MLB Best Bets Today, 4/16: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - Wednesday
Welcome into our MLB best bets today for this slate of MLB action here at Fantasy Alarm on this Wednesday, April 16, 2025! Monday and Tuesday’s MLB picks were both 4-3 days overall and that’s fine given any day in the green is a good one, but I have been left wanting a bit more.
Good thing there’s another 15-game slate for the MLB predictions today to take advantage of. Check out the MLB best bets for today below and let’s cash some tickets!
MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 4/16
In addition to the starting month of the season, like seasons past I am advocating that you start the season with half unit wagers as well. Every season is unique and until we get our footing into who these teams and players are this season let’s gamble smart and learn as we go!
In this MLB Best Bets Today article you will find a wide array of choices from some Money Lines and to game totals and on occasion some player props! 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: 33-25-0
- Bankroll: +3.9 units
*Follow me on X/Twitter @jwaggs10
Braves vs. Blue Jays Predictions: Wednesday, April 16th
What an exciting game this is going to be in the middle of the baseball week! Spencer Strider, former All Star pitcher, is back on the bump for the first time in a year for the Braves!
Many fantasy baseball teams are excited to get him back in the lineup but I’m excited to wager on his games again. Very few pitchers were as electric as him during the 2022 and 2023 season and I can’t wait to see his stuff again.
Today is the perfect return spot too as the Blue Jays have struggled to score on the road despite hitting well in average overall. It's also on short rest for their lineup with this early afternoon game and Strider is going to be jacked up to be back in action again.
I fully believe he holds up his end of the bargain on an under and I think he strikes out a few in the process. His total is just 5.5, the lowest you’re going to see for the rest of the season, let’s take advantage.
Adding to the card I also like the under as mentioned and that’s because the Blue Jays have Chris Bassitt starting. I have not been a huge fan over the years, but the numbers don’t lie right now. Bassitt has made 3 starts so far this season and through 18.1 innings pitched he’s allowed just 2 earned runs, 3 walks and 17 hits.
On top of that he has 21 strikeouts and that’s a big stat considering the Braves have a K-rate against righties of 25.6% heading into this game. If Bassitt and Strider are pitching the offenses are going to struggle so my MLB best bets today will take the under in the 1st 3 innings of this game.
- Expert Braves vs. Blue Jays Picks:
- Spencer Strider Over 5.5 Strikeouts (-125 on ESPN Bet)
- Toronto vs. Atlanta Under 3.5 Runs 1st 3 Innings (-150 on DraftKings)
Angels vs. Rangers Predictions: Wednesday, April 16th
Yesterday the Rangers pulled a switch-a-roo on us and Patrick Corbin did not start on the mound, but it appears today he will! That means we run it back on yesterday’s analysis on attacking the veteran lefty who has been terrible for the last couple of seasons!
The Angels offense is equipped to take Corbin head on as they’ve scored 4.69 runs per game this season which is the 9th most in MLB. They will get that production likely from their catcher Logan O’Hoppe and the upstart second basemen Kyren Paris.
Both players are crushing lefties so far this season with O’Hoppe hitting .375 with a 1.125 OPS and Paris with a wild .571 average and 2.129 OPS! When picking between them though I prefer O’Hoppe as the sample size is larger and he’s hitting 5th in the order lately. He wasn’t in the lineup yesterday with an illness so something to keep an eye on there but if he plays I love his hits/runs/RBIs prop tonight against Corbin.
The Angels catcher has gone over the line of 1.5 in 6 of his last 10 games and should again tonight. Tack onto our MLB best bets today with the Angles over on their team total as well today at 4.5!
- Expert Angeles vs. Rangers Picks:
- Logan O’Hoppe (LAA) Over 1.5 Hits/Runs/RBIs (-125 on DraftKings)
- Los Angeles Team Total Over 4.5 Runs (-120 on DraftKings)
Best MLB Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 4/16
- Brendan Donovan (STL) Over 1.5 Hits/Runs/RBIs (-120 on DraftKings)
- Jung Hoo Lee (SF) Over 1.5 Hits/Runs/RBIs (-120 on DraftKings)
- San Francisco Giants Money Line (+125 on BetMGM)
- Kansas City Royals Money Line (+130 on DraftKings)
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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.