MLB Game Picks - Tuesday: July 30, 2013

The first five finals yesterday were correct. The last four were all incorrect. Such is the life of a baseball game picker. What are you going to do when Aroldis Chapman blows a save? Or when the Cubs were strapped for runs all game and then were Pedro Strop -ped in the ninth? The Marlins' Jacob Turner left with a lead and his bullpen could not hold it. And admittedly, picking the Blue Jays was just plain stupid.

But at least the day was in the black for the first time in three days. But the Game of the Day was wrong for the second day in a row. Thanks, Chapman.

There are seventeen games on the schedule today including two double-headers. So let's just get to the picks:

• The Brewers over the Cubs: The first of two, Yovani Gallardo has been knocked around lately. But then again, so has Carlos Villanueva. So I will go with the pitcher who is supposedly better. Besides, the Cubs' bullpen is a mess.
• The Cardinals over the Pirates: Lance Lynn lifts the Cardinals out of their little losing streak in this first game of two today between these two contenders. I like Lynn's ability to shut down the Pirates better than A.J. Burnett's chances to do the opposite.
• The Cardinals over the Pirates: I hate to rain of the Pirates parade here with a double-header sweep prediction. Tyler Lyons goes for the Cards. He has started six games for the Cards going back and forth between the minors. Half of them have been good outings. The Pirates have not yet announced their starting pitcher and that is not ever a good thing.
• The Indians over the White Sox: Is there nothing more entertaining in sports than Ken Harrelson getting disappointed in the outcome of a game. All those sighs and resignation. Heh. Jake Peavy is pitching for the White Sox, which gives them a chance. But Scott Kazmir has been great lately and I root for him.
• The Giants over the Phillies: Ugh. This is a tough one. Barry Zito has not thrown a good game in quite a while and John Lannon has been terrible. How do you make heads or tails from that? Jimmy Rollins not waiving his 10/5 rights is probably a good thing for interested teams.
• The Tigers over the Nationals: If it were up to me, Stephen Strasburg would go 30-0. And he has pitched well enough to do so. But the Nats never score when he is pitching and Anibal Sanchez will keep it that way today. Strasburg against Miguel Cabrera is epic.
• The Rays over the Diamondbacks: Oh, excuse me. The Rays and the Red Sox are done with each other and instead the Rays play the Diamondbacks. My bad. Here is how this pick goes: Despite Roberto Hernandez's ineptitude, the Rays always beat the Yankees and Ian Kennedy is an ex-Yankee. Thus, they beat Kennedy.
• The Braves over the Rockies: The Braves are on a roll and that should carry them through a shaky Alex Wood start and allow them to score against Juan Nicasio. The Rockies are just treading water at this point.
• The Mets over the Marlins: Forgive me if I have little or no faith in Nathan Eovaldi. On the other hand, Zack Wheeler is having a bit of trouble with his command in the Big Leagues. But in the end, I like Wheeler's talent and not Eovaldi's.
• The Red Sox over the Mariners: Brandon Workman has been (forgive me) workmanlike in his last two starts, which should be good enough against the Marlins. The Red Sox are mad and frustrated. That should be bad news for Joe Saunders at Fenway.
• The Rangers over the Angels: The Rangers still haven't gotten any offensive help. Expect them to fix that today or tomorrow. Either way, despite C.J. Wilson pitching effectively lately, I expect Derek Holland to come out on top in this game.
• The Brewers over the Cubs: I like Tyler Thornburg. He has a good arm and has had a good season for the Brewers in limited action. Jake Arrieta goes for the Cubs in his first start after the Feldman trade. He is a mystery and at times looked brilliant and hopeless. Maybe the Cubs can get him turned around.
• The Royals over the Twins: Ervin Santana has been brilliant lately. His stuff has looked electric. A lot of teams are hitting on the Royals to ask about him. If he is still in Royals blue tonight, he will beat Mike Pelfrey and the Twins.
• The Athletics over the Blue Jays. Mark Buehrle was really good in his last outing, but I am all done picking the Blue Jays. It is never a good thing and blows up in my face on a regular basis. I surrender. Dan Straily with the win.
• The Reds over the Padres: Are the Reds the most frustrating team in baseball? It is close. Mat Latos takes on Edinson Volquez in a battle of pitchers that were traded for each other. The Reds should win this one.
• The Dodgers over the Yankees: If this was Andy Pettitte two years ago, the pick might be different. But this is a non-sharp Pettitte who cannot bury the cutter down and in on right-handed batters anymore. And Puig and Hanley should enjoy that. Zack Greinke has never pitched well against the Yankees. But those were different Yankees than these.

And the Game of the Day:

• The Orioles over the Astros: The Orioles need to shine against the Astros to stay in the picture. Wei-Yin Chen should get the win and Bud Norris, unless he is traded, gets the loss.

Yesterday: 5-4

Week: 12-12

Month: 209-147

Season: 863-696

Games of the Day: 68-46   -2