Happy Fourth of July! Enjoy the festivities and the great weekend that is to come with a healthy dose of baseball action. Here are five of the best baseball games to bet on today.
A little over two weeks ago, Clayton Kershaw entered his name into the record books with an awe-inspiring no-hitter performance against the Colorado Rockies. Tonight, Kershaw and the Rockies cross each paths again. Will the Rockies turn the table on the Dodgers’ ace? Or will Kershaw dominate them again?
While waiting for the games we’ve listed below to start, you can check out our complete previews of today’s World Cup games featuring France versus Germany and Brazil versus Colombia.
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MLB Picks and Predictions for Friday, July 4, 2014
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Detroit Tigers (7:00 PM ET)
Line: Tampa Bay Rays (+108) at Detroit Tigers (-118); total: 8.0 – see all MLB lines
With their winning streak over, the Tampa Bay Rays look to rebound from their 8-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers last night. Up next in the rotation for the Rays is Alex Cobb (3-6, 4.20 ERA), who’ll be dealing with the Tigers’ offense that has pumped in 20 runs over Detroit’s last three games. The Rays, though, have won in Cobb’s last two road starts. The rolling Tigers, meanwhile, are 4-0 in their last four games overall.
Writer’s Prediction: Detroit wins to extend their winning streak to five games.
Kansas City Royals vs. Cleveland Indians (7:05 PM ET)
Line: Kansas City Royals (+106) at Cleveland Indians (-116); total: 8.0 – see all MLB lines
[sc:MLB240banner ]The Kansas City Royals have been nearly unstoppable on the road as of late. The Royals are hitting .268 on the road thus far on the season – the second highest in the American League – and are 8-2 in their last 10 games away from home. They’ll be welcomed by the Cleveland Indians, who are fresh off taking both games in their two-game set with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The over is 3-0 in the Tribes’ last three home games.
Writer’s Prediction: Kansas City continue their good times on the road with a win against the Indians.
Yu Darvish (8-4, 2.42 ERA), whose start was deferred for one more day after being asked to sit out in the Rangers’ 5-2 loss to the O’s last night, is set to pitch later against the Mets. The Rangers, losers of five straight, are 5-2 in his last seven starts. Meanwhile, the Mets will counter Darvish with Jonathan Niese (5-4, 2.88 ERA). The Mets are 4-1 in the last five games with Niese on the mound.
Writer’s Prediction: Yu Darvish leads the Rangers to a refreshing victory.
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Cincinnati Reds (7:10 PM ET)
Line: Milwaukee Brewers (+135) at Cincinnati Reds (-150); total: 8.0– see all MLB lines
Kyle Lohse (9-2, 3.08 ERA) is back on the mound for the Milwaukee Brewers, eager to help the team arrest its three-game losing streak. The Brewers are 4-0 in Lohse’s last four starts. Lohse will be facing off with the Cincinnati Reds’ Alfredo Simon (10-3, 2.81 ERA). The Reds are 4-0 in the last four games, in which Simon took the mound.
Writer’s Prediction: Milwaukee wins in a low-scoring ballgame.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Colorado Rockies (8:10 PM ET)
Whether they believe it or not, the Colorado Rockies have no choice but to face Clayton Kershaw (9-2, 2.04 ERA) again just two weeks after the reigning Cy Young winner no-hit them in an 8-0 win by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kershaw is on a tear right now, as he has not allowed a run in any of his last three starts. Moreover, the Dodgers are 6-0 in Kershaw’s last six outings.
Colorado’s Jair Jurrjens, meanwhile, will attempt to take the attention from Kershaw as he makes his season-debut. The over is 6-1 in Jurrjens’ last seven starts against the Dodgers.
Writer’s Prediction: Kershaw blanks the Rockies as Dodgers pick up a win.
