Cease’s to Amaze: Expert Picks in the MLB for 9/2
Written by: PJ Glasser
Published: Wed Sep 02, 2026, 10:45 am ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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The regular season is winding down and we are playing September baseball. All these games for a bunch of teams are very important, but probably the two biggest series right now are Blue Jays at Guardians and White Sox at Astros. It just so happens that my best bets today will come from those two games. Let's dive into my MLB best bets for Wednesday, September 2nd.
MLB Best Bets for Wednesday, September 2nd
Toronto Blue Jays vs Cleveland Guardians
Can the Blue Jays keep pace in the AL Wild Card?
A really pivotal game tonight for the Toronto Blue Jays. The reigning American League Champions have had a tough season to date, but are still fighting for their playoff lives. After dropping last night's game to the Guardians they now trail Cleveland by 2.5 games for the final wild card spot. Tonight's game is one of those huge swing games. If Toronto wins they are just 1.5 games back, while if they lose they are now 3.5 games back. The season isn't on the line tonight, but it is definitely a massive game.
If you're a Blue Jays fan, player, or coach I don't think you would want anyone else taking the ball tonight for the Jays other than Dylan Cease. The right hander has been worth every penny of his 210 million dollar contract this season. He has a 2.33 ERA, 217 strikeouts and a 1.05 WHIP this season. All of those numbers are top 10 in baseball. He has only given up 11 earned runs in July and August in 67 innings pitched.
Tonight, Cease will face a Guardians team that is 4th worst in baseball in OPS (.688). On paper, it definitely looks like a favorable matchup. One of the best pitchers in baseball going against one of the worst offenses. On the flip side, Joey Cantillo will get the start for the Guardians. The left hander has been pretty good as well. 9-7 record, with a 3.70 ERA, 145 strikeouts, and a 1.45 WHIP. He has given up 2 earned runs or fewer in his last five starts.
I mentioned how the Guardians have the 4th worst OPS in baseball? The Blue Jays have the third worst. Two good pitchers tonight, two struggling offenses, and a game that should be played with playoff like intensity because of how pivotal a game it is to the AL Wild Card standings. I'll take the Blue Jays to win the game and I'll take the Under 7.5 as well.
Bet: Blue Jays ML (-130) & Under 7.5 (-120)
Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros
Can Yordan and the Astros stay on top in the AL West?
White Sox and Astros is also a massive series this week because both teams are division leaders trying to hang on. The White Sox are 3 games ahead of the Guardians atop the AL Central and the Astros are only 1 game clear of the Texas Rangers. One bad week from either of these teams and not only could they lose their division lead, but could be out of the playoffs entirely.
Tonight's pitching matchup will feature Davis Martin for Chicago and Hayden Wesneski for the Astros. Davis Martin has been very good for Chicago this season and one of their better pitchers. As of late though, he hasn't been good. This is his first start since August 13th as he was on the 15-day disabled list. His last two starts before the injury he only pitched 2 innings against the Reds and 1 inning against the Guardians. He really hasn't pitched a full game in a month and your guess is as good as mine to what we could get tonight.
Wesneski gets the start for Houston and he has been very good in his last few outings. 5 innings pitched against the Yankees giving up 1 run and 5 innings pitched against the A's giving up no runs. He came back to pitch for the Astros on July 29th so he missed a good bulk of the season. He is back though for Houston and has been pitching great. I agree that the Astros should be favorites and pretty comfortables favorites. I'll take Houston to win tonight as they look to maintain their lead in the AL West over Texas.
Bet: Astros ML (-138)
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