Blue Jays @ Braves Odds, Lines, Free Picks and Predictions – Free MLB Picks 6-20-11

Free MLB Picks, Tips and Odds: Toronto Blue Jays @ Atlanta Braves Favorite, Moneyline, Total and Expert Predictions 6/20/11: After a fairly successful weekend in southern Ohio, the Toronto Blue Jays will now embark on another monster series with another national league powerhouse in the Atlanta Braves. The streaky Jays managed to take two of the three games in Cincinnati over the weekend and have willed their way back to .500 baseball. The story of the two wins over the weekend was timely hitting and solid outings on the mound. Toronto only spotted the Reds four runs over the three game set and one of those runs was the result of a foul up between fielders. After the Boston Red Sox absolutely pounded the Jays a week and a half ago, many were calling for changes to the entire Jays pitching rotation. Fans and insiders alike were calling for the youth of talent they have down, safe, in the minors but GM Alex Anthapolous and first-year manager John Farrell stood by their guns and gave a vote of confidence across the board to their pitching staff. Carlos Villanueva might be the best surprise for the Jays thus far this season as the pitcher is molding himself into an upper echelon hurler. Brought in as a project case, Carlos has taken the advice from Jays coaching staff and has added two other high-class pitches to his ensemble. He is consistently providing quality starts and he comes at a ridiculously economically pleasing price tag.

After yesterdays afternoon’s win over the Texas Rangers, the Atlanta Braves now have a record of 3-8 over the past week and a half and many are calling for changes. Injuries and inconsistent baseball have been the focal point of the Braves recent stint of futility. The news that OF Nate McClouth is being taken off the DL could not come at a better time as the Braves are absolutely punch less at the plate as of late. The Rangers took 2 of 3 games over this past weekend series against the Braves and managed to pound out 13 runs in doing so. To break out the stats and figure out where this team is struggling would yield a very quick and concise answer, offense. The Braves have one of the best pitching rotations in the league and are 2nd in the national league in ERA, but their offense is inconsistent and draining. They own the 14th spot in the national league in batting average and the 18th spot in OBP. Atlanta who has over the years been a consistent offensive unit, is struggling to identify their calling card as most of their stars have been held out of the lineup due to injury. Dan Uggla has shown flashes of power thus far this season, but he is not living up to the massive contract he signed over the winter break. The Braves will need to address their offensive woes before it is too late and another postseason’s birth is lost.

Tonight the complimentary selection will be the Toronto Blue Jays BetGuardian Sportsbook) pulling out another opening game win. As referenced in many other Jay’s related previews, the Toronto club has a knack for grabbing the first game of series’. They love to start quick and rely on their talented pitching to get them to the finish line. Adam Lind has been a wrecking ball ever since returning from the DL, as he has 5 homers in the last week of baseball. Toronto loves to feast on fastball pitching and the Braves will send their fastball hurler in Tim Hudson to the mound tonight. Jose Bautista is hungry to get back to knocking balls over the fence and tonight will be his best opportunity to do so. Hudson has a tendency to not shy away from hitters and challenge them with his above average fastball. Bautista and Lind may have a field day under the lights in A town tonight. We will consider the Blue Jays getting one game above .500 with a dominant victory tonight against the punch less Braves. Cheers!

Free MLB Picks and Expert Tips: Play Toronto Blue Jays +110

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