MLB Predictions Today: 3 MLB Best Bets and Picks for Friday, August 21, 2026

MLB Betting Picks in Summary

• Brady House to Record 2+ Hits/Runs/RBI (+110)
• Manny Machado to Record an RBI (+145)
• Dodgers -1.5 (-118)

Baseball has you covered if you want a large inventory of options to bet.

From moneylines to player props to NRFI wagers, we have plenty of ways each day to bet the long, arduous MLB schedule.

Using the MLB odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, what are the best MLB bets for today?

This article includes some of the top bets from our other MLB content. All MLB odds via FanDuel, and they may change after this article is published.

MLB Picks and Predictions for Today

Brady House to Record 2+ Hits/Runs/RBI (+110)

Marlins vs. Nationals, 7:11 p.m. ET

mlb props tag

Manny Machado to Record an RBI (+145)

Twins vs. Padres, 9:40 p.m. ET

A date with southpaw Connor Prielipp puts Manny Machado in a welcoming matchup.

Prielipp put together some excellent numbers in the minors, and he’s mostly doing OK so far through his first 87.2 MLB frames. But he’s not missing many bats (9.9% swinging-strike) and has given up 1.26 jacks per nine to righty bats. He’s also in a bad funk right now, struggling to an 8.22 ERA over his last three outings while allowing four bombs in that span.

Machado has a long track record of success against left-handers. Although he’s clearly having a rough 2026 season, Machado still has quality batted-ball numbers versus lefties, including a 41.1% hard-hit rate and 42.2% fly-ball rate.

Hitting third, two spots behind a red-hot Fernando Tatis Jr., Machado to drive in a run is my favorite player prop today.

Dodgers -1.5 (-118)

Pirates at Dodgers, 10:11 p.m. ET

Pittsburgh Pirates starter Bubba Chandler is a volatile pitcher. When he’s on, he can be really good. But if he’s off, it can go south quickly. He’s especially struggles with walks (12.1% walk rate), and that should get him in trouble against a loaded, veteran Los Angeles Dodgers offense.

LA counters with Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Last year’s World Series hero is having a stellar 2026 campaign, pitching to a 3.55 SIERA and 24.5% K rate. Since giving up six earned runs to the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 11, Yamamoto has ripped off a six-start stretch in which he’s posted a 1.82 ERA.

The Dodgers’ advantages don’t stop there. Although Pittsburgh’s offense is vastly improved this year, they still rank below the Dodgers in wOBA, with the Pirates fourth and LA first.

Given Chandler’s control problems and Yamamoto’s excellent form, the Dodgers can win by multiple runs today.

MLB Betting Frequently Asked Questions

What are MLB player prop bets?

MLB player prop bets are wagers on specific statistical outcomes tied to individual players during a game — not on which team wins or loses. You might bet on how many strikeouts a starting pitcher records, whether a shortstop gets a hit, or how many total bases an outfielder accumulates.

Because they are isolated to a single player's performance, props let you apply focused knowledge about matchups, recent form, and ballpark conditions rather than predicting the full game result.

What types of MLB player props are available?

FanDuel offers a wide menu of MLB props. The most common categories include:

• Pitcher strikeouts
• Batter hits
• Home runs
• Total bases
• RBIs
• Stolen bases
• Pitcher outs recorded

What does +310 mean on an MLB home run prop bet?

A +310 line means a $100 bet returns $310 in profit if the player homers. You can bet any amount — a $10 bet at +310 returns $31 in profit. The number reflects the implied probability the sportsbook assigns to the event (roughly 24% for +310 odds).

Can I parlay home run props together on FanDuel?

Yes. FanDuel allows you to parlay multiple HR props as a standard parlay or as part of a Same Game Parlay (SGP) within a single game. All legs must win for the parlay to pay out.

What does "total bases" mean as a prop bet?

The total bases prop counts the bases a batter earns from hits in a single game:

• Single = 1 base
• Double = 2 bases
• Triple = 3 bases
• Home run = 4 bases

Walks, hit-by-pitches, and stolen bases do not count. A typical total bases line is set at 1.5 or 2.5. Betting over 1.5 means you need at least a double, or two singles.

Which MLB bets stand out to you today? Check out FanDuel Sportsbook's MLB odds to see the full menu of options.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author’s advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.