Bruce Marshall
Milwaukee -1.5 +182
Junior Guerra has lost his last three starts for Milwaukee but it has hardly been his fault, allowing just 5 runs over 18 IP in the process. Guerra likely gets more run support tonight as his teammates take swings at Bucs rookie starter Steven Brault, who impressed but did not overpower in his debut three weeks ago vs. the Cardinals.
Vegas Butcher
Boston Red Sox -154
Complete fade of Lincecum and his 8.7 ERA here with the #1 ranked offense in the AL. Porcello has a dominant change-up, a pitch that the Angels rank 3rd worst against in the majors. He shouldn’t give up as many runs as Lincecum will in this matchup, and I expect the Red Sox to dominate this game.
Washington Nationals -144
Here’s another struggling pitcher in Samardzija, who ranks 115th in the last 30-days and sports a 5.1 e-ERA. By comparison, Scherzer has a 2.7 e-ERA mark over the same time-span. Bullpen could be an issue for the Nats, but Scherzer tends to pitch late in games and I think Washington has finally realized that Papelbon is useless. I expect a well-managed game here for the visitors and will back a dominant starter on the road.
Jeff Benton
Your Friday freebie is the Red Sox on the Run Line over the Angels.
Boston hasn't won many games lately, as they enter with losses in their last 4 straight and 6 of their last 7. Their lone win in that span came when Rick Porcello was on the mound.
Porcello has been Boston's most reliable starter, as he sports a 13-2 record and a 3.57 ERA.
I would say chances the Red Sox bats power the night are good as they face Tim Lincecum who owns an over 8 ERA and a 2-4 mark since joining the Halos.
Boston is in need of a bust-out game, and tonight they are facing the right pitcher for that to happen.
Take the Sox on the Run Line to win this one by at least 3 runs.
4* BOSTON -1.5
Scott Delaney
My free winner for tonight is on the Over in the National League Central clash between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Milwaukee Brewers.
Now here's the deal, Brault rejoins the Pirates in Milwaukee for his second Major League start, and I think this could be a problem spot for him. He was limited by a pitch count in his debut, and Brault did strike out 16 and allow three hits in 12 scoreless innings over his past two Triple-A starts. But now at Miller Park, I think the Brewers will be swinging the sticks.
Guerra has been stellar during his rookie season. But make note, this is a 31-year-old freshman. His arm has to be getting tired at some point. Last time out, he held the Cubs to one unearned run over 6 1/3 innings despite only striking out two batters. He's due to get shellacked, and I say it happens tonight.
Play this one high.
5* Pirates/Brewers Over
Gabriel DuPont
Complimentary play, I look to improve on my 91-76 run with free picks: Baltimore at TORONTO (-135).
The STORYLINE in this game today - Let the fun begin in Toronto, as the battle for first place in the American League East takes center stage at Rogers Centre, where the Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles meet on Friday night. This is the first series between these two teams since the Blue Jays traveled to Baltimore for a three-game set from June 17-19.
The X-FACTOR in making this choice on this game - My money is on the home team to nab the opener, despite how well Baltimore starter Kevin Gausman has pitched. Toronto is 1 1/2 games back of the Orioles for first place in the division, and it is playing at home - that's dangerous. The Jays are catching Baltimore at the right time, as they've lost three in a row.
BOTTOM LINE is - Let me go even further with this one, as the Blue Jays had a day off Thursday, plus they sat several of their prime-time players during the series finale against the Padres on Wednesday. Talk about being rested and focused, this is a team well prepared for this game, and this series.
5* TORONTO
Chris Jordan
My free winner for tonight is on the Detroit Tigers against the Houston Astros, as I like the home dog price in this showdown in Motown.
The Tigers - who open their longest homestand of the second half, nine games - have compiled a 26-19 record at Comerica Park this season, winning 21 of their last 31. They will be ready for this contest.
Detroit is in on a three-game win streak, and that offense is playing well. The Tigers' .266 batting average ranks sixth in the league, while it's .275 clip at home ranks seventh. This is a power-packed club that also ranks seventh in the bigs with 132 home runs this season.
I think the Astros will struggle tonight.
Do not list pitchers, just play this straight.
4* TIGERS
Brad Wilton
My comp play for Friday is the White Sox over the Twins.
Chicago just lost both at Wrigley Field, but they should land back on the winning side of things tonight against a team they have owned this year.
The Pale Hose are 8-1 this season against Minny, and they have outscored the Twins by a 45-24 margin in those 9 games played!
Jose Quintana will look to continue his solid work as he takes on a Minnesota team that just snapped a 3 game losing streak with a win last night in their make-up game with Baltimore.
Quintana is on a 2-0 roll his last 3, with a 2.41 ERA, and the Sox have won all 3 of those starts.
Ricky Nolasco has been peppered all season long, as his 4-8 mark with a 5.40 ERA would indicate. Over his last 3 starts, the ERA is even higher at 6.43.
Nolasco has lost both of his starts against Chicago this season, while Quintana is 2-1 in his 3 starts against the Twins this year.
Lay it.
5* WHITE SOX