No matter what happens this weekend, my MLB picks will finish the regular season profitably after our latest 14-3 torrid stretch over the last six weeks.
A nor'easter on the East Coast has already impacted the schedule for many Major League Baseball games on this last weekend of the regular season. I analyze how weather conditions should impact the all-important Rays-Phillies matchup, with Philadelphia looking to lock down the last National League playoff spot. One of my other two MLB picks found value in another meaningful game for playoff positioning, while also focusing on games that won't be impacted by the severe weather.
Here are the best MLB picks & predictions for Saturday, September 26th.
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Saturday’s Best MLB Picks & Predictions
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook | This Season: 44-33 (+9.23 units, +12.1% ROI)
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants
In Blake Snell's first six starts back from injury, he was lights out with a 4-0 record, 1.04 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and an 11.9 K/9. While working around several injuries over the last couple of years, he has quietly built quite the resume.
Since 2023, Snell ranks first in ERA, fourth in FIP, first in strikeout rate, first in opponents’ batting average, second in opponents’ OPS, first in whiff rate and first in hard-hit rate (minimum 350 innings).
The Dodgers are already locked into the No. 2 seed in the National League after Milwaukee clinched home-field advantage with its historic 100-win season. So while they've earned almost a full week of rest next week, I wouldn't put it past manager Dave Roberts to give some of his veteran players extra days off as he plays the long game to navigate the playoff schedule.
Pick: First Five Innings Under 3.5 Runs (+110)
Colorado Rockies vs. Chicago White Sox
Chicago is one game behind Cleveland in the American League Central, so part of me wanted to back its -107 run line odds, knowing how important this game was to stay alive for the American League Central title. But I shifted gears to the under, as not only should temperatures be in the mid-50s, but the White Sox are a poor 22-26 against left-handed pitchers this season.
I wouldn't put anyone off backing a big White Sox victory, as Colorado became the fifth team in MLB history to lose 100+ games in four straight seasons, joining the 1909-12 Braves, 1938-1942 Phillies, 1961-1964 Senators and 1962-1965 Mets.
Jose Quintana's road ERA is actually more than two runs worse than it is at Coors Field, but his 10.1 K/9 rate against the White Sox is his highest against any team. I also trust Davis Martin to match zeros, as he has allowed one or fewer earned runs in four straight starts.
Pick: Under 8.0 Runs (-107)
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Philadelphia Phillies
In Griffin Jax's last start, he threw five scoreless innings, allowing three hits and two walks, for his second win in his last three outings. He threw so well that he earned a proStuff+ grade of 109, which was second-best among all starting pitchers on the day's slate.
Tampa Bay is now 3-0 the last three times Jax has toed the rubber. Philadelphia continues to be at a disadvantage with Jesus Luzardo out, as his absence created a void in the rotation that now needs to be patched together with a bullpen game. The fact that Philadelphia is using a bullpen game doesn't bode well for its chances of winning, as Phillies relievers rank 29th in ERA this month.
Pick: Rays Moneyline (-114)
Mike Spector is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @MikeSpector01.