Jake's Picks - MLB Saturday July 8th

[JakeThompson]

Overs: 29-33
Unders: 39-65
Dogs: 71-71
Favs: 75-50

Overall Record and Units: 217-218 +6.65 Units
2 Unit Plays: 8-7

[JakeThompson]

Dodgers -144
Pitchers: Lowe/Lowry

Lowe dominates every single time he pitches at home and San Fran is limited offensively. Lowry has had some poor road starts and the Dodgers kill lefties. The Dodgers hit great at home but actually roughed up Lowry on the road earlier this year. Dodgers have the better bullpen as well.

St. Louis +122
Pitchers: Clemens/Reyes

Rocket hasn't looked as sharp as usual in the 3 games he's been back and StL can definately score some runs here. Reyes was dominating up until he faced the Braves last time out but Houston can't hit anyone lately and they are unlikely to hit a young pitcher whose stuff they've never seen. St. Louis has a bullpen edge here and there is always Lidge to hand over a win if we need it.

[JakeThompson]

Pittsburgh +151
Pitchers: Maholm/Lidle

Lidle isn't that good and Pittsburgh is hitting well. Maholm dominated Philly earlier in the year and the Phils are dinged up and not hitting well. This is a live dog fellas.

Atlanta -126
Pitchers: Smoltz/Harang

This one scared me a little bit since the line has been moving the other way all day but I'll still play it. Cincy struggles offensively while on the road and Smoltz has pitched very well this season. Harang has also pitched well but the Braves smack around almost everyone when they are at home. Braves bullpen is horrible but it's still much better than Cincy's.

Cleveland -111
Pitchers: Sowers/Bedard

The difference between these two teams is that Cleveland crushes lefties and Baltimore can't touch em. Cleveland hits great at home and Baltimore can't hit on the road. Although Bedard is cruising along, Cleveland has his number to a certain degree. Baltimore has never seen Sowers and the young lefty should put in a quality outing here and get the win for the Tribe.

Kansas City +137
Pitchers: Elarton/Lilly

Kansas City should be favored here. They crush lefties at home and Lilly will be hit hard. Toronto has forgotten how to hit recently and can't hit anyone. Elarton is excellent at giving up a few runs but never getting dominated. KC's bullpen is worrisome but Toronto's pen has been even worse lately. This is a sweet line and one of my favorite bets in the last month.

Texas +160
Pitchers: Rheinecker/Liriano

Minnesota just can't hit on the road and that is enough to take the +160 here since this is a tossup game. Rheinecker has put in some solid home starts and Minnesota has never seen him before. Liriano has been dynamite but he's never gone on the road against a tough offensive team like Texas. This is a tossup. Great line.