MLB Best Bets Today: Dodgers, Cubs Highlight Sunday Picks

Bucky Dent|published: Sun 23rd August, 11:32 2026

Aug 22, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Pedro Ramírez (75) hits a single against the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Right when everyone began to believe the Dodgers were vulnerable, they shrugged off a slow stretch and ride a five-game winning streak into Sunday's finale with the Pirates.

It's one of the games that stands out for Sunday's MLB best bets.

Pittsburgh Pirates at Los Angeles Dodgers, 4:10 p.m. ET

Los Angeles has too much talent and too much depth to fall prey to Pittsburgh in what amounts to a bullpen game for the Pirates. They plan to open with Lake Bachar against Blake Snell, whose history in this matchup is anything but glimmering.

Snell is 1-3 with a 7.27 ERA in six career starts against the Pirates. The worst of his 11 starts in the 2025 regular season came at Pittsburgh on Sept. 4 when he allowed five runs on nine hits over five innings.

But there's no need to be sterling in this game. Even with Oneil Cruz back and tearing the cover off the ball, the Dodgers are built to score. We're not backing Snell to win, necessarily, but we are banking on LA rolling to another win. Snell has two outings of one-run ball on his record since returning from the IL on Aug. 11.

Cruz had a two-run triple in the first inning for the Pirates on Saturday and hit a two-run home run Friday. In four games since returning from a broken hand, he has four hits, two of which are home runs, and seven RBIs.

Dodgers-Pirates over 7.5 total runs (-115 at FanDuel), Cruz 3+ H-R-RBI (-118 at FanDuel)

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Chicago Cubs at Seattle Mariners, 4:10 p.m. ET

The Mariners have won five of seven and are officially back in the AL West playoff race thanks to performances like do-it-all Randy Arozarena's effort on Saturday. He hit two home runs, robbed Miguel Amaya of a solo shot and the Mariners kept marching up the wild-card and West division standings.

Now the Cubs cross their fingers Shota Imanaga (8-9, 3.77 ERA) can help Chicago avoid a third consecutive walk-off loss against right-hander Bryce Miller (4-7, 3.71) and the Mariners.

He won his lone career start against Seattle, holding them scoreless through 5 1/3 innings in April 2024.

Miller has dropped his past five decisions. He lasted just 4 2/3 innings and gave up six runs (five earned) Tuesday in a 22-0 loss at Milwaukee.

Cubs ML (-110 at DraftKings)

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