Friday Picks

Yesterday was about as difficult as I thought it would be. Sundays and Thursdays are generally the hardest to predict because catchers get their day off, two or three other starters are reduced to pinch hitting, and it just doesn't seem like managers that have already won the series try and win the finale.

All excuses aside I am still 63 - 46 on the season and sitting mighty high at 17 games over.

I expect Friday to play out like this:

Cubs over Astros - The Astros finally got their first win now they get to face Carlos Silva in his Chicago debut. A two game win streak is definitely doable, but the Cubs are at home and Houston could find themselves at the bottom of the entire NL all season long.
Picks to Click: Derek Lee, Pedro Feliz

White Sox over Indians - Have to pick Buehrle to continue his stretch. He's proven why he's the ace of the staff and even on the road he is in familiar territory against division foe Cleveland.
Picks to Click: Gordon Beckham, Shin Soo-Choo

Pirates over Reds - Zach Duke has been lights out this season. That just means he'll be pitching in New York or Philadelphia by the end of the trade deadline.
Picks to Click: Garrett Jones, Joey Votto

Phillies over Marlins - No one may beat Halladay this year, he's looking like the next pitcher to win a Cy Young in the AL and NL.
Picks to Click: Ryan Howard, Hanley Ramirez

Brewers over Nationals - If Milwaukee wants to contend in the most up in the air division, Gallardo is going to have to start pitching like an ace.
Picks to Click: Rickie Weeks, Adam Dunn

Yankees over Rangers - CC on the hill is enough to pick the Yankees, but the offense is clicking on all cylinders, and that's scary.
Picks to Click: Brett Gardner, Elvis Andrus

Angels over Blue Jays - Marcum could struggle, especially against an Angels team that is desperately hungry for a win.
Picks to Click: Hideki Matsui, Vernon Wells

Red Sox over Rays - Tampa has proved they can hit again this season and Wade Davis and David Price are going to be consistent, but Josh Beckett knows the Rays offense and will return to Cy Young form.
Picks to Click: Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bartlett

Braves over Rockies - This has a potential of being a first round playoff match-up and Atlanta has had some tough tests to start the season. These are the games they are going to look back on if the make it or don't make it to the playoffs at the end of the year.
Picks to Click: Brian McCann, Todd Helton

Royals over Twins - Greinke is the best in the AL Central, Twins offense is the best in the AL Central. This is going to be a good game.
Picks to Click: Jose Guillen, Jason Kubel

Cardinals over Mets - Carpenter struggled against the Brewers, but the Mets haven't seen Carpenter nearly as often.
Picks to Click: Colby Rasmus, Gary Matthews, Jr.

D-Backs over Padres - Edwin Jackson is going to have to take care of business against the teams they're supposed to beat.
Picks to Click: Chase Headley, Chris Young

Orioles over A's - Kevin Millwood knows the A's better than anyone on the Orioles staff, the O's offense could break out after being shut down against Sheets.
Picks to Click: Nick Markakis, Cliff Pennington

Mariners over Tigers - Felix Hernandez's chances of winning a Cy Young now that Halladay is in the NL are just that much greater. He's going to have to start pitching big against big teams early.
Picks to Click: Milton Bradley, Johnny Damon

Dodgers over Giants - The Dodgers are a different team at home and the Giants struggle on the road. Padilla vs. Wellemeyer is a great match-up and this one won't be settled until late.
Picks to Click: Rafael Furcal, Aubrey Huff