MLB Best Bets Today, 8/28: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Wednesday
Introducing our MLB Best Bets and Props for today, August 28th, everyone! It was a sweaty stressful night of MLB picks yesterday, but we still came out ahead at 6-5 overall.
Hoping for an easier route to success for this slate but I will take any winning day for sure! Every team in MLB is active on this day, so let’s go ahead and slap together some more winning wagers once again.
MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 8/28
In this article for MLB best bets today, you'll discover a variety of options, including money lines, team totals and a bunch of player props for today's MLB predictions! Just a heads up to double-check your betting card so you don’t accidentally place the wrong bet!
Take a look at my reasoning, and if you’re on the same page, feel free to follow along. Good luck! Now, let’s jump into my top MLB best bets today!
- Season Record: 143-106-5
- Bankroll: +17.0 units
*Be sure to follow me on twitter @jwaggs10!
Astros vs. Phillies Prediction: Wednesday, August 28th
We have reached the end of the road in this series, and for the MLB picks today, I am going to start my piece with this matchup as I think the levee is about to burst after a pair of quiet offensive games! With the matchup of Spencer Arrighetti vs. Taijuan Walker on the mound this afternoon, it should make for some fireworks, and I intend to profit off their misfortune!
Starting at the bird’s eye view, both the pitchers stink and the offenses are elite with the Phillies scoring 5.28 runs per game at home, 2nd most in MLB. The Astros are putting up good numbers on the road as well. All that given, the first of my MLB predictions will be for this game to go over the total of 10 runs.
Next on the docket of MLB best bets today is some player props and it's on a Houston bat against Walker and his 9.26 ERA in the month of August so far. Walker is equally as bad against righties and lefties this season too, so we can really pick who we want. I want Yainer Diaz who has been on fire over the past week, hitting .310, and hitting well all season long against the right-handed pitching. I will be going hits+runs+RBIs for him tonight and over 2.5 at that as he hits 4th in the lineup.
Lastly, let's complete the full fade of Walker on the mound for the Phillies as he’s failed to go over 4 innings pitched and throw over 4 strikeouts in 3 of his last 4 starts. They won’t even offer the over prop on the outs recorded because the books are cowards, but I will take the under on his strikeouts at 3.5. He is under that often and the Astros have the 3rd lowest strikeout rate in MLB this season.
- Expert Astros vs. Phillies Picks:
- Houston vs. Philadelphia Over 10 Runs (-110 on DraftKings)
- Yainer Diaz (HOU) Over 2.5 Hits+Runs+RBIs (+100 on DraftKings)
- Taijuan Walker (PHI) Under 3.5 Strikeouts (-140 on DraftKings)
Best MLB Player Props & Other Picks Today, 8/28
- Detroit Tigers vs. Los Angeles Angels Over 9 Runs (+100 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Jarren Duran (BOS) Over 2.5 Hits+Runs+RBIs (+105 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Cleveland Guardians Money Line (-150 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Luis Castillo (SEA) Over 6.5 Strikeouts (-140 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
Player News
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.
José Soriano allowed three runs over five innings while not factoring in the decision Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Soriano left with a 4-3 lead, but it was erased quickly after his departure. The 26-year-old was not exactly dominant in his outing with eight hits allowed and four free passes, but he did strike out six to help balance things out a smidgen. Soriano takes an even ERA of 4.00 into a scheduled start against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday. There should be better options for that one.