MLB Best Bets: 5 Prop Picks & Predictions for Friday Night

Baseball fans will be treated to a full, 15-game slate on Friday, April 25.

Between totals, run lines and MLB prop picks, there are numerous betting opportunities to analyze, but our MLB betting experts have already done just that.

So, all that’s left for you to do is continue reading. Our MLB best bets for today, Friday, April 25, are below.

[quickslipbasic bookname=”BetMGM” booklogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/779359_BetMGM800x200@1x.png” image=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-25-at-7.38.32%E2%80%AFAM.png” buttontext=”Parlay These Picks Instantly!” buttonlink=”https://switchboard.actionnetwork.com/v2/deeplink?deeplinkId[0]=ML1508391082&deeplinkId[1]=ML1509740467&deeplinkId[2]=ML1507968434&deeplinkId[3]=ML1508420557&context=qs-articles”][/quickslipbasic]

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MLB Best Bets, Props, Picks & Predictions

Game	Time (ET)	Pick
[teammatchup link=”#1″ firstfullname=”Philadelphia Phillies” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-philadelphia-phillies.png” secondfullname=”Chicago Cubs” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-chicago-cubs.png”][/teammatchup]	2:20 p.m.	Under 8 (+100)
[teammatchup link=”#2″ firstfullname=”Philadelphia Phillies” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-philadelphia-phillies.png” secondfullname=”Chicago Cubs” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-chicago-cubs.png”][/teammatchup]	2:20 p.m.	Colin Rea Under 4.5 Strikeouts (-150)
[teammatchup link=”#3″ firstfullname=”Baltimore Orioles” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/bal.png” secondfullname=”Detroit Tigers” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/461059_det_n.png”][/teammatchup]	6:40 p.m.	Tigers Moneyline (-118)
[teammatchup link=”#4″ firstfullname=”Tampa Bay Rays” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-tampa-bay-rays.png” secondfullname=”San Diego Padres” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/sd.png”][/teammatchup]	9:40 p.m.	Padres Moneyline (-140)
[teammatchup link=”#5″ firstfullname=”Chicago White Sox” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/cws.png” secondfullname=”Oakland Athletics” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/oakd.png”][/teammatchup]	10:05 p.m.	Sean Burke Under 3.5 Strikeouts (+104)
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.

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[anchor name=”1″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Justin Van Zuiden’s Phillies vs Cubs Best Bet: Weather Should Supress Scoring”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Under 8 (+100)” league=”mlb” awaylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-philadelphia-phillies.png” awayname=”Philadelphia Phillies” awayslug=”philadelphia-phillies” homelogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-chicago-cubs.png” homename=”Chicago Cubs” homeslug=”chicago-cubs” date=”Friday, April 25″ time=”2:20 p.m. ET” network=”MLB.TV” bookname=”BetMGM” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/779359_BetMGM800x200@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”betmgm”][/gameheader]

By Justin Van Zuiden

This is pretty much a weather play for me. Generally, I don’t trust Taijuan Walker or Colin Rea, though Rea has been respectable for the Cubs this season.

We have a chilly, damp day in Chicago with the wind blowing in heavily from left field in a park that is very sensitive to the wind. If we had ace pitchers going, the total would be around 5.5 with these conditions.

It is going to be very difficult to get balls in the air to leave the park and despite the talent of these offenses and the struggles of these pitchers, these conditions should keep the scoring in check.

Pick: Under 8 (+100)

[teammatchup link=”#1″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Philadelphia Phillies” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-philadelphia-phillies.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=”Philadelphia Phillies” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-philadelphia-phillies.png” secondfullname=”Chicago Cubs” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-chicago-cubs.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#3″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Baltimore Orioles” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/bal.png” secondfullname=”Detroit Tigers” secondlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/461059_det_n.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#4″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Tampa Bay Rays” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-tampa-bay-rays.png” secondfullname=”San Diego Padres” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/sd.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#5″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Chicago White Sox” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/cws.png” secondfullname=”Oakland Athletics” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/oakd.png”][/teammatchup]

[anchor name=”2″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Jim Turvey’s Phillies vs Cubs Best Bet: Fade Rea”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Colin Rea Under 4.5 Strikeouts (-150)” league=”mlb” awaylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-philadelphia-phillies.png” awayname=”Philadelphia Phillies” awayslug=”philadelphia-phillies” homelogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-chicago-cubs.png” homename=”Chicago Cubs” homeslug=”chicago-cubs” date=”Friday, April 25″ time=”2:20 p.m. ET” network=”MLB.TV” bookname=”bet365″ bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/859377_Bet365@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”bet365″][/gameheader]

By Jim Turvey

The Cubs will turn to Colin Rea on Friday in their series opener against the Phillies. Rea has been on a limited pitch count this season and has yet to top 69 pitches, despite some solid outings.

He may see a small jump in pitches tonight as the season progresses, but the Cubs also have a fully rested bullpen and this Phillies’ lineup is one you don’t want to let see a pitcher too many times.

Speaking of, the Phillies carry the sixth-lowest strikeout rate against right-handed pitchers this season, adding to the appeal of the under here.

Pick: Colin Rea Under 4.5 Strikeouts (-150)

[anchor name=”3″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Justin Van Zuiden’s Orioles vs Tigers Best Bet: Trust Mize at Home”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Tigers Moneyline (-118)” league=”mlb” awaylogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/bal.png” awayname=”Baltimore Orioles” awayslug=”baltimore-orioles” homelogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/461059_det_n.png” homename=”Detroit Tigers” homeslug=”detroit-tigers” date=”Friday, April 25″ time=”6:40 p.m. ET” network=”MLB.TV” bookname=”FanDuel” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/122955_FanDuelSportsBook@1x.jpg” bookreviewslug=”fanduel”][/gameheader]

By Justin Van Zuiden

Casey Mize was a top draft pick and an elite prospect, but struggled to put things together at the MLB level for a few years. However, he made some strides in 2024 and has had a fantastic start to 2025.

He has allowed zero or one run in three of his four starts and will be pitching at home, in a pitcher-friendly environment, tonight. Meanwhile, Baltimore had to travel after playing in Washington D.C. on Thursday night and got into Detroit at a very late hour.

I trust Mize more than Orioles’ rookie Brandon Young and Detroit’s offense remains an underrated unit. I’ll back the Tigers to get a home win.

Pick: Tigers Moneyline (-118)

[anchor name=”4″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Dead President Picks’ Rays vs Padres Best Bet: Padres Rolling in San Diego”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Padres Moneyline (-140)” league=”mlb” awaylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-tampa-bay-rays.png” awayname=”Tampa Bay Rays” awayslug=”tampa-bay-rays” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/sd.png” homename=”San Diego Padres” homeslug=”san-diego-padres” date=”Friday, April 25″ time=”9:40 p.m. ET” network=”MLB.TV” bookname=”Caesars Sportsbook” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/256064_caesars_800x200.png” bookreviewslug=”caesars-sportsbook”][/gameheader]

By Dead President Picks

The Tampa Bay Rays (11-14) and San Diego Padres (17-8) clash on Friday Night at Petco Park. The Rays, led by Junior Caminero, have won back-to-back games and will send 25-year-old Shane Baz (2-0, 3.22 ERA) to the mound.

The Fernando Tatis Jr.-led Padres will counter with Michael King (3-0, 2.57 ERA), which is part of why I’m backing San Diego to win tonight.

The Padres have been the best home team in baseball this season as they are 12-1 at Petco Park. Additionally, King has been outstanding and has strong numbers against Tampa Bay. The veteran has held the Rays to a .192 batting average in 26 at-bats.

Meanwhile, Baz has struggled with his command, allowing four walks in two of his four starts. I expect Baz to fall
behind in counts and have trouble slowing down the Padres.

Back San Diego to win at home tonight.

Pick: Padres Moneyline (-140)

[anchor name=”5″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Charlie Wright’s White Sox vs Athletics Best Bet: Back the A’s Offense”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Sean Burke Under 3.5 Strikeouts (+104)” league=”mlb” awaylogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/cws.png” awayname=”Chicago White Sox” awayslug=”chicago-white-sox” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/oakd.png” homename=”Oakland Athletics” homeslug=”oakland-athletics” date=”Friday, April 25″ time=”10:05 p.m. ET” network=”MLB.TV” bookname=”FanDuel” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/122955_FanDuelSportsBook@1x.jpg” bookreviewslug=”fanduel”][/gameheader]

By Charlie Wright

I couldn’t believe this stat when I found it yesterday, but the Athletics had the lowest strikeout rate in the league against righties heading into Thursday. Jacob deGrom had a solid strikeout game last night, so the A’s are now second, behind the Blue Jays, but still, wow.

Every team has at least 600 plate appearances against righties this season, so it’s a solid sample. This is a major transformation for the team that struck out at the third-highest rate vs. right-handed pitching in 2024.

A handful of the biggest culprits in the A’s lineup have made significant strides in the strikeout department. Tyler Soderstrom has increased his contact rate, cut down on his swinging-strike rate and slashed his chase rate. He’s also swinging less, which suggests he’s being more selective. The results have been amazing (tied for the league lead in homers).

Shea Langeliers is still chasing too much, but he’s trimmed his swinging-strike rate to an elite 7% and boosted his contact rate to a hefty 84.7%. He’s nearly cut his K% vs. right handers in half from 2024 to 2025 (27.7% to 14.1%).

Lawrence Butler has also taken a step forward (23.5% to 15.9%) and elite contact hitter Jacob Wilson is healthy and getting regular playing time.

Sean Burke has just a 14.7% K% through five starts. In fact, he has as many earned runs (15) as strikeouts. Burke faced this Athletics squad last week and was torched for five earned runs over 3 1/3 innings. He finished with two strikeouts. That game was in Chicago, but now he’ll have to take on this group in the hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park.

It’s a challenging spot and I’m trusting the contact gains made by this lineup.

Pick: Sean Burke Under 3.5 Strikeouts (+104)

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