You know a picking day has gone bad when Heath Bell blows another save for the Marlins and you need a Todd Helton dramatic late homer just to finish the day a game under .500. So many things went wrong that a post would be needed just to list them all. But this picker overslept this morning and if today's picks don't hurry up and write themselves, then some of today's games will start before they even get out there.
Perhaps that is a blessing. With no time to mull over yesterday's blunders, here are Sunday's picks:
- The Blue Jays over the Orioles: This pick has been wrong all weekend. So why keep making it? The Blue Jays are the better team but home cooking has soured an early good start. Today we have to pick between two starters that can't throw strikes in Brian Matusz and Kyle Drabek. At least in their first starts, Drabek lasted more than five innings compared to Matusz's three plus. So the pick goes that way.
- The Marlins over the Astros: Again, this pick has been wrong all weekend. Perhaps Sunday will be the day. The Marlins still have not hit a homer at home. Pretty soon, the owner of the team can sell that home run feature on eBay and call it, "Unused" and "Like new." Anibal Sanchez over J.A. Happ.
- The Nationals over the Reds: Reds fans are already putting a bounty on Dusty Baker's head and it is hard to disagree with his team's underwhelming performance since the playoff appearances in 2010. If the Reds keep signing their players long term and the team keeps losing, Baker is going to be in trouble. Ross Detwiler continues to make the most of his opportunity. Mike Leake pitches well, but it won't be enough.
- The Braves over the Brewers: Some of the story lines in this one read that Chris Narveson pitches well against the Braves. Uh, excuse us, folks, we are talking about a grand total of twelve innings. Brandon Beachy will be too much for the Brewers and the Braves score at least four to win.
- The Phillies over the Mets: The Mets are playing way better than expected. But Mike Pelfrey shouldn't be as good as Cole Hamels. So the pick goes that way.
- The Indians over the Royals: This series has confused this picker all weekend. Why should today be any different. Luis Mendoza is the best pitcher nobody respects because he doesn't strike anyone out. But the guy can pitch. Ubaldo Jimenez is back from his suspension. Which Jimenez version do we believe? The one from his first start of the year or what he did all of last season?
- The Tigers over the White Sox: Another tough call. Chis Sale was wonderful in his first start. So was Rick Porcello. The White Sox are hitting really well. But the Tigers are big offensively too. Ah well, going with the Tigers.
- The Rangers over the Twins: If Liam Hendriks thought food poisoning was bad, wait until he faces the Rangers' lineup. The Rangers win despite reservations about Neftali Feliz in the rotation.
- The Diamondbacks over the Rockies: Drew Pomeranz makes his first start of the season for the Rockies and that is exciting. But the Rockies won't let him pitch long enough to win the game. Trevor Cahill walked the farm his last time out but still gave up only one run. Another tough pick.
- The Pirates over the Giants: Kevin Correia still has that funky road warrior mystique going. So let's go with that. Ryan Vogelsong makes his first start of the season and those always make this picker queasy.
- The Athletics over the Mariners: Man is this picker sick of picking this match-up. Blake Beavan pitched great his first time out. Fluke? Maybe. Graham Godrey is such an unknown quantity for this picker that he has to be picked for the sake of ignorance.
- The Dodgers over the Padres: Different team, same old Edinson Volquez. Clayton Kershaw is the easy pick here.
- The Yankees over the Angels: Ivan "Super" Nova ties Whitey Ford for the most consecutive Yankee victories. The Yankees should hit Jerome Williams.
And the Game of the Day!
- The Cardinals over the Cubs: This should be a solid pick. Paul Maholm has never scared anyone. Neither has Jake Westbrook. But Westbrook has a better track record. Lance Berkman is still out but the Cards have plenty of offense.
Yesterday: 7-8
Last week: 51-40
Season: 69-58
Games of the Day: 6-4
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