MLB Predictions and Moneyline Picks for Friday, August 7

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Full slate Friday is here!

Let's get this weekend off and running by diving into my MLB moneyline predictions for every game on today's slate. 

Here are my latest MLB picks for Friday, Aug. 7.

MLB moneyline picks for August 7

MatchupPick
MetsMets
vs
PiratesPirates
Mets
+125
Blue JaysBlue Jays
vs
PhilliesPhillies
Phillies
-203
RedsReds
vs
NationalsNationals
Reds
+108
BravesBraves
vs
YankeesYankees
Braves
+135
AngelsAngels
vs
MarlinsMarlins
Marlins
-156
AthleticsA's
vs
Red Sox Red Sox
Athletics
+245
GuardiansGuardians
vs
White SoxWhite Sox
Guardians
-133
TwinsTwins
vs
BrewersBrewers
Twins
+170
CubsCubs
vs
RoyalsRoyals
Cubs
-160
OriolesOrioles
vs
RangersRangers
Orioles
+135
RockiesRockies
vs
CardinalsCardinals
Cardinals
-156
AstrosAstros
vs
PadresPadres
Padres
-115
DodgersDodgers
vs
DiamondbacksDiamondbacks
Dodgers
-167
RaysRays
vs
MarinersMariners
Rays
+104
TigersTigers
vs
GiantsGiants
Tigers
-122

Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of 8-7.

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Expert MLB moneyline picks for August 7

Mets vs Pirates: Mets (+125)

Mets win probability: 44%

I like the Mets as a dog, mainly because their offense has been heating up, sporting a 121 wRC+, .339 wOBA and .778 OPS while making a ton of hard contact and barrels over their last six games.

On the other hand, the Pirates have posted a 60 wRC+, .251 wOBA and .534 OPS during that stretch.

Carmen Mlodzinski has been great for the Pirates, but he has allowed nearly 55% hard-hit and almost a 14% barrel rate to opposing hitters over his last three outings.

I want the dog!

Blue Jays vs Phillies: Phillies (-203)

Phillies win probability: 67%

From a moneyline standpoint, I hate that I wrote, “take the -203 favorite,” but there is nothing offensively for the Blue Jays that gives me even an ounce of hope here.

Over their last 12 games, they have not made hard contact or barrels, and their wRC+ is below 90. What am I supposed to believe in?

Meanwhile, the Phillies are making hard contact and own a 117 wRC+ and .775 OPS over their last 12 games.

Plus, Zack Wheeler has been phenomenal, while Jose Soriano, who is making his Blue Jays debut, has not been good since May.

Phillies.

Reds vs Nationals: Reds (+108)

Reds win probability: 48%

Question: what is with the Reds having pitchers with country-singer names? Rhett Lowder, now Chase Petty? I hear a dirt road lyric in the distance....

Anywho...

With the sudden coldness from the Nationals’ bats, plus losing James Wood to injury and Luis Garcia Jr. to the Yankees at the deadline, it is mainly CJ Abrams holding things down. Cade Cavalli has done a great job holding things down across his last few outings, but I can’t back a team that can’t score.

Reds.

Braves vs Yankees: Braves (+135)

Braves win probability: 42%

Do we not think this price is a little nuts?

Tyler Mahle has been solid in his last few outings, posting a 3.17 xERA over his last five starts and a 3.16 xERA over his last three. Max Fried makes the Yankees a -138 favorite? I’m good.

The Braves’ bats have been on fire as of late, while the Yankees can seemingly only score via the home run. Yeah, that’s one of the most sustainable ways to score. (Sarcasm.)

Angels vs Marlins: Marlins (-156)

Marlins win probability: 61%

I am not in love with paying this much juice for a lineup that has been pretty chilly as of late, but the Angels’ bats have been far colder.

Plus, Tyler Phillips has looked far better over his last five outings than George Klassen, who owns a 13.50 ERA over his last three starts while allowing a 50% hard-hit rate and 25% barrel rate.

I will happily take the fighting fish!

A's vs Red Sox: Athletics (+245)

Athletics win probability: 29%

The Boston Red Sox are easily the hottest team in baseball, coming off back-to-back sweeps against the Dodgers and White Sox. They needed extra innings to take down the White Sox on Thursday night, and I think continuing to back them as such a heavy favorite is silly.

Especially at -251. Should they really be this heavy of a favorite tonight? I don’t think so.

Yes, the Athletics’ offense has been a no-show as of late, but Jack Perkins has maintained a 3.61 xERA on the road this season. He also does not give up much hard contact or barrels.

For the price, I think it has to be the cityless Athletics.

Guardians vs White Sox: Guardians (-133)

Guardians win probability: 57%

Simply leaning with the better pitching in this spot, with both offenses being pretty lifeless. The White Sox are coming off a big loss to the Red Sox last night, while both teams are coming off getting swept.

Left-hander Parker Messick owns a sub-3.00 road ERA and a 1.46 ERA over his last three starts. Meanwhile, Noah Schultz has a 5.73 ERA over his last five.

I am out on the White Sox this evening.

Twins vs Brewers: Twins (+170)

Twins win probability: 37%

Trusting Zebby Matthews was not on my bingo card this morning, but here we are.

I’ll keep it simple. I am not paying near -180 for the Brewers here when their offense is cold. Sure, Shane Drohan has been lights out, but I just do not like the price.

Twins.

Cubs vs Royals: Cubs (-160)

Cubs win probability: 62%

Cubs or nothing here.

Mason Black has been horrendous over his last five outings and owns a 9.73 xERA on the road this season. The Royals are back to a wRC+ below 90 over their last 12 games, while the Cubs are absolutely scorching hot.

Pay the juice. Cubs or nothing.

Orioles vs Rangers: Orioles (+135)

Orioles win probability: 42%

Given how poorly Nathan Eovaldi has pitched over his last five starts, sporting a 5.67 ERA and 1.41 WHIP, I want to trust the Orioles as underdogs on Friday evening.

Meanwhile, Shane Baz owns a 2.63 ERA over his last five starts. Both offenses have been pretty lifeless, so this feels like a spot to lean into the arm that has been performing at a higher level lately.

Rockies vs Cardinals: Cardinals (-156)

Cardinals win probability: 61%

I will make this one easy.

Ryan Feltner owns an 8.75 ERA, 5.18 xERA and 1.94 WHIP over his last five starts. Over their last 12 games, the Rockies have a sub-90 wRC+, 3.2% barrel rate and 25% strikeout rate.

On the other side, Kyle Leahy has been shoving, posting a 1.38 ERA and 0.89 WHIP over his last five starts.

I do not care how much the Cardinals’ offense has been underperforming; Feltner will wake those bats.

Astros vs Padres: Padres (-115)

Padres win probability: 54%

Ronel Blanco could get shelled in this spot tonight against the Padres. The right-hander has yet to put together a solid start this season, and with how hot the Padres’ bats have been, I think they get to him early.

On the other side, Robbie Ray has been lights out, posting a 2.00 ERA over his last five outings.

I like San Diego here.

Dodgers vs Diamondbacks: Dodgers (-167)

Dodgers win probability: 62%

As wild as it is to type this, is there another team in baseball that needs a win more than the Dodgers?

They have been swept in back-to-back series and now draw Merrill Kelly and the Diamondbacks.

With it being Merrill Kelly, who owns a 7.23 xERA at home this season, and Roki Sasaki having far better numbers across his last three starts, I trust the Dodgers here.

Rays vs Mariners: Rays (+104)

Rays win probability: 49%

Simple.

I will not touch the Mariners until I see their team wRC+ climb back above 100. It has been sitting below 100 for over a month, and I want no part of this lifeless offense.

On the other side, you have one of the most consistent teams in baseball, and you are giving me them at plus money?

Rays, PLEASE!

Tigers vs Giants: Tigers (-122)

Tigers win probability: 55%

The Giants’ offense since the deadline has mainly been Rafael Devers and Jung Hoo Lee. The team owns an 80 wRC+, .277 wOBA, and .615 OPS over their last six games.

Meanwhile, the Tigers have posted a 172 wRC+, .414 wOBA, and .947 OPS during that stretch. They are on fire!

Keider Montero has been lights out on the road this season, posting a 2.11 ERA, 3.08 xERA and 0.70 WHIP.

I want to be on the Tigers tonight on the road!

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.

Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Padres handle business against D-backs, split series

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 06: Luis Rengifo #21 of the San Diego Padres beats a throw to Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks at first base during the third inning at Chase Field on August 06, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The San Diego Padres took a business-like approach to their final game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday night. The end result was a 5-1 win that allowed the Padres to earn a series split and remain one game behind the Diamondbacks in the chase for a Wild Card berth in the playoffs. There are still a lot of games to be played, but San Diego manager Craig Stammen treated this game like a must-win.

Walker Buehler got the start on the mound for the Padres and was not overly dominant, but he did enough to hold the Diamondbacks to one run on six hits with one walk and three strikeouts over four innings. San Diego gave him a lead with a run in the first and two in the third and that was all the Padres would need.

Buehler departed the game and Bradgley Rodriguez took over. He worked two scoreless innings without allowing a hit or a walk and recorded a strikeout. That allowed Jeremiah Estrada to work a scoreless seventh inning, Adrian Morejon to work a scoreless eighth inning and Mason Miller to close out the game in the ninth inning despite it not being a save situation.

San Diego tacked on a run in the sixth and one in the seventh. What was notable about the way the Padres scored their runs was how they did it. The first run scored on a double play groundout and the second also scored on a ground out. Ty France hit a sacrifice fly to bring home the third run. Freddy Fermin recorded the first hit to score a run with a single in the sixth and Jackson Merrill did the same with a single in the seventh.

The Padres return home today to host the Houston Astros to open a three-game series at Petco Park. Robbie Ray is scheduled to make his first start for San Diego at 6:40 p.m. The Trade Deadline acquisition will look to make a better first impression with the club than Casey Mize did against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

Padres News:

  • The Padres made three additions at the Trade Deadline and with the game tonight, the Friar Faithful will have had an opportunity to see all three perform in a San Diego uniform. There was a ton of speculation about what the Padres could, would and should do. With the deadline passed and moves made, how do you feel?

Baseball News:

Florida Bettor Turns $15 Parlay into Massive $149K Win

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A Hollywood, Florida bettor has turned an incredible stroke of luck into an improbable payout fit for the big screen.

Key Takeaways

  • A Florida bettor turned a $15, 15-leg MLB parlay into a $149,477 payout after correctly picking every game on Tuesday's slate.

  • The ticket included 14 moneyline picks and one runline bet, with upsets by the Mets, Cubs, and Tigers among the biggest results.

  • The Rays' extra-inning comeback over the Rockies proved to be the bettor's closest call before the parlay was completed.

An unnamed bettor in the Sunshine State has won $149,477 thanks to a remarkable 15-leg parlay of MLB games across baseball’s Tuesday slate, nailing every single pick and returning nearly 10,000 times his mere $15 wager.

Per Hard Rock Bet, the sportsbook where the unidentified individual placed the parlay, the customer locked in his bets in the early hours of the morning at 6:35 a.m., putting together a parlay of 14 moneyline bets and one run line bet. 

The full ticket included:

  • Kansas City Royals +1.5 -125 (vs. Minnesota Twins)
  • New York Yankees -165 (vs. St. Louis Cardinals)
  • Cincinnati Reds -130 (vs. Athletics)
  • Texas Rangers -185 (vs. San Francisco Giants)
  • Philadelphia Phillies -230 (vs. Washington Nationals)
  • Boston Red Sox -125 (vs. Chicago White Sox)
  • Atlanta Braves -150 (vs. Miami Marlins)
  • Houston Astros -125 (vs. Toronto Blue Jays)
  • Milwaukee Brewers -155 (vs. Pittsburgh Pirates)
  • Detroit Tigers +125 (vs. Seattle Mariners)
  • Tampa Bay Rays -135 (vs Colorado Rockies)
  • Mets +135 (vs. Cleveland Guardians)
  • San Diego Padres +120 (vs. Arizona Diamondbacks)
  • Chicago Cubs +190 (vs. Dodgers)
  • Baltimore Orioles -145 (vs. Angels)

How the bettor won big

The bettor’s day started strong thanks to an Orioles win over the Angels; however, it didn’t take long for things to start falling in the Hollywood-native’s favor. 

In just the second game of the evening, the lowly New York Mets, who had sold off at the MLB trade deadline mere days before, upset the Cleveland Guardians 6-2 thanks to a trio of Mets home runs, including just the fourth of the year from Luis Torrens in the second inning to help New York out to a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

The bettor’s next big stunner and perhaps most shrewd pick came thanks to the Chicago Cubs, facing newly acquired Dodgers ace Tarik Skubal in his debut in Dodger Blue following a blockbuster trade over the weekend. Despite the southpaw’s six punchouts, the Cubs mustered enough offense and shut down the L.A. bats in a massive 5-1 upset as home underdogs.

“You’ve got to kind of pick pitches at times,” Cubs skipper Craig Counsell said of facing Skubal. “With the great ones, that’s what you have to do. You have to pick pitches. We did a good job kind of creating a couple other scoring opportunities. That’s how you have to beat guys like that.”

The bettor’s' biggest scare, meanwhile, came from the ballclub just across the I-75 in the Tampa Bay Rays. On a day defined by good fortune for Florida sports betting, however, perhaps the Rays took inspiration, erasing a late deficit with a two-run ninth inning to force extra innings before knocking off the Colorado Rockies on the road in the 11th inning.

From there, it was smooth sailing until Detroit Tigers reliever Yilber Díaz slammed the door on the Seattle Mariners on their own home field in an 8-0 rout to conclude the day’s games and make the bettor a very wealthy man.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

One Giant Leap: Astros soaring behind Yordan Alvarez

Sunday Night Baseball returns to Petco Park this week for a game between the Houston Astros and San Diego Padres beginning at 7 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Houston has been red-hot since July 20. Of course they have.

On July 20, 1969, Astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface, the first human being to walk on the moon. Buzz Aldrin followed him 19 minutes later.

On July 20, 2026, the Astros defeated the Marlins 8-5. It was “one small step” for Joe Espada, as his Houston team began “one giant leap” in the American League.

The Astros swept the Marlins and then took a series against the White Sox in Chicago. After that, Houston swept a series in Anaheim and came home and swept the Rangers.

I’d say Houston’s Yordan Alvarez is in a season long hot streak. He leads the league in batting average (.329), on-base percentage (.442), slugging percentage (.650), OPS (1.083), OPS+ (202), wRC+ (194), runs (78), hits (136), fWAR (5.7), HR (35), and RBI (85).

With Aaron Judge sidelined since the end of May, Alvarez is the only logical choice for American League MVP.

Alvarez is not a one-year wonder. He’s been one of the best hitters in baseball since debuting with Houston in 2019.

Whenever I see Yordan step into the batter’s box, my 64-year-old eyes see a different 6-foot-4, 237-pound left-handed hitter that wears uniform number 44. I “see” Hall of Famer Willie McCovey. It’s not a stretch to compare him to the man they called “Stretch”.

McCovey won the Rookie of the Year award in 1959; Alvarez won the Rookie of the Year in 2019. Willie Mays was the Giants’ superstar that preceded McCovey by 8 years. Jose Altuve was the Astros’ superstar that preceded Alvarez by 8 years.

As of August 7, Alvarez’s .329 batting average is leading an American League that has just one other .300 qualified hitter (.300 -- Tampa Bay's Yandy Díaz). The league is batting just .244 this season.

Willie McCovey batted .320 in his MVP season of 1969, when the National League batting average was .250.

In that 1969 season, McCovey led the league in OBP (.453), slugging (.656), OPS (1.109), OPS+ (209), HR (45), RBI (126), and WAR (8.1). It was the first summer I paid attention to baseball. I was mesmerized by McCovey. Even if I didn’t see him play much, I “saw” his prowess by playing dice tabletop baseball games. He walked 121 times, something I knew from those tabletop games.

McCovey from 1959-1970, put up a slash line of .283/.387/.557 for an OPS of .944 and an OPS+ of 161.

Alvarez has a career slash line of .301/.397/.582 for an OPS of .979 and an OPS+ of 169.

They are a matched set if I ever saw one.

If Alvarez’ .979 career OPS opens your eyes, it should. Only one active player with 3,000+ PA has a higher OPS. That is Aaron Judge, with 1.022. Trailing Alvarez is Mike Trout (.970) and Shohei Ohtani (.955).

Yordan is the only player in 2026 with an OPS over 1.000. He belongs in a group with Judge and Ohtani and perhaps Soto as the best hitters in the game.

As Altuve approaches 2,500 career hits and the back end of his great career, the question will be if Alvarez can lift this entire team to the top of the American League.

Astros-Padres connection: Remembering Ken Caminiti

And when I see the Astros and Padres in a game, I cannot help but recall the late Ken Caminiti, who was an All-Star for both franchises.

When NBC Sports was broadcasting the 1996 All-Star Game from Philadelphia, I was lucky enough to be in the booth with Bob Costas, Joe Morgan, and Bob Uecker. I’ve never seen a team so stacked as the 1996 National League squad, which won the game 6-0. The NL team featured no less than 10 future Hall of Famers.

The best player on that team, Barry Bonds, is not one of the 10 as he did not make the Hall of Fame.

The best player on that team that season—the 1996 NL MVP—also did not make the Hall of Fame. Ken Caminiti, who homered in the 6-0 NL victory, died in 2004 at the age of 41.

Thirty summers ago, Caminiti batted .326 with 40 HR and 130 RBI for the Padres. He slugged .621 and had an OPS of 1.028. He hit a home run in the All-Star Game. He hit three homers in three postseason games. He won a Gold Glove as well in 1996.

I can understand if you’re not that impressed with the slugging. There were 15 qualifying players with an OPS over 1.000 in 1996. Caminiti was only 11th-best, trailing players like Mark McGwire, Gary Sheffield, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, and Brady Anderson.

An OPS over 1.000 wasn’t big news in 1996.

Caminiti played for the Astros from 1987 to 1994, playing alongside teammates Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio. Then he played four seasons with the Padres, alongside Tony Gwynn. He is a member of the Astros Hall of Fame and Padres Hall of Fame.

Caminiti has a place in baseball history, but not the place anyone wants to be remembered for. A year after his retirement, he admitted to using steroids during his 1996 MVP season and for years afterwards. He died of a cocaine and heroin drug overdose in October of 2004.

nbc_roto_maxclark_260730.jpg
Eric Samulski talks to players and coaches about what happens during a minor league player promotion

The Padres’ Wait Continues

The Padres have played 58 seasons and have never won a World Series. They have reached the World Series twice, only to run into the 1998 Yankees (114-48) and the 1984 Tigers (104-58).

They had a very real chance to capture the championship in 2022, after the Pads eliminated the 101-win Mets in the Wild Card Series and the 111-win Dodgers team in the Division Series. In the NLCS against the Phillies, the Padres took an early 4-0 lead in Game 4 trying to even the series. A Juan Soto homer put the Padres back on top 6-4 in the top of the fifth. Sean Manaea got battered around in the bottom of the fifth, and the Phillies won the game 10-6. The next day, the Padres lost a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning as Bryce Harper hit a 2-run homer that vaulted Philly into the World Series against the Astros.

What would have happened if San Diego had defeated Philadelphia, and played Houston in the 2022 World Series? Could they have defeated the 106-win Houston team? It would have represented the greatest postseason run ever.

And it would have been the first World Series game ever hosted by Petco Park. The Padres have played nearly 1,800 games there since opening in 2004 at the stunning ballpark. It is a top-tier MLB stadium which is the central feature in the Gaslamp Quarter, the historic district that is a stone’s throw from the waterfront.

If you’re a baseball fan and haven’t been there, make a pilgrimage. You won’t be sorry.

Editors’ Note: Elliott Kalb - dubbed “Mr. Stats” decades ago by Marv Albert and Bob Costas - is the former Senior Editorial Director at MLB Network and a longtime contributor of research and information to NBC Sports’ telecasts.

Tigers move on to San Francisco to face Giants starting on Friday

The Detroit Tigers managed to take two of three from the Seattle Mariners with an 11-0 shellacking of the home team at T-Mobile Park on Thursday evening, making it seven of the last eight that they have scored eight runs or more. Framber Valdez gave his team seven shutout innings while Dillon Dingler and Kevin McGonigle both homered to help power the offense.

The Motor City Kitties now move on to San Francisco, where they play the final leg of their West Coast road swing against the Giants. Right-hander Keider Montero gets the start in the opener on Friday night looking to claw his team closer to the .500 mark as the season hits the home stretch.

The 26-year-old’s last start against the Athletics in Sacramento was a strong one, tossing six frames of scoreless ball on two hits and two walks while striking out two and hitting a batter. Montero’s efforts earned him his eighth win of the 2026 campaign in another 11-0 final.

The Giants’ starter for Friday’s game has yet to be announced as of the time of publication.

Detroit Tigers (56-59) vs. San Francisco Giants (48-67)

Time (ET): 10:15 p.m.
Place: Oracle Park, San Francisco, California
SB Nation Site:McCovey Chronicles
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network

Game 116: RHP Keider Montero (8-6, 3.17 ERA) vs. TBD

PlayerGIPK%BB%GB%FIPfWAR
Montero24116.117.45.441.43.702.2
TBD

MONTERO

Mets vs Pirates Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight's MLB Game

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The Pittsburgh Pirates are -135 moneyline to end their three-game losing streak tonight when they host the New York Mets. 

I'm skeptical they'll be able to do so, and see value in backing New York with my Mets vs. Pirates predictions and MLB picks for Friday, Aug. 7. 

Who will win Mets vs Pirates today: New York Mets (+115)

The Pittsburgh Pirates are struggling at the dish, hitting .234 the past month while striking out at the fourth-highest rate. Their outputs underwhelm against righties and lefties.

Zac Thornton has suppressed power effectively (0.79 HR/9) and held opponents to a .211 average this season. His counting numbers are a little deceiving, but this isn’t a matchup regression should come calling.

The New York Mets sit 15th in wOBA vs. righties over the last 30 days, and have shown good power with the fourth highest HR/FB rate.

I see plenty of value at this price. Bet to +100.

Covers COVERS INTEL:The Pirates slot 22nd in ISO against lefties the last 30 days, playing further into Thornton's excellent home run prevention.

Mets vs Pirates Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (-120)

The best way to score runs in bulk is power, and I don’t see a recipe for a lot of quick strike offense in this game.

Thornton has his faults but has done an exceptional job at keeping the ball in the park. The Pirates rank 29th in hard hit rate against lefties the past month, so they don’t profile as likely to change that.

Carmen Mlodzinski has also done a superb job of limiting homers (0.54 HR/9), and he has the seventh-best bullpen by xFIP the last month backing him up.

I make fair price -133.

Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 71-66, -9.65 units
  • Over/Under bets: 76-55-6, +12.09 units

Mets vs Pirates weather

Temperatures are expected to hover around 80, with showers and winds blowing from the west. No real impact on bats.

Mets vs Pirates odds

  • Moneyline: Mets +115 | Pirates -135
  • Run line: Mets +1.5 (-170) | Pirates -1.5 (+145)
  • Over/Under: Over 8.0 (-120) | Under 8.0 (+100)

Mets vs Pirates trend

New York has hit the moneyline in eight of the last 11 away games (+5.55 units, 41% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Mets vs. Pirates.

How to watch Mets vs Pirates and game info

LocationPNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
DateFriday, August 7, 2026
First pitch6:40 p.m. ET
TVWPIX-11, SNP
Mets starting pitcherZac Thornton
(2-2, 2.88 ERA)
Pirates starting pitcherCarmen Mlodzinski
(6-3, 3.15 ERA)

Mets vs Pirates latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

The Orioles’ next wave: Nine young players whose roles just got bigger

Whatever speculation there was about Orioles GM Mike Elias being both a buyer and seller at the trade deadline, he didn’t do any buying, and he didn’t just tinker—the front office broke all our hearts, of course, by trading Adley Rutschman, their franchise catcher and 2019 first-overall pick, to the Red Sox. But they also created roster holes to patch in the short term by trading outfielder Taylor Ward and two trusted arms in starter Dean Kremer and reliever Tyler Wells.

This past week, Eno Sarris of The Athletic rounded up young players across the game who stand to inherit bigger roles from departed veterans in the wake of the trade deadline. This question is now particularly relevant for Baltimore, which has seen its org chart reshuffled at multiple positions over the last week.

So I thought I’d give it some thought. Below are nine (-ish) Orioles young players with the most to prove, and what a greater runway this season could tell us about them.

Samuel Basallo, C/DH

Let’s start with the biggest beneficiary of the Rutschman trade, full stop. The 21-year-old Basallo was already getting regular at-bats as Baltimore’s DH before having to miss time with a shoulder injury, but Rutschman’s departure hands him the starting catcher job outright. Basallo’s 2025 Triple-A season (.270/.377/.589, 23 home runs in 76 games) was one of the most impressive in the minors at any level, and while his MLB debut was a rough introduction (.165/.229/.330 in 31 games) and a shoulder issue has nagged him in 2026, the hit tool and raw power are both plus-plus. He’s looked ready, especially in the month of May, where he averaged .338 and OPS’d .973.

Coby Mayo, 3B/1B

No sugarcoating it: Mayo has been the toughest watch on this list in 2026. A .201 batting average, a .271 OBP, and a strikeout rate north of 33% are not what the Orioles need from a presumed power bat in the middle of the lineup. But on the flip side: Mayo is still just 24, the raw power (15 home runs in 89 games) is still worth remarking on, and he’s progressing. Over Mayo’s last 15 games, the big bopper has a .268/.302/.610 slashline (look at that power!). Mayo always seems to be a few adjustments away from tapping into 30-homer thump, but he really seems to be knocking on the door right now. If he can bust through it’ll help us know whether he figures in the Orioles’ infield plans, or as future trade bait.

Colton Cowser, OF

Cowser is the most “seasoned” player on this list and, in a way, the cautionary tale for the others: a former first-rounder who’s now several thousand big-league plate appearances in and still searching for consistency. Cowser had an excellent rookie season in ’24, hitting .242 with 24 home runs in 153 games, and earning runner-up Rookie of the Year honors. But since, there’s been a lot of excuses and not a lot of great performances. Whatever the reason, Cowser’s career line — .214/.302/.386 with a .688 OPS and 48 home runs in 372 games — is not what the O’s thought they were getting when they signed the high-contact sweet-swinging outfielder from UT.

Jackson Holliday, 2B

Another former first-rounder (and No. 1 overall) whose hitting hasn’t fully caught up to the hype. But Holliday still has the youth, the pedigree, the plate discipline, and the defensive versatility, and it’s easier to see him reaching his All-Star caliber potential. The issue has always been how quickly the performance catches the profile. Holliday missed some time early this season with a badly timed hand injury, and he’s been kind of buried in the conversation behind other pressing matters (including why the team played so badly in the first half), but he’s still doing what he’s paid to do. There are some good signs: for instance, in the month of July Holliday hit .368 and OPS’d .921.

Blaze Alexander, IF

Acquired from Arizona in the offseason, Alexander has been one of the most pleasant surprises on the whole roster. Out of nowhere, the 27-year-old hit .312 with 4 home runs and 31 runs in 36 games before, alas, going down with a fractured hand. He’s also filled in capably at nearly every position beside catcher, first, and pitcher. The ceiling here isn’t superstar, but if Alexander recovers quickly from a fractured hand, it could be everyday infielder. How the team uses Alexander down the stretch is a really interesting question, at least to me.

Brandon Young, SP

Speaking of surprises on the roster, Brandon Young has quietly been one of the better stories on the pitching staff. A guy left off the Opening Day roster and now perhaps their best starter, Young has an 8-3 record, a 3.43 ERA, and a strong strikeout-to-walk profile across a full workload. At 27, he’s older than most “prospect” conversations, but the success this season been sustained, thanks in part to a new splitter pitch, and the Orioles are totally winning a lot of his starts. His ceiling looks like a mid-rotation starter—can he hit this?

Cade Povich, SP

Povich, part of the return for Jorge López a few years back, has bounced between flashes of real promise (a 2.19 ERA in a recent stretch, a 19:8 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his most extended big-league look) and injury (a shoulder issue that’s cost him time in 2026) or frustration. When healthy, Povich has shown the swing-and-miss stuff of a mid-rotation-or-better left-hander. The the real variable on his ceiling right now is the same one it’s always been: control. However, this week, Povich turned in a real big-boy start, silencing the Angels over six scoreless innings. With the rotation thinned out, could this be the runway Povich needs to run?

Grant Wolfram, RP

The best-kept secret on this list. Acquired in April 2025 after Milwaukee squeezed him off its roster, the 29-year-old lefty has been outstanding in relief: a 3.47 ERA with a strikeout rate in the 98th percentile of all big-league pitchers over his first stretch of appearances this season. Relievers are volatile by nature, so Wolfram’s ceiling seems likely “high-leverage bullpen piece” rather than rotation arm. But for a player who was nearly out of a job a year ago, that’s a dramatic outcome.

Norfolk Guys (Trey Gibson, Levi Wells, Luis De León)

OK, I’m cheating with this bundle of three pitching prospects currently in Triple-A. But there are a few promising arms down in Norfolk, and the Orioles’ ransacking of the MLB bullpen could be a career-maker for any of these. First is Trey Gibson, who already made his big-league debut back in May: he got rocked in a spot start in early July (eight runs in 2.2 innings) and was optioned back to Norfolk, where he’s since stabilized (3.55 ERA, 38:19 K:BB over his last nine starts).

Levi Wells is another interesting name: his fastball will touch triple digits and his cutter/sweeper/curveball mix is arguably the best “stuff” package in Norfolk’s rotation. However, he doesn’t miss as many bats as the raw grades suggest, raising doubts about his ceiling and effectiveness. Wells has been sidelined since May after undergoing core muscle surgery.

Luis De León is the freshest riser of the bunch: a lanky lefty with a heavy 70-grade fastball and a plus slider who barely allowed a homer all last season and dominated the Arizona Fall League before being bumped up to Norfolk in late July after a strong Double-A run (100 strikeouts in 81 innings). De León is now described as one step from his own debut. He’s the one with real prospect juice—mid-rotation-starter potential if the below-average control improves.

Gibson, as the org’s presumptive No. 1 prospect with a mid-90s heater and two above-average breaking balls, is the most likely of this group to be back in Baltimore this fall, and he still carries the highest ceiling: a mid-rotation starter with swing-and-miss stuff, a power-reliever floor if the command doesn’t sharpen.

What do you make of this list, Birdland? Are there any current Orioles you think are knocking on the door to a bigger role? Or whom you’re most excited to watch down the stretch?  

Friday morning Rangers things

Apr 23, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob Degrom (48) throws during the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Good morning, LSB.

The Rangers were off yesterday.

Evan Grant’s weekly stock report details the slamming closed of the wallets by Rangers ownership.

FanGraphs ranks all 94 prospects moved at the trade deadline.

And longtime Giants broadcaster and voice of MVP Baseball 2005 Mike Krukow is retiring at the end of the season.

That’s all for this morning. Happy Friday!

Do you still think of Max Fried as “our” guy?

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 03: Max Fried #54 of the New York Yankees looks on during the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium on June 3, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Tonight, the Braves will face Max Fried for the first time ever — they missed facing him when the Yankees visited Atlanta last year. (The three games in that series involved a bullpen game, a Will Warren start, and a Marcus Stroman start.) Fried’s been a Yankee for about a season and a half now, though headlines on him have been a bit muted this season because he missed over two months with a bone bruise on his pitching elbow. Still, he was dominant in his first year in pinstripes (4.8 fWAR, a career high in starts and innings, and a pitching line akin to his career line), and has been similar this year (with an added bonus of a lower HR/FB because he was out when the drag on the ball precipitously fell in June).

Anyway, it’ll be kind of weird for the Braves to face down Max Fried. Will it be weird for you? Do you still think of him as a Brave in some fashion? Or, has there been enough drama since his departure that even 2024 feels like ages ago at this point?

Has Andrew Painter turned a corner?

BALTIMORE, MD - JULY 31: Andrew Painter #24 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 31, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Andrew Painter was a bit of a surprise call-up last week, as the 23-year-old was preparing to make another start in Triple-A when the Phillies decided to bring him back to the majors after a two-month demotion. He performed well in that spot start last Friday, going six innings while allowing two runs on just three hits with six strikeouts. 

Not only did the Phillies opt to keep him in the majors for another start, but they also essentially made him the de facto fifth starter once again when they did not acquire another starter before Monday’s trade deadline. That second start came Wednesday night where Painter pitched in and out of trouble, allowing one run on three hits in just four innings before leaving with a hamstring injury that occurred after he slipped on the wet mound. Painter insists he could have kept going, but the Phillies elected to be cautious considering their extremely fragile starting pitching depth. Yesterday it was announced that further tests did not show any cause for alarm and that Painter will make his next scheduled start. Until he takes the mound again, we will have to take his and the Phillies word that the injury was indeed a minor one and that it won’t affect him.

If Painter is indeed healthy and doesn’t require an IL stint, it’s hard to say these last two starts were not encouraging even if the second one was abbreviated. He looks much better and more comfortable on the mound, and his fastball appears to be a viable pitch once again. It is just ten total innings, so the small sample caveat still remains, but it appears he has corrected some of his earlier woes. So, do you think Andrew Painter has turned a corner? 

Knicks Notes: Jack Kayil to play overseas this season; what's next for Tyler Nickel

Knicks second-round pick Jack Kayil announced on Friday that he will play this coming season overseas rather than sign an NBA contract to join New York.

"The NBA remains my big dream – and Alba is just the right place for me to continue on this path," said Kayil, selected 39th overall by the Knicks in the 2026 NBA Draft.

The 20-year-old guard showed promise during the NBA Summer League. But it was always going to be difficult for New York to sign Kayil to a standard NBA contract while also remaining under the second apron in team salary. Kayil was eligible for a two-way contract, but he would have had to pay the buyout of his contract with Alba Berlin and also would have had to accept a significant pay cut to sign the two-way contract.

The plan heading into free agency was that Kayil would remain overseas this season to develop his game. The benefit of a large playing role overseas – and the Knicks’ financial limitations – outweighed the opportunity to be in the NBA this season.

With Kayil heading overseas, the Knicks have just 13 players under contract. They also have three spots for two-way players.

New York’s other second round pick – Tyler Nickel – also remains unsigned. There are reports that Nickel is considering going back to college, but league sources say he is all in on starting his pro career. Nickel is eligible to return to college in 2026-27 thanks to a recent ruling allowing players in Nickel’s class to return to school.

Nickel could presumably make much more money in NIL deals than he would make on a two-way contract. The Knicks could sign Nickel to a standard NBA deal via the second-round exception, but if they did that, they would not have enough money to sign a third center on a veteran’s minimum contract.

The Knicks targeted Mavs center Moussa Cisse for this role, but the Mavs matched New York’s offer to Cisse in restricted free agency. Prior to signing Cisse to an offer sheet, New York pursued multiple trades for centers.

In recent weeks, the Knicks have also been in touch with several free agent centers who could fill the third center role. Logic tells you that if they wanted to sign one of these centers on a guaranteed one-year deal, the Knicks would have done so already.

The Knicks have enough room to add eight players on training camp contracts. If they don’t trade for a third center or sign a center who gets unexpectedly waived due to a roster crunch, you can expect the Knicks to bring in multiple veteran centers to compete for the third center spot. 

Blue Jays vs Phillies Prediction, Odds & Home Run Pick for Tonight's MLB Game

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José Soriano’s high-90s sinker and plus curveball make his Toronto Blue Jays debut a strikeout play in Philadelphia.

The Blue Jays open as +180 underdogs for their weekend series in Philadelphia on Friday, handing the ball to trade-deadline prize José Soriano for his Blue Jays debut against Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler. 

Read on for my Blue Jays vs. Phillies predictions and MLB picks for this Friday, Aug. 7 matchup.

Blue Jays vs Phillies predictions

Blue Jays vs Phillies best bet: José Soriano Over 4.5 strikeouts (-105)

José Soriano makes his much-anticipated Toronto Blue Jays debut after coming over from the Los Angeles Angels at the trade deadline, and the right-hander has nasty stuff: a sinker in the high-90s (+5 run value) and a devastating curveball (+7 run value). 

He generates plenty of grounders but still misses bats, running a 9.3 K/9 this season.

That makes me surprised this strikeout number is so low, especially against a Philadelphia Phillies lineup that ranks in the upper-third for most strikeouts per game.

Soriano has cashed this over in five of his last eight starts, piling up 40 strikeouts in 40.1 innings in that span. Toronto also wore out its bullpen in an extra-innings thriller with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, so there’s extra incentive to let him work deep.

With the hype around his debut, I’ll happily play this Over until -130.

Covers COVERS INTEL: Soriano leans on his curveball as his whiff pitch, and most Phillies hitters, Bryce Harper included (-3 run value on 202 pitches), own negative run values against the curve this year.

Blue Jays vs Phillies same-game parlay (SGP)

For the same-game parlay, I’m taking a shot on the big road dog.

Jesús Sánchez Over 0.5 hits leads it off, and he’s a strong 9-for-25 (.360 BA) lifetime against Zack Wheeler with a homer and two doubles.

I’ll add Soriano Under 2.5 earned runs, trusting the debutant’s stuff to hold Philadelphia down early, then cap it with the Blue Jays moneyline at a juicy plus price.

Blue Jays vs Phillies SGP

  • Jesús Sánchez Over 0.5 hits
  • José Soriano Under 2.5 earned runs
  • Blue Jays moneyline

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Blue Jays vs Phillies home run pick: Kazuma Okamoto (+440)

Wheeler is having a terrific season, but he isn’t unbreakable on the home run ball, yielding 1.1 HR/9 this year, including three over his last two starts. And Blue Jays slugger Kazuma Okamoto has the perfect profile to beat him.

Wheeler’s primary pitch is a four-seamer at average right-handed velocity (95.4 mph), and his best out pitch is a splitter that holds hitters to a .212 slug.

Okamoto won’t be overwhelmed by the velocity and can tee off on the four-seamer, a pitch he slugs .592 against with a +15 run value.

He has handled the splitter as well (2-for-5 with a homer), and if he can’t get to Wheeler, there’s a Phillies bullpen that allows a .400 slug, the ninth-worst mark in MLB.

Keep this to a quarter unit, but Okamoto has the best shot.

2026 Transparency Record
  • Best bets: 16-14, +1.63 units
  • SGPs: 3-28, -4.06 units
  • HR picks: 4-26, +X.X units

Blue Jays vs Phillies odds

  • Moneyline: Blue Jays +180 | Phillies -220
  • Run line: Blue Jays +1.5 (-115) | Phillies -1.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under: Over 8 (+100) | Under 8 (-120)

Blue Jays vs Phillies trend

The Philadelphia Phillies hitters rank 10th in MLB in strikeouts per game (8.47), a favorable edge for the José Soriano strikeout prop. Find more MLB betting trends for Blue Jays vs. Phillies.

How to watch Blue Jays vs Phillies and game info

LocationCitizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
DateFriday, August 7, 2026
First pitch6:40 p.m. ET
TVNBCSP, SN
Blue Jays starting pitcherJose Soriano
(9-6, 3.29 ERA)
Phillies starting pitcherZack Wheeler
(10-2, 2.49 ERA)

Blue Jays vs Phillies latest injuries

Blue Jays vs Phillies weather

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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What Does the Trade Deadline Say About the Future of Dana Brown?

I usually want to wait a few days to let the dust settle before writing a commentary piece like this. Going through the trade deadline is a lot like going through the stages of grief. In Economics we teach the concept of opportunity costs. It is simply the idea of the infinite number of possibilities that the future holds. When the future comes and goes then there will always be a letdown. Those infinite number of possibilities gets dwindled down to one, two, or sometimes zero.

So, in the case of this deadline the first core emotion is anger. For those of us clued into the news wire, that anger builds as the day goes on. More and more names go off the board and none of them are coming to you. You look at all of your competitors doing more than you. Yes, we got Daulton Varsho, but there is not one single competitor outside of the AL West that did less.

That anger slowly dissipates the day of the deadline and turns into despair. You suddenly realize you are outgunned come playoff time and there is very little you can do about it. Brown can come on the radio and utter “we aren’t done” or “we’ll chase the fight” all he wants, but it doesn’t change the reality. You have the minor leagues and the waiver wire left. That’s not much to grasp onto. However, there were three factors that impacted the deadline that should be explored in more detail before casting judgement on Brown.

Crane did not want to exceed the tax

Depending on your source, the Astros were somewhere between five and ten million dollars underneath the tax apron following the LMJ trade to the Brewers. That automatically limits your exposure. You probably couldn’t add someone making much more than 15 million dollars due to the prorated nature of contracts at the deadline. So, the talk of adding a George Springer, Robbie Ray, or similar player is complicated given the salary constraints involved.

It is not even as simple as overall team payroll. There are intricate rules involved that go beyond cash actually owed a player. It takes a tax attorney and capologist to figure it all out. Obviously, going beyond the tax not only costs money but being a three time tax payer also comes with penalties and other limitations that go beyond simple cash. How does the new CBA impact that? These are all huge considerations.

Crane did not want to deal from the present roster

The nixing of the Larnach trade probably had more to do with this. So imagine you are given the parameters of not trading from the current roster, not exceeding the tax, or trading major farm pieces and tell me how many quality players you can add. Now, how much does vetoing a trade say about the faith in the current general manager? The last time that happened was James Click and the reported Willson Contreras trade. Who wouldn’t trade Jose Urquidy for even two months of Contreras? Well, apparently Dusty Baker and Jim Crane wouldn’t.

In terms of net WAR, the Larnach trade would have been a huge net win for the Astros. Not only would you get this season’s WAR, but next season as well. However, I suppose someone could make an argument for chemistry and all of that jazz. No matter how anyone feels about Brown, this veto says more than any of us could possibly say on the interwebs.

The farm system is barren

According to most experts, the Astros farm system ranks in the bottom five in MLB. Now, there is a ton of subjectivity there, but clearly teams are not as interested in our prospects as they are in other team’s prospects. Moreover, Brown was tasked with elevating the farm system and he has been on the job for four seasons. Is that enough time? That’s a fair question. Still, when you have only a handful of blue chip prospects, it can be frightening to part with any of them.

So again, if you can’t spend money, can’t trade from the current roster, and can’t trade any of your top prospects then how exactly are you supposed to add an impact bat or arm? I suppose some general managers are adept at making something out of nothing, but Brown has never been a big wheeler and dealer. So, the cards were stacked against him before he even got to the deadline.

What does this all mean?

Ultimately, it means a few things. First and foremost, it means that Jim Crane has likely lost faith in Dana Brown. Whether that means that Brown has done a bad job or not is not particularly important here. After all, we were in the exact same situation in 2022. It could be a function of poor performance or it could be a function that Crane simply won’t have a ton of trust in anyone after what happened during the Jeff Luhnow regime. I could hardly blame him if that were the case. That means that Brown is living on borrowed time and Joe Espada might also be living on borrowed time.

I have stated my piece on both and those opinions largely have not changed. My personal issues with Brown are more in what he has failed to do than what he has done. Most of his trades and free agent acquisitions are defensible given the available information at the time. In other words, if given the same set of facts about hypothetical players, I probably would have done many of the same things. Some of them didn’t work out because not everything in life works out even with the best laid plans.

The problems with Brown is in what he has failed to do. He has been chasing a lefty bat like Captain Ahab chased his white whale for three years. In multiple seasons he has talked about adding a starter at the deadline or adding a key bullpen piece and failed to deliver. You can also point to organization problems that were not addressed effectively. That could include waiting until this season to replace the hitting coaches, never really overhauling the medical and training staffs, or looking heavily into the return to play procedures. Additionally, the public face of the organization is problematic. Many of Brown’s public statements border on the comical. It seems like a very minor critique, but that is the access many fans have to the general manager and the job he is doing.

Brown comes off like a used car salesman at times. He overpromises and underdelivers on a regular basis. It is what some people would call “foot in mouth” disease. The irony is that the actual reasoning behind doing or not doing certain things often makes sense. I get not wanting to trade four or five prospects for a pitcher. I get not wanting to trade your top prospect for a reliever. I get past situations where gambling on health made sense. The public statements around them did not make sense. It’s almost like Brown needs to go to finishing school to learn how to talk to the press.

More than anything though, he will be graded on his two biggest selling points. He came in as a guy that would rebuild the farm system and lock up our younger players to team friendly extensions. He signed one extension and it ended up blowing up in his face. The farm system is still bottom five. Did he get enough time to turn things around? It’s a fair question. Sadly for Brown, it looks like he is out of time. It might seem like a happy moment for Brown critics, but there is the lingering question as to whether any executive will have the juice to get done what needs to get done. This organization is being held together by duct tape and the memory of some great players that aren’t great anymore. The gravy train is coming to an end. It is just a question of when and when that happens there will need to be someone in place that can make the decisions necessary to make the rebuilding quick and as painless as possible.

Dodgers vs Diamondbacks Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for August 7

Arizona (61-55) has played seven straight days and buckle up for an eighth when they take on the NL West leading Dodgers (69-46). The Diamondbacks are coming off a tied 2-2 series versus the Padres and holding onto the final spot of the NL Wild Card, while the Dodgers are in a pickle.

The Dodgers are on a season-long losing streak of six games and coming off a rest day, which was much needed. Los Angeles was swept by the Red Sox and Cubs over the last six games and are 2-8 if you span back to the past 10. Despite the losing streak, the Dodgers offense is hitting .274 in that span (8th) with the 10th-most home runs (8) and ninth-most hits (57). However, the pitching rotation has the second-worst ERA (6.88) and allowed 59 hits over 51.0 innings (opponents batting .281, 25th).

Arizona is 3-3 to start August and the Diamondbacks pitching staff owns a 4.92 ERA (21st) and .280 OBA (T-25th) in August allowing at least four runs in five out of six games. Arizona's offense has scored 32 runs over the six games (5th) on the third-most hits (56) and eighth-best batting average (.273). Arizona is 5-5n versus Los Angeles this season and won the last four meetings.

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Game details & how to watch Dodgers at Diamondbacks

  • Date: Friday, August 7, 2026
  • Time: 9:40 PM EST
  • Site: Chase Field 
  • City: Phoenix, AZ
  • Network/Streaming: MLB TV

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Dodgers at the Diamondbacks

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers (-181), Arizona Diamondbacks (+149)
  • Spread: Diamondbacks +1.5 (-111), Dodgers -1.5 (-108)
  • Total: 9.0

Probable starting pitchers for Dodgers at Diamondbacks 

  • Friday's pitching matchup (August 7): Roki Sasaki vs Merrill Kelly 
  • Diamondbacks: Merrill Kelly 

2026 stats: 114.1 IP, 8-9, 5.04 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 76 K, 46 BB

  • Dodgers: Roki Sasaki  

2026 Stats: 99.0 IP, 5-5, 4.64 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 101 K, 39 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not

  • Freddie Freeman is on a 15-game winning streak and reached base in 17 consecutive games
  • Shohei Ohtani is batting .421 to start August (8/19)
  • Mookie Betts is coming off a season-high four hit performance against the Cubs
  • Tim Tawa is batting .333 to start August (8/24)
  • Nolan Arenado is hitting .190 over the past seven days (4/21)

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Dodgers at Diamondbacks

  • Los Angeles is 66-49 ATS, ranking third-worst
  • Arizona is 62-54 ATS, ranking eighth-best
  • Los Angeles is 60-54-1 to the Under
  • Arizona is 61-49-6 to the Under, ranking fifth-best
  • Los Angeles is 29-30 ATS on the road
  • Arizona is 30-25 ATS at home, ranking fifth-best

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday's game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dodgers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Dodgers at -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Over on the Game Total of 9.0

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Dodgers notes: Gavin Stone, Shohei Ohtani, playoff roster

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 24: Gavin Stone #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers a first inning pitch against the Cleveland Guardians during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch on February 24, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images

So far this season, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is once again leading the Dodgers in pitching wins after he led the team last year. Two years ago, right-hander Gavin Stone was tied for the team lead in wins during the regular season, but he’s still yet to take the mound for the team since.

Stone had his entire 2025 season wiped away after having shoulder surgery the year before. He was able to make one start during spring training before being shut down, and it seemed like Stone would once again have his whole season end before it could begin.

Thankfully, for Dodgers fans, the return for Stone is in sight, as the right-hander made his first rehab start with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets, tossing 1 2/3 innings while allowing one run and striking out three. The Dodgers rotation is expected to see Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell return before season’s end, and adding Stone into the mix will help keep the rotation afloat while Shohei Ohtani continues to nurse injuries, per Valentina Martinez of the California Post.

Now, it appears Stone is set to make his long-awaited return to the Dodgers down the stretch. While LA’s starting rotation is crowded, Stone could be a placeholder for one of the Dodgers’ stars including Shohei Ohtani.

As for Ohtani, he was a bright spot for the Dodgers on Wednesday despite their 7-6 defeat to the Chicago Cubs, connecting two home runs and driving in three. Ohtani spoke with Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA following Wednesday’s game, where he talked about how his swing feels while dealing with both knee and biceps ailments.

“Heading in the right direction… Definitely being able to drive the ball with the right angle is what I’m ultimately looking for.”

Ohtani’s two-homer game also matched Pete Crow-Armstrong’s home run total on Wednesday, as the two superstars are duking it out for the NL MVP race this year. Both All-Stars showed praise towards each other, but the focus for Ohtani is making sure that he’s ready to go on both sides of the field for October, per Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times.

“He’s a great player,” Ohtani said of Crow-Armstrong. “But I’m really focused on myself on the hitting side of things right now, really working towards hopefully getting back on the mound and working on that side of the game as well.”

Sonja Chen of MLB.com breaks down what the Dodgers postseason roster could look like.