Free Sports Picks & Betting Predictions — Monday, August 17, 2026

Monday’s free betting card features five MLB selections from Picks Depot handicappers, plus an early college football play for Week 0. Here are today’s free sports picks and betting predictions.

Calvin King: Braves-Twins OVER 9

Pick: Braves-Twins OVER 9 (-105)
Game Time: 7:40 PM ET

Handicapper Calvin King releases a 1% free play on the OVER 9 in Atlanta-Minnesota. The recommendation targets a game expected to produce enough offense to push past the nine-run total.

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Ricky Tran: ROCKIES +1.5 vs. Dodgers

Pick: ROCKIES +1.5 (+140)
Game Time: 8:40 PM ET

Handicapper Ricky Tran backs Colorado as a home underdog on the run line. His featured angle centers on recent performance: the Rockies have covered six of their last nine, while the Dodgers have covered only two of their last 10.

Colorado has also covered five of the last eight head-to-head meetings between the clubs. Tran believes the combination creates value with the home underdog getting 1.5 runs.

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Oliver Smith: WHITE SOX +155 vs. Cubs

Pick: WHITE SOX +155
Game Time: 8:05 PM ET

Handicapper Oliver Smith goes directly to the underdog in the Chicago rivalry, releasing the White Sox at +155 as his 3-star free selection.

It’s a straightforward plus-money position on the South Siders against the Cubs, offering a substantial return if the underdog wins outright.

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Info Plays: Diamondbacks-Red Sox OVER 8.5

Pick: Diamondbacks-Red Sox OVER 8.5 (-110)
Game Time: 7:10 PM ET

Info Plays releases the OVER 8.5 as its 1-star free selection for Arizona-Boston.

The wager needs nine combined runs to cash and provides another MLB totals option on Monday’s free betting card.

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Steve Janus: Athletics-Royals OVER 9

Pick: Athletics-Royals OVER 9 (+100)
Game Time: 7:40 PM ET

Handicapper Steve Janus makes Oakland-Kansas City OVER 9 his 1-star Free Sharp Play.

At a total of nine, exactly nine runs would result in a push, while 10 or more cashes the ticket. Janus’ selection adds another totals play to Monday’s MLB slate.

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ProSportsPicks: ROYALS -180 vs. Athletics

Pick: ROYALS -180
Game Time: 7:40 PM ET

Handicapper ProSportsPicks releases Kansas City as its 1-star Data Driven free play against Oakland.

The analysis is model-based, combining statistical data, trends and expected-value criteria. One factor supporting Kansas City is Oakland starter Mason Barnett’s recent results, with his team losing four of his last five starts entering this matchup. Oakland has also dropped four of its last six games.

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Early College Football Free Pick

Alex Smart: TCU -7.5 vs. North Carolina

Pick: TCU -7.5 (-110)
Game Date: Saturday, August 29
Game Time: 12:00 PM ET

Handicapper Alex Smart is getting an early start on the college football season with TCU laying 7.5 against North Carolina in Dublin.

Smart’s handicap emphasizes continuity, line play and the unusual overseas setting. He sees TCU as the more settled team, particularly in the trenches, while North Carolina enters the season dealing with considerable roster and offensive-system turnover.

The neutral-site setting adds another component. Smart believes overseas season openers can magnify preparation and continuity advantages, particularly when teams must manage transatlantic travel and abbreviated preparation schedules.

His conclusion is clear: TCU owns enough advantages in experience, physicality and continuity to justify laying the points.

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