Top MLB Betting Picks for July 31: Expert Predictions and Best Bets

Its a quiet day in MLB as the trade deadline hits, but we still have a few games on tap! Check out Michael Rathburn's picks on todays abbreviated slate
Top MLB Betting Picks for July 31: Expert Predictions and Best Bets

Top MLB Betting Picks for July 31: Expert Predictions and Best Bets

Previous article 3-1-1 ( +1.50 units) (parlays will not count for or against record, but will for units)

Season 100-102-12(-5.94 units)

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Key MLB Betting Trends and Matchups Analysis

Before locking in your MLB bets Thursday, be sure to check out these key betting numbers.

Watch the heat, as always, in outdoor parks for totals. 

Bullpen Rankings as of 7.25.25 (xFIP, K/9, BB/9, HR/9 Last 30 Days)

Top 10 (Brewers, Cardinals, Astros, Marlins, Giants, Pirates, Phillies, Twins, Braves, Padres). These are teams you can feel confident betting in full-game situations. 

Bottom 10 (Angels, Rockies, Orioles, Royals, Yankees, Reds, Nationals, Dodgers, Dbacks, Mets). These are teams you can feel confident betting against in full-game situations. If you want to bet these teams, only focus on the F5 inning lines.

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Texas Rangers vs Seattle Mariners Betting Picks

Taking a subpar pitcher on a hot team is a difficult decision, but we have that with Kumar Rocker against George Kirby. Rocker's numbers are shaky, but he does have a strong outing against the Mariners on June 28th in his favor. He went 6.0 innings allowing just 2 earned runs, while striking out 6 and walking only one batter. George Kirby has always been better at home, but he got roughed up by the Brewers in his last home start, so he is not invincible. 

I think this ends up being a close game in which the bullpens will play a factor and with that I will lean on the hotter team in the Rangers and take the value with the road dog. 

MLB Best Bets: Rangers ML for 1 unit (BetRivers +148)

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Atlanta Braves vs Cincinnati Reds Best Bets and Predictions

Happy Andrew Abbott Day!!! We get Abbott who has become one of my favorites against Carlos Carrasco who has been one of the worst pitchers in baseball over the last few years. This goes to show how desperate the Braves are when they are adding Erick Fedde and CC. 

The Braves are plummeting going 2-8 last 10 and 6-14 last 20. Carrasco has not pitched since April 30th. 

TRENDS

  • The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cincinnati's last 8 games.
  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 6 games against Atlanta.
  • The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Cincinnati's last 10 games at home.

MLB Best Bets: Reds -1.5 runs for 1 unit (BetMGM +110); Braves UNDER 3.5 runs for 1 unit (DraftKings +110)

MLB Picks Thursday Recap

  • Reds -1.5 runs for 1 unit (BetMGM +110)
  • Braves UNDER 3.5 runs for 1 unit (DraftKings +110)
  • Rangers ML for 1 unit (BetRivers +148)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Known as “Rath” in the Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) community, he has helped run operations for two prominent daily fantasy sports startups. Michael has taken his insider knowledge and expertise in daily fantasy sports to the content side. Rath won the 2016 FSWA "Baseball Article of the Year, Online" award and was a finalist for the FSWA Best Baseball Series in 2011.
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