The 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) Wild Card quartet of series roll on Wednesday with four Game 2 battles. At 2:00 p.m. ET on NBC, the Philadelphia Phillies look to stay alive against the Atlanta Braves, while at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees play Game 2 in The Bronx. Let’s build our bankroll with our best MLB picks & predictions for Wednesday, September 30th.
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Wednesday’s Best MLB Picks & Predictions
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All bets are for 1 unit
Chicago White Sox (+122) at Houston Astros (-144) | O/U 7.5 (-110/-110)
The White Sox shocked the world by contending this season, but they’re not satisfied with simply making the postseason field. Chicago (+110) doubled up Houston 6-3 in Game 1, and it was the only road team to pick up a victory on Tuesday.
Chicago collected 11 hits, with LF Sam Antonacci driving in two runs. SS Colson Montgomery launched a solo homer in three at-bats out of the nine-hole, while RF Braden Montgomery and 2B Chase Meidroth were each 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Meidroth drove in a run, as well.
For Houston, it was a guy who didn’t even start who made the biggest impact. LF Nelson Velazquez served as a pinch hitter, swatting a 2-run homer in three at-bats out of the nine-spot.
Chicago turns to RHP Sean Burke (11-7, 3.34 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) in this elimination game. He posted 185 strikeouts this season, tied for 18th in the majors, and a lot of casual fans might not be familiar with his game. Houston counters with RHP Hunter Brown (6-4, 3.19 ERA, 1.27 WHIP) looking to keep its season alive. The right-hander has made six starts against the White Sox in his career, and he has won all six of those outings.
Based on the desperation in the air at Daikin Park, the Under is a strong play. Yes, the Over cashed in all four Wild Card games on Tuesday in the Game 1 matchups. However, we’re now seeing four teams with their seasons on the line, including the AL West champs. Things are going to tighten up significantly, and runs should be at a premium. And, we won’t have openers going, but two strong pitchers facing each other. I like Brown’s history against the ChiSox, so let’s back the Astros, and we’ll go Under.
Picks: Astros Moneyline (-144) & Under 7.5 Runs (-110)
Boston Red Sox (+120) at New York Yankees (-142) | O/U 6.5 (-122/+100)
The Yankees embarrassed the Red Sox 9-0 in Game 1, with New York outhitting Boston at a 12-to-3 clip. RHP Cam Schlittler dominated Boston last season in a Wild Card start, striking out 12 batters, and he struck out 10 batters in the Game 1 victory on Tuesday.
Yankees DH Ben Rice exploded for two home runs, finishing 4-for-5 with six RBI, while SS George Lombard Jr. ended up 3-for-4 with two runs scored. C Austin Wells finished 2-for-3 with a pair of singles, a run scored, and two RBI out of the nine-hole, too.
The Red Sox turn to RHP Sonny Gray (18-5, 2.72 ERA, 1.15 WHIP), and he was 1-0 with a 1.98 ERA in two starts over 13.2 IP during the regular season, while striking out 12 batters. The Yankees hit a collective .188 against him, so Gray is the man for the job, as Boston looks to force a decisive Game 3.
Standing in the way will be LHP Max Fried (5-5, 2.80 ERA, 0.99 WHIP), who hasn’t been nearly as effective this season, but he still isn’t bad. And, Fried was 1-0 with a 0.77 ERA across 11.2 IP in two starts against Boston during the regular season, so expect to see plenty of donuts in the Bronx on Wednesday night.
Let’s take the Red Sox to level the series in Game 2, and we’ll go Under, too, even if it is a minuscule number.
Picks: Red Sox Moneyline (+120) & Under 6.5 Runs (+100)
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