The Flagrant Fan Blogs: Esmil Rogers

<div style="text-align: justify;">July has been such a good month. It is a shame that the month is not finishing well. Two straight negative days were the only blight on what was a great weekend around here. That being the case, the world is still a good place. Picking baseball games may be an obsession for me, but it is still just for fun.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My son is correct. The only time the Yankees win is when I pick against them. Heh. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jeterde01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Derek  Jeter</a></strong>, <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> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suzukic01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ichiro  Suzuki</a></strong> turned back the clock for a day to win the boys from the Bronx a game despite <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hugheph01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Phil  Hughes</a></strong>. Elsewhere, the Diamondbacks wasted another brilliant performance by <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> and lost. That was the Game of the Day, so it was a double-ouchie.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today is a short schedule Monday. Here are the picks:</div><br /><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Bay Rays over the <b>Red Sox</b></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 5-1 in his career at Fenway Park with a 1.96 ERA. Those numbers (SSS) are hard to pick against. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/doubrfe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Felix  Doubront</a></strong> pitches well against weaker competition but struggles a bit against good teams.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Rangers </b>over the Angels</u>: <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> has been eye-poppingly good since returning from the disabled list. But he should be matched by <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>, who has been just as brilliant. If the two starters cancel each other out and it becomes a bullpen game, the Rangers win.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Indians </b>over the White Sox</u>: <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 not fared well the last two seasons and perhaps needs a change of scenery. I have a feeling quite a few Pale Hose players need a change of scenery. Not thrilled to be picking <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> here, but the Indians are clearly the better team.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Pirates </b>over the Cardinals</u>: <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> is not a great pitcher. But he does give his team a chance to win with most of his outings. But tonight, he will need to be perfect because <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 on a roll. The guy, when on, is an amazing talent.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Braves </b>over the Rockies</u>: The Braves are flying high after sweeping the Cardinals over the weekend and today they get <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> back. If he is anywhere close to being as good as when he was injured, the Braves just got better. <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> is a good pitcher too though.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Marlins </b>over the Mets</u>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stantmi03.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Giancarlo  Stanton</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/morrilo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Logan  Morrison</a></strong> have both been hot in the lineup and <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> has lost his last two starts, but pitched well. <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> had a hot streak going for about a month or more, but has since fallen on hard times again.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Cubs </b>over the Brewers</u>: <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 very talented. I would love to see him be a bit more consistent. The pick depends on him having a good day. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lohseky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Kyle  Lohse</a></strong> might still be with the Brewers to pitch his turn. If so, this pick could be in trouble as Lohse has won six straight.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Blue Jays over the <b>Athletics</b></u>: This game is a hunch. <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 not won a game since June 24. But he should benefit from pitching in that ghastly ballpark. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/griffaj01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">A.J.  Griffin</a></strong> is usually pretty strong at home. But I am feeling the Blue Jays here.</li></ul><span style="text-align: justify;">And the Game of the Day:</span><br /><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Reds over the <b>Padres</b></u>: The Reds had a tough series against the Dodgers. But the Dodgers are on fire. So that is not a surprise. They should have no trouble against the Padres. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/osullse01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Sean  O'Sullivan</a></strong> has a 1.88 WHIP. Enough said there. And all <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/leakemi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Mike  Leake</a></strong> does is win games.</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday: 7-8</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Week: 7-8</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Month: 204-143</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Season: 878-692       I did some auditing and fixed this statistic</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Games of the Day: 68-45  -1 </div>

MLB Game Picks - Monday: July 29, 2013

July has been such a good month. It is a shame that the month is not finishing well. Two straight negative days were the only blight on what...

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<div style="text-align: justify;">Sunday was another disappointing day. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wainwad01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Adam  Wainwright</a></strong> lost because the Cardinals did not score. The Marlins beat <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cainma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Matt  Cain</a></strong> and company. The Pirates scored seven runs in the ninth and tenth innings to beat the Angels. What the heck, right? Oh well, at least the Game of the Day was correct for a change.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are only four games on the schedule today on what is one of the slowest baseball days of the season. And all four look hellacious to pick. Here are Monday's picks and you will see what I mean:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Orioles </b>over the Indians:</u> I do not want to pick against either team here. The Orioles just got trounced in Toronto and will be home looking for bear. But <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brittza01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Zach  Britton</a></strong> is pitching. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jimenub01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ubaldo  Jimenez</a></strong> has regained some of his stuff but still has his wild innings. The final pick here is that Ubaldo has a bad day, Britton has a good day and the Orioles hit some bombs.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Bay Rays</b> over the Blue Jays:</u> It is another battle of the Ays. Toronto has won eleven in a row, right? That has to break some time. But that is a heck of a streak to pick against. And <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 very good too. I rag a lot on <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hellije01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jeremy  Hellickson</a></strong>, but he has been better of late. The Rays are at home. The streak has to end some time. It is becoming critical mass.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Dodgers </b>over the Giants:</u> Which pitcher will come out sharper? <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ryuhy01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Hyun-jin  Ryu</a></strong> or <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bumgama01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Madison  Bumgarner</a></strong>? Both have had a few ups and downs this season. Bumgarner is the better pitcher over the long haul. Neither team is hitting well. The Dodgers are at home. That is the final tiebreaker.</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And the Game of the Day:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Phillies over the <b>Padres</b>:</u> The Padres have been playing great baseball and <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> is more than capable of shutting down the Phillies. But the pick has to go with <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> who is 9-2 and has been getting the wins that he did not get last year. Having <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/u/utleych01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Chase  Utley</a></strong> back helps the Phillies too.</li></ul>Yesterday: 7-8<br /><div>Week: 708</div><div>Month: 162-157</div><div>Season: 627-506</div><div>Games of the Day: 47-35</div>

MLB Game Picks - Monday: June 24, 2013

Sunday was another disappointing day. Adam Wainwright lost because the Cardinals did not score. The Marlins beat Matt Cain and company. ...

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