Today is the last day of the supposed first half. The first half actually ended just a little while ago. But just about everyone separates the season into before the All Star Break and after. The "before" part ends today and the only night game is at Wrigley Field, which is ironic if you think about it.
As for me, I will get a few days of a break from game picking (I will pick the All Star Game) and perhaps I can sleep an extra hour in the mornings for a few days. That will be nice. Today and yesterday I had to get up extra early because of a golf tournament I am playing this weekend. The first day did not go well and today is just one of those going through the motion days. Oh well.
And the picks sort of just went through the motions yesterday. In sixteen games, I only finished two games over the .500 mark. Here are Sunday's picks:
- The Indians over the Royals: The Royals will be glad that the first half is over as it did not go as well as hoped. One of the reasons it did not has been James Shields who pitches today. I think Swisher and Santana will get to him. The pick could go to pieces if Ubaldo Jimenez does not do well.
- The Yankees over the Twins: This pick did not go well yesterday as Phil Hughes did what Phil Hughes does at Yankee Stadium (give up homers). Today should feature a good game from CC Sabathia and even though the Yankees will make Kyle Gibson look better than he is, they should win.
- The Tigers over the Rangers: This pick is another that did not go well yesterday. Scherzer finally lost. But Justin Verlander should have a good day at home and Martin Perez cannot be as good as he has been pitching.
- The Nationals over the Marlins: I do not believe in either pitcher this game. Henderson Alvarez goes for the Fish and Taylor Jordan for the Nats. It will be a BABIP game and whichever pitcher finds more gloves with his batted balls wins.
- The Phillies over the White Sox: The left-handed Cole Hamels should be tougher on the White Sox than yesterday's two starters. Jose Quintana is not that bad a pitcher, but will have no run support.
- The Reds over the Braves: Sometimes you have to go with a pattern even if it is not logical. Julio Teheran has not won back to back games all season. He won his last start, so the pattern says he should not win today. That is good enough for me. Tony Cingrani for the win.
- The Pirates over the Mets: Dillon Gee will keep the Mets in the game and give them a chance to win. Gerrit Cole has lost two straight, but that is because of poor run support and not a lack of good pitching. Cole will come out on top today.
- The Blue Jays over the Orioles: Scott Feldman has had a decent season. But if you look at his game log, all of his bad outings have come against good offenses like the Cardinals, Reds and Rangers. So that doesn't give me confidence to pick him today against the Blue Jays. I think Josh Johnson will fare better against the Orioles.
- The Rays over the Astros: I think Chris Archer and Erik Bedard are about equal as pitchers. Archer is much younger and now has the better arm. I am going with the home team, which is also the better team.
- The Red Sox over the Athletics: And yet another Brandon makes the Majors as Brandon Workman has already gotten his MLB debut in a relief appearances. He has a good arm, but his first outing did not go well. He will do better preparing for a start. The biggest reason for this pick is that, even though Bartolo Colon has been fantastic, leave it to the Red Sox to give him his first clunker of a start.
- The Mariners over the Angels: The M's might as well finish off the sweep and end the Angels' first half on a fitting note. Hisashi Iwakuma has not had an effective start in a while. That will happen today. Joe Blanton will find some bats to hit.
- The Dodgers over the Rockies: The Dodgers will finish the first half with notice that they will be the team to beat in the second half. Ricky Nolasco basks again in the California sun and Jhoulys Chacin, who has had a good season, gets the hard luck loss.
- The Diamondbacks over the Brewers: My crystal ball says that Ian Kennedy will hit Ryan Braun, Braun will charge the mound and get suspended before he gets suspended. That would be silly, no? Anyway, Wily Peralta has not pitched well except, perhaps, for his last start.
- The Giants over the Padres: Barry Zito will not no-hit the Padres like yesterday's Lincecum start, but he should win the game. Eric Stults is finally getting in my radar with his win-loss timing.
And the Game of the Day!
- The Cardinals over the Cubs: Adam Wainwright pitching today means that he will probably not pitch in the All Star Game, which is kind of a shame as he has been the NL's best pitcher. But he should win his thirteenth game tonight against the Cubs despite a very good Travis Wood pitching for the Cubbies.
Yesterday: 9-7
Last week: 61-39
Month: 111-71
Season: 788-617
Games of the Day: 62-40
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