Baseball fans are treated to another full day of action as there are 15 games on the slate for Wednesday, September 17.
That also means there are plenty of betting opportunities and our MLB betting experts and systems have already made their MLB predictions after looking at the latest MLB odds.
So, let's get right into it and look over 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 |
|---|---|---|
  | 12:35 p.m. | |
  | 3:40 p.m. | |
  | 7:10 p.m. | |
  | 8:40 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 Cubs vs Pirates Best Bet: Back Cubs to Cover
By Sean Paul
Let's take a shot here on the Cubs at -1.5 at plus money. The Pirates aren't a very good team and the Cubs have shown that through the first two games of this series. Chicago was one of the best teams in the first-half, then it stopped hitting.
The Pirates don't have the proper formula to hit Matthew Boyd due to their power issues. Plus, the Cubs can be patient and force Johan Oviedo's pitch count up to get him out of the game and pounce on this disaster of a bullpen.
Pick: Cubs -1.5 (+125)
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Tony Sartori's Giants vs Diamondbacks Best Bet: Fade Both Starting Pitchers
By Tony Sartori
So how does a pitcher with Brandon Pfaadt's profile carry a 13-8 record? The answer is simple: Arizona boasts one of the best lineups in baseball.
This season, the Diamondbacks rank in the top five in runs scored per game, slugging percentage and OPS.
The opposite is true for Arizona's bullpen. The Diamondbacks’ relief corps ranks in the bottom four in ERA, xERA and WAR.
On the other side, Justin Verlander has struggled against the Diamondbacks over the past two seasons. In two meetings during that stretch, he is 0-2 with a 10.00 ERA and a 2.11 WHIP.
In a matchup between two struggling pitchers, take the over.
Pick: Over 9 (-105)
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Bet Labs' Padres vs Mets Best Bet: System Suggests Under
By Bet Labs
The "Wind Whisper Unders" system is built for betting 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 seven 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 3-15 mph. Combined with moderate temperatures between 30-70 degrees, 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 1-55%. 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.
This system has produced a 9% ROI this season, going 123-91-8 (57%). Lifetime, it has produced a 14% ROI and has cashed 60% of its picks (508-342-46).
Pick: Under 7.5 (-105)
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Bet Labs' Marlins vs Rockies Best Bet: Coors Field? Expect Plenty of Runs
By Bet Labs
Late in the season, the ball tends to fly at Coors Field. In Rockies' home games — during both the regular and postseason — betting on the over has been profitable from August through October. If the closing total is between 0 and 11, the over has hit 58% of the time 227-163-17) since we began tracking. That's good for a 13% ROI.
This season, the over in those situations has cashed at a 63% clip (5-3-1) and has returned a 17% ROI.
Pick: Over 10.5 (-105)
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