MLB Picks and Predictions for Thursday
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their MLB picks and predictions for Thursday, April 30.
Florida Marlins at Chicago Cubs, 8:05PM ET
While Wrigley Field can often be a hitter-friendly environment, it hasn't been kind to Florida Marlins star Hanley Ramirez.
Ramirez will likely return to the lineup Thursday night in a park in which he has struggled as the Marlins begin a four-game series with the Chicago Cubs.
The All-Star shortstop was hit on his right hand Monday in a 7-1 loss at New York and was held out of the next two games - both wins. Ramirez, though, is expected to be in the lineup Thursday.
While the Marlins (13-8) are anxious to have their No. 3 hitter back, Ramirez wouldn't be returning at the ideal location for him. He's hitting .205 (9-for-44) at Wrigley - his lowest average in any NL park - with 10 strikeouts in 10 games.
Florida had lost seven straight - all with Ramirez in the lineup - before winning the final two games against the Mets without him. Marlins right fielder Cody Ross hit a go-ahead two-run single in the eighth inning of a 4-3 victory Wednesday.
MLB Free Pick: Florida | Best Line: +110 SBG Global
Arizona Diamondbacks at Milwaukee Brewers, 8:05PM ET
The Arizona Diamondbacks spend spring training a few hours outside of Phoenix, and have barely had to leave Chase Field so far in 2009.
With the way they've played at home, an eight-game road trip suddenly doesn't seem so unwelcome.
A visit to Miller Park might be, though, and a four-game series against the red-hot Milwaukee Brewers beginning Friday night will be the Diamondbacks' first challenge after spending most of the young season at home.
Arizona (9-12) had a great chance to get off to a solid start in the NL West by facing division opponents 15 times and playing all but three of their first 21 contests at Chase Field - the fourth time since 1900 a team has had that many April home games.
The Diamondbacks, though, have been merely mediocre in Arizona. They dropped five of their first nine games there before winning three of their past four - including two of three against Chicago this week.
Chad Tracy had three hits and three RBIs on Wednesday as Arizona recorded its biggest offensive output of the season to back up a two-hitter by Doug Davis and two relievers in a 10-0 win over the Cubs.
MLB Free Pick: Milwaukee | Best Line: -110 SBG Global
Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees, 7:05PM ET
The Los Angeles Angels have had the New York Yankees' number over the years. This season, they will try to continue that success with a former Yankee who has emerged as their top hitter.
The Angels make their first visit to the new Yankee Stadium on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series as Bobby Abreu returns to New York.
Los Angeles (9-11) has won the season series each of the last five years from the Yankees (11-10), taking seven of 10 meetings last year. That's due in part to Vladimir Guerrero, who's batted .322 with 34 RBIs in 38 games against New York since joining the Angels in 2005.
Guerrero is on the disabled list with a pectoral tear, but the Angels have gotten a big April from Abreu, who batted .295 with 43 homers, 243 RBIs and a .378 on-base percentage for the Yankees from 2006-08.
The right fielder signed a $5 million, one-year contract with Los Angeles in the offseason. He's batting a team-high .363 as he makes his return to the Bronx.
MLB Free Pick: NY Yankees – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -220 SBG Global