MLB Best Bets Today for Every Game (September 26)
We have an ultra-light slate in Major League Baseball on Monday, with just eight teams in action.
With teams entering the home stretch, the playoff-caliber teams have a lot more to play for than those that are already eliminated. The New York Yankees can clinch the AL East with a win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, and the Atlanta Braves can pick up half a game on the New York Mets if they can take down the lowly Washington Nationals.
Let’s jump into the BetSided team’s best bet for every game on Sept. 26:
Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals Prediction and Best Bet
- Pick: Braves -2.5 (+105)
Bryce Elder has not been great, but he looks like a serviceable MLB starter at 23-years-old and that is much more than Cory Abbott can say in his second season of major league action. Abbott has a 4.85 ERA and a FIP north of six for his career he allows 2.6 home runs per nine innings and in his last outing against Atlanta he gave up four runs in four innings.
With such a disparity between the talent level of these two teams, the underdog needs to have a massive advantage on the mound to have a shot. While I would be a little weary of trusting Elder in the postseason you can trust him and the Braves on the run line tonight. – Josh Yourish
New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays Prediction and Best Bet
- Pick: First Five Innings UNDER 3.5 (+102)
This is a great pitching matchup, as Kevin Gausman pitched seven innings of shutout ball in his last start against the Yankees, and he bounced back from a couple of rough September outings to pitching six scoreless innings in his last start.
Even though New York’s offense has been hot lately, I think there is value in taking the UNDER in the first five innings. Luis Severino should pitch around five innings if New York is trying to limit his work, and New York’s bullpen is top five in ERA this season.
As long as Gausman keeps up his success against the Yankees this season, we should see a bit of a pitcher's duel to start. – Peter Dewey
Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox Prediction and Best Bet
- Pick: Orioles ML (+110)
There is no way this Baltimore team should be set as an underdog against Seabold, even if it is on the road.
Boston is 1-3 in Connor Seabold’s four outings this season, and he’s allowed 30 hits and 19 earned runs in just 16.1 innings pitched. Simply put, he’s downright awful.
Jordan Lyles hasn’t been lights out for the O’s this season, and he did get roughed up by Boston in his last start against the Sox, but I still think he’s the superior starter here.
Baltimore played well over the weekend against the Houston Astros, while Boston struggled with the New York Yankees. The O’s still have a shot at a wild card spot, and they should handle business in this matchup. – Peter Dewey
Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction and Best Bet
- Pick: Pirates ML (-146)
Chase Anderson has actually pitched pretty well this month for the Reds, posting a 2.16 ERA across four outings, but it’s the Cincy bullpen that concerns me.
The Reds and Pirates are both bottom five in bullpen ERA, but the issue here is that Anderson has not pitched more than five innings in a single outing this season.
So, we’re going to get plenty of Cincy’s bullpen on Monday night.
Prior to getting roughed up by the New York Yankees, Roansy Contreras was on a nice run, posting a 2.43 ERA over six starts since getting called back up.
I’m not going to overreact to a rough outing against one of the best teams in MLB, and instead back Contreras and the Pirates at home in this one. – Peter Dewey