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  "description": "Master the May 1st MLB slate with our expert First Pitch betting picks. We analyze pitcher tendencies and zone accuracy for top matchups including Shohei Ohtani vs. Matthew Liberatore, Gunnar Henderson vs. Will Warren, and Ronald Acuña Jr. vs. Jose Quintana.",
  "path": "/mlb/mlb-first-pitch-picks-today-best-bets-may-1/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-01T21:31:10.000Z",
  "site": "https://edgely.bet",
  "tags": [
    "Complete Guide to MLB First Pitch Betting Strategy"
  ],
  "textContent": "## MLB Matchup Preview: First Pitch Betting Breakdown\n\nHappy Friday, baseball lovers! If you’re looking to dive into some first pitch betting action, you’re in the right place. We've got a full slate of intriguing matchups to break down, focusing on those crucial first pitches. Let's jump right into the analysis of some key plays across several games.\n\n> 📍Note: always verify starting lineups as this blog is written before most lineups are confirmed using projected starting pitchers, lineups, and batting orders.\n\n💡\n\n****New to this market?**** Check out our Complete Guide to MLB First Pitch Betting Strategy to understand the data and \"fair odds\" calculations we use for these daily picks.\n\n## Rangers @ Tigers\n\n### First Pitch: Brandon Nimmo vs. Jack Flaherty\n\n  * **Outcome** : Ball\n  * **Probability** : 50.0%\n  * **Pitcher Insight** : **Jack Flaherty** is known for throwing a first pitch ball 50.0% of the time, making this a toss-up scenario.\n\n\n\n### First Pitch: Gleyber Torres vs. MacKenzie Gore\n\n  * **Outcome** : In Play\n  * **Probability** : 17.3%\n  * **Stats Breakdown** :\n    * **MacKenzie Gore** throws in the zone 58.3% and generates swings 38.9% of the time.\n    * **Gleyber Torres** swings 33.3% of the time, putting balls in play 14.8%.\n\n\n\n## Reds @ Pirates\n\n### First Pitch: Oneil Cruz vs. Brady Singer\n\n  * **Outcome** : Strike\n  * **Probability** : 60.4%\n  * **Pitcher Insight** : **Brady Singer** peppers the zone 69.2% of the time, rarely allowing balls to be put in play.\n\n\n\n## Brewers @ Nationals\n\n### First Pitch: James Wood vs. Jacob Misiorowski\n\n  * **Outcome** : Ball\n  * **Probability** : 60.0%\n  * **Pitcher Insight** : **Jacob Misiorowski** has a tendency to start with a ball, doing so 60.0% of the time.\n\n\n\n## Orioles @ Yankees\n\n### First Pitch: Gunnar Henderson vs. Will Warren\n\n  * **Outcome** : Strike\n  * **Probability** : 70.5%\n  * **Pitcher Insight** : **Will Warren** is accurate, throwing in the zone 84.6% of the time.\n\n\n\n## Astros @ Red Sox\n\n### First Pitch: Jarren Duran vs. Mike Burrows\n\n  * **Outcome** : Ball\n  * **Probability** : 56.0%\n  * **Pitcher Insight** : **Mike Burrows** frequently starts with a ball 56.0% of the time.\n\n\n\n## Giants @ Rays\n\n### First Pitch: Heliot Ramos vs. Shane McClanahan\n\n  * **Outcome** : Strike\n  * **Probability** : 58.4%\n  * **Pitcher Insight** : **Shane McClanahan** is effective, keeping balls from being put into play.\n\n\n\n## Phillies @ Marlins\n\n### First Pitch: Kyle Schwarber vs. Eury Pérez\n\n  * **Outcome** : Ball\n  * **Probability** : 53.8%\n  * **Pitcher Insight** : **Eury Pérez** throws a first pitch ball 53.8% of the time.\n\n\n\n### First Pitch: Jakob Marsee vs. Zack Wheeler\n\n  * **Outcome** : In Play\n  * **Probability** : 13.8%\n  * **Stats Breakdown** :\n    * **Zack Wheeler** is in the zone 69.2% of the time but doesn’t often allow in-play outcomes.\n\n\n\n## Blue Jays @ Twins\n\n### First Pitch: Byron Buxton vs. Patrick Corbin\n\n  * **Outcome** : In Play\n  * **Probability** : 20.6%\n  * **Stats Breakdown** :\n    * **Patrick Corbin** allows a decent amount of contact, with **Byron Buxton** capitalizing on swings.\n\n\n\n## Dodgers @ Cardinals\n\n### First Pitch: Shohei Ohtani vs. Matthew Liberatore\n\n  * **Outcome** : Strike\n  * **Probability** : 60.6%\n  * **Pitcher Insight** : **Matthew Liberatore** is consistently in the zone.\n\n\n\n### First Pitch: JJ Wetherholt vs. Emmet Sheehan\n\n  * **Outcome** : Ball\n  * **Probability** : 64.7%\n  * **Pitcher Insight** : **Emmet Sheehan** starts with a ball 64.7% of the time.\n\n\n\n## Braves @ Rockies\n\n### First Pitch: Ronald Acuña Jr. vs. Jose Quintana\n\n  * **Outcome** : In Play\n  * **Probability** : 13.1%\n  * **Stats Breakdown** :\n    * **Ronald Acuña Jr.** is aggressive, but **Jose Quintana** keeps him in check.\n\n\n\n### First Pitch: Edouard Julien vs. Grant Holmes\n\n  * **Outcome** : Ball\n  * **Probability** : 51.9%\n  * **Pitcher Insight** : **Grant Holmes** often starts with a ball.\n\n\n\n## Guardians @ Athletics\n\n### First Pitch: Steven Kwan vs. J.T. Ginn\n\n  * **Outcome** : Strike\n  * **Probability** : 58.9%\n  * **Pitcher Insight** : **J.T. Ginn** keeps it tight in the zone.\n\n\n\n### First Pitch: Nick Kurtz vs. Joey Cantillo\n\n  * **Outcome** : In Play\n  * **Probability** : 23.4%\n  * **Stats Breakdown** :\n    * **Joey Cantillo** likes to challenge hitters, and **Nick Kurtz** can capitalize.\n\n\n\n## White Sox @ Padres\n\n### First Pitch: Andrew Benintendi vs. Germán Márquez\n\n  * **Outcome** : Ball\n  * **Probability** : 48.4%\n  * **Pitcher Insight** : **Germán Márquez** starts with a ball nearly half the time.\n\n\n\n## Royals @ Mariners\n\n### First Pitch: Maikel Garcia vs. Bryan Woo\n\n  * **Outcome** : In Play\n  * **Probability** : 15.9%\n  * **Stats Breakdown** :\n    * **Bryan Woo** keeps it in the zone, allowing **Maikel Garcia** some contact.\n\n\n\n### First Pitch: Rob Refsnyder vs. Cole Ragans\n\n  * **Outcome** : Strike\n  * **Probability** : 76.5%\n  * **Pitcher Insight** : **Cole Ragans** is almost always in the zone.\n\n\n\n## Conclusion\n\nThere you have it, a detailed look at Friday's first pitch betting slate. From **Jack Flaherty** to **Cole Ragans** , these matchups offer a variety of outcomes based on pitcher tendencies and batter behavior. Whether you’re betting on balls, strikes, or in-play outcomes, understanding these dynamics can give you an edge in your wagers. Enjoy the games and may your bets be ever in your favor!",
  "title": "MLB First Pitch Picks Today: Best Bets (May 1st) | MLB EDGE",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-01T21:31:11.159Z"
}