Well that's better. Only four incorrect picks out of fifteen last night, so I had a much better day than I have had in a while. Of the four, the Phillies win stands out the most to me. I did not expect Jason Marquis to finally pitch like...well...Jason Marquis. Nor did I expect Kyle Kendrick to have that good a game. I did not expect the Yankees to win, though I did call it in e-mail thread of IIATMS writers. There I said that Hiroki Kuroda would last an inning more than Yu Darvish and the Yankees would have a chance in a bullpen game. I should have said that here.
Elsewhere, I was dead wrong on the Tigers. I did not think they would have such an ugly night. And I expected Bronson Arroyo to be much better than he was. But those were the only four picks that went wrong, so I am quite pleased for a change.
Wednesday's picks:
- The Blue Jays over the Rays: I am quite torn about this one. The Jays have gone from a winning streak to a losing streak. But they will have Jose Reyes back tonight. It all depends on R.A. Dickey and what kind of night he has. Roberto Hernandez will be who he is and give up four or so runs. If Dickey can be better than that, the Jays win.
- The Twins over the Marlins: The Marlins have won six of their last ten, which is great for them. And since Logan Morrison and Giancarlo Stanton have returned, things are better. But I prefer Scott Diamond over Tom Koehler when push comes to shove.
- The Athletics over the Reds: Homer Bailey has been inconsistent and always seems to lose when I pick him. A.J. Griffin is much tougher at home than on the road. I am going with the A's on this one.
- The Mariners over the Pirates: I am a little concerned about Felix Hernandez. His velocity is not there as it once was and he is a bit more beatable than before. But he is still the Mariners' best pitcher and gives them the best chance to win a game. On the other hand, Jeanmar Gomez is leading a charmed pitching life.
- The Red Sox over the Rockies: The only question in this one is who John Lackey will yet at while on the mound. Other than that, I expect him to pitch a better game than Roy Oswalt will against the Red Sox lineup.
- The Nationals over the Diamondbacks: Two of my favorite pitchers go in this one in Jordan Zimmermann and Wade Miley. The pick has to be Zimmermann as he has the superior stuff. However, if Miley is fine, he can win. So it is a tough call.
- The Indians over the Orioles: Am I picking Scott Kazmir again? OoOo Yeaheeah. I hear Robert Plant singing in my ear, but that's the pick. Jason Hammel is coming off an injury and I never trust those scenarios anyway.
- The Yankees over the Rangers: This pick is expecting Andy Pettitte to be a little tighter than he has been lately. If he is, the Yankees can take the game from Justin Grimm. If Pettitte is not sharp like his last three outings, this pick blows up.
- The Tigers over the Angels: Jose Alvarez has been quite impressive since the Tigers called him up. It looks like he was ready for the prime time. Also leading to this pick was my total disbelief that Tommy Hanson's stuff has deteriorated so much.
- The Braves over the Royals: The Royals just never seem to get past being the Royals, you know? They should have won yesterday, but did not. I do not think they will be in this game as Mike Minor should shut them down and Luis Mendoza is not a strikeout guy against a strikeout lineup.
- The Brewers over the Cubs: Both Yovani Gallardo and Scott Feldman are 6-6. What are the odds of that? Feldman would have a better record on a better team as he has been quite good. But picking against Gallardo at home is usually not a good idea.
- The Mets over the White Sox: Oh, gosh, this is an ugly pick. John Danks is 1-4. Shaun Marcum is 0-9. What the heck do you do with that mess? Marcum has to win a game sooner or later. I have to keep picking him until he does.
- The Padres over the Phillies: Yes, after eleven times, I am sick of picking Cole Hamels to win when he does not. Enough already. Of course, then he will win tonight. You watch. I like lefties against the Phillies lineup though and Robbie Erlin is that. Erlin has good control and whose strikeouts should come around starting tonight.
- The Dodgers over the Giants: This pick is simply a belief that Clayton Kershaw is a better pitcher right now than Tim Lincecum. On any given night, that could go wrong, but that is how the game has to be picked.
And the Game of the Day:
- The Cardinals over the Astros: This game seems so much like a lock, that it is downright frightening of how shocked I will be if the Cardinals lose. Lance Lynn is the bomb. Erik Bedard gives up bombs. That is the big difference in the game. They ought to put some bubble wrap around Justin Maxwell. Sheesh.
Yesterday: 11-4
Week: 20-14
Month: 175-163
Season: 640-512
Games of the Day: 48-36
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