Monday MLB Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their MLB picks and predictions for Monday, June 8.
Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox, 2:05PM ET
If the Chicago White Sox are going to be a factor in the AL Central race, they’ll likely need to continue their home success against the first-place Detroit Tigers. A key five-game series at U.S. Cellular Field certainly provides that opportunity.
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen hopes his team can solve its offensive issues and get this series off to a strong start on Monday in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.
Chicago (26-30) is third in the Central, 4 1/2 games behind Detroit (30-25) and one in back of Minnesota.
The White Sox hope to make up ground by improving on their 13-4 home mark against the Tigers, dating to a loss on July 23, 2007. That defeat came in the opener of the last five-game series in the majors, as Chicago won three.
This series was expanded from four to five games after a May 6 rainout.
MLB Free Pick: Detroit – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +110 SPORTSBETTING
Colorado Rockies at St. Louis Cardinals, 2:15PM ET
The Colorado Rockies have put together a series of impressive performances at the plate over the last few games. Just as important to their recent success has been their ability to nearly shut down Albert Pujols.
On Monday, the Rockies look to complete their first four-game road sweep of Pujols and the Cardinals in franchise history.
After scoring nine runs during a four-game losing streak, Colorado (24-32) has responded by outscoring opponents 38-10 during four straight victories, a season high.
The Rockies beat the Cardinals (31-26) 7-2 on Sunday as catcher Paul Phillips went 4 for 5 with a homer and three RBIs while Clint Barmes had three hits, including a two-run double in the eighth.
MLB Free Pick: St. Louis – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -120 SPORTSBETTING
Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees, 7:05PM ET
New York Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte earned a victory in the final game at the old Yankee Stadium, but he hasn’t seemed at ease in the team’s new home lately.
Pettitte will try to get more comfortable Monday night and help the Yankees win their rain-shortened, three-game series against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays.
Pettitte (5-2, 4.33 ERA) helped close out the team’s 85-year-old former home Sept. 21 against Baltimore, earning the victory by allowing two earned runs over five innings in a 7-3 win. Since recording a win in his first game at the new Yankee Stadium on April 21 – a 5-3 victory over Oakland – the 15-year veteran has a 6.53 ERA in his last five home starts, allowing at least four runs in each.
After exiting a May 29 win at Cleveland because of a strained lower back, Pettitte suffered the loss in Wednesday night’s 4-2 defeat to visiting Texas as he issued a season-high six walks and yielded four runs over five innings.
MLB Free Pick: Tampa Bay – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +145 SPORTSBETTING
Posted: 6/8/09 12:30PM ET