Game Picks - Thursday: May 12, 2011

This week has slipped off the tracks. What started out as a joy ride is now turning into a train wreck. And it could have been even worse if the Athletics hadn't the worst luck on the planet. There they were jumping all over Texas to build a 7-0 lead when the rains came and washed all their hard work away. This game picker can feel their pain. There was no end to the crapfest as the day started out 0-7! The Yankees went to extra innings and then said, screw it, and put in their worst pitchers to get the game over with. Thanks for trying, guys. Tim Hudson had nothing. Jake Westbrook had nothing. The Pirates had nothing. The Brewers pitching was so bad that the Padres had 23 hits. The Padres!? 23 hits!? The Orioles were better than Felix Hernandez. The Reds can't seem to win consistently. And the Twins just might never win another game. This time, the West Coast saved the day. Well, it still sucked, but it could have sucked much worse. At least Jesse Litsch gave the Fan a moment to feel good about.

Thursday has the shortest schedule we've seen so far this season with only eight games on the schedule. Let's see if the Fan can get the training wheels back on at least:

• The Bay Rays over the Indians: So sad to hear that Sizemore is going to have an MRI for his knee. Some times the world just isn't fair. Meanwhile, Shields has been fantastic and faces the equally fantastic Justin Masterson. One of them has to win.
• The Cardinals over the Cubs: This is hard to admit, but the Cardinals are not the same without Tony LaRussa in the dugout. But Jaime Garcia should be better than Casey Coleman.
• The Rockies over the Mets: The same pitchers that were scheduled in the postponed game are pitching today. Ubaldo Jiminez still beats Jonathan Niese.
• The Diamondbacks over the Giants: Daniel Hudson has been ice lately. He should show less cracks than Matt Cain, a worthy opponent. 
• The Yankees over the Royals: Ivan Nova certainly doesn't inspire the greatest of confidence and the Yankees capitulation in the game last night was like throwing a challenge on Survivor. But Nova should beat Sean O'Sullivan.
• The Pirates over the Dodgers: At least in Jon Garland, the Pirates have a chance to score some runs. The Fan doesn't quite believe in Charlie Morton's 4-1 record and his ERA. But there you have it.
• The Nationals over the Braves: Just last week, the Braves looked like they were ready to take on the world. This week, they don't look ready to take on even the Nationals. Zimmermann keeps the Nats in the game long enough to beat Derek Lowe and his foot blisters.

And the Game of the Day

• The Orioles over the Mariners: Okay, the Fan will say it: The Orioles are a different team with J. J. Hardy on the field. Okay, commence smiling. But this Fan believes that. Plus, Zach Britton should beat Jason Vargas.

Yesterday: 5-8
Week: 27-25
Month: 76-72
Season; 288-256
Games of the Day: 20-22