Game Picks - Tuesday: April 20, 2010

A day like Monday was bound to happen sooner or later. After so many positive days in a row, there had to be a clunker coming. And Monday was certainly a clunker (except for the game of the day). The one saving grace was that it was a short schedule, so it could have been a lot worse. But this picker was done in by a great pitching performance by Stammen for the Nationals, another one by Piniero and the game changing call up of one Ike Davis. The latter was almost worth the negative pick.

Tuesday needs to be a rebound day with a full slate of games. Here goes:

• The Brewers over the Pirates: It isn't any fun to start off with this one. Bush versus Morton. Oy.
• The Rockies over the Nationals: Scott Olsen is back for the Nationals against De La Rosa. The Fan never picks a guy making his season debut from the minors.
• The Blue Jays over the Royals: Scary pick here as the Blue Jays have started stumbling a bit of late. But Eveland has been great so far. Yeah, that makes it scary too.
• The Mets over the Cubs: New times in New York with Ike Davis in town. Pelfrey has been outstanding. Zambrano has not been.
• The Reds over the Dodgers: Manny isn't playing. Loney is slumping and Torre will still pull Billingsley before the sixth inning because he doesn't believe in him.
• The Braves over the Phillies: Two young pitchers in Hanson versus Kendrick. Kendrick needs a good start and will probably have one. But Hanson is really good.
• The Rangers over the Red Sox: The Rangers have to be cursing the schedule maker with a series in Boston after getting swept by the Yankees. But Lewis has been really good so far and the Red Sox counter with Wakefield.
• The Marlins over the Astros: Volstad versus Myers is pretty much a wash, so taking the Marlins' offense over the Astros'.
• The Indians over the Twins: In the upset of the day, young Masterson takes a step up and Slowey has a clunker start after a couple of good ones.
• The Bay Rays over the White Sox: What does it say about the Bay Rays when David Price is probably their worst starter?
• The Diamondbacks over the Cardinals: Going with Haren over Lohse in a pitching duel.
• The Yankees over the Athletics: Vazquez should fare better away from Yankee Stadium and all those boos.
• The Tigers over the Angels: Kazmir has been awful so far. Porcello goes for the Tigers.
• The Mariners over the Orioles: Vargas starts for the Mariners. Ugh. But they should win anyway.

And the GAME OF THE DAY!

• The Padres over the Giants: The Padres have had two great starts by young guys in a row with LeBlanc and Richard. Those things are catchy and Latos will continue the good times against a weak-hitting Giants team. Sanchez starts for the Giants which could be the only monkey wrench in this pick.

Yesterday: 3-5
Week: 13-10
Month: 114-61
Games of the Day: 2-2