Game Picks - Thursday: April 21, 2011

Remembering that Tuesday's picks were brutally bad, last night's games were watched with great interest for their redeeming value. And since there were an unusual plethora of games for the day (17 games must be a near record), there was plenty of chance for success. Imagine then the excitement built when at one point, the picks reached a 10-2 margin. The only blemishes to that point were a non-win by the Cardinals in the first game of their double-header and a good pitching performance by Clay Buchholz and a timely hit (imagine that!) by Carl Crawford. 10-2! That was grand. Then the Pirates lost. The Mets lost (see the scathing post on their stupid bunt attempt in the ninth). The Rangers lost and the Braves lost (again!). Crap! Mediocrity seized what has been a great start.

Oh well. It wasn't that mediocre and it sure beats getting smacked in the head with a two by four. There are eleven games on the schedule, which isn't bad for a Thursday. Somehow, those pampered Yankees get their second off day in the same week. Here's a look at the day ahead:

• The Reds over the Diamondbacks: The Reds have looked dormant of late. But Leake should steal a win (get it?) and Hudson is building a record that is the reverse of his record with the D-backs of a year ago.
• The Cardinals over the Nationals: Kyle Lohse might just build a case for comeback player of the year. But that would assume that his career had more good in it than bad. So check that. But he'll win today over Gorzelanny simply because the Cards have an offense.
• The Dodgers over the Braves: The Fan has been consistently picking the Braves in the belief that they are supposed to be a good team. They haven't been. Jair Jurrjens was very good last time out but his velocity is still strangely missing. Going with Kershaw here because his velocity is never missing.
• The Bay Rays over the White Sox: The Bay Rays are the first team in history to go 1-8 in its first nine games and then go 8-1 in its next nine games. That perfect symmetry would be great if they lost tonight. They won't. Niemann over Floyd.
• The Orioles over the Twins: Scott Baker has hit an eddy. Get it? Baker Eddy? Oh nevermind. We'll stick with Home Run Baker, which is what Scott always is early in the season before he hits his semi-stride that always keeps him in the major leagues. But at least he throws strikes and pitches to contact, right TCM? Guthrie gets the win.
• The Astros over the Mets: Boy, do the Mets suck right now or what? Happ over Capuano.
• The Marlins over the Pirates: Good pitching sometimes snowballs and after two big games by Johnson and Nolasco, Volstad wants in on that act. His current ERA is 5.59 while McDonald's is over seven. But for those of you that think Bonifacio is going to keep hitting .364? Get over yourself.
• The Indians over the Royals: Is Josh Tomlin's 3-0 record and 2.75 ERA a bit of a fluke? Yes. Is Sean O'Sullivan's 5.00 ERA? No. Thus, the rub.
• The Red Sox over the Angels: Josh Beckett is on fire. Tyler Chatwood had a good start his last time out, but the Red Sox eat those kinds of pitchers alive.
• The Padres over the Phillies: The upset pick of the day. Like the idea of Latos winning at home and don't like the nagging thought of Roy Oswalt pitching after his back went lame the last time out.

And the Game of the Day!

• The Mariners over the Athletics: Will the real Felix Hernandez show up? If he doesn't, this pick will look mighty stupid. McCarthy goes for the A's.

Yesterday: 11-6
Week: 31-26
Month: 141-123
Season: 141-123
Games of the Day: 9-12 (going backwards again)