MLB Picks Today: Expert Predictions & Best Bets for Saturday, August 8, inc. Giants vs Tigers

We have a loaded slate of MLB action on tap for Saturday, August 8, and there are 3 best bets standing out to me among the rest of the board. Let's dive in and discuss the betting value I see for Saturday!

MLB Best Bet: Detroit Tigers vs San Francisco Giants Over 8 (-110)

Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -115 odds.

Jackson Jobe returns from injury Saturday for the Detroit Tigers, ending an extended IL stint that has kept him out since the end of May. Jobe got 49.0 innings under his belt before the injury and made 5 abbreviated minor-league rehab outings totaling 15.1 innings combined. The youthful right-hander is a big part of the future of this starting rotation for the Tigers, and they will surely be cautious with his workload upon return. He does draw a Giants lineup that has been hitting right-handed pitching well across the last 30 days. In that sample, San Francisco sits 10th in wOBA with a 110 wRC+ and a healthy K/BB ratio.

No offense has been hotter against right-handed pitching in that span than the Tigers, however. Detroit sits 1st in wOBA while posting a 138 wRC+ against righties in the last 30 days and they are scoring runs in volume. Landen Roupp has issued 7 walks and allowed 9 earned runs across his last 2 starts, failing to get through 5.0 innings in either outing. Walks are a major concern when backing Roupp, as his command tends to wane deeper into outings. I favor the over on the posted game total in this matchup.

MLB Best Bet: Jake Bennett (BOS) Over 4.5 strikeouts (-137)

Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -150.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Peyton Tolle recorded a career-high 14 strikeouts against the Athletics on Friday night, and I have regrets not backing his 6.5 strikeout prop in that matchup. The Athletics have been a strikeout target for left-handed pitchers this season, and I will look to back Jake Bennett in the strikeout department Saturday. Across the last 30 days against southpaw pitching, the Athletics are walking at a league low 4.6% rate. Their strikeout rate in that sample sits at 25.9% -- the fifth-worst mark in that sample. 

Not only did Tolle find extreme success in this spot, but Framber Valdez and Patrick Sandoval also recently had high strikeout totals. Even Connor Prielipp, Kendry Rojas and Kohl Drake were each able to find their 5th K in this spot during recent matchups.

Bennett is not a high strikeout rate arm typically, but the lefty does generate a 95th percentile chase rate this season. That chase rate helps him expand the zone and pull opposing batters out of their comfort level. Bennett has landed on exactly 4 strikeouts quite often recently but has shown upside in this area with 9 strikeouts against the Rockies earlier this season. At current pricing, I see value in backing his over 4.5 strikeout prop.

MLB Best Bet: Chris Sale (ATL) Over 7.5 strikeouts (-128)

Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -140.

7.5 is a high strikeout total to take an over on, but I do see some value on the over for Chris Sale at that number. Sale, a 37-year-old left-hander, is set to make his 21st start of the season. Through 20 starts he has posted a 2.08 ERA. His 3.04 xERA is also a very strong mark, ranking 87th percentile among all MLB pitchers. Sale has especially found success in the strikeout department, ranking 92nd percentile with his 30.4% clip.

In his first 20 starts, Sale has recorded 8 or more punchouts 8 times including each of his last 2 starts. Those last 2 outings have spanned 12.0 combined innings with 20 strikeouts to show for it against the Mets and Padres.

Now Sale draws a Yankees lineup that is struggling to make consistent contact. Across the last 30 days against lefty pitching, New York has posted a 25.1% strikeout clip -- the seventh-highest mark in that span. Noah Schultz, Anthony Kay and Shota Imanaga all cleared their respective K Props before David Peterson blew past his mark, recording 8 strikeouts a week ago. Given Sale’s abilities and the Yankees recent struggles, I expect 8 or more Ks from Sale on Saturday night.