MLB Prop Bets Picks and YRFI for Tonight's MLB Games, Friday August 8, 2025

Much has been said about the demise of starting pitching in Major League Baseball. In one sense it's true: starters are going fewer innings than ever (an average of under 5 innings per start in 2025).

But taken another way: starting pitchers have never been more "all in" before. An MLB starting pitcher today is throwing harder more often than at any time in baseball history.

It's a long way back to the time when Christy Mathewson was practicing "pitching in the pinch."

(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Because we have so many hard throwers and fast-spinners in MLB, we're seeing starting pitcher ERA drop. We can all see that K rates are through the roof too.

At no time before have so many batters swung and missed (and missed and missed) as we see in the game today.

On Friday evening, four of baseball's most heralded pitchers are on the mound: two certain Hall of Famers; the best hurler on the planet (arguably); and the most amazing young pitcher in the American League.

Because of the dynamic shoulders and arms we'll see tonight, I've chosen player props (pitcher props if you will) for three games on August 8. Odds are from our friends, the oddsmakers at DraftKings Sportsbook. Download that app from the Google Play Store or App Store from Apple.

As always, choose your wagers wisely and be responsible

Odds here are subject to change. Follow one of our links to grab your sports betting app. It's smart to download more than one sportsbook, that way you can find the best odds for the athletes, sports, and events you care about.

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Hall of Fame pitching matchup: Scherzer vs Kershaw

Two of the greatest pitchers of the 21st century are battling tonight at Chavez Ravine.

Game Prop Bet: YRFI for TOR at LAD

• Run to Score in First Inning, YES: -130

How great are Scherzer and Kershaw?

Perk up, baseball fans. A matchup between Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer feels like a relic from a bygone era, a rare gift for fans who appreciate the art of pitching.

It’s a clash of titans, not just in their shared status as three-time Cy Young award winners and members of the 3,000-strikeout club, but in their contrasting approaches to their craft and careers.

Kershaw, the lifelong Dodger, is the epitome of quiet consistency

His greatness lies not in overt displays of emotion, but in the relentless perfection of his mechanics and the surgical precision of his pitches. His famous high-arcing curveball, a thing of beauty that seems to defy physics, is complemented by a sharp slider and a fastball that he commands with uncanny accuracy.

He is a craftsman, a pitcher who dissects hitters with a surgeon's touch, his calm demeanor belying a fierce competitive fire.

Scherzer, on the other hand, is a study in controlled chaos. Nicknamed "Mad Max" for a reason, he pitches with a palpable intensity, a scowl on his face and a fire in his (multi-colored) eyes.

His delivery is a whirlwind of motion, and his arsenal is a testament to his aggressive nature. A blistering fastball, a wipeout slider, and a deceptive changeup make him a nightmare for opposing batters.

Having played for seven different teams, Scherzer has become the ultimate "arm for hire," a mercenary brought in to win championships, his fiery personality a stark contrast to Kershaw's quiet loyalty.

Their history is intertwined, from a rookie matchup in 2008 to a tense playoff battle in 2016

The two were even teammates for one partial season. To see Max and Kersh face off now, both in the twilight of their careers but still performing at an elite level, is a testament to their greatness.

They are two of the last of a dying breed, veteran aces who have not only dominated their generation but have also carved out unique and unforgettable legacies.

Future Cy Young winner Brown?

The Astros are surging toward a ninth consecutive playoff appearance. The leaders of the AL West could finish in first place for a sixth straight season, something only two other franchises have accomplished.

On Friday in the Bronx, Hunter Brown and the Astros will face one of the franchises to have as many as six straight division titles: the Yankees. Brown is making his fourth career start against the Yanks, and this season he's in top form.

The Yankees lead the AL in home runs, but are also one of a handful of teams with more than 1,000 strikeouts.

There are a lot of "whiffs" in pinstripes. (I'm looking at you, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jason Dominguez).

Go with the OVER on K's for Hunter Brown (2.47 ERA and 10.6 Ks's per nine) tonight against the NYY.

Hunter Brown Over 6 Strikeouts vs Yankees: +130 from DraftKings

It seems the oddsmakers are tempting us to lay down some action on Brown, who hasn't topped 6 K's in either of his last two starts.

Baseball's best pitcher Tarik Skubal faces Angels

Last season's AL Cy Young Award winner is cruising to possibly another trophy. Skubal has been nearly unbeatable at home in Comerica Park: 8-1 with a 2.21 ERA, 1.84 FIP, and his only shutout.

I am targeting Skubal's K's tonight against the Angels' lineup. The Detroit lefty has 12 K's per nine at home in 2025. That's why I love the OVER on his strikeouts.

Skubal OVER 7 Strikeouts vs LAA: +180

Wager $100 and win $180 if Tarik Skubal records at least 8 strikeouts tonight in his start against the LA Angels.