Welcome back to another round of MLB Best Bets Today as the 2025 baseball season rolls on.

Thursday’s MLB slate is a smaller one with just 6 games on the baseball schedule. Even so, there are plenty of ways to go for our MLB picks and predictions. Let’s focus on two games for our MLB best bets today before dishing out a few baseball player props and other picks to consider. 

The MLB picks below are accurate as of this writing, but some odds or lines could move before first pitch. All bets below are for one unit unless otherwise noted. Without further ado, let’s dive into our MLB Best Bets Today.

 

 

MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 9/4

Our MLB Best Bets Today start with a showdown between the New York Yankees and Houston Astros. Plus, we have Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers. Don’t miss more MLB picks and player props below. Check out these MLB predictions to make as you enjoy Thursday’s baseball action. 

New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros Predictions: Thursday, September 4th

The New York Yankees are rolling right now. They’ve won 8 of their last 10 games heading into Thursday’s series finale with the Houston Astros. Let’s back the visiting Yankees to stay hot in this matchup with a few notable edges. 

Carlos Rodon is dealing for New York lately, with a 2.43 ERA over his past 5 starts. The southpaw has also allowed 2 earned runs or fewer in 9 of his last 12 starts. Pitching on the road has been an issue at times for Rodon this season, but his 3.38 road FIP is notably lower than his 4.32 FIP at home. Plus, he’s given up 2 or fewer runs in each of his past 3 road outings. 

Rodon has also owned the Astros over his career. He boasts a 2.51 ERA in 11 career starts against them, including a 2.20 ERA in 5 starts when pitching in Houston. Another good outing is possible today as the ‘Stros have a bottom-tier offense vs. left-handed pitching over the past three weeks (.292 wOBA, 86 wRC+). 

On the other side, the Yankee hitters should provide run support in their own matchup. Houston starter Cristian Javier is a complete wild card. He just tossed 6 no-hit innings last time out, but also coughed up 5 runs over 2 innings in his previous start. 

Inconsistency has been the theme for the right-hander since joining the Astros’ rotation last month. Javier has a solid 3.38 ERA through four outings thus far, but his 3.82 FIP and 5.31 xFIP suggest things could be worse. The Yankees could be the team to do that. They’re dominating righties over the past two weeks with a .369 wOBA (3rd in MLB), 139 wRC+ (3rd), .289 ISO (1st), and 11.3% walk rate (1st) in the split. 

It’s a tough spot for Javier, who has yet to post consecutive solid outings since coming back from his injury. Meanwhile, Rodon’s current form is something we can trust to anchor the Yankees on the road here. 

 

 

 

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Predictions: Thursday, September 4th

Who’s ready for an old-fashioned pitcher’s duel? Thursday gifts us a marquee pitching matchup between Blake Snell and Paul Skenes as one former Cy Young takes on this year’s likely winner. This game has under written all over it as the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

After a couple of shaky August starts, Skenes has gotten back on track with a 1.42 ERA over his past 3 outings. Plus, even with some recent hiccups, the Pirates’ ace still boasts a 1.92 ERA since the beginning of July (11 starts). He should continue to deal today, despite facing a dangerous Dodgers offense. 

Skenes owns an elite 1.65 ERA with a minimal .236 wOBA allowed at home this year. That includes just 2 earned runs allowed over his past 7 home starts combined, good for a dominant 0.41 ERA over this stretch. He’s also given up 2 or fewer earned runs in 11 of 13 home starts overall this season. 

The NL Cy Young favorite gets a tough test against the Dodgers here, but he should be up for the task. Skenes tossed 6.1 scoreless innings against Los Angeles earlier this season. Plus, the bottom half of the lineup is very beatable right now. 

Meanwhile, Snell comes in with a 2.41 ERA over 7 starts this year. He’s been good since returning from the Injured List in August, posting a 2.54 ERA over his past 5 starts. The left-hander now faces a Pittsburgh offense that’s batting .211 vs. southpaws over the past month (27th in MLB). 

 

 


 

Best MLB Player Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 9/4

 

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