Best MLB Bets Today | MLB Picks, July 18

Cleveland Guardians vs Pittsburgh Pirates

• Time: 7:05 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Logan Allen vs Mitch Keller
• Moneyline: Guardians (-106) | Pirates (-110)
• Runline: Guardians -1.5 (+155) | Pirates +1.5 (-188)
• Total: Over 8.5 (-114) | Under 8.5 (-106)

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

My Pick: Pirates Moneyline (-110)

The first of our MLB best bets for Tuesday is for the Pittsburgh Pirates to take care of business against the Cleveland Guardians at home. The Pirates have a decided edge in the starting pitching department going into this contest. That, combined with the offensive issues surrounding the Guardians, should help Pittsburgh to get a win in this interleague matchup of teams in the Central divisions of their respective leagues.

The big reason Pittsburgh has a pitching edge going into this game is that Mitch Keller is on the mound for them. Keller is 9-4 this season and has posted a 3.31 ERA while striking out over a batter per inning on the year. Against a Cleveland team that has really struggled offensively this season, Keller should have no problem continuing to pitch at a level that has kept him in the Cy Young hunt in the National League.

Speaking of that offensive ineptitude for the Guardians this season, expect them to fail to punish any mistakes that Keller does make in this matchup. As a team, the Guardians have hit just 67 home runs so far this year. That is 15 home runs less than any other team in baseball, and the lack of power for Cleveland will continue to haunt them in this matchup.

San Diego Padres vs Toronto Blue Jays

• Time: 7:05 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Joe Musgrove vs Alek Manoah
• Moneyline: Padres (-120) | Blue Jays (EVEN)
• Runline: Padres -1.5 (+140) | Blue Jays +1.5 (-165)
• Total: Over 9.5 (-105) | Under 9.5 (-115)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

My Pick: Padres Moneyline (-120)

Next up on our list of MLB best bets for Tuesday, look for the San Diego Padres to take down the Toronto Blue Jays in Canada. These teams come into this contest heading in opposite directions, as the Padres have lost three straight games, while the Blue Jays have won four straight. But some context is required when looking at those streaks, as there is more going on than just the numbers involved.

While San Diego has lost three games in a row, those three losses came on the road against the defending National League champion Phillies. Meanwhile, the Jays have won four in a row against a combination of the Tigers and Diamondbacks, with those three wins against Arizona coming at home. These teams are much more evenly matched than their recent form would suggest, especially when you factor the pitching matchup into the equation.

Alek Manoah is on the mound for the Blue Jays in this game, who had to be sent down to the minor leagues due to his struggles earlier in the season. While Manoah did have a strong first start back in the major leagues, he is going to struggle in this game against the potent Padres offense en route to a San Diego victory.

Chicago White Sox vs New York Mets

• Time: 7:10 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Lucas Giolito vs Carlos Carrasco
• Moneyline: White Sox (+102) | Mets (-120)
• Runline: White Sox +1.5 (-192) | Mets -1.5 (+158)
• Total: Over 9 (-112) | Under 9 (-108)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

My Pick: White Sox Moneyline (+102)

The last of our MLB best bets for Tuesday comes from New York, where the Mets will host the Chicago White Sox in interleague action. The White Sox have struggled all year long, while the Mets keep trying to find their footing. But in this game, we like the White Sox to come away with a win on the road, thanks in large part to their starting pitching situation.

Lucas Giolito is on the mound for the White Sox in this game, who enters this contest with a 6-5 record and a 3.45 ERA. While Giolito has pitched well throughout this season, this game, in particular, is significant for him, as he is auditioning for teams who may be interested in trading for him at the deadline. As a result, expect Giolito to come out dealing against a Mets team that has struggled for consistency at the plate for most of this year.

On the other side, Carlos Carrasco has been subpar for the Mets on the hill, going 3-3 with a 5.16 ERA this season. He is giving up just under a hit per inning, which could give the White Sox the opening they need to steal this game as a slight underdog. And with the Mets being just a .500 team at home this season, there is no reason to overvalue their home-field advantage.