MLB Picks and Predictions for Sunday, April 12
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their MLB picks and predictions for Sunday April 12.
Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers, 8:00PM ET
As a former closer for the Chicago Cubs, Ryan Dempster knows all about the pressure that comes with the territory.
The converted starter will try to give his teammates a break and continue his mastery of the Milwaukee Brewers as the teams wrap up a three-game series Sunday night at Miller Park.
Dempster (0-0, 3.00 ERA) served as Cubs closer from 2005-07, compiling 85 saves in 100 attempts before manager Lou Piniella gave him the chance to become a starter last year. The right-hander responded by going 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA in helping Chicago (3-2) win the NL Central.
But there may have been times Piniella was wishing he could bring Dempster out of the bullpen the last two games as the Cubs' bullpen has already provided plenty of angst. Chicago relievers walked five and new closer Kevin Gregg allowed two ninth-inning runs in Friday's 4-3 loss, and the bullpen appeared on the verge of another implosion Saturday after Angel Guzman and Neal Cotts issued three bases on balls that contributed to a 5-3 deficit.
Aaron Heilman and Carlos Marmol, though, responded with 2 2-3 scoreless innings - striking out five - as the Brewers bullpen faltered in Chicago's 6-5 victory.
MLB Free Pick: Chicago | Best Line: -135 SBG Global
New York Yankees at Kansas City Royals, 2:10PM ET
Although the free-spending New York Yankees added high-priced free agents CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett in the offseason, they are eventually expecting just as much from one of their homegrown starters - Joba Chamberlain.
Chamberlain makes his season debut Sunday for the Yankees when they try to complete a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals.
There was plenty of attention surrounding the decision by New York (3-2) to move Chamberlain into the rotation last June after he was so successful as a setup man. He had a 2.28 ERA in 20 appearances out of the bullpen when the Yankees opted to try to give their depleted rotation a boost.
Although the 23-year-old right-hander struggled to get lengthened out in his first few starts, he eventually proved he could be effective as a starter, going 3-1 with a 2.76 ERA in 12 starts before moving back to the bullpen.
It has been an eventful past few months for Chamberlain. He pleaded guilty to a DUI charge that occurred in his hometown of Lincoln, Neb. on Oct. 18 and he struggled to provide innings in his spring outings.
His longest effort of the spring was last Sunday when he allowed two runs and two hits over 5 1-3 innings pitching for Double-A Trenton in a camp game against Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
MLB Free Pick: Kansas City | Best Line: +125 SBG Global
Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Angels, 3:35PM ET
The Boston Red Sox finally snapped their nine-game regular-season slide to Los Angeles. Now, Josh Beckett will look for a better result than in his last three times facing the Angels.
Beckett takes the mound for Boston on Sunday afternoon at Angel Stadium as the Red Sox look for their first series win there in three seasons.
The right-hander makes his second start of the season after Brad Penny won his Red Sox debut Saturday, 5-4 over the Angels.
Jason Bay hit two home runs, including a go-ahead two-run shot in the seventh, and Jonathan Papelbon picked up his second save after battling Howie Kendrick, who fouled off seven straight 0-2 pitches with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth.
MLB Free Pick: Boston | Best Line: -160 SBG Global
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