MLB Picks and Predictions for Saturday
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their MLB picks and predictions for Saturday, May 2.
Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees, 1:05PM ET
The New York Yankees have taken advantage of baseball's worst bullpen twice in as many games of their series against the Los Angeles Angels.
The Yankees look to extend their season-high winning streak to five games Saturday when the teams continue a four-game home set.
New York (13-10) has scored 36 runs during its streak, 17 coming in consecutive victories over Los Angeles (9-13). The Yankees broke a 4-4 tie with three runs in the eighth inning Thursday and scored six times off three relievers over the final two innings Friday to rally for a 10-9 victory.
Los Angeles' bullpen has a 7.69 ERA, a run worse than any other team. The relievers have been battered for nine runs over 3 2-3 innings in this series, and closer Brian Fuentes gave up two runs and failed to record an out in the bottom of the ninth Friday.
MLB Free Pick: NY Yankees | Best Line: -250 SPORTSBETTING
Cleveland Indians Detroit Tigers, 3:40PM ET
The Cleveland Indians opened their three-game series at Comerica Park with a strong performance from their oldest starting pitcher.
Now, they hope their youngest can provide a similar effort Saturday as the Indians search for a ninth straight win over the Detroit Tigers, who are looking to snap their longest skid of the season.
Allowing two runs over 7 1-3 innings in Friday night's 6-5 victory, Carl Pavano earned his first win with Cleveland and only his 10th since 2005. The oft-injured 33-year-old right-hander nearly missed reaching that milestone as relievers allowed three more runs following his exit in the eighth.
While Pavano has struggled through his first three starts, 24-year-old Aaron Laffey (2-0, 2.41 ERA) has been Cleveland's most reliable pitcher through his first three on a staff that includes reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee.
Since his birthday call-up on April 15, the left-handed Laffey has allowed five runs and 15 hits in 18 2-3 innings.
MLB Free Pick: Detroit | Best Line: -115 SPORTSBETTING
Kansas City Royals at Minnesota Twins, 7:10PM ET
After getting through the first month of the season without their best hitter, the Minnesota Twins have to be happy now that Joe Mauer is back.
Mauer will try to help the Twins to their season-high fourth straight win Saturday night when they continue a weekend series against the Kansas City Royals.
In a seemingly wide-open AL Central race, Minnesota (12-11) did not have Mauer for all of April due to inflammation in a joint in his lower back. No team in the division was able to build any kind of a gap on the Twins, who split 22 games without the All-Star catcher before welcoming him back Friday.
He homered in his first at-bat, and finished 2-for-3 with three runs scored in the 7-5 win. The two-time batting champion got a standing ovation after his first-inning homer off Sidney Ponson.
MLB Free Pick: Kansas City | Best Line: +130 SPORTSBETTING
http://www.thespread.com/mlb-baseball-top-stories-500/mlb-picks-and-predictions-for-saturday.html