MLB NL Betting Picks for September 1st and 2nd

In the National League, the final MLB Regular Season month starts off with key matchups. Pittsburgh battles Atlanta on Saturday while the Dodgers host the D’Backs. On Sunday, division contenders Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia clash. Check out these MLB odds, analysis, and picks for the National League!

MLB NL Betting Picks for September 1st and 2nd

MLB Power Rankings: Wild Cards, via @CheapSeatFan https://t.co/82WktHO51Y pic.twitter.com/LPnjho92j6

— Yardbarker (@yardbarker) August 29, 2018

Saturday, Sep. 1

Pittsburgh Pirates at Atlanta Braves

Right after acquiring Tampa Bay ace Chris Archer, Pittsburgh had to have been happy. Archer threw well enough for the Pirates to win his first couple of starts. Since then, Archer’s been horrible. The Pirates are 0-3 in Archer’s last 3 starts. He hasn’t thrown more than 4 innings in his last two Pirates starts. The Braves are only 3.5 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies. Now would be a horrible time to implode. Atlanta starter Kevin Gausman has been more than advertised. The Braves are 4-1 in Gausman’s 5 games in an Atlanta uniform. Gausman’s feeling it while Archer isn’t. The Braves should beat the Pirates by at least 2 runs on September first. MLB NL Betting Pick: Atlanta Braves

Arizona Diamondbacks at L.A.  Dodgers

Can you think of a more important series this weekend than D’Backs at Dodgers? Arizona is a half a game ahead of Colorado while the Dodgers are a full game behind Arizona. On Saturday, the D’Backs send pitcher Pat Corbin to the mound. Corbin’s been great this season. His 3.15 ERA and 1.02 WHIP are both fantastic. The Dodgers, though, bat .276 against Pat Corbin. Luckily for the D’Backs, their bullpen will bail out Corbin should any issues occur. Most baseball bettors continue to overplay Dodgers’ starter Clayton Kershaw. LAD’s ace hasn’t dominated this season the way he usually does. This could be a great game to back Arizona because no way D’Backs go off the favorites. MLB NL Betting Pick: Arizona Diamondbacks

Sunday, Sep. 2

Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia Phillies

On Sunday, Chicago ace Jon Lester takes the mound to battle the Phillies. Lester’s WHIP is somewhat high at 1.32, but his 14-5 record tells you all you must know about how Lester’s thrown this season. The Cubs are 3-0 in Lester’s last 3 starts. Philadelphia bats .211 against Jon Lester. The Phillies counter Lester with ace Aaron Nola. Nola’s been unreal this season. His ERA of 2.10 and .97 WHIP are both career bests. The Cubs do bat .263 against Nola, though. Because Philadelphia and Nola should go off the favorites, Chicago is the play. MLB NL Betting Pick: Chicago Cubs

Arizona Diamondbacks at L.A. Dodgers

Sunday’s D’Backs versus Dodgers matchup provides as much drama as Saturday’s matchup. The Dodgers start pitcher Clay Buchholz, who’s had a big resurgence in the Valley of the Desert. Buchholz, a former Boston Red Sox pitcher, has dominated the Dodgers. L.A. has 7 hits from 54 at-bats. The Dodgers hope Walker Buehler shuts down the D’Backs’ offense. Buehler has never faced Arizona batters. That should give him an edge. It won’t be a big enough edge. MLB NL Betting Pick: Arizona Diamondbacks