On the other hand, picking Johan Santana should be a lock, but it's not. The Mets seem to choke when he starts and he never gets any run support and the defense behind him seems to play in quicksand. For more details on how that turned out, see the previous post here in the FanDome. Also, the Fan picked up a new rule: Never pick a returning "name" pitcher to win his first time out. Jon Garland made his first start of the year for Arizona. It was a disaster. So that means the next time Dice-K pitches for the Red Sox, or Wang pitches for the Yankees or any returning Angel or Blue Jay starter returns, pick against them.
So let's recap the picking rules we've learned so far: 1. Never pick against Greinke. 2. Never pick against Jason Marquis. 3. Never pick against the Dodgers at home (only applies when Manny is playing) and now we have our fourth rule.
Keeping those in mind, here are today's picks:
- Pirates over the Cardinals: Zack Duke is having a good year and the Pirates are at home. Tony LaRussa will use at least five pitchers. It's a lock.
- Dodgers over the Phillies: Kershaw over Chan Ho Park. Park was brilliant last time, but Kershaw is a stud. Of course, this is post-Manny and the Dodgers could still be in a funk. So this pick is iffy.
- Bay Rays over the Orioles: Sonnanstine has to be better than Hendrickson, right? We'll see.
- Indians over the White Sox: Want to pick the White Sox because the Indians are starting Sowers. But have no faith in the White Sox at this point and only a little more about the Indians.
- Yankees over the Blue Jays: This sounds dumb, picking against Halladay. But A. J. Burnett is going home for his first start back in Toronto. He's got to be a little jacked up about that and is due for a great start.
- Braves over the Mets: Can't pick against Jurrjens at this point. This one is getting close to being a rule.
- Brewers over the Marlins: Several things working against the Marlins in this game. Sanchez is hurt so journeyman, Koronka, was brought up from the minors to pitch. The Brewers are home. Sounds like a losing combination.
- Cubs over the Padres: Sterling matchup of Peavy versus Harden. Harden has been amazing thus far. Got to go with him over Peavy.
- Rangers over the Mariners: For a couple of different reasons. First, Feldman is pitching for the Rangers and he is one of Josh's guys who the Fan now roots for. Secondly, Silva has been given a mercy killing and put on the DL and Jason Vargas is starting in his place for the Mariners. See rule 4 above.
- Tigers over the Twins: Galarraga was pretty bad last time out, but is still having a good year. Like him over Slowey. But this one feels iffy.
- Astros over the Rockies: Everyone is picking the Rockies for this game because Paulino is starting for Houston. But this is the upset pick of the day.
- Reds over the Diamondbacks: Haran is pitching for Colorado, so this seems dumb on the surface. But the Fan's man, Micah Owings is pitching for the Reds and he's a better hitter than anyone on the Rockies.
- Angels over the Red Sox: Have little faith in the Red Sox on the left coast. Weaver is pitching for the Angels and have no confidence in Masterson for the Red Sox. When is the Red Sox superior starting pitching going to start being...you know...superior?
- Royals over the A's: Cahill has been good for the A's, but it's Hochover's first start for the Royals. Wait. Rule #4!? Oh well, have to break the rules once in a while. The Fan wants Hochover to win.
- Nationals over the Giants: Cain is pitching for the Giants, so this looks like another stupid pick. But like the Zimmerman matchup against a weak hitting Giants.
Yesterday: 2-2
Week: 8-11
Month: 60-58
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