It's the final day before the All-Star break and there are 14 games on the MLB schedule. The slate, which is jam-packed full of day games, features many intriguing matchups and betting opportunities.
Our MLB betting experts have looked over the odds and identified the best MLB bets for Sunday, July 9. They have targeted Phillies vs. Marlins, Braves vs. Rays and White Sox vs. Cardinals, so be sure to continue reading for today's MLB best bets.
Sunday's MLB Best Bets
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our MLB betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click the team logos for one the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
  | ||
  | ||
  | ||
| Specific bet recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our MLB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Phillies vs. Marlins
Sunday, July 9 1:40 p.m. ET MLB.TV |
Under 7.5 (-110)  |
Aaron Nola’s biggest issue this season has been the home run ball, but Miami's pitcher-friendly ballpark should help negate that. Nola is fresh off his best outing of the season with 12 strikeouts against Tampa Bay on Tuesday and now gets to face a Miami lineup that has been considerably better against lefties than righties in 2023. Overall, Miami's offense is below average vs. righties.
The Phillies will also likely be without Brandon Marsh, Bryson Stott and Darick Hall as Rob Thomson tries to take some of the lefties out of the lineup. Bryce Harper left Saturday’s game early after getting hit by a pitch in his elbow and J.T. Realmuto is unlikely to catch. All of this means it should be a considerably weaker Phillies lineup than normal. The Phillies haven’t been nearly as good against southpaws this season and Nola’s improved velocity has led to an increase in his underlying peripherals.
In my opinion, this total should be seven. I’d bet under 7.5 at -120 or better.
Pick: Under 7.5 | Play to 7 |
What is QuickSlip?
QuickSlip is an Action Network feature that allows users to automatically pre-load their bet slip at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Braves vs. Rays
Sunday, July 9 1:40 p.m. ET MLB Network |
Braves Moneyline (+100)  |
By William Boor
It's not often we get a chance to bet on the Braves at plus money, so when the opportunity strikes, I'm going to take advantage. Not only has Atlanta been red hot, but Tampa Bay is scuffling toward the All-Star break.
The Rays, who have lost seven in a row, will send Zach Eflin to the mound Sunday. The right-hander has thrown well with a 3.24 ERA and a 2.96 xERA this season, but I'm not sure anyone can slow down the Braves these days.
Atlanta has won three in a row, is 9-1 in its past 10 games and is a ridiculous 26-5 since June 1. The Braves have scored five or more runs in five of seven games this month and I don't see them slowing down Sunday.
Yes, Eflin is a quality starter, but it's not as if Atlanta is sending a slouch to the mound. Bryce Elder, who has pitched to a 2.46 ERA and a 3.74 xERA this season, has yielded two or fewer earned runs in five straight starts.
Sweeping the Rays certainly isn't an easy task, but the Braves are scorching and I'm going to continue to back them. Bet the Braves on the moneyline to -120.
Pick: Braves Moneyline |
What is QuickSlip?
QuickSlip is an Action Network feature that allows users to automatically pre-load their bet slip at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Cardinals vs. White Sox
Sunday, July 9 2:10 p.m. ET MLB.TV |
First 5 Innings Under 5 (-125)  |
Lucas Giolito isn't likely to ever reach the heights we saw when he was a Cy Young candidate in 2019, but he's very quietly enjoying a nice bounce-back campaign. Even if his 3.50 ERA is due for some modest regression, he's not walking as many hitters as he did over the past few years and is missing enough bats to keep him in games more often than not.
Giolito has allowed more than three earned runs just once in his past seven starts and more than two just one other time in that same stretch. His worst start in terms of earned runs, in fact, was probably his best otherwise, as he struck out nine Angels and walked zero in seven innings, but got burned by a pair of homers.
He's set to face a Cardinals offense that profiles worse against right-handed pitching and I have confidence in him to get through five innings with minimal damage.
The White Sox will face Steven Matz, who puts them in their better split by virtue of being a left-handed pitcher. However, it's important to note that while the White Sox are better against southpaws, they're not exactly elite. The White Sox were a top-five offense against lefties over the past couple of years, but rank just 16th this year and boast a 102 wRC+ (2% better than league average).
I also don't think Matz is going to have a super long leash. He hasn't started since late May and the Cardinals may piggy-back him with Dakota Hudson, a right-hander who has been pitching in relief since making his season debut at the beginning of the month.
BetMGM is offering under 5 at -125 and I think there's great value there as you'll likely be risking a push at worst. Many other books are offering 4.5 with the under at plus money, and I would consider that, but would lower my unit size if that's all that's available.
Pick: 1st 5 Innings Under |
What is QuickSlip?
QuickSlip is an Action Network feature that allows users to automatically pre-load their bet slip at FanDuel Sportsbook.
