MLB Picks Today: Expert MLB Picks for
Sunday, August 31
It's a busy Sunday in Major League Baseball, as usual. We'll be looking to a pair of divisional matchups in the National League, too. The Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers wrap up their series at Chavez Ravine at 4:10 p.m. ET, while the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies close out the week on Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET. Let's get started building our bankroll for the rest of the season!
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Diamondbacks vs Dodgers: Expert Betting Tips and Analysis
The Diamondbacks (68-69) and the Dodgers (77-59) wrap up their three-game series at Dodger Stadium. It hasn't exactly gone the way Los Angeles envisioned, as it is simply trying to avoid the sweep on Sunday afternoon.
Arizona opened with a 3-0 win on Friday as heavy underdogs (+190) as the Under (8.5) cashed, while the Snakes posted a 6-1 win, again as big 'dogs (+195), and again as the Under (9) came through. Dodger Blue has managed just one run and nine hits with two errors through the first two games against the sub-.500 D'Backs. Ouch.
The Dodgers turn to RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (11-8, 2.90 ERA, 1.07 WHIP) for the start, trying to avoid the sweep. He is just 3-4 with a 3.56 ERA and 1.20 WHIP at home, surrendering seven homers, so he can be had at Dodger Stadium.
The Diamondbacks send RHP Brandon Pfaadt (12-8, 5.24 ERA, 1.37 WHIP) to the mound looking to complete the sweep. He has an unseemly 6.44 ERA and 1.71 WHIP across his past 36.1 IP and seven starts, however.
In addition, Pfaadt is just 4-5 with a 7.06 ERA on the road in 66.1 IP in 13 road starts, and teams are hitting .295 against him with 19 of his 22 homers allowed coming away from home. If the L.A. offense is going to get going, it is against Pfaadt. Or, so you would think. However, he is 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA and .159 opponent average this season in 12.1 IP across two starts. That's baseball.
Still, Pfaadt has been horrific lately, so let's roll with the Dodgers, and based on the Arizona's poor track record lately, and the fact L.A. is due on offense, we'll side with the Over for the finale.
MLB Best Bets for Diamondbacks vs Dodgers:
- Dodgers -1.5 (-113 at FanDuel Sportsbook)
- Over 8.5 Runs (-130 at ESPN Bet Sportsbook)
Braves vs Phillies: Sunday Night Baseball Insights
The Braves (61-75) and the Phillies (79-57) wrap up the weekend on Sunday night at Citizens Bank Park at 7:10 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Philadelphia had that historic performance from Kyle Schwarber on Thursday, as he whacked four homers, with the Phillies pounding the Braves 19-4. The next two games have been low-scoring, with Philadelphia winning 2-1 on Friday, and 3-2 on Saturday, both as moderate favorites.
Now, Philly turns to LHP Jesus Luzardo (12-6, 4.23 ERA, 1.32 WHIP) to get the sweep. However, he has been a little giving at times in his 27 starts. His numbers have been slightly better lately, going for a 4.05 ERA across 40 IP in his past seven starts, posting a solid 1.03 WHIP.
At CBP, the southpaw is 6-2, which is great, but that's a result of great offensive support, as he has a poor 4.92 ERA and 1.30 WHIP, with eight homers and 21 walks allowed in 71.1 IP across 13 starts.
The Braves are leaning upon RHP Hurston Waldrep (4-0, 0.90 ERA, 0.93 WHIP) to get the job done and avert the embarrassing four-game sweep. Waldrep has been a god-send for the Braves in his brief 30 IP this season.
Let's side with the Braves to get the job done, and for the scores to remain low, as Waldrep has just been untouchable, while Luzardo hasn't been as effective on his home mound.
MLB Best Bets for Braves vs Phillies:
- Braves ML (+140 at Caesars Sportsbook)
- Under 9 Runs (-120 at Caesars Sportsbook)
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Best MLB Parlays Today
4-Leg MLB Giant Parlay (+1265 at Caesars Sportsbook)
- Dodgers -1.5 (-115) vs. Diamondbacks
- Over 9 (-105) - Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks
- Under 9 (-120) - Braves at Phillies
- Braves ML (+140) at Phillies
2-Leg MLB Sides Parlay (+349 at Caesars Sportsbook)
- Dodgers -1.5 (-115) vs. Diamondbacks
- Braves ML (+140) at Phillies
2-Leg MLB Totals Parlay (+258 at Caesars Sportsbook)
- Over 9 (-105) - Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks
- Under 9 (-120) - Braves at Phillies
