Game Picks - Friday: July 24, 2009

For the first time ever, the Flagrant Fan is number one on BallHype.com's list of game pickers for the week. This picker doubts he will stay there because, first, every day's list of games is fraught with contradictions such as in a game where two unknown youngsters like Mock and Latos pitch, how to you sanely pick such a game? Second, BallHype.com stupidly rewards people who only pick underdogs all the time and gives you more points for having a losing record than having a winning record. But this Fan refuses to play that game. It's about picking winners, right? I suppose BallHype.com and gambling would be two exceptions to that rule where underdogs garner more points. But whatever. The Fan will shut up now and just pick the games:

• The White Sox over the Tigers: The Fan has this sick feeling that the geezers are going to take this division and that the Tigers are in the process of rolling over. They play a double header today and it could be a White Sox sweep. This is one case where the Fan hopes his picks are wrong.
• The Reds over the Cubs: In games where everyone thinks the Cubs are going to win, they usually don't.
• The Cardinals over the Phillies: Pineiro has been impressive lately. Happ hasn't lost yet and the law of averages say that can't continue.
• The Padres over the Nationals: Don't have any idea who Mock and Latos are, but apparently, they are are pitching today. Flip a coin.
• The Tigers over the White Sox: Contradicting the first pick only because Colon is pitching for the White Sox. How does such a team of old guys stay competitive?
• The Yankees over Oakland: This is a big game for Chamberlain to see if he can put together two impressive starts in a row.
• The Blue Jays over the Bay Rays: Halladay's Toronto swan song?
• The Orioles over the Red Sox: Whuh? Well, Bergesen has been the Orioles' best pitcher and Penny hasn't been very impressive lately.
• The Braves over the Brewers: Will take Vazquez over Parra any day of any week of any month.
• The Mets over the Astros: Santana will win if he gets at least two runs.
• The Rangers over the Royals: Feldman beats Greinke? Whuh? How can you pick the Royals to win at this point?
• The Giants over the Rockies: Big game with wildcard ramifications. Going with Cain.
• The Pirates over the Diamondbacks: Zack Duke, the All Star.
• The Twins over the Angels: Scarily, Liriano has been the Twins' best pitcher lately. Like him better than Lackey.
• The Dodgers over the Marlins: Tough game here with Josh Johnson against Clayton Kershaw. Both have been excellent. Going with the Dodgers at home.
• The Mariners over the Indians: Rowland-Smith pitching for the Mariners. Is he the first hyphenated-named pitcher ever?

Well, that's it. Not very confident in the above list, but that's the way the Fan sees it, and so it goes. Have a great weekend everyone.

Yesterday: 7-2
Week: 47-20
Month: 144-98