Game Picks - Saturday: September 8, 2012

September has really gotten off to a rocky start for the Game Picks. On the one hand, the Game of the Day feature has been correct six days in a row. But the rest of the picks have been gruesome. After a below .500 night last night, the week is in the red and the month is in the red. Of course, Aroldis Chapman blowing a save did not help. But that was just one of many surprises on the night.

There is only today to pull the week over the hump and to start repairing the monthly total as well. So Saturday is sort of big. The picks:

• The Nationals over the Marlins: Hmm...the Marlins have been swinging the bats well lately and Mark Buehrle did win his last start and does neutralize some lefties like Harper and LaRoche. But the Nats are simply the better team. Mike Morse should do something and Ross Detwiler continues his wily ways.
• The Braves over the Mets: The Mets might not score in this series. They have been shutout twice in a row already and today face Kris Medlen, the hottest pitcher in baseball. The Mets counter with Jeremy Hefner, who is not half bad.
• The White Sox over the Royals: This pick is not a comfortable one. The White Sox just don't seem to be getting the job done. Chris Sale goes for them and has been fading a bit. That's to be expected as he is in uncharted territory with his innings. Bruce Chen is totally dependent on location and BABIP.
• The Giants over the Dodgers: Despite the Dodgers' big time acquisitions, it does not seem like they are going to get there. Chris Capuano will not shut down the Giants' offense and Matt Cain at home is a pretty good pick.
• The Pirates over the Cubs: Again, not a comfortable pick. It depends on if James McDonald is any good today and it has been an every other outing thing for him. His last one was lousy. Jeff Samardzija is making his last start of the year as he will be shut down after this one. He could very well hold down the Pirates.
• The Yankees over the Orioles: Okay, so one win gives this picker a little hope again. But the Orioles just won't curl up and die either. C.C. Sabathia has to be an ace today. It's his turn to earn his money. He needs to keep the Orioles in the yard, which has been tough to do. Joe Saunders was great in his first start for the O's, but that can't last. It never does with Saunders.
• The Twins over the Indians: This pick did not work out yesterday. The Twins just hit better than the Indians do. Cole De Vries was decent his last time out for the Twins and Zach McAllister has been going the wrong way for the Indians.
• The Astros over the Reds: Yeah, this seems foolish, but hear it out. Bud Norris has lost like ten in a row. So that has to end some time. Bronson Arroyo has been on a hot streak. That has to end some time. The confluence of luck seems to surround this pick. Okay, this picker is probably an idiot. But whatever.
• The Rangers over the Rays: Yu Darvish has been much better of late and he will need to be good today to make this pick come alive. Chris Archer is an inexperienced pitcher for the Rays and provided the Rangers don't strike out sixteen times again today, should get lit up a little bit.
• The Red Sox over the Blue Jays: What the heck with this series. Both teams have been so bad and both teams need this season to get over so much. Daisuke Matsuzaka goes for the Red Sox and he could have a good game. Aaron Laffey goes for the Blue Jays and it is unlikely for him to have a good game.
• The Cardinals over the Brewers: Many of this picker's friends will be gathering today as the UCB has a day at Busch Stadium. It would be nice for the Cardinals to win for them. Jake Westbrook over Mike Fiers.
• The Padres over the Diamondbacks: What a nice match up of young pitchers! Casey Kelly goes against Wade Miley! Who wouldn't want to see that!? Going with Kelly as the Padres are on fire.
• The Tigers over the Angels: Justin Verlander will have to be at his very best today to make this pick a reality. That is a tough lineup. C.J. Wilson will pitch against him and Wilson has had a mediocre season. But the Tigers' lineup is quite flawed.
• The Athletics over the Mariners: Another great pitching match up. Hisashi Iwakuma has been brilliant in his last four starts. But so has Brett Anderson. This would be a great game to watch.

And the Game of the Day!

• The Phillies over the Rockies: You would have to pick Cole Hamels over Tyler Chatwood just about any day of the week, right?

Yesterday: 6-9

Week: 39-41

Month: 45-51

Season: 1133-908

Games of the Day: 87-63