October baseball is officially here, and while the postseason technically began in September this year will Game 1s played yesterday, the calendar turning to October is synonymous with crucial baseball contests. Four teams could be eliminated on the first day of October with the Wild Card round a best-of-3 format, and DraftKings is offering a new promotion for the new month, offering new users $200 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins for online sports betting with its latest DraftKings promo code.
The SportsLine model doesn’t expect teams to accept series defeat after losing Game 1, and despite the Reds falling by five runs in Game 1, one of the model’s Wednesday best bets at DraftKings features the Reds covering at +1.5 on the run line. Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge had two of the Yankees’ seven hits in their 3-1 loss to the Red Sox in Game 1, and the model projects Judge to go Over 1.5 total bases again at +120 odds. It also expects offensive success in Cubs vs. Padres, backing Over 6.5 runs scored to include in Wednesday best bets at DraftKings. Claim the latest DraftKings promo code here, where new users get $200 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins:
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The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times. It enters the 2025 MLB playoffs a profitable 34-29 on top-rated MLB money-line picks this season. It has excelled making home run prop picks this season, returning more than 35 units of profit. Anybody following its MLB betting picks at sportsbooks and on betting sites could have seen strong returns.
Wednesday best bets at DraftKings Sportsbook
- Padres vs. Cubs Over 6.5 runs (-114)
- Aaron Judge, Yankees, Over 1.5 total bases (+120)
- Reds (+1.5) vs. Dodgers (+108)
Combining the model’s three picks into a Wednesday parlay at DraftKings would result in a payout of +759 (risk $100 to win $759). Bet it at DraftKings here:
Padres vs. Cubs Over 6.5 runs (-114)
Neither team is throwing their best arm, which is often implied for Game 2 compared to Game 1, but there’s a significant dropoff for each team going into Wednesday. The Padres are turning to Dylan Cease, who had a 4.55 ERA this season, compared to Game 1 starter Nick Pivetta, who had a 2.87 ERA and the fifth-best WHIP (0.99) in baseball this season. Meanwhile, the Cubs are using an opener in reliever Andrew Kittredge before likely turning to Shota Imanaga to avoid how often the left-handed pitcher goes against the top of the San Diego lineup. Imanaga had a 6.51 ERA in five September starts, including allowing eight runs in 5 2/3 innings against the Mets on Thursday. The model projects the Over to hit in 74% of simulations.
Aaron Judge, Yankees, Over 1.5 total bases (+120)
Judge is the betting favorite to win his second straight American League MVP Award this season, and he showcased again in Game 1 why he’s arguably the greatest player in the sport. Judge had two of the Yankees’ seven hits in Game 1 to go Over 1.5 total bases for the fifth time in his last six games. Judge had 53 home runs this season, including four over the last five games of the regular season, and he led baseball with a .331 batting average.
Reds (+1.5) vs. Dodgers (+108)
The Reds are no strangers to being put in uncomfortable positions. They were 70-71 on September 5 before going 13-8 over their last 21 games and making the playoffs on the final day of the regular season. So being in a must-win situation shouldn’t faze them much on Wednesday, and the model expects the Reds to come out with a strong showing to cover the 1.5 on the run line. The Reds also went 8-3 over their final 11 games with six wins over postseason teams, and none of those final three regular-season losses came by more than two runs. The Reds rallied back from an 8-0 deficit to lose 10-5 in Game 1, showcasing that resolve yet again. The Reds are starting Zack Littell, who allowed one run over 4 2/3 innings against the Brewers on Friday, as the model projects the Reds to cover the 1.5-run line in 62% of simulations.
Want more MLB picks for Wednesday?
You’ve seen the model’s Wendesday best bets. Now, get against the spread, total and money-line picks for the 2025 MLB postseason, every Week 5 NFL game and every Week 6 college football contest, all from the model that’s simulated every game 10,000 times.
Also at SportsLine:
You can also see Wednesday MLB picks from SportsLine expert Bruce Marshall, who is 167-148-3 (+3438) over his last 318 MLB picks. Visit SportsLine to see his MLB best bets.