1) Mets vs Cardinals - Cardinals - favourite pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Jon Niese (2-4, 5.93 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (5-2, 2.30)
Niese has been awful of late, allowing a total of 15 runs and 15 hits while walking nine over 8 1/3 innings in his last two starts – both losses. The 26-year-old worked on his mechanics in front of a mirror during the week and had a strong bullpen session. Niese has handled St. Louis in the past, owning a 2-1 record with a 1.83 ERA in four starts.
Wainwright took a no-hitter into the eighth inning against Colorado on Saturday and ended up with a two-hit shutout. The veteran right-hander has issued only four walks while striking out 55 in 58 2/3 total innings and has seven quality starts in eight turns. New York has never been a good matchup for Wainwright, who owns a 1-3 record with a 7.90 ERA in six games (four starts) against the Mets. He was pounded for 12 runs in 11 1/3 innings against the Mets last season. The Pitching is confusing i Niese shows up with his killer Cardinal game and Wainwright falls again to the Mets then the Mets win Cardinals are strong for everything else .. hard to see otherwise Cardinals
2) Brewers vs Pirates – Pirtaes – favourite pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Hiram Burgos (1-1, 6.86 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Francisco Liriano (1-0, 1.69).
Burgos pitched well in his first three major-league starts, but was rocked for 11 hits and 10 earned runs in three innings Saturday against Cincinnati. His previous three starts were marked by good control (three walks, 10 strikeouts in 18 innings). Burgos has allowed four homers in his past 16 innings.
Liriano shined in his Pittsburgh debut Saturday, striking out nine and holding the New York Mets to one run on six hits in 5 1/3 strong innings. The outing – coming after two seasons marred by injuries and an offseason fractured forearm – give the Pirates hope they have bolstered their rotation with a pitcher who struck out 201 batters in 2010. Liriano is 4-2 in eight career appearances against the Brewers The Pirates should win this with better pitching but the volume is thin, hitting should help ut relief is all ober the place with runs up and OBP down – a mess waiting to happen – Pirates
3) Cincinnati Reds vs Miami Marlins - Cincinnati Reds - PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Mat Latos (4-0, 3.04 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Jose Fernandez (2-2, 3.65)
Latos yielded seven runs (six earned) in six innings to Milwaukee in his last outing, but still won his fourth straight start as the Reds rolled 13-7. The right-hander had surrendered three or fewer earned runs in his first seven starts. Latos allowed one run over seven innings in his first-ever meeting with the Marlins on April 19 without getting a decision. Miguel Olivo is 2-for-3 with a homer against Latos.
Fernandez has won his last two starts, allowing three runs in 13 innings to beat Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Opponents are batting only .213 against the 20-year-old and he has 39 strikeouts in 37 innings. His worst turn was against Cincinnati, when he gave up five runs on six hits in four innings on April 18. Choo and Zack Cozart were 2-for-3 against Fernandez in that contest. Pitching looks very close witha small edge to Marlins, hitting going to the Reds and relief swinging towards the Marlins – Reds but depends on who shows up
4) Seattle Mariners vs New York Yankees – Seattle Mariners- evens pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Aaron Harang (1-4, 7.30 ERA) vs. Yankees LH Andy Pettitte (4-2, 3.83)
Harang was originally scheduled to start the series opener but was pushed back two days. After back-to-back rocky outings in which he failed to get through the fifth inning, Harang was solid in his last two starts. He took the loss at Pittsburgh on May 7 despite allowing only two runs on five hits in six innings. He went six innings to beat Baltimore in his previous turn, holding Baltimore to two runs on four hits. Harang has never faced the Yankees.
Pettitte had a strong bounce-back performance last time out, stifling Kansas City on two runs in seven innings to end a three-start winless streak. He had been roughed out in his previous two starts, surrendering a combined 11 runs over 9 1/3 innings. Pettitte has had his issues against the Mariners in his lengthy career, logging an 11-12 record and 4.39 ERA in 24 career starts. He has kept Ibanez in check, holding him to six hits with seven strikeouts in 24 at-bats. Very tough the Yank pitcher is playing very well but the Mariners are a bit unknown, hitting has switched to the Mariners, which is a surprise but relief has surged for the Yanks – Yanks by a bit
5) Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays - Tampa Bay Rays: PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LF Felix Doubront (3-1, 6.40 ERA) vs. Rays RH Alex Cobb (4-2, 3.09)
Doubront was bumped from the rotation last week but still ended up throwing over 100 pitches and allowing six runs and 11 hits over 5 1/3 innings in relief of ineffective replacement Allen Webster. Doubront has surrendered a total of 12 runs and 23 hits in nine innings over his last two appearances. The 25-year-old has had some success against the Rays in the past and owns a 2-1 record with a 3.91 ERA in seven games (four starts) against the division rivals.
Cobb has had trouble keeping the ball in the park over his last two outings, in which he has yielded a total of five home runs in 11 1/3 innings. The Boston native struck out 13 against San Diego on Friday but only lasted 4 2/3 innings due to a high pitch count. That made him the first pitcher in history to record that many K’s without making it through the fifth inning. Cobb allowed four runs (three earned) over 6 2/3 innings in a loss at Boston on April 14. The Red Sox should have have small edge in hitting and relief but that has disappeared and shifted to the Rays - Rays
6) Detroit Tigers vs Texas Rangers – Tigers PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Justin Verlander (4-3, 1.93 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Yu Darvish (6-1, 2.73)
Verlander has dominated Texas throughout his career, going 7-2 with a 2.02 ERA in 11 starts, but Darvish went 3-0 against the Tigers last year in his rookie campaign. Verlander is coming off his worst outing, lasting only five innings and allowing season highs in runs (four) and walks (five) in a 7-6 loss to Cleveland. He had allowed only five earned runs in his previous five outings and had gone seven innings in four consecutive starts. Verlander has never lost in Arlington, posting a 3-0 record with 34 strikeouts and a dazzling 1.29 ERA in four starts. He has held Ian Kinsler to three hits in 25 at-bats.
Darvish continues to rack up the strikeouts, leading the majors with 80, and is 4-0 over his last five starts. He has been susceptible to the long ball of late, giving up all five of his homers and 10 runs in his last three outings. Darvish has limited opponents to a .163 batting average against, the best in the AL among starters with at least 39 innings. Reigning Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera is 2-for-8 with two RBIs against Darvish. Looks like the Tigers have the advantage in pitching, hitting and relief given the last 10 games and looks solid for the Tigers
7) San Francisco Giants vs Colorado Rockies - San Francisco Giants - PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Matt Cain (2-2, 5.04 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jhoulys Chacin (3-2, 2.70)
Cain has won his last two starts while yielding three runs in 15 1/3 innings and compiling a 1.76 ERA. The 28-year-old Dothan, Ala., native posted a 6.49 ERA over six starts in April. The Giants have won his last three starts after losing the first five. Cain is 15-7 with a 3.11 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP in 28 starts against Colorado, including 5-3, 4.11, 1.31 at Coors Field. Troy Tulowitzki has feasted on Cain (18-for-53, four homers) while Carlos Gonzalez has not (4-for-34, 10 strikeouts).
Chacin allowed two runs in five innings Saturday when the Rockies were nearly no-hit for the second straight game in a 3-0 loss at St. Louis. It was the fifth time in six starts the 25-year-old Venezuelan has yielded two or fewer runs. Chacin is 3-4 with a 3.59 ERA in 10 appearances (nine starts) against the Giants, including 0-3 in his last four starts. Buster Posey is 4-for-7 with a pair of walks against Chacin while Pablo Sandoval is 7-for-17 with two homers. The pitching will be very close with maybe 0.5 -1 run between te pitchers, Giants hitting has improved but relief has gotten worse but net impact not much – Giants but very close
8) Nationals vs Dodgers – Padres – favourite pick. PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (1-5, 3.10 ERA) vs. Padres RH Edinson Volquez (3-3, 5.15)
Strasburg was dominant through four innings Saturday against the Chicago Cubs before Ryan Zimmerman’s two-out throwing error opened the door for four unearned runs in an 8-2 loss. The 24-year-old’s numbers are decent – 43 hits, 51 strikeouts, 15 walks and a 1.18 WHIP in 49 1/3 innings, but he has lacked run support as Washington has scored 18 in his eight outings. Strasburg lost his only start against the Padres 6-1 last season, allowing four runs in four innings.
Volquez has won three straight decisions and has lowered his ERA from 8.84 in the process. The 29-year-old Dominican Republic native received a no-decision in his last outing when he allowed two runs and three hits in six innings in a 6-3 loss at Tampa Bay on Friday. Prior to that, Volquez allowed five runs in 19 1/3 innings over three winning starts. Volquez, who has struck out three in each of his last five starts, is 1-1 with a 5.87 ERA in three starts against Washington. Nationals have a slight advantage in pitching and Padres have a slight advantage for hitting and reilef – Padres
9) White Sox vs LAA Angels - White Sox – 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. Evens for pitching while hitting for the White Sox and relief enough for Angels – White Sox by a whisker – avoid the coin toss
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.
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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
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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.
114) 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
