MLB Predictions for April 13, 2025 – Expert Betting Picks for Today’s Games

It’s a loaded Sunday on April 13, 2025, with 15 MLB games on the slate. Below we break down each matchup with pitching showdowns, betting odds (moneylines and over/unders), team momentum, and expert betting recommendations. Whether you’re looking for moneyline values, over/under leans, or just insight into today’s MLB action, we’ve got you covered. Our analysis is informed by top-ranked handicappers (such as those on Kingpin Sports Picks) to give you confidence in our best bets. Let’s dive into today’s MLB predictions, and stick around for the FAQ section and SEO meta info at the end for quick answers and search-friendly details.

MLB Best Bets:

MLB Predictions April 13, 2025 – Expert Picks & Best Bets for Today’s 15 Games

NHL Best Bets:

NHL Picks & Predictions April 13, 2025 – Expert Bets & Best Odds Breakdown

NBA Best Bets

Soccer Best Bets

April 14 Soccer Predictions & Best Bets – Premier League, Serie A, La Liga Picks Today

==============

🔥 Join Kingpin and follow the top bettors beating the books! Get exclusive picks from **LM Tipster** (+45 units, 18% ROI), **Billy Locks** (+52 units, 20% ROI) and **BambinoBets** (+60 units, 22% ROI). Download the Kingpin app for Android or iOS now and start tailing their winning plays today!

==============

Check out these articles for winning picks:

San Francisco Giants vs. New York Yankees Prediction (April 13, 2025)

Pitching Matchup: Logan Webb (SF) vs. Carlos Rodón (NYY) – Line: NYY -120, Over/Under: 7.5
Analysis: This interleague matinee features two teams off to contrasting starts. The Giants (10-4) have been hot, led by a red-hot offense (Wilmer Flores has 19 RBIs and a .302 average already), while the Yankees (8-6) have been more up-and-down. New York’s bats woke up in an 8-4 win on Saturday, with Cody Bellinger and Jasson Dominguez breaking out of slumps. On the mound, San Francisco ace Logan Webb (1-0, 1.89 ERA) has been dominant through three starts, and he’s coming off 7 scoreless innings with 10 Ks in his last outing. The Yankees counter with lefty Carlos Rodón (1-2, 5.19 ERA) who has struggled lately (9 runs over his last 2 starts). Rodón did strike out 12 Giants back in 2023, but consistency has eluded him early this season.

Betting Outlook: Despite Webb’s brilliance, the Yankees are slight -120 favorites at home, indicating the market’s respect for their lineup and home-field edge. New York’s offense is potent (Aaron Judge already with 6 HRs) and could challenge Webb more than most teams have. Still, the Giants have won 10 of 14 and won’t be intimidated. This feels like a toss-up, but we lean Yankees due to their momentum from Saturday and Rodón’s motivation to beat his former team. For the total, 7.5 is low – but note Webb’s games have mostly stayed under. Given Rodón’s recent shakiness and the Yankees’ tendency to go over (Yankees games have gone over in 9 of 14 so far), we’ll lean Over 7.5 runs.

Recommended Bet: Yankees -120 and Over 7.5 (projected score 5-4 NY). New York’s offense should do just enough at home to back a solid (if unspectacular) Rodón outing.

==============

==============

MLB Best Bets:

MLB Predictions April 13, 2025 – Expert Picks & Best Bets for Today’s 15 Games

NHL Best Bets:

NHL Picks & Predictions April 13, 2025 – Expert Bets & Best Odds Breakdown

NBA Best Bets

NBA Best Bets & Predictions April 13, 2025 – Full Game Previews & Expert Picks

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles Prediction (April 13, 2025)

Pitching Matchup: José Berríos (TOR) vs. Cade Povich (BAL) – Line: BAL -130, Over/Under: 8.5
Analysis: The Orioles pulled off a dramatic 5-4 comeback win on Saturday, rallying after being no-hit into the 5th inning. That win snapped a slow start for Baltimore (now 6-8), who had struggled to score before Heston Kjerstad, Adley Rutschman, and Cedric Mullins powered the turnaround. Mullins, in particular, remains clutch – he’s 7-for-12 with RISP this year. Baltimore sends young lefty Cade Povich (0-1, 3.48 ERA) to the mound. Povich deserved better in his last start (6 IP, 1 ER) but has historically struggled against Toronto (0-2, 8.38 ERA in two starts). The visiting Blue Jays (8-7) have been inconsistent, alternating win streaks and slumps. Right-hander José Berríos (1-1, 4.58 ERA) is coming off a gem (7 IP, 1 R in a win at Boston) and owns the O’s in his career (10-2, 3.31 ERA). Toronto’s offense (led by Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette) has been quiet in this series, scoring just 4 runs in the lone game played (Friday’s opener was rained out). They average only 3.0 runs on the road so far.

Betting Outlook: The Orioles are slight favorites at -130, likely due to home-field and Saturday’s momentum. However, there’s a strong case for Toronto as an underdog. Berríos has dominated Baltimore historically and looked sharp last outing, whereas Povich is unproven and the Jays typically hit lefties well. Baltimore’s lineup showed life, but note they had been shut out for 15 innings before that outburstr. We think this is a prime spot for the Blue Jays to bounce back and steal the finale. Grab Toronto at the plus-money price. As for the total (8.5), the Jays and O’s have trended under in this shortened series (5-4 game stayed just under). Berríos can neutralize Baltimore, and if Povich avoids big mistakes the score may stay moderate. Lean Under 8.5.

Recommended Bet: Blue Jays +110 (underdog) and Under 8.5. Toronto’s veteran arm and righty-heavy lineup give them the edge; something like a 5-3 Jays win feels right.

==============

==============

Atlanta Braves vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction (April 13, 2025)

Pitching Matchup: Chris Sale (ATL) vs. Shane Baz (TB) – Line: ATL -125, Over/Under: 7.5
Analysis: It’s been an eventful first two games in this interleague series. On Friday, the Rays’ offense exploded for 14 runs in a blowout win, but on Saturday the Braves answered with a dramatic comeback – Michael Harris II launched a two-run homer in the 9th to give Atlanta a 5-4 victory. The Rays’ bats were stifled in Game 2, as Angels lefty Tyler Anderson no-hit them into the 5th inning. So which version of Tampa’s lineup will show up Sunday? The Braves (9-5) have shown resilience and bring a balanced attack (Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, and rookie OF Tyler Whitaker all contributing). They’ll start veteran lefty Chris Sale, who at 36 is looking reborn in a new Braves uniform. Sale is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA through two starts and still racking up strikeouts. The Rays (8-6) counter with talented youngster Shane Baz. Baz (0-1, 4.09 ERA) is making just his third start since returning from injury; he has electric stuff but limited MLB experience. Atlanta’s lineup is a tough test – they’re top 5 in runs and just tagged Tampa’s bullpen for a late collapse. Keep an eye on the Rays’ newcomer Danny Jansen (acquired this offseason), who homered and drove in 4 on Friday.

Betting Outlook: The Braves are slight -125 favorites on the road, reflecting their status as a top-tier team. We agree – Atlanta has the edge in starting pitching here, as Sale’s experience and current form likely trump Baz’s inexperience. The Rays are formidable at home, but they’ve been inconsistent and could be a bit deflated after Saturday’s blown lead. We like the Braves to win a close one and take the series. For the over/under, 7.5 is modest. Sale isn’t the untouchable ace of years past, and Baz could easily give up a few runs if his control wavers. Both offenses are capable of eruptions (we saw 19 total runs Friday). Still, with Tampa’s offense looking anemic Saturday and facing Sale, and Atlanta also facing a high-upside arm, we lean slightly to Under 7.5 (especially if Tampa’s bullpen, one of MLB’s best, gets involved early).

Recommended Bet: Braves -125. Also consider Under 7.5 runs. Atlanta to win 4-3 in a tense rubber match, as veteran savvy on the mound wins out.

==============

==============

Kansas City Royals vs. Cleveland Guardians Prediction (April 13, 2025)

Pitching Matchup: Cole Ragans (KC) vs. Ben Lively (CLE) – Line: KC -135, Over/Under: 7.5
Analysis: Don’t be fooled by the records – despite Cleveland owning this series so far, oddsmakers favor the Royals behind their young ace. The Guardians have quietly won five straight games, including the first two of this set, and are seeking a home sweep. Kansas City, meanwhile, has dropped 5 of 7 and is struggling at the plate (team batting just .216). The bright spot for the Royals is Cole Ragans. The lefty has been lights-out after a shaky Opening Day: over his last two starts, he’s allowed just 2 earned runs and struck out 21 in 11 innings. Ragans (0-0, 2.81 ERA) has ace-level stuff and even garnered Cy Young votes in 2024. However, Cleveland has given him trouble in the past – the Royals are 1-3 in Ragans’ starts vs. CLE, and he’s 0-2, 5.79 ERA in those games. The Guardians will send Ben Lively (1-1, 4.40 ERA) to the hill. The right-hander has been serviceable: he gave up 3 runs (on a homer by Vinnie Pasquantino) in 5 innings against KC on Opening Day, then was hit around in San Diego, but bounced back with 5 scoreless in his last start. Cleveland’s offense is nothing flashy but they’ve done just enough, highlighted by José Ramírez and an emerging Josh Naylor. KC’s lineup remains inconsistent – Pasquantino homered Saturday, but they managed only 3 runs while striking out 10 times against a rookie pitcher.

Betting Outlook: The Royals are -135 favorites on the road, a nod to Ragans’ brilliance. This sets up as a potential “avoid the sweep” spot for Kansas City. We’re inclined to trust Ragans to rise to the occasion; he’s been “Cy Young stuff” lately (in teammate Bobby Witt Jr.’s words). However, run support is a concern – KC has scored just 8 runs total in Ragans’ three starts. Cleveland’s lineup doesn’t scare anyone, so this could be a low-scoring duel. We’ll side with the Royals to win a tight one, but it might be sweat. The Under 7.5 is an attractive play as well – KC starters have a 2.92 ERA through 15 games, and Cleveland’s staff has mostly contained the light-hitting Royals. Expect a 3-2 type game.

Recommended Bet: Royals -135 and Under 7.5 runs. Look for Ragans to pitch Kansas City to a 3-2 victory, snapping Cleveland’s win streak in a pitcher’s duel.

==============

==============

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction (April 13, 2025)

Pitching Matchup: Carmen Mlodzinski (PIT) vs. Hunter Greene (CIN) – Line: CIN -190, Over/Under: 7.5
Analysis: The Reds are rolling and will look to complete a sweep of their NL Central rivals. Cincinnati has taken the first two games (5-3 and 5-2) behind timely hitting and superior pitching. On Saturday, Elly De La Cruz crushed a go-ahead grand slam to break the game open, signaling that the Reds’ phenom is emerging from an early slump. The Pirates’ offense, meanwhile, has sputtered with just 5 runs in two games at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. Things won’t get easier against Hunter Greene. The Reds’ fireballer has been dominant out of the gate: 1-1 with a 1.31 ERA, averaging double-digit strikeouts per nine. Greene can touch 100+ mph and has mostly silenced opponents (Cincy is 2-1 in his starts). Pittsburgh counters with an unproven arm in Carmen Mlodzinski. The right-hander is 1-1 with a 5.19 ERA in limited action and is more known as a reliever – this might be a bullpen game for Pittsburgh. The talent gap on the mound is significant. Offensively, the Reds are finding contributions from up and down the lineup (rookie Noelvi Marte and veteran Joey Votto have chipped in), whereas the Pirates rely heavily on Ke’Bryan Hayes and Oneil Cruz (who homered Friday but has had little help).

Betting Outlook: It’s no surprise the Reds are hefty -190 favorites at home. Cincinnati has won 5 of its last 6 and looks clearly superior in this matchup. There’s not much value on the moneyline at that price, so consider the Reds -1.5 run line to extract better odds – each of the Reds’ wins this series has been by 2+ runs. For the total (7.5), caution is advised. Greene could easily shut Pittsburgh down (the Bucs have been limited to 2 or fewer runs in 3 of their last 4 games), which leans Under. However, if the Reds tee off on the inexperienced Mlodzinski and Pittsburgh’s bullpen, they might cover this number on their own. Given Greene’s excellence and the Pirates’ offensive woes, we lean Under 7.5 – something like a 5-1 or 5-2 Reds win fits.

Recommended Bet: Reds -1.5 (Run Line). Cincinnati is a strong play to win comfortably; a 5-2 victory is our call, keeping the Under 7.5 in play as well. (Note: The Reds’ moneyline of -190 is parlay material if you don’t like run lines.)

==============

==============

Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins Prediction (April 13, 2025)

Pitching Matchup: MacKenzie Gore (WSH) vs. Cal Quantrill (MIA) – Line: WSH -135, Over/Under: 7.5
Analysis: Don’t look now, but the Nationals are playing confident baseball. Washington has won 5 of its last 7 and is aiming for a series win in Miami. The Nats took Friday’s opener 7-4, then dropped a 7-6 slugfest Saturday, setting up this rubber match. MacKenzie Gore gets the nod for D.C., and he’s been one of the NL’s strikeout leaders. Gore (1-1, 2.65 ERA) entered the weekend tied for second in MLB with 25 strikeouts, averaging an eye-popping 13.2 K/9. The young lefty has already notched a 13-K game (on Opening Day vs. PHI) and beat the Dodgers in his second start. When Gore is on, he’s looked like the front-line arm the Nats hoped for in the Juan Soto trade. Opposing him is Cal Quantrill (1-1, 6.00 ERA) for Miami. Quantrill has had a bumpy transition to the Marlins after coming over from Cleveland; he’s been hittable in his first two outings. The right-hander does have a solid track record overall and comes in on 7 days’ rest, but his career numbers vs. Washington are underwhelming (0-1, 4.24 ERA in 3 starts). Offensively, the Marlins got a rare big night Saturday (7 runs) thanks in part to Jean Segura and Jazz Chisholm Jr., but they’ve generally struggled to score (ranking bottom-5 in runs). The Nationals have been surprisingly feisty with the bats – even without star CJ Abrams (hip, IL), they plated 6 runs in the loss Saturday. Watch for Joey Meneses and Lane Thomas to keep leading the way.

Betting Outlook: The Nationals are favored at -135 on the road, a testament to Gore’s emergence as a staff ace. We like Washington in this spot. Gore’s swing-and-miss stuff should play well against a Miami lineup prone to strikeouts and lacking depth. Meanwhile, the Nats have been the more consistent offense in this series. Back Washington to winand take the series 2-1. The total is set at 7.5, and a case can be made for the Under – Gore could easily throw a gem, and the Marlins have seen 6 of their last 8 games stay under. However, Saturday’s 13-run outburst shows neither bullpen is infallible. We’ll still lean Under 7.5, expecting Gore to go 6+ strong and a final around 5-2 or 5-3.

Recommended Bet: Nationals -135. Washington has the edge with Gore on the hill. Also consider Under 7.5 runs, as Gore could dominate and Quantrill should improve enough to keep the score reasonable.

==============

==============

Los Angeles Angels vs. Houston Astros Prediction (April 13, 2025)

Pitching Matchup: Kyle Hendricks (LAA) vs. Hayden Wesneski (HOU) – Line: HOU -160, Over/Under: 8.5
Analysis: The first two games in this AL West set have been polar opposites. On Friday, Houston’s offense went nuclear in a 14-3 win, but on Saturday the Angels flipped the script with a 4-1 victory as Tyler Anderson stymied the Astros’ bats. Thus, we get a rubber game on Sunday between two playoff hopefuls. The Astros (7-7) send Hayden Wesneski to the mound. Wesneski (0-1, 3.75 ERA) has quietly been effective since coming over to Houston – in 12 innings he’s posted a 0.67 WHIP and held opponents to a .122 average. He was dominant early in his last start, retiring 14 of the first 15 hitters he faced, and overall has looked sharp. Interestingly, Wesneski has history against the Angels – as a rookie with the Cubs, he threw 6.1 scoreless one-hit innings to beat L.A. last year. The visiting Angels (8-6) will counter with veteran Kyle Hendricks. Hendricks (0-0, 1.64 ERA) has been a great pickup for Anaheim – in two starts he’s allowed just 2 runs over 11 innings. The crafty right-hander relies on finesse and has thus far kept hitters off-balance (only 1 HR allowed). Hendricks hasn’t faced Houston since 2019, so this lineup is mostly unfamiliar to him. At the plate, the Angels are led by Mike Trout (who hit his 6th homer in Friday’s loss), but they’ve been inconsistent beyond him. The Astros feature a deep lineup (Altuve, Tucker, Bregman) that was oddly quiet Saturday – they managed just 3 hits and were no-hit for 5 innings. Notably, Houston has dominated this matchup recently, going 7-1 in the last 8 meetings with L.A..

Betting Outlook: Houston is a -160 favorite at home, and we tend to agree with that pricing. The Astros rarely stay cold for long – after being held to 1 run, expect a focused effort Sunday. Wesneski’s strong start and Houston’s track record versus the Angels (and at home) suggest the Astros have the upper hand. We recommend Houston -160 to win. If the juice is too high, consider Houston on the -1.5 run line; their wins are often by multiple runs when the offense clicks. For the total, 8.5 runs is about fair. With two pitch-to-contact starters, there will be balls in play – which could lead to runs if hitters find gaps. The Astros erupted for 14 on Friday, and the Angels can contribute a few as well. We lean Over 8.5, anticipating a 6-4 type game. (It’s worth noting the over is 4-1 in Houston’s last 5 home games.)

Recommended Bet: Astros -160. Houston’s lineup and home crowd should get to Hendricks eventually and support Wesneski. We also like Over 8.5 runs as a secondary play, given the offensive talent on both sides (especially if Houston’s bats rediscover Friday’s form).

==============

==============

Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox Prediction (April 13, 2025)

Pitching Matchup: Garrett Crochet (BOS) vs. Shane Smith (CHW) – Line: BOS -235, Over/Under: 6.5
Analysis: It’s been a shocking series on the South Side, where the struggling White Sox have taken the first two games. Chicago’s 3-2 walk-off win on Saturday gave them their first back-to-back wins of the seasonand also clinched their first series victory. Boston, conversely, has now lost 5 of its last 6 games and finds itself desperate to avoid a sweep. The Red Sox will turn to left-hander Garrett Crochet, who has been nothing short of stellar. Crochet (1-1, 1.45 ERA) has transitioned into Boston’s rotation seamlessly, allowing a .143 opponents’ average so far. The flame-throwing southpaw can overwhelm hitters, and he’ll be eager to silence his former club (the White Sox traded him this offseason). Chicago’s lineup has struggled mightily overall – they were shut out Friday, scored just 3 runs Saturday, and rank near the bottom of MLB in runs per game. However, Luis Robert Jr. and rookie Brooks Baldwin delivered in the clutch in Game 2, and perhaps that sparks some confidence. The White Sox will hand the ball to Shane Smith, a rookie right-hander making his first MLB start (the “?” around his stats speaks volumes). Smith was a mid-level prospect; expect a heavy dose of bullpen behind him. Notably, the White Sox used several relievers Friday and Saturday, so depth could be a concern if Smith struggles early. Boston’s offense, which was shut down by Martin Perez and the Chicago bullpen in consecutive nights, still features Rafael Devers, Masataka Yoshida, and top prospect Ceddanne Rafaela (who hit an RBI triple Saturday). They are due for a breakout.

Betting Outlook: The Red Sox are major -235 favorites despite being on the road and down 0-2 in the series. Oddsmakers clearly trust the pitching mismatch, and so do we. This feels like a “get-right” game for Boston, with Crochet likely dominating and the bats facing a very inexperienced pitcher. It’s hard to lay -235 straight, so consider Boston on the -1.5 run line or even -2.5 for plus odds. The total is an extremely low 6.5, reflecting the expectation that Chicago won’t score much off Crochet. Boston could cover this number themselves if their offense finally wakes up, but given their recent struggles and the unknown of how long Smith can keep it close, we cautiously lean Under 6.5. This could be a 5-1 type of game with Crochet going 6-7 scoreless. (If you’re uncomfortable with such a low total, it might be a stay-away – the safer play is riding the heavy favorite.)

Recommended Bet: Red Sox -1.5 (Boston to win by 2+). We expect a focused Boston team to back Crochet and salvage a win, perhaps 5-1. The Under 6.5 is viable given Chicago’s anemic offense, but beware late runs if bullpens tire.

==============

==============

Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins Prediction (April 13, 2025)

Pitching Matchup: Casey Mize (DET) vs. Simeon Woods Richardson (MIN) – Line: MIN -120, Over/Under: 8.5
Analysis: The AL Central rivals meet in the series finale after a rollercoaster couple of games. The Tigers blanked the Twins 4-0 on Friday behind top prospect Jackson Jobe’s first MLB win (and a Jackson Jobe grand slam), but the Twins responded by sweeping a Saturday doubleheader, including a 5-4 walk-off win in the nightcap (scoring five in the 9th). Momentum swung back to Minnesota after that dramatic comeback. Now, the spotlight shifts to the pitchers. Casey Mize (DET) has been nothing short of outstanding in his return from injury. Mize is 2-0 with a microscopic 0.77 ERA in three starts, showing ace-like command and poise. In 11.2 innings, he’s struck out 15 and walked just 2, and the Tigers have won each of his starts. He’ll be opposed by young Simeon Woods Richardson for the Twins. “SWR” is 0-1 with a bloated 5.59 ERA so far – the 22-year-old righty has had some growing pains in his first extended MLB action. That said, Woods Richardson was a top prospect and the Twins believe in his talent; he pitched well in AAA and is capable of better than he’s shown. Offensively, the Tigers are powered by rookie sensation Jackson Chourio (yes, the Brewersformer prospect – he was part of a trade and already has 5 HR for Detroit). Detroit, however, can be feast-or-famine with a lot of youth in the lineup. The Twins have star Byron Buxton sidelined (nagging injury), so they’ve leaned on youngsters like Alex Kirilloff and veterans like Carlos Correa. Minnesota’s five-run 9th Saturday was their first runs of the series (they had been shut out for 17 innings prior), which could spark their bats.

Betting Outlook: The Twins are slight -120 favorites at home, but this might be a spot to grab the Tigers as an underdog. Detroit has the clear edge in the pitching matchup given Mize’s current form. Moreover, blowing a big lead Saturday could either deflate the young Tigers or motivate them to bounce back behind their ace – we’re betting on the latter. Take Detroit +110 or so on the moneyline for value. For the total (8.5), much depends on Woods Richardson. If he struggles again, Detroit could put up a crooked number. But if he settles in and Mize continues dealing, this could be a low-score affair. Considering Mize hasn’t allowed more than 1 run in a start yet, we lean Under 8.5. The Tigers aren’t a high-scoring team generally, and the Twins have been inconsistent at the plate. A 5-2 or 5-3 type game seems plausible.

Recommended Bet: Tigers +110 (upset special). We trust Casey Mize to outduel the rookie and help Detroit snag a win, say 5-3. That score would keep it Under 8.5, which we also lean towards in this one.

==============

==============

Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals Prediction (April 13, 2025)

Pitching Matchup: Zack Wheeler (PHI) vs. Matthew Liberatore (STL) – Line: PHI -185, Over/Under: 7.5
Analysis: A National League showdown wraps up in St. Louis on Sunday. The Phillies have taken the first two games (8-3 and 4-1) and look for the sweep under the Arch. Philadelphia’s pitching induced 5 double plays in a 4-1 win Saturday (talk about pitching to contact!). Now they send their ace, Zack Wheeler, to finish the job. Wheeler (1-0, 3.44 ERA) has been solid in three starts and is a workhorse who’s logged at least 6 innings in two of them. He’ll face a Cardinals lineup that, without longtime star Paul Goldschmidt (now with NYY), has leaned on Nolan Arenado and young slugger Jordan Walker. The Cards managed just 1 run on 6 hits in Game 2 and haven’t solved Philly pitching yet. St. Louis turns to Matthew Liberatore, a talented lefty still trying to establish himself. Liberatore (0-1, 5.84 ERA) has made two starts – one rough, one decent – and will have his hands full with a Phillies lineup that mashes lefties. Trea Turner, Nick Castellanos, and J.T. Realmuto all have good track records vs southpaws. Liberatore did pitch 6 innings in each of his starts this year, so stamina isn’t an issue, but he must avoid the big inning. Keep an eye on Kyle Schwarber (PHI); the ex-Cub loves hitting in St. Louis and homered Friday. The Cardinals (5-8) have had a tough time replacing lost offense and might press here to avoid a sweep on home turf.

Betting Outlook: Philadelphia is a -185 favorite on the road, which speaks to their advantages in both pitching and current form. It’s hard to argue against the Phillies to win – Wheeler is the far more proven entity, and Philly has all the momentum. If you don’t want to lay -185, the Phillies -1.5 run line is a viable option (their two wins in this series have been by 5 and 3 runs). As for total, 7.5 runs feels a touch low but reasonable given Wheeler on the mound. The Cardinals have scored only 5 runs total in their last three games. Meanwhile, the Phillies might have to do most of the scoring to hit an over. We’re inclined to take the Under 7.5, expecting Wheeler to go deep and suppress the Cards. Perhaps the Phillies win 5-2, just under the number. One X-factor: if Liberatore gets knocked out early and the Cards’ bullpen (which has been shaky) gets involved, the Phils could push it over. Still, the safer play is under.

Recommended Bet: Phillies -185 (or Phillies -1.5). It’s a chalk play, but backing Wheeler and this lineup is the right move. We predict a 5-2 Phillies win, staying Under 7.5 runs.

==============

==============

New York Mets vs. Oakland Athletics Prediction (April 13, 2025)

Pitching Matchup: Kodai Senga (NYM) vs. Luis Severino (OAK) – Line: NYM -150, Over/Under: 9.5
Analysis: Even in mid-April, this matchup has a bit of a “dog days” vibe, as the rebuilding A’s host the star-studded but underperforming Mets. The Mets (7-7) have split the first two games in Oakland: they dropped Friday’s contest 6-5 in extra innings but bounced back with a convincing 8-3 win on Saturday. New York’s offense finally showed signs of life as Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor both homered in Game 2. They’ll look to keep it going against a familiar face: Luis Severino. The former Yankee Severino (0-1, 6.30 ERA) signed with Oakland and is trying to regain his form. So far, he’s had one decent start and one blow-up, and the concern is his velocity isn’t what it used to be. The Mets will send Kodai Senga to the hill. Senga (1-1, 4.15 ERA) brings his dancing “ghost fork” to a very pitcher-friendly park. He’s been up and down, but facing Oakland’s lineup could be a recipe for success – the A’s are near the bottom of MLB in batting average and have a lot of swing-and-miss in their lineup. One key factor: Senga has struggled a bit with walks; even the patient but punchless A’s will capitalize if he gives free passes. Offensively, Oakland relies on youngsters like Zack Gelof and Shea Langeliers, but they’ve averaged under 3.5 runs/game. The Mets, by contrast, have big names but had been slumping before Saturday – that outburst might indicate positive regression. Keep an eye on Starling Marte as a catalyst atop NY’s lineup.

Betting Outlook: The Mets are -150 favorites on the road, which actually feels a bit light given the disparity in talent. This might be one of those games where the public loads up on New York, and frankly, it’s hard to go the other way. The Mets have the edge in hitting, starting pitching, and even bullpen. Unless Severino turns back the clock in a big way, the A’s will be in trouble. We’re backing Mets -150 to win. For the over/under, oddsmakers set a relatively high total (9.5) perhaps expecting the Mets to score in bunches or Senga to issue some walks leading to runs. Oakland’s offense doesn’t inspire confidence to hit an over without help. Senga could very well go 6 innings of 1-run ball. The question is will the Mets knock around Severino? Given Severino’s form and the fact that the Mets hitters are seeing the ball better (and also that Oakland’s bullpen is one of the worst in baseball), we lean Over 9.5. Something like Mets 7, A’s 3 could be in store, hitting double-digit runs.

Recommended Bet: Mets -150. This is a game New York should take care of if they fancy themselves contenders. We also lean Over 9.5, expecting the Mets to potentially cover that themselves if their stars tee off on Oakland pitching.

==============

==============

Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres Prediction (April 13, 2025)

Pitching Matchup: Kyle Freeland (COL) vs. Michael King (SD) – Line: SD -240, Over/Under: 7.5
Analysis: It’s been total domination by San Diego so far in this series. The Padres have shut out the Rockies in back-to-back games (8-0 Friday, 2-0 Saturday), showcasing their pitching depth and bringing their season shutout count to 5 already. Fernando Tatis Jr. and newcomer Jason Heyward each homered in Saturday’s 2-0 win, providing just enough offense. The Rockies’ normally potent lineup (even away from Coors) has looked helpless, managing only 7 hits combined over the last two games. Now Colorado turns to veteran lefty Kyle Freeland to play stopper. Freeland (0-2, 3.79 ERA) actually hasn’t pitched poorly – he’s kept the Rockies in games, but has zero run support to show for it. Notably, Freeland tossed 6 scoreless innings his last start at Petco Park (in 2024), so he’s capable of taming San Diego. The Padres will start Michael King, who has been a revelation. King (2-0, 4.05 ERA) joined San Diego as part of the offseason revamp (after a stint with the Yankees) and has impressed. Don’t be fooled by the ERA – one rough inning skews it. In fact, the Padres are 3-0 in King’s starts, and he struck out 11 in his last home start at Petco. He’s a strike-thrower (0.67 WHIP) and has handled this Rockies lineup before (King faced Colorado once in relief last year, blanking them). Offensively, the Padres might only need a few runs if King continues the pitching staff’s groove. Tatis is red-hot (4 HR already, hitting safely in 11 of 14 games) and the Padres have gotten contributions from up and down the lineup (even backup outfielder Luis Campusano had a 3-hit game Friday). For the Rockies, C.J. Cron and Kris Bryant need to figure something out – they&

Kingpin PRO

Follow ranked bettors with tracked cards

This article is free analysis. PRO unlocks today’s verified bettor inventory and alerts.

See bettor cards

Simulated results. Entertainment only. Gambling involves risk.

Methodology and disclosure

Historical Kingpin articles preserve original body copy, authors, and publication dates. Structured pick or odds modules appear only when the source article provides them.

Kingpin PRO

Continue with Kingpin PRO

Transparent simulated records. Entertainment only.

Start free trial

Get the app

Simulated results. Entertainment only. Gambling involves risk.