MLB Picks and Predictions for Thursday
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their MLB picks and predictions for Thursday, June 4.
Chicago Cubs at Atlanta Braves, 7:10PM ET
Chicago Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano had an eventful week - and he didn't even pitch.
After serving a suspension and missing a team flight, Zambrano is slated to make his first start in eight days for the Cubs, who try to build off an extra-inning victory and take two of three from the new-look Atlanta Braves on Thursday night.
Zambrano (3-2, 4.22 ERA) was suspended for six games by Major League Baseball last Thursday, a day after his meltdown in a 5-2 home win over Pittsburgh.
The excitable Zambrano, who allowed two runs and seven hits with six strikeouts in 6 1-3 innings, was ejected after arguing a call at the plate. The right-hander then threw a baseball into left field, slammed his glove against the dugout fence and took a bat to a dugout drink dispenser before heading to the clubhouse.
MLB Free Pick: Atlanta | Best Line: -125 SPORTSBETTING
Philadelphia Phillies at Los Angeles Dodgers, 8:15PM ET
Shane Victorino didn't endear himself to Los Angeles Dodgers fans in last year's NL championship series. The Philadelphia Phillies' speedy center fielder may not get the chance to inflame them further.
With Victorino's status in doubt, the Phillies travel to Los Angeles for the first time since the postseason matchup, opening a three-game set with the major league-leading Dodgers on Thursday night.
This will be Philadelphia's first game at Dodger Stadium since it won the pennant in five games before beating Tampa Bay in five games for the second title in club history.
A second straight postseason matchup between the Phillies and Dodgers could happen. While Philadelphia (31-20) has a three-game lead in the NL East, the Dodgers (37-18) have a 9 1/2-game bulge in the NL West over second-place San Francisco - the largest in any division so far.
MLB Free Pick: Los Angeles | Best Line: +100 SPORTSBETTING
Texas Rangers at New York Yankees, 1:05PM ET
Chien-Ming Wang put up some astonishing numbers during his first stint in the New York Yankees' starting rotation this season. Not the kind to be proud of, though.
After spending time on the disabled list and in the bullpen, Wang tries to put a disastrous early portion of the season behind him as he makes his first start in nearly seven weeks Thursday when the Yankees' conclude their three-game series against the Texas Rangers.
New York (31-22) defeated the Rangers 12-3 in Tuesday's opener, but Texas (31-21) evened the series and took over the best record in the AL with a 4-2 win Wednesday.
MLB Free Pick: Texas | Best Line: -110 SPORTSBETTING
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