MLB Tips & Odds: The Panel's Picks And Best Bets For Tuesday, August 13

Today's MLB Picks:

• Panel Pick 1: Yusef Kikuchi Over 7.5 Strikeouts @ +120 With Draftkings
• Panel Pick 2: Baltimore Orioles -1.5 Runs @ +120 With BetMGM
• Panel Pick 3: Boston Red Sox & Texas Rangers Over 9.5 Runs @ -110 With FanDuel

The Panel, featuring seasoned analysts from Gambling.com, call upon their extensive expertise to deliver today's top MLB picks. 

By focusing on key matchups and the most exciting games, they provide comprehensive coverage and insightful analysis. 

The Panel's experts meticulously research team form, player statistics and historical data to identify the best betting opportunities while their in-depth knowledge of the sport, combined with advanced analytical tools, allows them to offer well-informed predictions. 

Keep reading for The Panel's MLB picks from sports betting sites ahead of today's action.

Houston Astros vs Tampa Bay Rays (O/U 8, ML -130 Astros) 

The Astros are riding a six-game winning streak and have managed to climb to the top of the American League West standings while Houston are currently a half-game up on Seattle.

The focus lies on pitcher Yusei Kikuchi who has a tendency to strike out more batters than innings pitched. 

However, the former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher's early returns have been very good and in 11 innings, Kikuchi has 19 strikeouts and two wins. 

Tampa Bay are not the same as they were a few weeks ago, but selling at the trade deadline will do that to any team and that is why Houston are favored on Tuesday.  

Kikuchi has been walking some batters a little more often lately and if his walk prop lies around 1.5, the Over may be a wise option (2+ in five straight outings). However, our hammer is on the strikes.                                                                                                                                                 

The over of 7.5 strikeouts with baseball betting sites is risky, but the Japanese pitcher hit this mark in three of four outings and Kikuchi can make that four of five on Tuesday night. 

The Panel Pick 1: Yusef Kikuchi Over 7.5 Strikeouts - Draftkings +120

Washington Nationals vs Baltimore Orioles (O/U 9, ML -175, Orioles)  

The Orioles are now in first place by half a game, thanks to what can be best described as a total New York Yankees meltdown.

So can Baltimore avoid the same fate on Tuesday as they open a series against the Washington Nationals? 

Washington are 26-33 on the road and has fallen far behind in the Wildcard standings as they set their sails toward 2025. 

Jake Irvin is struggling mightily for the Nationals of late and is 1-3 in his previous five starts having given up four or more runs in back-to-back efforts. 

The Orioles’ bullpen likely will have to pitch at least four innings and Baltimore should be able to put up enough runs on the scoreboard. 

The Panel pick here is to take Baltimore to win by two or more runs with a late flourish. 

The Panel Pick 2: Baltimore Orioles -1.5 Runs - BetMGM +120

Texas Rangers vs Boston Red Sox (O/U 9.5, ML -142, Red Sox)

The Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox face off on Tuesday night from Fenway Park in Boston with Jose Urena and Kutter Crawford starting pitchers for the respective teams. 

The worry about the total here is valid. One or two betting apps briefly ran this number up to 10.0. 

Fortunately, a few are hedging at 9.5, while going up to 10.5 for an alternate total could prove to be beneficial.     

So, who has been getting roughed up lately? Well, that would be Crawford, who has yielded five or more runs in four straight starts. 

Jose Urena gave up seven runs against Boston at home in his last outing versus the Red Sox, meaning runs could be on the docket given the bullpens. 

Expect temperatures in the 70s and balls to be flying on Tuesday night as Boston and Texas will have ample chances to pile on the runs.

The Panel Pick 3: Boston & Texas Over 9.5 Runs - FanDuel -110