The Orioles and Miguel Gonzalez helped us to a 3-1-1 start earlier this week with a win over the Toronto Blue Jays and it’s time to go back to Baltimore to back another international starter. Wei-Yin Chen gets a start against Jered Weaver in a game that I don’t necessarily like on the sides, but should come in below the posted total.
Free Pick
After losing his first four decisions of 2015, Jered Weaver finally finished a game on the more familiar winning side with a sparkling outing that silenced some of the skeptics for another week. Weaver’s complete game shutout over Houston reminded us of what the 32-year-old is still capable of, despite declining velocity. Perhaps he was extra motivated, or maybe it was just a long time coming, but it appears Weaver may have found something in his last start, which gives me some confidence that he’s better than what his total body of work in 2015 suggests. Baltimore’s offense is still potent, but Weaver will just have to be okay to keep us in this one with such a high total.
Then you have Chen who has been fantastic through six starts this season. Chen is just 1-1 in the win/loss column, but he’s allowing a shade over one base runner per inning with good stuff and his typically strong control. He’ll get his first chance of the young season to pitch against a non-AL East opponent with the Angels coming to town.
There isn’t a whole lot to this one. The total is at least half a run too high and that half a run is extremely valuable when it moves a line from 8.5 to 9.0. This is an easy decision to get some value.
Free Pick: Under 9 -120
YTD: 3-1-1 +1.98
2014: 45-28-3 +9.02
angels • baltimore • jeff weaver • jered weaver • los angeles • orioles • taiwan • wei-yin chen