Best MLB Bets Today | MLB Picks, August 28

The finals days of the month of August are here as the chase for the AL and NL Playoffs and its divisional races. This Monday will feature a solid of matchups that will help define the rest of the season. These are games that will give bettors solid opportunities to earn some winnings.

Texas Rangers @ New York Mets

• Time: 7:10 PM E.T. - Monday
• Starting Pitchers: Jon Gray (Rangers) vs. Tylor Megill (Mets)
• Moneyline: Rangers (-148) | Mets (+124)
• Run Line: Rangers -1.5 (+110) | Mets +1.5 (-130)
• Total:Over 9 (-108) | Under 9 (-112)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Check out our MLB betting sites for more betting opportunities.  

My Pick: Texas Rangers (TEX)

One of the first matchups on Monday's slate of MLB games is the New York Mets (60-71) hosting the Texas Rangers (73-57). The Mets are in last place in a tough NL East Division as they are one of the most disappointing teams in the MLB due to veteran talent acquired. The Rangers have one of the best rosters in the MLB as they are highly efficient teams in the batting, fielding and pitching game. The Rangers are looking to redeem themselves on the field after losing first-place control of the AL West Division to the Seattle Mariners. 

The Rangers are going into this game with a huge pitching matchup with Jon Gray (3.76 ERA in 131.2 innings pitched) coming in as the starting matchup. The Mets will have Tylor Megill (5.54 ERA in 91 innings pitched) as their starting pitcher against one of the most consistent batting teams in the league. Megill is one of top remaining starting pitchers on the team after moving Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander shortly before the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline.

The Rangers are ranked first in the AL in runs accounted for (727), first in hits accounted for (1216), second in second-base hits accounted for (278), third in home runs (182), first in walks (459), first in batting average (.268), first in on-base percentage (.338), first in slugging percentage (.457), first in OPS (.795) and first in total bases (2070).

The Mets are going to face serious problems at the mound versus one of the most efficient batting teams in the league. 

Pittsburgh Pirates @ Kansas City Royals

• Time: 8:10 PM E.T. - Monday
• Starting Pitchers: Johan Oviedo (Pirates) vs. Zach Greinke (Royals)
• Moneyline: Pirates (-115) | Royals (-105)
• Run Line: Pirates -1.5 (+150) | Royals +1.5 (-180)
• Total: Over 9 (-115) | Under 9 (-105)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

My Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates (PIT)

One of the confusing matchups going into Monday's slate of MLB games is the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates (58-73) at the Kansas City Royals (41-91). The Pirates haven't had the disastrous 2023 MLB Season that the Royals have possessed, yet the Royals are going into this game as a favorite. 

What is even more confusing is that the Royals are coming into this game with the pitching mismatch. The Royals will have Zach Greinke (5.34 ERA in 114.2 innings pitched) as their starter, the Pirates are going with Johan Oviedo (4.46 ERA in 145.1 innings pitched). Oviedo has been the more efficient pitcher this season than Greinke as a result of the team talent around them and the situations they are in.

The Pirates are ranked 14th in the NL in runs accounted for (547), 14th in hits accounted for (1017), 13th in home runs accounted for (127), eighth in stolen bases (96), fourth in walks (462), 11th in strikeouts encountered (1168), 15th (last) in batting average (.234), 14th in on-base percentage (.313) and 14th in slugging percentage (.385). 

The Royals are not as inefficient at the plate as the Pirates, but they are not overwhelming better to make a significant difference. The Royals are ranked 13th in the AL in runs accounted for (526), 11th in hits accounted for (1071), 14th in home runs accounted (127), second in stolen bases (129), 14th in walks (318), seventh in fewest strikeouts encountered (1130), 10th in batting average (.242), 14th in on-base percentage (.299) and 11th in slugging percentage (.392).

Arizona Diamondbacks @ Los Angeles Dodgers

• Time: 10:10 PM E.T. - Monday
• Starting Pitchers: Zac Gallen (Diamondbacks) vs. Bobby Miller (Dodgers)
• Moneyline: Diamondbacks (+120) | Dodgers (-142)
• Run Line: Diamondbacks +1.5 (-175) | Dodgers -1.5 (+145)
• Total: Over 8.5 (-112) | Under 8.5 (-109)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

My Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers (LA)

The final game of the night will feature the start of a three-game series that could help determine the winner of the NL West Division. The Los Angeles Dodgers (80-49) will host the Arizona Diamondbacks (69-62) for a big-time matchup in the wild, wild west. The Dodgers and the Diamondbacks have split the series this season at 5-5 with the home field not being a significant advantage.

Both teams possess some of the most talented and efficient batters this season. They have found many different ways to score. Another key to the team's success is the amount of reliable pitchers at their disposal. This Monday, the Diamondbacks will be going with their ace pitcher Zac Gallen (3.11 ERA in 168 innings pitched), while the Dodgers are going with Bobby Miller (3.68 ERA in 81.2 innings pitched).

The Diamondbacks are ranked seventh in the NL in runs accounted for (622), sixth in hits accounted for (1122), fifth in double-base accounted for (229), ninth in home runs accounted for (143), second in stolen bases (134), second in fewest strikeouts encountered (1019), fifth in batting average (.254), sixth in on-base percentage (.325), fifth in slugging percentage (.420) and sixth in OPS (.744).

The Dodgers are ranked second in the NL in runs accounted for (724), eighth in hits accounted for (1114), first in double-base hits accounted for (251), second in home runs accounted for (200), second in walks (527), eighth in fewest strikeouts encountered (1093), fifth in batting average (.254), second in on-base percentage (.339), second in slugging percentage (.456) and second in OPS (.794).

The Diamondbacks’ edge in the pitching game on Monday might not be enough to overpower the Dodgers in a potential low-scoring game.