MLB Best Bets Today, 10/6: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Sunday
The 2024 MLB Postseason rolls on as we dive into the top MLB picks and MLB best bets for Sunday’s games. The NLDS matchups continue today with two games on the schedule. Let’s dive into MLB Best Bets and Props as you enjoy the action!
Our top MLB predictions today feature Padres vs. Dodgers picks in their NLDS Game 2 showdown. Plus, we wrap up our Sunday baseball betting card with some top MLB props today. Enjoy the weekend baseball as we cash our plays!
MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 10/6
As always, be sure to shop around for the best Vegas Odds and Lines at different sportsbooks. The odds in this article below are accurate as of this writing.
Without further ado, let’s check out my MLB best bets and props for Sunday, October 6th.
San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Prediction: Sunday, October 6th
After an exciting series opener last night, the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers will face off in Sunday’s NLDS Game 2 showdown. The starting pitching matchup is set with Yu Darvish taking on Jack Flaherty. Let’s see how to bet this clash between NL West rivals.
Darvish had a solid season for San Diego with a 3.31 ERA over 16 starts. However, he did have some worrisome metrics with a career-low 23.6% K rate and career-high 39.9% hard-hit rate. The 38-year-old right-hander was mostly effective but he isn’t the same consistently dominant pitcher we saw in the past.
The dangerous Dodgers offense, meanwhile, crushed right-handed pitching over the final two weeks of the regular season (.390 wOBA, 154 wRC+, .900 OPS). Darvish could run into trouble here, considering he has a 3.55 ERA and 5.34 FIP over his last 5 starts since returning from injury.
On the other side, Flaherty could get knocked around by the San Diego offense as well. The righty struggled with his consistency since joining LA at the trade deadline, pitching to a 3.58 ERA and 4.16 FIP in 10 starts with the Dodgers. He’s allowed at least 3 runs in 6 of his last 9 starts as well. He’ll face a Padres lineup that also boasted favorable numbers against right-handers over the last two weeks of the season (.331 wOBA, 116 wRC+, .770 OPS).
The Padres are averaging 4.3 runs per game over their past 20 contests. The Dodgers are scoring 7.8 runs per game over their past 14 games. These are two potent offenses that can turn this Game 2 in a slugfest if Darvish and/or Flaherty are a bit off.
Take the over for the full game and first five innings. This isn’t an overreaction to last night’s 7-5 final score where the scoring got going early, but it definitely helps with the bullpens being used early. Plus, grab the over on Fernando Tatis’s total bases prop as he’s hitting .625 in 10 career at-bats vs. Flaherty and is on fire already in the postseason.
Expert Padres vs. Dodgers MLB Picks
- Over 8.5 Total Runs (-105 FanDuel Sportsbook)
- 1st 5 Innings Over 4.5 Runs (-108 FanDuel Sportsbook)
- Fernando Tatis To Record 2+ Total Bases (-105 FanDuel Sportsbook)
Best MLB Player Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 10/6
- Bryce Harper Over 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBI (-150 BetMGM)
- Philadelphia Phillies Moneyline (-150 BetMGM)
Player News
Jesse Winker is not in the lineup for Thursday’s bout against the Cardinals.
Andre Pallante is typically better against lefties than righties, so rather than Winker at DH, the Mets will have Starling Marte as the designated hitter. This platoon should continue for the foreseeable future, and it’s not great for either from a fantasy standpoint.
Angels signed RHP Hector Neris to a minor league deal.
Neris elected free agency after Atlanta designated him for assignment, and has a new home a couple weeks later. The 35-year-old will likely need to pitch in a few games with Triple-A Salt Lake, but it’s not hard to see him being an option in the Angels’ bullpen in the coming weeks. Not a fantasy-relevant one, but an option nevertheless.
Royce Lewis (hamstring) will do some baserunning work Thursday.
It’s being described as “light” baserunning for Lewis. The 25-year-old has been on the injured list since the start of the season with his left hamstring strain, and while there’s still no concrete timetable for his return, it’s obviously a positive development that he’s able to run with the injury.
Pablo Lòpez (hamstring) will make a rehab start Saturday for Triple-A St. Paul.
López was able to throw a successful bullpen Wednesday, and now the 29-year-old will get a chance to work against hitters at the Triple-A level. He may need a couple of rehab outings before he rejoins the Minnesota rotation, but if everything goes well, he should be back by the end of April or the early portion of May.
Mets optioned RHP Justin Hagenman to Triple-A Syracuse.
Hagenman threw 3 1/3 innings during Wednesday’s outing against the Twins, and while he pitched well in that outing, New York needs a fresh arm. The 28-year-old will likely be back at some point in May.
Mets recalled RHP Max Kranick from Triple-A Syracuse.
It’s not Kranick’s first trip from Syracuse to New York, and it’s unikely to be his last. The 27-year-old provides an extra arm for the Mets in their bullpen with Justin Hagenman optioned to Triple-A to make room on the roster.