MLB Picks Today: Expert Predictions & Best Bets for Sunday, July 19, inc. Dodgers vs Yankees

The All-Star break is in the rearview mirror and the 2026 Major League Baseball season is back in full swing with another loaded slate of games on Sunday. The 15-game card includes a number of intriguing matchups, including a massive doubleheader featuring the Dodgers vs Yankees at 12:35 and 7:10 pm ET respectively. The action gets underway at 12:15 pm ET with a matchup between the White Sox and Blue Jays as they conclude their series. Let's break down my MLB best bets for Sunday, July 19, while you can also find out our expert MLB picks for EVERY GAME today and throughout the entire 2026 campaign!

MLB best bet: Los Angeles Dodgers vs New York Yankees F5 Under 4.5 (-135)

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

This first game in this rematch of the 2024 World Series played out in a similar fashion to what we saw in that Fall Classic a few years ago, as the Dodgers capitalized in a big moment, while the Yankees shot themselves in the foot on the basepaths in a 1-run loss. After a washout yesterday, I'm expecting another close game in the first of this Sunday doubleheader. And while it's tempting to back Los Angeles in what is essentially a pick 'em game, I'll be targeting a strong outing from both starting pitchers instead.

Neither of these offenses has been in great shape of late, and both teams will be sending their aces to the mound in this one. New York still misses Aaron Judge in a major way, and the task won't be easy against Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2.85 ERA, 0.91 WHIP), who has excelled against the Yankees in his short time in the big leagues. On the other side, the hosts are sending out Cam Schlittler, who has bounced back nicely in July following his worst outing of the season at the end of June. The young right-hander has elite level metrics in a myriad of areas, and he also boasts one of the best walk rates in baseball — a very important stat against a patient Dodgers lineup. I'll avoid the bullpens and trust both starters to stay hot on Sunday.

Get our full Dodgers vs Yankees prediction

MLB best bet: Boston Red Sox ML over Tampa Bay Rays (-120)

Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -130.

An AL East matchup highlights the afternoon slate on Sunday, and it features a red-hot Red Sox side against a Rays team that has suddenly dropped 4 consecutive games. Winners of 12 straight and 16 of its last 18 contests, Boston is getting a combination of strong starting pitching and timely hitting, and both of those things have continued through the first 3 games of this series. Even though Rays starter Shane McClanahan holds an ERA of 2.83, his expected ERA sits at 3.99, to go along with below average marks in a myriad of other areas (barrel rate, hard-hit rate, etc). On the other side, Sonny Gray (2.54 ERA) is getting the ball for Boston, and the veteran starter has allowed 1 run or fewer in 7 of his last 10 outings — including each of his last 4 starts. With that in mind, I'll target the Red Sox to keep on rolling in this series finale.

Read our full Rays vs Red Sox predictions for today's matchup