Best MLB Picks & Predictions Today – Two Best Bets for Monday, August 21

• Ten games are on Monday’s MLB calendar (Aug. 21, 2023)
• The two worst teams in the majors (Royals and Athletics) battle tonight in Oakland, while Giants/Phillies and Red Sox/Astros both have big playoff implications
• Below, see the best MLB picks and predictions for Monday, August 21

Monday’s MLB schedule features ten games crammed into a three-hour window of start times. The game with the biggest playoff implications goes in Philadelphia where the San Francisco Giants, who occupy the NL’s second Wild Card heading into the day, face the Phillies, who occupy the first. Meanwhile in Houston, the Astros – who are now clinging to a postseason berth by just a game – host the Boston Red Sox, who sit three games out of a postseason spot.

Below, find my two favorite bets for Monday, August 21. All wagers are one unit unless expressly stated otherwise.

Best MLB Picks for Monday, Aug. 21

Today’s best bets start in Philadelphia where San Francisco is getting significant plus-money.

FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK

Offer

T&Cs

Bet $5 on MLB & Get $150 in Bonus Bets - Guaranteed!

Must be 21+. T&C Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

LOCK IN PROMO

MLB SIGNUP PROMO

BET $5
GET $150

BET NOW

Odds as of Aug 21, 2023, at FanDuel Sportsbook. Claim a FanDuel promo code to bet on Monday’s MLB games and check out FanDuel Kentucky if you reside in KY.

Giants vs Phillies Pick: San Francisco Moneyline (+134)

Currently occupying the top-two NL Wild Cards in the MLB playoff bracket, the San Francisco Giants (65-59, 30-31 away) and Philadelphia Phillies (67-57 34-24 home) are set to tangle at  Citizens Bank Park today (6:40 pm ET). The Phillies are trotting out ostensible ace Aaron Nola, but the 30-year-old righty is having arguably the worst season of his career. Nola has a 4.58 ERA and has seen his K-rate dip to 9.4, the first time since 2018 it’s been under 10.

The Giants will be rolling out Scott Alexander (4.06 ERA, 1.22 ERA) as an opener. The Phils’ are likely to have Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, and Bryce Harper first through third in their batting order, and the trio is a combined 0-3 against Alexander with two Ks (though Bohm has never faced him). It’s likely that Sean Manaea will see action after Alexander, and the longtime Athletic has started to turn his season around. Still saddled with an ugly 4.89 ERA, Manaea has only surrendered one run (earned or unearned) in his last six appearances, which span a significant 15 innings.

The Giants are likely to be every bit as effective on the mound as the Phillies, and San Francisco has also dominated the recent history between the teams. Not only are the Giants 3-0 against Philly this season, they also won the head-to-head series last year 5-1 and in 4-2 the season prior, which makes their +134 price extremely appealing.

Pick: Giants moneyline (+134)

Mariners vs White Sox Pick: Seattle Moneyline (-188)

The hottest team in the majors at the moment, the Seattle Mariners (69-55, 35-27 away) head into Chicago to face the White Sox (49-75, 25-33 home) as -188 betting favorites. Seattle’s current six-game win streak is double the next-longest in the majors (Boston, 3). The White Sox beat the Rockies 10-5 on Sunday to end a three-game losing streak, but are just 2-6 in their past eight and continue to battle with the Yankees, Mets, and Cardinals for title of “most disappointing team” in the 2023 season.

The M’s will have Luis Castillo (3.23 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) on the mound, which gives Seattle a massive pitching advantage over Chicago’s Touki Toussaint (4.47 ERA, 1.45 WHIP).

A former Braves prospect, Toussaint has struggled horribly with his control of late. He’s walked at least four batters in each of his last three starts and five of his past seven, while also giving up at least three runs in four his past six. The red-hot Mariners are likely to get to Toussaint early and stake themselves to a lead that will be safe in the hands of Castillo.

MLB betting record 2023: 5-8-1 (-1.86 units)