Hump day means all-day baseball, with action starting just before 1 p.m. ET and the last game kicking off at 8:40 p.m.
Our MLB expert picks for Wednesday, Aug. 19, highlight an Under and three moneyline predictions, including an underdog Los Angeles Angels squad in a prime matchup against a Houston Astros pitcher making his big-league debut.
Dig in with today's MLB picks below.
MLB expert picks for today
| Pick | Odds |
|---|---|
 Josh Inglis: SEA ML |
+113 |
 Jon Metler: NYY ML |
-117 |
 Dustin Saracini: TOR/TB u7.5 |
-113 |
 Joe Osborne: LAA ML |
+144 |
Prices courtesy of Polymarket.
Trade on MLB at Polymarket!
Sign up now using our exclusive Polymarket promo code 'COVERS' (on your mobile app only) and get a $50 trading bonus after you deposit $50 to trade on any other event contracts — including MLB expert picks!
*Eligible locations only
Josh Inglis' expert pick: Mariners moneyline
Price: 47¢ (+113) at Polymarket
The Seattle Mariners are listed as 47% underdogs today, and that likely isn't pricing in one of the best motivating factors in professional sports: the humiliation factor.
The Mariners are trading at 47 cents after getting crushed 22-0 by the Milwaukee Brewers last night, tying the modern MLB record for the largest shutout margin.
The Mariners had to watch Gary Sanchez, Milwaukee's catcher, finish the game on the mound, which is about as big an insult as you can get in baseball. Professional players have pride, and when that's taken away, you can get the most motivated version of a team.
Seattle also has the pitching edge with Logan Gilbert facing Dustin May. Seattle's "A" bullpen also hasn't been touched since Sunday, giving it a significant late-game advantage.
With the Mariners three games back in the Wild Card and coming off that humiliating defeat, this should be one of the most focused and motivated lineups we've seen from Seattle all year.
That's worth an extra 10-15 points that isn't priced in.
- Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
- How to watch: Mariners.TV, Brewers.TV
Jon Metler's expert pick: Yankees moneyline
Price: 54¢ (-117) at Polymarket
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Chris Bassitt throws a deep arsenal, but few pitches are working in his favor this season.
His sweeper has been the exception, serving as one of his best strikeout and put-away pitches with a +1 run value. Unfortunately for Bassitt, this is a difficult matchup for that pitch against a New York Yankees lineup that could feature as many as seven left-handed hitters.
The sweeper breaks into the barrels of left-handed bats, which could neutralize one of Bassitt's best weapons for putting away hitters.
The matchup gets even tougher at Camden Yards, where the dimensions favor left-handed power to right field more than right-handed power to left.
The Yankees are trading at 54 cents on Polymarket, but I make them closer to a 57-cent favorite. That's enough of an edge for me to hit the button.
- Time: 6:35 p.m. ET
- How to watch: Amazon Prime Video, MASN
Dustin Saracini's expert pick: Blue Jays vs. Rays Under 7.5
Price: 53¢ (-113) at Polymarket
After struggling to begin the season, Max Scherzer has found his footing over his last three starts, allowing just four earned runs in 16 1/3 innings.
He continues to shine while the Toronto Blue Jays battle for the final Wild Card, and his chase rate has actually been elite, leaving hitters guessing at a 34% clip. He should do enough to limit the Tampa Bay Rays' potent offense and keep us under the number here.
Drew Rasmussen has pitched at a Cy Young level this season, coughing up just two runs over his last 25 frames. Scary stuff if you're a Blue Jays fan.
Toronto will have to earn it, too, as Rasmussen's 4.5% walk rate is the lowest of his career and puts him in the 98th percentile among pitchers. Runs will be tough to come by in this pitcher's duel.
Check out Dustin's full Blue Jays vs. Rays predictions.
- Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
- How to watch: Sportsnet, Rays.TV
Joe Osborne's expert pick: Angels moneyline
Price: 41¢ (+144) at Polymarket
The Los Angeles Angels are worth backing to pull off the upset tonight with Walbert Urena on the mound.
Urena has faced the Houston Astros four times this season and has been fantastic, posting a 0.71 ERA across those appearances.
The Astros will counter with Ethan Pecko, who makes his MLB debut after posting an unimpressive 4.57 ERA in 20 minor-league appearances. Those numbers won’t blow anyone away, and he walked five batters in his most recent Triple-A start.
Los Angeles also has a bullpen capable of protecting a lead, ranking inside the top seven in both ERA and FIP over the past week. That strong relief work has helped the Angels go 5-2 during that stretch.
- Time: 8:10 p.m. ET
- How to watch: ABTV, SCHN
More MLB best bets for today
| Pick | Odds |
|---|---|
| MIN ML | +104 |
| Read analysis in our Braves vs. Twins predictions | |
| CHW ML | +134 |
| Read analysis in our White Sox vs. Cubs predictions | |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
