MLB Game Picks - Sunday: July 6, 2014

Yesterday was a huge struggle and I feel fortunate to have clawed back to a .500 record. One pick, the Yankees, lost on a homer in the seventh and an error by the catcher in extra innings. I had the White Sox beating Felix Hernandez...and they did...for eight innings until the bullpen blew it. I had even written about the day's starting pitcher, Jose Quintana, and he was brilliant and deserved better.

I also talked about my fine string of extra inning games going my way recently. That all ended yesterday when two games went to free baseball and both went against me. And I completely didn't see the Rays bushwhacking Anibal Sanchez the way they did.

Oh well. Sunday is another day. The picks:

• The Indians over the Royals: Those darned Royals. You can never count on them for anything. Today's game could be tight with Corey Kluber at home facing Danny Duffy. A lot will depend on Duffy.
• The Reds over the Brewers: This is another pick that went bad yesterday. Perhaps Mat Latos can make good on it today. I am thinking that Yovani Gallardo continues to struggle, but you watch, he'll throw a masterpiece today.
• The Mets over the Rangers: It's funny how there are two Wheelers in MLB right now and both their names start with "Z." I am pretty zealous on Zack Wheeler today against Nick Tepesch. Tepesch has been on an every other game being good kick and this is the off start.
• The Braves over the Diamondbacks: Everyone is getting all excited about the Braves' winning streak. Well, the D-backs aren't exactly a good team., so let's not get too carried away. Even so, Alex Wood should win today over Wade Miley.
• The Orioles over the Red Sox: Jake Peavy just can't get it going this year and he looks mighty expendable these days. On the other side, Kevin Gausman should be placed in the Orioles' rotation and left there.
• The Nationals over the Cubs: I hate picking against Jake Arrieta gentille Arrieta because he has been so brilliant in his last four starts. I mean amazing. But I think Jordan Zimmermann will match him for zeroes and it will become a bullpen game. Then, anything can happen.
• The Pirates over the Phillies: I wouldn't say that this pick is a Jeff Locke to be correct, but the Phillies just look bad lately. Real bad. A.J. Burnett should have retired. But the pay is good I suppose.
• The Yankees over the Twins: Ricky Nolasco is the perfect picture of the Yankees' season. The last time he faced them, he gave up eleven base runners in six innings and still only gave up just one run. However, I do think Hiroki Kuroda will enjoy that big ballpark.
• The Marlins over the Cardinals: Marco Gonzalez has proven over his first two starts that he is not yet ready for prime time. Henderson Alvarez should get some run support today.
• The Angels over the Astros: Collin McHugh always strikes out more batters than innings, but he is at most a six inning pitcher. And the Astros simply cannot get nine outs or more from their bullpen. Garrett Richards won't help the Astros' cause either.
• The Athletics over the Blue Jays: I would be a little more torn about this one if the Blue Jays were playing better. But they are not. And the A's patient approach is not a good fit for Drew Hutchison. Despite all the hype about Jeff Samardzija, he had an awful June.
• The Dodgers over the Rockies: Yohan Flande will give up three or four runs. The question then is how many Josh Beckett gives up. I'm think the Dodgers jump on Flande and Beckett holds on for dear life at Coors.
• The Padres over the Giants: Chaka Hahn. Jesse Hahn. He's my guy and he's been awesome. Can the Padres get him any runs against Tim Lincecum who has made the Padres his own personal career saver?
• The Tigers over the Rays: I would like this game more for the Tigers if Victor Martinez wasn't hurting. But Rick Porcello has been terrific and David Price can give up a homer or two along with his ten strikeouts.

And the Game of the Day:

• The Mariners over the White Sox: Until the White Sox can close out a game, they are hard to pick consistently. Hector Noesi has been pretty good surprisingly, but the bullpen blows all his games. Taijuan Walker, on the other hand, is the bomb.

Yesterday: 8-8, July: 43-27, Games of the Day: 49-42, Season: 725-602