Saturday, April 12, 2014

MLB Game Picks - Saturday: April 12, 2014

The last three days of picking have been a struggle and Friday was no different. It was up and down all night and the picks just finished a game over .500. I should have picked Ryu as he was terrific. The same could be said for Andrew Cashner. The NL Central has me all out of whack and I did not get any of those games right as the Cards and Pirates both lost. I also did not expect Dustin McGowan to be as good as he was.

I just saw my first robin of the spring as I was looking out the window, so perhaps that was a sign of hope. Here are Saturday's picks:
  • The Yankees over the Red Sox: Hiroki Kuroda is pretty money in day games. Of course, it will all depend on if the Yankees can score any runs off of John Lackey, who has been good so far this season.
  • The Rays over the Reds: I like Alex Cobb in this game. I think he can keep the Reds off balance with his change-up. Alfredo Simon won his first start of the season, but that does not seem like a good way to go here.
  • The Indians over the White Sox: Felipe Paulino has been terrible with a 2.28 WHIP. Justin Masterson has not been good so far. But which one has a better chance of being better? Yes, Justin Masterson.
  • The Royals over the Twins: The Twins got the better of the Royals last night. I do not see that happening two days in a row. James Shields over Ricky Nolasco.
  • The Cardinals over the Cubs: In Adam Wainwright do I trust. In Carlos Villanueva, I don't. When is Allen Craig going to start hitting?
  • The Rockies over the Giants: Matt Cain just is not Matt Cain anymore. What has he lost? I must go and study this. Brett Anderson has not won a game for the Rockies yet. This could be the one.
  • The Phillies over the Marlins: Jonathan Pettibone makes his first Major League start. He is from Placentia, California, so is this the birth of a big league career? Ugh. Sorry for that. Anyway, Nathan Eovaldi goes for the Marlins and he makes this pick tough, because he has gotten much better.
  • The Blue Jays over the Orioles: Drew Hutchison probably learned a bit after his loss to the Yankees. He will bounce back. The Orioles' defense is compromised without Hardy and Machado. Bud Norris will never be as good as people thought he would be.
  • The Brewers of the Pirates: If I have learned anything over the years of doing this, it's that Yovani Gallardo rarely loses at home. So he is the pick over Edinson Volquez, who is doing better this year.
  • The Braves over the Nationals: Two young arms in this one with Alex Wood facing Taylor Jordan. Both have pitched well. I simply like a lefty like Wood against the Nationals' lineup.
  • The Rangers over the Astros: Yesterday, Matt Domiguez had two hits. The rest of the Astros went 0-35. Only two starters in the Astros' lineup is batting over .200. It's sad. So even if Tanner Scheppers is not that good a MLB starter, he has a chance here. Jarred Cosart goes for the Astros.
  • The Dodgers over the Diamondbacks: I think Zack Greinke is going to be better than Wade Miley in this game. But Greinke doesn't last long in the game, so the bullpen has to come up big.
  • The Padres over the Tigers: I have a feeling Ian Kennedy is going to come up big in this game and that Justin Verlander will continue being sort of ordinary.
  • The Angels over the Mets: With Jered Weaver's low fastball velocity, so much is predicated on how he does with his command. When he is off, the balls go flying out of the yard. Which will it be tonight? I have little faith right now in Jonathon Niese.
And the Game of the Day!
  • The Athletics over the Mariners: You know by now that I always pick Sonny Gray, right? If not, then file that tidbit away. Erasmo Ramirez is hit or miss. He is either great or terrible.
Yesterday: 8-7, Games of the Day: 5-4, Season: 88-67

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