MLB Predictions Today: Best MLB Bets Today & MLB Player Props 08/17

⭐ Pirates ML (+105) at BetMGM

In a battle of two underwhelming ball clubs, we’ll look at our Pirates vs. Mets prediction as they kick off the early afternoon slate, playing at 1:10 PM ET. 

The pitching matchup here includes Johan Oviedo for the Pirates and Tylor Megill for the Mets. 

Oviedo is coming off a dreadful start against the Cincinnati Reds, in which he allowed six earned runs in five innings. On the year, he’s 6-12 with a 4.42 ERA, which, for the Pirates, at least ERA-wise, could be a lot worse.

On the other hand, Megill has had a rough go of it this season, going 6-6 with a 5.64 ERA through 17 starts, allowing four or more runs in four of his last five starts. We're going to back Oviedo and take Pirates ML (+105) at BetMGM. 

Both teams rank in the bottom third in runs scored per game. With that in mind, we’ll avoid MLB player props here.

For our best MLB bets today, we’ll tackle the Pirates on the moneyline here as they have a favorable matchup against Megill. 

Best Betting Pick: Pirates vs. Mets: Pirates ML (+105) at BetMGM

CLICK HERE to bet on the Pirates vs. Mets match

⭐ Kevin Gausman Over 6.5 Strikeouts (-136) at FanDuel

At the top of this article, we mentioned the potential for Gausman to appear in our MLB best bets and what’s happening here.

Focusing on MLB player props, our Phillies vs. Blue Jays predictions will center around Gausman’s strikeout prowess. 

With a 9-6 record and a 3.04 ERA, Gausman also has 183 strikeouts, which leads the American League. 

In this game, he’ll oppose the Phillies, who strike out 9.12 times per game, which is 24th in the league, and we like Gausman Over 6.5 Strikeouts (-136) at FanDuel.

Gausman’s line here is 6.5, which he’s met in three of his last five starts. The two starts he fell flat in were his two most recent, where he had six. 

This feels like a safe wager.  

Best Betting Pick: Kevin Gausman Over 6.5 Strikeouts (-136) at FanDuel

⭐ CLICK HERE to bet on the Blue Jays vs. Phillies match! ⭐

⭐ Shohei Ohtani Over 1.5 Total Bases (-107) at Caesars

For our Rangers vs. Angels prediction, we’ll be looking toward an MLB player prop for perhaps the greatest player ever to live, Shohei Ohtani.

While he’s not on the mound today, Ohtani will be in the lineup against Rangers start Jon Gray, who’s been up and down lately.

Here are Gray’s last five starts:

• August 11: Zero earned runs.
• August 5: Five earned runs.
• July 24: Six earned runs.
• July 19: Zero earned runs.
• July 14: Four earned runs. 

Going up against the Angels and Ohtani, who score 4.79 runs per game, Gray might be in trouble with how sporadic he’s been, and we like Ohtani Over 1.5 Total Bases (-107) at Caesars.

Ohtani has been quiet over his last five games, accumulating four hits, one home run, and one double. Over that span, he hasn’t had more than one hit in a game.

For our best MLB bets today, take over Ohtani’s total bases. He should be able to do some damage to Gray. 

Best Betting Pick: Shohei Ohtani Over 1.5 Total Bases (-107) at Caesars

⭐ CLICK HERE to bet on the Rangers vs. Phillies match! ⭐ 

⭐ Oscar Gonzalez Under 1.5 Hits (-255) at DraftKings

Our Reds vs. Guardians predictions will also focus on an MLB player prop but from an unexpecting source. 

Here, we’re targeting the under on 1.5 hits for Oscar Gonzalez, the Guardians designated hitter.

In this one, he’ll go up against Reds rookie Andrew Abbott who, through 13 starts, is 7-3 with a 2.95 ERA. He’s had some rough outings lately, allowing 12 earned runs over his last three starts, but the Guardians are an excellent spot to get back on track, and Gonzalez isn’t much of a threat. 

While the line value isn’t great, Gonzalez is batting .246 on the season with a measly .279 on-base percentage. But we're still going with Gonzalez Under 1.5 Hits (-255) at DraftKings.

Over his last five games, he has seven hits, including two multi-hit games, but Abbott does a good job against right-handed hitters, limiting them to just a .221 batting average and 63 strikeouts. 

For our best MLB bets today, we’re tackling under 1.5 hits for Gonzalez at -255. This is a fine solo bet, but it could also be a nice add-on for a parlay wager.

Best Betting Pick: Oscar Gonzalez Under 1.5 Hits (-255) at DraftKings

⭐ CLICK HERE to bet on the Reds vs. Guardians match! ⭐