Streak for the Cash Blog – August 6 Picks

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver (36) throws a pitch during the fifth inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark. Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE

Monday’s sometimes need a little help, and the ESPN Streak for the Cash mini-game offers a solid board of matchups to boost sports fans through the day. The Olympics are center-stage for the morning and afternoon picks and then Major League Baseball takes over and takes us all the way through the night.

Yesterday was a not-so-great day for my picks as they went 4-3 rallying to close the day but leaving my personal entry on an L2 since I played the props in Sunday Night Baseball. Here’s hoping today’s picks turn out greener.

Picks for August 6

Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

9:50- Gabby Douglas doesn’t medal: There are four or so competitors in a dead heat for the two and three spots. Douglas will likely get another medal, but this isn’t her strongest event at all. There are eight competitors and at most oddsmakers she’s the fifth favorite. Tweddle of Great Britain is the prohibitive favorite but as we saw yesterday in vault it doesn’t take much for a favorite to go down. If Douglas gets a medal, I’ll be happy and cheer for her because she’s a great story. For streak though, I’ll take the no medal option to get the green flowing again. Confidence Meter: 3 (out of 10)

12:00- Japan: A couple days ago everyone picked Brazil to beat the Japanese ladies which was crazy since Japan is the reigning Women’s World Cup champion. France is a better team than Brazil, but I still think Japan moves on to face the Americans in the final in a rematch of the final of the last World Cup. Confidence Meter: 4

5:15- Any Other Result: Argentina is no pushover and while I think the USA will win comfortably I don’t think it’ll be by 20+. Probably about 10-15 would be my guess. The line is a incredibly high 23.5. It’s not an easy pick though since the US has blown away some teams while playing close with Lithuania their last time on the court. Argentina lost to France but ran Lithuania off the floor so it’s a tricky call to make. Confidence Meter: 3

Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

7:05- Atlanta Braves: The Braves have won 10 of 12 and have Ben Sheets on the hill as they head into Citizens Bank Park to face Vance Worley and the Phillies. Sheets pitched well against Philadelphia on July 27 allowing just a run over seven innings. He’s been steller since returning from a lengthy layoff only being derailed by a rough first inning in his last outing. Worley is also coming off a strong start where he shut out the Nats for seven innings. The Braves are on the upswing as they try and chase down the Nats in the NL East and avoid an end of the year fade like they had last year.  Confidence Meter: 6

8:10- Cincinnati Reds: There’s no hotter team in baseball than the New Red Machine. Bronson Arroyo has been a little inconsistent all year but is pitching well lately picking up wins in three of his last four starts. He faced Milwaukee three times this year and is 2-0 with a 2.66 ERA in 20.1 innings. The Reds bats are filling in nicely for the absent Joey Votto as they continue to maintain the lead in the NL Central. They’ll face Yovani Gallardo in this one who is 1-2 in his three starts against Cincinnati with a 4.08 ERA in 17.2 innings. Arroyo makes me a little nervous, but the Reds are hot enough to overcome even a bad start with their lineup right now. Confidence Meter: 6

10:05- Los Angeles Angels: It’s Jered vs Jarrod as one of the leading Cy Young Award candidates this year faces off with a rookie who may contend for many in the future. Jered Weaver has been absolutely dominant for the Angels with a 14-1 record and a 2.29 ERA. Jarrod Parker has been just as good at times lately but has struggled his last few times out posting a 2-2 record and a 6.07 ERA in his last four starts. The A’s were scorching most of July setting team records with one of their best months in team history. They have struggled a bit since then though dropping two of three to the Rays and splitting a four-game set with the Blue Jays. Weaver historically dominates the A’s which should allow him to avoid giving the ball to the shaky Angels bullpen for too many innings. When you can take an elite pitcher like Weaver, you have to jump at it in Streak and unless I was among the leaders I’d feel extremely safe with this pick. Confidence Meter: 8

August Records

Overall Record: 15-11

Confident Picks (5+): 5-5

Personal Streak: L2