Game Picks - Saturday: June 11, 2011

Friday was the second great day of picking in a row and the two days have totally washed the bad taste out of the mouth from the week's earlier losing streak. With only four incorrect picks out of fifteen, along with a bright blue sky, has this Fan singing like Louis Armstrong: "Blue sky, shining on me. Nothing but blue sky is all I see."

There were four clunkers to keep this picker honest. The Orioles totally took care of the Bay Rays as Tampa's offense is non-existent these days. Plus, you have to top your cap to Jake Arrieta who had a great game. The same can be said of Jason Marquis, who improved his record to 7-2 with a win over Matt Latos and the Padres. Chris Narveson was magnificent against the Cardinal offense and the Cardinals' lack of pitching spoiled Tony LaRussa's milestone game. In the other incorrect pick, Brad Penny was pretty good. But Erik Bedard survived long enough to give the ball to Chris Ray, who has been really good after a horrid April. Those were the four incorrect picks.

But on Friday, a lot went right. The Yankees responded by kicking the Indians all over the ballpark. Roy Halladay did what he does. The Rangers' line up is clicking and C. J. Wilson was good enough. The Red Sox may never lose another game this season. The Mets can't lose a game that Dillon Gee pitches as Jose Reyes stays hot. Mike Stanton and Logan Morrison carried the Marlins (almost predicted a Stanton homer and didn't). The Braves pounded the Astros. The thin air did indeed mess up Clay Billingsley as predicted. Mike Moustakas got his first major league hit and Royals' fans are going to really enjoy this team now. And the Giants just find a way with yet another walk off victory.

Saturday provides us with another full slate of games to ponder. Here are the picks:

• The Yankees over the Indians: Mitch Talbot has been very good on the road. The Indians are a fastball hitting club and that's all Bartolo Colon pitches. But the Yankees win. Colon better go deep into the game though.
• The Blue Jays over the Red Sox: The Fan just said the Red Sox might never lose another game. But the match up of Brandon Morrow against John Lackey is just too attractive. Bautista is due.
• The Phillies over the Cubs: Matt Garza should be pretty good. But there is no way the Cubs figure out Cliff Lee. Nope. Won't happen.
• The Reds over the Giants: Mike Leake has been on a roll and will keep the Giants' offense to a minimum. Tim Lincecum gets another hard luck loss.
• The Rangers over the Twins: Colby Lewis sure needs to have a bounce back game after his last start. The Twins don't pose much of a problem there. The Rangers will turn Scott Baker back into Home Run Baker.
• The Braves over the Astros: Two young pitchers in Jordan Lyles and Mike Minor. Lyles has had one bad start and one good one. Minor has an ERA over five. But Houston is still Houston. Braves win.
• The Mets over the Pirates: R. A. Dickey pitches well against the Pirates and had a good outing against the Braves. He'll go deep into the game. James McDonald got totally lost in his last outing and was finally yanked after three straight, four-pitch walks.
• The Tigers over the Mariners: The Tigers will look to get even over Michael Pineda after an early season loss to him. Max Scherzer certainly hasn't been great, but always seems to get the W.
• The Bay Rays over the Orioles: The Orioles are on a nice little roll, but face David Price today. Price is 4-1 lifetime against the Orioles and has a 2.33 ERA against them at Camden Yards. Meanwhile, Jeremy Guthrie has not been pitching well. Will the Bay Rays' bats wake up?
• The Athletics over the White Sox: Last night's win for the A's is what they needed to get going. Melvin gives them a new vibe and vitality. Gio Gonzalez with the win and John Danks with the loss.
• The Brewers over the Cardinals: The Cardinals have never seen Zack Greinke. After today, they will wish to never see him again. This game is why the Brewers got him. The defense lets Chris Carpenter down again.
• The Rockies over the Dodgers: Ted Lilly relies on movement in his pitches and will get less movement in Colorado. Jason Hammel hasn't been good of late, but will get the run support with the Rockies at home.
• The Nationals over the Padres: John Lannon is going to have a good game and Clayton Richard will bend enough to give this one to the Nats.
• The Royals over the Angels: The Angels are going through another bad stretch. Joel Pineiro faces the rookies and won't survive. Felipe Paulino finally gets a a win.

And the Game of the Day!

• The Diamondbacks over the Braves: Have to go with the Fan's man-crush in Ian Kennedy over the Marlins and Javier Vazquez.

Yesterday: 11-4

Week: 46-38

Month: 76-60

Season: 519-427

Games of the Day: 43-29