MLB Picks Today: Expert Predictions & Best Bets for Friday, August 14, inc. Marlins vs Reds

The dog days of August are in full swing as the 2026 Major League Baseball season continues with a compelling slate of games on Friday. The 14-game card features some intriguing matchups, including an Apple TV doubleheader starting with Cardinals vs Cubs at 2:20 pm ET and continuing with Yankees vs Blue Jays at 7:15 pm ET. Additionally, we also have Brewers vs Dodgers, Rockies vs Giants, Red Sox vs Pirates, White Sox vs Tigers, Padres vs Guardians and Mariners vs Astros to look forward to.

Let's break down my MLB best bets for today, while you can also find out our expert MLB picks for EVERY GAME today and throughout the entire 2026 campaign!

MLB best bet: Miami Marlins vs Cincinnati Reds Under 8 (-112)

Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -125.

This is arguably the best starting pitching matchup on the board in this clash of otherwise middling NL teams, and it all starts with Chase Burns on the mound for Cincinnati. The Reds' starter is a whopping 13-2 with a 2.61 ERA on the season, and his advanced metrics are just as impressive, posting top 15 percentile marks in xBA (.207), chase rate, whiff rate and strikeout percentage. Burns has surrendered just 20 runs over his last 10 outings, including seven starts where he allowed two runs or fewer. On the other side, the Marlins are countering with Sandy Alcantara -- a veteran pitcher who is having a resurgent season following a couple of down years. Having tossed 20 consecutive scoreless innings, Alcantara is in terrific form and that success should continue into Friday's contest in Cincinnati. Let's take the under in this one.

Check out our full Marlins vs Reds prediction for today's MLB game

MLB best bet: San Francisco Giants ML over Colorado Rockies (-120)

Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -135.

This is not a game that many baseball fans will be watching, but I'm seeing a bit of value on the Giants at home against a Rockies team that has been abysmal away from Coors Field all season long. Colorado holds the worst road record in the National League at 21-41, and things won't get any easier with Kyle Freeland on the mound (6.63 ERA, 7.81 road ERA). Freeland has allowed four or more runs in six of his last 10 outings, and while the San Francisco offense isn't all that impressive statistically, the Giants should be able to push across some runs at home. As for the hosts, Landen Roupp (3.52 ERA, top 5% hard-hit rate, top 10% barrel rate) should turn in another solid outing against a Rockies lineup that has been much better at home compared to its performance on the road this season. With that in mind, I'll take the Giants to hold serve at home and hand Colorado another road loss.

Read our full Rockies vs Giants prediction for today's MLB matchup