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MLB Game Picks - Wednesday: May 14, 2014

<div style="text-align: justify;">I am back on the 8-7 train again. When it comes to full schedule days, that is four straight such finishes. The Game of the Day pick was wrong again. And <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/strasst01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Stephen Strasburg</a> lost again. And <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=leecl02,leecl01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Cliff Lee</a> lost again and the entire thing is starting to make me cranky. Oh wait. The Yankees have already made me cranky.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wednesday's picks: </div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The Tigers over the Orioles: On the Tigers' side, you have an established ace (Justin Verlander). On the Orioles' side, you have a prospective ace in <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gausmke01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Kevin Gausman</a>. It seems more prudent to pick the established one.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Angels over the Phillies: My problem with this pick is that you never know what <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burnea.01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">A.J. Burnett</a> is going to do. He can be the crappiest pitcher in the world, or the best one. And that is week to week! <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/richaga01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Garrett Richards</a> has been the bomb thus far though.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Royals over the Rockies: The Rockies are going to have to hit on the road someday to quiet the skeptics. This road trip, they have not--at least recently. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vargaja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Jason Vargas</a> over <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/chacijh01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Jhoulys Chacin</a>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Athletics over the White Sox: I usually pick against <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/milonto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Tommy Milone</a>, but he won last time out. I usually pick against <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rienzan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Andre Rienzo</a> and he hasn't lost a game yet. So one of my usual wrong picks has to be right in this one. Okay, that confused even me.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Mariners over the Rays: <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/maurebr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Brandon Maurer</a> has a 1.67 WHIP. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/odorija01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Jake Odorizzi</a> has a 1.74 WHIP. Ugh. They are both terrible. The only recourse then is to pick the home team and rub a rabbit's foot.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Diamondbacks over the Nationals: <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccarbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Brandon McCarthy</a> has some pretty impressive peripherals for a guy with a 1-6 record. His strikeout to walk rate is 4.5. That's very good. And his WHIP isn't bad at 1.38. But he did have a real clunker in his last outing. The problem is that <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fistedo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Doug Fister</a> still looked awful rusty in his first start of the year last time out.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Giants over the Braves: Let's be honest, I have no idea who is going to win this game. How do you pick between <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bumgama01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Madison Bumgarner</a> and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/teherju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Julio Teheran</a> if both are at the top of their game? Again, defaulting to the home team when all other logic fails.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Indians over the Blue Jays: <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcgowdu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Dustin McGowan</a> has pitched pretty well in his last three starts, but I'm still not buying. I much prefer <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/klubeco01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Corey Kluber</a> here. The Blue Jays are hitting really well though.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Yankees over the Mets: I don't know if the Yankees are ever going to beat the Mets. But if they are, having <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tanakma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Masahiro Tanaka</a> on the mound is their best chance. He will be challenged by the Major League Debut of <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=monter000raf&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Rafael Montero</a> and the Yankees struggle against power pitchers. Oh boy.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Reds over the Padres: Both <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kenneia01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Ian Kennedy</a> and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cuetojo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Johnny Cueto</a> have been pitching super well. And that should continue in San Diego. But I still have more faith in Cueto and in the Reds' offense than the other way around.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Brewers over the Pirates: I keep picking <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/liriafr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Francisco Liriano</a> like he is last year's version. But he isn't. He is this year's version and 2012's version and 2011's version, etc. On the other hand, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peralwi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Wily Peralta</a> seems to be getting better and better.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Astros over the Rangers: This pick is dependent on how well <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/feldmsc01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Scott Feldman</a> pitches for the Astros. I like the Astros' chances to score against <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tepesni01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Nick Tepesch</a> in a teapot. But if Feldman isn't good, it will be a slugfest and the Rangers would hold sway.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Cardinals over the Cubs: Maybe last night's extra-inning win put the curse away for the Cards against the Cubs.  I do like the way <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hammeja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Jason Hammel</a> is pitching for the Chicago team though. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wachami01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Michael Wacha</a> needs to have a good night.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Dodgers over the Marlins: I hate to pick <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/maholpa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Paul Maholm</a>. I really do. But I generally don't like to pick pitchers making their Major League debuts. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=descla001ant&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Anthony DeSclafani</a> is from New Jersey and pitches for Miami. That is so historically anomalous. If you were here with me, I would be doing my best New Jersey accent (I grew up there) saying, "ANTony DeSlafani, how yooo doooin?" DeSlafani has shown very good control in the minors and I like that.</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">And the Game of the Day </div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The Red Sox over the Twins: The Red Sox pushed <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/doubrfe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Felix Doubront</a> back a day and that makes sense as he will now match up with the squishy <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/correke01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Kevin Correia</a>. Of course doing so meant pushing <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peavyja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Jake Peavy</a> ahead last night and that did not work out so well.</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday: 8-7, May: 98-84, Games of the Day: 18-22, Season: 331-256</div>

MLB Game Picks - Wednesday: May 14, 2014

I am back on the 8-7 train again. When it comes to full schedule days, that is four straight such finishes. The Game of the Day pick was wro...

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MLB Game Picks - Wednesday: September 11, 2013

<div style="text-align: justify;">Tuesday was just another crappy day of picking in what has been a fairly crappy month. It is a good thing that I have had four months to watch these teams to be able to tell what they are going to do. It is a good thing that I have been watching four decades worth of baseball games to get a feel for how this works. It is a good thing that I have been doing this column for four years so I know what I'm doing. Ha!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">I mean, look at the Reds. They beat the Cardinals three out of four and then swept the Dodgers to get within a game and a half of the division lead. Now they have had their hats handed to them twice in a row against the Cubs. I can see losing a close game, 2-0, against a very good <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/woodtr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Travis Wood</a>. But 9-1?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">And the A's are grinding it out for the division title. The Rangers have been slipping and the A's have a chance to bury them. But then they lose to the Twins? Geez, Louise.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">All I can do is keep plugging along. Wednesday's picks:</div> <ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The Indians over the Royals: <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kazmisc01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Scott Kazmir</a> has become quite a story hasn't he? There is nothing like a good comeback story. How can you not root for him? Well, if you are a Royals fan, you can't. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/shielja02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">James Shields</a> seems to need to be perfect in order to be good. He has not been perfect lately. He is always capable though.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Rangers over the Pirates: The Pirates have had their way in this series thus far after taking the first two games. And as one of my Twitter buds, @juniusworth tells me, "the Rangers suck in day games." Which is what they play today. But two things: First, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burnea.01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">A.J. Burnett</a> pitching in Texas seems like a loss waiting to happen. And secondly, <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/garzama01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Matt Garza</a> is going to fight for this win.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Giants over the Rockies: Can you pick against <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/petityu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Yusmeiro Petit</a> at this point? Not until his good pitching streak is over at least. He almost got a no-hitter his last time out. Will that take something out of him for this one? Hmm... <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nicasju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Juan Nicasio</a> goes for the Rockies.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Yankees over the Orioles: Because I don't know if <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/feldmsc01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Scott Feldman</a> can hold down the Yankees for a second straight time and even though I do not have much faith in <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pettian01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Andy Pettitte</a>, he at least has the possibility that he could pitch well. But the bullpen at the end for the Yankees is dicey at this point.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Padres over the Phillies: When is the last time that <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stulter01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Eric Stults</a> won a ballgame? It seems like forever. So he is due for a win against a weak-hitting Phillies team. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=leecl02,leecl01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Cliff Lee</a> could put a monkey wrench into this pick though.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Angels over the Blue Jays: I don't know who will win this game. This is a battle of two teams that drive me crazy. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dicker.01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">R.A. Dickey</a> goes against <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wilsocj01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">C.J. Wilson</a> in a game of initials gone wild. I'm feeling the Angels.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Marlins over the Braves: I have been telling you all season that <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=fernajo01,fernajo02,fernan014jos,fernan008jos,fernan015jos&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jose Fernandez</a> is a lock at home in Miami right? Well, until proven otherwise, try beating him there with his 1.18 home ERA. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/minormi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Mike Minor</a> can match him and make it a bullpen game and then this pick will be in trouble.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Rays over the Red Sox: Okay, now that <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buchhcl01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Clay Buchholz</a> is back, can someone tell me why <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dempsry01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ryan Dempster</a> is still in the rotation for the Red Sox? <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cobbal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Alex Cobb</a> is better than Dempster by enough of a degree that the Red Sox better offense than the Rays should be overcome.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Mets over the Nationals: <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harenda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Dan Haren</a>'s season has been an awful sandwich. He started the season awful. They pitched three or four hopeful starts and now has gone back to awful. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wheelza01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Zack Wheeler</a> should have an opening to win this game then.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Tigers over the White Sox: Sometimes I think the Tigers just toy with us. Oh, we'll score ten runs for two straight games and then none for a couple. We will keep them guessing. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sanchan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Anibal Sanchez</a> over <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/q/quintjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jose Quintana</a>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The A's over the Twins: I bought into <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grayso01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Sonny Gray</a> immediately and he rewarded my picks. Until he didn't twice in a row and I picked against him and he won. Then I jumped back on his bandwagon and he lost. Aaaahhh!!! Surely, he can be <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pelfrmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Mike Pelfrey</a> can't he? Please don't call me Shirley.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Cardinals over the Brewers: <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lynnla01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Lance Lynn</a> has everyone mad at him. First, he would put up this maddening crooked number in the fourth or fifth inning of every game and deflate a victory into a defeat. Then in his last outing, he avoided a crooked number and gave up a single run in every inning he pitched. Either way, he is not popular in St. Louis. But he wins today over <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/estrama01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Marco Estrada</a>. Take that, haters.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Dodgers over the Diamondbacks: This match-up between <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/corbipa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Patrick Corbin</a> and <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ryuhy01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Hyun-jin Ryu</a> has happened before and Ryu came out on top. He is certainly tough to beat at home. Plus, it appeas that Corbin has hit a wall. Dead arm?</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Mariners over the Astros: I have no idea. When two teams this bad play each other, anything can happen. The Astros took the first two. <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peacobr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Brad Peacock</a> has been decent his last couple of times. But I am picking <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/maurebr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Brandon Maurer</a> to have a good start after a season of learning stuff.</li></ul> <div style="text-align: justify;">And the Game of the Day:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li>The Reds over the Cubs: Well...this pick has been wrong for two days in a row, so why should you listen to me? Understandable. But I really feel that despite a big arm from <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/samarje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jeff Samardzija</a>, the Reds should win behind <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/leakemi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Mike Leake</a>.</li></ul> <div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday: 7-8</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Week: 22-19</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Month: 72-66</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Season: 1214-961</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Games of the Day: 90-67</div></div>

MLB Game Picks - Wednesday: September 11, 2013

Tuesday was just another crappy day of picking in what has been a fairly crappy month. It is a good thing that I have had four months to wat...

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