The air is getting crispier, which means the MLB playoffs aren't too far away.
With the postseason races getting juicier, our MLB staff compiled two MLB Best Bets and predictions for Sunday, September 8. Check out our Sunday MLB picks for Guardians vs Dodgers and White Sox vs Red Sox below.
MLB Best Bets & Predictions for Sunday
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our MLB betting staff is targeting from the Sunday 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 |
|---|---|---|
  | 4:10 p.m. | |
  | 1:35 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. | ||
Tony Sartori's White Sox vs Red Sox Best Bet: Fade These Pitchers
By Tony Sartori
Right-hander Chris Flexen takes the mound on Sunday for the Chicago White Sox, and he should be a good fade candidate. Through 29 appearances on the mound this season, Flexen is 2-14 with a fade-worthy 5.36 ERA and 1.54 WHIP.
His underlying metrics are equally poor as the right-hander ranks in the 19th percentile or lower in xERA, xBA and strikeout rate. These woes are likely to continue against the Boston Red Sox, a team that ranks in the top 10 in runs scored per game, hits per game, BA, OBP, SLG, OPS, home runs and stolen bases.
Yes, the White Sox possess the worst lineup in baseball, but they can still contribute to this over against right-hander Brayan Bello. Through 26 starts, Bello possesses a 4.75 ERA and 1.38 WHIP.
Finally, both bullpens rank in the bottom seven in both ERA and FIP.
Pick: Over 9.5 (-105 | Play to -110)
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Greg Liodice's Guardians vs Dodgers Best Bet: Guardians are Volatile
By Greg Liodice
The Guardians are a real piece of work.
I’m not sure what to make of them considering when they lose, they make sure to lose a lot. Let’s take a look at what Cleveland endured in August in chronological order:
- Lost seven in a row
- Won five in a row
- Lost three in a row
- Won one game in extra innings
- Lost three in a row
- Won two in a row
- Lost three in a row
If I were a fan, I’d be pulling whatever’s left of my hair out of my head.
Luckily, Cleveland had a successful first half of the season to give itself a cushion for when opposing teams inevitably come for the AL Central crown.
I never like looking at those trends though – it’s way too volatile for me. Granted, I’m a big fan of Tanner Bibee and think his future has Cy Young written all over it.
However, here’s the issue. In September, the Guardians are 4-2 and based on what we’ve already seen last month, the negative regression will be on its way.
Bibee will be facing a stacked Dodgers roster who have averaged 4.2 runs per game and five runs in the last three. Cleveland actually has a strong bullpen, but its staff as a whole has allowed an average of four runs in the past three games.
In addition, the Guardians will be facing Jack Flaherty who, since moving to L.A., has posted a 3.01 ERA. He’s also an analytical darling – ranking in the 90th percentile in BB%, 92nd percentile in Whiff%, and 93rd in K% rate.
Even though the books don’t seem to agree, I think the odds are in the Dodgers’ favor, which is why I’m taking their runline at plus-value.
Pick: Dodgers -1.5 (+130 | Play to -110)
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