MLB Picks Today: Expert Picks for
Saturday, September 26
We're down to the final two days in the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season, and things are about to get even more interesting. The Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies meet in the national game on FOX at 7:15 p.m. ET, and it could be a World Series preview. The AL Central and AL West division titles are still to be decided.
In last Saturday's column, it was another winning day, going 3-1 (75.0%, +190), while posting a 9-3 record (75.0%, +537) mark in September. That's also 38-17-1 (69.1%, +1,980) in the past 14 columns. Let's finish up strong, and keep adding to the bankroll for the MLB playoffs and World Series.
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St. Louis Cardinals at Milwaukee Brewers: Expert Betting Tips and Analysis
The Cardinals (77-83) meet the Brewers (101-59) on Saturday at American Family Field at 7:10 p.m. ET.
Milwaukee has wrapped up the top overall seed in the National League, so it wouldn't be shocking to see some key components rested to get ready for the postseason, rather than risking injury in a meaningless game.
St. Louis turns to LHP Quinn Mathews (2-3, 3.65 ERA, 1.38 WHIP), as he makes his ninth and final start of the season. He has struck out 39 batters in 44.1 IP, and he looks like a key cog in the rotation for the Cardinals for years to come.
The Brewers use RHP Dustin May (7-9, 4.67 ERA, 1.32 WHIP) for his 31st start of the season, and 10th start with the team since coming over from the Cardinals at the non-waiver trade deadline. He is just 2-2 with a 5.61 ERA in his nine starts with the Brewers, and he has a 1.43 WHIP. He might be used as a long reliever in the postseason, but it's hard to envision him cracking the rotation, even though he has a ton of playoff experience.
May is 1-2 with a 7.84 ERA and 1.74 WHIP across his past seven starts across 20.2 IP. Mathews has been much more steady, and while the Cardinals are going nowhere, they're a good bet to get the job done in this penultimate game of the regular season.
The Under is 4-1 in the past five games for the Cardinals, while cashing in in each of the past five starts by Mathews. The Under is 4-2 in the past six outings for the Brewers, too, although the Over has hit in May's past three starts, so tread lightly on the total.
MLB Best Bets for Cardinals at Brewers:
- Cardinals ML (+160 Bet365)
- Under 7.5 Runs (+100 at FanDuel)
Houston Astros at Athletics: Saturday Night Baseball Insights
The Astros (79-81) and A's (64-96) meet at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento at 9:40 p.m. ET. Unlike the game above, there is still plenty on the line, as the Astros and Texas Rangers enter the day tied atop the American League West with two games to play, and a division title on the line.
Houston hands the ball to RHP Hayden Wesneski (5-2, 3.50 ERA, 1.15 WHIP), looking to secure the team's 80th victory of the season. For the A's, they'll counter with RHP Jack Perkins (3-12, 5.90 ERA, 1.45 WHIP). He has struggled mightily this season, but Perkins has been finishing up strong, posting a 2.62 ERA and 1.28 WHIP across 34.1 IP in his past seven starts. Nothing comes easy for the Astros this season, and what looked like a slam-dunk win and pitching matchup is anything but that.
In fact, the A's have won four of the past six meetings in this series, with the Over cashing in three consecutive encounters. That includes a 6-5 win as moderate underdogs (+166) by the A's on Friday. The past three meetings have seen an average of 12.0 combined runs per game.
Even though Perkins has been pitching much better lately, we'll take Wesneski and the Astros to get the job done. And, let's stick with the Over. There is a single-digit total, and that's a rarity for the smallish Triple-A park doubling as the temporary home for the A's.
MLB Best Bets for Astros at Athletics:
- Astros ML (-140 at Bet365)
- Over 8.5 Runs (-106 at Caesars)
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Best MLB Parlays Today
4-Leg MLB Giant Parlay (+1495 at Bet365 Sportsbook)
- Cardinals ML (+160) at Brewers
- Under 7.5 (-105) - Cardinals at Brewers
- Over 8.5 (-110) - Astros at Athletics
- Astros ML (-140) at Athletics
2-Leg MLB Sides Parlay (+345 at Bet365 Sportsbook)
- Cardinals ML (+160) at Brewers
- Astros ML (-140) at Athletics
2-Leg MLB Totals Parlay (+272 at Bet365 Sportsbook)
- Under 7.5 (-105) - Cardinals at Brewers
- Over 8.5 (-110) - Astros at Athletics
