MLB Picks Today: Expert Predictions & Best Bets for Friday, July 17, including Dodgers vs Yankees
The MLB all-star break is in the past, so the 2026 season in Major League Baseball continues with a full 15-game slate on Friday, July 17. Although the Mets and Phillies are off after playing on Thursday night, the Rays and Red Sox are playing a doubleheader. The schedule is also headlined by Dodgers vs Yankees, Rangers vs Braves, Marlins vs Brewers and Cardinals vs Diamondbacks. Let's get into my MLB best bets for tongiht, and also make sure to check out our MLB picks for predictions throughout the 2026 season.
MLB best bet: New York Yankees ML over Los Angeles Dodgers (-105)
In addition to Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ other two Japanese experiments have yielded drastically different results. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, of course, has been a smashing success. Roki Sasaki – at least as a starter – has been a complete disaster. Mixed in with some solid work out of the ‘pen last season, Sasaki compiled an ERA close to 5.00 as a starter and he owns an ERA north of 5.00 (5.33 to be exact) this year. Through 2 appearances this month, the righty has surrendered 9 earned runs on a ridiculous 5 homers in just 9.0 innings. All-Star Game MVP Cody Bellinger should be more than happy to pile on Sasaki’s woes. If Gerrit Cole delivers even a decent performance, the Yankees should prevail at home. Cole is starting to get back in gear, sporting a 3.97 ERA and a 13-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 2 July starts.
Read our full Dodgers vs Yankees prediction for tonight
MLB best bet: Toronto Blue Jays ML over Chicago White Sox (-130)
The Blue Jays are going with a bullpen day, which is a curious decision since they just had 4 days off during the all-star break. Whatever the case, it should work out fine for the home team. Spencer Miles is the opener, and he comes in with a 4-1 record and a 2.85 ERA. Toronto’s relievers are obviously well rested, and this club is top 10 league-wide in bullpen ERA at 3.80. Home-field advantage should serve the Jays well, mainly because the White Sox are a horrendous 19-28 on the road compared to 31-17 in Chicago. Anthony Kay (4.24 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) is nothing special, so Vladimir Guerrero (1-for-2 with a homer against Kay) and the rest of the gang should provide Toronto’s pitchers with some run support.
Check out our White Sox vs Blue Jays predictions
MLB best bet: San Diego Padres ML over Kansas City Royals (-108)
Expectations were high for the Royals heading into 2026. To say that they haven’t lived up to them would be a gross understatement. Twenty-one games under .500 at 38-59, Kansas City is all but out of it. The only thing left to play for is to see if Bobby Witt Jr. can win AL MVP. The Royals’ outlook for Friday is almost as poor as their season-long prospects – despite what the odds suggest. Seth Lugo is taking the mound for the home side and he is 3-6 with a 4.56 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. Lugo has been horrendous of late, as he gave up 7 earned runs in his final June start and is saddled with a 6.91 ERA through 3 July appearances. San Diego is countering with Michael King, who is sporting a 3.41 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. The right-hander has worked 12.0 innings this month with just 3 total runs allowed on 7 hits.
Grab our Padres vs Royals pick for today's game
