Monday, April 23, 2012

Game Picks - Monday: April 23, 2012

Twenty percent of games in Major League Baseball were rained out yesterday as a bloody miserable storm rolls up the east coast. For us, unfortunately, it doesn't mean a warm rain, but rather a wintry mix. How this picker longs for warm sun and a few rounds on the golf course. Will it ever come? Watching baseball on television is about the only sunshine we sometimes see. 

At least of the games that did play, the picks finished in the black. That's a darn sight better than the disaster that was Saturday. The Astros really fouled up that pick. Well, the Dodgers didn't help themselves with three errors and a real stinker thrown up by Chad Billingsley. The Angels' bullpen cost another pick as well as that team another game. Jeremy Guthrie is enjoying the National League and cost another pick. Noted that in the memory bank. And at this point, it simply hasn't sunk in that the Phillies aren't very good. At least they are not at this point in the season.

Monday's schedule is fairly full for a usual off day. The Mets and Giants continue their series with a pair of games in soggy New York. The Yankees and Rangers play a big series this week that begins today. So let's take a look at Monday's games. The picks:
  • The Giants over the Mets (first game): Will take Tim Lincecum and hope that he comes back to form in this start. The 80 year old Miguel Bautista gets a spot start for the Mets. He should be good for four or five innings, but then what?
  • The Giants over the Mets (second game): Madison Bumgarner, when he is on, is truly terrific. Dillon Gee can be tough at home. Should be a close game.
  • The Pirates over the Rockies: Kevin Corriea holds back the Rockies in Pittsburgh while the Pirates score three or more off of Jamie Moyer. Since Moyer has gotten his win, the picks have to be less sentimental and more reality based.
  • The Yankees over the Rangers: C.C. Sabathia in hot Texas? Yes, he'll like that. Derek Holland has never beaten the Yankees, but that doesn't mean anything. Will be a tight game. Russell Martin's defense behind the plate (or Chris Stewart if he plays) come up big with the Rangers' willy nilly base running.
  • The Cardinals over the Cubs: Have picked against Jaime Garcia every time this season and it has burned. Hate for picks to be reactionary, but there it is. If Matt Garza is on, this game will be low scoring.
  • The Red Sox over the Twins: The rained out game yesterday against the Yankees was probably a break for this beleaguered Red Sox team. They can regroup and get a good performance from Jon Lester to get a win over Jason Marquis.
  • The Royals over the Blue Jays: This is a tough one. Brandon Morrow has given up a lot of homers so far, but he's always better on the road. Bruce Chen is amazing with his powder puff stuff. The Royals have lost so many games in a row, the odds say they have to win one here sometime.
  • The Diamondbacks over the Phillies: How about a pitching match up between Kyle Kendrick and Wade Miley? That isn't exactly how these two teams would have drawn it up this time of year, eh? Tired of picking the Phillies day after day only to have the pick go south. Taking the D-backs at home.
  • The White Sox over the Athletics: Another tough pick. Bartolo Colon has had three impressive starts. But he is neutralized by Jake Peavy who has had a revival in his start to this season. The White Sox should score a run or two more.
  • The Dodgers over the Braves: The Dodgers are back at home. Chris Capuano has been surprisingly good there. Jair Jurrjens is too much of a question mark to pick.

And the Game of the Day!

  • The Brewers over the Astros: The Astros are playing spirited ball. But the Brewers have never lost a game at home that Zack Greinke has started. The streak is nineteen games long now. Make it twenty.The impressive Lucas Harrell goes for the Astros.

Yesterday: 7-5
Week: 7-5
Season: 131-103
Games of the Day: 11-6

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