MLB Game Picks - Tuesday: June 24, 2014

Vacations make you lose all track of time and place. I suppose that is what they should do. I went a day of not putting the correct date on these posts. So that will tell you something. And perhaps being away has helped the success of the picks because I am more relaxed? The last two days have gone 17-8. But despite yesterday's 7-3, I did pick Tampa Bay as my game of the day. Duh.

We are back to a full schedule of games today. So let's get to the picks:

• The Orioles over the White Sox: The Orioles have gotten hot and are in one of those runs. They have blown by the Yankees and now have the Blue Jays in their sights. While Miguel Gonzalez is not that great, the O's win by doing enough against Jose Quintana.
• The Marlins over the Phillies: It's a battle of rookies in this one with phenom, Andrew Heaney pitching against David Buchanan. Buchanan is coming around and was good his last time out. But I like the lefty Heaney over the lefty-hating Phillies.
• The Blue Jays over the Yankees: Yeah, the Yankees are sinking and David Phelps is no savior. Mark Buehrle should take this one in his home ballpark.
• The Pirates over the Bay Rays: I am torn on this one. Chris Archer can be very good when he is on. And Jeff Locke has made three straight, really good starts, but has nothing to show for it. The Rays don't really struggle more against lefties, but it's tough losing Matt Joyce against them. He is their most patient hitter.
• The Reds over the Cubs: Torn on this one too. Jake Arrieta gentille Arrieta has been pitching really, really well. I mean, lights-out well. Homer Bailey has a great career record at Wrigley but is hard to count on. Yeesh. Flip a coin.
• The Rangers over the Tigers: I like the Rangers in this one simply because I don't trust The Emoticon, Drew Smyly. It's not that I trust Colby Lewis that much more. Maybe just picking all those road teams to win in a row freaked me out. Gosh, I'm a mess.
• The Astros over the Braves: I used to root a lot for Scott Feldman. Now he just seems to exist on the periphery of my consciousness. He isn't bad. He isn't good. He just is. Aaron Harang, on the other hand, is someone I have no faith in at all.
•  The Dodgers over the Royals: I will never pick against Clayton Kershaw. There is no good thing that can happen over the long run in picking against the best pitcher in baseball. Of course, the Royals' Danny Duffy is talented enough that for one game he can match zeroes. If it becomes a bullpen game, advantage Royals.
• The Nationals over the Brewers: I'm going to make one of those statements that I know will come back to bite me: Jordan Zimmermann has never lost to the Brewers and (SSS) has been really great at Miller Park. Then again, Yovani Gallardo at home is hard to beat too.
• The Cardinals over the Rockies: This series is all about the Cards' young pitching surviving at Coors Field. Lance Lynn did great yesterday, so I'll go with Shelby Miller today. Jorge De La Rosa has lost a few in a row too.
• The Diamondbacks over the Indians: I cannot figure the Indians out. I do know that they are one of the true teams that do much better at home than on the road. Wade Miley isn't great. Justin Masterson is only occasionally great. Will this be one of those occasions?
• The Angels over the Twins: Kyle Gibson has been very good all year for the Twins. But I like C.J. Wilson's chances at home much better.
• The Red Sox over the Mariners: Erasmo Ramirez has not given up a run in his last three outings. But he has not gotten a decision in his last four. Why? His command isn't good and he doesn't last long enough. The Red Sox are good against that kind of pitcher and wear him into the ground. The only caveat here is that Jake Peavy has been terrible.
• The Giants over the Padres: And we finish with a tough call. Tim Hudson has been very good except for his last outing. Jesse Hahn has not given up a run in thirteen innings in his last two starts. Hmm...  I have to go with Hudson. Chaka Hahn Chaka Hahn.

And the Game of the Day:

• The Athletics over the Mets: Bartolo Colon pitches against his old team (that could be said in nearly half of his outings!) and I think he will pitch well. But Scott Kazmir has been killer and I expect him to win this one. The only one concern for me is that the A's depend on their DH more than most and will lose it here.

Yesterday: 7-3, June: 171-144, Games of the Day: 41-39, Season: 624-525