MLB Picks Thursday

C- Jose Molina TB- There are no clear choices that we like in today's games. If you pick a guy like Posey/Sanchez then you risk the fact that they might not play. If you go with Molina though you know whether he'll be in the lineup early with him being in the 1pm game not to mention he should be in because he had yesterday off. Facing Smyly, a rookie, maybe he can have some success off of the new guy.

Other Catchers: Posey/Sanchez SF

1B- Adam Laroche WAS- Laroche is stroking right now, and facing a right handed pitcher today. We try to stay away from Laroche when he faces lefties, so we avoided him yesterday. It's nice to get him back in our lineup because other than him we aren't fond of a lot of the choices.

Other First Basemen: Prince Fielder DET, Gaby Sanchez MIA

2B- Omar Infante MIA- Infante is arguably the hottest second basemen in the game right now. Kinsler is right there with him. Infante has a solid matchup facing the Phillies fifth starter Joe Blanton. The Marlins offense needs to rebound from the poor performance last night, and we think it will with the help of Infante.

Other Second Basemen: Ian Kinsler TEX, Orlando Hudson SD

3B- Pablo Sandoval SF- Sandoval is hitting real well this season, and we think it continues against the oldie Jamie Moyer. Sandoval will be swinging it from the right side tomorrow, but we don't think that hurts any of his value considering Coors Field is a hitter's paradise.

Other Third Basemen: Miguel Cabrera DET, Casey McGehee PIT

SS- Dee Gordon LAD- Gordon is the kind of hitter you have to really like the matchup to play him because his value comes in bunches. A single automatically becomes a single plus a stolen base. He does that and gets a walk and it's a good day. Against a pitcher like Karstens we like Gordon to get a hit and utilize that speed. It's obvious that he's stealing when he gets on base and still is nearly impossible to throw out.

Other Shortstops: Zach Cozart CIN, Jose Reyes MIA

OF- Austin Jackson DET- We are going to ride this hot streak until it's clear he's no longer hot. Niemann is a solid matchup for him today seeing that he's no where near the pitcher that Shields is. Against Shields Jackson recorded a single and a run scored. We think there's more in the tank for Jackson today against the Rays.

OF- Melky Cabrera SF- Melky is a solid hitter against an old lefty. Moyer isn't going to fool anyone, so you can almost guarantee no negative points. And with the way Moyer pitches he's a lock to give up more hits than innings pitched. We like the milk man to get a couple hits today.

OF- Chris Young ARI- Young is the hottest hitter on the Dbacks right now with Upton struggling big time right now. Young can hit for power as he's always been a big time extra base hit guy. He's got solid speed. This speed can be huge for a hitter in spacious Petco Park.

SP- Zach Greinke MIL- Greinke is a strikeout machine when he is on, and that is the kind of pitcher that you spend big money on. He should do very well against a Cubs team that is struggling terribly. Their offense isn't clicking, and it was shown yesterday against Gallardo. Greinke should be good for 7 innings and about 8-9 strikeouts.

SP- Drew Smyly DET- Smyly is one of the cheapest guys on the board today and we like him to compete well with the Rays. We think the Tigers will score some runs off of Neimann and get him a win. Smyly is making his pro debut here, so we aren't expecting anything huge from him points wise, but we still like him to get 4-5 points.

RP- Sean Marshall CIN- Marshall hasn't had a save opportunity yet, but we like him to get his first crack at it today. Marshall pitched two day ago, so he is moderately fresh and could possibly pitch even if it isn't a save opp. We like the Reds to pick up a close win against the Nationals today.

RP- Heath Bell MIA- Bell had a rough outing last time out against the Reds, but we aren't expecting a repeat performance tonight. This matchup looks good for him considering how bad the Phillies are at hitting. Miami should bounce back from a loss last night and get enough runs off Blanton to get Buerhle his first win as a Marlin, and Bell his first save.