I was very happy with nine correct picks out of sixteen considering I picked both ends of the Nationals - Mets double-header incorrectly and then the Yankees' CC Sabathia got pounded (again). And then the Cardinals lost with their ace on the mound and the Pirates lost with their best pitcher on the mound and I was in a pretty deep hole. Fortunately, the rest of the day went according to plan.
I thought I was going to lose the Astros - Blue Jays game as the Astros held a 6-4 lead heading into the eight inning. But then this happened. Yes, Edwin Encarnacion can hit a baseball. Two Edwings in one inning. Whoa.
Saturday's picks:
- The Yankees over the Bay Rays: Yeah, stupid is as as stupid does. What can I say? I just like the match-up of Ivan Nova, who has really been pitching well, and Chris Archer. I feel like Nova has a better chance of shutting the other team down. It is probably either dumb or wishful thinking.
- The Blue Jays over the Astros: Josh Johnson has been a complete mystery for the last two seasons. But this is the Astros he is facing. Plus, the Blue Jays should handle Dallas Keuchel fairly easily. Has anyone noticed how well Jose Reyes has been playing?
- The Angels over the Athletics: Garret Richards has allowed only two runs in his last 12.2 innings of work with thirteen strikeouts. But that has been from the bullpen. Can he translate that to the starting rotation? We'll see. He did not fare well in the rotation earlier this season. But it looks like he has grown some. Tommy Milone is one of the A's pitchers that can be had.
- The Mets over the Nationals: The Nats could get a bump from that walk-off win last night. But more likely, Dan Haren will get bumped around today as he does not seem to have anything left. And Dillon Gee has a chance to shut down the Nats.
- The Twins over the Mariners: The M's blew it last night and wasted an amazing performance by King Felix. So what chance will they have with Aaron Harang on the mound? Well, he does pitch pretty well at home. But Samuel Deduno has pitched mighty well for the Twins.
- The Orioles over the Red Sox: Ryan Dempster and Scott Feldman are very similar in that they induce contact and that contact has to go to places that can turn them into outs. Both pitchers canceling themselves out, I am going with the home team as well as the fact that the O's seem to play the Red Sox well.
- The Cardinals over the Braves: I had to look up what Julio Teheran did last time because his pattern has remained constant. He has a good outing and then a bad outing and then a good outing and then bad. He gets a win and then a loss and then a win and then a loss. He is due for a loss in the cycle. Joe Kelly goes for the Cards.
- The Indians over the Rangers: Justin Masterson, when he is on, can match Yu Darvish. And if he can do that, the Indians can win it late. That is the theory here.
- The White Sox over the Royals: Wade Davis is not a starting pitcher. Wade Davis should not be a starting pitcher. He is fine in the bullpen, but as a starter? No. Now, Chris Sale is another story. Now that is a starting pitcher.
- The Marlins over the Pirates: Bear with me on this one before you laugh. Tom Koehler has had three really good starts in his last four outings. He can shut the Pirates down. Meanwhile, the Pirates have Charlie Morton pitching and that, to me, is a weakness.
- The Rockies over the Brewers: The Rockies are pitching Collin McHugh and the young Irishman has not had any success at all in the Majors. So why am I picking him then? Because, he is getting another chance and I am big on that, plus, he is facing Tom Gorzelanny and the hapless Brewers.
- The Diamondbacks over the Padres: The Padres have been good for the D-backs and have helped them stay relevant in the NL West race. Today will be no different as Tyler Skaggs beats Andrew Cashner.
- The Giants over the Cubs: I keep picking the Giants like they are still a good team or something. And everyday they prove to me they are not a good team. But Madison Bumgarner is still their best pitcher and the Cubs pitch Chris Rusin, who is not a strikeout pitcher or a ground ball pitcher. Hmm...
- The Dodgers over the Reds: It seems that Hyun-jin Ryu was built for Dodgers Stadium and I never pick against him there. Bronson Arroyo has been the most efficient pitcher in baseball this season, so there is that. But it is not like the Dodgers like to wait around to hit a baseball.
And the Game of the Day:
- The Tigers over the Phillies: Max Scherzer is 14-1. So picking against that kind of success would be kind of stupid, right? Right. Besides, the Phillies are starting Raul Valdes who has been a mediocre relief pitcher all season.
Yesterday: 9-7
Last week: 65-38
Month: 193-124
Season: 870-660
Games of the Day: 67-44 -1
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