MLB Picks for April 7th 2011: Orioles And Braves Look For Solid Wins Tonight
MLB Picks: April 7th 2011
CLICK HERE FOR TODAY’S PREMIUM MLB PICKS
Pick: Atlanta Braves -105
After winning the opener, the Braves have dropped the last two games in Milwaukee, both by just one run, and I expect them to square this series Thursday afternoon. Atlanta has been shaky on offense to start the season but that is something that will come around. The pitching meanwhile has a 2.47 ERA on the season which is second best in baseball and tops in the National League. Both the starting pitching and the bullpen have been consistent, the latter posting a 1.47 ERA, third best in MLB. The Brewers meanwhile have not been nearly as consistent with their pitching as they have a 4.35 ERA on the year despite a gem put up by Yovani Gallardo two nights ago. While the Braves bullpen has been solid, Milwaukee’s bullpen has been just the opposite with a 5.62 ERA, 24th in baseball. The bats have not been able to pick up the slack as the Brewers are hitting .235 and have plated only 18 runs so far this year while scoring three runs or fewer in four of their six games. One of the big pitching acquisitions for Milwaukee was getting Shaun Marcum from Toronto. He should fit in very well into the Brewers rotation but he had an uneven debut as he struck out seven but issued five walks while allowing four hits and four runs in just 4.2 innings. The five walks tied a career high and this came after allowing just two walks the entire spring. His control may get better but he posted a 5.17 ERA in five spring starts so the adjustment period seems to be an early issue. While Marcum had a rough first outing, Tommy Hanson’s was even worse. He went just 3.2 innings against Washington while allowing five hits and four runs, three earned, and striking out just one. He did throw only 68 pitches as he was yanked after a rain delay so the limited pitch count should be a benefit here. This was a complete aberration and we should see a better effort Thursday as he has a 1.20 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in career starts at Miller Park, both being quality outings. 3* (955) Atlanta Braves -Matt Fargo
Pick: Baltimore Orioles -147
We are off to a 2-1 start on our free plays after losing yesterday when the Mariners decided to make errors. Today I love the Orioles who send Tillman to the mound who had two starts vs. the Tigers last year going a combined 13.2 IP giving up just 4 hits and 2 ER. Tigers have some formidable bats, but not vs. righties on the road. If you remember this team dominated LHP on the road a year ago but it was a different story vs. righties. In fact they are 16-37 in their last 53 road games vs. RH starters. Brad Penny does not exactly scream confidence on the other side of the mound. He’s a classic slow starter and looked like a slob vs. the Yankees. I expect the O’s to get to him early and use their pitching to close out the game. -Freddy Wills (Handicapperspicks.com)
Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves