Game Picks - Wednesday: July 29, 2009

Mediocrity. Most contenders in the American League Central are contending for the title with mediocrity, but that's not what this picker is hoping for. After a couple of weeks riding high, the games the last couple of nights have confounded logic and left the picker feel woozy and shaken.

After all, who would think that C. C. Sabathia is the only Yankee pitcher who can't seem to win consistently (defense and his own lack of location let him down last night). Who would think that a 6-2 lead in the sixth inning wouldn't be held by the Boston bullpen? Would would have known that Scott Downs would blow his fourth game in the last week and a half? And finally, who would have guessed that Mark Buehrle would set a major league record for consecutive outs with 45 and be perfect for five plus innings and then lose the game?

Ah well, that's baseball and why we tune in every night to see what's going on. Tonight, the Fan will be tuning in to the following games:

• The Cubs over the Astros: The Astros are on life support with Berkman out and now Oswalt.
• The Angels over the Indians: Really thought the Indians would win last night with Huff, but his manager left him in one inning too long.
• The Pirates over the Giants: Zack Duke wins the duel with Matt Cain.
• The Blue Jays over the Mariners: Roy Halladay is still with the Blue Jays, thus another win.
• The Royals over the Orioles: Greinke against a kid named Tillman.
• The Yankees over the Blue Jays: Chamberlain has been very good lately. The Yankees handle Garza pretty well.
• The Reds over the Padres: Harang has been terrible lately, but is facing a kid named Latos.
• The Mets over the Rockies: Not sure about Santana lately. But picking him here.
• The Marlins over the Braves: Josh Johnson versus Kawakami. Should be Johnson, right?
• The Red Sox over the A's: Last night notwithstanding, the A's should never win a game against the Red Sox.
• The Nationals over the Brewers: Parra has been terrible and the Brewers are sliding fast.
• The Rangers over the Tigers: Verlander is going for the Tigers, but have to stick with the Feldman.
• The Twins over the White Sox: Who can figure out these crazy teams?
• The Cardinals over the Dodgers: Love Kershaw, but the Cardinals are unstoppable at this point.
• The Phillies over the Diamondbacks: The D-backs had their one shot last night with Haren and couldn't get it done.

Last night: 7-8
Week: 25-19
Month: 181-135