Ricky Dimon
The week in Major League Baseball continues with a full 15-game slate on Friday. It includes Red Sox vs Yankees, Royals vs Tigers, Giants vs Brewers and Dodgers vs Padres. The Pickswise team has been in fine form this season, with a 129-101-8 in this MLB best bets series. Let’s build on that momentum and hopefully deliver some more winners today after I went 3-1 on Thursday and Friday!
Make sure you also check out our MLB picks for every game on Saturday, August 23.
MLB best bet: Washington Nationals vs Philadelphia Phillies Over 9.5 (-115)
Odds available at Bet365 Sportsbook at time of publishing
The Phillies have won 4 of their last 5 contests despite dropping Friday’s series opener against Washington. They have scored an unbelievable 45 total runs during this stretch – that’s 9 per game, for those counting. Trea Turner has an incredible 6 multi-hit performances in his last 11 games, including 5 with at least 3 hits.
There is no reason to think that Nationals starter Michael Parker is going to slow them down. The southpaw is 7-13 with a 5.83 ERA and .150 WHIP to go along with just 84 strikeouts and 52 walks in 129.2 innings. The only bad news for Philly is that Aaron Nola has not been himself in 2025. Nola has pitched around injuries to the tune of a 7-13 record, 6.92 ERA and 1.60 WHIP. In his first appearance since May, the veteran righty surrendered 6 runs to this same Washington club this past Sunday night.
MLB best bet: Chicago Cubs ML over Los Angeles Angels (-146)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
The Cubs are playing stellar baseball. It’s too late to do anything about Milwaukee in the National League Central, but they are rolling along nicely to a wild-card spot – possibly even the top one. Chicago has won 4 of its last 5 games, a stretch that includes 3 victories in 4 tries against none other than the Brewers. The Angels’ loss in the series opener on Friday dropped them to 1-3 in their last 4 and 2-5 in their last 7.
Saturday’s pitching matchup is unlikely to help the Halos turn things around. Victor Mederos has made 4 appearances this season (11 in his career) and comes in with a 5.54 ERA and 1.84 WHIP. The Halos’ bullpen figures to get plenty of work it ranks fifth-worst league wide in bullpen ERA (4.78). Chicago is countering with Cade Horton, who is 7-4 with a 3.08 ERA. Give me the Cubs to stay hot.
