Los Angeles Dodgers (0-0) at Pittsburgh Pirates (0-0)

MLB Baseball: Monday April 5, 2010 1:35 PM EST

SP: PIT: Z. Duke  LAD: V. Padilla

The Line: Pittsburgh +135  LA Dodgers -155

A team looking to make the next step towards a championship faces a team looking to become competitive as the Dodgers visit the Pittsburgh Pirates.

It's been 17 years of consecutive losing seasons for a once proud Pittsburgh Pirates franchise. As another opening day rolls around it's another season of wondering who will be wearing a Pittsburgh uniform for the bulk of the season. Pittsburgh cleaned house once again last year at the trade deadline eliminating salary and signaling that they were starting over again to try and find a magical combination, all on a smaller market team payroll. Zach Duke gets the nod as opening day starter. Duke hasn't had a winning season since 2005 when he only pitched in 14 games. Duke posted his best numbers over a full season as he had a 4.06 ERA and 106 strikeouts. There is some hope in the field as Delwyn Young had a strong Spring and maybe Bobby Crosby finds the magic at Shortstop that made him the player everyone wanted from Oakland just a few years ago. The Pirates will be looking for answers and my guess is this isn't the same roster we'll be seeing in a few months.

The Los Angeles Dodgers held on to win the West last season but after looking like run away winners it was a struggle right down to the very end. It was an up and down season off and on the field as star Manny Ramirez was suspended for nearly one-third of the season but at the same time the Dodgers saw the emergence of a young and powerful pitching staff. One of the pleasant surprises was Vincente Padilla who was picked up mid season after disappointing elsewhere. Padilla came on strong and the veteran gets the nod in this one. Ramirez doesn't do it alone as Rafael Furcal adds some speed to the base paths and others like James Loney add some punch. The Dodgers should contend in what should once again be a competitive National League West.

Pittsburgh is 17-39 in their last 56 games as an underdog, 4-10 in their last 14 home games, and 3-8 in their last 11 game one of a series. The Dodgers are 8-2 in Padilla's last 10 starts but they are 2-6 in their last eight games as a favorite and 1-7 in their last eight road games. The Dodgers are 26-10 in their last 36 games in Pittsburgh.

I believe over the long haul the Dodgers will be the better team but there is nothing in their lineup nor on the hill that leads me to believe the odds aren't skewed badly here. There is a lot of value on the Pirates in a game that also looks to be an over.

Mitch's Pick: Pittsburgh + 135

See all of our Free Baseball Picks for 4/5/10

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