Game Picks - Sunday: August 12, 2012

Saturday's picks were a struggle and the tally for the day fell a game under .500 and the Game of the Day was wrong as A.J. Burnett did not win as expected. Derek Holland matched Justin Verlander goose egg for goose egg and the Rangers' bullpen was better than the Tigers and derailed that pick. The three day games were all correct which means the nights have been the problem this week. The biggest surprise for this picker was the Royals jumping all over the Orioles. The Orioles can blame the weather and the late start, but they just got thumped.

As always, Sunday starts a new week and will set the tone for the rest of the week. Here is how the day should go:

• The Red Sox over the Indians: Darned if the Indians haven't taken the first two games of this series. Good on the Indians, but seriously, Red Sox? The third time is the charm for Boston as Jon Lester picks up a much needed win for him with Corey Kluber not being able to hold the Red Sox down.
• The Yankees over the Blue Jays: The Blue Jays throw their third consecutive left- hander against the Yankees after the first two did not work out so well. J.A. Happ is not that bad a pitcher, but the Blue Jays' lineup is sad right now. Phil Hughes with the win.
• The Dodgers over the Marlins: Chris Capuano and Wade LeBlanc are so similar in that they rely on big ballparks to make them look like better pitchers than they are. This pick becomes difficult then. After tossing a coin, the Dodgers are the pick.
• The Orioles over the Royals: The Orioles and Royals missed the boat here as their could have been a Chen versus Chen match-up in this one. Bruce Chen will make the start, but it will be Tommy Hunter for the Orioles. This might be a high scoring game.
• The Pirates over the Padres: Ross Ohlendorf makes this picker smile. The former Yankee prospect always tries no matter his situation or health. Got to love his dedication to the game. But he won't win this one as Erik Bedard is getting hot at the right time.
• The Cardinals over the Phillies: There are several reasons for this pick. For one,nn  Lance Lynn is a lefty (duh, no he isn't) and the only two real hitters the Phillies have (okay, you can include Bourn too) bat left-handed. The second reason is that Lynn seems to balance out with Vance Worley thus going to the second trump of which offense is better. And that answer is obvious.
• The Brewers over the Astros: For a while yesterday, it appeared that the Astros would win their second game in a row. It didn't happen. Yovani Gallardo cruises in this one as once again, Jordan Lyles does his best to no avail.
• The White Sox over the Athletics: Bartolo Colon has been picked against for the last several games and every one of those picks has been incorrect. But gosh, Chris Sale should be better, no? Tough match-up to call.
• The Twins over the Rays: This is the upset pick of the day. Or perhaps it is just wishful thinking. Scott Diamond has been the Twins' best pitcher and the Rays are susceptible to any kind of decent pitching. And James Shields can be hit by the Twins' good hitters.
• The Rangers over the Tigers: Yu Darvish met with Ron Washington. Bet that wasn't fun for Darvish. Look for him to be sharper this time out. The Rangers have fared pretty well against Rick Porcello historically, albeit in a short sample size.
• The Angels over the Mariners: It will be hard to pick against Jered Weaver for Cy Young if he doesn't lose more than one game. He won't lose this one. Jason Vargas has pitched very well for the Mariners. But it won't be enough.
• The Giants over the Rockies: Picking Barry Zito is one of the most hard to swallow things to do here. But despite Alex White's recent success for the Rockies, he is only going to pitch four or five innings. What happens after? That is where the game will be won.
• The Nationals over the Diamondbacks: Ross Detwiler is pitching well, the Nats are hitting well and Patrick Corbin is inexperienced. None of those things bode well for the D-backs.
• The Braves over the Mets: Let's ride this Ben Sheets wave as long as we can. What a fun story to follow. Jonathan Niese could spoil the party though if he is on his game.

And the Game of the Day!

• The Reds over the Cubs: Johnny Cueto versus the untested and rudely treated, Brooks Raley, looks pretty easy to pick. Why is that always a scary thing to say? Because it is baseball.

Yesterday: 7-8

Last week: 53-44

Month: 85-68

Season: 927-754

Games of the Day: 69-54