I wasn't kidding when I said I was going to pick Adrian Gonzalez until it stopped working. Even after yesterday, when the Coward Kyle Lohse tried to assassinate my streak, Adrian didn't register an official at-bat keeping me alive. I had a thought that would be the case but it had been so long since I had a pick that did nothing but walk that I wasn't sure. Nevertheless, Adrian is here to stay. The Mariners became the second MLB team to win twice for me on Streak For The Cash even if the King had to sweat through a Fernando Rodney ninth inning to get the W. Drive To The Finals saw my worst performance yet as Josh Smith (15 PRA) and the Rockets could not figure out the Chris Paul-less Clippers.
I am doubling down on Beat the Streak again and pairing Lucas Duda with Adrian Gonzalez. I remember a time in which Lucas Duda had to scrap for playing time in a two position platoon with Kirk Nieuwenhuis and Ike Davis. That is no longer the case as Duda as solidified himself as a vital offensive contributor to the surprising first place Mets. He'll take Bud "Yes, That Is a 12.18 ERA What Of It?" Norris and the Baltimore Orioles. Just give me the double down and let's move on.
Oh hey, there's Bud "Guaranteed To Give Up 200 Hits A Year" Norris again. As you can see, I really like the Mets today. The Orioles were my second best team in the preseason but have struggled for consistency from their pitching over the first month. Norris has been the worst offender and he takes on Bartolo Colon today in my Streak for the Cash pick. I am a mess in terms of health but I still think I would do better on the old President's Fitness Challenge from middle school than Colon would. But he still makes millions and gets outs. The American Dream fulfilled.
After the Josh Smith debacle from last night, I need a really big performance today. I will look to the Grizzlies' top man, Marc Gasol, for such a performance. Gasol did most of his work from the free throw line in Game 1, something he'll need to do again if Memphis has any chance to avoid the brooms in this series. This might be a Gasol and Z-Bo pick then out scenario for me. Memphis is in trouble. HAPPY STREAKING EVERYBODY!!
Image Credits: Gonzalez/Duda BTS (mlb.com), Streak pick (espn.com), Marc Gasol DTTF (nba.com)