MLB Picks Today: Expert Predictions & Best Bets for Wednesday, July, including Phillies vs Reds & Diamondbacks vs Padres
The week in Major League Baseball continues with a full 15-game slate on Wednesday. It is headlined by an ESPN doubleheader featuring Phillies vs Reds and Diamondbacks vs Padres. Other notable matchups include Braves vs Pirates, Yankees vs Rays, Mariners vs Marlins and Brewers vs Cardinals. Here are my MLB best bets for Wednesday, July 8, and also make sure to check out our MLB picks for predictions for every game throughout the 2026 season.
MLB best bet: Washington Nationals ML over Houston Astros (-134)
The rubber match of his 3-game series should set up well for the Nationals. They are sending Foster Griffin to the mound, and he is 9-2 with a 2.87 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. The left-hander has allowed 1 earned run or fewer in 6 consecutive starts while pitching at least into the 5th inning on every occasion – and into the 6th on 4 of the 6 occasions. Griffin should be in line for more success on Wednesday, as the Astros sit outside the top 20 league wide in batting average and on-base percentage against southpaws.
Houston is countering with Spencer Arrighetti, who compiled a 9.00 ERA. The ‘Stros have lost 4 straight games started by Arrighetti, whereas the Nats have won 3 in a row and 8 of their last 9 when Foster toes the rubber. Combine that with the fact that Washington boasts one of the best offenses in baseball and the home team appears to have every advantage in this one.
Read our full Astros vs Nationals prediction
MLB best bet: Cincinnati Reds ML over Philadelphia Phillies (-140)
Cincinnati is favored – and should be the pick – for 1 reason and 1 reason only: Chase Burns. The 23-year-old is 10-1 with a 2.40 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP and an awesome 116-to-31 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 97.2 innings of work. Cincy has won 10 of his last 11 starts, a stretch that includes a 4-1 victory over Philadelphia on May 19. Burns pitched 6.0 innings of 1-run baseball in that contests, striking out 9 batters and walking none.
The Phillies are still undecided on their starter for Wednesday, which means a bullpen game is likely in the cards. That does not bode particularly well for the visitors given that their ‘pen is sporting an unspectacular 4.23 ERA for the season. I will happily roll with Burns in this matchup.
Read our full Phillies vs Reds prediction for tonight's MLB matchup on ESPN
MLB best bet: San Diego Padres ML over Arizona Diamondbacks (-140)
This is another matchup in which I feel great about backing the home team on the money line. Although it has been a rough couple of weeks of the Padres, they have at least managed to win 2 of their last 3 contests – including the series finale against the Dodgers and on Tuesday against Arizona (4-1). Even better news for San Diego is that Michael King gets the ball for this one. King comes in with a 3.52 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. The righty has not exactly been dominant in 2026, but he is the best this team has to offer – and he certainly inspires more confidence than Diamondbacks rookie Jose Cabrera.
The 24-year-old righty has surrendered 7 earned runs in 8.1 innings across his last two appearances. Cabrera will probably require a lot of run support tonight, but he isn’t likely to get it. After all, Arizona’s current lineup is a combined 12-for-62 (.194) lifetime against King with only 3 extra-base hits and 13 strikeouts.
Get our Diamondbacks vs Padres pick for their game on ESPN
