MLB Game Picks - Wednesday: April 17, 2013

<div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday featured some brilliant picks. The Twins over the Angels? I had it. The Padres over the Dodgers? Yep. Got that one. Unfortunately, there were some really stupid picks that canceled out the smart ones. Picks like the Indians over the Red Sox. Did I really pick <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>. Oh Ubaldo. Ubaldo. What the heck was I thinking? And I picked the Cubs over the Rangers!?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There were other surprises. The double-header between the Rockies and Mets was going perfectly until the Mets' bullpen blew the second game late. The magic bubble of <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> burst on me and he was hammered.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And weather continued to play havoc in baseball. The Phillies and Reds played nine scoreless innings and then decided to call it a night. And the rains came to the Pirates - Cardinals game and wiped that out after the second inning. Baseball has seen five straight nights with at least one postponement.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So all in all, the picks ended up in the positive. But not by much. The suspended game will count on yesterday if it is finished up today. It looks like from MLB.com's schedule, that they will finish up the game today at some point.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wednesday's picks:</div><br /><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The <b>Braves </b>over the Royals: There is no stopping this Braves team right now. They are pitching, hitting and playing defense. And of course, once they get the lead, that bullpen is amazing. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/daviswa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Wade Davis</a></strong> pitches for the Royals and he has been good. But the Braves will hit at least a couple of homers to take the game behind <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>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The <b>Athletics </b>over the Astros: While it is always an adventure to pick <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> to win a game, the A's have to be the pick here. <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> has won two of the Astros' games, but again, the pick has to go to the A's.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Phillies over the <b>Reds</b>: I am simply not buying <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> here. The Phillies' offense is weak, but Leake has not been able to stop anyone. John Lannon has a chance to stop the Reds, however.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The <b>Yankees </b>over the Diamondbacks: <strong><a href="http://www.blogger.com/players/s/sabatc.01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">C.C. Sabathia</a></strong> has won his last two starts in impressive fashion and should be able to tame the Diamondbacks in his home yard. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mileywa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Wade Miley</a></strong>, however, is also a lefty and has been really impressive. The Yankees' lineup against lefties has been weak. This may up a bullpen game, and if so, advantage: Yankees.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The <b>Indians </b>over the Red Sox: No, I did not learn my lesson, so what of it? <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> is 3-0 with an ERA under one. I wrote this week that I do not think that is a fluke. Obviously, his ERA will regress, but he is facing <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/aceveal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Alfredo Aceves</a></strong>. Aceves was not bad in his last start, but he is a tantrum waiting to happen.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Cardinals over the <b>Pirates</b>: <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> has pitched well for the Pirates but is still 0-2. That is because of the Pirates' offense which faces the seemingly incredible <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>. Miller has been lights out thus far. The only scary part in this game is the Cardinals' bullpen.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Bay Rays over the <b>Orioles</b>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tillmch01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Chris Tillman</a></strong> at least gives the Rays' offense a chance to score two or three runs. If he does, then <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/moorema02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Matt Moore</a></strong> should hold down the Orioles enough for the guy with the crooked cap to end the game with a save.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The <b>Blue Jays</b> over the White Sox: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/happja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">J.A. Happ</a></strong> has been very good for the Blue Jays. Who would have guessed that? He is 2-0 so far. My only worry is that Konerko might get to him. Otherwise, he should be better than <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>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Nationals over the <b>Marlins</b>: The Marlins pulled two surprises yesterday. First, they won. Second, they scored a lot of runs. Neither will happen two days in a row. <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> over <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>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Rangers over the <b>Cubs</b>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/villaca01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Carlos Villanueva</a></strong> has been very stingy for the Cubs and has an ERA under one. But he has nothing to show for it. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grimmju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Justin Grimm</a></strong> makes his second major league start. The first one was only so-so. So this pick looks wrong. But it will be right.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Angels over the <b>Twins</b>: The Angels have looked awful. Just awful. But should win today because <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/worleva01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Vance Worley</a></strong> has looked abominable thus far. He used to be much better than this, so I do not really get what is going on with him. While <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hansoto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Tommy Hanson</a></strong> does not thrill me either, he should be better than Worley.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The <b>Brewers </b>over the Giants: Maybe the Brewers are ready to go on a hot streak. <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> has pitched well but has not been fortunate. <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> has been inconsistent. The Brewers steal a win here after beating the Giants last night.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The <b>Rockies </b>over the Mets: I hate picking games that originate in Coors Field. Anything can happen there. <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> is not having a fun time thus far and goes against a tough offense in a tough place for pitchers. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/garlajo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jon Garland</a></strong> is at least crafty enough to survive, if by his fingernails.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The Tigers over the <b>Mariners</b>: If there is one thing we have learned over the years is that just because <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hernafe02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Felix Hernandez</a></strong> is pitching, it does not mean the Mariners will win the game. <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> certainly has the ability to shadow Hernandez until the Tigers can scratch out a few runs.</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And the Game of the Day!</div><br /><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">The Dodgers over the <b>Padres</b>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kershcl01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Clayton Kershaw</a></strong> lose two games in a row? As if. He should mow through the Padres without a problem and the Dodgers will get to <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>. This should be a no-brainer. But saying so has always haunted me.</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday: 8-6  and pending on the completion of the suspended game</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Week: 20-16</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Month: 124-78</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Games of the Day: 12-4 </div>

MLB Game Picks - Wednesday: April 17, 2013

Yesterday featured some brilliant picks. The Twins over the Angels? I had it. The Padres over the Dodgers? Yep. Got that one. Unfortunately,...

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