MLB Picks Today: Expert Predictions & Best Bets for Wednesday, August 5, including White Sox vs Red Sox
The week in Major League Baseball continues with a full 15-game slate on Wednesday, August 5. It is headlined by Pirates vs Brewers live on ESPN at 7:40 pm ET, and also features Dodgers vs Cubs, Cardinals vs Yankees, White Sox vs Red Sox, Marlins vs Braves 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 throughout the 2026 season.
MLB best bet: Seattle Mariners ML over Detroit Tigers (-146)
The Tigers waved the white flag on their 2026 campaign by trading both Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize. And why not? They are 3 games under .500 and clearly weren’t going to make much noise this season. The Mariners (55-59) have not been any good, either, but they should at least be in good shape to prevail on Wednesday.
Bryan Woo has been awesome at home this year, sporting a 2.20 ERA compared to a 6.71 mark on the road. Woo has recorded 6 consecutive quality starts in Seattle, 4 of which have seen him fire shutout baseball for at least 6.0 innings. To put it simply, he is utterly dominant in his own park. Detroit is countering with a bullpen day, which is hardly a surprise given its suddenly depleted pitching staff. Look for the M’s to roll.
Read our full Tigers vs Mariners prediction
MLB best bet: Boston Red Sox ML over Chicago White Sox (-116)
Boston is on a 6-game winning streak that features a 3-game sweep of the Dodgers. This team is an amazing 24-3 in its last 27 overall. Unsurprisingly, the Red Sox remained red hot by clobbering the White Sox 14-2 on Tuesday after producing a 6 spot first inning. Patrick Sandoval worked 5.0 innings while allowing just 2 runs before 3 relievers combined for 4.0 shutout innings. The home side should be in line for another dominant performance on the mound in this one.
Sonny Gray is getting the start, coming in at 13-2 with a 2.93 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 98 strikeouts compared to a mere 30 walks in 113.2 innings. Gray is backed by a bullpen that has compiled a 2.95 ERA as a unit, the best in all of baseball. Meanwhile, Chicago is much worse on the road (25-32) than it is at home (34-21). The Red Sox are 4-0 in the overall head-to-head series this season and 8-1 in the last 9 meetings.
Read our full White Sox vs Red Sox prediction
MLB best bet: Atlanta Braves ML over Miami Marlins (-126)
The Braves have also won 6 games in a row, including a 4-2 victory in the opener of this series on Tuesday night. Surprisingly, the NL East leaders did next to nothing at the trade deadline. Perhaps one reason for that decision is renewed faith in Bryce Elder, who is getting the start on Wednesday. Elder does not inspire any confidence as a key piece to a postseason puzzle, but he is pitching well at the moment. The right-hander has allowed just 5 total runs in his last 3 appearances across 17.0 innings.
Eury Perez is also in fine form for the Fish, but they have lost his last 4 starts. In fact, they have lost them all by multiple runs. Miami is 6-14 in its last 20 overall, and its struggles are likely to continue.
Read our full Marlins vs Braves prediction
