Free MLB Picks Today – MLB Best Bets For Sunday, September 14 2025

By: Dean Whitaker Published 09/14/2025, 10:14 AM ET
Shota Imanaga looks to lead the Cubs over the Rays
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Last night’s 1-2 slip is behind us, and today’s MLB slate is all about getting back on track. We’ve dug into the matchups and found three spots that bring real betting value. With pitching dynamics, lineup momentum, and situational edges in play, these best bets are built to bounce back and deliver. No looking back—just three sharp picks ready to put us back in the win column.

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Tampa Bay Rays vs Chicago Cubs

Perfect setup for a Cubs win today with Shota Imanaga taking the mound at Wrigley Field. The left-hander enters with a 3.21 ERA and has delivered seven straight quality starts, holding opponents to a .206 batting average across 129 innings. He’s backed by a lineup that’s slugged .432 at home this season and faces Adrian Houser, who’s allowed three earned runs in back-to-back outings and has a 3.11 ERA despite a rising WHIP. Chicago has won five of its last seven at home and is 84–64 overall, while Tampa Bay sits below .500 and ranks 22nd in road OPS. With Imanaga’s consistency and the Cubs’ edge in both bullpen depth and situational hitting, Chicago is well-positioned to control this matchup and notch win No. 85.

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Colorado Rockies vs San Diego Padres

Today’s matchup between Colorado and San Diego at Petco Park leans heavily toward the Under 8.5, with both starting pitchers—German Marquez and Yu Darvish—owning solid head-to-head histories despite shaky season-long numbers. Marquez has held San Diego to a 4.25 ERA across his last five starts against them, while Darvish has pitched five or more innings in 10 of his 12 outings this year and carries a .234 opponent batting average. Neither lineup has been explosive lately: Colorado ranks 25th in batting average and 23rd in home runs, while San Diego sits bottom-five in slugging and total runs scored. With both teams trending toward low-scoring outcomes—combining for just 7.8 runs per game over their last 10 meetings—and Petco Park’s pitcher-friendly dimensions in play, this profiles as a tight, underwhelming contest that stays below the posted total.

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Kansas City Royals vs Philadelphia Phillies

Today’s Royals–Phillies matchup at Citizens Bank Park sets up well for Over 8.5, with both lineups showing recent scoring surges and the starting pitchers trending toward volatility. Philadelphia has scored 16 runs across the first two games of the series and enters with a .262 team batting average, 184 home runs, and a .429 slugging percentage—top 10 in MLB across all three categories. Aaron Nola gets the start for the Phillies, but his 6.24 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 75 innings this season suggest Kansas City will have scoring chances, especially with Salvador Perez and Bobby Witt Jr. swinging hot bats. The Royals have tallied 16 hits and 9 runs over the last two games and face a bullpen that’s been stretched thin during Philly’s six-game win streak. With both teams combining for 14+ runs in back-to-back contests and the total holding steady at 8.5, this profiles as another high-scoring affair where the Over remains the sharp side.

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The Picks Are In:

  • Chicago -165 over Tampa Bay
  • Colorado/ San Diego Under 8.5
  • Kansas City/ Philadelphia Over 8.5
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