Must-Make MLB Bets For Friday, August 25

Must-Make MLB Bets For Friday, August 25

It’s the weekend so why not start off with some betting wins? We think it’s possibly with the MLB slate of 15 games. After analyzing the matchups, we’ve hand-picked three MLB bets MOST worth putting money on. Keep reading to get our expert betting advice — free of cost to you!

  • What: MLB games
  • When: Friday, August 25

Run Line: New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays

The two most surprising teams of the 2023 season meet for a divisional matchup. Tampa is now two games behind division-leading Baltimore, who own the second-best record in the majors. Yankees, meanwhile, finally ended an eight-game losing streak. The league’s most disappointing team is dead last in the East and five games under .500. This all makes betting on the Rays-Yankees run line particularly interesting. Here’s the current odds:

TeamBetOnlineBetUSBovada
New York Yankees (+1.5)-180-180-180
Tampa Bay (-1.5)+160+160+160

New York’s ace Gerrit Cole takes the mound. He’s been one of the team’s few bright spots most of this season with a 3.03 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. However, even Cole is beginning to clump like the rest of the club. In four outings this month, Cole has been roughed up for a 5.25 ERA.

Cole runs into a red-hot Rays team on Friday. They’ve won eight of the last 10 to close to gap on the Orioles. The Tampa offense remains one of the best in the league, averaging 5.37 runs per game, which is fifth overall.

We fully expect Tampa to steamroll New York here. Mental confidence is a real thing in this sport and the Yankees are shot, plain and simple. We expect things to go bad from worse hence choosing the Rays to cover the run line.

Tampa to cover New York run line
+160
BetUS

Moneyline: San Diego Padres at Milwaukee Bucks

From one disappointing team to the next. Many felt the Padres would be World Series contenders this season — especially after eliminating the Dodgers from last year’s playoffs. Instead, they too are under .500 and running out of time to make a playoff run. This series against the NL Central-leading Brew Crew certainly won’t be easy. We’re intrigued by the Milwaukee-San Diego moneyline, which is available across the top baseball betting sites:

TeamBetOnlineBetUSBovada
Milwaukee-120-120-120
San Diego+110+110+110

We’re fully behind the Brewers to win here. They’re on a run, having won five in a row, and nine or its previous 12. They’ve needed every win because both the Cubs and Reds are breathing down their necks in the division race.

Here’s why we’re so confident in a Milwaukee victory: Brandon Woodruff is starting. He’s been a boon to the ball club since returning from an injury that sidelined him most of 2023. He’s allowed a mere eight runs in three starts since returning earlier this month. We expect Woodruff to pitch the Brew Crew to a win here.

Milwaukee to beat San Diego
-120
BetOnline

Over/Under 7.5 runs: Atlanta Braves at San Francisco Giants

Here’s an over/under bet between Atlanta and San Francisco that we couldn’t stay away from. That’s because both clubs, and their lineups, are going in opposite directions. We’ll get to that soon, but let’s take a quick look at the latest odds for it:

OutcomeBetOnlineBetUSBovada
Over 7.5 runs-110-110-110
Under 7.5 runs-110-110-110

The Braves have the league’s best overall record at 82-44, and show no signs of slowing down. They’ve gone 12-4 over the last few weeks and are hitting with the best of them. The team is averaging 289/.365/.502 with 26 extra-base hits and 25 home runs in that stretch. Certainly, they are contenders to get the over bet by themselves.

However, the Giants aren’t anywhere close to that level. Fighting for their playoff lives, they’ve managed only five wins in 17 games. Their offensive stats during that run include 243/.306/.370 with just 13 doubles and 13 homers. They’ve picked the worst time to play some of their most anemic ball.

We’re inclined to bet the under. San Francisco might not score a run against Atlanta starter Spencer Strider. Current Giants players are only 4-35 against Strider with zero RBIs. The Braves should be able to score, but not enough on their own to hit the over. Under is the play to make here.

Under 7.5 runs scored in Atlanta vs. San Francisco game
-110
Bovada

How To Bet On MLB Games?

We’re getting closer and closer to October baseball. Every game from now on is starting to feel like a playoff game though, which only adds to the thrill of betting on a daily basis. For a one-stop shop for MLB betting the rest of the year, hit one of the bookmakers below. These are the top bookies in our sportsbook review section, particularly because they offer it all in betting.

One of the things they even offer is lucrative sign-up bonuses. By lucrative, we’re talking deals worth hundreds to thousands of dollars in free play (it will vary from site to site, deal to deal). Imagine all the MLB betting you can do with that type of money for free? Check out the table below for a list of the best promos in the whole industry. Pick one and you’re off to the races for free!