“We’re going streaking… through the quad to the gymnasium!” Okay, maybe just virtually, but nonetheless we are one-for-one so far on picking ESPN’s Streak for the Cash. Let’s keep it going!
For the remainder of the baseball season, I will try to give one baseball game a day that I think is a lock for the Streak for the Cash. Let’s see how big of a streak we can build.
By: Justin Mertes-Mistretta
Last Pick: Cardinals over Phillies
Result: Cardinals 12 – Phillies 2
Streak: 1
Cincinnati Reds (Volquez) at Baltimore Orioles (Jakubauskas)
Pick: Orioles
Rule No. 1: Never pick against against Orioles Manager Buck Showalter. That may be more of a personal rule than anything else, but nonetheless I live by it. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Showalter, especially at home.
The Orioles have anything but momentum heading into their series with the Reds. They managed to win just three of their past nine games. However, all of those nine games were played on the road, where they are 13-21, compared to 20-18 at home.
The Reds are also below .500 on the road (17-18) and have dealt with their own struggles. Despite beating the Yankees 10-2 on Wednesday, the Reds have lost four of their past six games, all at home. A large reason for their struggles is the stagnant bats of Jay Bruce, who is hitting .156 with no home runs in his past 19 games, and Joey Votto, who has just one home run in his past 17 games.
Though the Reds will get the added bonus of using a designated hitter at Camden Yards, the Orioles will have that same luxury, and what a nice luxury that is. Baltimore’s designated hitter, Vladimir Guerrero is hitting .366 in 52 career games against the Reds.
Guerrero isn’t the only batter who has had success against Dusty Baker’s club. J.J. Hardy 15 home runs against the Reds, all with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Cincinnati’s starter Edinson Volquez (4-3, 5.61 ERA), who is coming off a four run, seven hit performance, will also be facing a hot-hitting Nick Markakis, who is batting .400 during a 13-game hitting streak, which is the AL’s longest active streak.
Chris Jakubauskas (2-0, 5.14 ERA) reminds me more of a Star Wars character than a major league starting pitcher, but make no mistake about it, this guy is no chump. “Jak,” as Showalter calls him, struck out six batters and gave up only three runs in five innings of work Sunday against the Nationals and will be looking to record his third win in four starts since joining the rotation Friday against the Reds.
“Funny things happen when you can command a fastball, and that’s what Jak can do,” Showalter said.
While “funny things” doesn’t exactly inspire me, like I said, never doubt Showalter. The Orioles are at home with hot hitters facing a struggling pitcher. Sometimes things are just that simple. Streak of two here we come!
Join The Sports Bank Streak for the Cash group here. Join and try to beat my streak!
Justin Mertes-Mistretta is a senior fantasy football writer for TheSportsBank.net and an avid streaker on ESPN’s Streak for the Cash. Follow him on Twitter at MertesMist_tsb.