Free MLB Baseball Betting Picks: July 26th 2009: ATS Consultants

Below are Free MLB Picks for July 26th 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.

OVER 9.5 Baltimore Orioles/Boston Red Sox:
The Red Sox dominance over the Orioles has continued this weekend as the Sox have won the first two, although the O’s were in both games. I expect the same today, with the Orioles being able to put up some runs against aging John Smoltz. Smoltz (1-3, 6.31) has really struggled since his return to the majors, his first season in the American League. He’s only started 5 games, but has yet to make it past the sixth inning. This puts a bit more pressure on the Boston bullpen, which had been dominant through mid June, but has been a bit shaky more recently. The Orioles should at least be able to put up 6 runs or so this afternoon. Baltimore counters with rookie David Hernandez (2-2, 3.55), who has done a really nice job in his first season in the bigs. He’s been up and down from the minors a few times, but looks like he’ll stick this time around. He pitched brilliantly against the Yankees on Tuesday night, allowing 1 run in 6 innings.

OVER 9.5 Texas Rangers/Kansas City Royals:
Why is Sidney Ponson still employed in the major leagues? He’s 1-6 with a 7.63 ERA, but that doesn’t even tell the whole story. His last 5 starts, he’s 0-2 with a 12.71 ERA. Terrible, just terrible. I can’t figure out how he still has a job, but as long as he does, we’ll keep betting against him. Meanwhile, Kevin Milwood and the Rangers have had a turnaround season (9-7, 3.44). He hasn’t been great lately, pitching to a 6.44 ERA his last 5 starts, so the offense will have to keep the pressure on Ponson, which should not be a problem.

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