Best Bets on Today’s 14-Game MLB Schedule
The 2023 MLB season is heating up and VSiN has you covered with every way you can possibly bet on a baseball game. Normally, Adam Burke will have daily best bets to give you some ideas of what to back when it comes to moneylines, run lines and totals, while I focus on feeding you all player props. However, Adam needed to take care of something today, so I’m tackling everything before we get back to our regularly scheduled programming. Keep reading to find out how I’m betting four of the games on the MLB schedule for Friday, August 4.
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MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on August 4
Here are our favorite MLB best bets and props for Friday, August 4:
Atlanta Braves (-175. 8.5) at Chicago Cubs
The Braves are one of the best teams in baseball, but I like the Cubs to keep the gravy train moving in today’s matchup against Max Fried. The wind does appear to be blowing in at Wrigley Field today, but I still like Chicago to give him some issues. The Cubs have scored at least five runs in 10 of their last 12 games, and Fried hasn’t faced a lineup like this in some time. In fact, the ace was just reactivated from a stint on the 60-day IL, so there could be a lot of rust at play in this one. And the Cubs are rock-solid when it comes to hitting lefties to begin with. Meanwhile, Chicago is sending Kyle Hendricks to the hill today. Over the last two seasons, the team is 10-3 on the moneyline when the total is between 7 and 8.5 with Hendricks on the mound. The opponents averaged only 3.3 runs per game in those contests, so Hendricks tends to deliver when he’s expected to be in a pitcher’s duel.
Bet: Cubs ML (+145)
Washington Nationals at Cincinnati Reds (-175, 10.5)
I understand all the hate that is thrown in Patrick Corbin’s direction, but that doesn’t mean you have to fade him every game. And today, I like the lefty to go Over 4.5 strikeouts in a road start against the Reds. Corbin had at least five strikeouts in three consecutive starts before fanning only two against the New York Mets on July 29th. But this is a mark the lefty has reached eight times this season, and I find it hard to pass up on betting it at plus-money odds. The Reds also happen to be a team that is right near the top 10 when it comes to highest strikeout rates, so this is a team that can struggle to make contact. Corbin has also had at least five strikeouts in three of his last four starts against Cincinnati.
Bet: Corbin Over 4.5 Strikeouts (+106)
Toronto Blue Jays at Boston Red Sox (-162, 10.5)
The Red Sox aren’t hitting right-handed pitching as hard as they were early in the season, but this is still a team that can do damage against righties. Tonight, they just so happen to be getting one that has been miserable this season. Alek Manoah is 2-8 with a 5.87 ERA for Toronto this year, and he actually had some trouble in a start against Boston back on May 3rd. I think the Red Sox will get to him again in this one, paving the way for this to be a very high-scoring game. On the flip side of that, James Paxton has been excellent for Boston this year. And he also pitched 7.0 innings of shutout ball against Toronto back on June 30th. But the Jays are a very good offensive team and should come with a better approach in this one.
Bet: Over 10.5 (-108)
Miami Marlins at Texas Rangers (-148, 8.5)
Jordan Montgomery is making his debut for the Rangers tonight, and he’ll be doing so at home. There’s quite a bit of pressure that comes with that, and the lefty also happens to be facing a very tough lineup. This season, Miami has the third-highest wRC+ in the league against left-handed pitching. With that in mind, the Marlins could make Montgomery work all throughout this one. And overall, I wouldn’t be surprised if Miami spoils the lefty’s first real experience at Globe Life Field. Of course, Jesus Luzardo is on the mound for the Marlins in this one, and he’ll have to navigate his way through a Rangers lineup that hits southpaws very hard — they’re actually second in the league in wRC+ against lefties. But I trust Luzardo a little more in this situation, as he’s pitching with nothing to lose. And I just like the value on the Marlins at these odds. They’re an impressive 23-12 in inter-league play this year.
Bet: Marlins ML (+124)
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