Free MLB Baseball Betting Picks: July 20th 2009: ATS Consultants

Below are Free MLB Picks for July 20th from ATS Consultants. Do you want to receive more free expert MLB predictions on a daily basis, be sure to sign-up for the ATS Consultants Newsletter.

San Francisco +155 over Atlanta:
Jonathan Sanchez makes his triumphant return to the mound 10 days after pitching a no hitter against the Padres. Sanchez had been considered a disappointment up until that time, pitching to a 3-8 record and a 4.69 ERA. He spent some time in the minors after his poor start and a few outings in the bullpen when he came back up before being inserted back into the rotation. San Francisco leads the NL Wild Card right now, and starting pitching has been the key. Cy Young candidates Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain have led the way all year, but if they can get these kind of outings from Sanchez the rest of the year, they could be a serious threat in the National League. Atlanta will counter with rookie righty Tommy Hanson (4-0, 2.85), who has done nothing wrong since coming up to the majors. He’s the next in line as far as great Braves starters who have come through the system. He did struggle in his last outing before the break, allowing 4 runs on 6 hits in 5 innings in a loss to the Rockies.

UNDER 9.5 Chicago Cubs/Philadelphia Phillies:
Good pitching matchup tonight at Citizens Bank Park between Ted Lilly (9-6, 3.18) and Rodrigo Lopez (1-0, 3.18). Both teams are playing really well right now heading into this huge series. Lilly has been lights out for the Cubbies all year and has helped keep them in the thick of the NL Central race and the Wild Card as well. He’s allowed just 5 runs in his last 21 1/3 innings of work with 20 K’s in that time as well. Rodrigo Lopez has re discovered himself after missing the 2008 season with arm injuries. He’s made 2 starts in ‘09 this far and has allowed 4 runs in 11 1/3 innings. He won’t go more than 6 as he’s working his way back, but he’s always been the kind of guy that can keep his team in the game, and the Phillies certainly have a great bullpen.

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