Best MLB Bets Today | MLB Picks, September 22

There are just two Fridays remaining in the MLB regular season. We need to make the most of them regarding our best bets! Make sure to check back next Friday for our final MLB best bets of the regular season, and stay tuned for more playoff picks on WSN!

Chicago White Sox @ Boston Red Sox 

• Time: 7:10 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Touki Toussaint (CHI) vs Chris Sale (BOS)
• Moneyline: White Sox (+180) | Red Sox (-218)
• Run Line: White Sox +1.5 (-108) | Red Sox -1.5 (-112)
• Total: Over 9 (-110) | Under 9 (-110) 

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. See different MLB betting sites for more betting opportunities!  

My Pick: Over 9

The Boston Red Sox have been officially eliminated from playoff contention, so they’re in the same position as their opponent, the Chicago White Sox. Both teams were disappointed to end the season, and they’re looking to bounce back in 2024. 

We should see more prospects and young stars playing for both teams, as these games are meaningless. A major reason the Red Sox failed this season is because of their starting pitching. Chaim Bloom didn’t establish a staff with enough firepower, and the top of their rotation couldn’t stay healthy. 

Chris Sale was expected to be one of the better pitchers for Boston, but he was consistently injured and didn’t have enough strong outings to help his team win when he was on the mound. We’re fading Sale in this spot and expecting him to allow multiple runs when he is on the mound. 

Sale is 6-4 on the season with a 4.66 ERA. The WHIP has been solid at 1.17, but he has been inconsistent and worse at Fenway Park. The pitcher’s ERA at home is 4.91, and he was rocked in his last start at Fenway, surrendering seven runs to the Orioles in four innings. 

The White Sox will throw Touki Toussaint, who has been much worse than Sale. The pitcher is 4-7 with a 5.4 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Over 76.2 innings, he has walked 52 batters. If his K/9 rate doesn’t come down in this start, the Red Sox have the offense to do damage. 

Rafael Devers has been sensational in the second half of the season getting on base. The power numbers fell off, but he still hits the ball very well. Masataka Yoshida has also been delivering for his club, and we should see this continue once again on Friday. 

The Red Sox have one of the best home offenses in MLB. They must score most of the runs in this spot to take this game over nine runs. The matchup is present for this possibility to become a reality on Friday.

Colorado Rockies @ Chicago Cubs

• Time: 2:20 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Noah Davis (COL) vs Jameson Taillon (CHC)
• Moneyline: Rockies (+164) | Cubs (-198)
• Run Line: Rockies +1.5 (-130) | Cubs -1.5 (+110)
• Total: Over 8.5 (-108) | Under 8 (-112) 

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. 

My Pick: Cubs -1.5 (+110)

The Chicago Cubs are in a position where they need to win. If Chicago continues to lose, they can kiss their Wild Card position in the playoffs goodbye. The Cubs currently are 0.5 games up on the Marlins for the final Wild Card spot. 

If Miami wins on Friday and Chicago loses, the Marlins take over the third spot. Therefore, every game is a high-stress must-win atmosphere for Chicago. The Cubs will face the Rockies on Friday, and Jameson Taillon will take the ball. 

Taillon is 7-10 with a 5.27 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. Over 138.1 innings, he has allowed 35 walks and 26 homers. He isn’t the best wing to have on the mound in this contest and will likely come out of the bullpen in the postseason. 

Nevertheless, the Rockies are playing for nothing, and their pitcher isn’t ready for the moment. Noah Davis has been rocked since getting called up for Colorado. 

He is 0-2 with a 9.58 ERA and a 2.03 WHIP in 20.2 innings. The Cubs can score enough runs to cover with Davis on the mound. This is a prime chance for Chicago to move up in the standings, so look for this to occur on Friday afternoon.