Just two days remain of the regular season! There are still playoff spots to be played for and the action is heating up. We have made our best MLB picks for the top five games scheduled for Saturday, October 2nd.
Look below to find our free MLB Picks for the five best games on today’s schedule!
Tampa Bay Rays @ New York Yankees – 1.05PM EDT
This Saturday afternoon clash between the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees will be the second of a three game series. The Rays were too good for the Yankees in the first game on Friday, and they won on the road, 4-3.
Katherine Mouradian
Man, I really thought the Yankees were going to come back from a three run deficit in the bottom of the nine innings to win the game, but it was not to be, and they ended up going down to the Rays 3-4 in the first game of the series. The Yankees are still one game ahead in the tight tussle for a Wild Card spot in the AL, but they really wanted this win, especially considering that the Red Sox and Blue Jays all won and have closed the gap.
The Rays have won two of their previous five games on the road, and they have won 43 of their previous 59 games when playing a team in the AL East. The Yankees have won eight of their previous 10 in total and have won five of their previous seven when playing a team in the AL East. The resurgence of the Yankees in the last innings to try and win the game gives me confidence that they will bounce back and get a win here this afternoon. Both teams are highly offensive and like to score a lot of runs. So I also think this one will go over.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: New York Yankees / Over 8.5 (+220)
G&G connection. pic.twitter.com/3evozxtTYo
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 1, 2021
Mike Su
The Yankees lost a close one to the Rays and now find themselves with just a 1 game lead over the Red Sox in the AL East and in the wild card standings. However, with just 2 games remaining, they should be safe to make the playoffs. Despite this they still have a lot to play for as they could lose the first Wild Card spot to the Red Sox and find themselves playing away. Therefore, they need to win this next game. The Rays don’t have anything to play for but are giving their bullpen and younger players much needed playing time and reps before the playoffs. However, even without their best players in the last game, they still beat the Yankees.
The depth on the Rays roster is great and this is highlighted by Shane Baz. Baz will be starting against the Yankees and has been solid during his very limited rookie season. In 2 appearances, Baz has had a 1.69 ERA and 0.56 WHIP, leading to a 2-0 record which is phenomenal. He will need to keep up this pace against the Yankees. THe Yankees will be starting Jordan Montogomery who has been solid with a 3.49 ERA and 1.24 WHIP this season. Despite the Rays not starting their best I still think this will be a close game, especially if Baz can pitch well against this middle of the road Yankees squad.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Tampa Bay Rays +1.5 (-162)
Baltimore Orioles @ Toronto Blue Jays – 3.07PM EDT
This Saturday afternoon clash between the Baltimore Orioles and the Toronto Blue Jays will be the second of a three game series. Unsurprisingly, the Blue Jays proved too good for the Orioles and won the first game, 6-4.
Katherine Mouradian
The Blue Jays needed that win and they got it, with two games to go in the regular season, they are just one game behind the Red Sox for the final Wild Card spot in the AL, but they also have to compete with the Mariners who are really close as well. The Orioles have won just 11 of their previous 52 games played on astroturf and have won 14 of their previous 62 games on the road. The Blue Jays have won 20 of their previous 26 games played on a Saturday and they have won 23 of their previous 33 games in total. Even though the Blue Jays keep winning, so do the teams around them, which make it difficult to take the final Wild Card spot.
But there is still a chance, and first things first, the Blue Jays need to focus on what they can control, which is winning, before looking to see what the results are for the teams they are fighting with. This is a story that has been playing out all season long, the Blue Jays are a good team, and the Orioles have been struggling, so I’m fully expecting another win from the Blue Jays, especially considering they are playing at home and have more riding on this win. Get on the Blue Jays to cover the spread for extra value.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 (-122)
Mike Su
The Blue Jays finally picked up a much needed win, beating the lowly Orioles 6-4. The Blue Jays have continued to blunder all their opportunities to get a leg up in the playoff standings late in the season. They are just 1 game behind the Red Sox in the race for the final Wild Card spot, so they still have a chance at stealing this final spot from the Red Sox. They shouldn’t have much trouble winning out for the last 2 games of the year as they play the 52-win Orioles twice.
The Blue Jays will be starting Alex Manoah to get the win. Manoah has a good 3.35 ERA, 1.1 WHIP and 8-2 record this season. The Orioles will be playing to win as well as they start the similar John Means who has a 3.32 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. This won’t be a cake walk for the Blue Jays as they try to force themselves into the playoffs. I still think that the advantage the Blue Jays have with their batting is huge and more than enough to overcome the equal pitching situation. With so much to play for, the Blue Jays will come out to a big early lead and keep it.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 (-122)
Boston Red Sox @ Washington Nationals – 4.05PM EDT
This Saturday afternoon game between the Boston Red Sox and the Washington Nationals will be the second of a three game series. The Red Sox proved too good playing on the road and won the first game, 4-2.
Katherine Mouradian
Not only did the Red Sox win their game last time out, but the Yankees lost! This means that the Red Sox are now closer to the Yankees who are in the top spot for an AL Wild Card. But on the flip side they still have the Mariners and the Blue Jays who are close enough to knock them out if they don’t keep winning. No stressing for the Nationals, they have been out of postseason contention for a while now. The Red Sox have won two of their previous seven games in total, and they have won two of their previous six when playing on the road against a team that has a losing record.
The Nationals have won nine of their previous 10 interleague games playing at home, and they have won seven of their previous eight interleague games playing at home against a team that has a record of above .500. Clearly all the previous interleague success for the Nationals went out the window when they lost against the Red Sox last time out. The Red Sox just wanted the win more and were not willing to let go. When you look at the Nationals record over the past few games, they have not been playing well, and the Red Sox have taken advantage, and I think they will take advantage again in this Saturday afternoon game.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Boston Red Sox (-140)
FINAL // Nats 2, Red Sox 4 pic.twitter.com/oeSijLhlO6
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) October 2, 2021
Mike Su
The Red Sox cling onto the final Wild Card spot for dear life as both the Mariners and Blue Jays are just 1 game behind them in the standings. The Red Sox need to win out or risk falling out of the playoffs. The good news for Boston is that their last 2 games will be against the 65-win Nationals. The Red Sox handled the Nationals with a 4 run sixth inning in their last game. The Red Sox will need a more consistent batting effort in their next 2 games or risk losing one.
In this game the Red Sox shouldn’t have much trouble batting as they will be facing Josiah Gray. Gray is one of the worst pitchers on the Nationals roster and has a poor 5.85 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. In his last game Gray allowed 3 runs in 5 innings to the lowly Rockies. In fact over his last 5 games, Gray has allowed a total of 21 runs over 24 innings, with all of these games being against bad teams. This won’t stick against the Red Sox. Despite being inconsistent, especially lately, the Red Sox batting unit is top 5 and should dispose of Gray easily.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Boston Red Sox -1.5 (+124)
Los Angeles Angels @ Seattle Mariners – 9.10PM EDT
This Saturday evening clash between the Los Angeles Angels and the Seattle Mariners will be the second of a three game series. The Angels were the surprising victors of the first game, beating the Mariners in a low scoring affair, 2-1.
Katherine Mouradian
The Mariners really needed the win in the first game to dramatically improve their chances of claiming one of the two Wild Card spots that are still available in the AL, but it wasn’t to be. Hopefully for Mariners fans, they will dust themselves off and come back firing in the second game. The Angels have no pressure on them at the moment, seeing though they are out of playoff contention, and it seems to have worked for the game last time out, where they got the win.
The Angels have won four of their previous 14 games in total, and have won 36 of their previous 78 games on the road. The Mariners have won 10 of their previous 12 games in total, and they have won 45 of their previous 79 games at home. The Mariners don’t have many games left if they want a Wild Card spot, but I think they will rise to the occasion in this game, they have been playing very well lately and will have the crowd on their side. Look for the Mariners offensive to show some skills here, considering how well they have been performing in September.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Seattle Mariners (-178)
Mike Su
After an avoidable and close loss to the Angels, the Mariners now need to win every game to make the playoffs as the final Wild Card. Despite holding Ohtani to no runs, the Mariners simply failed to put points on the board in this low scoring 2-1 loss. This may once again be another low scoring affair with the Mariners starting Chris Flexen. Flexen has been decent this year with a 3.67 ERA and 1.25 WHIP leading to a strong 14-6 record. However, Flexen isn’t a strikeout threat with just 124 strikeouts in 174 innings.
The Angels will be starting rookie Jhonathan Diaz. Diaz has been good in the only 2 games he has played. Diaz has a 3.12 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 8 innings. However, in his last game he pitched 7 innings against the Mariners and allowed just 1 run. He had a great performance in his lone game against the Mariners with a 1.29 ERA and led the team to a dominating 14-1 win. Could Diaz lead the Angels to another win like that, potentially, but with so much at stake, I have to lean toward the Mariners in a close one.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Seattle Mariners (-178)
Milwaukee Brewers @ Los Angeles Dodgers – 9.10PM EDT
This Saturday night clash between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers will be the second of a three game series. The Dodgers were too good in the first game, getting another win at home, 8-6.
Katherine Mouradian
It’s all but over for the Dodgers to claim top spot in the NL West, but the good news is that they do have a Wild Card spot, and they are playing very well at the moment, well all season really, so they should be going into that game with a lot of confidence. The Brewers are also a confirmed postseason team, but they have had an inconsistent September to say the least. The Brewers have won just one of their previous eight when playing a team that has a winning record and they have won only one of their previous five clashes when going up against a left handed starter.
The Dodgers on the other hand, have won 40 of their previous 52 in total and have won 39 of their previous 53 games playing at home. It’s incredible to think that the Dodgers, with a record of 104-56, is only good enough for them to get a Wild Card spot, but that just shows how good of a season the Giants are having. I liked the Dodgers for the win in the first game, and I’ll be backing them again for this one. The Dodgers have won five games in a row against the Brewers and their record playing at home is fantastic. Give me the Dodgers please!
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (+150)
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 2, 2021
Mike Su
The Dodgers are likely completely out of the race for the first seed as they sit 2.5 games behind the Giants with just 3 games remaining. The Brewers are locked in as the division leader of the NL Central division and as the 2nd seed. Thus, it seems as though both teams don’t have much to play for in the remaining 3 games of this series against each other. The Dodgers have looked good and are currently on a 4 game winning streak. They will want to continue this form as they will likely have to play the red hot Cardinals, then the Giants and then the Brewers to make it to the World Series.
With such a tough run ahead, they will want to keep their starters in rhythm. This is evident by the starting of Julio Urias. Urias has the most wins for a pitcher in baseball this year with 19 wins. Urias has a 3.01 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. He has been one of the better pitchers in the league. On the other side, the Brewers aren’t taking it easy as they are likely treating this series as a litmus test for the playoffs. The Brewers are starting one of the league’s best in Corbin Burnes who has a 2.29 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and a staggering 230 strikeouts in 165 innings. This will likely be a low scoring grudge match that the Dodgers should win.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers (-136)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
