MLB Picks and Predictions for Saturday
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their MLB picks and predictions for Saturday, June 6.
Minnesota Twins at Seattle Mariners, 4:10PM ET
The worst road record in the AL has kept the Minnesota Twins from distinguishing themselves as the team to beat in the Central. Thanks to a pair of close wins, the Twins could be on their way toward fixing that problem.
The Twins look to ride the emotion of an extra-innings victory and record their first three-game road winning streak of the year Saturday when they continue a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners.
Minnesota (28-28) is tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the most home wins in baseball with 21. That success, however, hasn't translated to the road, where the Twins are an AL-worst 7-16.
Because of those road struggles, Minnesota is 1 1/2 games behind first-place Detroit in the wide open Central. If the Twins can continue their recent success away from home, they could make up that ground very quickly.
MLB Free Pick: Seattle | Best Line: +100 SPORTSBETTING
Philadelphia Phillies at Los Angeles Dodgers, 4:10PM ET
Strong play in tight games has helped the Los Angeles Dodgers keep the majors' best record. That's how the Philadelphia Phillies made a title run last year, but the late innings are now perhaps their biggest problem.
After handing Brad Lidge and the Phillies their first loss in eight games, the Dodgers look to take the lead in the teams' four-game series Saturday.
Los Angeles (38-19) improved to 10-1 in one-run games with an emotional 4-3 win over Philadelphia (32-21) on Friday night, snapping the Phillies' longest winning streak since a nine-game run in 2006. Philadelphia third baseman Pedro Feliz made a fielding error with two outs, loading the bases before Andre Ethier hit a two-run double off Lidge.
MLB Free Pick: Philadelphia | Best Line: +115 SPORTSBETTING
San Francisco Giants at Florida Marlins, 6:10PM ET
San Francisco Giants first baseman Pablo Sandoval has been solid at the plate lately. Thanks to the team's starting pitching, his success is translating directly to the win column.
Sandoval looks to continue to provide the offense for San Francisco's dominating starting rotation as the Giants go for their ninth win in 11 games Saturday night against the Florida Marlins.
Sandoval hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning of Friday's series opener. Though that was all the offense the Giants (28-25) could muster, it was enough for Barry Zito, who held the Marlins to one run and four hits over five innings of the 2-1 victory.
Sandoval is 9 for 24 (.375) with a homer, three doubles, seven RBIs and four runs in his last eight games.
Those contributions have gone a long way because Giants starters have allowed three earned runs or fewer in 16 of the team's last 17 games. Among the best in the majors with a 3.69 ERA this season, San Francisco's rotation has a 2.20 ERA since May 17.
MLB Free Pick: Florida | Best Line: -130 SPORTSBETTING