MLB Playoff Best Bets and Predictions for Today October 17, 2025

Two MLB games will take center stage tonight as both the American League and National League pennants are at stake. The Los Angeles Dodgers can clinch their second consecutive NL title with a victory Friday night.

Some fans are puzzled at the modest batting feats by Shohei Ohtani this postseason. But on Friday, the Japanese superstar has an opportunity to use his right shoulder and pitching arm to secure the NL flag. Ohtani makes his first career start in a League Championship Series game.

Shohei Ohtani pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2025 MLB Playoffs against the Philadelphia Phillies [GETTY IMAGES]

Game times for Friday, October 17:

• Toronto Blue Jays at Seattle Mariners, 6:08 PM ET, FS1
• Milwaukee Brewers at Los Angeles Dodgers, 8:38 PM ET, TBS

Odds show the Dodgers and Mariners are favorites as the home teams. With -104 on Toronto and -112 for Seattle, the AL game is essentially a pick 'em game.

My picks (two for each game) are made using MLB odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.

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Blue Jays vs Mariners, Game 5 of ALCS

There is an old saying that goes "the cream rises to the top." The cream in this series is the Toronto lineup, and they indeed have risen. In the last two games, the Blue Jays have scored 21 runs, banged out 29 hits, and slugged seven home runs.

Most troubling for the Mariners: Vladdy Guerrero is in a groove. The Toronto star is batting .455 with five home runs. 15 hits, 11 RBI, nine runs, and a .970 SLG in eight playoff games.

There is no postseason MVP award, but there perhaps should be. Guerrero Jr., the son of a Hall of Famer, is etching his name with the greatest postseason performers in the history of professional baseball.

Don't forget little Andrés Giménez, who has hit a homer in each of the Toronto wins in this series. His bat is lighting up. There really aren't many easy outs in the Toronto lineup.

• BET: Toronto Over 5.5 Runs at +300
  More runs, more runs, more runs. That's in the forecast for this playoff series. We haven't seen Daulton Varsho, Alejandro Kirk, or Anthony Santander bust loose yet. They could, and even if they don't, George Springer, Vlad Jr. & Co. are poised to take control of the battle for the AL pennant.
• BET: George Springer To Hit a Home Run, +400
  Gradually, Mr. Springer is climbing his way to the top of the postseason home run leaderboard. He has 22 career homers in the postseason. Tonight he gets to face Bryce Miller, of whom he has hit a HR. If he goes deep in Game 5 at any time, our $100 wager will return $500.

Check out Ballislife Betting News for latest predictions and best bets for MLB playoffs.

Brewers vs Dodgers, Game 4 of NLCS

The Brewers have to start scoring runs, don't they? So far, the team that won the most games in the National League has managed only three runs in three losses.

The Dodger starting piching has been superb: two earned runs allowed in 22 2/3 innings, with 25 strikeouts against four walks. The three Dodger starters (Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow) have allowed only one home run.

Ohtani has several things on his side as he enters Game Four. He did not face the Milwaukee lineup this season, which means none of the Brewers' hitters have seen his stuff of late. Second, Ohtani's command has been stellar: a 62-to-9 K-to-BB ratio. He gave up only three home runs in 2025.

In his other postseason start 13 days ago, Ohtani went six innings and surrendered only three hits and one run. The strong right-hander can go 80-95 pitches, and if he's economical, that means the bullpen can be leveraged to finish off this series.

Here are two wagers, one game prop and one player prop for Game 4 of MIL/LAD:

• BET: Brice Turang To Record a Stolen Base, +235
  How desperate are the Brewers to get a runner in scoring position? The answer is VERY. That's why i love the odds for a stolen base in this game on the Milwaukee side. The most likely perpetrator is Turang. A winning $100 bet will return $335.
• BET: Under 3.5 Runs in First 5 Innings of MIL vs LAD, +140
  Ohtani will be on point tonight in Los Angeles. He has an opportunity to be the pitching star in Game 5. Forget about his bat and legs: Ohtani is going to be motivated to put up a great start like his teammates. I see a low-scoring game until we get to the bullpens.