MLB Picks, Best Bets, Props, Predictions Today – July 9

There are 15 games on the MLB calendar for Wednesday, July 9, which means there are plenty of betting options to choose from.

However, there are also multiple day games, so there’s an added urgency to get those bets placed before first pitch. Luckily, our MLB betting experts have already done the hard part and dug through today’s MLB odds.

They’ve identified the best value on the board, which we’ve compiled below. Continue reading for today’s MLB best bets.

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MLB Best Bets Today

The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our MLB betting staff is targeting from today’s slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.

Game	Time (ET)	Pick
[teammatchup link=”#1″ firstfullname=”Philadelphia Phillies” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-philadelphia-phillies.png” secondfullname=”San Francisco Giants” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-san-francisco-giants.png”][/teammatchup]	3:45 p.m.	Philadelphia Phillies 1st 5 Innings Moneyline (-140)
[teammatchup link=”#2″ firstfullname=”Cleveland Guardians” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-cleveland-guardians.png” secondfullname=”Houston Astros” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/hou.png”][/teammatchup]	8:10 p.m.	Over/Under Pick
[teammatchup link=”#3″ firstfullname=”Cleveland Guardians” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-cleveland-guardians.png” secondfullname=”Houston Astros” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/hou.png”][/teammatchup]	8:10 p.m.	1st 5 Innings Moneyline Pick
[teammatchup link=”#4″ firstfullname=”Arizona Diamondbacks” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/ari.png” secondfullname=”San Diego Padres” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/sd.png”][/teammatchup]	9:40 p.m.	Over/Under Pick
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our MLB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game.

[anchor name=”1″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Nick Galaida’s Phillies vs Giants Best Bet: Expect Phillies to Start Fast”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Philadelphia Phillies 1st 5 Innings Moneyline (-140)” league=”mlb” awaylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-philadelphia-phillies.png” awayname=”Philadelphia Phillies” awayslug=”philadelphia-phillies” homelogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-san-francisco-giants.png” homename=”San Francisco Giants” homeslug=”san-francisco-giants” date=”Wednesday, July 9″ time=”3:45 p.m. ET” network=”MLB.TV” bookname=”BetMGM” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/779359_BetMGM800x200@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”betmgm”][/gameheader]

By Nick Galaida

Philadelphia lost last night in improbable fashion, but the Phillies don’t have to wait long to try to get that bad taste out of their mouths.

Jesus Luzardo has struggled to a 9.49 ERA across his past seven starts, but a 3.87 FIP in that span suggests he’s probably deserved some better results. He did have some issues with tipping pitches, so his .478 BABIP in that span isn’t completely undeserved, but the good news is that he’s still missing plenty of bats and doing a good job limiting barrels. Today, he gets a favorable matchup against a San Francisco lineup that ranks 26th in wRC+ against southpaws over the past 14 days.

On the other side of this matchup, Justin Verlander will have to contend with a Philadelphia offense that has seen right-handed pitching well in recent weeks. Verlander has experienced his own struggles since returning from the injured list, allowing three or more earned runs in three of his past four starts.

The Phillies have both the more talented starting pitcher the better offense in this matchup. They should be able to get out to an early lead as they look to avoid a sweep.

Pick: Philadelphia Phillies 1st 5 Innings Moneyline (-140)

[teammatchup link=”#1″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Philadelphia Phillies” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-philadelphia-phillies.png” secondfullname=”San Francisco Giants” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-san-francisco-giants.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#2″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Cleveland Guardians” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-cleveland-guardians.png” secondfullname=”Houston Astros” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/hou.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#3″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Cleveland Guardians” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-cleveland-guardians.png” secondfullname=”Houston Astros” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/hou.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#4″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”Arizona Diamondbacks” firstlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/ari.png” secondfullname=”San Diego Padres” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/sd.png”][/teammatchup]

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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Bet Labs’ Guardians vs Astros Best Bet: System-Backed Under Play”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Under 7.5 (-103)” league=”mlb” awaylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-cleveland-guardians.png” awayname=”Cleveland Guardians” awayslug=”cleveland-guardians” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/hou.png” homename=”Houston Astros” homeslug=”houston-astros” date=”Wednesday, July 9″ time=”8:10 p.m. ET” network=”MLB.TV” bookname=”DraftKings ” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/477013_DraftKings@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”draftkings”][/gameheader]

By Bet Labs

The “Silent Sharp Unders” system targets regular-season MLB games in which both teams are performing well, yet the total has quietly dropped from open to close. These are games featuring competent, winning teams with recent success that are playing in stable weather conditions, and with closing totals in a common scoring range.

Despite both teams showing strength, the market subtly favors the under — likely due to matchup specifics or pitching matchups. By following this soft signal — when the public eye is more focused on win streaks and not totals — this system finds value in betting against inflated scoring expectations.

Overall, this system has produced a 9% ROI as it’s1241-981-87 (56%) lifetime. This season, it is 108-80-3 (57%) for a 9% ROI.

[betlabsembed systemid=”1479171″ systemname=”Evan Abrams / Bet Labs – Silent Sharp Unders” leaguename=”mlb” filters=”%7B%22list%22%3A%5B%22the%20temperature%20is%20between%2034%20and%2087%20degrees%22%2C%22the%20visiting%20team’s%205%20Game%20recent%20win%20percentage%20is%20between%2040%25%20and%20100%25%22%2C%22the%20home%20team’s%205%20Game%20recent%20win%20percentage%20is%20between%2040%25%20and%20100%25%22%2C%22the%20closing%20total%20is%20between%207.5%20and%2010%22%2C%22the%20home%20team’s%20game%20number%20is%20between%206%20and%20162%22%2C%22the%20visitor%20team’s%20win%20percentage%20is%20between%2046%25%20and%20100%25%22%2C%22the%20home%20team’s%20win%20percentage%20is%20between%2046%25%20and%20100%25%22%2C%22the%20o%2Fu%20change%20from%20open%20to%20close%20is%20between%20-1%20and%200%22%2C%22the%20over%2Funder%20%25%20is%20between%201%25%20and%2029%25%22%2C%22betting%20on%20the%20Under%22%5D%7D” amountwon=”$21,086″ record=”1241-981-87″ winpct=”56%”][/betlabsembed]

Pick: Under 7.5 (-103)

[quickslipbasic bookname=”BetMGM” booklogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/779359_BetMGM800x200@1x.png” image=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-09-at-7.04.03%E2%80%AFAM.png” buttontext=”Parlay These Picks Instantly!” buttonlink=”https://switchboard.actionnetwork.com/v2/deeplink?deeplinkId[0]=ML1674675735&deeplinkId[1]=ML1674714336&deeplinkId[2]=ML1674714319&deeplinkId[3]=ML1674717806&context=qs-articles”][/quickslipbasic]

[anchor name=”3″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Nick Galaida’s Guardians vs Astros Best Bet: Back Houston Early”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Houston Astros 1st 5 Innings Moneyline (-135)” league=”mlb” awaylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/2023-mlb-logo-cleveland-guardians.png” awayname=”Cleveland Guardians” awayslug=”cleveland-guardians” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/hou.png” homename=”Houston Astros” homeslug=”houston-astros” date=”Wednesday, July 9″ time=”8:10 p.m. ET” network=”MLB.TV” bookname=”BetMGM” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/779359_BetMGM800x200@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”betmgm”][/gameheader]

By Nick Galaida

Cleveland’s offense has struggled mightily against southpaws of late, ranking 28th in wRC+ across the past 14 days. Meanwhile, Houston’s offense ranks fourth in wRC+ against right-handed pitching during that same period.

Brandon Walter hasn’t been overly impressive, but has relentlessly pounded the strike zone in four of his past five outings, which means he’s likely to force a weak Cleveland offense to earn everything it gets in the early going today. On the other side of this matchup, Slade Cecconi hasn’t been missing many bats, nor has he been limiting quality contact.

The Astros have the better offense and the better starting pitcher in this matchup. They should be able to jump out to an early lead.

Pick: Houston Astros 1st 5 Innings Moneyline (-135)

[anchor name=”4″][/anchor]

[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Bet Labs’ Diamondbacks vs Padres Best Bet: Under Showing Value”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Under 8 (-115)” league=”mlb” awaylogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/ari.png” awayname=”Arizona Diamondbacks” awayslug=”arizona-diamondbacks” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/mlb/100/sd.png” homename=”San Diego Padres” homeslug=”san-diego-padres” date=”Wednesday, July 9″ time=”9:40 p.m. ET” network=”MLB.TV” bookname=”bet365″ bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/859377_Bet365@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”bet365″][/gameheader]

By Bet Labs

This system targets MLB regular season games in which both teams are coming off low-scoring performances (0 to 2 runs scored in their previous game) within the same series. These matchups tend to reflect strong pitching or cold offenses, and the market may not adjust the total downward enough in time. This strategy filters for more recent seasons to reflect current scoring environments and pitcher usage trends.

Betting the under in these situations has shown consistent short-term profitability. This season, this system has generated an 18% ROI as it has cashed 62% of its picks (56-35). Lifetime, the system is 492-364-34 (57%) for an 11% ROI.

[betlabsembed systemid=”1474950″ systemname=”Evan Abrams – Under After Low Scoring Game in Series, Short Term (YEAR)” leaguename=”mlb” filters=”%7B%22list%22%3A%5B%22the%20Visiting%20teams’%201%20Game%20points%20scored%20streak%20is%20between%200%20and%202%22%2C%22the%20Home%20teams’%201%20Game%20points%20scored%20streak%20is%20between%200%20and%202%22%2C%22the%20series%20game%20%23%20is%20between%202%20and%20100%22%2C%22betting%20on%20the%20Under%22%2C%22the%20game%20is%20played%20during%20the%20Regular%20season%22%2C%22the%20game%20was%20played%20during%20the%202025%20or%202024%20or%202023%20or%202022%20or%202021%20or%202020%20or%202019%20or%202018%20season%22%5D%7D” amountwon=”$9,642″ record=”492-364-32″ winpct=”57%”][/betlabsembed]

Pick: Under 8 (-115)

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