Sports picks for Tuesday, May 12, 2026
6 stored itemsGary’s saved picks and research for this day. Results are presented separately because older records do not all carry a durable source-pick ID.
Game picks
1
Guardians MoneylineProgressive Field welcomes back manager Stephen Vogt tonight as the AL Central-leading Guardians look to extend their historic dominance over a struggling Angels squad. While the surface numbers might suggest a close contest between two right-handers, the statistical subtext and tactical construction of this game point heavily toward Cleveland continuing their mastery at home, where they have won 28 of their last 32 meetings against Los Angeles. The primary driver for this pick is the catastrophic mismatch between Walbert Ureña’s lack of control and the Guardians' extreme plate discipline. Ureña is currently performing a high-wire act that is statistically unsustainable, carrying a 3.22 ERA despite a bloated 6.45 BB/9 rate. He has issued 16 walks in just over 22 innings, and he now faces a Cleveland lineup that drew 10 walks in yesterday’s series opener. The Guardians have leaned into this advantage by fielding a lineup that is 100% left-handed or switch-hitting for this game, ensuring Ureña never gets a comfortable same-side matchup. Against a patient offense that refuses to chase, Ureña is likely to see his pitch count skyrocket, forcing an early entry for an Angels bullpen that ranks 28th in the league with a 5.38 ERA. On the other side, Slade Cecconi provides a more stable, if less explosive, floor. While his 6.15 ERA is eye-popping, his 5.63 xERA suggests he has been victimized by some sequencing bad luck. More importantly, he is backed by the premier defensive catcher in the majors, Patrick Bailey. Bailey’s elite framing and run prevention provide a massive "safety net" for Cecconi, especially when contrasted with the Angels' reliance on rookie Omar Martinez, who is still acclimating to the speed of the major league game. With the Angels’ offense batting just .216 against right-handers over the last two weeks, they lack the consistent contact needed to exploit Cecconi’s home run tendencies. Cleveland’s bullpen stability and their tactical lineup advantage make them the clear side at this price.
Progressive Field welcomes back manager Stephen Vogt tonight as the AL Central-leading Guardians look to extend their historic dominance over a struggling Angels squad. While the surface numbers might suggest a close contest between two right-handers, the statistical subtext and tactical construction of this game point heavily toward Cleveland continuing their mastery at home, where they have won 28 of their last 32 meetings against Los Angeles.
The primary driver for this pick is the catastrophic mismatch between Walbert Ureña’s lack of control and the Guardians' extreme plate discipline. Ureña is currently performing a high-wire act that is statistically unsustainable, carrying a 3.22 ERA despite a bloated 6.45 BB/9 rate. He has issued 16 walks in just over 22 innings, and he now faces a Cleveland lineup that drew 10 walks in yesterday’s series opener. The Guardians have leaned into this advantage by fielding a lineup that is 100% left-handed or switch-hitting for this game, ensuring Ureña never gets a comfortable same-side matchup. Against a patient offense that refuses to chase, Ureña is likely to see his pitch count skyrocket, forcing an early entry for an Angels bullpen that ranks 28th in the league with a 5.38 ERA.
On the other side, Slade Cecconi provides a more stable, if less explosive, floor. While his 6.15 ERA is eye-popping, his 5.63 xERA suggests he has been victimized by some sequencing bad luck. More importantly, he is backed by the premier defensive catcher in the majors, Patrick Bailey. Bailey’s elite framing and run prevention provide a massive "safety net" for Cecconi, especially when contrasted with the Angels' reliance on rookie Omar Martinez, who is still acclimating to the speed of the major league game. With the Angels’ offense batting just .216 against right-handers over the last two weeks, they lack the consistent contact needed to exploit Cecconi’s home run tendencies. Cleveland’s bullpen stability and their tactical lineup advantage make them the clear side at this price.
Player props
2Walbert Ureña’s primary obstacle to pitching deep into games is a severe lack of command, evidenced by 16 walks in just 22.1 innings this season. This 'effectively wild' profile is a nightmare matchup against a Cleveland Guardians lineup that currently demonstrates elite plate discipline; the Guardians drew 10 walks in the series opener yesterday and feature high-OBP stalwarts like Steven Kwan and José Ramírez. Ureña’s high walk rate (6.4 BB/9) inevitably leads to elevated pitch counts and frequent high-leverage situations with runners on base, which typically results in early hooks. He has failed to complete the 6th inning in three of his five starts this season (averaging just 14.2 outs per start), and against a team that excels at extending at-bats and taking free passes, he is unlikely to find the efficiency required to record 16 outs.
Walbert Ureña’s primary obstacle to pitching deep into games is a severe lack of command, evidenced by 16 walks in just 22.1 innings this season. This 'effectively wild' profile is a nightmare matchup against a Cleveland Guardians lineup that currently demonstrates elite plate discipline; the Guardians drew 10 walks in the series opener yesterday and feature high-OBP stalwarts like Steven Kwan and José Ramírez. Ureña’s high walk rate (6.4 BB/9) inevitably leads to elevated pitch counts and frequent high-leverage situations with runners on base, which typically results in early hooks. He has failed to complete the 6th inning in three of his five starts this season (averaging just 14.2 outs per start), and against a team that excels at extending at-bats and taking free passes, he is unlikely to find the efficiency required to record 16 outs.
Chase DeLauter is entering this matchup as one of the hottest hitters in baseball, coming off a dominant performance in yesterday's series opener where he went 3-for-5 with two home runs and two RBIs. Over his last 10 games, DeLauter has clubbed five home runs and recorded nine RBIs, making him the focal point of the Cleveland offense. Batting second in the order ensures he will see maximum plate appearances (likely 4-5) and provides him with ample opportunities to drive in Steven Kwan or be driven in by José Ramírez. He faces Walbert Ureña, who carries a bloated 1.57 WHIP and allows significant traffic on the bases via the walk. Even if Ureña exits early, the Angels' bullpen (4.63 team ERA) offers little resistance to a power hitter currently in peak form. With his recent power surge and high lineup volume, DeLauter is well-positioned to clear this multi-category line.
Chase DeLauter is entering this matchup as one of the hottest hitters in baseball, coming off a dominant performance in yesterday's series opener where he went 3-for-5 with two home runs and two RBIs. Over his last 10 games, DeLauter has clubbed five home runs and recorded nine RBIs, making him the focal point of the Cleveland offense.
Batting second in the order ensures he will see maximum plate appearances (likely 4-5) and provides him with ample opportunities to drive in Steven Kwan or be driven in by José Ramírez. He faces Walbert Ureña, who carries a bloated 1.57 WHIP and allows significant traffic on the bases via the walk.
Even if Ureña exits early, the Angels' bullpen (4.63 team ERA) offers little resistance to a power hitter currently in peak form. With his recent power surge and high lineup volume, DeLauter is well-positioned to clear this multi-category line.
Graded results
3Games
- W
Guardians ML -138
MLB · 2-3
Props
- L
Chase DeLauter · over
Angels @ Guardians · Actual 0
- W
Walbert Urena · under
Angels @ Guardians · Actual 15