Saturday, June 26

7 Free Picks, all backed by In-Depth Analysis, plus more Rated Selections from the nation’s premier sports analysts, are available daily at PickNation.com

COLORADO AT LA ANGELS

By Derek Mancini, Featured Handicapper
I understand why plenty of bettors are seeing value with the Rockies tonight. Lefty Joe Saunders’ record at home is tough to look at (1-6, 6.75 ERA), but that being said, I still like the Halos in this one.

The line on this game stands out, mainly because of Saunders’ home splits, and the subsequent price we’re being asked to pay. They simply don’t match up, and the reason is the guys in Vegas are begging for Rockies money. I know its tempting after watching Aaron Cook dominate the Brewers in his last start, but before you scrutinize Saunders, check out Cook’s awful numbers on the road (0-4, 7.26 ERA).

Also, there’s the misconception still out there that the Rockies hit lefties well no matter where they are. Not true. They do hit them decently at Coors, but that stat flip-flops on the road, where they average just 3.9 runs per game against southpaws (batting .251). The Angels on the other hand, hit righties well no matter where they are, averaging 4.8 runs per game against them this season.

The Angels have lost two straight at home, and Saunders has gotten roughed up in back-to-back starts. It’s about time for both the lefty and his team to put in a solid effort. The match up is right, and with oddsmakers begging for Rockies money, I’m happy to go the other way.

3* LA ANGELS (on a 1* to 5* Scale)

CHICAGO CUBS at CHICAGO WHITE SOX

By Bobby Maxwell, Featured Handicapper

My complimentary play run stands at 113-97-3 heading into tonight’s play on the White Sox versus the Cubs.

The Cubs have dropped five of their last seven and the White Sox have won 10 in a row. I’m playing those streaks today and counting on the White Sox to win this battle of Chicago today.

Friday was ugly for the Cubs when Carlos Zambrano went haywire after the first inning and unleashed a tirade at his teammates. The White Sox went on to get the easy winner and they’ll do the same today as the Cubs are still trying to figure things out.

Freddy Garcia (8-3, 4.85 ERA) is on the hill for the White Sox and they have won each of his last five starts and eight of his last nine. He’s allowed three runs or less in seven of his last nine starts, including on Sunday when he held the Nationals to three runs in seven innings of a 6-3 victory. Garcia has been dominant against the Cubs in his career, leading his teams to five straight wins over them. He’s allowed just five runs in 36 innings against the Cubs.

Carlos Silva is on the bump for the Cubs, who have dropped his last two starts. His last outing was more than a week ago, pitching on June 18 at home against the Angels and giving up three runs in six innings of a 7-6 loss. He’s not fared well against the White Sox in his career, with his team losing six straight outings, including a June 12 start when he allowed two runs in seven innings and fell 2-1.

The White Sox are on streaks of 10-0 and 15-2 overall, 17-4 in interleague home games, 23-8 on Saturday, 37-14 in interleague action and 12-1 when Garcia faces National league squads. The Cubs are just 4-15 in interleague roadies and 3-10 as an interleague underdog.

I’ll go with the white-hot White Sox in this one.

4* CHICAGO WHITE SOX (on a 1* to 5* Scale)

Al DeMarco, General Manager of PickNation.com, is a 25-year veteran of the handicapping industry who is also the featured handicapping analyst on Comcast Sports TV in Chicago and a regular contributor on Fox Sports and MSNBC. Watch his Free Pick Daily Video report – available weekdays by 2:00 P.M. Eastern and weekends by 10 A.M. Eastern – at PickNation.com