7월16일 MLB PICK

Toronto Blue Jays at Baltimore Orioles (+145, 8.5)

What’s all this talk about the Orioles being the worst team in the history of MLB? The Orange Birds enjoyed a relaxing All-Star break (because they only had one representative) and start the second half with a four-game win streak.

You may not believe it but Baltimore is starting to get hot and now could be the time to jump on the betting bandwagon. The O’s earned 9.84 units for backers during a four-game sweep of the Rangers before the break and look to extend a season-high winning streak to five games Friday.

"We have some holes on the team," Nick Markakis told the Orioles' official website. "It's no secret. We know where we need to get better. I think that should be the focal point going forward from here."

With a team ERA just under 5.00, it’s surprising that the Balty bullpen hasn’t given up a single run in the last five games. The offense is starting to come around too, outscoring Texas 23-12 in the four-game series.

After looking like one of the best young pitchers in baseball the first two months of the season, the Jays’ Ricky Romero is falling back to earth. The lefty has allowed 13 earned runs during his last two starts (5.0 innings) which elevated his ERA from 2.83 to 3.71.

Don’t expect the O’s to climb back into the pennant race but it’s time to strike while the iron is hot.

Pick: Orioles

Houston Astros at Pittsburgh Pirates (+105, 8.5)

Some sports fans might rather tune into the CFL, AFL or even the WNBA than watch these lower-tiered MLB teams go at it. But just because it’s a lackluster matchup doesn’t mean there isn’t money to be made.

The Swashbucklers have been on the wrong side of six straight contests heading into the second half and there aren’t any signs that the team’s struggles can be remedied.

"It's awful," reliever Joel Hanrahan said. "This definitely isn't what we expected coming out of spring training. We need to turn it around in the second half and start playing together."

Unfortunately the Astros may not be the best team to starting turning things around for Pittsburgh. The Pirates have been swept by Houston in both series this season and are 1-9 in their last 10 games versus Houston. Pitt has failed to come out on top in nine consecutive series against the ‘Stros.

Quietly, Brett Myers has been one of the better pitchers on the Houston staff this season. The big righty is 6-6 with a 3.41 ERA and has gone at least six innings in every start of 2010. Zach Duke will oppose him Friday and coming fresh off the disabled list he will likely be on a strict pitch count.

Look for Houston, winners of four of its last six, to continue its dominance over the Pirates on Friday.

Pick: Astros

Streaking

Jonathon Niese (6-3, 3.61 ERA), New York Mets

Lots of guys pitching on Friday were dealing their best stuff heading into the All-Star break. But instead of telling you the obvious like CC Sabathia and Felix Hernandez are both really good, we thought we’d point out some of the lesser-known hot hurlers.

Niese fits the bill beautifully. The young lefty became an instant favorite of Mets backers when his big league return forced Oliver Perez out of sight. The Mets are 6-1 in Niese’s seven starts since rejoining the club. The towering 23-year-old owns a 2.61 ERA over those seven appearances.

Gavin Floyd (5-7, 4.20 ERA), Chicago White Sox

This Chicago pitcher is making up for his spotty performances earlier this season and he’s doing it in a big way. The White Sox are 5-0 in his last five starts and the under is 8-2-1 in his last 11 outings.

He sports a nifty 1.25 ERA since June 6 and hasn’t allowed a home run in any of his last seven trips to the hill.

Slumping

Ricky Romero (6-6, 3.71 ERA), Toronto Blue Jays

The Jays ace is not enjoying the month of July so far. He was cruising along, delivering quality starts on a regular basis until the seventh month of the year began. He’s been tagged for 13 earned runs in his last two starts. He didn’t make it past the third inning in either of those outings.

“These past two starts, I’ve gotten my ass kicked,” Romero told reporters after the Sox tagged him for nine runs. “There’s no other way to put it. It’s pathetic.”

Ted Lilly (3-8, 4.08 ERA), Chicago Cubs

Here’s another guy that needed the All-Star break to clear his head. Lilly has allowed five homers in his last two starts, including four in an outing against Cincinnati where he gave up nine earned runs in 6.2 innings.

"I feel healthy, just not happy. The only thing that doesn't feel good is the way the ball's coming out of my hand the last couple of starts. Mechanically, I've got to get on top of the ball a little bit better," Lilly told the Associated Press after his latest ugly outing.