MLB Picks Today: Expert Predictions & Best Bets for Monday, September 14, including Braves vs Cubs
The week in Major League Baseball begins with a modest 10-game slate on Monday, September 14. It is headlined by Braves vs Cubs live on MLB Network at 7:40 pm ET, and also features White Sox vs Guardians, Yankees vs Twins and Marlins vs Diamondbacks. Here are my MLB best bets for today, and also make sure to check out our MLB picks for every game through the rest of the 2026 season.
MLB Best Bet: Toronto Blue Jays ML over Detroit Tigers (-118)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finally homered at home this season, racking up four hits in total on Sunday to lead Toronto to an 8-1 victory over Baltimore. That was preceded by a 7-3 defeat of the Orioles on Saturday. Every win is huge for the Blue Jays, who are just one game out of the third and final wild-card spot in the American League. They should be able to get another win in the series opener against the Tigers, who are well out of the postseason picture at 70-79.
Troy Melton is taking the mound for Detroit, and he has struggled massively through two September outings, allowing 11 runs on 13 hit in 11.0 innings. The Jays are countering with trade-deadline acquisition Jose Soriano, and they have won each of his past three starts. Toronto is three games over .500 at home this year, while Detroit is a horrendous 12 games under .500 on the road. I’ll happily back the more motivated team in its own building.
Read our full Tigers vs Blue Jays prediction for tonight's MLB matchup
MLB Best Bet: Chicago Cubs ML over Atlanta Braves (-132)
This is a great spot for Chicago with Atlanta coming off a grueling and very important stretch of baseball. The Braves have not had a day off since September 3, and their last three series were at Philadelphia, vs Tampa Bay and vs Philadelphia. They won four of seven games against the Phillies during that stretch to put themselves on the brink of the National League East title. However, a 9-4 loss on Sunday left the door at least somewhat ajar.
Atlanta used four relievers in the series finale, in which Dylan Lee got rocked for four earned runs in 0.2 innings. High-leverage bullpen arms Dider Fuentes and Raisel Iglesias have also been taxed of late. That doesn’t bode well with Reynaldo Lopez toeing the rubber on Monday, as the veteran righty rarely works deep into games – and in 2026 rarely pitches well. The Cubs have the better starter (even though David Peterson is nothing special) and are playing at Wrigley Field, where they are 3-1 in their last four contests.
Get the full analysis for our Braves vs Cubs prediction for today's game on MLB Network
MLB Best Bet: New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins Under 8.5 (-112)
New York’s Will Warren and Minnesota’s Bailey Ober will take the mound for the series opener on Monday, and both guys have been fantastic of late. Warren has given up only two runs in his last three appearances, which have spanned 15.1 innings. He has surrendered a mere six earned runs in his last four outings. Warren comes in with a 10-6 record, a 4.05 ERA and 141 strikeouts in 142.1 innings. Ober has allowed just one earned run in each of his last three starts across 14.1 innings. The right-hander is sporting a 3.16 ERA at home compared to 5.84 on the road.
Both offenses have been struggling, so there is no reason to think that either one will get back on track in this one given the pitching matchup. The Yankees crossed the plate twice in each of their last two contests against the Mets this past weekend. Similarly, the Twins have scored no more than two runs in three of their last four games.
Find out our expert's 5-star Yankees vs Twins best bet for today
