The second half of the 2023 MLB season is officially underway and we’ve got a full 15-game slate to work with for the return of the MLB Best Bets and Betting Picks. One thing to note is that you should watch the betting lines a little closer today because we’re already seeing a lot of movement as the lines dropped early and now the books are starting to correct their mistakes. They’re not catching them all immediately, so keep that in mind if you’re looking at some MLB prop bets to add in for your same-game parlays and what not. We finished the first half relatively well and kept our overall record above .500, but we still landed with a small deficit. We’ll look to start the second half the same way we opened the season and clear that right back up.

Season Record: 112-105-5

Bankroll: -5.63 units

 

MLB Best Bets for July 14

Boston Red Sox at Chicago Cubs

The Red Sox are looking to make a big statement to open the second half and they need to do it right now as the battle in the AL East is super-tight. They won eight of their last nine games heading into the All-Star break and should continue that momentum against righty Kyle Hendricks who is pitching to more contact than ever and sports a K/9 under 6.00 right now. The Sox’ lefty bats like Rafael Devers and Masataka Yoshida should make things difficult. On the other side, Boston is throwing righty Brayan Bello who has gone at least seven innings in four of his last five starts and hasn’t allowed more than two runs in any outing during that span. The Cubs are soft against righties and striking out at a near-24-percent clip, so we’re going to back the visiting team, for sure. This is one of those lines that is changing fast so jump on it. I bet it at -120, but it’s already jumped on us.

Pick: Boston Red Sox Money Line (-135 on DK Sportsbook)

Milwaukee Brewers at Cincinnati Reds

We’ve got a great start to the second half with a battle for supremacy of the NL Central here and this one is likely to come down to starting pitching with the edge going to Milwaukee and Corbin Burnes. Yes, this Reds team is white hot and yes, this game is at Great American Smallpark, but Burnes started to show his old self over his final two starts of the first half and one of them was against these same Reds. On the other side is Graham Ashcraft who routinely pitches to way too much contact and has been getting knocked around throughout the first half. Yes, he also finished the first half of the season on a relatively high note, but we’re going to side with the veteran presence in Milwaukee here. At least for the first five innings, that is.

Pick: Milwaukee Brewers 1st 5 Innings -0.5 Run Line (+100 on Caesars Sportsbook)

Chicago White Sox at Atlanta Braves

When one book is giving you the 2.5 run-line option and another is still at 1.5, you have to take advantage. Michael Kopech has been worse on the road this season, as evidenced by his lower strikeout rate and an xFIP that is more than a full run higher and now he faces the best team in baseball in the Braves. I fully expect Atlanta to put up some runs tonight. Veteran Charlie Morton will take the hill against a struggling White Sox lineup that could be without Luis Robert after he was forced to sit out the All Star Game after doing something to his calf in the Home Run Derby. Morton won’t shut them out, but he can certainly minimize the damage while the Braves bats go to town.

Pick: Atlanta Braves -1.5 Run Line (-135 on DK Sportsbook)