MLB Picks Today: Expert Predictions & Best Bets for Friday, June 26, inc. Yankees vs Red Sox

The 2026 Major League Baseball season continues with another excellent slate of games on Friday. The massive 15-game card includes a couple of anticipated showdowns, including a showdown between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres at 9:40 PM ET. The action gets underway at 6:40 PM ET with a matchup involving the Astros and Tigers.

Let's break down my MLB best bets for Friday, June 26, while you can also find out our expert MLB picks for EVERY GAME today and throughout the entire 2026 campaign!

MLB best bet: New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox F5 Under 4.5 (-110)

Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -110.

One of the best rivalries in baseball continues on Friday with a matchup at Fenway Park. The Red Sox offense was the story of the series opener, but I'm not convinced that this trend will hold in the second game. Despite the fact that this is a hitters park, both pitchers have impressed, particularly in this situation. Yankees starter Will Warren holds a 3.47 ERA while striking out nearly 10 hitters per 9 innings on the season, and he's been excellent on the road (2.97 ERA). The Red Sox lineup is nothing to write home about, and I'd expect Warren to continue his strong form after surrendering just 6 runs over his last 4 outings away from home. On the other side, Payton Tolle (3.08 ERA) has allowed just 5 runs over his last 16 innings pitched at home, so let's take an under in the first 5 innings and avoid having to worry about the bullpens in this matchup.

Get our full Yankees vs Red Sox predictions

MLB best bet: San Diego Padres ML over Los Angeles Dodgers (+130)

Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to +110.

An NL West showdown highlights the late-night slate on Friday, with the Padres and Dodgers renewing their rivalry in San Diego. Historically, these series have been very close in both the regular season and playoffs, and I'm expecting another nip-and-tuck affair in this one. With that in mind, backing the underdog is the only way I can look in this matchup, especially given the fact that Dodgers starter Roki Sasaki holds a 6.19 ERA on the road and was just knocked around to the run of 7 runs allowed in his most recent start away from Dodger Stadium. Conversely, Walker Buehler (3.96 ERA, 3.28 FIP) should see success against his former team, and he'll be backed by an elite Padres bullpen that is among the very best in baseball. I'll take a shot with the home underdog.

Read our full Padres vs Dodgers predictions for today's matchup