This is the last week of the MLB regular season, and there are still a couple of teams fighting for a chance to make a wild run in the playoffs. The odds aren’t great, but they’re hanging in there and hoping for a last-minute miracle. Several managers are desperately looking for a win, as they face the chance of being homeless if they don’t get it. Some, like New York Mets GM Luis Rojas, might already be on the way out, especially since Steve Cohen wants to make a good impression as a new owner. Even the San Diego Padres could part ways with Jayce Tingler following what has been an embarrassing two months for the team. For those clubs still around, though, it’s time to step up to the plate.

Athletics Face the Mariners

The Oakland Athletics will meet the Seattle Mariners today in a race for a Wild Card spot. The Mariners are slightly ahead, just two games out, but that’s only one game ahead of the A’s. To clinch a berth, the winner will have to be able to jump past the Toronto Blue Jays, which won’t be easy, but stranger things have happened.

The A’s have gone 6-4 across their last ten games and are coming into tonight’s game having won three straight. That would be a decent record if it weren’t for the fact that the four losses they picked up were against today’s rivals. The Mariners are getting a slight edge at -110 against the -105 for the A’s, and are set up to win. Oakland has Cole Irvin on the mound and, in his 30 games, he has posted a 3.99 ERA with 10 wins and 14 losses. The Over/Under is 8.5, but backing the Under at -115 is the target.

Reds Look for Win Against the Pirates

The Cincinnati Reds have come a long way, but are now just barely hanging onto a possible shot at a Wild Card entry into the postseason. They are behind the St. Louis Cardinals by six games and need a victory today against the Pittsburgh Pirates to stay alive. This is the team’s final home game of the year, and the Reds will need to bring everything they have.

As things look right now for this rescheduled game, Cincinnati is getting the edge. Oddsmakers have them at -160 on the moneyline, while the Pirates are getting +150. That’s a little surprising, given that the Reds are 2-5 in their latest games against NL Central Rivals. The safety falls to the Pirates’ record, which is 5-17 in their last 22 playing in Cincinnati. The Over/Under is 9.5 and this game deserves some action on the Over (-105).

Braves, Phillies Go Head-to-Head

The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies don’t start their three-game series until tomorrow, but the first game deserves some attention now. The two are in a battle for the NL East standings title, and the loser is likely to be out of any shot at a Wild Card spot in the postseason. The Braves are on top by two and a half games and the Phillies need to win at least two of these games if they’re to stay alive. Oddsmakers don’t think that will happen.

Despite Philadelphia putting Zack Wheeler on the mound, Atlanta is getting most of the support from the books. The Phillies are getting +105, while the Braves are getting -125, but this game might deserve some action on the underdog. Wheeler has a better record against the Braves and a better overall ERA (2.79) than the expected Braves starter, Charlie Morton (3.48). Morton also has a losing record when facing the Phillies. The Over/Under is at 7.5, which is really low. The Phillies have the highest scoring record of MLB this year, so backing the Over at -120 is a good way to add a little more cash to the bank.