MLB Game Picks - Saturday: August 3, 2013

Walk-off hits and homers, a young kid striking out fourteen batters, a tumbling catch into the seats and big hits by soon to be suspended players all went in favor of the picks and were only marred by the conspicuous failure of two former lefty aces. Only four picks went south out of fifteen. August has started just fine here at the FanDome. Chris Davis hit his 40th homer too, which is very cool. Still, one has to wonder if CC Sabathia and Jon Lester are done as elite pitchers. It sure appears to be so.

I have a golf tournament today, and I am pumped because I am really playing well these past couple of weeks. But as such, I better get right to Saturday's picks:

• The Mets over the Royals: To make such a pick knowing that David Wright will be out for a long time is problematic. But the Mets have a bunch of punch and Judy hitters which could give Bruce Chen problems. Jeremy Hefner has to pitch better than he has the last three weeks though.
• The Braves over the Phillies: John Lannon threw a good game his last time out. But he is John Lannon after all. Brandon Beachy's first outing back from TJ surgery did not go well. He will have to be a lot better today.
• The Dodgers over the Cubs: The Cubs continue to lose and that lineup is a lot weaker without Alfonso Soriano. Jeff Samardzija is having a good season, but he gets no help. The scary part is wondering when this really good bubble that Chris Capuano is in will burst.
• The Rangers over the Athletics: I got this wrong yesterday and went with the A's. But since Nelson Cruz got to play for the weekend, the Rangers should get the benefit. Matt Garza has been great since joining them and Jarrod Parker is the A's weakest starter.
• The Pirates over the Rockies: I got this one wrong yesterday too. The Pirates have now lost two in a row! Oh no! Nah. Francisco Liriano has been lights out and though Jorge De La Rosa has had a fine season, the pick is the Pirates.
• The Orioles over the Mariners: I am not overly excited about the Orioles picking up Scott Feldman. I felt they could have done better. But Feldman can be okay if he gets his ground balls. Erasmo Ramirez has won his last two starts, but does not go deeper than six innings and that bullpen is a mess.
• The Diamondbacks over the Red Sox: Jake Peavy will make his first start for the Red Sox and I predict that it will not go well. Meanwhile, Patrick Corbin pitches beautifully every time out, even in his losses. And I like power lefties against Boston.
• The Indians over the Marlins: Jacob Turner is a pretty good pitcher, but he is no Fernandez. Zach McAllister will need to pitch a good game and should be aided by the big ballpark in Miami. I am picking way too many visiting teams to win. This is scary.
• The Twins over the Astros: Like I said in his last start (which did not go well), I like Kyle Gibson as a pitcher. He has a little more zip than most of his Minnesota cohorts. Erik Bedard will not get much help and probably will not pitch well.
• The Bay Rays over the Giants: David Price is a seriously good option at home. I do not think he has walked a batter since he came back from the DL. Tim Lincecum should benefit from a bigger park down in St. Pete, but will not be able to match Price.
• The Reds over the Cardinals: The Reds got walloped yesterday by these same Cardinals. But I like their chances better today at home with Tony Cingrani on the mound. Besides, I have no faith in Jake Westbrook.
• The Nationals over the Brewers: I had written off Dan Haren for the season and then he goes and pitches a gem his last time out. So now I am confused. Donovan Hand has been decent for the Brewers since joining the rotation. But he does not strike anyone out.
• The Yankees over the Padres: I really like the way Ivan Nova has been throwing lately and he should be aided by Petco Park. Then again, Tyson Ross is the kind of pitcher that gives the Yankees trouble. This could be a nail-biter.
• The Angels over the Blue Jays: Esmil Rogers has been a batting practice pitcher lately so I do not like his chances against the Angels. That is especially the case since Jered Weaver is pitching for the Angels.

And the Game of the Day:

• The Tigers over the White Sox: I don't think this will only take two hours and seven minutes like Doug Fister took yesterday. But Max Scherzer should get a fairly easy win and give Brian Kenny more time to talk about how stupid the win statistic is. John Danks goes for the White Sox.

Yesterday: 11-4

Week: 50-32

Month: 18-8

Season: 921-716

Games of the Day: 71-47    +2