It’s officially that time of year, time for me to get into my MLB bag and find some winners. We’ve got a small slate of games today, so let’s get right into the best MLB pitcher and batter matchups.
For additional information on picks, props, moneylines, and more on today’s slate, take a look at our MLB Picks Page or our MLB Odds Page.
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MLB Pitcher Report | June 12
Yak City – Best MLB Pitchers to Target
Any day with Antonio Senzatela on the mound is a good day. Today, Senzatela will take the mound in the early afternoon, against the visiting San Francisco Giants. The Giants have won the first two games of this series and enter this matchup currently on a seven-game win streak and just a half game back of the Dodgers for first in the NL West.
Next, let’s talk about the way this Yankees team has lit it up in Kansas City. Through two games so far, the Yankees have scored 16 runs, recorded 24 hits, and this includes the five runs they scored on Bubic yesterday. Tonight it’ll be Seth Lugo on the mound, but he’s also struggled against this Yankee lineup.
Lastly, Jameson Taillon is holding opposing batters to a .210 batting average, but he’s had issues keeping those hits inside the park. His 1.9 HR/9 is among the worst of all regular starters in MLB and he’s given up 11 HR in just his last seven starts.
Weather Man, Weather Man – MLB Ballparks to Target
With fewer games today, it greatly decreases the amount of good weather games on the slate. Today’s best weather comes in the early afternoon matchup between the Rockies and Giants. It’s no surprise the best conditions for opposing hitters is coming in the altitude of the Rocky Mountains. Winds blowing outward with the altitude make for great conditions and hopefully a little extra carry for the baseball.
In Baltimore, we’ve got good conditions with the Orioles ready to finish their series against the Tigers. Both teams split the first two games of this series, with 19 runs scored between both teams. Tarik Skubal will get the nod against Dean Kremer for the O’s. Kremer is allowing opposing hitters to hit .283 on the year and he’s coming off a game in which he allowed eight hits, five earned runs, and no home runs.
Lastly, conditions look atrocious in Chicago. Wind blowing into the stadium with high temperatures and high humidity might make it tough to see home runs, but with Andrew Heaney and Jameson Taillon on the mound, we may still see our fair share of runs.
Our Best MLB Bets on the Diamond for Thursday, June 12
Paul Goldschmidt o1.5 Total Bases (+110 via BetOnline)
Paul Goldschmidt isn’t someone we’ve bet a lot this year, but just hear me out. Goldschmidt’s still finding his groove with the Yankees, but his struggles have mainly come at home, in Yankee Stadium.
On the road, Goldschmidt’s batting .384. Now compare that to the .220 batting average he’s recording at Yankee Stadium. Goldschmidt’s recorded 53 hits away from New York this year, 15 of which have been extra-base hits. That’s more than double the amount he’s recorded at home (24).
Goldy’s cleared this line in 14 of his last 20 road games, he’s currently batting .300 in this series, and .300 against the Royals this year. Against Lugo, Goldschmidt’s batting .571 through 14 at-bats, with eight hits, six singles, and two HR. Something about being out of the big city has done wonders for Goldschmidt’s game and I expect more of the same today.
Bonus: Paul Goldschmidt Home Run (+600)
Chicago Cubs -1.5 (+105 via BetOnline)
This one’s a little more chalk, it’s simply the Cubs by two tonight. The Cubs have been one of the funnest and biggest surprises of 2025 and today with Taillon taking the mound at home, I love for them to get a statement win. Heaney’s had his struggles against the Cubs’ lineup, allowing both Pete Crow-Armstrong and Carson Kelly to home run in their careers.
Taillon’s ERA also drops to 2.70 at home this year, allowing opposing batters to hit just .182 on the year and giving up just six of the 16 HR he’s allowed at Wrigley Field. He’s in a good spot to give the Cubs a quality start and the Cubbies’ bats will do the rest.
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