posted May 2, 2008 at 16:24 in MLB Free Picks
MLB Baseball Betting Action – Pittsburgh Pirates at Washington Nationals
The Pittsburgh Pirates, (11-17, 19-9 O/U) have one of the best young players in all of baseball in young center fielder Nate McLouth, but the team could use about eight clones of the talented youngster as the once-proud franchise is struggling mightily once again.
While the Pirates are struggling and enter tonight’s second game of their three-game set with the Washington Nationals, (12-17, 11-17-1 O/U) coming off a 3-2 loss despite getting even solid innings from starter Zach Duke, the Nationals are playing their best baseball of the season, winning four straight games and six of their last seven in the BetUS Sportsbook.
The Nationals will have an excellent chance to pick up their fifth consecutive win by handing the ball to their best starter this season, left-hander John Lannan, (2-2, 2.64 ERA) who is an impressive 2-0 in his last two starts with a microscopic 0.45 ERA in his last three starts and a whopping 18 strikeouts over 20 innings.
The 23-year-old left-hander has not allowed a run in 19 innings and shut the Chicago Cubs out for seven innings in Washington's 2-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday.
Pittsburgh will counter with lefty, Phil Dumatrait (0-1, 3.92 ERA) who will make his first start of the season after the Pirates decided to part ways with veteran Matt Morris on Sunday.
Dumatrait has made 10 relief appearances for the Pirates, but the team is hoping the transition to starter will be an easy one.
"He's been in tough situations, and I think he'll be ready to go," Pirates manager John Russell told the team's official Web site. "It's a different year for him."
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my MLB Betting Picks.
The Pirates are 1-5 in their last six Friday games.
The Pirates are 1-8 in their last nine games vs. a left-handed starter.
The Nationals are 2-5 in Chicos last seven starts during game one of a series.
The Nationals are 3-8 in Chicos last eleven starts with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
The Over is 13-3 in Pirates last 16 games vs. a left-handed starter.
The Under is 4-1 in Pirates last five Friday games.
The Under is 5-1-2 in Chicos last eight starts vs. National League Central.
The Over is 4-1 in Chicos last five starts during game one of a series.
The Over is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Washington.
The Over is 8-3 in the last eleven meetings.
Analysis: The Washington Nationals are on a roll of epic proportions for them and should be able to continue their winning ways with the impressive Lannan on the mound tonight. Take the Nationals to rock and roll en route to victory.
MLB Free Picks: Nationals 5 Pirates 1
07:35 PM EST MLB Odds
Phil Dumatrait - L +1½ -140
John Lannan - L -1½ +120
Over 9 -115
Under 9 -105
National League
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