It’s a jam-packed MLB slate on Tuesday, with 16 games on the docket thanks to a doubleheader at Wrigley Field.
Let’s dive in and find a couple winning bets on the DraftKings Sportsbook.
Chicago White Sox at Atlanta Braves
White Sox ML (+135)
This is one of those bets that’s simply a matter of principle.
If anyone in the world wants to back Bryce Elder as a -165 favourite, we need to blow this thing up and start humanity from scratch. There’s just no justification for it. Yes, Elder was fine in his last start against a struggling Mets squad, allowing three runs across seven innings, but that performance only lowered the RHP’s season-long ERA to 5.89. In fact, going back to the beginning of 2024, Elder’s 6.09 ERA is the worst mark of any pitcher who has thrown at least 150 innings in that span of time. Slade Cecconi clocks in as second-worst, and he’s all the way down at 5.50. Basically, Elder is one his own level of ineptitude.
I think it’s also important to acknowledge Shane Smith here. The White Sox’s All-Star representative had started to struggle before a sprained ankle sent him to the IL, but Smith’s past three starts have been solid, with the rookie maintaining a 2.51 ERA and a 29.3% strikeout rate since his return to the 26-man roster. It is not often that I can say this, but Chicago clearly has the advantage in the pitching matchup this evening. I think the team can take another game in Atlanta on Tuesday night — and it’s worth the risk at plus-money.
Toronto Blue Jays at Pittsburgh Pirates
Under 7.5 (-104)
I’m not sure there’s a more perfect matchup that exists for Max Scherzer than drawing the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
After taking some time to settle in after missing basically the first three months of the season, Scherzer has been fantastic in his last four outings, registering a quality start in all four. It’s a span where the veteran RHP has mustered a 2.42 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP, as he’s held opponents to a .198 batting average with a microscopic 4.0% walk rate. Really, the only way to best Scherzer has been the home run ball, which is not something that happens all that often in Pittsburgh. In fact, according to Baseball Savant’s Park Factors, PNC Park has been the worst place for hitters to go deep since the beginning of 2023. That trend is also validated by the Pirates’ .114 ISO in home games in 2025 — the lowest mark for any team within that split.
On the other side of this pitching matchup, you’ll find the usually dependable Mitch Keller. Now, three of Keller’s past four starts have been poor, yet one came in Colorado and another was against a red-hot Brewers’ lineup that hasn’t slowed down for anyone in the past month. For the season as a whole, Keller sports a very respectable 3.66 FIP across 141.2 innings of work. The Jays have been quite good at scoring runs in August, but remember that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (hamstring) left Monday’s tilt due to injury. I doubt he’s in the lineup this evening, which leaves a massive hole in the middle of Toronto’s order. Look for Keller to exploit his absence.
