Monday MLB Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their MLB picks and predictions for Monday, April 13.
Cleveland Indians at Kansas City Royals, 8:10PM ET
Before the start of the season, the Cleveland Indians were considered a sleeper to win the AL Central.
After one week, the only surprise has been how long it took to get their first win.
The Indians look to build off their first victory of the season when they open a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals Monday night at Kauffman Stadium.
Although Cleveland (1-5) finished third in the division last season, some considered the club – led by Grady Sizemore, a healthy Travis Hafner and reigning AL Cy Young winner Cliff Lee – a favorite to win the pedestrian Central in 2009.
The Indians have gotten off to a less than stellar start, though.
Cleveland defeated Toronto 8-4 on Sunday for its first victory of the season. Hafner and Mark DeRosa each hit a two-run homer as the Indians avoided opening 0-6 for the first time since 1914.
MLB Free Pick: Kansas City – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -130 SBG Global
Toronto Blue Jays at Minnesota Twins, 8:10PM ET
Had the Minnesota Twins managed to beat the Toronto Blue Jays just once last season, they might have been the ones winning the AL Central and going to the playoffs.
The Twins look to avoid losing their 10th straight game to the Blue Jays when they meet Monday night in the opener of a four-game series at the Metrodome.
After 162 games last season, Minnesota (3-4) and the Chicago White Sox were tied atop the AL Central. The White Sox won the one-game tiebreaker 1-0 and with it, the division. Game No. 163 could have been avoided, though, if the Twins had any success against the Blue Jays (5-2).
Minnesota lost all six games against Toronto last season, including a three-game series at Rogers Centre in September. The Twins also were swept in a three-game set in Toronto from July 23-25, 2007, and have not beaten the Blue Jays since an 8-5 home victory on June 28, 2007.
Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer were a combined 15-for-43 (.349) against the Blue Jays last season, but the rest of the Twins hit .197 (34-for-173).
MLB Free Pick: Toronto – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +105 SBG Global
Boston Red Sox at Oakland A’s, 10:05PM ET
After starting the season by losing series against their two playoff opponents last season, the Boston Red Sox are hoping a seemingly softer stretch of their schedule will help them get on track.
Boston will hope to fire up its struggling offense as it continues a West Coast trip by opening a three-game series Monday night at Oakland, where the Athletics have lost their first three home games.
The Red Sox (2-4) went into the season anticipating a tough battle in perhaps the league’s most difficult division, and after a week they find themselves in the AL East cellar thanks to difficult matchups against Tampa Bay and the Los Angeles Angels.
After losing two of three at home to the Rays – the team that ousted Boston in last year’s AL Championship Series – the Red Sox dropped their weekend series in Anaheim.
Boston beat the Angels in the division series last fall, but even ace Josh Beckett couldn’t pitch the team to victory in the series’ decisive game Sunday as the Red Sox lost 5-4.
A Beckett pitch that sailed high and inside on Bobby Abreu sparked a benches-clearing incident, but Boston’s offense has yet to consistently ignite.
MLB Free Pick: Oakland – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +125 SBG Global
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Posted: 4/13/09 8:39AM ET
