Wednesday's MLB slate is a full one with six afternoon matchups and nine night games on the schedule. As teams come down the final stretch of the season and postseason races heat up, our MLB betting analysts looking for value wherever they can find it and that includes teams outside the playoff picture. There are two matchups catching their attention today: Mets vs. Nationals and Astros vs. Rangers.
Here are our MLB best bets from the slate on Wednesday, September 6.
MLB Best Bets
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 |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:05 p.m ET | |
  | 8:05 p.m. ET | |
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. | ||
Mets vs. Nationals
By Kevin Rogers
The Mets ran past the Nationals in their series opener in D.C. last night, 11-5, marking New York’s fourth win over Washington in the last five tries.
The Nationals look to snap a six-game slide tonight as Washington has allowed six runs or more during each game of their cold stretch.
Joan Adon was knocked around for five runs and nine hits in his last start against the Marlins, as the Nationals’ right-hander tries to rebound tonight. Washington owned a 4-0 mark in the first five innings of Adon’s first four starts before that misstep against Miami.
Joey Butto counters for New York, making his first start since April 25, which also came against Washington. Butto lasted one out shy of five innings in that appearance as a -200 home favorite, walking six batters and giving up two runs in a 5-0 defeat.
The Mets have been brutal in the second game of a road series in the first five innings recently by posting a 1-6-5 mark in the last 12 tries.
Although Washington has struggled of late, let’s back them in the first five innings at -106 against New York and take that number up to -110.
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Astros vs. Rangers
By D.J. James
Justin Verlander did not have a good outing last time against the New York Yankees. He allowed six earned runs over six innings pitched, so facing the Texas Rangers in a battle for at least a Wild Card slot or perhaps, the lead in the American League West is a massive task.
His opponent will be Max Scherzer, another future Hall of Famer acquired at this past trade deadline. Scherzer has been great this year with a 3.55 ERA and 3.21 xERA. He has a 2.21 ERA over 36 2/3 innings for the Rangers, so he is definitely liking his new home.
Verlander has a 3.86 ERA over 35 innings for the Astros, which is still strong, but he is not as reliable as Scherzer is.
Hitting-wise, the Astros have a 131 wRC+ with an .833 OPS off of righties in the last two weeks. They only have a 13.5% strikeout rate against an 8.9% walk rate.
The Rangers have made up some ground, after their losing streak. They have a 111 wRC+ off of righties in the last two weeks with a .779 OPS. Their walk rate is 9.2%, and their strikeout rate is 24.1%.
The crux of the losing streak that pushed Texas out of the AL West lead was their relief staff. In the last two weeks, they own a 5.02 xFIP. Now this is absolutely terrible, but Houston has a 4.86 xFIP in relief.
Texas is the correct play in this game. Take them to -135. Scherzer is just better than Verlander is this season.
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