Pickets are definitely not the thing you want to defend against raider, lotus is the most effective in the two, in any case of raider except blastwing (or puppy?).
The most important thing about countering a raid is having your own raiders in front of them, in such a way that they have to chase you if they want to attack, and if so, they will lose much more than you. Even better if you can take them in a pincer so they cant retreat.
If they go past you and they are in your back, you are in trouble. Lose some mex if you have to but don't chase them, try to circumvent them again, going around to place yourself on their way, again.
Having lotus + your own raider is very effective, attacker have to get rid of lotus asap but your raider prevent it.
Map topography also decide if you can afford a few riot on key access or if you have to have more raiders to cover all the front and be more mobile.
The best advice I think about is 'have intel'. Always have radar all around to see what's coming, you can guess what's coming by the speed of radar dots.
Also scout to see what's your enemy is doing:
-if he spam raiders and not much eco, while you were doing eco, he will overwhelm you. in that case, stop expanding and immediately spam lotus, retreat con. when he comes to you, you will be ready, lotus being more effective, meanwhile send few raider in parallel to his base (unnoticed from him if possible), he will have nothing for defense.
-inversely if he's doing only eco, spam raider and rush him