MLB Game Picks - Monday: August 26, 2013

<div style="text-align: justify;">Sunday was nip and tuck all day until the end when a run of correct picks put the day in a positive place. Things were dicey after a while when the Yankees actually won a game in St. Pete and the Tigers totally wiped out <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/geedi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Dillon Gee</a></strong>. <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> then had an awful outing and <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> out-pitched <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>. I correctly picked the end of the Royals and Blue Jays losing streaks and correctly picked the Brewers over the Cardinals. So that was good. But, like I said, a nice run at the end put the day firmly in the positive.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are ten games on the schedule today. The Reds and Cardinals start a big series and <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> again tries to come back from injury against the Blue Jays. Let's hope he can stay on the field awhile this time. Monday's picks:</div><br /><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Royals </b>over the Rays</u>: This might be a goofy pick. It all depends on how good <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/guthrje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jeremy Guthrie</a></strong> pitches. The Royals then need to score against <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>. Jeremy versus Jeremy. I wonder how many times that has happened?</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Reds over the <b>Cardinals</b></u>: I like <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 better than <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lyonsty01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Tyler Lyons</a></strong>. They both have to face terrific lineups and it all depends which holds up better. A very big series for both teams.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Yankees over the <b>Blue Jays</b></u>: There are two divergent things going on in this game. First, the Yankees are 11-1 against the Blue Jays this season. It is kind of difficult to pick against that. But secondly, <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> is pitching for the Yankees. So mojo versus anti-mojo. And of course, who knows how good <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dicker.01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">R.A. Dickey</a></strong> will be.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Tigers </b>over the Athletics</u>: The Tigers certainly have the better offense and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sanchan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Anibal Sanchez</a></strong> is a much better pitcher than <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>. Plus, the Tigers are at home. This one seems too obvious, which is always dangerous.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Mets </b>over the Phillies</u>: These two teams are in a virtual dead heat for third place in the NL East. The Phillies are playing better and have won six of their last ten. And, they have <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> going. But I am banking on <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wheelza01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Zack Wheeler</a></strong> having a great day and shutting down the Phillies at home. If Wheeler does not have a good day, then it will be a Ruf game for the Mets. Ha! I kill me.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>White Sox</b> over the Astros</u>: The White Sox have won eight of their last ten games. That is a hot team. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rienzan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Andre Rienzo</a></strong> is pitching well. But then again, so is <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/oberhbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Brett Oberholtzer</a></strong> for the Astros. I have to go with the White Sox here.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Giants over the <b>Rockies</b>:</u> <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> is among the worst starters in baseball this season. But he, surprisingly, has been quite decent over his career in Coors Field. You would think that would be a really ugly combination. It has not been. I am going with the Giants over <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nicasju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Juan Nicasio</a></strong>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Diamondbacks </b>over the Padres</u>: The D-backs have been among my least favorite teams when picking games this season. They just never seem to do what I expect them to do. Today, I do not expect <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccarbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Brandon McCarthy</a></strong> to pitch well and he will. <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> goes for the Padres, which helps the pick.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Rangers over the <b>Mariners</b></u>: Ugh. I hate this pick. I do not have much faith in <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/blacktr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Travis Blackley</a></strong> and then again, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/saundjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Joe Saunders</a></strong> comes out with a good game once in a while just when you think he is dead. I am going with the better team.</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And the Game of the Day:</div><br /><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Dodgers </b>over the Cubs</u>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/greinza01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Zack Greinke</a></strong> at home is a pick I would hardly ever go against. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/arrieja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jake Arrieta</a></strong> cannot seem to pull it together to match the talent everyone thought he had. The Dodgers are not as good as their big streak. But they should have no trouble winning with these pitchers in the rotation.</li></ul><br /><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday: 9-6</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Week: 9-6</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Month: 196-146</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Season: 1099-859</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Games of the Day: 83-58  +1</div></div>

MLB Game Picks - Monday: August 26, 2013

Sunday was nip and tuck all day until the end when a run of correct picks put the day in a positive place. Things were dicey after a while w...

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