Posted on 4/29/2008 6:04:58 PM

MLB Betting Free Picks – San Francisco Giants Host Struggling Rockies

By Eric Williams

The Colorado Rockies, (10-16, 14-12 O/U) are in a huge funk, having lost four consecutive games and eight of their last ten in the BetUS Sportsbook and come into tonight’s matchup coming off an emphatic 4-0 shutout at the hands of the San Francisco Giants, (12-15, 13-14 O/U) on Monday night.

Tonight, the Rockies could be facing more trouble in the form of the Giants’ red-hot Tim Lincecum, (4-0, 1.23 ERA) who will try to become the first Giants pitcher in a whopping 15 years to go 5-0 in March and April.

With high-priced left-hander Barry Zito struggling in a huge way for the Giants, Lincecum has become the team’s new staff ace, going 3-0 with a 1.07 ERA in four starts, while also picking up a victory in relief in his season debut on April 2 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Lincecum has not allowed a run in 16 1/3 innings and tossed 6 1/3 innings on Thursday, allowing just four hits in the Giants’ 1-0.

"I struggled a little bit with my control," Lincecum said of his last outing. "It's still nice to pull out a win when you're off."

The Rockies will counter with right-hander Aaron Cook (3-1, 2.91) who has won his last three starts including a 4-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Thursday as he limited the Cubs to two runs on four hits in eight innings.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my MLB Gambling Free Picks:

The Rockies are 4-0 in Cook’s last four starts.

The Rockies are 4-0 in Cook’s last four starts on grass.

The Giants are 4-0 in Lincecum’s last four starts on grass.

The Giants are 4-0 in Lincecum’s last four starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.

The Over is 10-2-1 in Cook’s last 13 starts vs. a team with a losing record.

The Over is 4-1 in Cook’s last five road starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.

The Under is 5-1 in Lincecum’s last six starts overall.

The Under is 5-1 in Lincecum’s last six starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.

The Under is 4-0 in Cook’s last four road starts vs. Giants.

The Under is 4-1 in Cook’s last five starts vs. Giants.

Analysis: While Lincecum is probably due for a loss and the Rockies’ Cook is throwing very well right now, I’m going to take the Giants to back Lincecum with just enough run support to win this contest over their NL West rivals.

MLB Free Picks: Giants 4 Rockies 2

10:15 PM EST MLB Odds

Colorado Rockies

Aaron Cook - R +1½ -210

San Francisco Giants 

Tim Lincecum - R -1½ +175

Over 7 -120

Under 7 EV

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