MLB Best Bets: Top Player Props & Novig Market Picks (Wednesday, 5/27/26)

May 27, 2026

Get Thunder Dan Palyo's top MLB best bets and player props for Wednesday, 5/27/26. Expert picks powered by the Novig betting exchange -- see today's highest-value plays. Win more with RotoBaller's expert betting advice.

Welcome back to another Wednesday edition of my Novig MLB betting picks! I have been running hot on these picks the last few weeks, and on pitcher strikeout props in general recently, along with the rest of the MLB betting team at RotoBaller, so I am hoping to keep that solid streak of wins going on today's MLB slate!

If you're reading this, I'll assume you also bet on baseball regularly. Today's picks will all be using the odds on the most unique and fastest-growing sports prediction sites -- Novig. If you're not familiar with the site, I'll explain how it works and provide some of my favorite wagers to place on Novig.

As always, make sure you're following RotoBaller on X and download the RotoBaller app for all your fantasy baseball and betting needs. Now, here are some of my favorite MLB bets and player props for Wednesday's games.

What is Novig?

Novig is one of the fastest-growing peer-to-peer sports prediction markets. On Novig, users trade directly with each other, without the "vig" typically associated with a sportsbook. The vig is the fee sportsbooks charge to use their services. It's a hidden cost in the odds offered on each side of a specific bet. When a book offers -110 odds on both sides of a bet, it is keeping close to 10% of every bettor's wager, regardless of whether you win or lose.

On Novig, users trade with each other on the outcomes of sporting events, similarly to the way that investors trade on the stock market. But instead of having to beat the books, you just have to win against other users -- the site keeps no commission.

Users can bet on most traditional sports markets, including moneyline bets, spreads, totals, player props, parlays, and futures!

Novig operates with two virtual currencies. Novig coins can be wagered for fun and to test out strategies, while Novig cash can be wagered on all markets and then redeemed for real cash prizes.

Access to Novig is widespread; it's now accessible in 36 U.S. states.

How Does Novig Work?

Since users are not playing against the books, there is an opportunity to make more money per wager you win, and users can usually find better value on bets (in terms of the prices offered) than on traditional sportsbooks.

There are no oddsmakers; users dictate their own odds. You can either accept the odds the market offers or set your own odds. If you set your own odds, another user has to accept them on the other side for the bet to be activated. Users drive the market, not the sportsbook or oddsmakers!

NRFI (No Runs First Inning) Bets

All odds are from Novig and were accurate as of 9:00 AM ET

Los Angeles Angels at Detroit Tigers: UNDER 0.5 runs - 1st Inning Total (-132)

I like this pitching matchup a lot, but can't quite bring myself to bet on either pitcher's K prop where they are set. However, I think we have a compelling NRFI bet here, as Casey Mize of the Tigers will face off against Jose Soriano of the Angels.

Both pitchers are enjoying the best seasons of their respective careers and have above-average strikeout rates, which we love to see as strikeouts in the first frame are one of the best ways to ensure that we have zeroes on the scoreboard! Both the Tigers and Angels rank in the bottom third of the league in K% vs. RHP over the last 14 days, and Detroit's run production against righties has been abysmal with a wRC+ of just 55 (dead last in MLB).

MLB Moneyline Bets

Tampa Bay Rays (-104) at Baltimore Orioles

The Rays have dropped the first two games of this series, but swept the Orioles in the two teams' first meeting earlier this year. They're still playing some of the best baseball in the league, and hand the ball to veteran lefty Steven Matz today, while the Orioles are relying on the unproven Trey Gibson.

Tampa has won nine of Matz's 10 starts this year, and can struggle against LHP, so I am backing the Rays here on the road at what are very solid odds.

Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates (-104)

The Cubs have lost 10 in a row, and I know some people don't like to bet on or against teams with such long streaks, because they all inevitably end, right? Sure, but I am not sure it ends today as the Cubs trot out Jameson Taillon on the mound to face off against the fireballer Bubba Chandler.

Chandler has his walk issues, but impressed last start with 11 strikeouts against Toronto. The Cubs are struggling with the bats, too, while the Pirates are heating up and scored 12 runs in yesterday's game.

I’ll say it again, Esmerlyn Valdez has such easy power
pic.twitter.com/UaFJefLCY9

— Kirk Snyder (@dynastyinfo411) May 26, 2026

The addition of rookie Esmerlyn Valdez has helped beef up this lineup, and I think backing the Pirates at home today and near even money is a no-brainer.

MLB Team Totals

New York Yankees OVER 4.5 total runs (-139)

The Yankees exploded for 15 runs yesterday and have some of the best splits against lefties of any team in baseball over the last two weeks.

Today, they'll face Noah Cameron, who has an ERA of almost 5.00 and 10.7% Barrel%. I'm on the Yankees to keep their offensive explosion going here, as they have scored five runs or more against a left-handed starter now in five of the last six games in which they faced one.

Novig Promo Code and Welcome Bonus

Use code BALLER to receive a $25 purchase match (50% off up to $25) on your first Novig purchase.

You also get six months of RotoBaller's "Big-4" Premium Pass (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL), which includes exclusive tools for Betting, Props, DFS, and more!

You can claim your welcome offer to Novig right now by clicking on the image below.

Prop Bet Picks

All odds are from Novig and were accurate as of 8:00 AM ET

Gavin Williams OVER 6.5 Strikeouts (-112)

Williams was nothing short of spectacular in his last start, whiffing 11 Phillies in a dominating performance.

Gavin Williams, 9th and 10th Ks...

Thru 6 pic.twitter.com/6ei6I7eX8o

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 23, 2026

He's now sitting at a 30% K% this season and has racked up seven strikeouts or more in four of his last five starts. Washington will present a challenge for him here, but they have a lot of young hitters, and their entire lineup has yet to see Williams in their career, a big advantage for the pitcher.

Trevor McDonald OVER 3.5 Strikeouts (-149)

McDonald simply shouldn't have his number set this low! He has struck out at least four hitters in every start this year, even the last time out against the White Sox when he labored and only made it through 3.2 innings. I think he'll bounce back with a steadier performance today and that he has a pretty solid strikeout floor that makes this a nice bet to add to parlays, if you don't want to eat the juice on a straight bet.

Cristopher Sanchez OVER 6.5 Strikeouts (-108)

Sanchez is the top arm on the slate (other than Williams) and gets to feast on a San Diego team that continues to strike out a lot this year - against pitchers of both handedness. They are sitting at 25% over the last two weeks against LHP, and Sanchez has the top SwStr% on the board todat 15%.

I love the odds here for Sanchez to get seven strikeouts, something he's done in five of his last six starts.

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