Thursday's best MLB bets

Los Angeles Dodgers at St. Louis Cardinals (-130, 7)

This matchup features two pitchers headed in opposite directions, with Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw going the right way and Cardinals righty Chris Carpenter going wrong.

Kershaw has won his last two starts by allowing only two earned runs and striking out 20 batters in that span. Just as impressive, he has allowed no walks in two of his last three outings, thanks in part to his relatively new repertoire of pitches.

"Two years ago I didn't even have a slider, and then last year toward the end of the season I started throwing it," Kershaw told mlb.com. "It's a lot easier pitch to throw for me as opposed to the changeup."

Carpenter, on the other hand, is 0-2 in his last two outings, surrendering 18 hits and 11 earned runs in those nine innings for an easy-to-figure but hard-to-explain 11.00 ERA during that span.

Furthermore, Kershaw has a modest .198 average in his last five starts against the Cards and is 2-0 in his last two start while. Carpenter is 0-2 in his last two against the Dodgers.

Pick: Dodgers

Chicago White Sox at Minnesota Twins (-110, 8.5)

The White Sox were the hottest team in baseball heading into the All-Star break. They have won eight straight and a few days off isn't likely to break their momentum.

Especially against the fellow AL Central contending Twins, who have defeated the Chi-Sox 12 times in their last 15 meetings. This one means more than the second-half opener.

The White Sox pitched their way to a half-game lead in the division, getting 27 quality starts in their last 31 outings while winning 25 of their last 30. John Danks gets the ball in an effort to keep it rolling for the South-siders.

"What we are doing right now, let's not get in the way of that," White Sox pitching coach Dan Cooper told mlb.com. "If we want to go finish the deal, our biggest games and challenges lay ahead."

The Twins counter with a struggling Kevin Slowey, who came out of the bullpen in his last appearance. The Twins have lost four of their last five and scored just 13 runs in those four defeats.

Pick: White Sox