This Week's MLB Picks

Monday

GIANTS over Mets, UNDER (9 runs). The Mets haven't seen Barry Zito before, but Ollie Perez has been downright encouraging. Look for the Giants to win a close, low-scoring game. 2,000 to win 1,980 on the Giants, with 2,000 to win 1,802 on the under.

Tuesday

After last night's de facto push (nice defense, Mets), I'm going after a few big underdogs with light money, and a favorite with heavy.

Nats over BREWERS. The best record in the NL has to end sometime, and Dave Bush has been terrible. Jason Simontacchi has a couple of good starts in his history against the Brew Crew. 1,000 to win 1,990.

JAYS over Red Sox. Call it a hunch, but I think Josh Beckett is due for a rough time. Victor Zambrano has some talent. 1,000 to win 1,760 on the home dog.

TWINS over White Sox. Boof Bonser is starting to come aroud, and Javy Vazquez can be rough in the Dome. 2,000 to win 1,802 on the slight home favorite.

Wednesday

OK, I give, I give, the Nats will never win again. Let's just move on. 2-3 for the week, but the bigger bet winner has me trolling around even money.

Phillies over DBACKS. Don't look now, but Randy Johnson is aging faster than a high-school girl working as a pole dancer. Plus, the D-Backs have never faced Jamie Moyer before. 2,500 to win 2,273 on the Phils.

A's over ROYALS. Could Gil Meche really be a good signing for the Royals? No. Besides, Dan Haren is getting close to dominant, and the A's just own this team. 2,500 to win 2,101 on Oakland.

Thursday

Treading water and losing slowly. 3-4 for the week, so let's go deeper.

Rangers over YANKEES. I'm not ready to throw in the towel on Brandon McCarthy yet, and Chien-Ming Wang is rarely dominant. 1,000 to win 2,600 on the road dog.

BRAVES over Padres, OVER. Hudson vs. Wells won't do you no favors on the money line, but sometimes you go there anyway. I like the Braves to win big here, and the Padres to score runs late. 1,500 to win 773 on the win, 1,500 to win 1,282 on an 8-run over.

White Sox over TWINS. By the numbers, Jose Contreras is worse than Carlos Silva this year, but the numbers lie; most of Jose's bad stuff comes from a disastrous opening day. Besides, no Joe Mauer takes a lot of teeth out of the Twins lineup. 2,000 to win 2,260 on the light road dogs from Chicago.

Friday

A 3-0-1 day brings me up to plus $5,200 for the week, and within shouting distance of the top spot. Let the good times roll.

Cards over PADRES. Kip Wells against Jake Peavy is making this a big moneyline for the hometown team, but Peavy's career record against the Cards is not good, and Wells has gone deep into the game 4 out of the last 5 starts against San Diego. 2,000 to win 3,700.

Angels over RANGERS. Hot off a salvaging stomp of the Yankees in New York, the Rangers fly home to face John Lackey. I think they'll leave their bats on the plane, but Vincente Padilla won't be so lucky. 2,000 to win 1,600.

Tigers over TWINS. I've made some good coin this year going against Johan Santana at home, and with the Twinkies really struggling to score runs these days, I'm willing to pull the trigger with Mike Maroth one more time. 2,000 to win 3,660.

Saturday

Another 2-1 day pushes it higher, but then NBX takes forever to put up tickets, locking me out of the early games -- and while I'm up for the week, it's not enough to be in the top spot. 4 road warrior picks for the late games...

Reds over DODGERS. Penny has been great this year, but Kyle Lohse has been solid as well, and this Dodger team just isn't scoring runs yet. 2,500 to win 4,100.

Giants over ROCKIES. From watching Barry Zito for years in Oakland, I've seen him win without the good curveball. Jeff Francis just never inspires confidence. 2,000 to win 1,739.

Cards over PADRES. Looper's been very solid, and the money line is appealing. 2,500 to win 3,225 on the Cards.

Yanks over MARINERS. I like what I've read about Yankee farmhand Matt DiSalvo, and the Mariners are starting the truly horrible Miguel Batista. 2,000 to win 1,493 on the Bombers.

Sunday

Gah. Had this all written up, and then Blogger ate my post. A 2-2 day leaves us in sriking distance, but wer'e going to have to go big. So, going quick with it...

Cubs over PHILLIES (Lilly v. Lieber - home town team hasn't seen Lilly yet). Giants over ROCKIES (Matt Cain v. Taylor Bucholz, the former is due.) Angels over RANGERS - (Evin Santana is due, and Mike Wood is a long reliever), and OAKLAND over Cleveland (Chad Gaudain over Cliff Lee).