MLB Game Picks - Wednesday: July 2, 2014

July started out well--sort of. Of the sixteen games yesterday, only five were incorrect. But one of them was the Game of the Day. I really thought the Royals would take care of the Twins, but the Twins pounded James Shields and others. The Red Sox loss was a surprise, especially when Clay Buchholz pitched as well as he did. What a surprise that their great closer lost the game. Those were a few of the surprises, but fortunately, there weren't many of them.

If you are keeping track, my luck on extra-inning games has totally reversed and not one of them has gone against me in weeks. It's all random, I know, but it sure is a funny random.

Wednesday's picks:

• The Blue Jays over the Brewers: This very good match-up continues and I think the Blue Jays win it again. J.A. Happ has gone from Happless to Happy this year and, frankly, I don't know how he is doing it. Wily Peralta is good, but good doesn't intimidate the Jays.
• The Bay Rays over the Yankees: Yeah, the Yankees have a chance tonight against Jake Odorizzi, but gosh, they can't hit to save themselves. And besides, Vidal Nuno is their starter. It's a sixth straight loss.
• The Tigers over the Athletics: This is the one game of the series I worry about. Justin Verlander has been better, but he still isn't winning games. Jesse Chavez has his moments. This might be the game the A's get things done.
• The Royals over the Twins: This was my Game of the Day pick last night and it bombed. So naturally it will be right tonight. Jason Vargas is much better than Kevin Correia, a pitcher who cannot strike batters out.
• The Mariners over the Astros: Dexter Fowler is the guy that keeps the Astros in games and with him out, it's just harder for the Astros to stay relevant in games. Brad Peacock does not thrill me and I think Chris Young is living on borrowed time. But that's the pick.
• The Dodgers over the Indians: The Indians struck hard yesterday and now I am very confused about this pick. Hyun-jin Ryu should be the favorite at home and Trevor Bauer is just too untrustworthy. But the Indians have this pick quaking a bit.
• The Reds over the Padres: This pick hasn't been safe all week. The Padres are playing the Reds tough and to me, Tyson Ross is the team's best pitcher. But don't you have to go with Johnny Cueto here, especially in a big ballpark?
• The Diamondbacks over the Pirates: Gosh, the crush on the D-backs fans from last night's loss was palpable. They had that game won and couldn't hold it. Terrible. They have a chance to win against Charlie Morton with Chase Anderson pitching. They might just win this one.
• The Orioles over the Rangers: The Orioles have been crushing the ball this series. Miles Mikolas is being asked to stem the onslaught for the Rangers. He'll show good control but give up lots of hits. A lot will depend on BABIP. The same can be said for Chris Tillman. But I'll go with the Orioles.
• The Red Sox over the Cubs: Surely the Cubs won't sweep the Red Sox, right? Please don't call me Shirley. The Cubs do not benefit from the DH tonight because the pitcher, Travis Wood, is one of their better hitters. Brandon Workman goes for the Red Sox and you know, the Cubs might just sweep.
• The Braves over the Mets: Julio Teheran will limit the Mets to two or less runs and Jacob deGrom will hold the Braves for five or six innings before the Mets' bullpen ruins the game and gives the Braves a pull-away win.
• The Marlins over the Phillies: Tom Koehler will pitch very well tonight for the Marlins for the simple reason that I just dropped him from my Fantasy team. Guaranteed. Cole Hamels will lose another tough one.
• The Angels over the White Sox: The Angels have spanked the White Sox all week and they should hit John Danks since most of their really good hitters are right-handed. Tyler Skaggs is my only concern. He hasn't been as good as I thought he would be. But he is a lefty too and that gives the White Sox some trouble.
• The Cardinals over the Giants: Oh, those Cardinals. They keep me guessing all of the time. I think Adam Wainwright will beat Ryan Vogelsong, but who the heck knows with this team...

And the Game of the Day:

• The Nationals over the Rockies: Doug Fister has a chance to pull off a #maddux every time he goes out there (CG with less than 100 pitches). So I like him over Tyler Matzek in this one. The Nats are playing really well.

Yesterday: 11-5, July: 11-5, Games of the Day: 45-42, Season: 693-570