MLB Best Bets Today August 26:
It is a big day for us here at VSiN because we’re putting the finishing touches on our “Updated” 2024 NFL Betting Guide with some post-preseason updates, more than 60 best bets from VSiN hosts and contributors, contest strategies, and a whole lot more. We’re also posting Week 1 college football content in advance of the true start of the season.
And, yet, the MLB season is still rolling along and we don’t want to forget about that. There are 11 games to kick off the new work week, so it is a busy Monday on the diamond as well. The only day game is Game 1 in a huge series between the Royals and Guardians. Otherwise, we’ve got 10 night games for our last Monday without a football game (Boston College/Florida State next week) for a long, long time.
Top MLB Resources:
Article runs Monday-Saturday, odds current from DraftKings at time of publish, SHOP AROUND for the best prices. Tracking sheet is here.
Here are the MLB best bets today for August 26:
Tampa Bay Rays at Seattle Mariners (-135, 7)
9:40 p.m. ET
Today is a really weird day on the diamond. There are call-ups and recalls, plus we have a suspended game that is essentially a doubleheader and an actual doubleheader. I think there are quite a few uncomfortable situations, but I do like this one between the Rays and Mariners.
It will be Ryan Pepiot and Bryce Miller in a battle of two guys who should pitch well with the T-Mobile Park backdrop and good matchups. Pepiot has worked 11.1 innings with four runs allowed on nine hits since returning from a spider bite that put him on the IL. Only two of the runs are earned and he has a 10/2 K/BB ratio. Pepiot’s strong control and command since coming back are positives against a Mariners lineup that draws a lot of walks. I think Pepiot can neutralize that and he also works up in the zone as a fly ball guy, another positive characteristic in Seattle.
The Rays rank 29th in wOBA against RHP this month at .278. Only the Angels are worse and only the Angels are worse by wRC+ as well. Tampa is batting .219/.282/.353 with a 26.1% K% in this split during the month and that should be a good fit for Miller, who has a 3.32 ERA with a 3.86 xERA and a 3.68 FIP in 143.2 innings of work.
Not surprisingly, Miller has shined at home with a 2.09 ERA and a .188/.242/.289 slash against with a .236 wOBA over 77.1 innings of work. I would expect him to shine here as well.
Neither bullpen is all that compromised. On a day where I think MLB options are pretty limited, the Under 7 is my favorite play.
Pick: Rays/Mariners Under 7 (-118)
