This article is part of our MLB Picks series.
MLB Picks Tonight: MLB Best Bets for August 31
Last Article's Record: 2-2 -0.65 units
Season Record:163-149-4 +23.76 units
With Kansas set to launch sports betting on Sept. 1, new users can use the Caesars Sportsbook Kansas promo code for special offers, including a $1,250 first bet on Caesars.
St. Louis Cardinals 
at Cincinnati Reds 
The Cardinals opened as -240 road favorites with a total of 9. The total quickly moved to 9.5 and that is the direction I am going to follow. I really want to focus on just the Cardinals in this spot, but I can see why people will take over 9.5 runs for the game.
We get one of the best hitting ballparks (Great American Smallpark) and a high money line favorite/total. The Cardinals smash left-handed pitching and rank in the top 3 in almost every category.
We have Mike Minor on the hill for the Reds who is left-handed and has an ERA around 6.00 on the season. The Cardinals lit him up for five runs in 4.0 innings on July 23 and have scored at least 5 runs in seven out of the 10 games in the season series.
Key Trends
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of St. Louis's last 5 games
- St. Louis is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Cincinnati's last 8 games when playing St. Louis
MLB Best Bets for Cardinals at Reds
- Cardinals OVER 2.5 runs F5 for 1.40 RW buck (DraftKings -140)
- Cardinals OVER 5.5 runs for 1.08 RW buck (FanDuel -108)
The FanDuel Kansas promo code gives users $150 in free bets on Launch Day (Sept.1).
Tampa Bay Rays 
at Miami Marlins 
I have been looking to bet the Marlins and their games UNDER as much as possible since the trade deadline. We get another situation again Wednesday night, with a strong opposing pitcher in Drew Rasmussen for the Rays. Rasmussen has a 1.89 ERA over his last 7 starts and even better in his last 3 with 24 strikeouts to just 2 walks.
The total opened 6.5 and went to 7 which will end up being in our favor. 6.5 totals give very little margin of error, but getting that extra 1/2 run is key when grinding out a profit long term. I would have loved to take Marlins UNDER 1.5 runs F5 but the juice of -155 was just too high for my liking.
Key Trends
- The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Miami's last 14 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
- The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Miami's last 25 games
- The Marlins have scored 4 runs or fewer in 27 out of their last 30 home games
MLB Best Bets for Rays at Marlins
- Rays/Marlins UNDER 7 runs for 1.2 RW buck (DraftKings -120)
- Marlins UNDER 2.5 runs for 1.0 RW buck (DraftKings +100)
For users in Kansas, be sure to use the DraftKings Kansas promo code where the pre-live bonus nets users $100 in free bets.
MLB Best Bets Today Recap
- Cardinals OVER 2.5 runs F5 for 1.40 RW buck (DraftKings -140)
- Cardinals OVER 5.5 runs for 1.08 RW buck (FanDuel -108)
- Rays/Marlins UNDER 7 runs for 1.2 RW buck (DraftKings -120)
- Marlins UNDER 2.5 runs for 1.0 RW buck (DraftKings +100)
Kansas users can take advantage of the BetMGM Kansas promo code for $200 in free bets if they register early.
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.
