Game Picks - Wednesday: May 27, 2009

It was a better day on what has been a bad week thus far. But one thing has this faulty projectionist a bit steamed. Yesterday's picks correctly predicted that Jarrod Washburn would pitch well against the A's. He did exactly that, but was lifted after six shutout innings and 94 pitches. What!? Why in the name of quality starts would you lift a hot hand after only 94 pitches? It's not like you are protecting a young guy or something. So, Washburn is lifted and the A's score four runs off of his replacement. Ball game. 4-3.

There has to be some kind of fine line between managing your personnel and winning games. The American League West is wide open with a lot of mediocrity (though the Rangers might be better than mediocre). Don't you want your team to win as many games as possible? Isn't that worth the risk of letting a pitcher throw 110 whole pitches instead of 94?

Anyway, rant over. Now on with today's picks:

• The Cardinals over the Brewers: Well, the Brewers had fun for a little while. Wellemeyer should beat Parra.
• The Blue Jays over the Orioles: The losing streak has to end some time. What better way to break the skid than pitch Halladay against the Orioles.
• The Tigers over the Royals: Porcello against Davies. Porcello should dominate the weak hitting Royals.
• The Pirates over the Cubs: Zack Duke is currently better than Zambrano who hasn't heated up yet.
• The Dodgers over the Rockies: Are the Dodgers really this good or are they simply better than a really bad National League West?
• The Mariners over the A's: Another Bedard crap shoot. Oy!
• The Phillies over the Marlins: Myers should beat Badenhop. Isn't the latter pitcher's name a great name for unearned runs?
• The Bay Rays over the Indians: The Indians are playing better. Maybe the Fan was wrong about Pavano. Hmm.. Anyway, the Indians are pitching another green pitcher.
• The Mets over the Nationals: If the Mets don't boot the ball around too much while Santana is pitching...
• The Astros over the Reds: Never like the Reds' chances when Arroyo is pitching.
• The Yankees over the Rangers: Burnett has to have a dominant game some time. Holland has been good for the Rangers but...
• The Twins over the Red Sox: Still not confident in Dice-K nor the Red Sox lineup.
• The Padres over the Diamondbacks: Peavy against a greenie.
• The Angels over the White Sox: Gavin Floyd was much better last time out. But still have more confidence in Weaver.
• The Braves over the Giants: This is Randy Johnson's turn for a bad outing in what has been a remarkably consistent Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde season. Mr. Hyde's turn to come out to play.

Yesterday: 9-6
Week: 21-24
Month: 178-159