MLB Game Picks - Tuesday: April 15, 2014

<span style="font-family: inherit;">I almost had a perfect night. I was 7-0 with one game suspended and the Angels, which I picked over the A's had a one run lead heading into the last inning. A one-out pinch hit homer by Jaso off of Frieri later, and the pick went bye-bye. I was that close.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh well. Even so, the picks are 27-10 over the last three days, so that is a pretty good run.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are sixteen games to pick today. They have to finish the Reds - Pirates game, which was suspended. Here are the picks: </span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Pirates over the <strong>Reds</strong></span>: The Pirates have the better bullpen, so I will lean towards them in a short game.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Phillies</strong> over the Braves</span>: It seemed like the Phillies just handed the game ot the Braves last night. Weird. Tonight might be different. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=leecl02,leecl01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Cliff Lee</a></strong> usually pitches well against the Braves and young <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/haleda02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">David Hale</a></strong> is having command issues.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Yankees</strong> over the Cubs</span>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tanakma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Masahiro Tanaka</a></strong> should have no issues with the Cubs' lineup and the only issue is whether the Yankees can solve <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hammeja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Jason Hammel</a></strong>, something they have struggled with in the past.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Bay Rays over the <strong>Orioles</strong></span>: I like <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/odorija01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Jake Odorizzi</a></strong> in this one much more than I like <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=gonzami03,gonzami04,gonzal010mig&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Miguel Gonzalez</a></strong>.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Tigers</strong> over the Indians</span>: The Indians never seem to beat the Tigers. So that is the way I am leaning here. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sanchan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Anibal Sanchez</a></strong> goes for the Tigers and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcallza01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Zach McAllister</a></strong> goes for the Indians.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Pirates over the <strong>Reds</strong></span>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/colege01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Gerrit Cole</a></strong> has been pitching really well and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/leakemi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Mike Leake</a></strong> is always a puzzle to me. Will Leake win? Depends. Ha!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Nationals over the <strong>Marlins</strong></span>: I keep picking <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/strasst01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Stephen Strasburg</a></strong> like he is infallible. But I usually get disappointed. Still, if he does his thing and strikes out ten or more, he should win over <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/koehlto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Tom Koehler</a></strong>.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Rangers</strong> over the Mariners</span>: When did it go from <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rossro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Robbie Ross</a></strong> to Robert Ross, Jr.? Anyway, the only reason I am picking Ross is because the Mariners are pitching <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/beavabl01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Blake Beavan</a></strong>.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Red Sox over the <strong>White Sox</strong></span>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peavyja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Jake Peavy</a></strong> goes back to Chicago and should pitch well there. He faces <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=johnser04,johnser03&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Erik Johnson</a></strong>, the kind of young pitcher the Red Sox usually munch up to mulch.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Brewers</strong> over the Cardinals</span>: I don't know what ails <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/millesh01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Shelby Miller</a></strong>, but he has not been the same guy as he was early last year. I expect the Brewers to strike here and have a good performance at home by <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/estrama01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Marco Estrada</a></strong>.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Blue Jays over the <strong>Twins</strong></span>: Good old <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hugheph01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Phil Hughes</a></strong> has brought his homer-prone ways with him to the Twins. That is not a good thing against the Blue Jays. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/morrobr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Brandon Morrow</a></strong>'s last start was encouraging.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Mets over the <strong>Diamondbacks</strong></span>: If the Dbacks lose a second straight to the lowly Mets, then stuff is going to start hitting the fan. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mejiaje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Jenrry Mejia</a></strong> has the kind of stuff to win and should be better than <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/arroybr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Bronson Arroyo</a></strong>.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Angels</strong> over the Athletics</span>: Let's try this again, shall we? <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/richaga01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Garrett Richards</a></strong> has become really good and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/straida01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Dan Straily</a></strong> is just okay. If those two things hold true, the Angels should win.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Padres</strong> over the Rockies</span>: I like <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/erlinro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Robbie Erlin</a></strong> quite a bit and so I am going with him over <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nicasju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Juan Nicasio</a></strong>. This might be a mistake because Nicasio is usually pretty solid.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Giants</strong> over the Dodgers</span>: I just don't believe in <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>. Then again, it is hard to believe in <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/linceti01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Tim Lincecum</a></strong> these days either. So who knows. The Giants are the home team.</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: inherit;">And the Game of the Day! </span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>The Royals over the <strong>Astros</strong></u>: If <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/ventuyo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Yordano Ventura</a></strong> becomes as good as he looks, can we call him Ace Ventura? Please? The Royals have just not gelled yet but should be able to beat <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harrelu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Lucas Harrell</a></strong>.</span></li></ul><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: normal;">Yesterday: 7-1, Games of the Day: 6-5, Season: 116-77</span></span>

MLB Game Picks - Tuesday: April 15, 2014

I almost had a perfect night. I was 7-0 with one game suspended and the Angels, which I picked over the A's had a one run lead heading i...

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