MLB Predictions and Moneyline Picks for Sunday, August 2

Phil Naessens - Contributor at Covers.com
Phil Naessens • Betting Analyst 19+ years betting experience
Updated: Aug 2, 2026 , 07:00 AM ET • 4 min read

A solid mix of underdogs and short favorites highlights Phil Naessens' MLB moneyline predictions!

Jake Bennett of the Boston Red Sox.
Photo By - Reuters Connect. Jake Bennett of the Boston Red Sox.

We have 15 games on tap today, each filled with opportunities to add to our bankrolls. 

I've taken a close look at the MLB odds and have found a solid group of underdogs and favorites to keep you busy from the opening pitch until the final frame of the Red Sox and Dodgers Sunday Night Baseball matchup.

Read more for my MLB moneyline predictions and MLB picks for August 2. 

MLB moneyline picks for August 2

Matchup Pick
PhilliesPhillies
vs
Orioles Orioles
Phillies
-117
Nationals Nationals
vs
Braves Braves
Nationals
+122
Cardinals Cardinals
vs
Blue Jays Blue Jays
Cardinals
-104
Diamondbacks Diamondbacks
vs
GuardiansGuardians
Diamondbacks
+117
White Sox White Sox
vs
Rays Rays
Rays
-144
MarlinsMarlins
vs
Mets Mets
Marlins
+117
PiratesPirates
vs
Reds Reds
Reds
-127
Rangers Rangers
vs
Astros Astros
Rangers
+104
Yankees Yankees
vs
Cubs Cubs
Cubs
+104
Royals Royals
vs
Rockies Rockies
Royals
-104
Brewers Brewers
vs
AngelsAngels
Angels
+214
TigersTigers
vs
Athletics Athletics
Tigers
-113
Twins Twins
vs
MarinersMariners
Twins
-127
GiantsGiants
vs
Padres Padres
Padres
-133
Red SoxRed Sox
vs
Dodgers Dodgers
Red Sox
+150

Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of August 2.

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Expert MLB moneyline picks for August 2

Phillies vs Orioles: Phillies (-117)

Phillies win probability: 53.9%

Philadelphia carries a distinct pitching advantage with Zack Wheeler taking the mound.

Over the last two weeks, Baltimore’s offense has slumped, while their bullpen has leaked oil with high home run rates and regression. The Phillies present the much better side as they work toward securing an early lead and finishing strong.

Nationals vs Braves: Nationals (+122)

Nationals win probability: 45%

Washington enters as one of the hottest lineups in baseball, ranking third in overall offensive production over the last 14 days.

Meanwhile, Atlanta’s bullpen has faltered badly with high walk rates and bloated earned runs. Cade Cavalli gives Washington enough starting depth to cash this valuable underdog price.

Cardinals vs Blue Jays: Cardinals (-104)

Cardinals win probability: 51%

Both offenses have struggled to produce runs over the past two weeks, making starting pitching the primary decider.

Toronto starter Max Scherzer has suffered through an uncharacteristically brutal season, while Michael McGreevy provides St. Louis with a far more dependable rotation foundation. 

Diamondbacks vs Guardians: Diamondbacks +117

Diamondbacks win probability: 46%

Cleveland boasts an elite bullpen, but its injured lineup has sputtered, producing few runs recently. Arizona’s offense, on the other hand, ranks top-four in the majors over the past 14 days with elite contact rates.

Veteran Merrill Kelly receives enough run support to deliver great value as a road dog.

White Sox vs Rays: Rays (-144)

Rays win probability: 59%

Tampa Bay owns the absolute gold standard in late-inning run prevention, backed by a microscopic bullpen WHIP and elite underlying metrics over the past two weeks.

Facing a low-scoring White Sox offense that strikes out at a heavy rate, Griffin Jax and the Rays offer a remarkably high floor.

Marlins vs Mets: Marlins (+117)

Marlins win probability: 46%

Although Miami’s relief corps has been shaky, former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara serves as the ultimate equalizer. Alcantara consistently pitches deep into games, protecting his bullpen from heavy exposure.

Getting a proven ace against an unannounced Mets starting option makes the Marlins an irresistible value play.

Pirates vs Reds: Reds (-127)

Reds win probability: 55.9%

Pittsburgh’s bullpen metrics are sharp, but their offense continues to stall out with an alarming 26.7% strikeout rate over the last two weeks.

Cincinnati’s Chase Burns possesses elite swing-and-miss capabilities that should thoroughly overpower this vulnerable Pirates order at Great American Ball Park.

Rangers vs Astros: Rangers (+104)

Rangers win probability: 49%

Houston’s bullpen has performed admirably, but running an unannounced bullpen day leaves them exposed across the middle innings.

Texas ranks fifth in baseball in offensive efficiency over the past two weeks with dangerous power stats. Young righty Kumar Rocker gives the Rangers the upper hand at plus-money.

Yankees vs Cubs: Cubs (+104)

Cubs win probability: 49%

The two-week offensive split here is staggering: New York’s lineup has cratered to second-worst in baseball, while the Cubs rank second-overall.

Furthermore, Chicago holds a clear bullpen edge over a wild Yankees relief corps. Even with Gerrit Cole starting for New York, the red-hot Cubs are the sharp home underdog.

Royals vs Rockies: Royals (-104)

Royals win probability: 51%

Colorado’s offense has collapsed near the bottom of the league despite playing in hitter-friendly Coors Field, while their relief corps allows heavy base-runner traffic.

Seth Lugo relies on elite command to neutralize altitude factors, providing Kansas City with the requisite pitching stability to pull off the road victory.

Brewers vs Angels: Angels (+213)

Angels win probability: 31.9%

Catching massive home-plus-money in Los Angeles offers exceptional situational value. Walbert Urena (2.70 ERA) gives the Angels quality starting length, and their bullpen has quietly stabilized with a 3.26 SIERA over the past two weeks.

If Anaheim generates early run support, they can cash a monster underdog ticket.

Tigers vs Athletics: Tigers (-113)

Tigers win probability: 53.1%

Both bullpens have surrendered plenty of traffic over the last two weeks, shifting the edge directly to the starting rotation and offensive consistency.

Detroit holds a firm advantage in contact metrics and run-creation stats, giving Tigers starter Keider Montero enough early padding to edge out the A's on the road.

Twins vs Mariners: Mariners (-127)

Mariners win probability: 55%

Seattle's bullpen has been straight-up untouched over the last 14 days, leading MLB in strikeouts, ERA, and WHIP.

Combined with George Kirby's pinpoint command at T-Mobile Park, the Mariners are primed to completely suppress a Minnesota offense that has dropped into the bottom three in league-wide scoring.

Giants vs Padres: Padres (-133)

Padres win probability: 57%

San Diego is firing on all cylinders, boasting the number-one offense in baseball over the past two weeks alongside a shutdown late-inning relief corps.

Starter Michael King outclasses Landen Roupp, creating a smooth path for the Padres to dominate this divisional match at Petco Park. 

Red Sox vs Dodgers: Red Sox (+150)

Red Sox win probability: 40%

Los Angeles’ bullpen has been heavily compromised recently, yielding excessive walks and home runs (5.59 FIP). Conversely, Boston's relievers have posted elite shutdown numbers (2.91 SIERA).

Behind sharp left-hander Jake Bennett (2.74 ERA), the Red Sox, taking back +150 on national television, represent the ultimate value play on the board.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Phil Naessens
Betting Analyst

Prior to joining Covers in 2022, Phil Naessens spent 38 years as a resident tennis pro in Las Vegas, Mykonos, and Corfu, Greece. He’s the past host of the Phil Naessens Show (Armed Forces Radio), and currently hosts the Crush and Rush Tennis Podcast.

Phil is the author of the Betting 101 series (MLB, NFL, NCAAF, and Tennis) and has written for numerous publications, including Advance Local, SB Nation, FanSided, and Lenny Melnick Fantasy Sports. 

His favorite sports to bet on are tennis, MLB, WNBA, Euro men’s and women’s hoops, NCAA sports, NFL, and the NBA. Phil has numerous betting accounts in the US and Europe, and his best advice is to line shop for the best value possible.

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