Everyone loves cashing in on an MLB bet. After all, profit is profit. However, there’s levels to this. Backing a favorite to win doesn’t always require the most skill. Finding a diamond in the rough? That’s a whole different story. On today’s 15-game slate, there’s opportunity to cash in big…but it’s easier said than done. Can any plus-money picks find a way to deliver on Friday?
With that in mind, here are my two favorite MLB underdogs tonight.
Best MLB underdog bets & picks today
Marlins ML (+117) at Orioles
Few teams in baseball have been more disappointing than the Orioles. After reaching the postseason two years in a row, Baltimore now finds itself at the bottom of the AL East. However, the club has shown signs of life recently. Over their last ten games, the O’s have gone 7-3. On paper, a club with far less talent such as the Marlins doesn’t stand much of a chance tonight. That would be ignoring the man on the mound, Edward Cabrera. Over his last ten outings, the 27-year-old has notched a 2.00 ERA and 56 strikeouts. After struggling to command his pitches in years prior, the fireballer owns a respectable 1.23 WHIP in 2025.
Cabrera alone, while dominant, doesn’t guarantee a victory. After all, the Marlins are a mediocre 42-50 this season. However, a typically dormant offense tends to heat up away from South Beach. On the road, Miami is averaging the eighth-most runs per game in baseball (4.84). It’s also worth noting that the team has a winning record (8-7) whenever Cabrera toes the slab. Baltimore starter Dean Kremer isn’t a scrub, but his 4.53 ERA isn’t exactly intimidating, either. With the better arm and an underrated lineup, the Fish make sense on Friday at +117.
Rangers ML (+104) at Astros
Most of the Rangers’ struggles this season have come at the plate. On the mound, Texas has held opponents to a league-best 3.59 runs per game. Tonight’s starter, Jack Leiter, hasn’t been great, but he has shown flashes of greatness. Through 15 starts, the 25-year-old has put up a 4.32 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 63 strikeouts. In his one meeting with Houston, the young righty tossed seven innings of three-run ball. The rookie’s biggest kryptonite is a subpar 4.1 BB/9 ratio. Still, the Astros are only averaging the league’s sixth-fewest walks per game (2.91).
For the home team, it’ll be Lance McCullers Jr. on the hill. It’s been a rough 2025 campaign for the righty so far (5.82 ERA). In theory, the veteran could bounce back against one of baseball’s lowest-scoring offenses. However, the Rangers have scored a league-leading 156 runs since June 10th. During that time, Texas has also paced the majors with 114 walks. That’s not ideal for McCullers, who has surrendered at least three free passes in six of his nine outings. Given the way this lineup has looked as of late, the Rangers offer clear value at +104.
