Sport: MLBPick Selection: Orioles @ Blue Jays: Jays -169
I'm laying the price with TORONTO. Jesse Litsch was superb in his major league debut yesterday. Litsch worked into the ninth inning and allowed only four hits and one run. After picking up the win, Litsch said it was "probably the best day of my life." It had to feel that way for Toronto fans too as Litsch's performance came at the perfect time for the Jays. I expect them to carry their positive momentum into this evening's contest. I also expect the Jays to have a major advantage in the pitching department. Burnett has been excellent in three home starts this season, averaging better than six innings per while going 2-0 with a 2.89 ERA and 1.285 WHIP. Burnett is also 1-0 with a solid 3.07 ERA in two career starts versus the Orioles. His opponent, Brian Burres comes off his first win in the big leagues. However, that was only his second career start and he's still got a horrible 7.27 ERA and 2.422 in the two starts combined. Additionally, he has yet to pitch more than five innings and tonight he'll be facing a Toronto lineup which has pounded left-handed starters for 5.5 runs and a .297 battting average. Since Burres isn't likely to be around for the entire game, its worth noting that the Orioles' bullpen has a horrid 5.97 ERA and 1.588 WHIP on the road. That's part of the reason that they've lost eight of their last nine road games and are tied for the most road losses (14) in the American League. Look for Burnett to outpitch Burres as the Jays complete the series sweep and improve to 8-1 the last nine times they hosted the Orioles.
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