Top 3 MLB Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (4/13)
With a couple of makeup games on the schedule, today’s MLB slate includes a massive 17 games. I’ve sifted through the matchups and narrowed in on these three bets on the diamond.
Here are my three favorite plays for a loaded MLB Saturday.
Saturday’s Best MLB Bets
(Odds courtesy of BetMGM)
Minnesota Twins (-140) @ Detroit Tigers (+115) | O/U 8.0 (-115/-105)
The Twins and Tigers are set to play three games within 24 hours, and the three-game saga got underway last night with an 8-2 affair that went to Detroit in the series opener. The two sides are back at it with a doubleheader today, and the first game offers a pitching matchup between Joe Ryan and Kenta Maeda. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET from Comerica Park in Detroit.
I’ll be on the under for the first leg of tonight’s Motown doubleheader. Ryan gets the nod for the Twins, and he’s been exceptional out of the gate. The right-hander brings in a 3.18 ERA (42nd) and 0.79 WHIP (12th), and he’s also held the current Detroit roster to a slash line of .244/.295/.463 over 41 at-bats.
As for Maeda, he hasn’t been sharp to start his Tigers tenure, posting a 9.00 ERA and 1.56 WHIP over two starts. However, he gets a favorable matchup to get back on track as Minnesota enters this contest ranked 30th in team batting average (.184) and 28th in OPS (.600). It’s also worth noting out that these have been two of the best bullpens in the game. Detroit is second in bullpen ERA (1.72) and fifth in WHIP (1.09), while Minnesota is third (1.84) and fifth (1.09) in those respective categories. Runs should be at a premium in Detroit this afternoon.
Bet: Under 8.0 (-105)
Cincinnati Reds (-125) @ Chicago White Sox (+105) | O/U 8.5 (-105/-115)
It has been a horrific start for the White Sox, who are just 2-11 out of the gate. They’ll turn to their best pitcher, Garrett Crochet, as they attempt to get back in the win column against the visiting Reds (7-6). First pitch is set for 2:10 p.m. ET from Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago.
Friday night’s 11-1 series-opening loss for Chicago was their seventh in eight games. Over the eight-game sample size, they’re averaging just 2.4 runs per game, and they’ve been shut out in three of those contests. The White Sox are currently 27th in team batting average (.206) and 26th in OPS (.603). They’ll take on Nick Lodolo, who’s coming off a season where he went 2-1 with a 6.29 ERA and 1.75 WHIP. Despite the rough numbers, I think the left-hander should manage to suppress this lowly Chicago offense in his season debut.
The Sox counter with Crochet, who has been one of the sole bright spots for the franchise. He’s 1-1 to start the year, registering a 2.00 ERA (23rd) and 0.67 WHIP (3rd) over three outings (18.0 IP). Cincinnati’s offense is solid, but against LHP, they drop to 17th in team batting average (.240) and 10th in OPS (.755). I like Crochet’s chances to stay hot and turn in another respectable start. Let’s play the under in the Windy City.
Bet: Under 8.5 (-115)
St. Louis Cardinals (-115) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (-105) | O/U 9.5 (-115/-105)
Nolan Arenado got the party started with a three-run bomb in the first inning last night, and the Red Birds ultimately won the series opener 9-6 in the Valley. They’ll send Kye Gibson to the bump for Game 2 while the Diamondbacks roll with Ryne Nelson. First pitch is set for 8:10 p.m. ET from Chase Field in Phoenix.
Between the offensive stars and bottom-of-the-rotation starters in this matchup, I’m not overthinking it; I’m playing the over. Arizona has been playing in higher-scoring games recently, seeing at least 10 runs in five of their last eight contests. This is mainly due to their electric offense, which ranks seventh in team batting average (.265) and ninth in OPS (.752). They’ll face Gibson, who hasn’t been very sharp, going 1-1 with a 6.23 ERA and 1.08 WHIP.
Meanwhile, Nelson has been much worse in his temporary starting role, where he’s filling in for Eduardo Rodriguez and/or Jordan Montgomery. The right-hander is 0-2 with an 8.22 ERA and 1.83 WHIP. St. Louis has owned him over a small sample size, slashing .333/.400/.722 against him over 18 at-bats. Both Arenado and former Snake Paul Goldschmidt have taken him yard. These offenses are primed to do some damage tonight, and I expect at least 10 runs in Phoenix.
Bet: Over 9.5 (-115)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Saturday: