MLB Best Bets Today, 9/26: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Thursday
Welcome to the MLB Best Bets Today on this Thursday, September 26th! After the rain out game between the Braves & Mets last night, things went swimmingly as 3 of the 4 bets cashed.
That’s another winning night on the week and that pushes us into today’s action with some extra money in our pocket. This slate starts early so make sure to get these MLB picks in during your lunch break at work! Good luck all and enjoy the baseball!
MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 9/26
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 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: 214-170-3
- Bankroll: +24.4 units
*Follow me on X/Twitter @jwaggs10
Padres vs. Dodgers Prediction: Thursday, September 26th
Things are pretty much squared away in the NL West with the Dodgers 3 games up on the San Diego Padres in the divisional race. As long as there remains a chance to win the thing, I imagine San Diego will come out guns blazing.
I like that narrative tonight and that they’ll go against Walker Buehler, who is having a rough September with a 5.06 ERA. That puts the Padres in the driver’s seat to win this game with Joe Musgrove pitching on the other side. I like San Diego to win this game, and the odds are good at that, so let’s lock the 46-31 road record Padres to grab another one.
In addition to backing San Diego to win, I have a player prop as well! Buehler has struggled all season against lefty bats allowing a .315 average and .943 OPS overall. His home run splits are even between the handiness, but the extra-base hits really skew toward allowing the lefties to get after him.
That means wheels up for Jackson Merrill, who is hitting .294 over the past 5 games including a pair of doubles. He is hitting 5th in the lineup so plenty of chances to go over 1.5 hits/runs/RBIs with this killer lineup in front of him!
- Expert Padres vs. Dodgers MLB Picks:
- San Diego Padres Money Line (-105 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Jackson Merrill (SD) Over 1.5 Hits/Runs/RBIs (-150 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
Best MLB Player Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 9/26
- Oakland Athletics Money Line (-110 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees Under 8 Runs (-120 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Kansas City Royals Run Line -1.5 (-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.