Streak for the Cash Picks – August 14

Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

After some early tennis and soccer get us started, Tuesday’s Streak for the Cash is all about Major League Baseball head-to-head showdowns. There’s seven games on the slate as straight-up picks for today with not a prop in sight which is just fine with me.

Yesterday my picks went 3-1, but the one loss was the Pirates game which was the final pick I made on the day. I’m starting today in the red, but hopefully I can find some early green with these picks:

Picks for 8/14

11:05-Any other Result: Maria Kirilenko (pictured above) was part of the bronze medal winning duo in the doubles competition in London. Venus Williams and her sister Serena took home the gold. Both will play this match solo as they meet in the first round of the WTA Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati. Venus has won all three of the meetings between the two but has faded in recent years and lost her effectiveness. Kirilenko is the #12 player in the world and I would actually pick her to win the match. The fact that she only has to win one set to take this prop makes it an easy pick for me. Confidence Meter: 8 (out of 10)

4:30- Marcos Baghdatis: Baghdatis has taken two of three from the Frenchman Gilles Simon including their last matchup in 2010 in straight sets in Dubai. Simon seems to be a slight favorite according to most odds-makers. Confidence Meter: 2

August 13, 2012; Toronto, ON, CANADA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez (10) reacts after catching Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Anthony Gose (not pictured) stealing in the tenth inning at the Rogers Centre. Toronto defeated Chicago 3-2 in 11 innings. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-US PRESSWIRE

7:07- Chicago White Sox: The White Sox send Jose Quintana to the mound who I like as a spot starter. They’ll be up against Henderson Alvarez and the Blue Jays who took game one of the series in walk-off fashion last night. The White Sox have lost their last four games at the Rogers Centre and four of their last six overall, but they’ll be feeling the pressure from the Tigers who are within two games in the AL Central. Behind Quintana I think they’ll get this one. Confidence Meter: 6

10:15- Washington Nationals: The Nats crushed the Giants last night even though San Francisco started then-NL-ERA-leader Ryan Vogelsong. Washington has won all four meetings this season against the Giants outscoring them 38-14. They’ll send the new NL ERA leader Jordan Zimmerman to the mound tonight against Madison Bumgarner who has been excellent at home. I don’t expect either team to break through like the Nats did last night, but I do think Washington’s lineup is in a much better place right now than the Giants is. This isn’t a lock since both pitchers can be dominant, but I’ll go with Zimmerman and the Nats over Bumgarner. Confidence Meter: 5

August Results

Overall Record: 34-27

Confident Picks (5+): 12-12

Personal Streak: W1