Kevin's Pick(s):
There we go - a winner with the Dbacks and Giants getting over the total early for us. One play here today...
2 UNIT = Toronto Blue Jays @ Baltimore Orioles - ORIOLES TO WIN (-143)
Listed Pitchers: McGowan vs Tillman
(Note: I'm risking 2.00 units to win 1.40 units)
The Blue Jays enter this game 5-5 after winning their series vs Houston. Baltimore won two straight in New York to take that series and have won 3 of their last 4 games to improve to 4-5 on the year after a 1-4 start. Baltimore enjoyed an off day yesterday to get ready for this weekend series with Toronto. Baltimore boosted their offense this off-season and so far, so good. The Orioles rank 5th in the MLB right now with a .274 team batting average. The Blue Jays are 26th sitting with a team batting average of just .223 and a .298 OBP. Tonight's pitching match up will feature Dustin McGowan and Chris Tillman. McGowan had a rough season debut lasting just 2.2 innings giving up 8 hits and 4 earned runs in Toronto's home opener. Dustin can be a good pitcher, but tonight will be a tough road start vs a good hitting Orioles line up. Tillman has two starts under his belt as he has started the season off 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA. Batters are hitting just .231 against him and he has a solid WHIP at 1.05. He has struck out 9 and walked just 2 through his two starts. Lifetime Tillman has a solid 3.86 ERA, .247 OBA and 1.17 WHIP vs the Blue Jays, and last season he made 5 starts vs them going 2-1 with a 3.31 ERA. Dating back to last season the Orioles are 10-3 in Tillman's last 13 home starts and 18-8 in his last 26 starts overall. The Blue Jays used to dominate the Orioles, but things have changed lately with Baltimore getting stronger. The Orioles have won 13 of their last 18 meetings with the Blue Jays in Baltimore. Tillman has looked great this season and faces a Toronto lineup that is struggling as a whole. I'll lay a bit of chalk here taking the Orioles at home.
Kyle's Pick(s):
2 UNIT = New York Mets @ Atlanta Braves - UNDER 7.5 RUNS (-107)
Listed Pitchers: Mejia vs. Hale
(Note: I'm risking 2.00 units to win 1.87 units)
The Atlanta Braves may be on to something with this David Hale. He hasn't been around for long, and doesn't have all that much experience, but with the time he has gotten he has taken advantage of it. Taking full advantage that is. Dating back to last season, Hale has given up only 1 run in 16 innings pitched. He appeared in three games last season, started two and gave up just 1 run to the Philadephia Phillies. Against the Padres in his other start he was stellar again, that time giving up no runs and 4 hits. Success has seemed to carry over into 2014, where he pitched another scoreless 5 innings against the Nationals in his first start of the year. There are always a few pitchers that emerge out of nowhere every season, Hale may be one of them if this continues. Jenrry Mejia played the part of a solid starting option for the Mets as well. He started only 5 games, but like Hale, impressed everyone too. He allowed over 3 runs only once in those 5 starts and held a 2.30 ERA. Like Hale, there has been a carry over effect as well for Mejia. In his first start of the season he gave up just a run in 6 innings pitched. I like Hale to potentially have a breakout campaign, but Mejia should be fine in the Mets' rotation, too. I was expect a number of 7 here, so I am happy to see the 7.5. I'll take the UNDER 7.5. The math points to a low scoring game in Atlanta.
Cheers,
Kevin