Welcome to tonight’s MLB best bets for this slate of MLB action here at Fantasy Alarm on this Friday, July 18th, 2025! Back in action post-MLB All-Star break, and I can’t wait to get back into the weeds! We have a full slate of action tonight with all 30 teams set to take the diamond, so there are no shortages of plays from me! Enjoy your Friday and the weekend, everyone. Let’s make some money!

In this MLB Best Bets Today article, you will find a wide array of choices from some Money Lines to game totals and, on occasion, some player props! Check out the rationale and if you agree with me, make sure to tail and good luck!

Now, let's dive into my expert MLB Best Bets today!

  • Season Record: 188-129-5
  • Bankroll: +30.3 units

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MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 7/18

Padres vs. Nationals Predictions

San Diego is back in action today against the Washington Nationals in a cross-country series that should be a fun one. We have Dylan Cease going against Mike Soroka, a pair of pitchers that did not play well in the first half of the season. Let’s see how that affects the bets in this game tonight!

Through a pair of starts in July, Soroka has been awful, allowing 9 earned runs on 8 innings pitched along with 13 hits and 4 walks! Overall, he’s struggled more against the lefties this season with a .835 OPS against and 8 home runs total. That’s where the first wager comes into play on a Padre hitter. Luis Arraez is the name to look at tonight as he’s hitting 2nd in this star-studded lineup, and the lefty has hit .289 with a .733 OPS against right-handed hitters. He is coming off a slow start to July, but this All-Star break should be a hard reset needed for a player who really hits the ball well, so give me the over on his 2.5 hits/runs/RBIs. 

The next wager in the game must be on Dylan Cease as he’s been racking up the strikeouts since the start of June with 51 over his last 39.2 innings pitched. The Nationals are middle of the pack when it comes to punching out since the start of June, but at 21.1% there is still plenty of runway for Cease, who should bounce back into form in the coming weeks to hit the over on his 5.5 Ks. 

Pick: Luis Arraez (SD) Over 2.5 Hits/Runs/RBIs (+130 on DraftKings)

Pick: Dylan Cease (SD) Over 5.5 Strikeouts (-150 on DraftKings)

 

 


 

Angels vs. Phillies Predictions

The first half was a good one for the Phillies, especially at home, as they come into this weekend series at 30-16 and will go up against an Angels team that has struggled allowing runs all season long! Jesus Luzardo will take the mound today against a pitcher to be determined on the Los Angeles side, so let’s dig into the matchup!

Luzardo isn’t the best pitcher on paper that much is true with his 4.14 ERA on the season and his 1.41 WHIP. That hasn’t slowed down the strikeout number, though, so he’s collected 41 over the past 34 innings of work, and he gets to go against an Angels team that is striking out 24.3% of the time dating back to early June. The mark is the 3rd highest in baseball and should give Luzardo the opportunity for a game in the K department. His number is 6.5 today in front of the home crowd, and seeing has he’s topped this number in 4 of his last 6 starts, I am willing to lay down some money to say he will do it again!

In addition to that bet I like the over in this game as the Phillies are scoring 5.11 runs per game at home this season, and the Angels have found themselves in many high-scoring games this season at a record of 50-42-3 to the over, the 3rd highest rate in MLB so far. 8.5 runs isn’t a high number for these offenses either, so let’s ride that over and watch the baseball fly! 

Pick: Jesus Luzardo (PHI) Over 6.5 Strikeouts (-125 on DraftKings)

Pick: Angels & Phillies Over 8.5 Runs (-115 on DraftKings)

 

 


 

Best MLB Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 7/18

Pick: Carlos Correa (MIN) Over 2.5 Hits/Runs/RBIs (-110 on DraftKings)

Pick: Blue Jays Money Line (-150 on DraftKings)

Pick: Tigers Money Line (-115 on DraftKings)

Pick: Cardinals & Diamondbacks Over 8.5 Runs (-125 on DraftKings)

 

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