Before we get to our best MLB bets for August 20th – we wanted to take a moment and, on this Sunday, reflect on life, baseball, and sports betting with some wisdom from one of the wisest and greatest Americans of all-time (at least if you ask us).
Yogi Berra fought in D-Day, won 10 championships, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In all that living, he learned a lot and we all could always use some insightful perspective. So, here are a few “Yogisms” to get your Sunday started right…
“Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.”
“Half the lies they tell about me aren’t true.”
“The future ain’t what it used to be”
“When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”
“It ain’t over till it’s over.”
Thank you, Yogi! Hopefully one of those struck a note with you that stays beyond today and offers a little humor and more.
Now, let’s deliver some of the best MLB bets for August 20th…
Toronto Blue Jays (-115) at Cincinnati Reds (-105) – 1:40 PM EST
Cincinnati Reds flamethrower Hunter Greene hasn’t pitched since June 17. His return contributes to a Reds roster loaded with offensive talent, but desperately in need of pitching. This is exactly the addition that Cincy needed.
Speaking of big returns from the IL, the Blue Jays got Bo Bichette back this weekend – valuable against Greene since Bichette is one of only two Blue Jays to be hitting over .300 against right-handed pitchers.
Bichette will play behind southpaw Hyun-Jin Ryu, who has made just three starts since he returned from the IL. He’s allowed just four earned runs, good for a 2.57 ERA.
So, the data and trends aren’t there for the starting pitchers. What does stand out as an opportunity is taking the Reds on the run line as a home underdog.
When the Reds are an underdog in Cincinnati, they are 28-13 on the run line (2nd best record in MLB). Plus, the Reds are 19-12 on the run line in interleague games (4th best cover percentage in MLB).
So, if the pitchers didn’t show us the way, the season-long trends get us there. We are taking Cincy to cover at home for one of our best MLB bets for August 20th.
Best MLB Bets for August 20th: Reds +1.5 (-165)
Pittsburgh Pirates (+120) at Minnesota Twins (-140) – 2:10 PM EST
Which Osvaldo Bido will show up for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday?
In August, the Pirates right-handed starter is 0-2 and has a 6.55 ERA after allowing eight earned runs (10 total runs) in just 11 innings. However, Bido’s struggles have been largely at home. Away from Pittsburgh, Bido is 2-0, has a 2.57 ERA, and has only allowed two home runs in 21 innings.
Twins southpaw starter Dallas Keuchel has only made two starts this season. After pitching five innings of one-run ball against the Diamondbacks at home on August 6, Keuchel was shelled for six runs in just 1.2 innings against the Phillies in Philadelphia.
The big question when it comes to our best MLB bets for August 20th is: “Will Keuchel shows up on Sunday?”
Pittsburgh does have a winning record on the run line as a road underdog and Minnesota does have a losing record on the run line as a home favorite. Neither team has a good run line record in interleague play.
The Pirates have covered six of their ten games on a +1.5 run line, while the Twins have won just four of their last ten games by two or more runs.
We are not saying to take the Pirates on the money line – it could cash, but that’s too risky for us. No, we are playing it safer and taking the Pirates to cover on the run line as a road underdog for one of our best MLB bets for August 20th.
Best MLB Bets for August 20th: Pirates +1.5 (-160)
Kansas City Royals (+180) at Chicago Cubs (-210) – 2:20 PM EST
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jordan Lyles has developed quite the reputation during the 2023 MLB regular season.
If you are a regular reader of our best MLB bets, you know about Jordan Lyles. Frankly, if you’ve been betting baseball in 2023, you know Jordan Lyles
Jordan Lyles has been one of the best “fade plays” of this year – in any sport. When Lyles pitches, the Royals lose…very very often! In fact, KC has won just three games Lyles has started – and he’s started 23 games!
So, fading Lyles has been popular and profitable. Who would ever doubt the power of the fade?
Well , we are – that’s right, we believe in the Kansas City Royals on a “Jordan Lyles Day”!
Wait…I should amend that a bit. We believe in the Royals TO COVER on a “Jordan Lyles Day”. Yeah, that’s better.
You see, the Royals have been playing much better baseball of late and Lyles has pitched better – okay, maybe he hasn’t been much better, but the Royals have been better in games Lyles has pitched.
If you don’t like Lyles, but you like the Royals, you’ll love knowing that Chicago Cubs strating pitcher Kyle Hendricks has struggled at Wrigley Field this season. He’s 1-4 with a 5.36 ERA, seven home runs allowed, and opponents have a .297 batting average against Hendricks when in Chicago.
You might call us crazy – you may even choose to fade one of our best MLB bets for August 20th. By the way, go right ahead if you have a stronger instinct on the game. But we are going with the Royals…and not just that, but we are taking KC on two cover plays for our best MLB bets for August 20th. That’s how much confidence we have in the Royals to cover at Wrigley on Sunday.
Best MLB Bets for August 20th: Royals +1.5 (-110) and Royals +2.5 (-190)