MLB · 4 weeks ago

MLB Best Bets Today: Monday’s Top 2 Betting Picks (August 11)

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 Monday’s baseball schedule!

Where to Watch Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Milwaukee Brewers

Ballpark: American Family Field
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Where to Watch: SNP, FDSNWI, MLBN
Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
Spread: MIL -1.5 (+100) | Total: 8.5 (-120/-102)
Moneyline: PIT +168 | MIL -200

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

I’m not sure many predicted it would be so at this point in the season, but the Milwaukee Brewers are still the hottest team in the Majors. On Monday, they’ll begin a divisional series at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Fellow lefties Andrew Heaney and Jose Quintana are the projected starters in the opener.

At 73-44, Milwaukee boasts the best record in MLB. From there, the Brewers have won nine consecutive contests, which is part of a larger 12-of-13 victory stretch. Meanwhile, the Pirates are having a rough campaign. Pittsburgh shows a -58 run differential. Also, they are 17-39 in road games.

It seems unwise to bet against the Brew Crew presently. They have a .309 team batting average (.903 OPS) over the past two weeks, which is absolutely blistering the ball. Incidentally, I like Milwaukee — a side that does very well against southpaw pitching — to win by more than one run against Pittsburgh at home.

The Brewers have defeated the Buccos four separate times in 2025. Of those, Milwaukee has covered the run line in three games. Overall, the Brewers are 67-50 ATS (57.3%) right now: good enough for second-best in the National League.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Best Bet: Brewers -1.5 (+100)

Where to Watch Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Los Angeles Angels

Ballpark: Angel Stadium
Location: Anaheim, CA
Where to Watch: SNLA, FDSNW
Time: 9:38 p.m. ET
Spread: LAD -1.5 (-111) | Total: 8.5 (-102/-120)
Moneyline: LAD -174 | LAA +146

A staple of any summer in Southern California, the “Freeway Series" always brings out an animated crowd. Regardless, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels will be all business from Anaheim on Monday night. The probable pitchers are Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jose Soriano.

For 2025, this is the second installment of Angels-Dodgers, as the SoCal rivals already met for three contests at Chavez Ravine back in May (wherein the Halos swept the series). However, neither Yamamoto nor Soriano was in action over that set.

Both starting arms are producing respectable years. Yamamoto is sporting a 10.25 K/9 clip. Additionally, he is getting ground balls in 52.1% of all plate appearances. Across the way, Soriano has not been quite as dominant, but his 3.55 FIP is solid.

However, even with quality pitching to start, I believe there is enough here to get over the total of 8.5 runs. Not only will this game be played at the hitter-friendly Angel Stadium (101 Park Factor score, per Baseball Savant), but both lineups on hand love to swing the bat. The Dodgers are the only team in baseball that’s scored north of 600 runs (611) entering Monday. From there, the Angels have been a favorable side for over bettors, cashing that market at a 63-49-6 (56.3%) rate.

The energy will be high in Orange County tonight, especially with the Halos getting the better of their big brother at Dodger Stadium. The weather will follow suit, showing temperatures in the low 80s. I’m expecting to see at least nine runs between these rivals. Also, if this game gets to a 4-4 tie at any point, we are in the green!