Three players are featured in Thursday’s top prop picks for the light eight-game MLB slate.
Today’s MLB props narrative: Chicago Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon should carve up the Pittsburgh Pirates and continue to work deep, which I expect will help him clear his strikeout line. I have additional plays on one hot hitter and another who punishes with a platoon advantage.
Check out the best MLB prop bets for June 12, featuring predictions on Jeremy Pena and Riley Greene.
MLB prop bets
Best bet: Taillon over 4.5 Ks (-127)
The Cubs righty has been working deep and the weather is expected to be on his side tonight. Taillon’s opponent is a favourable one, too, setting him up for a strong start at home.
The 33-year-old has worked six-plus innings in all but one of his seven starts since the beginning of May.
With the wind expected to be blowing in at Wrigley Field against a weak Pirates lineup, offence should be hard to come by for Pittsburgh.
That would set up Taillon for another deep outing, increasing his opportunities to pile up punchouts.
Pittsburgh ranks 27th in MLB in wRC+ vs. righties and has the fifth-highest K rate in the majors.
Taillon isn’t a big strikeout arm but is 7-6 against this line on the season and has pitched particularly well at his home park.
Key stat: Taillon has a 2.70 ERA in six home starts.
Best MLB picks
Greene over 1.5 total bases (+100): The Detroit Tigers slugger might face a platoon disadvantage to start this game with lefty Keegan Akin opening for the Baltimore Orioles.
But righty Dean Kremer is expected to get the bulk of the innings for Baltimore and he’s been hammered by left-handed hitters.
- Kremer vs. LHBs: .331/.357/.550
- Greene vs. RHPs: .304/.340/.560
Greene should hopefully get a couple of opportunities against Kremer in favourable hitting conditions in Baltimore.
Of Greene’s 13 homers, 12 have come against right-handers.
Camden Yards has been the best home run-hitting park in MLB this season, per Baseball Savant, and is generally one of the most hitter-friendly venues in the game.
Pena over 1.5 total bases (-105): Pena is having a monster season and has been crushing the ball in June. And he’s been excellent at home all year.
- June: .421/.436/.553
- Home: .368/.425/.566
The Houston Astros’ shortstop is having a career year at the plate (146 wRC+) and has multi-hit games in six of nine contests this month.
Pena, sporting a career-low K rate, has cleared this line in nine of his last 15 games.
His Astros see Chicago White Sox starter Davis Martin, who is having a respectable season, but the unimposing arm struggles to miss bats and has a 5.56 xERA.
MLB prop picks made at 1:35 p.m. ET on 06/12/2025.
Chris joined NorthStar Gaming from Covers.com where he was a publishing editor and wrote betting content. Before that, he was the sports editor at VICE Canada, worked for theScore and covered the Blue Jays for MLB.com. In addition to filling out the lineup card each day for the editorial team, Chris writes frequently himself, primarily on the NBA and MLB.