The biggest golf tournament of the season in these parts takes place today, so here I am at five o'clock in the morning to make sure I bring you the game picks. Dedication! Oy, I am tired.
Yesterday was not that bad of a day as the picks went 8-6 with a postponement in Philadelphia. One of the incorrect picks was the Game of the Day as David Price was out-pitched by young Jarred Cosart, who won his Major League debut. Nice going, kid! It was the first hit for the Game of the Day in quite some time, so I cannot quibble.
There are sixteen games on the schedule with a double-header in Philly. Here are Saturday's picks:
- The Yankees over the Twins: The Yankees better hope Phil Hughes has a good day with the scouts watching so they can trade him in a few days. Sam Deduno pitched well for the Twins against the Yankees last time out. But the Yankees are at home.
- The Phillies over the White Sox: I still think Jonathan Pettibone beats John Danks even though the Phillies struggle slightly against lefties.
- The Braves over the Reds: I was right about Homer Bailey struggling after a no-hitter. It always happens for some reason. Mike Minor better be very good for the Braves though.
- The Orioles over the Blue Jays: Jason Hammel is a scary proposition against Bautista and Encarnacion. But I would rather pick him than Todd Redmond. Yes, Redmond was okay in his first start. But there is a reason he is the Blue Jays' eighth option as a starting pitcher.
- The Bay Rays over the Astros: Okay, so the Rays could not beat the Astros with David Price on the mound. So how are they going to beat the Astros with Roberto Hernandez on the mound? That would be because Dallas Keuchel starts for the Astros.
- The Indians over the Royals: Scott Kazmir is hanging in there, is he not? Good for him. I think he wins today against the Royals despite the fact that the Yankees fixed Jeremy Guthrie. Again, if you have a struggling pitcher, send him up against the Yankees.
- The Pirates over the Mets: The Mets are starting Carlos Torres, who has not started a game in the Majors since 2010. That said, if the season is any guide, he will be great. But I cannot pick a guy with his kind of record who has not started in the bigs in that long. I will go with A.J. Burnett at home.
- The Cardinals over the Cubs: Lance Lynn avoided that one bad inning in his last start, so perhaps he is over that little problem. He has a tough task today as Matt Garza is throwing well and will get traded here soon.
- The Tigers over the Rangers: I can hear a groundswell of analytic writers rooting hard against Max Scherzer because they hate the wins stat and all Max Scherzer has done is win. That makes him tough to pick against for awards when fWAR and other stats say differently. While I love the new numbers and the new stats, I still think a win is a win. And Scherzer wins again. Derek Holland with a tough luck loss.
- The Marlins over the Nationals: Jose Fernandez has been just about perfect at home this season. And that is where he pitches today. Dan Haren seems like his arm and his career are about toasted at this point, which is too bad. At one time, he was a tough hombre.
- The Phillies over the White Sox: Yes, I am predicting a sweep with the Phillies getting over the .500 hump for the first time in a long time. Not that it will be easy. John Lannon has to pitch a good game. That is asking a lot. But if he does, Hector Santiago is one of those fringe pitchers that seem to hang around for not logical reason.
- The Red Sox over the Athletics: The Red Sox never lose...except when Jon Lester pitches. Which is weird to say as you would think that he would be the anchor. He has been, but in the bad connotation of that word. But he wins today and A.J. Griffin, who is usually good at home, gives up just enough for the Red Sox to win again.
- The Mariners over the Angels: Felix Hernandez is no longer the same Felix Hernandez. He isn't and I think there is something wrong with him. But he will keep taking the ball and he is savvy enough to still win. Jered Weaver is darn good though. I predict that Weaver plunks Raul Ibanez.
- The Brewers over the Diamondbacks: Kyle Lohse finds a way. I have been fascinated by him for quite some time. He is simply a guy who pitches better than his talent. That's all there is to it. Randall Delgado could learn from him.
- The Giants over the Padres: Tim Lincecum struck out eleven batters his last outing. That was impressive. Is he back? Are the Giants back after winning a couple in a row? That is what I am thinking. Edinson Volquez goes for the Padres.
And the Game of the Day!
- The Dodgers over the Rockies: Tyler Chatwood is pretty good, especially on the road away from Coors. And he has a nice pitchers' park today. The only problem is that he is facing Zack Greinke, who is going to pitch better. The Dodgers continue to roll.
Yesterday: 8-6
Week: 52-32
Month: 102-64
Season: 779-610
Games of the Day: 61-40
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