MLB Game Picks - Monday: June 30, 2014

Sunday went well for the game picks with nine of the fourteen picks coming in correct. In fact, things have gone pretty well down here while I am in Florida for vacation. Maybe I should stay here. Does anyone know why the Nationals had a scheduled day off on a Sunday? How weird is that?

Monday's picks:

• The Nationals over the Rockies: Welcome back Bryce Harper. We missed you. He gets a tough lefty to face upon his return in Yohan Flande who pitched well in his first start at Coors even. Jordan Zimmermann is having a great streak. I am worried about Ryan Zimmerman playing third base.
• The Rays over the Yankees: Chris Archer always does his Tom Seaver impression against the Yankees. They never hit him at all. Then again, they aren't hitting anyone at all these days. David Phelps doesn't fill me with good feelings.
• The Orioles over the Rangers: Joe Saunders is 0-4 and Ubaldo Jimenez is 2-8. What do I do with that mess? I guess pick the home team.
• The Tigers over the Athletics: This is a tough one and would be even tougher if Scott Kazmir had not struggled so badly in his last start. I like the Tigers because Anibal Sanchez has been terrific and because they seem resilient these days.
• The Red Sox over the Cubs: Perhaps a letdown after the Yankees, but I doubt it. Jake Peavy is more of a concern than that would be. Jake Arrieta gentille Arrieta would be a concern too the way he is pitching lately. But facing Boston, he might have an Orioles' flashback and melt.
• The Braves over the Mets: Zack Wheeler has been maddeningly inconsistent. If he has one of his on nights, he could easily shut down the Braves. But I cannot guarantee that happening. Alex Wood is okay, but gives the Mets a chance too.
• The Royals over the Twins: I really like lefties against the Twins. Danny Duffy has thrown three straight very good games and has lost two of them. That's not good for him results-wise, but I think he'll win this one. Yohan Pino, the career minor league pitcher, has had one good start and one bad one.
• The Mariners over the Astros: Taijuan Walker is back and I really like him. His results at Triple-A during his rehab were mixed: lots of homers but hardly any hits. And as much as I like Collin McHugh, he is never allowed to pitch more than five innings or so and then all heck breaks loose.
• The Reds over the Padres: The Reds are coming on and getting Mat Latos back only helps. He has been impressive. And he is going back to San Diego for this one adding drama. Jesse Hahn has been impressive himself so far in his four Big League starts, particularly the last three.
• The Dodgers over the Indians: A good pitching match-up here as the very good Dan Haren and Corey Kluber square up. The Indians lose a bat though and the Dodgers have come all the way back to tie the Giants in the division. Edge Dodgers.

And the Game of the Day:

• The Angels over the White Sox: Garrett Richards is a stud and I have to take him over Hector Noesi. Noesi has been a surprise for the White Sox but is a bit snake bit at times. He should have won his last time out for example.

Yesterday: 9-5, June: 220-182, Games of the Day: 45-41, Season: 674-563