Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, welcome to another incredible season of Major League Baseball. I’m your host Matt McNally and this is thee…”Wednesday Afternoon Business Person Special”!
After an offseason of crunching the numbers, watching the tape, and a refreshing first week of baseball down in the happiest place on earth I’M BACK BABY! Back, and better than ever. This year I’m wiser, smarter, quicker, and some would say more handsome (the chemical X to the ultimate brain) making me the premiere baseball analyst in all the World Wide Web. As usual, every Wednesday I will come to you with the hottest of baseball knowledge, giving you, the people, what you want- the most accurate baseball picks on planet earth – on the greatest day of baseball: Wednesday afternoon. #BPS.
There’s no time to waste, no time to dilly dally. The slate is in and the picks are ready. Pull up a chair and let’s get our hands dirty…
Pick: Washington Nationals
What a beautiful day for baseball in our nation’s capital: clear skies, sunny, and 60 degrees… No better way to spend the day playing hooky with the co-workers than coming down to Nationals Park, splurging on hotdogs and brews and watching Bryce Harper jack bombs into the upper deck; and jack bombs he shall. Braves pitcher, Brandon McCarthy comes into this matchup on his high horse- 2-0, with a 3.97 ERA. This guy thinks he’s the bee’s knees and I’m calling BS. Nat’s sweep as the hottest hitter in baseball continues his homerun parade sending the Braves home and McCarthy his first L.
Pick: Houston Astros
The ‘Stros have wasted no time this season in their quest for back-to-back titles, looking to become the first franchise since the 99-00 Yankees to be repeat champions. Winners of 8 of their last 10, the once floor scum of baseball are now the epitome of success. Led this afternoon by future ace, Lance McCullers Jr., I expect Houston to continue their presentation of greatness as they bounce back from 1-4 loss last night.
Pick: St. Louis Cardinals
The Brewers have quickly become one of the more fascinating offenses in baseball this year after the addition of outfielders Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain to their lineup this offseason. As a team they are 2nd in the majors in Hits and bring power all across their lineup. Unfortunately these offseason gems will be collecting splinters from the bench this afternoon instead of sending Bernie the Brewer down his infamous slide. Brewers struggle to find enough offense as the Cardinals win today’s series rubber match.
Pick: Chicago White Sox
Before the season many baseball “experts” labeled the White Sox as the worst team in the majors. Although I’m not claiming Chicago to be a playoff team, I believe this roster presents more than the eye may see. With young players like first basemen Jose Abreu, shortstop Tim Anderson, and baseball’s top prospect Yoan Moncada playing in his first full MLB season, Chicago may be able to steal a few from teams who overlook them. Although James Shields is a shell of what he once was in Kansas City so many moons ago, I love his chances this afternoon to pick up Chicago’s first home win. White Sox avoid the sweep.
Pick: Seattle Mariners
Seattle is a team I’ve had my eyes on for a while now. Their batting lineup is strong enough to go head-to-head with MLB’s best, but they never seem to feel comfortable playing outside of Safeco Field. Their offense is much superior in this matchup however, and with 2017’s shining star, James Paxton on the hill (2017: 12-5, 2.98 ERA) I believe the Mariners shake that stigma this afternoon. Danny Duffy keeps the Royals in the game, but without heavy hitters Lorenzo Cain & Eric Hosmer (both free agent departures), Kansas City struggles to find enough offense.
Pick: Colorado Rockies
What’s up in Colorado?? What was once one of the most revered batting lineups in baseball has now dwindled to that of beer league softball team early on this season. The Rockies have dropped two in a row to the JV Padres and are now in danger of getting swept (It must be that Silver Bullet. Hop on the Lite train fellas, it’s better for your souls #thepeoplesgold). Getting swept by the Padres is bad for business. No way 2017 Manager of the Year candidate, Bud Black allows it. Rockies get it done.
Pick: Arizona Diamondbacks
Oooo boy do I smell an upset. To cap off their series with the Giants, Arizona has elected to pitch the human flamethrower, Robbie Ray. Ray, who has finished Top 10 in the league in strikeouts the past two seasons, will look to stifle a Giants team who has become prone to the K. Better pitcher, better lineup, Vegas got this one wrong. D-backs win it comfortably. I bet you my next paycheck.