Saturday, June 15, 2013

MLB Game Picks - Saturday: June 15, 2013

My horrible week of picking continues with another terrible night. When I went to bed, the Rockies were leading the Phillies, 7-2, as Kyle Kendrick got bombed as predicted. What I did not see coming was the Phillies scoring six runs in the last four innings to win the game despite the fact that their pitching staff did not record a strikeout until Jonathan Papelbon recorded one in the ninth.

The day started off well. The Orioles beat the Red Sox, the Indians beat the Nats and the Pirates beat the Dodgers all as predicted and I was 3-0. But then the Cardinals lost, the Rays lost (the Game of the Day), and the Mets lost and the slide had started. Only three more picks were correct the rest of the evening.

I do not know what I am going to do if this does not turn around soon. Saturday's picks:

  • The Cubs over the Mets: And of course, the day starts out with a puzzler. Jonathon Niese is supposed to be a pretty good pitcher. But he has games where he gets bombed, including his last one. Scott Feldman has had a good year for the Cubs, but again, his last start was not so good. Ugh.
  • The Dodgers over the Pirates: MLB.com has the Pirates' pitcher as TBO. That is not good. Yahoo lists Brandon Cumpton as making his Major League debut. So we will go with that. Cumpton's numbers in the minors are ordinary and he does not make any prospect list. So maybe Clayton Kershaw can actually get a win to go with his 1.88 ERA. Just maybe.
  • The Red Sox over the Orioles: The Orioles have the Red Sox' number. It has not been pretty. But John Lackey seems like a better pick than Freddy Garcia. Then again, I have picked against Garcia twice in a row and he has won. So there you go.
  • The Braves over the Giants: Okay, I get that I should have picked Bumgarner last night. But both starters had been hot and it was a flip of the coin of which would have a good day. I flipped poorly. But in this one? Come on, Mike Minor has to be better than Chad Gaudin. He just has to be. If he is not, then I give up.
  • The Blue Jays over the Rangers: Let's face it, R.A. Dickey has not been good. But at least he is capable of a good game if his knuckler works. But Josh Lindblom? He is not exactly Lindblooming in his early time with the Rangers. This could be a wild one.
  • The Bay Rays over the Royals: Yeah, this pick did not work out yesterday or the day before. But I am stubborn that way. For one, I like Alex Cobb...a lot. For another, the Royals are hot, but the Rays are not this bad. Lastly, I do not know what the heck I am doing anymore. Jeremy Guthrie goes for the Royals.
  • The Reds over the Brewers: Homer Bailey has a horrible lifetime record against the Brewers but beat them his last time out quite impressively. Ryan Braun's status remains day to day. Yovani Gallardo is certainly capable of a shut down day if he is on. Never an easy pick these days.
  • The Rockies over the Phillies: I have no idea which team is going to win this game. I will be honest. Jonathan Pettibone and Tyler Chatwood both pitching at Coors Field sounds like a nightmare. This could be like a 13-12 score. Or one of the pitchers can be unexpectedly sharp today. Either way, I have no idea.
  • The White Sox over the Astros: The Astros won yesterday. The Astros have been a thorn in my side because they are bad enough to lose every game, but will win at least fifty games this year because that is how it works. You never know when a win will happen. The White Sox are terrible. They are probably one of the worst constructed teams in baseball. But I like John Danks over Lucas Harrell.
  • The Cardinals over the Marlins: I had a dream that Tom Koehler won his first game ever the other night. Seriously, I dreamed that. But since these picks have been my nightmare, I have to pick the Cardinals behind Lance Lynn. The Marlins are a different team with Giancarlo Stanton in there. But still.
  • The Tigers over the Twins: Anibal Sanchez does this every year. He shows brilliance. But then he gets nagging injuries and misses a start or two and is mediocre in between. But then he shows brilliance again. One never knows. And of course, that Tigers' bullpen. Ouch. The Twins are starting Samuel Deduno, which rhymes with I dunno.
  • The Angels over the Yankees: Let's be real here. Whenever I pick the Yankees, it is an emotional pick. For years, the emotions matched the team's skill level. This year, they do not. Tommy Hanson over David Phelps.
  • The Mariners over the Athletics: As good as Felix Hernandez is, we have all seen how his start does not guarantee a win. But you still have to respect that he gives his team a chance to win. A.J. Griffin is hot and cold. But the Mariners' offense is stinky. Gosh, this is hard.
  • The Diamondbacks over the Padres: How silly is it that Jason Marquis is 8-2? I know because I have picked against him all year and he has made me look stupid...which at this point, after this week, I can do pretty much well by myself. But I am going with Wade Miley and thinking Goldschmidt does something good.

And the Game of the Day!
  • The Nationals over the Indians: My champion, Jordan Zimmermann, goes tonight. He is my man and I have been going with him for three years. If I was playing Strat-O-Matic baseball, I would pitch him every night. Scott Kazmir pitches for the Indians.

Yesterday: 6-9
Week: 31-48  Worst. Week. Ever.
Month: 89-98
Season: 552-448
Games of the Day: 43-30

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