Welcome back to another round of MLB Best Bets Today as the 2025 baseball season rolls on. 

Tuesday brings along another loaded MLB slate with 15 games on the schedule. We have every team in action and plenty of ways to go for MLB picks and predictions. Let’s focus on two games for our MLB best bets today before dishing out a few baseball player props and other picks to consider. 

The MLB picks below are accurate as of this writing, but some odds or lines could move before first pitch. All bets below are for one unit unless otherwise noted. Without further ado, let’s dive into our MLB Best Bets Today.

MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 8/5

Our MLB Best Bets Today start with a matchup of AL Wild Card hopefuls as the Los Angeles Angels host the Tampa Bay Rays. Plus, the Cleveland Guardians look to stay hot against the New York Mets. Don’t miss more MLB picks and player props below. Check out these MLB predictions to make as you enjoy Tuesday’s baseball action. 

 

 

 

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Los Angeles Angels Predictions: Tuesday, August 5th

The Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Angels are both on the edge of the AL Wild Card picture. It’s do-or-die time for these sub-.500 squads as they face off this week. Instead of picking a side for Tuesday, let’s look at the total. 

Angels starter Jose Soriano comes in, pitching well lately. The right-hander owns a 2.75 ERA over his past 6 starts and a 3.12 ERA over his last 10 outings. He’s also allowed 2 or fewer earned runs in 8 of his last 10 starts. 

Soriano is pitching much better than his season-long 3.65 ERA and 1.38 WHIP indicate. Let’s hope he keeps it going in a favorable matchup here. The Rays’ offense is struggling right now, averaging just 2.6 runs per game over the last 10 contests. They’ve also been shut out in 2 of the last 3 games.  

Tampa has struggled against right-handed pitching lately. Over the past week vs. righties, the Rays have a .277 wOBA (27th in MLB), .624 OPS (28th), and 76 wRC+ (27th). This is also a below-average offense on the road overall this year, with a .298 wOBA (25th in MLB) and 90 wRC+ (25th). 

Back Soriano to be effective in this matchup. It helps that he faced the Rays back in April and allowed only 1 run over 7.2 solid innings. He should limit the Tampa offense and set the tone for a lower-scoring game. 

On that note, Rays starter Ryan Pepiot can do the same against the Angels’ lineup. Yes, Pepiot just coughed up 7 runs in his last start against the Yankees. Before that, though, the righty had a 2.96 ERA over his previous 12 starts. He’s also recorded a quality start in 13 of his last 19 outings coming into this one. 

Outside of a few bad outings, Pepiot has been very productive this season. He’s allowed 2 earned runs or fewer in 8 of his last 13 starts as well. Today, he’ll face an offense that’s been weak against right-handed pitching recently. The Angels have a .197 batting average (28th in MLB) and a 27.4% K rate (29th) vs. righties over the past week.

Once Pepiot exits, the Rays’ bullpen can be trusted in the latter innings. Since the All-Star break, the Tampa relievers own a 2.72 FIP (3rd in MLB). The Angels’ pen is a bigger question mark, but let’s hope Soriano does enough against a slumping lineup. Grab the under for the full game and the first five innings. 

 

 


 

Cleveland Guardians vs. New York Mets Predictions: Tuesday, August 5th

The Cleveland Guardians and New York Mets are both in the thick of their respective Wild Card races. The Mets currently hold the second NL Wild Card berth while the Guardians sit 2.5 games back of the third AL spot. Let’s break down their matchup on Tuesday. 

The Guardians continued their recent winning surge last night after beating the Mets in extra innings. Cleveland is now 5-1 in the last 6 games and 17-7 since July 7th. On the flip side, New York has lost 6 of its last 7 games while falling behind the Phillies in the NL East standings. 

Tonight, there’s some value in backing Cleveland to keep it going while also fading the slumping Mets. Let’s do that with the Guardians’ runlines for the full game and first five innings. You can consider the moneylines for both as well. 

After a strong first few months of the season, Mets starter Clay Holmes has fallen off lately. He has a 5.40 ERA over his past 5 starts and a 4.62 ERA over his past 8 starts. Plus, the right-hander’s 4.29 FIP and 4.43 xERA suggest more negative regression may be coming to his current 3.45 ERA. 

The starting workload is likely catching up to Holmes, who never threw more than 70 innings in a season before this year. Another shaky outing is possible today with Cleveland hitting right-handers well lately. Over the past week vs. righties, the Guardians have a .283 BA (7th in MLB), .345 wOBA (9th), and 123 wRC+ (9th). 

Meanwhile, the Mets’ hitters may struggle to provide run support in their own matchup. Cleveland starter Logan Allen has just a 4.06 ERA this season. Yet, he’s been more productive recently. The lefty has a solid 3.52 ERA over his past 5 starts. Plus, he’s allowed 2 earned runs or fewer in 5 of his last 9 starts. 

More notably, the Mets can’t hit left-handed pitching right now. Since the All-Star break, New York is batting just .203 vs. southpaws (27th in MLB) with a .273 wOBA (27th) and .614 OPS (28th) in the split. It’s a favorable spot for Allen, who’s tossed a quality start or better in 4 of his last 6 outings. 

 

 


 

Best MLB Player Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 8/5

 

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