We went 1-1 last night but we are back for more today, looking to go 2-0 in our MLB Picks of the Day. There is an early scheduled game for 12:35 EST time, so be sure to see what we have in store for today with two plays on totals.
New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals
The Mets are in complete free fall and have started their yearly annual collapse, dropping 6 in
a row and falling to 46-45 overall. It seems that neither Sandy Alderson nor
Terry Collins can do anything to prevent it; it's just something ingrained in the Mets' psychology. Despite that, baseball odds makers have opened today's game with the Mets
only a +120 dog. That is because they will send 12 game winner and All Star R.A. Dickey to the mound, but he, like the Mets, has also been in quite the free
fall of late. Dickey has given up 5 runs in three of his last 4 starts and
is 3-4 with a 3.50 liftime ERA against the Nationals.
It's expected to be in
the 90-95 degree range today at Washington's ballpark and that's when Dickey
is at his best. When the air is hot and thick, he gets the most
movement on his knuckleball. So, he will certainly be looking to have a bounce back
start and put an end to this Mets' drought.
Nationals counter
with Gio Gonzalez
Gio Gonzalez, like R.A. Dickey a 12-game winner, with a
2.93 ERA, will take the mound for the Nats looking to sweep of the
Metropolitians. Gonzalez struck out nine in six innings in his last start
against the Miami Marlins but lost despite allowing just two runs on five
hits. He has allowed three runs or fewer in 15 of his 18 starts. Gonzalez faced
the Mets last season when he pitched for the Oakland Athletics and took a
no-decision while giving up just one run and four hits in seven innings. This
will be the first time a lot of the young Mets in the lineup will be getting a
look at Gonzalez, which is certainly one tough task.
The TOTAL
Baseball odds makers have
opened this game up with the total set at 7.5. It should be a classic
pitchers' duel, but we have other ideas for this one. As we said, Dickey has given
up 5 runs in 4 of his last 5 starts and seems to be losing his magic touch. The
Nationals lineup is quite comfortable facing him, having seen him a total of 8
times in the last 2 years. Despite the Mets recent slide, they have still been
putting up runs; the problem has been the bullpen giving up runs like it's their
job to do so. Thanks to the early start, we see the sweltering heat taking its toll on both
starting pitchers and this one going OVER the posted total. Look for the Mets
to come out with a Game 7 like mentality today against Gonzalez, fouling off a
ton of pitches and just battling, which will result in getting to the bullpen
early. Both bullpens are taxed and primed to give up runs, especially since both
have been used like crazy in this series.
Our first MLB pick of
the day is the Mets Nationals OVER 7.5.
Our second game
features the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox have opened as a
-140 favorites with the total set at 10.5.
Starting pitchers
Jose Quintana will
take to the hill for the White Sox. After a blistering start, it
seems as if MLB hitters are starting to figure him out; it's now Quintana's
turn to make the adjustments. In his last 3 starts, Quintana owns an ERA of
close to 6 with a 1.40 WHIP. Over that time frame, he has faced the Yankees,
Rangers and Royals, giving up a total of 12 earned runs, while not making
it past the 5th inning against either the Yankees or the Rangers. He'll be facing
another dynamic lineup today in the Red Sox.
Clay Bucholz throws for the Red Sox. He possesses a 5.54 ERA on the year with a 1.48 WHIP while giving up 102 hits in 92 IP. Bucholz has been a complete disappointment
this year, literally giving up 5 earned runs almost every single start. What's
even more concerning is the 102 hits in 92 innings pitched; Bucholz has just
shown no ability to get hitters out in a pinch at all. He's been at his worst
at Fenway Park (where this game will be played) giving up 58 hits in 51 innings
pitched, while giving up a whopping 31 earned runs and 11 long balls along with
20 base on balls. Just a complete disaster.
Red Sox line up is
now fully healthy
Jacoby Ellsbury and
Carl Crawford are now back at the top of the Red Sox lineup, and it has
completely turned this offense around; they simply look unstoppable. They have
put up 27 earned runs in their last 4 games, with Ellsbury and Crawford setting the table while Adrian Gonzalez and Cody Ross have been
hitting 2-3 run bombs. These two in the lineup is so significant because it
causes the pitcher to have to worry about the speed on the base paths and takes a lot of the focus off the hitter in the box, which can lead to disaster. Quintana will certainly have his hands full today, as he has shown problems
dealing with big time lineups such as the Yankees and Rangers. Expect more of
the same today.
The White Sox lineup
has also gotten a huge boost since acquiring Kevin Youkilis. In 3 of their 5
games with Youk in the lineup, they have hung a 9 spot, 5 spot, and 7 spot. So, again, the opposing pitcher, Clay Bucholz will also have his hands full today.
Game 2 of this series went over the posted total, while last night's game pushed
and we certainly expect tonight to be no different. Both teams should put up
runs in a classic American League game as this flies over the posted total.
White Sox Red Sox are
OVER 10.5 is our final MLB Pick of the Day. Good luck everybody!
Don't forget to check out our other handicappers on these two series.