Betsided

MLB Best Bets Today (Time to Fade Aníbal Sánchez, Nationals Again)

By Donnavan Smoot

Aug 8, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez (27)
Aug 8, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez (27) / David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
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It was a decent return for us last night, going 2-1 in our MLB Best Bets column. Yet, I’m looking forward to the incoming perfect sweep today.

On top of that, we’re going to be aggressive as well. I have three props and all of them are available at plus-money odds. 

Who says the middle of the week had to be boring, right?

Let’s jump into the picks.

MLB Best Bets Today

  • José Ureña UNDER 2.5 Strikeouts (+115) – BetRivers Sportsbook
  • Anibal Sanchez OVER 5.5 Hits Allowed (+100) – DraftKings Sportsbook
  • Andrew Heaney UNDER 6.5 Strikeouts (+116) – FanDuel Sportsbook

José Ureña UNDER 2.5 Strikeouts (+115) – Colorado Rockies vs. Texas Rangers

Ureña is coming off consecutive performances clearing this line, so why wouldn’t I back the hot hand? He’s come under this line in three of his last five starts and the back-to-back wins look more like exceptions rather than the norm. 

Since July, Ureña has hit the OVER on this line twice by the hook. He’s consistently around this line and I’m going to bet he comes on the wrong side of it today. He already pitches close to six innings in every start, so I’m not worried about him being on the mound for a while either. 

Aníbal Sánchez OVER 5.5 Hits Allowed (+100) – Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Sánchez has been a complete mess this season. His ERA is almost at 6.50; He hasn’t recorded a win; He’s outside the top 150 in strikeouts. Normally, this is a good spot to take the UNDER on strikeouts, but I’m going in another direction. 

He’s given up at least six hits in three of his last five starts, missing the line by one hit in one of the rare good performances. He’s coming off arguably his best performance of the season, so I’m all over his regression tonight. 

Andrew Heaney UNDER 6.5 Strikeouts (+116) – Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers

You might look at Heaney’s last outing and think this is an easy OVER play. After all, he did have 10 strikeouts. However, Heaney has come under this line in three of his last five starts and cleared by one strikeout in one of the wins. 

The Brewers average the fifth-most strikeouts on the season. But they become average (15th in strikeouts per game) when on the road. Heaney will have a tougher time against Milwaukee this time out as he will regress; putting the Brewers in a better position to hang around. 

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

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