The MLB stretch run has arrived and several of the 15 games on Wednesday, September 4, have postseason implications. With that being said, our baseball betting experts have looked over today's MLB odds and compiled their MLB best bets, predictions and picks.
So, let's not waste any more time and dive right into today's MLB best bets, which feature predictions for Dodgers vs Angels, Tigers vs Padres and more.
MLB Best Bets & 3 Predictions for Wednesday – 9-4
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our MLB betting staff is targeting from the Wednesday slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific MLB best bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 9:38 p.m. | |
  | 9:40 p.m. | |
  | 6:35 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. | ||
William Boor's White Sox vs Orioles Best Bet: Play the Run Line
By William Boor
I'm typically not a fan of betting the run line and would much rather just play the moneyline when betting baseball. However, the 2024 White Sox are a special level of bad.
Chicago has lost 12 in a row and 10 of those losses have been by two or more runs. Conversely, eight of Baltimore's past 10 wins have been multi-run victories.
The trends favor the Orioles, and so does the pitching matchup. Albert Suarez will get the ball for Baltimore and although his 3.14 ERA and 4.09 xERA suggests a bit of regression looming, he's thrown well of late and held opponents to two earned runs or less in five straight starts. White Sox starter Jonathan Cannon can't say the same as he's yielded four or more runs in three straight starts.
These teams, obviously, are on opposite ends of the standings and while it's easy to simply say the Orioles are better, I think it's also important to note that Baltimore is in a battle with New York for the AL East crown. The Orioles need all the wins they can get right now and won't want to waste an opportunity against the White Sox.
Pick: Orioles -1.5 (-134)
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Tony Sartori's Dodgers vs Angels Best Bet: Bet the Over
By Tony Sartori
The Dodgers hand the ball to Bobby Miller, who should be a good fade candidate. Through 10 starts this season, Miller is 2-3 with a fade-worthy 7.25 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP.
His underlying metrics are equally poor as the right-hander ranks in the bottom-five percentile in xERA, xBA, average exit velocity, barrel rate and hard-hit rate. The good news for Miller is that he is likely to receive an abundance of run support from one of the best lineups in baseball.
Los Angeles ranks in the top six of the league in runs scored per game, hits per game, BA, OBP, SLG, OPS and home runs. This success at the dish is likely to continue against Griffin Canning, who takes the mound for the Angels.
Canning is 4-12 with a 5.19 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP through 27 appearances on the rubber this season. Like Miller, Canning also profiles poorly when it comes to analytics.
The right-hander ranks in the 27th percentile or lower in xERA, xBA, average exit velocity, strikeout rate, barrel rate and hard-hit rate.
Pick: Over 9.5 (-104)
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D.J. James' Tigers vs Padres Best Bet: Back San Diego's Bats
By D.J. James
Detroit Tigers’ prospect Keider Montero has been on a good run lately, but that could quickly come to an end Wednesday, when he faces a red-hot San Diego Padres team.
Montero posted a 3.82 ERA in August, but his overall ERA and xERA are both above 5.00. His Average Exit Velocity is nearly 90 mph and his Hard-Hit Rate is in the 43rd percentile. He doesn't miss many bats or get many hitters to chase and, at times, has struggled with control.
The Padres have torched righties this year and over the past month. They have a 128 wRC+, a 8.4% walk rate and a 15.3% strikeout rate against righties in that timeframe.
In addition, the Padres have six active batters with an xwOBA above .320 and three others above .300. Simply put, most of this lineup can hit, so Montero might be in for a rude awakening.
As decent as Detroit’s bullpen has been in the past month, it has its gaps, especially if Montero quickly racks up pitches. San Diego may not be as sharp against southpaws, so the Tigers could go that route, but the Padres should still score early and often.
Look for the Padres to win this one at the plate, even though Yu Darvish toes the rubber. Bet the Padres’ team total from 4.5 to 5.
Pick: Padres Team Total Over 4.5 (+105)
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