MLB Thursday Best Bets

[Raji]

Seattle at Boston: Pick Red Sox -160

Tim Wakefield was his usual dazzling self in his first start this season, but the Red Sox couldn’t score a single run for him, and Boston lost 2-0 to Texas. Wakefield pitched six innings of three-hit ball, walking two and striking out four. He allowed two runs but only one was earned.

Wakefield also sparkled the last time he faced Seattle. He allowed three runs, two earned, in nine innings in Boston on April 15 last year. He also struck out six and walked zero.

The Red Sox's struggling bats are also happy to be back at Fenway Park. Boston scored 14 runs in their home opener Tuesday. Boston’s batters will be up against Jarrod Washburn.

Detroit at Toronto: Pick Blue Jays -120

Left-hander Mike Maroth has been the dirty little secret among what is an otherwise quality group of Tigers starters. Things got so bad at the end of last year that he was demoted to the bullpen. He finished 2006 with a 4.19 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP.

Those numbers are actually lower than his career averages of 4.80 and 1.40.

Maroth won his first start of the season against Kansas City but his performance was typically shaky. He allowed four runs and six hits in five innings, yet Detroit managed to win 6-5.

Maroth faces Tomo Ohka and a Blue Jays team that loves to hit at home. Toronto had an MLB-best .861 OBP at the Rogers Centre last year.

Washington at Atlanta: Pick Braves -300

Yes, the line is high, but a pitcher like John Smoltz simply doesn’t lose to a team like the Nationals at home. The Nationals, on the other hand, don’t beat anyone anywhere.

Smoltz has been solid in his first two starts this season, going 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA. His starts have earned 2.13 units.

Meanwhile, Jason Bergmann comes into the game looking for his first win for Washington since 2005. He's appeared in 45 games for the Nationals, including eight starts, and is 2-3 lifetime with a 5.93 ERA.

Tampa Bay at Minnesota: Pick Twins -165

Minnesota's Carlos Silva has allowed no more than a run in five of his last seven starts. He was great in his first game of the season April 7 against the White Sox, but the Twins couldn’t score and Silva took the loss. The 27-year-old right-hander allowed one run and five hits in five innings.

Minnesota is also up against a Tampa Bay pitching staff that can turn an ordinary hitter into Wade Boggs. Opponents are hitting .335 against the Devil Rays, and their hurlers now carry a 7.35 ERA.

Casey Fossum is pitching for Tampa Bay on Thursday. His ERA is 17.18 after one game.


Raji