Top MLB Betting Picks for August 28: Expert Predictions and Best Bets

MLB Betting Expert Michael Rathburn takes a look at two games on the Thursday slate, including the battle on the West Coast between the Cubs and Giants.
Top MLB Betting Picks for August 28: Expert Predictions and Best Bets
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Top MLB Betting Picks for August 28: Expert Predictions and Best Bets

Previous article 2-2  (-0.25 units) 

Season 118-126-2 (-11.05 units)

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Key MLB Betting Trends and Matchups Analysis

Before locking in your MLB bets Thursday, be sure to check out these key betting numbers.

As teams fall out of the playoff race, we will start to see inflated moneylines.

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Pittsburgh Pirates vs St. Louis Cardinals Best Bets and Predictions

The Pirates have been a solid play on team in the last month with a 16-14 record. Braxton Ashcraft has pitched solid this year albeit a small sample size of 16.1 innings with a 1.10 ERA, and 17 strikeouts to just 2 walks. 

Miles Mikolas is a pitcher I love to bet against with his 5.17 ERA on the season. His last 7 starts have been even worse with a 5.85 ERA, but 15 strikeouts, 10 walks, and 8 homeruns. He pitched against the Pirates on May 5th going 5 innings, allowing 3 runs, but just 1 strikeout. 

The margin of error is razor thin with Mikolas and the Pirates are playing better baseball. 

Best Bet: Pirates ML for 1 unit (BetMGM +110)

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Chicago Cubs vs San Francisco Giants Best Bets and Predictions

Two great pitchers in this ballpark have me looking at the UNDER immediately. Especially when Logan Webb is at home which has been a go to play for years. Shota Imanaga on the bump for the Cubs should also be able to limit the Giants offense and keep this game very low scoring. 

The total is 7-1 in the last 8 Cubs' road games.  I think we are in for a 2-1 type classic Thursday afternoon in San Fran. 

Best Bet: Cubs/Giants UNDER 7.5 runs for 1 unit (ESPN Bet -130)

MLB Best Bets 

  • Red Sox -1.5 runs for 1 unit (BetMGM +100)
  • Pirates ML for 1 unit (BetMGM +110)
  • Cubs/Giants UNDER 7.5 runs for 1 unit (ESPN Bet -130)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Known as “Rath” in the Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) community, he has helped run operations for two prominent daily fantasy sports startups. Michael has taken his insider knowledge and expertise in daily fantasy sports to the content side. Rath won the 2016 FSWA "Baseball Article of the Year, Online" award and was a finalist for the FSWA Best Baseball Series in 2011.
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