Toronto Blue Jays @ Tampa Bay Rays u8.0 (-115) MLB Odds - Fri July 18 ‘08 7:10p
A.J. Burnett of the Toronto Blue Jays is pitching on normal rest after allowing just one run and six hits in 8.1 innings vs. the New York Yankees on Sunday, while James Shields has been at his best this year with extra rest like he has here. Thus, runs should be hard to come by tonight. Sure, Burnett has been frustratingly erratic throughout his career, as he has some of the best stuff in the majors when he is on yet he cannot seem to be able to get out of his own way. However, he is very capable of going through some unhittable streaks, and that start on Sunday is certainly a step in the right direction. Remember also that Burnett tossed a gem the last time he pitched in Tampa Bay, allowing one run and three hits with eight strikeouts in eight innings. As improved as the Rays are this season, they still have many young free-swingers in their lineup that Burnett can again take advantage of. Now Shields has had a full week of rest since getting bombed for five earned runs and 10 hits in six innings by the Cleveland Indians last Friday. However, Shields has posted Quality Starts each of the last three times he has had at least five days of rest, posing a 2.66 ERA and a remarkable 0.89 WHIP over those starts with 22 strikeouts in 20.1 innings. Finally, the Under is 16-5 in the last 21 head-to-head meetings between these clubs including 8-1 in the last nine meetings in Tampa, and we look for those streaks to get extended tonight. MLB Free Pick: Blue Jays, Rays Under 8 (-115)
 
Washington Nationals @ Atlanta Braves u8.5 (-110) Baseball Odds - Fri July 18 ‘08 7:35p
Tim Hudson has been his usual self for the Atlanta Braves while Tim Redding could be considered the ace of the Washington Nationals staff right now, and with both offenses erratic as of late, the Under should be the way to go here. Hudson may be just 9-7, but he has pitched better than that with a 3.13 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 129.1 innings, and he has been at his best pitching at home. Hudson is 7-1 with a 2.13 ERA in nine home starts, and he has been an absolute beast against the Nationals, allowing two earned runs or less in each of his last 10 starts against them, including allowing three earned runs in three starts covering 21.2 innings vs. Washington this year. Redding has incredibly managed to go 7-3 while pitching for a team that is 24 games under .500 (36-60), and the Nationals as a team are an amazing 15-5 in all games that he has started. He has a decent 3.85 ERA for the season and an excellent 2.65 ERA in his last three starts, and he has allowed three runs or less in each of his last three starts vs. Atlanta. The Braves have played the most Unders in baseball this year at 61-31-3, and that should continue here. MLB Free Pick: Nationals, Braves Under 8.5 (-110)

San Diego Padres @ St. Louis Cardinals u8.5 Baseball Picks - Fri July 18 ‘08 8:15p
This is a repeat of last nights successful under selection. Two different pitchers and a different day, but Im predicting we get the same positive results. The light hitting San Diego Padres visit the St.Louis Cardinals in pitcher friendly Busch Stadium this Friday night in game two of this series. Last night both teams took part in a low scoring 4-3 tilt. The San Diego Padres will send capable veteran Greg Maddux (3-8, 3.90 ERA) to the hill . The 42 year former Cy Young award winner, and other than a few blips on his chart, has consistently pitched well this year, and has allowed 2 ERs or less in 8 of his L/12 starts. His team, however, has given the hurler very little support in most of his starts, as is evident by backing him with an average of just 3.23 RPG this season, which is the fourth-worst mark in major league baseball. Meanwhile , his pitching opponent Braden Looper (9-7, 4.25) has also seen his fair of hard luck , despite of pitching well this season. In his last two starts before the all star break, the right hander, allowed just six runs in 13 innings, but was backed with just one total run during that frustrating span. With two capable pitchers on the hill, and two less than explosive offenses facing them tonight, another slow scoring contest looks to be on the agenda. Final notes & Key Trends: Under is 11-1-1 in Padres last 13 games vs. a right-handed starter. Under is 10-2 in Padres last 11 games with the total set at 7-8.5 . Under is 11-4-1 in the last 15 meetings in this series, including four straight here in St.Louis. Under is 6-0 in Padres last 6 road games.