posted September 6, 2008 at 11:00 in MLB Free Picks
Saturday MLB Sweet Spot – Four Major League Baseball Free Picks
BetUS MLB Sportsbook bettors looking to increase their 2008 MLB regular season earnings should have a field day with this week’s Saturday MLB ‘Four-Pack.’
All four matchups in this MLB Four-Pack feature teams that are in tight races for their respective division titles, making this MLB Four-Pack more entertaining than ever.
Here is a look at each contest followed by my brief analysis and expert MLB Free Picks:
Los Angeles Angels at Chicago White Sox
The Pitchers: Angels’ starter John Lackey is 11-3 in 20 starts covering 142.1 innings with 109 strikeouts, 32 walks and an ERA of 3.10.
White Sox starter Gavin Floyd is 15-6 in 27 starts covering 167.0 innings with 119 strikeouts, 64 walks and a 3.61 ERA.
Analysis: While I genuinely believe the Angels are the better team in this matchup, I’m advising all BetUS MLB Sportsbook bettors to take the desperate Chicago White Sox and Gavin Floyd to beat Los Angeles and veteran hurler John Lackey,
Floyd has not allowed more than three earned runs in four consecutive starts while winning each of his last three starts. Lackey allowed four runs on nine hits in a 4-3 loss to Texas on Sunday.
MLB Free Picks: White Sox 5 Angels 4
Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays
The Pitchers: Rays’ starter James Shields is 12-8 in 28 starts covering 184.2 innings with 140 strikeouts, 35 walks and a 3.66 ERA.
Blue Jays starter Shaun Marcum is 8-6 in 22 starts covering 153.0 innings with 109 strikeouts, 43 walks with a 3.60 ERA.
Analysis: Two solid but underrated starters take the mound in this matchup. Toronto right-hander Shawn Marcum makes his first start since Aug. 22 when he allowed five runs on six hits in just 3.2 innings of an 8-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox. Tampa Bay right-hander James Shields limited the Baltimore Orioles to one run on six hits in seven innings in the Rays’ 10-4 win on Sunday.
I like the Rays to win this game by beating Marcum in his return to the majors after a stint in the minors while continuing their march toward their first division title in franchise history.
MLB Free Picks: Rays 6 Blue Jays 4
Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers
The Pitchers: Diamondbacks starter Brandon Webb is 19-6 in 29 starts covering 192.0 innings with 160 strikeouts, 51 walks with an ERA of 3.19.
Dodgers’ starter Chad Billingsley is 13-10 in 28 starts with two relief appearances covering 175.2 innings with 177 strikeouts, 72 walk and a 3.13 ERA.
Analysis: Brandon Webb has gotten rocked in each of his last two starts, allowing six earned runs in each start. L.A. right-hander Chad Billingsley has not allowed more than three earned runs in a whopping 10 straight starts. Billingsley beat the D-Backs on Saturday, limiting them to two runs on nine hits in seven innings.
I like Webb to get back to being the dominant pitcher he usually is with a spectacular effort in this contest and lead Arizona to a narrow victory.
MLB Free Picks: Diamondbacks 4 Dodgers 3
The Pitchers: Phillies starter Jamie Moyer is 12-7 in 28 starts covering 166.0 innings with 106 strikeouts, 52 walks with an ERA of 3.80.
Mets starter Pedro Martinez is 5-3 in 16 starts covering 87.0 innings with 67 strikeouts, 32 walks and a 5.07 ERA.
Analysis: This contest will have an electric playoff-like atmosphere! Philadelphia’s Jamie Moyer limited the Chicago Cubs to two runs on eight hits in 5.1 innings in Philly’s 5-3 win on Sunday.
Martinez led the Mets to a 6-2 win over the Florida Marlins on Sunday by limiting them to two runs on seven hits in six innings.
I hate to go against my hometown team in this matchup, but I call it like I see it – and I see a Mets win in this contest as they deliver a message to Philadelphia that they aren’t going to collapse down the stretch this season.
MLB Free Picks: Mets 6 Phillies 4
