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MLB Game Picks - Thursday: September 4, 2014

<div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wednesday provided a second straight kiss-your-sister 8-7 result. Whenever you have two aces like <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hernafe02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hernafe02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Felix Hernandez</a></strong><span style="font-size: small;"> and </span><strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lestejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lestejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Jon Lester</a></strong><span style="font-size: small;">, one of them has to win and it is like flipping the coin. I lost the toss. I did not expect </span><strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/collmjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/collmjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Josh Collmenter</a></strong><span style="font-size: small;"> to continue his really outstanding pitching and he did. I did not expect the Yankees to win. And they did behind a big night from </span><strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccanbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccanbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Brian McCann</a></strong><span style="font-size: small;">. I did not expect the Angels to lose to the Astros again. And </span><strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/verlaju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/verlaju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Justin Verlander</a></strong><span style="font-size: small;"> had nothing yesterday. Those and more sabotaged some good picks like the Cubs, Nationals and Cardinals.</span></span></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are only eight games on the schedule today and surprisingly, none are day games. Here are my Thursday picks:</span></div><ul style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 24px 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Yankees</strong> over the Red Sox</span>: Not having <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pedrodu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pedrodu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Dustin Pedroia</a></strong> in the lineup really hurts the already hurting offense of the Red Sox and while <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/capuach01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/capuach01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Chris Capuano</a></strong> is not a guy to stake my reputation on, <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/workmbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/workmbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Brandon Workman</a></strong> isn't either.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Orioles</strong> over the Reds</span>: <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/leakemi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/leakemi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Mike Leake</a></strong> is very unpredictable and could hurt this pick, but the Orioles are always the team to pick these days, especially behind <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tillmch01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tillmch01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Chris Tillman</a></strong> who always looks beatable, but always seems to win.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Rays</strong> over the Blue Jays</span>: I like the Rays chances against <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buehrma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buehrma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Mark Buehrle</a></strong> today. Buehrle will keep it to four runs or under so the key is <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/odorija01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/odorija01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Jake Odorizzi</a></strong> who has shown flashes of brilliance lately.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Rangers</strong> over the Mariners</span>: This is probably a stupid pick but I'm feeling <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rossro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rossro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Robbie Ross</a></strong> Jr. after his last start and because as a lefty, he might give the Mariners' offense some trouble. Besides, <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/eliasro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/eliasro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Roenis Elias</a></strong> is not all that reliable and has lost his last three starts.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The Angels over the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Twins</strong></span>: The Angels have gone a little cold here lately and when <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/troutmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/troutmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Mike Trout</a></strong> doesn't hit, this team has problems. That said, they are better than the Twins and I will take <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/santihe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/santihe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Hector Santiago</a></strong> over <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gibsoky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gibsoky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Kyle Gibson</a></strong>.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Brewers</strong> over the Cardinals</span>: You should know me by now in that I never trust a pitcher coming back from a long absence on the DL. Though I will say this: If <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wachami01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wachami01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Michael Wacha</a></strong> can come back and be Michael Wacha, that is a huge boost to the Cardinals down the stretch. I like <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peralwi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peralwi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Wily Peralta</a></strong> at home here.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Padres</strong> over the Diamondbacks</span>: This pick went all wrong yesterday. But I'm feeling good picking against the D-backs today because <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/delgara01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/delgara01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Randall Delgado</a></strong> is starting. I am not knocking him. It's just that he hasn't gone more than three innings in an outing since early in the season. I will take <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kenneia01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kenneia01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Ian Kennedy</a></strong> here.</span></li></ul><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And the Game of the Day</span></div><ul style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 24px 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The Tigers over the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Indians</strong></span>: I got this wrong yesterday thanks to Verlander. But also because <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/salazda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/salazda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Danny Salazar</a></strong> was outstanding. I don't think <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bauertr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bauertr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Trevor Bauer</a></strong> can match that performance and <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/scherma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/scherma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Max Scherzer</a></strong> is still the Tigers' ace.</span></li></ul><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yesterday: 8-7, September: 24-19, Games of the Day: 86-60 (+1), Season: 1154-953</span></div>

MLB Game Picks - Thursday: September 4, 2014

Wednesday provided a second straight kiss-your-sister 8-7 result. Whenever you have two aces like Felix Hernandez and Jon Lester , one of...

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MLB Game Picks - Tuesday: August 19, 2014

<div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are times when I wake up in the morning and I compare the actual results to my picks and figure I must have made a pick because the final score makes sense. Then, when I look at what I picked, it's the total opposite and I can't believe I made the pick I did. For example, the Cincinnati Reds are 10-20 since the All Star Break. These days, the odds are that they are going to lose. Yet, I have picked them three games in a row (all losses). I am indeed a slow learner.</span></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How about <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/larocad01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/larocad01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Adam LaRoche</a></strong> giving the Nationals a third straight walk-off win? Pretty incredible. And it meant an extra-inning game went my way. Imagine that.</span></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tuesdays picks:</span></div><ul style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 24px 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Nationals</strong> over the Diamondbacks</span>: This is nothing against <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/anderch01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/anderch01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Chase Anderson</a></strong>, who has pitched very well this season. But the Nationals are ridiculous right now. Of course, that means I have to count on <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/strasst01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/strasst01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Stephen Strasburg</a></strong>. Oy. At least he is home where he is better.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The Braves over the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Pirates</strong></span>: <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/liriafr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/liriafr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Francisco Liriano</a></strong> has pitched fairly well in his last two starts and has two losses next to his name. The Pirates are a bit lost without <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccutan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccutan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Andrew McCutchen</a></strong>. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/haranaa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/haranaa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Aaron Harang</a></strong> is my pick. Heaven help me with that.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Yankees</strong> over the Astros</span>: I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop (cliche alert!) on <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/capuach01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/capuach01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Chris Capuano</a></strong>. He is not as good as he is pitching for the Yankees. On the other hand, the Astros give the Yankees an advantage of sorts. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/oberhbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/oberhbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Brett Oberholtzer</a></strong> goes for them.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The Mariners over the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Phillies</strong></span>: This pick did not work out yesterday. However, <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/iwakuhi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/iwakuhi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Hisashi Iwakuma</a></strong> has been better than Elias. The on-again, off-again offense of the Mariners has to score against <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burnea.01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burnea.01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">A.J. Burnett</a></strong>. The Mariners lose the DH.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The Angels over the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Red Sox</strong></span>: <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/weaveje02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/weaveje02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Jered Weaver</a></strong> has no velocity and he seems to bend every game but doesn't break. He is like the non-level-headed, right-handed Buehrle. But he has thirteen wins. So argue with that. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/webstal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/webstal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Allen Webster</a></strong> has not pitched well at all for the Red Sox but keeps getting gobs of run support. So who knows.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Rays</strong> over the Tigers</span>: I have a feeling about this one that <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/archech01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/archech01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Chris Archer</a></strong> is going to have a big night, <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/scherma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/scherma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Max Scherzer</a></strong> will give up three runs and the Rays will win, 3-1. The other scenario is that the Rays' bullpen outshines the Tigers and wins that way.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Marlins</strong> over the Rangers</span>: The Rangers will be highly familiar with <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cosarja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cosarja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Jarred Cosart</a></strong>, but the same goes for he of them. That's a big ballpark in Miami which should help him. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mikolmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mikolmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Miles Mikolas</a></strong> is hanging in there.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Cubs</strong> over the Giants: I'm going a little Cubs crazy the last couple of weeks. I have been right more often than not. I like what <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wadats01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wadats01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Tsuyoshi Wada</a></strong> is doing for them and I think the Cubs can hit <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vogelry01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vogelry01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Ryan Vogelsong</a></strong> at Wrigley.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The Orioles over the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">White Sox</strong></span>: I have such empathy for <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/q/quintjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/q/quintjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Jose Quintana</a></strong>. He gets nothing to show for quality pitching outing after outing. And then his bullpen is just awful. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tillmch01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tillmch01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Chris Tillman</a></strong> seems like he does it with mirrors, but it works.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Twins</strong> over the Indians</span>: I have picked against <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gibsoky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gibsoky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Kyle Gibson</a></strong> all season because he doesn't strike anyone out. He has won more often than not though and I have to give him his due. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bauertr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bauertr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Trevor Bauer</a></strong> still doesn't do it for me.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Brewers</strong> over the Blue Jays</span>: Should I say it? Okay: <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fiersmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fiersmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Mike Fiers</a></strong> is on FIRE! Heh. I kill me. Fiers at home is a good pick as long as he stays away from Bautista and Encarnacion. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/happja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/happja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">J.A. Happ</a></strong> has had a nice season and is starting to hit a bit of a wall.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Cardinals</strong> over the Reds</span>: Do not pick the Reds. Do not pick the Reds. Do not pick the Reds. Okay, I think I have it. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/simonal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/simonal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Alfredo Simon</a></strong> has gone from All Star pitching over his head to Alfredo Simon of the rest of his career. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lackejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lackejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">John Lackey</a></strong> gets the ball for the Cards.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The Royals over the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Rockies</strong></span>: I am a bit worried about this one and <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/shielja02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/shielja02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">James Shields</a></strong> pitching at Coors Field. This could be a wild one. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/matzety01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/matzety01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Tyler Matzek</a></strong> goes for the Rockies.</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The Padres over the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Dodgers</strong></span>: I can't for the life of me understand why the Dodgers picked up <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/correke01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/correke01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Kevin Correia</a></strong>. They must see something I don't. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kenneia01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kenneia01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Ian Kennedy</a></strong> has had a nice season, all things considered.</span></li></ul><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And the Game of the Day:</span></div><ul style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 24px 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Athletics</strong> over the Mets</span>: The A's need to get back on track and so does <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kazmisc01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kazmisc01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Scott Kazmir</a></strong>. Both the pitcher and the team have struggled of late. The Mets should help out there as they haven't scored at all lately. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/geedi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/geedi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Dillon Gee</a></strong> hasn't been the same since going on the DL.</span></li></ul><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yesterday: 5-3, August: 138-105, Games of the Day: 75-55 (+2), Season: 1032-854</span></div>

MLB Game Picks - Tuesday: August 19, 2014

There are times when I wake up in the morning and I compare the actual results to my picks and figure I must have made a pick because the fi...

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The Red Sox' bullpen is a weapon

<div style="text-align: justify;">When I was doing my preseason predictions, one of the things I stated was that it seemed impossible that the Boston Red Sox bullpen could be as good as it was last season when it was one of the reasons the team went all the way to the World Series title. While we are still in small sample size territory, it looks like I was dead wrong. It appears the bullpen for the Red Sox is every bit as good as it was last season.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The bullpen starts and ends with closer, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/u/ueharko01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Koji Uehara</a></strong>. What Uehara is doing is historical. We have never seen anything like this before. Uehara last blew a save on July 6, 2013. He has not blown another one since. But the save thing is not the statistic to focus on. Everything else is mind blowing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since July 5 of last year, he has walked one batter. One! Since the start of the second half of 2013, Uehara has pitched 34 times covering 37 innings and has given up twelve hits. Twelve! That works out to a .098 batting average. He has given up one run. One! That works out to an ERA of 0.24. He has struck out 48 batters in those 37 innings for a strikeout to walk ratio of 48 to 1. Good golly!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am not sure the baseball world has really gotten a hold of how incredible this run has been for Koji Uehara. Like I said, we have never seen anything like this before. I will give you Kimbrel of the Braves. But which closer would you take right now? I would take Uehara.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have always said that a great bullpen needs three really good relievers at the back end. The Red Sox have had that and more. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tazawju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Junichi Tazawa</a></strong> is not in the same league with Uehara, but if you throw out his bad September last year, a month in which his BABIP against was .360 and he has been very good as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So far this year, Tazawa has not given up a run and has an 8.7 strikeout to walk ratio. He has only walked one batter.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The American League got a bit of a break when the Red Sox activated <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/breslcr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Craig Breslow</a></strong> and sent <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/workmbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Brandon Workman</a></strong> to the minors. Workman was doing an incredible job for the Red Sox bullpen. He had an 0.78 WHIP and a 7.00 strikeout to walk ratio.  It's not like Breslow is not any good. The lefty did finish with a 1.80 ERA last year despite not striking out batters as often as the rest of the bullpen. He is just good at what he does and gets batters out. And the Red Sox have added another just like him in <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/capuach01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Chris Capuano</a></strong>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Capuano had rebuilt his career as a starter the last couple of seasons after years of injury troubles. But the Red Sox have had him in the bullpen and he has really responded well out there. He has not walked a batter and has an impressive WHIP of 0.60. Capuano, Breslow, Uehara and Tazawa have not allowed an inherited runner to score this season. The bullpen has also not allowed a homer.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mujiced01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Edward Mujica</a></strong> had an early struggle, but picked up a save last night against the Yankees giving Uehara a rest. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/millean01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Andrew Miller</a></strong> can be erratic, but is hard to hit most of the time. The weakest link seems to be <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/badenbu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Burke Badenhop</a></strong>. Badenhop will not blow hitters away and relies on a high ground ball percentage, which means he is a bit open to the foibles of BABIP. Workman is clearly a better option than Badenhop, but the Red Sox understandably do not want to give up on Workman as a starter and thus the demotion to get reps.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The real key to understanding what makes Uehara, Tazawa and even Workman so good is their ability to get batters to swing at pitches outside the strike zone. Workman had an O-swing rate of 45.2%, which is pretty incredible. Uehara is at 39.4% and Tazawa at 42.9%. Capuano and Mujica are both over 30%. Uehara also gets a first pitch strike 68% of the time, which means that batters are pretty much at his mercy the rest of the plate appearance.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I did not think the Red Sox bullpen could be as good as last year. So far, I couldn't be more wrong. If the bullpen stays this good all season, the Red Sox are going to be mighty tough to beat.</div>

The Red Sox' bullpen is a weapon

When I was doing my preseason predictions, one of the things I stated was that it seemed impossible that the Boston Red Sox bullpen could be...

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MLB Game Picks - Saturday: August 31, 2013

<div style="text-align: justify;">How can the most obvious pick of the day be wrong so often? The Rangers against the Twins. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/darviyu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Yu  Darvish</a></strong>, the most talented arm in baseball and the choice of many for the CYA, was on the mound and had a no-hitter through six. Darvish is up against <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hendrli01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Liam  Hendriks</a></strong>, a pitcher with a career record of 1-11 and a 5.60 career ERA. Darvish gave up three runs in the seventh. No big deal. The Rangers should still win by scoring five or six runs, right? Of course not. Obvious never is right. The obvious has been wrong three days in a row. If I keep doing this, I am going to go crazy and become this gibberish-speaking lunatic.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Otherwise, it was a good day of picking. But that is all negated by being wrong on the obvious. There is no good feeling from a good day when the obvious never goes right. I do feel good about the Blue Jays pick and the Pirates pick.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Saturday's picks:</div><br /><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Yankees </b>over the Orioles</u>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/novaiv01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ivan  Nova</a></strong> has been on a roll. Even when he walks people, his stuff has been getting him out of trouble. <strong><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></strong> is a decent pitcher. But he is not a shut down pitcher and the Yankees should score enough to win.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Blue Jays</b> over the Royals</u>: I am going to get all giddy here and predict the Blue Jays win a second game in a row. And no, there is no brandy in my coffee. <strong><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></strong> is going to have a good day at home and the Jays score a few runs off of <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/guthrje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jeremy  Guthrie</a></strong>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Phillies over the <b>Cubs</b></u>: It has been a long while since <strong><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></strong> won a ballgame. Today will be that day. He should have no trouble with the Cubs' lineup and the Phillies will scratch a couple off of <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rusinch01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Chris  Rusin</a></strong>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Nationals </b>over the Mets</u>: This pick did not work out yesterday as <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/geedi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Dillon  Gee</a></strong> did his thing. <strong><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></strong> could be explosive and shut the Nats down. Or he could give up four runs in five innings. I am feeling the latter. <strong><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></strong>, meanwhile, has turned his season around in a big way.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Cardinals over the <b>Pirates</b></u>: <strong><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></strong> must avoid the big inning with the crooked number in the middle innings for the Cardinals to win. Lynn has to have a very good game. The Pirates' lineup is still their weakest link and can be shut down. <strong><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></strong> is not reliable enough to pick.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Indians over the <b>Tigers</b></u>: This is an upset pick and can be right if <strong><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></strong> has a good day and if <strong><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></strong> has hit a wall like it appears his last couple of outings. Who knows if <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cabremi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Miguel  Cabrera</a></strong> is going to play. He is put together with duct tape right now.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Brewers over the <b>Angels</b>:</u> <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/willije01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jerome  Williams</a></strong> has not pitched well lately and the Angels do not have much of an offense lately either (even though they have been winning more regularly. <strong><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></strong> gets a win.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Red Sox</b> over the White Sox</u>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peavyja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jake  Peavy</a></strong> was built for a pennant race. He is an intense guy. I like his chances over the White Sox, his old team. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/danksjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">John  Danks</a></strong> has been pitching really well, but he is facing the Red Sox.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Mariners over the <b>Astros</b></u>: Guys on the Mariners like <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/seageky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Kyle  Seager</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/ackledu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Dustin  Ackley</a></strong> hit better on the road for the Mariners. Of course, this pick is a pick for <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/saundjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Joe  Saunders</a></strong>. Ugh. But <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/keuchda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Dallas  Keuchel</a></strong> is not a good pick either.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Rangers </b>over the Twins</u>: <strong><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></strong> should be the difference here as he his a much better pitcher than <strong><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></strong>. As I mentioned earlier, "should be," is a scary phrase.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Rockies </b>over the Reds</u>: If this game becomes a Coors shootout, the Reds win. Otherwise, it is a Rockies win as on any given day, <strong><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></strong> should be better than <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/reynogr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Greg  Reynolds</a></strong>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Giants over the <b>Diamondbacks</b></u>: I have picked against <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vogelry01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ryan  Vogelsong</a></strong> in his last three starts and have gotten burned. I picked against the Giants yesterday and got burned. Picking them today will probably burn me too. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cahiltr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Trevor  Cahill</a></strong> goes for the D-backs.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Rays over the <b>A's</b></u>: Just because I like to say it. So I got this man-crush on <strong><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></strong> after his first couple of starts. I loved his name and he was pitching well. But he has caused me to fall out of lust with him over the past two outings. I am going with <strong><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></strong> instead.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Dodgers </b>over the Padres:</u> <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/capuach01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Chris  Capuano</a></strong> is the type of pitcher that will get you through the season but will be left off the post-season roster. He should get the win today. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cashnan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Andrew  Cashner</a></strong> has good stuff, but no support.</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And the Game of the Day:</div><br /><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Braves </b>over the Marlins</u>: I simply like <strong><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></strong> better than I like <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/turneja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jacob  Turner</a></strong> in this one. The Braves are at home and even though they burn through four relief pitchers a game, keep on winning.</li></ul><br /><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday: 10-5</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Week: 45-34</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Month: 232-174</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Season: 1135-887</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Games of the Day: 85-61  -3</div></div>

MLB Game Picks - Saturday: August 31, 2013

How can the most obvious pick of the day be wrong so often? The Rangers against the Twins. Yu Darvish , the most talented arm in baseball a...

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MLB Game Picks - Saturday: August 3, 2013

<div style="text-align: justify;">Walk-off hits and homers, a young kid striking out fourteen batters, a tumbling catch into the seats and big hits by soon to be suspended players all went in favor of the picks and were only marred by the conspicuous failure of two former lefty aces. Only four picks went south out of fifteen. August has started just fine here at the FanDome. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=davisch02,davis-008chr&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Chris  Davis</a></strong> hit his 40th homer too, which is very cool. Still, one has to wonder if <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sabatc.01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">CC  Sabathia</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lestejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jon  Lester</a></strong> are done as elite pitchers. It sure appears to be so.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have a golf tournament today, and I am pumped because I am really playing well these past couple of weeks. But as such, I better get right to Saturday's picks:</div><br /><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Mets </b>over the Royals</u>: To make such a pick knowing that <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wrighda03.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">David  Wright</a></strong> will be out for a long time is problematic. But the Mets have a bunch of punch and Judy hitters which could give <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/chenbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Bruce  Chen</a></strong> problems. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hefneje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jeremy  Hefner</a></strong> has to pitch better than he has the last three weeks though.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Braves over the <b>Phillies</b></u>: John Lannon threw a good game his last time out. But he is John Lannon after all. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/beachbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Brandon  Beachy</a></strong>'s first outing back from TJ surgery did not go well. He will have to be a lot better today.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Dodgers over the <b>Cubs</b></u>: The Cubs continue to lose and that lineup is a lot weaker without <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/soriaal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Alfonso  Soriano</a></strong>. <strong><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></strong> is having a good season, but he gets no help. The scary part is wondering when this really good bubble that <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/capuach01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Chris  Capuano</a></strong> is in will burst.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Rangers over the <b>Athletics</b></u>: I got this wrong yesterday and went with the A's. But since <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=cruzne01,cruzne02&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Nelson  Cruz</a></strong> got to play for the weekend, the Rangers should get the benefit. <strong><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></strong> has been great since joining them and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/parkeja02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jarrod  Parker</a></strong> is the A's weakest starter.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Pirates </b>over the Rockies</u>: I got this one wrong yesterday too. The Pirates have now lost two in a row! Oh no! Nah. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/liriafr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Francisco  Liriano</a></strong> has been lights out and though <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rosajo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jorge  De  La  Rosa</a></strong> has had a fine season, the pick is the Pirates.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Orioles </b>over the Mariners</u>: I am not overly excited about the Orioles picking up <strong><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></strong>. I felt they could have done better. But Feldman can be okay if he gets his ground balls. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=ramirer01,ramirer02&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Erasmo  Ramirez</a></strong> has won his last two starts, but does not go deeper than six innings and that bullpen is a mess.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Diamondbacks over the <b>Red Sox</b></u>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peavyja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jake  Peavy</a></strong> will make his first start for the Red Sox and I predict that it will not go well. Meanwhile, <strong><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></strong> pitches beautifully every time out, even in his losses. And I like power lefties against Boston.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Indians over the <b>Marlins</b></u>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/turneja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jacob  Turner</a></strong> is a pretty good pitcher, but he is no Fernandez. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcallza01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Zach  McAllister</a></strong> will need to pitch a good game and should be aided by the big ballpark in Miami. I am picking way too many visiting teams to win. This is scary.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Twins </b>over the Astros</u>: Like I said in his last start (which did not go well), I like <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gibsoky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Kyle  Gibson</a></strong> as a pitcher. He has a little more zip than most of his Minnesota cohorts. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bedarer01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Erik  Bedard</a></strong> will not get much help and probably will not pitch well.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Bay <b>Rays </b>over the Giants</u>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/priceda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">David  Price</a></strong> is a seriously good option at home. I do not think he has walked a batter since he came back from the DL. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/linceti01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Tim  Lincecum</a></strong> should benefit from a bigger park down in St. Pete, but will not be able to match Price.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Reds </b>over the Cardinals:</u> The Reds got walloped yesterday by these same Cardinals. But I like their chances better today at home with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cingrto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Tony  Cingrani</a></strong> on the mound. Besides, I have no faith in <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/westbja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jake  Westbrook</a></strong>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Nationals over the <b>Brewers</b></u>: I had written off <strong><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></strong> for the season and then he goes and pitches a gem his last time out. So now I am confused. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/handdo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Donovan  Hand</a></strong> has been decent for the Brewers since joining the rotation. But he does not strike anyone out.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Yankees over the <b>Padres</b>:</u> I really like the way <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/novaiv01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ivan  Nova</a></strong> has been throwing lately and he should be aided by Petco Park. Then again, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rossty01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Tyson  Ross</a></strong> is the kind of pitcher that gives the Yankees trouble. This could be a nail-biter.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Angels over the Blue Jays</u>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rogeres01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Esmil  Rogers</a></strong> has been a batting practice pitcher lately so I do not like his chances against the Angels. That is especially the case since <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/weaveje02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jered  Weaver</a></strong> is pitching for the Angels.</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And the Game of the Day:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><u>The <b>Tigers </b>over the White Sox</u>: I don't think this will only take two hours and seven minutes like <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fistedo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Doug  Fister</a></strong> took yesterday. But <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/scherma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Max  Scherzer</a></strong> should get a fairly easy win and give Brian Kenny more time to talk about how stupid the win statistic is. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/danksjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">John  Danks</a></strong> goes for the White Sox.</li></ul><br /><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday: 11-4</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Week: 50-32</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Month: 18-8</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Season: 921-716</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Games of the Day: 71-47    +2</div></div>

MLB Game Picks - Saturday: August 3, 2013

Walk-off hits and homers, a young kid striking out fourteen batters, a tumbling catch into the seats and big hits by soon to be suspended pl...

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MLB Game Picks - Friday: June 28, 2013

<div style="text-align: justify;">Another day, another round of disappointing picks. Oh yes, and another two extra inning games that did not go the way of the teams that were picked. Give <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hefneje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jeremy  Hefner</a></strong> credit. He pitched a good game out in Coors Field. I just did not expect that. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/strasst01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Stephen  Strasburg</a></strong> and <strong><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></strong> provided just as good a shootout as predicted. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fistedo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Doug  Fister</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/weaveje02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jered  Weaver</a></strong> was another great pitching duel. Both of those games were decided by bullpens. Neither were correct as picks. Is it me or was <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cokeph01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Phil  Coke</a></strong> particularly born to lose extra inning games?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At least I correctly predicted the Yankees to lose as my Game of the Day. How far have the Yankees fallen when they are on the wrong side of a Game of the Day pick? The Yankees could have batted against <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hollade01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Derek  Holland</a></strong> for a hundred innings and would not have scored.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here are Friday's picks:</div><br /><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>White Sox</b> and Indians split a double-header:</u> I am cheating a bit because I need a break here. I do not like either Indians' starter in this double dip and should pick a White Sox sweep. But the White Sox are bad. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bauertr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Trevor  Bauer</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carraca01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Carlos  Carrasco</a></strong> are the Indians' two starters. Yuck. <strong><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></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/santihe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Hector  Santiago</a></strong> go for the White Sox.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Orioles </b>over the Yankees:</u> The Orioles are no dummies. They see how pathetic the Yankees are against left-handed pitching and start <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcfartj01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">T.J.  McFarland</a></strong>. I really like <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/phelpda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">David  Phelps</a></strong> and how solidly he was coached over the years. But his stuff is just not good enough against a powerful lineup like the Orioles.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Tigers over the <b>Rays</b>:</u> The Tigers just had a bad series against the Angels and need a win. Thankfully, they have <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/scherma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Max  Scherzer</a></strong> on the mound. The only concern is that winning streaks are meant to end. Alex Colombe pitched well against the Yankees. But so does everyone.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Marlins over the <b>Padres</b>:</u> Probably a stupid pick. But I know that <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nolasri01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ricky  Nolasco</a></strong> would like to get out of Miami and a big outing would help his cause. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/volqued01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Edinson  Volquez</a></strong> has been much better this year than last though.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Blue Jays over the <b>Red Sox</b>:</u> I have not liked anything I have seen from <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/webstal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Allen  Webster</a></strong> as a starter for the Red Sox. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=johnsjo09,johnso012jos,johnso011jos&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Josh  Johnson</a></strong>, on the other hand, is pitching much, much better.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Mets </b>over the Nationals:</u> <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harvema01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Matt  Harvey</a></strong> is so good. The only question is if the Mets can score some runs against <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/detwiro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ross  Detwiler</a></strong>. Because if the Nats can match zeroes and the game goes to the bullpens, this pick is in big trouble.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Braves </b>over the Diamondbacks:</u> Interesting game here. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/teherju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Julio  Teheran</a></strong> has settled nicely into the Braves' rotation and faces the guy whose place he took in <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/delgara01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Randall  Delgado</a></strong>. The Braves kept the right guy.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Reds over the <b>Rangers</b>:</u> <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/perezma02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Martin  Perez</a></strong> has already beaten the Reds' rivals in the Cardinals. But Perez is a BABIP pitcher who does not strike out many. Sooner or later, those balls in play find holes. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cuetojo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Johnny  Cueto</a></strong> should be better.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Angels over the <b>Astros</b>: </u><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/troutmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Mike  Trout</a></strong> is on an unbelievable tear right now. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/willije01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jerome  Williams</a></strong> has pitched well all season and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/norribu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Bud  Norris</a></strong> is a guy the Angels can get to.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Royals over the <b>Twins</b>:</u> Perhaps my belief in <strong><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></strong> has been over-inflated. Perhaps he is not the bomb I think he is. He has not been dominant like some of his days in a Rays uniform. But I like him here and like him better than P.J. Walter.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Rockies </b>over the Giants:</u> Both teams have really struggled lately so this will be an interesting game. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/z/zitoba01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Barry  Zito</a></strong> will either be decent or he will get bombed as there is no in between with him. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/chacijh01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jhoulys  Chacin</a></strong> seems to have a better chance to win.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Cardinals over the <b>Athletics</b>:</u> What <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/colonba01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Bartolo  Colon</a></strong> is doing this season defies logic, and yet, there he is at 10-2. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/millesh01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Shelby  Miller</a></strong> has had trouble avoiding a crooked number inning. If he can do that, he has the stuff to shut down the A's completely.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Mariners </b>over the Cubs:</u> <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/iwakuhi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Hisashi  Iwakuma</a></strong> has struggled a bit in his last few outings and has not been quite as dominant. I like <strong><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></strong> the same way I like David  Phelps. Well-coached and disciplined. But Iwakuma is better when both are at their best.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Dodgers </b>over the Phillies:</u> <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/capuach01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Chris  Capuano</a></strong> is a hard guy to pick as a pitcher. But the Dodgers have more excitement with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/puigya01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Yasiel  Puig</a></strong> out there and the crowds are going crazy for him. I really don't think John Lannon will pitch well.</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And the Game of the Day!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><u>The <b>Pirates </b>over the Brewers:</u> I am not sure the Brewers could not have found somebody better in their minor league system than <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=hellwe001joh&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Johnny  Hellweg</a></strong> to start this game in place of <strong><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></strong>. Hellweg has always walked a lot of batters and as he has risen in levels in the minors, the more his strikeouts go down. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/colege01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Gerrit  Cole</a></strong>, on the other hand, is the bomb.</li></ul><br /><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday: 4-5</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Week: 31-27</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Month: 186-176</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Season: 651-525</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Games of the Day: 49-37</div></div>

MLB Game Picks - Friday: June 28, 2013

Another day, another round of disappointing picks. Oh yes, and another two extra inning games that did not go the way of the teams that were...

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MLB Game Picks - Monday: June 3, 2013

<div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday was not a good picking day. It would have been better if not for bullpens. The Reds had a 4-2 lead on the Pirates until <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/broxtjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jonathan  Broxton</a></strong> happened. The Tigers had a lead on the Orioles until <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cokeph01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Phil  Coke</a></strong> happened. Without those two events, the day would have been decent. But that is a four game swing on the final tally. One of those baby Cardinal pitchers finally lost a game. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harvema01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Matt  Harvey</a></strong> of the Mets was uncharacteristically shelled. And unbelievably, the Angels were beaten by the Astros again!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are nine games on the schedule today with three of them being on the West Coast. Here are Monday's picks:</div><br /><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The <b>Yankees </b>over the Indians: Lots of questions on this one. How good will <strong><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></strong> be coming back from the disabled list? Will it be the good <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/masteju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Justin  Masterson</a></strong> or the bad one? Can the reeling New York Yankees get their act together? Will <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/francte01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Terry  Francona</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/girarjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Joe  Girardi</a></strong> spend more than fifteen minutes praising each other?</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The <b>Reds </b>over the Rockies: Yes, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/chatwty01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Tyler  Chatwood</a></strong> is 3-0 and has been lights out. No, I am not quite buying it. Yes, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/arroybr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Bronson  Arroyo</a></strong> can give up runs in bunches and no, he will not today.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Pirates over the <b>Braves</b>: The Pirates are a legitimately good team. Their record is not a fluke. I am not quite convinced by their offense, but the pitching has been there. <strong><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></strong> could strike out ten Braves today as they are prone to do that. Then again, Burnett could give up half a dozen gopher balls too. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/medlekr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Kris  Medlen</a></strong> is 1-6. I never expected that to happen.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The <b>Brewers </b>over the Athletics: Tough game to call. The A's always seem to find a way to win. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/milonto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Tommy  Milone</a></strong> is the key to the game. He really has not pitched well since his May 7 start and that was five starts ago. The Brewers feature <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=braunry02,braunry01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ryan  Braun</a></strong>, who loves him some lefty pitching. <strong><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></strong> is probably under-appreciated.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The <b>Cardinals </b>over the Diamondbacks: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cahiltr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Trevor  Cahill</a></strong> has been much better the last few weeks. But <strong><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></strong> is a stud and the Cards' offense is terrific. I like the Cardinals here, especially at home.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The <b>Angels </b>over the Astros: I have been picking it this way all weekend and have gone down in flames all weekend. I might as well finish the series being stubborn. If the Angels lose again, their manager should get sacked. Plain and simple. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/blantjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Joe  Blanton</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bedarer01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Erik  Bedard</a></strong> are the starters.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The White Sox over the <b>Mariners</b>: The White Sox have not won in a while, so they are due. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/danksjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">John  Danks</a></strong> has looked pretty good since coming back. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/saundjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Joe  Saunders</a></strong> is always capable of baffling Major League batters for a game. This one can go either way.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Dodgers over the Padres: I might as well continue my season long streak of being zero for picking <strong><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></strong>. I pick him to win and he loses. I pick him to lose and he wins. I think he will win today, so I picked him to lose. Desperation leads men to do strange things. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/capuach01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Chris  Capuano</a></strong> needs to have a good game. Eek.</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And the Game of the Day!</div><br /><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The <b>Phillies </b>over the Marlins: The Marlins just mashed the Mets for most of the weekend and are getting some offense all of the sudden. But <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kendrky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Kyle  Kendrick</a></strong> just somehow wins all the time. He just does. It is best not to think about it too much because your head will explode. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/koehlto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Tom  Koehler</a></strong> goes for the Fish.</li></ul><br /><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday: 7-8</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Week: 7-8</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Month: 18-13</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Season: 480-363</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Games of the Day: 38-23</div></div>

MLB Game Picks - Monday: June 3, 2013

Yesterday was not a good picking day. It would have been better if not for bullpens. The Reds had a 4-2 lead on the Pirates until Jonathan ...

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