Best MLB Bets Today: NL East Showdown Highlights Friday’s Schedule

There are a ton of great bets on the board this Friday, but two stand out above the rest. The first comes from a battle between the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs. The other is from an NL East clash as the Philadelphia Phillies visit the New York Mets.

Below, we will share the bets we love from both of these matchups using odds taken from FanDuel Sportsbook. If you want to start using FanDuel’s industry-leading platform, use our custom link to earn $200 in Bonus Bets+ 3 Weeks of NFL Sunday Ticket when you make an initial wager of $5+.

Best MLB Bets Today: Nationals vs. Cubs (2:20 PM EST)

Cubs -1.5 (+112) at FanDuel Sportsbook

We are big fans of Washington starter Trevor Williams (5-0, 2.22 ERA, 1.08 WHIP), but he will be making his first start since May 30. The righty is coming off the 60-day IL today after picking up a right flexor muscle strain. He started two games in AA during a rehab assignment, posting a 2.45 ERA over 7 ⅓ innings.

Pitching seven innings at AA is not enough to properly prep Williams for what he will face tonight. On top of that, he will likely be on a strict pitch count given that the Nats aren’t competing for the playoffs this season. Once he exits, he’ll turn things over to a bad bullpen that ranks in the bottom ten of the league in ERA (4.21).

The Chicago lineup disappointed in the first half of the season, but their batting average is 22 points higher since the All-Star break. They have been especially great in September, with a .277 average across 16 games.

The Cubs will also have a veteran of their own in Jameson Taillon (10-8, 3.54 ERA, 1.16 WHIP). The 32-year-old had a rough summer but bounced back in September, going 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA over three starts. That includes a game against the Yankees and a road start at Coors Field. Taillon is rolling, and we will keep things going tonight.

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Best MLB Bets Today: Phillies vs. Mets (7:10 PM EST)

Mets ML (-102) at FanDuel Sportsbook

We saw this matchup end in a pitcher’s duel in Philadelphia last week, but we expect a far different outcome in the Big Apple tonight.

The Phillies will have Cristopher Sanchez (10-9, 3.24 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) on the mound to face the Mets tonight. The 27-year-old is having the best campaign of his career, but he has struggled on the road. He is 3-6 with a 5.13 ERA across 13 starts outside of Philly.

Sanchez faced the Mets at Citi Field earlier this season and didn’t fare well. He allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks over 5 ⅔ innings. That start came back in May, when the Mets seemed destined to be sellers at the deadline. With the team playing far better and competing for a Wild Card spot, we expect an even better effort from the lineup tonight.

The Mets will turn to David Peterson (9-2, 2.85 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) tonight. The veteran is having a breakout season with New York, and he has been dominating in almost every scenario. His numbers are nearly identical when he is on the road versus at home, showing just well his has been pitching in 2024. 

Peterson face the Phillies on the road last week and delivered a gem. He held the loaded lineup to one run on four hits and a walk over 7 ⅔ innings. Expect to see him dominate again tonight.

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