MLB Game Picks - Thursday: June 4, 2015

When I went to bed last night, both teams with "Los Angeles" in their names were ahead and I figured I was going to finish the day at 11-5. Both teams blew those leads in spectacular fashions and I ended up at 9-7. Bah!

A short schedule on Thursday after 33 games the previous two days. The picks:

• The Athletics over the Tigers: Shane Greene has been getting pounded of late, so I can't really go there. Jesse Hahn looked like an all star against the Yankees, but he isn't. But I'm thinking he'll be better than Greene.
• The Astros over the Orioles: There is no other choice here but to stick with the hot team over the really cold team. Besides, Dallas Keuchel has become one of the game's best pitchers. Wei-Yin Chen is only 1-4 on the season but is much better than that.
• The Red Sox over the Twins: This game is full of contradictions. The Twins are a hot team. The Red Sox are a cold team. The Red Sox do not hit lefties well. But Tommy Milone isn't much of a lefty and has been taking a beating. Steven Wright is a knuckleball pitcher and who knows how that will go. Pick one.
• The Nationals over the Cubs: Gio Gonzalez has been pitching a little bit better. Jake Arrieta gentille Arrieta hasn't blossomed into the star I thought he would be this year. Going with the Nats.
• The Phillies over the Reds: I'm not picking against Aaron Harang. I'm just not. I have too much emotional damage from his wins in the past. The Reds pitch Anthony DeSclafani.
• The White Sox over the Rangers: The hot Rangers' offense will succumb for the second straight day against a power lefty. This time it will be Chicago's Carlos Rodon, who has been most impressive. Yovani Gallardo goes for the Rangers.
• The Mets over the Diamondbacks: The D-backs are fresh off of a bit win and Troy Tulowitzki is perhaps heating up. All that said, Matt Harvey is on the mound for the Mets and the D-backs counter with Jeremy Hellickson.
• The Dodgers over the Cardinals: Carlos Frias stifled the Cardinals the last time he faced them. But that bothers me. Michael Wacha lost his last time out but that bothers me because he is 7-1. So this pick bothers me.
• The Rays over the Mariners: I'm not buying that trade the Mariners just made at all. A #4 and a #12 prospect for Michael Morse and Vidal Nuno!? What is Z, nuts? Apparently so. Meanwhile, the Rays have somehow turned Erasmo Ramirez into some kind of mythical creature and Roenis Elias never fills me with confidence.

And the Pick of the Day:

• The Royals over the Indians: I got too cute with this pick yesterday. The Royals are simply the better team here. I'm not sure about super tall Chris Young, but he wins somehow. The Indians go with Trevor Bauer.

Yesterday: 9-7, June: 25-17, Season: 403-370, Picks of the Day: 31-26 (+1)

MLB Game Picks - Thursday: May 7, 2015

I have gotten bogged down lately not only in life, but in my picks. The last three days have been very uninspiring! But then again, when a pitcher like Mark Buehrle beats a team you know he hasn't beaten since 2004, what are you going to do? As the old expression says, "You can't predict ball."

Thursday's picks:

• The Twins over the Athletics: This is a series that has been all over the place. I'm going by pitching match-ups today and think that Ricky Nolasco will be better than Drew Pomeranz. But picking Nolasco is enough to give me heartburn.
• The Cubs over the Cardinals: Jake Arrieta gave the Cardinals fits the last time he faced them. John Lackey might give up a bomb or two to the baby Cubbies (which is kind of redundant).
• The Indians over the Royals: Every time I pick against a pitcher who is 0-4, I get burned. But if you look at the Sabathia pick yesterday, the opposite isn't any better. I just can't win with 0-4 guys. Corey Kluber is 0-4. I never expected that this season. Edinson Volquez goes for the Royals.
• The White Sox over the Tigers: I didn't see those first two White Sox wins and I'll probably pay for this as an overreaction. But I sincerely think Jose Quintana is better than Kyle Lobstein.
• The Yankees over the Orioles: I've gone in big this season for Nathan Eovaldi, so I need to back him. Everything will depend on which Chris Tillman shows up.
• The Reds over the Pirates: Anthony DeSclafani hit his first bump in the road in his last start. I think he'll get back on track against the Pirates. Who ever knows what AJ Burnett is going to do.
• The Rays over the Rangers: Chris Archer is the best 3-3 pitcher in baseball. However, Nick Martinez has been very strong himself. Martinez does not strikeout people, so he is always a bad BABIP game away from getting beat.
• The Padres over the Diamondbacks: I picked against the D-backs in both games of yesterday's double-header and they won both. Since I never learn my lessons, I'll pick against them today too. Odrisamer Despaigne vs. Rubby De La Rosa.
• The Astros over the Angels: I have to ride Collin McHugh. He has been my good luck charm for a year and a half now. I've got to stay with it. Hector Santiago goes for the Angels.
• The Marlins over the Giants: Tim Hudson will be a 50/50 proposition for the rest of his career. So it's always a guess with him. Dan Haren is pitching really well and going back home, or at least near home.

And the Pick of the Day:

• The Dodgers over the Brewers: Carlos Frias blanked the D-backs in his first start (for five innings). The Brewers don't hit better than the D-backs. Mike Fiers won his last time out though.

Yesterday: 8-8, May: 46-39, Season: 210-204, Picks of the Day: 17-14