Tracking MLB betting action for Thursday, August 19th

We have a short 10-game slate in the majors Thursday, beginning at 1:10 p.m. ET with the Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Tigers. There are a lot good matchups happening across the league that will feature a ton of betting implications.

After winning 2 out of our 3 best bets on Tuesday night, we did not have the same luck on Wednesday, going 0-2. Our first loss was Toronto Blue Jays starter Jose Berrios over 5.5 strikeouts (-130). Despite the prop being juiced at -130, Berrios put up 3 strikeouts in 5.0 IP.

The second loss was the Red Sox ML (+100) as they lost 5-2 to the Yankees. It was a particularly tough beat with New York southpaw Andrew Heaney pitching outstanding last night after allowing 15 earned runs and 8 HRs in his first three starts with the Yankees. Heaney only gave up 2 hits (1 HR), 1 earned run, but had 4 strikeouts in 7.0 IP.

Here we’re going to be tracking all the best MLB picks base on the odds and lines on DraftKings Sportsbook for Thursday night’s baseball action.

MLB picks for Thursday, August 19th

Mariners (-135) vs. Rangers

To start off our best bets, we are going to play the Seattle Mariners moneyline (-135) against the Texas Rangers. The Mariners are looking to capture the three-game series sweep over the Rangers after defeating them 3-1 Wednesday night. Seattle has won four consecutive games over Texas and have held them to one run in each of those contests.

The Mariners will turn the ball over to their best starting pitcher Chris Flexen, who has a 10-5 record and 3.78 ERA this season. Flexen has not been the best pitcher on the road with a 5.44 ERA in 9 starts. However, he’s pitched well against the Rangers this season to the tune of 3-0 and an ERA of 2.33. Meanwhile, for the Rangers, this might be another bullpen game as Spencer Howard will get the start. Howard has a 5.06 ERA in his first two starts with the Rangers, but has failed to pitch more than three innings.

Brandon Woodruff over 6.5 strikeouts (+105) vs. St. Louis

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios let us down yesterday afternoon against the Washington Nationals. However, I do not think Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff will let us down tonight against the Cardinals. Woodruff is a part of a dynamic Brewers’ rotation that features Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta.

Woodruff has a 7-6 record and 2.18 ERA through 23 starts this season. The 28-year-old has gone over 6.5 strikeouts in 13 out of 23 outings, which includes 3 out of his last 5 starts. In his last five road starts, Woodruff is averaging 6.4 strikeouts per game.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).21+ (18+ NH). CO/IL/IN/IA/NH/NJ/PA/TN/VA/WV/MI only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.