posted April 25, 2008 at 13:54 in MLB Free Picks
MLB Betting Odds – Struggling Teams Meet, Royals Host Blue Jays
While the Toronto Blue Jays, (10-13, 8-13-2 O/U) have dropped four consecutive games in the BetUS Sportsbook including a convincing 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday, Toronto’s struggles are nothing when compared to the current struggles of the Kansas City Royals, (9-13, 7-15 O/U).
After getting off to a solid start to the 2008 regular season, the Royals have fallen back into some of their old ways, losing seven straight games and eight of their last nine including a 2-0 shutout at the hands of the Cleveland Indians on Thursday despite getting a solid performance from starting pitcher Brian Bannister.
Now, the team will turn to its second-best starter in veteran right-hander Zack Greinke, (3-0, 1.24 ERA) who is trying to bounce back from a poor start in his last outing as he allowed three runs in five innings, while tossing a whopping 100 pitches in the Royals’ 6-5 loss to the Oakland A’s.
"I was probably too predictable in what I was throwing," Greinke told the Royals' official Web site. "And my offspeed wasn't working like it's been, and I wasn't throwing it for any quality at all."
Greinke will go up against Toronto starter A.J. Burnett (2-1, 6.85) who picked up his first win in three outings by limiting the Detroit Tigers to three runs on four hits in five innings of Toronto’s 5-3 victory.
Burnett is 2-1 with a 3.67 ERA in four career starts against the Royals while Greinke has gone 1-2 with a 5.03 ERA against
Toronto in five career appearances, including three starts.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my MLB Wagering Free Picks:
The Blue Jays are 4-0 in Burnett’s last four starts as a favorite of -110 to -150.
The Blue Jays are 5-0 in Burnett’s last five starts on grass.
The Royals are 4-1 in Greinke’s last five starts as a home underdog.
The Royals are 4-1 in Greinke’s last five starts as an underdog.
The Under is 5-1 in Burnett’s last six Friday starts.
The Under is 5-1-1 in Burnett’s last seven road starts vs. a team with a losing record.
The Under is 5-0 in Greinke’s last five starts as a home underdog.
The Under is 5-0 in Greinke’s last five starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Analysis: First of all, let me say that Zack Greinke could use a one-way ticket out of Kansas City after the franchise unwisely pinned all of its hopes – and failures – one that talented youngster a few seasons ago despite having an absolutely horrific team at the time. While the Royals need a solid start from Greinke and will likely get one after a rough outing in his last start, I like the Blue Jays to snap their own modest losing streak as Burnett handcuffs the Royals with his sometimes overpowering pitching.
MLB Free Picks: Blue Jays 5 Royals 3
08:10 PM EST Baseball Odds
A.J. Burnett - R -110 +1½ -225
Zack Greinke - R -110 -1½ +185
Over 8 -110
Under 8 -110
American League
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