MLB Best Bets Today, 9/16: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Monday
Welcome into the MLB best bets today on this Monday, September 16th! It’s a new week in MLB picks for me and knowing there are only 2 weeks remaining in the regular season, it's time to batten down the hatches and win as much as we can before the uncertainty that is postseason baseball.
We came out ahead last week making up a couple units so let’s use today’s MLB predictions to grab some winners on this 10-game slate!
MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 9/16
In this MLB best bets today article, you will find a wide array of choices from some money lines and team totals to plenty of player props for the action today in MLB predictions!
Remember to double check that betting card for the MLB best bets today as well, don’t want to put down the wrong wager! Check out the rationale and if you agree with me make sure to tail and good luck! Now, let's dive into my expert MLB best bets today!
- Season Record: 183-149-7
- Bankroll: +19.1 units
*Follow me on X/Twitter @jwaggs10!
Athletics vs. Cubs Prediction: Monday, September 16th
Time is running thin in this MLB regular season for teams on the outside to make their playoff push and that’s exactly the spot the Chicago Cubs find themselves in this week with a home series against Oakland starting tonight! It’s a long shot with them 5 games out with 2 weeks to go, but stranger things do happen and, with everything to play for, I love their matchup for MLB best bets today.
Joey Estes will start for the A’s tonight and while the 22-year-old pitcher has shown flashes of good play, his number on the road speak for themselves with a 6.18 ERA away from the Bay and allowing opposing batters to hit .286 thus far.
He has also allowed 6 or more hits in his last 3 starts coming into tonight and that’s where we find the first wager, which is him to allow over 5.5 hits against this Cubs offense. I am also going to tack on another prop on the Cubs team total of runs as they’ve posted 40 runs over the past pair of series over 6 games. They are swinging well so let’s go with them to go over 4.5 runs tonight.
Lastly, let’s pick a Cubs bat to back for MLB best bets today as we already have them going over 4.5 runs, so someone is going to help them get there. That player for me is going to be Cody Bellinger who has posted a .320 batting average with a 1.113 OPS over the past week and is one of the hottest hitters in baseball. Him to go over 1.5 hits+runs+RBIs seems like a great wager given the matchup against Estes, so let’s strike while the iron is hot.
- Expert Athletics vs. Cubs Picks:
- Chicago Team Total Over 4.5 Runs (-110 on DraftKings)
- Joey Estes (OAK) Over 5.5 Hits Allowed (-110 on DraftKings)
- Cody Bellinger (CHC) Over 1.5 Hits+Runs+RBIs (-115 on DraftKings)
Best MLB Player Props & Other Picks Today, 9/16
- Spencer Arrighetti (HOU) Under 4.5 Strikeouts (-105 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves Under 7.5 Runs (-105 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies Over 11 Runs (-120 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Kansas City Royals Money Line (-145 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Jose Iglesias (NYM) Over 1.5 Hits+Runs+RBIs (-150 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
Player News
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.
José Soriano allowed three runs over five innings while not factoring in the decision Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Soriano left with a 4-3 lead, but it was erased quickly after his departure. The 26-year-old was not exactly dominant in his outing with eight hits allowed and four free passes, but he did strike out six to help balance things out a smidgen. Soriano takes an even ERA of 4.00 into a scheduled start against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday. There should be better options for that one.