Toronto Blue Jays (-105) MLB Odds - Fri August 1st ‘08 8:05p
This price on the Toronto Blue Jays is held down by the fact that Shaun Marcum has not pitched that well in two starts since coming off of the Disabled List, but we look for an improved effort vs. the Texas Rangers tonight. You see, we are actually not surprised that Marcum has been off with his location since returning, as he is not overpowering and relies on his precision to be successful. Thus, he was more affected by his long layoff than a power pitcher would be. However, he did improve a bit in his second start back although he still allowed four runs in 5.2 innings, and we expect him to improve further tonight to the point where he could at least match he last start against the Rangers, when he allowed just two runs in six innings. Texas counters with Tommy Hunter, who is making his major league debut. While it is true that first-time starters are often dangerous, it is not as if Hunter is a blue chip prospect, so as long as Marcum can keep the Rangers in check early, we do expect the Jays to get to Hunter by their second time through the batting order at the latest. Finally, the road team is a perfect 5-0 in all the head-to-head meetings between these clubs this year, and we look for Toronto to extend that streak tonight. MLB Free Pick: Blue Jays -105
 
San Francisco Giants (-125) MLB Odds - Fri August 1st ‘08 10:05p
It is not too often that we would recommend the San Francisco Giants as favorites, but Tim Lincecum has put up Cy Young numbers this season and he should dominate the weak-hitting San Diego Padres in this spot. Lincecum is 11-3 while pitching for a team that is 19 games under .500, with a sparkling 2.78 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 142.2 innings. He has already faced the Padres three times this season, going a perfect three for three in Quality Starts while allowing a grand total of two runs and 15 hits with 18 strikeouts in 19.1 innings.  Then again, it is not surprising that he has had success vs. the Padres, given that they are averaging just 3.80 runs per game overall, and the Pads have been even worse in their spacious home stadium, where they average 3.59 runs while batting a pathetic .239 as a team. San Diego starter Josh Banks got off to a nice start this season, but he has tailed off lately with a 6.23 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in his last three starts. In fact, Banks has just one Quality Start in his last seven outings.  Finally, the Padres have not found much salvation here at home either, where they are just 3-14 in their last 17 games, so look for Lincecum to keep them slumping. MLB Free Pick: Giants -125

Colorado Rockies @ Florida Marlins u9.0 MLB Odds - Fri August 1st ‘08 7:10p
The Colorado Rockies and the Florida Marlins will send two capable hurlers out to the mound in game 2 of their current four game series this Friday night, to face two explosive but inconsistent offenses. The Colorado Rockies come out firing with the red hot Ubaldo Jimenez (7-9, 3.80 ERA) who is off pitching six scoreless innings against the Reds in his last trip the hill. The native of the Dominican Republic, now owns a stellar 2.07 ERA in his past 10 starts, that includes an even stingier 1.74 ERA in his L/6 appearances. The Marlins’ teed off on Colorado last night, in a lopsided 12-2 win, but have been very inconsistent over the last month, and have done less damage to opponents at home in Dolphin Stadium, than they have on the road, batting just .243 as a team on the season, and could easily experience a stunted offensive outing in this spot. Meanwhile, the Marlins return fire with their own top notch hurler, Chris Volstad(2-1 2.38 ERA). The 6 8 right hander has three straight quality starts, and has struck out 15 in his L/ 20 2/3 innings of action. It must be noted that Volstad has allowed only 1 Home run in his L/110+ innings of work (includes 91 innings in the minor leagues ). The Rockies have scored an average of just 3.7 RPG on the road this season, via a batting average on the low side of the Mendoza line (.248) and may find it very difficult unloading against the big man. Considering the pitching matchup, and the decent number the linesmakers have given us to bet into , it will be an easy decision for me , recommending that we hit the under. Play Under

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