Saturday’s MLB Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers pour over Saturday’s west coast games to give you our MLB best bets for Saturday July 5th.
Los Angeles Dodgers 42-44 at San Francisco Giants 38-49
Despite setting a dubious franchise record and remaining winless at home this season in his last start, Barry Zito remains convinced better things await. He gets another chance Saturday when the San Francisco Giants continue their three-game series against their NL West archrivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Zito (3-12, 5.99 ERA), who leads the majors in losses, dropped to 0-8 with a 7.33 ERA in nine starts at AT&T Park following a 9-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Monday. The 12th defeat set a team mark for most losses before the All-Star break, but the erratic left-hander – roughed up for five runs and six hits with five walks in five innings – felt he had good command of his pitches.
The Dodgers (42-44) have won four straight after Friday’s 10-7 victory and have a chance to move one game under .500 for the first time since owning a 28-29 record on June 2. Nomar Garciaparra – playing for the first time since injuring his calf April 25 – had two doubles and two RBIs while re-acclimating himself to shortstop, where he had not played since 2005.
Pick: LA Dodgers – View game matchup | Best line -127 SBG Global
Toronto Blue Jays 41-46 at Los Angeles Angels 52-34
Toronto ace Roy Halladay couldn’t have been much better in his start, yet he might need to be this time.
Halladay had gone winless in his previous three starts after winning four in a row. He leads the majors with 130 1-3 innings pitched.
Halladay will square off against red-hot starter John Lackey on Saturday when the Blue Jays continue their three-game series with AL West-leading Los Angeles at Angel Stadium.
The Angels have won three straight, including Friday’s series-opening 8-2 win. Howie Kendrick, who drove in three runs, and Torii Hunter each homered for Los Angeles, which is 5-2 against Toronto, ensuring its first season series victory in six years.
Pick: LA Angels – View game matchup | Best line -124 SBG Global
Detroit Tigers 43-43 at Seattle Mariners 34-52
The Seattle Mariners still own the worst record in the American League, but are playing significantly better since Jim Riggleman took over as manager.
Seattle (34-52) beat Detroit 4-1 on Friday to draw even in the first two games of the set. The result also improved the Mariners to 9-5 since Riggleman replaced the fired John McLaren on June 20.
Though the Mariners are playing with confidence, they likely won’t have an easy time against Detroit rookie Armando Galarraga (7-2, 3.40).
Pick: Detroit – View game matchup | Best line -133 SBG Global
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