1) San Diego Padres vs Baltimore Orioles – Baltimore Orioles pick but stay away - PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Jason Marquis (4-2, 3.48 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Freddy Garcia (0-1, 4.26)
Marquis has had limited interaction with the Orioles over the course of a 14-year career, but when they’ve met it’s been ugly for the right-hander. Marquis has surrendered 18 runs on 28 hits in 16 1/3 innings over five games – three starts - in his career against Baltimore, good for a 9.92 ERA and a 2.20 WHIP. One of those appearances took place at Camden Yards in 2011, when the Orioles got to him for five runs in four frames. Marquis is 3-0 with a 2.18 ERA over his last three starts, including eight scoreless innings at home against Miami on May 8.
Garcia was in camp with the Padres this spring before being released March 24. Picked up by Baltimore three days later, Garcia will be making his third start for the Orioles. Garcia has lasted at least six innings in his first two outings with Baltimore, limiting opponents to just eight hits in 12 2/3 frames overall. However, three of those eight hits have left the yard. The 36-year-old has faced the Padres nine times over the course of a 15-year career, going 4-2 with a 2.51 ERA. Pitching and hitting for the Orioles with relief very close – Orioles by a bit and should win but could be a mess stay away.
2) Cleveland Indians vs Philadelphia Phillies – Philadelphia Phillies – but stay away. PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (2-2, 5.64 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Cole Hamels (1-5, 4.18)
Kluber is coming off his worst outing of the season in Friday’s 10-4 setback at Detroit. The right-hander was roughed up for eight runs – two more than he had allowed in his previous four appearances combined – and 11 hits over 4 2/3 innings. Following the loss, he stated that he lost his delivery and made too many mistakes with his cut fastball. Kluber, who is allowing opposing hitters to bat .356, will make his first career interleague start, but has only faced two Phillies – Ben Revere (3-for-8) and Delmon Young (3-for-6).
Despite not allowing more than three runs in any of his last six outings, Hamels has only one win to show for it. The three-time All-Star took his second straight loss in Thursday’s 2-1 loss at Arizona even though he only gave up two runs and six hits over six frames – the fourth time his offense scored one run or less in his starts. Hamels has faced the Indians only one time in his career, taking the loss in a five-inning outing in 2007. Looks like relief and hitting for Indians while pitching for Phillies is solid – 50/50 bet – stay away really probably Phillies based upon pitching
3) Houston Astros vs Detroit Tigers – Detroit Tigers – favourite pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (0-1, 4.43 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Max Scherzer (5-0, 3.61)
Keuchel is making his second start after six relief appearances. He had a strong first start in a no-decision against Texas, allowing two runs and five hits in six innings. Keuchel lost to the Tigers on May 2 when he tossed four shutout innings before being touched up for four runs in the decisive 14th inning. That is his lone career appearance against Detroit.
Scherzer has been spectacular with 61 strikeouts against just nine walks. He has walked two or fewer batters in six of his seven outings. Scherzer beat the Cleveland Indians in his last start on Friday when he gave up four runs and five hits in eight innings. He is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) against Houston. Detroit all the way.
4) White Sox vs Twins - White Sox – Twins pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Dylan Axelrod (0-3, 4.17 ERA) vs. Twins RH Mike Pelfrey (3-3, 6.03)
Axelrod remains winless in seven starts and is coming off one of his worst outings, as he allowed a season high-tying six runs (five earned) in six innings last time out against the Los Angeles Angels. That was preceded by a string of four straight solid starts during which Axelrod surrendered a total of eight runs and went at least six innings in each outing. He made a relief appearance against Minnesota last September, giving up two runs on three hits in 2 2/3 innings.
Pelfrey was working on a shutout through five innings against Baltimore last time out before getting pelted for three runs on four doubles in the sixth inning. He turned in his best effort in his previous start, limiting Cleveland to one run on four hits while striking out a season-high seven. Pelfrey has put a lot of runners on base and has allowed opponents to bat .331 against him while posting a bloated 1.69 WHIP. He never has faced the White Sox. White Sox for pitching but not convincing while hitting solid for the Twins and relief enough for Twins to make it. – Twins
5) Rangers vs Athletics - Rangers pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers RH Alexi Ogando (3-2, 3.09 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Dan Straily (1-1, 7.06)
Ogando has allowed two or fewer earned runs in six of his eight starts. Despite his strong work, he has one win over his last six outings. Ogando took a no-decision in his last outing against the Houston Astros when he allowed two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings. He lost his lone career start against Oakland back in 2011 when he gave up five runs (three earned) and six hits in five innings.
Straily allowed six runs for the second time in three starts when he lost to Seattle in his last outing. He gave up six hits and walked four in five innings. Straily won his lone start against the Rangers last season when he gave up two runs (one earned) and five hits in 6 2/3 innings. He could be sent down later this week when Brett Anderson is activated. Texas for pitching and hitting Athletics for relief by a bit = Rangers should have it unless relief fails badly
6) Braves vs Diamondbacks – Braves – pick but to0 close to call avoid PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Tim Hudson (4-2, 4.70 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Ian Kennedy (1-3, 4.83)
Tim Hudson looks to remain unbeaten against the Arizona Diamondbacks when the Atlanta Braves conclude a three-game series at Chase Field on Wednesday. Hudson is 7-0 with a 1.33 ERA in nine career starts against Arizona, which won Tuesday’s matchup 2-0 behind another strong outing by Patrick Corbin. Hudson turned in his shortest outing of the season Friday against the Giants, allowing six earned runs over 3 2/3 innings. The rough outing marked only the fourth time in Hudson’s career that he allowed at least eight hits and at least six runs while completing fewer than four innings. Hudson has struggled on the road with a 6.97 ERA in four starts compared to a 2.84 ERA in four home starts.Cody Ross is 4-for-23 against Hudson, who is 3-0 with a 0.76 ERA in his last three starts against Arizona.
Kennedy bounced back from back-to-back rough outings with a solid start Friday against the Phillies, allowing two runs in the first before throwing six scoreless frames. “He pitched a great game,” manager Kirk Gibson told reporters. “I think it’s the best he’s thrown the ball, certainly the best he’s executed the game plan.” Kennedy is 6-2 with 2.55 ERA in 12 home games against teams from the National League East since 2010. He gave up three runs over seven innings in his last meeting against the Braves on April 22, 2012.Dbacks for Relief and pitching evens and Braves for hitting – very close avoid if pushed Braves tiny lean
7) San Francisco Giants vs Toronto Blue Jays - Blue Jays pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Ryan Vogelsong (1-3, 7.78 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Ramon Ortiz (0-1, 3.24)
Bruce Bochy considered skipping Vogelsong’s start – and with San Francisco off Monday, the move would not have disrupted the rotation. Whether Bochy capitulated or Vogelsong convinced his manager to give him another chance, the 35-year-old knows he needs to be sharp in order to preserve his job. “It’s a tough game sometimes, and it will beat you down,” he told the San Francisco Chronicle. “But I’ve been through this before and I’ve come through the other side.”
Ortiz’s presence in the Toronto starting five is a stark indication of the lack of depth behind the club’s marquee pitchers. But the 40-year-old – pitching for his eighth different team in eight seasons – didn’t look out of place in his first major-league start since 2011, limiting the Boston Red Sox to one run over five innings despite allowing four hits and five walks. Ortiz has thrown 8 1/3 innings for Toronto and has yet to receive a single run of support. Looks like the Giants have an edge in relief and hitting but pitching is for he jays unless Vogelsong returns to form for the Giants – Blue Jays but risky
8) Brewers vs Pirates – Brewers – favourite pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Yovani Gallardo (3-2, 4.70 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Wandy Rodriguez (3-2, 3.62).
Gallardo sports an ERA nearly a run above the highest total he’s posted in a full season (3.84 in 2010). The Brewers are troubled by a drop in speed on his fastball - and Gallardo threw 100 pitches in four innings of Friday’s loss to Cincinnati. Gallardo struck out 204 in as many innings last season to rank sixth in the NL. This season, he has fanned 31 hitters in 47 frames.
Rodriguez has pitched well since coming over from Houston in a trade last July, going 8-6 in 20 starts with a 3.69 ERA. He snapped a three-start winless streak in his last outing on Friday, holding the New York Mets to one earned run on six hits in six innings. Rodriguez has been troubled by keeping hitters in the park. He has surrendered seven homers in 37 1/3 innings, after allowing 21 in 205 2/3 innings last season.
9) Cincinnati Reds vs Miami Marlins - Cincinnati Reds - PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mike Leake (2-2, 4.32) vs. Marlins RH Alex Sanabia (2-5, 4.85)
Leake allowed four runs on eight hits over seven innings in his last outing, losing 7-2 to Atlanta. Before that, the right-hander had given up three runs or fewer in four straight starts while winning two of three decisions. Opponents have collected 50 hits in 41 2/3 innings and are batting .303 vs. Leake, who surrendered three runs over six innings in his only career appearance against the Marlins in 2010. Greg Dobbs is 1-for-7 with a homer against Leake.
Sanabia has lost four straight starts, receiving a total of five runs of support in the last three. The 24-year-old has allowed three earned runs or fewer in five of seven outings, but opponents are batting .311 against him. Sanabia gave up five runs and six hits over six innings in a 10-6 loss to the Reds on April 21 that began his slide. Votto was 3-for-4 with a homer against Sanabia, who was facing Cincinnati for the first time. Pitching looks very close with hitting going to the Reds and relief swinging towards the Marlins – Reds
10) Seattle Mariners vs New York Yankees – Seattle Mariners- evens pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Hisashi Iwakuma (4-1, 1.74 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Phil Hughes (2-2, 4.43)
Iwakuma continues to churn out one strong outing after another, winning his last two starts by allowing three runs over 14 innings. He struck out nine and limited Oakland to two runs on four hits in seven frames last time out. Iwakuma has not allowed more than three runs in 12 consecutive starts dating to last season and has yielded two runs or fewer in seven of eight outings this year. He is 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA in two starts against the Yankees, going five innings in each.
Hughes also has won two straight starts despite getting roughed up for six runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings at Kansas City in his last turn. That halted a stretch of four straight starts during which he allowed a total of six runs and pitched at least seven innings three times. Hughes had gone three straight starts without giving up a home run before surrendering a pair vs. the Royals. He’s enjoyed success against the Mariners, compiling a 4-2 record and 2.83 ERA in nine appearances (six starts). Very tough the Mariners pitcher is playing very well but does not like the Yanks and they eat him up, hitting is just for the Yanks but relief has surged for the Yanks – Yanks by a bit but will be close
11) Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays - Tampa Bay Rays PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Jon Lester (5-0, 2.73 ERA) vs. Rays LH David Price (1-3, 4.78)
It appeared Lester was poised to throw his second no-hitter until Maicer Izturis hit a two-out double in the sixth inning – the only batter to reach for Toronto. The 29-year-old Tacoma, Wash., native struggled a bit in his previous three turns, allowing 12 runs and all four home runs he has allowed this season in 17 2/3 innings. Lester is 10-8 with a 4.14 ERA in 23 starts against the Rays and snapped a four-game losing streak against them last month when he allowed a run in seven innings.
Tampa Bay has won twice in Price’s last three starts after losing all of his first five turns. The 27-year-old Nashville, Tenn., native allowed four runs (two earned) in seven innings against Toronto on Thursday, but got a no-decision in the Rays’ 5-4 victory. Price’s win came three starts back – an 8-3 victory over the White Sox in Chicago on April 28 when he allowed three runs and struck out a season-high nine in seven innings. Price is 8-4 with a 2.99 ERA in 16 starts against Boston. The Red Sox have small edge in pitching and the Rays have a big edge in hitting and relief. – Rays
12) Rockies vs Cubs – Cubs -pick - PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Jon Garland (3-3, 4.83 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jeff Samardzija (1-5, 3.70)
Garland has lost three of his last four starts, including a 3-0 decision at St. Louis on Friday when Colorado was one-hit by Shelby Miller. The 33-year-old needs to be effective with his sinker in order to win and the amount of ground ball outs he gets is telling. In his three wins, 59.6 percent of his outs were recorded on groundballs; in his three losses, it is 45.8. Opponents are hitting .304 against Garland, who is 4-4 with a 3.61 ERA in 12 games (eight starts) against the Cubs.
Samardzija hasn’t won in seven starts since pitching eight shutout innings Opening Day. He is coming off his worst start of the season when he allowed seven runs (five earned) and eight hits in five innings in Friday’s 7-3 loss at Washington. The 28-year-old has yielded only 42 hits with 57 strikeouts in 48 2/3 innings while opponents are hitting .225 against him. Samardzija allowed three runs in seven innings last season and received a no-decision in his only start against Colorado. Cubs look to have the pitching and a recent surge in hitting has put them in a strong place while relief is suporting Rockies not absolutely - Cubs.
13) Mets vs Cardinals - Cardinals - favourite pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Shaun Marcum (0-3, 8.59 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Shelby Miller (5-2, 1.58)
Marcum became the first pitcher in team history to last fewer than five innings over each of his first three starts after allowing six runs and nine hits in Friday’s 7-3 loss against Pittsburgh. Manager Terry Collins attributed his right-hander’s struggles to rushing back after beginning the season on the disabled list with a neck injury and right biceps tendinitis. Marcum is 1-1 with a 4.65 ERA in five all-time starts against St. Louis.
Miller did not walk a batter for the second time this season against Colorado last Friday and is allowing opposing hitters to bat only .125 against him while striking out 28 over 21 2/3 innings in his three home starts. The 22-year-old has also yielded no more than two runs in six of his seven outings, but has logged at least 106 pitches in each of his last three starts. Miller faced the Mets in his major-league debut last September, striking out four in two innings of relief. Cardinals for everything strongly
14) Nationals vs Dodgers – Nationals – favourite pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Ross Detwiler (2-3, 2.53 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Zack Greinke (1-0, 1.59)
Detwiler snapped a three-start losing streak when he yielded two runs in 6 2/3 innings in Washington’s 7-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday. The 27-year-old St. Louis native was aided by a curveball that he hasn’t thrown much this year. Detwiler has recorded five quality starts in seven outings this season, but has allowed 50 hits in 42 2/3 innings. He is 1-1 with a 3.10 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and .205 batting average against in four appearances (three starts) against Los Angeles.
Greinke pitched 6 1/3 shutout innings in winning his season opener and was leading 2-1 in the sixth inning when he hit Quentin with a pitch, triggering the brawl. The 29-year-old Orlando, Fla., native made one pain-free rehab appearance at High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday and yielded eight runs (three earned) and six hits while striking out four in 4 1/3 innings. Greinke is 2-0 with a 1.95 ERA in two starts against Washington with 15 strikeouts in 14 innings and a 0.64 WHIP. Pitching for the Dodgers with hitting dodgers and relief for the Nationals – Nationals by a bit not strong
15) KC vs LA Angels = - KC pick = not a strong pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Wade Davis (2-3, 5.86 ERA) vs. Angels RH Barry Enright (0-1, 11.37)
Davis resumed his role as a starter this season but the change of scenery hasn’t worked any better than previous years. His first 64 appearances in the majors came as a starter, when he posted a 25-22 record for the Tampa Bay Rays from 2009-11. That wasn’t enough to maintain his spot in the rotation, however. He was delegated to the bullpen last season, where he went 3-0 with a 2.43 ERA in 54 relief appearances. The Rays sent him to Kansas City along with right-hander James Shields in the off-season and he’s still trying to find his niche.
Enright will make his second consecutive start in place of Tommy Hanson, who is on the restricted list as he deals with a personal matter. Enright had a rough start Friday against the Chicago White Sox, giving up a leadoff home run followed by a single before retiring nine straight. He got into trouble again in the fourth and was ultimately lifted after allowing five runs and four hits in 3 1/3 innings. The bullpen shut out the White Sox the rest of the way, however, allowing the Angels to hold on for a 7-5 victory. Enright has never faced Kansas City in his four-year career, but has surrendered home runs to Miguel Tejada and Alcides Escobar. Pitching is terrible and hitting is evens therefore relief for KC but really spin the wheel and black/red? KC if pushed
