Best Bet for Friday (September 4th): MLB Predictions

Our time with this column is coming to an end. After entertaining you for the week, Jeff Fox returns on Saturday with some picks. It was a pleasure and we’ll leave you with a banger. For my best bet for Friday (September 4th): MLB Predictions, we’ll play a total that seems like money in the bank.

Best Bet for Friday (September 4th): MLB Predictions

Atlanta Braves vs Philadelphia Phillies

Start Time: 6:40 PM EST

It’s not often that you see a total as low as 6.5 runs. However, it’s also not often that you see a pair of likely Cy Young finalists dueling on a Friday night. While neither Cristopher Sanchez or Chris Sale is likely to win the award (thanks a lot Jacob Misiorowski), you still have to love what the two are capable of.

Sanchez has the higher of the two ERA’s with a 2.52. They’ve combined for 379 strikeouts, and apart from Sanchez’s WHIP, neither is outside of the top ten in any major pitching category. If that’s not enough, consider how bad each team has been hitting.

The Phillies are under 4.00 runs per game in their last ten – despite winning seven of those. Meanwhile, the Braves have less runs than anyone since August 1st. With trends like that, you have to look to the under, no matter how low it’s set.

Best Bet: Under 6.5 Runs (+115)

Best Bet Overall 2026 Record: 134-109 (56%)
Profit (based on $100/bet): -($351.27)
Return on Investment: -1%