Caleb Wilfinger
The 2nd half of the 2025 MLB season continues rolling along today, and Sunday features a full slate of action for us to enjoy. I’m 64-45 on my MLB best bets this year and the Pickswise MLB handicapping team as a whole is currently on a 126-96-8 run!
Let’s keep it going as we get into today’s top predictions on Sunday, August 17. You can also find out our MLB picks for EVERY GAME today.
MLB best bet: Boston Red Sox -1.5 over Miami Marlins (-115)
Odds available at BetMGM Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -125.
Our first MLB best bet today takes us to Fenway Park, where the Red Sox will look to complete a sweep over the visiting Miami Marlins. I’ve backed Boston when Garrett Crochet is on the mound numerous times this season, and while Crochet pitched well below his usual standard in his last outing against the Astros, this is a much easier matchup for the Red Sox ace. After all, Crochet had surrendered just 5 runs over his last 28 innings pitched prior to one of his worst outings of the season against Houston, and he should bounce back on Sunday. The same can’t be said for Janson Junk, whose expected metrics (4.14 xERA, 47.5% hard-hit rate, .283 xBA) suggest that he could be in some trouble against a Boston lineup that has been raking at home of late. I’ll take Boston to win big.
MLB best bet: San Diego Padres vs Los Angeles Dodgers Under 8.5 (-112)
Odds available at BetRivers Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -120.
For my second MLB best bet for today, we’ll focus on this massive NL West matchup between the Padres and Dodgers. Los Angeles has picked itself up off the mat following a very poor recent run of form to take the first 2 games of this series, and it all starts with the starting pitching. Dodger starters have allowed just 1 run over 12 innings pitched to this point in the series, and that hot streak should continue on Sunday with Tyler Glasnow (3.08 ERA, top 10 percentile in xBA and strikeout rate) on the mound. As for the visitors, Yu Darvish has seen plenty of success against Los Angeles in recent seasons, specifically against Shohei Ohtani and the other big bats at the top of the Dodger order. This has the feel of another low-scoring contest in a playoff-like atmosphere on Sunday.
