Free MLB Picks: Predictions & Best Bets

Free picks on all MLB games for Oct. 17, 2025

Toronto Blue Jays logo TOR @ Seattle Mariners logo SEA Oct 17 | 6:08 PM ET
Total Home Runs
Daulton Varsho logo Daulton Varsho o0.5 Total Home Runs (+495)
Best Odds
Pick made: 8 hours ago
Josh Goldberg image
Josh Goldberg
Author

Varsho has only two hits over his last five games (20 at-bats). Despite that, I like Varsho's matchup against Seattle's Bryce Miller, who allowed a .556 slugging percentage off his fastball during the regular season.

Record an RBI
Cal Raleigh logo Cal Raleigh Record an RBI (Yes: +156)
Best Odds
Pick made: 8 hours ago
Josh Goldberg image
Josh Goldberg
Author

Raleigh has dominated Kevin Gausman, with four home runs, eight hits, and a staggering 1.703 OPS in 17 career at-bats. He also had a pair of hits, including a game-tying homer off Gausman in Game 1 of the ALCS. 

Strikeouts Thrown
Kevin Gausman logo Kevin Gausman o5.5 Strikeouts Thrown (-125)
Best Odds
Pick made: 8 hours ago
Josh Goldberg image
Josh Goldberg
Author

The Mariners have the third-highest strikeout rate in the postseason at 28.1%. It's a bit higher at 28.7% through the first four games of the ALCS. T-Mobile Park was the most pitcher-friendly park during the regular season, and I'm expecting a quality outing from Gausman.

Hits, Runs, and RBIs
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. logo Vladimir Guerrero Jr. o1.5 Hits, Runs, and RBIs (-117)
Best Odds
Pick made: 8 hours ago
Josh Goldberg image
Josh Goldberg
Author

Guerrero is on an otherworldly tear at the plate. After two quiet games in Toronto, he has six hits in his last nine at-bats with two homers, four runs scored, and two RBIs. I like Guerrero to stay hot at the dish in Game 5. 

Earned Runs Allowed
Kevin Gausman logo Kevin Gausman u1.5 Earned Runs Allowed (+120)
Best Odds
Pick made: 10 hours ago
Mike Spector image
Mike Spector
Author

Gausman has allowed just two runs over 11 innings this postseason, spanning two starts. That hot streak followed a stretch where he allowed 14 runs over 25 2/3 innings in his previous eight postseason games (4.91 ERA). But these odds have great value since Gausman has been great for quite some time, entering the postseason with the sixth-best ERA (2.73) after the All-Star break.

Total RBIs
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. logo Vladimir Guerrero Jr. o0.5 Total RBIs (+160)
Best Odds
Pick made: 10 hours ago
Mike Spector image
Mike Spector
Author

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has five home runs and 11 RBI this postseason. After starting the series 0-for-7, he woke up in Game 3 with his third game of three-plus hits and a home run in this postseason. He followed that up with another solo blast and multi-hit game yesterday.

His five home runs are the most in a single postseason run in franchise history. He is also just the seventh Blue Jays player to record at least 10 RBI in a single postseason.

 

Hit a Home Run
Cal Raleigh logo Cal Raleigh Hit a Home Run (Yes: +253)
Best Odds
Pick made: 10 hours ago
Mike Spector image
Mike Spector
Author

Raleigh is 8-for-17 with four home runs and a 6/2 K/BB ratio against Kevin Gausman. He tagged the righty for his first home run allowed in 41.2 innings pitched in Game 1.

Hit a Home Run
George Springer logo George Springer Hit a Home Run (Yes: +405)
Best Odds
Pick made: 10 hours ago
Mike Spector image
Mike Spector
Author

George Springer was one of five Blue Jays hitters who went deep in Wednesday’s 13-4 win. The solo blast was the 22nd of his postseason career, tying him for fourth-most all time and leaving him one shy of third place (Kyle Schwarber, 23).

Though Toronto faced an 0-2 series deficit entering Game 3, perhaps we should not have been surprised by its offensive barrage. The Blue Jays had been 6-1 in their previous seven road games against Seattle, averaging 5.1 runs per game, totaling a plus-16 run differential, and recording a .740 team OPS.   

 

Milwaukee Brewers logo MIL @ Los Angeles Dodgers logo LAD Oct 17 | 8:38 PM ET
Total Home Runs
Teoscar Hernandez logo Teoscar Hernandez o0.5 Total Home Runs (+470)
Best Odds
Pick made: 7 hours ago
Shane Jackson image
Shane Jackson
Author

Teoscar Hernandez has been a reliable power threat for the Dodgers this postseason. He has four home runs in nine playoff games. I like this price tag on him staying hot.

Hits, Runs, and RBIs
Shohei Ohtani logo Shohei Ohtani u1.5 Hits, Runs, and RBIs (+120)
Best Odds
Pick made: 7 hours ago
Shane Jackson image
Shane Jackson
Author

Shohei Ohtani is a truly special player, but even he's human. I think his struggles at the plate worsen on days when he's pitching. He went 0-for-4 in Game 1 of the NLDS, his previous start.

Outs Recorded
Shohei Ohtani logo Shohei Ohtani o15.5 Outs Recorded (-112)
Best Odds
Pick made: 7 hours ago
Shane Jackson image
Shane Jackson
Author

Dave Roberts will have to decide between calling on a bullpen he doesn't trust or letting Shohei Ohtani pitch into the sixth after nearly two weeks off. Seems like a tough one.

A Los Angeles starter has cleared this outs prop in all eight wins this postseason.

Total Runs Scored
Jackson Chourio logo Jackson Chourio o0.5 Total Runs Scored (+125)
Best Odds
Pick made: 10 hours ago
Mike Spector image
Mike Spector
Author

Right-handed batters have a better chance of success against Ohtani tonight, as he has allowed a .265/.295/.398 slash line in that split as opposed to a .179/.217/.205 slash line against lefties.

 

Total Bases
Shohei Ohtani logo Shohei Ohtani u1.5 Total Bases (-127)
Best Odds
Pick made: 10 hours ago
Mike Spector image
Mike Spector
Author

Ohtani entered Game 3 with just two hits in his last 25 at-bats and 12 strikeouts since the wild-card round. But with him toeing the rubber tonight, there is more concern that it will directly impact his batting.

Ohtani slashed .282/.392/.622 with 55 home runs in the regular season. But on the 14 days he pitched, those slash line numbers dipped to .222/.323/.556.

 

Hit a Home Run
Teoscar Hernandez logo Teoscar Hernandez Hit a Home Run (Yes: +480)
Best Odds
Pick made: 10 hours ago
Mike Spector image
Mike Spector
Author
Hit a Home Run
Jackson Chourio logo Jackson Chourio Hit a Home Run (Yes: +375)
Best Odds
Pick made: 10 hours ago
Mike Spector image
Mike Spector
Author

At some point Milwaukee's second-ranked NL offense in runs per game has to break out in this series, and right-handed batters have much better hitting splits than lefties against Shohei Ohtani.

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MLB picks & best bets today

Every day of the MLB season, Sportsbook Review’s expert picks team shares our top picks and predictions for the biggest games on the board. We cover the key betting markets you care about - moneylines, run lines, totals, and props like home run bets, strikeout totals, and NRFI (No Run First Inning) plays.

Our picks widget above highlights our favorite bets each day, with live MLB odds pulled from legal, regulated sportsbooks. Whether it’s a marquee matchup or a sleepy weekday slate, you’ll get our best calls on who wins, who goes deep, and which pitchers might dominate.

At SBR, we give you daily predictions on the spreads (run lines), Over/Unders, moneylines, and team and MLB player props. You’ll also find parlays and same-game parlays (SGPs) built into our game previews. Our goal is to find value in the odds you care about - bets on star players, big games, and the matchups you’re most likely to watch.

We use advanced stats and matchup data to build our picks, including batter/pitcher splits, recent form, and lineup intel. Our experts study trends, injury updates, and movement in the betting lines to help uncover the smartest ways to play each game.

Check back here every day for the latest MLB picks and betting insights from the experts at Sportsbook Review.

Free MLB moneyline picks

A moneyline pick is simply wagering on who will win a game, with no spreads involved. Odds show favorites with a minus (‑) and underdogs with a plus (+). Either team needs to just win by any margin to cash bets on their side.

Imagine the Yankees are favorites and the Red Sox are underdogs:

TeamMoneyline odds
Yankees–120
Red Sox+150
  • $100 on Yankees (‑120) → Profit = $100 × (100 / 120) = $83 (total payout $183)
  • $100 on Red Sox (+150) → Profit = $100 × 1.5 = $150 (total payout $250)

Free MLB Over/Under picks

Over/Under betting doesn’t care who wins the game, just how runs are scored.

  • Book sets a line → i.e., Over/Under 9.5
  • You choose:
    • Over 9.5
    • Under 9.5
  • Odds are usually around –110, meaning you bet $110 to win $100 (and your $110 stake returns $210 total)
  • If the final score is:
    • 6-5 (total 11) → Over wins
    • 4-3 (total 7) → Under wins
  • Pushes are avoided thanks to the half-point; i.e., a line of 9.5 guarantees Over or Under wins
    • If the total is set at 9 and that’s the exact final score, all bets on either side will be refunded (voided) as a tie
  • You can also bet on the total in the first inning or first five innings as popular game props

Free MLB run line picks

Our MLB expert picks typically focus on picks against the spread as one of the most popular MLB picks. Like spreads, run lines handicap matchups by setting a number that a team needs to cover via winning by more than that amount or losing by less than that amount.

  • The favorite is shown with a minus (–) and must win by more than the spread to cover
  • The underdog has a plus (+) and must either win outright or lose by fewer runs than the spread
  • Spreads often include a .5 (i.e., 1.5) to avoid a tie or “push.” If the final margin equals the exact spread, bets are refunded as a tie
  • Run lines are typically set at 1.5 - asking whether the favorite will win by more or less than one run. By late in the season, we’ll see more run lines of 2.5 in more lopsided matchups with separation in the standings and when injuries may be taking a toll on one team and not the other

Free MLB prop picks

MLB player props offer the best chance to bet on your favorite (or most disliked) players, or follow along with your fantasy baseball roster. Our best MLB betting sites are generally slower to adjust these lines and odds than they are to move the game lines, so it can give bettors an improved profit opportunity in the event of weather news or late lineup changes.

Betting lines are often in the form of Over/Unders for a set line of hits, runs, RBIs, or strikeouts. Other prop bets are Yes/No bets, or just Yes bets, such as to hit a home run or for a pitcher to record the win.

Best home run bets today

An MLB home run bet is a type of MLB player prop where you wager on a specific player to hit a home run in a particular game, or in a particular at bat.

Example:

  • Aaron Judge to hit a home run: +300

➤ Bet $10 to win $30 profit if Judge goes deep in that game

These odds can range from +200 to +700 or more, depending on the player, ballpark, weather, and matchup.

Home run props are perfect for small stakes with big upside. Don’t expect consistent wins, but over time, targeting smart matchups can pay off. You can also bet on players to hit 2+ or 3+ home runs in a game, or to hit a home run in their next at bat.

Free NRFI/YRFI picks

  • NRFI = No Run First Inning
  • YRFI = Yes Run First Inning

With these bets, you're only wagering on whether at least one run will or won’t be scored in the first inning of a game.

When betting NRFI or YRFI, look for pitchers’ WHIP or walk rates in the first inning, their stats the first time through a batting order, and check both teams’ trends for scoring early. If lineups change or late news breaks, consider live betting the market just before first pitch for added value.

How we make our MLB picks & predictions

At Sportsbook Review, we care about one thing above all: getting you the best odds possible. Why take a bet at -120 when you can grab the same play at -105 somewhere else? It’s the same outcome, but it means more profit in your pocket. That’s why we always recommend line shopping across multiple sportsbooks before locking anything in.

Whether you're betting a moneyline, a player prop, or a futures pick, the number matters. If you’re serious about turning a profit over time, you can’t afford to leave value on the table by accepting worse odds than what’s out there.

Before we get to that point, though, our experts dig into the matchups. We look at advanced stats, like strikeout rates, hard-hit percentage, and wRC+, along with betting trends and recent form. For player props, we study things like lineup protection, pitcher splits, and how a player performs against certain pitch types or in certain ballparks.

When you're building your card, don’t just bet the chalk or chase long shots. Balance is key. Favorites are favorites for a reason, but they’re not guaranteed winners. On the flip side, underdogs and big home run props look juicy, but come with risk. Stay objective. Avoid letting fandom or bias get in the way of the right read.

Why trust our MLB experts?

Sportsbook Review has been part of the game for over 20 years, helping bettors find smart picks and the best places to bet. We’re known for honest reviews of the best MLB betting sites and reliable advice you can actually use.

Our betting experts stick to what they know best - whether that’s MLB totals, player props, or big-picture futures. When they give a pick, it’s one they believe in and would bet themselves. Each recommendation comes with a 1-to-5-star confidence rating, based on how strong the edge is, how the odds stack up, and how the matchup looks.

You won’t see a ton of 5-star plays, especially on long-shot bets like home run props or futures. That’s just the nature of those markets - bigger payouts, but lower chances. We’ll always be straight with you about what we’re betting and why.

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