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MLB Best Bets Today (Back Julio Urias & Chicago Cubs, Fade Yu Darvish)

By Donnavan Smoot

Los Angeles Dodgers v Philadelphia Phillies
Los Angeles Dodgers v Philadelphia Phillies / Tim Nwachukwu/GettyImages
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I’m feeling aggressive today, which is why all three of my props are plus money props. Still, I don’t feel like I’m swinging for the fences with any of these picks. 

Let’s get right into the bets for today, with odds coming from consensus lines and WynnBET Sportsbook. 

MLB Best Bets Today

  • Julio Urias OVER 4.5 Strikeouts (+125)
  • Yu Darvish UNDER 5.5 Strikeouts (+105)
  • Cubs ML vs. Reds (+130)

Julio Urias OVER 4.5 Strikeouts (+125)

Urias finally cleared this line in his last start, reaching five strikeouts. At plus money, I’m going to back Urias to keep the hot streak alive. In a majority of his games this season, he’s been right at the four-strikeout line. Tonight, I’m asking for one more strikeout than normal and we're getting good value on it. Washington has been one of the tougher teams to strike out this season, but they haven’t been great on offense the last two games. 

Yu Darvish UNDER 5.5 Strikeouts (+105)

Darvish has missed this line in his last four games. On the season, he’s only cleared this in two of his eight starts. Going over five strikeouts is a plus for Darvish and the Padres, but it isn’t something they are counting on. Milwaukee has been one of the tougher teams to strikeout in the last three games, which includes two games against the Padres. I don’t know if Darvish gets here and I’ll once again take plus money on this prop. 

Cubs ML vs. Reds (+130)

After a promising stretch towards the middle of the month, the Reds have come back to Earth. They’ve lost four of their last five games and lost the first two games of their series with the Cubs. 

Cincinnati’s offense is still one of the worst in the league, but it was making a run towards competency with its defense. Yet, the Reds have given up 18 runs in the last two games to the Cubs. That won’t get the job done. 

Chicago, on the other hand, has won three straight and six of 10. The Reds are not playing well enough to earn this much respect as a favorite, even at home. That’s why I’ll back the Cubs to pull off the upset and complete the sweep.

You can find Donnavan Smoot’s full betting record here.

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