Ricky Dimon
The week in Major League Baseball concludes with a full 15-game slate on Sunday. It features Cubs vs Reds, Giants vs Dodgers, Mariners vs Astros and Red Sox vs Rays. The Pickswise team is on an 39-21 run in this MLB best bets series. Let’s build on that momentum and hopefully deliver some more winners today!
Make sure you also check out our MLB picks for every game on Sunday, September 21.
MLB best bet: Washington Nationals vs New York Mets Over 8.5 (-114)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing
The Nationals just love having the worst pitcher in baseball every year. From 2021 through 2024 it was Patrick Corbin. With Corbin having moved on to Texas (where he is actually pitching decent this season), that torch has been passed to Jake Irvin. The right-hander comes in with a 5.76 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and a strikeout-to-walk ratio worse than 2-to-1 (113 Ks, 59 BBs) through 168.2 innings of work. Irvin compiled an 8.78 ERA in August and has pitched to a 9.42 ERA so far in September.
Honestly, the Mets – who have scored 38 runs in their last 6 contests – could cover this 8.5 number all by themselves. But they probably won’t have to, because the Nationals’ offense has produced 15 runs in its last 3 games. Sean Manaea is going for New York and he is saddled with a 5.40 ERA in 12 appearances (10 starts) during the 2025 campaign.
MLB best bet: Atlanta Braves ML over Detroit Tigers (+102)
Odds available at Bet365 Sportsbook at time of publishing
Detroit is going to the playoffs and Atlanta is not, but for the time being these are 2 teams going in opposite directions. The Tigers have lost 8 of their last 9 games and are on the cusp of blowing a massive lead in the AL Central over the Guardians; the Braves have won a season-high 7 games in a row.
All of the pressure, of course, is on Detroit. It’s showing, too. Atlanta, on the other hand, seemed to loosen up once it got eliminated from postseason contention. The Braves have nothing to play for…and they are playing great. Spencer Strider will be on the mound for the visitors and he has looked like the Strider of old in his last 4 starts. During this stretch he has allowed only 7 earned runs in 25.0 innings; twice he has fired 7.0 innings of 1-run baseball, including in his most recent appearance at Washington on Monday. Expect the Tigers’ woes to continue.
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