Top MLB Betting Odds & Picks for Monday, August 8th (2022)
We ended last week on a 4-1 tear and are ready to pick up where we left off when we start this new week. With just a seven-game Monday slate, we have identified our two best plays, including a runline and a total in two National League matchups.
Here are our best bets for Monday’s MLB action. (Odds courtesy of DraftKings)
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet >>
Cincinnati Reds vs. New York Mets O/U
The over has cashed in each of the Mets’ last six games, including their previous five games at Citi Field. New York’s offense was a big reason it took four of five games from the rival Braves over the weekend, as it pounded out 31 runs against Atlanta’s elite pitching staff. By comparison, facing a pitcher making his season debut should feel like a walk in the park.
Cincinnati’s Justin Dunn has been away from the game for more than a year after dealing with various shoulder injuries. Had teammate Hunter Greene not been forced to the IL with an injury of his own, it is likely that Dunn would not have been called up, given how much he struggled in the minors recently. Dunn pitched to a 7.82 ERA over three rehab starts that totaled just 12.2 innings. He allowed 16 hits in that span and struggled mightily with control, as evidenced by his nine walks.
The Reds are 6-1-2 in their last nine series, so they will likely not be a pushover this week. Thus, we expect them to battle and do their part in scoring against Chris Bassitt (8-7, 3.61). The over has cashed in Bassitt’s last four starts on four days of rest. As long as New York’s bats do not succumb to a hangover after an emotionally charged series against Atlanta, we should see plenty of runs scored tonight.
Bet: Reds-Mets OVER 8.5 Runs (-120 at DraftKings)
San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres RL
The Giants have the potential to be popular underdogs in this series opener, as San Diego looked lifeless on national television last night, collecting just two hits and getting swept by the Dodgers. It was San Diego’s 17th loss in the last 19 meetings with Los Angeles, and the Padres offense has scored more than five runs against their biggest rivals once since August 2021. However, the Giants were swept by the Dodgers themselves in the previous series, so it will not matter much that San Francisco had a chance to get right in two wins against Oakland over the weekend.
San Diego has scored at least six runs on three occasions against the Giants this year. One of those times was when tonight’s starter, Alex Wood (7-9, 4.42), was on the mound in a 10-1 home loss on May 22. Wood was lit up for five runs on eight hits over three innings in that loss.
Opposing Wood is Blake Snell (4-5, 4.16), who will be in for a huge second half if his career numbers stay true. Snell is 27-10 with a 2.71 ERA in his career after the All-Star break but is 22-29 with a 4.05 ERA in the first half of the season. In addition, his 3.25 FIP is on pace to be the best it has been in four seasons.
San Francisco is 2-7 in its last nine road games and has lost eight straight games against teams with a winning record. The Padres will make it nine tonight.
Bet: San Diego Padres -1.5 Runs (+115 at DraftKings)
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Mike Spector is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @MikeSpector01.