Thurs night best bet

[Raji]

New York Mets at Los Angeles Dodgers (-121, 8)

Willie Randolph is like an elephant: he never forgets. The Mets haven’t played the Dodgers in more than a month but the New York manager hasn’t forgotten what transpired.

“I take defeats personally,” Randolph told the New York Daily News. “They swept us here last time and we’re looking forward to getting some payback. That’s the way I look at it.

“They beat us pretty good got that little payback for us beating them in the (division) series. We have to return serve. I’m looking forward to the four days.”

Los Angeles starter Derek Lowe has pitched much better than his 8-8 record indicates but Tom Glavine is searching for win No. 299 tonight. The Mets will have enough motivation to take the series opener.

Pick: Mets +113

Philadelphia Phillies at San Diego Padres (-125, 7)

This is easily the sexiest game of the night with two excellent pitchers, Cole Hamels and Chris Young, heading to the hill. Assuming each ace pitches well, the game should come down to a battle between the Phillies’ bats and the Padres' bullpen.

Philadelphia collected a season-high 26 hits Tuesday against the Dodgers and manager Charlie Manuel says slugger Ryan Howard still isn’t in his groove at the plate.

San Diego owns the league’s best relief staff (2.63 ERA) but the pen has given up six earned runs in the last two games.

Pick: Phillies +117

Colorado Rockies at Washington Nationals (-108, 9)

The Rockies have been hitting the ball so well they’ve been accused of cheating. After getting knocked around for five earned runs in six innings, Pittsburgh Pirates starter Ian Snell had a few choice words for Colorado batters.

“Hopefully I won’t pitch in Colorado because I know who it was (stealing signs) and I will kill that dude,” Snell told the Denver Post. “You can tell (they were giving signals), because some of their hitters were moving around in the box, taking their time in the box, looking up at second base.”

The young Pirates pitcher doesn’t seem to be giving enough credit to Colorado’s hitters. Matt Holiday leads a long list of Colorado players having a great season at the dish.

Pick: Rockies +100


Raji