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MLB Betting Picks: Baseball Best Bets, Predictions, Odds on DraftKings Sportsbook for August 2

Nick Friar gives his best bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for this Tuesday’s MLB betting card.

Los Angeles Dodgers v Colorado Rockies Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

This article originally appeared on MLB.com: Here are 5 wise wagers for Tuesday’s games

With the trade deadline mixing up rosters for Tuesday’s games, there are some player props available on DraftKings Sportsbook that seem a bit more appealing than usual.

Follow along on Twitter (@Nick_Friar) for updates.


Seattle Mariners at New York Yankees

Total under 8.5 runs -105

Logan Gilbert has been tough in general this season, but he’s been even better away from Seattle. Although he hasn’t been as good as the Mariners right-hander, Jameson Taillon has been solid this year.

More importantly, the New York right-hander has been better at Yankee Stadium than on the road. Taillon has also been very effective in two of his last three starts, giving up just one run in his six-inning outing before the break and shutting out the Royals over six innings in his last start of July. Not having to pitch against Julio Rodríguez should help out Taillon’s cause, too.

The reason so much focus is on Taillon with this prop is Gilbert has been outstanding — plus, both bullpens are among the game’s best. Gilbert has made 21 starts this season, and the under on Tuesday’s total has hit in 14 of those contests. Tuesday’s under is also 8-3 across his last 11 starts.


New York Mets at Washington Nationals

Jacob deGrom over 6.5 strikeouts -125

It’s a high number for a first start after a lengthy absence, but this is the way to celebrate the return of baseball’s best pitcher. After going 68 pitches in his last rehab start, deGrom might get the bump to 75 or 80, but he doesn’t need that many to go over this number.

Now, that might seem like an odd take given the Nationals haven’t been striking out much against right-handers — whether you look at the entire season or just recent results. However, when you look at their individual strikeout rates, something stands out. Juan Soto had an 11.1% K rate against righties in July, and Josh Bell’s strikeout rate was 16.1%. Both appear to be heading to the Padres, which should make life easier for deGrom.

Also worth noting: deGrom had five starts where he threw 70 or fewer pitches last season. He went over Tuesday’s mark in three of those outings.


Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins

Jonathan Schoop over 1.5 total bases +125

It’s unlikely to see history between a batter and pitcher as the driving force behind a pick, but there are always exceptions to any rule. In this case, Schoop’s history with Chris Archer is one.

Detroit’s second baseman is 16-for-44 (.364) in his career against Archer. More importantly, nine of Schoop’s hits off the right-hander have been for extra bases. Six of those have been long balls, which makes Schoop an interesting longshot home run candidate at +500 on DraftKings Sportsbook.


St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs

Adam Wainwright under 2.5 earned runs +100

Not sure how this one is even-money. Earned runs props are typically at 2.5, and Wainwright hasn’t been good enough all-around this season to see this prop shift to 1.5. But the payout is surprising given the setting he’s in Tuesday.

Everyone knows Wainwright does his best work at home. It’s been that way throughout his career, and that’s largely been the case this season. The right-hander has never given up more than three earned runs at home this season, reaching that number three times. Over his last five home starts, opponents have only gotten to him for three earned runs once.

Perhaps most important in all of this: The Cubs’ lineup Wainwright will see Tuesday will not be the one he dominated on June 5. Their lineup shouldn’t be nearly as challenging, with the moves they’re expected to make at the Deadline.


Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants

Mookie Betts over 1.5 total bases +105

There’s a lot to like about Betts’ matchup Tuesday. Last month, he posted a 52.5% fly-ball rate against left-handed pitching while only logging a 8.7% soft-contact rate. That led to three doubles, two home runs and a .333 ISO against lefties.

Betts will also face a familiar foe in Alex Wood. L.A.’s leadoff man has seven hits in 15 at-bats (18 plate appearances) against San Francisco’s left-hander. Four of those hits have gone for extra bases. Speaking of which, Betts has logged either one extra-base hit or multiple hits (or both) in five of his last seven games played.


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