We have an intriguing slate of Major League Baseball games on Thursday, September 26 and our MLB betting experts have already identified the MLB best bets today.
Our Thursday MLB picks and predictions, which include two picks for Padres vs Dodgers, are below, but be sure you shop around for the best MLB odds.
MLB Best Bets, Today's Picks and Predictions
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our MLB betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 10:10 p.m. | |
| 10:10 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. | ||
D.J. James' Padres vs Dodgers Best Bet: Padres Have Edge
By D.J. James
The San Diego Padres are what most people would refer to as pesky. They put forth their best 1-2-3 in the starting rotation to try to steal the National League West crown from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Joe Musgrove start today and he's had his lumps this season, but still carries a 2.42 ERA this month into this start. He limits walks and continues to produce strikeouts and whiffs.
His opponent be Walker Buehler, who has had a rocky month with an ERA over 5.00. He may produce more ground balls than Musgrove, but Buehler isn't striking many hitters out (19.4%) and is walking more than he has in the past (8.3%).
At the dish, the Padres will match the Dodgers against righties. In the past month, San Diego has a 122 wRC+, a 8.1% walk rate and a 17.2% strikeout rate.
Los Angeles has a 127 wRC+, a 10.9% walk rate and a 18.5% strikeout rate. Interestingly enough, neither team strikes out much.
In relief, the Dodgers have a 4.42 xFIP in the past month, while the Padres have a 3.84 xFIP. San Diego's relievers will generate more strikeouts than the Dodgers, while carrying a similar walk rate.
Look for San Diego to continue being a nag on the Dodgers. Bet them from +105 to -120 as they have an edge in this spot.
Pick: Padres Moneyline (+105)
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Tony Sartori's Padres vs Dodgers Best Bet: Expect Runs
By Tony Sartori
These are two of the best lineups in baseball. Both teams rank in the top eight of the league in runs scored per game, hits per game, BA, OBP, SLG and OPS.
This'll come down to the pitching and I don't have much faith in this matchup between Joe Musgrove and Walker Buehler as both starters rank in the bottom third of the league in both xERA and xBA.
Furthermore, this current Los Angeles Dodgers lineup boasts a .281 xBA, a .447 xSLG and a .354 xwOBA through 217 combined career plate appearances against Musgrove.
On the other hand, this current San Diego Padres lineup sports a .244 xBA, a .403 xSLG and a .300 xwOBA through 169 combined career plate appearances against Buehler.
All that points to a high-scoring game. Bet the over.
Pick: Over 8.5 (-115)
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