MLB Best Bets Today, 8/21: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Wednesday
We have arrived at midweek for MLB Best Bets and Props, and just like that, we’re back in the green again after a 6-2 card with last night's MLB picks!
Feels good to get some of last week’s money back in the pocket but I’m not slowing down as it’s a full slate of games again today that will run from early afternoon into the night. Good luck out there everyone, enjoy the MLB predictions today that I have uncovered for this action.
MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 8/21
In today’s article you will find a wide array of choices from some money lines and team totals to plenty of MLB player props for the action today! The data really liked some specific bets so make sure to double check your betting card before clicking submit for these ones tonight!
Check out the rationale and if you agree with me make sure to tail and good luck! Now, let's dive into my expert MLB best bets today!
- Season Record: 121-93-4
- Bankroll: +12.6 units
*Take a shot at my MLB picks today, then follow me on Twitter @jwaggs10!
Guardians vs. Yankees Prediction: Wednesday, August 21st
This series started off with a bang like most of us would have expected as these two titans swung away to 14 runs in the series opener. Given the matchup on the mound tonight, I expect a similar thing but with the Yankees gaining the upper hand this time around.
New York has the home field advantage of which they’ve used well this season scoring 4.7 runs per game over the course of the year and now they’ll get to tee off on Joey Cantillo and his 6.23 ERA. Cantillo is bad on the road – like, really bad – and is allowing a 1.563 OPS to lefties. But, more on that later in the props. Given this matchup against the Yankees offense, my MLB best bets today will take the home team to dominate tonight on the run line with the money line being too chalky.
Now moving into the props for MLB predictions today, we take a strong look at Juan Soto, who is a lefty of course, and as stated above, Cantillo is blowing up against them in his 3 starts so far this season. Soto’s total bases and hits+runs+RBIs are in play, but the odds are much better for the total bases. Him getting walked is always a concern for me, but I’m willing to risk it tonight as one double brings us home to +125!
To finish off this game and our MLB best bets today, give me the Yankees offense to score lots of runs as they rank 8th in MLB in runs per game at home this season. While the number of 4.5 may seem daunting, I am willing to wager that they clear this number as they have in so many games this season.
- Expert Guardians vs. Yankees Picks:
- New York -1.5 Run Line (+110 on DraftKings)
- Juan Soto (NYY) Over 1.5 Total Bases (+125 on DraftKings)
- New York Team Total Over 4.5 Runs (-110 on DraftKings)
Best MLB Player Props & Other Picks Today, 8/21
- Chicago White Sox vs. San Francisco Giants Under 7 Runs (-115 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Alex Call (WSH) Over 1.5 Hits+Runs+RBIs (-130 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Cincinnati Reds Money Line (-115 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Ryan Pepiot (TB) Over 5.5 Strikeouts (-160 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago Cubs Under 8 Runs (-135 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
Player News
Willy Adames has been moved down to the sixth spot in the lineup for Monday’s game against the Diamondbacks.
Giants manager Bob Melvin has finally decided to shake things up with Adames hitting just .217/.297/.335 with four homers, 19 RBI and two steals through 41 games in his San Francisco debut. It’ll be Matt Chapman and Heliot Ramos hitting second and third, respectively, with Jung Hoo Lee in the cleanup spot. The hope for fantasy managers is that the move will reduce some of the pressure on Adames and help get him going at the dish. He’s too talented to continue flailing, especially since his plate skills and underlying batted ball metrics remain mostly in line with previous seasons.
Luis Rengifo is not in the lineup for Monday’s series opener against the Padres.
Rengifo is out of the lineup for the third time in the last five games with Tim Anderson at second base. He’s in the midst of an extended tailspin at the plate, batting .191 (9-for-47) with zero homers and one steal over his last 15 games. He’s hitting .091 (2-for-22) over his past seven contests.
Jackson Merrill (illness) is back in the lineup for Monday’s series opener against the Angels.
Merrill is back at DH and batting cleanup on Monday night at Petco Park after missing Sunday’s contest against the Rockies due to illness. The 22-year-old fantasy star is hitting .579 (11-for-19) with one homer and six RBI in four games since returning from the injured list last week.
Oneil Cruz (back) remains absent from the lineup for Monday’s series opener against the Mets.
Cruz will miss his second consecutive game following an early exit from Saturday’s game with lower back tightness. It doesn’t sound like a significant concern, but it’s a situation fantasy managers should continue to monitor. The 26-year-old fantasy star leads the majors with 16 stolen bases in 37 games this season. It’ll be rookie Alexander Canario patrolling center field on Monday night at Citi Field.
Pirates activated SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa from the 10-day injured list.
Kiner-Falefa is back at shortstop and batting sixth on Monday against the Mets following a minimum stint on the injured list with a right hamstring strain. The versatile 30-year-old is hitting .280/.333/.330 with 11 runs scored, zero homers, seven RBI and six steals through 30 games.
Pirates optioned INF Liover Peguero to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Peguero returns to the minors with Isaiah Kiner-Falefa back from the injured list ahead of Monday’s game against the Mets. The 24-year-old infielder went 2-for-9 in four games with the Pirates after returning to the big leagues on May 2.