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Best MLB Prop Bets Today (Bet on Mad Max Against Lowly Nationals)

By Iain MacMillan

Max Scherzer will get the start against the Washington Nationals tonight.
Max Scherzer will get the start against the Washington Nationals tonight. / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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A new month means more MLB prop bets from the BetSided team.

We've had a solid 2022 with our prop bets, going 172-146-0 heading into the month of August. Let's build on that success as we trek through the second half of the MLB season.

Here are our picks for August 1, coming from Ben Heisler, Peter Dewey, and Iain MacMillan. All odds listed are via DraftKings Sportsbook.

You can also find game-by-game betting plays and previews for every matchup on our MLB Picks page, as well as each team's probable pitchers, weather report and more.

Best MLB Prop Bets Record to Date

Best MLB Prop Bets Today

  • Tim Anderson UNDER 1.5 Total Bases (-135)
  • Max Scherzer OVER 7.5 Strikeouts (-105)
  • Cal Quantrill UNDER 4.5 Strikeouts (-165)

Tim Anderson UNDER 1.5 Total Bases (-135) - Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals

Tim Anderson is one of my favorite players in all of baseball, but I’m fading the former AL batting champ tonight at home against the Kansas City Royals primarily due to his history against right-hander Brad Keller.

In 32 career at-bats, T.A. is hitting just .219 against Keller, with only three extra base hits, one walk, and 10 strikeouts. He simply doesn’t see the ball well against Keller, and I think the number is inflated at 1.5 simply because Anderson is one of the game’s best hitters.

Keller, despite his 5-11 record this year has actually pitched better than the numbers indicate with an expected ERA of 3.87 compared to his actual ERA of 4.18. While his strikeout numbers have dipped by more than two per nine, his walk rate has dropped considerably, as has his propensity to give up home runs.

Paying -135 juice is never fun, but Keller’s improved numbers along with his history vs. Anderson suggest it’s the right play. – Ben Heisler

Follow all of Ben’s betting plays in real-time HERE!

Max Scherzer OVER 7.5 Strikeouts (-105) - New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals are one of the better teams at avoiding strikeouts this season, striking out just 7.21 times per game, but I don’t think that holds up against Max Scherzer and the New York Mets tonight.

Scherzer has been elite at punching out hitters since returning, striking out 11, nine, 11, eight and six batters over the last five games.

Mad Max has also pitched at least six innings in each of these games, giving him plenty of time to clear this prop. At just 7.5 strikeouts, I think it’s worth taking a shot on Scherzer against one of the worst teams in MLB.

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.

Cal Quantrill UNDER 4.5 Strikeouts (-165) - Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Cleveland Guardians

By now, we all know that the Cleveland Guardians are the best team in the Majors when it comes to strikeout rate. What you don't know, is that the Arizona Diamondbacks have also been strong in that department, especially as of late.

Dating back to July 1, the Diamondbacks have the third lowest strikeout rate in the Majors at 19.4%, behind only the Guardians (18.6%) and the Blue Jays (18.9%). Not something you would expect from a team who is sitting 11 games below .500.

Tonight, the Diamondbacks will face Cal Quantrill, who has surpassed 4.0 strikeouts just once in his last 10 starts.

If you're willing to lay a -165 number, then you have to like this prop bet quite a bit.

You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.

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