MLB Thursday Best Bets: Field of Dreams Picks and More

The Thursday MLB card involves fewer games and an intriguing matchup in Iowa.

The third edition of the “Field of Dreams” game takes place in Dyersville tonight as the Philadelphia Phillies (64-58) take on the Minnesota Twins (60-62). The Phillies look to end a two-game losing streak, while the Twins have dropped seven of their last 11 games.

We’ll break down two plays for the Thursday action. Remember to monitor the odds throughout the day, as the props, sides, and totals market are constantly changing.

Here are the free MLB picks for Thursday, August 13. Odds Courtesy of DraftKings.

Best MLB plays today

• Aaron Nola Under 5.5 Strikeouts (-148) vs. Twins
• Brewers (+124) at Dodgers

Aaron Nola Under 5.5 Strikeouts (-148) vs. Twins - 7:30 p.m. ET

The Phillies’ right-hander has finished with five or fewer strikeouts in 15 of his last 22 starts, including eight of his past 11 outings away from Citizens Bank Park.

Opposing starting pitchers facing the Twins have finished below their strikeout prop in 10 of the last 12 games, while nine hurlers closed with fewer than four strikeouts.

Minnesota owns a 16.3% strikeout rate against right-handed pitchers in the past 10 contests, which is an improvement from their 21% rate this season when facing righties.

Nola has compiled a strong whiff rate at 27.5%, but he is allowing an opposing batting average of .279, so he may get knocked around in this new atmosphere tonight.

Brewers (+124) at Dodgers - 10:10 p.m. ET

Two of the top teams in the National League meet tonight for an important four-game series at Chavez Ravine. Los Angeles ended Milwaukee’s run to the World Series in the NLCS last season in a four-game sweep, while beating the Brewers two of three earlier this season.

Milwaukee is looking to get on track after getting swept at San Diego, capped off by an extra-innings defeat on Wednesday.

Shane Drohan gets the ball for the Brew Crew tonight, who allowed six earned runs in a loss to Minnesota his last time out. Drohan has not been listed as an underdog in his past 12 starts, so there is value with him tonight in this role.

Roki Sasaki counters for the Dodgers, yielding two or fewer runs in four consecutive starts. The L.A. bullpen blew a late lead in his last start, marking the first loss for the Dodgers in Sasaki’s last six appearances.

The Dodgers swept the Royals in their last series, but needed to rally in each of those games. Los Angeles is playing better since a seven-game slide, but look for a motivated Milwaukee team to perform well in tonight’s opener.