National League Quick Picks: May 8, 2013
With plenty of interleague action and high-profile showdowns taking place in the National League today, there is certainly a lot to keep track of. Let us make it easy on you as we condense analysis down to only the essential info with our quick picks. Check them out!
Atlanta Braves +1.5 at Cincinnati Reds -1.5
We should have a tight one on our hands with Atlanta and Cincy as two of the NL’s top squads go at it in the rubber match of a three-game set at the Great American Ballpark.
Mike Minor and Mike Leake are both having fine seasons so far and are both coming off fine starts, so this one is pretty much a toss up. That’s why I like Atlanta to at least cover +1.5 today.
Seattle Mariners +1.5 at Pittsburgh Pirates -1.5
The Pirates are shaping up to be the NL dark horse I thought they would be, but no one has been able to get to Mariner starter Felix Hernandez, who is coming into today’s ballgame with a 1.60 ERA. Take Seattle to cover +1.5 here.
St. Louis Cardinals -1.5 at Chicago Cubs +1.5Â
The Cubs have stumbled out of the gates this season and things won’t get easier for them against St. Louis hurler Jake Westbrook, who has a 1.07 ERA so far this year. Take the Cardinals to cover -1.5 in the win today.
Miami Marlins +1.5 at San Diego Padres -1.5
There aren’t many teams worse than the Padres, but the Marlins are one of them. With the Padres at home and with veteran Jason Marquis on the hill, I like them to win this one, covering -1.5.
Philadelphia Phillies +1.5 at San Francisco Giants -1.5
Barry Zito has picked up right where he left off from last season for the Giants. He’s already won three games with a 3.06 ERA, but today he’ll be pitted against Jonathan Pettibone, who has also impressed early, with a 2-0 record and a 3.24 ERA. The Phils haven’t hit the ball very well though and are ranked just 24th in the league in runs scored, so look for the Giants to muster enough offense to cover -1.5 against them in the win.
Detroit Tigers +1.5 at Washington Nationals -1.5
As winners of four straight, there’s no doubt the Tigers are starting to heat up, but today they’ll run into the Nationals’ Jordan Zimmermann and his 1.64 ERA. Look for Zim and the Nats to cool off the Tigers and earn the win, covering -1.5.
Chicago White Sox -1.5 at New York Mets +1.5
Jeremy Hefner has failed to get in the win column for the Mets so far this season and against Jake Peavy and the White Sox, it’s not likely he’ll get his first “W”. Take Chicago to cover -1.5 today.
Texas Rangers +1.5 at Milwaukee Brewers -1.5
The Rangers have only played one team with a winning record all season, but their bats are starting to heat up and with Derek Holland (2.74 ERA) on the mound today, they’ll have a great chance to at least cover +1.5 today against the Brewers. Take Texas in this one.
New York Yankees +1.5 at Colorado Rockies -1.5
Colorado has hit the cover off the ball at home this season and considering Yankees starter David Phelps has struggled so far, expect the Rockies to cover -1.5 against the Bronx Bombers today.
Arizona Diamondbacks +1.5 at Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5
The Dodgers have limped out of the gate, but that hasn’t been Clayton Kershaw’s fault, as the Dodgers starter has posted a 1.66 ERA so far this season. Expect L.A. to get things moving in the right direction by defeating their division rival today, while covering -1.5.
