MLB 02/03 April

[WorkingForTheEnemy]

I thought as Sun only has the one game Id combine it with Mon. B365 already have Sun/Mon games pricedup. This is what takes my fancy at first glance. CLE @ CWS - CWS to win @ 1.80 CHC @ CIN - CHC to win @ 1.74 STL @ PHI - STL to win @ 1.68 SF @ SD - Under 7 @ 1.83 FLA @ HOU - Under 7.5 @ 1.90 A bit more detail later. Just had to have a look as cant wait for the start of the season.:nana

[Jaded]

Re: MLB 02/03 April (Thanks to MLB.com, got most of this from the Opening Day outlooks.) First pick of the season for me is my team, the Cubs, against the Cincinatti Reds, with George Dubya Bush throwing out the first pitch. (And a good one may get him a spot on our rotation if we have any more injuries!) Cubs - Major story is Juan Pierre's first competitive game, with the leadoff hitter looking like he could be a great signing. Todd Walker gets the nod at second ahead of Jay Hairston, for the first two games at least, but knows he'll need to do well to stay there. Derrek Lee bruised his shoulder at the WBC but is coming off his best ever year. Michael Barrett went to the Classic but didn't get too many AB's, and may be sluggish. Ramirez had a great spring training and is my pick to be The Man for the Cubbies this year. Jacque Jones needs a comeback, and youngsters Matt Murton and Ronny Cedeno will have to get good fast. On the mound, Zambrano is pumped and ready after the Classic and spring training. He went 14-6 with a 3.26 ERA last season, and is 5-3 with a 2.33 ERA against the Reds lifetime. Bullpen will be strong, with last year's NL leader in save percentage, Ryan Dempster, closing for the second season, and newcomers Howry and Eyre setting up. Cubs have got injury problems, but the main ones are all to pitchers. The lack of Prior, Wood and even Wade Miller will hurt them soon, but may mean Zambrano is even more fired up to make sure they get off to a good start, knowing that it'll be up to guys like Glendon Rusch and Sean Marshall in the coming days. Reds - Todd Womack will likely lead-off from second base, short stop Felipe Lopez looks to continue his excellent form of last season, and the always dangerous Ken Griffey Jr is extremely hot after the Classic. Adam Dunn puts up big numbers, 3rd baseman Edwin Encaracion made sure of his place by leading the club on homers and RBI's during Spring Training. Late signing Scott Hateburg should bring balance, Austin Kearns will look to establish himself as a full-timer, and Javier Valentin will complete the lineup since Jason LaRue is on the DL. Aaron Harang pitches for Cinci, and is coming off an 11-13 season with a 3.83 ERA. Cubs will NOT be glad to see him - he's 4-0 vs them lifetime, ERA 3.99. Harang is sure to feel the pressure with the rest of the Reds pitchers looking somewhat shaky, apart from maybe Bronson Arroyo - but even he will have to adjust quickly to new surroundings, especially since he wouldn't have started if he'd stayed wtih the Sox. They also lack a closer, with Weathers and Mercker sharing the role for the main, along with several other contenders. I think the Cubs can take this by a couple of runs, and while that might be just my usual optimism, the weakness of the Reds pen points to a late rally by us looking likely. I'll take 2 points on Cubs -1.5 @ 2.20 on Canbet.