This article is part of our MLB Picks series.
MLB Picks Tonight: Expert Bets and Props for Friday, April 21
Last Article's Record: 5-3, +1.80 units
Season Record: 11-11, -0.11 units
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Los Angeles Dodgers 
at Chicago Cubs 
This is a rematch of the game last week where Drew Smyly faced Julio Urias and the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Smyly allowed just one run for his second straight start, en route to a 3-2 Cubs victory with Smyly recording the win after logging 5.2 innings on 81 pitches. Facing the same opponent twice in a row always yields unpredictable results for pitchers (the same holds true for Urias today), and here's an interesting dynamic since both of today's pitchers are lefthanders: the Cubs are 4-1 vs. LHP this year, while the Dodgers are 1-5. Worth taking a shot at the huge price.
MLB Best Bets for Dodgers at Cubs
- Drew Smyly to record a win (DraftKings +320)
Cincinnati Reds 
at Pittsburgh Pirates 
Ashcraft is a good strikeout pitcher, and in fact I've picked him to go over his strikeout prop in every game so far this year, which resulted in two easy winners before he came up short against the Phillies last week. He's pitched six or more innings in all three games so far, and gets another very attainable number here against Pittsburgh, a team he already recorded six strikeouts against in the season opener. There's a good chance that Ashcraft can get to five strikeouts today at the coin-flip price. It's worth noting this prop is lined significantly higher at DraftKings (-125).
MLB Best Bets for Reds at Pirates
- Graham Ashcraft over 4.5 strikeouts (FanDuel -102)
Houston Astros 
at Atlanta Braves 
Nice premium here over the Astros moneyline (-102 at FanDuel), as the excellent rookie Hunter Brown has logged seven scoreless innings in each of his last two starts (throwing 97 and then 99 pitches). Obviously it's a tough spot any time you're trying to beat Atlanta, but the Astros are a very good team also, and there's too much value to pass up here the way Hunter Brown has been pitching recently.
MLB Best Bets for Astros at Braves
- Hunter Brown to record a win, (DraftKings +185)
Kansas City Royals 
at Los Angeles Angels 
Ohtani pitched six or more innings in three straight games to open the year, and he should be fresh today, as he was only able to pitch two innings against Boston on Monday due to a rain delay. He's in a great spot at home against the Royals, and we're getting a hefty 165-cent discount over the Angels' moneyline price of -280.
MLB Best Bets for Royals at Angels
- Shohei Ohtani to record a win, -115
St. Louis Cardinals 
at Seattle Mariners 
I'm always interested in backing George Kirby at a short price, especially at home. The Mariners can be a frustrating team to bet on, because they often pitch well without getting any run support, but today they face Cardinals lefty Steven Matz, who comes into this game with a 6.48 ERA and 1.80 WHIP. There's a good chance the Mariners can scratch out a lead here at the attractive underdog price.
MLB Best Bets for Cardinals at Mariners
- Seattle Mariners F5 -0.5, +115 (DraftKings)
MLB Best Bets Today Recap
- Drew Smyly to record a win, +320
- Graham Ashcraft over 4.5 strikeouts, -102
- Hunter Brown to record a win, +185
- Shohei Ohtani to record a win, -115
- Seattle Mariners F5 -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 player props, so we have an easy-to-use odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet.
