MLB Best Bets (April 25): Cubs vs. Dodgers Predictions, NRFI Pick & Home Run Targets

We’re just over a month into the MLB season, and there have been plenty of surprises — as there typically are in the first month. The Braves have the best record in baseball, the Mets and Phillies have combined for 35 losses, and the Athletics currently lead the AL West.

However, Saturday’s slate features a couple of marquee matchups between teams that were projected to do well in the preseason and have lived up to that expectation. The defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs are exactly that, and they’ll face off on national TV Saturday night.

(Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images)

With that in mind, here are our MLB best bets, NRFI picks, and home run favorites for the Saturday slate of games.

You can find all odds used in my MLB predictions at DraftKings and FanDuel.

MLB Best Bets: Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Predictions For April 25

What a treat this matchup is as we could very well see both of these teams match up in October. And after a crazy comeback effort Friday night to extend their win streak to 10 in a row, the whole country is probably expecting the Dodgers to bounce back.

Not me, I think the red-hot Cubbies ride their hot hitting to another win in a high-scoring game.

Can The Cubs Extend Their Win Streak To 11 Straight?

The Cubs are the hottest team in baseball and have miraculously put together a double-digit win streak, as previously mentioned. How have they kept this win streak up despite suffering multiple injuries to their rotation and bullpen? Hitting and defense.

Backed by Nico Hoerner (.851 OPS, 1.8 WAR), Ian Happ (.1.3 WAR, 7 HRs) and Alex Bregman (.266 AVG, .740 OPS), the Cubs have the been the best offense in baseball over the past 15 days, with a collective .874 OPS — 50 points over the next-best team.

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Fade Roki Sasaki

The main driver behind both of my predictions center on the struggles of second year pro Roki Sasaki.

Despite sky high expectations as an international free agent from Japan last year, Sasaki was underwhelming in his rookie season (4.46 ERA, 1.43 WHIP) and things have continued to trend the wrong way in his sophomore campaign (6.11 ERA, 1.87 WHIP).

Those base stats get even worse when you look under the hood, as Sasaki has allowed a glaring .926 OOPS with a -0.3 WAR.

Reasons To Back The Over

The only avenue I see the Cubs losing this game is if the Dodgers win in a shootout, which, of course, is never out of the question with star players like Shohei Ohtani (.361 OBP, 5 HRs), Freddie Freeman (.284 AVG, .474 SLG) and Andy Pages (.333 AVG, .931 OPS). With that in mind, I think a smart bet - and a good hedge - would be taking the over.

I’ve already talked about Sasaki’s struggles in the MLB and how hot the Cubs’ offense has been over the past two weeks.

However, it’s fair to say Cubs starter Colin Rea isn’t in an ideal spot either (is any pitcher in a good spot when facing the Dodgers?). A true swingman, having pitched in five games and started two, Rea has had a nice start to the 2026 season (3.00 ERA, 1.04 WHIP) but troubles could be on the horizon for the veteran as the Dodgers hold the best numbers in baseball against right-handed pitching with a league leading .816 OPS and 33 homers.

Neither Bullpen Should Be Trusted

Looking ahead to when both starters are pulled, the matchup still has me leaning towards the over.

The Cubs have also lost several high-leverage bullpen arms (Daniel Palencia, Caleb Thielbar, and Phil Maton) but have proven they can hit the Dodgers’ bullpen, scoring six runs off their best arms on Friday night. So, I think we could see some late-inning runs again if we’re still in need of a few more.

The weather should also help, as it’s expected to be a nice 70 degrees with the wind blowing out to center field at 12 miles per hour.

• My Pick: Cubs ML (+123,DraftKings), ALT Over 9 (-129, DraftKings)

Since we're taking the Cubs at plus money, I feel good about taking a half point from the total and betting an alternate line. Combine both of these picks in a parlay, you're getting odds of +310 via DraftKings.

MLB Best Bets: NRFI Pick Of The Day

• My Pick: Athletics vs. Rangers Under 0.5 1st Inning (-130, DraftKings)

Despite both lineups playing well so far and a high-scoring game with three first-inning runs on Friday night, I’m expecting plenty of strikeouts and weak contact on Saturday night.

Two lefties, Jeffrey Springs vs. Mackenzie Gore, will face off, and both have had solid seasons so far. While neither is a household name, there’s a unique matchup angle they can take advantage of here.

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Both lineups have hit righties well this year, but there’s been a stark difference against left-handed pitching.

The Athletics are fifth in the MLB against righties collectively (.253 AVG, .749 OPS), while the Rangers are right behind them at sixth (.252 AVG, .748 OPS). Those impressive numbers turn completely on their head when facing lefties, with the Rangers ranked 28th in the league (.207 AVG, .583 OPS) and the Athletics ranked 24th (.208 AVG, .621 OPS).

MLB Best Bets: Home Run Picks Of The Day

• My Pick: Nolan Arenado (+280, FanDuel)

I’m not going to overthink this one. With the game being played in Mexico City, you could probably put every Diamondbacks and Padres player’s name in a hat, close your eyes, pick one, and still have a good shot at them hitting a home run. The total is sitting at 16 as of Saturday morning, so that should tell you all you need to know.

Also, Nolan Arenado has taken Padres starter German Marquez deep before, and he’s been swinging it well lately- going 7-for-11 over his last three games.