Best MLB Bets Today | MLB Picks, July 31

This Monday's slate of MLB games marks the last set of games in the month of July. After Monday, there will be two more months of the 2023 MLB Regular Season left for the postseason to be determined. There will be great chances for bettors to make some significant earnings by placing solid bets on the projected winners or picking big upsets.

Los Angeles Angels @ Atlanta Braves

• Time: 7:20 PM E.T. - Monday
• Starting Pitchers: Griffin Canning (Angels) vs Charlie Morton (Braves)
• Moneyline: Angels (+190) | Braves (-225)
• Run Line: Angels +1.5 (-110) | Braves -1.5 (+110)
• Total: Over 10 (-110) | Under 10 (-110)

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

My Pick: Atlanta Braves (ATL)

One of the best bets to make in Monday’s MLB slate is the Atlanta Braves (67-36) getting a big win at home over the desperate Los Angeles Angels (55-51). While the Angels are on an impressive after the 2023 MLB All-Star Break, the Braves are still the team to beat.

The Angels are determined to make a playoff push with their star pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani. Los Angeles is 10-4 in the second half of the 2023 MLB Season, but they have a long way to go to secure a Wildcard spot. They have also had an easier schedule by taking on the Detroit Tigers, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the New York Yankees without star outfielder Aaron Judge.

The Braves are not having the best start to the second half of the season by starting with a 7-7 record in their first 14 games. Outside of the Chicago White Sox, the Braves have dealt with tough opponents in the second half of the season.

Atlanta will have the pitching matchup on Monday as they will start Charlie Morton (3.57 ERA in 113.1 innings pitched) at the mound. The Angels will have Griffin Canning (4.46 ERA in 84.2 innings pitched) starting on Monday.

The Braves are still easily the better batting team going into Monday's matchup. Atlanta is first in the NL in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, total bases accounted for, and home runs. They will go into this game with more reliable players at the plate than the Angels.

Cleveland Guardians @ Houston Astros

• Time: 8:10 PM E.T. - Monday
• Starting Pitchers: Noah Syndergaard (Guardians) vs J.P. France (Astros)
• Moneyline: Guardians (+160) | Astros (-190)
• Run Line: Guardians +1.5 (-125) | Astros -1.5 (+105)
• Total: Over 9 (-110) | Under 9 (-110)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

My Pick: Houston Astros (HOU)

There are a few games in Monday's slate of matchups that have a higher rate of earnings to bettors. One of the most certain higher bets on Monday is set for the Cleveland Guardians (53-53) going on the road to take the Houston Astros (59-47).

Since the start of the 2023 MLB Season, the Astros have been easily the more reliable batting and pitching team this season. They will even possess the better matchups going into Monday's game.

The Astros are ranked fifth in the AL in runs accounted for (504), seventh in hits accounted for (890), sixth in home runs accounted for (135), fifth in stolen bases (75), second in fewest strikeouts encountered (825), seventh in batting average (.250), sixth in on-base percentage (.319) and seventh in slugging percentage (.417).

The Guardians are not as efficient at the plate this season as opposed to the Astros. Cleveland ranks 12th in the AL in runs accounted for (436), fifth in hits accounted for (911), 15th (last in the AL) in home runs accounted for (79), 13th in walks accounted for (304), sixth in batting average (.253), eighth in on-base percentage (.316) and 12th slugging percentage (.385).

Cleveland will be starting Noah Syndergaard (7.16 ERA in 55.1 innings pitched) at the mound in his first game this season after being traded to the Guardians after being traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Syndergaard is not the pitcher he used to be in the past few seasons, but the Guardians are hoping a change in scenery boosts his productivity for the remainder of the season. The Astros will have the pitching advantage by starting J.P. France (2.87 ERA in 84.2 innings pitched) on Monday.

San Diego Padres @ Colorado Rockies

• Time: 8:40 PM E.T. - Monday
• Starting Pitchers: Seth Lugo (Padres) vs Austin Gomber (Rockies)
• Moneyline: Padres (-210) | Rockies (+180)
• Run Line: Padres -1.5 (-140) | Rockies +1.5 (+120)
• Total:Over 12 (-105) | Under 12 (-115)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

My Pick: San Diego Padres (SD)

The San Diego Padres (52-54) and the Colorado Rockies (41-64) are set for another series in a battle to stay out of the bottom of the NL West Division. The Padres are 4-3 versus the Rockies this season.

This game will be another matchup where the lines come beneficial for both teams that are bet on. The Padres come into this game as the favorite over the Rockies, who are the worst team in the division, but there is solid evidence that Colorado has given San Diego headaches all season.

The Padres come into this game as the much-more efficient batting and pitching team than the Rockies. Most of the losses to the Rockies this season, much like to other teams, have been situational as they have solid one game and inefficient the next.

The Padres are ranked seventh in the NL in runs accounted for (476), fourth in home runs accounted for (132), first in walks accounted for (439) and sixth in strikeouts encountered (875). The Rockies rank 11th in runs accounted for (455), ninth in hits accounted for (896), 12th in home runs accounted for (105), 11th in strikeouts encountered (954), and 13th in on-base percentage (.314).

San Diego is coming this game with the edge in the pitching matchup as they will start Seth Lugo (2.84 ERA in 82 innings pitched). Lugo is among the top two starting pitchers for the Padres this season, along with Blake Snell. Colorado is coming into this game with their most experienced batter at the mound on Monday in Austin Gomber (5.83 ERA in 108 innings pitched). Gomber is the most efficient starting pitcher for the Rockies this season, which is concerning for the Rockies as the team is last in the NL in ERA this season (5.53).