The UFC 100 fight card seems a mile away, but not to worry; we can pass the time this Fourth of July weekend by betting on baseball. Let’s make some Saturday picks.
Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees
Saturday, July 4, 1:05 p.m. ET
Roy Halladay (10-2, 2.56) vsChien-Ming Wang (1-6, 10.06)
Has sinkerballerChien-Ming Wang turned a corner? He was a nightmare in April and May but Joe Girardi stuck with him. Now, he’s “rewarded” Girardi but returning at least to league-average numbers. Over his last three starts, he has an almost serviceable 4.76 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. Can he handle the Jays on Saturday?
Well, even if his sinker works, Wang will have to be brilliant to beat Roy Halladay. Doc will likely be on a strict pitch count as he recovers from a groin injury, but he’s a bona fide Yankee killer. In 31 career starts against New York, Halladay is 16-5 with a 2.79 ERA, five complete games and two shutouts. That’s a full season worth of dominance against a powerful team. You have to pick the Jays in your MLB predictions for Saturday.
MLB betting pick: Blue Jays
TampaBay Rays @ Texas Rangers
Saturday, July 4, 8:05 p.m. ET David Price (2-2, 3.93) vs Vicente Padilla (6-4, 4.75)
It’s a tough time to be a Rangers fan, as Texas has dropped precipitously in the standings since a hot May. The news probably won’t get better Saturday; the Rangers not only face the highest-scoring team in the majors, but also a pitcher seemingly designed to specifically dominate them. David Price struggles with his control sometimes and posts the occasional ugly start, but those outings come against patient offenses who exploit his wildness. The Rangers are just about the least disciplined lineup in the league, though. They’ll hack away at Price’s devastating arsenal of pitches. Sportsbook software projects a blowout win for Tampa—sorry, Vicente Padilla—and double-digit strikeouts for Price.
The Houston Astros and the San Francisco Giants will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at AT&TPark.
RighthanderFelipePaulino will take the mound for the Astros to start this game. Paulino is 1-4 this season with a 4.53 ERA.
Starting this game for the Giants will be RyanSadowski. The righthander has a 0.00 ERA to go along with a 1-0 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Giants listed as 125-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Astros downed the Padres with a series-clinching 7-2 win on Thursday, as a -105 pick’em. The game’s nine runs made it OVER the posted over/under (7.5).
GeoffBlum led the way with a three-run homer and four RBIs for the Astros. Wandy Rodriguez threw seven innings for the victory, allowing seven hits and one run.
The Giants fell 5-2 to the Cardinals last time out, as +125 underdogs. That game’s seven runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9).
AaronRowand smacked a two-run homer for the Giants, while BarryZito gave up all five runs in 4 1-3 innings of work.
Current streak: Houston has won 2 straight games. San Francisco has lost 2 straight games.
Team records: Houston: 38-39 SU San Francisco: 42-36 SU
Houston most recently: When playing on Friday are 8-2 Before playing San Francisco are 7-3 After playing San Diego are 7-3 After a win are 5-5
San Francisco most recently: When playing on Friday are 4-6 Before playing Houston are 5-5 After playing St. Louis are 5-5 After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider: Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Francisco Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road Houston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games Houston is 7-15 SU in its last 22 games when playing on the road against San Francisco San Francisco is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games at home San Francisco is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games when playing at home against Houston San Francisco is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston
Next up: San Francisco home to Houston, Saturday, July 4
The Baltimore Orioles will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Friday when they take on the Los Angeles Angels at AngelStadium.
The Orioles will give the ball to starter DavidHernandez in this one. RighthanderHernandez is 1-2 this season with a 4.86 ERA.
The Angels will counter Hernandez with ErvinSantana. RighthanderSantana has a 7.47 ERA to go along with a 1-3 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Angels listed as 155-moneyline favorites versus the Orioles, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
BobbyAbreu belted two home runs and drove in four runs to lead the Angels to a 5-2 victory over the Orioles on Thursday. The Angels won the game as -165 favorites, while the seven runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9.5).
JohnLackey pitched eight innings for the win, giving up two runs off four hits, and BrianFuentes notched his 23rd save.
LukeScott homered in a losing effort for the Orioles, who were +145 underdogs. JeremyGuthrie gave up nine hits and five runs.
Current streak: Baltimore has lost 2 straight games.
Team records: Baltimore: 35-44 SU Los Angeles: 43-34 SU
Baltimore most recently: When playing on Friday are 2-8 Before playing LA Angels are 1-9 After playing LA Angels are 4-6 After a loss are 4-6
Los Angeles most recently: When playing on Friday are 5-5 Before playing Baltimore are 7-3 After playing Baltimore are 7-3 After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider: Baltimore is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road Baltimore is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games Baltimore is 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Angels Baltimore is 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Angels LA Angels are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Baltimore LA Angels are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Baltimore LA Angels are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games LA Angels are 8-3 SU in their last 11 games at home
Next up: LA Angels home to Baltimore, Saturday, July 4
The fans at PETCOPark will be treated to a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres when they take their seats on Friday.
The Dodgers will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander HirokiKuroda in this game. Kuroda has a 2-4 record and a 3.77 ERA this season.
Starting this game for the Padres will be Chad Gaudin. The righthander has a 5.11 ERA to go along with a 4-6 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Dodgers listed as 145-moneyline favorites versus the Padres, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Dodgers scored a 1-0 win over the Rockies in Wednesday afternoon’s rubber match, as -140 favorites. The team’s played UNDER the posted over/under (8.5).
RafaelFurcal drove in the only run to lift the Dodgers. RamonTroncoso tossed the win in relief, and JonathanBroxton pitched the ninth for his 19th save.
The Padres were defeated 7-2 by the Astros in the series finale on Thursday, as a -105 pick’em. The game’s nine runs made it OVER the posted over/under (7.5).
KevinCorreia gave up eight hits and six runs over five innings in the loss.
Current streak: San Diego has lost 2 straight games.
Team records: Los Angeles: 50-29 SU San Diego: 34-44 SU
Los Angeles most recently: When playing on Friday are 8-2 Before playing San Diego are 7-3 After playing Colorado are 6-4 After a win are 4-6
San Diego most recently: When playing on Friday are 5-5 Before playing LA Dodgers are 2-8 After playing Houston are 2-8 After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games LA Dodgers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing San Diego The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Dodgers’s last 5 games when playing on the road against San Diego The total has gone UNDER in 7 of LA Dodgers’s last 10 games when playing San Diego The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Diego’s last 5 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers The total has gone UNDER in 7 of San Diego’s last 10 games when playing LA Dodgers San Diego is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers San Diego is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games
Next up: San Diego home to LA Dodgers, Saturday, July 4
The Minnesota Twins will be trying to extend a winning streak on Friday when they take on the Detroit Tigers at The Metrodome.
LucasFrench will be the starting pitcher for the Tigers on this day. LefthanderFrench is 0-0 this season with a 0.00 ERA.
It’ll be KevinSlowey toeing the rubber for the Twins in this contest. RighthanderSlowey is 10-3 with a 4.41 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Twins listed as 162-moneyline favorites versus the Tigers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Tigers lost 5-1 to the A’s in the series rubber match last time out, as -135 favorites. That game’s six runs went UNDER the day’s posted over/under (7.5).
GeraldLaird drove in the only run, while JustinVerlander surrendered four runs off six hits over six innings of work.
The Twins capitalized on two errors as they defeated the Royals 5-1 in the series rubber match on Wednesday, as a -110 pick’em. The six runs went UNDER the day’s posted over/under (8.5).
MichaelCuddyer hit a solo home run and finished with two RBIs. GlenPerkins allowed 10 hits and one run over seven innings in the win.
Current streak: Minnesota has won 2 straight games.
Team records: Detroit: 43-35 SU Minnesota: 41-39 SU
Detroit most recently: When playing on Friday are 3-7 Before playing Minnesota are 3-7 After playing Oakland are 5-5 After a loss are 6-4
Minnesota most recently: When playing on Friday are 2-8 Before playing Detroit are 6-4 After playing Kansas City are 5-5 After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit’s last 5 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit’s last 5 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota Detroit is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 5 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 6 games when playing at home against Detroit Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit Minnesota is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Detroit
Next up: Minnesota home to Detroit, Saturday, July 4
The fans at Kauffman Stadium will be treated to a game between the Chicago White Sox and the Kansas City Royals when they take their seats on Friday.
The White Sox will give the ball to starter JohnDanks in this one. LefthanderDanks is 6-6 this season with a 4.08 ERA.
It’ll be ZachGreinke toeing the rubber for the Royals in this contest. RighthanderGreinke is 10-3 with a 1.95 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Royals listed as 143-moneyline favorites versus the White Sox, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The White Sox closed out the Royals with a 4-1 victory in the opener of a four-game series on Thursday, as -140 favorites. That game’s five runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9).
Jayson Nix homered and scored once for the White Sox. MarkBuehrle tossed 8 1-3 scoreless innings to pick up the win.
DavidDeJesus drove in the only run for the Royals, who were +120 underdogs. BruceChen allowed two runs over six innings in the loss.
Current streak: Chicago has won 6 straight games. Kansas City has lost 3 straight games.
Team records: Chicago: 41-38 SU Kansas City: 33-45 SU
Chicago most recently: When playing on Friday are 4-6 Before playing Kansas City are 5-5 After playing Kansas City are 5-5 After a win are 7-3
Kansas City most recently: When playing on Friday are 7-3 Before playing Chi White Sox are 4-6 After playing Chi White Sox are 5-5 After a loss are 2-8
A few trends to consider: Chi White Sox are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games on the road Chi White Sox are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games Chi White Sox are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Kansas City Chi White Sox are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Kansas City Kansas City is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games Kansas City is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox Kansas City is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing Chi White Sox Kansas City is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games at home
Next up: Kansas City home to Chi White Sox, Saturday, July 4
The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Coors Field.
The Diamondbacks will give the ball to starter MaxScherzer in this one. RighthanderScherzer is 5-5 this season with a 3.70 ERA.
The Rockies will counter Scherzer with JorgeDe La Rosa. LefthanderDe La Rosa has a 5.64 ERA to go along with a 4-7 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rockies listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Diamondbacks, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Diamondbacks were defeated 3-2 by the Reds last time out, as +110 underdogs. That game’s five runs went UNDER the posted over/under (8.5).
MarkReynolds homered in a losing effort, while ClayZavada gave up the winning run and fell to 1-2 on the season.
The Rockies were defeated 1-0 by the Dodgers in the series rubber match last time out, as +120 underdogs. The team’s played UNDER the posted over/under (8.5).
JasonHammel gave up the only run over a complete-game loss.
Current streak: Arizona has lost 2 straight games.
Team records: Arizona: 31-48 SU Colorado: 41-37 SU
Arizona most recently: When playing on Friday are 4-6 Before playing Colorado are 5-5 After playing Cincinnati are 2-8 After a loss are 3-7
Colorado most recently: When playing on Friday are 5-5 Before playing Arizona are 4-6 After playing LA Dodgers are 4-6 After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider: Arizona is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Colorado Arizona is 18-6 SU in its last 24 games when playing Colorado The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arizona’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Colorado Arizona is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado’s last 6 games Colorado is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Colorado’s last 7 games when playing at home against Arizona
Next up: Colorado home to Arizona, Saturday, July 4
A winning streak will be on the line for the Texas Rangers on Friday when they battle the Tampa Bay Rays at Rangers Ballpark.
Ace lefthander ScottKazmir will take the mound for the Rays to start this game. Kazmir is 4-4 this season with a 7.28 ERA.
It’ll be TommyHunter toeing the rubber for the Rangers in this contest. RighthanderHunter is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rays listed as 140-moneyline favorites versus the Rangers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Rays were shut out 5-0 by the Blue Jays last time out, as -130 favorites. The team’s played UNDER the posted over/under (8.5).
James Shields surrendered seven hits and five runs over 7 1-3 innings in the loss.
Hank Blalock hit a walk-off two-run homer as the Rangers got past the Angels 9-7 on Wednesday, as a -105 pick’em. Tht game’s 16 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (9.5).
Blalock finished 3-for-5 at the plate with two home runs for three RBIs, while FrankFrancisco earned the win in relief for a 2-1 overall record.
Current streak: Texas has won 2 straight games.
Team records: TampaBay: 44-36 SU Texas: 42-35 SU
Tampa Bay most recently: When playing on Friday are 5-5 Before playing Texas are 7-3 After playing Toronto are 6-4 After a loss are 5-5
Texas most recently: When playing on Friday are 7-3 Before playing Tampa Bay are 4-6 After playing LA Angels are 5-5 After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay’s last 5 games Tampa Bay is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Tampa Bay’s last 8 games on the road Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Texas’s last 16 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas’s last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas’s last 5 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay The total has gone UNDER in 18 of Texas’s last 24 games
A winning streak will be on the line for the Florida Marlins on Friday when they battle the Pittsburgh Pirates at LandShark Stadium.
The Pirates will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander CharlieMorton in this game. Morton has a 0-1 record and a 4.09 ERA this season.
It’ll be ChrisVolstad toeing the rubber for the Marlins in this contest. RighthanderVolstad is 5-7 with a 4.63 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Marlins listed as 155-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Pirates were defeated 9-8 in 10 innings by the Mets last time out, as -150 favorites. That game’s 17 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (8.5).
GarrettJones hit a solo home run and drove in three runs for the Pirates. MattCapps surrendered the winning run and was tagged with the loss.
The Marlins rallied with two runs in the eighth inning as they defeated the Nationals 5-3 for a sweep of the three-game series on Wednesday, as -170 favorites. That game’s eight runs went as a PUSH against the posted over/under (8).
CodyRoss went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBIs. DanMeyer earned the win in relief, and LeoNunez closed out the ninth with his fourth save.
Current streak: Pittsburgh has lost 2 straight games. Florida has won 3 straight games.
Team records: Pittsburgh: 36-43 SU Florida: 41-39 SU
Pittsburgh most recently: When playing on Friday are 4-6 Before playing Florida are 5-5 After playing NY Mets are 5-5 After a loss are 4-6
Florida most recently: When playing on Friday are 2-8 Before playing Pittsburgh are 5-5 After playing Washington are 9-1 After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider: Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Florida The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Florida Pittsburgh is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Florida Pittsburgh is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games Florida is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida’s last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh Florida is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games Florida is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Next up: Florida home to Pittsburgh, Saturday, July 4
The Seattle Mariners and the Boston Red Sox will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at FenwayPark.
The Mariners will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander FelixHernandez in this game. Hernandez has a 8-3 record and a 2.54 ERA this season.
It’ll be TimWakefield toeing the rubber for the Red Sox in this contest. Righthander Wakefield is 10-3 with a 4.18 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Red Sox listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Mariners, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Mariners banged out 12 hits and scored an 8-4 victory over the Yankees to aovid a three-game sweep on Thursday, as +260 underdogs. That game’s 12 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9.5).
IchiroSuzuki went 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs and two runs scored, while RussellBranyan went deep for a two-run dinger. MiguelBatista tossed two scoreless innings to earn the win.
JulioLugo hit a game-winning single in the top of the 11th inning on Wednesday, as the Red Sox defeated the Orioles 6-5. The Red Sox won that game as -155 favorites, and the 11 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9).
KevinYoukilis belted a two-run homer, and RoccoBaldelli drove in two runs for the Red Sox. RamonRamirez improved to 5-2 with the win in relief, and JonathanPapelbon earned his 20th save.
Team records: Seattle: 40-38 SU Boston: 48-30 SU
Seattle most recently: When playing on Friday are 5-5 Before playing Boston are 3-7 After playing NY Yankees are 3-7 After a win are 5-5
Boston most recently: When playing on Friday are 9-1 Before playing Seattle are 5-5 After playing Baltimore are 9-1 After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Seattle’s last 12 games when playing Boston Seattle is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games Seattle is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Boston Seattle is 5-17 SU in its last 22 games when playing on the road against Boston The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston’s last 5 games at home Boston is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home Boston is 17-5 SU in its last 22 games when playing at home against Seattle Boston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Seattle
Next up: Boston home to Seattle, Saturday, July 4
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