Be prepared for tonight’s baseball action by reading Pro Edge Sports’ Baseball Betting Preview and Picks:
After finishing a three-game sweep over the hapless Cubs, Atlanta packs its bags and heads west for an important series against the Giants at AT&T Park. Atlanta’s offensive woes have been inexplicable this season as the Braves are batting .234 with a .290 on base percentage (3.2 runs per game), including hitting .229 with a .290 on base percentage on the road (3.2 runs per game) and .224 with a .267 on base percentage over the last ten days (2.4 runs per game). However, the Braves could get a boost from the return of Justin Upton, who was held out of yesterday’s game after he sustained a bruised lower back muscle when he was hit by a pitch Saturday. While the return of Upton is a positive for the Braves, he will be of little use tonight in light of the fact that he is just 2 for 23 with nine strikeouts versus Tim Lincecum since 2011.
Speaking of Lincecum, he remains a wildcard this season as you never know what you’re going to get from the 30-year-old right-hander. Lincecum is is 2-2 with a 5.55 ERA and 1.71 WHIP in 2014, including going 0-1 with a 6.58 ERA and 1.75 WHIP at home and 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA and 1.48 WHIP at night. Lincecum’s current form is also a concern as evidenced by his 4.29 ERA and 2.04 WHIP in his last three starts, including allowing 4 earned runs on eight hits at Pittsburgh last week (4 IP). The lone bright spot for Lincecum is the fact that he is 9-6 with a career 2.63 ERA and 1.15 WHIP versus the Braves, including limiting Atlanta to a combined three earned runs in his last three starts (19 IP; 3 ER; 14 H; 14 K; 11 BB). Lincecum boasts a 2.03 ERA in his last five meetings with Atlanta and has gone 6-2 with a 2.24 ERA at home in this series.
Meanwhile, Atlanta starter Gavin Floyd will be making his second start of the 2014 campaign after going seven strong innings against the Cardinals in his season debut. Before getting too excited about Floyd, it’s important to keep in mind that he compiled a modest 3.25 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in five rehab starts at Triple-A Gwinnett. Both starting pitchers are supported by strong bullpens:
San Francisco Bullpen:
- 2.10 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 2014;
- 0.73 ERA and 0.83 WHIP at home;
- 2.09 ERA and 1.05 WHIP at night
Atlanta Bullpen:
- 2.87 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 2014;
- 3.47 ERA and 1.21 WHIP on the road;
- 3.63 ERA and 1.38 WHIP at night
With Lincecum standing at a profitable 15-4 (+11.8 units) following a win, Pro Edge Sports leans with the small home favorite tonight.
Other Major League Baseball Games Worth Consideration:
- New York Yankees (-148) with Hiroki Kuroda
- Seattle Mariners (-155) with Felix Hernandez
- Oakland Athletics (-184) with Jesse Chavez