Going with 5 MLB side value plays for Friday:
Pit +135
Sea +139
CHC -149
Phi -131
Tex +129
My favorite games are Pittsburgh and Seattle.
On Seattle: Ryan Rowland-Smith takes the mound for the Mariners. RRS posted a 3.12 ERA in 12 starts for Seattle last year. Oakland has top prospect Brett Anderson taking the mound for his first major league start. I'm not discounting the fact that Anderson could be a great pitcher, but he has only pitched 31 innings above A ball, and I don't think he will be dominant in his first outing in the majors.
On Pittsburgh: Jeff Karstens takes the mound for the Pirates. Karstens posted a 4.03 ERA with Pittsburgh last season, including a 7 inning outing against Cincinnati where he allowed three runs. The Reds are starting Johnny Cueto, who allowed 18 homers in 15 home starts last year, while posting a 4.50 ERA in three starts against the Pirates. Current Pirates have a .281 average against Cueto, with Ryan Doumit homering once in two at bats.
Pit +135
Sea +139
CHC -149
Phi -131
Tex +129
My favorite games are Pittsburgh and Seattle.
On Seattle: Ryan Rowland-Smith takes the mound for the Mariners. RRS posted a 3.12 ERA in 12 starts for Seattle last year. Oakland has top prospect Brett Anderson taking the mound for his first major league start. I'm not discounting the fact that Anderson could be a great pitcher, but he has only pitched 31 innings above A ball, and I don't think he will be dominant in his first outing in the majors.
On Pittsburgh: Jeff Karstens takes the mound for the Pirates. Karstens posted a 4.03 ERA with Pittsburgh last season, including a 7 inning outing against Cincinnati where he allowed three runs. The Reds are starting Johnny Cueto, who allowed 18 homers in 15 home starts last year, while posting a 4.50 ERA in three starts against the Pirates. Current Pirates have a .281 average against Cueto, with Ryan Doumit homering once in two at bats.