Finding the best MLB bets for August 2nd wasn’t easy but when you’re on a winning streak, don’t get too high on it – just double-down on the research you’re doing, the approach you’re taking, and hopefully the results remain equally as consistent.
Butt Fumble Sports went 3-0 on Monday. Followed it up with 4-0 on Tuesday. And what are we doing on Wednesday?Keeping our head down, sorting through all the stats, trends, and matchups to find the best plays and hopefully keep these cashing tickets rolling in!
San Diego Padres (-240) at Colorado Rockies (+200) – 3:10 PM EST
In the month of July, Joe Musgrove was 4-1 and had a 1.45 ERA (third lowest in MLB over the last 30 days).
Kyle Freeland’s ERA was “okay” over that same span: 4.32. It’s the 0-3 record and .338 opponent batting average that stands out. There’s just one reason for pause – Freeland has pitched well in two previous starts against the Padres this year. Over 11 innings against San Diego, Freeland’s allowed just one run.
So, do we prefer the hot hand in Joe Musgrove or Kyle Freeland’s 2023 stats against the Padres?
Not only do we go with Padres on the moneyline, but given the -218 odds on the bet, we are instead taking some risk and going with San Diego on the run line -1.5.
Why? Forget Joe Musgrove’s July for a moment – the Padres have several hitters with good stats in their careers against Kyle Freeland, including Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. (both should be considered for player prop bets).
Combine that with a Rockies roster that has been stripped of bats in trade deadline moves, it feels like the Padres win by at least two runs.
MLB Best Bet: Padres -1.5 (-185)
Boston Red Sox (+105) at Seattle Mariners (-125) – 4:10 PM EST
The Red Sox could have been sellers at the trade deadline, but instead, they added a few role players – let a few others go – and now look to play well enough down the stretch to overcome the few games separating them from the other AL Wild Card contenders.
The Mariners aren’t far behind in the Wild Card standings, but with the Rangers, Astros, and Angels all adding pieces at the trade deadline, the Mariners look like the odd-man-out in a crowded AL West.
This is the final game of this series and it’s an interesting pitching matchup.
Kutter Crawford was 3-1 in July with a 3.55 ERA and .202 OBA. He’s also pitched well on the road with a 2.36 ERA away from Fenway Pared compared to a 6.03 ERA at home.
Meanwhile, Logan Gilbert was brilliant in July with a 4-0 record and a 2.78 ERA. However, he has had his struggles at home – with a worse record and higher ERA when pitching in Seattle compared to on the road.
So, which team is the choice for one of the best MLB bets for August 2nd? That’s a coin toss. That said, a good bet for this game is for the Red Sox to cover on the run line. Boston is 22-13 on the run line as an away underdog. Seattle is 18-30 on the run line as a home favorite. All signs point to Boston!
MLB Best Bet: Red Sox +1.5 (-180)
Chicago White Sox (+120) at Texas Rangers (-140) – 8:05 PM EST
The White Sox traded Lucas Giolito before the trade deadline, but decided to hold onto pitcher Dylan Cease. Maybe good offers weren’t there or maybe the White Sox still have hopes they can keep him long-term, but in either case, he makes his regularly scheduled start for the White Sox.
Maybe one of the reasons the White Sox didn’t move him is the market didn’t like his recent performances. In July, Cease was 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA, allowing 5 home runs and a .286 OBA. Not exactly a stud worth giving top prospects for.
He opposes a Texas Rangers team that has to be riding high from the additions made to their rotation over the past few days.
Though Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery will bring top-of-the-rotation stuff to the Rangers, Wednesday’s starter Dane Dunning has been a solid option on the mound all season long.
With an 8-4 record and 3.28 ERA, Dunning has been a pleasant surprise in the Rangers rotation – though he too had a bad month of July.
Even with Dunning’s most recent struggles, the White Sox are playing for Spring Training and the Rangers are batting for the AL West title and even more in October.
Wouldn’t touch the run line – which could be a trap – but Texas on the moneyline feels like a safe play.
MLB Best Bet: Rangers ML (-145)
