Game Picks - Thursday: July 8, 2010

Eight correct, seven incorrect. It's a lot easier to accept a mediocre day of picking after a great one than it is after a bad one. Of course, the Fan could pine about the blown saves by the Cardinals and the Mariners that could have swung the entire feel of the night if they hadn't happened. This picker also got burned by flip-flopping on the Reds - Mets game. It was one flip too many. The Cubs came through again and so did the White Sox. But the Fan didn't pick the White Sox, which was foolish in retrospect. Ah well. It was fun to watch Josh Johnson manhandle the Dodgers last night. Have watched him three times while in Florida and the pitcher is most impressive.

There are 12 games on the schedule today, which is pretty good for a getaway day. Five of the games are day games. The Fan loves day games. Here is how the games look:

• The Astros over the Pirates: Once again, the Fan really wants to pick Ohlendorf, but will go with Oswalt instead due to the Pirates lack of offense.
• The White Sox over the Angels: There is no stopping Ozzie and the gang. Danks over Santana.
• The Giants over the Brewers: The Brewers have lost four straight. Today will make it five.
• The Rockies over the Cardinals: Carpenter versus Ubaldo in what should be a good match up. But both pitchers have been roughed up a bit in their last three starts.
• The Reds over the Phillies: Normally, this pick would look foolish, but not now with the way the Phillies are going.
• The Padres over the Nationals: Latos has been remarkable in his last ten starts. Should be no different here.
• The Twins over the Blue Jays: Didn't think the Blue Jays would win last night and they did. Don't think they will tonight. Will history repeat itself?
• The Indians over the Bay Rays: The Indians will take advantage of an unsuspecting team flush from two victories over the Red Sox. Plus Wade Davis goes for the Rays.
• The Rangers over the Orioles: Hunter has been great. The Rangers have been great. The Orioles are the Orioles. Enough said.
• The Marlins over the Diamondbacks: The Marlins love playing on the road because they actually get an audience. Uggla is red hot.
• The Cubs over the Dodgers: The Dodgers look a bit flat. The Cubs actually have a bit of momentum. Plus Wells has been doing well.

And the Game of the Day:

• The Yankees over the Mariners: Pettitte versus Vargas. Teixeira and A-Rod back to normal. Oh yeah. This one should be a lock.

Yesterday: 8-7
Week: 31-25
Month: 51-46
Season: 710-543
Games of the Day: 41-39