MLB Game Picks - Monday: June 1, 2015

The month of May ended with a slight whimper as the final day produced a boring 8-7 result. The AL East continues to be as mediocre as my picking, the Nationals got swept. A way-three-dimensional, forty-two year old pitcher won his eighth game. Josh Hamilton had a good thing happen to him. And the Twins continue to win. It's a crazy game.

A new month is a fresh slate. Monday's picks:

• The Nationals over the Blue Jays: It happens a lot that a good team getting swept usually means trouble for the next opponent. Since  the Blue Jays are already struggling, that doesn't bode well for them. Jordan Zimmermann is coming off of three straight good starts and R.A. Dickey is always an adventure.
•  The Cubs over the Marlins: I really miss Jose Fernandez. I hope he comes back soon and at a semblance of his old self. I bet the Marlins do too when they have to shuttle guys like Jose Urena out there instead. Jason Hammel goes for the Cubs.
• The Red Sox over the Twins: Lost in all this losing by his team, Clay Buchholz has quietly gotten better and that should continue tonight. Mike Pelfrey was supposedly squeezed out of the rotation during Spring Training and now looks like one of their best pitchers.
• The Orioles over the Astros: The one thing you know here is that Brett Oberholtzer is going to give up a lot of hits. How many of those base runners score will make the difference in the outcome. Ubaldo Jimenez goes for the O's.
• The Cardinals over the Brewers: The last time I picked against Jaime Garcia, he won. But I'm still not a believer. But I do believe in his team and they just keep winning. Mike Fiers goes for the Brewers who have to be dragging today.
• The Dodgers over the Rockies: I hate when Clayton Kershaw has to pitch in Coors Field. Anything can happen there. But then again, Kyle Kendrick isn't having any fun there either.
• The Diamondbacks over the Braves: The Braves had a whooshing comeback yesterday against the Giants, which was impressive. I'm going with the D-backs though because I like Archie Bradley a lot. Alex Wood is decent though.
• The Angels over the Rays: The Rays are playing well and Alex Colome has been good for the five innings he can pitch. The answer for me is Garrett Richards who is as overpowering as a pitcher can be.
• The Mets over the Padres: Jacob deGrom has been fairly consistent if you throw out his start against the Yankees. He'll also benefit from a big ballpark. Andrew Cashner finally won a game and can be overpowering. So we'll see.
• The Mariners over the Yankees: A very interesting game as Michael Pineda returns to his original home in Seattle. Too bad he has to go up against Felix Hernandez, who has been unbeatable. The Yankees can't seem to win on the road. Edge: King Felix.

And the Pick of the Day:

• The Pirates over the Giants: The Giants have lost two in a row. Whut!? Ryan Vogelsong is 4-2 despite (or in spite) of me picking against him every time. He just seems like a rally waiting to happen. On the other hand, good things happen for the Pirates when Gerrit Cole pitches.

Yesterday: 8-7, May final: 211-188, Season: 378-353, Picks of the Day: (29-25)

MLB Game Picks - Sunday: May 31, 2015

I hope this last day of May is better than the penultimate day. Because yesterday was awful. After five positive days in a row, I could hardly get anything correct on Saturday. Chi Chi? Who knew?  Well, I did know. He did walk five guys. It's just that the Red Sox are flatter than a pancake. Erasmo Ramirez pitching like Pedro Martinez? Seriously?

Let's finish May with a flourish shall we?

Sunday's picks:

• The Mets over the Marlins: Two former Yankee pitchers go at it today in Bartolo Colon and David Phelps. After Shane Greene got pummeled last night, picking any ex-Yankee seems to be unsavory. Colon at least has a chance to pitch very well. Phelps? Doubt it.
• The Nationals over the Reds: Hopefully, Bryce Harper's back will allow him to play after he was drilled by Cingrani (I still think it was on purpose). If he plays, the Nats have a much better lineup and now that Tanner Roarke can start again, he's a winner. Michael Lorenzen has pitched well for the Reds though.
• The Rockies over the Phillies: One of the few picks I got right yesterday, I'm going to stick with it. I still like Jordan Lyles despite his slow start this season. I like him better than Jerome Williams.
• The Orioles over the Rays: This is really a tough series to call. Both teams are having issues and both seem to be playing less than they're capable. For example, Chris Tillman has been solid for the last couple of years and looks awful this season. Will that turn around? Is Jake Odorizzi good or not? That answer changes from start to start.
• The Brewers over the Diamondbacks: Interesting. Tyler Wagner is making the jump from Double-A to make his MLB debut tonight for the Brewers. He has had a great minor league career and was great during the AFL. So he's an interesting pick tonight. Chase Anderson goes for the D-backs.
• The Astros over the White Sox: This one features two starting pitchers I have no confidence in at all with John Danks and Roberto Hernandez. The swing the Astros way is because they have a better chance to score more with their offense than the White Sox do with theirs.
• The Twins over the Blue Jays: I never thought I would be picking the Twins and the Astros this much this season. But look how they are playing! Ricky Nolasco has found new life somewhere after last year's fiasco. Drew Hutchison is inconsistent.
• The Cardinals over the Dodgers: This same pick blew up on me yesterday with Michael Wacha on the mound, no less. Carlos Martinez has the ability to shut down the Dodgers and I think the Cards score on Brett Anderson.
• The Royals over the Cubs: This is the same match up that got rained out yesterday. Yordano Ventura is my pick over Tsuyoshi Wada. I picked this differently yesterday, just so you know...
• The Rangers over the Red Sox: I'm not sure about picking Wandy Rodriguez against the Red Sox. But I also know that Joe Kelly has been awful and the Rangers' offense is rocking. The Red Sox do not hit lefties well and Rusney Castillo has yet to contribute anything.
• The Yankees over the Athletics: The Yankees finally won a road game yesterday. Imagine that! Adam Warren has been pitching well. Jesse Chavez has not been pitching well. The A's defense is brutal.
• The Indians over the Mariners: Danny Salazar has been terrific and other than Nelson Cruz, none of the other Mariners are hitting much. I like that combination. J.A. Happ goes for the Mariners.
• The Angels over the Tigers: I think David Price gets beat by a couple of homers today. That's just what my gut is telling me. But that assumes that Matt Shoemaker can hold down the Tigers.
• The Pirates over the Padres: Why is this a night game when it is not the ESPN Sunday night game? Isn't that weird? Either way, this pick depends on whether or not Odrisamer Despaigne's last two good starts were flukes or not. Jeff Locke goes for the Pirates.

And the Pick of the Day:

• The Giants over the Braves: I got this one wrong yesterday too. The Giants finally lost a game!? I cannot pick against Madison Bumgarner. The only way he loses is if Julio Teheran comes out firing on all cylinders, which is certainly possible.

Yesterday: 5-9, May: 203-181, Season: 369-346, Picks of the Day: 29-24

MLB Game Picks - Saturday: May 30, 2015

Another up and down day that saw my picks finish a pick above .500 with an incorrect Pick of the Day. Blah.

Saturday's Picks:

• The Twins over the Blue Jays: Kyle Gibson has his share of very good outings and not so good outings. I never seem to be on top of when each will occur. So I'll probably be wrong with this one again too. Aaron Sanchez goes for the Jays.
• The Rockies over the Phillies: This is my reverse Aaron Harang theory. Since Harang always messed me up last year, I pick him every time to win now. But in this case, if last night's game shows a Troy Tulowitzki getting hot, then the shortstop can carry this team all by himself for a while. Jorge De La Rosa starts for the Rockies.
• The Orioles over the Bay Rays: I'll take Wei-Yin Chen over Erasmo Ramirez just about any day of the week.
• The Brewers over the Diamondbacks: Jeremy Hellickson got mad at me and had a good outing last time out (about time!). Can he repeat it? I'll believe it when I see it. I like Kyle Lohse at home.
• The Astros over the White Sox: Two words: Dallas Keuchel. Two more words. Jose Quintana
• The Mets over the Marlins: I have often said that Jon Niese was better than people thought. Then he goes out and throws three stinkers in a row. Come on, Jon, I can't keep defending you until you have a good game. Tom Koehler goes for the Marlins.
• The Nationals over the Reds: Now that we have Strasburg out of the way, the Nats can start another win streak. Gio Gonzalez should be better than Raisel Iglesias and last longer.
• The Cubs over the Royals: This pick was dumb yesterday and is probably dumb today. But I like the Tsuyoshi Wada match up against the Royals' hitters. Yordano Ventura might really make the pick look stupid.
• The Cardinals over the Dodgers: Say what you want about the money the Dodgers spent, but their offense has been kind of toothless lately. So I like Michael Wacha here to continue his win streak. Carlos Frias has had two good starts and one disaster thus far.
• The Giants over the Braves: It does not appear that the Giants will lose another game this season. That's just how it seems. Tim Lincecum over Williams Perez.
• The Tigers over the Angels: I don't have a lot of confidence in either Jered Weaver or Shane Greene at this point. But somebody has to win the game.
• The Yankees over the Athletics: Sooner or later, the Yankees have to win a road game. Today might be the day as it will be Nathan Eovaldi versus Jesse Hahn. The Yankees have done a nice job so far of making this awful A's team look mighty good.
• The Mariners over the Indians: Another game where I don't like either pitcher to win. Roenis Elias versus Shaun Marcum. :::shrug:::
• The Padres over the Pirates: I do like Tyson Ross at home. Charlie Morton against Justin Upton will be a key match up.

And the Pick of the Day

• The Red Sox over the Rangers: Wade Miley goes for the Red Sox. Chi Chi Gonzalez goes for the Rangers. Chi Chi?

Yesterday: 8-7, May: 198-172, Season: 365-337, Picks of the Day: 29-23

MLB Game Picks - Friday: May 29, 2015

Short schedules always frighten me because this is little margin for error. Therefore, I am happy to finish at 5-3. Of the three incorrect picks, on one, I am kicking myself. On the other, I am kicking the manager and the other was a battle between two good pitchers and I picked the wrong one.

The latter I don't mind. But I KNEW I should pick the Red Sox yesterday. I had a strong feeling that Eduardo Rodriguez was the real deal. Heck, I even picked him up on my fantasy team. Dumb. 

As for kicking the manager, the Yankees NEVER should have lost that game last night. With the game on the line, Joe Girardi brought in David Carpenter.

Why is that a bad thing? Because the A's have a .767 OPS against right-handed pitching but only a team .611 OPS against left-handed pitching. David Carpenter is right-handed. The Yankees have four left-handed relievers and one of them, Chasen Shreve, was very effective after Carpenter gave up the winning runs (inherited runners Sabathia put on base). Stupid.

Friday's picks:

• The Cubs over the Royals: The Royals lose the DH, which has been very important to their offense. Jake Arrieta gentille Arrieta will benefit from the Royals aggressive swinging and the Cubs will score a few off of Edinson Volquez.
• The Phillies over the Rockies: First, the Phillies have their best pitcher, Cole Hamels, on the mound. Secondly, Chad Bettis is not pick-worthy...at least to me. I like the Phillies at home here.
• The Orioles over the Rays: The Orioles are back home at Camden Yards and that is usually an appealing pick. Miguel Gonzalez is usually good against the AL East. The one problem I see is that Nathan Karns is pitching very well.
• The Reds over the Nationals: I'm not picking Stephen Strasburg again. Never. Ever. Again. Well...at least until he starts winning. Anthony DeSclafani goes for the Reds at home.
• The Red Sox over the Rangers: I don't feel good about either starting pitcher here between Yovani Gallardo for Texas or Steven Wright for the Red Sox. But one of the teams has to win and I'm going with the Red Sox.
• The Diamondbacks over the Brewers: The Brewers lost their hot streak and are back going in the wrong direction. Rubby De La Rosa has been a great pick up for the D-Backs. Jimmy Nelson hasn't put it together yet.
• The Astros over the White Sox: This could be a good one. Lance McCullers Jr. has been pitching well for the Astros, but Carlos Rodon is a real stud prospect for the White Sox. I go with McCullers because he has far better control at this point than Rodon who is walking way too many batters.
• The Blue Jays over the Twins: I like Mark Buehrle in this one. I think he'll have a good game. Trevor May has been inconsistent and you don't want to now be really on against the Blue Jays' offense.
• The Cardinals over the Dodgers: I hate this pick. I hate picking John Lackey for one thing. But he is capable of dominating a game. I also hate picking against Mike Bolsinger who has been terrific for the Dodgers. But this is what my gut is telling me here.
• The Angels over the Tigers: The Tigers are missing Victor Martinez in their lineup. It's still a decent lineup, but not quite the same. The two starters here are hard to pick. Hector Santiago and Anibal Sanchez have had their struggles.
• The Athletics over the Yankees: That was a big loss for the Yankees last night because they get Sonny Gray tonight. I always go with Sonny Gray. I definitely am not feeling Chris Capuano. Although, Capuano is a lefty...hmmm
• The Indians over the Mariners: Robinson Cano is hurting and not himself. Taijuan Walker has not put anything together this year and Trevor Bauer is pitching well.
• The Padres over the Pirates: James Shields just keeps on winning. It's hard to pick against that. Francisco Liriano is such a puzzle. He simply cannot be counted upon.
• The Braves over the Giants: The Braves' bats have gone silent. But they do seem to win behind Mike Foltynewicz. Tim Hudson is pitching at home, which is hard to pick against. But I'm doing it anyway.

And the Pick of the Day:

• The Mets over the Marlins: Matt Harvey should bounce back from his anomalous bad outing. Dan Haren may be able to match zeroes though, if he is on.

Yesterday: 5-3, May: 190-165, Season: 357-330, Picks of the Day: 29-22

MLB Game Picks - Thursday: May 28, 2015

Yesterday was a second straight 9-6 day for this old game picker. That's a decent record and I should be grateful to be above .500. But a ten-correct day is what I consider a good day. Plus, the Dodgers were the pick of the day and lost, so that kind of stinks. The Giants just don't lose. The Astros finally did. The Red Sox lost again. The Yankees swept the Royals after being swept by the Rangers. Go figure. Baseball.

Thursday's picks (short schedule):

• The White Sox over the Orioles: Tyler Wilson is getting his first start for the Orioles in this first game of a double-header. That option isn't appealing. But the Chris Sale option? That is always appealing.
• The Rangers over the Red Sox: This is a REAL tough one. Nick Martinez has been terrific for the Rangers after becoming the adopted son of Greg Maddux. But the Red Sox have thrown caution to the wind (and why not!) and have brought up Eduardo Rodriguez to make his first MLB start. This kid is a great prospect with good control.
• The Angels over the Tigers: I don't like the Tigers here because they have Buck Farmer pitching. He certainly hasn't looked ready for prime time. C.J. Wilson hasn't been pitching well either. So we'll see what happens.
• The Yankees over the Athletics: I have been doing well picking against the A's when they face a lefty starter. And then the Yankees have four lefty relievers. Not good for the A's. Kendall Graveman vs. CC Sabathia.
• The Mariners over the Indians: Corey Kluber and James Paxton will throw zeroes all night and then Nelson Cruz will hit a homer. Doesn't that happen every night?
• The Pirates over the Padres: My bias against A.J. Burnett has burned me all season. Okay, A.J., you win. Now don't throw a clunker to jerk me around, okay? Ian Kennedy goes for the Padres.
• The Giants over the Braves: I am fighting with myself on this one. Shelby Miller has pitched so well for the Braves and he has stood me so well in my picks that it's killing me to pick against him. But Charlton Chris Heston has been pitching well for the Giants, who just never seem to lose.

And the Pick of the Day:

• The Orioles over the White Sox: Thus a split. The White Sox are starting Chris Beck who will be making his MLB debut. Mike Wright has done a great job for the Orioles since getting called up.

Yesterday: 9-6, May: 185-162, Season: 352-327, Picks of the Day: 28-22