MLB Game Picks - Sunday: September 7, 2014

The first five days of September were hardly inspiring for this old game picker. And yesterday, after the first ten games were in the books, I was sitting at 4-5 after counting the Cubs' loss in the suspended game from yesterday. But then seven straight correct picks came in for me to end the night at 11-5. Finally, a good day.

I don't have time to bask in the glow of the breakthrough. There is a full day of games to sort out and a tee time waiting. Heh.

Sunday's picks:

• The Indians over the White Sox: Poor Quintana again did not get support last night. Kluber was excellent. Carlos Carrasco has been surprisingly good for the Indians. Scott Carroll has his ups and downs.
• The Yankees over the Royals: Shane Greene had a really bad outing his last time out. This pick reflects the belief that he will bounce back nicely today. It's Derek Jeter day at the Stadium, so the Yankees have to win. Of course, Yordano Ventura will try to prevent that from happening.
• The Braves over the Marlins: Neither team is playing very well, but one of them has to win. Julio Teheran is a better pick than Brad Hand and that's what I'll go with.
• The Mets over the Reds: Neither team has an offense you can count on and both are sporting starting pitchers with big arms. Determining the outcome depends on which of those big arms performs. I'm going with Zack Wheeler over Mat Latos.
• The Phillies over the Nationals: I keep picking against the Phillies and they keep on winning. It's getting annoying. Making the switch is fairly easy knowing that Cole Hamels is pitching today. Gio Gonzalez won't keep up.
• The Red Sox over the Blue Jays: This game is really tough because I do not trust either starter. R.A. Dickey could have a good game or the Red Sox could jump all over him. Rubby De La Rosa hasn't pitched a good game in a good long time. I'm taking the Red Sox at home.
• The Orioles over the Rays: It would really surprise me if the Rays won this series. Baseball is a funny game, however, and you never know. I do know that I am not a big fan of Jeremy Hellickson and Bud Norris has had a good season.
• The Angels over the Twins: Logan Darnell has had a rude start to his MLB career. However, his peripherals are good with a good K/9 and K/BB ratio. So maybe he has been unlucky. I'm still going with C.J. Wilson.
• The Cardinals over the Brewers: The Cards have a chance to bury the Brewers today and have Adam Wainwright on the mound. You would think that would do the trick. Jimmy Nelson looks good at times, but this sounds like a Cards win.
• The Mariners over the Rangers: Derek Holland sure had a fine comeback outing the last time out. The only problem is that the Rangers won't hit James Paxton thus canceling out anything Holland does.
• The Athletics over the Astros: Man, the Astros lost a tough one yesterday with a blown save for the ages. Closer Chad Qualls did not get anyone out in giving up the three runs to lose it. Jason Hammel will win half of his games so picking him is a 50/50 proposition. The same can be said for Dallas Keuchel.
• The Dodgers over the Diamondbacks: Tony La Russa said that he won't make up his mind about Kirk Gibson until the end of the season. Uh huh, right. He's already a goner. Today won't help with Zack Greinke defeating Trevor Cahill.
• The Padres over the Rockies: Tyson Ross has pitched well at Coors with a 3.13 ERA there. But he is 0-3. That changes today. Franklin Morales has gotten knocked around hard in his home park. The only caveat is that lefties hurt the Padres.
• The Giants over the Tigers: Miguel Cabrera has hit four homers in his last three days. So obviously he has woken up. But the Tigers still lost yesterday despite his two dingers and VMart's 30th homer. Kyle Lobstein has pitched well but doesn't last long enough to get decisions. I am worried about Tim Hudson. He is showing his age.

And the Game of the Day:

• The Pirates over the Cubs: My good feelings about the Cubs evaporated yesterday as they stunk up the joint. Gerrit Cole should finish them off today and Travis Wood continues to take it on the chin for his team.

Yesterday: 11-5, Sept.: 45-36, Games of the Day: 89-60 (+4), Season: 1175-970