The 2008 MLB Season wages on with a full list of games on Tuesday. Our team of writers and handicappers gathered three of their top picks for the day.
Cincinnati Reds (52-67) at Pittsburgh Pirates (54-64)
Less than two weeks after trading away their biggest name, the Cincinnati Reds continued to build for the future by dealing their most productive player.
With slugger Adam Dunn no longer part of their team for the first time in eight years, the Reds will try to end to their season-worst six-game losing streak as they open a three-game road series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.
Jeff Karstens (2-0, 0.00) looks to continue his outstanding pitching for the Pirates.
The right-hander has tossed 15 scoreless innings in two NL starts since he was acquired from the New York Yankees on July 26 in a six-player deal for outfielder Xavier Nady and reliever Damaso Marte.
Karstens was nearly perfect on Wednesday, setting down the first 23 batters in order before Chris Young doubled with two outs in the eighth inning. He finished with a two-hitter in a 2-0 victory, walking one and striking out four.
Pick: Pittsburgh - Best line +115 SBG Global
St. Louis Cardinals (66-55) at Florida Marlins (62-57)
Kyle Lohse's surprising success is a big reason the St. Louis Cardinals remain a serious playoff contender.
The Cardinals' unexpected ace again looks to match a career high in wins while trying to lead his club to a second consecutive victory over the host Florida Marlins on Tuesday night.
The Cardinals could be in for a challenge Tuesday against Florida rookie Chris Volstad (3-2, 2.67), who tries for his second consecutive victory when he faces St. Louis for the first time in his sixth career start.
The right-hander was strong in his last outing, allowing three hits in six innings of a 3-0 win at Philadelphia on Thursday.
Pick: Florida - Best line -115 SBG Global
Texas Rangers (61-58) at Boston Red Sox (68-51)
The Boston Red Sox will replace one knuckleballer with another when they open a three-game series with the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night at Fenway Park.
Right-hander Charlie Zink makes his major league debut in place of Tim Wakefield, who was placed on the disabled list Sunday with a stiff right shoulder. The 28-year-old Zink was 13-4 with a 2.89 ERA for Triple-A Pawtucket this season.
The Red Sox enter this contest coming off a 5-1 win over Chicago on Monday to split the four-game set and finish 4-3 on the road trip. Though Boston is four games back of AL East leader Tampa Bay, the Red Sox hold a two-game lead over the White Sox in the wild-card race.
The Rangers are coming off a 15-7 win at Baltimore on Sunday that snapped a four-game losing streak. While Texas tries to build off that victory, it will be without closer C.J. Wilson, who opted for season-ending elbow surgery.
Pick: Boston - Best line -155 SBG Global