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The first prediction I am going to make is that this game will not go into extra innings. Joel Carreno is making his first career start against Derek Lowe who had won double digig games every year for a decade before going 9-17 last year. Lowe was a huge reason why the Atlanta Braves collapsed last year and got traded for it. I think that he pitches well today and the Indians get the win.
Pick: Indians
Braves (Minor) vs Mets (Niese)
The Atlanta Braves have struggled to score runs so far in 2012 and are 0-2 to show for it. Today they go against the Mets and Jonathon Niese who just got a contract extension even though he has never had a winning season. Mike Minor is pitching for the Braves and Atlanta is 4-0 in games he starts against the Mets. I have picked the Braves the last two days and I am picking them to win again today.
Pick: Braves
Marlins (Zambrano) vs Reds (Arroyo)
These are two of the most eclectic pitchers in all of baseball as it wouldn't surprise me if either guy throws a shutout or doesn't make it out of the second inning. Zambrano is making his debut for the Marlins after some tumultuous years in Chicago. I think that the Reds will win today but both pitchers will do pretty well. I just think that the Reds offense is more cohesive in comparison to the Marlins right now so I am going with the Reds again.
Pick: Reds
Twins (Swarzak) vs Orioles (Hammel)
Baltimore has now won six games in a row against the Twins and it has been by a combined score of 36-8. The Twins are going to try to break that losing streak with Anthony Swarzak getting the start because Liam Hendricks has food poisoning. The Orioles are countering with Jason Hammel who is the most experienced starter for this team. I think Baltimore earns the sweep
Pick: Orioles
Phillies (Worley) vs Pirates (McDonald)
The Phillies have not been able to score runs and missing Ryan Howard and Chase Utley is killing this team. The Pirates don't have the same expectations as they don't have the same quality pitching staff that the Phillies have. Even though the Phillies are going to continue getting quality starts but they need to start scoring some runs to win ball games. I think the Phillies win this game and get more than four runs doing so.
Pick: Phillies
Yankees (Hughes) vs Rays (Hellickson)
Tampa Bay has won 5 straight games against the Yankees at Tropicana field and now they have 2011 American League Rookie of the Year Jeremy Hellickson pitching for the sweep. The Yankees haven't started 0-3 since 1998, when they went on to win 114 games and the World Series. Phil Hughes counters for the Yankees and he needs to pitch well to stop the bleeding. I think the Rays earn the sweep with Hellickson getting the win.
Pick: Rays
Rockies (Nicasio) vs Astros (Norris)
Juan Nicasio returns to the regular season mound after getting hit in the head last year and missing the final 3 months of the season. Nicasio was unsure if he would ever pitch again and now he is here pitching for the Rockies in game 3. The Astros won yesterday behind 2 home runs off of the ageless Jamie Moyer but I think the Rockies win this game and the series.
Pick: Rockies
Cardinals (Lynn) vs Brewers (Wolf)
Chris Carpenter was supposed to start today but because of his nagging shoulder issues the Cardinals are giving the ball to Lance Lynn. The Brewers are throwing veteran Randy Wolf who pitched well in the National League Championship Series against the Cardinals but had an ERA of almost 5 against them in the regular season. David Freese hits well against Wolf and is hitting even better this season. I like the Cardinals to win this game and take the series from the Brewers.
Pick: Cardinals
Nationals (Zimmerman) vs Cubs (Samardzija)
Samardzija is transferring from the bullpen to the starting rotation and that usually hasn't been kind to pitchers. The Cubs are probably rethinking putting him in the rotation as Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol have been brutal out of the bullpen to start the season. Jordan Zimmerman is pitching for the Nationals, who are going for the sweep to open the season. I think they get it. In fact I am making the Nationals my lock of the day.
Pick: Nationals. This is the lock of the day.
Royals (Sanchez) vs Angels (Santana)
Jonathan Sanchez is making his Royals debut today as the Royals are going for the series win against the Angels. Ervin Santana is pitching for the Angels, who is 5-5 with a 4.8 ERA lifetime against Kansas City. The Angels still arent' hitting the ball as well I think they can and I think that today they start knocking the rust off. I like the Angels to win this game and take the series from the royals.
Pick: Angels
Dodgers (Harang) vs Padres (Richard)
Aaron Harang takes the mound for the Dodgers against the team he pitched for last year, as the Dodgers are looking to start the season with a 4-game sweep of the Padres. The Dodgers haven't started 4-0 since 1981 and I don't think they will this year. Clayton Richard is 4-1 with a 2.58 ERA career against the Dodgers and I think they salvage the last game of the series and prevent going 0-4 to start the season.
Pick: Padres
Giants (Cain) vs Diamondbacks (Collmenter)
The Giants will try and prevent the series sweep by throwing the man who just got the richest deal ever for a right handed pitcher, Matt Cain. Cain now needs to prove that the Giants made a wise investment and the best way to do that is to beat the Diamondbacks. These 2 teams will be in a dog fight all season long for the National League West crown but if the Giants can't beat the Diamondbacks they won't win the division. Look for Cain to stop the 8 game winning streak the Diamondbacks have against the Giants.
Pick: Giants
White Sox (Floyd) vs Rangers (Harrison)
The White Sox are looking to take the opening series from the Rangers and are turning to Gavin Floyd to get the job done. Unfortunately for the White Sox Gavin Floyd struggles against the Rangers, especially at the Ballpark in Arlington. Matt Harrison is pitching for the Rangers and he has had success against the White Sox, going 2-0 with a 3.54 ERA in his lifetime against them. I think the Rangers take this came and the series.
Winner: Rangers
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