Game Picks - Wednesday: July 25, 2012

Tough sledding continues to be the theme this week when it comes to the Game Picks. For the second straight day, the picks just barely squeaked over .500 and the week is still a game in the red. When making the picks, the heat should have been part of the thought process in Clayton Kershaw's start. He tried to hold on, but the weather and the Cardinals overwhelmed him. The Red Sox beat the Rangers and that was not predicted. The Cubs beat the Pirates as Paul Maholm is on some kind of run. The Blue Jays' pick was probably stupid in retrospect. And the Bay Rays scored more runs than the Orioles. Those were just a few of the games that added to the struggles.

With players changing sides faster than a high school gym class, the picking of games becomes that much more difficult. Will the Marlins be hurt by losing Hanley Ramirez or will they be thrilled enough to play better? Will Wandy Rodriguez help the Pirates? Will Omar Infante hit enough for the Tigers? Nobody said this would be easy. So on we go. Wednesday's picks:

• The Nationals over the Mets: Stephen Strasburg should pitch his usual acceptable to brilliant six innings and the Nats should score often against Hugh Jeremy Hefner.
• The Pirates over the Cubs: Ryan Dempster is still a Cub as he refuses to go to Atlanta. Hey folks, that's part of the right he as earned under the current players agreement. But will all the distractions mess up his pitching? The Cubs hope not because they want to deal him still. Perhaps he won't even make this start. Kevin Correia has been decent of late.
• The Braves over the Marlins: What the Marlins really should trade is their broadcast team. Gosh those guys are awful. Anyway, Tommy Hanson is the pick over Ricky Nolasco.
• The Phillies over the Brewers: The Brewers' bullpen is single-handedly keeping the Phillies' mindset on still being able to salvage this season. We'll see. Vance Worley over Marco Estrada.
• The White Sox over the Twins: Nick Blackburn has been better since coming back from the minors. But not that much better enough to beat the White Sox. Jake Peavy is the better pitcher anyway.
• The Angels over the Royals: See? Are not the Royals the most frustrating team on the planet? How did they beat the Angels yesterday? What!? Well, if they beat Jered Weaver, this picker might have to just start skipping their games every day. Luke Hochevar goes for KC.
• The Yankees over the Mariners: Ivan Nova needs to stop the home run ball and the mistakes in the middle of the plate. He has given up more extra base hits than anyone in baseball. Fortunately, he faces a lineup that he should be able to handle. Hisashi Iwakuma goes for the Mariners and he is a bit of a wild card to this pick.
• The Giants over the Padres: Did you see that play made by Angel Pagan yesterday? Holy Cow! That is the kind of magic this Giants' team seems to have. Tim Lincecum seems to have recovered some of his mojo and picking against him has hurt lately. Tired of hurting! He is the pick over Jason Marquis. These first eight games were all days games. Coo, huh?
• The Tigers over the Indians: The Indians stole a game yesterday. That was surprising. Will they surprise again today? Derek Lowe is capable of being good or really crappy. It all depends on the location of his sinker and the realities of his balls in play. Max Scherzer on the other hand, will just blow people away if he is on his game.
• The Bay Rays over the Orioles: You think this picker is going to pick against David Price the way he has been going? Not a chance. Miguel Gonzalez has been decent, but he is no David Price. Of course, the Rays will need to string a few hits together, no guarantee with that lineup.
• The Athletics over the Blue Jays: Ricky Romero pitching at home be darned, this picker is tired of picking against the A's and getting burned. A.J. Griffin has been awesome.
• The Rangers over the Red Sox: Which Josh Beckett will show up this time? Which one will have a huge difference on this game. Derek Holland has not been great since coming off the DL. But he can dominate if he is on.
• The Reds over the Astros: This picker should come up with a new game where without using B-R or Fangraphs or any other site, fans have to name as many of the Astros' players on their 25-man roster as possible. The bet here is that the winner might pick twelve at most. Homer Bailey over Bud Norris.
• The Cardinals over the Dodgers: Not feeling Aaron Harang outside of his big home ballpark. Kyle Lohse seems a much safer pick.

And the Game of the Day!

• The Diamondbacks over the Rockies: The D- backs have put it together lately and are winning games in bunches. Trevor Cahill will keep it going over a deflated and devalued Rockies team. Jeff Francis will try his best with his 75 pitches.

Yesterday: 8-7

Week: 21-22

Month: 160-126

Season: 792-642

Games of the Day: 62-43