Front Page MLB Picks (Fri., Sep 5)

[Willie Bee]

Sabathia, Milwaukee Brewers on run line vs. San Diego Padres

Game Time: 09/05/2008 08:05 PM -
By: Bob Harvey | bobharveysports.com

C.C. Sabathia is in a league of his own, posting a 9-0 record and 1.43 ERA since joining the Brewers. Milwaukee covers the run line tonight vs. the San Diego Padres.

Payback will be strong and swift as the Milwaukee Brewers, who lost last night to the San Diego Padres, bounce back big with C.C. Sabathia.

The money line on this game is off the charts and truth being told the run line is a little steep. But how can you not like the unbeaten Sabathia who is coming off a near no-hitter and hasn’t lost since donning a Milwaukee uniform? The Brewers will be counting on the big lefthander to help them snap out of a four-game slide and he should cruise against the offensively challenged Padres.

Sabathia has been incredible since coming over from Cleveland in the July 7 trade. C.C. is 9-0 with a 1.43 ERA and has six complete games in 11 starts. When you take a closer look at his freakish numbers, it’s like looking at Sandy Koufax in ’63 or Bob Gibson in ’67, etc. In his last three starts, Sabathia is 2-0 with a 1.12 ERA. He’s got a WHIP of 1.04. In his last 11 starts, the Brewers are 10-1. And on and on the numbers go.

Last year, the Brewers squandered an 8½-game lead in the NL Central and missed the playoffs. Sabathia won’t let that happen again.

Free Pick: Brewers -1½ (-165)

[Willie Bee]

St. Louis Cardinals -108 to hook the Florida Marlins

Game Time: 09/05/2008 08:15 PM -
By: Al McMordie | bigal.com

Both teams have a lot in common with the exception fans actually show up to see the Cardinals play. Side with St. Louis at home Friday when they host the Florida Marlins.

Our Friday night MLB selection is on the St. Louis Cardinals at home in the Gateway City over the Florida Marlins.

The Cards and Marlins are two National League teams that have quite a bit in common right now. Both are languishing in third place in their respective divisions about 10 games back and with virtually no chance of making the postseason this year. But unlike the Marlins, the Cards still get fans coming to their home games.

On Wednesday, an estimated paid crowd of 600 showed up in South Florida for the game between the Marlins and Braves. More people than that show up at some of the local St. Louis bars to watch their beloved Cardinals play ball on TV, even in a season that has been for the most part disappointing.

Righthander Ricky Nolasco has been Florida's best overall starter this season and he now has seven quality starts in a row and three straight victories since a loss to this Cardinal team back on August 13. Cards righthander Braden Looper had a disasterous outing in his last start, but was every bit as good as Nolasco in his seven starts before then including a 6-4 victory over this Florida team in the same August 13 game against Nolasco. St. Louis has won six of the last eight meetings. Take the Cards.

Free Pick: Cardinals -108

[Willie Bee]

KC Royals +135 to surprise Indians

Game Time: 09/05/2008 08:10 PM -
By: LT Profits Sports Group | who2beton.com

The Royals are batting over .300 as a team over the last 10 games, and they look to offer nice value as a decided home underdog vs. Anthony Reyes and the Tribe.

The Kansas City Royals completed a three-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics by winning a doubleheader last night, while the Cleveland Indians cannot be too excited about this series after playing spoiler by taking two out of three games from the Chicago White Sox.

Royals starter Brandon Duckworth has done a nice job whenever called upon, as he has allowed exactly three runs in each of his two starts. Believe it or not, Duckworth has allowed three runs or less in eight of his last nine major league starts. The problem is that those starts have been spread across the last three years! That said, he has looked healthy in his two starts back and we see no reason why he cannot have continued success vs. an Indians team that has never faced him before.

Now Anthony Reyes has also pitched well in five starts this season, in fact allowing two earned runs or less on each occasion. However, Reyes is not exactly a youngster and he has never been able in maintain this kind of form over a prolonged period in the past. This, he actually looks overvalued here as he is a prime candidate to implode at any time.

Finally, the Kansas City bats have suddenly caught fire, as the Royals are batting .304 as a team while averaging 5.10 runs the last 10 games, and we look for them to scratch out enough runs off of Reyes to get this victory at a price.

Free Pick: Royals +135

[Willie Bee]

Pelfrey, New York Mets -128 at home vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Game Time: 09/05/2008 07:10 PM -
By: Marc Lawrence | playbook.com

Mike Pelfrey has really come into his own and been a big reason the Mets are leading the NL East. New York is the play as home favorites against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The New York Mets send Mike Pelfrey to the hill Friday night at Shea Stadium when they take on the Philadelphia Phillies in a crucial NL East Division battle.

Aside from Pelfrey being in solid current form, the Mets have cashed in 10 of the last 14 games in this series. With Brett Myers just 3-7 in his last 10 team starts in September, look for New York to make it five straight wins at home on Fridays here tonight.

Free Pick: Mets -128

[Willie Bee]

NY Mets -130 top the Phillies

Game Time: 09/05/2008 07:10 PM -
By: Jimmy the Moose | sportspic.com

The Phillies are 4-13 in Brett Myers' last 17 starts on the road. Meanwhile the Mets come into this one in good form. Play New York on the moneyline at home against Philadelphia.

The Phillies have lost four of their last five road games vs. a right-handed starte. Philadelphia is coming into New York having dropped two of three to the Nationals.

Brett Myers is on the mound tonight and although he's pitched well over his last seven starts, expect a rough outing tonight. The Phillies are 4-13 in his last 17 road starts. Philadelphia is 4-10 in his last 14 games vs. a team with a winning record and 5-16 in their last 21 vs. a divisional opponent.

The Mets have won four straight and six of their last seven. New York is 13-3 in their last 16 vs. a right-handed starter. The Mets are 20-7 in their last 27 home games. New York is 8-1 in Mike Pelfrey's last nine home starts.

The Mets have won six of the last eight meetings. Philadelphia is 1-4 in their last five games at New York.

Free Pick: Mets -130