Our free MLB Picks are out for Sunday, September 26th, 2021! We have hand-picked today’s five best games, so make sure you check our MLB Picks before the action kicks off.
Look below to find our free MLB Picks for today!
Toronto Blue Jays @ Minnesota Twins – 2.10PM EDT
This Sunday afternoon clash between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Minnesota Twins will be the fourth and final game of the series. The Twins were too good for the Blue Jays in the opening two games, but in the third game the Blue Jays managed to bounce back, winning 6-1.
Tim Newton
I liked the Blue Jays to pick up the big win yesterday and they followed through for me, so why go against them now… Although Robbie Ray can’t start for them every game, Toronto still has the edge in starting pitchers for this clash. Alek Manoah is a massive step up from Griffin Jax, and the Blue Jays should be too good yet again.
Manoah has a 7-2 record and 3.36 ERA while Jax is just 3-4 with a massive 6.75 ERA. Jax has been even worse lately too, with that ERA ballooning to 8.21 over his last seven games and Toronto’s top three batting lineup should be able to take advantage yet again. I think they could win big, and am happy to hunt for some more value.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Toronto Blue Jays -2.5 (+134)
Katherine Mouradian
The Blue Jays finally got the win they were looking for, after losing three games in a row. The Blue Jays are just two games behind claiming an AL Wild Card spot, and their next series against the Yankees will be of the utmost importance, as the Yankees are currently one of the teams that are occupying a Wild Card spot. So the Blue Jays will be looking for a win in this game to carry some momentum into their next series.
“I’ll take us over anybody”
WATCH: https://t.co/sFRNHHjPY3 pic.twitter.com/HwR0eWTJCX
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 26, 2021
The Twins are out of the hunt for the postseason, but were able to string together four wins in a row before suffering the loss last time out. The Blue Jays have won 13 of their previous 16 games on a Sunday and have won 33 of their previous 47 games when playing a team that has a losing record. The Twins have won just five of their previous 19 games when playing against a starter that has a WHIP which is under 1.15, and they have won 36 of their previous 77 games at home. While the Blue Jays will certainly have bigger fish to fry in their next series, they will be doing all they can to get the wins they are expected to. Manoah is the more reliable of pitchers for the Blue Jays, and I think he will be able to step up to the occasion for a big Blue Jays win.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 (-118)
Mike Su
The Blue Jays sit just 2 games behind the Yankees for the final playoff spot as a Wild Card and will be playing at full force to beat the Twins. The Blue Jays are simply the better team and possess a batting unit that should destroy Twins pitcher Griffin Jax. Jax has been downright bad this year with a 6.75 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. The Blue Jays’ batting unit, which possess Vladimir Guererrro Jr, will destroy Jax.
On the other side of the ball Alex Manoah will have a field day against this Twins unit. Although he hasn’t played all that much, Manoah has been good this year with his 3.36 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. Manoah should do well against a Twins team that is out of playoff contention. The Blue Jay will come out swinging and do whatever it takes to win this game as they know losing this would doom their playoff odds. I think the Blue Jays put on the pressure early and don’t relent. The Blue Jays win this by a lot.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 (-118)
Seattle Mariners @ Los Angeles Angels – 4.07PM EDT
This Sunday afternoon clash between the Seattle Mariners and the Los Angeles Angels will be the third and final game of the series. Things are all tied up in this series after the Angels had a massive bounce back in the second game, to win 14-1.
Tim Newton
Given that the Angels are coming off a monster 14-1 victory last night and are starting Shohei Ohtani in this clash, I am following on from Mike’s mantra and backing them to the hills. While Ohtani has been battling an injury and not at his best, he is still extremely talented and is coming off an eight innings performance where he allowed just two runs. He was tagged with the loss in the game prior but he has had space between games and should be raring to go here.
Especially when Seattle is starting Marco Gonzales who has a 9-5 record but a slightly large 4.14 ERA. While he is 5-0 over his last seven games, he has given up 18 runs over that stretch. Given he is pitching to a side that just launched 14 runs last night and has shown that he is expensive of late, LA could be too good again. Don’t bet against Ohtani, right?
Tim’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Angels (-158)
Katherine Mouradian
The Mariners were absolutely humiliated last time out, and really couldn’t afford that loss as they are still a chance for an AL Wild Card spot, but it is looking increasingly difficult now. The Angels are completely out of contention, but that hasn’t stopped them from showing their fans what they are capable of and giving them hope for next season. The Mariners have won six of their previous seven games in total, and have won five of their previous six games on the road against a right handed starter. The Angels have won two of their previous 11 games at home, and have won two of their previous 10 games at home when playing a team that has a winning record.
Everything was looking good for the Mariners before this game, they were on a six game winning streak, and there was real belief that they could nab a Wild Card spot. But now, after being whalloped by the Angels, is that same belief still there? Both starting pitchers have been performing really well, so this will be an awesome game to watch. But for this one I’m going to go with the Mariners bounce back, they have Gonzales on the mound, who loves playing against the Angels, and in total he is 8-0 with a 2.81 ERA and a 0.991 WHIP over his past 73.2 innings. While Ohtani has been a good pitcher for the Angels, especially at home, I just can’t go past those numbers for Gonzales!
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Seattle Mariners (+134)
Mike Su
After a dominating 14-1 win by the Angels, they enter this inter-division matchup in a game that has important implications for both sides. For the Angels, what is at stake is the current MVP campaign of starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani has slipped down the stretch as his pitching hasn’t been up to par and he has lost the home run lead. Overall, he is still, in my opinion, the MVP of the American League but this game will be important in cementing this.
Ohtani has been great not only as a batter but also as a pitcher. Ohtani has a good 3.28 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 146 strikeouts in 123 innings. Ohtani is not only a home run machine but also a strikeout machine. On the other side, the Mariners are playing for a spot in the playoffs. The Mariners are equal with the Blue Jays in their race for the final Wild Card spot. With just a handful of games remaining, the Mariners need to win everything to close the 3 game gap over themselves and the Yankees for the final Wild Card spot. I think this will be a close one that the Mariners win behind a valiant effort by Ohtani.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Seattle Mariners (+134)
Atlanta Braves @ San Diego Padres – 4.10PM EDT
This Sunday afternoon clash between the Atlanta Braves and the San Diego Padres will be the fourth and final game of the series. After winning the first game, the Padres have gone on to lose the second and third, they now trail in the series, and will need to win this game to salvage a series tie.
Tim Newton
I am happy to see that the Braves performed as I thought they would last night but I think the tide might turn here. While the Padres have fallen to eight games back from the final Wild Card slot that they once held tight, their pride is on the line and I think they have to show something here. They are also starting Joe Musgrove for this clash and I think that is a big positive. While he hasn’t been at the top of his game recently, he has extremely good numbers of an 11-9 record and 3.15 ERA for the season.
Atlanta is yet to name their starter for this clash and they definitely have some shaky options, so San Diego could be looking to get back to the form that saw them win the series opener. The Braves definitely need to win as well, given they are just 1.5 games ahead in the NL East, but I have a feeling San Diego can bounce back and split the series.
Tim’s MLB Pick: San Diego Padres (-158)
Katherine Mouradian
It may have taken a 10th innings, but the Braves got the win they desperately needed, and are still (just) holding on to top spot in the NL East. With just two wins from their previous nine games, the Padres, who once were a serious chance for a Wild Card spot, have now been left in the dust. The Braves have won 21 of their previous 29 games on the road and have won six of their previous seven games against a team in the NL West.
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 26, 2021
The Padres have won seven of their previous 27 when playing a team that has a winning record, and they have won 11 of their previous 39 games played on grass. The Padres would be pretty disappointed by that loss, but will need to rebound quickly if they want to tie the series. But the major problem with the Padres is that they had no pitching depth at the moment, and the Braves are a team that is good enough to take advantage of the situation. I’ll be backing the Braves.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Atlanta Braves (+134)
Mike Su
The NL East division leaders take on the Padres once again to try and create a more comfortable cushion between themselves and the Phillies in the NL East. The Braves have a 1.5 game lead over the Phillies and will be fighting them off for the lead in the NL East. If the Braves can’t fight the Phillies off, they will find themselves out of the playoffs entirely. The Padres, although out of the playoffs, aren’t going out without a fight as they start Joe Musgrove at pitcher. Musgrove has been great this year with a 3.15 ERA and 1.07 WHIP.
Musgrove is coming off a brutal stretch where he had to pitch against the 91-win Astros, 101-win Giants and 99-win Dodgers. Musgrove will likely enjoy the much easier Braves. However, overall I think the fact that the Braves have so much more to play for compared to the Padres who are out of the playoffs. I think the Braves win in a tight one again as they try to secure their division lead from the Phillies but will be going against a tough pitching showing from Musgrove.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Atlanta Braves (+134)
Los Angeles Dodgers @ Arizona Diamondbacks – 4.10PM EDT
This Sunday afternoon clash between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks will be the third and final game of the series. After taking the first game, the Dodgers weren’t able to repeat their success, and they went down to the Diamondbacks, 7-2, in the second game.
Tim Newton
The Dodgers let another one through the cracks last night, but I don’t think lightning will strike twice for the Diamondbacks. LA is the far superior team in this clash and when looking at the starting pitchers, that is even more evident. Humberto Mejia has seen just three games this season, has an 0-2 record and a monstrous 7.20 ERA. LA’s batting lineup is one of the best in baseball and they should be more than good enough to get a hold of Mejia this afternoon.
On the other side of the ball, the Dodgers are starting Julio Urias, which is a bad sign for Arizona. LA’s starter hasn’t been tagged with a loss in over three months and has given up just seven runs across 23.2 innings in his four games this month. He should be able to restrict Arizona to a much more respectable score than last night, while LA should be far too good with bat in hand.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (-172)
Katherine Mouradian
Well, wasn’t that a surprising defeat, and makes the Dodgers job of knocking the Giants off top spot in the NL West that much more difficult. The Dodgers never had a chance to win the game, and the Diamondbacks just added a run every inning to keep the pressure on. The Diamondbacks have the equal worst record in the league, so it was nice to give their fans a little bit of hope of what they can do next season.
The Dodgers have won 47 of their previous 65 games on Sunday and they have won 49 of their previous 71 when it comes to the third game of the series. The Diamondbacks have won five of their previous 21 games on Sunday and they have won just 12 of their previous 53 when it comes to the third game of a series. I was very surprised about the way the Dodgers performed last time out, but I would be even more surprised if they performed like that two games in a row. Urias needs to find his form for the Dodgers, and if he does, I’m expecting a big win this time out.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (-172)
Mike Su
The Dodgers trail the Giants for the Division lead and 1st seed in the National League by just 2 games after slipping in an easy one against the Diamondbacks. The Dodgers need to capitalise on this 2 game series against the league’s worst team to catch up to the Giants and take the division lead. The Dodgers will be bringing out the big guns in this game to win it. The Dodgers will be starting Julio Urias who has been great with a 3.1 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 18-3 record this season. Urias should absolutely demolish the Diamondbacks who are one of the worst batting teams in the league.
On the other side, the Diamondbacks will be starting Humberto Mejia who has only played 15 innings this season. In his limited playing time, Mejia has been horrible with a 7.2 ERA and 1.8 WHIP. Mejia will be looking to bounce back but faces one of the best batting teams in the league. With a win here the Dodgers will find themselves at 100 wins and maintain their chance of stealing the division crown and number 1 seed from the Giants before the end of the season. The Dodgers won’t squander this game, and should destroy the Diamondbacks by at least 2 runs.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (-172)
New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox – 7.08PM EDT
This Sunday night clash between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox will be the third and final game of the series. The Yankees have been dominant so far this series, and have won both games, they won the first game 8-3, and the second game 5-3.
Tim Newton
The Yankees have taken the first two in Boston, but can they take the third? I definitely think they can. They obviously have the edge through the first two games and looking at the starting pitching decision, they should have it again tonight. Jordan Montegomery seems to be the better starting pitcher when compared to Eduardo Rodriguez and New York should prove too strong yet again.
Rodriguez has given up 10 runs in just 14 innings of work over his last three games, including a six runs from 3.2 innings performance three back. Montgomery may not be any better, seeing as he gave up seven runs, five earned, from 3.1 innings of work three back, but his five games around that he had given up just one run in each. He has been the better and more consistent pitcher throughout the season and New York’s batting lineup already showed that it is performing better in this series.
Tim’s MLB Pick: New York Yankees (+104)
Katherine Mouradian
Talk about peaking at the right time, these two wins to the Yankees have been absolutely clutch as they closed the gap between them and the Red Sox in the race for a Wild Card spot. Now both the Yankees and the Red Sox share the lead atop of the AL Wild Card race, another win for the Yankees will mean they steal top spot off the Red Sox, and put a little bit more breathing room between them and the rest of the teams that are fighting it out. The Yankees have won eight of their previous 11 games against a left handed starter, but they haven’t won any of their previous four games played on a Sunday.
Big time performance 👊 pic.twitter.com/VGrL6SvBSp
— Red Sox (@RedSox) September 25, 2021
The Red Sox have won only two of their previous seven games played on a Sunday and they have won 36 of their previous 53 games at home. I’m just loving the Yankees at the moment, they had so much pressure going into this series, and playing on the road, and it didn’t phase them at all! The starting pitchers for both sides are questionable, so I’m going to back the Yankees mainly based on their recent performance and the power of momentum. Also, considering the price for the Yankees, there is more value here.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: New York Yankees (+104)
Mike Su
The Yankees and Red Sox play the third game of a crucial series that will determine which 2 teams are the Wild Cards in the American League. The Red Sox are tied with the Yankees for 88-wins. The Yankees, who are technically in the second Wild Card Spot have a 2 game gap between themselves and the Blue Jays. If the Red Sox or Yankees slip up that could pave the way for the Blue Jays to kick one of them out of the playoffs entirely. In the crucial third game of this in-season series, the Red Sox will be starting Eduardo Rodriguez who has a below average 4.97 ERA and 1.39 WHIP this season.
Despite his poor season averages, Rodriguez has been good against the Yankees with 24 strikeouts and 6 runs allowed in 18 innings. If Rodriguez can continue this pace, it should be enough to deliver a win. The Yankees on the other hand will be starting Jordan Montgomery at pitcher. Montgomery has been good this year with a 3.55 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 155 strikeouts in 149 innings. Despite the averages, I still like Rodriguez over Montgomery in this matchup, and with the Red Sox possessing a far better batting lineup, with everything else considered, I am leaning toward the Red Sox taking this win.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Boston Red Sox (-122)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
