MLB Thursday - Albert Picks Cardinals v Marlins, Phillies v Nationals, Giants v Dodgers, Rays v Athletics, Wainwright, Pivetta, Bumgarner

Favorite Pick of the Day:
Cardinals (-177) over Marlins

Put Up or Shut Up Pick of the Day:
Phillies (+100) over Nationals

Are You Sure? Pick of the Day:
Giants (+160) over Dodgers

Pick ’em of the Day:
Rays (-110) over Athletics

The Skinny:
God only knows why these guys let me pick baseball, I’m just bad at it. But we’ll keep going. How about a sure thing? Adam Wainwright at home against the Marlins is about as close as it gets in the baseball world. He may not be the Wainwright of old, but the Marlins are 0-6 in their last six games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30. . . . It’s that time for the Phillies. People are questioning hustle, hitting and the manager after dropping seven of their last nine. This feels like a pivotal game with Atlanta being as hot as they are, even though it is early in the season yet. I’m taking the Phillies, even with Nick Pivetta on the mound. . . . I still think Madison Bumgarner has some juice left, enough to take down a rival in enemy territory. Plus, the Dodgers are 1-6 in Julio Urias' last seven home starts, so if there’s ever a time, it’s now. . . . This is a matchup of very evenly matched pitchers, hence why it’s a pick ’em. I’m leaning Rays after a tough series with the Yankees. Most of that has to do with Charlie Morton on the bump. The Rays are 7-1 in Morton’s last eight road starts and 5-0 in Morton’s last five starts following a team loss in their previous game. He’s their bounceback king.