Best MLB Bets Today | MLB Picks, September 5

In the final month of the MLB regular season, there are different motivations for different teams and players. Some teams are fighting for playoff positioning, while some players are hoping to raise their levels to win individual awards. No matter what those motivations are, they all factor into our MLB best bets for today’s games.

Detroit Tigers vs New York Yankees

• Time: 7:05 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Alex Faedo vs Gerrit Cole
• Moneyline: Tigers (+200) | Yankees (-250)
• Runline: Tigers +1.5 (-105) | Yankees -1.5 (-115)
• Total: Over 8 (-120) | Under 8 (EVEN)

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

My Pick: Yankees -1.5 (-115)

Our first MLB best bet comes from the Bronx, where the New York Yankees get set to take on the Detroit Tigers. Both teams in this contest are in the midst of their own winning streaks, as the Tigers have won four games in a row, while the Yankees have won three straight. However, we like the Yankees to continue their winning streak at the expense of the Tigers, thanks in large part to the pitching matchup for this contest.

Gerrit Cole is set to pitch for the Yankees against Aled Faedo of the Tigers in this Tuesday night clash. Cole is the odds-on favorite to win the AL Cy Young award, entering this game with a 12-4 record and an ERA of 2.95. Meanwhile, Faedo enters this game with a record of 2-5 and a 4.89 ERA, giving Cole a decided advantage in the starting pitching department here.

New York’s offense has woken up a bit over their last few games, and that scoring punch will be just what they need to give Cole some run support. They scored five or more runs in each of their three games against the Houston Astros over the weekend, in a series that they swept against their rivals. Look for the Yankees offense to continue to perform in this setting to help them cover the runline as a favorite.

San Francisco Giants vs Chicago Cubs

• Time: 7:40 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Ryan Walker vs Kyle Hendricks
• Moneyline: Giants (+124) | Cubs (-148)
• Runline: Giants +1.5 (-162) | Cubs -1.5 (+136)
• Total: Over 11 (-105) | Under 11 (-115)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

My Pick: Under 11 (-115)

The total in the game between the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs on Tuesday is sky-high. Oddsmakers have set that total at 11 runs, as offensive fireworks are expected between these two National League teams as they fight in the Wild Card race. But we think there is some value in the under in this game, as these teams are coming off of a low-scoring game on Monday.

Chicago beat San Francisco 5-0 on Monday, with Justin Steele leading the Cubs to a shutout win in that game. To be fair, the NL Cy Young contender Steele will not be on the mound for the Cubs in this game. But Kyle Hendricks is a serviceable pitcher who should be able to help keep the struggling Giants offense from finding its rhythm in this game, which will help the under to come in.

Speaking of the offensive struggles for the Giants, they have scored just four combined runs in their last four games, which have all been losses. That includes back-to-back shutout losses, one of which came against the Padres and one of which came last night against the Cubs. There is no reason to have faith in the Giants to turn things around offensively here, and we should see a comfortable under.

Baltimore Orioles vs Los Angeles Angels

• Time: 9:38 PM ET
• Starting Pitchers: Dean Kremer vs Reid Detmers
• Moneyline: Orioles (-144) | Angels (+122)
• Runline: Orioles -1.5 (+114) | Angels +1.5 (-137)
• Total: Over 9 (-108) | Under 9 (-112)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

My Pick: Orioles -1.5 (+114)

There is a question as to how much of a role momentum can play in baseball, as one swing or one pitch can drastically change a team’s path. But there is one facet of the game that has an undeniable impact, and that is injuries. Thanks to some huge injury news for the Los Angeles Angels, expect the Baltimore Orioles to cover the runline in Anaheim on Tuesday night.

That injury news for the Angels surrounds star outfielder and pitcher Shohei Ohtani, who is dealing with an elbow injury that could result in Tommy John surgery down the road. Ohtani could end up missing the rest of this season for the Angels, who will be second-guessed for not trading him at the deadline now. Without Ohtani in their lineup, they should struggle to compete with the Orioles offense.

The Angels have lost four straight games coming into this Tuesday night clash with Baltimore. In those four games, they have been outscored 27-12, including Monday’s 6-3 loss to the Orioles. Look for the misery of the Angels to continue here, as the Orioles will continue to stack up wins in an effort to finish at the top of the American League and claim home-field advantage in the playoffs.