Hey there guys,
Well I am steadily getting better after a rocky re start. I went 8-7 yesterday (8-7 ATS). There were a couple of big surprises to me yesterday, like oh say, the Royals destroying the Red Sox 12-5. Didn't quite see that one coming. I know that Kansas City is one of the better hitting teams in the Majors but with Boston on the rise I figured they could match the Royals blow for blow. Now they face Greinke and the possibility of getting swept by the Royals in Boston. The Braves continue to be one of the Hottest teams in baseball with another win, granted it's over Pittsburgh, but a 7-3 win in a twice delayed game isn't bad. If the Marlins can protect home field and the Braves continue to win they could end up at the top of the NL East before the weekends over. And how about the Brewers??? They won a game at home!! Actually they have won 3 of their last 4, and this one against a good team! And what a game. 0-0 all the way to the bottom of the 9th before a Corey Hart 2 run walk off homer. But what a pitching battle, I mean you have Johan Santana going 8 innings of 3 hit shutout baseball, while Brewer Yovani Gallardo went 9 innings of shutout baseball, though he did give up 8 hits. All is not lost for Milwaukee thus far in the season. The Cardinals have proved anything but dominant, in part thanks to injuries, and who knows if the Reds are actually for real, and if not how long they'll be there. The Cubs will falter, because they are the Cubs. I mean against big rival Cardinals in Wrigley the Teddies lost 7-1. They need their bats to wake up immediately.
It's a big today, no really big games, I see only one upset, but there are some great pitching match ups today with Felix Hernandez facing Jered Weaver, C. J. Wilson of the Rangers taking the mound against the Twins' Carl Pavano, Zach Greinke going up against Clay Bucholz, and a battle of a couple NL Cy Young candidates with Roy Halladay and the Phiting Phils taking on the Josh Johnson and the Florida Fish. Should be an entertaining day.
*for Games only; Games in COLOR are recommended games to watch; my pick are in Bold
MLB
5/29 Picks
Indians @ Yankees (-1.5)(9.0)
David Huff (Proj ERA 5.81) vs. CC Sabathia (3.71)
My Pick: Yankees 6-4
Why? After dismantling the Indians by 6 yesterday they now get to bring out the big guns with Sabathia. They can also continue to take advantage of the struggling Rays and maybe even Red Sox?
Orioles @ Blue Jays (-1.5)(9.0)
Chris Tillman (4.03) vs. Brett Cecil (5.54)
My Pick: Blue Jays 6-4
Why? Brett Cecil had a solid outing his last time out and it will be interesting to see how he performs this time around. It helps that the already weak Orioles are cold as ice. I like Tillman but he hasn't started in the Majors this year and the Blue Jays solid offense should give him a semi rude welcome back.
Mariners @ Angels (-1.5)(7.5)
Felix Hernandez (4.25) vs. Jered Weaver (3.56)
My Pick: Angels 4-3
Why? The Mariners were expected to make a splash in the AL West with the pitching of Cliff Lee and Felix Hernandez. Cliff Lee showed up. Still waiting on Hernandez, though he showed positive signs of coming back to old form in his last outing. His biggest troubles this season have come with control and when on the road against Weaver. Close game but I like the Angels.
Cardinals @ Cubs (-1.5)(8.5)
Adam Ottavino (4.53) vs. Carlos Silva (4.31)
My Pick: Cubs 4-3
Why? 1 of the 3 starters that has spent the majority of the season on the Minors Ottavino might help the Cubs find their bats. Not to mention Silva looked pretty good in his last start.
Rangers @ Twins (-1.5)(8.5)
C.J. Wilson (3.25) vs. Carl Pavano (4.55)
My Pick: Twins 4-3
Why? Fantastic match up that I had a really hard time with. C. J. Wilson is the better pitcher but the rangers have the colder bats. I really went with the Twins here based solely on Pavano's talent. If he is on his game then the Twins keep winning. And the Rangers keep losing comfort room in the West.
Athletics @ Tigers (-1.5)(9.0)
Brett Anderson (1.55) vs. Rick Porcello (5.23)
My Pick: A's 4-3 <----- UPSET
Why? I would normally pick the Tigers here but as a team they are cold as ice and I really like Brett Anderson. In 4 starts this season he has pitched some solid baseball. If he pitches like I think he will I expect Oakland to clinch the series tonight.
White Sox @ Rays (-1.5)(8.0)
John Danks (2.92) vs. Wade Davis (4.33)
My Pick: Rays 4-3
Why? The Rays bats are cold, and Danks is hot. The White Sox bats are hot are Davis is eh. Normally I would pick the White Sox but...call it a gut feeling. The Rays aren't going to continue to lose at home.
Astros @ Reds (-1.5)(9.0)
Brian Moehler (4.49) vs. Aaron Harang (5.37)
My Pick: Reds 6-4
Why? Moehler hasn't started since last season and the Reds are playing fantastic baseball. Harang is serviceable but the Astros bats will probably make him look a lot better than he really is.
Royals @ Red Sox (-1.5)(8.5)
Zach Greinke (3.70) vs. Clay Bucholz (3.60)
My Pick: Red Sox 5-4
Why? Will the Royals really sweep the Red Sox in Boston? If they were ever going to do having Zach Greinke on the mound in the key game 3 is exactly what they want. Greinke had a rough outing in his last start going only 3 1/3 innings. Clay Bucholz is pitching really well recently. I just can't picture the Royals pulling off the sweep.
Mets @ Brewers (-1.5)(9.5)
Fernando Nieve (6.68) vs. Manny Parra (4.23)
My Pick: Brewers 5-4
Why? I don't have much high hopes for Nieve. He hasn't pitched well recently and if the Brewers offense starts catching flame at home they are going to be tough as hell to stop in Milwaukee.
Phillies (-1.5)(6.5) @ Marlins
Roy Halladay (2.55) vs. Josh Johnson (2.18)
My Pick: Phillies 4-3
Why? Don't talk to me about offenses. I know that the Phillies offense is cold as ice but the Marlins aren't exactly on fire now either. This is really about picking who you think the better pitcher is. I think they are about even. But the Phillies bullpen is a good bit better.
Pirates @ Braves (-1.5)(9.0)
Brian Burres (5.49) vs. Kris Medlen (2.56)
My Pick: Braves 6-3
Why? Medlen has really been pitching well since thrust back in the startes role, and let's face it. The Braves are the hottest team in baseball.
Dodgers @ Rockies (-1.5)(9.5)
Hiruki Kuroda (3.22) vs. Aaron Cook (5.01)
My Pick: Rockies 5-4
Why? I like Kuroda and I think he'll be fine but he's facing an offense that is beginning to catch fire, and the Dodgers offense hasn't been hitting the ball as well as normal as of late. Not to mention the Dodgers bullpen can be shaky at times and the Rockies know how to win at home.
Nationals @ Padres (-1.5)(7.0)
J. D. Marin (4.35) vs. Mat Latos (2.66)
My Pick: Padres 4-3
Why? I can't imagine the Padres pitching to struggle in game 2. And Latos may be the best pitcher in the group. Superior pitching will always win in the end.
Diamondbacks @ Giants (-1.5)(8.5)
Billy Buckner (7.31) vs. Jonathan Sanchez (3.55)
My Pick: Giants 5-3
Why? The Diamondbacks may be the coldest team in baseball right now. Putting a fresh face like Buckner on the mound is a good move. Then again Buckner hasn't exactly done well, or hell even average so far. He has bee roughed up in two starts so far this season. Sanchez is a fantastic pitcher so far this season at AT&T Park.
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If you have any questions, concerns, comments, or ideas just let me know by commenting below, or just email us at wherethelandsharksare@gmail.com
Thanks for Reading
Batteman
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