Big Al McMordie Free Picks
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At 8:35pm ET our complimentary selection is on the Atlanta Braves over the Colorado Rockies. What a difference an off-season makes. Less than six months after their amazing run as one of the hottest teams to finish a season in Major League history, the Colorado Rockies are struggling with one of the most pathetic starts to a season in recent memory. Their record of 2-5 through the first seven games of the season does not tell the whole story. The normally high-powered Rockies lineup is hitting a Major League-worst .209 and has managed to score a paltry 12 runs through their first seven games. Atlanta hasn't exactly been lighting it up in the win column so far in '08 either, but there have been a number of pitching injuries, including ace John Smoltz and tonight's pitcher lefty Chuck James. Both Smoltz and James are now healthy and back in the rotation so look for Atlanta to start turning things around, especially once first baseman Mark Teixeira starts finding his stroke. Teixeira is off to a dismal start, batting only .156 but he is too good a hitter for this to continue much longer. Colorado southpaw starter Mark Redman has only pitched slightly over 40 innings in the past 2 seasons after getting 29 starts for Kansas City in 2005. Since 2003, Redman has only had one season with an ERA under 4.7 runs. I'm not sure exactly what Redman is doing in this contending club's rotation. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

Take the Braves.

As always, good luck...Al McMordie.