Pick: Arizona Diamondbacks
Neither team is playing great ball right now, but you don’t have to look much further than the record for each team to know where to go on this one. The Diamondbacks are contenders with one of the best records in the league and the Mets are mutts. Mix that with the fact that Robbie Ray, the right handed hurler Arizona has chosen to put on the mound, throws nothing but rockets for strikeouts and what you get is a long day for New York. It won’t necessarily be an easy test for Arizona, as Rafael Montero has held his own over the past few weeks, but I highly doubt the Mets have enough offense to stay in this one.
Pick: Philadelphia Phillies
Ahh, the good old Phil’s. If you read my article last week you remember that our baseball experts here at Front Stoop Sports discovered that the Phillies have acquired nearly half of their wins this season during day games; a stat that shocked the #BPS world. They followed the accolade up however, with a loss that very same day. I say we test that luck again. Philly plays well against the Marlins, and Rhys Hoskins is on an absolute tear at the plate (homeruns in 4 straight games). Let’s ride it while it’s hot. Phillies close out the series with a W.
Pick: New York Yankees
The Yankees are rolling. Winners of 7 of their last 10 games, the Bronx Bombers have given it to Detroit this series…and given it to them hard. New York has posted double digit runs in each of the first two games this series with a 13-4 win on Tuesday and a 10-2 win last night. I don’t see that tirade ending today. Gary Sanchez continues his homerun parade as the Yankees sweep the series and eat up Mike Fulmer like the Girl Scout cookie he is.
Pick: Tampa Bay Rays
This series has been neck-in-neck the whole way as both Tampa Bay and Toronto duke it out for basement dweller of the AL East. Today’s series finale features the cream (or should I say scum) of that basement crop as Tom Koehler takes the mound against Alex Cobb. Mr. Koehler has been an absolute joke this season. The man hasn’t sniffed a win since APRIL, and rumor has it, Toronto has received offers to trade him amongst local high schools for an updated water cooler (apparently that’s market value for a man who gives up a touchdown a game). Alex Cobb, who would normally be a shoo-in in a pick like this, is coming off a foot injury which has affected his pitching motion and makes for a risky selection here. With so much on the line I’m going with offense to make my pick… Ah who am I kiddin’, the Rays are playing Tom Koehler. I’m going with Tampa (HA! Like it was ever a question).
Pick: Kansas City Royals
My favorite offense in baseball has been slipping as of late. The Colorado Rockies have gone cold like the mountains they play in at the wrong time this season as we near the last month of baseball. Colorado needs a win here to stay competitive for a playoff spot as the Dodgers run away with their division and Arizona begins to lock up the first wildcard in the NL; but it won’t be easy. The Rockies face a team on a mission of their own in the Kansas City Royals this afternoon who are vying for a playoff spot in the American League. Kansas City has had the Rockies number all series and as much as my heart wants things otherwise, my brain knows what’s best. I can’t trust a pitcher in German Marquez who despite having 10 wins this season, has barely been able to acquire 1 this month. Jake Junis is consistent, and the Royals’ bats are disciplined. Kansas City sweeps with a win this afternoon.
Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers
In this afternoon’s #BPS finale, I believe the Dodgers come out looking for vengeance. After L.A. painfully watched as pitcher, Rich Hill lost a chance at a perfect game,…then a no-hitter,…then the win all because their offense couldn’t score one measly run, I believe the Dodgers come out this afternoon looking to write their wrongs from last night (I mean seriously…this is history they ruined here; and for a man who’s pushing 40 years old. He’ll never see this opportunity again). This games not about pitching or batting; it’s about heart, and doing what’s right. This one’s for you Rich! You know Chase Utley’s got your back.