MLB Best Bets Today, 9/2: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Monday

Welcome into the MLB Best Bets and Props for Labor Day, September 2nd, 2024! It may be the unofficial end of summer, but with 4 weeks left in the MLB season, things are sure to continue heating up with the push for the postseason.
In today’s MLB predictions, I have a full complement of options to pick from as there are 11 games that stretch from mid-afternoon into the night, so enjoy your holiday off and let’s get some winners!
MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 9/2
In this piece for MLB best bets today you will find a wide array of choices from some money lines and team totals to plenty of player props for the action in today’s MLB picks!
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: 154-114-7
- Bankroll: +18.1 units
*Follow me on X/Twitter @jwaggs10!
White Sox vs. Orioles Prediction: Monday, September 2nd
On this Labor Day, the White Sox stand on the edge of infamy with a record of 31-107 and this series against the Orioles isn’t going to help them any at all. The White Sox are terrible in every way and will also send out Chris Flexen this afternoon against an O’s lineup that can score runs in bunches as they average 4.96 runs per game this season.
Flexen is a below average pitcher in every sense of the word and, in the month of August, his ERA climbed to 6.14 over 5 starts! That makes me think the Orioles will score a boatload of runs this afternoon, so kicking off the MLB predictions will be Baltimore to go over 5.5 runs at plus money.
The next selections will dig a bit deeper into ML player props, and since we talked about how bad Flexen is, let’s get an Orioles bat going for our betting ticket. I am going to back the hottest bat the Orioles have had over the past week in Anthony Santander with Flexen giving up high OPS numbers against switch hitters this season. Santander has 8 hits in his last 6 games with 2 doubles and a homer, so with the hits+runs+RBIs being juiced, I will flow in the direction of total bases and bet on him going over 1.5 today.
In the final of my MLB best bets today, I must give some love to Corbin Burnes who will face a White Sox lineup that has a K-rate of 25.8% on the road this season and scores just 3.03 runs per game. Burnes has had some issues this past month with an ERA of 7.36 but he had to play the Dodgers, Astors, Red Sox and Guardians who all rank in the top half of MLB offenses. This White Sox team is not nearly as good, so for that, I will double down on the props taking over 6.5 strikeouts and him to record the win today.
- Expert White Sox vs. Orioles Picks:
- Baltimore Team Total Over 5.5 Runs (+105 on DraftKings)
- Anthony Santander (BAL) Over 1.5 Total Bases (+120 on DraftKings)
- Corbin Burnes (BAL) Over 6.5 Strikeouts (+115 on DraftKings)
- Corbin Burnes (BAL) To Record A Win (-140 on DraftKings)
Best MLB Player Props & Other Picks Today, 9/2
- St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers Under 8 Runs (-130 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Jameson Taillon (CHC) Over 4.5 Strikeouts (-155 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Kansas City Royals Money Line (-110 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Mookie Betts Over 1.5 Total Bases (-125 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.