MLB Best Bets For Today, 5/13 - Expert Picks, Predictions, & Props
With a full slate of MLB games on a Monday, it’s time to start the week off right with our MLB Best Bets and Prop Bets for today!
It’s been a wild 2024 MLB season thus far and the betting has been tight. Not only are we dealing with a rash of injuries to most of the top starting pitchers, but offense has been down across the board as well. That kind of combination makes things very difficult at times.
Not that we are struggling too badly with the betting, but we have to make sure we are staying with what we know and continue seeking out the betting lines and odds that provide us quality value. We’ve tried to tap into some of the full-game bets to help those with limited access to books, but again, we aren’t going to force things.
If we see a value that jumps out to us, that is one thing, but just take a look around MLB and tell me what bullpens you feel most excited about. Exactly. None. So just keep that in mind. If you are limited in what you can bet, focus on what is most available, even if it’s just prop bets. Forcing bets you don’t feel comfortable with is a first-class ticket to losing.
MLB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 5/13
Wrapping up last week, Friday was a solid day. Had I not totally whiffed on the Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Baltimore Orioles game, it would have been spectacular. Who knew Arizona would help keep Cole Irvin looking like Cy Young? My head is still spinning from that one.
But we hit almost everywhere else, and we turned a profit once again, so this week, we look to keep that momentum rolling, and there are a lot of bets I really like for today’s MLB predictions.
- Friday’s Record: 7-5
- Season Record: 117-95-3
- Bankroll: +11.40 units
*The betting odds will be provided alongside each of my MLB picks.
Pirates vs. Brewers Prediction: Monday, May 13
Despite a strong start against the Los Angeles Angels his last time out, we’re targeting another team against Mitch Keller. I was hoping to see some value on the under for his strikeouts prop, but the line is high and there’s too much juice on the under right now.
Instead, my MLB predictions focus on the Brewers hitting him around. There is strong familiarity here and I think we see some early runs scored. And if you’ve ever caught the MLB DFS Livestream, you know we love Willy Adames at home against a righty.
- Expert Pirates vs. Brewers Picks:
- Pittsburgh vs. Milwaukee First 5 Innings Total over 4.5 runs (-105 on BetMGM)
- Mitch Keller over 5.5 hits allowed (+105 on BetMGM)
- Willy Adames over 1.5 hits + runs +RBI (-120 on BetMGM)
Cardinals vs. Angels Prediction: Monday, May 13
How about a battle of the bottom-feeders with starting pitchers our MLB best bets love to target against? Cardinals lefty Matthew Liberatore has been pitching out of the bullpen primarily and will likely only throw for three innings, depending on the pitch-count and the number of runs scored. The Angels bats are surprisingly decent against southpaws (.319 wOBA) and they haven’t been striking out a ton lately.
The Angels are throwing righthander Jose Soriano who's on and off struggles have me excited about the early-game run total, but also thinking the Angels have a significant enough edge to take them on the early money line. The St. Louis bats continue to struggle, and the team has now lost seven of their last eight. Soriano has shown he can hold it together for a few innings and if he can just get to the fifth without being lit up, we’re set. And I’m confident enough to bet it!
- Expert Cardinals vs. Angels Picks:
- Los Angeles First 5 Innings Money Line (-110 on Bet365)
- St. Louis vs. Los Angeles First 5 Innings Total Runs over 4.5 (-110 on Bet365)
Rockies vs. Padres Prediction: Monday, May 13
Whether he’s pitching at home in Coors Field or on the road against a strong lineup, targeting against Dakota Hudson is a money-maker for MLB predictions most days. He pitches to way too much contact and now gets a Padres lineup that not only owns a .320 wOBA against righties, but they’re also posting a .322 BABIP which means they’re putting the ball in-play often.
Despite not scoring a ton of runs, the Padres have won eight of their last 11 and those wins have come against the Dodgers, Cubs and Reds. They should feast on Colorado here.
- Expert Rockies vs. Padres Picks:
- San Diego First 5 Innings Team Total over 2.5 runs (-125 on DraftKings)
- Jake Cronenworth over 1.5 total bases (+125 on DraftKings)
- Dakota Hudson under 15.5 outs recorded (-115 on Bet365)
Athletics vs. Astros Prediction: Monday, May 13
This is all about Ross Stripling versus Spencer Arrighetti – two of the most hittable pitchers in baseball right now. While Houston has had its struggles this year, their lefty bats shouldn’t have much trouble with Stripling who is allowing a .377 wOBA to lefthanded hitters this season. That number actually jumps to .381 on the road along with a .366 BABIP against.
Arrighetti is not much better. In fact, he just might actually be worse with his nightmarish wOBA splits. In fact, righties are actually beating him up worse right now, posting a .516 wOBA against him. Couple that with a 8.44 ERA and a massive 2.02 WHIP, and we should see some serious runs in this game to round out my MLB picks today.
- Expert Athletics vs. Astros Picks:
- Oakland vs. Houston over 8.5 total runs (-118 on FanDuel)
- Oakland vs. Houston First 5 Innings over 4.5 total runs (-120 on Bet365)
- Shea Langeliers over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI (-105 on BetMGM)
- Kyle Tucker over 1.5 total bases (+115 on BetMGM)
Best MLB Props For Today: May 13
- Graham Ashcraft under 4.5 strikeouts (-130 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Sixto Sanchez under 1.5 walks (-115 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
- Adley Rutschman over 1.5 total bases (+115 on DraftKings Sportsbook)