MLB Betting Guide for August 20: How Slept-On is Kansas City?

We have a loaded 15-game MLB slate set for tonight, so let’s dive into all the action to get you some winners for the night ahead.

Kicking off the night, we have a great NL East matchup on deck as the Philadelphia Phillies will face the Atlanta Braves in a critical series, so we have a +1300 ultimate same-game parlay for the action. Elsewhere in the NL, the Los Angeles Dodgers are tied for the NL lead with the Phillies as they’ll face the Seattle Mariners tonight, and the Milwaukee Brewers will look to extend their five-game win streak against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Over in the AL, the New York Yankees have a narrow lead for the best record in the American, but that’s at risk tonight as they’ll have a huge series against the Cleveland Guardians in the Bronx. Behind them, the Baltimore Orioles are amidst an entertaining series with the New York Mets, the Minnesota Twins are in a tough series against the San Diego Padres, and the Houston Astros will look to continue their surge in the standings against the Boston Red Sox.

Remaining in the AL, we’ll focus on the Kansas City Royals, who keep quietly winning and are now just 2.5 games back of the Cleveland Guardians for the AL Central lead. Bobby Witt Jr. is shortening his AL MVP odds despite the uphill battle, and the starting rotation keeps pushing out solid performances, setting them up to be a very dangerous AL Wild Card team come October. Tonight, they’ll look to extend their win streak to six games against the Los Angeles Angels.

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 20

Tonight’s Headliners: Royals’ Playoff Chances Increasing | Dodgers Betting Strategy | MLB Wild Card Outlook | AL Playoff Bracket

Catch Up on Yesterday’s Action: Padres Take Down Twins | Mets Walk Off Braves | D-Backs Get Back to Winning vs. Marlins | Astros Walk Off Red Sox | Dodgers Shut Out Fading Mariners

Tonight’s Best Bets: +1300 Phillies-Braves SGP | Today’s Top Props | Dinger Tuesday Best Bets

6:40 p.m ET: Arizona Diamondbacks @ Miami Marlins 

• Run Line: Diamondbacks -1.5 | Moneyline: Diamondbacks -154 | Total: 7.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: loanDepot (Miami, FL)
• Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: Eduardo Rodriguez (ERA: 5.06; K/9: 5.06) vs. Edward Cabrera (ERA: 5.76; K/9: 10.62)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Diamondbacks -1.5 (2-Stars) | Diamondbacks ML (4-Stars) | OVER 7.5 (3.5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Diamondbacks by 1.7 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Corbin Carroll OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +170) | Derek Hill OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +230)

6:40 p.m ET: Colorado Rockies @ Washington Nationals 

• Run Line: Nationals -1.5 | Moneyline: Nationals -148 | Total: 8
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Nationals Park (Washington, D.C.)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing in from left

Starting Pitching Matchup: Austin Gomber (ERA: 5.03; K/9: 6.56) vs. DJ Herz (ERA: 4.26; K/9: 11.13)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Rockies +1.5 (3.5-Stars) | Rockies ML (5-Stars, +126) | UNDER 8 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Rockies by 0.6 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Brenton Doyle OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +160) | DJ Herz UNDER 6.5 Ks (4-Stars)

7:05 p.m ET: Cleveland Guardians @ New York Yankees 

• Run Line: Yankees -1.5 | Moneyline: Yankees -164 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Yankee Stadium (Bronx, NY)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to right

Starting Pitching Matchup: Matthew Boyd (ERA: 1.69; K/9: 10.13) vs. Luis Gil (ERA: 3.26; K/9: 10.43)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Yankees -1.5 (5-Stars) | Yankees ML (5-Stars) | UNDER 8.5 (4-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Yankees by 2.5 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Josh Naylor OVER 0.5 RBIs (4.5-Stars, +130) | Aaron Judge OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +115)

7:07 p.m ET: Cincinnati Reds @ Toronto Blue Jays

• Run Line: Blue Jays -1.5 | Moneyline: Blue Jays -144 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Rogers Centre (Toronto, ON)
• Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: Carson Spiers (ERA: 4.30; K/9: 8.60) vs. Jose Berrios (ERA: 3.85; K/9: 6.98)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Reds +1.5 (2.5-Stars) | Reds ML (5-Stars, +122) | UNDER 8.5 (1.5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Reds by 0.4 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Spencer Steer OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +170) | Jose Berrios UNDER 5.5 Ks (5-Stars)

7:10 p.m ET: Baltimore Orioles @ New York Mets

• Run Line: Mets +1.5 | Moneyline: Mets -120 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Citi Field (Queens, NY)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing across from left to right

Starting Pitching Matchup: Dean Kremer (ERA: 4.48; K/9: 8.37) vs. Jose Quintana (ERA: 4.26; K/9: 7.19)

SportsGrid’s Best Bet: OVER 8.5 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Mets by 0.1 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Jackson Holliday OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +220) | Francisco Lindor OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +170)

7:20 p.m ET: Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves 

• Run Line: Phillies -1.5 | Moneyline: Phillies -134 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: TBS | Location: Truist Park (Atlanta, GA)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Zack Wheeler (ERA: 2.72; K/9: 9.81) vs. Reynaldo Lopez (ERA: 2.06; K/9: 8.77)

SportsGrid’s Best Bet: UNDER 8.5 (2.5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Phillies by 0.7 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Kyle Schwarber OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +145) | Reynaldo Lopez OVER 4.5 Ks (5-Stars)

7:45 p.m ET: Milwaukee Brewers @ St. Louis Cardinals 

• Run Line: Cardinals +1.5 | Moneyline: Cardinals -124 | Total: 8
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Busch Stadium (St. Louis, MO)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing in from left-center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Frankie Montas (ERA: 4.86; K/9: 8.05) vs. Erick Fedde (ERA: 3.40; K/9: 7.85)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Brewers -1.5 (4.5-Stars) | Brewers ML (5-Stars, +106) | UNDER 8 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Brewers by 1.0 Run

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Brice Turang OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +210) | Alec Burleson OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +155)

8:05 p.m ET: Pittsburgh Pirates @ Texas Rangers

• Run Line: Rangers -1.5 | Moneyline: Rangers -144 | Total: 8
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Globe Life Field (Arlington, TX)
• Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: Mitch Keller (ERA: 3.95; K/9: 7.96) vs. Cody Bradford (ERA: 4.13; K/9: 9.21)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Pirates ML (3-Stars, +122) | OVER 8 (3.5-Stars) 

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Pirates by 0.1 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Bryan Reynolds OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +170) | Cody Bradford UNDER 5.5 Ks (5-Stars)

8:05 p.m ET: Detroit Tigers @ Chicago Cubs 

• Run Line: Cubs -1.5 | Moneyline: Cubs -164 | Total: 7.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Wrigley Field (Chicago, IL)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing in from left-center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Undecided vs. Javier Assad (ERA: 3.17; K/9: 7.48)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Awaiting Tigers’ Starter

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Awaiting Tigers’ Starter

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Awaiting Tigers’ Starter

8:10 p.m ET: Los Angeles Angels @ Kansas City Royals 

• Run Line: Royals -1.5 | Moneyline: Royals -196 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing in from right

Starting Pitching Matchup: Tyler Anderson (ERA: 3.67; K/9: 7.07) vs. Cole Ragans (ERA: 3.19; K/9: 10.71)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Angels +1.5 (1-Star) | Angels ML (2-Stars, +164) | UNDER 8.5 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Royals by 0.7 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Tyler Anderson OVER 3.5 Ks (5-Stars) | Vinnie Pasquantino OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +120)

8:10 p.m ET: Boston Red Sox @ Houston Astros

• Run Line: Astros -1.5 | Moneyline: Astros -130 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Minute Maid Park (Houston, TX)
• Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: Nick Pivetta (ERA: 4.49; K/9: 11.03) vs. Ronel Blanco (ERA: 2.89; K/9: 8.73)

SportsGrid’s Best Bet: UNDER 8.5 (2.5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Astros by 0.3 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Jarren Duran OVER 1.5 Total Bases (5-Stars) 

9:40 p.m ET: Tampa Bay Rays @ Oakland Athletics 

• Run Line: Rays -1.5 | Moneyline: Rays -120 | Total: 8
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Oakland Colesium (Oakland, CA)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to right-center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Shane Baz (ERA: 4.15; K/9: 7.71) vs. Joey Estes (ERA: 4.72; K/9: 6.78) 

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

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Rays by 0.8 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Shane Baz UNDER 5.5 Ks (5-Stars) | Brent Rooker OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +165)

9:40 p.m ET: Minnesota Twins @ San Diego Padres

• Run Line: Twins -1.5 | Moneyline: Twins -112 | Total: 7.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Petco Park (San Diego, CA)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing across from left to right

Starting Pitching Matchup: Bailey Ober (ERA: 3.49; K/9: 9.40) vs. Martin Perez (ERA: 4.53; K/9: 7.46)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Twins -1.5 (5-Stars) | Twins ML (5-Stars) | UNDER 7.5 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Twins by 1.6 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Royce Lewis OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +150) | Manny Machado OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +120)

9:45 p.m ET: Chicago White Sox @ San Francisco Giants

• Run Line: Giants -1.5 | Moneyline: Giants -260 | Total: 7.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Oracle Park (San Francisco, CA)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Davis Martin (ERA: 3.00; K/9: 8.50) vs. Robbie Ray (ERA: 6.00; K/9: 12.86)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Giants -1.5 (5-Stars) | OVER 7.5 (5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Giants by 3.0 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Andrew Vaughn OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +175) | Robbie Ray UNDER 6.5 Ks (5-Stars, +104)

10:10 p.m ET: Seattle Mariners @ Los Angeles Dodgers

• Run Line: Dodgers -1.5 | Moneyline: Dodgers -146 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles, CA)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to right-center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Bryce Miller (ERA: 3.29; K/9: 8.25) vs. Walker Buehler (ERA: 5.58; K/9: 7.59)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Mariners ML (3-Stars, +124) | UNDER 8.5 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Mariners by 0.1 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Luke Raley  OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +210) | Walker Buehler UNDER 5.5 Ks (5-Stars)

 

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