Best MLB Bets Today | MLB Picks, September 8

We’re coming to the end of Major League Baseball season, but the weekend series ahead has a lot of value. We post our best bets every Friday on WSN, so make sure to check back through the end of the season for the plays you need to know!

Baltimore Orioles @ Boston Red Sox

• Time: 7:10 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Kyle Bradish (BAL) vs Tanner Houck (BOS)
• Moneyline: Orioles (-118) | Red Sox (+100)
• Run Line: Orioles -1.5 (+128) | Red Sox +1.5 (-154)
• Total: Over 10 (-110) | Under 10 (-110) 

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Check out our MLB betting sites for more betting opportunities.

My Pick: Over 10 (-110)

The Boston Red Sox will host the Baltimore Orioles, in a critical weekend series for the visitors. Baltimore is trying to stay at the top of the AL East and clinch the division. They’re creating a lot of separation with a 3.5-game lead heading into Boston, but no gap is safe with the Rays' talent across the board. 

These divisional foes have only played six games against each other this season, which is rare in the final month. The final four games will be played at the end of the month at Camden Yards. Boston has been successful against the Orioles in 2023, as they’re tied 3-3. 

The reason the Red Sox can play with the Orioles is because of their bats. To keep up with Baltimore, a team must be very efficient on offense, and the Red Sox have displayed this talent at Fenway Park all year. 

The Red Sox are batting .283 as a team with a .349 OBP in Boston this season. Their road dropoff is vast, so a primary reason we’re taking the over of 10 runs is because this game is at Fenway Park. 

Baltimore’s offense has been consistent no matter the venue. The Orioles are batting .256 with a .322 OBP on the road. We believe both offenses will show up on Friday night with the pitching combination on the hill.

Kyle Bradish will pitch for the Orioles. He is 10-6 with a 3.03 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. He has been very strong in 139.2 innings, but slightly worse on the road. Additionally, he hasn’t been great against Boston. 

Bradish only made one start against the Red Sox, but he allowed seven earned runs in 2.1 innings. The Red Sox hit .615 off the pitcher in those innings. No teams have hit Bradish like this in 2023. 

Tanner Houck will take the ball for Boston. There is nothing special about the right-hander, who is 4-8 with a 5.07 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. The combination of the pitchers and offensive firepower makes this the perfect game to take the over. 

Arizona Diamondbacks @ Chicago Cubs

• Time: 2:20 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Zac Gallen (ARI) vs Jameson Taillon (CHI)
• Moneyline: Diamondbacks (-116) | Cubs (-102)
• Run Line: Diamondbacks -1.5 (+146) | Cubs +1.5 (-176)
• Total: Over 8 (-110) | Under 8 (-110) 

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

My Pick: Under 8 (-110)

The Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs both have a lot of pop, but we believe we’ll see limited runs on Friday. The wind is blowing in at Wrigley Field, which makes it very tough for balls to leave the yard. Additionally, the early start on a Friday should affect the bats for Arizona, as they’re not used to playing in this time range. 

The pitching matchup is headlined by Zac Gallen, who will take the mound for Arizona. Gallen is 14-7 with a 3.48 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Over 178.2 innings, he has allowed just 161 hits with 186 strikeouts. 

He hasn’t shown many weaknesses this season. He is coming off two rough starts against the Orioles and Dodgers, but this is understandable. Pitching at Wrigley Field with the wind blowing in will be perfect for Gallen to get back on track. 

Jameson Taillon will throw for the Cubs, and he has been average this season. The pitcher is 7-9 with a 5.73 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. There have been innings where he has fallen apart, but he can also deal when he is on his game. 

Arizona’s offense hasn’t been that strong in the second half of the season, so it’s an ideal matchup for Taillon. Look for limited runs to be scored and for this game to stay under the eight-run total.