1) Toronto Blue Jays vs Boston Red Sox -Boston Red Sox - favourite pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Chad Jenkins (2012: 1-3, 4.50 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Ryan Dempster (2-3, 2.93)
Jenkins was summoned from the Blue Jays’ Double-A affiliate in New Hampshire, where he allowed two runs on three hits over five innings in his lone start of the season. The 25-year-old faced the Red Sox back on Sept. 14, surrendering two runs on two hits and a walk over 1 1/3 innings. Daniel Nava had the key hit during Jenkins’ outing, belting a two-run single in the 8-5 Boston win. Toronto lost 12 of the 13 games in which Jenkins appeared a season ago.
Dempster made a triumphant return to his native Canada 10 days ago, scattering four hits over six innings of one-run ball in his second straight win. He followed that up with a so-so outing against Minnesota, charged with four runs – two earned – over seven innings in a 6-1 loss. Dempster’s adjustment to the American League East has been swift: Opposing batters are hitting just .188, and he has allowed more than three earned runs just once in seven starts. Boston’s advantage in hitting has diminished and relief is weak while pitching should be strong for Boston – slight lean towards Boston
2) Pittsburgh Pirates vs NY Mets - Pittsburgh Pirates – underdog pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Jeanmar Gomez (2-0, 2.38 ERA) vs. Mets RH Matt Harvey (4-0, 1.28)
Gomez earned a repeat start with five scoreless innings Tuesday, earning the victory in a 4-1 win over Seattle. The 25-year-old Venezuelan, who is holding batters to a .222 average after being hit at a .291 clip over his first three seasons with the Cleveland Indians, permitted two hits and walked two in his second turn after replacing the recently released Jonathan Sanchez in the rotation. Gomez will make his first career appearance against New York, but is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA in two starts with Pittsburgh.
Harvey has been the lone bright spot in the Mets’ rotation and accentuated his incredible start to the season with a near-perfect game in Tuesday’s 1-0, 10-inning victory over the Chicago White Sox. The 24-year-old allowed one hit and did not walk a batter, striking out a career-high 12 over nine innings. However, he became the first player since 1900 to hit each of those benchmarks without recording a decision. Harvey has never faced Pittsburgh, but is holding opponents to a .121 batting average in eight career home starts. Pirates for hitting strongly but relief and pitching for Mets - slight lean towards Mets but watch out ..
3) Cleveland Indian vs Detroit Tigers - Detroit Tigers - favourite pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Zach McAllister (3-3, 2.63 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Rick Porcello (1-2, 7.52)
McAllister has been a big factor in the resurgence of Cleveland’s pitching staff. He scattered five hits in 7 2/3 innings in Cleveland’s 1-0 victory over Oakland on Tuesday after allowing two runs in seven innings in the Indians’ 14-2 rout of Philadelphia on April 30. McAllister is 0-0 with a 2.04 ERA in three starts against Detroit. He has not yielded a home run to anyone on the Tigers roster while keeping Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder (combined 4-for-14) in check.
The Tigers used an off day to skip Porcello’s last turn in the rotation. The 24-year-old turned in back-to-back quality starts - allowing three runs and five hits in each – while earning his victory April 27 against Atlanta. Porcello allowed two home runs and received a no-decision in Detroit’s 7-3 win at Houston in his last start. He is 5-3 with a 4.10 ERA in 15 starts against Cleveland, but lost twice in three outings last season. Carlos Santana has three home runs in 24 at-bats versus Porcello. Pitching for Indians strongly with relief and hits weakly – Indians
4) Milwaukee Brewers vs Cincinnati Reds – Milwaukee Brewers underdog pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Wily Peralta (3-2, 5.54 ERA) vs. Reds RH Bronson Arroyo (2-4, 4.30)
Peralta is 3-1 in his last four starts and has pitched fairly well, with the exception of an ugly outing vs. St. Louis on May 2 in which he gave up six runs on 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings. He went at least six innings in each of the three victories and permitted a combined seven earned runs. He had a solid performance against Texas last time out, giving up three runs (two earned) and five hits in six innings. Peralta tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings last season in his only start against the Reds.
Arroyo has lost three consecutive starts – and a lack of run support from his teammates is partly to blame. Cincinnati has scored a total of 19 runs in his seven starts, including a single run on three occasions. Arroyo struggled last time out against Atlanta, giving up four runs on eight hits in a season-low five innings. He is 13-10 with a 3.90 ERA in 29 lifetime appearances (26 starts) against the Brewers and has surrendered 30 homers – four to Ryan Braun – in 168 1/3 innings against them. Reds for pitching but relief and hitting very close – Reds by a tad
5) Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals - Chicago Cubs – underdog pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Scott Feldman (3-3, 2.70 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (3-2, 4.97)
After losing his first three starts for the Cubs, Feldman has won three straight and has been tremendous his last two times out. Following his first career complete game May 1 against San Diego, Feldman tossed seven innings of two-hit ball against his former team in a 9-2 win over Texas in his last outing. Feldman has never faced the Nationals.
Gonzalez has been inconsistent through his first seven starts, but he is coming off a solid outing in which he held Pittsburgh to two runs over six innings to earn his third win. It was only his third quality start of the season, and he’s also had three outings in which he allowed five or more earned runs. Gonzalez is 1-1 with a 5.74 ERA in three starts against the Cubs. Cubs edge in hitting and pitching and Relief solid for Nationals – Cubs
6) San Diego Padres vs Tampa Bay Rays - Tampa Bay Rays – favourite pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Eric Stults (3-2, 4.50 ERA) vs. Rays RH Roberto Hernandez (1-4, 4.66 ERA)
Stults has allowed three or fewer runs in four of his seven starts, including the last two. The left-hander gave up one run on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings Tuesday to beat Miami 5-1. Stults has struck 29 and walked only eight in 40 innings, throwing at least five innings in six of seven turns. The 33-year-old has never pitched against Tampa Bay.
Hernandez has decent numbers, except in the win-loss column. The 32-year-old allowed five hits and one run over six innings in his last start without getting a decision against Toronto. Hernandez has given up 35 hits in 36 2/3 innings and struck out 37 while walking only 11. Carlos Quentin is 3-for-9 with a pair of homers against Hernandez, who has never faced San Diego. Pitching and hitting for the Rays Relief very strong for the Padres – Rays
7) Colorado Rockies vs St. Louis Cardinals – St. Louis Cardinals - favourite pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Jorge De La Rosa (3-3, 3.52 ERA) vs. Cardinals LH Jaime Garcia (4-1, 2.25)
De La Rosa knows a few things about scoreless appearances and has three on his resume in seven starts this season. The veteran left-hander limited the New York Yankees to three hits in six scoreless frames to earn Colorado’s last win on Tuesday. De La Rosa has struggled in the past against St. Louis, owning a 4-3 record with a 5.40 ERA in 13 games (seven starts). Matt Holliday, who left Saturday’s game in the ninth inning with an apparent ankle injury, is 4-for-7 against De La Rosa.
Garcia has been strong in winning three straight starts. He has gone eight innings while allowing one run in each of the last two . The left-hander has yielded fewer than three runs in five of his seven turns. Garcia has never beaten the Rockies and owns an 0-2 record with an 11.85 ERA in three starts. Carlos Gonzalez has done the most damage against Garcia with a homer and four RBIs in nine at-bats.Pitching evens, hitting for Cards but relief is for the Rockies – 50/50 Rockies?
8) Texas Rangers vs Houston Astros - Texas Rangers - favourite pick.PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Nick Tepesch (2-3, 4.50 ERA) vs. Astros RH Jordan Lyles (1-0, 4.50)
Tepesch has lost his last two outings and has allowed 10 earned runs in 10 2/3 innings during the stretch. He has given up one earned run in both his two victories and four or more in each of his losses. Tepesch is 1-2 with a 5.51 ERA in three road outings. He has issued six walks in his last two starts after walking three in his first 21 1/3 innings.
Lyles has pitched five innings and fanned six in each of his two starts this season. He beat the Los Angeles Angels while allowing three runs and four hits in his last outing. Lyles is 0-3 with a 6.85 ERA in four career starts against the Rangers. Texas batters are hitting .343 against him. Texas for it all – Texas but pitching could go everywhere… for either side
9) Baltimore Orioles vs Minnesota Twins - Baltimore Orioles- evens pick.PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles LH Wei-Yin Chen (2-3, 3.40 ERA) vs. Twins LH Scott Diamond (3-2, 3.03)
Chen has been steady through his first seven starts, allowing three or fewer runs in six of them. He surrendered nine hits and two runs over 6 1/3 innings in his last start Tuesday without getting a decision against Kansas City. Opponents are batting .258 against Chen with only three homers. The Taiwanese left-hander beat Minnesota last July by giving up three runs over seven innings.
Diamond has surrendered three runs or fewer in his last four starts, winning three. The 26-year old, who started the season on the disabled list, pitched seven shutout innings to beat Boston in his last outing Tuesday. Diamond has walked only three in 29 2/3 innings while striking out 15. The left-hander earned the victory against Baltimore last July, despite giving up five runs in six innings. Twin for pitching and hitting – Orioles for relief – Twins
10) NY Yankees vs KC Royals - KC Royals - favourite pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Hiroki Kuroda (4-2, 2.30 ERA) vs. Royals RH Ervin Santana (3-1, 2.36)
Kuroda has yet to allow more than three runs in a start and has been outstanding in his last five outings, surrendering a total of six runs and pitching at least seven innings four times. He was a hard-luck loser last time out, giving up two runs on seven hits in seven innings of a 2-0 loss at Colorado. Kuroda has had his struggles against the Royals, losing both career starts and allowing them to bat .310 against him. Butler is 4-for-6 with two doubles and three RBIs against him.
Santana gave up four runs in losing his season debut but has gone 3-0 and allowed a total of eight runs in five subsequent starts. He did not factor in the decision last time out at Baltimore after giving up three runs in six innings. Santana’s biggest problem has been the first inning – he has surrendered seven of his 12 runs in that frame. He has not had a lot of success against the Yankees dating to his time with the Los Angeles Angels, logging a 5-6 mark and 5.90 ERA in 14 career starts. Yanks for releif. pitching even hitting by a bit for KC .. very close – Yanks
11) Oakland Athletics vs Seattle Mariners – Seattle Mariners - evens pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Tommy Milone (3-4, 3.13 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Joe Saunders (2-4, 6.15)
Milone has lost four straight starts despite not giving up an earned run in two of them. He won his first three outings, including a season-opening win over the Mariners in which he gave up two runs and four hits in seven innings. Milone has 41 strikeouts against six walks in his seven starts. He is 3-1 with a 2.63 ERA in six career starts against Seattle.
Saunders gave up four runs and seven hits in four innings in his loss to the Athletics in his first outing of the season. He has lost three of his last four decisions after being touched up for seven runs and nine hits in five innings by the Toronto Blue Jays in his last start. Saunders has been terrific in three starts at Safeco Field, going 2-0 with a 0.81 ERA. He has a 3.57 career ERA against Oakland. The Athletics for pitching and hitting and for relief at evens – Athletics
12) Atlanta Braves vs San Francisco Giants - Atlanta Braves - underdog pick.PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Kris Medlen (1-4, 3.25 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Lincecum (2-2, 4.75)
Medlen turned in his fifth quality start last Tuesday against the Reds, allowing two earned runs over seven innings. He hasn’t been as sharp as he was in the second half last season, but he’s gone seven innings in four of his seven starts. Pablo Sandoval has three hits in four at-bats with a home run against Medlen, who has given up three homers in his last three starts. The 27-year-old Medlen is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in six career games (one start) against the Giants.
After two encouraging starts, Lincecum took a step back while allowing 10 runs and 19 hits over his last two outings. He gave up five runs in seven innings against the Phillies last Tuesday. The Giants are 5-2 when he takes the mound, but only two of his seven starts have been quality outings. He’s 6-5 with a 3.28 ERA in 11 career starts against the Braves, including four consecutive losses. Brian McCann is 10-for-29 with one home run against the two-time Cy Young award winner. Hitting and relief for Braves and pitching for Giants – Braves should overcome
13) Philadelphia Phillies vs Arizona Diamondbacks - Arizona Diamondbacks - evens pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Kyle Kendrick (4-1, 2.45 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Brandon McCarthy (0-3, 6.75)
With Roy Halladay likely out for the season with a shoulder injury, Philadelphia will need Kendrick to continue to be at his best. The 28-year-old Houston native has recorded six consecutive quality starts since his season-opening loss and has won his last three outings, including two on the road. Kendrick has allowed 42 hits and 10 walks in 47 2/3 innings, leading to a 1.09 WHIP. He is 0-2 with a 6.06 ERA in seven games (six starts) against Arizona, including 0-2, 11.57 last season.
McCarthy is struggling in his first season in the desert, but turned in his first quality start in his last outing. He yielded three runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings in Arizona’s 5-3 victory at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday. McCarthy has allowed an eye-popping 61 hits in 40 innings, leading to a 1.68 WHIP and a staggering .347 batting average against. McCarthy has never faced Philadelphia, but Michael Young and Delmon Young have each homered in a combined 44 at-bats against him. Dbacks for hitting by a small amount and pitching – relief is moving towards Phillies – Phillies
14) Miami Marlins vs LA Dodgers - LA Dodgers - favourite pick.PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Tom Koehler (0-0, 3.18 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Chris Capuano (0-2, 10.38)
Koehler comes out of the bullpen for his first start this season and second of his career, replacing left-hander Wade LeBlanc in the rotation. Opponents are batting .135 off Koehler this season, compared to .318 off LeBlanc, who is 0-5 with a 6.11 ERA. Koehler’s highest pitch count this season was 50 in a three-inning appearance April 29 against the Mets, but he has shown he can pitch for long stretches. He was second in innings pitched in the Southern League in 2010 while compiling a 16-2 record with Double-A Jacksonville.
Capuano’s first appearance since coming off the disabled list with a strained left calf wasn’t much better than his previous outing when the injury occurred. He allowed five earned runs and eight hits in four innings of a 9-2 loss Monday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He made two relief appearances against the San Diego Padres to start the season, the last after Zack Greinke suffered a broken left collarbone during a bench-clearing brawl. He moved into Greinke’s spot in the rotation and started against the Padres on April 16, allowing five earned runs and five hits in two innings before getting lifted because of the calf injury. Marlins for pitching and relief and hitting for the Dodgers – Marlins
15) LA Angels vs Chicago WhIte Sox - LA Angels - underdog pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH C.J. Wilson (3-1, 3.86 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Chris Sale (3-2, 3.42)
Wilson seemingly plays with fire every time out, but it hasn’t always hurt him. He entered Saturday ranked second in the American Leagues with 24 walks and his WHIP of 1.55 is significantly higher than anything he has produced in his first three seasons as a starter. In a 7-6 loss at Houston on Tuesday, Wilson established a bizarre line that saw him surrender seven runs – two earned – while striking out a career high-tying 12. The southpaw is 3-1 with a 2.86 ERA in 13 games (three starts) against Chicago. He has never started a game at U.S. Cellular Field.
Since a disastrous outing at Cleveland on April 13, Sale has righted the ship. He is 2-1 with a 2.22 ERA in his last four starts, lasting at least seven innings each time. Sale has continued to master his home ballpark. After going 9-3 with a 2.30 mark in 14 starts at U.S. Cellular in 2012, he is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA this year. The 24-year-old won his only prior start against the Angels by allowing a run in 5 1/3 innings while striking out seven last May 17 in Anaheim. Pitching is mixed but hitting and relief moving for Angels – a mess – lean towards Angels
