MLB Picks Today: Expert Predictions & Best Bets for Monday, August 31, inc. Phillies vs Diamondbacks
A new week in Major League Baseball begins with a 12-game slate on Monday, August 31. It is headlined by Marlins vs Nationals at 6:45 pm ET live on FS1, and also features Brewers vs Cubs, White Sox vs Astros, Phillies vs Diamondbacks and Yankees vs Angels. Here are my 3 MLB best bets for today, while you can also get our expert MLB picks for predictions on all of tonight's games and through the rest of the 2026 season.
MLB Best Bet: Atlanta Braves ML over San Francisco Giants (-150)
The Braves are on a seven-game winning streak, which includes a sweep of the Dodgers. If Atlanta can take care of that National League West opponent, why can’t it handle San Francisco? It certainly should. Bryce Elder is on the mound of the home side, which is probably good news. Although the right-hander has been all over the place, he has been mostly stellar of late. The right-hander has delivered four quality starts in his last five appearances, and that streak would be six of seven if he had pitched one more inning on July 25 (one run allowed in 5.0 innings). The Giants are going with a bullpen day, which does not bode well since their ‘pen ERA in 2026 is 4.29. With Matt Olson swinging a hot bat for the Braves, Elder will likely get enough run support.
Read our full Giants vs Braves prediction for this evening's first MLB matchup on the docket
MLB Best Bet: Houston Astros ML over Chicago White Sox (-130)
The White Sox are 14 games over .500 at home, but they are eight games under .500 on the road. As such, paying a visit to Houston could be problematic. The Astros are playing well, too, with three wins in their last four contests and four in their last six (all against the two New York teams). Aside from one disastrous start against the Angles on August 20, Peter Lambert has been outstanding for the ‘Stros. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 starts and in 14 of his last 16. For the Sox, Anthony Kay is saddled with a 4.89 road ERA compared to a 3.48 home mark. Kay most recently faced Texas last Tuesday, allowing four runs on six hits (two homers) and two walks across 4.2 innings of work. Give me Houston in its own park.
Grab our White Sox vs Astros pick for their MLB game on Monday
MLB Best Bet: Arizona Diamondbacks ML over Philadelphia Phillies (+104)
It should be noted that Arizona – and specifically its bullpen – will be well rested following a rare Sunday off. The Giants have a makeup game this afternoon in Atlanta and therefore the D-Backs and Giants played a double-header on Saturday so that the Giants could travel across the country on Sunday. That isn’t the most important advantage that the Snakes have, however. They are sending Brandon Pfaadt to the mound for this one. Pfaadt has cooled off in his last two starts, but don’t let that detract from his larger body of work. The right-hander is 7-1 with a 3.51 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. Philadelphia is countering with Aaron Nola, who is 5-10 with a 5.03 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. The D-Backs are 4-2 in their last six overall and have not lost back-to-back contests since August 16-18. They are 11 games over .500 at home compared to three games under .500 on the road.
See our full Phillies vs Diamondbacks prediction for tonight's MLB nightcap
