MLB Best Bets Today, 9/27: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Friday

Welcome into the MLB Best Bets today on this Thursday, September 26th! At long last, I have made it to the bittersweet end of the road this MLB regular season!
It along with my MLB predictions have been filled with more ups than downs and for that I am grateful; it's not easy to bet on a sport every single day over the course of months. I just want to thank Howard Bender and Jon Impemba for letting me write these articles for you all and for all of you the readers for riding with me along the way!
For my final article of the regular season regarding MLB best bets today, I have a handful of wagers to take a look at!
MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 9/27
In this article for MLB Best Bets today, you'll discover a diverse selection of options, ranging from money lines and team totals to an abundance of player props for today's MLB predictions!
Be sure to verify your betting card for the best bets, as accuracy is crucial to avoid any missteps in your wagers. Review the reasoning behind each pick, and if you find yourself in agreement, feel free to follow along. Best of luck! Now, let's explore my top expert MLB Best Bets for today!
- Season Record: 217-173-3
- Bankroll: +23.8 units
*Follow me on X/Twitter @jwaggs10!
Astros vs. Guardians Prediction: Friday, September 27th
The Astros are in an excellent position to defeat the Guardians today, bolstered by a formidable lineup that combines both power and reliability. With standout players like Jose Altuve (.293), Yainer Diaz (.299), and Kyle Tucker (.281), their offense excels at getting on base and scoring runs.
Alex Bregman, contributing 26 home runs, adds even more firepower, allowing Houston to rack up runs in a hurry. In contrast, the Guardians depend heavily on Jose Ramirez (38 HR) and Josh Naylor (31 HR), which may hinder their ability to match Houston’s more versatile offense.
On the pitching front, the Astros have a significant edge with Ronel Blanco, who has been exceptional with a 2.88 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP, limiting opponents to a mere .193 batting average.
Meanwhile, Cleveland’s Joey Cantillo faces challenges with a higher 4.63 ERA, making him susceptible against a potent Astros lineup. Blanco’s knack for minimizing damage and securing outs should provide Houston with a clear advantage in today’s pitching matchup.
Moreover, Houston’s lineup is well-rounded, featuring a blend of speed and power that complicates defensive strategies. While the Guardians possess some speedsters like Ramirez and Andres Gimenez, their offense is more concentrated, relying on a few key players to shoulder the burden.
This imbalance could prove detrimental for Cleveland, as Houston’s deeper roster and superior pitching position them as the favorites in this contest. I’ll take them to win in my MLB best bets today
- Expert Astros vs. Guardians Picks:
- Houston Money Line (+105 on DraftKings)
Best MLB Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 9/27
- Kansas City Royals vs. Atlanta Braves Under 7.5 Runs (-120 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- New York Mets Money Line (-115 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- San Diego Padres vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Under 8.5 Runs (-105 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.