MLB Pick 6-1-10

My MLB pick for 6-1-10 is:

Colorado Rockies at San Francisco Giants – 10:15 p.m. ET

Bet #966 San Francisco Giants -130 (Hammel & Zito MUST START)

Colorado’s Jason Hammel owns a 6.93 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, and .365 OBP on the season. The Rockies have lost all three of Hammel’s road starts, in which he owns an 8.80 ERA, 1.76 WHIP, and .389 OBP. Several Giants have had success against Hammel. Aubrey Huff is 2-for-6 (.333) with a double & a homer. Bengie Molina is 3-for-6 (.500) with a homer. Freddy Sanchez is 2-for-6 with a double. Pablo Sandoval owns a .364 OBP against Hammel. Nate Schierholtz is only 1-for-7 (.143) against Hammel, but that one hit was a homer.

The Giants’ Barry Zito has dominated Colorado over the years. Zito’s 2.00 career ERA against the Rockies is his best against any opponent, and he has a 1.24 ERA against them in five outings since the start of last year. He beat Colorado for the third straight time – all at home – with eight strong innings in a 5-2 win April 30. This quote says it all: “He’s always tough against us. I can’t hit him,” said Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who is 5 for 33 (.152) against Zito. “I’ve never been able to hit him. Hopefully one day I’ll figure him out.”

Zito, who has given up 3 runs or less in all but one of his 10 starts this season, has owned more Colorado hitters than just Tulowitzki. Todd Helton is just 5-for-20 (.250) against Zito. Clint Barmes is 4-for-22 (.182), although two of the hits were homers. Brad Hawpe is just 4-for-21 (.190), but again, two of the hits were homers. Melvin Mora is just 5-for-31 (.161). Miguel Olivo is 2-for-13 (.154) against Zito. Ryan Spilborghs is just 6-for-26 (.231). Ian Stewart is just 1-for-11 (.091) against Zito. Chris Iannetta is just 1-for-10 (.100) against Zito.

Bottom line: We have a huge edge in starting pitching and I believe we have the bullpen edge, too. Sure, Colorado’s pen owns the better season numbers, but the Giants pen sports a 1.90 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, .297 OBP, and .205 BAA at home. That’s more than enough for me. Take San Francisco/Zito over Colorado/Hammel.

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