Closing Out the Week on the Diamond: Expert Picks in the MLB for 8/23
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Sun Aug 23, 2026, 9:15 am ET
Read Time: 4 minutes
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Another weekend wraps up, which can only mean we are one week closer to the beginning of football! Action on the college gridiron is less than a week away, while the NFL will begin two weeks from Wednesday. Fall is rolling around, but that also means playoff races in baseball are heating up! Let's get into Sunday's slate on the diamond and check out our MLB expert picks to see what they are wagering on tonight.
- MLB YTD
- 84-65-1 (56.4%)
- +17.79u
- Average Odds: +100
We've been slipping recently in the MLB, and are looking to get back up above the 20 unit mark before the end of the year.
Check out the best odds on the market at our top online sportsbooks.
Cincinnati Reds vs. Arizona Diamondbacks MLB Picks
Vargas has been held hitless in four games against the Reds. Will that change tonight in the series finale at home?
Reds vs. Diamondbacks Pitching Matchup
- Cincinnati Reds: LHP Andrew Abbott (6-8, 4.07 ERA, 1.40 WHIP)
- Arizona Diamondbacks: LHP Mitch Bratt (1-2, 4.17 ERA, 1.47 WHIP)
Best Bet: Diamondbacks ML (-126) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
MLB System Play… Engage. The Snakes are in the Desert tonight where they are 37-28 on the year. They also face a left handed pitcher, against whom they hit .279 as a team, leading the entire league. Therefore, we are running back on of our favorite MLB System Plays tonight by backing the Snakes to win.
Now, as I've stated, the team total is probably the real move with this system, as all it requires is backing the Diamondbacks at home and against a lefty. Regardless, I have faith in Bratt tonight. Andrew Abbott does see his splits improve on the road, but recently he's posting a 5.24 ERA through four August starts, and he has allowed two, five, three, three, two, zero, four and three earned runs dating back to July 7. He only allowed four hits and one solo home run against the Snakes earlier this year, and that was in the desert. But now I believe Arizona can light him up and win this for us tonight.
Bratt is MUCH more comfortable at home, with a 2.04 ERA at Chase Field.
Atlanta Braves vs. Milwaukee Brewers MLB Picks
Andrew Vaughn is on a six game hitting streak for the Brewers right now
Braves vs. Brewers Pitching Matchup
- Atlanta Braves: RHP Tyler Mahle (4-10, 4.53 ERA, 1.31 WHIP)
- Milwaukee Brewers: LHP Shane Drohan (6-4, 3.86 ERA, 1.25 WHIP
Best Bet: Brewers ML (-120) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Back the Brew Crew tonight in the Little League Classic against the top team in the NL East, because the Braves have been slipping. Atlanta has now lost two straight, five of their last six, and are just 5-10 in their last 15 contests. And they face the best team in the NL Central away from home in Williamsport.. The Braves see a major drop in offensive production away from home and against lefties, and I have little faith in their starting pitcher.
Tyler Mahle came over from the Giants not too long ago, and while he has faired well with the Braves, he severely struggles away from home. His ERA balloons up north of 6.50 and Atlanta has scored just nine total runs in their last five games. Milwaukee has won three straight, and six of their last seven as well. I see them cruising to another victory tonight.
While the Betting News Prediction Engine likes both of these sides, they think each is slightly too juicy, and should be priced closer to -102. However, I'll use my brain power, along with these FREE tools and wager confidently on both of these plays.
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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