On Thursday, Major League Baseball is treating baseball fans to an 11-game, 20-team slate. That includes a double-header between the contending Mets and an Orioles squad desperately attempting to stay relevant in the American League. Elsewhere, the Yankees will attempt to pull off a sweep of the Mariners in a matchup with postseason implications. As a nightcap, the Diamondbacks take on the Padres, adding another chapter to their NL West rivalry.
With so many games available, that leaves plenty of enticing wagers on the board. Before the start of today’s contests, here are two MLB bets to consider on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Nationals ML (+118)
It’s difficult to trust the Nationals after they went 7-19 in the month of June. Things got so bad that the franchise decided to part ways with manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo over the weekend. Things haven’t been much better for Washington in July (3-5). D.C. did manage to pull out an impressive 8-2 win last night in St. Louis. On Thursday, they’ll attempt to keep things rolling with starter Michael Soroka on the mound. The former Braves hurler has unimpressive statistics (5.40 ERA). However, the former All-Star’s 4.20 FIP means he’s gotten fairly unlucky. He’s also pitched better at night (3.90 ERA) than during the day (5.67 ERA).
What makes Washington a truly enticing underdog is their opponent. Despite their 49-44 record, the Cardinals are a flawed team. Over their previous 15 contests, this lineup is averaging the fifth-fewest runs per game in baseball (3.53). In fact, St. Louis hasn’t scored more than four runs since June 29th. On the mound, it’ll be struggling veteran Miles Mikolas. The two-time All-Star has recorded a lackluster 5.26 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. Over his last two outings, the righty has surrendered a combined 14 runs over ten innings. In comparison, the Nationals have scored the league’s ninth-most runs in July (41). All signs are pointing to a win for the visitors on Thursday.
Rangers ML (-107)
There have been plenty of frustrating teams across Major League Baseball in 2025. The Braves, Orioles, and Guardians are all worth mentioning in this regard. However, nobody has infuriated their own fans more than the Rangers. What’s made this group so maddening? An underperforming lineup that’s squandered World Series-caliber pitching all season. Texas is averaging 3.94 runs per game, sixth-fewest in baseball. That’s despite rostering a lineup filled with former All-Stars, including Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. With that being said, there have been some signs of life in the Lone Star State. Since June 10th, the Rangers have scored 145 runs, the league’s third-highest total.
Last night, Texas’ pitching disappointed en route to an 11-8 loss vs. the Angels. Tonight, the Rangers will attempt to get revenge on the Halos with Patrick Corbin on the hill. It’s been a bounce-back season for the southpaw, who was written off for dead after his tenure in Washington. Over 88.1 innings of work, the former All-Star has notched a 4.18 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 68 strikeouts. He’ll be challenged by Los Angeles hurler Jack Kochanowicz (5.42 ERA). In the righty’s 18 appearances this season, he’s allowed more than four runs only two times. However, he’s tossed six innings on just five occasions. That should allow Texas’ batters to get plenty of hacks against LA’s atrocious bullpen. On the flip side, the Angels own the league’s second-lowest batting average against left-handed pitchers (.216). As slight underdogs, the visitors make too much sense on Thursday night.
