We have a 14-game slate for Friday, starting with Tigers vs. Reds at 6:40 p.m. ET and closing with Cubs vs. Dodgers at 10:15 p.m. ET.
Our experts have analyzed the matchups and found great options for Friday.
Below are three expert MLB picks and predictions for tonight's slate of games.
MLB Picks, Predictions 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 PM | |
  | 7:15 PM | |
  | 8:10 PM | |
 | All Day | |
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. | ||
Tigers vs Reds Best Bet
By Jon Anderson
The Tigers are lined up against Andrew Abbott, who's been a disaster this year. He threw six scoreless on Opening Day, and since then, he's given up at least two earned runs in each start, and his ERA has ballooned up to 5.84. The K% is down to 13%, and the walk rate of 9.6% doesn't help a ton either.
The Reds starter has walked more right-handed batters than he's struck out. I repeat, he's walked more righties than he's struck out. The fastball has been garbage (2.8% SwStr%, .369 xwOBA against), and he throws it 51% of the time against right-handed sticks.
On the other side, Framber Valdez has allowed way too much contact. The good news is that you still can't get the guy out of the ballyard. He's yet to give up a homer, and he's posting a 55% GB% with just a 4.1% Brl% allowed. However, it's an interesting spot here in one of the most homer-friendly ballparks in the league.
I do absolutely prefer Valdez over Abbott, and it's not close. You want ground balls in Cincy, and Valdez does that with the best of them; Abbott does that with the least of them.
Big advantage Tigers here.
Read Anderson's full Tigers-Reds preview here:
Pick: Tigers ML (-130 or Better)
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Phillies vs Braves Over/Under Projection
Our own Sean Zerillo projects a solid edge on the total for this matchup
While the consensus line sits at 9, Zerillo projects around 9.82 runs for this game, representing a 5.6% edge against the market, making the over the best choice with a B grade on our system.
Also, the number of bets and percentage of money show increasing support for this pick heading into tonight's first pitch.
The last time the Braves and Phillies met (April 19), both starters took the mound, and neither did very well.
Andrew Painter lasted only four innings, allowing five hits and three runs, while Grant Holmes pitched four and 2/3 innings, giving up four hits and two runs.
Also, Painter currently has a .370 BABIP, and the Phillies bullpen ranks 20th in the majors with a 4.66 ERA. That is bad news against a Braves lineup that sits second in wRC+ in MLB overall (122) and against right-handers (123), with that rating increasing to 126 at home.
Drake Baldwin and Matt Olson are two of the best hitters in the National League with .943 and .951 OPS, respectively.
On the other side, Holmes has issued 3.76 walks per 9 innings in 2026, a clearly bad matchup against patient hitters like Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto.
Atlanta has scored an average of seven runs in its past four games (28 runs total). So, with a little help from Philly tonight, this game should get over nine runs.
As a reminder, you can see all of Zerillo's MLB game projections with an Action PRO Subscription. Find his projected lines every day on the PRO Projections tab.
Pick: Over 9 (-118 or Better)
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Yankees vs Astros Player Prop Top Edge
By Action PRO
PRO projects Yankees right field Aaron Judge for 0.50 home runs in his matchup against the Astros tonight, giving us a solid 13.4% edge against the market when compared to his current prop line of over/under 0.5, which is good enough to mark the Over with a B+ grade in our system.
After a slow start, Judge has been heating up, with a 1.017 OPS in the last 15 days.
He has five HRs in his last 10 games and will face Lance McCullers tonight in a homer-friendly park.
The Houston starter has not pitched past the fifth inning in his past three outings and has given up a home run in each of his last two.
At great value, let's back Judge tonight to get another dinger.
Pick: Aaron Judge Home Run (+285 or Better)
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Sean Zerillo's Full Action App Card Today
Need more picks for Friday's action on the diamond? It's always wise to see what our guy Zerillo is betting on!
If you haven't already, make sure you download the Action Network app and sign up for an Action PRO subscription:
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