That was a rousing start. At least the Braves won.
The Picks
- New York Mets at Cincinnati Reds: Give me the Mets with Johan Santana dealing. J.J. Putz and K-Rod each contribute a scoreless frame.
- Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox: Fenway’s the edge for the Red Sox, who ride Josh Beckett against the defending AL champs.
- Cleveland Indians at Texas Rangers: I like Cliff Lee, but I’ll take the Rangers‘ lineup, playing in the Bandbox at Arlington, to touch him up.
- Colorado Rockies at Arizona Diamondbacks: Brandon Webb dominates for the D’Backs.
- New York Yankees at Baltimore Orioles: CC Sabathia gets his first win in pinstripes for the Yanks, and no one notices A-Rod is gone while Mark Teixiera is homering and driving in three.
- Washington Nationals at Florida Marlins: I’d be lying if I said I knew who either starter was. The Fish win, as other people pretend they do.
- Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals: Adam Wainwright begins a Cy Young campaign for the Cards. Will Leitch writes a paean to Ryan Ludwick. Pirates fans give up on season.
- Chicago Cubs at Houston Astros: The Cubs are World Series contenders. The Astros are Little League World Series contenders.
- Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres: I’m taking Jake Peavy at home for the Padres. Manny Ramirez does nothing of note.
- Detroit Tigers at Toronto Blue Jays: Roy Halladay reminds Tigers fans that they live in Michigan, mostly; the Blue Jays nearly lose a lead with a poor bullpen showing.
- Seattle Mariners at Minnesota Twins: Best pitching matchup of the day, but Felix Hernandez gives up a couple of dingers in the Homerdome, and Francisco Liriano looks good in seven strong, so the Twins win.
- Oakland Athletics at Los Angeles Angels: Two pitchers no one has ever heard of put on the best performances of the day, more or less because each team has raided respective local retirement communities and high schools for their offenses. The Angels win.
To Date
0-1, .000. (MLB: 0-1, .000.)
