Toronto Blue Jays @ Kansas City Royals: Moneyline
Free Pick: Kansas City Moneyline
We rode the Zach Greinke train to a win last week and I see no reason why we should hop off at this point. The young right hander has truly been the best pitcher in the Major Leagues in 2009, and it’s not even really close. The big news in his complete game win over the White Sox last week was the he finally gave up a run. Should we be surprised, though, that the run was unearned? Greinke has now pitched 41 consecutive innings without surrendering an earned run, a streak that dates back to his last two starts of 2008.
He looked in control and in command of all of his pitches once again in his last outing, and had his characteristic 97-MPH fastball moving all over the plate. He has shown the willingness to throw a good curveball and a good changeup to righties and lefties, getting both out with a great deal of effectiveness. He has 36 strikeouts in his 29 innings this year, a sign of his ability to miss bats at an alarming rate.
On the other side of the coin is Brian Tallet, a left hander who comes into the game sporting a nice looking ERA under 3.00. The former reliever has been good in two starts, allowing only one run, but it is about time that he comes back down to earth. Tallet does not possess overpowering stuff, and has surrendered quite a few walks in his short time on the hill. Tallet also has a 5.79 career ERA against the Royals, something that won’t exactly bode well against a lineup that has just gotten back right-handed force Jose Guillen.
This is game where there is nothing wrong with riding the hot hand. You will have to pay a premium on Greinke, but not as much as you might expect. The Blue Jays have started hot, but even the best hitting team in the league won’t have an answer for Greinke and his arsenal. Pay the price, and watch as Zach goes for another complete game shutout, bringing him ever so close to the all-time record for most consecutive innings without an earned run allowed.
Pick: Kansas City Royals Moneyline
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