Welcome back to another Saturday of MLB picks as we take a closer look at all of today’s games. Let’s dive into MLB Best Bets and Props as you enjoy the weekend action!

Our top MLB predictions today feature Dodgers vs. Braves picks and Astros vs. Angels best bets. Plus, we wrap up our Saturday baseball betting card with some top MLB props today. Enjoy the afternoon and night baseball as we cash our plays! 

 

 

 

MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 9/14

As always, be sure to shop around for the best Vegas Odds and Lines at different sportsbooks. The odds in this article below are accurate as of this writing. 

Without further ado, let’s check out my MLB best bets and props for Saturday, September 14th.

 

 

 

Dodgers vs. Braves Prediction: Saturday, September 14th

Betting against the Los Angeles Dodgers offense is a very dangerous proposition right now. The lineup is scorching hot and lighting up opposing pitchers on almost a nightly basis. If we were going to fade the Dodger hitters, though, it would be against the favorite for the NL Cy Young tonight. 

Chris Sale is now running away with those honors amid his throwback ace season. Lately, the Atlanta Braves’ left-hander has been outright dominant. He has a 1.15 ERA and 1.25 FIP over his past 6 starts and a 1.80 ERA/1.68 FIP over his past 14 outings going back to mid-June. He also hasn’t allowed more than 2 earned runs in a start since June 1st. 

Sale’s season-long ERA is down to 2.38 and his 2.02 FIP suggests he could be even better, believe it or not. If you need more proof, just look at some of his key Statcast advanced metrics: 32.4% K rate (95th MLB percentile), 2.74 xERA (95th), 34.0% chase rate (95th), 31.1% hard-hit rate (95th), 5.3% walk rate (88th). Even though the Dodgers offense is dangerous, Sale is way too good right now – especially with a 2.33 ERA at home this year. 

Meanwhile, Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty has also been one of the best pitchers in the league recently. The right-hander has a 2.17 ERA over his past 15 starts and a 2.61 ERA in 7 outings since being traded to Los Angeles. Flaherty also has a 2.49 ERA and 0.94 WHIP on the road this season (compared to a 3.29 ERA and 1.09 WHIP at home). He’ll face a Braves offense that has struggled a ton against righties over the past two weeks (.263 wOBA, 66 wRC+, .208 BA). 

Grab the under for the full game and first five innings. This has all the makings of a classic pitching duel between Flaherty and Sale. 

 

 

 

Astros vs. Angels Prediction: Saturday, September 14th

Our second MLB pick today brings us to an AL West showdown between the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels. Based on the starting pitchers in this one – Justin Verlander vs. Tyler Anderson – we should see plenty of runs scored on Saturday night. Let’s break it down. 

Verlander has looked very shaky for Houston since returning from the IL in August. He’s allowed 19 runs and 27 hits across 17.2 innings with an ugly 9.68 ERA in 4 starts. The veteran righty now has a 5.30 ERA and 5.09 FIP on the season after coughing up 8 runs last time out. Verlander just doesn’t have it right now and he’s given up 4+ runs in 5 of his last 6 starts.

The Angels are about a league-average offense vs. right-handed pitching over the past two weeks (.313 wOBA, 102 wRC+). This is more of a fade of Verlander, though, until he proves he’s capable of posting a decent outing. It’s worth noting that he allowed 4 runs on 7 hits to the Angels back in June. 

Meanwhile, the Astros should add to the total too as this game hits the over. Los Angeles starter Tyler Anderson has not been trustworthy lately with a 5.40 ERA and 5.06 FIP over his past 7 starts. The regression monster has come for Anderson after he started the season hot. On that note, his current 4.52 FIP is still a full run higher than his 3.50 ERA. 

Anderson also has home/road splits going against him today. The left-hander has a 4.67 ERA and 1.39 WHIP at home compared to a 2.23 ERA and 1.05 WHIP on the road. Now he has to face an Astros offense that plated 4 runs on 7 hits against him in their last meeting.

Furthermore, Anderson has struggled to a 6.14 ERA in 9 career starts vs. Houston. Yikes! A number of Astros hitters also boast excellent career BvP numbers vs. Anderson: Kyle Tucker .583 BA, Yordan Alvarez .429, Jose Altuve .350. Take the over for both the full game and first five innings. 

 

 

 

Best MLB Player Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 9/14