Thursday, May 22, 2014

MLB Game Picks - Thursday: May 22, 2014

8-7. Don't start that stuff again! At least it was better than the drubbing I took on Tuesday. I am sad about the Game of the Week as that feature had battled its way back to .500 only to fall below it again as the Orioles lost to the Pirates. Chris Tillman got shelled inexplicably.

Have you noticed a lot of aces not getting the job done lately? Verlander lost this week. Scherzer was hit hard. Strasburg did not get a win. Kershaw was shelled. Price lost. Tanaka lost. What's going on here?

I should be happy with the 8-7 day since after seven games, the picks were sitting at 2-5. Right? Thursday's picks:
  • The Marlins over the Phillies: Henderson Alvarez has a 2.33 ERA at home with a 4.0 K/BB ratio. On the road, his ERA is 4.88 with a 1.9 K/BB ratio. I'll stay with him at home over Cole Hamels who continues his hard luck ways.
  • The Rangers over the Tigers: Yu Darvish has become even more nasty this year as he has cut down on his walks. He has only pitched once at Comerica and pitched quite well there. So I like him over Robbie Ray. I am high on Ray, but he just pitched in relief a couple of days ago.
  • The Rockies over the Giants: The only time this year that Tim Hudson has given up more than three runs was at Coors. Go figure. Jorge De La Rosa is 3-0 at home. Add the two together and this seems to be the right pick as long as Giants announcers don't keep getting in Troy Tulowitzki's head.
  • The Blue Jays over the Red Sox: I am really torn about this one. Jon Lester is the Red Sox best pitcher but can be had--especially early. Mark Buehrle has been so good that it makes you worry about him regressing to his career marks.
  • The Athletics over the Rays: The losses are piling up for the Rays. But at least they have Alex Cobb back today for the first time since mid-April. Will that be enough? Or will my man, Sonny Gray, keep his winning ways going? I think it will be the latter.
  • The Orioles over the Indians: Today's scheduled Indians' starter, Josh Tomlin, was forced into action last night in that long game. So who will start? Will it be an emergency call up from the minors? That gives the edge to Wei-Yin Chen, but Chen better pitch deep into this game, something he doesn't do often.
  • The Nationals over the Pirates: Edinson Volquez is not doing much better for the Pirates than he did in Cincinnati or in San Diego. You could kind of predict that. He gave up four homers to the Yankees his last time out. Blake Treinen pitched well his last time out (his first MLB start).
  • The Dodgers over the Mets: Zack Greinke has had a charmed existence since joining the Dodgers. I don't expect that to change today. Jon Niese is not a bad pitcher at all though.
  • The Braves over the Brewers: Yes, Aaron Harang has come back to earth, but the Brewers are struggling and are not hitting. Matt Garza may strike out nine or ten Braves and still lose.
  • The White Sox over the Yankees: It was nice of the White Sox to bring Chris Sale back just to face the Yankees. David Phelps is very vulnerable as a starter in my opinion.
  • The Padres over the Cubs: Jake Arrieta gentille Arrieta gets the start for the Cubs, a fact that doesn't give me much comfort. Eric Stults hasn't exactly lit it up for the Padres either, but I'll give him the edge at home.
  • The Mariners over the Astros: Robinson Cano has been really hot lately and might be settling in nicely now in Seattle. Too bad he doesn't have much help. But the Astros are the worse team here, especially since George Springer got hurt last night, and Joenis Elias should beat Jarred Cosart.
And the Game of the Day:
  • The Cardinals over the Diamondbacks: Good luck, Tony La Russa. I think Jeff Passan is right about that move being all wet. Anyway, back to the game at hand. I'm going with Lance Lynn who did not have a lynning his last time out over Wade Miley.
Yesterday: 8-7, May: 153-132, Games of the Day: 23-24, Season: 386-304

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