MLB Expert Picks & Baseball Predictions June 9

Neil Parker - Analyst at Covers.com
Neil Parker • Betting Analyst 16+ years betting experience
Updated: Jun 8, 2026 , 01:18 PM ET • 4 min read

The Phillies run line — behind a massive pitching mismatch — highlights our top MLB picks for Monday night.

MLB expert picks June 9 Cristopher Sanchez
Photo By - Reuters Connect. Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez (61) throws a pitch.

The majority of the sports world has its eyes on Game 3 of the NBA Finals, but we're still hunting for value on the diamond today.

Our expert MLB picks have a pair of side bets to tail tonight, with the Rays underpriced and the Phillies lining up for a multi-run win.

MLB expert picks for today

Pick Odds
Jon Metler Jon Metler: TB ML +100
Neil Parker Neil Parker: PHI -1.5 +104

Prices courtesy of Polymarket.

Trade on the MLB at Polymarket!

Sign up now using our exclusive Polymarket promo code 'COVERS' (on your mobile app only) and get a $50 trading bonus after you deposit $50 to trade on any other event contracts — including MLB expert picks!

*Eligible locations only

Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account Add as a preferred source on Google

Jon Metler's expert pick: Rays ML

Price: 50¢ (+100) at Polymarket

The Tampa Bay Rays may start Ian Seymour as an opener against the Red Sox tonight, but I believe the key to this matchup lies in the middle innings, when Mason Englert takes over. Englert’s sweeping curveball and slider have both been highly effective this season, and they match up well against a Boston lineup that likes to be aggressive and pull the baseball. The east-west movement on those pitches can make it difficult for hitters to get the barrel out front consistently. On the other side, Tampa Bay’s offensive identity is built around patience: The Rays excel at extending at-bats, spoiling quality pitches, and forcing starters to work deep counts. If they can drive up Connelly Early’s pitch count and get into Boston’s middle relief early, I think they gain a meaningful advantage. I make the Rays closer to 56-cent favorites in this spot, which is why I’m willing to back them at this price.

  • Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
  • How to watch: RAYS, NESN

Neil Parker's expert pick: Phillies -1.5

Price: 49¢ (+104) at Polymarket

Toronto lefty Patrick Corbin sports a 7.46 ERA with 5.4 BB/9, while allowing a monster .442 wOBA and 1.035 OPS across 35 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies since the beginning of the 2022 season. With NL Cy Young favorite Cristopher Sanchez toeing the rubber tonight for the Phils, they have a huge advantage on the mound. Additionally, the Philly bullpen also has the lowest xFIP, and the bats rank sixth in xwOBA over the past two weeks — while Toronto checks in 22nd and 12th.

  • Time: 7:07 p.m. ET
  • How to watch: NBCSP, Rogers Sportsnet

More MLB best bets for today

Pick Odds
Brewers -1.5 -105
Read analysis in our Brewers vs. A's predictions
Yankees/Guardians u8 -115
Read analysis in our Yankees vs. Guardians predictions

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

Pages related to this topic

Neil Parker - Covers
Betting Analyst

Neil Parker is, first and foremost, a sports fan. A huge supporter of the Cowboys, Cubs, and Maple Leafs, he has managed to parlay his passion into writing gigs at some of the top websites in the industry.

Neil takes a numbers-based approach to his handicapping and complements his in-depth statistical analysis with a keen eye on the markets to provide the best available odds. He loves to lean on his rolodex of idioms to offset his inner nerd. When it comes to wagering, he throws down on anything that catches his eye at bet365, Betway and BetVictor. He also keeps a close eye on CoolBet because the polar bear brand often has outlier NHL and NFL moneyline prices.

Neil graduated with honors from St. Thomas University in 2007 before completing his BEd at Acadia University in 2010. After teaching a myriad of courses and subjects, he found a groove delivering fun lessons to exceptional learners in non-traditional classroom environments. If his decade-plus teaching run taught him anything about sports betting, it’s to stay the course and use the summer – or offseason – to refresh and prepare to be better in the year to come.

Popular Content

Covers is verified safe by: Evalon Logo GPWA Logo GDPR Logo GeoTrust Logo Evalon Logo