MLB · 1 month ago

MLB Best Bets Today: Friday’s Top 2 Betting Picks (August 1)

Gabriel Santiago

Host · Writer

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There is no stopping us now. The MLB season and summer are fully underway, meaning there are betting opportunities every day between now and October. We’ve got you covered for Friday’s baseball schedule!

Where to Watch Kansas City Royals vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Ballpark: Rogers Centre
Location: Toronto, ON
Where to Watch: FDSNKC, Sportsnet
Time: 7:07 p.m. ET
Spread: TOR -1.5 (+128) | Total: 8 (-114/-106)
Moneyline: KC +134 | TOR -158

Note: All odds are subject to change after article publication. Get the most up-to-date odds here.

Heading to Canada’s most world-class city, the Kansas City Royals are set for a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays. For Friday’s opener, the Royals will send Michael Wacha to the hill while Toronto looks to be sending out Kevin Gausman.

The Blue Jays enter the weekend with a 3.5-game lead in the AL East. Much of Toronto’s success in 2025 stems from its potent lineup. Currently, they are sporting a .752 team OPS, which is the third-highest figure in the American League. Additionally, the Jays have cashed the over at a 64-46 clip (58.2%). That record for overs is even better at Rogers Centre, showing 32-20-2 (61.5%).

Kansas City is not experiencing the same level of success as it did a year ago, but for what it’s worth, it has won seven of its past 10 outings. In that span, the Royals’ bats have awoken, plating 5.7 runs per game.

Despite a 4-9 pitching record, Wacha has been so-so this season. However, his present 2.57 strikeout-to-walk ratio would be the worst of his MLB career if the campaign concluded today. Additionally, Toronto has mashed RHP in 2025, slashing .266/.335/.419.

If Gausman can’t go long, the Jays’ bullpen stats are not too imposing. They have allowed 51 home runs as a unit, leaving them in the bottom half of the league. With that, give me over eight runs (-114 odds) in TO.

Best Bet: Over 8 (-114)

Where to Watch Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Colorado Rockies

Ballpark: Coors Field
Location: Denver, CO
Where to Watch: SNP, COLR
Time: 8:10 p.m. ET
Spread: PIT -1.5 (+104) | Total: 11.5
Moneyline: PIT -142 | COL +120

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in Denver this Friday evening to face the Colorado Rockies. On the mound, expect to see RHP Antonio Senzatela and LHP Andrew Heaney.

Notably, the Rockies are downright horrible this year. Colorado’s 28-80 record at this point is the worst in the Bigs, heading toward Hall of Shame record-breaking territory. Against the spread, they’ve not been much better. The Rox run-line record is 44-64 (40.7%), which is also the worst in MLB. It is a travesty unless you’re turning a profit on it!

Neither pitcher here is thriving this season, but Heaney (4.61 xFIP) has been better than Senzatela. As it is now, Senzatela is tagged with a 5.13 skill-interactive ERA while surrendering a 46% hard-hit rate.

This matchup of last-place teams may not seem like much. Still, the Pirates have won five consecutive contests (and eight of their past nine) entering the weekend. From there, Pittsburgh’s ATS record is 58-51 (53.1%) in 2025: one of the better rates in the Senior Circuit.

With Colorado hitting just .224 (.651 OPS) as a team versus southpaws like Heaney, I love Pittsburgh to win by two or more runs (+104 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook) tonight at Coors Field.