Game Picks - Friday: August 7, 2009

They call these the dog days of August. And if that is the case, then the picks have fit the theme and have been dogs at least half the time. Livan again pulled the rug out from underneath the picker. The freakin' Royals beat the Mariners. The Angels couldn't be held down for long. The Orioles were a stupid pick. The Marlins are acting like the Nationals and the Nationals are acting like the Nationals. And then there are the Twins. The Twins. The stinking, bumbling, frustrating Twins.

Ah well. At least the Yankees were a correct pick along with the Phillies, the Diamondbacks, the Rangers and the Dodgers. Let's see if today, this picker can turn these dogs into greyhounds.

• The Cardinals over the Pirates: Great pitching match up in this game of Carpenter versus Maholm. Have much more faith in the Cardinals offense than the Pirates'.
• The Diamondbacks over the Nationals: Garland should do the old veteran thing against the Nats. Balester has shown signs of being pretty good.
• The Tigers over the Twins: The heck with the Twins. Tired of getting them wrong. You watch, they will win tonight.
• The Red Sox over the Yankees: Another good match up of Beckett versus Burnett.
• The Blue Jays over the Orioles: Romero continues his rookie of the year candidacy.
• The Phillies over the Marlins: Another super match up of Blanton versus Nolasco. Will go with Blanton.
• The Astros over the Brewers: Villanueva again? Not happening.
• The Royals over the Athletics: The thinking man's pitcher, Bannister, will win this game.
• The White Sox over the Indians: The Indians are hot lately, but not against Buehrle.
• The Rockies over the Cubs: Zambrano was hurting his last start. Makes for scary picking in this game.
• The Mets over the Padres: Oliver Perez will walk six, but give up only two hits and win.
• The Rangers over the Angels: Feldman needs to beat Saunders if the Rangers have any chance.
• The Dodgers over the Braves: Good match up of Jurrjens versus Billingsley. Billingsley put his recent struggles behind him on his last start. Jurrjens got cuffed around last time. Tired arm?
• The Bay Rays over the Mariners: Two good pitchers in King Felix versus Niemann, but the Bay Rays have the better offense.
• The Giants over the Reds: Lincecum!

Yesterday: 5-6
Week: 32-32
Month: 41-38