MLB Picks Today: Expert Predictions & Best Bets for Thursday, July 30, inc. Braves vs Nationals & Yankees vs White Sox
The all-star break is barely visible in the rearview mirror as the 2026 Major League Baseball season continues on with a compelling slate of games on Thursday. The 10-game card features a couple intriguing matchups, including Yankees vs White Sox at 2:10 pm ET. The action gets underway at 12:10 pm ET with Rangers vs Rays and goes right the way through to Mariners vs Dodgers at 10:10 pm ET on MLB Network. Also on the agenda are Cubs vs Cardinals, Pirates vs Reds, Marlins vs Mets, Nationals vs Braves and Giants vs Padres. Let's break down my MLB best bets for Thursday, July 30, while you can also find out our expert MLB picks for EVERY GAME today and throughout the entire 2026 campaign!
MLB best bet: Atlanta Braves ML over Washington Nationals (-140)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -150.
The Nationals offense has been one of the most exciting units in baseball this season, but their pitching has been a major source of concern, and I expect that to continue on Thursday. Atlanta's lineup ranks inside the top 10 in a myriad of categories (including SLG and OPS), and the Braves should be set up for success against Jake Irvin — who holds a 5.23 ERA on the season and will be coming off the injured list to make his first start in over 2 months.
It will be challenging for Grant Holmes (3.79 ERA) and the Atlanta arms to hold down this electric Washington offense, but the Nationals arguably have the worst bullpen in the majors, so I have much more faith in the Braves to come through in the late innings of a close game if we end up in that situation. I'll trust the better overall team to make the plays necessary to pick up a road win.
Check out our full Braves vs Nationals prediction for today's MLB game
MLB best bet: Chicago White Sox team total over 3.5 vs New York Yankees (-130)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -145.
It hasn't been an easy last few months for New York, and things took a turn for the worse on Wednesday when the Yankees squandered an early 4-0 lead, as well as a 5-4 lead in extra innings en route to a brutal 6-5 loss at the hands of the White Sox. Now, New York will have to bounce back with a depleted bullpen and a starter in Ryan Weathers who has allowed at least 4 runs in 6 of his last 10 outings.
The White Sox offense has been much better at home compared to its performance on the road this season, with Chicago averaging about 5 runs per contest at Rate Field on the year. With that in mind, it's hard to ignore the value we're getting on the hosts to clear their team total for the third consecutive contest in this series.
Read our full Yankees vs White Sox prediction for today's MLB matchup
