Saturday MLB Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their MLB picks and predictions for Saturday April 18.
Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox, 7:10PM ET
With their starting rotation in turmoil, the Boston Red Sox are hoping their ace can bring some stability – and a third straight victory.
While Josh Beckett awaits the outcome on an appeal of his suspension, the right-hander will try to shut down the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night as the Red Sox try to build on their huge comeback in the series opener.
Beckett wasn’t ejected after a benches-clearing incident Sunday when Los Angeles Angels outfielder Bobby Abreu called time and Beckett continued his motion and threw the ball near Abreu’s head.
But the league reviewed the play and suspended Beckett for six games. The pitcher, who said the location of the throw was unintentional, immediately appealed and will make his normal start as he awaits a ruling.
MLB Free Pick: Boston – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -270 SBG Global
Kansas City Royals at Texas Rangers, 8:05PM ET
Zach Greinke might have already shown the Kansas City Royals were right to sign him to a contract extension.
After three seasons, Kevin Millwood is still trying to prove he’s worth his hefty contract with the Texas Rangers.
On Saturday night, two of the AL’s stingiest pitchers look to continue their early-season success when the Royals and Rangers continue their three-game set at Rangers Ballpark.
While Millwood (1-0, 0.64 ERA) is off to the best start in the fourth season of a five-year, $60 million deal with Texas, Greinke (2-0, 0.00) hasn’t missed a beat since Kansas City signed him to a four-year, $38 million extension in the offseason.
Greinke has 16 strikeouts in two games, including nine Monday while giving up six hits in five innings of a 4-2 win over Cleveland. Dating to Sept. 13 at Cleveland, Greinke has gone 25 consecutive innings without surrendering a run. He’s also shown plenty of poise by working out of a number of jams.
MLB Free Pick: Kansas City – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +105 SBG Global
Detroit Tigers at Seattle Mariners, 9:10PM ET
Erik Bedard wasn’t exactly a fan favorite during his injury-plagued first season with the Seattle Mariners last year. He might be doing something, however, to turn that around.
Coming off his best start with the club, Bedard is slated to pitch at Safeco Field for the first time in more than nine months on Saturday night when the surging Mariners continue their three-game set with the Detroit Tigers.
After allowing three runs in five innings at Minnesota on April 7 in his first start since season-ending shoulder surgery in July, Bedard (1-0, 2.03 ERA) came within two outs of recording his second career shutout in a 1-0 win at Oakland on Sunday. He allowed three hits while striking out seven and walking one.
MLB Free Pick: Seattle – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -125 SBG Global
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Posted: 4/18/09 10:48AM ET
