This article is part of our MLB Picks series.
MLB Best Bets Tonight: Free Expert Picks and MLB Player Props for Monday, August 15
RotoWire.com's Kevin Payne has dug into the best online sportsbooks across the country to identify his MLB bets and MLB player props to target today.
Unfortunately, COVID hit me and while it wasn't a picnic, I was able to take in a lot of sports over the weekend while being confined to my room for quarantine. We had a good Monday last week going 2-1 (Thank you Matt Chapman!) so let's see if we can keep this going.
Last Article's Record: 2-1
Season Record: 25-21
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San Diego Padres 
at Miami Marlins 
I really want to back the Padres offense here but the fact is they haven't been great since the big trade to get Juan Soto so I'll take a look at their pitching. Joe Musgrove has been excellent this season striking out just under a batter per inning. The Marlins strike out the eighth-most in baseball (23.5 percent) and haven't seen Musgrove yet this season.
If you're looking at the Padres beyond today's slate, check out RotoWire's World Series Futures page to find the best odds. You can also find all MLB Futures on RotoWire.
MLB Player Props for San Diego Padres at Miami Marlins
- Joe Musgrove OVER 5.5 Strikeouts (-132 FanDuel)
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Chicago Cubs 
at Washington Nationals 
The numbers for Josiah Gray tonight make little sense to me; his over/under for strikeouts is 6.5 while his over/under for outs is 17.5. Typically I like going under on the outs as anything can happen (I benefitted from a rain delay during this season) and like going over on the strikeouts. However, I actually like the under on the strikeouts as the Cubs just saw Gray and he hasn't gone over that number in his last four starts. Looking at the outs (which I like better), Gray had 19 last time out against these Cubs but hadn't gone over 17.5 in his previous four starts. So if Gray is going to rack up the strikeouts and he's been bad with giving up home runs, I don't see him lasting six innings in this one. So let's go with the under on the outs.
MLB Player Props for Chicago Cubs at Washington Nationals
- Josiah Gray UNDER 17.5 Outs (-115 DraftKings)
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Detroit Tigers 
at Cleveland Guardians 
So there's a double-header today in Cleveland and the nightcap features two rookies on the mound - Xzavion Curry and Bryan Garcia. Both being rookies makes me think one will blow up - sooner than later- which is why I'm going with the first inning line for the first time this season in this space. Garcia has had issues with walks this season for Detroit (eight in 7.2 innings) and Curry (no relation to Steph, unlike Trayce Thompson and Klay Thompson) has been either really good or really bad in the minors this season. Expect an early run with both pitchers a bit nervous taking the mound tonight.
MLB Best Bets for Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Guardians
- Over 0.5 Runs First Inning (-110 DraftKings, -111 FanDuel)
MLB Best Bets Today Recap
- Joe Musgrove OVER 5.5 Strikeouts -132 FanDuel
- Josiah Gray UNDER 17.5 Outs -115 DraftKings
- OVER 0.5 Runs First Inning Detroit/Cleveland -110
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Visit RotoWire all season long for exclusive sports betting picks from our group of handicappers with their expert MLB picks each day of the campaign. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds and available player props, so we have an easy-to-use odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet.
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