Our free MLB Picks are out for Wednesday, September 15th, 2021! We have found the five best games on today’s schedule, with each of them having playoff implications! Make sure you check our MLB Picks before the action kicks off.
Look below to find our free MLB Picks for the five best games on today’s schedule!
Tampa Bay Rays @ Toronto Blue Jays – 3.07PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays got one back, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 2-0 last night and leveling this three-game series at 1-1. That leaves the rubber to be played this afternoon and both sides will want to put their best foot forward in what could potentially be a playoff preview between the #1 ranked Rays and the Wild Card-hunting Blue Jays.
Tim Newton
I’m all over Toronto to pick up the win on the back of a brilliant Robbie Ray performance. Ray is arguably the Blue Jays’ best starting pitcher with figures of 11-5 with a 2.59 ERA, which ranks 6th in the majors. Breaking this down even further, over his last seven games, Ray has given up just nine runs, has a 2-0 record along with a 1.76 ERA. While Tampa has one of the best batting units in baseball, it won’t be able to get ahold of Ray, meaning they won’t score enough runs to keep up with Toronto.
Especially when you consider the Rays are starting Michael Wacha, who has a 5.37 ERA this season and has given up a massive 26 runs over his last seven games. Given Toronto are also one of the best batting units this season, they should be able to take advantage of the disparity in quality of starting pitchers and comfortably win the rubber in front of their fans.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 (+110)
Shut ’em out#RaysWin | #RaysUp pic.twitter.com/iDiv2iHPQu
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 15, 2021
Katherine Mouradian
The Blue Jays experienced just their second loss of the month so far, last time out against the Rays. Now the series is level at one game a piece and the Blue Jays really need a win if they want to remain as one of the favorites to claim an AL Wild Card spot. With so much on the line, let’s look at some key stats for this clash. The Rays have won seven of their previous 10 games on the road, and have won 40 of their previous 54 when playing a team in the AL East.
Over to the Blue Jays now, they have won all six of their previous clashes when it comes to the third game of a series, and they have won five of their previous six games on a Wednesday. This one is going to be close I think, but with the Blue Jays starting with Ray, who is one of the best pitchers in the league, this will help them get the victory they are craving.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Toronto Blue Jays (-176)
Mike Su
After the Rays won in a bounce back game to snap the Blue Jays’ win streak (just like I predicted), the 2 teams play again in the third game of this in-season series. Despite a resounding 2-0 win from the Rays, I think the Blue Jays will win this next matchup. The Blue Jays will be starting the formidable Robbie Ray. Ray is one of the best pitchers in the league with his 2.69 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 220 strikeouts in 170 innings. Ray will be one of the biggest tests the Rays’ 1st ranked batting unit have faced all season.
On the other side, the Rays will be starting Michael Wacha at pitcher. Wacha is a significant step down from Ray. Wacha has a 5.37 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 3-4 record. Wacha faces the 3rd best batting unit in the league led by the league leader in home runs Vladimir Guerrero Jr.. The Blue Jays should win this game and continue their solid form.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Toronto Blue Jays (-176)
Boston Red Sox @ Seattle Mariners – 4.10PM ET
A five-run eighth inning saw the Boston Red Sox bounce back to their best, beating the Seattle Mariners 8-4 last night and tying up the series heading into this afternoon’s rubber. Boston is right in the thick of the Wild Card race, being in a three-way tie for the two American League Wild Card slots, while Seattle now drops to three games behind them.
Tim Newton
Everything is on the line in this clash and I am backing the Mariners to be able to get the job done at home. Boston’s batting lineup scares me, as it can explode at any given moment, but I don’t like the Red Sox pitching decision for this clash and Seattle should be able to pull away with the win. Tanner Houck is starting on the mound for Boston and he is 0-4 this season from his 11 starts. His last start saw him give up four runs in just 3.2 innings of work, a game that Boston lost 4-3. That means that if Seattle is able to get a hold of Houck, they should be able to hold on for the win.
I am slightly worried about the fact that the Mariners have Marco Gonzales starting, given his figures for the season are a 8-5 record with a 4.03 ERA. That ERA isn’t great, however I am with Seattle due to Gonzales’ recent form, where he has gone 5-0 over his last seven games with a rock solid 2.20 ERA. While he gave up three runs in his last game, there were actually no earned runs and he is coming off an August where he only gave up seven total runs from 40 innings of work in six games. Those are winning figures and I like that to happen this afternoon.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Seattle Mariners (+110)
Katherine Mouradian
The series is leveled at the Red Sox won the game last time out, 8-4. Despite being in fourth place in the AL East, the Red Sox are still well and truly in the hunt for an AL Wild Card spot. The Mariners are also in contention as well, so there is a lot of pressure on both teams to put their best foot forward. Digging into some of the key stats for this third and final game of the series. The Mariners have won four of their previous five games against a team in the AL East, and they have won seven of their previous 10 games when playing a team that has a winning record.
Over to the Red Sox now, they have won only seven of their previous 24 games on the road, and they have won just two of their previous 10 games on the road when going up against a left handed pitcher. Gonzales has been really hit and miss for the Mariners, and with the Red Sox team slowly getting more players returning from injury, I think this is another game the Red Sox can win. I’ll be backing the Red Sox.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Boston Red Sox (-130)
Mike Su
After a big win against the Mariners, the Red Sox look primed to continue their campaign for the 2nd spot in the AL East. The Red Sox have broken their 2 game losing streak with their last win and I think this could be the beginning of the Red Sox getting into form going into the playoffs. However, in this game the Red Sox are starting Tanner Houck. Houck has been decent with a 3.54 ERA and 1.2 WHIP in 53 innings but has failed to win a game with a 0-4 record. In his last game, he was the sole reason the Red Sox lost against the White Sox despite pitching only 3 innings.
Houck does not give a lot of hope for Boston to pull out another win especially because the Mariners are starting Marco Gonzales who has slightly worse averages but has an 8-5 record. Gonzales will be facing a top 5 offense which has been hitting relatively well lately and does especially well against poor pitching. Therefore, although I want the Red Sox to win, the smart bet will be the overs as these top.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Boston Red Sox (-130)
New York Yankees @ Baltimore Orioles – 7.05PM ET
After a miserable week last week, the New York Yankees made it 2/2 at the start of this one, dominating the Baltimore Orioles in their series opener. New York had 13 hits to six on their way to a 7-2 win in Oriole Park and now the pressure is on for them to repeat that sort of effort in this one.
Tim Newton
While Nestor Cortes Jr. hasn’t held a team scoreless in his last nine games, he is coming up against a much weaker Baltimore batting lineup here, and one that he kept to just one run from 5.2 innings of work earlier this month. He has a very handy 2.70 ERA for the season, from 18 games with 10 of those being starts, and should be able to hold the Orioles to a low enough total that allows New York to get a good head-start in this clash. Especially considering Baltimore’s starter, John Means, is just 0-4 with a 4.78 ERA from his last seven starts. Means has given up at least two runs in 13 of his last 14 games and given the form that New York showed last night, that will be more than enough for the Yankees to get out ahead of this one and come away with the win.
Tim’s MLB Pick: New York Yankees (-190)
The Honorable Judge 👨⚖️ pic.twitter.com/huTtHnkv78
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 14, 2021
Katherine Mouradian
A series with one of the worst teams in the league is just what the Yankees ordered to boost themselves into a potential Wild Card spot, and they have managed to win the first game 7-2. The Wild Card race is very close, especially in the AL, but the Yankees need to focus only on the things that they can control, like getting as many wins as they can under their belts. The Yankees have won 15 of their previous 17 games on a Wednesday, and they have won 20 of their previous 27 games after they get a win.
The Orioles have won just 16 of their previous 58 when it comes to the second game of a series, and they have won 23 of their previous 76 games at home. The Yankees are just a better team than the Orioles, and it kind of looks like the Orioles have already switched off for the year. The Yankees should win this second game of the series.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: New York Yankees (-190)
Mike Su
After disposing of the Orioles in a 7-2 beatdown, the Yankees look for another win to keep themselves in the running for the Wild Card spot in the competitive AL East. The Orioles continue to look directionless and aimless with nothing to play for. The Orioles will be starting one of the bright spots of their team at pitcher. John Means has been great for the Orioles this year and has a 3.42 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 126 innings, this season. Means has managed a 5-7 record with one of the worst rosters in the league behind him. Means should put up a fight and may hold back the Yankees.
However, I expect some big home runs from a Yankees squad led by the big Aaron Judge that is ranked 8th in home runs per game. On the other side, the Yankees will be starting Nestor Cortes Jr. Cortes has been great in limited time with a 2.7 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. Cortes will be facing an Orioles team that is ranked 25th in runs per game. The Yankees should destroy the Orioles and continue their bounce back, however, due to Means I won’t be taking the line here.
Mike’s MLB Pick: New York Yankees (-190)
San Diego Padres @ San Francisco Giants – 9.45PM ET
The San Francisco Giants have gone 9-1 and then 6-1 on the San Diego Padres, asserting their dominance to start this four-game series. They now face off again and the question remains of whether the Padres have enough, with their season on the line, to overcome the league-leading juggernaut that is the Giants.
Tim Newton
While this is an interesting fixture, with the Padres having a lot more to play for and the Giants starting a pitcher that has only started in three of his 46 appearances this season, San Francisco should prove to be too good once again. They have now won nine straight games, averaging 8.56 runs over that stretch and not scoring any less than six. That is absolutely incredible, especially when considering that they are keeping their opponents to 3.11 runs, opening up a 5.45 run difference between them and their opponents. That is exemplified in this series with a 15-2 run differential so far and they should prove to be too strong yet again.
While Dominic Leone has only started in three games, he is yet to give up a run in those starts, albeit from five innings combined. That is much better than the figures of Joe Musgrove, who just gave up three runs to the Dodgers on the weekend, in a game San Diego lost 0-3. Given the Giants are a better team on both sides of the ball, are at home, and haven’t looked like losing lately, I don’t think tonight is the night for that to happen and swing for the fences with this pick.
Tim’s MLB Pick: San Francisco Giants / Under 8.5 (+250)
Katherine Mouradian
The Padres are still in contention for the final Wild Card spot in the NL, despite losing five games in a row, but they really need to get some wins if they want to remain in the fight. With 95 wins already to their name, the Giants are the first team to be officially confirmed for the postseason, although we already knew this for quite some time. The Padres have won only one of their previous seven games on a Wednesday, and they have won just three of their previous 16 when it comes to the third game of the series.
Over to the Giants now, they have won four of their previous five games at home and have won 21 of their previous 29 games played on a Wednesday. Given the way the Padres are playing, compared to the Giants, and the fact that the Padres have won just one of their previous five meetings with the Giants, I’m leaning towards another Giants victory here. The Padres offense leaves a lot to be desired that even Musgrove who has been a solid pitcher for the Padres can’t help them. Get around the Giants for this one.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: San Francisco Giants (-116)
Mike Su
The Giants look to put the Padres in their place again in the 3rd game of this in-season series. The Giants have only allowed 2 runs in the first 2 games of this in-season series but have scored 15 runs in return. The Giants are looking dangerous and are solidifying their position on top of the league and at the top of the competitive NL West division.
The Giants will be starting Joe Musgrove to lead the beatdown of the Padres. Musgrove has been phenomenal all year with his 2.93 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 159 innings. Musgrove is a definitive top 10 pitcher in the league and will be facing the Padres who rank 14th in runs per game and 24th in home runs per game. Musgrove should have a field day against this down-trending Padres unit. With a win here, the Giants will extend their win streak to 10 games. I think this is the most likely outcome as the Padres have continued to slip right now and are currently in the midst of a 5 game losing streak. The Giants should win big here.
Mike’s MLB Pick: San Francisco Giants (-116)
Arizona Diamondbacks @ Los Angeles Dodgers – 10.10PM ET
The Los Angeles Dodgers will look to end their six-game home-stand with a perfect 6-0 record as they host the Arizona Diamondbacks for one last time in the 2021 season. LA has won the opening two games of this series 5-1 and 8-4, so they will want to keep their good form up, especially with the Giants still holding them at bay.
Tim Newton
While the Dodgers won’t be happy they gave up four runs to the Diamondbacks last night, I think they will well and truly make up for it in tonight’s clash. LA are starting Julio Urias, who has a majors best 17 wins on the season, only registering a loss three times from his 28 appearances. He also has a 2.98 ERA for the season and that only improves when looking at his recent form, as Urias has gone 5-0 with a 1.16 ERA over his last seven appearances. Those figures are incredibly good and considering he is facing a batting lineup that is 26th for OPS and 24th for runs scored this season, I don’t see how Arizona will score enough to stay with LA in this clash.
Tim’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -2.5 (-105)
The @Dodgers are ready to defend their title. #CLINCHED pic.twitter.com/D1Yp9UuM7B
— MLB (@MLB) September 15, 2021
Katherine Mouradian
This series has gone pretty much how everyone would have expected it to go, with the Dodgers winning the first two games. Now, can the Dodgers win the third and final game of this series for a clean sweep? The Dodgers are on a five game winning streak at the moment, and the Diamondbacks have lost two in a row. Let’s look into some of the important stats for this game, why don’t we! The Diamondbacks have won 13 of their previous 51 when it comes to the third game of the series, and they have won just six of their previous 19 games played on a Wednesday.
Over to the Dodgers now, they have won 99 of their previous 145 when it comes to the third game of a series, and they have won six of their previous seven games played on a Wednesday. Urias has been pitching well for the Dodgers and when you add in the fact that the Diamondbacks have won just 17 of their previous 68 meetings in Los Angeles, I’m expecting more of the same with a Dodgers victory on the cards.
Katherine’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers (-370)
Mike Su
The Dodgers need a win to prevent the gap between themselves and the Giants from widening in the NL West division. After sliding recently, the Dodgers have now won 5 in a row and have been man-handling the Diamondbacks. This has been the case all season as the Dodgers have won 13 of their 15 matchups against the Diamondbacks. In their last 4 games, the Dodgers have won by an average margin of 6.5 runs. This average margin of victory is 2 runs more than the average total runs per game the Diamondbacks score.
The Dodgers will be starting Julio Urias in this matchup. As one of the league’s best pitchers, Urias should obliterate this 24th ranked batting unit as he has been phenomenal this season. Urias has one of the best records in the league at 17-3 and has a 2.98 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 175 strikeouts this season. The Dodgers and Urias should win by at least 2 runs in this matchup. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if the Dodgers won this by at least 4 runs.
Mike’s MLB Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (-182)
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our MLB hub page for all your baseball needs!
*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
