MLB Best Bets Today, 9/20: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Friday
Introducing the MLB Best Bets today on this Friday, September 20th! What an end to the week it's shaping up to be right now as your guy is now on a 11-4-1 run since mid-week!
Green is flowing once again and with 15 games on the MLB slate tonight it’s a perfect chance to end the week with these MLB predictions and a bang! Enjoy the article and make smart wager everyone, see you all back here on Monday and enjoy the weekend of course!
MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 9/20
In this article on MLB best bets today, you'll discover a variety of options, including money lines, team totals and numerous player props for today's MLB picks! Be sure to review your betting card for the best bets in MLB today; you definitely want to avoid making an incorrect wager!
Take a look at the reasoning behind my picks, and if you find yourself in agreement, feel free to follow along. Good luck! Now, let’s jump into my expert MLB best bets today!
- Season Record: 201-161-1
- Bankroll: +22.5 units
*Follow me on X/Twitter @jwaggs10!
Giants vs. Royals Prediction: Friday, September 20th
As the Royals now have one week left to hold down a wild card spot in the American League, they welcome the Giants for an interleague series! Now Kansas City does have a 2-game lead over those chasing them in the Twins and Tigers, but things get crazy down the stretch, so you know they’ll be playing hard.
This offense at home is special too as they’ve averaged 4.92 runs per game this season and the matchup against Mason Black of the Giants tonight assures that average should remain high! Black comes into tonight with a 7.07 ERA and 1.64 WHIP on the season so they have their work cut out for them and I must take the over on the Royals team total tonight to start the MLB predictions!
On top of the total offense for Kansas City, let’s wager on a bat to help them make it happen in our MLB best bets today! Black struggles overall in most stats this season but his splits against right-handed hitting is fantastically awful as he’s allowing an average of .339 and an OPS of 1.095 including 11 extra base hits in 62 batters faced.
That puts the household name of Bobby Witt in play tonight as he’s smoked righties all season and is hitting .286 with a 1.313 OPS over the past 6 games. I like his total bases a lot tonight so give me the over there.
For the last of our MLB best bets today, it’s a tag on the end for any parlays you’ll have today as it’s a bit chalky, but the Royals money line is still a value at -165 believe it or not. They should win this game without issue given the matchup on the mound and the offensive side of things, so add the Royals to win to your betting card.
- Expert Giants vs. Royals Picks:
- Royals Team Total Over 4.5 Runs (-115 on DraftKings)
- Bobby Witt (KC) Over 1.5 Total Bases (-145 on DraftKings)
- Kansas City Royals Money Line (-165 on DraftKings)
Best MLB Player Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 9/20
- Chicago White Sox vs. San Diego Padres Under 7.5 Runs (-135 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Cleveland Guardians vs. St. Louis Cardinals Under 8 Runs (-105 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Arizona Diamondbacks Money Line (-125 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Los Angeles Angels Money Line (+220 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Mitch Keller (PIT) Over 5.5 Strikeouts (+100 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Juan Soto (NYY) Over 1.5 Hits+Runs+RBIs (-160 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.