Best MLB Bets Today | MLB Picks, August 15

In Tuesday’s MLB slate, several rivalries are renewed, which headline our best MLB bets for the day. The 1990s rivalry between the Yankees and Braves will write another chapter, while the North and South sides of Chicago will do battle once again. Those games, combined with the opportunity to take advantage of a struggling pitcher in Kansas City, make up our best bets for the day on the diamond.

New York Yankees vs Atlanta Braves

Time: 7:20 PM ET

Starting Pitchers: Luis Severino vs Bryce Elder

My Pick: Braves -1.5 (-110)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

In the first of our MLB best bets for Tuesday night, we look at the matchup between the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves. On Monday, the Braves crushed the Yankees behind a huge third inning explosion on offense. We could see something similar unfold on Tuesday, as the Braves should be able to cover the runline as a favorite at home for the second straight night against New York.

A huge reason to back the Braves in this game is the presence of Luis Severino on the mound for the Yankees. Severino has simply not lived up to expectations this year for the Yankees, as he enters this game with a 2-7 record and an 8.06 ERA. He has struggled to compete out there this year, and that should continue against arguably the best lineup in baseball from top to bottom this season.

Making matters worse for the Yankees is the fact that their offense is not currently built to dig their way out of deficits like they used to. The Yankees are tied for 20th in MLB in runs scored this season, a far cry from their usual standard at the plate. Look for the Yankees to get into an early hole in this game, and to be unable to work their way out of it against one of this year’s World Series favorites.

Seattle Mariners vs Kansas City Royals

Time: 8:10 PM ET

Starting Pitchers: Emerson Hancock vs Jordan Lyles

My Pick: Mariners Moneyline (-150)

Odds courtesy of PointsBet

Jordan Lyles is on the mound for the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday, as they face the Seattle Mariners. That can only mean one thing, as fading the Royals is the right way to go in this contest. With the Mariners in need of some wins to help their cause in the AL Wild Card race, look for the M’s to take advantage of Lyles being on the mound en route to a significant victory in this game.

Lyles has a record of 3-13 going into this contest, with an ERA of 6.13 to his name on the season as well. While some of his losses are the product of simply playing on arguably the worst team in baseball this season, he is responsible for some of his own struggles as he has given up plenty of runs to his opponents. In this game, expect the power bats of the Mariners to feast on the vulnerable Lyles.

In 126.1 innings of work entering this game, Lyles has allowed a jaw-dropping 24 home runs on the season. Those home runs make up nearly 20% of the 126 hits that he has allowed on the year, a percentage that is not sustainable for a pitcher at any level, let alone one at the major league level. Look for that to cost Lyles in this game against hitters like Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez.

Chicago White Sox vs Chicago Cubs

Time: 8:05 PM ET

Starting Pitchers: Touki Toussaint vs Kyle Hendricks

My Pick: Cubs -1.5 (+116)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Another all-Chicago series is set to begin on Tuesday night, as the Chicago Cubs host the Chicago White Sox for a two-game series. The Cubs won the first two meetings in this season series earlier this season, with the Cubs outscoring the White Sox by a combined 17-10 in those two games. Here, expect the Cubs to once again have the upper hand over the White Sox, covering the runline in the process.

The Cubs come into this game with plenty of motivation to come out and play well in this game. They trail the Miami Marlins by one game for the final Wild Card spot in the National League, and have to keep winning to maximize their chances of grabbing one of those three available Wild Card berths. The White Sox, meanwhile, are just about completely out of the race for a playoff berth here in August.

Along with the motivational edge the Cubs have over the White Sox, they also have a slight pitching edge working in their favor as well. The Northsiders have Kyle Hendricks on the mound for this game, who has been statistically superior to White Sox starter Touki Toussaint. The Cubs should be able to take advantage of that to cover the runline at home in this rivalry matchup.