Front Page MLB Picks (Thu., Sep 18)

[Willie Bee]

Pirates +115 to surprise LA Dodgers

Game Time: 09/18/2008 12:35 PM -
By: LT Profits Sports Group | who2beton.com

Paul Maholm has actually been remarkable at home this season considering the team he pitches for, as he is 7-2 wit a 3.32 ERA in Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Kershaw has a 5.93 ERA on the road. Back the Bucs.

The Pittsburgh Pirates erupted for 15 runs while shocking the Los Angeles Dodgers last night, and we look for a second straight upset today with Paul Maholm on the mound.

Maholm has been the best pitcher on the Pittsburgh staff and he has been great here at home, where he is 7-2 with a 3.32 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. This while pitching for a team that is 24 games under .500 overall. Remarkably, Maholm has allowed two runs or less in six of his last seven starts overall and eight of his last 10.

Clayton Kershaw has not pitched that great on the road for Los Angeles, as he is just 2-3 with a 5.93 ERA and a horrendous 1.80 WHIP in nine starts away from Dodgers Stadium. He is facing a Pittsburgh lineup that is batting a commendable .295 vs. left-handed pitching over the last 10 games.

Look for Maholm to key the upset here.

Free Pick: Pirates +115

[Willie Bee]

Houston Astros +143 at the Marlins

Game Time: 09/18/2008 07:10 PM -
By: Al McMordie | bigal.com

Alberto Arias posted a strong outing in his first start for the Astros will will avoid being swept by the Marlins tonight. Back Houston Thursday as the road dogs when they take on Florida.

Our Thursday night MLB selection is on the Houston Astros on the road in Miami over the Florida Marlins.

Add the Houston Astros' 24-year-old righthander Alberto Arias' name to the list of young pitchers who have made an big initial impression this season switching from reliever to starter for his team. Arias was plugged into the rotation for injured starter Wandy Rodriguez as they opted to keep spot starter Chris Sampson in the bullpen. And Arias took full advantage of his first Major League start at home against Pittsburgh on September 8, giving up no runs on only two hits with six strikeouts over five innings.

Keeping guys like Sampson in the bullpen allows Houston to give a youngster like Arias an abbreviated start without having to worry about their relievers ruining it for him. Houston probably wishes the season had started after the All-Star Break as it has been firing on all cylinders in the second half. It's winning situations like this that can give young starters like Arias the confidence they need as they progress forward to perhaps become a full-time rotation member.

Florida's 24-year-old lefty Scott Olsen hadn't won a game in nine straight starts heading into his last appearance on Friday, but he finally got the monkey off his back in that game. But it took a start against the lowly Washington Nationals to put Olsen back on the winning track. Look for Houston to put Olsen back in the loss column tonight. Take the Astros.

Free Pick: Astros +143

[Willie Bee]

Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants +102 at Arizona Diamondbacks

Game Time: 09/18/2008 09:40 PM -
By: Marc Lawrence | playbook.com

Tim Lincecum is on the bump as the Giants look to avoid a four game sweep in Arizona. Side with San Francisco in this one when they close out their series with the D-Backs.

Tim Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants close out their series against Randy Johnson and the Diamondbacks in Arizona tonight.

Lincecum loves hurling on Thursdays, going 5-1 in his MLB career, including 3-0 away. With eight walks and 36 strikeouts in his five career starts against Arizona, and with the Diamondbacks having scored more than four runs in just one of their last 10 games, we'll back Lincecum and the Giants here this evening.

We recommend a 1-unit play on San Francisco with Lincecum.

Free Pick: Giants +102

[Willie Bee]

Los Angeles Dodgers & Pittsburgh Pirates Under 8

Game Time: 09/18/2008 12:35 PM -
By: Ben Burns | sportspic.com

This will be the first time the Pirates have seen LA's Clayton Kershaw, and that's almost always an advantage for the pitcher. Play Pittsburgh and the Dodgers Under 8.

Paul Maholm has been tough at home all season. In fact, he's gone 7-2 with a 3.32 ERA and 1.174 WHIP in 15 starts here. The Under was 8-6-1 in those games.

He'll face a Dodgers lineup which has really struggled to score runs during the daytime. Indeed, the Dodgers have seen the Under go 26-18 when playing during the afternoon and they've averaged a mere 3.7 runs in those games, while hitting just .251.

As for the Pirates, they haven't hit particularly well vs. southpaws (.248 average, 4.4 rpg) and they'll be at the disadvantage of facing Clayton Kershaw for the first time. Last time out, Kershaw allowed just four hits and one run through six innings at Coors Field. That game finished well below the total with a final score of 5-1.

Given that Kershaw has a much better ERA during the day than he does at night, I won't be surprised if this afternoon's game proves to be relatively low-scoring once again. Consider the Under.

Free Pick: Dodgers-Pirates Under 8 (-110)

[Willie Bee]

Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondbacks -104 vs. SF Giants

Game Time: 09/18/2008 09:40 PM -
By: Jimmy the Moose | sportspic.com

The Diamondbacks need to complete this sweep in order to keep any playoff hopes alive. Back Arizona Thursday night at home when they host the San Francisco Giants.

The San Francisco Giants had been playing a lot better, but after last night's loss they have now dropped three straight and are facing a team they always struggle against.

The Giants are 20-41 in their last 61 road games vs. a left-handed starter. San Francisco is 17-36 in their last 53 games overall vs. a lefty.

After making it three straight wins following last night's 8-7 triumph, the Arizona Diamondbacks still know they need to win this one to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Giants are 5-14 in their last 19 trips to Arizona. Play on Arizona.

Free Pick: Diamondbacks -104

[yisman]

I don't get why you're copying and pasting the front page.

[aznbluff]

Play the Giants AND Dbacks?!?