MLB Best Bets Today, 10/14: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Monday
Welcome into the MLB Best Bets Today for the MLB Postseason action on this Monday, October 14th! Last week was fantastic as I finished at 13-5 for the week and made over 5 units in bankroll with my MLB predictions.
I am sad to see the Divisional Round go away given that streak, but alas then there were four! It’s a doubleheader of the Championship series tonight with the Mets vs. Dodgers NLCS Game 2 and Guardians vs. Yankees ALCS Game 1.
I can’t wait to dive into them with all of you. I have a trio of MLB picks on tap for tonight – so good luck out there everyone and enjoy the games.
MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 10/14
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!
- Postseason Record: 17-11-0
- Postseason Bankroll: +5.2 Units
- Regular Season Record: 220-174-3
- Bankroll: +25.4 units
Follow me on X/Twitter: @jwaggs10
Guardians vs. Yankees Prediction, ALCS Game 1: Monday, October 14th
When it comes to the Championship Series in this MLB postseason, the American League side interests me more.
It could be because my wife Monica and her family are lifelong Cleveland sports fans, or it could be that Howard Bender is a Yankee fan and there’s Graeters Ice Cream on the line! Either way, I am dug into this series as far as it goes.
Today, I will not take a winner, but I am sure of betting on the game total. Both teams have shown strength this postseason on their bats as demonstrated through players like Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Jose Ramirez, and Lane Thomas! I think the offenses have the advantage on the pitchers overall in this series and in Game 1, I am taking the over as it sits at 7.5 runs.
Adding another wager onto this Game 1 ticket will be a player prop and I must back Steven Kwan, who is hitting .524 in the postseason for the Guardians. In the final 3 games of the Tigers series, Kwan collected 9 total hits, so his prop of hits/runs/RBIs is looking mighty fine tonight.
I like the play even more as Carlos Rodon is on the bump for New York. He struggled in a big way in his opening start of the postseason, allowing 7 hits over 3.2 innings. Kwan stays hot and we should cash this one!
- Expert Guardians vs. Yankees MLB Picks:
- Cleveland vs. New York Over 7.5 Runs (+100 on DraftKings)
- Steven Kwan (CLE) Over 1.5 Hits/Runs/RBIs (-110 on DraftKings)
Best MLB Player Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 10/14
- New York Mets Team Total Over 3.5 Runs (-125 on DraftKings)
Player News
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told reporters that Zach Eflin (lat) is likely to return and start Sunday against the Angels
It was assumed that Eflin would be back this weekend, but now we have a concrete date. The 31-year-old may not be at full strength after throwing fewer than 60 pitches in his rehab start, but the Orioles feel confident enough to have the right-hander back on the bump for the series finale against the Angels.
Riley Greene is not in the lineup for the first game of a doubleheader against the Rockies on Thursday.
Greene will get a break and likely return to the lineup for the second game of the twin-billing. Zach McKinstry will get the start in left field while Greene rests.
Yu Darvish (elbow) is facing live hitters on Thursday.
Darvish has been throwing bullpen sessions and traveled to the team’s complex in Arizona to face live hitters on Thursday. It will be his first time facing live batters since a spring training appearance on March 13th. He will likely need a few sessions like this before the Padres can map out a rehab appearance timeline for him.
Adael Amador is starting at second base and batting ninth for the Rockies on Thursday.
Amador has now started three of the last four games at second base for the Rockies. He’s gone just 7-for-43 this season with 15 strikeouts in 16 games. He’s just 22 years old, so there is plenty of time for him to adjust to the MLB level, but he doesn’t need to be on redraft radars right now.
Jackson Holliday is playing second base and batting second for the Orioles on Thursday against the Twins.
With Cedric Mullins sitting out on Thursday, Gunnar Henderson will bat lead off, and Holliday will jump up from sixth in the order to second. Holliday is riding a hot streak right now, and the Orioles are taking advantage. This is likely just a one-game sample with no Mullins or Adley Rutschman in the lineup, but Rutschman has been struggling, so perhaps it could become a more permanent spot in the lineup for Holliday moving forward.
Endy Rodriguez (finger) had his splint removed this week.
Rodriguez suffered a lacerated right index finger on April 14th. Now that he is out of his splint, he “is playing catch and doing a slightly modified swing.” Once he can progress to taking full swings, we’ll have a better sense of the timeline for his return.