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Picks, 4|FRONTS|15|FRONTS|10

Yesterday was our first positive day of the season. It might have been better, but the Rockies had a four-batter stretch of extreme fail late in their game to push it over. Still, it's progress, and gratifying in that the actual analytical reasons for the plays seemed to be showing up in the games.

Los Angeles (AL) +180. The Angels hit three ringing doubles in scoring four runs in the first six innings off Javier Vazquez.

Milwaukee/Chicago over 10.5 (-120). The two bullpens allowed seven runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Washington +168. The fade of Kyle Kendrick was the right call; it unfortunately put me on the side of Craig Stammen.

New York (NL)/Colorado under 9.5 (+100). The ninth run scored when Rod Barajas beat Rafael Betancourt on an 0-2 fastball in an awful location. Given the two players' platoon splits, the expected BA in that matchup was very small. An inning later, tenth run scored on an E6/SB/E2/SF sequence.

I hate the #42 gimmick, by the way. No one thinks about Jackie Robinson because of it. It's just a stupid stunt with no meaning.

Minnesota -117, one unit. I get the better pitcher at home, and one of the Red Sox' better bats against lefties, Mike Cameron, is out.

Houston +200, one unit. I said I'd stay away. I lied. The Cardinals' day-game-after-night-game process, I've mentioned, although I haven't seen a lineup yet. In any case, there's also a decent pitching matchup that doesn't seem to warrant making the Astros a 2-1 dog. It's a marginal call, but I'm making the play.

New York (NL)/Colorado under 9.5 (-120), 1.5 units. I liked this yesterday with inferior pitchers, so it would stand to reason I'd like it today with Jorge de la Rosa, who I love, and Mike Pelfrey, who I've backed for a while now.

Washington +210, .5 units. Note the decimal point. There's just no way J.A. Happ is this much a favorite over any team. Throw in a decent left-hander starting for the Nationals, and this number is inflated all to hell.