Baseball fans (and bettors) get to enjoy a full, 15-game slate on Wednesday, June 18.
The evening is loaded with baseball, so our MLB betting experts came loaded with MLB picks and predictions. After looking over the latest MLB odds, they settled on four picks — two player props, a run line pick and an over/under play.
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 |
|---|---|---|
  | 6:40 p.m. | |
  | 7:07 p.m. | |
  | 8:05 p.m. | |
  | 10:10 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. | ||
Kyle Murray's Pirates vs Tigers Best Bet: Are Tigers Back on Track?
By Kyle Murray
The Tigers have scuffled a bit over the past week or so, but they got going once again last night — scoring seven runs on four homers in the series opener against the Pirates.
The Tigers are 15-5 in their past 20 games against left-handed starting pitchers and will face another southpaw who struggles with power in Andrew Heaney. It is also helpful that the Tigers have Tarik Skubal on the bump in this one, so I'm expecting limited run production from the Pirates, as well as some offensive firepower from the Tigers.
Pick: Detroit Tigers -1.5 (-120)
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Derek Carty's Diamondbacks vs Blue Jays Pick: System Suggests Fading Lauer
By Derek Carty
There is a value opportunity on Eric Lauer's strikeouts prop. THE BAT X is projecting him to record 3.39 strikeouts, while oddsmakers are implying 4.05. The model believes there is a 57% chance he records fewer than four strikeouts, so there is value on the under at +125.
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Pick: Eric Lauer Under 3.5 Strikeouts (+125)
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Kyle Murray's Brewers vs Cubs Best Bet: Fade Taillon
By Kyle Murray
The under projects well in this spot for Jameson Taillon, who gets a matchup against a Brewers projected lineup sporting a strikeout rate of just 19.7% against right-handed pitching since the start of last season.
It's also a tough splits matchup, as the Brewers project to have just four lefties in the lineup, and two of those have strikeout rates of 17.5% or below. Taillon has struggled to strike out righties this season, as his strikeout rate sits at just 16.3% (compared to 22.9% against lefties).
Pick: Jameson Taillon Under 4.5 Strikeouts (-125)
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Bet Labs' Padres vs Dodgers Best Bet: System Play on the Under
By Bet Labs
This system targets unders in MLB games (in the second game or later of the series) in which both teams have winning records, suggesting quality pitching and competitive matchups.
However, public betting often leans toward the over — likely expecting fireworks from top teams — which creates contrarian value on the under. By capitalizing on low public support for the under (≤35%), this system fades public perception in favor of market inefficiencies, especially when bettors overestimate offensive output late in a series.
This system has cashed 54% of its picks lifetime (1301-1097-103) and generated a 6% ROI. If you're looking for it's return in just the 2025 season, the numbers are slightly better — a 7% ROI and a 669-54-3 (56%) record.
Pick: Under 9.5 (-110)
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