Trade deadline shakeups and Sunday’s slate of games gave us a good look at who's heating up and who's cooling off in MLB, and more importantly, where sharp bettors should be turning their attention. The Seattle Mariners were the clear winners at the deadline and It’s paying off early, as they edged the Texas Rangers 6-4 in extras. That’s a big result against a Rangers team loaded with playoff potential, but bettors beware: Texas might look good on paper with deGrom, Eovaldi, and Kelly in the rotation and a strong bullpen since June 1, but they’re not a lock when facing high-powered lineups like Seattle’s.
The Yankees, meanwhile, lost 2-0 to the Miami Marlins, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that without Aaron Judge, this lineup just doesn’t scare anyone. Eury Perez kept them in check, and the Marlins' value as underdogs (hovering around +102) should be on your radar when they’re at home, especially with their bullpen ranked top 8 in ERA since June.
It was a tale of two New York teams. While the Yankees couldn’t buy a run, the Mets poured it on against the San Francisco Giants in a 12-6 win. Pete Alonso launched his 24th homer of the year, but most of the damage came from a relentless lineup that capitalized on a shaky Giants pitching staff. Kai-Wei Teng debut for San Fran was a disaster—five runs in 3.1 innings—and the bullpen didn’t fare any better. With the Giants now slipping below .500, value on their opponents will start to creep up in the betting markets. Look for overs when these two teams meet again, especially if the Giants continue to toss out untested arms.
The Brewers are quietly becoming one of the bettor’s best friends. After scoring 16 in Game 1 against the Nationals, they’re riding a wave of offensive momentum. Add in a surprisingly potent bullpen and the emerging power of Andrew Vaughn (six homers in 17 games with the crew), and Milwaukee is justifying its -190 favorite status. The Nationals, on the other hand, can’t get the bats going at home and are saddled with the league’s worst bullpen ERA. Lean Brewers run line in this series, although the news that Mizorowski has gone on the IL is a kick in the nuts.
Toronto held off the Royals 4-2 behind a solid home start from Max Scherzer. He’s been a moneyline machine at home, and with the Jays averaging over five runs per game in their own park, they’re a solid bet when favored. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay blanked the Dodgers 4-0 in one of the day’s most surprising scorelines. Joe Boyle was supposed to be the weak link for the Rays, but instead, it was the Dodgers' offense that disappeared. With Mookie Betts and Tommy Edman nursing injuries and the LA bullpen struggling, there’s sneaky value on Rays moneylines and game totals trending under.
It was a day for the pitchers in a few matchups. The White Sox edged the Angels 1-0 in a game where both teams’ bullpens delivered squirrel-free innings (yes, that’s a technical term now). But only one hit for the Angels? That’s a red flag for anyone backing their offense. Even as underdogs, the White Sox might offer value in low-total games if they’re facing inconsistent arms.
Elsewhere, the Orioles topped the Cubs 4-3 in a game with playoff vibes. Baltimore’s bullpen remains a question mark, but they’re doing just enough to stay on the right side of close games. The Cubs’ lineup is worth watching with Jackson Hall and Gunnar Henderson contributing, but their bullpen has been middle-of-the-pack at best. You’ll want to watch wind conditions at Wrigley, but totals in the 8.5 range could be ripe for overs if the weather cooperates.
San Diego continues to be a team to watch, especially against underperforming squads like the Cardinals. With Dylan Cease on the mound, the Cards have strikeout potential but also a tendency to give up the long ball. The Padres have added pop, and their bullpen is bolstered by names like Jason Adam and Robert Swarves. Betting the Padres run line at plus money is a sharp play when they face suspect starters and weak offenses.
Meanwhile, the Phillies and Tigers gave us another good “over” spot. Charlie Morton and Christopher Sanchez have had their struggles, but both offenses are clicking lately. Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, and friends are heating up, and the Tigers, for all their issues, can still put up crooked numbers. Keep an eye on those run totals—this one’s a classic "fade the pitcher, trust the bats" scenario.
The 2025 MLB trade deadline is set for July 31 at 6 p.m. ET, with high-profile players like Eugenio Suarez, Luis Robert, and top bullpen arms from the Twins expected to move. Contenders are eyeing these stars to boost playoff chances, while uncertainty in starting pitching and bullpen markets could shift betting lines. The Twins, Brewers, and Orioles stand out as teams to watch, with the deadline poised to reshape the postseason race and daily betting strategies.
The 2025 MLB trade deadline sparked major moves by the Mariners, Phillies, Astros, Blue Jays, and Padres, reshaping playoff and betting landscapes. Seattle and Philadelphia are top bets, with strong pitching and new offensive additions. Bullpen reinforcements by the Padres, Mets, and Yankees suggest more late-inning unders. Underdogs like the Reds, Giants, and Pirates also offer betting value. Meanwhile, caution is advised on the Twins after a big roster sell-off. Friday’s games highlight favorable moneyline and over plays, making this deadline a pivotal moment for MLB bettors.
Friday’s MLB action featured wild high-scoring games like Rockies’ 17-16 win over the Pirates and Yankees-Marlins 13-12 slugfest, plus standout pitching performances such as the Cubs’ 1-0 win over Orioles. Post-deadline, AL teams like Royals and Padres show promise with roster upgrades, while NL Central remains quiet. Bullpen reliability is key for bettors, with notable improvements for Phillies and Mets. Unique events like the Reds-Braves game at Bristol Motor Speedway offer fresh betting angles, with overs favored in hitter-friendly or bullpen-weak environments.