MLB Picks Today: Expert Predictions & Best Bets for Wednesday, August 19, inc. Nationals vs Rangers

There are player props showing value on Wednesday's loaded MLB board, but there are 3 sides and totals standing out to me that I'd like to share. Let's dive in and discuss 2 ML picks and a total selection for my MLB best bets on Wednesday, August 19. In addition, you can find out our expert MLB picks today for all 15 matchups, including Tigers vs Pirates, White Sox vs Cubs, Diamondbacks vs Red Sox, Yankees vs Orioles, Blue Jays vs Rays and Mariners vs Brewers.

MLB Best Bet: Washington Nationals ML over Texas Rangers (+127)

Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing. Playable to +110.

My favorite underdog on Wednesday’s slate of games is the Washington Nationals. They have several ingredients that make them enticing to back when priced as an underdog, and I believe this game against the Rangers should be priced closer to even money. Washington has their ace in Cade Cavalli taking the mound, and the right-hander enters this matchup with Texas in good form. Cavalli tossed 8 scoreless frames with 10 Ks against a potent Cubs lineup in his last outing. He has now registered quality starts in each of his last seven outings. He has been equally effective at home and on the road this season and he consistently provides Washington with a chance to win in his starts. Texas ranks just 27th in wOBA with an 85 wRC+ against right-handed pitching in the last 30 days as well.

Kumar Rocker is set to make his 24th appearance and 22nd start of the season for the Rangers on Wednesday. Texas has seen the worst of Rocker in his home park this season with a 4.84 ERA at home. Rocker’s overall ERA of 4.50 is shadowed by a 4.63 xERA. He doesn’t excel in any single area, and he enters Wednesday’s game in weak form. Rocker has allowed 12 earned runs in three starts this month spanning a combined 13.2 innings pitched. He has allowed 21 hits and nine walks in that span, showing he may be fortunate to have escaped without more damage. Washington sits 9th in wOBA with a 104 wRC+ against righties in the last 30 days and I favor the Nationals at the current number.

Read the full analysis for our Nationals vs Rangers prediction

MLB Best Bet: Chicago Cubs ML over Chicago White Sox (-136)

Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -145.

Sean Newcomb is set to open Wednesday’s game for the Chicago White Sox. Newcomb has been used in 46 games so far by Chicago and twice in this opener role. The southpaw hurler has worked multiple frames on several occasions including 2.1 innings in his last appearance. His last time opening was followed by 3.2 innings from Jose Urquidy, and we could see a similar plan Wednesday against the Cubs. Urquidy was unimpressive in his time with the Pirates and allowed three earned runs in his White Sox debut. He is tasked with facing a Cubs lineup that ranks 8th in wOBA with a 107 wRC+ against righties in the last 30 days.

Clay Holmes is the scheduled starter for the Cubs as their trade deadline acquisition is set to make his 3rd start with his new club. Holmes showed some rust in his first start back with four innings and four earned runs allowed in a loss against the Royals. He rebounded nicely in his 2nd outing with Chicago, posting 6.1 innings of scoreless ball in a big win against the Cardinals. Holmes was injured with a fractured leg earlier this season, but his arm should be fresh for the stretch run as the Cubs look to make a push. I favor the Cubs at current pricing Wednesday.

Head over to our White Sox vs Cubs prediction for who reigns supreme in Chicago

MLB Best Bet: Arizona Diamondbacks vs Boston Red Sox Under 8.5 (-120)

Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to Under 8 (+100) or better.

I anticipate a pitcher’s duel in Wednesday’s matchup between the Boston Red Sox and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Brandon Pfaadt is set to make his 23rd appearance for the Diamondbacks this season. He enters play with 92.2 innings under his belt as he was inserted into the bullpen early in the season. Since entering back into the starting rotation Pfaadt has been Arizona’s best starting option. His performance has been very sharp of late, 27.2 innings across his last four starts without a single earned run allowed. He has allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his last 9 starts since being put back into the rotation. Pfaadt has also been elite on the road this season, posting a dazzling 2.62 ERA in 44.2 road innings. Boston has a lineup in great form but I still expect Pfaadt to perform well Wednesday.

Payton Tolle is also in elite form entering Wednesday’s matchup. On 7/27 Tolle tossed 5.2 innings of 2-run ball in a tough matchup at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento. He followed that start up with six innings of two-run ball against a tough Dodgers lineup. Tolle’s next start was a close proximity rematch with the Athletics, but he crushed them with 14 strikeouts across six innings of one-run ball. He was more efficient in his next outing, lasting eight innings against Toronto without allowing a single earned run. His underlying profile is one of the stronger in the sport, and he faces this Arizona lineup without Ketel Marte. I favor the under on the posted game total.

Check out our Diamondbacks vs Red Sox prediction for MLB stats, trends and more for today's game