Boy, was yesterday a depressing day for a game picker. Sixteen big games were played. That was the good part. The bad part were that ten of those picks went south. Roy Halladay lost!? Say what!? Well, yes, this space has been promoting Cory Luebke all spring, but still. Marco Estrada was fantastic in his first start. Did not see that coming. Plus, the Rockies bullpen imploded. This picker correctly predicted that Freddy Garcia would stink and that Felix Doubront would be great. And that happened exactly. But what happened after never could have been predicted. A pick was nine runs ahead and ended up being wrong!? The Reds couldn't do anything with Paul Maholm!? Ugh, it was awful yesterday. And it ended what was a really good week on a really sour note.
The schedule marches on though and not too much time can be spent licking fresh wounds. Fifteen more big games have to be considered. Here are Sunday's picks:
- The Mets over the Giants: These Mets are a resilient bunch. Dillon Gee was pretty good his last time out. The bullpens on both teams have to be gassed and what happens if Tim Lincecum struggles again?
- The Rangers over the Tigers: This picker has been waiting for Colby Lewis to throw a clunker and he has been brilliant. So how can he be picked against when doing so has led to two wrong picks already? He goes against The Emoticon, Drew Smyly, who has been very good himself. But it would take a Verlander to beat this Rangers' offense.
- The Marlins over the Nationals: Gio Gonzalez makes every fiber want to pick the Nats. But Gio is due for one of his once-in-a-while clunkers and Josh Johnson is 7-0 lifetime against the Nats.
- The Cardinals over the Pirates: The Pirates had a nice win yesterday. But poor Erik Bedard has been pitching well and has three losses to show for it. Kyle Lohse has been brilliant. When will the other shoe drop? Not in this game.
- The Bay Rays over the Twins: B.J. Upton makes the Rays' offense deeper. Francisco Liriano has been miserable. Jeff Niemann hasn't been much better, but...
- The Dodgers over the Astros: Can you pick against the Dodgers these days? No. Can you pick against Chad Billingsley these days? No. Can Wandy Rodriguez win a well-pitched game? No.
- The Brewers over the Rockies: Yovani Gallardo has been encouraging his last two starts. Jeremy Guthrie should be decent. But as long as Gallardo pitches well, the Brewers should win at home.
- The Blue Jays over the Royals: 2012 has been a nightmare for the Royals. Danny Duffy has been great, but the Blue Jays put up their best pitcher too. Ah well, it was thought the Royals would show some progress this year.
- The Reds over the Cubs: Johnny Cueto pitches for the Reds. Randy Wells makes his first start of the year for the Cubs. If the Reds don't win this one, they should just get rid of Dusty Baker and start over. Maybe they should anyway.
- The Angels over the Orioles: Wei-Lin Chen has been pretty good for the Orioles, but it is way past time for Dan Haren to have a dominant outing and pick up a win.
- The Indians over the Athletics: Justin Masterson will bounce back after a terrible start and limit the A's to two runs or less. Tyler Ross looks good but all the Indians will need is three runs to win.
- The Phillies over the Padres: Anthony Bass has been decent for the Padres. But he can't yet go deep in games because of the young pitcher's command. That is something the Phillies can use. Joe Blanton goes for the Phillies.
- The Diamondbacks over the Braves: The Braves are as hot a team as there is right now. And Randall Delgado has been good. But Ian Kennedy is still someone this picker never picks against. So that's the pick.
- The White Sox over the Mariners: Kevin Millwood. Kevin MilLOLwood. That's all John Danks needs for the win. The Mariners will get a hit this game.
And the Game of the Day!
- The Yankees over the Red Sox: Gee, this game is on national television. How novel. C.C. Sabathia struggles against the Red Sox. But this isn't the same Red Sox lineup as in the past. The Yankees will wait out Daniel Bard and push his pitch count up and force Valentine to replace him by the sixth inning. Then the Yankees can have more fun against that bullpen.
Yesterday: 6-10
Last Week: 56-40
Season: 124-98
Games of the Day: 11-6
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