MLB Predictions Today: 3 MLB Best Bets and Picks for Friday, September 4, 2026

MLB Betting Picks in Summary

• Ian Happ 2+ Hits/Runs/RBI (+100)
• Yordan Alvarez to Record an RBI (+130)
• Yankees at Padres NRFI (-154)

Baseball has you covered if you want a large inventory of options to bet.

From moneylines to player props to NRFI wagers, we have plenty of ways each day to bet the long, arduous MLB schedule.

Using the MLB odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, what are the best MLB bets for today?

This article includes some of the top bets from our other MLB content. All MLB odds via FanDuel, and they may change after this article is published.

MLB Picks and Predictions for Today

Ian Happ 2+ Hits/Runs/RBI (+100)

Cubs vs. Marlins, 7:11 p.m. ET

My favorite player prop today comes in the Chicago Cubs-Miami Marlins clash, and it’s Ian Happ to notch at least two H/R/RBI.

The Cubs are going to see Miami RHP Janson Junk, who has struggled to a 4.64 SIERA, 16.1% K rate and 6.3% swinging-strike rate. Lefties have a .351 wOBA against him, and that puts the switch-hitting Happ in a good spot.

Happ is having another solid campaign, churning out a .326 wOBA with 23 bombs. Of those 23 long-balls, 19 have come against righties, a split in which he’s generated a .356 wOBA.

After Junk, Happ will take his hacks against a Miami bullpen that ranks sixth-worst in xFIP over the last 30 days (4.55).

Likely to be slotted fifth or sixth on a day when the Cubs’ offense can have a good amount of success, Happ may be presented with RBI and run-scoring chances. I’m a big fan of these odds on him to tally two-plus H/R/RBI.

Yordan Alvarez to Record an RBI (+130)

Diamondbacks vs. Astros, 8:11 p.m. ET

The Houston Astros have a superb matchup tonight versus Merrill Kelly.

Kelly is having a rough year, producing a 5.23 SIERA and 15.4% K rate. Lefties are hammering him to the tune of a .380 wOBA and 1.94 jacks per nine. He has a 6.23 ERA over his last four starts, so things aren’t getting any better.

If you’re struggling against left-handed hitters, Yordan Alvarez might be the last guy you want to see.

Yordan has 37 home runs and .450 expected wOBA overall. With the platoon advantage, he’s slugged his way to a .458 wOBA, 52.3% hard-hit rate and 49.1% fly-ball rate.

The Astros are listed at -102 odds to go over 4.5 runs, which should hopefully lead to Alvarez getting a few plate appearances with ducks on the pond.

New York Yankees at San Diego Padres NRFI (-154)

Max Fried is the primary reason to target this matchup.

The New York Yankees‘ lefty has registered a 2.80 ERA and 1.00 WHIP this season. Petco Park is also a favorable setting for a first-inning wager, particularly compared to some of the more hitter-friendly venues on Friday's slate.

Walker Buehler's overall numbers aren't nearly as impressive, as he's carrying a 4.66 ERA and 1.36 WHIP through 131.1 innings. However, there are some encouraging matchup numbers. Current Yankees hitters have struck out in 30.2% of their 116 career plate appearances against Buehler while producing a .309 expected wOBA.

The top of New York's order makes this somewhat uncomfortable, but Fried plus the ballpark environment and Buehler's history against the Yankees are enough for me to side with the NRFI.

MLB Betting Frequently Asked Questions

What are MLB player prop bets?

MLB player prop bets are wagers on specific statistical outcomes tied to individual players during a game — not on which team wins or loses. You might bet on how many strikeouts a starting pitcher records, whether a shortstop gets a hit, or how many total bases an outfielder accumulates.

Because they are isolated to a single player's performance, props let you apply focused knowledge about matchups, recent form, and ballpark conditions rather than predicting the full game result.

What types of MLB player props are available?

FanDuel offers a wide menu of MLB props. The most common categories include:

• Pitcher strikeouts
• Batter hits
• Home runs
• Total bases
• RBIs
• Stolen bases
• Pitcher outs recorded

What does +310 mean on an MLB home run prop bet?

A +310 line means a $100 bet returns $310 in profit if the player homers. You can bet any amount — a $10 bet at +310 returns $31 in profit. The number reflects the implied probability the sportsbook assigns to the event (roughly 24% for +310 odds).

What does "total bases" mean as a prop bet?

The total bases prop counts the bases a batter earns from hits in a single game:

• Single = 1 base
• Double = 2 bases
• Triple = 3 bases
• Home run = 4 bases

Walks, hit-by-pitches, and stolen bases do not count. A typical total bases line is set at 1.5 or 2.5. Betting over 1.5 means you need at least a double, or two singles.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author’s advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.