Hey there guys,
This is running a little late today, mainly because I went to bed early for an interview, had some errands to run this afternoon, and then well I just fell asleep ha ha. Anyway yesterday was a decent start for the new calculation going 2-2 (2-2 ATS). I apparently should have paid more attention to how Clay Bucholz has pitched as of late as he continued to dominate going 6 innings and striking out 8 while only allowing 1 run in the Bo Sox 6-1 win. I also apparently gave too little credit to the Blue Jays bats against lefties, and while they were only able to manage 4 hits off of Jon Saunders they were able to get an early 2-0 lead and hold on for a 6-0 win. I did pick the White Sox defeating the Indians, though not by a 5 run margin, I'm really just looking for straight up accuracy at this point h ha. In my one bright moment from yesterday's games I picked Cinci to take out the Pirates 6-4 and they would win 7-5, oh so close from my prediction.
Hopefully I will be able to build off of that success tonight. There are some solid looking games tonight as Dallas Braden takes the hill for the A's as they head into Baltimore to take on the Orioles; the Red Sox are looking to keep up their hot streak as Jon Lester takes the mound against the Division Leading Rays; the Phillies head to New York where the Mets have been particularly dangerous as of late; Cincinnati looks to keep battling for the top spot in the NL Central as they host the Pirates tonight; in a game that I will definitely be keeping my eye on is the Dodgers at the Cubs, with Clayton Kershaw taking the hill against Ryan Dempster, should be an interesting one; the Yankees and the Twins continue to meet in what very well may be an AL Championship Series preview; Rich Harden tries to get back to the way he was pitching a few seasons ago tonight as he takes the hill for the Rangers in Kansas City; in what is probably the best pitching match up of the night Adam Wainwright takes the mound tonight for the Cardinals in San Diego against the Padres Jon Garland, this should be a fantastic duel that I can't wait to watch; in what is the SECOND best pitching match up a red hot Justin Verlander goes head-to-head with a very underrated but very good Doug Fister of the Mariners; and Livan Hernandez looks to keep up his career year as he takes on the Giants in San Fran. Should be fun to watch. Hope you guys enjoy.
*for Games only; Games in COLOR are recommended games to watch; my pick are in Bold
MLB
5/25 Picks
*Game(s) of the Day*
St. Louis Cardinals (-1.5)(6.5) @ San Diego Padres
Adam Wainwright (Proj ERA 2.89) vs. Jon Garland (2.36)
Preview: This looks like it is going to be a classic pitchers duel till the end, and even more so now that Albert Pujols is actually on a cold streak (who knew it could happen??). Actually after Pujols there is David Freese and then... who else? Those two have been the only major contributors this season, they have seen solid play from Ludwick and Holliday but if that is who they are going to be counting on then I don't really think they are going to get very far. Especially with the way that Garland has been pitching this season. The Padres however have a few more offensive options, with Eckstein providing some great hitting this season, and Adrian Gonzalez hitting for average and power. The Cardinals Wainwright has been very good so far this season but now he, and Chris Carpenter, have to shoulder this team with Pujols not hitting well recently, and a couple of starters on the DL, so he is going to be feeling some added pressure because they know that they are tied with the Reds for 1st place in the Central and don't want to give any ground. Another interesting aspect is that this will be Wainwrights first start in San Diego. I like the attacking base running of the Padres and another fantastic outing by Jon Garland here with the upset.
My Pick: Padres 4-3 <----- UPSET
Philadelphia Phillies (-1.5)(9.5) @ New York Mets
Jamie Moyer (4.18) vs. R. A. Dickey (4.35)
Preview: This seems like an easy pick. The Phillies are by far the best team in the National League this year, and despite his ERA Jamie Moyer has been one of the most effective pitchers on their rotation. But they are playing a very confident Mets squad right now that just took 2 of 3 from their cross town rivals, and are looking to continue to climb upwards in the division. A division that is still within reach of the 5th place Mets. Not much is known about Dickey but he is going to have to have a good night against what may be the best lineup top to bottom in the National League. Lucky for him they have not been hitting well recently. And if he has another 6 inning outing like his first one I think the Mets bullpen can finish off the rest. I think some solid hitting from Rod Barajas and Jason Bay power the Mets to a victory.
My Pick: NY Mets 4-3 <----- UPSET
New York Yankees (-1.5)(9.5) @ Minnesota Twins
A. J. Burnett (4.58) vs. Scott Baker (4.48)
Preview: I wonder if the Vegas Odds Makers didn't look and see "New York Yankees" and automatically make them the favorites. The way I see it is that if the Twins win tonight, it is really that big of an upset. Yes they are going to beat the...AL Wild Card Leader? And yes I realize the Yankees have the better record then the Twins right now but they are also playing worse baseball. And Burnett is a big part of that. In fact in his last 3 starts he has struggled mightily with his control and it his cost him, and more importantly, the Yankees in at least 2 of those starts. The reason I like Baker here is because he has actually been very solid in the month of May and if he can hold the Yankees to say..3 runs? Then I think that will be just enough for the Twins, especially Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau to pick apart Burnett and maybe send him off in an early exit.
My Pick: Minnesota 5-4 <----- UPSET
The Rest
White Sox (-1.5)(9.0) @ Indians
Jake Peavy (4.95) vs. Mitch Talbot (4.52)
My Pick: Chi Sox 5-4
Athletics (-1.5)(8.0) @ Orioles
Dallas Braden (4.21) vs. Jeremy Guthrie (4.00)
My Pick: A's 4-3
Braves @ Marlins (-1.5)(9.0)
Kenshin Kawakami (4.86) vs. Anibal Sanchez (2.99)
My Pick: Florida 5-3
Red Sox @ Rays (-1.5)(8.0)
Jon Lester (2.89) vs. James Shields (3.03)
My Pick: Rays 5-3
Pirates @ Reds (-1.5)(8.5)
Paul Maholm (4.42) vs. Mike Leake (2.86)
My Pick: Reds 5-3
Dodgers @ Cubs (-1.5)(7.5)
Clayton Kershaw (3.51) vs. Ryan Dempster (3.95)
My Pick: Dodgers 5-4 <----- UPSET
Why? Both of these teams have been playing really well recently but I like Clayton Kershaw in this situation. The Cubs don't hit lefties particularly well and and their bats have already been going cold within the last week or so. Look for the Dodgers to put a hurting on the Cubs bullpen.
Astros @ Brewers (-1.5)(9.5)
Felipe Paulino (6.14) vs. Randy Wolf (5.55)
My Pick: Brewers 5-4
Rangers (-1.5)(9.5) @ Royals
Rich Harden (4.76) vs. Gil Meche (5.55)
My Pick: Rangers 5-4
Diamondbacks @ Rockies (-1.5)(9.5)
Ian Kennedy (3.09) vs. Jhoulys Chacin (4.40)
My Pick: Rockies 5-4
Blue Jays (-1.5)(8.0) @ Angels
Ricky Romero (3.52) vs. Ervin Santana (3.62)
My Pick: Toronto 5-4
Tigers (-1.5)(6.5) @ Mariners
Justin Verlander (2.83) vs. Doug Fister (2.21)
My Pick: Tigers 4-3
Nationals @ Giants (-1.5)(8.5)
Livan Hernandez (2.43) vs. Todd Wellemeyer (4.84)
My Pick: Washington 4-3 <----- UPSET
Why? Easy. Livan Hernandez. He has been one of the best pitchers in all of baseball this season. Seen as nothing more than a mid rotation starter at best he is rocking a sub 2 era on his way to a 4-2 record. Throw in that the Giants already struggling offense is going cold as ice and I don't see San Fran pulling out game 1.
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Thanks for Reading
Batteman
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