MLB Game Picks - Wednesday: October 2, 2013

Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Pirates for taking care of the Reds in the play-in game to earn the right to play in the NLDS. I picked the game incorrectly as I thought Johnny Cueto would have more to offer than what he did. But I could not be happier for the city of Pittsburgh for ending their long drought. Of course, it was kind of wistful watching Russell Martin perform so well in that game. For as long as I breathe, I will never understand how the Yankees could have let him walk.

Tonight we get the second Wild Card Game with the Indians playing at home against the Tampa Bay Rays. And frankly, the pick is really throwing me. As we saw from the Pirates' game, the home crowd can really make a difference. That Cueto chant was the most amazing thing, wasn't it? And the Indians got to the post season by beating a bunch of bad teams. Can they do it against a good team?

The pick:

• The Rays over the Indians: I would love to see the Indians win and move on. A Terry Francona versus the Red Sox series would be just about as awesome as it gets. But my sticking point is Alex Cobb. Cobb has been soooo good in these situations. How about these numbers down the stretch in his last three games: 23.1 innings, 14 hits, 3 runs, 5 walks, 26 strikeouts. Uh. Yeah. That will work. The Indians, meanwhile, have to hope that this young kid, Danny Salazar, can make magic happen in the biggest situation of his life. I will be honest, I hate the Rays. In fact, I cannot stand them. And I would love to see the Indians move forward. But picks are based on logic in an illogical game. I cannot see Cobb and the Rays losing. But then again, I was wrong yesterday...

Yesterday: 0-1

October: 0-1

Post Season: 1-1

Season: 1375-1069

MLB Game Picks - Tuesday: October 1, 2013

If you are a fan of the Texas Rangers, how do you view the past few years? Is it a good thing that the team has been very good and has continued to make the post season? Or is it ultimately a bad thing with two losses in the World Series--one a brutal loss--two play-in losses and September fades? Judging from the reaction of my Twitter buds who are Rangers fans, it was another brutal loss that left them feeling empty and frustrated.

Unfortunately for them, I was correct yesterday on the pick of the Rays. I believed that you could not look at David Price's history against the Rangers because this is a different Rangers' offense than in the past. I was unsure of Martin Perez at such a young age being able to pitch such a big game. And I saw nothing good coming from starting Nelson Cruz as he was sure to be rusty. All those concerns came to pass and the pick was correct.

What about today? Tuesday's play-in game pick:

• The Cincinnati Reds over the Pittsburgh Pirates: Yes, the Reds could not beat the Pirates down the stretch and allowed the Pirates to gain home field advantage for this game. You can be sure the Pittsburgh fans will be going absolutely nuts. But for me, the one game changer is Johnny Cueto. Unlike the Cruz situation mentioned above, Cueto has the unique ability to come off of a long period of inactivity and throw zeroes. He is an extreme ground ball pitcher these days and the Pirates will hit a lot of balls into the dirt of the infield. Francisco Liriano has had a great season. That season included two outstanding appearances against the Reds and one so-so one. So the bottom line comes down to which team has a better chance to score two or three runs off the really good starting pitcher they are going to face. I think that chance is stronger on the Reds' side.

Yesterday: 1-0

Week: 11-5

September: 233-172

Season: 1375-1068