Free MLB picks, predictions, best bets for Saturday, July 26: Back the Yankees and Padres to pull off upsets

The unpredictability of day-to-day MLB action brings some great opportunity to back underdogs in MLB betting. The Saturday MLB schedule features some intriguing options, including the Yankees, who are slight -101 underdogs to the Phillies in a standalone afternoon matchup at 1:05 p.m. ET. SportsLine’s model gives the Yankees the slight edge, making New York the value side in this potential World Series preview.

The model is also high on two bigger underdogs as it likes the Nationals at +190 against the Twins and San Diego at +130 against the Cardinals. Before making any MLB picks or building any MLB parlays, you’ll want to see the MLB predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer simulation model. Bet on every MLB game at DraftKings Sportsbook, where you can get $150 in bonus bets instantly with the latest DraftKings promo code:

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every MLB game 10,000 times. It entered Week 17 of the 2025 MLB season 46-43 on top-rated MLB picks. It has excelled making home run prop picks this season, returning more than 40 units of profit. Anybody following at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen strong returns. 

The model has broken down the MLB betting odds for Monday and just revealed its top MLB longshot picks. Combining the model’s three picks into an MLB parlay at BetMGM Sportsbook would result in a payout of +1227 (risk $100 to win $1,227). New users can even take advantage of the BetMGM bonus code offering up to $1,500 in bonus bets if their first bet loses. Click here to claim the offer. 

Here are its best longshot bets for the MLB slate on Friday

• Yankees money line vs. Phillies (-101)
• Nationals money line vs. Twins (+190)
• Padres money line vs. Cardinals (+130)
• Combine these picks for a shot at a +1227 payout (odds subject to change). Bet now at BetMGM, where you can get up to $1,500 in bonus bets if you don’t win.

Yankees money line vs. Phillies (-101)

This is a great bounce-back opportunity for the Yankees after they lost 12-5 on Friday. Yankees starter Marcus Stroman has a 2.45 ERA over his past two starts and Philly starter Ranger Suarez gave up six runs last time out against the Angels. The model has New York winning 53% of the time, making it a value in this underdog spot. See more Yankees-Phillies picks here.

Nationals money line vs. Twins (+190)

Washington is one of the biggest underdogs on the MLB odds board for Saturday, but the model has just a 0.1 run difference between these teams after Minnesota won a tight 1-0 contest in the series opener. The Twins have been a bad team to back this season, returning -1259 on the money line. They are also in the red (-185) for money-line backers when when Joe Ryan starts this season. The Nats win 46% of the time, making the +190 a steal, according to the model’s results.

Padres money line vs. Cardinals (+130)

San Diego has lost four straight, including the first two games in this series against the Cardinals. Starter Randy Vasquez, however, has been effective for the Padres this season with a 3.73 ERA. SportsLine’s model is calling for a big day at the plate for both Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill in a game that comes down to just 0.3 runs. The Padres win 43% of the time, making them a strong underdog pick.

Want more MLB picks for today?

You’ve seen some of the model’s MLB best longshot bets for Saturday. Now, get run line, total and money-line picks for every game here, all from the model that’s simulated every game 10,000 times. 

Also at SportsLine:
You can also see today’s top MLB picks from expert Bruce Marshall, who’s on a sizzling 63-53-1 roll on his last 117 MLB picks. Visit SportsLine to see his best plays for today, all from the expert who’s up nearly 16 units.