All 30 MLB teams are in action, with 15 games scheduled for Saturday, August 16. Our MLB betting systems and experts have scoured the odds board and made some MLB picks and predictions for today's games.
So, continue reading as today's MLB best bets are below.
MLB Best Bets Today
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our MLB betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 2:20 p.m. | |
  | 3:07 p.m. | |
  | 4:10 p.m. | |
  | 7:15 p.m. | |
  | 9:10 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our MLB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Tony Sartori's Pirates vs Cubs Best Bet: Back the Cubs To Cover
By Tony Sartori
Mike Burrows’ first full season in MLB has gone poorly. Following Burrows is a fade-worthy Pittsburgh bullpen.
Meanwhile, Imanaga looks to build upon his brilliant 2024 rookie campaign. Through 17 starts this season, the southpaw is 8-5 with a 3.19 ERA and 0.97 WHIP, and his analytics are equally impressive.
Not only does Chicago hold a clear pitching advantage, but the hitting gap is even wider. The Cubs outrank the Pirates in every offensive category.
With the stronger pitching and hitting, there is little reason to believe Chicago will not take care of business. Furthermore, the Cubs’ home record far outpaces Pittsburgh’s road record.
Pick: Cubs -1.5 (-115)
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Charlie Wright's Rangers vs Blue Jays Best Bet: Not Many K's for Corbin
The Patrick Corbin renaissance has hit a snag recently.
The Rangers lefty has been knocked around in both of his August starts, allowing six earned runs over seven and 1/3 innings pitched.
The veteran has just four strikeouts this month in two starts, although the matchups were imposing (Yankees, Phillies). He gets another tough spot here.
Toronto has the lowest strikeout rate in the league vs. left-handed pitchers since the start of June, and they’re fifth in wRC+.
Pick: Patrick Corbin Under 3.5 Strikeouts (-115)
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Derek Carty's Mariners vs Mets: Fade Bryan Woo's Outs
By Derek Carty
THE BAT X is forecasting 16.37 pitching outs for Bryan Woo compared to 18.06 pitching outs implied by the oddsmakers, so I believe there is value here.
If you take the under, you’d be projected to win 57% of the time, resulting in a 39% ROI. Based on a $100 wager, the expected value here would be $38.50.
Love THE BAT X? Get all of Carty’s sports betting projections at EV Analytics!.
Pick: Bryan Woo Under 17.5 Outs (+145)
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PRO's Braves vs Guardians Best Bet: Go With Keith's Edge
By Action PRO
PRO projects Tigers infielder and designated hitter Colt Keith with 0.87 singles tonight, which represents an excellent 8.1% edge against the market.
Back him with the over at a great value.
Pick: Colt Keith Over 0.5 Singles (-120)
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Bet Labs' Padres vs Dodgers Best Bet: System Recommend the Under
By Bet Labs
This system targets unders in MLB series games (Game 2 or later) where both teams have winning records, suggesting quality pitching and competitive matchups.
However, public betting leans toward the over —likely expecting fireworks between top teams— which creates contrarian value on the under.
By capitalizing on low public support for the under (≤35%), the strategy fades public perception in favor of market inefficiencies, especially when bettors overestimate offensive output late in a series.
Pick: Under 8 (-115)
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