MLB Best Bets Today – Wednesday, September 17 2025

By: Dean Whitaker Published 09/17/2025, 01:00 PM ET
Nick Pivetta looks to lead the Padres over the Mets
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We stayed hot last night with another 2-1 performance, pushing our run to an incredible 11-1 over the last 12 MLB Best Bets. The momentum is rolling, and we’re locked in on three more plays for tonight’s slate. Backed by sharp pitching analysis, offensive trends, and key matchup angles, these bets are built to keep the streak alive and add to the profit column. It’s time to ride the hot hand and keep cashing on the diamond.

Below, let's take a look at some of my favorite MLB picks for today, in best bets form.

Mets Start Off Our MLB Best Bets

Tonight’s Padres-Mets matchup at Citi Field sets up well for a tight, low-scoring affair, making the Under 8 a sharp play. San Diego sends out Nick Pivetta (13–5, 2.73 ERA), who’s been dominant down the stretch with a 0.95 WHIP and 180 Ks in 171 innings. He’s backed by a bullpen that ranks top 6 in holds and owns a 74% save conversion rate. On the other side, David Peterson (3.77 ERA) has quietly logged 15 quality starts and held opponents to a .251 average.

Both offenses have shown streaky tendencies—San Diego ranks just 20th in runs per game, while the Mets have averaged 3.3 runs over their last 10 outings. With playoff tension tightening and Citi Field historically suppressing scoring in this matchup, expect a pitcher’s duel that lands in the 4–2 range. Check out our Padres vs Mets prediction for more information.

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Best Bet #1

  • Padres/Mets Under 8

Rangers Value A Best Bet With deGrom On The Mound

Texas at -125 offers solid value tonight behind Jacob deGrom, who’s still dealing elite-level stuff with a 2.82 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 171 Ks over 162 innings. Cristian Javier counters for Houston, but his 4.78 ERA and limited strikeout production (just 26 Ks) suggest vulnerability against a Rangers lineup that, while banged up, still features enough pop to capitalize. Despite missing key bats like Seager and Semien, Texas has won 64% of games when favored and boasts the league’s top-ranked fielding percentage and ERA.

Houston’s recent surge is notable, but with Yordan Alvarez sidelined and bullpen fatigue creeping in, the Rangers should bounce back from their three-game skid and edge out a 4–3 win in a playoff-caliber atmosphere.

Best Bet #2

  • Rangers -125

Phillies and Dodgers Over Rounds Out Today's Best Bets

Tonight’s Phillies-Dodgers showdown at Dodger Stadium has all the ingredients for a high-scoring affair, making the Over 7.5 a strong play. Both teams rank top five in OPS—Philadelphia at .763 and Los Angeles at .769—and have combined for 30 runs in the first two games of this series. Blake Snell takes the mound for LA, and while his 2.79 ERA looks sharp, the Dodgers have dropped three of his last four starts, and his command has been inconsistent against power-heavy lineups. On the other side, Jesús Luzardo (14–6, 4.03 ERA) has been solid but allowed four earned runs in his last outing despite striking out ten.

With Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Nick Castellanos swinging hot bats, and Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Teoscar Hernández anchoring a deep Dodgers order, expect early fireworks and sustained scoring throughout. The ball has been flying in this series, and a 6–5 or 7–4 final feels well within reach.

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Best Bet #3

  • Phillies/Dodgers Over 7.5

Recapping Today's MLB Best Bets

  • San Diego/ NY Mets Under 8
  • Texas -125 over Houston
  • Philadelphia/LA Dodgers Over 7.5

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