MLB Picks and Predictions for Friday
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their MLB picks and predictions for Friday, May 29.
St. Louis Cardinals at San Francisco Giants, 10:15PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals have regained the NL Central lead thanks to some spectacular pitching performances lately. Two big bats back in the lineup could be a welcome boost for their slumping offense.
Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel are expected to play Friday night when St. Louis opens a three-game set at AT&T Park against the resurgent San Francisco Giants.
St. Louis (28-19), winner of two in a row and seven of nine, took a one-game lead in the division over Milwaukee with Wednesday's 3-2 victory against the Brewers. The Cardinals' pitching has been outstanding during this nine-game stretch, posting a 0.88 ERA, but the team has averaged just 3.4 runs and is batting .228.
Ludwick is expected to be taken off the disabled list after straining his right hamstring in a 7-1 loss at Pittsburgh on May 12. He is batting .462 (12 for 26) with three homers and eight RBIs lifetime against San Francisco.
MLB Free Pick: San Francisco | Best Line: -120 SPORTSBETTING
Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs, 2:20PM ET
Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Dodgers vaulted to the top of the major league standings behind a record-setting start to the season at home.
Baseball's best team is now proving it can also be tough to beat away from there as well.
The Dodgers look for their first six-game road winning streak in more than two years Friday when they continue their four-game series against the Chicago Cubs.
Los Angeles (34-15) set a modern-day major league record by winning their first 13 games at Dodger Stadium. Though they haven't matched that success on the road, the Dodgers are playing markedly better away from Chavez Ravine, going 8-1 following an 8-9 start.
The Dodgers haven't won six consecutive road games since April 4-17, 2007.
MLB Free Pick: Chicago | Best Line: -105 SPORTSBETTING
Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee Brewers, 8:05PM ET
The Milwaukee Brewers aren't scoring right now, and they've lost their lead in the NL Central because of it.
Johnny Cueto's pitching, meanwhile, has helped push the Cincinnati Reds into contention.
The Brewers avoided the right-hander in their first two series with Cincinnati this season, but Cueto is scheduled to start the opener of the teams' three-game set Friday night at Miller Park.
Milwaukee (27-20) opened up a two-game lead in the division by winning eight of nine from May 12-21, part of a stretch that saw the Brewers go 22-6 after April 22.
They've slipped from first, though, because of a lineup that's struggling without second baseman Rickie Weeks, who's out for the season with a left wrist injury. Shortstop J.J. Hardy missed four games in the past week as well, and Milwaukee has lost five of six while averaging 2.0 runs.
MLB Free Pick: Cincinnati | Best Line: +100 SPORTSBETTING
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