MLB Straight-Up Betting Picks for Week 18 Top Games

The ghost players are back in the cornfield following the Cubs’ 4-2 win over Cincinnati in the Field of Dreams game on Thursday, and when teams leave Dyersville, IA, it means it’s time to focus on the upcoming playoff scenarios.

The highlight of the upcoming weekend of MLB action is the Yankees visiting the Red Sox. Always a good rivalry, even though New York has a double-digit lead in the AL East while Boston is mired in last place in the division.

Milwaukee at St. Louis is a nice weekend series as well as just ½ a game that separates the two teams in the NL Central. The Phillies visiting the Mets could make things more interesting in the NL East as well, so let’s take a look at some of this weekend’s best MLB Betting picks.

Week 18 Winning SU Picks for the Weekend Action | MLB Betting Predictions

Phillies at Mets, Friday 7:10 PM ET

Max Scherzer is on the bump for the red-hot Mets, who have won six straight and have started August 9-2. Scherzer has held opponents scoreless in two of his last three starts and hasn’t allowed more than two ER since early May. The Phillies are 7-2 so far this month, but 3-9 vs. the Mets overall this season.

Brewers at Cardinals, Friday 8:15 PM ET

It’s going to be a great weekend at Busch Stadium with the Cardinals holding a close ½ game lead over Milwaukee. The series opener should go St. Louis’ way after Jordan Montgomery made his team debut with 5.0 IP of two-hit ball against his former team, the Yankees, last Saturday. The Brewers just swept two games against the Rays but had lost six of seven prior.

Orioles at Rays’, Saturday 4:10 PM ET

Baltimore is the darling of MLB this season as they held the third wild card spot for a minute and head into the weekend just ½ a game back from the Rays in that position. Tampa Bay needs to flex some muscles this weekend, and ace Shane McClanahan desperately needs a bounce back after allowing 9 ER over his last two starts.

Tigers at White Sox, Saturday 7:10 PM ET

Will somebody step up in the AL Central, please? The Guardians are doing their part with a five-game win streak heading into the weekend, but the Twins are just 1.5 back and Chicago 3.5 behind. The White Sox absolutely have to have a big weekend against last-place Detroit, and Lucas Giolito steps up to pick up a third straight win.

Padres at Nationals, Sunday 12:10 PM ET

A lot of the hype from San Diego’s big additions at the trade deadline has created a bit, and now the Padres can just focus on playing baseball and gearing up for the postseason – where they currently sit in the third wild card spot.

San Diego might trip up going West Coast to East Coast, but they scored 20 runs in wins over the Giants on Wednesday and Thursday and go with Blake Snell in the series finale in Washington. Snell has given up a run or less in six of his last seven starts.