FREE MLB Picks August 23 2008

[ProInfoSports.com]

Sport / Type: MLB / FREE SELECTION

Game: Tampa Bay Rays (Kazmir) vs. Chicago White Sox (Vazquez) 3:55 EST

Prediction: Chicago White Sox -140

Grade: TWO-Star (rated 1 to 6 units)

Analysis:

Division leaders square-off in Chicago on Saturday afternoon. We are backing the host here with them coming off a loss in yesterdayʼs opener against the Rays.

Tampa will send Scott Kazmir to the bump on Saturday. His home/road dichotomy gives us value in this situation. As he is only 4-5 with a 3.90 ERA in 10 road starts and 5-1 with a 2.51 ERA in 10 home starts. Kazmir also struggles when taking the mound during the day. In six starts during day games he has posted a record of 1-4 with an extremely high ERA of 5.23.

The White Sox send Javier Vazquez to the hill with his 10-10 record and 4.34 ERA. Vazquez has struggled with consistency this season but the one positive for Vazquez has been when he is on he is possibly the best .500 starter in the majors. Unlike Kazmir Vazquez has been solid in his daytime starts this season posting a record of 3-1 with an ERA of only 3.41 in six daytime trips to the hill.

The White Sox have been solid this season against lefties at home winning their last 8 games in a row and we look for a bounce back here and the White Sox even the series at a game apiece.

GRADED PREDICTION: 2* CHICAGO WHITE SOX -140