MLB Baseball Betting Picks for May 26 2009: ATS Consultants

Below you will find free MLB baseball picks for May 26, 2009. If you are betting on baseball on a daily basis, be sure to sign up for ATS’ free baseball picks newsletter for expert wagering information.

OVER 9.5 Toronto/Baltimore:

A battle between two rookies tonight at Oriole Park as the O’s open up a three-game set with the Blue Jays. Baltimore is playing good baseball right now, winning three of four, while the Jays have hit the skids, losers of seven straight.

Romero was off to a great start before spending time on the DL with a strained oblique. Romero, the sixth pick in the 2005 draft is 2-0 with a 1.71 ERA so far in ‘09. His pitch count will be limited as he begins to work his way back into the rotation. Baltimore will send rookie Jason Berken to the mound, who will be making his major league debut.

Berken was terrific in Triple-A Norfolk this season, pitching to a 2-0 mark with a 1.05 ERA in five starts. He is not listed as a top prospect in the Baltimore system, which is rich in pitching depth, but could be a nice No. 5 for them in the future. We don’t expect much tonight, as he’ll be facing an aggressive Blue Jays team looking to end their losing ways.
 

Tampa Bay -130 over Cleveland:

Wow, what a devastating loss last night for the Rays. Up 10-0 early, and 10–4 in the ninth, only to lose 11-10 after a furious Indians rally.

Tampa will send righty Matt Garza (4-2, 3.41 ERA) to the hill tonight. Garza has been the Rays most consistent starter this year, going 3-0 with a 2.29 ERA his last five starts. He really has become their most reliable pitcher, as James Shields has struggled and Scott Kazmir is on the DL.

Carl Pavano (4-4, 6.10, ERA) will toe the rubber for the Tribe. Pavano has been up and down all year, but is pitching better of late, going 4-1 with a 4.41 ERA over his last five starts.

Tampa Bay must get to Pavano early, like they did on May 16 when they scored three runs over the first four innings. Garza was the winner in that one, and we expect more of the same tonight at Jacobs Field.

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