MLB Game Picks - Sunday: April 26, 2015

<div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Not a good day yesterday. There were two postponements and two more extra-inning games that both went against me. That means I am 0-6 in extra-inning games in the last three days. What are the odds of that?</span></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't have much time this morning, so I will have to cut short my normal commentary and just give you the pitching match-ups and my picks for Sunday:</span></div><ul style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 24px 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Indians over the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Tigers</strong>: <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carraca01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carraca01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Carlos Carrasco</a></strong> vs. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lobstky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lobstky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Kyle Lobstein</a></strong></span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Reds</strong> over the Cubs: <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/desclan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/desclan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Anthony DeSclafani</a></strong> vs. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/arrieja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/arrieja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Jake Arrieta</a></strong></span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Rays</strong> over the Blue Jays: <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buehrma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buehrma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Mark Buehrle</a></strong> vs. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/archech01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/archech01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Chris Archer</a></strong></span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Marlins</strong> over the Nationals: <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harenda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harenda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Dan Haren</a></strong> vs. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gonzagi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gonzagi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Gio Gonzalez</a></strong></span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Braves over the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Phillies</strong>: <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cahiltr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cahiltr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Trevor Cahill</a></strong> vs. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/willije01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/willije01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Jerome Williams</a></strong></span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Red Sox over the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Orioles</strong>: <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mileywa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mileywa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Wade Miley</a></strong> vs. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/norribu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/norribu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Bud Norris</a></strong></span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Royals over the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">White Sox</strong>: <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/volqued01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/volqued01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Edinson Volquez</a></strong> vs. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/danksjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/danksjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">John Danks</a></strong></span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Cardinals over the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Brewers</strong>: <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lynnla01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lynnla01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Lance Lynn</a></strong> vs. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fiersmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fiersmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Mike Fiers</a></strong></span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Angels</strong> over the Rangers: <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/santihe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/santihe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Hector Santiago</a></strong> vs. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martini01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martini01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Nick Martinez</a></strong></span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Athletics</strong> over the Astros: <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pomerdr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pomerdr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Drew Pomeranz</a></strong> vs. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wojcias01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wojcias01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Asher Wojciechowski</a></strong></span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Padres</strong> over the Dodgers: <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/morrobr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/morrobr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Brandon Morrow</a></strong> vs. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=bakersc02,bakersc01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=bakersc02,bakersc01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Scott Baker</a></strong></span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Mariners</strong> over the Twins: <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/eliasro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/eliasro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Roenis Elias</a></strong> vs. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gibsoky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gibsoky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Kyle Gibson</a></strong>  <em style="border: none; line-height: 1.5;"><strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">The Pick of the Day</strong></em></span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Pirates over the <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Diamondbacks</strong>: <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/liriafr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/liriafr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Francisco Liriano</a></strong> vs. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hellije01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hellije01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Jeremy Hellickson</a></strong></span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Rockies</strong> over the Giants: <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/matzety01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/matzety01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Tyler Matzek</a></strong> vs. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/linceti01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/linceti01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Tim Lincecum</a></strong></span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">Yankees</strong> over the Mets: <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/eovalna01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/eovalna01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Nathan Eovaldi</a></strong> vs. <strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=,niesejo01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=,niesejo01&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.flagrantfan.com" rel="nofollow" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">Jon Niese</a></strong></span></li></ul><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yesterday: 5-8, Season: 131-133, Picks of the Day: 11-9</span></div>

MLB Game Picks - Sunday: April 26, 2015

Not a good day yesterday. There were two postponements and two more extra-inning games that both went against me. That means I am 0-6 in ext...

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MLB Game Picks - Saturday: March 22, 2014

<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">And so it begins...and then ends...and then will begin again in a week. Ah! You have got to love this playing overseas as a false season starter for a tease. Someday, Opening Day will actually mean opening day and it will be one day and all teams will be playing...a day game! And it will be a national holiday.</div></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">For those of you new to this space, during the regular season and then the post season, I pick the winners of each game played. No, this is not an odds feature or a gambling feature. This is one guy trying to see how he will do picking games over the course of a season. This will be the fifth season...or is it sixth? Who knows, I lose track.</div></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">What I do know is that I have not missed a day or a game in three and a half years. Call me the <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?search=Cal+Ripken">Cal Ripken</a></strong> of game picking. Or maybe the Rip Van Winkle. I have been doing this site so long I am like a graybeard or something.</div></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, enough chatter. There are two games to pick. Both involve the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks who open a crazy two-game set in Australia and with the time difference, they occur in the same day here on the East Coast. One starts at four o'clock in the morning and the next at ten o'clock in the evening.</div></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">The picks:</div></div><ul style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; list-style: square; margin: 0px 0px 24px 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><li style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: justify;">The Dodgers over the Diamondbacks: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kershcl01.shtml">Clayton Kershaw</a></strong> is the best pitcher in baseball tasked with being the prize of the USA in a foreign land. That won't get screwed up. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mileywa01.shtml">Wade Miley</a></strong> is not exactly in that same class. Miley has had a very good spring though.</li><li style="line-height: 1.5; text-align: justify;">The Dodgers over the Diamondbacks: If my picks turn out correctly, that's a heck of a long plane ride back for the D-backs. That said, wouldn't you take <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ryuhy01.shtml">Hyun-jin Ryu</a></strong> over <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cahiltr01.shtml">Trevor Cahill</a></strong>? Unlike Miley, Cahill has not had a good spring at all, though his K/BB looks great.</li></ul><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">The first two picks of the season! It's too bad it will take a week to report how well I did. </div></div>

MLB Game Picks - Saturday: March 22, 2014

And so it begins...and then ends...and then will begin again in a week. Ah! You have got to love this playing overseas as a false season st...

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MLB Game Picks - Monday: September 16, 2013

<div style="text-align: justify;">Finally! A good day. That was a long time coming but eleven of the fifteen picks were correct. The only four that were incorrect were the Blue Jays (a series that did not see one correct pick), the Braves (<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithbu03.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Burch Smith</a></strong>!?), the Rays (<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peraljo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Joel Peralta</a></strong> meltdown) and the Dodgers, which was a toss up when picking it due to the starters. But that is not bad.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What is bad is how the A's dismantled the Rangers (which was a correct pick) and how the Red Sox totally blew away the Yankees (a correct pick). I am not sure either spanked team can rebound from that though the Yankees are in far bigger trouble than the Rangers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are twelve games on the schedule today. Monday's picks:</div><br /><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Braves over the <b>Nationals</b></u>: This game depends on which <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harenda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Dan Haren</a></strong> shows up. He was terrific last time after several clunkers in a row. So I do not know which it will be tonight. If <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> shuts down the Nationals, it might not matter.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Phillies </b>over the Marlins</u>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dysonsa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Sam Dyson</a></strong> is a pitcher the Marlins got off the scrap heap from the Blue Jays (waiver claim). He is not a strikeout guy and his success in the Big Leagues will depend on the quality of the contact he allows (and luck). <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> should be better and win.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Pirates </b>over the Padres</u>: The Padres have been pesky lately and a lot of it is because <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/headlch01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Chase Headley</a></strong> has gotten hot after a mostly cold season. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cashnan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Andrew Cashner</a></strong> is also capable of shutting teams down. So this is not an easy pick and depends on how well <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> pitches. Yikes.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Tigers </b>over the Mariners:</u> There is not much of a difference between <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> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/porceri01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Rick Porcello</a></strong>. But there is a big difference between the Tigers' offense and the Mariners' offense.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Rangers over the <b>Rays</b></u>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cobbal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Alex Cobb</a></strong> was not that effective in his last outing and seems to be the weak link right now for the Rays' rotation. But the real fun of this game is the return of <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> to Tropicana Field. I think he will be a bit pumped up.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Brewers </b>over the Cubs</u>: Ugh. What an ugly match-up here. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peralwi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Wily Peralta</a></strong> has been on a long slide since the All Star Break and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jacksed01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Edwin Jackson</a></strong> is occasionally decent and more often not. To give Jackson some benefit of doubt, thanks to the defense behind him, he has given up 13 unearned runs this season. That seems terrible.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Royals </b>over the Indians</u>: The Indians just destroyed the White Sox, but everybody has done that. The Royals played the Tigers tough for three days. Both are in the way of each other for where they want to go. In such a game, I will go with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/shielja02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">James Shields</a></strong>, who has been there many times over <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kazmisc01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Scott Kazmir</a></strong>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>White Sox</b> over the Twins</u>: Talk about the stinko bowl. One of these two bad teams have to win. I can't pick the Twins if <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hendrli01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Liam Hendriks</a></strong> is pitching. Not that <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=johnser04,johnser03&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Erik Johnson</a></strong> is any better a pick. Yeesh. Hide the children.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Cardinals over the <b>Rockies</b></u>: This game could be like 13-10. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mchugco01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Collin McHugh</a></strong> goes for the Rockies and in his four career appearances in the Big Leagues, he has given up a 404 batting average. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lynnla01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Lance Lynn</a></strong> did not give up the big inning his last time out. But Coors Field? Boy.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Diamondbacks </b>over the Dodgers</u>: The Dodgers are sort of spinning these days. Puig has not been healthy. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cahiltr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Trevor Cahill</a></strong> has had a good second half and of his last four starts, only one was not in the good category. He will be better in Arizona's dry air than <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ryuhy01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Hyun-jin Ryu</a></strong> I think. I am not confident with this pick though.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Athletics </b>over the Angels</u>: After beating up on the Rangers, I can see the A's having a bit of a letdown today.But I am still going to pick them because they are on such a roll. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wilsocj01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">C.J. Wilson</a></strong> is having a good season. But I am going with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grayso01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Sonny Gray</a></strong>.</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And the Game of the Day:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><u>The Reds over the <b>Astros</b>:</u> The Reds need to win some games to hold off the Nats for the wild card spot. I am not sure about bringing <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cuetojo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Johnny Cueto</a></strong> back at this point in the proceedings. But if he can be as good as he has been in the past, then perhaps it is good news. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bedarer01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Erik Bedard</a></strong> goes for the Astros and I expect him to get hit hard.</li></ul><br /><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday: 11-4</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Week: 11-4</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Month: 114-96</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Season: 1256-991</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Games of the Day: 95-67</div></div>

MLB Game Picks - Monday: September 16, 2013

Finally! A good day. That was a long time coming but eleven of the fifteen picks were correct. The only four that were incorrect were the Bl...

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MLB Game Picks - Friday: June 14, 2013

<div style="text-align: justify;">The picking day on Thursday finished a game over .500 and it still feels like a major victory. Granted, it was mediocre and barely acceptable, but it was the first day in the black this week. That is a victory. Of course, two games went a combined 32 innings to be wrong. Those extra inning games never help. Ever. And it seems there have been more of them than ever before. As usual, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/darviyu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Yu Darvish</a></strong> was very good and could not win. The same was the case for <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harvema01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Matt Harvey</a></strong>, but at least I predicted that one.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And here is a little tidbit for you. In one of those extra inning games, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hafnetr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Travis Hafner</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/youklke01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Kevin Youkilis</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wellsve01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Vernon Wells</a></strong> were back to back to back in the lineup. They went zero for 23. That's right. Zero for 23. Just keep running them out there, Girardi. Yup.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here are Friday's picks:</div><br /><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Orioles </b>over the Red Sox:</u> Like I told you yesterday, the Orioles like playing the Red Sox. It is just one of those things. Both teams will be exhausted after their long game yesterday. But the Orioles will hit <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dempsry01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ryan Dempster</a></strong> more than the Red Sox will hit <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>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Pirates over the Dodgers:</u> I keep forgetting that the Pirates are a good team now. For all the years I have been doing this, the Pirates were the easy mark. They still have some problems occasionally on offense, but they are a good team. And <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lockeje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jeff Locke</a></strong> will be <strike>Barney</strike> <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fifest01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Stephen Fife</a></strong>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Indians </b>over the Nationals:</u> The Nats have run out of pitchers named, "Ross." They win with pitchers named, "Ross." They have not won often with pitchers named <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gonzagi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Gio Gonzalez</a></strong>. Besides, <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 the Indians' best pitcher.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Mets </b>over the Cubs:</u> The two pitchers in this contest are a combined 2-15. Yes, those are the kinds of messes I have to deal with. I have a new theory about <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jacksed01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Edwin Jackson</a></strong>. He was born in Germany and in that country, most citizens get five weeks of vacation a year. Jackson takes his during the baseball season. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/marcush01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Shaun Marcum</a></strong> is going to get his first win of the season.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Reds </b>over the Brewers:</u> <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 always pitched pretty well against the Reds. He has one of his better K/BB splits against the Reds over the years. But the feeling here is that the Brewers will find some way to screw it up and lose. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/arroybr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Bronson Arroyo</a></strong> is hit or miss and when he is hit, he is hit.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Cardinals over the <b>Marlins</b>:</u> <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/westbja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jake Westbrook</a></strong> has not pitched in a while and it is almost a bad thing he has come off the disabled list because the young pitchers have pitched better than him. And the Cardinals have Stanton back and young, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=fernajo01,fernajo02,fernan014jos,fernan015jos,fernan008jos&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jose Fernandez</a></strong>, has been pitching well. Despite all that, I am going with the Cardinals.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Braves </b>over the Giants:</u> This is a tough, tough game to predict. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/medlekr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Kris Medlen</a></strong> has not had a good start to the season but has not given up an earned run over his last two starts and wants to stay out of the bullpen. But the Giants are pitching <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bumgama01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Madison Bumgarner</a></strong>, which means with the free swingers on the Braves, he could strike out twelve of them.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Rangers </b>over the Blue Jays:</u> The Blue Jays have been on a bit of a roll. The Rangers have been in a funk. <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> has not been very good lately. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buehrma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Mark Buehrle</a></strong> is a powder-puff guy who keeps teams off balance...most of the time. When he does not, it ain't pretty. The Rangers at home are still tough to deal with.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The White Sox over the <b>Astros</b>:</u> <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/salech01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Chris Sale</a></strong> was supposed to pitch the other night, but the game was rained out. The extra rest should do him good. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bedarer01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Erik Bedard</a></strong> could surprise with a good game tonight. But that would indeed be a surprise.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Tigers over the <b>Twins</b>:</u> This game is no gimme for the Tigers and the Twins have played them tough. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/diamosc01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Scott Diamond</a></strong> should not be able to hold <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cabremi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Miguel Cabrera</a></strong> and company down. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/porceri01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Rick Porcello</a></strong> has been decent for the Tigers.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Rockies </b>over the Phillies:</u> The Rockies are losing players to injuries, which is a shame. But I have a feeling they will still rock <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kendrky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Kyle Kendrick</a></strong>'s world today at home in Coors Field.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Angels </b>over the Yankees:</u> The Angels have at least three hitters that can do something. The Yankees cannot say that. And as long as the Yankees play Vernon Wells, I cannot pick them anymore. Despite <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pettian01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Andy Pettitte</a></strong> pitching, I am going with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wilsocj01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">C.J. Wilson</a></strong>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Athletics</b> over the Mariners:</u> I cannot see the Mariners' offense doing anything in this game. The A's are a really good team. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/milonto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Tommy Milone</a></strong> over <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>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Diamondbacks over the <b>Padres</b>:</u> I can tell I am being set up here. I have picked against the Padres and picked against them and they keep on winning. Today, I think they will win behind <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stulter01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Eric Stults</a></strong>. But that is a setup and I recognize it. So I am going to foil it and pick the Diamondbacks and the terrible <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cahiltr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Trevor Cahill</a></strong>. So there. Nice try. Gosh, I am going insane.</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And the Game of the Day:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><u>The Bay <b>Rays </b>over the Royals:</u> The Rays have been pretty sucky for a couple of weeks now. And the once unhitable <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> has been getting bombed. The thinking here is that Moore rediscovers himself in this game and the struggling Rays' lineup gets a few runs off of <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mendolu01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Luis Mendoza</a></strong>.</li></ul><br /><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday: 5-4</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Week: 25-39</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Month: 83-89</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Season: 546-439</div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Games of the Day: 43-29</div></div>

MLB Game Picks - Friday: June 14, 2013

The picking day on Thursday finished a game over .500 and it still feels like a major victory. Granted, it was mediocre and barely acceptabl...

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MLB Game Picks - Wednesday: May 22, 2013

<div style="text-align: justify;">Good golly, I feel a rant coming. Statistics will show that <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=gonzami03,gonzal009mig,gonzal003mig,gonzal006mig,gonzal010mig&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Miguel Gonzalez</a></strong> pitched a great game against the Yankees. He went seven innings, gave up two runs on five hits with no walks and five strikeouts. Great game, right? His Game Score will be around 60 or a little higher. But I watched that game. He did not have a great outing. The Yankees hit at least sixteen balls hard. I mean absolutely squared up line drives. All but a couple of them ended up in someone's glove. And why the heck did the Nationals' bullpen have to blow Strasburg's win? That really torqued me. As did the fact that of the four games that went into extra innings, three of them went the wrong way for the picks. It is unfair I tell you!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There were a couple of stupid picks thrown in there. I will be the first to admit that. But picking baseball games is impossible when luck and chance play such a big part in each and every game. Last night's picks went 7-8. They just as easily could have gone 11-4 if balls bounced just a little differently.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rant over. There are games to pick:</div><br /><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Braves </b>over the Twins</u>: This game illustrates exactly what I was talking about. <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> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/maholpa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Paul Maholm</a></strong> pitch for their respective teams and it all depends on where those batted balls go. There will be a lot of batted balls in this one.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Reds over the <b>Mets</b></u>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harvema01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Matt Harvey</a></strong> will pitch brilliantly, but will give up a run. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/latosma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Mat Latos</a></strong> will pitch brilliantly and give up no runs. The Mets' bullpen will cough up another couple of runs. The Reds' bullpen shuts the Mets down. Ballgame.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Brewers </b>over the Dodgers</u>: The Brewers may be a lot of things as a team, but they are always good at home. They need a good game from <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peralwi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Wily Peralta</a></strong>. But the Dodgers are so inconsistent offensively that the possibility exists. I am not yet on the Hyun-Jin Ryu bandwagon.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Athletics over the <b>Rangers</b></u>: If the A's played the Rangers for 162 games, their final record would be 160-2. The Rangers simply cannot beat these guys. This feels so much like last year, it is not even funny: Rangers build a big lead in the division but cannot beat the A's head to head and end up out of the playoffs. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/parkeja02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jarrod Parker</a></strong> over inexperienced, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wolfro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Ross Wolf</a></strong>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Diamondbacks over the <b>Rockies</b></u>: I am still zero for <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cahiltr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Trevor Cahill</a></strong> this season. Pick against him and he wins. Pick for him and he loses. So this is one of those reverse picks. I think he will get his butt kicked at Coors Field, but if I picked that, he would win. So I will pick the opposite. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rosajo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jorge De La Rosa</a></strong> goes for the Rockies.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Giants </b>over the Nationals</u>: It seems obvious that <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/werthja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jayson Werth</a></strong> is missed in this lineup. Dis his contract all you want, the Nats are better when he was in there. And I think they miss <strong><a href="http://www.blogger.com/players/m/morsemi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Michael Morse</a></strong> too. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bumgama01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Madison Bumgarner</a></strong> over <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gonzagi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Gio Gonzalez</a></strong>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Blue Jays</b> over the Bay Rays</u>: Another battle of the Ays. I do not like either pitcher in this one. <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> has not been anywhere close to dominant. And <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buehrma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Mark Buehrle</a></strong> is that antithesis of dominant. Impossible game to predict.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Pirates </b>over the Cubs</u>: I really hate picking against <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/samarje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jeff Samardzija</a></strong>. I really like him. But the Cubs do not score when he pitches. Or at least, so it seems. Besides, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/liriafr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Francisco Liriano</a></strong> appears to have figured life out and is throwing a lot of zeroes up there.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Tigers over the <b>Indians</b></u>: The Indians are easily the coolest story so far this season. And <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> has been much better of late. But <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/verlaju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Justin Verlander</a></strong> has to be given the pick despite the fact that he has appeared very human lately.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Yankees over the <b>Orioles</b></u>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kurodhi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Hiroki Kuroda</a></strong> seems due for a clunker. But he needs to be good in this rubber match of the series. A two-game swing is in the balance. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hammeja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jason Hammel</a></strong> always seems to pitch the Yankees tough. Interesting game and unpredictable to call.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Angels </b>over the Mariners</u>: The Angels appear poised to go on a run. The offense is gelling a bit and all they need is decent pitching. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wilsocj01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">C.J. Wilson</a></strong> will give them that and the Angels could get all over <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/maurebr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Brandon Maurer</a></strong>. And here comes <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/troutmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Mike Trout</a></strong>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Phillies over the <b>Marlins</b></u>: So much for the Marlins winning two in a row. I must have eaten some bad fish when I picked that puppy yesterday. <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> should be better than <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sloweke01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Kevin Slowey</a></strong>. I always want to call the latter, "Slow, Slowey, Sloweyest."</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Red Sox over the White Sox</u>: The battle of the hoses goes on. The Red Sox had trouble with Quintana last night and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/santihe01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Hector Santiago</a></strong> is a very similar pitcher. But <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buchhcl01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Clay Buchholz</a></strong> is a very good pitcher and the pick has to go in that direction.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Cardinals over the <b>Padres</b></u>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=lyons-001tyl&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Tyler Lyons</a></strong> versus <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/smithbu03.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Burch Smith</a></strong>. Uh...What do we go by on this one? Let's see. Burch Smith has already gotten his feet wet in the majors with a few starts. He has gotten a bit bloodied. Tyler Lyons has excellent control from looking at his minor league numbers. But it has not translated to success. I love good control guys though.</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And the Game of the Day!</div><br /><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Royals over the <b>Astros</b></u>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/shielja02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">James Shields</a></strong> is one of the most reliable pitchers around. He seems to be a logical pick over <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lylesjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jordan Lyles</a></strong>. The Royals need to score some runs for Shields though.</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday: 7-8</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Week: 22-20  blah</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Month: 161-121</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Season: 390-285</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Games of the Day: 34-16</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

MLB Game Picks - Wednesday: May 22, 2013

Good golly, I feel a rant coming. Statistics will show that Miguel Gonzalez pitched a great game against the Yankees. He went seven inning...

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MLB Game Picks - Thursday: April 25, 2013

<div style="text-align: justify;">The good news from yesterday was that it was not a disaster like two of the previous three days that preceded it. The bad news was that it was not good enough to make up much ground in the hole the week has put me in.  At least it was a positive day with eight correct picks and six incorrect ones. I thought sure there was going to be nine correct picks as the Braves brought in <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kimbrcr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Craig Kimbrel</a></strong> in the ninth with a two run lead. That is a lock, right? Wrong. Kimbrel coughed up the lead and the Braves lost in extra innings.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The other strange development was a walk-free, seven-inning shutout performance from <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/volqued01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Edinson Volquez</a></strong> to beat the Brewers. Seriously? Edinson Volquez? One more strange one for you. First, the Astros scored ten runs. If that was not strange enough, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lairdbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Brandon Laird</a></strong> played first base and batted third for the Astros and went three for four with two doubles and a homer. Crazy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are twelve games on Thursday's schedule including three day games. The picks:</div><br /><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Phillies </b>over the Pirates</u>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcdonja03.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">James McDonald</a></strong> was really good his last time out. The question is whether he will get any run support against <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>. The pick is that he will not.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Tigers </b>over the Royals</u>: For the second time this season, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/verlaju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Justin Verlander</a></strong> will match up with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/shielja02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">James Shields</a></strong> in what should be a great game. The edge has to go to Verlander at home. I watched a highlight of last night's game and yes, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/valvejo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jose Valverde</a></strong> got his first save. But man, those were three really loud outs. His performance bears watching.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Dodgers over the <b>Mets</b>:</u> The Mets got a big walk-off grand slam from an unlikely source last night in a Mets win behind another good outing from <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harvema01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Matt Harvey</a></strong>. But <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 Matt Harvey and Hyun-Jin Ryu is doing pretty well in this country so far.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Red Sox</b> over the Astros:</u> There is perfect symmetry here as <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buchhcl01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Clay Buchholz</a></strong> is 4-0 and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/humbeph01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Philip Humber</a></strong> is 0-4. The strong opinion here is that the symmetry will continue as the former gets win number five and the latter gets loss number five.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Nationals </b>over the Reds</u>: The Nationals have been a major disappointment thus far and are under .500. Mostly, their bats have been sleepy. I think they will bust out today against <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/arroybr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Bronson Arroyo</a></strong>. But they will need a good performance from <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gonzagi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Gio Gonzalez</a></strong> who so far has not looked anything like the 2012 version.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Yankees </b>over the Blue Jays</u>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buehrma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Mark Buehrle</a></strong> is a lefty. The Yankees' lineup against lefties has been pathetic with no switch hitters in the lineup for the first time in decades. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/youklke01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Kevin Youkilis</a></strong> needs to be in the lineup but is having back problems. The key to the Yankees winning is <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kurodhi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Hiroki Kuroda</a></strong>. If he is on, they win.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Marlins </b>over the Cubs</u>: Geez. What a match-up. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sloweke01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Kevin Slowey</a></strong> versus <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jacksed01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Edwin Jackson</a></strong>. Now there's a pitching lineup that will get your day going. Going with the home team on this one for a lack of any other reason.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>White Sox</b> over the Bay Rays</u>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/salech01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Chris Sale</a></strong> needs to come up big for the White Sox for this pick to come in. But he is capable and the Rays struggle to hit. <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> was very good in his last start. Will he carry that over into this one? If so, the pick is in trouble.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Rangers over the <b>Twins</b></u>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tepesni01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Nick Tepesch</a></strong> has not yet convinced me that he is going to stay in the rotation for the Rangers. If he gets hit tonight, this pick is doomed. But if he can hold the Twins to three runs, the Rangers win with more than that against <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>.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Diamondbacks </b>over the Rockies:</u> I do not see any clear favorite in this game. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cahiltr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Trevor Cahill</a></strong> has been a disappointment for the D-Backs. Jorge de la Rosa has been decent for the Rockies. But the Diamondbacks are at home and I am definitely going with a home bent in this picking day.</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The <b>Athletics </b>over the Orioles</u>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/parkeja02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jarrod Parker</a></strong> is in serious need of a good outing. He has been lit up so far this season. Heck, he has more walks than strikeouts. But he is pitching at home against an aggressive swinging team. So maybe that will work for him. That is the thought process behind this pick anyway. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hammeja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Jason Hammel</a></strong> goes for the Orioles.</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And the Game of the Day!</div><br /><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><u>The Angels over the <b>Mariners</b></u>: I officially threw up my hands on the Mariners when they benched the slick-fielding shortstop who cannot hit in <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ryanbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Brendan Ryan</a></strong> and replaced him with a non-shortstop who cannot hit in <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/andinro01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Robert Andino</a></strong>. And it does matter that <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/richaga01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Garrett Richards</a></strong> is facing <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/maurebr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.blogger.com" target="_blank">Brandon Maurer</a></strong>.</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday: 8-6</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Week: 23-33</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Month: 175-135</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Games of the Day: 17-7 </div>

MLB Game Picks - Thursday: April 25, 2013

The good news from yesterday was that it was not a disaster like two of the previous three days that preceded it. The bad news was that it w...

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