Stephen Nover Comp
GAME: Milwaukee Brewers @ San Francisco Giants Apr 7, 2009 4:05PM
SPORT: Major League Baseball Picks
PICK: over

REASON FOR PICK: Anytime Jeff Suppan is starting and the total is less than eight, I'm taking a hard look at the over.

This matchup justifies an over play. Suppan is a journeyman, innings-eater type of starter unworthy of having a total this low next to his name even if Tim Lincecum is the opposing pitcher and the game is being played in a pitcher's park in cold and wet conditions.

It's expected the Giants are going to be weak offensively again. But we don't know that yet. Cornermen Pablo Sandoval and Travis Ishikawa had great springs.

Suppan can make any offense look strong. He has a career 4.99 ERA versus the Giants in eight starts. The Brewers are vulnerable at closer with Trevor Hoffman sidelined.

Milwaukee had a great hitting spring. Lincecum won the Cy Young Award last season, but struggled versus the Brewers. He was 1-2 with a 5.25 ERA against Milwaukee in four starts.

This is a day game with the first pitch scheduled to be thrown at around 1:05 Pacific time. The heaviest rains are expected to hit San Francisco between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

So there's a good possibility of an extended rain delay, which could mean a shorten outing for Lincecum.

This is a two star rating for me.