Game Picks - Tuesday: June 5, 2012

Well, Scott Feldman, that did not go very well. Feldman has long been a favorite here thanks in part to buddy, Josh Borenstein. But it looks like that relationship is over. Feldman has had his shot as a starter after lost years following his 17-win season. His shot should be over because he has been terrible. As good as the Rangers are, they can't survive when they are looking at an 8-0 deficit after just two innings. And to give up that bad a game against a team batting .215 is unbelievable. That game also shows why picking games is so difficult when it comes to baseball. Even the worst teams can trounce the best team on any given day. The Game of the Day feature, a feature that usually picks what seems to be the most lopsided match-up, has been wrong four days in a row! There is no such thing as lopsided in baseball anymore.

Tuesday brings us some interesting games and series before heading into another round of interleague on Friday (blech!). Let's take a look:

• The Tigers over the Indians: How does The Emoticon (<-- a smyly) have ten starts and only three decisions? Well, for one, he only pitches 5.4 innings a start. That means a lot can happen with those last eleven outs in a game. But this pick is for him because his chances to win seem better somehow than Ubaldo Jimenez, the mystery.
• The Phillies over the Dodgers: How about this game? Chad Billingsley has not won in his last nine starts and Cliff Lee hasn't won a game in all of 2012! Something has to give. Going with Lee at home.
• The Nationals over the Mets: Chris Young will get his first start after having a similar operation as Johan Santana. That means the awful Mets' bullpen will come in play. Jordan Zimmermann deserves a win.
• The Yankees over the Bay Rays: Andy Pettitte is comforting in this game. He neutralizes Pena, Matsui, Scott and Joyce. The Yankees have a history of getting to James Shields who is not quite as dominant this season as last.
• The Marlins over the Braves: Tough match-up here as it will be Tim Hudson versus Anibal Sanchez. Both should pitch well in the spacious Miami park. Going with the home team.
• The Red Sox over the Orioles: Two pitchers that are not exactly giving confidence lately in Jason Hammel and Jon Lester. Simply like the Red Sox more at home here.
• The Reds over the Pirates: Homer Bailey's season turned around in his start against the Yankees. He's been great every since. A.J. Burnett has been pitching well for the Pirates, but that little bandbox called Great American Ball Park will cost him.
• The Cardinals over the Astros: The Cardinals have typically struggled in series they should win. And they should win this one. This picker is not a big fan of Jaime Garcia. But he should get the win over Lucas Harrell.
• The Brewers over the Cubs: The Cubs have lost twelve straight on the road. They are awful right now. Poor Ryan Dempster really needs to get himself traded. He has nothing to show for pitching great all season. Yovani Gallardo with the win.
• The Twins over the Royals: The Twins are hot!  Yes, the Twins! And Francisco Liriano was actually good his last time out. Bruce Chen is fooling people less and less this year.
• The White Sox over the Blue Jays: Tough game to predict. The White Sox have won the last three Philip Humber starts. Ricky Romero is usually reliable but has not been as much lately. Going with the home team.
• The Diamondbacks over the Rockies: Gotta stick with man-crush, Ian Kennedy. Simply don't have the heart to do anything else. Jeremy Guthrie goes for the Rockies.
• The Angels over the Mariners: Garrett Richards gets his first start. This picker usually steers clear of such events. But the Angels are going really well with Mike Trout leading the way. Blake Beavan goes for the Mariners.
• The Rangers over the Athletics: The A's seem to have an endless supply of young pitchers to throw at you. Travis Blackley is the latest. Still sticking with Derek Holland, though he isn't having a great season.

And the Game of the Day!

• The Giants over the Padres: The Giants should never lose any of these games. Tim Lincecum is not the lock he used to be. But the Padres will help him. It doesn't much matter what Anthony Bass does in this game.

Yesterday: 3-4

Week: 12-10

Month: 29-23

Season: 431-364

Games of the Day: 34-25