It’s time to bounce back with our best MLB bets for August 8th. Monday was a swing-and-a-miss day with our picks. Ugly! But what do you do when you strike out? You go back to the analytics, you study, and find the trends that get you back on the right track, and you go back out there and take another swing!
Is everyone feeling inspired? Everyone feeling pumped? Everyone want some free MLB picks?…
Let’s get to work!
Best MLB Bets for August 8th: Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies – 4:05 PM EST
If you learn one stat about this Nats-Phillies game, it should be that this roster of Philly hitters has combined to hit nine home runs against Josiah Gray. Even for a division opponent, that’s a lot of home runs!
While he didn’t allow a dinger in his most recent start, Gray had one of his outings of the season suffering the loss in a 3.2-inning performance in which he allowed five runs on four hits and three walks.
Even if Gray bounces back in turns of total innings pitched, expect the Phillies to get some runs – and specifically home runs up against the Nats starter.
As for the Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler, he’s struggled against Washington this season. Despite solid and consistent numbers through 2023, the Nationals have rocked Wheeler in the two starts he’s made against them.
In the two previous starts, Wheeler is 1-0 but has an 11.42 ERA and he allowed 15 hits including two home runs.
If you need even more encouragement towards taking the OVER, the weather will be favorable for runs and home runs in Philadelphia. Winds are expected to be blowing out to center and right-center. Again, the OVER is the play – but there are also some home run player prop bets that will be attractive in this one (Nick Castellanos has 3 HRs vs Gray and Schwarber has 2 HRs).
MLB Best Bet: Nationals-Phillies OVER 7.5 (-165)
Best MLB Bets for August 8th: Atlanta Braves (-155) at Pittsburgh Pirates (+135) – 7:05 PM EST
My expectation for the Braves and Pirates on Tuesday? Runs!
Mitch Keller had been a stud in the first half of the season – especially in April and May. But over the last 30 days, Keller is 0-4, has a 7.53 ERA, has allowed seven home runs, and hitters are hitting just under .300 against him. He got rocked in his last start against the Brewers.
He’s simply not the same quality pitcher he was earlier in the year and on Tuesday he’s facing arguably the best offense in baseball that has a good track record against him. In 37 combined at-bats, Braves hitters are hitting .351 with two homers (Acuna Jr and Albies) and nine RBIs.
The Braves offense could be a good one to stack for your DFS lineup because they will be delivering some runs!
Speaking of runs, the Braves start Yonny Chirinos who has allowed at least three earned runs in four of his last five starts and in 6 of his last eight starts. Over the last 30 days, his ERA is 6.28 and opponents are hitting .281.
The Pirates roster doesn’t have history against Chirinos, but Pittsburgh should be able to push across a few runs to help bettors who put their dollars down on the OVER 8.5 runs.
MLB Best Bet: Braves-Pirates OVER 8.5 (-175)
Best MLB Bets for August 8th: Toronto Blue Jays (-120) at Cleveland Guardians (+100) – 7:05 PM EST
The Blue Jays are back to playing better baseball with four straight wins including a series opener against Cleveland on Monday. The victory was powered by a Cavan Biggio home run.
In this game, Toronto starts southpaw Yusei Kikuchi, who is coming off one of his best starts of the season. 4-1 on the road this year, Kikuchi should keep the Jays competitive as long as he avoids the long ball. He’s given up 13 on the road this season.
On the flip side, Guardians starter Tanner Bibee has given up only one home run at home this season. That’s just one of several impressive stats for Bibee at home: 4-1 record, 1.96 ERA, .182 OBA.
Bibee at home is a good bet. But, that’s not the one we like. The Blue Jays are 18-11 in the run line as an away underdog. The Guardians are 15-24 on the run line as home favorites. Give us the Blue Jays to cover the +1.5.
MLB Best Bet: Blue Jays +1.5 (-215)