MLB Picks and Predictions for Tuesday
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their MLB picks and predictions for Tuesday, June 9.
San Francisco Giants at Arizona Diamondbacks, 9:40PM ET
The last time Matt Cain took the mound, he admittedly gained inspiration from an impressive milestone that may not be repeated for awhile. Now, he'll attempt to set a personal record by winning a sixth consecutive decision.
The right-hander looks to keep pace for the NL lead in victories Tuesday night when the Giants open a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Cain (7-1, 2.27 ERA) pitched the second game of a doubleheader on Thursday after Randy Johnson became the 24th pitcher to win 300 games in a 5-1 win at Washington. The next closest active pitcher to the milestone is Philadelphia's 46-year-old Jamie Moyer, who has 250 victories.
Cain followed up Johnson's achievement by yielding one run and five hits with seven strikeouts in five innings before rain halted a 4-1 win over the Nationals in the top of the sixth.
MLB Free Pick: San Francisco | Best Line: -115 SPORTSBETTING
St. Louis Cardinals at Florida Marlins, 7:10PM ET
The St. Louis Cardinals are in the midst of their longest losing streak of the season. They hope another superb outing from Chris Carpenter and a visit to the Florida Marlins can stop it.
Carpenter looks to continue his stellar run Tuesday night when St. Louis opens a three-game series at Florida.
The Cardinals (31-27) were swept in a four-game series by Colorado after a 5-2 defeat Monday, and the slide is their worst since dropping seven in a row from Sept. 10-17.
The losing streak is also part of a 2-7 stretch that dropped St. Louis from being tied with Milwaukee atop the NL Central to 2 1/2 games back in second place. The Cardinals have been outscored 55-26 in that span - batting .233 while posting a 5.74 staff ERA - yet they still rank among the best in baseball with a 3.90 team ERA.
MLB Free Pick: Florida | Best Line: +110 SPORTSBETTING
Seattle Mariners at Baltimore Orioles, 7:05PM ET
With 34 of their 57 games this season decided by two or fewer runs, the Seattle Mariners know what it's like to play in close games.
Lately, that experience has shown.
Seattle opens a nine-game road trip Tuesday night at Camden Yards, where it faces a slumping Baltimore Orioles club that's hoping a nine-game homestand can help it get back on track.
The Mariners (28-29) have won their last three series and four of their last five games. The last three of those victories have all come by two runs or fewer, including Sunday's 4-2 victory over Minnesota.
Russell Branyan, Jose Lopez and Jamie Burke all homered for Seattle. Branyan is batting .397 with five homers and nine RBIs in his last 21 games.
Sean White picked up his first career save in place of regular closer David Aardsma, who wasn't available Sunday after making 10 appearances in the previous 16 games. He's expected to be available in this series.
MLB Free Pick: Seattle | Best Line: +120 SPORTSBETTING
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