VP's Diamond picks : 5/12/12 (YTD: 22-12-2; +17.2 units)

3-1; +2.4 Units yesterday. Marking nine straight winning days. Trying to keep this ball rolling.

Mets/Marlins under 7.5 (2 Units)
Last time each of these two pitchers faced the opposing team, they each went 7 IP and gave up just 1 ER. That being said, both teams have been scoring runs as of late. However, the total has gone under in 4 of the last 5 times these teams have met (the exception being last night). Ricky Nolasco has been pitching great this season (4-0, 2.72 ERA) and even better recently (2-0, 1.69 ERA in last 3 games). Dickey has been solid in his own right (4-1, 3.76 ERA on the season) and (2-0, 2.14 ERA in last 3 starts). Furthermore, Dickey's knuckleball is tough to see earlier in the day (as are most pitches). Most totals I play in day games will be unders.

Brewers -160 (1 Unit)
I'm playing this one small, but I will continue to bet against Volstad every time he takes the mound. So far, it has paid off. Volstad is 0-4, 6.55 ERA statistically, and the Cubs have lost every start he's made this season. He has not won a decision since July of last year. The Brewers have also been losing the majority on games in which Shaun Marcum has made the start, however it hasn't been because Marcum didn't give them a chance to win. In 5 of his 6 starts this season, he has gone 6 or more innings and given up 3 or less runs. If Marcum puts together another quality start, the Brewers should be able to win this at home.

Adding:
Rays/Orioles over 9 (2 Units)
Both Matt Moore and Brian Matusz are coming off of their worst start of the season. Moore surrendered 8 ER in less than 5 IP at Oakland and Matusz gave up 7 ER in 5 IP at hoe against Texas. Both pitchers brought flat stuff and got punished because of it. I expect a little more of the same here. Matusz has a career 5.7 ERA in 30 IP against the Rays, and Moore gave up 3 Runs in less than an inning against the O's (his MLB debut out of the bullpen). 7 of the last 8 games Baltimore has played have gone over (the only exception being last night when I played the under and won). They're scoring runs and giving them up. This pitching match-up is good for 10 runs in my opinion.

Adding:
Tigers -130 (3 Units)
Although McCarthy is a completely capable Righty in the A's rotation, I think this is a good spot for Fister to get his first win of the season. Fister has pitched lights out in the limited mound time he's had this season. In his first start he made and early exit due to conditions after going 3 2/3 innings and giving up 3 hits and 0 ER. His last start was even more impressize. He went 7 scoreless innings while only surrendering 4 hits, though some poor bullpen decisions cost the Tigers a win giving up the 2-0 lead that Fister left them. McCarthy is not a bad pitcher, but he's not particularly great either. His stuff is hittable and if you're patient enough he'll issue a few walks per start as well. While the A's and their starting pitcher generally thrive at home, they are 1-2 in games that McCarthy has started.

Mets/Marlins under 7.5 (2 Units) Loss
Really didn't see Nolasco pitching this poorly today. He was on the verge of Marlins history, and perhaps the pressure got to him. Dickey was as advertised in day games. Mets were the better play.

0-1, -2.2 units

Brew crew is looking good if it comes in I'll be 1-1, -1.2 Units to start the day

Brewers -160 (1 Unit) Win

1-1; -1.2 Units (2 plays remaining)