Pittsburgh Pirates (115)
Mon Jun 9 ‘08 12:35p - Click Here for MLB Odds
The Pittsburgh Pirates managed a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks yesterday after losing hr first two games of this series, and we now look for the Bucs to gain the series split vs. Randy Johnson today. Sure, the Big Unit has turned back the clock at times this season, but he is still not nearly what he used to be and the bottom line is that the Diamondbacks have lost each of his last three starts. Now granted, that is not really Johnson’s fault since Arizona scored a grand total of five runs in those three losses, but the problem is that nothing has really changed lately. The Snakes are hitting a pathetic .213 as a team over their last 10 games, including .209 vs. left-handed pitchers. This is good news for Pittsburgh southpaw starter Zach Duke, who is coming off of back-to-back Quality Starts and could be expected to build on that today. Duke allowed just two runs and seven hits in 7.2 innings vs. the Houston Astros in his last start, and he has done his best work here at home this season, where he owns a 3.79 ERA. Just about the only thing in Arizona’s favor is that they have the better bullpen, but that will not matter if their weak offense can’t produce enough runs to get a lead. MLB Free Pick: Pirates +115

Washington Nationals (120)
Mon Jun 9 ‘08 7:10p - Click Here for Baseball Odds
The San Francisco Giants have taken the first three games of this four-game road series vs. the Washington Nationals, but we are looking for the Nats to avoid the home sweep today. We do not feel that the Giants are good enough to sweep a four-game series on the road vs. anyone right now, and it does not help that Matt Cain is off of his form right now. Cain allowed five earned runs and nine baserunners in just five innings vs. the New York Mets in his last start, and the last time he pitched in Washington, the normally light-hitting Nationals reached him for six earned runners and 10 baserunners in 6.2 innings of a 6-5 Giants loss. Tyler Clippard is making his National League debut here after making six starts for the New York Yankees last season. Clippard actually began his Major League career by allowing three runs or less in each of his first four starts, so he could be tough going through a league for the first time that does not have the benefit of the Designated Hitter.Besides the Nationals always play hard with the limited talent that they have, which makes them dangerous as home underdogs vs. a questionable road favorite like the Giants. MLB Free Pick: Nationals +120

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