MLB Best Bets, Props, Picks for Saturday, August 16

All 30 MLB teams are in action, with 15 games scheduled for Saturday, August 16. Our MLB betting systems and experts have scoured the odds board and made some MLB picks and predictions for today’s games.

So, continue reading as today’s MLB best bets are below.

Want more picks? Click here for an EXCLUSIVE discount! Get $50 off your first month of ScoresAndOdds Premium!

MLB Best Bets Today

The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our MLB betting staff is targeting from today’s slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.

Game	Time (ET)	Pick
[teammatchup link=”#1″ firstfullname=”Pittsburgh Pirates” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/pit.png” secondfullname=”Chicago Cubs” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-chicago-cubs.png”][/teammatchup]	2:20 p.m.	Tony Sartori’s Spread Bet
[teammatchup link=”#2″ firstfullname=”Texas Rangers” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-texas-rangers.png” secondfullname=”Toronto Blue Jays” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/tor.png”][/teammatchup]	3:07 p.m.	Charlie Wright’s K’s Prediction
[teammatchup link=”#3″ firstfullname=”Seattle Mariners” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-seattle-mariners.png” secondfullname=”New York Mets” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-new-york-mets.png”][/teammatchup]	4:10 p.m.	Derek Carty’s Prop Pick
[teammatchup link=”#4″ firstfullname=”Detroit Tigers” firstlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/461059_det_n.png” secondfullname=”Minnesota Twins” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/mind.png”][/teammatchup]	7:15 p.m.	PRO’s Top Protected Edge
[teammatchup link=”#5″ firstfullname=”San Diego Padres” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/sd.png” secondfullname=”Los Angeles Dodgers” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-los-angeles-dodgers.png”][/teammatchup]	9:10 p.m.	Bet Labs’ Featured Saturday System
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our MLB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game.

[anchor name=”1″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Tony Sartori’s Pirates vs Cubs Best Bet: Back the Cubs To Cover”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Cubs -1.5 (-115)” league=”mlb” awaylogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/pit.png” awayname=”Pittsburgh Pirates” awayslug=”pittsburgh-pirates” homelogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-chicago-cubs.png” homename=”Chicago Cubs” homeslug=”chicago-cubs” date=”Saturday, August 16″ time=”2:20 p.m. ET” network=”MLB.TV” bookname=”BetMGM” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/779359_BetMGM800x200@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”betmgm”][/gameheader]

By Tony Sartori

Mike Burrows’ first full season in MLB has gone poorly. Following Burrows is a fade-worthy Pittsburgh bullpen.

Meanwhile, Imanaga looks to build upon his brilliant 2024 rookie campaign. Through 17 starts this season, the southpaw is 8-5 with a 3.19 ERA and 0.97 WHIP, and his analytics are equally impressive.

Not only does Chicago hold a clear pitching advantage, but the hitting gap is even wider. The Cubs outrank the Pirates in every offensive category.

With the stronger pitching and hitting, there is little reason to believe Chicago will not take care of business. Furthermore, the Cubs’ home record far outpaces Pittsburgh’s road record.

Pick: Cubs -1.5 (-115)

[relatedarticle articleimageurl=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2025/08/Shota-Imanaga-8_16_25.jpg” linktext=”Pirates vs Cubs Prediction, Pick, Odds for Saturday, August 16″ link=”https://www.actionnetwork.com/mlb/pittsburgh-pirates-vs-chicago-cubs-prediction-pick-odds-saturday-august-16-qs”][/relatedarticle]

[teammatchup link=”#1″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Pittsburgh Pirates” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/pit.png” secondfullname=”Chicago Cubs” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-chicago-cubs.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#2″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Texas Rangers” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-texas-rangers.png” secondfullname=”Toronto Blue Jays” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/tor.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#3″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Seattle Mariners” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-seattle-mariners.png” secondfullname=”New York Mets” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-new-york-mets.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#4″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Detroit Tigers” firstlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/461059_det_n.png” secondfullname=”Minnesota Twins” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/mind.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#5″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”San Diego Padres” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/sd.png” secondfullname=”Los Angeles Dodgers” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-los-angeles-dodgers.png”][/teammatchup]

[anchor name=”2″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Charlie Wright’s Rangers vs Blue Jays Best Bet: Not Many K’s for Corbin”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Patrick Corbin Under 3.5 Ks (-115)” league=”mlb” awaylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-texas-rangers.png” awayname=”Texas Rangers” awayslug=”texas-rangers” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/tor.png” homename=”Toronto Blue Jays” homeslug=”toronto-blue-jays” date=”Saturday, August 16″ time=”3:07 p.m. ET” network=”MLB.TV” bookname=”BetMGM” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/779359_BetMGM800x200@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”betmgm”][/gameheader]

By Charlie Wright

The Patrick Corbin renaissance has hit a snag recently.

The Rangers lefty has been knocked around in both of his August starts, allowing six earned runs over seven and 1/3 innings pitched.

The veteran has just four strikeouts this month in two starts, although the matchups were imposing (Yankees, Phillies). He gets another tough spot here.

Toronto has the lowest strikeout rate in the league vs. left-handed pitchers since the start of June, and they’re fifth in wRC+.

Pick: Patrick Corbin Under 3.5 Strikeouts (-115)

[quickslipbasic bookname=”DraftKings” booklogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/128508_Primary1.png” image=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2025/08/August16NewBestBetsqs.jpg” buttontext=”Add These Picks to Your Slip Now!” buttonlink=”https://switchboard.actionnetwork.com/v2/deeplink?deeplinkId[0]=ML1761816905&deeplinkId[1]=ML1762321150&deeplinkId[2]=ML1762516121&deeplinkId[3]=ML1761957128&deeplinkId[4]=ML1762869708&context=action-articles”][/quickslipbasic]

[anchor name=”3″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Derek Carty’s Mariners vs Mets: Fade Bryan Woo’s Outs”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Bryan Woo Under 17.5 Outs (+145)” league=”mlb” awaylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-seattle-mariners.png” awayname=”Seattle Mariners” awayslug=”seattle-mariners” homelogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-new-york-mets.png” homename=”New York Mets” homeslug=”new-york-mets” date=”Saturday, August 16″ time=”4:10 p.m. ET” network=”MLB.TV” bookname=”DraftKings ” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/477013_DraftKings@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”draftkings”][/gameheader]

By Derek Carty

THE BAT X is forecasting 16.37 pitching outs for Bryan Woo compared to 18.06 pitching outs implied by the oddsmakers, so I believe there is value here.

If you take the under, you’d be projected to win 57% of the time, resulting in a 39% ROI. Based on a $100 wager, the expected value here would be $38.50.

Love THE BAT X? Get all of Carty’s sports betting projections at EV Analytics!.

Pick: Bryan Woo Under 17.5 Outs (+145)

[anchor name=”4″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”PRO’s Braves vs Guardians Best Bet: Go With Keith’s Edge”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Colt Keith Over 0.5 Singles (-120)” league=”mlb” awaylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/461059_det_n.png” awayname=”Detroit Tigers” awayslug=”detroit-tigers” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/mind.png” homename=”Minnesota Twins” homeslug=”minnesota-twins” date=”Saturday, August 16″ time=”7:15 p.m. ET” network=”MLB.TV” bookname=”DraftKings ” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/477013_DraftKings@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”draftkings”][/gameheader]

By Action PRO

PRO projects Tigers infielder and designated hitter Colt Keith with 0.87 singles tonight, which represents an excellent 8.1% edge against the market.

Back him with the over at a great value.

Pick: Colt Keith Over 0.5 Singles (-120)

[anchor name=”5″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Bet Labs’ Padres vs Dodgers Best Bet: System Recommends the Under”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Under 8 (-115)” league=”mlb” awaylogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/sd.png” awayname=”San Diego Padres” awayslug=”san-diego-padres” homelogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-los-angeles-dodgers.png” homename=”Los Angeles Dodgers” homeslug=”los-angeles-dodgers” date=”Saturday, August 16″ time=”9:10 p.m. ET” network=”MLB.TV” bookname=”BetMGM” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/779359_BetMGM800x200@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”betmgm”][/gameheader]

By Bet Labs

This system targets unders in MLB series games (Game 2 or later) where both teams have winning records, suggesting quality pitching and competitive matchups.

However, public betting leans toward the over —likely expecting fireworks between top teams— which creates contrarian value on the under.

By capitalizing on low public support for the under (≤35%), the strategy fades public perception in favor of market inefficiencies, especially when bettors overestimate offensive output late in a series.

[betlabsembed systemid=”1474781″ systemname=”Evan Abrams – Contrarian Unders for Winning Teams, Later in Series” leaguename=”mlb” filters=”%7B%22list%22%3A%5B%22the%20game%20is%20played%20during%20the%20Regular%20or%20Postseason%20season%22%2C%22betting%20on%20the%20Under%22%2C%22the%20home%20team’s%20win%20percentage%20is%20between%2051%25%20and%20100%25%22%2C%22the%20visitor%20team’s%20win%20percentage%20is%20between%2051%25%20and%20100%25%22%2C%22the%20over%2Funder%20%25%20is%20between%200%25%20and%2035%25%22%2C%22the%20series%20game%20%23%20is%20between%202%20and%20100%22%5D%7D” amountwon=”$14,243″ record=”1354-1145-108″ winpct=”54%”][/betlabsembed]

Pick: Under 8 (-115)

[procard imageurl=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/736824_ActionPRO_promo_1500x844.jpg” cta=”Premium picks, tools & analysis” firstupsell=”Track & follow smart money” secondupsell=”Biggest player prop edges” thirdupsell=”Real-time expert pick alerts” buttontext=”SAVE 66% NOW!” buttonurl=”/pricing”][/procard]