Sports Betting Picks Today: NFL & MLB – September 21, 2026
Monday's ASA board is built around Monday Night Football as the New York Giants visit the Los Angeles Rams, followed by three late-season MLB matchups: Blue Jays-Orioles, Nationals-Tigers and Twins-Giants.
Four Matchups on the ASA Radar
New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams
Giants at Rams
Monday Night Football brings together two teams coming off very different Week 1 results. New York arrives in Los Angeles 1-0 after beating Dallas 28-20, while the Rams return from Australia at 0-1 following their season-opening loss to San Francisco.
The scheduling situation immediately deserves attention. Los Angeles played its opener in Melbourne on September 10 and received an extended turnaround before Monday's home opener. The Giants, meanwhile, are making their first road trip of the season.
The Rams also enter Week 2 without Myles Garrett. Los Angeles is placing the veteran edge rusher on injured reserve as he undergoes knee surgery, removing a major piece from the Rams' defensive front.
Monitor New York's secondary and offensive-line availability through Saturday's final injury report. Paulson Adebo missed Thursday practice, while Andrew Thomas and several other Giants were limited. For Los Angeles, replacing Garrett's pass-rush impact becomes one of the central matchup questions.
Monday MLB Picks & Matchup Analysis
September baseball requires a different process than the NFL. Starting pitchers matter, but so do bullpen workload, lineup availability and each team's late-season situation. As of the latest MLB listings, the probable starters for these three Monday games have not yet been officially posted.
Do not lock the baseball handicap from team names alone. Toronto-Baltimore, Washington-Detroit and Minnesota-San Francisco currently list their probable starters as TBD. Confirm the pitching matchups before evaluating the moneyline, run line or total.
Toronto Blue Jays at Baltimore Orioles
Toronto and Baltimore begin Monday separated by only a narrow margin in the standings, creating a matchup between familiar AL East opponents late in the season.
The current MLB listing has Toronto at 76-77 and Baltimore at 75-78 entering the upcoming schedule, reinforcing how closely matched these clubs have been in the standings.
That makes the pitching assignment especially important. When two teams are this close over the course of a full season, the starting-pitcher and bullpen matchup can carry more handicapping value than the team name itself.
Wait for the starting pitchers, then evaluate bullpen usage from the weekend. In a matchup between teams with similar records, the price and pitching configuration can become the primary sources of value.
Washington Nationals at Detroit Tigers
Washington heads to Detroit for Monday's interleague matchup with both teams looking for a strong finish to September.
The latest MLB schedule information lists Washington at 71-82 and Detroit at 72-80 entering the upcoming slate. With neither side holding a substantial record advantage, Monday's pitching matchup becomes particularly important.
The current probable-pitcher listings remain TBD on both sides, so this is a game where patience makes more sense than manufacturing an early opinion without the most important information.
The starting pitchers come first. After they're confirmed, evaluate each bullpen's weekend workload and the posted total rather than forcing a handicap before the necessary information is available.
Minnesota Twins at San Francisco Giants
Monday's board finishes on the West Coast with Minnesota visiting San Francisco at Oracle Park.
MLB's current probable-pitcher page lists Minnesota at 71-81 and San Francisco at 64-89 entering the upcoming schedule, with both Monday starters still TBD.
Oracle Park's environment makes the pitching matchup and posted total especially relevant. Rather than assuming a low-scoring game simply because of the venue, bettors should evaluate the actual starters, bullpen availability and weather once those variables are confirmed.
Confirm the pitching matchup, starting lineups and bullpen availability. With a late first pitch, there is little reason to make a baseball decision before the day's information is complete.
One NFL Game. Three MLB Games. Two Different Processes.
Monday Night Football offers a stand-alone NFL market where injuries, matchup advantages and market movement receive enormous attention. Baseball requires a different approach, particularly while all three starting-pitcher matchups remain unconfirmed.
For Giants-Rams, the focus belongs on personnel availability, Los Angeles' pass rush without Myles Garrett, New York's offensive line and the price attached to the Rams in their home opener.
For MLB, patience is part of the handicap. Confirm starting pitchers, lineups and bullpen availability before deciding whether any of Monday's baseball games deserve a position.
Monday's Best Opportunities Don't Have to Come From Every Game
A nationally televised NFL game naturally attracts attention, but attention does not automatically create value. The same applies to Monday's three baseball matchups. ASA premium selections are reserved for situations where the matchup, information and available number provide enough value to qualify.
More Sports Betting Analysis
Sports betting involves financial risk. Advanced Sports Advisors provides sports betting analysis, handicapping opinions and informational content. No pick, prediction or past result guarantees future performance. Verify final NFL injury reports, inactive lists, MLB starting pitchers, lineups, bullpen availability, weather and current betting markets before making any wagering decision.