Monday, Jun 16th: No Pick Today

I am back to the picks today.  To be honest, I'm still behind on my stats and my research but I feel like I made a breakthrough in regards to my approach and am ready to get back to the Pickstreak.

There isn't a game I really like today.  At first glance, the price on the Phillies looks good, rookie Mick Abel has pitched well in his two starts on the season, but Philly is without Bryce Harper and Sandy Alcantara is starting for the Marlins.  Alcantara spun a good game in his last outing against the Pirates and is working on five full days of rest.  I'd almost say that the Marlins are right to be favorites in this one but it doesn't quite seem right against a Phillies team that I have in my top five teams in MLB.  

The plus money on the Rockies looks good, the Nats have lost eight straight and Colorado has had some good games at the plate over their last ten but Carson Palmquist has posted bad numbers and you can't be betting on bad starting pitchers.

The Rays are as hot as any team in MLB and Pepiot has posted good numbers but so has Orioles starter Zach Eflin.  The O's are 9-3 in June and are back to full strength with Westburg and Cowser getting at bats.  I'm still fading the Orioles this season but not with their Ace on the mound.

Logan Gilbert makes his first start for the Mariners since early May, returning from a lengthy stay on the IR, a result of elbow inflammation.  I'd typically like Gilbert to mow down the Red Sox sans Rafael Devers but in his first start back, I'd expect the Mariners to be cautious with him, and the M's bullpen isn't all that good.

I like the Astros too, the A's threw three of their best bullpen arms in yesterday's game and have yet to announce their starter.  They are still short in the rotation and their bullpen is still a wreck.  But the Astros lineup isn't the same without Isaac Parades, and the A's can hit.  Rookie Nick Kurtz is back from the IR and collected a pair of hits in yeaterday's game.  McCullers has flashed some real good stuff for Houston but he has also had a couple starts that put his reliability in question.  

Shohei Ohtani makes his first start of the season for the Dodgers.  He hasn't taken the ball in close to two years.  It will be a spectacle.  They have made Ohtani and the Dodgers the favorite in this one but it's Dylan Cease for the Padres tonight and he is coming off a heater in his last start, also against the Dodger's.  He held LA to three hits and struck out 11 -- San Diego won that game 11-1.  

I'm taking a pass on today's action.  Back to the board tomorrow.