Today's Free Pick - Simon

It's only Tuesday! There's plenty more time in the week to rack up some winners, so let's jump right in.
Todays Free Pick is the Chicago White Sox over the Cleveland Indians @ -115 (1.86).


There is one or two stats that needed no explaining.  Since being sent to the Chicago White Sox from Arizona in a mid season trade, Chicago's hurler Edwin Jackson has a 2-0 record with a tiny 0.96 ERA, while Cleveland's Justin Masterson is 2-2 in his last 5 games with a moderate ERA of 3.68.  The stat that really did it for me (besides Jacksons 8-10 record 4.44 ERA and Mastersons 5-12 record 5.23 ERA) was that in his lifetime, Edwin Jackson is 5-1 with a minuscule 2.56 ERA while Masterson is at 1-2.  Jackson seems to really have Cleveland's number and has dominated them for 5 wins and Cleveland has been held to a batting average of just over .200.
Putting the pitchers aside for a second, is the simple fact that Manny Ramirez is available for the White Sox tonight.  He is assumed to be put in the DH spot, so you don't have to worry about his laughable fielding abilities.  However, Ozzie Guillen also made is clear that Manny may not start in tonight's game, but he will be available to call on as a designated hitter in any tight situation.  Manny being Manny, he excels at these tight, game altering situations.  Look for the Chicago White Sox who are clawing for that playoff spot to sneak a win out of the basement dwelling Cleveland Indians.