MLB Best Bets: Baseball Picks, Predictions, Odds to Consider on DraftKings Sportsbook for August 16

Monday has the chance to play host to a few offensive explosions. Here’s how I want to attack the MLB action on DraftKings Sportsbook.

If you want to sweat out these picks with me, follow me on Twitter: @Nick_Friar.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Baltimore Orioles

Rays over 5.5 runs +100

Matt Harvey has been pitching much better than he was last time he saw Tampa Bay, but that isn’t necessarily hard to do. His only start vs. the Rays this season only lasted 1 2/3 innings because the right-hander got tattooed for six runs on a walk and seven hits, two of which were homers. Tampa gave right-handers fits then, and they still are now.

The Rays rank among the top 10 lineups in OPS, ISO and wOBA against right-handed pitchers this season. Since the start of August, they have the second-best ISO against righties. So, Harvey’s hits allowed prop is also an enticing option.

But, Tampa’s runs total is the way to go on Monday because of both Baltimore’s starting pitcher and its bullpen. Orioles relievers have not been good at all this season, but they’ve somehow found a way to get worse since the calendar turned over to August.

Oakland Athletics at Chicago White Sox

Frankie Montas over 7.5 strikeouts +135

The White Sox haven’t been one of the teams to strike out a ton against right-handed pitchers this season, but opposing right-handers have found a way to rack some up lately. That’s probably got something to do with the fact the White Sox have the third-highest swinging strike rate since the All-Star break, which is in large part the result of Chicago being one of the most aggressive lineups on pitches out of the zone during that span.

Of the four teams Montas has faced since the All-Star break (Cleveland twice), only the Angels have gone after pitches out of the zone more than the White Sox. But the difference is, the Angels are making contact on those pitches quite a bit; the same cannot be said for Chicago. Yet, Montas had 10 punch outs vs. Los Angeles, which is one of the three times he’s logged eight-plus strikeouts in his five post-All-Star starts. The only times he failed to strike out eight-plus in a game since the break were his two starts against Cleveland (seven then six).

San Francisco Giants vs. New York Mets

Giants over 4.5 runs -130

The Giants have done most of their damage against right-handed pitching this season, but they’ve been solid against lefties. Rich Hill is, of course, the latter, but I’m not as interested in the full lineup splits here. I’m focused on San Francisco’s top bats.

Buster Posey and Brandon Belt have both been tougher on left-handers than right-handers this season, and they face a pitcher on Monday who they’ve done well against in the past. Kris Bryant has also done well in his opportunities against Hill throughout his career, making Monday a prime opportunity for him to get back on track against lefties. That group alone can get the job done.

Additionally, the Mets’ average relievers have not done well this month. They could help the Giants get over the hump if they’re unable to do so against Hill alone.

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