Bet On MLB Baseball 2011 – National League Weekend Betting Picks
The online betting world in the National League is a little less complicated this weekend when compared to the American League. Two great values stand out this Saturday.
National League Weekend Betting Picks:
San Francisco Giants @ Washington Nationals – Saturday, April 30 – 4:05 PM ET
In the world of sports betting, the individual baseball game – one isolated contest out of 162 played over the course of six months – is always somewhat risky. There’s rarely complete freedom from risk in an MLB baseball betting context. However, with that having been said, it’s hard to go wrong when picking the defending World Series champions over one of the worst and most inept teams in the major leagues. Yes, if you look at this San Francisco-Washington tilt on paper, the pitching matchup doesn’t strike you as a mismatch. Jonathan Sanchez of the visiting Giants and John Lannan of the homestanding Nationals are separated by less than one run in terms of earned-run average. On its face, there isn’t a lot to distinguish the two hurlers in this game. However, Sanchez is a man who has endured – albeit not with success – the battles of October and owns a strong lefty arm that can confound opposing hitters. Moreover, Washington’s lineup is definitely a punch-and-judy outfit with little heft or power. It’s in the one-through-eight spots in the batting order where these teams can be separated. On Friday night, Washington will have to contend with the right-handed Tim Lincecum. Getting the lefty, Mr. Sanchez, the very next day will create a difficult adjustment for the Nats. Moreover, the late start will create shadows in Washington, D.C., making this even more of a pitcher’s game. If the Giants have a one-run lead late in the game, expect closer Brian Wilson to seal the deal. Pick San Francisco, because Washington’s lineup is worse and because the Giants’ pitching can be trusted.San Francisco Washington Betting Pick: San Francisco
Game Number Two:
Pittsburgh Pirates @ Colorado Rockies – Saturday, April 30 – 8:10 PM ET
In betting circles, it’s hard to find a better deal than this evening affair on Saturday in Denver. The Pittsburgh Pirates are a woeful outfit, languishing at the bottom of the National League for the past several seasons. The Bucs’ management basically uses the organization the way the Kansas City Athletics were used in the late 1950s and the early 1960s: As a minor-league feeder team from which the elites in the sport could pluck a premium player before the mid-summer trade deadline. The Pirates have a miniscule payroll and the 90-loss seasons to show for it.
This Saturday, the Pirates and their hollowed-out lineup – a roster with very few threats – will take on Ubaldo Jimenez, a fireballing starter who, though not on top of his game, is still well-versed in the craft of pitching. Jimenez doesn’t have to dominate in this contest; he merely needs to hold the Bucs to three runs. The Rockies should be able to touch up Pittsburgh starter Paul Maholm for four runs at hitting-friendly Coors Field. Pick Colorado for every conceivable reason.
Pittsburgh Colorado Betting Pick: Colorado
