June is off to a much better start than May ever was and while last night wasn't a banner night, it was in the positive for the third straight day and the Game of the Day is on a two-day win streak. So maybe I've turned a corner on a pretty deep slump.
The question of the day is whether the Rays will end their long losing streak today or not. Let's take a look at Wednesday's picks:
- The Braves over the Mariners: The Braves are just sputtering around these days but I think they will win today behind Mike Minor. Hisashi Iwakuma is a good pitcher, but I rarely pick him away from home. The Mariners are hitting the ball better of late.
- The Pirates over the Padres: Ian Kennedy is pretty good at home. But this pick is about Francisco Liriano and his second start in a row in a big ballpark. He was great his last time out.
- The Indians over the Red Sox: Brandon Workman might work out better as a relief pitcher rather than a starter. In either case, he is not going to give the Red Sox depth in this game. Corey Kluber is the Indians' ace, but that doesn't guarantee a win against Boston.
- The Nationals over the Phillies: A.J. Burnett is always capable of a big game. But he is just as capable of another disaster. Stephen Strasburg is always scary to pick because he is never a lock to win a game.
- The Tigers over the Blue Jays: Rick Porcello can tame this massive Blue Jays lineup if he can get them to hit grounders all day. Porcello has won eight games already, so yeah, he's the pick here over R.A. Dickey.
- The Rays over the Marlins: David Price is always capable of greatness. Will tonight be one of those nights? Tom Koehler is pretty darned good and the Rays are not hitting. So this game could go either way. The Rays are due for a win though.
- The Reds over the Giants: Tony Cingrani has not been very good lately, but he doesn't ever do really badly. That would be good enough today I think because Great America might be tough for Ryan Vogelsong.
- The Orioles over the Rangers: I am very torn over this one. I don't think Nick Martinez can hold back the Orioles' offense. But historically, Bud Norris has never pitched well on the road (5.15 career road ERA). It comes down to me not trusting Martinez.
- The Cubs over the Mets: Another game that has me all messed up. The Mets should have won yesterday and blew it at the end. Edwin Jackson has either been awful or terrific with no in between. Daisuke Matsuzaka can do anything in between as well. I have no idea.
- The Angels over the Astros: The Astros are playing good baseball and have their prospects on center stage now. I just think that Garrett Richards will shut them down with his stuff and that Jared Cosart is the weakest of the Astros' pitchers.
- The Brewers over the Twins: Marco Estrada is going to give up three or four runs every time he pitches. That's just the way it is. The question is whether Ricky Nolasco's last effort against the Yankees showed he turned a corner or are the Yankees just that bad an offense right now. I'm guessing the latter.
- The Cardinals over the Royals: Adam Wainwright can't have two big time lousy games in a row can he? Nah. But Jason Vargas has been surprisingly good. The Cardinals and the Royals both confuse me. So this is a series of confusions.
- The Rockies over the Diamondbacks: This pick was wrong yesterday. Jordan Lyles has been the Rockies most reliable pitcher but struggled in his last home start. Josh Collmenter has been doing really well, but shouldn't in Coors.
- The Dodgers over the White Sox: Josh Beckett came back really strong from his no-hitter and showed me something. I think he can hold back the White Sox and the Dodgers can do some damage against John Danks.
And the Game of the Day:
- The Athletics over the Yankees: The Yankees are playing miserably lately, especially at home, which is truly surprising. Teixeira was back yesterday and he helped, but he is not enough for the Yankees to score more than two runs. Worse yet, Vidal Nuno gets yet another start. Ick. Jesse Chavez with the win.
Yesterday: 8-7, June: 22-16, Games of the Day: 28-32, Season: 478-393
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