MLB Best Bets Today August 1:
It will be a very light day on the diamond with only five MLB games. At least all five are night games, as the Trade Deadline frenzy has settled down and the teams are looking ahead to whatever their futures may hold. A fascinating series in Cleveland between the Guardians and Orioles is the highlight of the card, but we should have a good weekend of baseball once everybody gets back on the field.
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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 1:
Kansas City Royals (-155, 8.5) at Detroit Tigers
6:40 p.m. ET
It will be a hot one in Motown tonight with some sticky conditions and rain in the area. In fact, four of tonight’s five games are threatened by thunderstorms, so it may end up being an even lighter day on the diamond.
But, there is something I like in this one and it is about the Royals offense, which has been swinging it well since the All-Star Break. KC checks in sixth in wOBA at .346 here in the second half, with Bobby Witt Jr. doing a lot of the damage. Tigers starter Keider Montero has allowed 10 home runs in six starts and six in his last three starts, including five dingers in two starts since the Break.
Montero has a 6.38 ERA with a 6.08 FIP over 36.2 innings of work and has allowed 11 runs on 16 hits in his last two starts. If we extend that out before the Break, he’s allowed 16 runs on 23 hits in 15.1 innings. He’s not a big strikeout guy, so the Royals should be able to put balls in play and have opportunities at getting on the scoreboard. Montero has allowed 17 hard-hit balls and four Barrels in those two outings. I also don’t like his fly ball style on a night like tonight with warm temps and humid air.
Every series is a big one for the Royals, who are fighting for their first playoff appearance since winning the World Series back in 2015. They should hit the ground running here.
Pick: Royals 1st 5 Team Total Over 2.5 (+105)
