Te la do io l'America

Tonight National League predictions, written by Olivier:
*number 1 indicates road team win, number two home team win with respective chances


Cubs (Lilly) @ Pirates (Karstens) 1 65%
Lilly has a 2.60 ERA in his last four starts, but he hasn't won since April 24. The left-hander faced Pittsburgh just a couple weeks ago, getting a
no-decision despite working seven innings and three runs allowed. The Pirates send Jeff Karstens to the mound in a spot start after several appearances in the bullpen. Cubs will prevail and tie the series at 1.

Brewers (Bush) @ Marlins (Nolasco) 2 65%
Both pitchers are struggling in this first part of the season so it should be a high scoring game. Bush is coming back to the ballpark where he was hit by a line drive on his elbow by Hanley Ramirez last year that caused a two months stint on the disabled list. Nolasco will try to bounce back from his last start when he wasn't able to complete 5 innings and allowed 8 runs. Marlins bats will carry the team to a victory.

Phillies (Hamels) @ Braves (Hudson) 2 60%
Atlanta moved into first place for the first time since April 20 fter Monday's victory, and the Braves will try to lengthen their lead in Tuesday's game. Philadelphia has gone 9-3 in his past 12 starts against Atlanta, and Hamels is 8-2 with a 4.03 ERA over that span. It should be a well-pitched ball game but I think the Braves will win their seventh straight.

Nationals (Stammen) @ Astros (Myers) 2 55%
Houston will tie the series behind his most consistent starter of the year together with Oswalt. The Astros will need to get their runs against Nats starter because the bullpen has been almost untouchable. If they score early they will earn the victory.

Reds (Cueto) @ Cardinals (Walters) 1 55%
Rookie Walters is going to make his first home start and feel the pressure of such a big game. With Cincinnati and St. Louis now tied for first place in the National League Central, Cueto will try to help the Reds bounce back. Cueto has pitched well recently and has held in his career Albert Pujols to just a .250 batting avg. Reds will take the NL Central division lead once again.

Mets (Pelfrey) @ Padres (LeBlanc) 1 65%
After a brillant start young left-hander LeBlanc has struggled last two outings and tonight he will face Mets best starter. After yesterday rout New York will bounce back and win the game. Pelfrey has a 7-1 record so far this season with a 2.54 ERA and in his career against the Friars he is 1-0 with a 4.08 ERA.

Diamondbacks (Haren) @ Dodgers (Ely) 2 70%
Haren has struggled so far this year mostly because he has allowed to many long balls (16) and tonight he will face a really powerful lineup. For Manny, Kemp and Ethier should be a good opportunity to hit some more home run. Dodgers have played really well in May and will try to keep the winning ways also in June to make some serious postseason plans.

Rockies (Hammel) @ Giants (Zito) 2 65%
San Francisco hitters are more than glad to see another pitcher on the mound after being shut down by Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez. They will have a great chance to bounce back behind what will be a solid effort by the slow curveball pitcher Barry Zito. Left-hander lifetime is 5-2 with a 2.00 ERA against Colorado his best against any opponent.