Just two games remain in the 2025 MLB regular season. Still, the playoff bracket in both leagues remains unsettled. The action gets started this afternoon, with the Yankees and Blue Jays both fighting for control of the AL East. Elsewhere, the Reds take on the Brewers, just one game ahead of the Mets for the NL’s final wildcard spot. As a nightcap, it’s a potential World Series preview between the Dodgers and Mariners.
Before the start of Saturday’s contests, here are two MLB bets worth placing on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Reds ML (+113)
To the surprise of many, Cincinnati is just two wins away from a playoff berth. Much of the credit for this potential playoff trip needs to go towards the team’s pitching staff. Leading the charge all season has been Andrew Abbott. It’s been a career year for the southpaw, owner of a 2.80 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 145 strikeouts. Over 28 appearances, he’s allowed more than three runs only six different times. Still, Saturday’s matchup presents a different kind of challenge. This Brewers offense ranks inside the top three in runs scored (798) and on-base percentage (.332).
With that being said, Milwaukee doesn’t have much to play for tonight. The team holds a one-game lead, plus the tiebreaker, over Philadelphia for home-field advantage this postseason. Since the odds are in their favor, it’s no surprise Robert Gasser will start for the Brewers. The right-hander has spent most of 2025 at Triple-A Nashville. During his brief three innings in the majors this season, he’s allowed two earned runs.
Clearly, the visitors have the edge on the mound. While the Brewers wouldn’t mind knocking off their rivals, they have much bigger goals. On a psychological level, there’s something about backing a squad that’s desperate for a win. It’s also worth mentioning that Abbott tossed seven scoreless innings vs. Milwaukee on August 17th. A similar performance on Saturday can’t be ruled out for Cincinnati.
Astros -1.5 (+112)
Few teams in the league have seen their stock fall like the Astros. Despite entering September with control of the AL West, Houston now finds itself outside of the playoff picture. Still, this group remains just one game back of Detroit for the American League’s final wildcard spot. They would have been tied if not for Friday’s untimely 4-3 loss to the Angels.
Los Angeles, for all its flaws, has enough talent to play spoiler. Still, we’ve seen the Astros bounce back from difficult spots before. It helps that the Halos will be handing the ball to Caden Dana on Saturday. The right-hander has looked rough this season, notching a 6.39 ERA and 1.66 WHIP over 25.1 innings. Granted, that isn’t the largest sample size. Regardless, there isn’t much reason to have confidence in the right-hander.
For Houston, it’ll be A.J. Blubaugh toeing the slab tonight. Over 28.0 innings, the rookie owns a 1.93 ERA and a minuscule 0.82 WHIP. While negative regression is inevitable, who’s to say the righty can’t deliver one last solid outing? After all, the Angels are averaging the sixth-fewest runs per game in baseball (4.19). Expect the ‘Stros to come out firing with their backs against the wall.
