MLB Game Picks - Wednesday: September 17, 2014

Last night was fun to watch for a lot of Beltway fans as the Nationals and Orioles clinched their divisions. I feel happy for the fans of those teams as they get to celebrate (for now) the accomplishments of the teams. For others seeking the wild card, last night was a problem as several of them lost and that became a problem for me as I did not have a good night of picking at all.

I should have picked Jake Arrieta. Wow, what a game he had. I shouldn't have picked the Royals when the best they could do was start Liam Hendriks. But KC's vaunted bullpen let them down too. Speaking of bullpens, Trevor Rosenthal blew his sixth save and caused the Cards - Brewers game to go twelve innings and the Brewers won. And I lost. Heh.

Wednesday's picks:

• The Rockies over the Dodgers: Carlos Frias? Seriously, Dodgers? The poor guy hasn't started since the minors and has to pitch at Coors Field. Nice. Jorge De La Rosa is my pick by default.
• The Giants over the Diamondbacks: While the Dodgers are frittering around, they have kept the hopes alive for the Giants. The D-backs start Andrew Chafin, their 2011 first round draft pick. He was pretty good in his first start. I worry about his control in the long run. Madison Bumgarner becomes the difference here.
• The Pirates over the Red Sox: Playing in an NL park hurts the Red Sox more than anyone else in the AL. Besides, the Pirates are playing for a goal and the Red Sox are just playing. Francisco Liriano over Clay Buchholz.
• The Orioles over the Blue Jays: This will be the norm for the Orioles for the rest of the way with starters going five innings or so and Spring Training like lineups. I still have them beating J.A. Happ who has turned to mush. Bud Norris starts.
• The Mets over the Marlins: The Mets have pretty much owned Henderson Alvarez in his last two starts against them. Besides, Dillon Gee is a reliable starter for the Mets who are playing well despite their circumstances.
• The Rays over the Yankees: The Yankees cannot beat Alex Cobb and they cannot hit to save themselves. Brandon McCarthy has been a nice addition for the Yankees but like all Yankee pitchers this year, he'll have to be perfect. I hope there are no head huntings in this one.
• The Braves over the Nationals: The Braves cannot hit either but have a chance at least against Blake Treinen. Alex Wood is good, which rhymes, and the Nationals might be hung over.
• The White Sox over the Royals: Adam Eaton can be a force when he is healthy. Jose Abreu has been too quiet. But most importantly, Chris Sale is pitching. Yordano Ventura will try to keep up.
• The Indians over the Astros: Carlos Carrasco has had a really nice season that nobody knows about. Brett Oberholtzer, again, is a hero for taking the ball week after week and doing his best with little support.
• The Tigers over the Twins: Weird game last night. Joe Nathan blew it again and then blamed it on his outfielder. Nice. Hopefully for the Tigers, David Price will go deep and the Tigers will score often on Kyle Gibson.
• The Cardinals over the Brewers: These are games an ace is supposed to win. Adam Wainwright needs to win. I am worried about how Mike Fiers reacts in his first start since breaking Giancarlo Stanton's face.
• The Mariners over the Angels: I just love James Paxton. The kid is amazing. Of course, sooner or later, picking him is not going to work out. This might be the night as the Angels are mighty good. C.J. Wilson starts for the Angels.
• The Rangers over the Athletics: Derek Holland has been amazing since returning to the Rangers. Three starts, seven innings in each start, 21 innings, two runs, no walks. Until he falters, I have to ride him. Jeff Samardzija goes for the A's.
• The Phillies over the Padres: This pick is based solely on the fact Cole Hamels is pitching. It doesn't help that Eric Stults is going for his 17th loss.

And the Game of the Day:

• The Cubs over the Reds: I like Kyle Hendricks a lot better than I like Daniel Corcino. In this stage of their respective careers, Hendricks is much more polished and has better command.

Yesterday: 6-9, Sept.: 127-94, Games of the Day: 96-63 (+4), Season: 1257-1028