Game Picks - Thursday: June 28, 2012

For the second straight day, the Game Picks have been excellent. The two day total is 24-6. Holy cow, this prognosticator should just quit now while ahead. There were only four incorrect picks yesterday. It was all too good to be true for the Cubs who were overrun by the Mets in one of the most lopsided games in quite a while. The 17-1 final score of that game made it one of the most spectacular incorrect picks in this picker's history. The Royals beat the Bay Rays again. While not unhappy at that outcome, it did go against the pick for the game. The Marlins ended a losing streak as the Cardinal bullpen throttled that pick. And the Rangers were too much for Doug Fister. Should have seen that coming.

But no complaints. There were so many other good picks. The Lucas Harrell pick was great as was James McDonald and the Pirates. Tim Lincecum did what was predicted here and pushed the Giants into a tie that no one would have expected a few weeks ago. It was a good day.

There are twelve games on the schedule today. Not bad for a Thursday. Here are today's picks:

• The Phillies over the Pirates: A.J. Burnett needs one more good start to make the All Star Team. And on the face of things, the Phillies seem to be vulnerable, especially with Kyle Kendrick pitching. But Chase Utley is back and will ruin the party.
• The Nationals over the Rockies: Heck, even the Rockies' pitching coach bailed on the team. Bob Apadaca said, "Enough of the crap," and asked to be reassigned. Smart move. The Nats have outscored the Rockies something like three dozen to a half dozen in the first two games. Edwin Jackson reaps the benefits and Josh Outman continues to be a baseball oxymoron.
• The Blue Jays over the Angels: Dan Haren doesn't look right. And he's been getting banged around. The Blue Jays have been banging starting pitchers around for a couple of weeks now. Brett Cecil is pitching like he was really mad about going to the minors.
• The Diamondbacks over the Braves: The Trevor Bauer era begins and we are stoked! Of course, the Braves are a tough team to make a debut against. But what the heck. If the guy is that good, it shouldn't matter. Jair Jurrjens was improbably good his first time back from the minors. Don't see him repeating it.
• The Bay Rays over the Tigers: Two thus far disappointing teams. The Rays offense is suspect. But Max Scherzer has never beaten them. James Shields is back to being a home run derby pitcher like two years ago. Tough game to call.
• The Rangers over the Athletics: Not sure if the Rangers will win because of or in spite of Scott Feldman. Rather think it will be the latter. Tyson Ross will provide little resistance to the Rangers' lineup.
• The Orioles over the Indians: The Indians did not look very impressive against the Yankees other than taking out Andy Pettitte (alas). Zach McAllister will get another crack at starting in this one. Wei-Yin Chen has had a very strong season for the Orioles.
• The Padres over the Astros: The battle of the terrible offenses continues. Andrew Cashner is making his first start of the year after being sent to the minors to get stretched out. Dallas Keuchel pitched in improbable shutout his last time out. Who knows.
• The Mariners over the Red Sox: Going with Felix Hernandez in this one despite the fact that the Red Sox' offense has been really good of late. The King will shut them down. The only questions is if the Mariners can score a couple against Franklin Morales who has been surprisingly good as a starter.
• The Dodgers over the Mets: In a battle of comeback pitchers, Chris Capuano is just too tough at home to pick against. Chris Young pitched well against the Yankees. The Dodgers really need a win after being swept by the Giants.
• The Reds over the Giants: Madison Bumgarner is a fly ball pitcher and the Reds are a fly ball team that can hit them out. Johnny Cueto has been outstanding for the Reds.

And the Game of the Day!

• The Yankees over the White Sox: The Bronx Bombers will take advantage of Dylan Axelrod's inexperience and the winning machine, Ivan Nova, will get the run support he needs and always seems to get.

Yesterday: 11-4

Week: 38-21

Month: 213-150

Season: 613-491

Games of the Day: 51-31