After sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pittsburgh Pirates take it on the arches and travel to Great America Ball Park to take on the 3-0 Cincinnati Reds. Francisco Liriano pitched a gem on Sunday, and the southpaw fanned 10 batters, giving up no runs. I think his dominance continues tonight. I like the Pirates.
Today’s pick:
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Los Angeles Angels open up a 4 game series at home tonight against the Texas Rangers. Hector Santiago gets the nod for the Halos tonight. In the 2015 campaign, Santiago was 9-9 with a ERA of 3.59. The Angels are 6-0 in Santiago’s last 6 starts and 8-2 in his last 10 at home. The Dutch Oven Derek Holland gets the call tonight for Texas and he was 4-3 with an ERA of 4.91 in 2015. Mike Trout and Albert Pujols were hitless in their first 2 games against Chicago but that should change tonight. Pujols is batting .348 with 3 homers in 23 at bats against Holland, and Mike Trout is batting .313 with 2 homers in 32 at bats against the south paw. The Angels get their first win tonight.
Tonight’s pick:
Los Angeles Angels
Carlos Rodon and the Chicago White Sox look for a third straight win tonight against Sonny Gray and the Oakland A’s. Sonny Gray was scratched from Monday’s start due to a 24-hour virus, but feels 100% today. He shines in the month of April, going 7-1 in his last 10 with a 2.02 ERA. Rodon had a rough Spring, allowing 13 runs and 20 hits in 14-2/3 innings. I like Sonny Gray and Oakland tonight.
Today’s pick:
Oakland Athletics
The Anaheim Ducks look to maintain their lead over the LA Kings when they host the Winnipeg Jets tonight at Honda Center. The Ducks have been dominant over the Jets, winning 14 consecutive games. The last time Winnipeg beat Anaheim was on January 21, 2014.
Today’s pick:
Anaheim Ducks
The Chicago Cubs start their season off with interleague play when they travel to the west coast to take on Garrett Richards and the LA Angels. Chicago has the reigning NL Cy Young winner on the bump tonight, Jake Arrieta, and the Cubs are 4-1 in his last 5 interleague starts. Chicago was a force last year and now they added Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist to the roster. Scary!
Tonight’s pick:
Chicago Cubs
Opening Day is finally here. Let’s start the season off right with a win and take Liriano and the Pirates over the visiting Wainwright and the Cardinals. Wainwright has had trouble at PNC Park. He’s 0-4 in his last 4 in Pittsburgh. The lefty Liriano shines at home. He’s 11-0 in his last 11 home starts. Let’s take McCutcheon and company today.
Today’s pick:
Pittsburgh Pirates
I have been riding Syracuse throughout this tournament and I’m not going to abandon them now. This is not the team the Tar Heels beat February 29th, 75-70. Boheim did his magic and got this team here when no one gave them a chance. These kids are playing with confidence and if the Q plays their A game on defense, which averages 65.8 against on a neutral site, they can cover the 9.5 and maybe even win it!
Tonight’s pick:
Syracuse Orange +9.5
