MLB Game Picks - Thursday: April 17, 2014

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yesterday wasn't a bad day but the Game of the Day feature is struggling so far this season. Since that feature endeavors to pick the one game that seems like a lock, that's pretty bad. I should have used either of the Yankee games it seems. And gosh, do the Diamondbacks stink or what? And my guy, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=fernajo01,fernajo02,fernan008jos,fernan014jos,fernan018jos,fernan015jos&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Jose Fernandez</a></strong>, had a 3-0 lead and was cruising along at home. What happened!?</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;">There are twelve games on the schedule including a double-header in Minnesota since winter still held sway there yesterday. Thursday's picks: </span></div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Braves over the <strong>Phillies</strong></span>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/woodal02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Alex Wood</a></strong> has been pitching well and <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> is about as reliable this year as spring temperatures have been on the East Coast this spring.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Tigers</strong> over the Indians</span>: The Indians did well to take yesterday's game, a big improvement over last season when they could not beat the Tigers. But <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/verlaju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Justin Verlander</a></strong> at home should beat <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/salazda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Danny Salazar</a></strong> who has had command issues thus far.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Twins</strong> over the Blue Jays</span>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gibsoky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Kyle Gibson</a></strong> has not been as good as his record, but he's been a good luck charm for his team thus far. <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> has not been effective except for that Yankees start.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Rangers</strong> over the Mariners</span>: The Rangers got a big win yesterday after eight innings of doing nothing against <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hernafe02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Felix Hernandez</a></strong>. Today should be high scoring with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/schepta01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Tanner Scheppers</a></strong> facing <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=ramirer02,ramirer01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Erasmo Ramirez</a></strong>.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Giants</strong> over the Dodgers</span>: This is a great pitching match-up on paper with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bumgama01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Madison Bumgarner</a></strong> against <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ryuhy01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Hyun-jin Ryu</a></strong>. These games always depend on with ace brings their ace-game. I am going with Bumgarner at home.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Padres</strong> over the Rockies</span>: <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> has not been very good so far this year but might fare better in San Diego. <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> needs to pitch better for this pick to come home.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Brewers over the <strong>Pirates</strong></span>: I like picking <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gallayo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Yovani Gallardo</a></strong> better at home, but he has been consistently good wherever this season. Give Pittsburgh credit, they have done a good job of rebuilding <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/volqued01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Edinson Volquez</a></strong>.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Cardinals over the <strong>Nationals</strong></span>: Both teams are hot and some of the key Cardinal batters are coming alive. But I simply like <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wainwad01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Adam Wainwright</a></strong> more than <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jordata01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Taylor Jordan</a></strong> in this one.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Blue Jays over the <strong>Twins</strong></span>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcgowdu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Dustin McGowan</a></strong> was great his last time out. But this is a scary pick. It is made less so by <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pelfrmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Mike Pelfrey</a></strong> pitching for the Twins.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>White Sox</strong> over the Red Sox</span>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lestejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Jon Lester</a></strong> versus <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/salech01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Chris Sale</a></strong> is a great match-up on paper. Sale is dominant while Lester must be fine. The Red Sox benefit from finding out that Jammy Pants Pedroia is okay. Tough call this.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The <strong>Astros</strong> over the Royals</span>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/feldmsc01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">Scott Feldman</a></strong> sure has been good thus far. That makes it hard to pick against him. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/shielja02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">James Shields</a></strong> is not doing much to add to his free agency paycheck.</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;">The Bay <strong>Rays</strong> over the Yankees: Tropicana is where the Yankees go to die. And who wouldn't in that awful place. Besides, <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> will be better than <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sabatc.01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" target="_blank">CC Sabathia</a></strong>.</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="line-height: normal;">Yesterday: 9-5, Games of the Day: 7-6, Season: 131-88</span></span>  </span></div>

MLB Game Picks - Thursday: April 17, 2014

Yesterday wasn't a bad day but the Game of the Day feature is struggling so far this season. Since that feature endeavors to pick the on...

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