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Free MLB Picks Today – MLB Best Bets For Tuesday, September 16 2025

By: Dean Whitaker Published 09/16/2025, 01:30 PM ET
Dansby Swanson looks to lead the Cubs over the Pirates

We closed out Sunday with a solid 2-1 showing, and now all eyes are on Tuesday’s MLB slate. Today’s board is loaded with value, and we’ve zeroed in on three matchups that stand out. With pitching dynamics, lineup momentum, and key situational angles driving the analysis, these best bets are built to keep the profits coming. It’s time to carry that momentum forward and cash in again on the diamond.

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Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates

Chicago offers sharp value as a +110 underdog tonight against Pittsburgh, with Cade Horton on the mound and riding a dominant post–All-Star stretch where he’s posted a 0.84 ERA across his last 10 starts. Horton has allowed just 28 hits over 53.1 innings in that span and already held the Pirates to three hits in 5.2 innings earlier this season. Pittsburgh counters with Paul Skenes, who owns a stellar 1.92 ERA but has been plagued by poor run support and faces a Cubs offense that ranks top-10 in runs, slugging, and home runs. Nico Hoerner enters with a 10-game hitting streak and Pete Crow-Armstrong leads the team with 29 homers, giving Chicago the offensive edge against a Pirates lineup that ranks dead last in scoring and slugging. With playoff urgency and elite pitching form, the Cubs are a live dog with strong upside in this NL Central tilt.

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San Diego Padres vs New York Mets

Tonight’s Padres–Mets matchup at Citi Field sets up as a classic pitcher’s duel, making Under 8 a sharp play backed by form, splits, and recent head-to-head trends. Michael King takes the mound for San Diego with a 2.87 ERA and has held opponents to two or fewer runs in five of his last six starts, while Clay Holmes counters for New York with a 3.75 ERA and a .249 opponent batting average. Both lineups are dealing with inconsistency—San Diego missing Xander Bogaerts and possibly Luis Arraez, while the Mets have dropped 8 of their last 9 and are hitting just .211 over their last five games. The Padres bullpen ranks among the NL’s most reliable, and totals betting is leaning heavily toward the Under, with 60% of action expecting a low-scoring affair. With playoff tension tightening every pitch and both starters capable of working deep, this one profiles as a grind-it-out contest unlikely to crack eight runs.

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Seattle Mariners vs Kansas City Royals

Seattle enters tonight’s matchup against Kansas City with momentum and a clear edge on the mound, making them a sharp pick to win outright. Logan Gilbert gets the start for the Mariners, bringing a 3.54 ERA and a .209 opponent batting average into a game where he’s already held the Royals to a .188 clip in prior outings. Seattle’s lineup is surging—Cal Raleigh leads MLB with 54 home runs, Julio Rodríguez is batting .400 over his last five games, and Jorge Polanco has racked up 11 doubles and nine RBIs in that same span. The Mariners have won nine of their last ten, outscoring opponents by 40 runs during that stretch, while Kansas City has dropped six of ten and is missing key arms like Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans. With playoff urgency and a top-tier power offense, Seattle is well-positioned to take control early and extend its AL West lead with a road win.

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The Picks Are In:

  • Chicago +110 over Pittsburgh
  • San Diego/ NY Mets Under 8
  • Seattle -132 over Kansas City
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