MLB Game Picks - Friday: May 23, 2014

A couple of pitching aces finally won this week as Yu Darvish and Chris Sale did the trick yesterday against the Tigers and Yankees respectively. I guess you could throw Mark Buehrle into that list since his win put him at 8-1 and propelled the Blue Jays to first place all alone at the top of the American League East. We haven't seen that in a while.

The Giants and Rockies were suspended after six innings, so the final tally of yesterday will remain unknown until the game gets finished. But right now, it stands at 8-4. That is certainly an improvement over previous days.

Friday's picks:

• The Orioles over the Indians: Both teams will have gassed bullpens after playing thirteen innings yesterday in what was an ugly game for the Orioles. And it looks like Manny Machado strained a groin (there is a joke waiting to happen). But Bud Norris is an experienced pitcher and T.J. House is making his first Major League start. House looks like he has good control and is better than his minor league record. But still, he is too fresh for me to pick.
• The Dodgers over the Phillies: Will this be the real Clayton Kershaw today? The pick thinks so. But we'll see. Roberto Hernandez is going for the Phillies. Normally, that would be a joke, but Hernandez is pitching pretty well.
• The Nationals over the Pirates: This pick didn't work out too well yesterday. But I am coming back to it. Jordan Zimmermann has been putting it together after a slow start and Charlie Morton has never been a favorite of mine.
• The Athletics over the Blue Jays: The Blue Jays climb all the way to first place and what do they do? They select Liam Hendriks to start the next game. Seriously!? Maybe this is a trap. Maybe the worst starter in recent memory will show that his minor league numbers this year are no fluke and he'll pitch well. Stranger things have happened. Scott Kazmir goes for the A's.
• The Tigers over the Rangers: Scott Baker was once a decent starter for the Twins and then went through a long road to get back to the Majors. I root for a guy like that. And you know he will throw strikes. But I have to go with Anibal Sanchez and the Tigers no matter how much they are slumping.
• The Mets over the Diamondbacks: Whenever I pick against old Shrek, Bartolo Colon, he proves me wrong. But when he is off, he gets bombed. Chase Anderson has won both of his starts, but the last one wasn't pretty.
• The Red Sox over the Rays: The Red Sox have lost seven in a row. And so it gets to critical mass of picking against the inevitable win. The Rays finally won yesterday, so both teams are at the bottom of the AL East. John Lackey over Chris Archer, but I have no idea really.
• The Marlins over the Brewers: The Brewers are all beat up on offense an are sinking like a stone in the NL Central. Marco Estrada is decent and should like Miami. But Tom Koehler has been good for my picks all year thus far, especially at home.
• The Cardinals over the Reds: The Reds without Joey Votto is a sad sight. But Homer Bailey is capable of having a big game. But so is Shelby Miller and the Cardinals are finally on track. I have to go that way.
• The Rockies over the Braves: Jordan Lyles has been amazing. Where did that come from? Gavin Floyd has never been amazing. So that's the pick in a nutshell.
• The Yankees over the White Sox: If the Yankees can't beat their old friend, Hector Noesi, they should be ashamed of themselves. Hiroki Kuroda has to pitch well though. This was supposed to be an easy part of the Yankees' schedule, but it is not turning out that way.
• The Angels over the Royals: Danny Duffy is showing signs of putting his stuff all together and that is good news for the Royals. But C.J. Wilson has been very solid and I like his odds a lot better to win.
• The Cubs over the Padres: Tim Stauffer hasn't started all year but is starting tonight. No, I can't go there. Edwin Jackson has pitched really well for the Cubs lately. How weird is that?
• The Giants over the Twins: The Twins will lose a bat, which they can ill afford to do. And even though Kyle Gibson has been very good, I am going with Tim Lincecum at home.

And the Game of the Day:

• The Mariners over the Astros: It seems a lock to figure Felix Hernandez is going to be great at home against the Astros. And it seems a lock that the M's offense can take care of Brad Peacock. That's what scares me.

Yesterday: 8-4, May: 161-136, Games of the Day: 24-24, Season: 394-208