Ricky Dimon
The week in Major League Baseball continues with a full 15-game schedule. I’m on absolute heater to start the year, with a 10-4 record so far in this best bets piece while going 3-for-3 on Same Game Parlays at +481, +632 and +439 odds. Pickswise’s MLB handicapping team on the whole is 16-4 on their best bets. Let’s keep it going as we get into my MLB best bets of the day!
Also don’t forget to check out our MLB picks for Wednesday’s slate.
MLB best bet: Boston Red Sox ML over Toronto Blue Jays (-125)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
These 2 American League East rivals are obviously quite familiar with each other and that is certainly the case for Boston’s bats against Toronto right-hander Kevin Gausman. Rafael Devers is 9-for-30 lifetime with a home run and 5 doubles; Jarren Duran is 7-for-19 and also has 1 homer and 5 doubles. Gausman (1-1, 3.97 ERA) has struck out only 4 batters in 11.1 innings so far this season, so he is not fooling anyone.
The Red Sox are countering with Tanner Houck, who has been unspectacular through 2 starts but pitched great last year (3.12 ERA in 30 starts). This marks his first home appearance of 2025, so it would be no surprise to see him get on track against a Blue Jays squad that has scored a modest 47 runs through 12 contests. Boston has good value as a modest favorite on Wednesday.
MLB best bet: Atlanta Braves F5 ML over Philadelphia Phillies (-130)
Odds available at Bet365 Sportsbook at time of publishing
The Braves picked up a much-needed 7-5 win over the Phillies in their series opener on Tuesday night and I think the home team has a good chance for more success – especially early – in game 2. Taijuan Walker is taking the mound for Philadelphia and Atlanta pretty much owns him. Michael Harris II is 4-for-5 all time with 2 home runs; Austin Riley is 5-for-12 with a homer and a triple; Byron De La Cruz is 9-for-23 with 1 HR and 2 doubles; Orlando Arcia is 3-for-7 with a double; Matt Olson is 3-for-11 with 2 doubles.
For Atlanta, Grant Holmes is certainly not an ace but has been solid dating back to last season. He should be able to contain a Philly club that has scored 3 runs or fewer in 3 of its last 5 outings. Let’s take the bullpens out of the equation (Atlanta’s is not good) and back the first 5 innings money line instead of the full game. I would also play this at -0.5 on the F5 run line at +105.
Read our full Phillies vs Braves prediction
