Best MLB bets for August 7th from Butt Fumble Sports

With a couple favorites playing heavy underdogs, Monday will not be a moneyline day for us, but instead another series of run line specials.

That doesn’t mean the moneyline can’t produce positive results. However, if you’re going to be heavy on the ML on Monday, consider putting them together in a 3 or 4 leg parlay for better value when betting.

Anyways, enough talk — time for picks!

Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers

It may surprise some folks to learn that the team in the AL Central with the best run line record against division opponents are the Detroit Tigers. And while the Tigers are 17-13 on the run line in the AL Central, the Twins are 17-19.

In fact, the Twins are 3-4 against the Tigers this season and have been outscored 23 to 28 in those seven games. Need another betting note to encourage a play on the Tigers? The Twins are 11-16 on the run line as a road favorite.

Keep in mind, the pitching matchup favors Minnesota. Pablo Lopez pitched really well in his last start and was better in July that in the previous three months of the season. Additionally, Lopez has been better on the road than at home in ERA, OBA, and total Ks.

Meanwhile, Joey Wentz was bad for Detroit before going on the IL, though he was decent in his first start back in his most recent outing.

Are the Tigers going to pull off the upset and win? Maybe – but that’s not the bet on this one.

Could the Tigers cover +1.5? Yes – and we encourage that play – but if you’re looking for the best possible bet made available for this game, taking Tigers +2.5 and -195 odds is a screaming deal. That might mean it becomes the leg of a parlay for some, but if we like +1.5, we LOVE +2.5!

MLB Best Bet: Tigers +1.5 (-120) / Tigers +2.5 (-195)


Atlanta Braves at Pittsburgh Pirates

Spencer Strider may very well be the frontrunner for the National League Cy Young Award. OVER 200 strikeouts, a 12-3 record, and opponents are hitting just ,213 on the year against him.

But on the road, Strider gets even better! 7-1 with 2.93 ERA! Plus, of the four Pirate hitters with a history against him, only Bryan Reynolds has a hit against Spencer Strider.

Osvaldo Bido has never faced the Atlanta Braves or any member of their lineup. But, his 0-2 record and 8.40 ERA at home suggests it could be a long day (or a short one in terms of total innings pitched) for Bido.

Given the major gap in starting pitchers, we like the Braves. However, Atlanta on the moneyline might not be a good enough return for the money put down on the bet. So, we recommend taking the Braves on the run line and trust the offense and Strider to clear the difference.

MLB Best Bet: Braves -1.5 (-152)

Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics

While Dane Dunning has been brilliant this season – 9-4 with a 3.14 ERA – his July was his worst month of the year. Not only did he go 1-3 and his ERA was 5.06, but he allowed 5 home runs and a .291 OBA.

Fortunately for Texas Rangers fans and sports bettors, Dunning found his form in his first start of August, with a 7.2-inning win in which he allowed just one run on three hits with only one walk to 11 strikeouts.

That’s the Dane Dunning we’ve come to expect in 2023 – and against the Oakland A’s – we expect to see it again on Monday!

Opposing Dunning and the Rangers is the A’s southpaw, Ken Waldichuk. He’s winless at home this year, opponents are hitting .287 against him this season, and over the last 30 days his ERA is 6.11.

This is not a fair fight. The Rangers offense is loaded, Dunning is a stud, and the A’s starter is a blowout waiting to happen.

Much like the Braves game, we like the favorite to win – but where is the fun (and return on investment) in that bet. So, take the Rangers on the run line and fade the A’s.

MLB Best Bet: Rangers -1.5 (-125)