Saturday, September 20, 2014

MLB Game Picks - Saturday: September 20, 2014

The Game Picks are on a nice little roll. After last night's 13-2 tally, the picks aer 30-10 for the last three days. The only two incorrect picks from yesterday were the Orioles, who obviously do not have any urgency right now, losing to the Red Sox in extras and the Rangers pouncing on the equally devoid of urgency Angels. In the former game, David Ortiz did his thing with a homer in the tenth with a man on, his second homer of the day.
Clayton Kershaw won his 20th game, which is cool. The Royals continue to fall flat against the Tigers when it counts. The Cardinals rode a good performance by John Lackey while his former partner, Jon Lester was doing his thing to keep the A's in the hunt. And Derek Jeter had two more hits in his final homestand.
Saturday's picks:
  • The Royals over the Tigers: I am really questioning myself here. James Shields is pitching for the fourth time against the Tigers this year. His peripherals are excellent in those four games but nearly every base runner he's put on has scored somehow. That's unlucky and it reverses today against Max Scherzer. This is the Royals' best chance to win a game this series.
  • The Cubs over the DodgersRoberto Hernandez better not be on the Dodgers' post season roster. I don't see him winning today as Felix Doubront has gotten his mojo back with the Cubs.
  • The Athletics over the PhilliesDrew Pomeranz has come a long way and should be fine against the Phillies. The A's are very familiar with Jerome Williams and that will help their offense.
  • The Yankees over the Blue Jays: As always, it all depends on how well the pitchers do. Marcus Stroman has been great at times, but he is young and a guy the Yankees can push into pitch count trouble. Chris Capuano has to be so fine to be good that it's stupid. I think the Yankees are going to roll in Jeter's last homestand.
  • The Diamondbacks over the Rockies: Ugh. These two teams again. And the pitching match-up. Blech. Trevor Cahill has been awful. And in Eddie Butler's first start, he wasn't treated very kindly. This could go either eay.
  • The Orioles over the Red SoxChris Tillman is a quality pitcher and I have a feeling that the Orioles' offense will have a fun day off of Rubby De La Rosa and that's what he gets for having four names.
  • The Pirates over the BrewersMatt Garza has been very good in three of his last four starts. But even if he is good today, tha bullpen will need to get nine outs and I don't see it. Edinson Volquez has had a very solid season.
  • The Rays over the White Sox: The Rays' offense hasn't been doing much, but they at least get their best bats in the lineup against Hector Noesi and thus have a chance. Whether they win the game or not depends a lot on Chris Archer, who has not been sharp in the second half.
  • The Twins over the Indians: I have picked consistently against Trevor May since he had such an odious start to his big league career. But he has been coming on strong and it is time to switch gears. The problem is that the same can be said for T.J. House.
  • The Mets over the Braves: Gosh, the Braves. Jon Niese should be able to hold down a nonexistent Braves' offense and will scratch enough off of Mike Minor to continue to keep the Braves in free fall.
  • The Mariners over the Astros: While I still don't believe in Chris Young, especially away from his home park, the Astros have been posing little resistance. Dallas Keuchel has had a decent year though.
  • The Marlins over the NationalsJordan Zimmermann will only go five or so innings and then the Marlins can win the game if Jarred Cosart pitches as well as I think he will at home.
  • The Giants over the Padres: It's one thing to beat a beat-up, old Tim Hudson. It is another to do the same thing against a young arm like Yusmeiro Petit. He will shut the Padres down and the Giants will get just enough against Andrew Cashner.
  • The Angels over the Rangers: The Angels have been lollygagging around since they clinched. I think the offense will have a fun day against Colby Lewis and Jered Weaver gets his 18th win.
And the Game of the Day:
  • The Cardinals over the Reds: The Cardinals are still hoping Michael Wacha can gather it together before the playoffs start. Today will be watched closely. The Cardinals should jump on Mike Leake for four or five runs.
Yesterday: 13-2, Sept.: 157-104, Games of the Day: 99-63 (+7), Season: 1287-1038

No comments: