MLB Best Bets Today (Paul Goldschmidt Gives Cardinals Bettors Something to "Smyly" About vs. Cubs)

There's just a nine game slate of games in the Big Leagues this Monday, but we're honing in on two matchups, one in the afternoon and another at night for some noteworthy plays at very solid value on the board.

The lone day game features a make-up session between the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals as Michael Kopech takes the bump for Chicago against Kansas City left-hander Jordan Lynch. Meanwhile, later today at Wrigley Field, Drew Smyly returns to the hill for the Cubs against Cardinals lefty Jordan Montgomery.

St. Louis has been the best hitting team in baseball vs. left-handed pitchers this season. Should bettors back them again tonight on the road?

Here are my top 3 MLB best bets for Monday, August 22, with each of the best odds listed at their respective sportsbooks below:

MLB Best Bets Today

• Michael Kopech OVER 4.5 Strikeouts (-143) - Caesars Sportsbook
• Cardinals vs. Cubs UNDER 8 (+100) - DraftKings Sportsbook
• Paul Goldschmidt OVER 1.5 Total Bases (-105) - BetMGM Sportsbook

Michael Kopech OVER 4.5 Strikeouts (-143) - Chicago White Sox at Kansas City Royals

Over the last seven days, the Kansas City Royals have scored a grand total of 10 runs; going 1-6 since last Monday night.

Now, they're back at home against White Sox starter Michael Kopech who's one start removed from fanning 11 Detroit Tigers in six no-hit innings.

Kopech, despite his 4-9 record still owns a 3.25 ERA and averages just under 8 strikeouts per nine innings. He's faced the Royals with success both times this year; giving up just four total runs in 12 innings of work, but not matching the over on his strikeout prop.

With Kansas City's offense in another brutal stretch, playing in the sun with Kopech on the mound won't be fun at all, especially if the late life on his fastball is back in play.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs UNDER 8 (+100)

I'm leaning Cardinals to get the victory on the road, but I believe the better value lies with the under at even-money odds.

Montgomery has been a stud since being acquired ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline for St. Louis. He's allowed just one earned run in his three total starts, including back-to-back starts of eight punchouts vs. the Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies.

Meanwhile, Drew Smyly has also been outstanding in the month of August; with a 1.06 ERA in 17 innings with a FIP of 2.00. His two runs allowed in his last start to the Washington Nationals in 5.1 innings were the only two runs he's allowed this month.

I get the Cardinals are lethal vs. left-handed pitching, and I'm backing at least one of their stars to handle his business against Smyly, but Chicago has gone 11-8 in August and playing much more competitive baseball despite trading away several bullpen pieces at the deadline.

Paul Goldschmidt OVER 1.5 Total Bases (-105) - St Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs

There's not much to add on Goldschmidt's absurd numbers vs. left-handed pitching this year, but it's worth repeating just for good measure.

The likely National League MVP is hitting .435 vs. southpaws this season, .449 on the road with a .538 weighted-on-base average, or wOBA. League average is somewhere around the .320 mark!

While Smyly has looked good this month, that's not enough for me to fade Goldschmidt on his own. While in a limited sample, he's hitting .400 against the Cubs lefty with two hits and two walks compared to just one strikeout.

Minus-odds is never fun especially when dealing with this kind of prop bet, but it still offers very good value relative to Goldschmidt's prowess against left-handers. I'm fully in.

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