MLB Best Bets & Player Props for August 21, 2025

 

MLB Best Bets & Player Props – Thursday, August 21, 2025

 

 

Daily betting preview with recommended sides/totals and player props for every matchup on the slate.

 

 

 

 

Athletics vs Twins – 10:10 AM ET

 

 

Matchup: OAK (58–70) vs MIN (58–68)

Probable Pitchers: Jack Perkins (OAK 2–2, 4.28) vs Jose Urena (MIN 0–0, 4.06)

Line: OAK −115 | MIN −105 | Total: 9.5

 

Best Bet: Athletics ML (−115)

Why: Perkins has shown solid command in recent starts, while Urena is making just his first start of the year and may be on a pitch limit.

 

Player Prop: Brent Rooker Over 1.5 Total Bases

Why: Rooker crushes right-handed pitching and has been the most consistent source of extra-base power for Oakland.

 

 

 

 

Rangers vs Royals – 11:10 AM ET (MLBN)

 

 

Matchup: TEX (63–65) vs KC (65–62)

Probable Pitchers: Patrick Corbin (TEX 6–9, 4.45) vs Michael Lorenzen (KC 5–8, 4.43)

Line: TEX −105 | KC −115 | Total: 8.5

 

Best Bet: Royals ML (−115)

Why: Kansas City has played better at home, and Lorenzen has been steadier lately than Corbin, who continues to struggle with home runs.

 

Player Prop: Bobby Witt Jr. Over 2.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs

Why: Witt is the spark plug for KC’s lineup and has crushed lefties like Corbin all season.

 

 

 

 

Brewers vs Cubs – 11:20 AM ET (MLBN)

 

 

Matchup: MIL (79–48) vs CHC (73–54)

Probable Pitchers: Quinn Priester (MIL 11–2, 3.48) vs Shota Imanaga (CHC 8–5, 3.06)

Line: MIL +120 | CHC −145 | Total: 6.5

 

Best Bet: Under 6.5 Runs

Why: Both Priester and Imanaga have been strong at limiting hard contact, and with Wrigley’s wind projected to blow in, this shapes up as a low-scoring affair.

 

Player Prop: Cody Bellinger Over 1.5 Total Bases

Why: He has good splits against Priester’s sinker-heavy approach and thrives at Wrigley.

 

 

 

 

Dodgers vs Rockies – 12:10 PM ET

 

 

Matchup: LAD (72–55) vs COL (37–90)

Probable Pitchers: Clayton Kershaw (LAD 7–2, 3.01) vs Chase Dollander (COL 2–9, 6.43)

Line: LAD −265 | COL +215 | Total: 11.5

 

Best Bet: Dodgers −2.5 (−120)

Why: Kershaw still dominates weaker lineups, and the Rockies have been historically bad against lefties this season.

 

Player Prop: Freddie Freeman Over 2.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs

Why: Freeman feasts at Coors Field, where the ball jumps off his bat.

 

 

 

 

Mets vs Nationals – 1:05 PM ET

 

 

Matchup: NYM (67–59) vs WSH (51–75)

Probable Pitchers: Sean Manaea (NYM 1–1, 4.78) vs MacKenzie Gore (WSH 5–12, 4.04)

Line: NYM −145 | WSH +120 | Total: 8.5

 

Best Bet: Nationals +120

Why: Gore has quietly pitched better than his record suggests, while Manaea has struggled to get deep into games.

 

Player Prop: CJ Abrams Over 1.5 Total Bases

Why: Abrams’ speed and power combo gives him multiple ways to cash this line against Manaea.

 

 

 

 

Giants vs Padres – 1:10 PM ET

 

 

Matchup: SF (61–66) vs SD (71–56)

Probable Pitchers: Justin Verlander (SF 1–9, 4.23) vs Dylan Cease (SD 5–11, 4.61)

Line: SF +145 | SD −175 | Total: 7.5

 

Best Bet: Padres ML (−175)

Why: Cease has been volatile, but Verlander’s decline continues, and San Diego’s bats have been hot at Petco.

 

Player Prop: Fernando Tatis Jr. Over 2.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs

Why: Tatis has been excellent in August and matches well against Verlander’s declining fastball.

 

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