MLB Best Bets Today (Predictions for Rays vs. Cubs, Braves vs. Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw Strikeouts)

We have a lighter MLB slate tonight than usual, but I still have picks galore.

Today, I look at two late games and a pitching prop from a World Series Champion. 

Here are my top three bets of the day in Major League Baseball, with odds via WynnBET Sportsbook: 

MLB Best Bets Today

• Rays vs. Cubs OVER 8 Runs (-120)
• Braves vs. Dodgers UNDER 4.5 Runs First Five Innings (-125)
• Clayton Kershaw UNDER 7.5 strikeouts vs. Braves (-160)

Rays vs. Cubs OVER 8 Runs (-120)

It's a cold evening at Wrigley Field on the north side, but the wind is howling out straight out to right field when first pitch gets underway.

Peter Dewey, Reed Wallach and I all took Rays hitters to leave the yard in today's Daily Dinger against Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks. As Reed mentioned in his earlier game preview and pick, Hendricks allowed a league-high 200 hits last year and has to beat teams with weak contact since he doesn't miss much bats.

The Cubs may have some difficulty vs. Shane McClanahan, but even he may leave a few pitches up that could get lost into the breeze.

Either way, expect this number to move to 8.5, despite the cold weather expected at the Friendly Confines.

Braves vs. Dodgers UNDER 4.5 Runs First Five Innings (-125)

We'll get to Clayton Kershaw in just a bit, but as I mentioned earlier in tonight's Freddie Freeman "revenge game" preview, the Kershaw start this year is worth buying into. According to MLB Statcast, Kershaw has not allowed a single barreled ball this year with hitters getting under 75% of his pitches through his first two starts.

Meanwhile, while Braves starter Huascar Ynoa got beat up in his last outing, he only gave up one home run. He kept mostly everything either low in the zone or middle away, and he's likely to settle in a little more in his second start in a more pitcher-friendly park.

Clayton Kershaw UNDER 7.5 Strikeouts (-160)

Kershaw's number is inflated over at WynnBET tonight after his gem from his last time out. He struck out 13 Twins in seven perfect innings while only throwing 80 pitches.

Tonight will be a more difficult challenge when the Braves come to town.

Atlanta is just 5-5 on the season, but they're off to a much better start offensively this year than last year when they won the World Series. They've walked 11 more times, struck out eight less times, and have been without Ronald Acuña Jr. They've also squared up the ball very well; ranking second in the National League in hard-hit percentage, but simply have not gotten many results for it yet.

Atlanta also ranks right in the middle of the pack in strikeout percentage at 23.7%. Between the inflated K-number for Kershaw and a team that's smacking the ball awfully hard, I don't see Kershaw repeating anywhere near the 13-K performance from five days ago.

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