MLB Expert Picks for Thursday, August 13: No Interest in Nola

18 teams in action on this Thursday with about half the slate being played in the afternoon. I have my eye on two games involving NL East teams that I am looking to fade. One of those teams is playing tonight in the Field of Dreams Game!

Let's dive into my MLB best bets for Thursday, August 13th.

MLB Best Bets for Thursday, August 13

• Cubs Run Line -1.5 (+115 at Lucky Rebel)
• Twins ML (-109 at Lucky Rebel)

Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals

Kevin Gausman will make his his second start today for the Cubs since being acquired at the trade deadline. In his first start last Friday he went 7 innings, gave up 4 hits and 2 earned runs. He was terrific and I think he is going to pitch great in these next couple months for the Cubs.

Gausman has had a better year than the numbers have indicated. He had a 3.38 ERA in the month of April and a 3.18 ERA in the month of May. It was the months of June and July that really hurt him with an ERA over 6. So far in August, the ERA is back down to 2.13 and I think the change of scenery will do him good.

It has to be such a mental boost for a pitcher who was in the World Series last year to now be playing on a playoff team once again. I think a new team that's in contention is going to be huge for Gasuman and we saw that in his first start.

Against some of the top offenses in baseball this year with losing records Gausman has pitched very well. He threw six shutout innings vs the Rockies giving up 2 hits. He also threw 6.2 innings pitched vs the Pirates giving up one run. Tonight's he faces a very good Nats offense with a losing record.

The Cubs have scored 8+ runs in their last 3 games. I think they continue to swing the bats against this awful Nationals pitching staff and I would look for Gausman to pitch really well. I'll take Chicago on the run line -1.5 (+115). I think the Cubs win and they win comfortably.

Bet: Cubs Run Line -1.5 (+115)

Philadelphia Phillies vs Minnesota Twins

Tonight is the Field of Dreams Game out in Iowa and it's a big one. The Phillies are currently tied with Arizona for the last Wild Card Spot in the National League, while Minnesota is 1/2 game back of Texas for the final Wild Card Spot in the American League.

A huge 3-game series between these teams, but tonight they have to deal with the one off of the Field of Dreams game and all that comes with it. This will be the 3rd Field of Dreams game ever and the first since 2022. The first one ever between the Yankees and White Sox was an instant classic where Chicago won 9-8. The year after that, the Cubs beat the Reds 4-2. We have seen the ball fly at this park and it definitely tends to favor the hitters.

That's not great news for Aaron Nola who has really struggled for the Phillies this season. Philadelphia has lost 7 of the last 8 starts in which Nola has made. The Phillies right hander is 3-9 this season with a 5.47 ERA and opponents are batting .279 against him. He has been a good candidate to fade and I don't think tonight is any different.

Taj Bradley on the flip side has been very good for the Twins. He has throw at least 5 innings in eleven consecutive starts. The Twins can pretty much always count on him to get them to the 6th inning. I'll roll with Minnesota tonight to get the win and continue to fade Nola.

Bet: Twins Moneyline (-109)

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