Free Sports Picks – Thursday, August 13
It’s not Friday, but today is the 13th, and though the more superstitious among us may decide to refrain from hitting one of our favorite sportsbooks today, I’ve got a few picks that will hopefully make today a lucky day for you.
It’s a relatively light day in MLB action, but there’s more than enough action for you to get your kicks if you so choose to, and I’ve got my picks for a few of those contests below.
But keep the schedule in mind though, as several of today’s games start early, so hopefully you’ve stolen a march and gotten your picks in already, and if you haven’t, you need to get a move on, but not before checking out the latest MLB odds.
MUST SEE MATCHUPS
BOSTON RED SOX v. Detroit Tigers (1:35 P.M. ET)
Pitching Matchup: Clay Buchholz v. Justin Verlander
Detroit is 5-2 in Verlander’s last seven starts, Verlander has a 5.57 ERA in his last three starts, which isn’t good news when the Red Sox have scored 21 runs in taking the first three of this series. Verlander is also 1-2 with a 5.63 ERA in three career starts against the Red Sox.
Buchholz was shelled in his lone career start against the Tigers, allowing five runs on ten hits in four innings in Detroit in a 10-9 loss on May 7. He posted in a quality start in a loss against the Yankees on Saturday (6 IP, 6 hits, 2 runs allowed), but he’s still struggling with control (17 strikeouts, 16 walks in 25.1 IP).
However, each Boston starter has had a solid outing against Detroit in this series, and it helps his cause that the Tigers are only 4 for 23 with runners in scoring position in the series, and outside of two rather meaningless solo homers, generated nothing against Josh Beckett and then pen in last night’s 8-2 loss.
The Tigers are going to be favored slightly in this one, since Verlander’s on the hill. But with Detroit’s current offensive woes and Verlander’s recent form, I’ve got the Red Sox taking this one and finishing off the four-game sweep.
TODAY’S SURE BETS
COLORADO ROCKIES v. Pittsburgh Pirates (3:10 P.M. ET)
Pitching Matchup: Jason Marquis v. Paul Maholm
Marquis struggled in his last start, allowing five runs on eight hits and walking five in six innings in a 6-5 loss to the Cubs on Saturday, but he had an excellent outing against the Pirates on June 19, allowing three runs on eight hits in 8.2 innings in a 7-3 Colorado win.
Maholm is 0-2 with an ERA above seven in his last four starts, and he hasn’t had a lot of luck at Coors Field, going 1-3 with a 5.87 ERA and allowing 15 runs and 34 hits in 23 innings pitched in four career starts in Denver.
Don’t get too excited if the Pirates take an early lead in this one. Pittsburgh has spotted Maholm leads in several starts this season, but he’s given them away, resulting in a number of losses and no-decisions on his ledger.
Either way, there’s a reason why I have this one in this column today, because it’s going down as a surefire Rockies win.
TODAY’S UPSET SPECIAL
Florida Marlins v. HOUSTON ASTROS (7:10 P.M. ET)
Pitching Matchup: Sean West v. Mike Hampton
Last season, the Marlins had a winning record in games following losses in which they had allowed double-digit runs, but they’re only 2-5 in such games this season. That’s a stat that doesn’t bode well with West taking the hill after last night’s 14-6 defeat. West is 0-2 with an 8.05 ERA in his last four starts, and he’s allowed five runs in four of his last six starts. His start against the Phillies could’ve gone a lot worse
Hampton allowed three runs on five hits in two innings in a loss against Milwaukee in his last start, and he’s allowed 14 runs on 15 hits in 9.2 innings in his last two road starts. On the positive side, over the last two seasons, the Astros are 8-2 in games following wins in which they scored double-digit runs.
Better yet, Hampton has made a habit of pitching well after defeats, and he’s is 5-2 this season in starts after his previous start was a loss (6-2 in decisions after previous decision was a loss). That doesn’t speak well for his overall record (7-9) or his consistency (hasn‘t won two decisions in a row), but it’s a positive sign for the Astros’ hopes of coming away with a split in this four-game set. This isn’t one to bet the house on, but I like the Astros to take this one.
BONUS PICK: Cleveland Indians over Texas Rangers (12:05 P.M. ET): If you’re backing the Rangers, you have to like your chances with Scott Feldman on the hill this afternoon in Cleveland. Feldman’s 11-4 on the season, and he’s 7-1 on the road. You might like your chances even better if you’re looking solely at Jeremy Sowers’ 4-7 overall record this season.
But, Sowers is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in three starts since being promoted back to the bigs after a two-week demotion to Triple-A. Also, the Rangers are only 1-6 this season after recording a shutout in the previous game, and they shut out the Indians 5-0 last night. The Rangers are favored, but I like the Indians to take this one and the series.
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