Monday’s Major League Baseball slate starts at 1:40 p.m. ET with the first game of a doubleheader between the Reds and Cardinals. The MLB slate features 11 games today. A run line and team total are the most enticing bets on the slate. Check out our top MLB picks & predictions below.
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Monday’s Best MLB Picks & Predictions
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook | All bets are for 1 unit
Miami Marlins (+201) at Phillies (-249) | O/U 8.0 (-115/-105)
Janson Junk has logged a 3.97 ERA in his last five starts, totaling 22.2 innings. That’s the most favorable thing to say about him, and it’s unsupported by his underlying data. According to FanGraphs, he had the following numbers beyond his 3.97 ERA in those starts:
- 4.55 xERA
- 4.47 xFIP
- 4.65 SIERA
- 1.37 WHIP
- 7.2% walk rate
- 16.5% strikeout rate
- 4.1% SwStr%
- 22.7% CSW%
- 99 stuff+
- 106 location+
- 104 pitching+
Again, Junk’s most recent work is the most positive thing to say about him tonight.
The 30-year-old righty has a 4.41 ERA, 4.15 xERA, 4.36 xFIP and 4.51 SIERA in 17 starts this season, and his work at home aids those marks. He’s worse on the road - 5.35 ERA, 4.45 xFIP and 1.51 WHIP in seven road starts, and a .363 wOBA to 149 batters.
Meanwhile, Cristopher Sanchez is a legitimate ace. Among 59 qualified pitchers, Sanchez ranks sixth in ERA (2.54), 11th in xERA (3.30), second in xFIP (2.55) and second in SIERA (2.81).
Sanchez has also done his most dominant work at home. In 14 home starts spanning 89.1 innings, Sanchez has spun a 1.41 ERA, 2.49 xFIP, 1.03 WHIP, 6.4% walk rate and 28.7% strikeout rate.
The Phillies clearly have a decided starting pitching advantage. They also have an offensive advantage. The Marlins have a 94 wRC+ against lefties, and the Phillies have a 95 wRC+ against righties in 2026.
Additionally, Miami has only a 99 wRC+ on the road, and the Phillies have a 105 wRC+ at home this season. Finally, the Marlins have a 90 wRC+ in the previous 30 days, and the Phillies have a 106 wRC+ during that time. The Phillies should handle their business and beat the Marlins by at least two runs tonight.
Pick: Phillies -1.5 (-112)
Athletics (+163) at Royals (-198) | O/U 9.0 (-113/-107)
The Royals have a tasty pitching matchup tonight. Mason Barnett has a 6.16 ERA, 4.80 xERA, 5.00 xFIP, 4.56 SIERA and 1.45 WHIP in 38 innings this year, with the benefit of making 14 relief appearances and only three starts.
Barnett’s ERA is an eye-popping 8.78 in his three starts this season, with a 4.91 xERA, 5.55 xFIP, 4.81 SIERA and 1.58 WHIP. The 25-year-old righty isn’t merely a victim of his hitter-friendly home ballpark, either.
The Athletics hurler has a 6.06 ERA, 4.51 xFIP and 1.59 WHIP in 16.1 innings on the road this year. He also has a 6.04 ERA, 4.91 xFIP and 1.66 WHIP in 25.1 career innings on the road since reaching the Majors in 2025.
Barnett us a tantalizing matchup for all of Kansas City’s hitters. He’s allowed a .359 wOBA to 82 righties and a .377 wOBA to 85 lefties this season.
The A’s also have a wretched bullpen, ranking dead last in ERA (5.70) this season. Kansas City’s offense has a golden opportunity to light up the scoreboard tonight.
Their lineup could also get a significant lift tonight, with Maikel Garcia and Vinnie Pasquantino potentially returning from the injured list (IL).
Finally, renovated Kauffman Stadium ranks tied for fourth in park factor for runs (110) this season, according to Baseball Savant. The Royals don’t have an elite offense, but they’re tied for 10th in wOBA (.328) at home. Their team total of 5.5 runs is justifiably bloated, and getting +114 odds on an offensive outburst is compelling enough to take the over.
Pick: Royals Team Total Over 5.5 Runs (+114)
Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.