We have a full 15-game MLB slate for Friday, September 12. The season is winding down, and the postseason races are heating up, which means there are significant implications for several of today's games.
Additionally, there is significant betting value to be found and our betting experts and systems have done just that. So, continue reading for today's MLB best bets.
MLB Best Bets Today
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our MLB betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 2:20 p.m. | |
  | 7:07 p.m. | |
  | 7:10 p.m. | |
  | 10:10 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our MLB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Sean Paul's Rays vs Cubs Best Bet: Back The 'Dog Today
By Sean Paul
I'll take the Rays at +145 here. I'm not sure how I feel about the Cubs without Kyle Tucker today. The offense is vastly worse without him, and Shane Baz should pitch well in a pitcher-friendly environment.
Not to mention, the Cubs dropped a home series versus the Nationals last week and lost a game to the Braves this week. Odds are, they aren't sweeping the Rays, and this is the best chance the Rays have at snagging a victory. Give me the dogs here.
Pick: Rays ML +145 (Play to +115)
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PRO's Orioles vs Blue Jays Best Bet: Fade Rogers K's
By Action PRO
PRO projects Orioles starter Trevor Rogers with 3.59 strikeouts today, which represents an excellent 16.8% edge against the market.
Fade the lefty against the Blue Jays tonight with Under 5.5 K's.
Pick: Trevor Rogers Under 5.5 Strikeouts (-210)
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Bet Labs' Tigers vs Marlins Best Bet: Skubal Takes On the Marlins
By Bet Labs
When the Marlins open a series against a team coming off a game in the Eastern or Central time zone, the market often underrates the visiting team due to the perception of minimal travel impact.
This visiting team happens to be the Detroit Tigers with Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal on the mound.
In reality, these teams enter Game 1 with their routines intact and without the challenges of cross-country adjustments, allowing them to perform at expected or elevated levels. Because the Marlins are not typically priced as a top-tier opponent, this creates value in fading them in the series opener.
This system capitalizes on that edge by betting against the Marlins in Game 1 during the regular or postseason when their opponent's previous game was played in the Eastern or Central time zone, turning overlooked market assumptions into a profitable opportunity.
Pick: Tigers ML -190
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Bet Labs' Angels vs Mariners Best Bet: System Recommends the Under
By Bet Labs
The system titled "Wind Whisper Unders" is built for MLB totals where weather and market signals align quietly but consistently toward the under.
It targets regular-season games from 2020 through 2025 where the closing total falls between 7 and 10 runs —a middle range that allows for variance but avoids extremes.
This strategy homes in on games with a specific weather profile: wind blowing from left, in from right, or straight in, with speeds between 3 and 15 miles per hour. Combined with moderate temperatures between 30 and 70, these environmental conditions help suppress deep fly balls without overly skewing the market.
Line movement also plays a role. The total must have dropped by up to 2.5 runs from open to close, signaling steady downward pressure from sharper bettors. Importantly, the public is not fully behind the under—support remains modest, falling between 1 and 55. This indicates market resistance and helps ensure the number isn’t over-adjusted.
By aligning downward line moves, cooling weather patterns, and under-the-radar betting splits, the system consistently identifies games where offense is subtly but significantly less likely to break out.
Pick: Under 7.5 (-102)
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