Game Picks - Wednesday: May 13, 2009

In the immortal words of Bugs Bunny, "Oh Agony...AAAAGOONY." It was a bloodletting. It was a massacre. Never has a day of picks gone so ingloriously. Jurrjens pitches great but the Braves bullpen gave the game away. Purposefully picked Hochever, breaking Rule #4 and paid the price. Foolishly expected Paulino to pitch well. He didn't. Foolishly thought Galarraga was a stud. He couldn't get Mauer out (he hasn't been alone there). The Indians can't be this terrible, can they? Oh man! It was awful. The only bright spots were Micah Owings pitching brilliantly, Hamilton hitting a two-run homer, Parra being better than the Marlins and Zack Duke continuing his fine season.

Okay, the Fan has to turn this around. This is unsettling. Embarrassing. It's time to put on the eye black and pick with determination and fierceness. Here goes:

• Indians over the White Sox: Buehrle has been great lately. Lee has been great lately. When a pitching matchup come up even, go with the team that hits better.
• Mets over the Braves: Reyes versus Niese. When both pitchers are questionable, go with the team that hits better and relieves better.
• Giants over the Nationals: Give Zito credit for turning his career back around. He's been great so far. Nationals are too left-handed and should suffer against the lefty.
• Pirates over the Cardinals: Pineiro has been great, but as Mr. Neyer pointed out, his strikeout rate is too low and sooner or later, luck is going to catch up with him.
• Phillies over the Dodgers: Without Manny, this is a whole different team. Moyer is due for his once a month good start.
• Bay Rays over the Orioles: Niemann was supposed to be the next great arm for the Bay Rays, but he hasn't shown it so far. It's now or never against the Orioles.
• Yankees over the Blue Jays: Richmond has been good for the Blue Jays. How is beyond the Fan to contemplate. Pettitte should win this game.
• Cubs over the Padres: Ted Lilly should have an easy win.
• Marlins over the Brewers: Looper versus Nolasco. A battle of pitchers having difficult seasons. Nolasco is the better talent.
• Texas over the Mariners: Washburn versus McCarthy. McCarthy has been one of the Rangers' better starters. Hamilton is back.
• Twins over the Tigers: Rule #4. Dontrelle Willis has his first start of the year. Want him to do great. Doubt he will.
• Rockies over the Astros: Hampton versus Marquis. Rule #2: Never bet against Marquis.
• Reds over the Diamondbacks: Cueto versus Augenstein. Who the heck is Augenstein??
• Oakland over Kansas City: Bannister has been on a roll, but could the A's be on a hitting roll finally?
• Red Sox over the Angels: If the Angels couldn't win with their best pitcher, how are they going to win with their worst?

Yesterday: 5-10
Week: 13-21
Month: 65-68