MLB Game Picks - Wednesday: April 8, 2015

Ugh. The picks sure tanked yesterday. Normally untrustworthy pitchers are throwing gems. But I seriously can't make much of a defense if I chose Mat Latos to win. He was brutal and Jon Hart in Atlanta is starting to look like a genius. Oh well, I need to shake it off and try another day.

Wednesday's picks:

• The Tigers over the Twins: This scares me right off the bat because Ricky Nolasco was terrible last year. By the trend established this week, that means he will pitch a two-hitter. Anibal Sanchez goes for the Tigers.
• The Cardinals over the Cubs: This is the same pitching line that was supposed to happen yesterday but didn't because it became the first game in MLB history to be postponed because of pee. I still think Lance Lynn beats Jake Arrieta, gentille Arrieta.
• The Nationals over the Mets: This is a really fun pitching match-up between Jacob deGrom and Jordan Zimmermann. The latter starts his walk year and that will be interesting. I'm going with the home team because the pitching seems even.
• The Yankees over the Blue Jays: The Jays are a pretty cocky bunch right now and seem to talk smack all the time. R.A. Dickey can be tough as he is back in New York. I'm thinking that Michael Pineda is going to have a great year and it starts tonight.
• The Marlins over the Braves: If I keep picking the Marlins, it has to be correct at some point, right? It's the law of averages? Shelby Miller goes for the Braves in his first start with that team. He had a disappointing season a year ago as his strikeouts went down and his walks went up. Tom Koehler goes for the Marlins.
• The Orioles over the Bay Rays: Jake Odorizzi will no doubt have a better year than last year. But the Orioles are starting hot and should win despite Miguel Gonzalez being on the mound.
• The Pirates over the Reds: Gerrit Cole is one of my picks for guys to really get to the next level in 2015. I like him a lot. Mike Leake is a fifth starter type who will mostly keep you in the game. I like where the Reds' offense is right now though.
• The White Sox over the Royals: Jose Quintana is so much better than people think and I like his chances as a lefty against the Royals. Danny Duffy gets the start for the home team.
• The Indians over the Astros: Carlos Carrasco exploded onto the scene last year and was rewarded with a nice contract. Can he repeat it? We shall see. What I do know is that he is a strikeout pitcher pitching against a strikeout-prone team. Besides, I have little confidence in Scott Feldman.
• The Brewers over the Rockies: I have not been very successful picking the Brewers thus far. But we now start heading into the real iffy part of the Rockies' rotation with Eddie Butler getting the start. I think Wily Peralta will win this one.
• The Diamondbacks over the Giants: With Matt Cain out, the Giants turn to the little-tested Chris Heston. The D-Backs counter with Jeremy Hellickson, who I have never been too high on either. I have no idea...
• The Athletics over the Rangers: I have become a big fan of Scott Kazmir. I love where he has come back from in his career. Ross Detwiler is finally out of Washington, DC and gets his chance to shine. Will he?
• The Angels over the Mariners: The Mariners have had their way this series. And it will be interesting to see if Matt Shoemaker can repeat his success from a year ago when he surprised everyone. There are questions about the health of Hisashi Iwakuma, so we'll see.
• The Dodgers over the Padres: I really wanted the Yankees to resign Brandon McCarthy after what I saw last year. But his contract is too rich for my blood. I do think he will win this one over Andrew Cashner who has had his ups and downs.

And the Pick of the Day:

• The Red Sox over the Phillies: Rick Porcello just got a new deal. It's time for him to earn it. The deal seems a bit rich for a guy not really fully established yet. Aaron Harang goes for the Phillies and he punished me good last year.

Yesterday: 1-6, Season: 9-13, Picks of the Day: 0-2  Bad!