. The Rangers put together what they hoped would be one of the best lineups in baseball this offseason, and it still very well could be. However, big-money signings Corey Seager and Marcus Semien haven't found their stroke yet.

Seager has a .682 OPS thus far, while Semien has just a .464 OPS. Braves starter Bryce Elder, who entered the season as the No. 5 prospect in the organization, will be hoping to take advantage of the struggles of those two superstars. Elder has a 4.30 ERA on the season, but the Braves are hopeful he'll settle into their rotation nicely, especially considering his 6.75 BB/9 is nearly double his career minor-league rate.

Having Ronald Acuna Jr. back in the lineup should also continue to be a boost for the Braves. Acuna singled and stole two bases in his first game since July 10, 2021, after tearing his ACL and missing Atlanta's legendary postseason run. He'll be crucial in helping round out a lineup that we know can be productive with Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, Austin Riley and Marcell Ozuna.

How to make MLB picks and parlays for Saturday

The model also locked in three other best bets for Saturday, including a play on a big American League underdog. You can see the model's MLB Friday best bets and parlay only at SportsLine.

What MLB picks should you target for a payout of well over 13-1? And what American League road underdog does the model like on Saturday? Visit SportsLine now to see the MLB best bets from an advanced model that is on a 25-11 roll on top-rated MLB moneyline picks through three weeks.