This article is part of our MLB Picks series.
MLB Best Bets Tonight: Free MLB Picks for Thursday, August 18
Last Article's Record: 1-2, -1.15 units
Season Record: 60-66, -4.53 units
Oakland Athletics 
at Texas Rangers 
Texas Rangers -1.5, +110 vs. Oakland Athletics
Dane Dunning recently went through an ugly stretch where the Rangers lost eleven of his starts in a row, but he's actually been quite good at home this year, posting a 3.23 ERA and 1.13 ERA in Arlington. Meanwhile, Oakland starter Zach Logue comes into this game having allowed ten baserunners and six earned runs over 5.1 innings in his latest start, and previously allowed eight baserunners and four earned runs (two homers) in just 2.1 innings vs. the Rangers on May 28 (after which he was sent back to the minors). Good spot for Texas to even the series after losing the last two days.
MLB Best Bets for Athletics at Rangers
Texas Rangers -1.5, +110
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Houston Astros 
at Chicago White Sox 
Houston Astros F5 -0.5, +110 at Chicago White Sox
Astros starter Luis Garcia has been excellent on the road this year, posting a 3.07 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in his away games. White Sox starter Lucas Giolito got clobbered by the Astros in their previous meeting this year, allowing ten baserunners and eight earned runs (two homers) over 5.0 innings. He's also been pretty bad at home this year, posting a 5.86 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in Chicago. It might also be worth noting that Houston has held a lead after five innings in all three games of this series.
MLB Best Bets for Astros at White Sox
- Houston Astros F5 -0.5, +110
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Toronto Blue Jays 
at New York Yankees 
New York Yankees F5 -0.5, +100 vs. Toronto Blue Jays
The Yankees have struggled of late, but hopefully have some momentum on their side following their dramatic come-from-behind win last night. Mainly though, I'm looking to fade Blue Jays starter Jose Berrios, who has been getting lit up on a consistent basis this year, most recently allowing 18 baserunners and 13 earned runs (four homers) over just his last two starts (7.2 innings total). This will also mark the home debut of the Yankees big free agent pickup Frankie Montas, who hasn't faced Toronto since May of last year (perhaps giving him a little bit more of an edge here). Back to Berrios for a moment, he allowed five earned runs over 5.1 innings in his previous trip to New York a few months ago. Edge to the Yankees today.
MLB Best Bets for Blue Jays at Yankees
- New York Yankees F5 -0.5, +100
The AL East race is tightening up so be sure to visit RotoWire's MLB division winner odds page for the latest prices.
New York Mets 
at Atlanta Braves 
New York Mets -0.5, +115 at Atlanta Braves
Mets starter Jacob deGrom has been nearly untouchable since his recent return from the injured list, striking out 28 batters (while allowing only one walk) over 16.2 innings. One of those starts came vs. the Braves (who rank second in overall team strikeouts), where deGrom struck out 12 batters in just 5.2 innings while allowing just a pair of baserunners (both of whom scored on a 6th-inning homer to end deGrom's night). There's just little reason to expect much Braves scoring in this one, while Braves starter Max Fried will generally allow a couple/few runs per start (including taking losses vs. the Mets in his prior two starts against them). Good value at plus-money on the Mets holding an early lead.
MLB Best Bets for Mets at Braves
- New York Mets -0.5, +115
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MLB Best Bets Today Recap
- Texas Rangers -1.5, +110
- Houston Astros F5 -0.5, +110
- New York Yankees F5 -0.5, +100
- New York Mets -0.5, +115
Visit RotoWire all season long for exclusive sports betting picks from our group of handicappers with their expert MLB picks each day of the campaign. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds and available MLB player props, so we have an easy-to-use MLB odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet.
Before you place your bets, be sure to use all of RotoWire's MLB resources, like our MLB Lineups page, MLB Weather page, and the best batter vs. pitcher stats.
