MLB Picks and Predictions for Friday
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their MLB picks and predictions for Friday, April 24.
San Francisco Giants at Arizona Diamondbacks, 9:10PM ET
Less than a week ago, Tim Lincecum and Doug Davis were locked in a pitchers' duel that resulted in the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner still searching for his first win of 2009.
Lincecum will get a fourth chance at victory No. 1 when he starts opposite Davis again Friday night as the San Francisco Giants open a three-game road series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Lincecum (0-1, 3.86 ERA) may have failed to pick up a win for the Giants (6-8) in Saturday's 2-0 loss to Arizona (6-9), but the 24-year-old right-hander was outstanding in scattering five hits with a career high-tying 13 strikeouts in eight scoreless innings.
Davis (1-2, 2.57) was just as effective, giving up eight hits in eight innings to get his first win.
"Couldn't ask for anything more, except for nine innings," said Davis, who lost his two previous starts while allowing six runs and 11 hits in 13 innings. "I was getting ahead and I had a curveball today that I threw a lot. It was fun."
Lincecum showed vast improvement from his first two starts of the season. He battled a stomach ailment in those games and allowed seven runs and 14 hits while fanning 10 in 8 1-3 innings.
MLB Free Pick: San Francisco | Best Line: -115 SBG Global
Philadelphia Phillies at Florida Marlins, 7:10PM ET
The Florida Marlins were just one of the teams defending champion Philadelphia had to catch in the NL East after a slow start in 2008. The Phillies are going to need some perseverance this season as well.
The Marlins have grabbed an early lead in the division, but the Phillies have a chance to deal them their fourth straight loss Friday night in the opener of a three-game set.
Florida (11-4) was the majors' hottest team before it was swept in a three-game series with Pittsburgh over the weekend, getting outscored 18-6. Still, the Marlins have a 4 1/2-game lead over the Phillies (6-8) in the NL East.
Last year, Florida opened 10-7 and was one of three teams ahead of Philadelphia, which lost 10 of its first 18 games. The Phillies, though, won 13 of their last 16 contests to capture the division before winning the World Series.
Philadelphia is off to another uneven start this season, losing the final two games of a three-game set with Milwaukee in its last series.
MLB Free Pick: Florida | Best Line: -135 SBG Global
Minnesota Twins at Cleveland Indians, 7:05PM ET
The Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians know they need to start winning series in order to have success.
So far, that's been a problem for the Twins on the road.
Minnesota looks to break out of its road funk when it opens a three-game series against the Indians on Friday.
After an impressive three-game home sweep of the Los Angeles Angels last weekend, Minnesota (7-9) was swept in a doubleheader at Boston on Wednesday.
The Twins lost the first game - originally scheduled for Tuesday night - 10-1 and the nightcap 7-3. They managed 11 hits in the two games after scoring 23 runs and going 35-for-103 against the Angels.
Minnesota's offense has been virtually nonexistent away from the Metrodome.
The Twins beat the Chicago White Sox 12-5 in their first away game of the season but have been outscored 31-5 in dropping their last four on the road.
MLB Free Pick: Cleveland | Best Line: -130 SBG Global