MLB Game Picks - Monday: June 15, 2015

We are not going to talk about yesterday. We are going to pretend that it never happened and move on. If you ask me, I will deny all association with it.

Moving forward, Monday's picks:

• The White Sox over the Pirates: The Pirates have been hot, but have only faced nine lefty starters all season. They have handled them well, but Carlos Rodon is a different animal altogether. Francisco Liriano has been good of late.
• The Tigers over the Reds: Neither this year's Anibal Sanchez or Jon Moscot excite me very much, but the Tigers are home and all things considered equal, should win.
• The Braves over the Red Sox: The Red Sox just got drubbed over the weekend. It was a bloodbath. I'm surprised the manager is still there. How can you pick them to win these days? Rick Porcello hasn't been pitching well. Williams Perez seems to bend but not break too much.
• The Yankees over the Marlins: The Yankees lose the DH so Alex Rodriguez sits. But Masahiro Tanaka should overcome that deficiency. Tom Koehler is a decent pitcher though.
• The Mets over the Blue Jays: The Jays lose one of their big bats and again, the law of averages is weighting heavy here with this win streak. Noah Syndergaard has been disappointing. Mark Buehrle is Mark Buehrle. Take the good and the bad.
• The Nationals over the Rays: I am going with this pick thinking Bryce Harper can at least DH today. Someone needs to tell the Rays they aren't this good. And Erasmo Ramirez has been the shock of the century thus far. Gio Gonzalez better have a good day or this pick is going down too.
• The Cubs over the Indians: I love the Cubs this year. I love what they are doing with their youth. I sure wish the Yankees would do that. Jake Arrieta gentille Arrieta has been great of late. Trevor Bauer is having a pretty good season for the Indians.
• The Rangers over the Dodgers: The Dodgers know Yovani Gallardo but he has a chance to be good today. Carlos Frias hasn't run into an offense like the Rangers yet this year so it will be a test.
• The Astros over the Rockies: Any time Dallas Keuchel is on the mound, I like the Astros' chances. Chad Bettis has has some spectacular games himself this season. If he is on, this becomes a bullpen game.
• The Royals over the Brewers: This is two road interleague series in a row for the Royals, which seems unfair. They need their DH. Even so, they did not fare well in St. Louis, so they might take it out on the Brewers. Kyle Lohse will be intent on not letting that happen. Edinson Volquez goes for the Royals.
• The Cardinals over the Twins: John Lackey is so hard to figure sometimes. I think tonight will be one of his good games. The Twins will go with Trevor May, who has been up and down. No DH for the Twins.
• The Angels over the Diamondbacks: Whenever I bash mouth Jered Weaver, he proves to me he can still win games with his swill. The Angels need to hit for this pick to work and Robbie Ray will try to keep that from happening.
• The Padres over the Athletics: Jessie Hahn goes for the A's who lose the DH. Tyson Ross is usually good at home.
• The Mariners over the Giants: Taijuan Walker has had three good starts in a row, so perhaps he is settling down to be the pitcher we expected him to be. Tim Hudson goes for the Giants and pitches these days on knowledge more than stuff.

And the Pick of the Day:

• The Orioles over the Phillies: The Phillies get an extra hitter in the lineup. Is that a good thing? Wei-Yin Chen versus Aaron Harang. The hot Oriole offense should stay hot here.

Yesterday: 5-9, June: 97-91, Season: 475-444, Picks of the Day: 36-32

MLB Game Picks - Wednesday: June 10, 2015

I got smoked by the results yesterday. Wow. For every correct pick I had, there were two incorrect picks. Yeah, that's bad. Congrats to young Mr. Jungmann winning his first MLB start and appearance. But I did not expect you to win. Congrats Chris Heston on your no-hitter, but I picked against you. Congrats Eduardo Gonzalez on another great start. But your team couldn't score. It was a good day for rookies (if you don't count Noah Syndergaard) and a bad day for me.

Wednesday picks:

• The Reds over the Phillies: I have no idea about this one. Jon Moscot starts for the Reds and I know very little about him. I know Jerome Williams of the Phillies and he throws an occasional good game. But Joey Votto is on fire, so I'll go with the Reds.
• The Blue Jays over the Marlins: This is another one to throw up my hands and go, "I don't know!" Scott Copeland is an overachiever for the Blue Jays as a high round draft pick who worked quickly through the Blue Jays' system. He doesn't strike people out. The Marlins start Tom Koehler, but their team is in such disarray (besides Giancarlo Stanton) that I can't trust them. Eight in a row for the Blue Jays?
• The Yankees over the Nationals: Speaking of eight in a row, that is what the Yankees are shooting for tonight. Nathan Eovaldi will either give them a good outing or get blown up by homers. There is no in between. Get the bullpen ready. Gio Gonzalez can be had right now.
• The Rockies over the Cardinals: Ugh! Another tough pick. Chad Bettis has been spectacular as has Carlos Martinez. Which one cracks tonight? The Cards have some injuries right now.
• The Orioles over the Red Sox: The Red Sox are doing slightly better against lefties lately, but are still poor overall. That's why I give the edge to Wei-Yin Chen over Rick Porcello. The Orioles are hitting again.
• The Cubs over the Tigers: Shane Greene is still in the Tigers' rotation after pitching terribly since the first month of the season. Not good. Meanwhile, Jake Arrieta gentille Arrieta can be very tough.
• The Rays over the Angels: You have to tip your cap to the pitching coach of the Rays. He stayed put while everyone left and look what he has done for Erasmo Ramirez. It's quite remarkable, really. Jered Weaver remains my least favorite player in baseball. What a jerk on the field he is.
• The Braves over the Padres: Tyson Ross is a very talented pitcher whose control has been his worst enemy this season. If he puts it together, this pick is toast. If not, and if Williams Perez keeps being decent, the Braves should win.
• The Mets over the Giants: The young phenom, Matt Harvey, faces the borderline Hall of Fame pitcher, Tim Hudson. Interesting match-up. I have to go with Harvey.
• The Mariners over the Indians: Trevor Bauer pitched great for the Indians last time they faced the Mariners last week. But he lost. Will that change tonight? It all depends on Taijuan Walker, a kid everyone has been waiting for to put it together. If he does, look out.
• The Astros over the White Sox: Carlos Correa has been fantastic thus far. And Vincent Velasquez is making his MLB debut after blowing people away in the minors since he was drafted in 2010. I like his chances tonight against the White Sox and Jose Quintana.
• The Royals over the Twins: The Royals are just the better team here. That said, whenever I pick against Kyle Gibson, I look stupid. And picking Edinson Volquez still makes me queasy.
• The Rangers over the Athletics: The Rangers have been really surprising to me. That being the case, I'm picking them here behind Yovani Gallardo against the A's and Jesse Hahn.
• The Diamondbacks over the Dodgers: Jeremy Hellickson has been on a nice roll and Brett Anderson has not been. So that's the pick.

And the Pick of the Day:

• The Pirates over the Brewers: This pick was wrong yesterday and I hate picking Charlie Morton. But he is another pitcher I don't believe in that makes me look foolish all the time. He is 3-0 after all. Kyle Lohse goes for the Brewers.

Yesterday: 5-10 (ouch), June: 61-59, Season: 439-412, Picks of the Day: 34-29 (-2)

MLB Game Picks - Saturday: April 11, 2015

Another day. Another unsuccessful day as the picks slipped below .500 again. What a terrible time I'm having here. I was 6-2 at one point yesterday and it all went downhill from there.  I am very happy for Brandon Morrow who pitched very well.  That was fun.

Since I am not having any fun, I'll get right to the picks for Saturday:

• The Red Sox over the Yankees: I don't believe in Adam Warren as a starter. I think the Red Sox will kill him and then who will be left to relieve? I'm not sure how ready Joe Kelly is either. But the Red Sox at least have an offense.
• The Reds over the Cardinals: Michael Wacha will probably pitch pretty well. But Johnny Cueto will pitch even better. Think how good Cueto must be to pitch as well as he does with half his games in that bandbox.
• The Twins over the White Sox: I really wonder about how well Jeff Samardzija is. I cannot remember the last time he pitched a good game. Mike Pelfrey is even riskier, but gee, the White Sox are digging a hole so far.
• The Athletics over the Mariners: I love me some Sonny Gray. He is my super good luck charm. J.A. Happ somehow keeps his career going, year after year.
• The Tigers over the Indians: Super great match-up between David Price and Corey Kluber. When both pitchers cancel each other out, go with the better team. The Tigers are the better team...again...so far...
• The Marlins over the Bay Rays: The battle for Florida continues and I have to go with the Marlins again. At home and with the better team, the only question is Jarred Cosart. Chris Archer seems to have lost a bit of his mojo.
• The Blue Jay over the Orioles: Ubaldo Jimenez could get beat up pretty good in this one. The Blue Jays' offense is killer. A lot will depend on Aaron Sanchez, a big-time arm who is very young.
• The Nationals over the Phillies: The Nationals have had a lackluster start. Good old Doug Fister to the rescue. Cole Hamels was not good his first time out. But that should be an anomaly and not the norm.
• The Braves over the Mets: Here we were wondering how bad the Braves were going to be and they came out this season gangbusters. Julio Teheran is very good and Dillon Gee has been in and out of good health. The Braves roll.
• The Pirates over the Brewers: Will the Brewers win a game this season? I'm not so sure. They sure look awful. But the law of averages starts to weigh heavy and they have to win sooner or later. With Jimmy Nelson on the mound, it probably won't be today. Vance Worley goes for the Pirates.
• The Rangers over the Astros: Yovani Gallardo did not have a good start his first time out. But I still like him better than Roberto Hernandez. The Rangers are at home. Seriously, this game could go either way.
• The Rockies over the Cubs: The Rockies are on fire and the last time I picked against Kyle Kendrick, I paid for it. Jason Hammel is pretty reliable, but things aren't going well for the Cubs so far. Of course, everything could blow up in Coors.
• The Padres over the Giants: James Shields makes his second National League start and I think he will pitch well today against the Giants. Madison Bumgarner is a tough cookie though. I'm still going with the Padres.
• The Royals over the Angels: Jeremy Guthrie and Jered Weaver will have a slow ball contest. Can you say, "wily?"  The Royals are flying high, so that's the pick.

And the Pick of the Day

• The Dodgers over the Diamondbacks: Archie Bradley makes his MLB debut today for the D-Backs. He was a number one pick and was born in the 1990s. From what I see, he has command issues. Clayton Kershaw should bounce back nicely from his opening start and win this one.

Yesterday: 7-8, Season: 26-35, Picks of the Day: 1-4

MLB Game Picks - Monday: April 6, 2015

Happy Opening Day! The first game last night from Wrigley Field was fairly entertaining. I couldn't help thinking about what Kris Bryant might have brought to the Cubs' offense that just wasn't long enough to push all those runners home. But that's what the Cubs' decision does. But wait, I let the first happy sentence get muddled up in the second sadder one. Again, Happy Opening Day--which should be a National Holiday!

Here are Monday's picks:

• The Blue Jays over the Yankees: The Blue Jays had long had a bugaboo about playing in Yankee Stadium and their losing streak there carried for a couple of years. Drew Hutchison pitched and lost in some of those. But once the streak was broken, it was broken in a big way. I'm not sure where Masahiro Tanaka is with his stuff right now. The Jays can hit!
• The Tigers over the Twins: David Price is going to have a big year. I'm not sure it will be enough for the Tigers. But it should be enough for tonight as long as the bullpen doesn't blow the game. Phil Hughes was terrific last year, but we'll see what this year brings.
• The Brewers over the Rockies: What does it tell you about these two teams' pitching when the Opening Day pitching match-up is Kyle Lohse against Kyle Kendrick. Yeesh. That's the best you got!? I am going with Lohse at home.
• The Phillies over the Red Sox: The Red Sox sure wanted Cole Hamels. The Phillies sure wanted way too much for him. Now Hamels will beat the Red Sox for sore measure. No DH for the Red Sox. I don't know where Clay Buchholz is any more.
• The Orioles over the Rays: At least this game won't be snowed out. I am concerned about the Orioles' offense. But they will be better than the Rays. Chris Archer is good. Chris Tillman should have an easier time of it though.
• The Marlins over the Braves: Henderson Alvarez was very good for the Fish last season. His FIP did not match his ERA, and he doesn't blow people away. But the guy can pitch. The Braves will have a vagabond-like offense this year though. So, no matter. The only way the Braves win is if Julio Teheran is lights out.
• The Royals over the White Sox: Now that Yordano Ventura is the Royals' Opening Day starter, can we call him, "Ace Ventura?" I think he and the Royals persevere here because I have serious concerns about Jeff Samardzija. He's looked very hitable for quite some time now.
• The Mariners over the Angels: Felix Hernandez is entering his eleventh season and is 29-years-old. Think about that for a second. I seriously think about him breaking down sooner or later. Think Sabathia. But he should be okay tonight against the tough Angels because he is better than Jered Weaver who throws like 84 MPH now.
• The Pirates over the Reds: Everyone keeps talking about the Reds as a .500 or better team. I don't see it. Yeah, Johnny Cueto, who pitches tonight, is very good. The Pirates seem like a much better team. I'm going with Francisco Liriano to shut down the Reds.
• The Dodgers over the Padres: There is a lot of talk about James Shields changing the culture on teams he plays for. But he is facing Clayton Kershaw. Advantage, Dodgers.
• The Indians over the Astros: Corey Kluber just got paid. Now, the big thing is whether he can repeat what he did last year. He was elite last year. Was it a one year thing? We'll find out. He should have no trouble with the Astros. Dallas Keuchel goes for that team.
• The Rangers over the Athletics: This a total hunch pick. I think Yovani Gallardo was a great pickup for the Rangers over the off season. He should have a good night in the Coliseum. Sonny Gray has always been my good luck charm though.
• The Giants over the Diamondbacks: Josh Collmenter had a good year for the D-Backs last year and I might pick him at home except that he is facing Madison Bumgarner. I am a little worried about Bumgarner after last year's post season heroics though.

And the Pick of the Day

• The Nationals over the Mets: Why is Bartolo Colon the Opening Day starter for the Mets? I don't get it. Max Scherzer should have no problem getting his first win with his new team an league.

Yesterday: 1-0, Season 1-0

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