Let's dive into our top MLB picks for Thursday, September 12. There is a good slate of games, with a few games during the day, so let's look at our top MLB picks to play.
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Thursday's Best MLB Picks
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Colorado Rockies (+230) at Detroit Tigers (-130) | O/U 7 (-125/+105)
Imagine if the Tigers were able to see postseason action after being sellers at the trade deadline. That is a possiblity, as they are only three games out of the last Wild Card spot. More importantly, they play the Orioles six times, who hold the top Wild Card spot, and it could shake up the standings.
The Tigers are 23-14 since August 1, and while they’re average at the plate, the pitching is leading this team to an unlikely run. They traded a few pieces on their pitching staff, but their 2.77 ERA has led the league since the deadline. It certainly helps that they have the best pitcher in the American League in Tarik Skubal, who is a lock for the Cy Young with a league-leading 16 wins, 2.53 ERA, and 208 strikeouts. Detroit also won seven of the last nine starts.
If this game were in Colorado, I’d advise caution. The Rockies’ offensive numbers are skewed due to the Mile High Effect, which is why when you look at the matchup, you have to pay attention to the home and away splits.
The Rockies are near the bottom offensively in many categories, including runs scored per game at 3.46. The Tigers' runline is good for a bad offense facing the best pitcher in baseball.
Pick: Tigers -1.5 (-130)
Milwaukee Brewers (-130) at San Francisco Giants (+110) | O/U 7.5 (-112/-108)
The Brewers haven't been a great team, but everyone else in the National League Central has been inconsistent, which allowed them to build an eight game lead. They were the only team in that division to make any significant moves at the trade deadline, and that made the difference in the race. The move to pick up Frank Montas wasn't headline news, but it has helped the team significantly. He looks like a different pitcher and in his seven starts with Milwaukee, the team is 5-2 and he has a 3.92 ERA.
There were high expectations for the Giants this season, but they’ve disappointed in a big way. They struggled out of the gate and could never get on a hot streak, which is what they needed to make a playoff run. Some of their acquisitions worked, like Matt Chapman, but others, like Jorge Soler and Blake Snell, haven't been successful. In fact, Soler's Giants tenure only reached 93 games.
It's also been a brutal stretch for rookie pitcher Hayden Birdsong; the Giants lost during his last six starts and he has an 8.92 ERA.
The Brewers should are a solid road favorite a reason and should grab the win.
Pick: Brewers Moneyline (-130)
