Toronto Blue Jays @ Detroit Tigers u9.5 (-125) MLB Odds - Thu August 14th ‘08 1:05p
Given the unexpected struggles of Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers this season, a strong case can be made that young Armando Galarraga has been the ace of the staff. Meanwhile, Jesse Litsch of the Toronto Blue Jays is very capable of recapturing his good early season form after a stint in the minors. Galarraga has been a godsend, going 10-4 with a 3.23 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 125.1 innings, with the Tigers as a team going 14-6 in his starts. He has allowed three runs or less in eight of his last 10 starts and he allowed just four earned runs in each of the two non-quality efforts. Galarraga also tossed 5.1 scoreless innings while allowing just three hits in his only other start vs. Toronto. Now Litsch got off to a great start this season, but he went into a swoon posting a disgusting 10.66 ERA and 2.05 WHIP in his last three starts, prompting the Jays to send him to the minors. To his credit, Litsch did not complain outwardly at the demotion despite having had some success in the majors, and perhaps this was just the jolt he needed. Remember that he did pitch well in the majors last season with a 3.81 ERA in 20 starts, and he was off to a 7-1 start this year. Also, the added benefit of the Tigers having never faced him before could help him regain his form here. Finally, the Toronto Under is on a 12-4-1 run, and if we are right about Litsch being straightened out, that streak should improve this afternoon. MLB Free Pick: Blue Jays, Tigers Under 9.5 (-125)
 
Cincinnati Reds (110) MLB Odds - Thu August 14th ‘08 7:05p
Not too much separates Johnny Cueto of the Cincinnati Reds and Ian Snell of the Pittsburgh Pirates statistically this year, but we feel that young Cueto has more upside and the Pirates are generally a poor play as favorites anyway. Besides, Cueto has allowed three runs in three of his last four starts, and he may at worst duplicate that vs. a Pittsburgh offense here that is bating a horrific .218 vs. right-handed pitching the last 10 games. Despite his 5.01 ERA, Cueto has looked dominant at times this year, especially vs. the weaker clubs in the league, and the Pirates certainly fall into that category. On the other hand, Snell has been a huge disappointment after showing so much promise last season, and he really has shown no signs of coming out of his funk. Even worse, he has been awful against the Reds, allowing 23 earned runs and 35 hits in only 21.2 innings over his last four starts against them. Finally, both of these teams have basically called it a year and traded some key players lately, which automatically gives value to the underdog. MLB Free Pick: Reds +110

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