Monday MLB Sharp Betting Picks (Aug. 17): Royals, Diamondbacks Attracting Pro Action
Abbie Parr/Getty Images. Pictured: Matt Chapman
- Sports Insights' Bet Signals have recorded multiple instances of sharp action in Royals vs. Twins and A's vs. Diamondbacks.
- Which sides are the pros betting for Monday evening's MLB slate? Read on to find out.
- Below, you'll find updated odds, line movement, and betting market analysis for Royals vs. Twins and A's vs. D-backs.
Monday’s 13-game MLB slate has been no stranger to sharp action. Several games have been hit by the pros throughout the day, but a pair in particular have been especially inviting.
Let’s take a look at how sharps are betting Royals vs. Twins (8:10 p.m. ET) and Athletics vs. Diamondbacks (9:40 p.m. ET).
Odds as of Monday at 2:30 p.m. ET and via FanDuel. Get up to a $500 risk-free bet at FanDuel today or see more offers and reviews for the best online sportsbooks.
Royals vs. Twins Odds, Sharp Betting Pick
| Royals Odds | +142 [Bet Now] |
| Twins Odds | -164 [Bet Now] |
| Over/Under | 9.5 (-103/-120) [Bet Now] |
| Time | 8:10 p.m. ET |
A first- vs. last-place matchup in the AL Central has expectedly drawn a majority of bettors to the former, as the Twins, who opened at -200 at FanDuel, have landed 69% of moneyline tickets.
But as you might’ve already noticed in the table above, that line has come down considerably, which serves as a strong sign of sharp action on Kansas City.
The Royals’ 31% backing has generated an impressive 66% of money, meaning bigger bettors — the ones more likely to be sharps — are taking the underdog.
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Sure enough, Sports Insights Bet Signals, which tracks and records instances of market movement caused by pro action, have been triggered three times on the Royals — twice at +185 and once more at +165.
As a result, sportsbooks have been convinced to bring this line down, even if it’s meant giving a better price to the majority of their customers.
Sharp angle: Royals (moved from +174 to +142) [Bet now at FanDuel and get a $500 risk-free bet.]
Athletics vs. Diamondbacks Odds, Sharp Betting Pick
| Athletics Odds | -102 [Bet Now] |
| D-backs Odds | -112 [Bet Now] |
| Over/Under | 9 (-108/-112) [Bet Now] |
| Time | 9:40 p.m. ET |
A similar story is taking place here, as the A’s bring the MLB’s best record (16-6) to Phoenix to take on the 11-11 Diamondbacks. In other words, this has been a pretty easy decision for most bettors, especially since Oakland opened at just -110.
The A’s have received 78% of moneyline bets today, making them the most popular moneyline play on the entire slate. Yet, like the Twins, they’ve seen their line fall since it was released.
The 22% of Diamondbacks bettors have generated 76% of actual dollars hitting the moneyline, once again revealing the opinions of bigger, sharper bettors.
To confirm that, another four SI Bet Signals have hit Arizona — most recently at -108 — sending the .500 Snakes from underdog to favorite against baseball’s hottest team.
Sharp angle: Diamondbacks (moved from +100 to -112) [Bet now at FanDuel and get a $500 risk-free bet.]