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Toronto Blue Jays vs. Baltimore Orioles
May 23, 2013 | 
Author The Toronto Blue Jays and the Baltimore Orioles meet on Thursday for game one of their four game series in Toronto. The Blue Jays are -160 favorites over the Orioles with an over/under run total set at 9.5.
The Toronto Blue Jays still are mot living up to their preseason expectations and if they don’t put it together soon the hole will become too deep to dig themselves out of. The Blue Jays are 6-4 in heir last 10 games, 11-13 at home this season, and they are in last place in the AL East, 9.0 games back. As a team the Blue Jays are hitting .242 with Melky Cabrera hitting .280, Jose Bautista hitting .275, and Edwin Encarnacion hitting .250. The Blue Jays opponents are hitting .266 and the Toronto pitching staff has an ERA of 4.77. For game one the Blue Jays start Brandon Morrow who had a no decision against the Orioles back in April. For the season Morrow has allowed 49 hits and 26 earned runs while striking out 35 over 45.1 innings for a 1-3 record and a 5.16 ERA.
The Baltimore Orioles were mired in a six game losing streak but they have bounced back and won their last two games. The Orioles are 3-7 in their last 10 games, 14-9 on the road this season, and they are in third lace in the AL East, 3 games back. As a team the Orioles are hitting .265 with Chris Davis hitting .329, Manny Machado hitting .322, and Adam Jones hitting .316. The Orioles opponents are hitting .252 and the Baltimore pitching staff has an ERA of 4.28. For game one at Toronto Baltimore calls up Rookie Kevin Gausman who makes his first major League start. Gausman was the number four overall pick in the 2012 baseball draft and he is 2-4 with a 3.11 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 46.1 innings in Double-A Bowie this season.
Toronto is 7-3 in their last 10 games against a right-handed starter, 6-1 in their last seven home games, and 5-2 in Morrow’s last seven starts. Baltimore is 4-1 in their last five road games, 2-6 in their last eight games, and 21-10 in their last 31 road games against a team with a losing record. Baltimore is 15-45 in their last 60 games in Toronto.
I expect to see some runs on the board here and I have this one going over the total.
Pick
Over 9.5
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Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs
The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs face off on Thursday afternoon in Pittsburgh as they close out their three game series. The Pirates are -125 favorites over the Cubs with an over/under run total set at 8.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking for a sweep of the Cubs after winning game two of the series on Wednesday. Andrew McCutchen had two hits and scored a run and Starling Marte had a hit and a RBI as the Pirates scored one run on three hits in all. Starting pitcher Francisco Liriano allowed just two hits and struck out nine over 7.0 innings to get the win and go to 3-0 on the season and Mark Melancon earned his first save of the season. For Thursday’s game Pittsburgh starts Jeanmar Gomez who hasn’t taken a loss this season. Fir the year Gomez has allowed 25 hits and 10 earned runs while striking out 19 over 32.1 innings for a 2-0 record and a 2.78 ERA.
The Chicago Cubs have played the Pirates close in the first two games of their series but all it has amounted to is two one run losses. Wellington Castillo had two hits, Julio Borbon had a hit, and Cody Ransom had a hit as the Cubs were shutout on four hits. Starting pitcher Jeff Samardzjia allowed three hits and a run while striking out eight over seven innings to take the loss and fall to 2-6 on the season. For Thursday’s game Chicago starts Edwin Jackson who has lost three of his last four starts. For the season Jackson has allowed 55 hits and 32 earned runs while striking out 46 over 50 innings for a 1-6 record and a 5.76 ERA.
Pittsburgh is 7-1in their last eight games overall, 5-0 against the NL Central, and 4-0 in Gomez’s last four starts. Chicago is 19-42 in their last 62 games against a team with a winning record, 25-61 in their last 86 road games, and 1-5 in Jackson’s last six starts as an underdog. Chicago is 5-3 in their last eight meetings in Pittsburgh.
The Bats were quiet on Wednesday but I expect them to liven up on Thursday and my pick is on the over.
Pick
Over 8
Seattle Mariners vs. Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians and the Seattle Mariners close out their weekend series as they face off for a Monday afternoon game in Cleveland. The Mariners are -114 favorites over the Indians with an over/under run total set at 8.
The Cleveland Indians continue to lead the AL Central and on Sunday they added an exclamation point jumping all over one of the best pitchers in baseball. Michael Brantley hit a home runs and had four RBI’s and Michael Bourn, Jason Kipnis, and Mike Aviles all added two hits each as the Indians scored six runs on nine hits in all. Starting pitcher Justin Masterson was virtually unhittable as he allowed three hits and struck out 11 over seven scoreless innings to get the win and go to 7-2 on the season. For Monday’s game Cleveland starts Scott Kazmir who continues his unlikely comeback story. For the season Kazmir has allowed 29 hits and 15 earned runs whiles striking out 28 over 25.1 innings for a 2-2 record and a 5.33 ERA.
The Seattle Mariners came to Cleveland with hopes of showing they were an improved team instead they are on the verge of getting swept in a four game series. Michael Saunders, Justin Smoak, Kyle Seager, and Jesus Montero all had hits on Sunday but the Mariners failed to score on four hits total. On the mound ace Felix Hernandez allowed eight hits and six runs, five earned, while striking out eight over 5.0 innings to take the loss and fall to 5-3 on the year. For Monday’s game the mariners look to avoid the sweep as they send Hisashi Iwakuma out for the start. For the season Iwakuma has allowed 38 hits and 12 earned runs while striking out 55 over 58.2 innings for a 5-1 record and a 1.84 ERA.
Cleveland is 10-1 in their last 11 games as an underdog, 21-7 in their last 28 games, and 13-2 in their last 15 home games. Seattle is 6-14 in their last 20 road games, 5-17 in their last 22 games after losing the first three games of a series, and 16-5 in Iwakuma’s last 21 starts. Seattle has lost six in a row in Cleveland.
The total in this one is set just about right but my lean is that this one stays under the number.
Pick
Under 8
Atlanta Braves vs. Minnesota Twins
The Atlanta Braves and the Minnesota Twins face off on Monday for game one of their interleague series at Turner Field. The Braves are -149 favorites over the Twins with an over/under run total set at 8.5 runs.
The Atlanta Braves are playing solid baseball this season and they have won their last three games in a row heading into this series. The Braves are 5-5 in their last 10 games, 12-5 at home this season, and they have a 2.5 game lead in the National League East. As a team the Braves are hitting .242 with Chris Johnson hitting .342, Jordan Schafer hitting .308, and Freddie Freeman hitting .289. The Braves opponents are hitting .242 and the Atlanta pitching staff has an ERA of 3.47. For game one against the Twins the Braves start Julio Teheran who is coming off of a loss in his last start. For the season Teheran has allowed 53 hits and 21 earned runs while striking out 26 over 41.1 innings for a 2-1 record and a 4.57 ERA.
The Minnesota Twins have lost their last four games as this season has once again been a struggle. The Twins are 4-6 in their last 10 games, 9-9 on the road this season, and they are 5.5 games back in the AL Central. As a team the Twins are hitting .249 with Joe Mauer hitting .342, Justin Morneau hitting .299, and Jamey Carroll hitting .304. The Twins opponents are hitting .292 and the Minnesota pitching staff has an ERA of 4.46. For game one in Atlanta the Twins start Kevin Correia who has lost two of his last three starts. For the season Correia has allowed 58 hits and 20 runs while striking out 22 over 53.2 innings for a 4-3 record and a 3.35 ERA.
Atlanta is 37-15 in their last 52 home games, 2-7 in their last nine interleague home games, and 6-1 Teheran’s last seven starts. Minnesota is 4-1 in their last five road games, 7-17 in their last 24 interleague road games, and 1-5 in their last six games as an underdog.
The total in this one is at 8.5 but the under has come in four of the last five meetings of these two.
Pick
Under 8.5
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Houston Astros
The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Houston Astros face off on Sunday in Pittsburgh as they close out their interleague series. The Pirates are -174 favorites over the Astros with an over/under run total set at 9.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking like possible contenders in the NL Central this season but they didn’t do anything to help their cause on Saturday falling to the Astros. Andrew McCutchen and Brandon Inge each had two hits and Gaby Sanchez and Russell Martin had hits as the Pirates scored two runs on nine hits in all. Starting pitcher A.J. Burnett allowed five hits and a run while striking out seven over 7.0 innings but didn’t figure in the decision as Mark Melancon blew the save and Bryan Morris took the loss. For Sunday’s game the Pirates look to bounce back as they start Jeff Locke who hasn’t had a decision in his last three starts. For the season Locke has allowed 36 hits and 16 earned runs while striking out 28 over 45.2 innings of work for a 3-1 record and a 3.15 ERA.
The Houston Astros are still very much a work in progress but as bad as they are they are an improvement over what we saw from them a year ago. On Saturday Jose Altuve had three hits and Jason Castro and Chris Carter had two hits each as the Astros scored four runs on 10 hits in all. Starting pitcher Erik Bedard allowed seven hits and two earned runs while striking out three over 6.0 innings to not factor in the decision and Jose Cisnero got the win to go to 1-0 on the season and Jose Veras Earned his sixth save. For Sunday’s game Houston starts Lucas Harrell who has been hit hard and often this season. For the year Harrell has allowed 59 hits and 28 earned runs while striking out 29 over 49.1 innings of work for a 3-4 record and a 5.11 ERA.
Pittsburgh is 4-1 in their last five games, 6-2 in their last eight interleague games as a favorite, and 2-6 in Locke’s last eight starts against a team with a losing record. Houston is 15-38 in their last 53 interleague games as an underdog, 13-42 in their last 55 game three of a series, and 6-15 in Harrell’s last 21 starts as a road underdog. Houston is 5-13 in the last 18 meetings of these two.
Pittsburgh is a big favorite in this one and I look for them to bounce back and get the win in this spot.
Pick
Pittsburgh Pirates -174 Houston Astros
Miami Marlins vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
The Marlins look to avoid the sweep at the hands of the Diamondbacks as they face off on Sunday. The Diamondbacks are -157 favorites over the Marlins with an over/under run total set at 7.5.
The Miami Marlins have the worst record in baseball and on Saturday the bats once again showed part of the reason why. Adeiny Hechavarria, Michael Ozuna, and Chris Coghlan all had hits but the Marlins failed to score as the three hits were the only offense they had. Starting pitcher Tim Koehler allowed three hits and a run while striking out seven over 6.0 innings to take the loss and fall to 0-2 on the year. For Sunday’s game Miami starts Ricky Nolasco who has lost his last thee starts. For the season Nolasco has allowed 52 hits and 26 earned runs while striking out 39 over 53.1 innings for a 2-5 record and a 5.39 ERA.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have the lead in the National League West and are a win away from a sweep in this series in Miami. On Saturday Gerardo Parra hit a home run and Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Ross, and Miguel Montero all had hits as the one run on four hits was enough to get the win. Starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy went the distance allowing three hits and striking out five to earn his first win of the year to go to 1-3. For Sunday’s game the Diamondbacks start Wade Miley who has lost two of his last three starts. For the season Miley has allowed 47 hits and 20 earned runs while striking out 35 over 48 innings for a 3-2 record and a 3.75 ERA.
Miami is 5-17 in their last 22 home games, 1-7 in their last eight games against the NL West, and 2-10 in Nolasco’s last 12 starts. Arizona is 5-0 in their last five road games, 8-3 in their last 11 games against the NL East, and 20-6 in Miley’s last 26 starts against a team with a losing record. Arizona is 10-3 in the last 13 meetings of these two.
Arizona is the big favorite here and no reason not to believe that they close out this series and get the sweep as the Marlins look directionless and the D-Backs are looking more like contenders every day.
Pick
Arizona Diamondbacks -157 Miami Marlins
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Houston Astros
The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Houston Astros meet on Friday at PNC Park for game one of their interleague series. The Pirates are -192 favorites over the Astros with an over/under run total set at 8.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have won their last three games in a row as they try and take the first half success they have had the past several season s and go the distance. The Pirates are 7-3 in their last 10 games, 13-8 at home this season, and they are 2.5 games behind the Cardinals in the NL Central. As a team the Pirates are hitting .244 with Starling Marte hitting .315, Travis Snider hitting .292, and Jose Tabata hitting .286. The Pirates opponents are hitting .227 and the Pittsburgh pitching staff has an ERA of 3.48. For game one against the Astros the Pirates start Jeanmar Gomez who hasn’t lost this season working as a starter and from the bullpen. For the season Gomez has allowed 20 hits and seven earned runs while striking out 18 over 27.2 innings of work for a 2-0 record and a 2.28 ERA.
The Houston Astros are playing their first season in the American League and thus far they are tied for the worst overall record in baseball. The Astros are 3-7 in their last 10 games, 5-14 on the road this season, and they are 16 games back in the AL West. As a team the Astros are hitting .246 with Jose Altuve hitting .333, Matt Dominguez hitting .245, and Jason Castro hitting .241. The Astros opponents are hitting .298 and the Houston pitching staff has an ERA of 5.76. For game one in Pittsburgh the Astros start Jordan Lyles who makes his fourth start of the season. For the year Lyles has allowed 21 hits and 13 earned runs while striking out 13 over 14 innings of work for a 1-1 record and a 8.36 ERA.
Pittsburgh is 6-1 in their last seven games, 7-3 in their last 10 interleague games, and 5-1 in their last six games as a favorite. Houston is 17-41 against the NL Central, 33-97 as an underdog, and 2-7 in Lyles’ last nine starts against the NL Central. Houston is 5-16 in their last 21 games in Pittsburgh.
The Pirates are a huge favorite here and while I am not in love with the price this looks to be an easy winner.
Pick
Pittsburgh Pirates -192 Houston Astros
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Cincinnati Reds
The Philadelphia Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds meet on Friday in Philadelphia for game one of their series. The Phillies are -121 favorites over the Reds with an over/under run total set at 7.5.
The Philadelphia Phillies have struggled in the early part of the season but despite their poor play they are very much in the thick of things in the NL East race. The Phillies are 5-5 in their last 10 games, 9-11 at home this season, and 3.5 games behind the Braves in the NL East standings. As a team the Phillies are hitting .246 with Michael Young hitting.296, Chase Utley is hitting .281, and Jimmy Rollins is hitting .255. The Phillies opponents are hitting .245 and the Philadelphia pitching staff has an ERA of 4.20. For game one against the Reds the Phillies start Cliff Lee who has won his last two starts. For the season Lee has allowed 52 hits and 18 earned runs while striking out 43 over 56.2 innings for a 4-2 record and a 2.86 ERA.
The Cincinnati Reds have won six games in a row as they continue to chase the Cardinals in the NL Central standings. The Reds are 8-2 in their last 10 games, 9-10 on the road this season, and they are 1.5 games back in the National League Central standings. As a team the Reds are hitting .251 with Joey Votto hitting .325, Shin-Soo Choo hiting .322, and Brandon Phillips hitting .285. The Reds opponents are hitting .243 and the Cincinnati pitching staff has an ERA of 3.45. For game one at Philadelphia the Reds start Tony Cingrani who has no decisions in his last two starts. For the season Cingrani has allowed 20 hits and nine earned runs while striking out 37 over 28 innings for a 2-0 record and a 2.89 ERA.
Philadelphia is 13-5 in their last 18 home games against a left-handed starter, 2-6 in their last eight games as a home favorite, and 0-4 in Lee’s last four starts as a favorite. Cincinnati is 6-0 n their last six road games, 4-1 in the last five game one of a series, and 4-1 in Cingrani’s last five starts. Cincinnati is 7-19 in their last 26 games in Philadelphia.
I look for runs to be tough to come by and for this game to go under the total.
Pick
Under 7.5
Miami Marlins vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
The Miami Marlins and the Arizona Diamondbacks face off on Friday in Miami as they begin their weekend series. The Diamondbacks are -146 favorites over the Marlins with an over/under run total set at 7.
The Miami Marlins season appears to be nearly over before we even reach June as they have they worst record in baseball and have dug themselves a hole in the standings. The Marlins have lost five games in a row, are 2-8 in their last 10 games, 3-14 at home this season, and they are 11.5 games back in the NL East standings. As a team the marlins are hitting .224 with Juan Pierre hitting .239, Placido Polanco hitting .236, and Justin Ruggiano hitting .216. The Marlins opponents are hitting .261 and the Miami pitching staff has an ERA of 4.10. For game one against the D-Backs the Marlins start Kevin Slowey who is coming off of his worst outing of the season. For the year Slowey has allowed 45 hits and 14 earned runs while striking out 36 over 49.1 innings for a 1-3 record and a 2.55 ERA.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are right in the thick of the race in the NL West and they are hoping to keep their strong play going this weekend. The Diamondbacks are 7-3 in their last 10 games, 11-7 on the road this season, and they are a game behind the Giants in the NL West standings. As a team the Diamondbacks are hitting .252 with Paul Goldschmidt hitting .322, Gerardo Parra hitting .319, and A.J. Pollock hitting .250. The Diamondbacks opponents are hitting .254 and the Arizona pitching staff has a ERA of 3.49. For game one in Miami the Diamondbacks start Trevor Cahill who has won two of his last three decisions. For the season Cahill has allowed 39 hits and 15 earned runs while striking out 39 over 50 innings for a 2-4 record and a 2.70 ERA.
Miami is 24-55 in their last 79 games as a home underdog, 14-40 in their last 54 games overall, and 1-5 in their last six against the NL West. Arizona is 4-1 in their last five road games, 10-4 in their last 14 games as a road favorite, and 3-8 in Cahill’s last 11 starts against a team with a losing record. Arizona is 6-1 in their last seven games in Miami.
Slowey has pitched well for Miami but the Marlins just don’t have much punch this season and with Arizona playing well and winning games look for them to win here as well.
Pick
Arizona Diamondbacks -146 Miami Marlins
New York Mets vs. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals and the Mets wrap up their four game series on Thursday afternoon in St. Louis. The Cardinals are -211 favorites over the Mets with an over/under run total set at 7.5.
The St. Louis Cardinals are having their way with the New York Mets this series winning on Wednesday to make it three in a row. Matt Holliday, Jon Jay, and Yadier Molina all had hits as the Cardinals scored four runs on six hits. Starting pitcher Shelby Miller allowed four hits and struck out six over 5.2 scoreless innings to not factor in the decision as Seth Maness blew the save but got the win and Edward Mujica earned his 11th save. For Thursday’s game the Cards start Adam Wainwright who has won five of his last six decisions. For the season Wainwright has allowed 54 hits and 15 earned runs while striking out 55 over 58.2 innings for a 5-2 record and a 2.30 ERA.
The New York Mets have now lost six games in a row and they are at risk of getting swept in St. Louis if they lose again on Thursday. Rick Ankiel had two hits including a home run and Daniel Murphy and David Wright had hits as they scored two runs on seven hits. Shaun Marcum allowed five hits and two runs while striking out three over 6.2 innings to take the loss and go to 0-4 on the season. For Thursday’s game New York starts Jon Niese who has lost his last four decisions. For the year Niese has allowed 50 hits and 27 earned runs while striking out 21 over 41 innings for a 2-4 record and a 5.93 ERA.
St. Louis is 12-2 in their last 14 games overall, 44-19 in their last 63 home games, and 6-1 in Wainwright’s last seven starts. New York is 21-47 in their last 68 games as an underdog, 2-9 in their last 11 road games, and 0-5 in Niese’s last five starts. New York is 11-29 in their last 40 games in St. Louis.
The Cardinals are the pick here and should win this easily.
Pick
St. Louis Cardinals -200 New York Mets
