NL East Picks: June 12, 2013

With one of the National League’s top teams and a few pleasant surprises, the NL East has provided plenty of exciting action all season long. Today, we have all five teams hitting the diamond from the NL East, so there will be enough wagering opportunities to satisfy even the hungriest baseball bettors. Here are our picks for each contest to help you out.

Atlanta Braves -1.5 at San Diego Padres +1.5

The Atlanta Braves have remained steady atop the NL East standings since their fast start back in April, but they’ve had problems dealing with the San Diego Padres lately, as they’ve dropped the first two games of their current series in San Diego.

The Padres will send Edinson Volquez to the mound as they go for the sweep today, but he’ll likely be outmatched by Atlanta’s Paul Maholm, who comes into today’s game with a 7-4 record. However, considering Maholm has a 6.82 ERA in his last six road outings, maybe San Diego’s home field advantage will trump its pitching disadvantage.

The Braves haven’t been swept by San Diego at Petco Park in eight years, but it could easily happen today and if not, San Diego should at least keep things close. Take the Padres to cover +1.5 in this one.

Milwaukee Brewers -1.5 at Miami Marlins +1.5 

The Miami Marlins haven’t won back-to-back series in nearly a full calendar year, but they’ve got the chance to do it today if they can defeat the Milwaukee Brewers for the second time in two days.

That chance is vastly improved when you consider that Giancarlo Stanton will return to the Marlins lineup today. Miami, who has won six of their last 10, will also send out one of their better hurlers in Kevin Slowey, who should have the edge at home against Milwaukee’s Alfredo Figaro, who is making just his third start of the year.

Even though the Marlins still have the worst record in the league, this is another good match-up for them, so don’t be afraid to take Miami to cover +1.5 today.

St. Louis Cardinals -1.5 at New York Mets +1.5 

With the best record in baseball, the St. Louis Cardinals almost always deserve the favorite line, even when they are on the road. But with a huge advantage in the pitching match-up to boot, this one should be the easiest call of the day.

All you need to know is that St. Louis’ starter, Shelby Miller, is 7-3 with a 1.91 ERA this year and New York’s starter, Dillon Gee, is 4-6 with a 5.20 ERA. Case closed. Take the Cards to wipe the field with the New York Mets and cover -1.5 today.

Philadelphia Phillies +1.5 at Minnesota Twins -1.5

The Philadelphia Phillies may be in a slump – as losers of their last four games – but they could easily turn things around today against the Minnesota Twins and their starter Mike Pelfrey, who comes into the ballgame with a 6.40 ERA on the year.

Philly hasn’t lost five games in a row all year and it they shouldn’t lose today, so take the Phillies to prevail, covering +1.5 in the process.

Washington Nationals +1.5 at Colorado Rockies -1.5

It’s been a disappointing couple of months for the Washington Nationals, while the Colorado Rockies have performed above expectations. You would think things would begin to balance out come June, but it looks like the Rockies have the edge today in more ways than one.

First, they obviously have home field, but they also have an advantage in the pitching game with Jorge De La Rose, who is 7-3 with a 3.38 ERA this season. Today, he’ll be up against unknown Ross Ohlendorf, who is making his first start of the year. Take the Rockies to cover -1.5 in the win here.