As we looked for the best MLB bets for August 25th, we realized that today is the last Friday of August. The summer simply flies by too fast.
While there is NFL football to look forward to, as well as all the fantasy fun that comes with that, it sadly means that baseball is heading into its final days.
So, enjoy the dog days of August baseball as much as you can today – and to help you do just that, we have some of the best MLB bets for August 25th that we are feeling very good about.
Grab a cold one, put on the game, hang with some friends, and embrace a beautiful Friday in August. Here you go – our best MLB bets for August 25th…
Houston Astros (-175) at Detroit Tigers (+150) – 6:40 PM EST
When the Astros play on no rest (like they will Friday), the OVER is 62-47-3. That’s the 5th best over percentage in baseball and 2nd in the American League.
When the Tigers are a home favorite, the OVER is 27-21-1. That may surprise many, that the Tigers are a strong over play when doubted at home (like they are so often) – though that may be because of Detroit’s pitching woes.
Speaking of pitching, the Astros Framber Valdez is pitching some of the worst baseball of his career. After a 7.29 ERA in July, Valdez’s ERA in August is 4.71 and he’s allowed five home runs. Plus, he has a higher ERA, HR allowed, and walks allowed on the road.
Tigers starter Matt Manning has a 6.05 ERA at home and over the last 30 days, he’s allowed seven home runs.
While we like the Tigers to cover the run line (especially at +2.5), that’s not the best bet we can take in this game. We have our sights set and our money on the OVER. We are taking the alternative line of 7.5, but wouldn’t sweat the 8.5 if no alternative lines are offered.
Best MLB bets for August 25th: Astros-Tigers OVER 7.5 (-165)
Chicago Cubs (-120) at Pittsburgh Pirates (+100) – 7:05 PM EST
PNC Park should have warm temperatures, a strong wind out to right field, and provide perfect conditions for a boost in home runs, extra-base hits, and overall scoring.
Not only does the weather favor offense but so do the trends.
The OVER is 32-11-1 when the Pirates are a home underdog. That cover percentage of 74.4 is third best in MLB and the 32 overs are more than any other team in MLB.
Meanwhile, the OVER is 21-12-3 when the Cubs play against other teams in the NL Central, that’s the second-best over percentage in baseball.
Both starters have struggled in the month of August. Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks has a 5.48 ERA and .281 OBA while the Pirates starter Mitch Keller has a 5.73 ERA and .326 OBA.
All signs point to runs, runs, runs on Friday between the Cubs and Pirates. We are taking the OVER at the alternative line of 7.5, but taking 8.5 should be a cashing ticket too.
Best MLB bets for August 25th: Cubs-Pirates 7.5 (-165)
Colorado Rockies (+155) at Baltimore Orioles (-185) – 7:05 PM EST
In 2023, Kyle Freeland – the Rockies southpaw starting pitcher – has a 5-13 record, 5.02 ERA, 23 home runs allowed, and opponents are hitting .296 against him.
And, if those season stats weren’t bad enough, Freeland actually (somehow) has a worse ERA, record, home runs allowed, and OBA on the road than he does at home…and remember, he pitches at Coors Field. You know you’ve been pitching poorly when Coors Field is your “pitcher’s ballpark.”
And now, Freeland is going up against one of the best offenses in baseball in the Baltimore Orioles.
We aren’t going to belabor this one. We like Baltimore to win as one of our best MLB bets for August 25th!
Best MLB bets for August 25th: Orioles ML (-185)