We head into the weekend with a loaded MLB schedule as all 30 teams will be in action Friday. This, of course, means there will be a full buffet of baseball prop bets to dive into.
We start by looking at prop for the white-hot Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds as they continue their series with the Miami Marlins. And it's never Walker Buehler’s day off as the Los Angeles Dodgers welcome the New York Mets to town.
We break down and pick these games and more with our best free MLB prop bets and predictions for Friday, August 20.
Today’s MLB props and picks
Joey Votto Over 1.5 Total Bases (-125)
The Cincinnati Reds have ridden their offense to within one game of the second National League wild-card spot, thanks in large part to the performance of veteran Joey Votto.
The Reds’ first baseman, who recently reached the 2,000 hit milestone, has arguably been baseball’s best hitter in the second half of the season. Since the All-star break, Votto is hitting .325 with a 1.195 OPS, including 16 dingers.
And while Votto’s awesome home-run streak came to an end in July, he hasn’t cooled off in August. Votto has hit safely in 12 of his last 16 games, going Over his total bases number 10 times in that stretch.
Friday, he and the Reds face Marlins starter Elieser Hernández, who is making just his fourth start of the season. Left-handers hit a career .256 with a .837 OPS off him. Bet on Votto staying hot in this one.
Rays Team Total Over 3.5 (-140)
While there has been plenty of movement in the AL wild-card race, the Tampa Bay Rays continue to roll along atop the division, currently holding a five-game lead over the New York Yankees. But the Rays open an intriguing series this weekend against fellow AL pennant contenders the Chicago White Sox.
The White Sox have dominated the AL Central, but to be fair, they haven’t faced much resistance to this point and this matchup against the Rays could be a good measuring stick.
The Rays are home underdogs for Game 1 of this series going against Lucas Giolito, but the Pale Hose starter has not had his best stuff recently. The right-hander owns a 5.06 ERA and has allowed a .262 batting average over his last three starts.
He faces a Rays lineup that looks far more dangerous with Nelson Cruz to anchor it. Randy Arozrena and Brandon Lowe both own an OPS over 1.000 over the last 30 days. As a result, the Rays have plated 7.8 runs per game over their last 12 games and have gone Over 4.5 runs 10 times in that span. Bet them to do it again tonight.
Mets-Dodgers Under 4.5 Five-Inning Total (-110)
The New York Mets will be out for some revenge when they open a weekend set against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chavez Ravine. The Dodgers swept the Mets in New York last weekend, but it won’t be easy for the Mets if they hope to reverse their fortunes, as they go up against one of the top starters in the National League in Walker Beuhler.
The right-hander is pitching to a 2.09 ERA, an 0.94 WHIP, and is limiting opponents to a .189 batting average this season. Beuhler has looked particularly dominant over his last five starts, giving up a total of four runs on 21 hits over 33 1-3 innings of work.
Beuhler now faces a Mets lineup that is mired in a slump. Over the last month, the Mets rank 25th in batting average and 26th in OPS when it comes to facing right-handed pitching.
New York counters Beuhler with a right-hander of its own in Carlos Carrasco. Carrasco has been roughed up in his last two starts, including last weekend against the Dodgers, allowing six runs on six hits with three of those hits being dingers. But Carrasco is a better pitcher than this and is still trying to find his groove after spending most of the season on the IL.
Carrasco should bounce back in this one and pitching will be the story early.
MLB betting card for August 20
- Joey Votto Over 1.5 Total Bases (-115)
- Rays Team Total Over 3.5 (-140)
- NYM-LAD Under 4.5 Five-Inning Total (-110)
Picks made on 8/20/2021 at 10:15 a.m. ET
MLB parlays
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