Your faithful Fan sat down to watch the Red Sox play the Yankees. The Coca-Cola was ready, some pretzel rods sat on the TV tray and the recliner was set to heat and vibration. But then the MLB Network showed Yankee Stadium with the tarp on and it was soon announced that the game was canceled. Only mildly disappointed, this game picker then spent the rest of the evening on Twitter and it was a blast. There were folks this writer follows who were living and dying with all their contending teams. There was heart break from rooters of the Cardinals, Giants, Bay Rays and Angels and victory dances for the Rangers, Braves, Brewers and Diamondbacks. It was all fun to watch. Baseball is what ties us all together. When you love this game, then there is a shared angst that binds somehow. What a fun evening!
As for the picks, despite two rain outs, it was a decent day. The Cardinal, Bay Rays and Giant losses were not expected and were all on the loss column of picks. But the Rangers, Braves, Athletics and Brewers were correct picks. The Indians were a correct pick thanks more to a big game by Jim Thome and the offense and not the pitcher this Fan expected to carry the team. The Royals smoked the White Sox, who appear to have quit on Ozzie. That's simply the view from here. The Dodgers shut out the Padres as predicted and Matt Kemp hit another homer. Three more and he can be a 40/40 guy. And in other games, the Tigers had to go extra innings to seal that pick and the Pirates should have been picked and weren't.
Can you believe there are seventeen games on the schedule again today? Two more double-headers are on the schedule. That's a lot of baseball. The Saturday picks:
- The Nationals over the Braves: The thought here is that the Nats offense will score off of Brandon Beachy and Chien-Ming Wang continues his comeback success.
- The Indians over the Twins: In the first game of two for these two teams, David (Hassle) Huff will have to be much better than he was last time. Brian Duensing goes for the Twins and this picker can't remember the last time he had a good outing.
- The Cardinals over the Cubs: The Cards will keep trying despite the party being almost over. Kyle Lohse has had a really nice season and Rodrigo Lopez should be good for two or three gopher balls.
- The Red Sox over the Yankees: How magnanimous it was of the Yankees to give the Red Sox the choice yesterday on whether or not to play the game last night. Last night's pitching match ups Will Carry over to today and Jon Lester will still beat Freddie Garcia.
- The Mariners over the Rangers: Clinching teams have always looked terrible the next day this season. That will be no different here. Felix Hernandez should have a nice, easy win over Alexi Ogando who won't pitch long for the Rangers.
- The Reds over the Pirates: It's simple. This picker has more faith in Travis Wood than Brad Lincoln. Otherwise, a pretty meaningless game.
- The Astros over the Rockies: The Rockies are toasted this season. And J.A. Happ has pitched well for the Astros since his stint in the minors. Jason Hammel goes for the Rockies.
- The Phillies over the Mets: Don't you love when Hammel and Hamels pitch on the same day? Cole Hamels should get his fifteenth win over R.A. Dickey in the first game of this double-header.
- The Indians over the Twins: The Indians sweep the double-header behind Mitch Talbot. Scott Diamond was lit up in his last start by the Yankees, but otherwise has been decent.
- The Marlins over the Brewers: Again, the game after clinching is not pretty for the clinching team. Zack Greinke won't pitch for long and Alex Sanabia is a decent pitcher for the Marlins.
- The Royals over the White Sox: Everett Teaford has won both his major league starts. John Danks won't get much help. This Royals team is fun to watch.
- The Mets over the Phillies: Whoa! It's a Joe Blanton sighting! The long-ago fifth starter will get to face Dillon Gee. It would seem doubtful that the Phillies would start their regulars for two games in a double-header.
- The Blue Jays over the Bay Rays: Ricky Romero kicks the Bay Rays to the non-playoff curb. Jeff Niemann will simply throw less zeroes than Romero.
- The Diamondbacks over the Giants: Sure, sure, this picker picked against the other division clinchers. Why pick the Diamondbacks? Well, two reasons. First, Ian Kennedy will not want to ruin his pretty record. And secondly, the Giants can't hit.
- The Dodgers over the Padres: Hate picking against Aaron Harang at home, but the Dodgers are playing inspired baseball and Chad Billingley will benefit from the Padres' pitcher-friendly ballpark and line up.
- The Angels over the Athletics: The Angels will not throw in the towel despite being near-death in the wild card race. Jerome Williams will baffle the A's hitters and the Angels will scratch out a few runs on Guillermo Moscoso.
- The Tigers over the Orioles: You know that Justin Verlander wants 25 wins, right? He'll go all out and beat Jeremy Guthrie.
Yesterday: 8-5
Week: 45-35
Month: 188-120
Season: 1319-1030
Games of the Day: 108-64
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