MLB Best Bets Today, 8/30: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Friday
Welcome into the MLB Best Bets and Props for today as we look to head into the weekend on a high note! We were back to our winning ways in yesterday’s MLB picks as the slate netted us a 4-3 evening no thanks to the Texas Rangers!
We now move to the end of the week for me and my MLB predictions and it’s a good slate to close on with all 30 teams in action. Let’s dive into our MLB best bets today and check out what I’ve cooked up!
MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 8/30
This article on MLB best bets today presents a diverse selection of options, including various money lines, team totals and numerous player props for today's MLB predictions.
It’s essential to verify your betting card for my MLB best bets today to avoid placing an incorrect wager. Review the reasoning provided, and if you concur with my analysis, feel free to follow my recommendations! Best of luck.
Now, let us explore my expert MLB best bets today.
- Season Record: 149-112-7
- Bankroll: +16.8 units
*Follow me on X/Twitter @jwaggs10!
Pirates vs. Guardians Prediction: Friday, August 30th
For the game spotlight on these MLB best bets today, it’s going to be the Pirates on the road to start their weekend series against the Guardians! My Pirates are imploding in the worst of ways right now so while I am sad, I might as well make some money in the process.
Bailey Falter will start for the Pirates tonight and while his early season was good, his August has been terrible over 4 starts with a 5.94 ERA. Pittsburgh is also coming out of a series where they gave up 41 runs to the Cubs over 3 games, so the over is automatically looking tasty. Add in the fact that Cleveland is averaging 4.89 runs per game at home we should see fireworks; give me the over.
Back to Falter pitching poorly, it's time for a player prop backing a Guardian tonight and that bat will be Jose Ramirez! Ramirez is hitting .353 with an OPS of 1.076 against left-handed pitching this season and over the past week has been on a heater in general with 8 hits, including 4 doubles and a home run. The odds are better on total bases for him rather than hits+runs+RBIs, so that will be the wager to track to go over.
The last wager of this MLB picks section will be against Falter again as the Pirates bullpen was wiped out in the previous series, so no matter what happens in the opening 5 innings, Falter will likely have to tough it out. That means hits against for me betting this game and Falter going over 5.5 hits allowed seems like a done deal considering he has allowed 23 hits over 16.2 innings pitched in the month of August.
- Expert Pirates vs. Guardians Picks:
- Pittsburgh vs. Cleveland Over 9 Runs (-110 on DraftKings)
- Jose Ramirez (CLE) Over 1.5 Total Bases (-130 on DraftKings)
- Bailey Falter (PIT) Over 5.5 Hits Allowed (-125 on DraftKings)
Best MLB Player Props & Other Picks Today, 8/30
- Houston Astros Run Line -1.5 (+125 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies Under 8 Runs (-110 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Francisco Lindor (NYM) Over 2.5 Hits+Runs+RBIs (+100 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Minnesota Twins Money Line (-160 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.