MLB Best Bets Today, 9/5: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Thursday
Welcome into the MLB Best Bets and Props today on this fine Thursday, September 5th! I know everyone will be watching the NFL today, and so will I, but don’t forget about me and all the profit we’ve made together this summer!
Yesterday’s MLB predictions got us back on the horse with a 5-3 night that netted good money, and tonight, we will look to do the same with these MLB best bets today that I have put together for this 9-game slate.
MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 9/5
In this article on MLB best bets today, you will discover a diverse selection of options, ranging from money lines and team totals to numerous player props for today's MLB predictions. It’s essential to verify your betting card for the best bets to ensure you place the correct wagers.
Review the reasoning behind each pick, and if you find yourself in agreement, feel free to follow along. Wishing you the best of luck! Now, let’s explore my expert MLB best bets today.
- Season Record: 165-126-7
- Bankroll: +17.4 units
*Follow me on X/Twitter @jwaggs10!
Phillies vs. Marlins Prediction: Thursday, September 5th
Once again, we are betting good teams against bad teams as we roll through September on the MLB picks page! The newest edition finds the Phillies down south taking on the Marlins tonight in a matchup that should be favorable for the Phils all the way around.
On the mound, it’ll be Ranger Suarez and his 3.02 ERA against Adam Oller who has only made 3 starts this season so far. Those few starts have been up and down but he’s yet to face a team like the Phillies and it's going to be a bad time for him. Philadelphia is also 35-31 on the run line this season on the road and averages 4.59 runs per game as well. They should win this game going away, but with the ML chalk, we will have to fade that in favor of the run line. So, let’s bet on the road team to cover this evening.
Next wager for this game must come on a bat and it's looking like Bryce Harper is the hottest name on the docket for tonight. Harper comes into this series hitting .400 over the past 7 days with a 1.028 OPS and 3 doubles during that time. Oller has also struggled more so against the lefty bats in his starts, so give me Bryce to keep it and go over his total bases in this matchup.
Last wager for my MLB best bets today is backing Ranger Suarez who has been so damn good this season overall. He’s had a rough July and August, but a bounce back should be in the works as the Marlins offense is one of the worst in the league. Give me the over on his outs recorded tonight as it’s fallen down to under 6 innings, so I will grab the 17.5 outs towards the over!
- Expert Phillies vs. Marlins Picks:
- Philadelphia Run Line -1.5 (-130 on DraftKings)
- Bryce Harper (PHI) Over 1.5 Total Bases (-105 on DraftKings)
- Ranger Suarez (PHI) Over 17.5 Outs Recorded (-140 on DraftKings)
Best MLB Player Props & Other Picks Today, 9/5
- James Wood (WSH) Over 1.5 Hits+Runs+RBIs (-120 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics Under 8 Runs (-115 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Texas Rangers Team Total Over 4.5 Runs (+100 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.