Friday started out 0-4 as the Giants, Yankees, White Sox and Cardinals all lost. And so it was fortunate for the picks to climb back to a 7-7 tie. One game, the Royals / Twins, was rained out. There were some good picks mixed in there. The Game of the Day was almost easy as it was a given that the Angels would smack AaRon Cook around. R.A. Dickey's win was nice for him and nice for the picks as Ike Davis drove in all three runs. Dickey is forcing the world to consider him for the Cy Young Award at the end of the season.
And so August is over. September will answer all the questions about who the best teams are. By the end of this month, there will be hearts broken and hearts rejoicing. Players have this month to make their cases for post season awards. We have already watched a lot of baseball. But the first day of September is when things really get interesting.
Saturday's picks:
- The Yankees over the Orioles: This pick is probably foolish. But the heart is foolish. The Yankees' sixth starter, David Phelps is asked to win a game in a pennant race against arguably the Orioles' best pitcher, Wei-Yin Chen. Phelps has been good, but gives up at least one homer every outing.
- The Giants over the Cubs: These picks are going right down the same rabbit hole as yesterday. Tim Lincecum will have to be good as guys like Alfonso Soriano still swing the bat pretty well. The Cubs counter with Justin Germano, and that is the final reason for this pick.
- The Bay Rays over the Blue Jays: The Jays have surprisingly taken the first two games of this series as they are enjoying the spoiler role. And they face a pitcher that hasn't pitched in a while in Jeff Niemann. This pick comes down to a lack of trust here in Henderson Alvarez.
- The Mariners over the Angels: Mike Trout is slowing down slightly and for the first time this season has an OPS under one. Felix Hernandez has been unbelievably dominant lately. Can he keep it going? If not, this pick is doomed. Ervin Santana goes for the Angels.
- The Braves over the Phillies: The Braves are in serious need of a stop by their ace, Tim Hudson. They cannot keep losing. Craig Kimbrel blew a save yesterday. Can you believe that? Cliff Lee goes for the Phillies.
- The Cardinals over the Nationals: Wow. Did the Nats punish Adam Wainwright yesterday or what? So how can this picker think that Kyle Lohse will do any better. Well, the guy is 14-2. Argue with that! Jordan Zimmermann continues to pitch well and continues to get a lack of run support.
- The Twins over the Royals: The two teams will make up yesterday's game by playing a pair today. Going with Cole De Vries over Will Smith in the first one. Double headers are usually split and this one feels like the best chance for the Twins to win.
- The Royals over the Twins: Luke Hochevar is severely frustrating. But going with him for the win in this one over Liam Hendriks who has yet to record a win this season.
- The Tigers over the White Sox: The Tigers woke up yesterday and it is no suprise that they did so behind Miguel Cabrera. Max Scherzer has gotten better and better all season and leads the league in strikeouts. Got to go with him over Francisco Liriano.
- The Reds over the Astros: Sure would love to pick Lucas Harrell to win a game. He has been very good for a lost cause down there in Houston. The Astros have been shut out in three of his starts. Got to go with the powerful Reds behind Homer Bailey.
- The Marlins over the Mets: This pick is not a solid endorcement for Josh Johnson. Johnson began the season hoping to be healthy. If he was healthy, we all thought we would see fireworks. But his season has been a dud. It is confusing. But his stuff is still killer. And if he is on, he can dominate. The Mets don't hit that well anyway. Jeremy Hefner goes for the Mets and was very good against Houston his last time out.
- The Pirates over the Brewers: A.J. Burnett is starting to fall to earth and hasn't had a good outing in a while. He will need one to win this game. And if he isn't that great, there is always the Brewers' bullpen. The Brewers will go with Marco Estrada.
- The Padres over the Rockies: Okay, Padres, this picker got off your wave yesterday and paid for it. Edinson Volquez has looked like a good pitcher lately. We all knew he had it in him. Jhoulys Chacin can be very good at times. If he is today, this pick might look stupid.
- The Red Sox over the Athletics: This pick feels foolish on the outside. The A's pasted the Red Sox yesterday. But perhaps they will be all tuckered out from all that running around the bases yesterday. And Felix Doubront can be very good for the Red Sox. A.J. Griffin will go for the A's, back from the disabled list.
- The Diamondbacks over the Dodgers: Tyler Skaggs look really, really good so far. And Josh Beckett looks really, really vulnerable with the Dodgers. Going with the lefty, Skaggs, over a Dodgers lineup heavy on lefties.
And the Game of the Day!
- The Rangers over the Indians: Scott Feldman isn't exactly setting the world on fire these days: But he has to be the pick here as the Indians are going with Jeanmar Gomez, who hasn't exactly set the world on fire this season. Is Adrian Beltre the hottest hitter on the planet right now or what?
Yesterday: 7-7
Week: 43-36
August final: 249-177
Season: 1086-857
Games of the Day: 81-62
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