Best MLB Bets Today August 25, 2025: Four Picks for Monday

Three of the biggest MLB stars will be on the diamond tonight, each seeking to add to their credentials as major award winners this season.

Shohei Ohtani is seeking a third consecutive and fourth overall Most Valuable Player award

The top American League MVP contender is Cal Raleigh, who sits on the precipice of a 50th home run. In Sacramento, ace lefty Tarik Skubal will take the ball for the Tigers. The southpaw is seeking a second straight Cy Young award.

Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers (Getty Images)

My player prop picks for Monday are centered on that superstar trio: the greatest two-way star since Babe Ruth; the best hitting catcher in the sport; and baseball's most dominant starting pitcher.

Odds quoted in this betting article are from Caesars Sportsbook

That mobile app is free to download, and you'll find odds for all types of MLB bets: moneyline, game props, player props, and futures.

There are 13 MLB games scheduled for Monday, including six inter-divisional matchups. Our must watch games are the Phillies at the Mets, Padres visiting the Mariners, and the Tigers vs the A's.

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Tarik Skubal to Record 18.5+ Outs: +100

As the season wears on, I like to stay clear of strikeout prop bets. That's because starting pitchers grow tired. Even Skubal will likely see his K totals dip as the season approaches September.

That's why I like outs recorded, because savvy starters will pitch to the situation and go deeper into games to help the bullpen. Here's a breakdown of Skubal's outs per start the last two seasons.

Skubal: Outs Recorded, Last Two Seasons

• 27+ Outs: 1 start
• 24-26 Outs: 1
• 21-23 Outs: 18
• 18-20 Outs: 23
• 15-17 Outs: 11
• 12-14 Outs: 2
• Less than 12 Outs: 0

In 43 of his 56 most recent starts, Tarik Skubal has recorded at least 18 outs

On Monday against Sacramento, the southpaw will be working to give the Detroit bullpen some rest. The A's lineup will also be overmatched against the reigning Cy Young award winner.

BEST PLAYER PROP BET: Wager $100 on Skubal, and if he records at least 19 outs, you win $100. You also get your stake back.

Shohei Ohtani to Score a Run: +165

Since July 1, Shohei Ohtani has been sort of like Rickey Henderson. The LA leadoff man has scored 40 runs in 45 games. Most folks think of the Japanese star as a slugger and a flamethrower.

But, Ohtani is also the MLb leader un runs scored, by a wide margin. His 122 runs are at least 20 more than any other player in the sport.

The Dodgers will play at home tonight, where Shohei has 67 runs in 64 games

I love the odds for the Dodgers' leadoff man to score at least one run today against Cincinnati.

WAGER: Odds are +165 for Ohtani to score at least one run against the Reds on Monday. That means if you bet $100, and Shohei scores a run, you win $165 plus your stake.

Cal Raleigh to Hit a Home Run: +340

As we speculated last week, Cal Raleigh has started to deliver the longball again for the Mariners. The switch-hitting Seattle catcher now has 49 bombs this season, leaving him one shy of the magical 50-HR club.

Raleigh now has 40 home runs as a catcher, placing him in a great spot to set the record for HR's at that position:

Most Home Runs by a Catcher in a single season

• Javy Lopez, 2003 ... 42
• Todd Hundley, 1996 ... 41
• Cal Raleigh, 2025 ... 40
• Mike Piazza, 1999 ... 40
• Mike Piazza, 1997 ... 40
• Roy Campanella, 1953 ... 40

Odds for Raleigh to stay hot and send another baseball over the fence are favorable, and I like them for tonight against the Padres.

BET: Wager $100 and if Raleigh hits a home run, win $340

Game Pick: Mariners over Padres +165

Of all the possible World Series matchups, a San Diego vs Seattle tilt is perhaps most intriguing on many levels. Sure, the networks may not want a west coast matchup in two secondary markets.

But, there are loads of story lines if the Padres and M's meet in the Fall Classic. Namely:

• Neither the Padres nor the Mariners have won a World Series. We would be guaranteed a first-time champion this fall.
• The Padres have a few of the most exciting players in MLB: Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Robert Suarez.
• The Mariners have the MLB home run leader in catcher Cal Raleigh, who may be on his way to an MVP award and a record for HR in a season by a catcher.
• The Padres and Mariners each play in beautiful ballparks with enthusiastic fanbases.

Tonight in Seattle, the Mariners host the Padres in an interleague matchup

It's not that we feel confident in Bryce Miller, who will start for Seattle. The righty has a 7.44 ERA in his last seven starts. No, we like the Seattle lineup against lefthander J.P. Sears of the Padres.

Sears has a lot of subpar numbers in his repertoire

His K rate, fastball velocity, chase percentage are well below league norms. That means if and when he falls behind the powerful Seattle lineup, his heater won't likely be up to the task of a swing and miss or poor contact.

BET: Wager $100 on Seattle to win, and if the M's triumph you get $165.