Another day, another loaded slate.
There are 15 games on the MLB schedule for Tuesday, August 26, which means our systems and MLB betting experts had plenty of work to do as they sifted through the latest MLB odds. While digging into those odds, they identified the best betting value on the board and have made their MLB picks and predictions for today's games.
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 |
|---|---|---|
  | 6:35 p.m. | |
  | 6:40 p.m. | |
  | 7:10 p.m. | |
  | 9:40 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 Red Sox vs Orioles Best Bet: Back Baltimore at Home
By Tony Sartori
It's worth taking a shot on Baltimore at this short price in Kyle Bradish's return. While it remains to be seen how long the Orioles will let him stay out there, there's no reason to believe that he can't return to the Cy Young-caliber pitcher he was prior to his injury.
Meanwhile, both Lucas Giolito and the bullpen following him are due for regression. Finally, Boston has played far worse on the road this year than at home.
Pick: Orioles Moneyline (-105)
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Bet Labs' Braves vs Marlins Best Bet: Under Showing Value
By Bet Labs
The "Series Unders: Off Low-Scoring Games" system focuses on regular-season MLB matchups where both teams are entering the second or later game of a series after producing minimal offense in their previous outing.
When teams come off one- or two-game streaks of low scoring, particularly early to mid-series, the market can overcorrect or undervalue continued offensive stagnation. This model anticipates that trend to persist and bets on the under when recent results and situational rhythm point to a slow-paced, low-output environment.
Overall, this system is 1396-1127-123 (55%) and has generated a 7% ROI. This season, it has cashed 56% of its picks, going 67-52-1 — an 8% ROI.
Pick: Under 8 (-115)
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Kyle Murray's Phillies vs Mets Best Bet: Bet Manaea vs Philadelphia
This should be an exciting game, with the Phillies and Mets playing a series that should feel like a playoff atmosphere. I love Sean Manaea in this spot, as he gets a matchup against a Phillies team whose projected lineup has a 23.3% strikeout rate against left-handed pitching this season.
Manaea has seven or more strikeouts in back-to-back starts and has seen his pitch count continue to get ramped up. I think he has the upside for 95 or more pitches here.
Pick: Sean Manaea Over 5.5 Strikeouts (-135)
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Sean Zerillo's Padres vs Mariners Best Bet: Expect Plenty of Runs
By Sean Zerillo
The warm front in the Pacific Northwest is expected to continue on Tuesday. It is projected to be 82 degrees at first pitch, and I project both offenses as well-above average.
The Padres have a 113 wRC+ against right-handed pitching, and Seattle is countering with a 116 mark. Additionally, Seattle's Luis Castillo is due for regression as his 3.57 ERA is a run lower than his 4.38 xERA. Castillo's strikeout-to-walk ratio is a career low at 14.1% and his Stuff+ (96) and botERA (4.20) are also down from recent years.
On the other side, Seattle's patient offenses can wait out Dylan Cease, who walked six recently against the Dodgers and whose 39.6% zone rate is the third-lowest among qualified starting pitchers.
I project this matchup at 8.51 runs and would bet Over 8 to -110.
Pick: Over 8 (-105)
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