We have come to the penultimate weekend of the MLB season, which means as postseason races tighten, games have more meaning than ever.
And none are bigger than Yankees-Red Sox. Arguably the greatest rivalry in sports starts its biggest series in years as the two battle it out for the American League Wild Cards. And of course, a game this big has prop betting value.
We break down and pick this massive game and more with our best free MLB prop bets and predictions for Friday, September 24.
Today’s MLB props and picks
Yankees-Red Sox Under 4.5 Five-Inning Total (-115 at FanDuel)
The greatest rivalry in baseball is playing arguably the biggest series of the season with their best starters on the mound. So, of course, we have a play for tonight’s showdown between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.
The Red Sox and Yankees are currently the two teams in the American League Wild-Card spots, but several teams are hot on their heels, every game matters that much more. And the opener of this three-game set should be a doozy as Gerrit Cole faces off against Nathan Eovaldi.
Cole is one of the betting favorites to win the AL Cy Young Award and a good performance against the hated Red Sox could get him that much closer. While Cole is coming off a terrible outing against Cleveland, he is still at or near the top of the AL in ERA, WHIP, and strikeout rate.
Meanwhile, Eovaldi has been outstanding since early August. The right-hander is pitching to a 2.27 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP over his last eight starts.
The intensity for this game should be jacked to overdrive. Even though Boston has had Cole’s number this season, both starters should dominate early, giving us some value on the five-inning total.
Juan Soto Over 1.5 Total Bases (+140 at DraftKings)
I don’t care that Juan Soto has to face Sonny Gray when the Washington Nationals visit the Cincinnati Reds tonight. The value of this bet is absurd.
Soto is the hottest hitter on Planet Earth right now and is moving up the National League MVP odds board. During his current nine-game hitting streak the Nationals slugger is hitting a ridiculous .567 with a 1.741 OPS and four dingers.
Yes, Gray has been solid for the most part this season and comes into this game pitching well, but Soto has had Gray’s number in past meetings. He has recorded four hits in eight career at-bats against him with two walks.
On top of that, Gray usually lasts just over five innings per start and then has to hand the ball to a bullpen that ranks 28th in ERA and 21st in WHIP.
Soto, who is one of the most entertaining players to watch in baseball, is just on another level right now. He has gone Over this number 12 times in his last 16 games, so, keep riding his success, sit back, and be entertained.
White Sox Under 2.5 Five-Inning Team Total (-150 at DraftKings)
You didn’t think we’d pass up on an opportunity to bet Shane Bieber’s return to the mound, did you? While this isn’t a traditional Bieber Fever (Under the first five-inning total) it’s pretty close.
Bieber will be making his first start since all the way back on June 13, a game in which he strained a muscle in his throwing shoulder, and it has been a long road back. But Bieber returns in an interesting spot as the Chicago White Sox might be literally nursing hangovers after clinching the AL Central Division title last night.
Bieber had not been as dominant as in his Cy Young campaign in 2020, but the injury may have been a part of it, and he still had solid numbers with a 3.28 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP, and 12.4 strikeouts per nine innings.
Bieber has also put up strong numbers against the White Sox over the course of his career. And even though he has been out since June, he has faced the Pale Hose three times pitching to a 2.05 ERA, limiting them to a .188 batting average while racking up 29 Ks in 22 innings pitched.
After what was probably a late night for the White Sox, expect some guys to get the day off and Bieber to put in some work.
MLB betting card for September 24
- NYY-BOS Under 4.5 Five-Inning Total (-115 at FanDuel)
- Juan Soto Over 1.5 Total Bases (+140 at DraftKings)
- White Sox Under 2.5 Five-Inning Team Total (-150 at DraftKings)
Picks made on 9/24/2021 at 12:45 p.m. ET
MLB parlays
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