MLB Picks and Predictions for Monday
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their MLB picks and predictions for Monday, May 18.
New York Mets at Los Angeles Dodgers, 10:10PM ET
Juan Pierre is certainly doing his part in helping the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers cope with the loss of Manny Ramirez
The Dodgers now hope Pierre can help them win for the fifth time in six games Monday night when they host the East-leading New York Mets in the opener of a three-game set.
Pierre is 20 for 43 (.465) with seven doubles, nine RBIs, 11 runs and six steals in the 10 games since Ramirez was issued a 50-game suspension for being found in violation of baseball's drug program.
Ramirez, who signed a two-year, $45 million contract in March, was hitting .348 with six homers and 20 RBIs prior to the ban.
With that big bat out, Pierre has increased his average 64 points to .419 after hitting .283 in 119 games last season. He played only 11 games - five starts - prior to being inserted for Ramirez.
MLB Free Pick: Los Angeles | Best Line: -145 SPORTSBETTING
Minnesota Twins at New York Yankees, 7:05PM ET
The Minnesota Twins have had virtually no luck at beating the New York Yankees in the Bronx over the past few seasons. They're finding the Yankees' new home to be even less welcoming.
After three consecutive walk-off wins over the Twins, surging New York goes for its first four-game home sweep over Minnesota in 16 years in Monday's finale.
The Yankees (20-17) appeared to be on the verge of losing the first three games of this series, only to rally and win each in dramatic fashion.
In Friday's opener, Melky Cabrera's two-run single off All-Star closer Joe Nathan finished a three-run rally in the ninth that gave New York a 5-4 victory. On Saturday, Alex Rodriguez's 11th-inning homer won it, 6-4.
MLB Free Pick: Minnesota | Best Line: +100 SPORTSBETTING
Arizona Diamondbacks at Florida Marlins, 7:10PM ET
The Arizona Diamondbacks haven't provided Dan Haren with much run support this season. The right-hander, though, probably wouldn't mind a repeat of his team's most recent offensive effort in his next start.
The two-time All-Star looks to help the Diamondbacks build off their latest victory in the opener of a four-game road series with the struggling Florida Marlins on Monday night.
Haren (3-4, 2.09 ERA) allowed three runs and six hits while striking out five in seven innings of a 3-1 loss to Cincinnati on Tuesday.
Arizona (14-23) - batting a major-league low .234 - has scored 18 runs in the eight starts by Haren, who didn't lose his fifth game last season until July 4. He has received the fourth-lowest run support (2.73) of any qualifying pitcher in the majors.
MLB Free Pick: Arizona | Best Line: -140 SPORTSBETTING
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