Free MLB Picks and Lines: Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Indians Odds, Total and Predictions 4/1/11

Free MLB Picks and Lines: Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Indians Odds, Total and Predictions 4/1/11: American League Central rivals Chicago and Cleveland meet in the season opener for both teams Friday afternoon. The White Sox enter the 2011 season as the favorite to win the division crown, while the Indians are tabbed to be the cellar dwellers.  Given the vast discrepancy in the outlook for the year for both teams, bettors will be surprised to find out that the Indians are favored by 1 ½ runs in this contest on the run-line and a -105 moneyline favorite.

The White Sox added to an already stacked lineup in the offseason. Slugger Adam Dunn joins the likes of Paul Konerko, Alex Rios and Alexei Ramirez, adding 35-plus home runs to a lineup that can already hit the long ball with the best of them.

Needless to say, keeping the bases empty as often as possible is a necessity for defeating the White Sox. Unfortunately for Cleveland, starter Fausto Carmona is prone to bouts of wildness and has walked almost as many batters as he has struck out in the last three seasons. He throws a hard sinker that can bail him out of a lot of jams, but if he makes a habit of putting Chicago hitters on for free, he is going to get burned.

Taking the mound for the White Sox will be veteran lefty Mark Buehrle. He isn’t exactly a Cy Young candidate either, but he had made at least 30 starts and thrown at least 200 innings in each of his last three seasons. He will give up his share of hits, but unlike Carmona, he makes batters work to get on base.

Buehrle has the added advantage of facing a Cleveland lineup that doesn’t exactly strike fear into pitchers. Outside of Shin-Soo Choo, it’s tough to spot a reliable offensive option on the roster. Carlos Santana is one of the up and coming catchers in baseball, but he is coming off a horrific leg injury last season. Travis Hafner hasn’t been right at the plate in several seasons, and Matt LaPorta certainly doesn’t look like a hitter worth trading C.C. Sabathia for. Even when Grady Sizemore returns from the disabled list, he been a shell of his former self.

The Chicago lineup is top to bottom better than that of Indians. Neither starting pitcher is dominant, but Buehrle is good enough to keep a punchless Cleveland offense in check long enough to turn things over to one of the top bullpens in baseball. The fact that the White Sox aren’t favored is mind boggling, but bettors shouldn’t complain. Take advantage of a far superior Chicago team in this one.   

Free Pick: Chicago White Sox +105(Moneyline)

GAME: Chi. White Sox (0-0) at Cleveland (0-0)
Pitchers: Mark Buehrle (L) vs Fausto Carmona (R)
TIME: 3:05 PM EST
TV: LOCAL
Favorite: Cleveland -105(Moneyline) Total: Over/Under 8 Runs
Run Line: Cleveland -1.5 +190 Chicago +1.5 -230
* Lines from Ceasars Palace Sportsbook in Las Vegas