Game Picks - Wednesday: June 20, 2012

Tuesday was not a bad picking day. There were some surprises. Asdrubal Cabrera hitting a walkoff on Aroldis Chapman was one. The Oakland A's getting great work from Brandon McCarthy was another. The Cubs win over the White Sox was surprising and the Pirates should have been picked. Luke Hochevar continues to baffle and Daniel Hudson was creamed. But again, it's not a bad day when you can correctly pick the end of the Yankees' winning streak and a bunch of other picks go the right way.

Among the full slate of games today, there are four day games on this getaway day. Sweet. Wednesday's picks:

• The Yankees over the Braves: The Braves had to do everything right to beat the Yankees yesterday and they did. Neither pitcher in the game inspires a 100% vote of confidence as it is Tommy Hanson versus Phil Hughes. The Yankees have some trouble with power pitchers. It will depend on how well Hughes does the second time around with the Braves' lineup.
• The Royals over the Astros: Bruce Chen has been awful of late. But this is the kind of game he should win. Jordan Lyles goes for the Astros.
• The Brewers over the Blue Jays: With Jose Bautista and Colby Rasmus being as hot as they are, the pick would seem to swing to the Blue Jays, but they have yet to announce a starting pitcher and their rotation is decimated. Yovani Gallardo goes for the Brewers.
• The Diamondbacks over the Mariners: Trever Cahill slows down some hot Mariner hitters and Jason Vargas allows three or more runs to the Diamondbacks.
• The Indians over the Reds: Have picked the Reds twice in a row in this series. That hasn't worked out too well. So let's go with a good performance from Justin Masterson and the Indians hit a dinger or two off of Bronson Arroyo.
• The Phillies over the Rockies: Joe Blanton had a great start to the season and has since leveled off to mediocrity. But he just has to pitch a decent game as the Phillies should hit Alex White around pretty good.
• The Pirates over the Twins: This picker is tired of picking against the Pirates and paying for it. So let's go the other way. Erik Bedard isn't great, but he's better at home. Francisco Liriano is the wild card. You never know how he will  do.
• The Tigers over the Cardinals: Not feeling either Rick Porcello or Jake Westbrook in this one. So going with the hotter Tigers as they are also the home team.
• The Nationals over the Bay Rays: The Rays get a taste of their own medicine as they face a strong young pitcher in Stephen Strasburg. The schedule lists Jeremy Hellickson as the Rays starter, but he just went on the DL, didn't he? The Rays will have to summon someone from the minors to pitch this game.
• The Orioles over the Mets: The Orioles are starting to sag a bit. But Brian Matusz should succeed against the Mets who are seriously undermined by left-handed pitching that neutralizes Ike Davis and Lucas Duda. Dillon Gee will keep the Mets in the game.
• The Red Sox over the Marlins: The Marlins made a mistake by hiring Ozzie Guillen. He simply isn't the right guy for this group of players. Felix Doubront has been great this season. Ricky Nolasco will get hit by the Red Sox.
• The Cubs over the White Sox: What the heck, if you can't beat them, join them. Randy Wells gets another shot at the Cubs' rotation, his 746th shot, that is. But Gavin Floyd has looked terrible this season.
• The Athletics over the Dodgers: Whenever Nathan Eolvaldi pitches, the Dodgers can't hit. Tommy Milone is a good source of that continuing as he is great at the Coliseum.
• The Giants over the Angels: Ryan Vogelsong shuts down the hot Angel bats and Jered Weaver struggles on his return from the disabled list.

And the Game of the Day!

• The Rangers over the Padres: Yu Darvish seemed to reclaim his stud status with his last outing and the Padres have never seen him. Anthony Bass is not pitching very well.

Yesterday: 9-6

Week: 24-14

Month; 146-108

Season: 547-449

Games of the Day: 46-28