September continues to thwart the Game Picks. A second straight 7-8 day in a row now leaves September's combined record of 110-109. That is not a ringing endorsement of this picker's skills as a prognosticator. But there are two things that take the edge off that record a little bit. First the Game of the Pick was correct as the Brewers easily shut out the Mets behind Wily Peralta. Isn't that a great name for a pitcher? The second celebratory event was actually getting a Cardinals pick correctly. It took the Cardinals twelve innings, but it actually happened. Amazing.
Hey, that was a spectacular blown save by Jose Valverde, was it not? It killed a pick, but it was a spectacularly bad outing.
There are seven games on the schedule today which is kind of a slow day. But some of those games have big implications. The picks:
- The Tigers over the White Sox: The Tigers are back to two behind the White Sox and once again face a series against their rivals. If the Tigers ever do win this division, it will because of their head to head match ups against the White Sox as obviously, they haven't played well against too many other teams. Doug Fister will have to be really good and Jose Quintana will have to be vulnerable for the Tigers to win. No problem, right?
- The Braves over the Marlins: Wasn't it this time last year that Tim Hudson started to wear down a bit? Seems like with a big lead in the wild card race that the Braves should skip one of his starts. But perhaps he will return to ace-like form today and shut down the Marlins. He will keep the ball on the ground at least. Wade LeBlanc is the biggest reason for this pick swinging to the Braves.
- The Bay Rays over the Red Sox: The Rays have put themselves into a bad position as they are five back of the Yankees and four back of the wild card. They pretty much have to win out. Enter the Red Sox. Good start. Alex Cobb should be better than Aaron Cook, right?
- The Phillies over the Mets: As much as it would be great if R.A. Dickey would get the win in this one and inch one step closer to twenty wins, the feeling here is that the Mets won't be able to do anything with Cliff Lee. It is a little bit late, but Lee is looking like an ace again.
- The Pirates over the Cubs: The Pirates have certainly struggled this season against this division rival. It is one of the big reasons why they are looking up at the wild card leaders instead of down. Kevin Correia should be better than Travis Wood and the Pirates should win this one.
- The Giants over the Rockies: The late struggles of Madison Bumgarner and Ryan Vogelsong have to be a concern for the Giants and their fans. Instead of finishing the season with a flourish, the two have stumbled badly. Bumgarner is too good a pitcher to predict against, so that pick will still go his way, especially at home. He faces Jhoulys Chacin for the second time in a week.
And the Game of the Day!
- The Orioles over the Mariners: The Marines are starting Hector Noesi, which won't be that big an obstacle in slowing the O's quest for the playoffs. Noesi was not any better in Tacoma once the Mariners sent him down. So there is no expectation for an M's win here. Chris Tillman goes for the Orioles.
Yesterday: 7-8
Week: 7-8
Month: 110-109
Season: 1196-967
Games of the Day: 93-64
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