MLB Betting Guide for August 16: Can Skenes Snap Pirates’ Skid?

We have a 14-game MLB slate heading into what will hopefully be an action-packed weekend, so let’s pump some winners out for tonight’s loaded slate.

Atop the American League, the New York Yankees are tied for the AL East lead ahead of their weekend series with the Detroit Tigers, while the Baltimore Orioles are underway in a four-game set with the Boston Red Sox. Additionally, the Cleveland Guardians still hold a half-game lead for the best record in the AL, but a tough weekend series awaits them against the Milwaukee Brewers.

In the NL, the Philadelphia Phillies have retaken the league lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Phillies should have an easy weekend against the Washington Nationals, so we have a +1250 ultimate same-game parlay for the Friday night action. The Dodgers will look to retain the NL lead this weekend against the St. Louis Cardinals, as both the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres are still on their tails. 

Elsewhere, we’ll look at MLB’s two longest streaks, as the Houston Astros will have an excellent opportunity to build on their eight-game winning streak against the Chicago White Sox this weekend. On the other end, the Pittsburgh Pirates are on an ugly 10-game losing skid, but luckily, they’ll have Paul Skenes on the mound tonight against the Seattle Mariners to hopefully end their drought.

It should be a great night of baseball, so stay with SportsGrid to be covered on everything. Let’s ride! 

Swing for the Fences with SportsGrid’s free daily MLB Game Picks and MLB Prop Picks.

MLB Betting Guide for August 16

Tonight’s Headliners: MLB Futures to Target | MLB Considers Requiring 6-Innings for Starters

Catch Up on Yesterday’s Action: Tigers Dominate Mariners | Orioles Defeat Red Sox | A’s Stun Mets | Logan Webb Dominates Braves | Brewers Defeat Dodgers 

Tonight’s Best Bets: +1250 Nationals-Phillies SGP

2:20 p.m ET: Toronto Blue Jays @ Chicago Cubs

• Run Line: Blue Jays -1.5 | Moneyline: Blue Jays -104 | Total: 10
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Wrigley Field (Chicago, IL)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to right-center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Yariel Rodriguez (ERA: 4.09; K/9: 9.41) vs. Kyle Hendricks (ERA: 6.55; K/9: 6.45)

SportsGrid’s Best Bet: UNDER 10 (3-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Cubs by 0.1 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. OVER 1.5 Total Bases (5-Stars)

6:40 p.m ET: Washington Nationals @ Philadelphia Phillies 

• Run Line: Phillies -1.5 | Moneyline: Phillies -270 | Total: 9
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia, PA)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to right-center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Patrick Corbin (ERA: 6.00; K/9: 6.71) vs. Aaron Nola (ERA: 3.57; K/9: 828)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Phillies -1.5 (2.5-Stars) | UNDER 9 (2.5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Phillies by 2.6 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: James Wood OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +170) | Trea Turner OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +125)

6:40 p.m ET: Seattle Mariners @ Pittsburgh Pirates 

• Run Line: Pirates -1.5 | Moneyline: Pirates -130 | Total: 7
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: PNC Park (Pittsburgh, PA)
• Weather Notes: Showers are likely but not expected to be serious.

Starting Pitching Matchup: Logan Gilbert (ERA: 2.78; K/9: 8.58) vs. Paul Skenes (ERA: 2.22; K/9: 11.33)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Mariners ML (3-Stars, +110) | OVER 7 (3.5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Mariners by 0.4 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Jorge Polanco OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +195) | Bryan Reynolds OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +190)

6:40 p.m ET: New York Yankees @ Detroit Tigers

• Run Line: Yankees -1.5 | Moneyline: Yankees -190 | Total: 8
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Comerica Park (Detroit, MI)
• Weather Notes: Showers are likely but not expected to be serious.

Starting Pitching Matchup: Gerrit Cole (ERA: 4.32; K/9: 9.50) vs. Undecided

SportsGrid’s Best Bet: Awaiting Tigers’ Starter

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Awaiting Tigers’ Starter

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Awaiting Tigers’ Starter

6:40 p.m ET: Kansas City Royals @ Cincinnati Reds 

• Run Line: Reds -1.5 | Moneyline: Reds -142 | Total: 9.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: PNC Park (Pittsburgh, PA)
• Weather Notes: Showers are likely but not expected to be serious.

Starting Pitching Matchup: Michael Lorenzen (ERA: 3.97; K/9: 6.67) vs. Nick Martinez (ERA: 3.17; K/9: 7.42)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Royals ML (2.5-Stars, +120) | UNDER 9.5 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Reds by 0.1 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Bobby Witt Jr. OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +105) | TJ Friedl OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +130)

6:50 p.m ET: Arizona Diamondbacks @ Tampa Bay Rays 

• Run Line: Diamondbacks -1.5 | Moneyline: Diamondbacks -108 | Total: 8
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg, FL)
• Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: Ryne Nelson (ERA: 4.51; K/9: 7.27) vs. Ryan Pepiot (ERA: 3.92; K/9: 9.69)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Diamondbacks -1.5 (2-Stars) | Diamondbacks ML (4-Stars) | OVER 8 (4-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Diamondbacks by 0.9 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Corbin Carroll OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +170) | Brandon Lowe OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +170)

7:05 p.m ET: Boston Red Sox @ Baltimore Orioles

• Run Line: Orioles -1.5 | Moneyline: Orioles -215 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Oriole Park at Camden Yards (Baltimore, MD)
• Weather Notes: Warm, clear, winds blowing out to left

Starting Pitching Matchup: Cooper Criswell (ERA: 3.52; K/9: 7.03) vs. Corbin Burnes (ERA: 2.77; K/9: 8.24)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Red Sox +1.5 (4.5-Stars) | Red Sox ML (5-Stars, +180) | OVER 8.5 (5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Red Sox by 0.3 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Jarren Duran OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +200) | Ryan Mountcastle OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +140)

7:10 p.m ET: Miami Marlins @ New York Mets

• Run Line: Mets -1.5 | Moneyline: Mets -230 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Citi Field (Queens, NY)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to the left

Starting Pitching Matchup: Roddery Munoz (ERA: 5.73; K/9: 7.64) vs. Sean Manaea (ERA: 3.44; K/9: 9.15)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Mets -1.5 (1-Star) | UNDER 8.5 (1.5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Mets by 1.9 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Derek Hill OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +230) | Sean Manaea UNDER 6.5 Ks (5-Stars)

8:05 p.m ET: Minnesota Twins @ Texas Rangers

• Run Line: Rangers +1.5 | Moneyline: Rangers -120 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Globe Life Field (Arlington, TX)
• Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: Simeon Woods Richardson (ERA: 3.78; K/9: 8.00) vs. Andrew Heaney (ERA: 4.24; K/9: 8.48)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Twins -1.5 (5-Stars) | Twins ML (5-Stars, +102) | OVER 8.5 (1-Star) 

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Twins by 1.8 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Royce Lewis OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +140)

8:10 p.m ET: Cleveland Guardians @ Milwaukee Brewers

• Run Line: Guardians -1.5 | Moneyline: Guardians -110 | Total: 8
• Where to Watch: TBS | Location: American Family Field (Milwaukee, WI)
• Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: Gavin Williams (ERA: 4.39; K/9: 9.69) vs. Aaron Civale (ERA: 5.15; K/9: 8.39)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Brewers +1.5 (5-Stars) | Brewers ML (5-Stars) | UNDER 8 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Brewers by 1.1 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Willy Adames OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +170)

8:10 p.m ET: Chicago White Sox @ Houston Astros

• Run Line: Astros -1.5 | Moneyline: Astros -198 | Total: 8
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Minute Maid Park (Houston, TX)
• Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: Garrett Crochet (ERA: 3.63; K/9: 12.50) vs. Spencer Arrighetti (ERA: 5.14; K/9: 11.06)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Astros -1.5 (5-Stars) | Astros ML (5-Stars) | OVER 8 (5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Astros by 3.6 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Andrew Benintendi OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +220) | Jose Altuve OVER 1.5 Total Bases (5-Stars, +105)

8:15 p.m ET: Los Angeles Dodgers @ St. Louis Cardinals

• Run Line: Dodgers -1.5 | Moneyline: Dodgers -134 | Total: 9.5
• Where to Watch: TBS | Location: Busch Stadium (St. Louis, MO)
• Weather Notes: Warm, winds blowing out to right-center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Undecided vs. Miles Mikolas (ERA: 5.31; K/9: 6.05)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Dodgers -1.5 (5-Stars) | Dodgers ML (5-Stars) | UNDER 9.5 (4-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Dodgers by 2.0 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Gavin Lux OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +150)

8:40 p.m ET: San Diego Padres @ Colorado Rockies

• Run Line: Padres -1.5 | Moneyline: Padres -174 | Total: 11.5
• Where to Watch: TBS | Location: Coors Field (Denver, CO)
• Weather Notes: Hot, clear, winds blowing in from left-center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Matt Waldron (ERA: 3.98; K/9: 8.17) vs. Cal Quantrill (ERA: 4.56; K/9: 6.65)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Rockies +1.5 (5-Stars) | Rockies ML (4-Stars, +146) | UNDER 11.5 (4.5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Padres by 0.1 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Cal Quantrill OVER 2.5 Ks (5-Stars)

9:38 p.m. ET: Atlanta Braves @ Los Angeles Angels

• Run Line: Braves -1.5 | Moneyline: Braves -152 | Total: 8
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Angel Stadium (Anaheim, CA)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to the left

Starting Pitching Matchup: Spencer Schwellenbach (ERA: 4.18; K/9: 9.88) vs. Jose Soriano (ERA: 3.37; K/9: 7.55)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Braves ML (2-Stars) | UNDER 8 (1-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Braves by 1.3 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Marcell Ozuna OVER 0.5 HRs (5-Stars, +340) | Jose Soriano UNDER 5.5 Ks (5-Stars)

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.