Game Picks - Sunday: July 3, 2011

Only an extra game on the schedule kept this picker from yet another day at one game over .500. But even two games over .500 is hardly a referendum on great picking. And once again, there was a fast start out of the gate and the picks were at 6-1 until limping through the West Coast. Did this picker really pick the Mets to beat the Yankees? Gee, what happened there? Heh. Don't you love double meanings?

It's not that there weren't a few really good picks. Picking the Nats and Pirates to split a double-header was both practical and smart. The Mariners once again failed to score any runs for Doug Fister as predicted...the poor blighter. Fister pitched a complete game and only gave up a run. It was one too many. The Red Sox made the Game of the Day feature continue its month long romp. That feature is now 26 games over .500! The Indians again beat the Reds as predicted. Those Reds are snake bit against their Ohio neighbors. Tim Hudson continued to smash his interleague reputation, which was a good pick. Phil Humber blanked hard-luck, Matt Garza, and the Cubs as predicted. Humber sure has been terrific.

But every good pick was countered by a bad one. Tony LaRussa left Kyle McClellan in there one inning too many. Ball game. The Twins had their game all wrapped up but their closer, Matt Capps, was allowed to blow his sixth save of the season. He was brutal and Gardenhire just left him in there to lose it. The Marlins swamped the Rangers as Hanley Ramirez hit two homers. Joe Saunders was better than Josh Outman and that pick went south. And the Fan learned one more lesson. The only time the Angels are guaranteed to win is when the other team pitches their ace. The Angels are the ace-busters.

Sunday is the last day of interleague! Yay! Let's finish it with a bang:

• The Giants over the Tigers: Just when you think the Tigers are on the move, they turn into the tiger cubs again. Rick Porcello has been awful of late. Ryan Vogelsong continues his magical journey.
• The Phillies over the Blue Jays: Caught in the middle here thinking that Cliff Lee has to come to earth sooner or later. The overriding feeling in the gut though is that it won't be today. Jo-Jo Reyes with another loss.
• The Reds over the Indians: We'll give the Reds this game as Mike Leake has been much better than Mitch Talbot.
• The Yankees over the Mets: Terry Collins was complaining (read: Whining) about interleague and having to face the Yankees all the time. Get over it. Sheesh. What a pansy. The Yankees finish the sweep with Freddie Garcia probably not having to face Jose Reyes. Dickey with the loss.
• The Braves over the Orioles: This picker has been burned so many times picking against Brandon Beachy, this pick is the equivalent to not putting a hand on the burner. Zach Britton with the loss.
• The Nationals over the Pirates: Hey, if Justin Masterson can finally break through and get some run support, so can Jordan Zimmermann. Love this kid. He's got a tough customer in Kevin Correia though.
• The Cardinals over the Bay Rays: This picker believes in Kyle Lohse. Jeremy Hellickson is no slouch either. So this pick isn't without a bit of perspiration.
• The Red Sox over the Astros: There's no way that Josh Beckett should lose to Jordan Lyles. Then why is this pick so frightening?
• The Brewers over the Twins: Zack Greinke had a chat with his manager over some comments and the quick hook last week. He'll take any lingering anger off on the Twins who counter with Nick Blackburn, who was indeed burned his last time out.
• The Rockies over the Royals: Nope. Not picking the Royals ever again. Well, at least for a while. Jason Hammel was good his last time out. Luke Hochevar can be good at times.
• The Diamondbacks over the Athletics: Could be a stupid pick based on the man-crush the Fan has on Ian Kennedy. Gio Gonzalez is a heck of a pitcher too. Oh well. The pick stands.
• The Padres over the Mariners: The Mariners start Blake Beavan, one of the pieces they got in the Cliff Lee deal with the Rangers. The young pitcher faces Matt Latos, who has already been where Beavan wants to go.
• The Rangers over the Marlins: Yes, Hanley Ramirez is hot and that makes the Marlins' offense better. But they face C. J. Wilson, the ace of the Rangers. It won't help that Javier Vazquez starts for the Fish. Though Vazquez had found some velocity in his last half a dozen outings.
• The Dodgers over the Angels: The Angels don't score when Ervin Santana pitches. The Dodgers score in bunches when Clay Billingsley pitches. Interesting game.

And the Game of the Day!

• The White Sox over the Cubs: This one should be easy. Gavin Floyd against Rodrigo Lopez? Seriously? Juan Pierre is sort of on a hot streak, which is what he always does to keep his job every year.

Yesterday: 9-7

Last Week: 50-44

Month: 17-14

Season: 670-568

Games of the Day: 60-34