Thursday MLB Baseball Picks: Twins vs Blue Jays
The best Sportsbook for America’s Pastime is BetUS.com! – From MLB teasers to parlays, from futures to wacky props, BetUS adds more excitement – CLICK HERE NOW + GET $75 FREE FOR MLB BETTING!
MLB Betting – Twins vs Blue Jays Preview & Pick
Date: Saturday, April 2, 2011
Venue: Rogers Center, Toronto, ON
Broadcast: FSNO, RSN
Minnesota Twins vs Toronto Blue Jays Betting Lines from Betus.com
Moneyline/Spread/Total Odds
TWINS -1½+125 o8½EV -135
BLUE JAYS +1½-145 u8½-120 +115
CLICK here for INDEPTH MLB ATS Stats for this matchup —>
Bet now at BETUS —>
Minnesota Twins
Francisco Liriano (2010: 14-10, 3.62 ERA)
In many ways, Francisco Liriano, the Minnesota Twins’ probable starter for Saturday against the Blue Jays, stands for what their 2011 season is all about.
Liriano is living proof that you can recover from a serious injury and still become a star in the majors. He was an absolutely dominant rookie in 2006 before Tommy John surgery cut his 2007 campaign out altogether. He struggled for a season and a half after returning, which is normal for any pitcher working his way back from Tommy John surgery. However, last season, Liriano blossomed again, winning 14 games and topping the 200-strikeout mark. It looks like he’s ready to take his game to new heights this season.
So, back to the theme. If Liriano can find that path to redemption, the Twinkies hope Justin Morneau can do the same. The former American League MVP missed the last half of 2010 due to a major concussion and has finally been cleared to play. Minnesota will need his bat in the lineup to hold off the White Sox and Tigers this season. Morneau is slated to face the Blue Jays on Saturday.
Toronto Blue Jays
Kyle Drabek (2010: 0-3, 4.76 ERA)
Presumably because they want to split up lefties Brett Cecil and Ricky Romero, the Toronto Blue Jays are handing the ball to their top pitching prospect, Kyle Drabek, in just the second game of their season. The buzz around Toronto is that Drabek, the son of former NL Cy Young Doug Drabek, is ready to stay with the big club in 2011. He was the key piece Toronto received in the Roy Halladay trade.
Drabek lost his first three starts as a major-leaguer but didn’t embarrass himself. Five walks over three separate outings isn’t bad for a rookie, nor was his 1.35 WHIP. But will Drabek keep the ball in the park? With guys like Morneau, Jim Thome, Delmon Young and Joe Mauer gracing Minnesota’s lineup, he’ll have to keep the ball down. 
MLB Trends:
MIN are 10-3 in their last 13 Sat. games.
Over is 7-3 in MIN last 10 road games.
Over is 7-1-1 in TOR last 9 Sat. games.
TOR are 9-2 in their last 11 overall.
Over is 7-1-1 in the last 9 meetings.
MIN are 6-20 in the last 26 meetings.
The pick:
It’s natural to learn Liriano’s way. The power pitcher was 8-3 after the All-Star Break last season. Interestingly enough, Liriano’s last regular-season start came against the Blue Jays. They rocked him for three homers.
Still, I don’t see them getting the better of him as much this time. While Jose Bautista and company may knock in a few runs, the savvy, veteran Minnesota lineup is a tough challenge for Drabek to overcome in his season debut. I like the Twinkies to solve the rook.
Twins vs Blue Jays prediction: Twins 7, Blue Jays 4
