Home Favorite Day: Expert Picks in the MLB Today
Written by: Justin Carlucci
Published: Thu Sep 24, 2026, 9:00 am ET
Read Time: 6 minutes
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You've found my MLB expert picks for Thursday, Sept. 24! We are attacking two strong run-line spots on this slate, beginning with the Yankees at home against Tampa Bay before heading to Truist Park for Braves-Reds.
Before we dive into the best MLB picks today, check out our MLB Picks Page and MLB Odds Page.
MLB Expert Picks Today (Sept. 24)
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New York Yankees -1.5 (+157) vs. Tampa Bay Rays
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Atlanta Braves -1.5 (-105) vs. Cincinnati Reds
The Yankees get an excellent matchup at Yankee Stadium, where Cam Schlittler takes the ball against Tampa Bay left-hander Ian Seymour. Schlittler has been one of baseball's best starters this season, while Seymour's odd struggles against left-handed power could be a major problem against the Yankees.
In Atlanta, the Braves get Tyler Mahle against Brady Singer. Mahle has been a steady, capable starter, while Singer has had a brutal 2026 season and enters one of the tougher possible spots for his lefty-power issues.
Rays vs. Yankees MLB Odds
Odds via BetOnline.ag, an industry leader in the sports betting world:
- Tampa Bay Rays Moneyline (+131)
- New York Yankees Moneyline (-145)
- Tampa Bay Rays +1.5 (-180)
- New York Yankees -1.5 (+157)
- Over 6.5 (-120)
- Under 6.5 (+100)
Yankees vs. Rays MLB Prediction Today – Sept. 24
Best Bet: Yankees -1.5 +157 | BetOnline.ag
My first MLB best bet today is Yankees -1.5 at +157.
Schlittler has been an absolute dog this season. Tampa Bay is never an easy lineup to deal with. The Rays have plenty of difficult outs, contact hitters who can make a pitcher work, and an offense that will not simply roll over.
Still, Schlittler is a different animal. Schlittler has the stuff to get swings and misses, the ability to work around tough at-bats, and the overall profile to make life difficult on a Tampa Bay lineup that usually succeeds by putting the ball in play and forcing mistakes.
The Yankees have the clear edge on the mound, but this pick gets even more interesting when we look at Ian Seymour.
Seymour is a left-hander, and the Yankees have plenty of left-handed hitters in their everyday lineup. That would normally be something to consider carefully. However, Seymour has actually given up more power to left-handed hitters than right-handed hitters in 2026.
The Tampa projected starter has allowed a slugging percentage north of .500 to lefties and has yielded a .271 ISO against them. By comparison, Seymour has allowed a .190 ISO to right-handed hitters.
Cody Bellinger can do damage in a left-on-left matchup. Ben Rice just hit his 40th and 41st home runs of the season, which is absolutely ridiculous. Austin Wells is another left-handed hitter capable of taking advantage. Then you have righty Paul Goldschmidt, who remains one of the sport's better lefty mashers sitting in the thick of the lineup.
Schlittler doesn't need the Yankees to score 10 runs here. He just needs to pitch the way he has all year and give the offense a chance to build a lead against a starter with clear platoon concerns. Tampa Bay is a quality opponent, but I think the Yankees can create enough separation to cash this plus-money run line.
Give me Yankees -1.5.
Braves vs. Reds Expert Pick for Thursday – Sept. 24
My second MLB pick today is Braves -1.5 at -105.
Atlanta has a major starting-pitching advantage in this matchup, with Tyler Mahle taking the ball against Brady Singer. Mahle hasn't been perfect this season, but he's been more than serviceable and brings a much more dependable profile to the mound than Singer.
Reds vs. Braves MLB Odds
Odds via BetOnline.ag, an industry leader in the sports betting world:
- Cincinnati Reds Moneyline (+189)
- Atlanta Braves Moneyline (-210)
- Cincinnati Reds +1.5 (-115)
- Atlanta Braves -1.5 (-105)
- Over 7.5 (-105)
- Under 7.5 (-115)
Reds vs. Braves MLB Prediction Today
Best Bet: Braves -1.5 −105 | BetOnline.ag
Mahle's strikeout rate isn't anything that will make you fall out of your chair, but he has still put away more than 20% of hitters from both sides of the plate. More importantly, he has limited power from both left- and right-handed hitters, allowing no higher than a .153 ISO to either side. His expected ERA also sits above league average, according to Baseball Savant. Mahle has rated above league average in barrel rate allowed and ground-ball rate as well.
Meanwhile, Singer has been brutal in 2026.
His ugly 5.67 ERA is backed up by the underlying numbers. He ranks in the 13th percentile or worse in hard-hit rate and barrel rate allowed, then falls into single-digit percentiles in several other categories, including average exit velocity allowed and expected batting average.
Singer has also been crushed by left-handed hitters, allowing a .528 slugging percentage and 23 home runs to lefties this season. That's nightmare fuel heading into Truist Park against an Atlanta lineup with powerful left-handed hitters who can do real damage.
I think Atlanta takes advantage of this pitching mismatch and wins with enough room to spare.
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Carlucci spent nearly a decade as a reporter, editor, and on-air talent in the Poconos. His transition into the fantasy sports and sports betting industries began in 2016 with roles at Daily Fantasy Insider and Daily Roto Sharks, which led to positions at Better Collective (RotoGrinders). During this period, his work gained national recognition through regular contributions to the New York Post and featured appearances on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. Carlucci has also contributed to Fantasy Alarm and most recently served as Managing Editor at Third Planet Media (Props.com), where he led content strategy, editorial direction, and served as the forward-facing voice of the brand through live streams and podcasts. You can also find his work at Matthew Berry's Fantasy Life and Hard Rock Digital. He's for some reason a die-hard Titans and 76ers fan and has developed trust issues from "trusting the process." Follow him on X @ThejCarlucci!
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