I'm back with two more MLB expert picks today!
After nailing one of my two picks yesterday, I'm going for an underdog play in the Brewers tonight. I think Gavin Stone's recent struggles for the Dodgers makes Milwaukee a live dog.
Here are my two MLB picks for August 13th:
MLB Expert Pick Today: Astros (-136) vs Rays
Astros vs Rays Odds -- Game Time 6:51 p.m. ET
The Astros are really good at getting the most out of their players. And, that's exactly what they're doing with Yusei Kikuchi. In two starts since joining Houston at the deadline, Kikuchi has pitched 11 innings, given up four runs, and struck out 19 batters. The Astros are 2-0 in those starts and Kikuchi's teams have actually won four of his last five outings.
That's bad news for a Rays team that's already struggled against Yusei in the past. Current Rays hitters own a career .222 average and .300 OBP against Kikuchi in 81 career at-bats.
In a start against Tampa 10 days ago, Kikuchi pitched 5.2 innings, gave up a pair of runs, and struck out 11. The Astros won 3-2.
With Kikuchi's strikeout line at O/U 6.5, I'm loving the OVER (-150) in this one given what he's done lately. He's gone over this mark in three of his last four outings.
[mlb_bet_25_get_5_lad_vs_mil:BET99-2374158]
MLB Expert Pick Today: Brewers (+108) vs Dodgers
Dodgers vs Brewers Odds - Game Time: 8:11 pm ET
The Dodgers have lost five of Gavin Stone's last six starts, rocking an ERA over 7 in that time. The Brewers, on the other hand, have won eight of Colin Rea's last 10 starts and he's rocking an ERA under 3.3 in that stretch.
There's a clear pitching difference in this matchup, and the line doesn't reflect it. It's not like the Dodgers offense will give them an edge here, either. Los Angeles has a team OPS of .738 in the last month, compared to Milwaukee's .783.
All signs point me to a Brewers upset today.
