MLB Picks and Predictions for June 12, 2026: Backing Two Underdogs
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Fri Jun 12, 2026, 11:55 am ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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Friday Night is here and we have a full slate of MLB baseball tonight to bet on amongst a couple of massive World Cup contests. Our MLB analysts dove into the entire slate on the diamond and found a couple of their favorite picks tonight! Can backing two underdogs bring us some profit? We'll find out one way or another.
- MLB YTD
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- +9.74u
- Average Odds +100
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Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Cincinnati Reds MLB Picks
Eduardo Rodriguez starts for the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight on the road against the Cincinnati Reds
Diamondbacks vs. Reds Pitching Matchup
- Arizona Diamondbacks: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (5-2, 2.52 ERA, 1.18 WHIP)
- Cincinnati Reds: LHP Nick Lodolo (2-1, 5.51 ERA, 1.50 WHIP)
Best Bet: Diamondbacks ML(-104) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Once again, we are backing the Snakes as they face a lefty today on the road. Now, Arizona is not the best team away from home. They are just 13-20 and their .239 batting average drops to .232. However, they are the best team in baseball at hitting lefties, smashing them for a .273 batting average. Enter Nick Lodolo who gets the start for the Reds tonight.
Lodolo's 5.51 ERA balloons up to 6.75 at home this year, and he hasn't been good in his last couple of outings. In his last start, Lodolo gave up four earned runs on 10 hits and a walk to the St. Louis Cardinals in just five innings. Prior to that, he allowed three earned runs on five hits and four walks, including two home runs to the Atlanta Braves. In fact, he has allowed at least three earned runs in five of his six starts this year. Now he faces the team in the MLB that hits southpaws the best, and I see him struggling.
Sure, the Snakes have struggled recently, losing three straight. But the start of this weekend series is the perfect time for them to turn things around and string together some wins. The Reds are not all that, after losing six of their last seven overall and are just 3-10 since May 27. Go Snakes.
Houston Astros vs. Kansas City Royals MLB Picks
Jac Caglianone and the Royals face the Houston Astros at Kauffman Stadium tonight in Kansas City
Astros vs. Royals Pitching Matchup
- Houston Astros: RHP Tatsuya Imai (3-3, 5.24 ERA, 1.40 WHIP)
- Kansas City Royals: RHP Luinder Avila (1-2, 4.02 ERA, 1.60 WHIP)
Best Bet: Royals ML (-105) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Cue up the MLB System Play! It's Friday Night and the Royals play at the K, so we are backing them to win outright, even as a slight underdog. In their last 34 games at home on Friday Nights, the Royals are an incredible 24-10, winning over 70.6% of their games. They are coming off two straight losses to the Rangers, but against the struggling Astros I believe they can find a way to win.
Since becoming a part of the starting rotation, Luinder Avila has been solid, allowing just one earned run in each of his last two starts during the month of June. Both of those were on the road, where he gave up just two hits in five innings. At home, he should be much more comfortable and get the run support that he needs to lead the Royals to victory.
Houston has not been overly impressive on the road this year or in recent games, losing three of their last four. In fact, in those last four games, they have been outscored 22-8. I see them continuing to struggle on the offensive side of the ball tonight on the road.
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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