What an odd week of picking. There have been two brilliant days, one decent day, and now,
after last night, two lousy days. And last night was lousy. The only brilliant pick was Felix
Hernandez over the Red Sox. The Yankees had their win against the White Sox, but Joe
Girardi got too cute in the ninth and it cost him...and the pick. Chris Capuano was good for
the Dodgers. But Chris Young was better. Madison Bumgarner out-pitched Johnny Cueto.
The pick had it the other way around. The Nats, as predicted, continued to score a ton of
runs against the Rockies. But the Rockies scored more. It was that kind of day.
Just like a bad shank on the golf course, bad nights like that can shake a pickers
confidence. Let's see if today's picks can get things back on track. Friday:
- The Astros over the Cubs: Paul Maholm isn't getting anyone out these days. Bud Norris is back from injuries that probably derailed his success in late May. Going with Norris, because of he is right, he is the better pitchers.
- The White Sox over the Yankees: Jose Quintana has been spectacular for the White Sox and is the kind of pitcher that beats the Yankees: He doesn't walk anyone. Adam Warren gets his first big league start for the Yankees. That never gives this picker the warm fuzzies.
- The Orioles over the Indians: Just not feeling Derek Lowe, who hasn't been good since his altercation with Dusty Baker. Well, he wasn't good even before that. But anyway, Jake Arrieta needs to continue pitching well like his last time out for this pick to come in.
- The Angels over the Blue Jays: The Blue Jays can get to Ervin Santana. But Carlos Villanueva is going to start for the Blue Jays and likely will only pitch four or five innings. Never like those situations.
- The Tigers over the Rays: What a match-up! Justin Verlander versus David Price! When deciding on this pick, it came down to the belief that the Tigers have a better chance of scoring two runs off of Price than the Rays do of scoring those runs against Verlander.
- The Marlins over the Phillies: Another great pitching lineup. Cliff Lee tries to win a game. The Marlins tries not to lose a game that Josh Johnson pitches. Interesting to see which one happens.
- The Nationals over the Braves: The Braves need to make a pitching move because Randall Delgado is not working out. That will be the difference in this game unless the Nats are hung over from their series in Colorado. Ross Detwiler should keep the Nats in the game.
- The Brewers over the Diamondbacks: Alas, Ian Kennedy cannot sustain solid outings. He isn't what he was last season. Randy Wolf is decent at home and the Brewers win more often than not at their home park.
- The Royals over the Twins: Not feeling this game or either pitcher. Luis Mendoza has not pitched well. And Brian Duensing was crushed in his first start last time out.
- The Rockies over the Padres: This one is as bad as the last pick. Sheesh. Jason Marquis against 75 pitches of Jeff Francis? How do you pick that? It's a crap shoot at best.
- The Cardinals over the Pirates: As this picker predicted, Adam Wainwright is rounding into ace form. He will need to be an ace as the Pirates are doing much better on offense. This pick is a pick against Kevin Correia as anything else.
- The Red Sox over the Mariners: AaRon Cook should neutralize the lefty batters of the Mariners and the Red Sox should get to Hector Noesi. Middlebrooks has gone silent since Youkilis was traded. Hmm...
- The Mets over the Dodgers: The Yankees showed that R.A. Dickey is a mere mortal after all. But he should rebound against a cold Dodgers' lineup. Aaron Harang is usually decent at home though.
- The Giants over the Reds: The Giants are in first place. Can you believe it? Matt Cain should keep them there at home over the Reds. Mike Leake should...well...leak enough to allow the Giants to win.
And the Game of the Day!
- The Rangers over the Athletics: A.J. Griffin was fine his first outing, but that wasn't against this Rangers' lineup. Matt Harrison should be able to keep the A's quiet.
Yesterday: 4-8
Week: 42-29
Month: 217-158
Season: 618-499
Games of the Day: 51-32
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