After only a handful of games on Thursday, MLB’s Friday schedule is a beautiful thing to see for sports bettors as we try to find the best MLB bets for August 18th. After going 2-1 yesterday, we are looking for a similar performance.
Not only is there a full slate to bet on, but there are some notably one-sided pitching matchups that should allow even the casual fan to find at least one or two teams to like on Friday night.
As for our best MLB bets for August 18th, we are letting the aces lead us to some W’s – now, let’s get to some picks!
Philadelphia Phillies (-200) at Washington Nationals (+170) – 7:05 PM EST
The Nationals have won six of their last 10 games after claiming back-to-back wins at home against the Boston Red Sox.
Now, Washington hosts the Phillies who – much like last year – have used the summer months to climb from the bottom of the NL East into contention for a Wild Card spot.
Philly is also 6-4 over their last 10 games and on Friday, the Phillies send Michael Lorenzen to the mound for his first start since his no-hitter against – yes, the same Washington Nationals lineup he’ll be facing on Friday.
Will Lorenzen give up a hit this time? Yes. Will he also secure another win for the Phillies? Yes!
Over the last 30 days, Lorenzen is 3-1 with a 1.55 ERA and a .144 OBA. That’s beyond just pitching a no-hitter – Lorenzen’s stats make him one of the hottest pitchers in baseball right now and one of the best trade deadline moves of 2023.
Again, our bet doesn’t go much beyond believin Lorezen knows how to dominate the Nats lineup and he’ll do it again today.
Best MLB bets for August 18th: Phillies ML (200)
San Francisco Giants (+190) at Atlanta Braves (-220) – 7:20 PM EST
The San Francisco Giants are fighting for a Wild Card spot at the moment (as the Dodgers turn on the jets and open up distance in the NL West), and if the Giants make the postseason, they could easily meet the Braves. Making this weekend’s series in Atlanta a possible playoff preview.
Friday’s game features two aces – or at least they’ve been at times this season – Alex Cobb versus Spencer Strider.
Everyone knows about Strider at this point – 13-4 record, 3.75 ERA, 217 strikeouts, with a .213 OBA. He is very much in Cy Young contention if not the straight out favorite.
In the first half of the season, Alex Cobb could make an argument for NL Cy Young. In August, Cobb hasn’t been good – he’s been awful! In three starts this month, he is 0-1 with an 8.04 ERA and opponents are hitting a crazy high .314 against him.
Cobb’s struggles in August stand out in this game, as does his 4.96 ERA on the road with nine home runs allowed. Against Atlanta’s lineup, those road split stats suggest trouble is coming for Cobb on Friday night.
Maybe the Giants keep it closer than the Yankees did earlier this week, but we have no issue taking the Braves to win with Spencer Strider toeing the rubber.
Best MLB bets for August 18th: Braves ML (-220)
Miami Marlins (+125) at Los Angeles Dodgers (-145) – 10:10 PM EST
Sandy Alcantara has been one of the great mysteries of 2023.
The former NL Cy Young winner hasn’t pitched to that level. Month-by-month, his ERA in the first four months of the season were – March: 4.76, April: 5.11, May: 4.85, June: 4.59.
He had gone from an ace to a pitcher someone would consider fading. And then, Sandy found something and he’s been better!
In July was 3.31 and in August (through three starts) his ERA is 1.96! Vast improvement! Plus, opponents are only hitting .181 against him this month. You can finally believe in Alcantara again.
Plus, Alcantara has done a decent job of containing the Dodgers lineup. Lifetime, LA hitters against the Miami righty have 112 at-bats, 30 hits (.268 average), two home runs, 18 RBIs, eight walks to 26 strikeouts. Is it lights out? No, but at least he’s kept the home runs down (Mookie Betts and Max Muncy each have one).
Would we bet the Marlins to win? No – but can Miami cover on the run line? That’s the play we are going to place!
Best MLB bets for August 18th: Marlins +1.5 (-165)