MLB Picks and Predictions for Sunday
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their MLB picks and predictions for Sunday, May 31.
Houston Astros at Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:35PM ET
Once among the best in the majors, Mike Hampton hasn't been effective enough to be involved in any pitching duels this season. Matching up with Paul Maholm and the Pittsburgh Pirates may give him a chance to revisit past glory.
Hampton takes the mound for the Houston Astros on Sunday seeking his eighth straight win against the Pirates, who hope Maholm can continue his success against their NL Central rivals in the finale of a three-game set.
After going 73-41 games with a 3.35 ERA from 1996-00, Hampton (2-4, 5.63 ERA) had a rough two-year stint with Colorado followed by two decent seasons with Atlanta before various injuries sidelined him for most of the past four years.
While he may be headed to playing in his first full season since 2004, the left-hander has been unreliable. Hampton has surrendered five runs or more in four of his last five starts. On Sunday, he gave up five runs and eight hits in five innings of a 5-0 loss to Texas.
MLB Free Pick: Pittsburgh | Best Line: -130 SPORTSBETTING
Atlanta Braves at Arizona Diamondbacks, 4:10PM ET
The Atlanta Braves' offense has gone silent for most of their seven-game road trip, and it isn't likely to speak up in the finale.
Max Scherzer will be looking for his third win in his last four starts when the Diamondbacks and Braves close their four-game series on Sunday, with Atlanta trying to avoid its sixth loss in seven games.
After the Braves (24-25) totaled seven runs in the first four games of their swing, including three straight losses in San Francisco, they appeared to solve some problems in Friday's 10-6 win.
But they didn't score in the final eight innings of a 3-2, 11-inning loss Saturday in Phoenix. Chipper Jones and Brian McCann were both out of the starting lineup and Atlanta got RBI doubles from Kelly Johnson and Garret Anderson.
Arizona (22-28) got a game-winning single from Eric Byrnes after Miguel Montero bunted Mark Reynolds to third and forced the Braves to bring the infield in.
MLB Free Pick: Arizona | Best Line: -155 SPORTSBETTING
Chicago White Sox at Kansas City Royals, 2:10PM ET
The level of dominance Zack Greinke is showing hasn't been seen in the majors in more than four decades. The Chicago White Sox have experienced twice already how tough the Kansas City right-hander is.
Greinke look to become the first nine-game winner in the majors Sunday afternoon as the Royals try to avoid being swept at home by the Chicago White Sox.
Kansas City (23-26) entered this series having lost six of eight, but hoped to continue its success this season against Chicago (23-25) after winning four of the first five meetings. Instead, they'll turn to their ace, hoping he can help salvage a victory in the finale.
Greinke (8-1, 0.84 ERA) is tied with Toronto's Roy Halladay for the major league lead in wins. He leads the majors in ERA and complete games and has yet to give up a home run in 75 innings this season. Greinke pitched his fifth complete game Tuesday against Detroit, allowing one run and six hits while striking out eight in a 6-1 victory.
MLB Free Pick: Kansas City – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -170 SPORTSBETTING
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