MLB Betting - Weekend's Best Bets

Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox - Saturday at 7:10 p.m. ET
Projected starters: James Shields vs. Clay Buchholz

Clay Buchholz (1-0, 3.60) is expected to make this second start of the season for Boston. The young righty made a solid if unspectacular 2010 debut against Kansas City last week, allowing three runs (two earned) and seven hits over five innings. This is a great match up for Buchholz; he's faced Tampa Bay four times in his career, all starts, and went 2-1 with a 2.39 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. James Shields (0-0, 3.97 ERA) should take the mound for Tampa Bay. Despite making his third start, Shields has yet to pick up a decision. He opened the year with a six-inning, three running effort against Baltimore before going 5.1 innings against the Yankees last week, when he allowed two runs. Shields has 11 strikeouts in 11.1 innings of work this season. The right-hander has struggled against Boston in the past, though. Shields is 3-7 with a 5.32 ERA in 12 career starts against the Sox, though he does have 62 Ks in 66 innings.

San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers - Sunday at 4:10 p.m. ET
Projected starters: Barry Zito vs. Clayton Kershaw

Barry Zito (2-0, 2.25 ERA) has actually looked like a former Cy Young winner in 2010. He's led the Giants to two straight victories, starting with a six-inning shutout over Houston. Zito followed that up by allowing five hits and three runs in six innings against the Pirates. The southpaw has traditionally struggled against the Dodgers, though, going 6-5 with a 4.46 ERA in 13 career starts. It got especially ugly last season (5.19 ERA in three games). Clayton Kershaw (1-0, 4.50 ERA) should make his third start of the year for the Dodgers, and he's still trying to find the form he displayed in the first half of 2009. Kershaw has thrown just 10 innings in his two starts this season, including his last start-a 5.1 inning, three-hit, two-run performance. The lefty does have 11 strikeouts in those 10 innings, though. Kershaw made his only career start against San Fran last season, and he was brilliant. The youngster allowed one hit, one run and struck out 13 batters in seven innings of work.