Thursday’s MLB Predictions and Betting Tips (May 13, 2021)

12 games are on tap on Thursday, starting with an interleague matchup in Atlanta at 12:20 pm local time. A couple of aces battle in out in Milwaukee, while Carlos Rodon looks to stay perfect and keep the good vibes rolling in Chicago.

You’ll hear more about these particular games by scrolling down to my best MLB picks of the day. First, here’s a glance at my MLB predictions for the entire slate.

It’s unlikely to be a pitching duel in Atlanta, but rather somewhat of a slugfest. It’s the Phillies turn to knock Patrick Corbin around – more on that game in a bit.

I have no interest in touching the game in Detroit featuring two of the worst teams in baseball. Don’t be fooled by the Royals’ respectable record – only the Tigers and Pirates have a worse run differential.

I like St. Louis and Chicago to win their respective games behind stalwart pitching performances. The price in Pittsburgh is appetizing enough to hop on the Buccos train. The same goes for the Rays in a home game versus the Yankees.

While I’m not compelled to bet on all of these MLB predictions, a handful of contests have caught my attention. Five, to be exact.

Grab your phone and take a snapshot of the screen – it might be the last time you’ll see Jack Flaherty in “plus-money” territory for quite a while. The league’s first six-game winner has been dynamite all season long, leading the Redbirds to a 7-0 record in the 7 games he’s started.

Flaherty aims at the National League’s worst-hitting team on Thursday in a game that Corbin Burnes is almost certainly going to be restricted to a limited pitch count. Sitting at +119, I feel obligated to get some money down on the Cardinals.

Looking for another hot pitcher to ride without laying any juice? Look no further than Sean Manaea. The 29-year-old lefty took a no-hitter into the eighth inning last Friday against the Rays on his way to guiding the A’s to their sixth straight victory in games he’s been on the bump. Manaea has struck out 15 batters and walked just one across his last 12.1 innings as he continues to impress his manager.

Pencil the Athletics as one of the top MLB upset picks on Thursday.

According to the stats, Toronto and Atlanta are two of the 10-best offenses in baseball. On paper, I’d say both carry top-5 lineups. Blue Jays starter Ross Stripling boasts a 6.61 ERA and is averaging fewer than 4.1 innings per start. The good news for the Jays is Charlie Morton has been worse.

11 or more runs have been scored in each of Morton’s last three starts – Charlie looked lost last time out against the Phillies and failed to get out of the first inning.

Did I mention that the “over” is 13-4-1 in games played at Truist Park?

Target Philadelphia in their tussle in Washington and don’t look back. Over 100 pitchers have started at least seven games this season. Here’s the full list of the guys who have logged at least six innings in all of their starts.

The end.

Eflin’s rocking a stupendous 42/3 K/BB ratio and is quietly putting together an All-Star worthy campaign. On the flip side, Patrick Corbin’s nightmarish 2020 season has bled into 2021. The 31-year-old southpaw is 1-3 with a 7.36 ERA. His strikeout rate (15.3%) is the lowest of his nine-year career.

In case you aren’t in tune with what Carlos Rodon has been up to, allow me to fill you in.

20 Ks and 1 walk over his last two starts and a sizzling 0.677 WHIP this season. Frankly, I’d lay -160 on the Chi Sox this evening and still feel good about the situation. Getting in at -133 makes me want to pounce with a few more units than normal.