Fall in major league baseball is a time unlike any other. The pennant and World Series races are heating up, and with fewer than 10 games to play for most teams, so much will be determined before the postseason ever starts. Every contest means something, and that's why we're giving MLB betting picks for game predictions involving the Giants, Astros, Brewers and more!
Here's a look at the latest MLB betting odds for games set to be played on Thursday, September 23, courtesy of BetOnline:
| Favorite |  | | Underdog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago White Sox | -135 | +114 | Cleveland Indians |
| Milwaukee Brewers | -122 | +106 | St. Louis Cardinals |
| Oakland Athletics | -156 | +136 | Seattle Mariners |
| Atlanta Braves | -189 | +162 | Arizona Diamondbacks |
| San Diego Padres | -109 | -105 | San Francisco Giants |
| Cincinnati Reds | -204 | +175 | Washington Nationals |
| Baltimore Orioles | -122 | +106 | Texas Rangers |
| Philadelphia Phillies | -244 | +204 | Pittsburgh Pirates |
| Toronto Blue Jays | -147 | +127 | Minnesota Twins |
| Houston Astros | -172 | +150 | Los Angeles Angels |
Always make sure you're double-checking these MLB odds before committing to any specific MLB picks. There isn't much time between now and the opening pitches, but these baseball odds will move at BetOnline and other top online sportsbooks.
Latest MLB Game Predictions
Ten MLB game lines are available to us at this writing. We will not be covering every one, because not all contests warrant such specific coverage this time of year.
Instead, we will be focusing on the handful of games that have major implications on the 2021 MLB playoff race in some form. Let's hop to it!
Chicago White Sox (-135) vs. Cleveland Indians (-114)
The White Sox have their division all sewn up but are still competing for a top-three record in the American League. A matchup with Cleveland is just what the doctor ordered.
Though Chicago has lost two straight and six of their last 10, they still place inside the top five of runs scored on the season and are facing a Cleveland squad with the league's fourth-lowest on-base percentage.
OSB Prediction: White Sox (-135)
Milwaukee Brewers (-122) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (+106)
This game is interesting because of the difference in stakes.
The Brewers already have the Central Division wrapped up and have a chokehold on the third-best record in the National League. They're not competing for as much right now, and it shows. They're on a four-game losing streak.
This is great news for the Cardinals. They remain in the wild card hunt and are currently rolling along on an 11-game winning streak. Oddsmakers clearly expect them to peter out. But with Adam Wainwright and his 2.89 ERA on the mound, we trust them to get the job done.
OSB Prediction: Cardinals (+106)
Atlanta Braves (-189) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (+162)
The Braves are trying to stay atop the NL East and fend off an 11th-hour run from the Phillies. They should consider this matchup with the Diamondbacks a gift.
Arizona might be the worst team in baseball. They have been outscored by 220 runs. Only the Orioles are currently sporting a worse differential.
Atlanta hasn't looked great of late. They are playing .500 baseball over the past couple of weeks. But they've rattled off four straight victories this week and continue to post a top-five slugging percentage.
OSB Prediction: Braves (-189)
San Diego Padres (-109) vs. San Francisco Giants (-105)
This game is meaningful for unexpected reasons.
Never mind the Padres. They are clinging to a single win over .500 and have seen their season go off the rails. The Giants, on the other hand, are trying to protect a two-game lead for the NL West division over the reigning champion Dodgers.
San Francisco has regained form after some sputtering. They are 7-3 over their last 10 games and are among the few teams to rank in the top six of both slugging and on-base percentage.
However, this feels like a trap game. The Padres have lost five in a row, but Fernando Tatis Jr. just recently blasted his 40th homer of the season, and the overall offense is starting to perk up.
OSB Prediction: Padres (-109)
Philadelphia Phillies (-244) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (+204)
If the Phillies are going to catch the Braves in the NL East, they'll need to turn in some strong offensive performances. Fortunately for them, the circumstances are ripe for them to get one.
The Pirates have one of the three worst ERA marks among all MLB pitching staffs. This is definitely a game where the Phillies should expect their bats to go boom.
OSB Prediction: Phillies (-244)
Houston Astros (-172) vs. Los Angeles Angels (+150)
Having already solidified the AL West Division, can the Astros catch the Rays and register the best record in the American League? There's a good chunk of baseball left to play, but their schedule is certainly favorable moving forward.
This particular contest shouldn't be an issue. The Angels have lost six in a row and have one of the worst pitching staffs around.
OSB Prediction: Astros (-172)
Check out this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can decide which one to use for all your MLB betting:
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