Game Picks - Sunday: June 24, 2012

The week ended nicely as ten of the fifteen games were picked correctly. As usual, despite the success, the incorrect picks stick in this picker's craw. Everything Colby Lewis threw, the Rockies hit. Thinking that Randall Delgado could get the Boston Red Sox' lineup out was stupid in hindsight. The good Edwin Jackson showed up against the Orioles with a superb effort, showing once again that he is the most baffling of all pitchers. Cleveland got smoked by the Astros. Say what!? The Brewers - White Sox game could have gone either way and the Brewers' bullpen made sure it went the wrong way. But again, those were the only bad picks in a pretty decent day.

Sunday is going to be fantastic as there are sixteen games on the schedule (the Phillies and Rays will play two). Two ace match-ups occur as well. It is going to be a fun day. Sunday's picks:

• The Phillies over the Rays: David Price and Cole Hamels are two of the best left-handed pitchers in baseball. One of them has to win. And with the way the Rays' offense has been going, the edge goes to Hamels, especially since the Rays' lineup has more trouble with lefties.
• The Reds over the Twins: Mike Leake looked great his last time out and is pitching at home. Scott Diamond has been good this season, but he struggled his last time out and the Great American Ballpark will not treat him kindly.
• The Marlins over the Blue Jays: There is much hesitation in this pick as the Blue Jays are killing the ball right now. But they are starting Jesse Chavez again and his first outing showed he is not major league ready. Mark Buehrle better be at his best though.
• The Red Sox over the Braves: If Mike Minor struggled against the Yankees, he will struggle more against the Red Sox. The Red Sox are starting AaRon Cook, which would be a stretch on most days. But that has a chance to work as the Braves are hampered by southpaws. Fredi is overusing Jonny Venters again.
• The Tigers over the Pirates: The pick has to go with Justin Verlander as he should be able to completely shut down the Pirates. Kevin Correia should bend enough to give the Tigers a much needed win.
• The Nationals over the Orioles: The Orioles are not hitting right now. But Ross Detwiler, who won the job back from Chien-Ming Wang, needs to be very good. Jake Arrieta hasn't had a good game in quite a while.
• The Indians over the Astros: Derek Lowe has been pretty putrid in the month of June. He should rebound a bit against the Astros: J.A. Happ has nine quality starts this season, but is still 5-7.
• The White Sox over the Brewers: Just like yesterday, anything can happen with Jose Quintana versus Mike Fiers. Quintana's economic pitching leans the pick his way. The guy throws strikes.
• The Cardinals over the Royals: The I-70 series comes to a conclusion for the year and Lance Lynn needs to have a big game for the Cards. If he limits the Royals to three runs or less, Lynn should win as the Royals are starting Jonathan Sanchez, whose only claim to fame was being the weak link of the Melky Cabrera trade.
• The Angels over the Dodgers: Garrett Richards is making a case to be the next great Angels' starter. He should be able to get the Dodgers out. Aaron Harang could have trouble with the Angels' lineup and if he does, this game will be lopsided.
• The Mariners over the Padres: Hector Noesi is 2-8 while Edinson Volquez is 3-7. How do you pick that? Noesi had a great start against the Padres in another outing this season, so that will be the pick.
• The Giants over the Athletics: Matt Cain. Enough said? No? Okay, how about Brandon McCarthy being scratched and a big TBO next two where the A's starter is supposed to be?
• The Diamondbacks over the Cubs: Wade Miley has been the best D-backs starter this season. The Cubs should not be much of an obstacle for him. But his team will have to score some runs off of Matt Garza, which isn't always easy to do.
• The Phillies over the Bay Rays: Cliff Lee finishes the sweep and gets his first win of the season. The Rays don't have a pitcher listed for today's start and that's never a good thing.
• The Yankees over the Mets: C.C. Sabathia hasn't had a dominant start in a long while. He will need one today as R.A. Dickey has been majestic. If both pitchers are at the top of their game, then it becomes a bullpen battle and the Yankees should win late.

And the Game of the Day!

• The Rangers over the Rockies: The Rangers should feast on Alex White for 75 pitches (no, this picker can't let it go) and Matt Harrison wins his tenth game. This one should be a lock. But that's why they play the game. (cliche alert!).

Yesterday: 10-5

Last week: 53-35

Month: 175-129

Season: 576-470

Games of the Day: 48-30