Best MLB Bets Today | MLB Picks, September 11

There are officially three full weeks left of the 2023 MLB Season as the first team has clinched their way to the postseason. Plenty more teams have been eliminated from postseason play with more soon to be expected. This Monday’s set of games will bring several exciting matchups that can bring bettors some great earnings. Among these is a surprising game that features a playoff-locked team, not a huge favorite, which could be a huge bet to make on Monday.

Atlanta Braves @ Philadelphia Phillies

• Time: 1:05 PM E.T. - Monday
• Starting Pitchers: Charlie Moton (Braves) vs. Sonny Gray (Philles)
• Moneyline: Braves (-148) | Phillies (+124)
• Run Line: Braves -1.5 (+110) | Phillies +1.5 (-130)
• Total: Over 9.5 (-118) | Under 9.5 (-102)

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

My Pick: Atlanta Braves (ATL)

The first game on Monday is a clash of two of the top teams in the NL East Division and potential playoffs. The Atlanta Braves (93-49) go on the road to take on the Philadelphia Phillies (78-64) with the first two games being a doubleheader make-up game from June 21st. 

The Braves are the first team to punch their tickets into the 2023 MLB Postseason, but they haven't won the division, yet with the Phillies on their heels. Atlanta comes into this game as a favorite, but not by a significant margin, which should make for a solid bet for the Braves.

It is not hard to see why Atlanta is the top team in the MLB as they have elite talent in the batting, fielding, and pitching game. In the batting game, the Braves are ranked first in the NL in runs accounted for (826), hits accounted for (1344), home runs accounted for (273), first in batting average (.276), first in on-base percentage (.344), first in slugging percentage (.501), first in OPS (.845) and total bases accounted for (2442).

In the pitching game, the Braves are just as dangerous as they rank first in the NL in ERA (3.86), fourth in hits allowed (1148), first in runs allowed (588), first in home runs allowed (152) and first in strikeouts delivered (1355).

Despite the Braves starting Charlie Morton (3.32 ERA in 151.2 innings pitched), the Phillies are not going to let the Braves get the first game easily. They have been highly efficient at the plate this season as they haven't needed to rely so much on designated hitter Bryce Harper to bail out the team for a win.

Tampa Bay Rays @ Minnesota Twins

• Time: 7:40 PM E.T. - Monday
• Starting Pitchers: Tyler Glasnow (Rays) vs. Sonny Gray (Twins)
• Moneyline: Rays (-125) | Twins (+105)
• Run Line: Rays -1.5 (+130) | Twins +1.5 (-155)
• Total: Over 8 (-102) | Under 8 (-118)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

My Pick: Tampa Bay Rays (TB)

Every game for the rest of the 2023 MLB Season is important, even this game between teams is very likely to make the postseason. The Tampa Bay Rays (88-56) go on the road to take on the Minnesota Twins (75-68) on Monday in the first game of a three-game series.

The Rays, who are a solid bet to make the postseason as an AL Wildcard, are only three games behind the Baltimore Orioles in the chase for the AL East Divisional title. The Twins have a 7.5-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central Division, but not as high-caliber as the other divisional leaders.

Both the Rays and the Twins are coming into game one of this series with their incredible pitching. Tampa Bay will be starting Tyler Glasnow (2.98 ERA in 99.2 innings pitched) while the Twins are going with Sonny Gray (2.98 ERA in 163 innings pitched). 

Tampa Bay comes into this game as the much more efficient batting team. The Rays are ranked second in the AL in runs accounted for (766), fifth in hits accounted for (1255), first in home runs accounted for (206), first in stolen bases (153), eighth in walks (462), 10th in fewest strikeouts encountered (1265), fifth in batting average (.258), fourth in on-base percentage (.331), second in slugging percentage (.445) and second in OPS (.776).

Between the Rays and Twins, the Rays are the team that have the most reliability at the plate and have the experience to play great on both sides of the field.

Texas Rangers @ Toronto Blue Jays

• Time: 7:07 PM E.T. - Monday
• Starting Pitchers: Dane Dunning (Rangers) vs. Chris Bassitt (Blue Jays)
• Moneyline: Rangers (+120) | Blue Jays (-142)
• Run Line: Rangers +1.5 (-166) | Blue Jays -1.5 (+140)
• Total: Over 9 (-102) | Under 9 (-118)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

My Pick: Texas Rangers (TEX)

One of the most highly anticipated games on the new week is the game one matchup between the Texas Rangers (78-64) at the Toronto Blue Jays (80-63). This game will be the start of a four-game series in Toronto.

The Blue Jays are looking to solidify their chances for the AL Wildcard spot considering they are 10.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles for control of the AL East Division. The Rangers are in third place in the AL West Division and only three games behind the Houston Astros.

Both the Rangers and the Blue Jays are known for being two of the most complete teams this season as they are highly efficient in the batting, fielding, and pitching game.

The Rangers are ranked first in the AL in runs accounted for (777), first in hits accounted for (1313), fifth in home runs (200), first in walks (508), eighth in strikeouts encountered (1236), first in batting average (.266), first in on-base percentage (.337), first in slugging percentage (.454) and first in OPS (.792).

The Blue Jays are ranked ninth in runs accounted for (660), fourth in hits accounted for (260), 10th in home runs accounted for (166), fourth in walks (491), third in strikeouts encountered (1140), fourth in batting average (.260), second in on-base percentage (.333) and eighth in slugging percentage (.420).

Both the Rangers and the Blue Jays are coming into this game with their ace pitcher. Toronto will start Chris Bassitt (3.69 ERA in 173.1 innings pitched), while Texas will be starting Dane Dunning (3.88 ERA in 146 innings pitched).