MLB Picks

MLB Picks: Wednesday, August 12

by
Jonathan Moreland
August 12, 2020

Happy Humpday to our Total Sports Picks community! To add some variety to your Wednesday, we’re going to change things up and provide quick picks for tonight’s games.

Let’s get after it!

Phillies -1.5 (+110)

Wade LeBlanc is a journeyman who has been hit hard more often than not over the course of his career. 2020 has been no exception and facing a solid Phillies lineup in the hitter-friendly confines of Citizen’s Bank Ballpark isn’t going to cure his early season ills. I think Zach Eflin gets plenty of run support, uses his kitchen-sink repertoire to hack together a quality start, and rack up a comfortable win.

Astros -1.5 (+100)

Zack Greinke is an ageless wonder. The Astros are beat up, but the Giants are far from formidable. Whether we see “good” or “bad’ Trevor Cahill shouldn’t matter, as he’s not expected to go deep into the game. Greinke grades out as one of the best starters on tonight’s slate and San Francisco’s bullpen as one to target. Pick the Astros to cover.

Twins (-134)

Kenta Maeda is the latest veteran starter to go from “good” to “great” with the Twins the past two seasons. The Brewers have scuffled at the plate and Christian Yelich, their all-universe anchor in the middle of their lineup, has been no exception. Minnesota feasted on southpaws in 2019 and Eric Lauer – a lefty with extreme fly-ball tendencies – should be in for a long night. Lock in the Twins to win.

Yankees -1.5 (+115)

This is more about who’s not playing than who is. The Braves will be without Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies tonight. While the Yankees will miss Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge, their lineup is still considerably deeper and more dangerous than what their opponent’s will trot out this evening. Masahiro Tanaka has tweaked his pitch mix and should be able to turn over a lead to New York’s shutdown bullpen. Atlanta’s bullpen – who will be both starting as well as ending this contest – will be the first to crack. Expect the Yankees to cover tonight in a superstar-less showdown.