Sports Picks & Predictions

*3 Star Under Play of the Day* Dan Haren and Ricky Nolasco both were supposed to have terrific years and started out slow, but they are both putting it together of late. Nolasco has been much better on the road than at home. The under is 11-5-5 in the last 21 meetings between these two. I like the value on the under here.

*3 Star Over Play of the Day* If you are looking for an over, Jim Reynolds is the umpire you want to see. Reynolds is behind the dish in this one and both pitchers have been struggling quite a bit of late. Shields has pitched much worse at home and the Indians have a nice history against him. I think both teams put up a few runs in this one. Take the over.

*3 Star Run Line Play of the Day* The Padres have lost the first two in the series by a run, but I think they'll bounce back in this one. Latos is having an amazing year and his ERA is under 0.50 in his last 3 starts. He has been great away from home all year. Atilano has actually been worse at home this year. I think the Padres will want this one pretty badly, as they don't want to get swept here by the Nationals. Take the Padres -1.5.

*3 Star Early Bird Special* Bill Miller is the umpire behind the plate here and that makes the under worth a look. The under is 44-17-4 in his last 65 games behind the plate. The under is also 26-10-1 in the last 37 meetings between these two teams. On a get away day game the lineups may be a little weaker as well. I like the under in this one.

*3 Star Moneyline Bookie Smasher* The White Sox have been playing pretty good baseball of late, especially when Freddy Garcia is on the mound. The White Sox are 42-20 in his last 62 starts and 5-1 in his last 6 home starts. In Garcia's last 6 against the Angels the White Sox are 6-0. I like the White Sox to take this one.

*3 Star Total Play of the Day* Trust me when I say I'm typically not a fan of taking overs with Tim Lincecum on the hill, but I think this is a good spot. Lincecum has struggled of late, and in his career his ERA is 5.67 against the Brewers. At the same time, the Giants hit lefties well so I think they'll put up several runs against Narveson. This total appears set too low. Take the over.

*3 Star Run Line Play of the Day* The Rays have taken the division lead and I think they'll extend it in this one. The Red Sox are 5-16 in Wakefield's last 21 starts and the Rays are 15-5 in Price's last 20 starts. The Red Sox are just 1-5 in Wakefield's last 6 starts against Tampa Bay. It doesn't hurt that the home team is 15-1 in the umpire's last 16 games behind the dish. Take Tampa Bay -1.5.

*3 Star Over Play of the Day* The Dodgers and the Marlins are both hitting the baseball quite well right now. Volstad has struggled mightily on the road and Padilla is quite inconsistent. These two teams have a history of high scoring affairs. The over is 16-5 in their last 21 meetings, including 10-2 at Los Angeles. A breeze toward center and a nice over umpire doesn't hurt either. Take the over.

*3 Star Under Play of the Day* These two teams have both had some great pitching and light hitting all year long. Hernandez has really surprised people with how well he has pitched for the Nationals. The under is 13-2 in his 15 starts this season. The under is 6-0-2 in Richard's last 8 road starts. This has the makings of a low scoring and tight game. Take the under.

*3 Star Run Line Play of the Day* The Orioles are a horrific road team and the Tigers are amazing at home. Both pitchers have pitched poorly of late, but Galarraga has a stunning 2.22 ERA at home this year. I expect the Tigers to pound out quite a few runs and the Orioles bats to be silenced in this one. Take the Tigers -1.5.

*3 Star Over Play of the Day* The two starting pitchers in this one aren't going to scare either of the lineups. The wind tunnel that pushes balls out of the park is working in our favor tonight. The over is 12-3-2 in the last 17 meetings in Texas between these two teams. I think this one has all the makings of a very high scoring game. Take the over.

*3 Star Early Bird Gets the Worm Play* The Cubs just aren't very good right now and Ian Kennedy has been good at home this year. Kennedy has an ERA of 2.41 at home this year and I expect him to fare well on Monday. The Cubs are 2-8 in Gorzelanny's 10 starts this season. Aramis Ramirez is banged up too and could miss this one. I think the oddsmakers are giving the Cubs a little too much credit here. Take the DBacks.

*3 Star Under Play of the Day* Bill Miller is behind the plate in this one and he is a big under umpire. The under is 43-17-4 in his last 64 behind home plate, which is quite an amazing stat. Nolasco is starting to pitch better of late and Hudson has been pitching very well. I think this has all the makings of a low scoring affair. Take the under in this one.

*3 Star Run Line Play of the Day* The Yankees just win baseball games when Phil Hughes starts, and I expect them to do that again on Sunday. The Yankees are 14-3 in Hughes' last 17 home starts and the Jays are 0-5 in Morrow's last 5 road starts. The Yankees offense put up 11 in one inning on Saturday and I think they'll get to Morrow on Sunday as well. Take New York -1.5.

*3 Star Moneyline Play of the Day* The Mariners aren't as good as the Tigers and they are on the road, but Cliff Lee is just absolutely dominating right now. The Mariners are 7-1 in his last 8 starts and I don't think the Tigers will have the answer for Lee. I expect a low scoring tight game, but I think Seattle will win this one behind Lee and his amazing pitching. Take Seattle here.