Picking baseball games is a humbling thing. I was celebrating two mornings ago to one of the best days of picking ever. And since then, the picks have gone 13-17. That's the way it goes it seems. You cannot predict that Scott Feldman would throw a gem and that the Nationals bullpen would blow the game at the same time. You cannot predict that Ryan Dempster would yield three homers and his bullpen two more. You cannot predict that Bronson Arroyo would not allow any homers in a game. It is just baseball and that is the beauty of it all.
There are eleven games on the schedule due to a make-up double-header between the Yankees and the Indians. And it is an old fashioned double-header with one game right after the other. That is kind of cool--totally difficult to predict. But cool.
Monday's picks:
- The Indians over the Yankees: The first game of the double-header seems to give the Indians a slight advantage with Justin Masterson pitching at home against David Phelps. Phelps is pretty decent, but the Indians are hitting well these days and just had a big series against the Tigers.
- The Yankees over the Indians: The truth is that anything can happen in these two games. Either team could sweep depending on the bullpens, the line-ups and how well young starters do in a special chance to shine. The latter is the case as Vidal Nuno gets his first start for the Yankees and Trevor Bauer goes for the Indians. This Yankees lineup is not the same patient lineup as the regulars who are all on the DL. Bauer's biggest problem is control. Can this Yankees' makeshift lineup be patient enough to wait Bauer out? How well will Nuno do? Who knows.
- The Pirates over the Brewers: A.J. Burnett is pitching really, really well. But he gets no support from the Pirates when he pitches. Marco Estrada is a serviceable pitcher, just nothing spectacular. The Pirates' lineup has to help AJ out.
- The Tigers over the Astros: It seems the Astros always play the best teams in the American League. That is kind of unfair with their young and inexperienced roster. Bud Norris, if he is on, gives the Astros a fighting chance. But Anibal Sanchez should get the win.
- The Cubs over the Rockies: The Rockies have really hit the skids lately. The Cubs are playing decent ball. Travis Wood over Juan Nicasio.
- The White Sox over the Twins: Hector Santiago is quietly putting together a good start to his season. His K/BB ratio is over three and he is striking out nearly a batter an inning. Pedro Hernandez is your typical Twins' pitcher who will need the BABIP gods to win.
- The Diamondbacks over the Braves: The Braves are such an all or nothing club. They will either club you to death or strike out a dozen times. The pitching is what saved them last year and does not appear to be as strong this year. Mike Minor will try to reverse that. But I think he will be out-pitched by Wade Miley.
- The Angels over the Royals: Joe Blanton is 0-6. Something has to give there. The Angels were one-hit yesterday by Chris Sale and will be frothing to hit Luis Mendoza. These are two very unpredictable teams.
- The Athletics over the Rangers: The A's have fallen on hard times and are now below .500. A.J. Griffin makes the Yankees look silly but has been ordinary every other time out. Justin Grimm is still feeling his way. The Rangers have opened such a large lead in the division that the A's have to sweep to stay in the same zip code.
- The Nationals over the Dodgers: The Dodgers had a good weekend at the Marlins' expense. The Nats continue to disappoint. But Jordan Zimmermann has not disappointed anyone. He is the man. Josh Beckett used to be the man. "Used to be," the key words.
And the Game of the Day!
- The Cardinals over the Mets: I would really be surprised if this game did not go to the Cardinals. Lance Lynn has been blowing people away and Jeremy Hefner is just barely holding on in the majors. Allen Craig is heating up. I said I would never pick the Cards again for the Game of the Day. Ugh.
Yesterday: 6-9
Week: 6-9
Month: 91-69
Season: 320-233
Games of the Day: 29-12
No comments:
Post a Comment