Let's finish off the week with some winners.
I'm looking to go 2-0 in tonight's MLB expert picks, so I'm targeting some of the best teams in baseball for April 12th. Here are my two MLB expert picks for today's games:
MLB Expert Picks: April 12th, 2024
You can jump directly to today's picks here:
Pick 1: Braves -1.5 (-106) vs Marlins
Matchup Preview - Game Time: 7:10 pm ET
The Marlins cannot hit left-handed pitchers. They've got just two homers against lefties this year (in 214 at-bats) and rock MLB's worst team OPS against southpaws (.462).
So, with the Marlins drawing one of the toughest lefties in baseball today in Max Fried, I don't think they're going to fare very well. Fried hasn't been great so far this season, allowing 10 earned runs across his first two starts. But now, he gets to face the Marlins.
Pick 2: Astros (-136) vs Rangers
Matchup Preview - Game Time: 8:10 pm ET
The Astros are floundering to start the season, losing three-straight games to the Kansas City Royals, including back-to-back nine-plus run losses. I think they'll get back on track today.
The key here is Houston's historical success against Rangers SP Dane Dunning. In 81 career at-bats against Dunning, current Astros hitters are batting .309 with a .875 OPS. On the flip side, Astros starter JP France has been particularly consistent this year. He's delivered Houston exactly 5.2 innings of three-run ball in both his starts this season. So if the Astros bats can get going, they should win.
