What better way to ring in the weekend than with some MLB best bets and predictions for Saturday?
We have a 16-game slate on the docket, including a doubleheader. Our staff has compiled three MLB best bets for today's festivities, including picks and predictions for Athletics vs Blue Jays, Guardians vs Twins, and Phillies vs Diamondbacks.
MLB Best Bets & Predictions for Saturday
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our MLB betting staff is targeting from the Saturday slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific MLB best bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:10 p.m. | |
  | 8:10 p.m. | |
  | 3:07 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our MLB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Tony Sartori's Athletics vs Blue Jays Best Bet: Pitchers will Dictate Play
By Tony Sartori
While Oakland gets a lot of flack for well, being Oakland, there should be some optimism moving forward about right-hander Osvaldo Bido. Analytically, he is an extremely strong pitcher with a 3.30 xERA.
Bido ranks in the 93rd percentile or higher in xBA, average exit velocity, barrel rate and hard-hit rate, which puts him in some elite company. Following the right-hander is an underappreciated bullpen that ranks in the top 10 of the league in both ERA and FIP.
Meanwhile, Toronto hands the ball to right-handed rookie Yariel Rodriguez, who is also more than capable of holding his own. This season, Rodriguez ranks in the top half of the league in xERA, xBA, average exit velocity, strikeout rate and barrel rate.
Both Bido and Rodriguez are likely to find success in this contest, given that both the Athletics and the Jays rank in the bottom half of the league in runs scored per game, hits per game, BA, SLG, OPS and stolen bases.
Pick: Under 9 (-110 | Play to -105)
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D.J. James's Guardians vs Twins Best Bet: Slumping Guardians Offense
By D.J. James
Simeon Woods Richardson has been a great addition to the Minnesota Twins’ rotation. The 23-year-old righty has greatly limited hard contact ranking in the 75th percentile with an above average Average Exit Velocity. He hasn't necessarily kept the ball on the ground, but he walks under 8% of batters and occasionally can get hitters to chase. He also won't showcase anything special, but a sub-4.00 ERA and xERA of 4.03 will play in this matchup.
His opponent will be Gavin Williams and the Cleveland Guardians, who have been a bit weak this year. He throws the ball really hard and can strike out hitters, but his Hard-Hit Rate ranks in the third percentile with an Average Exit Velocity of nearly 92 MPH ([). His groundball rate is a little below average, and he can pick up a tendency to walk batters, so he has some issues, which have led to his 4.91 ERA and 4.66 xERA.
The key difference between these two teams is offense. The Twins own a 122 wRC+, 10.7% walk rate, and 20.9% strikeout rate against righties in the last month. The Guardians have a 73 wRC+, 6.3% walk rate, and 19.4% strikeout rate.
Cleveland may have a slightly better bullpen, but Woods Richardson can go deep and reduce strain on the Minny relief staff.
Look for the Twins to continue to produce on offense, while Cleveland could still look anemic offensively.
Pick: Twins ML (-120 | Play to -145)
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William Boor's Phillies vs Diamondbacks Best Bet: Will Arizona Keep Rolling?
By William Boor
Betting against the Phillies, who boast the best record in baseball, is never easy, but the Diamondbacks have been on fire since the All-Star Break. Seemingly everything is going right for Arizona these days and with the Diamondbacks playing at home and putting their ace, Zac Gallen, on the mound, this feels like a good spot to back them.
Both Gallen and Aaron Nola struggled a bit in their most recent starts, but that's no reason to panic. Gallen gave up five runs over seven innings in Cleveland, but threw quality starts in his two starts preceding that one. Additionally, Gallen has thrown much better at home than on the road this season.
Chase Field certainly favors hitters, but Arizona's 29-year-old right-hander has pitched to a 3.28 ERA at home, compared to a 4.40 mark on the road.
Conversely, Nola, who gave up four runs over six innings in Los Angeles in his most recent start, has pitched to a 3.41 ERA in Philadelphia, but a 3.69 mark on the road.
Philadelphia's lineup deservedly gets a lot of attention. The Phillies are very good and averaging 4.9 runs per game this season. However, I'm sure some would be surprised to find out the Diamondbacks are averaging 5.16 runs per game this season.
Arizona is at home, boasts the better bats and will have Gallen pitching in his preferred split. Bet Arizona on Saturday night.
Pick: Diamondbacks ML (-108)
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