This article is part of our MLB Picks series.
MLB Picks Tonight: Expert MLB Bets and Player Props for Friday, July 8
RotoWire.com's Michael Rathburn has dug into the best online sportsbooks across the country to identify his MLB bets and MLB player props to target today.
Last Article's Record: 0-3-1 -5.62
Season Record:108-108-2 +16.10
Tampa Bay Rays 
at Cincinnati Reds 
When I start to analyze a daily baseball slate, I go to the best pitchers first and look for an angle. Shane McClanahan is a pitcher I look to get exposure to every time he starts and I love picking on the Reds when they are tanking. With Luis Castillo on the other side, I want no part of a Rays run line or money line at -180. So the play will have to be on McClanahan or something on the UNDER.
- He has allowed less than 2 earned runs in 9 out of his last 10 starts
- He has earned a win in 7 out of his last 9 starts
I am surprised this total is 7.5 and not 7 with both pitchers starting, so that is where I look to find a play. I got burned with stacking the Phillies on Wednesday but will fire away again here in the Rays/Reds.
MLB Best Bets for Rays at Reds
- Shane McClanahan to record a win for 1 RW buck (DraftKings +145)
- McClanahan under 1.5 earned runs for 1 RW buck (DraftKings +105)
- Rays/Reds UNDER 7.5 runs for 1.2 RW buck (DraftKings -120)
Washington Nationals 
at Atlanta Braves 
The Braves have continued on their hot stretch and Charlie Morton has turned it around after some early-season struggles. The Nationals continue to be one of the worst teams in baseball and Erick Fedde has a 5.29 ERA over his last 7 starts.
The Braves are 26-8 in their last 34 games and 13-4 at home averaging 5.2 runs per game while allowing 3.2. The Nationals are 7-17 over their last 24 averaging 3.2 runs while allowing 5.5. I will take the value on the run line and easily lay -1.5 at -125.
One of the things you have seen me reference is when you have two teams with a significant talent gap is to look at the total with the purpose of finding value on the dog's team total. We get that here with a whopping total of 9 because of the Braves offense and poor Nationals pitching. The Braves swept the Nationals in DC last month 3-0 outscoring them 27-11.
MLB Best Bets for Nationals at Braves
- Braves -1.5 runs for 1.25 RW buck (FanDuel -125)
- Braves over 3.5 runs F5 for 1 RW buck (DraftKings +120)
MLB Best Bets Today Recap
- Shane McClanahan to record a win for 1 RW buck (DraftKings +145)
- McClanahan under 1.5 earned runs for 1 RW buck (DraftKings +105)
- Rays/Reds UNDER 7.5 runs for 1.2 RW buck (DraftKings -120)
- Braves -1.5 runs for 1.25 RW buck (FanDuel -125)
- Braves over 3.5 runs F5 for 1 RW buck (DraftKings +120)
Visit RotoWire all season long for exclusive sports betting picks from our group of handicappers with their expert MLB picks each day of the campaign. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds and available player props, so we have an easy-to-use odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet.
