Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Game Picks - Tuesday: September 20, 2011

What a crazy, amazing, stunning and weird day of baseball. Despite picking both games of the Red Sox - Orioles double-header correctly and the Yankee win over the Twins (despite A.J. Burnett's rim shot of a start), it wasn't until J.J. Putz closed out Ian Kennedy's gem of a 20th win that the day went in the black. Along the way, the Marlins stunned the Braves with a walk off homer off of ace closer, Craig Kimbrel, the Cardinals held on for a  win against the best pitcher in baseball, Roy Halladay, the Brewers lost to a starting pitcher with an ERA over six, the once-vaunted Cincinnati Reds  lost to a team that has lost 100 games this season and the Mariners crushed the Indians until the rains came up with their own mercy rule. All of the games in the last sentence were incorrect picks.

For this picker, the win by Kennedy and the new record set by Mariano Rivera for saves were the highlights of the day. Mike Stanton's two homers deserve honorable mention as they helped set up the walk off homer by Infante.

Can you believe there are seventeen games on tap for Wednesday? Holy smokes, this picker has some work to do:

  • The Phillies sweep the Nationals: Yes, the Phillies will rest people. But Kyle Kendrick and Cliff Lee will still beat Ross Detwiler and Tom Milone.
  • The White Sox over the Indians: Fausto Carmona has been really, really bad lately so Gavin Floyd should win the first game of this double-header.
  • The White Sox over the Indians: Should have just said the White Sox sweep, right? Dylan Axlerod has looked good in his look-see starts while Zach McAllister has been blistered in his.
  • The Yankees over the Bay Rays: The Yankees will do their part to keep the Bay Rays from making the playoffs. Wade Davis has been the weakest link in a strong rotation for the Rays. And Ivan Nova will do just fine in his playoff tune up.
  • The Angels over the Blue Jays: The Angels will have a good game at the plate if Brett Cecil pitches or doesn't. Either way, Joel Pineiro should get the win.
  • The Braves over the Marlins: The Braves must win this game and must get a longer outing from Randall Delgado to help their tired bullpen. Anibal Sanchez goes for the Fish.
  • The Red Sox over the Orioles: Calm down, Red Sox Nation. You'll be fine. Erik Bedard takes this one against Rick VandenHurk, who hasn't been very good.
  • The Astros over the Reds: The Reds have packed it in for the season. It's kind of noticeable. Bud Norris has a good game and beats Homer Bailey.
  • The Brewers over the Cubs: Shaun Marcum will have a nice bounce back after a clunker against the Rockies and the Brewers will get to Randy Wells.
  • The Tigers over the Royals: The Tigers have a chance at home field advantage in the playoffs if they keep winning. Brad Penny can be either so-so or bad depending on the day. The real challenge in this one is not knowing how Luis Mendoza will do in his MLB debut after a great minor league season.
  • The Twins over the Mariners: This picker will believe one more time in Liam Hendrik. Another start like the last one and he'll be off the bandwagon. Jason Vargas goes for the Mariners.
  • The Cardinals over the Mets: The Cardinals are in this thing! Edwin Jackson has a good day and Mike Pelfrey will give up enough for a Cards win.
  • The Padres over the Rockies: The Rockies look like a lake float pulled to shore during the winter. Jhoulys Chacin looked awful his last start and Matt Latos just has to have a decent game to win.
  • The Diamondbacks over the Pirates: Daniel Hudson is better than Ian Kennedy so the analysts say. He faces Charlie Morton who was on the schedule to pitch yesterday but Jeff Karstens started instead (and pitched great in a loss).
  • The Rangers over the Athletics: Derek Holland has been really good in his last three starts but he only needs to be adequate for the Rangers to win this one. Rick Harden goes for the A's and if you toss out his start against the Yankees, Harden has been fungible.

And the Game of the Day!

  • The Dodgers over the Giants: Clayton Kershaw again out pitches Tim Lincecum and wins his 20th. Hopefully, Kershaw won't get tossed by the umps in this one.

Yesterday: 6-5
Week: 16-10
Month; 157-95
Season: 1289-1005
Games of the Day: 106-62

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