Game Picks - Thursday: June 2, 2011

The nine correct barrier finally got broken yesterday. There were only five incorrect picks. But they still rankle. How the heck could John Lannon beat the Phillies? Looks like the eleventh time was the charm there. David Price was spectacular as usual. But Colby Lewis was even better. He must have thought it was a playoff game or something. Or perhaps, the real key is that the Bay Rays can't hit. Michael Pineda and Brian Matusz were both great, but the Orioles' bullpen was better than the Mariners' and Adam Jones won the game with his glove and with a homer. And there is a little item of eating crow. Felipe Paulino pitched well for five innings. And then Billy Butler took Scott Downs downstown. The Royals bullpen was very good. Or, alternately, the Angels' offense stinks. And finally, the Brewers should have kept Shaun Marcum in the game for one more innings with only 100 pitches. Taking him out led to the Reds' win. Stupid.

There must be something psychological about focusing on the negative. There were ten correct picks. The Giants did beat the Cardinals, though Tim Lincecum had nothing to do with it. The Diamondbacks won, but Daniel Hudson had nothing to do with that either. The Yankees won because: A) Burnett was good enough and, B) Joba Chamberlain got really lucky. Kevin Correia won his eighth game for the Pirates. The Twins and Cubs continued to be terrible. No surprises there. The Indians built a big lead on the Blue Jays and then hung on for dear life in a wild one. And finally, yes, f-i-n-a-l-l-y, Ubaldo Jiminez won a game.

For the first time in quite a while, there is a soft schedule today. There are only seven games on the schedule and looking at the games, there isn't an easy pick to be had:

• The Pirates over the Mets: Terry Collins must be a lot of fun to be around these days. Paul Maholm over Mike Pelfrey. Both pitchers have pitched well in recent outings.
• The Indians over the Rangers: Carlos Carrasco? Yeah, why not. Especially since Dave Bush starts for the Rangers because Matt Harrison has a blister. Plus, the Indians are at home.
• The Twins over the Royals: Yes, the Twins will win a game. Anthony Swarzak was brilliant in his last start and he faces Sean O'Sullivan. Enough said.
• The Cardinals over the Giants: This pick is totally emotional as this picker is really rooting for Lance Lynn making his major league debut. He faces the tough Jonathan Sanchez.
• The Diamondbacks over the Nationals: Jordan Zimmermann is snakebit. He pitches well, but they never score for him. This Fan got bit the last time he picked against Zach Duke. Golly.
• The Padres over the Astros: Bud Norris struggled his last time out. Tim Stauffer pitched pretty well. Both teams have trouble scoring. The Padres are at home.

And the Game of the Day!

• The Mariners over the Rays: Two weak offenses. Two good pitchers. But James Shields is not a Cy Young Award pitcher. Felix Hernandez is.

Yesterday: 10-5
Week: 37-24
Month: 10-5
Season: 453-372
Games of the Day: 36-27  Thanks, Phillies. Bah!