It's Monday, July 20, 2026, and the MLB slate is already heating up, but for new users, DraftKings is making an offer that could land you $150 in bonus bets after your first $5 wager, paid within 14 days. That's a solid way to jump into some serious action, especially with a potential National League postseason preview on tap between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers. This isn't just any regular season game, folks. SportsLine expert Matt Severance is absolutely convinced the Phillies are taking this one.
Dodgers in a Double-Whammy, Phillies Ace Shines
Severance isn't just pulling this pick out of thin air. He's looking at the schedule and seeing a brutal setup for the Dodgers. Think about it: they had to play a doubleheader on Sunday, then immediately followed that up with a Sunday night game and the travel that comes with it. That's a crushing "double-whammy spot," as Severance puts it, and it's a huge factor heading into Monday. On the other side, the Phillies are throwing their ace, Cristopher Sanchez, who is absolutely lights out at home with a ridiculous 7-1 record and a minuscule 0.86 ERA. You just don't bet against that kind of home dominance when the opposing team is running on fumes. This game has "upset" written all over it, at least for those of us who follow the expert picks. Severance is backing the Phillies to win at -136, and frankly, it's hard to argue with that logic.Pitching Drama and Over/Under Thrills Across the League
Beyond that NL showdown, the experts are seeing value elsewhere on the diamond. SportsLine expert Micah Roberts is eyeing a serious slugfest, backing Over 11.5 total runs for the Tigers vs. Cubs game, a hefty line at -109! And the SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every MLB game 10,000 times, is all over the Mets vs. Brewers game, pushing for Over 7.5 runs scored at -106. This one is particularly spicy, especially with the pitching matchup. Both teams are rolling out their Opening Day starters, but they've had wildly different seasons. Freddy Peralta, traded from Milwaukee this offseason and in the final year of his contract, is making his return to his old stomping grounds. He's having one of the worst seasons of his career, rocking a 4.66 ERA. Meanwhile, the Brewers are sending Jacob Misiorowski to the mound, who boasts an MLB-best 1.62 ERA this season. But here’s the kicker: even Misiorowski has allowed eight runs, four of them earned, in recent outings. It's a fascinating dynamic with the potential for plenty of offense, despite Misiorowski's stellar overall numbers.The Model's Sizzling Streak and a Juicy Parlay
These picks aren't just guesses; they come from serious analysis. The SportsLine Projection Model was on a blistering 33-21 run on all top-rated MLB picks heading into the 2026 MLB All-Star break. Plus, it absolutely crushed home run prop picks in 2025, netting nearly 30 units of profit. That's a track record you can't ignore! If you combine these three Monday best bets , Phillies to defeat Dodgers, Mets vs. Brewers Over 7.5 runs, and Tigers vs. Cubs Over 11.5 runs , into a parlay at DraftKings, you're looking at a sweet +546 payout. That means risking $100 could net you $546, if everything goes according to the experts. What a day for some serious baseball action! It’s going to be wild to see how these early-season trends and player performances, like Peralta's struggles or Sanchez's home dominance, really shake out on the field.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.
Originally reported by cbscom.