Best MLB Bets Today: Banking on Division Battles

Our bets for today come from a pair of division battles. The first is an AL Central duel between the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians. The other is an NL Central battle as the Pittsburgh Pirates visit the St. Louis Cardinals.

Below, we will share the bets we love from both games, sharing odds taken from FanDuel Sportsbook. If you are new and looking to start using FanDuel, use our custom link to earn $200 in Bonus Bets+ 3 Weeks of NFL Sunday Ticket if your initial wager of $5+ wins!

Best MLB Bets Today: Twins vs. Guardians (6:40 PM EST)

Guardians ML (-104) at FanDuel Sportsbook

The Twins have looked like a playoff team for most of the season, but that hasn’t been the case over the last month. They are 9-17 since August 18 despite an easy start to their September schedule. A big reason for the drop-off is their offense, with their batting average dropping by 21 points since the All-Star break. They are batting just .215 in September.

The Twins' offensive struggles will be exposed by Matthew Boyd (2-1, 2.18 ERA, 0.91 WHIP). The 33-year-old joined the club on August 13 and has been fantastic ever since. His outstanding play has led to success for the Guardians, who have won five of his six starts. Boyd did deliver a quality start in the one loss.

Once Boyd exits the game, he’ll turn things over to the best bullpen in the league. Their 2.70 ERA leads all of baseball, beating out the Braves and Brewers. 

The Twins will have their top starter on the mound in Pablo Lopez (15-8, 3.88 ERA, 1.13 WHIP) tonight. The veteran is having another great season and has been incredible since July 10. However, their bullpen ranks twenty-second in ERA, meaning no lead is safe once Lopez exits the game.

The Guardians lineup has disappointed in the second half of the season, but they have been far better at home, where their batting average is 12 points higher. They have been better in September, owning an average of .240, far higher than the last two months.

Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets at FanDuel

Best MLB Bets Today: Pirates vs. Cardinals (7:45 PM EST)

Over 7 (-120) at FanDuel Sportsbook

These lineups have not impressed this season, but they are set up to have a big night tonight. That is despite the fact that Pittsburgh will have the electric Paul Skenes (10-2, 2.10 ERA, 0.99 WHIP) on the mound.

As impressive as Skenes has been, we don’t expect him to stay in this game for very long. The Pirates' playoff hopes are over, and they will want to protect their prize rookie’s arm. That is good news for the Cardinals, as the Buccos have the fourth-worst bullpen ERA (4.61) in the league.

Speaking of teams whose playoff hopes have ended, the Cardinals have been a massive disappointment in 2024. They have been better at the plate in the second half of the season, thanks in part to the resurgence of Paul Goldschmidt. The veteran first baseman has a .281 average with eight home runs and 22 RBIs since the All-Star break.

The Cardinals will have young Andre Pallante (6-8, 4.13 ERA, 1.40 WHIP) starting against the Pirates. The 25-year-old has had a decent season for the Red Birds but posted two ugly outings in September. He lost both starts, posting an ERA of 7.20 over ten innings. 

The Pirates’ lineup ranks in the league's bottom half in most offensive categories, but they have some dangerous hitters. Given Pallante’s late-season struggles, we expect them to flash enough talent to drive in several runs before the starter is pulled.

Claim $200 in Bonus Bets at FanDuel