Game Picks - Friday: August 24, 2012

Five of the eight games were picked correctly yesterday which doesn't sound that impressive. It probably beats the seasonal rate. The sample size is all relational. Picking against the Giants has become quite stupid these days...even when Barry Zito pitches. The Mets received a terrific major league debut from Collin McHugh but could not score any runs and the kid did not get the win. Neither did the team. The Reds' normally reliable bullpen could not hold the lead for Johnny Cueto and the Phillies won in extras.

Those were the three bad picks. The week has been really good though and has had positive days all week. The week is twenty games over .500 and the month is almost sixty. Not bad.

Friday's picks:

• The Cubs over the Rockies: This pick is a little outside the box. It's a day game at Wrigley. Jeff Samardzija should pitch well and perhaps the Cubs can score a few runs to support him. Drew Pomeranz gets the start for the Rockies.
• The Angels over the Tigers: These have been the games the Tigers should have won all season and haven't. Miguel Cabrera has some health issues. Zack Greinke is not lighting it up for the Angels. Perhaps he will have a good game today. Rick Porcello has been good of late making this pick tenuous. 
• The Pirates over the Brewers: The Pirates have had a tough go of it lately but are still in the wild card hunt. They need to get it going though. Today should help as the newly acquired, Wandy Rodriguez, should pitch well enough to keep the Bucs in the game. Mike Fiers has had a good rookie campaign though for the Brewers.
• The Blue Jays over the Orioles: Zach Britton has been brutal at home giving up a ton of runs at Camden Yards. Meanwhile, Carlos Villanueva has been solid for the Blue Jays.
• The Phillies over the Nationals; The Phillies have been rolling of late and Kyle Kendrick has been very good in his last ten starts. That should be enough to beat the enigmatic Edwin Jackson. Unless of course, Jackson has one of those great games that make you scratch your head as to why he doesn't do that all the time.
• The Astros over the Mets: It's time for the Astros to win a game for their new skipper even though this picker is still mad at the team for making Brad Mills a scapegoat. That was horrible. But the Mets are scuffling so badly that the Astros have a chance in this one. Jon Niese is as enigmatic as Edwin Jackson of the previous pick. Jordan Lyles deserves a win after gamely going out there every fifth day.
• The Red Sox over the Royals: Yeah, Bruce Chen can drive the Red Sox lineup crazy with his assortment of slop. But Jon Lester has been much better of late and that should allow the Red Sox to win a game.
• The Bay Rays over the Athletics: You simply cannot pick against the Rays these days. Jarrod Parker has the kind of stuff to shut down the Rays' offense. But Matt Moore has been a big part of this run by the team from St. Pete.
• The Reds over the Cardinals: It still seems like the Cardinals are the better team on paper than the Reds. But the Cards...are frustrating. Take this game, for example. Lance Lynn started the season with a bang. But he has sort have been whirling around mediocre- like for the last month in a half. Meanwhile, Mat Latos is this big dominating pitcher.
• The Rangers over the Twins: The last time this picker picked Samuel Deduno, it splattered all over the screen. Matt Harrison is the Rangers' most reliable pitcher. Adrian Beltre is on fire and Josh Hamilton has 107 ribbies already.
• The White Sox over the Mariners: The M's have won eight in a row and have been playing really well. Jason Vargas hasn't lost in a while either. Both of those streaks come to an end though in Chicago as the White Sox beat them behind Jake Peavy.
• The Diamondbacks over the Padres: The Padres have not been easy to beat of late. They sure gave the Pirates fits. And Eric Stults has pitched well for them. But Patrick Corbin is the pick for the Diamondbacks who still have an outside shot at this playoff thing.
• The Dodgers over the Marlins: The Dodgers have to win a string of games to get back in this thing in the NL West. Chad Billingsley has to be the guy who helps get that started. They face old friend, Nathan Eovaldi, who might have a few chips on his shoulders in this game.
• The Giants over the Braves: Ryan Vogelsong at home is a virtual lock. And Ben Sheets has been mortal since that exciting opening run for his season. Interesting game this one will be to watch.

And the Game of the Day!

• The Yankees over the Indians: This series should help the flagging Yankee ship and they have their ace back on the mound, C.C. Sabathia, after a stint on the disabled list. And the Yankees should get to Corey Kluber, who has yet to show he belongs in the majors.

Yesterday: 5-3

Week: 43-23

Month: 188-129

Season: 1030-809

Games of the Day: 77-58