MLB Prediction Contest: Week One

In an attempt to start yet another weekly series here on Bleacher Report, a few friends and I will attempt to predict the winner of a specific game every day for a week. We will keep track of the results and compete for ultimate bragging rights.

The weekly posts will rotate between the different participants. If you wish to follow along and post your own predictions, feel free!  A few more ground rules:

• The article will be written on a rotation of every participant.
• The person who writes the article for the week will select the games for the week.
• The participants this week are Ben Weixlmann, Joe Willett, and myself.
• If you want to apply for the 'esteemed' privilege of competing with us, send an email to the address listed on my profile page.
• Anyone who joins next week will start with a 0-7 record.

Standings After One Week

Ben Weixlmann 0-0 

Andrew Kneeland 0-0 

Joe Willett 0-0 

Michael Hicks 0-0  

Here are the games I selected for this week, along with our predictions:  

Sunday, July 7 

Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees  

Ben W: Red Sox. The fact that Joe Girardi is practically pleaded to the media for some help is quite telling. These Yankees are in trouble, and I think that Boston will win another game in the Bronx, especially with Damon on the shelf.

Andrew K: Yankees. Joba Chamberlain is making his seventh start of the season and currently has an ERA of 2.22. He has steadily increased his pitch count; throwing as many as 114 pitches in one start.

His WHIP is only 1.35, and he certainly has the confidence heading into his first start against the defending world champions. Here's to hoping he doesn't struggle.

Joe W: Red Sox. The Red Sox are a much better team than the Yanks this season, and I don't think that Yankees are going to split a series. The Red Sox are also riding pretty high from getting seven players in the All-Star Game. They should be able to out-everything the Yankees in the final game of this series.

Michael H: Red Sox. With Johnny Damon going on the DL, the struggling Yankee offense is in trouble. This will also be Joba Chamberlain's first taste of this rivalry as a starter. I see Wake and the Red Sox taking three of four in the Bronx. 

Monday, July 7 

New York Mets at Philadelphia

Ben W: Mets. The Phillies have won four straight, but after seeing how talented the Mets were in St. Louis last week, I think the Mets will defeat the Phillies to remain in NL East contention.

Andrew K: Phillies. The Mets can't seem to win on the road. They don't have any great batting, so it should come as no surprise to us. Philadelphia is sending Adam Eaton (3-4, 4.79) to the mound to face New York's Pedro Martinez (2-2, 7.39).

Something has happened to Pedro since he recovered from his injury, and he hasn't pitched the same since. I think his struggles continue as the Phillies win in a shoot-out.

Joe W: Phillies. The Phillies are playing good baseball this season. The Mets aren't even over .500 at this point, so they aren't in a great position to take some games from the division-leading Phillies. I expect the Mets to play close, but I don't think that they can win the game.

Michael H: Phillies. The Phillies' bats will feast on Pedro Martinez to win their fifth game in a row.  

Tuesday, July 8 

Minnesota Twins at Boston Red Sox

Ben W: Red Sox. It's pretty simple: The Twins are hot, but the Red Sox are good. The Red Sox have too much depth in their pitching and batting for the Twins to pull out this victory on the road.

Andrew K: Twins. I realize that this is a very bold prediction and may sound very biased coming from a Twins fan, but Minnesota is clicking on all cylinders. They are extremely hard outs, and they are scoring loads of runs.

The Twins have won 16 out of 18 and seem to have the confidence to march into Fenway and take the win. Nick Blackburn (7-4, 3.78) is pitching for Minnesota, and the Red Sox send Jon Lester (7-3, 3.21) to the mound.

Joe W: Red Sox. The Red Sox and Twins are both in tight division races and are among the best teams in the majors, but I think that the Red Sox are better, and they see a Wild Card as more of a slap in the face than the Twins do. It's early in the season, but you have to worry about the Rays keeping this up.

Michael H: Twins. The Twins have been red hot, and with Nick Blackburn on the mound, look for the Twins to steal this one in Fenway.  

Wednesday, July 9 

Tampa Bay at New York Yankees

Ben W: Rays. This Rays team is on fire! The Yankees are in bad shape, so I think the Rays take this one.

Andrew K: Rays. Sidney Ponson (5-1, 4.18) is on the mound. Enough said. Seriously though, I expect the Rays to ride their incredible story for a while longer. They are truly a great team, and should beat this Yankee lineup pretty handily. Tampa Bay is going to be led by Edwin Jackson (5-6, 4.08).

Joe W: Rays. The Rays have been playing on cloud nine, taking over as the best team in the majors. They have been playing well, they know they are playing well, and I expect them to keep playing well. The Yankees aren't much of a match, especially if Hank gets hold of a microphone.

Michael H: Rays. We now know the Rays are for real. With Sindney Ponson pitching for the Yankees, the Rays' lineup should have a field day.  

Thursday, July 10 

St. Louis at Philadelphia

Ben W: Cardinals. The Cardinals will have Braden Looper on the hill, and he's been one of the most consistent pitchers in the NL this year. I like the Cards' offense to put up some runs in the win.

Andrew K: Cardinals. Both starting pitchers have a tendency to give up a lot of runs, and I like St. Louis' offense a bit more. The Cardinals send Braden Looper (9-6, 4.15) to the mound. Looper is a very solid pitcher who works his way deep into games. He already has one complete game on the year, and should get another before everything is said and done.

The Phillies' pitcher is Jamie Moyer (7-6, 4.12). Moyer doesn't get as deep into games, and he may struggle on Thursday.

Joe W: Cardinals. The Cardinals are playing really good baseball, and Ben knows how much it pains me to say that. They are probably the second-best team in the NL right now, and they probably can pull out a win against the Phillies who aren't playing bad either.

Michael H: Cardinals. The Cards offense will come up big against Phillies starter Jamie Moyer. Brandon Looper will carry the Cards to a win against the NL East leader.  

Friday, July 11 

St. Louis at Pittsburgh

Ben W: Pirates. As much as I'd like to see the Cardinals beat up on the Pirates, we always seem to have trouble on the road in Pittsburgh. Hopefully I'll do a little reverse psychology with this one.

Andrew K: Cardinals. Kyle Lohse (10-2, 3.61) steps to the mound for the Cardinals on Friday. He faces Zach Duke (4-5, 3.88) and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates are a surprisingly good team at home this year, and they have a good lineup.

However, it will be tough to score on Lohse. Lohse is only averaging 88.1 pitches a game so far this season, but is getting the job done.

Joe W: Cardinals. Again, the whole thing with the Cards playing good, second-best team in the NL, yadda yadda yadda. The Pirates also aren't a top team like the Phillies are.

Michael H: Cardinals. Even with the Cardinals struggles on the road, I don't see the Pirates being able to hit Kyle Lohse.  

Saturday, July 12 

LA Angels at Oakland

Ben W: Angels. The Angels are a force to be reckoned with in the AL West, and I don't think the A's have quite what it takes to compete with them just yet. I like the Angels' pitching in this matchup!

Andrew K: Athletics. I'm calling for an upset here. Yes, the Angles are 12 games above .500 on the road. Yes, Ervin Santana (9-3, 3.28) has been great this year. Yes, Dave Eveland (6-5, 3.42) has been mediocre.

I still sense something from Oakland that doesn't want to die. Maybe it's just my love for small-market teams. I think this Athletic lineup will bust up Santana for some runs early and be able to hang on in front of the home crowd.

Joe W: Athletics. The Angels are obviously a better team and I think they will win the series, but I think the A's aren't going to get swept. I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's going to be this game. Also, I have a feeling that the other guys are going to pick the Angels, so I have to do something to distance myself.

Michael H: Angels. The Angels have the edge in the pitching matchup, with Ervin Santana on the mound. Also, the Angels are just the better team.

It seems we only agree on two games this week. There should be major mixup in the standings next Sunday. Please post your predictions for these games below, and comment on whatever you disagree with. We would love the feedback.