Another day, another postponement. This time it was the Mets and Braves down in Atlanta. I am not sure if the game had been played would have helped or hindered what ended up as a pretty good day. Jeremy Guthrie was terrific for the Royals. Phil Hughes was great for the Yankees. The Nationals finally won a game that Stephen Strasburg started, though he did not get the win. Alexi Ogando shut down the Red Sox as predicted. Hisashi Iwakuma shut down the Blue Jays as picked here.
But there were some surprises. David Price got smoked at Coors Field as Jon Garland continued his comeback season. Jose Fernandez was brilliant for the Marlins as the Phillies only got one hit--by Freddy Galvis of all people. Scott Kazmir got his first win since 2010 and although I am happy for him, his effort killed that pick.
But overall, it was a pretty good day after some not so good days. Sunday is here and it is always the best day of the week in baseball. The picks:
- The Indians over the Twins: Here comes that Muppets chef again. Say it with me now: Corey Kluber. Saying that name in chef voices is one of life's true pleasures. And, yes, I am an idiot. Mike Pelfrey goes for the Twins. Don't look now, but the Indians are at .500.
- The Yankees over the Athletics: Dan Straily is the kind of pitcher who gives the Yankees fits. He has only walked one batter so far in eleven plus innings. But he is right-handed and at least that helps. Andy Pettitte needs to be better than he was in his last outing.
- The Blue Jays over the Mariners: Are any teams as low as the Blue Jays are right now? Holy cow, it has been unbelievable how seldom this team even has a chance to win a game. Brandon Morrow is going to have to pitch a great game. Joe Saunders is going to have to have a bad BABIP game. But somehow this Toronto team needs to win a game.
- The Braves over the Mets: The rain-out allows the Braves to skip Teheran and go with their ace, Tim Hudson today. That helps their cause. Jonathon Niese being left-handed plays into the Braves' hands as the Braves as a team have an 85 point OPS advantage against southpaw starters than right-handed starters. See? And you folks still think I wing this, right?
- The Pirates over the Nationals: The Nats' lineup misses Bryce Harper and I think Mike Morse. I still do not get that move. But anyway, Wandy Rodriguez is going to shut them down and the Pirates will score a few off of Gio Gonzalez, who has not yet hit his strike this season.
- The Brewers over the Cardinals: Yeah, this is probably a stupid pick as the Brewers are the Blue Jays of the National League where nothing is going right. But traditionally, Jaime Garcia has not pitched well on the road. And Marco Estrada is capable of pitching a good game. The bullpens on these two teams! Ugh!
- The Reds over the Cubs: First of all, I have picked all home teams and that is scaring me. Second of all, the Cubs are pitching Edwin Jackson, who is showing why all those GMs over the winter said, "Um, no thanks." Mat Latos needs to avoid Alfonso Soriano's bat, which is heating up.
- The Phillies over the Marlins: Okay, back to normal. Not that Roy Halladay will ever get back to his normal. But he should beat the Marlins. Kevin Slowey pitches Slow stuff and sloweyer and sloweyest stuff which could baffle the Phillies' weak lineup though.
- The Rangers over the Red Sox: Oh! I would pay to see this one: Jon Lester versus Yu Darvish? Delicious match-up. I will take the Rangers at home.
- The Orioles over the Angels: Sheesh, Angels. How can I ever pick you? In desperation, you start Jerome Williams who has been terrific in long relief. But as a starter? We'll see. And then he will only go five or six innings and then there is no Jerome Williams to relieve. Then what? Jason Hammel will continue to defy logic as all Orioles' pitchers do.
- The Tigers over the Astros: Could Philip Humber lose twenty games this season? It has not been done in a very long time and he has a shot at 0-6. And guess who he gets to go against today: only Justin Verlander.
- The Diamondbacks over the Padres: I have a good chance to go with my man-crush here in Ian Kennedy. His fly ball pitching should work well at Petco. Edinson Volquez has not been as laughable lately though.
- The Rockies over the Bay Rays: The Rockies are raking. Tulo and CarGo and the rest are enjoying Coors Field to the fullest. Alex Cobb's stuff will not play as well in the thin air. And Jhoulys Chacin has been very good.
- The Giants over the Dodgers: Okay, you Giants. You win. It makes no sense that you always seem to find a way to win. But you do. And it is uncanny. Two walk-off homers in two days!? You guys are outdoing even yourselves. Today, somehow, you will even beat Hyun-Jin Ryu with a Matt Cain who has not won a game yet this season.
And the Game of the Day!
- The Royals over the White Sox: This is fun, eh Kansas City fans? This Royals team is fun to watch. They did not strike out at all in yesterday's game. How is that for fun? Wade Davis follows Guthrie's great start with one of his own as these things are contagious. Jose Quintana is the victim.
Yesterday: 9-5
Last week: 52-42
Month: 25-26
Season: 255-190
Games of the Day: 24-9
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