After a wild ride in baseball yesterday, the picks just barely came out ahead, which is about the best you could hope for on Friday the 13th. Matt Cain was great as expected, but Daniel Hudson was not. Matt Harrison was great as expected, but Cliff Lee was not. Jeff Samardzija continued to shine while Adam Wainwright gave cause for alarm. Kuroda and Beckett were great but Luke Hochevar got hit hard on the ankle and was carried away in the first inning. It was a quite the day in baseball. Oh, and this picker can't forget that Bartolo Colon out-pitched Felix Hernandez. Did not see that one coming.
After having barely survived that strong tidal pool, it is with some timidity that the toe is again stuck in the water. But Saturday provides fifteen more games that need attention. Here is how they should go:
- The Yankees over the Angels: The Yankees have won 66 percent of their games at home over the past three seasons. Picking against them there is defying logic. Phil Hughes needs to be more economical. But if he can do that, he can beat C.J. Wilson.
- The Cardinals over the Cubs: This picker is still smarting over picking against Lance Lynn in his first start. Won't stick a finger in that socket again. He beats Chris Volstad who didn't look much better as a Cub than he did as a Marlin.
- The Rangers over the Twins: The thinking here is that Yu Darvish will be better than his first outing and Nick Blackburn throwing ground balls to a questionable infield doesn't always work.
- The Nationals over the Reds: What is to make of this mess? Edwin Jackson versus Homer Bailey is not a match made in heaven. Going with the home team.
- The Phillies over the Mets: Jon Niese was fantastic his first time out, but it's hard to forget that Citizens Bank Park was a nightmare for him last year. Vance Worley with the win.
- The Red Sox over the Bay Rays: Clay Buchholz needs to have a good outing and should at home. Jeremy Hellickson got hit in the head during batting practice, but is still slated to start. Losing Ellsbury is a concern for the Red Sox.
- The Blue Jays over the Orioles: Jose Bautista hits at least one bomb off of Jason Hammel and Henderson Alvarez gets his eight quality start in twelve attempts.
- The White Sox over the Tigers: Gavin Floyd was bombed in Texas, but he should be better at home. The Tigers will start the unknown Adam Wilk, who is making his major league debut.
- The Royals over the Indians: Jonathan Sanchez is one fine mess, but the Royals should score more runs as they face Jeanmar Gomez.
- The Braves over the Brewers: Shaun Marcum is allowing home runs at an alarming pace and the Braves are heating up at the plate. Mike Minor will have to be a lot better than his last start for this pick to come off though.
- The Rockies over the Diamondbacks: This appears to be another high scoring game as Josh Collmenter and Jhoulys Chacin didn't impress anyone in their first starts of the season. Going with Tulowitzki having a big game for the win.
- The Pirates over the Giants: Barry Zito already beat the odds with his first outing. Can't buy those odds of it happening a second time. Charlie Morton will have the Giants beating the ball into the ground, but will need good relief help to win.
- The Athletics over the Mariners: Tommy Milone is impressive and should do just fine. Hector Noesi got beat up his first start and doesn't appear that he will last long in the Mariners' rotation.
- The Padres over the Dodgers: Ted Lilly comes back to the Dodgers' rotation after a spring full of neck problems. We'll see how that works out. In the meantime, Joe Wieland makes his first start for the Padres.
And the Game of the Day!
- The Marlins over the Astros: Carlos Zambrano will enjoy pitching in his spacious home park. Bud Norris is a tough customer, but the Astros have little offense to back him up. The Marlins still haven't made that home run machine light up. Will today be the day?
Yesterday: 8-7
Week: 44-32
Season: 62-50
Games of the Day: 6-3
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