Writing the Pine

For our first ever bet of the day, we’ll be going crazy: a four-team parlay in MLB.  It’s real tough to pick winners this late in the season in the NBA so I wanted to stay away from those games.  Keep in mind, I am a terrible better so proceed with caution:

Game #1 – Washington Nationals @ Philadelphia Phillies (-1.5)
It’s the home opener for the Phillies and the Philly faithful will come out in droves to support the best team in town. Cole Hamels is primed for a season where he’ll return to form and he’s already beaten Jason Marquis already this season. Hamels did not win a single game during the day last year but it’s a new season and he should return to form in 2010 after a disappointing year in 2009. Phillies (J)roll 9-3.

Game #2 – Houston Astros @ St. Louis Cardinals (-1.5)
Also the home opener for the Cardinals. I know the Cardinals lost last night to Casey McGehee’s walk-off home run, but I can’t imagine Albert Pujols and co., losing their home-opener to the hapless (and winless) Houston Astros. The Astros’ offense is just atrocious without Lance Berkman and Adam Wainwright will shut them down. Cardinals 5-1.

Game #3 – Atlanta Braves (ML) @ San Diego Padres
Can’t really say I have much of a basis for this one except I think Jair Jurrjens will have a better outing than Kevin Correia. It’s likely there aren’t many runs to be scored at pitcher-friendly PETCO Park and it’s not neither of the teams are exactly offensive powerhouses (Braves’ 16-run opener aside) so I couldn’t go with the spread. This one is just one of those hunches (that I’m usually wrong about by the way). Braves 4-3.

Game #4 – Tampa Bay Rays (-1.5) @ Baltimore Orioles
The Rays got handled by the Yankees but I expect them to bounce back with their best starter on the mound against the Orioles. It was actually very possible the O’s could’ve swept the Rays when they met in the opening series of the year and that scares me a bit but I think the Rays’ bats will come alive in this one. I’m probably the least confident in this pick but let’s just hope for the best I guess. Rays 8-5.