Friday Night Educated Guesses

Grover is away from computers for a few days, so this weekend all the blame or glory (usually blame) falls on me. I told him to prepare himself for the prospect of a blog record of -800 or so when he returns. On to the picks:

MLB

The Yankees game was going as planned last night, with the Yanks and Hughes taking a 3-0 lead in the top of the 3rd. Unfortunately, it started raining right about then, and when the game resumed, there was some chump named Ohlendorf on the mound for the Yanks. Mr. Ohlendorf then proceeded to give up 78 hits in a row, with Girardi sitting on his hands in the dugout, apparently unaware that the rules actually allow you to substitute another pitcher. Then, after the Yankees catch back up, Joba Chamberlain takes the loss in the 9th inning (let's hear you talk some shit now, Hank.). A frustrating game. On to tonight:


Diamondbacks (Johnson) +104 (Matchbook), 100 to win 104

I'm still not believing the hype on Randy Wolf. The BABIP numbers show he's been slightly lucky this year, and he's had the good fortune to pitch two of his starts in spacious Petco Park and one other against the light-hitting Giants. In his only other start, he gave up 4 earned runs in 6 innings to tonight's opponent, the D-Backs. Padres are hitting a dreadful .168 versus lefties so far this year. I want the Big Unit tonight. Wait, that didn't sound right......


Giants (Sanchez) +133 (Matchbook), 100 to win 133

Break up the Giants! They've won two in a row - next stop, World Series! OK, I'm going a little overboard, and I'm still kicking myself for not playing Lincecum last night after thinking about it all day. But, after Sanchez's horrible performance in his first start, he has been phenomenal in his last three, with an ERA of 1.69 and WHIP of 1.19 in those games. I like Harang (heck, he's on my fantasy team), but I'm taking the home underdog in a game which looks like a very close, low-scoring affair.

NBA

After writing the post below about teams in the must-win Game 3 situation, you should have expected to see me playing a couple of them.

Mavericks -6 (WSEX), 110 to win 100

Suns -6.5 (WSEX), 55 to win 50