MLB Game Picks - Thursday: May 8, 2014

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ah! That is the sound of basking in a much better day than I have had in a while. A lot of the picks came in on Wednesday. I correctly picked both ends of the A's / Mariners' double-header. The only blemishes on the evening were the Orioles over the Rays, the Cardinals over the Braves, and the Diamondbacks over the Brewers. That's it. After the way most of this month has gone. it feels good.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thursday has a short schedule with nine games on the schedule. I think I only have five total players playing today on my fantasy team. The picks: </span></div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Indians</strong> over the Twins</span>: The Twins without <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mauerjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Joe Mauer</a></strong> are a lot worse off than with him. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/correke01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Kevin Correia</a></strong> was good his last time out, but every squirrel finds a nut, they say. My only problem is trying to remember the last time <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/masteju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Justin Masterson</a></strong> pitched two good games in a row.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Tigers</strong> over the Astros</span>: All winning streaks come to an end. But the Tigers' won't yet. The Emoticon, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smylydr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Drew Smyly</a></strong> goes for the Tigers   :)    and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/keuchda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Dallas Keuchel</a></strong> pitches for the Astros. Keuchel has not pitched overly bad thus far though.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Blue Jays</strong> over the Phillies</span>: My instincts are to pick the Phillies because with their old guys, a knuckle ball gives them something they can catch up to. You never know how good or bad <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dicker.01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">R.A. Dickey</a></strong> is going to be and home is not his favorite cooking. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burnea.01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">A.J. Burnett</a></strong> comes home to Toronto, but I feel a clunker coming out of him today. That's my initial reaction. Get it? That was a joke, son.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Bay <strong>Rays</strong> over the Orioles</span>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/priceda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">David Price</a></strong> has an 11.0 strikeout to walk ratio and 10.2 strikeouts per nine. But, and this is a big but, he has given up eight homers and lots of hits. Certainly a strange start to his season. But he is a true ace. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jimenub01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Ubaldo Jimenez</a></strong> finally had a good outing his last time out. Does he have another one in him for an AL East team? I'm not feeling it.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Rangers</strong> over the Rockies</span>: As good as the Rockies' offense has been, their pitching has not been great. They are fourteenth in the NL in runs and hits allowed. Take <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/moralfr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Franklin Morales</a></strong>, for example. He is 3-1 but has a WHIP over 1.5. Sooner or later this team will come down to earth. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harrima01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Matt Harrison</a></strong> has not had great command since his return, but the assumption here is that he has a good day.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Mariners</strong> over the Royals</span>: This is an interesting match-up. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/i/iwakuhi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Hisashi Iwakuma</a></strong> is back and always a good pick at his home ballpark. But if <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/duffyda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Danny Duffy</a></strong> has an overpowering night and can keep his walks down? Hmm...</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Padres</strong> over the Marlins</span>: The Marlins are 17-5 at home and 2-10 on the road. Uh. What!? <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/turneja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Jacob Turner</a></strong> did not turn (hahaha) in a good performance in his debut outing of the season. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kenneia01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Ian Kennedy</a></strong> will probably hit a batter, but if he hits many bats, then all bets are off.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Dodgers</strong> over the Giants</span>: This one is tough. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/beckejo02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Josh Beckett</a></strong> is about as trustworthy as a cat near a fishbowl. But on occasion looks brilliant. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vogelry01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Ryan Vogelsong</a></strong> has pitched better of late and could pitch well in spacious Dodger Stadium. Toss up.</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And the Game of the Day </span></div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>The <strong>White Sox</strong> over the Cubs</u>: I haven't gotten a game of these two teams playing each other correctly yet. And I have to admit I really root for <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carrosc02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Scott Carroll</a></strong>. So I am taking him over <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/arrieja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Jake Arrieta</a></strong> gentille Arrieta.</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yesterday: 12-4, May: 55-45, Games of the Day: 16-18, Season: 288-219 </span></div>

MLB Game Picks - Thursday: May 8, 2014

Ah! That is the sound of basking in a much better day than I have had in a while. A lot of the picks came in on Wednesday. I correctly picke...

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