MLB Best Bets for Thursday August 20th
Thursday's MLB best bets focus on the three remaining night games, with a pitching-driven under in Baltimore, a first-five underdog angle in Texas and a team-total under in Houston.
With several afternoon games already underway, this card only includes bets that remain actionable for Thursday night. Each selection comes directly from today's Winners & Whiners free-picks coverage and links back to the full matchup breakdown.
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MLB Best Bets for August 20
- Yankees vs. Orioles: Under 7.5 (-110)
- Nationals First Five +0.5 (-110) vs. Rangers
- Angels Team Total Under 3.5 (-120) vs. Astros
These are the strongest remaining same-day plays from the live Winners & Whiners MLB free-picks board. Prices can move before first pitch, so bettors should confirm the current number at their sportsbook.
Yankees vs. Orioles Best Bet: Under 7.5 (-110)
The first play comes from the Yankees vs. Orioles prediction, where the preferred bet is Under 7.5 at -110.
The total is low, but the starting-pitcher matchup supports it. Gerrit Cole enters with a 3.22 ERA and Kyle Bradish carries a 3.65 ERA, with both starters capable of missing bats and limiting the type of extended rallies that usually break an under.
The side market has also tightened dramatically. New York moved from an earlier -125 price to -107, while Baltimore shifted from +105 to -101. That near-pick'em moneyline makes the total the cleaner way to attack the matchup.
The primary risk is bullpen volatility. A low-scoring game through six innings can still get away from an under if either relief corps loses the strike zone. The starting matchup, however, gives this bet a strong foundation.
Best Bet: Yankees-Orioles Under 7.5 (-110)
Score Prediction: Yankees 4, Orioles 3
Nationals vs. Rangers Best Bet: Washington F5 +0.5 (-110)
The second play comes from the Nationals vs. Rangers prediction.
Texas is a substantial full-game favorite at -170, but the recommended bet avoids paying that price and avoids asking Washington's bullpen to survive all nine innings.
Washington First Five +0.5 at -110 gives the Nationals protection if the game is tied after five innings. Andrew Alvarez enters with a 3.72 ERA, while Jacob deGrom has a 3.95 ERA. DeGrom remains the more dangerous strikeout pitcher, but the gap between the starters is smaller than their reputations might suggest.
The bet does not require Washington to win the game. It only requires the Nationals to be tied or ahead through five innings. That distinction matters when the full-game projection still favors Texas.
Best Bet: Washington First Five +0.5 (-110)
Score Prediction: Rangers 4, Nationals 3
Angels vs. Astros Best Bet: Angels Team Total Under 3.5 (-120)
The final play comes from the Angels vs. Astros prediction.
Houston is -178 on the moneyline, but laying that price requires the Astros to finish the job over nine innings. The Angels team-total under isolates the matchup more directly by asking Houston pitching to hold Los Angeles to three runs or fewer.
The current total is 8.5, with the Angels priced at +162. Los Angeles has shortened slightly from an earlier +172, but the featured handicap remains focused on its scoring ceiling rather than the full-game winner.
That makes Under 3.5 at -120 preferable to laying the larger Astros moneyline. It narrows the wager to the part of the matchup where Houston has the clearest advantage.
Best Bet: Angels Team Total Under 3.5 (-120)
Score Prediction: Astros 5, Angels 2
Thursday MLB Best Bets Card
The common thread across Thursday night's card is market selection.
Yankees-Orioles is a pitching matchup where the total is more attractive than a side that has moved close to pick'em. Washington's first-five run line creates a way to back early competitiveness without relying on the Nationals bullpen. The Angels team-total under isolates Houston's pitching edge without laying a large favorite price.
The three plays are therefore:
- Yankees-Orioles Under 7.5 (-110)
- Washington First Five +0.5 (-110)
- Los Angeles Angels Team Total Under 3.5 (-120)
For every game on the slate, visit the MLB picks and predictions hub. Bettors can also compare current offers at the Winners & Whiners sportsbook promo-code hub before wagering.
