The 2026 MLB season rolls with another full slate of games. Let’s dive into the MLB Best Bets Today for Saturday, April 18th. We have all-day baseball on tap and plenty of ways to go for our MLB picks. Enjoy these MLB predictions as you lock in your own bets ahead of today’s games. Note that all odds and betting lines are accurate as of this writing, but are always subject to change. 

MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 4/18

Our MLB best bets today begin with an NL East matchup between the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves. Plus, the MLB picks feature the Miami Marlins hosting the Milwaukee Brewers. Check out even more MLB predictions below, including some player props and other game picks featuring Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Good luck! 

 

 

 

Braves vs. Phillies Prediction: Saturday, April 18th

We’re treated to a marquee starting pitching matchup in this NL East rivalry. Chris Sale gets the start for Atlanta, while Cristopher Sanchez toes the rubber for Philadelphia. Let’s bank on both setting the tone for a low-scoring pitchers’ duel on Saturday night. 

Cristopher Sanchez is off to a strong start this season after posting Cy Young-caliber numbers a year ago. The Phillies’ left-hander owns a 2.01 ERA and 1.91 FIP over his first four starts. He’s also posted a 32.6% strikeout rate (88th MLB percentile), with his 31 strikeouts tying him for third-most in the majors. 

Sanchez has made three starts at home thus far, and he boasts a 1.56 ERA in those outings. This continues a trend from last season, when he put up an elite 1.94 ERA at home. Plus, he’s accumulated a career 2.68 ERA and 2.94 FIP at home. The Braves have hit left-handed pitching well this year, but Sanchez will be up for the task. He has a 2.96 ERA over his past four starts vs. Atlanta. 

On the other side, Chris Sale should follow suit and limit the Philadelphia offense. The veteran lefty has a 3.27 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over four starts this year. He had one shaky outing on the road against the Angels, but otherwise has looked dominant. Sale has allowed just two runs across 18 innings in his three other outings so far. 

Sale will take on a Philly lineup that’s struggled mightily against left-handed pitching. In the split, the Phillies have a .178 batting average (28th in MLB) and .265 wOBA (27th) this season. Those issues were evident last night when Atlanta lefty Martin Perez tossed six shutout innings. Sale can continue the trend, especially considering his 2.89 ERA in his last four starts against Philadelphia. 

While Sale and Sanchez do their thing early on, both bullpens should keep this low-scoring as well. The Phillies’ pen has a 2.80 FIP this year (second in MLB), while Atlanta’s relievers collectively own a 2.86 FIP (third-best). All signs point to the under. 

 

 

 

Brewers vs. Marlins Prediction: Saturday, April 18th

A few years ago, it would have seemed crazy to take the over in a game started by Sandy Alcantara and Brandon Woodruff. Yet, that’s what we’re doing today. Both pitchers get tough matchups and are worth fading as the Milwaukee Brewers visit the Miami Marlins. 

Woodruff has been up and down for the Brew Crew this season. He has a 4.32 ERA and 4.31 FIP through three starts. The right-hander looked good against Washington last time out, but he struggled in the start prior. On the road against the Red Sox, he gave up five runs on eight hits. 

Now Woodruff has to face a Miami offense that’s actually among the league’s best against right-handed pitching this year. The Marlins have a .351 wOBA (second in MLB), .276 batting average (second), and 119 wRC+ (fourth) vs. righties so far. They also have a .354 wOBA at home (fourth), while averaging 5.1 runs per game at home. 

Meanwhile, the Brewers can also plate some runs against Alcantara. The Miami starter looked like his old self with a 0.74 ERA in his first three starts. However, he came crashing back down to Earth against the Tigers last time out, giving up seven runs on 10 hits with three homers allowed. Notably, that was his first tough matchup of the season. The righty benefited from previously facing weaker Rockies, White Sox, and Reds lineups. 

Maybe Alcantara bounces back, but the Brewers won’t make it easy. The Milwaukee offense boasts a .350 wOBA vs. righties (fourth in MLB), with a 120 wRC+ (third) and 13.0% walk rate (second) in the split as well. Plus, Alcantara has some worrisome underlying metrics right now. His low .202 BABIP and 19.0% strikeout rate suggest some negative regression, as do his 3.70 FIP and 4.04 xFIP. 

Let’s take the over for the full game and first five innings. It’s worth banking on either or both Woodruff and Alcantara to have a shaky outing. The Marlins and Brewers combined for 12 total runs last night, and today’s game could be on the higher-scoring side as well. 

 

 

 

Best MLB Player Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 4/18