MLB Picks & Predictions for Tuesday, April 5, 2011
By Anthony Rome
(The Spread) – For our daily MLB free pick, we head to Kansas City to take a look at the opening of a new series between the White Sox and Royals.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Bodog.com have made the White Sox –114 money line favorites over the Royals, who are +107 on the ML. Opening pitch starts at 8:10PM ET.
Both of these teams are coming off successful opening weekends, as Chicago took two of three from the Indians and the Royals took three of four from the Angels in rather surprising fashion.
The Sox scored 24 runs in their series with the Indians, although they also gave up 20. The Royals produced a similar outcome at the dish, driving in 21 runs and allowing 18 in their four games against the Halos.
MLB Free Pick: The Royals had a nice opening series but eventually this young KC team will fade. Chicago is a legit contender so to see them offered at a relatively low price of –114 is intriguing. The Sox are 4-0 in their lat four games following a loss and 6-1 in their last seven road games dating back to last year. They’re also 4-1 in their last five games overall and 6-1 in their last seven as a favorite. According to latest MLB trends, the Royals are just 1-4 in Luke Hochevars’ last five starts and 1-4 in his last five starts during Game 1 of a series. They’re also 0-11 in Hochevars’ last 11 starts when their opponent scores two runs or less in their previous game. (Odd stat I know, but it’s interesting nonetheless.) On the flip side, the Sox are 7-3 in Gavin Floyd’s last 10 starts when they’re the favorite and 5-1 in his last six outings when the total is set between 9.0 and 10.5 runs.
TUESDAY MLB FREE PICK: CHICAGO WHITE SOX –114