MLB Picks Today: Expert Predictions & Best Bets for Wednesday, September 9, inc. Orioles vs Guardians

We have a loaded slate of MLB games on tap for Wednesday, September 9, and there are numerous intriguing betting angles worth diving into. Let's jump right in and discuss my 3 MLB best bets for today, while you can also find out our MLB picks for all 15 matchups on the diamond, including Twins vs Tigers, Rangers vs Mariners, Guardians vs Orioles, Astros vs Phillies, Rays vs Braves, Cubs vs Brewers and Reds vs Dodgers.

MLB Best Bet: Foster Griffin (CLE) over 5.5 strikeouts recorded in Guardians vs Orioles (-114)

Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -125 odds.

Between the Nationals and the Guardians, Foster Griffin has amassed 160.1 innings under his belt this season through his first 28 starts made. The southpaw hurler is set to make his 29th appearance of the season Wednesday night against the Orioles. Baltimore is a lineup that is striking out at an alarming rate against lefties in the last 30 days. During that sample, they sit 2nd-worst in K% at 28.1, tied with Pittsburgh for that spot.

Griffin faced the Orioles back on June 27th, tossing 7 frames with just a single unearned run crossing the plate in that start. Baltimore struck out 9 times in that game against Griffin, and today we need just 6 to clear this prop. Griffin is not a consistent strikeout producer, posting several games with low totals despite decent overall outings. He has shown upside in this department, however, and in this matchup, I am more than willing to take another stab.

Find out our expert's Guardians vs Orioles best bet for today's matchup

MLB Best Bet: Jake Bennett (BOS) over 4.5 strikeouts recorded in Angels vs Red Sox (-150)

Odds available at Caesars Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -165 odds.

Jake Bennett draws another favorable matchup Wednesday against an Angels team that really struggles to produce against left-handed pitching. In the last 30 days against southpaw pitching, the Angels sit dead last in wOBA. Their wRC+ in that stretch of play sits at 60 while their walk rate is the 6th-lowest in the league. Plate discipline has been an issue of late, and while their strikeout rate is league average in this stretch, there are still several bats capable of whiffing.

Bennett enters play with a 3.34 ERA and 3.22 xERA in 99.2 innings pitched this season. He has allowed more runs of late, but his strikeout production has also spiked lately. Bennett struck out 7 Orioles in his last start, a game in which he needed just 5 Ks to clear his posted prop. His prop sits at 4.5 again today, a mark he has cleared in each of his last 5 starts made. I expect him to pitch well overall and find that 5th strikeout Wednesday against the Angels.

Get more analysis and picks in our Angels vs Red Sox prediction

MLB Best Bet: Kade Anderson (SEA) under 15.5 outs recorded in Rangers vs Mariners (-159)

Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing. Playable to -175 odds.

Kade Anderson will play a major role in the starting rotation for the Seattle Mariners next season and beyond, but it is clear that the southpaw hurler has some training wheels still on. Anderson worked 5.2 innings in his MLB debut but did so in an efficient manner with just 81 pitches thrown to the 22 batters he faced. Anderson tossed 85 pitches in his 2nd start, lasting just 4.1 innings across 19 batters faced. His 3rd start resulted in 5 full innings across 79 pitches and 22 batters faced. With Seattle all but eliminated from playoff contention it may be wise to keep his workload similar through the end of the regular season.

Anderson skipped AAA and in AA this season his leash wasn’t overly long. He is also a strikeout artist that tends to take more pitches per plate appearance than a true pitch-to-contact type of arm. His efficiency also won’t be helped by facing a team in very good form against left-handed pitching. Across the last 30 days of play the Rangers sit 4th in wOBA with a 131 wRC+ against lefty pitchers. Their low strikeout rate and decent walk rate in that stretch of play could present issues for the youthful Mariners starter, and I expect him to remain under 15.5 outs recorded on Wednesday.

Check out our full Rangers vs Mariners prediction for this afternoon's MLB game