MLB Best Bets Today: Odds & Predictions For Friday (July 31)

We get a few superb series matchups this weekend in Major League Baseball: the Battle of Texas in the AL West; the defending AL champions hosting an interleague series; and a possible World Series preview at Dodger Stadium?

For my Best Bets today I have two game props and two player props. One involves a mysterious home run slump for one of the best sluggers in the game who also happens to be the son of a Hall of Famer.

(Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

MLB Best Bets Today for July 31

Our experts have compiled the top MLB betting promotions. The odds for this baseball Best Bets article are from DraftKings and FanDuel.

St. Louis Cardinals at Toronto Blue Jays

• Moneyline: Cardinals (+162) | Blue Jays (-174)
• Run Line: Cardinals +1.5 (-146) | Blue Jays -1.5 (+122)
• Total: 7.5 Runs (-115 Over / -105 Under)

If the Blue Jays are going to sneak into the playoffs, the defending AL champions better straighten out soon. The problem? Run scoring: the Blue Jays rank dead-last in MLB in runs, and 29th in extra-base hits and total bases. They also rank 29th out of 30 teams in walks. It's tough to score when you can't get on base and don't get long hits.

Vlad Guerrero Jr. is homerless at home in the dome. It's nearly impossible to believe the perennial MVP candidate hasn't gone yard yet in 51 games at Rogers Centre. His SLG is a pitiful .303 at home. This prompts me to toss a $20 wager on a HR from Junior:

• Player Prop: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. To Hit a Home Run (+600 from FanDuel)

A winning $20 wager will pay $120 if Vladdy Jr. hits a four-bagger against the Cardinals on Friday.

Best Bet: Dylan Cease 8+ Strikeouts (-130 from FanDuel)

• Over his last dozen starts, Dylan Cease has averaged 9.3 strikeouts, while allowing a total of just 6 home runs.
• Since Cease returned from the Injured List on June 9, he leads the AL in strikeouts with 75 K's in 51 1/3 innings pitched.
• In 5 starts against NL teams this season, Cease has 44 strikeouts in 29 2/3 IP (8.8 per start in interleague games)

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Texas Rangers at Houston Astros

• Moneyline: Rangers (+112) | Astros (-122)
• Run Line: Rangers -1.5 (+172) | Astros +1.5 (-210)
• Total: 7.5 Runs (-114 Over / -106 Under)

The Rangers and Astros are back at it. Just like in 2023, these Lone Star teams are battling for the division. The way things are playing out in the crowded AL standings, only one of these clubs is likely to make the postseason. Tonight a pair of top pitchers toe the rubber at Daikin Park, with Houston sending out flamethrower Hunter Brown.

Best Bet: Houston Astros -1.5 Runs / Over 8.5 Runs (+388 from FanDuel)

• Houston's Hunter Brown has a career 3.00 ERA in 10 starts vs Texas
• The Astros and Rangers have averaged 8.7 Runs Per Game in matchups this season (10 games)
• Houston has won 12 of its last 19 games at Daikin Park.
• The Rangers have a -18 run differential on the road in 2026.

Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Dodgers

• Moneyline: Red Sox (+112) | Dodgers (-135)
• Run Line: Red Sox +1.5 (-194) | Dodgers -1.5 (+159)
• Total: 8.5 Runs (-115 Over / -104 Under)

It's a bullpen game for the Dodgers in the opener of a three-game home series against the Red Sox. The named starter is Edgardo Henriquez, the Venezuelan right-hander making his first career start. Hernandez will likely pitch the first inning, possibly two if it goes well. He's never pitched as many as two innings in his career.

The Red Sox have been baseball's hottest team in July. With a win over Los Angeles on Friday, the Sox will match their mark for most wins in a single month (21) since August of 2004. Ranger Suarez is on the mound facing a familiar foe from his many years in a Phillies uniform. Suarez has been moving along slowly of late: he's averaged only 58 pitches and 10 outs recorded his last two starts.

With two starting pitchers bound for the clubhouse early, the Red Sox/Dodgers game tonight is bound to see multiple relievers and many pinch-hitters, resulting in matchups favorable for the offense. That's why I like runs tonight at Chavez Ravine.

Best Bet: Red Sox at Dodgers OVER 8.5 Runs (-115 from DraftKings)

• The first-place Dodgers are averaging 5.2 RPG in their last seven games.
• The Red Sox are scoring 4.9 RPG in their last 13 games on the road.
• Freddie Freeman is hitting .524 with 11 hits in his last 5 games.
• Shohei Ohtani has a HR, 5 RBI, and is hitting .400 in the most recent 5 games.