A big AL West battle and the likely team debut of a big trade acquisition highlight Thursday's 10-game MLB schedule. The Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros square off again, this time in a four-game series starting tonight at 8:10 p.m. ET. The Astros swept a three-game set in Seattle to open the season's second half. Meanwhile, Andrew Benintendi is expected to face his former team after the Yankees acquired the outfielder from the Royals on Wednesday. Kansas City visits the Bronx to kick off a four-game series at 7:05 p.m. ET.
In the AL West battle, Houston has a 10-game lead on the Mariners in the division and is the -140 favorite on the money line in the latest Mariners vs. Astros odds from Caesars Sportsbook. The Mariners are +118 underdogs, and the over/under for total runs scored is 8.5. There are plenty of wagers available on Thursday's 10-game MLB schedule, and if you combine your favorite picks in a parlay you can really cash in. Before you make your MLB picks or set up any parlays, be sure to check out the MLB predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times, and it is 284-243 on top-rated MLB money-line picks since the start of the 2021 season, returning over $400 for $100 players. This is the same model that pegged the 2021 Atlanta Braves at 10-1 as one of three best bets to win it all last season. Anybody who has followed it has seen profitable returns.
Now, the model has locked in four confident MLB best bets for Thursday. They all involve games at 7:05 p.m. ET or later, so there's still time to get these MLB picks in. If you successfully parlay the picks, you'd be looking at a payout of well over 16-1. You can see the model's MLB picks only at SportsLine.
Top MLB picks today
The Giants have been struggling and the Cubs are on a win streak, but the model is backing the Giants (-140) to beat the Cubs (9:45 p.m. ET). San Francisco has lost seven in a row to start the second half, and the Cubs have won six in a row. But the Giants have had Chicago's number and are playing at home. They have won nine of the past 12 meetings between these teams in San Francisco, and the Cubs have beaten the Giants just once in the past seven matchups overall.
It's a matchup of left-handers, with the Cubs scheduled to start Justin Steele (4-6, 4.02 ERA) and the Giants countering with Alex Wood (6-8, 4.21). Wood has allowed three runs, while striking out 25 and walking three, over his four starts this month. The Cubs have won just three of their past 11 games against left-handed starters, while San Francisco has won eight straight at home against southpaws. The Chicago bullpen also has allowed an MLB-high 59 home runs.
How to make MLB picks and parlays for Thursday
The model has locked in three other best bets for Thursday, including an underdog that would pay almost 2-1, and they all can help you to a massive payday if you parlay the picks. You can only see the model's MLB parlay picks and best bets for Thursday at SportsLine.
Which MLB picks should you target for Thursday in a parlay offering a payout of more than 16-1? And which underdog provides excellent value and is a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see the MLB best bets for Thursday from the model that is 284-243 on top-rated MLB money-line picks since the start of the 2021 season.
