MLB Best Bets for Tonight (Friday, April 14): Braves-Royals, Rangers-Astros, Brewers-Padres, Cubs-Dodgers

Will tonight be the night that the Tampa Bay Rays finally lose for the first time this MLB season?

We won't be taking a look at their matchup with Jose Berrios and the Toronto Blue Jays in our look at tonight's best MLB bets, but we are taking a look at these three games: Atlanta Braves vs Kansas City Royals (8:10 pm ET), Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros (8:10 pm ET), Milwaukee Brewers vs San Diego Padres (9:40 pm ET, ESPN+), and Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers (10:10 pm ET).

Without further ado, let's get to it!

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MLB Best Bets for Friday, April 14

Unless otherwise noted, odds are via BetOnline.

Atlanta Braves (RHP Charlie Morton: 1-1, 4.91 ERA) vs Kansas City Royals (RHP Brady Singer: 1-0, 4.91 ERA), 8:10 pm ET

Braves (9-4) vs Royals (4-9) Odds

• Moneyline: Atlanta Braves -132, Kansas City Royals +112
• Over/Under: Over 9 (-115), Under 9 (-105)
• Run Line: Atlanta Braves -1.5 (+122), Kansas City Royals +1.5 (-146)

The Braves have begun the season by winning five of their six road games, taking two of three against the Washington Nationals and sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Royals, on the other hand, have opened 1-6 at home, getting swept in a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins and losing three of four to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Since the start of the 2022 MLB season, Singer is 9-2 with a 2.71 ERA in 16 appearances (15 starts) at home, while Morton is 4-5 with a 5.68 ERA in 16 road starts.

That may read favorably for the Royals, but I like the value with the better team here as opposed to the home team at plus odds.

Braves vs Royals Best Bet: Braves ML

Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros, 8:10 pm ET

Rangers vs Astros Odds

• Moneyline: Texas Rangers +144, Houston Astros -172
• Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-122), Under 8.5 (+100)
• Run Line: Texas Rangers +1.5 (-156), Houston Astros -1.5 (+130)

The Rangers have been hit or miss at the plate thus far, scoring five or more runs in six games and three or fewer in the other six games.

Garcia hasn't pitched particularly well in his first two starts this season, but I don't expect that to continue. In his MLB career, he has had only one stretch in which he has allowed three or more runs in three or more consecutive regular season starts.

Rangers vs Astros Best Bet: Rangers team total under 3.5 runs

Milwaukee Brewers (Eric Lauer: 1-1, 7.71 ERA) vs San Diego Padres (Michael Wacha: 2-0, 3.00 ERA), 9:40 pm ET, ESPN+

Brewers (9-4) vs Padres (7-7) Odds

• Moneyline: Milwaukee Brewers +140, San Diego Padres -166
• Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-118), Under 8.5 (-104)
• Run Line: Milwaukee Brewers +1.5 (-137), San Diego Padres -1.5 (+114)

Lauer started his MLB career with the Padres, going 14-17 in 53 appearances (52 starts) in 2018 and 2019 before being traded to the Brewers in November 2019.

Since the trade, he has made two starts against his former team and pitched well in both.

Also, since the start of the 2021 season, Lauer has gone five or more innings 40 times in 51 starts (78.4% of the time). In those 40 starts, he has registered five or more Ks 25 times (62.5% of the time). I'm rolling with the percentages and for him to record at least five strikeouts against his former team.

Brewers vs Padres Best Bet: Eric Lauer over 4.5 strikeouts

Chicago Cubs (Justin Steele: ) vs Los Angeles Dodgers (Noah Syndergaard: ), 10:10 pm ET

Cubs vs Dodgers Odds

• Moneyline: Chicago Cubs +142, Los Angeles Dodgers -168
• Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-102), Under 8.5 (-120)
• Run Line: Chicago Cubs +1.5 (-146), Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (+122)

Ultimately, if you are going to bet on the Dodgers to win, the run line is always the best bet because such a large percentage of their wins are by two or more runs. In fact, all seven of their wins thus far this season have come by at least three runs. I like the Dodgers here tonight, so gimme that run line.

Cubs vs Dodgers Best Bet: Dodgers -1.5

Where to Bet on Tonight's MLB Games

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