Top 3 MLB Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (9/13)
We're getting to the part of the calendar where we have some colossal matchups in the sports world. From the action on the gridiron to the tight Wild Card and divisional races in Major League Baseball, there's an abundance of high-leverage matchups on Saturday. I'm keeping it on the diamond for my top plays in this article.
Below you can find my three favorite MLB picks & predictions for Saturday, September 13th.
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Saturday's Best MLB Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of Hard Rock Bet)
Houston Astros (-130) vs. Atlanta Braves (+110) | O/U 8.5 (-115/-105)
The Astros (80-68) have been a bit shaky down the stretch, which has allowed the Mariners to pull even with them in the divisional race heading into Saturday's action. Luckily, the 'Stros will turn to a Cy Young-caliber starter in Hunter Brown to take on the Braves (65-82) tonight. Atlanta counters with Bryce Elder in this Interleague clash that gets underway at 7:15 p.m. ET from Truist Park in Atlanta, GA.
Considering the divisional lead is on the line for the Astros, combined with the fact that the red-hot Brown will take the ball for them, I think we're getting a relatively cheap Moneyline priced on Houston at just -130. Brown has been tremendous in 2025, going 11-7 with a 2.25 ERA (second), a 1.01 WHIP (10th) and 190 strikeouts (ninth). He draws a matchup against an Atlanta side that's dead last in wOBA (.229) over the last seven days.
As for Elder, he hasn't been able to stabilize his ERA this season, as he enters the weekend with a 5.35 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP over 25 starts (138 innings). Their bullpen has been a liability as well, coming in at 21st in ERA (4.31) and 11th in WHIP (1.28). The team as a whole is just 1-5 in its last six games, including getting slaughtered 11-3 in Friday's series opener. I don't mind playing the Astros as road favorites against this underwhelming Braves team.
Bet: Astros Moneyline (-130)
Los Angeles Dodgers (-110) vs. San Francisco Giants (-110) | O/U 7.5 (-110/-110)
The Giants (75-72) won in walk-off fashion over the Dodgers (82-65) last night, beating them 5-1 in 10 innings courtesy of a Patrick Bailey grand slam. The divisional rivals are back at it tonight, and we have a heavyweight pitching matchup between Clayton Kershaw and Logan Webb. First pitch is scheduled for 9:05 p.m. ET from Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA.
This is a big-time matchup tonight, and I expect to see the pitching staffs win the day again - I'm taking the under. Webb (3.12 ERA) continues to be a force when pitching in San Fran. His ERA dips to 2.77 at home this year. He's fourth in strikeouts (201) and owns a respectable 76.3% LOB% at home in 2025. Additionally, San Francisco's bullpen has been lights out, ranking second in both relief ERA (3.27) and WHIP (1.20).
Meanwhile, Kershaw continues to turn back the clock and dominate. Overall, the southpaw is 10-2 with a 3.27 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. In his last seven outings (39.1 innings), Kershaw has logged a 2.75 ERA. San Francisco's current roster is slashing just .188/.240/.256 against him over 117 at-bats, and the Giants are also just 21st in wOBA (.280) over the last week. Both aces should bring their best stuff in this one. I anticipate the final score landing under the 7.5 projected total.
Bet: Under 7.5 Runs (-110)
Cincinnati Reds (-120) vs. Athletics (+100) | O/U 9.5 (+105/-130)
What I didn't mention above is that the Giants pulled within 0.5 games of the Wild Card race last night. The Reds (74-73) are right on their tail, sitting only 1.5 games out of the final playoff spot in the National League. Cincinnati sends Hunter Greene to the bump to take on the Athletics (68-80), while the home side counters with Luis Severino. First pitch is set for 10:05 p.m. ET from Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, CA.
In a similar thought process to the Astros Moneyline play, I simply feel that we're getting a bargain on the price with Greene taking on a mediocre opponent. Greene has been superb in 2025, posting a 2.59 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP and a K/9 rate of 11.81. The Athletics can be feisty, but they're also just 5-8 in their last 13 games. I expect Greene to mow them down and lead his team to victory.
On the other hand, we have Severino heading to the hill. The right-hander is 6-11 with a 4.67 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. In addition to his pedestrian pitching, the A's will also be leaning on a subpar bullpen down the stretch. Their relief staff is 25th in both ERA (4.71) and WHIP (1.40). The Reds should muster up enough offense behind a solid Greene start to secure the crucial win.
Bet: Reds Moneyline (-120)