Free MLB Picks For Today, Wednesday 9/18/2024

The MLB action continues with 15 games, so make sure you don’t miss the Free MLB Picks for Wednesday 9/18/2024.

Oakland Athletics vs Chicago Cubs Prediction MLB Picks 9/18/24

Athletics at Cubs at 2:20 PM ET

The anticipated starting pitcher for the Oakland team is Brady Basso, who currently holds a record of 1-0, accompanied by an impressive 1.23 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP across 14.2 innings pitched this season. Notably, Basso has not permitted any earned runs and has given up only eight hits in his last two outings, totaling 10.1 innings.

Justin Steele is expected to be the starting pitcher for Chicago, boasting a record of 5-5, a 3.09 ERA, and a 1.09 WHIP over the course of 128.0 innings this year. He has managed to allow two earned runs or fewer in five straight outings, but he was subsequently placed on the injured list after his start on August 27th.

The Pick:

The Cubs have maintained a solid record at home for the majority of the season, with Justin Steele taking the mound. Steele has been effective this season, despite dealing with multiple injuries. Meanwhile, Oakland will counter with Brady Basso, who has shown remarkable form in his last two starts. This matchup is likely to feature a strong pitching contest, and I foresee a scarcity of runs, which leads me to back the Under in this game.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Colorado Rockies Prediction MLB Picks 9/18/24

Diamondbacks at Rockies at 3:10 PM ET

Eduardo Rodriguez is set to take the mound for the Diamondbacks, possessing a record of 2-3 and an ERA of 5.50. In his last outing against the Milwaukee Brewers, he pitched for five innings, surrendering five hits and two runs.

The Rockies will be starting Austin Gomber, who has a record of 5-10 and an ERA of 4.44. In his last outing against the Chicago Cubs, he completed six innings, surrendering nine hits and two runs.

The Pick:

Gomber’s ERA is relatively manageable for a pitcher at Coors Field, and he is likely to have a robust start in this game. On the other hand, Rodriguez has not been particularly effective for the Diamondbacks, currently posting an ERA of 5.50. While the Rockies have had their ups and downs, they are anticipated to find success in scoring during this contest, which will be sufficient for them to prevail. Back the Rockies.

Chicago White Sox vs LA Angels Prediction MLB Picks 9/18/24

White Sox at Angels at 4:07 PM ET

Jared Shuster will take the mound for the White Sox on Wednesday. The 26-year-old reliever is 1-4 with a 4.54 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 36 games (3 starts) this season. Shuster never faced the Angels before in his career.

The Angels will have Jack Kochanowicz as their starting pitcher for this game, who currently has a season record of 2-5, an ERA of 5.08, and has recorded 15 strikeouts. Notably, this will be Kochanowicz’s first-ever start against the White Sox.

The Pick:

I have a favorable impression of Kochanowicz’s performance thus far, and I doubt the White Sox will be able to exploit any potential weaknesses he may exhibit in this outing. It is evident that Chicago’s offense has struggled consistently throughout the season, indicating that the team may face significant challenges. I am going with the Angels in this matchup.

San Francisco Giants vs Baltimore Orioles Prediction MLB Picks 9/18/24

Giants at Orioles at 6:35 PM ET

The Giants will be represented on the mound by Hayden Birdsong, who has a record of 3-5 and an ERA of 4.74. In his previous start against the Milwaukee Brewers, he delivered five innings, during which he permitted only two hits and did not allow any runs.

The Orioles will have Dean Kremer as their starting pitcher, who has a record of 7 wins and 9 losses, accompanied by an ERA of 4.10. In his previous game against the Boston Red Sox, Kremer showcased his skills by pitching seven innings, surrendering five hits and only one run.

The Pick:

The Giants are poised to execute their game plan successfully in this contest. Birdsong has an ERA of 4.74, yet he managed to pitch a scoreless game in his last appearance. The Orioles’ offense has been underperforming as they approach this match, and it is anticipated that this pattern will persist. Although the Giants may not dominate the scoreboard, they will score enough to clinch the win. Go with the Giants on the money line.

Atlanta Braves vs Cincinnati Reds Prediction MLB Picks 9/18/24

Braves at Reds at 6:40 PM ET

The pitcher designated to start on Wednesday will be Spencer Schwellenbach. To date, Schwellenbach has recorded a 6-7 win-loss record along with a 3.73 ERA over the initial 18 games of his professional career.

On Wednesday, Jakob Junis will be the starting pitcher for the Reds. In the current season, he has achieved a perfect record of 4-0, with a commendable 2.73 ERA in 22 games, four of which were starts. Throughout his career, Junis has compiled a record of 42 wins and 45 losses, maintaining a 4.50 ERA over 190 games, including 114 starts.

The Pick:

Junis has shown notable improvement in his recent performances. Across his last three starts, he has logged 13.2 innings and surrendered only two earned runs, although he has not recorded a decision. In comparison, Schwellenbach has allowed seven earned runs in his last 16.2 innings over three starts, leading to a 1-1 record. On Tuesday, the Reds utilized a multitude of bullpen pitchers after Williamson to secure a comeback win, with a total of seven pitchers participating in the game. Thus, it is imperative for Junis to pitch effectively and provide length on Wednesday. Back the Reds in this one.

LA Dodgers vs Miami Marlins Prediction MLB Picks 9/18/24

Dodgers at Marlins at 6:40 PM ET

The Los Angeles team is projected to start Landon Knack as their pitcher, who has a current record of 2-4, a 3.70 ERA, and a 1.09 WHIP through 56.0 innings pitched this season. Impressively, Knack has restricted his opponents to two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four outings.

Ryan Weathers is set to be the starting pitcher for Miami, boasting a record of 3-5, a 3.55 ERA, and a 1.14 WHIP over the course of 71.0 innings this year. He has successfully limited opponents to two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four outings, although he has been sidelined on the injured list since June 7th.

The Pick:

The matchup on Tuesday night featured an exceptionally high-scoring affair, with Miami emerging victorious. Nevertheless, the Dodgers find themselves in need of a turnaround, as their recent performance has not met expectations, resulting in a steadily decreasing lead in the NL West. Landon Knack is slated to take the mound for the Dodgers; despite his struggles in the last game, he has generally been reliable this season. I believe Knack will achieve a successful recovery against one of the weaker offensive teams in the league, thus I back the Dodgers -1.5 in this scenario.

Houston Astros vs San Diego Padres Prediction MLB Picks 9/18/24

Astros at Padres at 6:40 PM ET

The Astros will have Framber Valdez as their starting pitcher, who has achieved a record of 14 wins and 6 losses, with an ERA of 2.91. In his previous game against the Oakland Athletics, he permitted five hits and one run.

The Padres will be starting Dylan Cease, who currently holds a record of 13-11 and an ERA of 3.58. In his latest outing against the San Francisco Giants, he completed six innings, surrendering four hits and not conceding any runs.

The Pick:

The Astros’ offense is likely to struggle significantly in this matchup. Cease is coming off an outstanding performance, and it is expected that he will replicate that success. Valdez, in his most recent outing, allowed just one run, indicating that he is poised for another strong showing. It is unlikely that either team will score more than three runs, which will be the key factor in this game. I recommend wagering on the Under.

Minnesota Twins vs Cleveland Guardians Prediction MLB Picks 9/18/24

Twins at Guardians at 6:40 PM ET

The Minnesota Twins will have Bailey Ober as their starting pitcher, who currently holds a record of 12-7, a 3.90 ERA, and has achieved 168 strikeouts this season. In his last 19.2 innings pitched, he has given up 8 hits and 6 runs. Ober’s performance on the road has been notable, with a 3.76 ERA and a .198 batting average against him over 88.2 innings. In his career matchups against the Cleveland Guardians, he has a record of 2-2, featuring a 2.13 ERA and 34 strikeouts.

Tanner Bibee is scheduled to pitch for the Cleveland Guardians, carrying an 11-8 record along with a 3.60 ERA and 175 strikeouts this season. Recently, he has allowed 14 hits and 6 runs across 17 innings. In his 75.1 innings pitched at home, Bibee has a 4.54 ERA and has permitted a .252 batting average. Against the Minnesota Twins, he has been successful, holding a 2-0 record with a 2.73 ERA and accumulating 40 strikeouts throughout his career.

The Pick:

The Cleveland Guardians offer enticing prices that are difficult to resist, particularly as they have emerged as one of the most profitable teams for MLB bettors this season. However, the Minnesota Twins have been playing very well of late, with Bailey Ober demonstrating strong performance on the road, where he has kept opponents’ batting averages under .200. On the other hand, Tanner Bibee has faced challenges in his last few starts, with his most significant difficulties occurring at home this season. I suggest placing your bet on the Twins at an attractive price.

Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction MLB Picks 9/18/24

Red Sox at Rays at 6:50 PM ET

Tanner Houck will take the starting position for the Boston Red Sox in this matchup. Throughout the current season, he has achieved an 8-10 record, a 3.24 ERA, and has struck out 150 batters.

The Rays will have Ryan Pepiot as their starting pitcher, who has compiled an 8-6 record this season, with a 3.76 ERA and 119 strikeouts to his name.

The Pick:

To maximize their chances of making the playoffs, the Red Sox need to win every game from this point onward. It is imperative that they do not lose to the Rays, who have shown inconsistent offensive performance as the season progresses. In this scenario, Houck is the superior choice, and I have considerable doubts about Ryan Pepiot’s future contributions. Consequently, I will back the Red Sox in this matchup.

Washington Nationals vs New York Mets Prediction MLB Picks 9/18/24

Nationals at Mets at 7:10 PM ET

The starting pitcher for Wednesday will be DJ Herz from Washington. In his first 17 career starts this year, Herz has recorded a record of 4 wins and 7 losses, along with an ERA of 3.70.

On Wednesday, Jose Quintana will assume the position of starting pitcher. To date, Quintana has recorded a 9-9 win-loss record with a 3.91 ERA across 29 starts. Over the course of his career, which includes 357 games (331 of which were starts), he has achieved a record of 101 wins and 102 losses, along with a 3.75 ERA.

The Pick:

Statistically, Quintana is excelling at the moment, holding a 3-0 record in his last three starts with only one earned run allowed over 18.2 innings. Herz has also been effective, conceding just one earned run in his last two starts, which total 10.0 innings, and he holds a 2-0 record in that timeframe. The Mets had an exceptional offensive display on Tuesday, but their pitching was equally impressive. Tylor Megill pitched 6.0 innings without allowing any runs, yielding two hits, two walks, and recording four strikeouts. If Quintana maintains his current form, New York will be poised for a sweep.

Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals Prediction MLB Picks 9/18/24

Tigers at Royals at 7:40 PM ET

Tarik Skubal will take the mound for the Detroit Tigers in this matchup. He currently holds a season record of 16 victories and 4 defeats, with a commendable ERA of 2.50 and 214 strikeouts to his name. Nevertheless, his performance against the Royals in his last five starts has been less favorable, as he has achieved a 1-3 record, a 5.81 ERA, and accumulated 31 strikeouts.

The Kansas City team will feature Alec Marsh as their starting pitcher, who has achieved an 8-8 record with a 4.52 ERA and 116 strikeouts during the current season. This game will represent Marsh’s second career start against the Tigers.

The Pick:

The Detroit team is currently performing at an elevated level as they advance toward playoff contention, adding intrigue to the concluding fortnight of the season. While Kansas City possesses considerable talent, it appears that the Royals are simply facing a team that is in better form at this time. I favor Detroit, particularly with their ace pitcher taking the mound for this matchup.

Philadelphia Phillies vs Milwaukee Brewers Prediction MLB Picks 9/18/24

Phillies at Brewers at 7:40 PM ET

Aaron Nola is scheduled to pitch for the Philadelphia Phillies, carrying a season record of 12 wins and 8 losses, complemented by a 3.62 ERA and 174 strikeouts. Over his last 15 innings, he has allowed 19 hits and 12 earned runs. His road statistics reveal a 4.00 ERA and a .276 batting average against him across 83.1 innings. Nola has demonstrated notable success against the Milwaukee Brewers, with a career record of 7-2, a 2.76 ERA, and 86 strikeouts.

Taking the mound for the Milwaukee Brewers is Freddy Peralta, who currently holds an 11-8 record, a 3.75 ERA, and has achieved 184 strikeouts this season. In his last 15 innings pitched, he has given up 19 hits and 7 runs. Peralta’s performance at home reflects a 4.13 ERA and a .237 batting average allowed over 89.1 innings. Against the Philadelphia Phillies, he has struggled, recording a 0-2 record with a 4.01 ERA and 36 strikeouts throughout his career.

The Pick:

While the matchup between Aaron Nola and Freddy Peralta seems appealing on paper, both pitchers have struggled in their recent outings. The offenses of the Phillies and Brewers are both formidable, which complicates the likelihood of either pitcher finding their form. The total set for the game is modest, and I foresee a fair amount of scoring. Consequently, I will choose the Over for the concluding game of this series.

Pittsburgh Pirates vs St. Louis Cardinals Prediction MLB Picks 9/18/24

Pirates at Cardinals at 7:45 PM ET

Jake Woodford will start for the Pirates in this one. The 27-year-old is 0-6 this season while playing for both the White Sox and Pirates. He has an 8.01 ERA in eight starts.

Sonny Gray is scheduled to take the mound for the Cardinals on Wednesday. This season, he has achieved a record of 13 wins and 9 losses, accompanied by a 3.75 ERA across 27 starts. Throughout his career, which spans 306 games (297 of which were starts), Gray holds a record of 111 wins and 94 losses, with a career ERA of 3.50.

The Pick:

Gray has demonstrated solid form in his recent three starts, boasting a record of 2-0 while surrendering only three earned runs in 19.0 innings, with nine hits and three walks. A quality outing from Gray in this match would be significantly advantageous. On Tuesday, the Cardinals exhibited a strong collective pitching performance, limiting Pittsburgh’s effectiveness despite their eight hits. St. Louis’s offense did just enough to clinch the victory, although several players had unproductive outings. Still, I am going with the Cards here.

Toronto Blue Jays vs Texas Rangers Prediction MLB Picks 9/18/24

Blue Jays ay Rangers at 8:05 PM ET

The anticipated starting pitcher for the Toronto team is Bowden Francis, who boasts an 8-4 record alongside a 3.50 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP across 92.2 innings pitched this season. Notably, Francis has permitted one earned run or fewer in four out of his last five appearances on the mound.