Yesterday was another positive, if unexciting day of picking baseball games. When there are fifteen games played, any correct number of picks under ten is not something that makes me happy. But, on the other hand, I should not complain about a positive outcome. And yet, I sit here and wish I had picked for Zack Wheeler and against Michael Wacha. I wish I could predict the inevitable games where the Braves are simply not going to hit the baseball.
I watched the Fox broadcast of the Rays at the Dodgers. One funny thing happened that I wish I knew how to do television screen catches because a post of said would have had a thousand hits. Fox runs the scores in a scroll on the bottom in a way that ESPN perfected years ago. I guess that is because Fox is launching its own sports channel. Anyway, the scroll reported the Tigers destroying the Yankees (as predicted here) and you and I know that Anibal Sanchez was the winning pitcher. On the scroll band, Fox reported that the win was by, "A. Sanibal." Funny. It took them over an hour to correct it.
Sunday's picks:
- The Indians over the Angels: Justin Masterson rescues the Indians from this losing streak begun by that four game drubbing by the Tigers. The Angels have capitalized on the Indians being in an understandable funk from that series. Masterson has been masterful often this season and if he is today, the Tribe will be the Angels and Jerome Williams.
- The Tigers over the Yankees: Andy Pettitte is one of the guys I will never forget from the Yankee dynasty since 1995. Therefore, it is sad watching him with very little bite or stuff on his pitches. The Tigers will hit him like everyone else has and Justin Verlander gets an easy win.
- The Reds over the Padres: This pick went wrong yesterday, but it still has to be made today. The Reds, obviously, are the better team playing in their home ballpark. Mike Leake over Ian Kennedy.
- The Braves over the Marlins: Henderson Alvarez has not been too bad for the Marlins in his starts so far. But the Braves have to be the pick behind Mike Minor. The one concern is that Dan Uggla and B.J. Upton continue to be a black hole in that lineup.
- The Royals over the Red Sox: James Shields has been nowhere near as good for the Royals as they hoped he would be when they traded Wil Myers to get him. Royals fans are still stewing over that one. However, I look for Shields to have a good day against the Red Sox and for Eric Hosmer and company to score a few off of John Lackey.
- The White Sox over the Twins: Justin Morneau is hitting the crap out of the ball these days. Even so, perhaps the lefty tosses of Jose Quintana can slow even him down. Kevin Correia is the main reason for this pick though.
- The Rangers over the Astros: Rios has already paid dividends for the Rangers in what looks to be a brilliant move. Martin Perez will never thrill me, but he should be enough to beat Dallas Keuchel and the Astros.
- The Cardinals over the Cubs: The Cards are starting to concern me. They have to start winning games or they will end up as a wildcard team. Which is how they won their last two titles though. Joe Kelly is a guy I have picked against and lived to regret. Edwin Jackson is pitching better these days.
- The Orioles over the Giants: The Orioles need a good outing by Bud Norris and another homer or two from Chris Davis. If they get both, they win over Matt Cain.
- The Mariners over the Brewers: The Brewers were shut out by Iwakuma yesterday for five inning and then scored ten runs in four innings to finish the game. Can they beat the Mariners' other ace in Felix Hernandez? I do not see it. Wily Peralta goes for the Brewers.
- The Diamondbacks over the Mets: Jonathon Niese goes for the Mets in his first outing back from a long DL stint. Those kinds of starts always make me nervous. Then again, I am not hopeful of Zeke Spruill having a great MLB career. High scoring game?
- The Pirates over the Rockies: Chad Bettis makes his third big league start. The first two did not go well. So I do not expect much from him today. On the other side, Jeff Locke has been my guy all season. So I am sticking with him.
- The Nationals over the Phillies: The Nats have scored like sixteen runs in their last two games. That, of course, means they will not score any for Stephen Strasburg. Then again, they could score off of Kyle Kendrick and finally make their stud pitcher a winner.
- The Dodgers over the Bay Rays: Clayton Kershaw should hamstring the Rays' lineup and should score against Jeremy Hellickson. But, "should," is a word that makes me shudder with fear.
And the Game of the Day:
- The Athletics over the Blue Jays: R.A. Dickey has a 3.08 ERA on the road this season with seven homers allowed in twelve games. In his twelve games at home, his ERA is 5.97 with 18 homers allowed. Predictably, the pick then is for A.J. Griffin and the A's to win the game.
Yesterday: 9-6
Last week: 52-40 (after a 1-9 start)
Month: 81-52
Season: 984-765
Games of the Day: 75-51 -1
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