MLB Betting Guide for Sept. 20: Shohei’s Historic Night

All 30 MLB teams are in action today, so let’s dive into the matchups that have the most playoff ramifications on the line heading into the weekend.

Starting in the American League, the New York Yankees remain on top, but now the Cleveland Guardians are just a half-game back of the Yankees for the AL’s top seed. Luckily, the Yankees hold the tiebreaker over the Guardians, but a tough weekend awaits on the road against a feisty Oakland Athletics squad that’s certainly looking to play spoiler. Behind those clubs, the AL Central is dominating the AL Wild Card race as the Kansas City Royals hold the second wild card spot ahead of the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers who are in a virtual tie with each other. The AL race will likely come down to the final game, so buckle in!

In the National League, regardless of the playoff ramifications, the storyline, at least for today, is Shohei Ohtani’s record-breaking accomplishment as he became the MLB’s first 50-50 and now 51-51 player in history. His Los Angeles Dodgers now sit tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL’s top seed, with the Phils holding the tiebreaker. In the wild-card race, the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks are tied for the NL’s final two spots, while the Atlanta Braves sit two games out of the postseason.

It should be a great weekend of baseball, so stick with SportsGrid throughout the day to keep you covered on all the action. Let’s ride!

Swing for the Fences with SportsGrid’s free daily MLB Game Picks and MLB Prop Picks.

MLB Betting Guide for September 20

Tonight’s Headliners: Shohei Ohtani’s Historic Night

Catch Up on Last Night’s Action:  

Tonight’s Best Bets: Today’s Top Props

2:20 p.m ET: Washington Nationals @ Chicago Cubs

• Run Line: Cubs -1.5 | Moneyline: Cubs -180 | Total: 9
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Wrigley Field (Chicago, IL)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Trevor Williams (ERA: 2.22; K/9: 7.46) vs. Jameson Taillon (ERA: 3.55; K/9: 7.03)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Nationals ML (2-Stars, +158) | UNDER 9 (3-Stars)  

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Cubs by 0.7 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Dansby Swanson OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +160)

6:40 p.m ET: Pittsburgh Pirates @ Cincinnati Reds

• Run Line: Reds +1.5 | Moneyline: Reds -122 | Total: 9
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati, OH)
• Weather Notes: Warm, clear, winds blowing across from right to left

Starting Pitching Matchup: Mitch Keller (ERA: 3.87; K/9: 8.43) vs. Nick Martinez (ERA: 3.37; K/9: 7.29)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Reds +1.5 (2.5-Stars) | Reds ML (3-Stars) | UNDER 9 (1-Star)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Reds by 1.1 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Andrew McCutchen OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +155) | TJ Friedl OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +170)

6:50 p.m ET: Toronto Blue Jays @ Tampa Bay Rays

• Run Line: Blue Jays -1.5 | Moneyline: Blue Jays -106 | Total: 7.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg, FL)
• Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: Jose Berrios (ERA: 3.44; K/9: 7.02) vs. Tyler Alexander (ERA: 5.58; K/9: 7.14)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Blue Jays -1.5 (2-Stars) | Blue Jays ML (3-Stars) | OVER 7.5 (5-Stars)  

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Blue Jays by 0.8 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +150)

7:05 p.m ET: Detroit Tigers @ Baltimore Orioles 

• Run Line: Orioles -1.5 | Moneyline: Orioles -196 | Total: 7.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Camden Yards (Baltimore, MD)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing across from right to left

Starting Pitching Matchup: Keider Montero (ERA: 4.60; K/9: 6.75) vs. Corbin Burnes (ERA: 3.06; K/9: 8.10) 

SportsGrid’s Best Bet: OVER 7.5 (4.5-Stars) 

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Orioles by 1.2 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Awaiting Props

7:10 p.m ET: Minnesota Twins @ Boston Red Sox

• Run Line: Twins -1.5 | Moneyline: Twins -116 | Total: 9
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Fenway Park (Boston, MA)
• Weather Notes: Chance of rain early, but should clear up for a late-start at worst.

Starting Pitching Matchup: David Festa (ERA: 5.07; K/9: 10.80) vs. Richard Fitts (ERA: 0.00; K/9: 3.38)

SportsGrid’s Best Bet: OVER 9 (3-Stars) 

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Twins by 0.3 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Byron Buxton OVER 0.5 RBIs (4.5-Stars, +125)

7:10 p.m ET: Philadelphia Phillies @ New York Mets

• Run Line: Phillies -1.5 | Moneyline: Phillies -116 | Total: 7
• Where to Watch: Apple TV+ | Location: Citi Field (Queens, NY)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing in from center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Cristopher Sanchez (ERA: 3.24; K/9: 7.43) vs. David Peterson (ERA: 2.86; K/9: 7.26)

SportsGrid’s Best Bet: OVER 7 (4-Stars)  

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Mets by 0.1 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Trea Turner OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +190) | Starling Marte OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +260)

7:10 p.m ET: Atlanta Braves @ Miami Marlins

• Run Line: Braves -1.5 | Moneyline: Braves -200 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: loanDepot Park (Miami, FL)
• Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: Charlie Morton (ERA: 4.01; K/9: 9.35) vs. Valente Bellozo (ERA: 3.70; K/9: 6.02)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Marlins +1.5 (1.5-Stars) | OVER 8.5 (1-Star)  

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Braves by 1.2 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Matt Olson OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +120) | Connor Norby OVER 0.5 Runs (5-Stars, +100)

8:05 p.m ET: Seattle Mariners @ Texas Rangers 

• Run Line: Mariners -1.5 | Moneyline: Mariners -102 | Total: 7
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Globe Life Field (Arlington, TX)
• Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: George Kirby (ERA: 3.62; K/9: 8.50) vs. Jacob deGrom (ERA: 0.00; K/9: 9.82)

SportsGrid’s Best Bet: Rangers +1.5 (2-Stars) | Rangers ML (2-Stars) | OVER 7 (5-Stars)  

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Rangers by 0.7 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Luke Raley OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +220) | Adolis Garcia OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +155)

8:10 p.m ET: San Francisco Giants @ Kansas City Royals 

• Run Line: Royals -1.5 | Moneyline: Royals -162 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
• Weather Notes: Warm, clear, winds blowing in from right

Starting Pitching Matchup: Mason Black (ERA: 7.07; K/9: 7.71) vs. Michael Wacha (ERA: 3.29; K/9: 7.96)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Royals -1.5 (5-Stars) | Royals ML (5-Stars) | OVER 8.5 (5-Stars) 

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Royals by 3.2 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Mason Black OVER 3.5 Ks (4.5-Stars, +142)

8:10 p.m ET: Los Angeles Angels @ Houston Astros 

• Run Line: Astros -1.5 | Moneyline: Astros -235 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Minute Maid Park (Houston, TX)
• Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: Tyler Anderson (ERA: 3.60; K/9; 7.10) vs. Justin Verlander (ERA: 5.20; K/9: 7.34)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Angels +1.5 (5-Stars) | Angels ML (5-Stars, +194) | UNDER 8.5 (2-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Angels by 0.8 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Jose Altuve OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +165) | Mickey Moniak OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +250)

8:10 p.m ET: Arizona Diamondbacks @ Milwaukee Brewers

• Run Line: D-backs -1.5 | Moneyline: D-backs -126 | Total: 8
• Where to Watch: FOX | Location: American Family Field (Milwaukee, WI)
• Weather Notes: Dome

Starting Pitching Matchup: Zac Gallen (ERA: 3.61; K/9: 9.20) vs. Colin Rea (ERA: 4.14; K/9: 7.12)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: D-backs -1.5 (2.5-Stars) | D-backs ML (5-Stars) | UNDER 8 (1-Star)  

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: D-backs by 1.4 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Ketel Marte OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +170) | Willy Adames OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +155)

8:15 p.m ET: Cleveland Guardians @ St. Louis Cardinals

• Run Line: Guardians -1.5 | Moneyline: Guardians -104 | Total: 8.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Busch Stadium (St. Louis, MO)
• Weather Notes: Warm, clear, winds blowing in from right-center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Ben Lively (ERA: 3.87; K/9: 7.10) vs. Kyle Gibson (ERA: 4.12; K/9: 8.12)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Guardians ML (3-Stars) | OVER 8.5 (1-Star)  

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Guardians by 0.7 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Lane Thomas OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +145)

9:40 p.m ET: Chicago White Sox @ San Diego Padres

• Run Line: Padres -1.5 | Moneyline: Padres -245 | Total: 7
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Petco Park (San Diego, CA)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing in from left

Starting Pitching Matchup: Garrett Crochet (ERA: 3.78; K/9: 12.72) vs. Joe Musgrove (ERA: 4.23; K/9: 8.86)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Padres -1.5 (5-Stars) | OVER 7 (5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Padres by 3.8 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Garrett Crochet OVER 4.5 Ks (5-Stars) | Jackson Merrill OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +185)

 9:40 p.m ET: New York Yankees @ Oakland Athletics

• Run Line: Yankees -1.5 | Moneyline: Yankees -200 | Total: 8 
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Oakland Colesium (Oakland, CA)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Gerrit Cole (ERA: 3.97; K/9: 9.87) vs. JT Ginn (ERA: 4.94; K/9: 8.75)

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Yankees -1.5 (2-Stars) | OVER 8 (4-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Yankees by 2.3 Runs

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Austin Wells OVER 0.5 RBIs (5-Stars, +135) | JT Ginn OVER 3.5 Ks (5-Stars)

10:10 p.m ET: Colorado Rockies @ Los Angeles Dodgers

• Run Line: Dodgers -1.5 | Moneyline: Dodgers -235 | Total: 9.5
• Where to Watch: MLB.TV | Location: Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles, CA)
• Weather Notes: Clear, winds blowing out to right-center

Starting Pitching Matchup: Kyle Freeland (ERA: 4.89; K/9: 6.90) vs. Undeciced

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Rockies +1.5 (1-Star) | Rockies ML (2-Stars, +194) | UNDER 9.5 (5-Stars)

SportsGrid’s Predicted Game Outcome: Dodgers by 1.0 Run

SportsGrid’s Top Props: Awaiting Props

 

 

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