MLB Game Picks - Thursday: September 25, 2014

At one point during last night, the picks were sitting at 3-7 and I was thinking, "Uhhh...." and then (thankfully) all the rest of the games went the picks' way and I finished dead even at 7-7 with one cancellation. Normally, I wouldn't be happy with such a record, but considering where the day was, I'll take it.

So what if the last game of Derek Jeter's career at home in Yankee Stadium is rained out today? That will bite. The game won't be made up either as it would not affect the outcome of anything. The weather isn't looking good.

But let's look at that game and the rest of the picks today:

• The Brewers over the Reds: I picked against Lohse last night and regretted it. If I pick against Yovani Gallardo today, I know I'll regret it too. The Brewers are the better team, but both teams have nothing to play for. David Holmberg goes for the Reds.
• The Nationals over the Mets: The two teams will play two today to make up for the rain out yesterday. But it does change the pitching lines. I'll take Blake Treinen in the first game. The kid looks impressive. Dillon Gee goes for the Mets.
• The Mets over the Nationals: Zack Wheeler will probably face a lineup of irregulars. So that influences the pick. Gio Gonzalez will audition for the playoffs though and he will want to do well.
• The Blue Jays over the Mariners: The M's sure blew it for the wild card. I mean, they were right there. Starting relief pitchers like Tom Wilhelmsen is certainly confusing. Daniel Norris had a big year in the minors. A lefty, Norris has a big arm and some control problems.
• The Marlins over the Phillies: This pick did not work out yesterday. That darned Kendrick did it to me again. I still like Tom Koehler over David Buchanan.
• The Yankees over the Orioles: If the game is played, the Yankees have to win on Derek Jeter's last day in New York, right? Any other outcome is unacceptable. If the game is cancelled, the Yankees will have to refund all those tickets. Hiroki Kuroda could be making his last start for the Yankees. Kevin Gausman goes for the Orioles. If I were the O's, I would rest the kid for the playoffs.
• The Tigers over the Twins: The Tigers still need to clinch the division. Max Scherzer will get the job done. Trevor May or may not have a good game. Ha! I kill me.
• The Red Sox over the Rays: My favorite prospect, Garin Cecchini, hit his first Big League home yesterday and I want him to go five for five tonight. I want him at third base for the Red Sox. Make it happen. Love this kid. Oh, the game. Allen Webster over Jeremy Hellickson.
• The Rangers over the Athletics: The A's can pretty much coast as everyone else gave them the wild card by default. But it's not like they have earned it. And they won't clinch it today. Colby Lewis over Jason Hammel.
• The Royals over the White Sox: Big Game James Shields really makes his living against so-so teams, not the really big games. He should beat Jose Quintana because as good as Quintana is, he just doesn't catch any breaks.
• The Giants over the Padres: The wild card is your consolation prize, Giants. Enjoy it. Yusmeiro Petit over Andrew Cashner.

And the Game of the Day:

• The Pirates over the Braves: The Braves won yesterday, which threw me all off. Whut? But I'm pretty sure the Pirates will come back today. They are still not eliminated for the division title and have something to gun at. David Hale goes for the Braves. Meh. Edinson Volquez goes for the Pirates.

Yesterday: 7-7, Sept.: 197-135, Games of the Day: 102-65 (+2), Season: 1327-1069

MLB Game Picks - Friday: September 19, 2014

Derek Jeter hit a home run. That being the case, everything else that happened was icing on the cake. And it was good icing as the picks went 7-3. I didn't have to worry about Jered Weaver as the Angels won with most of their stars sitting down. I had to laugh though when I finally broke down and picked Kyle Kendrick and he got his butt kicked. Heh.

I was quite surprised when both extra-inning games went my way. That hardly ever happens. The Cardinals won despite the team's entire fan base getting mad at Mike Matheny. And the Indians gutted it out to win their game after blowing the lead late in the game.

Friday's picks:

• The Dodgers over the Cubs: Clayton Kershaw is going to win his 20th game. The Dodgers will find a way to score enough runs off of Edwin Jackson and more accolades will follow for the Dodgers' lefty.
• The Orioles over the Red Sox: The Red Sox get their DH back, which should make things a bit easier. But otherwise, things are really sad for the Red Sox these days. The O's are on the other end of the emotional spectrum and Kevin Gausman has been much better than Allen Webster.
• The Pirates over the Brewers: The Brewers are officially sunk after last night's loss in extras to the Cards. Well, maybe not officially, but they might as well be. Yovani Gallardo hasn't had a great season and that's part of the problem. I'll go with Jeff Locke instead.
• The Yankees over the Blue Jays: The Yankees have one more chance this season to beat up on Mark Buehrle, a guy who just loves to pitch in Yankee Stadium. Not. Hiroki Kuroda needs to have a good night against the tough Blue Jays' lineup though.
• The White Sox over the Rays: Jose Quintana has had a brilliant season and is only 8-10. He did win his last start, however with 14Ks. That was impressive. Jeremy Hellickson goes for the Rays.
• The Nationals over the Marlins: I have to go with Doug Fister even if he only goes five or six innings. Tom Koehler is tough at home though.
• The Mets over the Braves: The Braves stopped hitting. The Braves stopped winning. The Braves are a sad, sad team this month. Facing Zack Wheeler will not improve things and Julio Teheran won't get any support.
• The Rockies over the Diamondbacks: This is a series that is too close to call. I got it wrong yesterday, but that is to be expected when you can't figure out what to do. Picking between Jordan Lyles and Chase Anderson is impossible too.
• The Twins over the Indians: The Indians are not hitting. Phil Hughes has had a very good season. Trevor Bauer is unpredictable and 1+1+1 equals a Twins win.
• The Tigers over the Royals: I wish it weren't so, but the Tigers always come through in times like this and the Royals usually do not. Justin Verlander sounds like a better pick than Jason Vargas anyway.
• The Cardinals over the Reds: I heard that John Lackey was upset that he had a turn skipped over. Well, then, pitch better, Big Fella. He is a good guy I am told, but boy, what a hot head. Meanwhile, David Holmberg is a lefty that might give the Cards some trouble.
• The Athletics over the Phillies: The A's keep losing, but not when Jon Lester pitches. Lester should get some consideration on the CYA ballot. David Buchanan will try to match Lester and might even be capable of doing so.
• The Angels over the Rangers: Some of the regulars should be back in the lineup. Hector Santiago is better than his record and, despite his win his last time out and the movement of his pitches, Lisalverto Bonilla just doesn't have enough command for my tastes.
• The Padres over the Giants: Tim Hudson looks old and tired and is dealing with minor injuries. He will not have a winning record for the first time in his illustrious career. Odrisamer Despaigne is hard to predict though.

And the Game of the Day:

• The Mariners over the Astros: Taijuan Walker has been brought back cautiously but he has pitched well when given the opportunity. He should beat the Astros and Brad Peacock. The M's are still in a good spot for the wild card and only one game back.

Yesterday: 7-3, Sept.: 144-102, Games of the Day: 98-63 (+6), Season: 1274-1036

MLB Game Picks - Tuesday: September 9, 2014

Nine of twelve picks were correct yesterday, which is a good day. Of the three incorrect picks, one went extra innings as the A's blew another save and then lost to the White Sox. I did not anticipate how far the Brewers have fallen as they lost to the Marlins. And it appeared that Danny Salazar was just teasing when his was so good in his last start. He was terrible on Monday and sank that pick like a torpedo.

I would take a day like yesterday pretty much every day. Let's see what I can do with a full schedule. Tuesday's picks:

• The Nationals over the Braves: The Nats can smell blood now and can put the Braves in their rear view mirror for good with another win. Jordan Zimmermann is certainly capable of shutting the Braves down and the Nats' offense can handle Ervin Santana.
• The Indians over the Twins: I almost got cute and picked the Twins. After all, Trevor May was much better his last time out. But in the all Trevor game, Trevor Bauer should have a good day at home.
• The Pirates over the Phillies: You can't stop these Pirates right now. They look pretty solid in the wild card spot. Edinson Volquez has been a big part of the team's success all season. David Buchanan has pitched respectably for the Phillies.
• The Yankees over the Rays: I'm grasping the last sign of Yankee life with this pick. Hiroki Kuroda has pitched well of late. The one thing bugging me is that Chris Archer always seems to shut the Yankees down.
• The Blue Jays over the Cubs: This year has been an adventure with Mark Buehrle. Early on, I could not believe he was doing so well and should have picked him more. Then I couldn't believe he would get so bad and I picked him too often and now he has pitched well again and I haven't picked him at all. Jake Arrieta gentille Arrieta goes for the Cubs.
• The Orioles over the Red Sox: The O's have a magic number now (12) and it will at least come down to eleven as Chris Tillman should beat Anthony Ranaudo. Man, the Orioles are good.
• The Mets over the Rockies: Jacob deGrom is one of my favorite young pitchers. He reminds me of a young Jered Weaver with a power arm. Christian Bergman pitched well his last start but zero strikeouts tell me he was probably lucky.
• The Cardinals over the Reds: Michael Wacha has come back at the perfect time and makes the Cardinals that much more formidable. He should handle the scuffling Reds and the Cards should hit Mike Leake.
• The Angels over the Rangers: I haven't thrived picking against Colby Lewis. But every time I watch him pitch, he looks ripe to be had. Hector Santiago goes for the Angels who are on a hitting frenzy of late.
• The Marlins over the Brewers: Is it fair to say that I have never liked Matt Garza. It goes way back to his days with the Rays. He's like that guy at the bar that thinks he is better than others even if you prove him wrong a hundred times. So this is personal as he loses to Tom Koehler.
• The Athletics over the White Sox: John Danks is terrible. He has a decent start once in a great while to give you hope, but for as young as he still is, it just isn't there. Jon Lester is easily the pick here.
• The Astros over the Mariners: Roenis Elias is not King Felix and I have already written about how good I think Collin McHugh has been. My only fear with this pick is the Astros' bullpen.
• The Dodgers over the Padres: I'm not thrilled to be picking Roberto Hernandez here. The pick is more for the Dodgers as a whole being better than the Padres. Of course there is also Andrew Cashner who cannot seem to harness his ability.
• The Giants over the Diamondbacks: Wade Miley has been pretty good in the second half. I just don't like him against the Giants' offense as it is going now. Yusmeiro Petit has been great for the Giants.

And the Game of the Day:

• The Tigers over the Royals: Say it ain't so. The Royals are the team under pressure here and not the Tigers. The Royals have never had to close the deal. The Tigers have done it often. Max Scherzer over Jason Vargas.

Yesterday: 9-3, Sept.: 61-47, Games of the Day: 91-60 (+6), Season: 1191-981

MLB Game Picks - Thursday: August 28, 2014

Holy cow am I on a losing streak! Wednesday was the fourth straight negative day and this one was really negative. At one point, I was 0-6 and then 1-8. How can you be that wrong that often? What the heck happened in Philadelphia to the Nationals? The Yankees....the Yankees got nine straight hits off of David Price. Whuh!? The Brewers' bullpen blows a lead and then loses in extras. Liam Hendriks only gives up four base runners in seven innings!? Adam Wainwright lost again!? Man. What a tough day.

This gig isn't fun when you have days (and a week) like this.

Thursday's picks:

• The Cubs over the Reds: Dylan Axelrod had a good first outing after getting recalled by the Reds. That makes this pick more challenging. Jake Arrieta gentille arrieta is a better pick if he can get some offense behind him.
• The Yankees over the Tigers: This pick all depends on how well Hiroki Kuroda pitches. The Yankees' bullpen should be in good shape for this one so if the team from the Bronx can do some damage on Kyle Lobstein, they should win.
• The Giants over the Rockies: Yusmeiro Petit has not allowed a hit or a walk in his last 12.1 innings of work covering five relief outings. Can that translate to a start? Time will tell. Jordan Lyles has pitched decently for the struggling Rockies.
• The Orioles over the Rays: The Rays are better now that they have Wil Myers back. That deepens their lineup. I think, though, that the Orioles will hit Jeremy Hellickson more than the Rays will hit Bud Norris.
• The Indians over the White Sox: Adam Eaton changes how the White Sox look. That said, Carlos Carrasco has filled in very nicely for the Indians in the rotation and should give them a chance to win over John Danks.
• The Royals over the Twins: Tommy Milone has gotten his shoes shined in his last three outings. I mean, he hasn't been able to get anyone out. I will take Jeremy Guthrie instead, though with reservations.
• The Astros over the Rangers: Nick Tepesch had been doing much better until he ran into the Royals. So now I'm not sure about him. Collin McHugh is a strikeout machine that doesn't go deep enough often enough in games. The Astros' bullpen is messy if that happens today.
• The Angels over the Athletics: Sonny Gray was as much of a lock as there was earlier in the season. Now he is a big question mark. Has he hit a wall? Is his arm tired? Have batters found something on him? In order for this pick to work, C.J. Wilson has to have a good day.

And the Game of the Day:

• That Braves over the Mets: Mike Minor has been a different pitcher in his last two outings and should be a lot more challenging for the Mets than the last time they saw him on July 1. Jon Niese is a good pitcher, so this game will be close.

Yesterday: 5-10, August: 201-166, Games of the Day: 81-58 (+2), Season: 1095-915

MLB Game Picks - Saturday: August 23, 2014

I knew I was in trouble yesterday after the first couple of games and as the night progressed, it was just one of those horror shows that happen from time to time. I'm sure the Tigers understand what I'm talking about. Ahem.

And the Nationals' winning streak is over. Ten games. I should have learned my lesson from the rest of the season. Ten games is the longest a win streak or losing streak will go. To think the streak would go longer was pushing the envelope (cliche alert!) and I pushed it and got sticky envelop glue all over me.

Oh well, we'll call yesterday a market correction and hope for a better day today. Saturday's picks:

• The Yankees over the White Sox: Once upon a time, picking Hiroki Kuroda at home during a day game was a lock. But Kuroda is never a lock these days. The question then becomes whether the Yankees can score more than four runs against Scott Carroll. Stranger things have happened.
• The Tigers over the Twins: Even though the Twins totally blew out the Tigers yesterday, both teams emptied their bullpens, which is not good because they play two games today. And both starting pitchers in this one don't look good to go deep in the game. Yohan Pino has been awful and Buck Farmer at least has a chance to pitch well.
• The Mariners over the Red Sox: I was stunned that Koji Uehara gave up five runs yesterday. But watching the replays, there was only one hard-hit ball. The rest were lucky bloops. But that is the way the Red Sox season is going. I never picked Chris Young on the road until he started making me look stupid for not doing so. Brandon Workman goes for the Red Sox.
• The Orioles over the Cubs: The Cubs pulled off a major surprise yesterday by beating the O's. Some of it is not surprising at the O's depend quite a bit on the DH for offense and Machado out is hurting them. Still, Bud Norris has been really good and should counteract the good, young Kyle Hendricks.
• The Nationals over the Giants: The winning streak is over, so I can relax and pick the team I think will win. Clue: It's not the one starting Tim Lincecum. Jordan Zimmermann is still my guy. Seems like the Nats have been home for a month.
• The Indians over the Astros: The Astros are playing well and I really like Collin McHugh. He has pitched four games in a row giving up only a run and he has a wonderful strikeout pace going. My sticking point on picking them is that Danny Salazar is a totally different pitcher at home and tough to beat there.
• The Cardinals over the Phillies: I have given up trying to figure out what the Cardinals will do. What a roller coaster ride they have been this season. I have slightly more confidence in Shelby Miller than in David Buchanan.
• The Braves over the Reds: Here we go again with win/loss streak implications. The Braves are on a winning one and the Reds on a long losing one. Ervin Santana has been very good but I have a sneaking feeling that Mike Leake will have a good day. Ugh.
• The Brewers over the Pirates: Does the casual fan know that Wily Peralta has won fifteen games? I know about it and still find it amazing. Why not sixteen today? Heck, he is at home. Edinson Volquez will try to prevent it.
• The Rangers over the Royals: I find it amazing that Jeremy Guthrie has made $31 million in his career. He is the journey in journeyman. And he hasn't pitched well in Arlington during his career. Nick Tepesch, on the other hand, has strung together four good outings in a row.
• The Tigers over the Twins: Trevor May has allowed 26 base runners in his nine innings of work covering three games this season. He has a four to thirteen strikeout to walk ratio. Of course, today, he will pitch brilliantly. Justin Verlander is just as much of a concern with his health.
• The Marlins over the Rockies: Picking a winner at Coors is like buying scratch tickets. Tom Koehler and Jordan Lyles are pitching. I have no idea which one will succeed more.
• The Diamondbacks over the Padres: Vidal Nuno hasn't pitched badly for the D-backs. He just hasn't won games. His being a lefty takes guys like Seth Smith out of the lineup. I have no idea how Andrew Cashner will pitch coming back from the DL.
• The Athletics over the Angels: Until the Angels can beat the A's in Oakland, I will have my doubts about their ability to win the division. Jon Lester seems like a better pick than C.J. Wilson.
• The Dodgers over the Mets: Jacob deGrom is off the disabled list and I like him a lot. But I don't know how he will do. Zack Greinke has scuffled and has health concerns himself. But all things being equal, Greinke is more dependable.

And the Game of the Day

• The Rays over the Blue Jays: The battle of the Ay's continues and I can see Jeremy Hellickson being better than Mark Buehrle in this one.

Yesterday: 5-10, August: 169-127, Games of the Day: 79-55 (+6), Season: 1063-876