MLB Game Picks - Sunday: May 24, 2015

As good as Friday was for picking baseball games, Saturday was just as bad on the flip side. Everything that went right on Friday went wrong on Saturday. There were three extra-inning games. They all went against me. Matt Harvey was rocked. CC Sabathia was rocked (thanks also to bad defense). The Rays and Cardinals lost pitching duels. It was a bad, bad day. Oh, and for the thousandth time, Stephen Strasburg pooched the bed for me.

But we keep on going. Sunday's picks:

• The Blue Jays over the Mariners: Two young pitchers in this one with all kinds of talent struggling to find their way. Which one will perform? I'm going with Aaron Sanchez at home and the Jays are due to win a game. Taijuan Walker is the other young gun.
• The Tigers over the Astros: Anibal Sanchez is really struggling. But if he can figure some things out, he can get lots of strikeouts today. Roberto Hernandez is Roberto Hernandez.
• The Orioles over the Marlins: The Orioles might be a little upset about the pine tar thing last night. Frankly, the whole things is ridiculous since every pitcher does it. Some are just better at hiding it. Miguel Gonzalez over Tom Koehler.
• The Indians over the Reds: Raisel Iglesias isn't exactly mowing down MLB hitters and gets his second start of the season. I'd prefer to go with Trevor Bauer, which is saying something since Bauer is inconsistent at best.
• The Angels over the Red Sox: I went back and forth on this one so it will probably be wrong. First, Wade Miley isn't as good as the Yankees made him look. Secondly, the Red Sox have trouble with left-handed pitching which is what Hector Santiago is. But, the Red Sox beat a lefty yesterday.
• The Braves over the Brewers: Mike Foltynewicz was folty his last time out. But he should do better this time at home. My big problem here is that Jimmy Nelson was great his last time out against the Tigers. hmm...
• The Mets over the Pirates: Funny how the Mets and Yankees crashed and burned at the same time. Jon Niese is still a good pitcher though and Francisco Liriano is about as reliable as a Ford Pinto.
• The Phillies over the Nationals: The Phillies are also suspect against lefty pitchers, but Gio Gonzalez hasn't been very good thus far. And I can't pick against Aaron Harang because he kills me when I do.
• The White Sox over the Twins: This one is a complete toss up. Jose Quintana is a quality pitcher. Kyle Gibson has his moments. I have no idea which team will win this game.
• The Royals over the Cardinals: Whenever I pick aces lately, it doesn't work out for me. And the odds are that a pitcher who is 6-0 is going to lose some time, right Michael Wacha? I don't want him to, but...he might be bettered today by Yordano Ventura, who I don't like at all because of his demeanor.
• The Cubs over the Diamondbacks: I just can't get myself to pick a team that pitches Jeremy Hellickson. Jason Hammel goes for the Cubs.
• The Dodgers over the Padres: The Giants sweep the Dodgers. The Dodgers sweep the Padres. And baseball goes round and round. Carlos Frias, like Bolsinger, has saved the Dodgers so far. I like him over James Shields today.
• The Rockies over the Giants: The thought of Tim Hudson at Coors is a bit frightening for me. So I'm not going there. Chad Bettis has been decent enough for the Rockies in his two starts. I'll go that way.
• The Yankees over the Rangers: No wonder baseball fans complain about the Yankees being on national television so much. This isn't exactly a marquis match-up between these two teams right now or the two pitchers, Chris Capuano and Yovani Gallardo. But that's what the nation will get tonight. Oh goody.

And the Pick of the Day is:

• The Athletics over the Rays: I'm going back to my guy, Sonny Gray to take the A's over the Rays, all of which rhymes of course. You don't want to expose Erasmo Ramirez for too long because the ceiling will cave in eventually.

Yesterday: 5-11, May: 157-133, Season: 321-298, Picks of the Day: 25-21

MLB Game Picks - Friday: May 8, 2015

Sheesh! Another negative night and it took a real bad blown save by Huston Street to keep it from being worse. Of course, his meltdown hurt my fantasy team. That's four par or subpar days in a row now and I need to get on track!

Friday's picks:

• The Nationals over the Braves: Gio Gonzalez sort of confuses me. He is not as good as he was before the suspension, but not as bad as I keep thinking he is. I think he does well against the Braves and the Nats hit Eric Stults.
• The Yankees over the Orioles: Adam Warren will have to have a good night to have this pick hold out, especially since the Yankees can never seem to hit Miguel Gonzalez, which is really weird since he's not a world beater. Caution as this is a wishful thinking pick.
• The Cardinals over the Pirates: I am a huge Michael Wacha fan and so this pick is for him. Francisco Liriano is a hit or miss kind of guy and I never seem to hit it correctly. This pick was certainly wrong yesterday.
• The Blue Jays over the Red Sox: This is an interesting game. The Red Sox fired their pitching coach and we will have to see how that works out. Both Wade Miley and Aaron Sanchez have struggled, so I can only see through this glass darkly.
• The Tigers over the Royals: David Price has only had the one bad start. Otherwise he has been brilliant. Yordano Venture will try not to stir up any trouble tonight.
• The Indians over the Twins: Neither Mike Pelfrey nor Trevor Bauer have lost a game this year. That's sort of weird, but it is still early. I have no idea what to make of the Indians. I'll pick them at home, but the Twins sure have been playing well.
• The Rays over the Rangers: I have to check on the Rangers. I don't even know who plays for them anymore besides third base and shortstop. The Rays' lineup is kind of bad, but I have a feeling Nathan Karns will have a good night and better Yovani Gallardo.
• The Cubs over the Brewers: Jimmy Nelson has had a couple of real clunkers for outings lately and the Brewers are still offensively challenged. I'm going with the Cubs who start Jason Hammel tonight.
• The Reds over the White Sox: The White Sox rarely win a game that Hector Noesi starts, so I can't go there. Jason Marquis just keeps rolling along. The Reds get an extra bat with the DH.
• The Dodgers over the Rockies: I don't expect Brett Anderson to pitch as well as he did his last time out, especially at Coors. But I think the Dodgers' offense will explode again tonight starting with a short outing by Eddie Butler.
• The Diamondbacks over the Padres: Okay. The Diamondbacks have been picked against for three straight games and have made me look stupid each time. So I give in and pick them to win even with  the mediocre Jeremy Hellickson on the mound. James Shields be darned.
• The Astros over the Angels: Jered Weaver is averaging 83 MPH on his fastball this season. His arm must be Swiss cheese and he is 0-4. Not that I am a big fan of Roberto Hernandez, but let's go thatway in this one.
• The Mariners over the Athletics: I always pick Sonny Gray, but not tonight. He is simply due to lose. A lot will depend on if Tiajuan Walker is over his early season funk and pitches like he is capable.
• The Giants over the Marlins: The Fish are a long, long way from home and Tim Lincecum has turned back the clock and looks terrific. Jarred Cosart will try to prove me wrong. He is a fiery guy.

And the Pick of the Day:

• The Mets over the Phillies: I cannot in good conscience ever pick against Matt Harvey even if he is facing Cole Hamels. Even if the two pitchers cancel each other out, the Mets win late.

Yesterday: 5-6, May: 51-45, Season: 215-210, Picks of the Day: 18-14

MLB Game Picks - Friday: April 17, 2015

I am simply terrible. I don't know what else to say. I can't pick anything thus far this season. There were six games yesterday. I got five of them wrong. The picks are now fifteen games under .500. The Pick of the Day, which is supposed to be my strongest possibility of being correct is 3-8 for the season. Even the Yankees have to be feeling better about themselves than I am.  It's just amazing. By now, reading my daily output must like some morbid obsession. Heh. Oh my.

Let's try Friday. Kris Bryant will be playing. A new era begins? Let's hope a new success streak begins here too.

The picks:

• The Tigers over the White Sox: This seems straightforward. David Price should be dominant and Jeff Samardzija keeps doing bad pitching. At this point, I'm wondering of Samardzija should have stayed in the bullpen all along.
• The Cubs over the Padres: This could be a big day in Chicago. Or it could be a balloon deflating. One just never knows. The pitching match-up is Jason Hammel at home against James Shields. Which way will the wind blow at Wrigley?
• The Pirates over the Brewers: These two teams have really struggled offensively. And both Jimmy Nelson of the Brewers and Jeff Locke won their first starts. That makes this a hard call. Which team will score three or more runs? I'm going with the Pirates.
• The Blue Jays over the Braves: If you've noticed, I'm going with a lot of home teams. I think that's been a big part of my problem--thinking that the away team will win often. The Jays came off a bad series against the Rays and need to bounce back. Drew Hutchison is a very good young pitcher. But then again, so is Julio Teheran.
• The Red Sox over the Orioles: Now, all of these home team picks is making me nervous. If Joe Kelly pitches against the O's like he did the Yankees, he'll be golden. Because either way, I think the Red Sox will rain all over Ubaldo Jimenez.
• The Marlins over the Mets: I know Bartolo Colon is the ninth wonder of the world. But his entire history is a couple of great performances and a big clunker. I'm feeling clunker today. It doesn't help that David Wright is on the DL. David Phelps returns to the Big Apple.
• The Yankees over the Rays: Tropicana has been a graveyard for the Yankees over the years. But it's different now with a new manager and all those pitching nemesis gone. Nate Karns is inexperienced. My only qualm about this pick is Adam Warren starting for the Yankees.
• The Indians over the Twins: Yeesh, now I've gone with three straight visiting teams. That said, Corey Kluber really should be better than Mike Pelfrey, right? The Twins did have a good series against the Royals...
• The Angels over the Astros: Oh, come on. Now that's four straight visiting team picks. Lord help me. I have no faith in Roberto Hernandez. None. Nada. I have a little more faith in Jered Weaver.
• The Royals over Athletics: Do I really think that Jeremy Guthrie has more of a chance than Sonny Gray? No. But the Royals are the real deal. Gotta pick them to bounce back after a tough series against the Twins.
• The Cardinals over the Reds: Have the Cardinals faced any pitcher more than Johnny Cueto? I can't imagine it. Normally, I would go with Cueto. But Michael Wacha is back looking studly and I have to go with the redbirds at home.
• The Dodgers over the Rockies: Clayton Kershaw hasn't won a game yet. What's with that? I'd say he corrects that today and has a good day at home and beats the Rockies fronted by Kyle Kendrick.
• The Rangers over the Mariners: I have this fixation with Yovani Gallardo. I guess I always think he is better than he really is. But I think he'll do well in Safeco and be better than J.A. Happ.
• The Diamondbacks over the Giants: First, Jake Peavy is a homer waiting to happen. Secondly, Josh Collmenter is bound to win one here soon. Third...I can't remember my third point...

And the Pick of the Day:

• The Nationals over the Phillies: This is how this game should turn out. After all, Max Scherzer is as advertised for the Nats. And Sean O'Sullivan has a career ERA of 5.84. But that's been the problem thus far. Nothing goes as planned.

Yesterday: 1-5, Season: 62-77, Picks of the Day: 3-8

MLB Game Picks - Sunday: September 7, 2014

The first five days of September were hardly inspiring for this old game picker. And yesterday, after the first ten games were in the books, I was sitting at 4-5 after counting the Cubs' loss in the suspended game from yesterday. But then seven straight correct picks came in for me to end the night at 11-5. Finally, a good day.

I don't have time to bask in the glow of the breakthrough. There is a full day of games to sort out and a tee time waiting. Heh.

Sunday's picks:

• The Indians over the White Sox: Poor Quintana again did not get support last night. Kluber was excellent. Carlos Carrasco has been surprisingly good for the Indians. Scott Carroll has his ups and downs.
• The Yankees over the Royals: Shane Greene had a really bad outing his last time out. This pick reflects the belief that he will bounce back nicely today. It's Derek Jeter day at the Stadium, so the Yankees have to win. Of course, Yordano Ventura will try to prevent that from happening.
• The Braves over the Marlins: Neither team is playing very well, but one of them has to win. Julio Teheran is a better pick than Brad Hand and that's what I'll go with.
• The Mets over the Reds: Neither team has an offense you can count on and both are sporting starting pitchers with big arms. Determining the outcome depends on which of those big arms performs. I'm going with Zack Wheeler over Mat Latos.
• The Phillies over the Nationals: I keep picking against the Phillies and they keep on winning. It's getting annoying. Making the switch is fairly easy knowing that Cole Hamels is pitching today. Gio Gonzalez won't keep up.
• The Red Sox over the Blue Jays: This game is really tough because I do not trust either starter. R.A. Dickey could have a good game or the Red Sox could jump all over him. Rubby De La Rosa hasn't pitched a good game in a good long time. I'm taking the Red Sox at home.
• The Orioles over the Rays: It would really surprise me if the Rays won this series. Baseball is a funny game, however, and you never know. I do know that I am not a big fan of Jeremy Hellickson and Bud Norris has had a good season.
• The Angels over the Twins: Logan Darnell has had a rude start to his MLB career. However, his peripherals are good with a good K/9 and K/BB ratio. So maybe he has been unlucky. I'm still going with C.J. Wilson.
• The Cardinals over the Brewers: The Cards have a chance to bury the Brewers today and have Adam Wainwright on the mound. You would think that would do the trick. Jimmy Nelson looks good at times, but this sounds like a Cards win.
• The Mariners over the Rangers: Derek Holland sure had a fine comeback outing the last time out. The only problem is that the Rangers won't hit James Paxton thus canceling out anything Holland does.
• The Athletics over the Astros: Man, the Astros lost a tough one yesterday with a blown save for the ages. Closer Chad Qualls did not get anyone out in giving up the three runs to lose it. Jason Hammel will win half of his games so picking him is a 50/50 proposition. The same can be said for Dallas Keuchel.
• The Dodgers over the Diamondbacks: Tony La Russa said that he won't make up his mind about Kirk Gibson until the end of the season. Uh huh, right. He's already a goner. Today won't help with Zack Greinke defeating Trevor Cahill.
• The Padres over the Rockies: Tyson Ross has pitched well at Coors with a 3.13 ERA there. But he is 0-3. That changes today. Franklin Morales has gotten knocked around hard in his home park. The only caveat is that lefties hurt the Padres.
• The Giants over the Tigers: Miguel Cabrera has hit four homers in his last three days. So obviously he has woken up. But the Tigers still lost yesterday despite his two dingers and VMart's 30th homer. Kyle Lobstein has pitched well but doesn't last long enough to get decisions. I am worried about Tim Hudson. He is showing his age.

And the Game of the Day:

• The Pirates over the Cubs: My good feelings about the Cubs evaporated yesterday as they stunk up the joint. Gerrit Cole should finish them off today and Travis Wood continues to take it on the chin for his team.

Yesterday: 11-5, Sept.: 45-36, Games of the Day: 89-60 (+4), Season: 1175-970

MLB Game Picks - Tuesday: August 26, 2014

Here in the late stages of August, things are falling apart for my game picking like a Nicki Minaj outfit and I have had three malfunctions in the last four days. The Game of the Day feature is on a losing streak of three days and the schedule only gets tougher from here.

I need to get this ship turned around. Tuesday's picks:

• The Cardinals over the Pirates: Lance Lynn has been a big-time pitcher for the Cardinals this year. Whenever they needed a win, he has come through. His performance tonight will go a long way on deciding which team wins this game. Gerrit Cole is no slouch either.
• The Orioles over the Rays: Alex Cobb has been A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Wei Yin Chen just keeps winning. Buck Showalter is one of the few managers not intimidated by Joe Maddon and often out-schools him. I have the Orioles here.
• The Nationals over the Phillies: Gio Gonzalez is hard to figure out this season. But if he is on, he will shut down the Phillies. Cole Hamels has been outstanding. But still never gets the support he needs.
• The Blue Jays over the Red Sox: Rubby De La Rosa has not been reliable and I just get the feeling that the Jays will clean his clock tonight. That said, R.A. Dickey never gives me confidence from start to start.
• The Tigers over the Yankees: Rick Porcello is a good match-up against the Yankees because they are easily induced into pounding the ball into the ground with their pull-hitting. Brandon McCarthy still makes me pinch myself because of the great run he is on. This should be another close game.
• The Braves over the Mets: Two guys named Alex pitch tonight and two guys named Wood pitch too. So it is the Alex Alex Wood Wood Night. Dillon Gee has been a disappointment since coming off the DL.
• The Reds over the Cubs: Johnny Cueto versus Travis Wood really sounds like a mismatch. That really bothers me.
• The White Sox over the Indians: Jose Quintana deserves a win. He really does. And with T.J. House as his opponent, he has a chance. If that bullpen can only hold on for once...
• The Athletics over the Astros: There are still deep concerns about the A's without their closer and with a banged up offense. But if Jason Hammel has a reasonably good night, they should beat the Astros and Dallas Keuchel.
• The Dodgers over the Diamondbacks: Trevor Cahill has been significantly better in his last four starts. He's been a totally different guy. That said, the Dodgers should muster up enough offense and win behind Ramon Hernandez and the bullpen.
• The Angels over the Marlins: Nathan Eovaldi totally messes me up. He and Stults of the Padres are my least favorite picks because they always do the opposite of what I expect. The Angels should win this game and Matt Shoemaker has been their stud all season. With Mike Trout and Giancarlo Stanton on the same field, you have the best in baseball in one ballpark.
• The Brewers over the Padres: The Brewers are not folding. That is the first thought. The second is that Jimmy Nelson should enjoy Petco and do much better than his last start in Toronto. Tyson Ross is a good pitcher though.
• The Mariners over the Rangers: For years, the Rangers got fat on the Mariners in the division. The tide has turned and the Rangers are the team looking way up from the bottom of the standings. James Paxton should be dominant and Nick Martinez should yield at least a three-spot.
• The Giants over the Rockies: The Giants are about as unpredictable as a team gets these days. Their offense is so hit or miss that you never know what to expect. The same goes for Madison Bumgarner who never seems to string his dominance over successive games. Jorge De La Rosa is the best of the Rockies' pitchers.

And the Game of the Day

• The Royals over the Twins: The loss to the Yankees last night should just be a momentary blip for the Royals and they get back to their winning ways tonight against the Twins. They should enjoy batting against Ricky Nolasco and Danny Duffy has gotten better and better.

Yesterday: 4-6, August: 189-148, Games of the Day: 78-58 (-3), Season: 1083-897