Game Picks - Thursday: August 26, 2010

A real mixed bag for yesterday's picks. The Red Sox split their double header in exactly the way they were predicted. The Rangers beat the Twins and San Diego won again. The Orioles were correctly picked to beat the White Sox and the Cubs are perfect in the P.P.E (post-Piniella era). But there were surprises. The Pirates beat the Cardinals again. Houston beat the Phillies. The Rockies came from a 10-1 deficit against the Braves with most of the damage done against the previously infallible Venters. And so the day ended just barely above .500, which is about all you can ask for with all those surprises.

Eighteen of the thirty teams are in action on get-away-day. Here's how the Fan sees them:

• The Astros over the Phillies: Wandy Rodriguez has been terrific, plus he's a lefty. Kendrick goes for the Phillies.
• The Athletics over the Indians: Mazzaro should be better than Masterson, who has yet to put things together.
• The Brewers over the Dodgers: Gallardo gets the win and a hit or two.
• The Blue Jays over the Tigers: Scherzer has been terrific of late, but Romero should be better and the Blue Jays have a better offense.
• The Diamondbacks over the Padres: Taking Ian Kennedy over Correia.
• The Rangers over the Twins: The sweep gets completed as Cliff Lee out duels Liriano.
• The White Sox over the Orioles: Arrieta hasn't been impressive. Jackson has been since joining the Pale Hose.
• The Mets over the Marlins: In a squeaker, Niese beats Sanchez.

And the Game of the Day:

• The Cardinals over the Nationals: Carpenter is back on top of his game. The Nationals feature Zimmermann making his first start of the year. Book it.

Yesterday: 9-7
Week: 33-21
Month: 183-135
Season: 1084-790
Games of the Day: 71-55