MLB Predictions Today: Best MLB Bets Today & MLB Player Props 08/18
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Best MLB Bets Today, Player Props & MLB Predictions, August 18th
- ⭐ Pick 1: Rays vs. Angels: Over 9 Runs (-120) at BetMGM
- ⭐ Pick 2: Pirates vs. Twins: Pablo Lopez Under 8.5 Strikeouts (-150) at FanDuel
- ⭐ Pick 3: Phillies vs. Nationals: Michael Lorenzen Over 3.5 Strikeouts (-178) at Caesars
- ⭐ Pick 4: Rays vs. Angels: Shohei Ohtani Over 1.5 Total Bases (+100) at DraftKings
The small August 17 slate has ended, ending a few series, including the Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals. The Red Sox lost the final game of the series 10-7 after a rough outing from Chris Sale. We’ll look to some new series for our best MLB bets today.
On August 18, before we head into the weekend, we have 16 games to choose from, meaning we have some MLB predictions today stretching from 2:20 PM to 10:10 PM ET.
Here, we’ll check out a mix of standard wagers and MLB player props. We’ll review the odds from the best online betting sites, such as BetMGM, FanDuel, Caesars, and more, to find the odds.
Let’s check out what we got.
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Tampa Bay Rays vs. Los Angeles Angels MLB Predictions Today & Odds, 9:38 PM ET
⭐ Rays vs. Angels: Over 9 Runs (-120) at BetMGM
We’ll make a Rays vs. Angels prediction based on the total line instead of some MLB player props.
The Rays will be starting Erasmo Ramirez. Ramirez, a righty, has just one start on the season to this point, and over his last five outings, he’s pitched just over 12 innings, allowing 19 hits.
Opposing him is Tyler Anderson, who’s also been beaten up this season, going 5-4 with a 5.28 ERA. Over his last five starts, Anderson has allowed 15 runs, though, to be fair, seven of those came in his most recent outing.
Offensively, the Angels and Rays do well, scoring 4.75 and 5.17 runs per game, respectively. Both starters have shown they can get torched, and both offenses can produce runs.
For our best MLB bets today, take the over on total runs.
⭐ Best Betting Pick: Rays vs. Angels: Over 9 Runs (-120) at BetMGM
⭐ CLICK HERE to bet on the Rays vs. Angels match ⭐
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Minnesota Twins MLB Predictions Today & Odds, 8:10 PM ET
⭐ Pablo Lopez Under 8.5 Strikeouts (-150) at FanDuel
Looking over some MLB player props for this matchup, we’ve found one that may not have as much value as we’d like, but remember, the end goal here is to make winning wagers.
For this Pirates vs. Twins prediction, we’re focusing on Twins starter Pablo Lopez’s strikeout prop. His line is at 8.5 strikeouts, with odds -150 on the under.
Lopez is 8-6 on the year with a 3.66 ERA. Over his last five starts, Lopez has failed to go beyond 8.5 strikeouts, though he does have two starts where he reached eight.
The last time Lopez had nine strikeouts or more, was July 5, when we had 12. On the season, Lopez has six games with nine strikeouts or more. He is going up against the Pirates, who strike out 8.90 times per game, which is 21st in the league.
Still, this line is too high for Lopez. For our best MLB bets today, take the under.
⭐ Best Betting Pick: Pablo Lopez Under 8.5 Strikeouts (-150) at FanDuel
⭐ CLICK HERE to bet on the Pirates vs. Twins match! ⭐
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals MLB Predictions Today & Odds, time (7:05 PM ET)
⭐ Michael Lorenzen Over 3.5 Strikeouts (-178) at Caesars
As we look into our Phillis vs. Nationals prediction, we’ll focus on a player who threw a no-hitter in his second start with the team.
That’s right; we’re checking out Phillies starter Michael Lorenzen and an MLB player prop of his.
Of course, Lorenzen was fantastic in his last start, throwing a no-hitter against—you guessed it—the Nationals. He had five strikeouts and four walks in that last outing.
Over his last five starts, which includes the Phillies and Detroit Tigers, he’s had at least five strikeouts four times.
Thus, his strikeout line of 3.5 (-178 at Caesars) is relatively low.
Again, the value is lacking, but this projects as a safe wager that you can bet straight up or add to a parlay.
For our best MLB bets today, take over on Lorenzen’s strikeouts.
⭐ Best Betting Pick: Michael Lorenzen Over 3.5 Strikeouts (-178) at Caesars
⭐ CLICK HERE to bet on the Phillies vs. Nationals match! ⭐
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Los Angeles Angels MLB Predictions Today & Odds, time (9:38 PM ET)
⭐ Shohei Ohtani Over 1.5 Total Bases (+100) at DraftKings
The Rays recently ended a series against the San Francisco Giants. Now, we’re diving into some more Rays vs. Angels predictions.
Of course, whenever the Angels are involved, it’s easy to attack some MLB player props for designated hitter and pitcher Shohei Ohtani.
Ohtani isn’t on the mound today, so he’ll be opposing Rays starter Erasmo Ramirez as a hitter. Over his last five games, Ohtani has six hits, and on August 16, his last appearance as a hitter, he went 3-for-4 with a home run.
As mentioned at the beginning of these best bets, Ramirez has struggled lately. Against Ramirez, lefties have posted a massive .356 batting average and .366 on-base percentage.
Expect Ohtani to get on base plenty here. Thus, take over his total bases for our best MLB bets today.
⭐ Best Betting Pick: Shohei Ohtani Over 1.5 Total Bases (+100) at DraftKings
⭐ CLICK HERE to bet on the Rays vs. Angels match! ⭐
As we look forward to the thrilling 2023 MLB regular season, there's another exciting development on the horizon for sports betting enthusiasts. Come this September, Kentucky will be launching online sports betting, paving the way for the emergence of new Kentucky betting apps. This opens up a new realm of opportunities for fans and bettors alike. Stay tuned for more updates on this front.
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Updated by
Admir Aljic
Last Updated:
