The current BetMGM promo code CBSSPORTS offers new customers $150 in bonus bets if their first wager wins, or up to $1,500 in bonus bets if that initial qualifying bet loses (availability varies by location). With the 2026 MLB playoffs kicking off today, there’s a four-game slate that lines up with several strong sportsbook promotions and betting opportunities.
Top plays and model insights
– Red Sox vs. Yankees — Over 6.5 total runs (-102): The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates each MLB game 10,000 times, projects enough offense between these familiar AL rivals to clear this modest total. Even with both bullpens relatively fresh and the Yankees starting Cam Schlittler (an early Cy Young favorite), the model still finds the Over in 61.8% of simulations; New York averaged 4.59 runs per game during the regular season (8th in MLB), and Schlittler’s recent history with Boston has seen games go Over this mark.
– Cubs (+105) vs. Padres: SportsLine expert Jeff Hochman favors the Cubs because he sees San Diego starter Michael King as overrated for the postseason—King’s underlying metrics include a 4.42 xERA (1.21 higher than his actual ERA), a .322 xwOBA and a .403 xSLG across 757 plate appearances—while Chicago’s disciplined lineup (led by Pete Crow-Armstrong, Alex Bregman, Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch and Ian Happ) handled San Diego well in the regular season, taking five of six meetings, including two at Petco Park.
– Steelers (-2.5) vs. Browns, Thursday Night Football (-118): SportsLine NFL analyst R.J. White has locked in a Steelers pick for Week 4 TNF. He cites Pittsburgh’s offensive-line changes and improved offensive showing as reasons to trust the Steelers to cover, while expressing doubts about the Browns’ passing attack (127 net passing yards in a recent home game) and the ability of the Browns’ inexperienced head coach to prepare on a short week.
Parlay and payouts
– Combining those three selections into a parlay at BetMGM would be roughly +650 (risk $100 to win about $650), though odds can change. You can use BetMGM bonus code CBSSPORTS to access the current offer and bet on these games.
Model performance and more picks
– The SportsLine Projection Model says it entered the 2026 MLB playoffs on a 31-25 run on top-rated MLB money-line picks, and the model’s historical simulations have produced strong returns for followers. SportsLine and its team of experts also offer spread, total and money-line picks across MLB, NFL, college football, UFC and other sports.
Responsible gaming
– BetMGM provides responsible-gaming tools including live chat support, deposit and play limits, timeouts and links to helplines such as 1-800-MY-RESET, available 24/7.
Fan Take: NFL bettors should pay attention because early-season adjustments—like Pittsburgh’s offensive-line changes—can quickly shift team outlooks and betting value, especially on short-week games. How teams respond to those changes can influence futures, coaching evaluations and the narrative around roster construction as the season progresses.
Source: www.cbssports.com
