VP's Diamond picks : 4/7/12 (YTD:3-1-1; +2.7 units)

Today was a 1-0-1 day due to an over pushing after reaching the number in the top of the fifth.. I guess I can't complain still having won some cash.

The early games have a few buried landmines, but I'm going to roll with dice with one of them.

Braves/Mets - Braves -110 (2 units)
I like Jurrjens in this spot today. It is really tough to bet against or for a knuckleballer, but the Braves have had success against RA Dickey in the past. If Bourn can reach base a few times, I give the Braves a chance at 4+ runs here. However, they might as well keep Uggla on the bench, because he is maybe the worst off-speed hitter in the NL East. If you're looking for a sure winner, this is not the play. I do think that it is worth the price, however, so I'll give it a roll. Will be on later with a late play or two.

Good luck, gents!

Adding:
Cardinals/Brewers over 7 (3 units)
Ok, I know, this pitching match-up looks like a great under on paper. However, if you look at the success each team's lineup has had individually, it looks like it could be a high scoring game.
Wainwright is coming back from tommy john surgery (which could either hurt or help his efforts), so this is the first he'll see a few all too familiar faces in their Brew Crew unis. Nyjer Morgan and Aramis Ramirez have absolutely feasted on Adam Wainwright over the course of their careers. If this success continues, it will set the table for multiple runs today. I also expect the Cards to keep a close eye on his pitch count as they have in Spring. On the other hand, Holliday and Berkman have had great success in the few times they've seen Greinke. Plus, Greinke has had problems in April throughout his early career. Great Spring for him, other than getting hammered his last time on the mound. I think each team will hit the 3-run mark with ease, the bookmakers really should've put an extra half on the total.

Adding:
Royals/Angels Angels -1.5 @ +115 (1 unit)
I don't like playing run line favorites and I don't like that this bet looks so obvious, so I'm playing it small. Haren has a 1.52 ERA in his career against the Royals and Hochevar has a 8.02 ERA career against the Angels. Hochevar did begin to turn things around late last season, however. I thought of taking the under and this game, and I still do believe that is the right side of the total, but the numbers are way too skewed in the LAA's favor and I can't help myself. Tread lightly here, because it is a very public play.

lastly I'm adding:
Mariners/A's - Mariners -115 (2 units)
It's never a bad play to take the M's when King Felix is on the mound, especially when facing the Oakland lineup. Hernandez is 12-3 with a 2.48 ERA in his career against the A's. The only one in the lineup who has had success against him is Kurt Suzuki, and considering his position in the lineup I'm not sure the table will be set for him to bring anybody home. The top 2 in the order have sub .200 averages against Felix. Colon looked decent in his Japan start and the M's lineup isn't exactly top notch. That would normally lean me towards the under, but 6.5 with added juice doesn't really appeal to me. Besides, Ichiro has had success against big Bartolo and Figgins has reached base 3 times in his 5 plate appearances against him. The top of the order, in my opinion, really gives a good gauge in which to handicap a team's ability to put crooked numbers on the board. In this match-up, the Mariners clearly have the upper-hand.

This is my last pick of the day. Good luck to all!