Best MLB Bets Today | MLB Picks, August 7

This Monday's slate of MLB games will contain an exciting amount of expected close matchups as well as some that are expected to be closer than the experts think. These games will be solid opportunities for bettors to make their picks and earn some significant earnings.

Los Angeles Dodgers @ San Diego Padres

• Time: 4:10 PM E.T. - Monday
• Starting Pitchers: Tony Gonsolin (Dodgers) vs Seth Lugo (Padres)
• Moneyline: Dodgers (-102) | Padres (-118)
• Run Line: Dodgers -1.5 (+154) | Padres +1.5 (-185)
• Total:Over 9 (-115) | Under 9 (-105)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Check out other MLB betting sites for more betting opportunities!  

My Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers (LA)

This Monday is the last game in a four-game NL West Divisional series between the Los Angeles Dodgers (64-46) and the San Diego Padres (55-57) in San Diego. The Dodgers look to remain in firm control of the NL West Division while the Padres are desperately trying to save their season from being an absolute disappointment. The Dodgers look to close this series 3-1 on the road while the Padres are trying to tie the series and gain some momentum.

The Dodgers have been dominant at the batting plate since the start of the season. Los Angeles ranks second in the NL in runs accounted for (616), second in home runs accounted for (176), first in walks accounted for (462), second in on-base percentage (.338), second in slugging percentage (.456) and second on OPS (.793). They can thank their high-volume roster for the tremendous impact.

The Padres have high-caliber talent they can rely on, but it is not as spread out as the Dodgers. Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr, Ha-Seong Kim and Manny Machado can only do so much for the team. San Diego is ranked seventh in the NL in runs accounted for (516), fourth in home runs accounted for (144), second in walks accounted for (460), fifth in on-base percentage (.329), seventh in slugging percentage (.415) and sixth in OPS (.744).

San Diego will have the edge in the pitching game with Seth Lugo (3.54 ERA in 89 innings pitched) starting the mound. The Dodgers will start Tony Gonsolin (4.11 ERA in 87.2 innings pitched). Despite the Padres having the more efficient pitcher on Monday, the Dodgers are still the team to beat.

Chicago Cubs @ New York Mets

• Time: 7:10 PM E.T. - Monday
• Starting Pitchers: Drew Smyly (Cubs) vs Kodai Senga (Mets)
• Moneyline: Cubs (+102) | Mets (-122)
• Run Line: Cubs +1.5 (-185) | Mets -1.5 (+100)
• Total: Over 8.5 (-120) | Under 8.5 (+100)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

My Pick: New York Mets (NY)

The Chicago Cubs (58-54) are quietly making a serious playoff run as they are in second place in a top-heavy NL Central Division. The New York Mets (50-61) have shut down their philosophy to buy wins with high-level talent at the MLB Trade Deadline and are rebuilding young talent. This Monday will start a three-game series between the two teams in New York.

The Mets are trying to shed a six-game losing streak as they were swept by the Kansas City Royals and the Baltimore Orioles. The Cubs should be feeling good after winning five of their last six games, including two wins over the Atlanta Braves and three over the Cincinnati Reds.

The Mets are coming in with the edge in the pitching game, which could be the tiebreaker. New York will start rookie Kodai Senga (3.25 ERA in 110.2 innings pitched), who has delivered 136 strikeouts this season. The Cubs will start Drew Smyly (4.71 ERA in 112.2 innings pitched), one of three pitchers on the team who has accounted for over 100 pitches.

The Cubs are by far the better batting team than the Mets. Chicago ranks third in the NL in runs accounted for (574), sixth in hits accounted for (978), sixth in home runs accounted for (135), fifth in batting average (.257), third in on-base percentage (.334), and fourth in slugging percentage (.421). The Mets rank 11th in the NL in runs accounted for (480), 14th in hits accounted for (864), fifth in home runs accounted for (137), third in fewest strikeouts encountered (876), 13th in batting average (.236) and 11th in on-base percentage (.316).

The Mets will have the edge in the pitching game, but they will also have the desperation to shed a brutal losing streak just after the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline.  

San Francisco Giants @ Los Angeles Angels

• Time: 4:10 PM E.T. - Monday
• Starting Pitchers: Logan Webb (Giants) vs Patrick Sandoval (Angels)
• Moneyline: Giants (-120) | Angels (+100)
• Run Line: Giants -1.5 (+136) | Angels +1.5 (-162)
• Total: Over 8 (-115) | Under 8 (-105)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

My Pick: San Francisco Giants (SF)

One of the top games of the night is set as the San Francisco Giants (61-51) go on the road to take on the Los Angeles Angels (56-57) for the start of a three-game series.

Things haven't been smooth for the Angels since the conclusion of the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline. The Angels are 0-5 the day after the Trade Deadline concluded. After deciding to keep star pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, the Angels are back under .500%.

Meanwhile, the Giants are in serious contention for the NL West Divisional title or at least a Wild Card spot. It didn't help the Giants that they suffered a two-game road loss to the Oakland Athletics to end the weekend.

The Giants and the Angels are coming into Monday's game with some of their best pitchers. San Francisco will start Logan Webb (3.45 ERA in 148.2 innings pitched) at the mound, while the Angels will start Patrick Sandoval (4.11 ERA in 103 innings pitched) at the mound.

The Giants haven't been the best batting team to start the 2023 MLB Season, but they have picked up productivity as the season progressed. They are ranked ninth in the NL in runs accounted for (495), 11th in hits accounted for (903), 11th in batting average (.240), 11th in on-base percentage (.316), and 13th in slugging percentage (.393).

The Angels have been highly efficient at the plate as they rank fourth in the AL in runs accounted for (553), fourth in hits accounted for (978), first in home runs accounted for (172), fifth in batting average (.254), third in on-base percentage (.330) and third in slugging percentage (.444).

The disappointment from the Angels this season has mostly come from the lack of a complete pitching game. While they possess solid starting pitchers, they have had problems with closing and replacement pitchers. That could make a big difference in Monday's game and give the Giants the win.