This article is part of our MLB Picks series.
MLB Picks Expert Picks Today: MLB Best Bets for Saturday, June 11
RotoWire.com's Juan Carlos Blanco identifies his MLB bets and MLB player props to target today.
Last article: 0-0-2 (0.00 RW Bucks)
Season Record: 24-34-4 (-13.99 RW Bucks)
I'm honing in on a pair of Saturday night encounters, one in each league, featuring some notable starting pitching, including the return to action of one particularly big name.
Los Angeles Dodgers 
at San Francisco Giants 
Starting Pitchers: Clayton Kershaw vs. Sam Long
Kershaw will be coming off the injured list for this start after last having seen action at the big-league level May 7 due to a pelvic injury. Kershaw was off to a stellar start before being sidelined, having posted a 4-0 record, 1.80 ERA and 0.73 WHIP over five starts. The legendary lefty had given up one or zero earned runs in four of those outings, but after such a long layoff and facing a Giants team that owns a .284 average, .913 OPS, .386 wOBA and MLB-best 12.8 wRAA against southpaws at home since May 1, the chances of San Francisco dinging him for at least one run in the first five innings isn't inconceivable by any stretch.
Long is getting a spot start Saturday with Alex Cobb on injured list due to a neck injury. The young southpaw has a tough matchup on paper against the Dodgers as well, considering Los Angeles has generated a 13.1 percent walk rate, modest 16.2 percent strikeout rate and .337 wOBA against lefties on the road since May 1. The Blue Crew is also tops in the majors with 3.2 runs per first five innings per road game, and Long's 11.5 percent walk rate could well get him into some trouble while he's in there against a potent veteran lineup that's also shown plenty of patience at the plate versus southpaws.
MLB Best Bets for Dodgers at Giants
The Pick: Both teams to score 1+ runs in 1st 5 innings (-165 on BetMGM Sportsbook) for 1.65 RW Bucks
Secondary Pick: Money Line and Total Runs Parlay: Dodgers and Both Teams To Score 2+ runs (+140) for 1 RW Buck
Boston Red Sox 
at Seattle Mariners 
Starting Pitchers: Michael Wacha vs. George Kirby
Wacha's body of work in recent seasons and some of his underlying metrics suggest he's due for some notable regression sooner rather than later. The veteran right-hander came into the season with a 10-16 record, 5.11 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over the last three seasons, and although he's done an excellent job limiting the damage and hard contact thus far, there's also a notable gulf between his .234 wOBA and .322 xwOBA and his 1.99 ERA and 3.80 xERA. Wacha has also seen a notable drop in strikeout rate to 17.4 percent from last season's already middling 22.9 percent figure, and current Mariners bats own a collective .264 average and .788 OPS against him in 103 career encounters.
Kirby has been impressive over his first six starts and shown pinpoint control, as evidenced by his 31:3 K:BB across 32 innings. That said, the young right-hander does have some potential red flags in his underlying metrics as well, as he sports a .264 xBA and .332 xwOBA, and he's allowing an elevated 10.4 percent barrel rate. The Red Sox also got to him for five runs on eight hits over five innings at Fenway back on May 19, and he comes in having allowed five homers in his last three starts. He's also facing a red-hot offense that's posted a .352 wOBA on the road against righties since May 1.
MLB Best Bets for Red Sox at Mariners
The Pick: Over 4 runs - 1st 5 innings (-145 on BetMGM Sportsbook) for 1.45 RW Bucks
Secondary Pick: Over 8 total runs (-110 on DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1.10 RW Bucks
MLB Best Bets Today Recap
- Both Dodgers and Giants to score 1+ runs in 1st 5 innings (-165 on BetMGM Sportsbook) for 1.65 RW Bucks
- Money Line and Total Runs Parlay: Dodgers and Giants To Both Score 2+ runs (+140) for 1 RW Buck
- Red Sox-Mariners Over 4 runs - 1st 5 innings (-145 on BetMGM Sportsbook) for 1.45 RW Bucks
- Red Sox-Mariners Over 8 total runs (-110 on DraftKings Sportsbook) for 1.10 RW Bucks
Visit RotoWire all season long for exclusive sports betting picks from our group of handicappers with their expert MLB picks each day of the campaign. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds and available player props, so we have an easy-to-use odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines available at FanDuel Sportsbook.
