No arrows for Fernando Rodney

You have to hand it to the Oakland Athletics. They are a smart team that uses their information very wisely. The A's had tied a huge game with the Seattle Mariners up with a home run by Josh Donaldson off of perhaps the best pitcher in the American League. The homer ensured that King Felix could not seal the deal on perhaps the biggest start of his career in Seattle. In the tenth inning, they drew Fernando Rodney. And they nailed it.

The A's didn't hit the guy who has averaged 43 saves the past three seasons. They simply would not swing. Rodney has one big flaw. He walks people. Last year, his rate per nine innings was 4.86. This year, Rodney is walking people at a rate of 4.04 per nine. But he usually succeeds because he gets people to swing.

Fernando Rodney does not like the strike zone. Only 47.7% of his pitches are thrown in the strike zone. He likes to stay off the corners and throw his change below the knees. It usually works. It did not work against the A's. All the A's had to do was stand there.

Four walks later, the A's scored the winning run. It was a huge victory in the chase for the wild card. It was a huge win because they have Jon Lester pitching today. It was a huge win because ever since they traded for Jon Lester, they stopped hitting.

But in the tenth inning, they didn't have to hit. They just had to stand there and let Rodney do all the work for them. Four walks. Rodney threw 28 pitches. Only ten of them were strikes. Only six of them were in the strike zone but the A's swung at eight of Rodney's offerings. They needn't have.

Here, courtesy of Brooks Baseball is Rodney's evening in all its glory. The A's aren't hitting. But they know what to do when they don't have to hit. The only arrow shot in this one went into the hearts of Mariner fans.

MLB Game Picks - Sunday: September 14, 2014

Yesterday I was complaining because of having two great days but having the Game of the Day feature come up empty. I should have kept my mouth shut. I got the Game of the Day feature correct (the Cardinals hung on to win) but had a crappy day overall. I think the great day / bad Game of the Day is preferable.

How about Mike Trout with two big flies? How about Zack Greinke with a double an a homer? Tim Hudson and Tim Lincecum have both had great success pitching in the Major Leagues. The Dodgers destroyed them both. Hudson's string of winning seasons is surely going to be ended now.

I didn't think the Twins could lose another double-header. I was wrong. King Felix was not clutch as he gave up the game-tying homer to Josh Donaldson and the A's eventually won a game the Mariners had to have. I have no idea what Fernando Rodney was doing in the tenth, but needless to say, he did not shoot any arrows. The Yankees did their patented "score-early-and-then-die" offense but still hung on two win. That bullpen is terrific. The Blue Jays beat the Rays in the battle of the Ays. I got all those games wrong.

Here we go, Sunday, treat me right:

• The Blue Jays over the Rays: This is a scary pick because you never know with Mark Buehrle. But he has been on one of his good streaks again and Chris Archer has not been as effective in the last month or so. The Blue Jays at home.
• The Tigers over the Indians: Justin Verlander is no longer an ace. But he can still be good enough to beat the Indians at home. Trevor Bauer simply doesn't do much for me at any time--even less today.
• The Nationals over the Mets: Again, I like Jon Niese. I like him a lot. The Nationals are just too hot at the plate right now and Jordan Zimmermann really shouldn't have any trouble with the Mets' lineup.
• The Pirates over the Cubs: This pick did not work out yesterday, which was a huge shock to me. Edinson Volquez needs to come up big. Jacob Turner is starting to turn it around for the Cubs. Scary pick.
• The Marlins over the Phillies: This is another pick that did not work out yesterday. It is another pitching match-up that makes me go this way. Tom Koehler is a better pick than David Buchanan. The Marlins' offense is pretty dead without Stanton though.
• The Red Sox over the Royals: I just like Joe Kelly. Is that okay? Jason Vargas would not survive the Boston lineup in the past, but this is a different Boston lineup. In other words, it's not any good. But I'm still going with Joe Kelly.
• The Reds over the Brewers: I will admit that I have no idea which team will win this game. Mike Leake is so unpredictable and Matt Garza can look so ugly at times that I have no idea. None.
• The White Sox over the Twins: Who would have ever thought three months ago that I would be picking Hector Noesi to win a game? How strange is baseball. But there it is. I like him over Trevor May.
• The Cardinals over the Rockies: I have no delusions of Marco Gonzalez pitching great for the Cardinals. The pick is based on the belief that the Cardinals will score eight runs on Jordan Lyles and company.
• The Rangers over the Braves: The Braves are terrible now. They simply don't win very often. I don't know, frankly, how they have won 75 games. Colby Lewis over Mike Minor. Of course, I said all that and the Braves will win...
• The Angels over the Astros: I think it is going to be the Orioles and the Angels in the ALCS and that's going to be a great series. The Angels just don't lose these days no matter if Hector Santiago or anyone else is pitching. Dallas Keuchel will try to stop the streak. Good luck, young man.
• The Dodgers over the Giants: After scoring 17 runs yesterday, I'm not sure the Dodgers are all tuckered out or not. I do know that Yusmeiro Petit might give the Dodgers problems. But would you ever pick against Clayton Kershaw? No, me neither.
• The Padres over the Diamondbacks: If I keep picking the Padres, they have to win sooner or later, right? I'm not thrilled with picking Odrisamer Despaigne in Arizona's hot air, but Trevor Cahill is even more of an uncomfortable pick.
• The Orioles over the Yankees: I hate Sunday night games. They are un-American, especially when the game doesn't even start until an hour after the two teams usually start night games. Chris Tillman over Hiroki Kuroda.

And the Game of the Day:

• The Athletics over the Mariners: The Mariners had their chance yesterday and didn't get it done. Both teams are still challenged offensively. But you have to go with Jon Lester over Chris Young in this one. Young was a nice story for most of the year, but if you pin your playoff hopes on him, I don't know...

Yesterday: 7-9, Sept.: 105-74, Games of the Day: 93-63 (+1), Season: 1235-1008

Mark Teixeira and the first pitch

I wrote an article over at It's About the Money, Stupid on how it isn't just the shift that is eating up Mark Teixeira's productivity. His outright refusal to swing at the first pitch has also contributed. Check it out.

MLB Game Picks - Saturday: September 13, 2014

The picks had their second straight good night. They are 25-5 in the last two days. But as good as that sounds, the Game of the Day feature has been wrong three days in a row. Yesterday, I had no idea whatsoever that Nathan Karns was capable of shutting down the Blue Jays on two hits. Seriously!?

Other incorrect picks from yesterday included the first game loss of the Yankees. They had the game at 1-0 and brought in Adam Warren in the bottom of the 11th. Terrible decision. Boom and goodnight. And by the way, the Yankees are officially dead. I did not expect the Red Sox to beat the Royals. Wow, those Royals fans must be in full panic mode now. Gosh, I was hoping for a team over than the Tigers in that division. Lastly, the Mets beat the Nationals again.

So, are two great days of picking worth not having the Game of the Day feature correct? No. Hey, that's the way I roll. I want it all.

Saturday's picks:

• The Braves over the Rangers: There should be a moratorium on weird baseball names. It's getting out of hand. The latest addition is the Rangers' starter today, Lisalverto Bonilla. I mean, come on already. Can't these scouts in South and Central American only scout guys with easy names? Julio Teheran sounds tame by example.
• The Orioles over the Yankees: I have officially given up on the Yankees and their offense. Watching their offense is like watching the desert sky waiting for a rain cloud. Don't be surprised if Kevin Long is the designated scapegoat after the season is over. Miguel Gonzalez over Shane Greene.
• The Rays over the Blue Jays: I have to think about my bias against R.A. Dickey after the season is over. I think I might have picked him once or twice this year. But I always seem to find a reason. Today's is that the Rays' offense is an opportunistic one to make up for their lack of talent. Dickey is good for opportunists. Jeremy Hellickson goes for the Rays. The Blue Jays are just about dead too.
• The Twins over the White Sox: These two teams play two today after a rain out yesterday. I still like Phil Hughes over the hard luck of Jose Quintana in the first game.
• The White Sox over the Twins: The second game has a troubling pitching match-up which makes it hard to pick either team. But I guess I'll take Scott Carroll who has thrown a decent game once in a while over Logan Darnell who has seemed out of his element thus far.
• The Pirates over the Cubs: I have a little harder time picking against the Cubs in this game. Felix Doubront has been pitching very well since heading to Wrigleyville. But I will stick with Jeff Locke and the Pirates.
• The Marlins over the Phillies: I have picking against Kyle Kendrick all season so why stop now? I have also been picking against Brad Hand and he was good his last time out. I just wonder where the Marlins will get any offense to win the game.
• The Tigers over the Indians: The #$%## Tigers are going to win this division again. How freaking boring is that? I can't count on Danny Salazar and Kyle Lobstein has made me look foolish for four starts in a row now.
• The Royals over the Red Sox: If the Royals cannot beat Rubby De La Rosa, I don't know what else to say. Of course, I would feel a whole lot more confident if Jeremy Guthrie wasn't the Royals' starter today.
• The Brewers over the Reds: Once again, I am going with Yovani Gallardo at home even though he is not as much of a lock there as in the past. David Holmberg was pretty good in his last start even if I have no idea who he is.
• The Nationals over the Mets: Maybe Jayson Werth can get on the field today despite his "dead legs." Whoever heard of such a thing? I like Zack Wheeler a lot. But I like Doug Fister more.
• The Padres over the Diamondbacks: Chase Anderson has had a decent season. But he does not get a whole lot of decisions in his starts. Tyson Ross gets lots of decisions but has only won half of them. When Ross is on, he is awfully good.
• The Angels over the Astros: I have not given Jered Weaver his due. No pitcher does more with less stuff. And he is 16-8. You can't argue with that. Scott Feldman will be today's victim.
• The Dodgers over the Giants: At 9-10, Tim Hudson is in serious danger of breaking his streak of winning seasons. He has never had a losing season in his long and brilliant career. Zack Greinke might be the one to seal that fate.
• The Mariners over the Athletics: For the first time in his career, Felix Hernandez is going to pitch a meaningful game that could vault them into the post season. I think he will bask in the moment. Sonny Gray will not get any support.

And the Game of the Day

• The Cardinals over the Rockies: Franklin Morales will give the Cards some trouble simply because they don't hit lefties well. That said, Shelby Miller has been on fire in his last three starts.

Yesterday: 11-4, Sept.: 98-65, Games of the Day: 92-63 (-3), Season: 1228-999

MLB Game Picks - Friday: September 12, 2014

I was one blown save away from a perfect picking day. When Chris Young hit his three-run blast in the bottom of the ninth off of Jake McGee to win the game for the New York Yankees, a dream 11-0 day went out the window. That was also the Game of the Day pick. And you know what? How can I be upset about that?

I had called the double-header sweep by Cleveland. I had called the Red Sox win. I had called Cueto's gem over the Cardinals. I had gotten it all. And then that homer. But I don't care. I'm happy.

The only thing I'm not happy about was what happened to Giancarlo Stanton and Chase Headley. Both got hit in the face by fastballs. I really hope that both will be okay. That was very, very scary.

Friday's picks:

• The Yankees over the Orioles: These two teams play two games today and this will be a tough task for the Yankees. The Orioles are starting two of their regular rotation guys and the Yankees will have to use an untested rookie in the second game. Besides that, the Yankees are missing lots of players due to being banged up. The Yankees have their best chance in the first game as Brandon McCarthy faces Kevin Gausman.
• The Orioles over the Yankees: I really like Bryan Mitchell and I think he is going to be a good pitcher. But this is a lot to ask of a guy making his first MLB start. Bud Norris goes for the O's.
• The Pirates over the Cubs: Tsuyoshi Wada has been great for the Cubs and the 33-year-old Japanese star knows how to pitch. I just think that Gerrit Cole and the Pirates the way they are playing will be too much for the Cubs to overcome.
• The Phillies over the Marlins: Without Giancarlo Stanton in the lineup for the Marlins, they have little to work with. Plus, Cole Hamels is very, very good. Henderson Alvarez does have flashes of brilliance, but what support will he get?
• The Tigers over the Indians: David Price is way due for a win and though Carlos Carrasco has pitched really well for the Indians, I can't see him matching Price if Price is on his game.
• The Nationals over the Mets: There is some bad blood brewing in this series already. Dillon Gee looked good against the Reds, but the Reds are struggling. Gio Gonzalez had a good start his last time out too.
• The Rangers over the Braves: If Derek Holland pitches like he did his first two starts, then the Braves won't touch him. But that is the only way the Rangers win the game. Otherwise, this pick could go up in flames with Alex Wood going for the Braves.
• The Royals over the Red Sox: Yordano Ventura has to pitch well for this pick to come in. Otherwise, Allen Webster and the Red Sox could prevail for the second straight game.
• The Brewers over the Reds: I always like picking Kyle Lohse at home. He traditionally does better in those cases. Mat Latos can come up big, but I don't see it happening today.
• The Twins over the White Sox: The one thing I can be sure about is that Phil Hughes will probably not walk anyone and Jose Quintana just never gets a break. Both of these pitchers have been really good all season.
• The Cardinals over the Rockies: The Cardinals have stumbled again and if ever they needed a stopping kind of win it is from Adam Wainwright today. Jorge De La Rosa is the Rockies' best starter.
• The Padres over the Diamondbacks: Is it just me or do Vidal Nuno and Eric Stults always seem to face each other? How do you pick a winner out of those two guys? I'm going with the Padres, but I have no good reason.
• The Angels over the Astros: The Angels hardly ever lose these days and are clicking really well. Brett Oberholtzer should get some props for taking the ball every fifth day and giving it his best. I don't see him beating the Angels and C.J. Wilson today.
• The Mariners over the Athletics: This is the Mariners' chance to knock off the A's while the A's are really vulnerable. James Paxton has been terrific and Jason Hammel can be had.
• The Giants over the Dodgers: This is a tough one as two tough lefty pitchers square off. I am giving the edge to Madison Bumgarner over Hyun-jin Ryu because he has been at the top of his game in the last month.

And the Game of the Day:

• The Blue Jays over the Rays: The Rays will start Nate Karns who they got in the Loboton trade with the Nationals. Karns made three unimpressive starts last year for the Nats and has not had a good season in Triple-A. I'm going with J.A. Happ even though he looks out of gas lately.

Yesterday: 10-1, Sept: 87-61, Games of the Day: 92-62 (-2), Season: 1217-895

MLB Game Picks - Thursday: September 11, 2014

Never forget.

Several streaks ended for me yesterday. The first was the Game of the Day feature. I picked Oakland and their offense again took a dive and the streak ends at seven. I also had a two-day hot streak with the picks. That ended with a crash of a 6-8 day (one postponement). And lastly, the puppy had gone two good days in a row, but yesterday wasn't a good day. Puppies will be puppies. By the way, his name is Jeter.

Oh! Nick Tropeano beat the odds yesterday. Congrats to him.

Thursday's picks:

• The Indians over the Twins: These two teams play two today after getting rained out yesterday. Kyle Gibson now picks up Corey Kluber. Those are the breaks.
• The Indians over the Twins: I'm feeling a sweep here. As mentioned yesterday, T.J. House is putting things together nicely and I have no trouble picking against Ricky Nolasco.
• The Reds over the Cardinals: Okay. Now the Cardinals have me confused again. They were starting to roll and headed into play one of the most struggling teams in the first half. And they lose. Now they face Johnny Cueto. Lance Lynn can save them though...and defeat me.
• The White Sox over the Athletics: Chris Sale has nine no-decisions this season. Sheesh. If you look at all his numbers, they are just sick. They are like video game numbers. He is so good. Scott Kazmir goes for the A's.
• The Giants over the Diamondbacks: I picked the Diamondbacks yesterday. That was dumb. Jake Peavy has been really good for the Giants. I am a bit worried about picking all home teams thus far and about how well Randall Delgado pitched in his first start last week.
• The Pirates over the Phillies: A.J. Burnett has been on the every-other-merry-go-round in his last four starts. This would be the bad turn. But who knows with Burnett...ever. Francisco Liriano will give the Phillies some problems.
• The Nationals over the Mets: I believe the Nats will jump all over Bartolo Colon. Their offense is just too good. And Tanner Roark is still my guy even if he hasn't won in a while. The Mets and Yankees are home at the same time!?
• The Angels over the Rangers:  I still don't know what the Angels are doing by starting Cory Rasmus for the third time. Even so, in a series and in a setting where even Albert Pujols can hit a triple, I have to go with the Angels against Nick Martinez.
• The Red Sox over the Royals: I shouldn't pick against the Royals and I was quite impressed with their win yesterday over the Tigers. That showed me something. But this pick is based on the Royals starting Liam Hendriks to cover Danny Duffy and because Clay Buchholz has been super impressive lately.
• The Brewers over the Marlins: Mike Fiers, he's my guy. Pick against him? No, not I. Heh. Nathan Eovaldi starts for the other team.

And the Game of the Day:

• The Rays over the Yankees: Alex Cobb just destroys the Yankees. They never can do anything against him. Plus, they never score for Michael Pineda either. But who knows, who would have thought Chris Young would have a three-hit game?

-Yesterday: 6-8, Sept.: 77-60, Games of the Day: 92-61 (-1), Season: 1207-994