Saturday, May 25, 2013

MLB Game Picks - Saturday: May 25, 2013

The game last night between the Yankees and Rays typified the night. The Yankees won the game but lost Curtis Granderson again with another broken bone from getting hit by a pitch. Yesterday's picks could not escape bad news that followed good news. Plus it was incomplete with the Braves - Mets game suspended due to weather. Thus the day will remain incomplete until that game is finished. If the Braves win, the day will be, 10-5. If not, then 9-6.

I can relate to the weather thing. It started to rain here on Monday and has rained every day this week and is supposed to rain all bloody weekend. When did I move to Seattle and how can I get back?

Here are Saturday's picks:

  • The Braves over the Mets: How many people are aware of the season Mike Minor is having? His WHIP is under one and his only sub-par start this season was against the Tigers. He should be better than Dillon Gee. The other factor in this game is whether the bullpens will be all sapped out if the teams complete the suspended game first.
  • The Blue Jays over the Orioles: This outcome all depends on how well R.A. Dickey pitches. The Blue Jays will score, as they have been killing the ball and get to tee it up against Freddy Garcia. If Dickey can hold back the hard-hitting Orioles just a little bit, the Blue Jays win. I like their chances.
  • The Red Sox over the Indians: Jon Lester's last couple of starts have me a bit concerned that he is falling back to last year's patterns. But I think they are just blips and he will pitch a good game today. Scott Kazmir could shut the Red Sox down. But he probably will not.
  • The Royals over the Angels: There is so much to consider in this game. First, the Angels have caught fire. And they are winning left and right. But, they have Billy Buckner slated to start today and he has not pitched in the Majors since 2010. His minor league numbers are not promising. He has always lacked command and is homer prone. Then, there is the Royals, who have really hit the skids lately. They are flat and lifeless. But Jeremy Guthrie always give them a chance to win. Oy.
  • The Giants over the Rockies: I am going against the odds here because the game is actually determined on the field. The Rockies have had the best of the Giants so far. And Juan Nicasio is a pretty decent pitcher. But Barry Zito got his bad start out of the way and can now bamboozle the Rockies for six or seven. The Giants are too tight a team to get rolled over the entire series.
  • The Tigers over the Twins: It is really kind of sad that every pitcher the Twins can call upon is exactly the same--high contact, no strikeout guys. Someday, they will actually get some real arms. P.J. Walters is not it. Doug Fister with the win.
  • The Reds over the Cubs: Yes, Travis Wood is having a good season. Yes, the Cubs are playing pretty well...for them. But picking against the Reds at home is pretty dicey. Homer Bailey really has not gotten untracked yet this season. It is time.
  • The Pirates over the Brewers: The odds are saying the Brewers win this game. I am not liking Mike Fiers as the Brewers' starter. He is the true definition of a BABIP pitcher with few strikeouts. Everything has to go right in order for him to win. On the other hand, the Pirates just do not hit very much and have to hope Jeff Locke can shut down the Brewers. Maybe the odds were right. We will see.
  • The White Sox over the Marlins: The White Sox tried very hard to give the Marlins a win yesterday and the Marlins just could not do it. There seems to be no shot for the Fish to win today. Jake Peavy goes against the needs-to-be-traded Ricky Nolasco.
  • The Athletics over the Astros: That game last night was a heart-breaker for the Astros. But that is what happens to bad teams. Lucas Harrell could keep the Astros in this one, but give A.J. Griffin the edge for the win.
  • The Nationals over the Phillies: Yeah, Jonathan Pettibone is 3-0. But I just do not see it. His numbers do not fly off the charts for me. Dan Haren is a bit of a flier for the Nationals too. But he is the pick here.
  • The Cardinals over the Dodgers: I cannot see how Don Mattingly survives here. His team is dead in the water and now he has alienated Andre Ethier who really was not having that bad a season. The Dodgers put up a real dud last night and Ted Lilly will never inspire confidence. John Gast is the wild card in all this.
  • The Diamondbacks over the Padres: Andrew Cashner has the ability and the arm to shut down the D-backs. But then the Padres have to score. Wade Miley will do his best to make sure that does not happen.
  • The Mariners over the Rangers: Picking against Felix Hernandez at home just does not make sense. Granted, the M's have to score for him to win, but if they get a couple, he will make them hold up. Derek Holland goes for the Rangers. Hey! Brendan Ryan's average is over .200!

And the Game of the Day!

  • The Rays over the Yankees: The Rays have won every game that Matt Moore has started this season. How can you pick against that? Besides, he is left-handed and the Yankees' lineup against lefties is pathetic. Add in that Vidal Nuno is starting for the Yankees and that seals the pick.

Yesterday: 9-5  (still pending the suspended game)
Week: 42-34
Month: 181-135
Season: 410-299
Games of the Day: 35-18


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