Skip to Main Content

Previews & Best Bets

Today's Top Free Expert Picks

This page may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and sign up, make a deposit, place a wager, or make a trade, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
  • expert headshot
    Eric Cohen
    +2510
    (61%)
    77-50 in Last 127 MLB Picks
    Under 7.5
    -118
    Over/Under
    Picked: Sep 30 @ 7:21pm

    Analysis

    Since the new MLB playoff format was introduced in 2022, Game 3 of Wild Card series' have proven to be low-scoring. In fact, four of the five Game 3s saw six or less total runs. We should see a combination of Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler for the Phillies, so don't expect the chilly Atlanta offense to score at will. And with all hands on deck for the Braves (minus ace Chris Sale likely), expect a flurry of pitching changes to play the matchups. This feels like a 3-2 or 4-2 game either way.
  • expert headshot
    Matt Severance
    #5
    +938
    (66%)
    47-24 in Last 71 MLB ATS Picks
    ATL +1.5
    -166
    Spread
    Picked: Sep 30 @ 10:42pm

    Analysis

    I'm not saying -166 is a cheap number but on +1.5 for a division winner at home that mostly dominated the regular-season series and has the better lineup? To me, that's a cheap number and I don't understand why the Braves are home dogs just like I didn't Wednesday. That +1.5 sure came in handy, though, and what a fun series already. This utterly screams another one-run, lower-scoring game with all arms on deck for the most part. BTW, as I write this the Padres are probably eliminating my Cubs late Wednesday. That would mean this moves game from 2 p.m. ET to 8 (as only series left), and I think that only benefits the home side.
  • expert headshot
    Angelo Magliocca
    +293.5
    (57%)
    30-23 in Last 53 MLB Player Props Picks
    player headshot
    A. Nola
    Over 3.5
    -113
    Hits Allowed
    Picked: Oct 1 @ 1:33pm

    Analysis

    If Aaron Nola is pulled after just a couple of innings, this could be tough to win, but even with there being workload questions, I'm thinking they leave Nola in as long as he's doing well. He projects for over four hits allowed even on a lower workload (around four innings), and if he's pulled early for poor play then we hopefully hit the over as he's whacked around. If he's good, we hope he stays in long enough to allow an extra hit or two. Also 1+ walk is very intriguing even at the current price.
  • expert headshot
    Micah Roberts
    #4
    +1161
    (56%)
    34-27-2 in Last 63 MLB Picks
    Over 7.5
    +101
    Over/Under
    Picked: Oct 1 @ 3:08pm

    Analysis

    We've got Game 3 in the National League best-of-three wild-card series, and it's expected to be 82° with winds blowing in at 7 mph and no chance of rain. The total is 7.5, and it's moving closer to 7, but my only problem with the number is that Aaron Nola is the starter for the Phillies, who have lost four of his last five starts. No Zack Wheeler, who pitched Sunday. Nola's faced the Braves three times this year, and the Braves won all three games with all three going over the total. I think Nola will give up three to four runs, and the Phillies bats make a run for it against the opener and likely Grant Holmes in the middle innings. Over.
  • expert headshot
    Zack Cimini
    Contrarian with Chutzpah
    player headshot
    M. Olson
    Over 1.5
    +131
    Bases
    Picked: Oct 1 @ 5:25pm

    Analysis

    Matt Olson has not had the start to the postseason that he would of liked. He is just 1 for 8 at the plate, but in a close out game I expect Olson to show up. He has 5 career home runs off of Aaron Nola, along with three doubles. This included a first inning home run the last instance he saw Nola on September 11th. Take Olson over on his combination line.

Betting Spotlight

See More

More Headlines

247 Sports
247sports-hillers.jpg

Meet the Hiller brothers and follow their unprecedented rise to five stars 

All-Transfer team: Best '26 newcomers after one quarter of the season 

Latest coaching intel: Seats getting warmer in Power Four, jobs to watch 

SportsLine
cam-skattebo-new-york-giants-imagn-images.jpg

NFL model simulates every Week 4 game 10,000 times

Steelers vs. Browns 'Thursday Night Football' picks from 10,000 sims

Week 5 college football picks from 10,000 simulations

Betting

getty-kylian-mbappe-vinicius-junior-real-madrid-january.jpg

DraftKings Sportsbook review and promo code 2026

Kalshi promo code: CBSSPORTS for $25 in bonuses (September 2026)

Polymarket promo code CBSSPORTS: Deposit $10, get a $50 trading bonus

Fantasy

puka-nacua-los-angeles-rams-imagn-images-iii.jpg

Week 4 Injuries: Puka Nacua nears return, Justin Jefferson in doubt

Target these buy-low running backs to save your Fantasy season

Fantasy football lineup decisions: Toughest start/sit calls in Week 4

NFL

astros.jpg

Best Kalshi promo code CBSSPORTS55: Get $55 trading bonus for PIT-CLE

Saints to place RB Travis Etienne Jr. on injured reserve

Why Texans can bounce back from 0-3 start for second straight year

College Football

mike-norvell.png

Mike Norvell enters pivotal stretch as Florida State weighs future

Ohio State vs. Iowa prediction, spread, live stream

Navy vs. Air Force prediction, spread, live stream

Golf

phil.jpg

Phil Mickelson spent time in treatment for family trauma, addiction

Despite historic comeback, Americans must improve before Ryder Cup

2026 Presidents Cup TV schedule: Full viewer's guide at Medinah

Soccer

untitled-design-2026-10-02t001319-308.png

Women's Champions League Power Rankings: Bayern and Barcelona roll

How City went from engaging underdogs to English soccer's big sham

Bizarre Leah Williamson handball costs Arsenal in draw with Paris FC

NBA

untitled-design-3.png

Report: Pistons remove weight clause from Duren's $200M contract offer

Two-time NBA champion JR Smith arrested on assault charge in Texas

Report: NBA down to three final bids for Las Vegas expansion team

NCAA Basketball

untitled-design-424.png

Son of NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon commits to SMU

NIT, WBIT shrinks field from 32 to 24 fields starting in 2027

College coaches not expecting another big wave of ex-NBA players

NCAAW Basketball

sylvia-fowles-statue-lsu.png

LSU to honor basketball legend Sylvia Fowles with statue on campus

Baylor lands Ukrainian center who left LSU after Mulkey signed Russian

Ukrainian Koval confirms she left LSU after team added Russian recruit

MLB

braves-phils-game-3-getty.png

Braves vs. Phillies predictions: Expert picks for decisive Game 3

How major heat wave could affect Dodgers, NLDS this weekend

PCA shoulders blame after Cubs' quick exit: 'Disappointed in myself'
Around the Web Promoted by Taboola