MLB Picks Today: Expert Predictions & Best Bets for Tuesday, August 4, including Blue Jays vs Astros & Mets vs Guardians
The week in Major League Baseball heats up with a full 15-game slate on Tuesday, August 4, as we see the immediate aftermath of the MLB Trade Deadline. Today's action is headlined by Dodgers vs Cubs live on TBS, along with Cardinals vs Yankees, White Sox vs Red Sox, Marlins vs Braves, Tigers vs Mariners, and Padres vs Diamondbacks. Let's get into my MLB best bets for today, and also make sure to check out our MLB picks for predictions on every game throughout the 2026 season.
MLB best bet: Cleveland Guardians ML over New York Mets (-135)
The Mets – as usual – are an absolute dumpster fire. They are 47-66, and things appear to be getting even worse before they get better following 3 losses in a row to Miami over the weekend. In those 3 games, New York crossed the plate a total of just 4 times. The home team did not score a single run on Sunday. Sean Manaea is getting the ball on Tuesday, and he has been solid of late, but is he going to get any run support? Maybe not.
Cleveland’s Joey Cantillo is at least as good as, if not better than, Manaea, pitching to an 8-6 record and a 3.88 ERA with 124 strikeouts in 113.2 innings. There is no reason to think that Cantillo will have any trouble with this version of the Mets’ offense. Count on the Guardians taking care of business at home.
Read our full Mets vs Guardians prediction for tonight's MLB matchup
MLB best bet: Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals Under 9 (+100)
The Royals (46-67) have been a disaster this season despite coming in with high expectations. Their pitching has been terrible, but the offense has also struggled. Kansas City has scored 467 runs, which is better than only 6 teams in Major League Baseball. Things don’t figure to improve on Tuesday with Joe Ryan on the mound for Minnesota. Ryan comes in with a 3.52 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a spectacular 135-to-25 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 120.1 innings. If not for 2 starts in which he got absolutely rocked, the righty’s numbers would be incredible.
Maikel Garcia and Vinnie Pasquantino are both on the injured list and Bobby Witt Jr. has not played in 2 weeks, so K.C.’s lineup does not inspire any confidence. Fortunately for the home side, it is sending Randy Dobnak to the bump. Dobnak has given up a grand total of 1 run in his last 4 appearances across 22.0 innings. This has all the makings of a low-scoring affair.
Get our expert's full analysis on their Twins vs Royals prediction
MLB best bet: Toronto Blue Jays ML over Houston Astros (+110)
Trey Yesavage is taking the mound for Toronto on Tuesday. The right-hander is sporting a 3.73 ERA (3.28 on the road) and 1.16 WHIP to go along with 91 strikeouts in 91.2 innings of work. He has allowed more than 3 runs only once in his last 8 starts. The Astros’ current roster is 2-for-14 (.143) lifetime against Yesavage with 1 extra-base hit.
Houston is countering with Hayden Wesneski, who has made only 1 start this season after coming back from Tommy John surgery. Astros relievers figure to feature prominently in this one, which is not exactly good news given their 4.10 bullpen ERA. They are playing at home, but they have been nothing special there in 2025 (29-27). The Jays have good value as underdogs on the money line.
Read our full Blue Jays vs Astros prediction, featuring MLB stats, trends and more
