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

Saturday’s MLB slate features 15 games on the schedule with every team in action. We have 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, 8/23

Our MLB Best Bets Today feature the Athletics vs. Mariners in an AL West matchup. Plus, the Braves and Mets face off in a potentially high-scoring divisional game. Don’t miss more MLB picks and player props below. Check out these MLB predictions to make as you enjoy Thursday’s baseball action. 

 

Athletics vs. Seattle Mariners Predictions: Saturday, August 23rd

After a string of losses lately, the Seattle Mariners try to get back on track this weekend at home. Let’s break down Saturday night’s matchup against the Athletics. Instead of picking a side in this one, let’s look at the total and bank on a pitcher’s duel. 

Athletics starter Jeffrey Springs has a shaky 4.24 ERA and he’s gotten roughed up in his past two starts. The arrow may be pointing down, but it’s a prime buy-low spot. Springs has been better than you’d think. He had a 2.93 ERA over his previous 10 starts before those past two bad outings. 

The southpaw has also been effective on the road. He’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in five of his last six road starts, and in eight of his last 11 road outings. Springs now faces a Mariners offense that’s really struggling against left-handed pitching. Over the past two weeks vs. lefties, Seattle has a .250 wOBA (29th in MLB), .188 batting average (26th), and 34.3% K rate (30th). 

Meanwhile, Springs has faced the Mariners three times already this season and was effective each time. He allowed just three earned runs across 17 innings (1.59 ERA) with a 20:4 K:BB ratio. He also boasts an impressive 2.27 ERA in his career against Seattle (35.2 innings). 

On the other side, it’s bounce-back time for Mariners starter George Kirby. The right-hander got rocked for seven runs on 12 hits last time out. Before that, though, he had a 2.32 ERA and 2.27 FIP over his previous nine starts. Even with that rough outing factored in, Kirby owns a 2.93 FIP over his past 14 starts. 

Kirby has also shone at home lately. He boasts a 2.08 ERA over his past five home starts and owns a 3.05 FIP at home overall this year. This lines up with his usual home success. He has a 3.05 ERA and 2.85 FIP in his career when pitching in Seattle. 

Over the past week, the A’s have a 26.2% K rate vs. right-handed pitching (26th in MLB). It’s a matchup that Kirby can exploit. The Athletics have a league-average .329 wOBA (15th) and 109 wRC+ (14th) in the split during this stretch as well. 

 

 

 

New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves Predictions: Saturday, August 23rd

Let’s now get some action on an NL East matchup between the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves. We have a pair of untrustworthy starting pitchers in this game and two dangerous offenses. So, let’s bank on a higher-scoring contest. 

Mets starter Clay Holmes has been very up-and-down over the past two months. He owns a shaky 5.26 ERA over his past eight starts, with four-plus runs allowed in half of those. He simply hasn’t been as effective recently as he was earlier in the season. It appears the transition to being a full-time starter may be taking a toll. 

Holmes could be due for even more negative regression with a 4.38 xERA and 4.15 FIP compared to his current 3.64 ERA. The right-hander now faces a Braves offense that’s woken up lately, averaging 6.7 runs over the past 12 games. He just faced them two starts ago, and coughed up five runs on six hits across 3.2 innings. The Braves are also hitting righties well over the past week, with a .365 wOBA (fifth in MLB) and 135 wRC+ (sixth). 

Meanwhile, the Mets should also put up runs against Braves starter Cal Quantrill. He’s struggled to a 5.50 ERA and 1.39 WHIP this season. This will be his first start with Atlanta after being waived by Miami recently, and it might go poorly. 

Quantrill has a 5.65 ERA over his past eight starts. He’s also allowed seven runs in two of his last three outings. Another rough outing is likely coming as the Mets are crushing righties right now. Over the past week, the offense has a .400 wOBA (first in MLB), 164 wRC+ (first), and .316 BA (second) in the split. 

Grab the over for the full game and first five innings. We should see both offenses set the tone early and often, considering the weak starting pitchers in this one. 

 

 

 

Best MLB Player Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 8/23

 

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