MLB Best Bets for Sunday, April 26: Can the Cubbies Conquer the Dodgers?

Danny Burke

Written by: Danny Burke

Published: Sun Apr 26, 2026, 12:13 pm ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

Every team in Major League Baseball is in action this Sunday afternoon. Lock in your picks with our MLB best bets and plays.

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Happy Sunday, folks! We've got every MLB team in action throughout the afternoon today, with a pair of teams even playing a double-header.

There's no shortage of betting opportunities, so let's get into my MLB best bets for Sunday, April 26.

MLB Best Bets for Sunday, April 26

Colorado Rockies vs New York Mets

I am a glutton for punishment. I keep going back to this New York Mets team that continues to treat me poorly.

But how am I not going to take a shot fading Jose Quintana with Nolan McLean on the other side?

This is the first game of a doubleheader, and the Mets are looking to bounce back after a 4-3 loss Friday night.

Quintana gives New York a great opportunity to do just that. He owns a 6.23 ERA, 7.64 xERA and 7.61 FIP, and his -8.1% strikeout-to-walk rate is even worse.

Meanwhile, McLean's numbers are far more encouraging, with a 2.67 ERA, 1.96 xERA and a 2.39 FIP. His K-BB rate sits at a strong 26.3%.

Look for the Mets to take at least the first of two against the Rockies today.

Bet: Mets Run Line -1.5 (+100)

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Athletics vs Texas Rangers

I'm still salty the A's blew that 3-0 lead last night and couldn't cash the plus-money ticket against the Rangers.

Maybe they make up for it today at another solid price.

J.T. Ginn gets the ball, and through six appearances and three starts, the 26-year-old right-hander owns a 3.74 ERA, 3.08 xERA and a 4.08 xFIP. He's generating grounders at a 53% clip with a .193 BABIP, though he does possess a 19% HR/FB rate.

Ultimately, his 31% hard-hit rate and 6.6% barrel rate are encouraging and should help keep opposing hitters in check this afternoon.

On the other side, Kumar Rocker is set to start for the home club. He faced the A's in Sacramento just over a week ago, tossing 4.2 innings while allowing two runs on four hits, though his xFIP checked in at 5.02, his highest mark of the season.

Overall, Rocker owns a 3.48 ERA and a 3.94 xFIP, but his hard-hit rate sits north of 43%.

There isn't a massive gap between these arms, but the edge comes from the bats, where the A's have the advantage.

Over the past week and a half, Oakland ranks first in ISO (.222), fifth in OPS (.829) and seventh in wRC+ (122) against right-handers. Over that same span, Texas sits 15th in those categories.

The market is once again trending toward the road underdog, and I'm on board. I'd rather grab the plus price than lay juice here.

Bet: A's Moneyline (+105)

Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers

Cubs vs Guardians MLB Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (8/12)

I genuinely can't believe I'm backing Shota Imanaga against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but here we are.

After a very disappointing 2025 campaign, the Japanese southpaw has roared back into stardom through five starts in 2026. He's logged a 2.17 ERA, 2.44 xERA and a 2.91 FIP. His HR/FB rate sits at an acceptable 8.8%, which was a major concern in years past, while his 0.72 WHIP and 24% K-BB ratio are tremendous.

Of course, this is still the Dodgers, a lineup capable of erupting against anyone, but the Cubs can counter with their own offensive production.

Chicago faces left-hander Justin Wrobleski in the rubber match, and his underlying numbers are far less convincing. Despite a 1.88 ERA, he carries a 4.88 xFIP, a 4.3% K-BB rate and a alarmingly high 5.27 SIERA.

Over the last two weeks, the Cubs have mauled lefties, ranking second in wRC+ (182) and OPS (1.015).

During that same span, the Dodgers rank 10th in wRC+ (127) and 11th in OPS (.815).

Essentially, we're getting the better pitcher and the hotter lineup with the visitors, all at a plus-money price.

Bet: Cubs Moneyline (+110)

MLB Bets:

MLB record: 34-26-1 (+6.83 units)

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Danny Burke
Danny Burke

Danny Burke is a betting analyst with a decade of sports media experience. He got his start at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, sharing picks on the local ESPN affiliate. After college, he hosted shows for VSiN in Las Vegas before returning to Chicago to launch 'Rush Hour', the first daily sports betting show from an Illinois casino. He also co-hosted 'Props and Locks' on Fox32’s Bears pregame show and ran 'Bet On, Chicago' on WLS-AM 890.

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