Game Picks - Thursday: April 12, 2012

Why doesn't a second straight positive day feel better than it does? On a day when the Athletics and Padres were picked and won, there should be some positive feelings about that, right? Perhaps it was knowing the day it could have been if for some reason Justin Verlander pitched one-hit ball for eight innings on 81 pitches but suddenly looked like putty in the ninth. Perhaps again it was the knowledge of how good it could have been if Joe Nathan hadn't blown another save and George Kottaras hadn't hit that two-run homer in the seventh inning. And it would have been better if it was known that Tim Lincecum would turn into Kyle Davies.

But those are all reasons why picking baseball games is about as slippery an operation as any in sports. So picking nine out of fifteen winners has to supply only a small amount of comfort. Yes, the Blue Jays and Reds were great calls. This picker will take comfort wherever it can be found.

Nine games are on the schedule for Thursday and six of them are daytime starts. That should be fun to watch. 

• The Nationals over the Reds: A tough one right off the bat. Both Gio Gonzalez and Mat Latos did not impress in their debuts for their new teams and this picker still can't get off of the Reds' 2011 season on not being able to win back to back games.
• The Tigers over the Bay Rays: Never know what to make of Jeff Niemann, but that said, the smart pick would be to pick him over a young kid like Drew Smyly. Seriously, how can you take a guy with a emoticon for a last name seriously? But picks like this always kick this picker in the butt. So going against the grain.
• The Angels over the Twins: How can Dan Haren be as bad as his last start? He can't. How can Francisco Liriano be as bad as his last start? He can.
• The Rangers over the Mariners: So Jason Vargas gets like all upset when someone poses after hitting a big home run. The answer? Don't give them up. But he will. And Derek Holland will be good. Let's just hope the Rangers don't need a save.
• The Brewers over the Cubs: Matt Garza can give Zack Greinke a run for his money. That's for sure. But the Cubs always play like crap when Garza pitches. It is uncanny.
• The Giants over the Rockies: As much as we all want Jamie Moyer to win a game, what chance does he have facing a Madison Bumgarner? Besides, the Rockies will be gassed from all that running around the bases last night.
• The Marlins over the Phillies: Roy Halladay had his way with the Marlins last night. But Joe Blanton is not Roy Halladay. You have to like Mark Buehrle's chances in this one.
• The Dodgers over the Pirates: Jeff Karstens is a decent pitcher but should be matched at least by Chis Capuano. The Dodgers have the better offense and that carries the day.

And the Game of the Day!

• The Diamondbacks over the Padres: Never pick against Ian Kennedy. Never. Anthony Bass goes for the Padres.

Yesterday: 9-6

Week: 30-22

Season: 48-40

Games of the Day: 4-3