Streak for the Cash Picks, September 4

Baltimore Orioles teammates Robert Andino (11) J.J. Hardy (2) Adam Jones (10) and Nate McLouth (9) celebrate after a game. The Orioles defeated the White Sox 5 - 3. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE

After a frenetically paced three-day weekend in ESPN’s Streak for the Cash the board slows down a bit this Tuesday with 16 picks total and just two in the early part of the day. The early picks are once again from the US Open with tonight’s picks coming from Major League Baseball and the always-tricky WNBA.

I somehow avoided the landmines on my picks lists for the second day in a row. I had my second consecutive day unable to crack .500 going 3-3, but by sticking to only my most confident picks I got my streak up to seven and have yet to lose a pick this month. Pretty shocking since overall my picks are only 12-9 as you can see at the bottom of the page.

Hopefully, I can keep avoiding the red, but bring up my overall percentage with these picks today:

Streak Picks 9/4

11:10- Any Other Result: Azarenka is the top seed on the ladies side and has cruised to this point in the tournament. She’s won each of her four matches in straight sets without ever losing more than two games per set. She’s played Australian Samantha Stosur six times in the past and each time won in straight sets. However, Stosur is the defending champ at the US Open and hasn’t lost a set in the Open yet either. I think Stosur will get a set, but I’d only pick this if I had to. Confidence Meter: 3 (out of 10)

Sep 2, 2012; Queens, NY, USA; Maria Sharapova (RUS) celebrates recording match point in her match against Nadia Petrova (RUS) on day seven of the 2012 US Open at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

1:00- 17 games or less: This is a prop for the Maria Sharapova-Marion Bartoli match. They’ve met four times before-three times on hard court. The three hard court matches have all been over in 17 games or less and the grass match went 18, but Sharapova won the second game 6-0. Confidence Meter: 4

7:07- Baltimore Orioles: The O’s are within a game of the Yankees for first place. Zach Britton has been good since being recalled winnings his last three starts including a dominant performance last time out against the AL Central-leading White Sox. The Blue Jays will counter with Carlos Villanueva who is 2-1 with a 5.32 ERA against the Orioles in four starts this season. Joe Saunders dominated the Jays last night in the series opener and expect more of the same from Britton tonight as Baltimore goes for their 21st win in their last 29 games. Confidence Meter: 6

8:03- Minnesota win or Single-Digit Loss: Minnesota leads LA by three games in the standings and beat them in the Sparks last trip to the Target Center. The Lynx are the defending champs and have won eight in a row. They have lost by double-digits exactly ZERO times this year. This prop almost seems backwards to me. I guess to put it in NBA terms this is the Lakers going to Miami and giving 10 points. I get that the Sparks have big names and are playing well, but I don’t think they’re the pick here at all. Confidence Meter: 6 

Aug 29, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Eric Stults (53) during the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

10:05- Any Other Result: The Padres lost by a run in extra innings last night and tomorrow they get two runs in this prop. I get it that Clayton Kershaw is good at home, but he lost his last start. He’s matched up against Eric Stults who has been great for San Diego including his last start which he won allowing no runs in six innings and is 4-0 with a 1.69 ERA since re-joining the rotation. I would probably take the Dodgers head-to-head but not with much confidence. With the pick set up this way, I’ll gladly take the runs and San Diego. Confidence Meter: 7

10:10- Boston Red Sox: I’m a huge Sox fan, so there is definitely lots of heart in this pick. Jon Lester is the best thing going for Boston lately and he has to act as stopper as they look to avoid their eighth straight loss. They have to win sometime right??? please??? Confidence Meter: 2

11:05-Padres hits: See how the first three go, but as mentioned Eric Stults has been solid and the Padred bullpen isn’t bad either. Hits over runs is always a good pick unless Kershaw is straight dealin’ the first few innings. Confidence Meter: 3

September Stats

Total Picks: 12-9

Personal Entry: 7-0-0

Current Streak: W7