AL East Picks: July 4, 2013

There’s no better way to celebrate the birth of our nation than with America’s Pastime and as with every 4th of July, there’s a full slate of MLB games to watch and bet on today, which includes five highly-anticipated battles involving each and every team from the AL East. If you plan on getting in on the action, then be sure to check out our picks for each game in the AL East below!

San Diego Padres +1.5 at Boston Red Sox -1.5 

As winners of seven of their last 10 games and as the AL East leader, the Boston Red Sox are certainly rolling in a positive direction. Today, they’ll go for the sweep of a slumping San Diego Padres team that is headed in the exact opposite direction as a loser of its last five games.

However, San Diego seems to have the advantage in the pitching match-up today with Eric Stults (6-6, 3.51 ERA) heading to the mound against Boston’s Allen Webster (0-2, 9.50 ERA), who is making just his third career start. The struggling Padres should be able to find some offense against the inexperienced Webster, so I’d take San Diego to cover +1.5 here.

New York Yankees +1.5 at Minnesota Twins -1.5

After a brief slump, the New York Yankees have found success against the Minnesota Twins, taking the first two games of their three-game set and with David Phelps (5-5, 4.95 ERA) heading to the hill, they’ll have a decent chance to earn the sweep.

However, the Yanks will be up against a virtual unknown in Kyle Gibson (1-0, 3.00 ERA), who is making just his second career start. Although Gibson is inexperienced, he impressed in his debut, going six strong innings, while allowing just two earned runs against the Royals. Meanwhile, Phelps has had his share of struggles this year.

The Twins may avoid the sweep, but with the Yankees’ bats heating up lately, I expect New York to at least cover +1.5 today.

Tampa Bay Rays -1.5 at Houston Astros +1.5

Jordan Lyles (4-3, 3.99 ERA) has been one of the more consistent starting pitchers for the Houston Astros, at least, that was until recently.

Lyles has allowed nine earned runs total in his last two starts – both of which have been losses – and total he’ll be up against a Tampa Bay Rays squad that is slugging quite well lately, as winners of seven of their last 10 games.

Although Rays’ starter Chris Archer (2-3, 4.40 ERA) hasn’t been stellar either this season, he’ll up against one of the weakest hitting offenses in the majors, so there shouldn’t be a ton of pressure on him today.

Look for the Tampa to cover -1.5 in the win here.

Baltimore Orioles -1.5 at Chicago White Sox +1.5

There aren’t many teams swinging the bats as well as the Baltimore Orioles, but runs might be harder to come by against Chicago’s Jose Quintana (3-2, 3.97 ERA), who has been one of the Sox’s most reliable hurlers all year.

Then again, Baltimore’s explosive lineup – led by Major League home run leader Chris Davis (32) – has torn through just about every pitcher that has been thrown at it all year and with a capable starter of its own in Zach Britton (2-2, 4.50 ERA) getting the ball, I expect Baltimore to find enough firepower to cover -1.5 today.

Detroit Tigers -1.5 at Toronto Blue Jays +1.5 

After enduring a tough five-game slide, the Detroit Tigers have picked up two consecutive wins against the Toronto Blue Jays and with ace Justin Verlander (8-5, 3.77 ERA) headed to the hill today for them, we could be looking at a third straight win for the Tigers.

Toronto enjoyed a spectacular June, but July hasn’t been too kind to the blue birds so far. I wouldn’t go against Verlander and Co. here. Take Detroit to cover -1.5 in the win.