Best MLB Bets for Saturday Apr. 12 Games

• A full slate of MLB action awaits us this Saturday with several value opportunities
• The Guardians and Royals matchup features strong pitching and struggling offenses
• See my three best bets for today’s MLB action, including an underdog with tremendous value

A full slate of MLB action awaits us this Saturday, and I’ve identified three value plays that stand out on today’s card. Among my best bets is a +140 underdog in one of late-night Saturday matchups.

Let’s dive into these Saturday MLB game and break down my best bets for the Saturday, April. 12 slate.

Guardians vs Royals Best Bet: Under 7.5 Runs

The Cleveland Guardians host the Kansas City Royals for the second game of their weekend series at Progressive Field, and all signs point to another low-scoring affair. Yesterday’s series opener saw the Guardians blank the Royals 7-0, continuing a troubling offensive trend for Kansas City.

The Royals have struggled mightily at the plate this season, ranking 22nd overall in batting average at .218 with an on-base percentage of just .288 (25th in MLB). Even more concerning is their recent output – in their 14 games played so far this season, three have resulted in the Royals being shut out completely. Their offensive woes were on full display yesterday against Cleveland’s pitching staff.

On the mound for Kansas City will be right-hander Michael Lorenzen, who brings a respectable 3.18 ERA into this contest. Lorenzen has historically performed well against Cleveland, boasting a career 2-2 record with an impressive 1.87 ERA in 12 appearances against the Guardians. His ability to navigate this lineup efficiently should help keep the scoring in check.

The Guardians have shown how dominant their pitching can be against struggling offenses, and I expect that trend to continue today. With both teams featuring solid arms and at least one lineup that’s having serious trouble producing runs, the under looks like the smart play here.

• Pick: Guardians/Royals Under 7.5 Runs

All picks based on current lines at DraftKings Sportsbook (Apr. 12, 2025). Grab a DraftKings promo code to wager on these plays.

Pirates vs Reds Pick: Cincinnati ML (-125)

The Cincinnati Reds look to build on their series-opening win as they host the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park. After taking the first game 5-3, the Reds have momentum on their side and a favorable pitching matchup to exploit.

Left-hander Andrew Abbott takes the mound for Cincinnati after coming off the injured list. Last season, Abbott made 28 starts, posting a 9-10 record with a solid 3.87 ERA over 163.1 innings. He struck out 149 batters while limiting opponents to a .242 batting average. Abbott showed stretches of consistency throughout 2024 and demonstrated the ability to work deep into games.

What makes this matchup particularly appealing is the Pirates’ struggles against left-handed pitching. Pittsburgh’s offense has been anemic overall, ranking dead last in team batting average at .194. Their road batting average is slightly better at .205, but they’ve been especially ineffective during night games, hitting just .190.

The Reds have been more effective with runners in scoring position, which has helped them generate runs despite a team batting average of .206. At home, they’ve shown slight improvement with a .210 average. With home-field advantage and enough offensive capability to take advantage of Pittsburgh’s pitching, Cincinnati should come away with another win.

• Best Bet: Cincinnati Reds Moneyline (-125)

Rockies vs Padres Prediction: Colorado ML (+142)

My favorite value play of the day comes in San Diego, where the struggling Colorado Rockies face the red-hot Padres. While this might seem counterintuitive given their records (Padres 11-3, Rockies 3-10), there’s reason to believe Colorado offers tremendous value as a significant underdog.

Despite their overall struggles, the Rockies have shown flashes of power this season. Brenton Doyle has been a bright spot, leading the team with a .321 batting average, three home runs, and 12 RBI. Against a pitcher like Hart who has struggled with command, the Rockies’ bats could finally break through.

Our predictive model only favors the Padres slightly in this matchup, projecting a final score of San Diego 3.87, Colorado 3.38. While the Padres have been playing excellent baseball, this line appears to be an overreaction to recent results rather than an accurate assessment of today’s specific pitching matchup.

At +142, the Rockies offer tremendous value as underdogs with a legitimate chance to steal a game in this series.

• Pick: Colorado Rockies Moneyline (+142)

With the MLB season in full swing, baseball fans and bettors alike are looking for the best bets to make on Saturday’s games. Here are some top picks for the games on April 12th:

1. New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays: The Yankees have been on a hot streak to start the season, and they will be facing off against the Rays in what is sure to be a competitive game. With their strong lineup and solid pitching, the Yankees are a safe bet to come out on top in this matchup.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants: The Dodgers are one of the top teams in the league, and they will be facing off against the Giants in what should be an exciting game. With their powerful offense and strong pitching staff, the Dodgers are a good bet to win this game.

3. Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics: The Astros have been playing well to start the season, and they will be facing off against the Athletics in what should be a close game. With their strong lineup and solid pitching, the Astros are a good bet to come out on top in this matchup.

4. Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers: The Cubs are off to a strong start this season, and they will be facing off against the Brewers in what should be a competitive game. With their talented roster and solid pitching staff, the Cubs are a good bet to win this game.

5. Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies: The Braves have been playing well to start the season, and they will be facing off against the Phillies in what should be an exciting game. With their strong lineup and solid pitching, the Braves are a good bet to come out on top in this matchup.

Overall, these are just a few of the best MLB bets for Saturday’s games. As always, it’s important to do your own research and analysis before placing any bets. Good luck!