Cnotes Sports Page For Tuesday July 7th Best Bets-Trends-News !

[CNOTES]

Tuesday's Tip Sheet


July 7, 2015


Tigers at Mariners – 10:10 PM EST


Detroit’s offense is looking just fine without former MVP Miguel Cabrera in the lineup, scoring 33 runs in the last four games. The Tigers have won three times in this stretch, including last night’s 12-5 triumph over the Mariners to cash as +150 underdogs. The ‘over’ has been extremely friendly to backers of Tigers’ contests of late, hitting for the 17th consecutive time on Monday, with the last ‘under’ cashing in a home loss to the Reds on June 16.


The Mariners have alternated wins and losses in each of their last six games as they search for some consistency with Taijuan Walker (7-6, 4.34 ERA) taking the mound. The Seattle right-hander is riding a five-start winning streak, which includes four victories away from Safeco Field. Walker has allowed one earned run or less four times in this stretch, including six scoreless innings in a 7-0 victory at San Diego in his last outing. This will be the third time Walker is listed as a favorite of at least -120 this season, as the Mariners have lost each of his first two times in this role, falling at home to the Padres and Astros.


The Tigers send out southpaw Kyle Ryan (1-2, 4.55 ERA) to the hill, making his fifth start of the season. Ryan lasted just four innings in his last outing against the Pirates, allowing two earned runs in four innings of an 8-4 home defeat. Ryan has split a pair of road starts, including an 8-5 win at Cleveland last month, even though he lasted less than four innings. Detroit has fared well on the road coming off a series opening win, posting a 3-1 record in Game 2’s following an away victory.


Phillies at Dodgers – 10:10 PM EST


Philadelphia continues to languish on the highway, dropping to 10-32 away from Citizens Bank Park following Monday’s 10-7 defeat at Los Angeles. The Dodgers erased a 6-3 deficit to actually aid run-line backers at -115 by scoring seven runs in the fifth through seventh innings, while cashing chalky tickets at -260. Los Angeles went through seven pitchers last night to record only their fourth home win in its last nine tries.


Advertisement


Brett Anderson (5-4, 3.00 ERA) seeks his fourth consecutive victory for the Dodgers, coming off three impressive starts in which the southpaw allowed exactly one earned run in each win. Anderson struggled on the road to start the season, but picked up wins at Arizona and Miami in his last two outings, while striking out 17 and walking three. The former Athletics hurler has been especially solid at Chavez Ravine, as the Dodgers own a solid 6-2 mark in his eight home outings.


Since winning three straight in late June over the Cardinals and Yankees, the Phillies have stumbled to a 2-10 record the past 12 games to fall deeper into the NL East basement. Former Dodger Chad Billingsley (0-2, 7.71) faces his old mates tonight, attempting to turn around his recent woes. Billingsley has allowed at least five earned runs in three of his four starts since entering the Phillies’ rotation, while giving up a season-high seven runs in his previous outing against Milwaukee.


Mets at Giants – 10:15 PM EST


San Francisco owned the best road record in the National League during June, but the Giants lost all six games at Miami and Washington on their recent trip. To make matters worse, the defending champions traveled cross-country following Sunday night’s loss to the Nationals to host the Mets, who were already out on the West coast after taking two of three from the Dodgers. New York broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the top of the ninth inning to blank San Francisco last night, 3-0 to send the Giants back to the .500 mark at 42-42.


Matt Cain (0-1, 9.00 ERA) makes his second start of the season for the Giants, as the former All-Star allowed five earned runs in five innings of his season debut at Miami in a 5-4 loss last Thursday. Cain is taking the mound at AT&T Park for the first time since last July, when he beat Oakland as a short underdog, while facing the Mets for the first time since beating them last June, 4-2 as a -145 home favorite.


The Mets haven’t won consecutive games to start a road series all season, while going for their third straight shutout tonight. Bartolo Colon (9-6, 4.55 ERA) is winless in his past three starts, as the Mets’ offense has provided the veteran a total of two runs in this stretch. Colon didn’t face the Giants when they visited Citi Field last month, as the right-hander is seeking his first road victory since May 10 at Philadelphia, a span of four starts.

 

[CNOTES]

Sale strikeout streak ends, pitches White Sox past Toronto


CHICAGO (AP) Wins haven't come as easily as strikeouts for Chris Sale this season. That's why the left-hander had no regrets about losing his bid to break a strikeout streak record in one of the Chicago White Sox's more rousing wins.


Sale pitched a six-hitter that led the White Sox past the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 Monday night in the fastest major league game in almost four years.


Sale (7-4) had struck out at least 10 batters in eight straight starts, matching the major league mark set by Pedro Martinez in 1999.


Sale fanned six in a complete game, outpitching former mentor Mark Buehrle (9-5), who also went the distance.


"I'll take this outcome over that any day," Sale said. "I mean, it's one of those things, it's cool, it's fine. But we won the game, and I'm not gonna pout at all."


There were no walks in a game that took only 1 hour, 54 minutes. It was the speediest big league game since Tampa Bay and Kansas City took 1:53 on Aug. 9, 2011, according to STATS.


"It was fantastic. Both of them were fantastic," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "It was a great ballgame. Got away there at the end."


All of Chicago's runs were unearned. An error by shortstop Jose Reyes leading off the eighth helped the White Sox score three times and overcome a 2-1 deficit.


"I need to make that play," Reyes said. "The ball didn't do anything. It was right to me. That have to be out right there. That's why we lost the game."


Josh Donaldson and Chris Colabello hit solo home runs for Toronto.


Sale began the game pitching more like Buehrle, getting five outs on grounders in the first two innings. In fact, Sale allowed a homer - a solo shot to Colabello leading off the third inning - before recording his first strikeout when he got Devon Travis looking for the second out in the third.


The Blue Jays, the top-scoring team in the majors, were aggressive at the plate and didn't work many deep counts, opting to put the ball in play before getting two strikes.


Chicago tied the score at 1 in the fourth inning with an assist from the Toronto defense. Melky Cabrera singled with one out and advanced to third base when Avisail Garcia followed with another single.


Right fielder Jose Bautista decided to throw to first base behind Garcia, who didn't take a particularly wide turn around the bag. The ball bounced away from Colabello at first base and rolled far enough away to allow Cabrera to score on Bautista's first error of the season.


Donaldson hit his 20th homer in the sixth.


Buehrle had retired nine straight batters before Reyes committed the error on Gordon Beckham's routine grounder to start the eighth.


Buehrle retired the next two batters, but then the White Sox put together three straight hits. Jose Abreu tied it with an RBI single and Cabrera followed with a two-run double.


"It was good for the lineup to do that and pick him up," Chicago manager Robin Ventura said, "because he's done his work before and not gotten much out of it."


TRAINER'S ROOM


Blue Jays: RHP Roberto Osuna, who felt discomfort on the lower right side of his back on Sunday against Detroit, reported no lingering problem on Monday.


White Sox: RHP Nate Jones (Tommy John surgery) threw a simulated game at U.S. Cellular Field and likely will begin a rehab assignment this week. "Nate looked great," Ventura said. "Velocity-wise, he could probably go pitch now."


UP NEXT


The second of the four-game series is Tuesday night. LHP Felix Doubront (0-0, 3.86 ERA) will make his first start (and second appearance) for the Blue Jays this season. The White Sox counter with LHP Jose Quintana (4-7, 3.81), who has made seven straight quality starts.

 

[CNOTES]

Lackey outduels Lester, leads Cardinals to 6-0 win over Cubs


CHICAGO (AP) John Lackey beat one of his good friends. He also got some timely help from one of his teammates.


Lackey threw seven scoreless innings and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 6-0 on Monday night despite Jon Lester taking a no-hitter into the seventh.


Lackey, who was a teammate of Lester's in Boston from 2010-2014, struck out four and gave up six hits while walking one and getting enough support from a Cardinals offense that scored more than three runs for the first time since June 28.


The Cubs had a good chance in the sixth when Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant started the inning with singles. Miguel Montero struck out before Kolten Wong made a diving play on a sharp Starlin Castro grounder to start a double play and end the inning.


Wong making that play didn't surprise Lackey (7-5).


"Things like that happen," Lackey said. "He made a great play."


It's the second time in as many days Wong has made a highlight-reel play to save a run. Sunday against San Diego, Wong made a diving grab on a Yonder Alonso pop-up in shallow center field, a play he rated higher than what he did Monday.


"Making the dive, I knew there would be a chance to be a double play and the rest was just reaction," Wong said.


The Cardinals needed that play because at the time, they had not been able to muster a hit against Lester.


Signed to a six-year, $155 million deal over the offseason, Lester (4-7) remained winless in nine straight starts since beating Pittsburgh on May 16. He allowed two hits and two unearned runs while striking out eight for Chicago, which had won five of six but was shut out for the seventh time.


Lester's bid for his second career no-hitter ended with one out in the seventh when Bryant couldn't handle Jhonny Peralta's sharp grounder in back of third base, which also ended Lester's streak of 18 batters retired.


"I had pretty good command of everything," Lester said.


The Chicago defense then let Lester down when Bryant's throw to second on a Jason Heyward grounder went into right field. That was followed by Yadier Molina's run-scoring sacrifice fly to right, and Wong's RBI single to left that put St. Louis ahead 2-0.


Lackey and two relievers combined on a six-hit shutout, helping St. Louis win its third straight and 16th in 23 while improving to 8-2 this season against Chicago.


"They've had our number. I definitely admit to that," Chicago manager Joe Maddon said. "There's a long way to go yet."


The Cardinals beat Chicago again despite Lester getting the first hit of his career on an infield single in the second. He had been 0 for 66 lifetime and 0 for 30 this season, though Lester getting the hit didn't seem to bother Lackey much.


"I'll autograph (the ball)," Lackey quipped, "and I'll put you lost, too."


The game was delayed by rain for more than an hour in the middle of the eighth inning.


VOTING POWER


In an attempt to get RHP Carlos Martinez on the All-Star team in the final vote, the Cardinals have offered to partner with the Kansas City Royals, who also have a candidate in 3B Mike Moustakas. The Cardinals are hoping to utilize some of the voting power that saw four Royals voted in as starters.


BACK IN IT


Rizzo was back in the Chicago lineup one day after getting his first rest of the season. He went 1 for 4 and has reached base in 62 of his last 69 games.


TRAINER'S ROOM


Cardinals: OF Jon Jay (left wrist) has been told to do nothing for the next week in hopes the inaction will help the healing.


Cubs: RHP Rafael Soriano joined Double-A Tennessee after a brief time in Mesa, Arizona. Soriano was signed June 9 and had been in the Dominican Republic waiting for his immigration situation to clear up.


UP NEXT

Cardinals LHP Tyler Lyons (2-0, 5.09) faces Chicago RHP Jake Arrieta (8-5, 2.80) in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader. In the nightcap, St. Louis LHP Tim Cooney (0-0, 5.40) will oppose Cubs RHP Dallas Beeler, who is expected to be called up from Triple-A Iowa before the game.

 

[CNOTES]

Castellanos has 4 RBIs, Tigers win 12-5


SEATTLE (AP) Detroit manager Brad Ausmus doesn't think hitting is contagious. J.D. Martinez disagrees, and has significant proof to point to after Monday's win over the Seattle Mariners.


Martinez got three of the Tigers' 19 hits, as Detroit scored nine runs in the sixth and seventh innings to pull away for a 12-5 win over the Mariners.


"I'm a firm believer hitting is always contagious," said Martinez, whose solo home run in the fourth gave him 11 in his last 13 games. "You get a couple good guys in the lineup, a couple good at-bats, all of a sudden the pitcher starts losing confidence and . everybody else just keeps feeding off of it."


The Tigers lost Miguel Cabrera to a strained left calf when he went on the disabled list on Saturday. Without the All-Star first baseman, Ausmus wondered where the offensive production would come from.


The results from Monday's romp are a good way to cover the hole left in the lineup with Cabrera's absence, even if it's not sustainable. Nick Castellanos led the way with four hits - a season high - and four RBI, which ties a season high.


"It's not something that's going to happen every day," Martinez said. "That would be the best team in history, offensively."


After Cespedes' home run in the sixth cut the Mariners lead to 5-4, Victor Martinez singled to chase Seattle starter Hisashi Iwakuma.


Mayckol Guaipe (0-1) was unable to record an out in three attempts and was bounced from the game by a two-run single from Castellanos that gave the Tigers a 6-5 lead.


The Tigers went on to score five runs in the sixth to take an 8-5 advantage. Detroit tacked on another four in the seventh to put the game out of reach.


"We hit the ball well, we took advantage of opportunities with men in scoring position," Ausmus said.


The offensive outburst was enough to give Alfredo Simon (8-5) the win. Simon allowed five runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings to earn the win.


Mariners starter Hisashi Iwakuma allowed five runs on eight hits in five-plus innings. He struck out three in his return from a strain in his back and right shoulder area that sent him to the disabled list in April.


He threw strikes and he was healthy," interim Mariners manager Trent Jewett said. "Those are important factors. I don't think he commanded the ball probably the way he prefers, but he came out of it healthy."


Dustin Ackley hit an RBI triple and Brad Miller followed immediately with a run-scoring double in the fourth to cut the Tigers' lead to 3-2. Logan Morrison hit a three-run home run in the fifth to put the Mariners up 5-3.


TRAINER'S ROOM


Tigers: With first baseman Miguel Cabrera on the disabled list with a left calf strain, Detroit has had to look elsewhere at the position. On Monday, the team claimed Marc Krauss off waivers from Tampa Bay. Krauss is expected to split time at the bag with Jefry Marte, as well as Andrew Romine.


Mariners: Iwakuma made his return from the disabled list Monday. The right-hander hadn't appeared in a major league game since April 20 due to the strain.


CLEAN BULLPEN WORK


Blaine Hardy, Ian Krol and Bruce Rondon combined to pitch 3 2/3 scoreless innings in relief for the Tigers. Only Krol allowed a hit and he erased the single with a double play.


HOME RUN HAPPY


Castellanos started the scoring with a solo home run in the second. Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth and Yoenis Cespedes added a solo shot to lead off the deciding sixth.


MORRISON'S POWER SURGE


Morrison hit 11 home runs last season. His three-run shot in the fifth gave him 11 this year with half the season to play.


UP NEXT


Tigers: Rookie Kyle Ryan gets the nod. Ryan, who has started and come out of the bullpen this season, holds a 4.55 ERA and hasn't had a scoreless outing in seven attempts.


Mariners: Taijuan Walker attempts to follow up one of his best career starts Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers. The young right-hander allowed one hit in six shutout innings to pick up the win at San Diego on July 1.

 

[CNOTES]

Astros All-Star Keuchel stops Indians 9-4


CLEVELAND (AP) Dallas Keuchel was keeping a secret.


Keuchel, no secret in baseball circles, found out Monday afternoon he had been chosen for the American League All-Star team. He then allowed three runs in six innings in Houston's 9-4 win over the Cleveland Indians.


The left-hander (11-3), who leads the league in wins and is second with a 2.14 ERA, is a strong candidate to start next Tuesday's game in Cincinnati.


Keuchel was relaxing in his hotel room when got the news in a phone call from Astros manager A.J. Hinch. He had to keep it to himself because the formal announcement wasn't being made until Monday night.


"Everybody in my family has loose lips," he said. "It's not something I put out there. I was instructed not to. I didn't want it to leak out and get myself in trouble."


Keuchel, who allowed nine hits and struck out eight, admitted he wasn't at his best, but his offense picked him up.


An anticipated pitching duel between Keuchel and Carlos Carrasco never materialized. Carrasco, who came within one out of a no-hitter against Tampa Bay on Wednesday, allowed five runs in four innings. The right-hander (10-7) gave up four runs in the first and Preston Tucker's solo homer in the fourth.


"I was struggling the whole night," Keuchel said. "I wasn't expecting four runs off Carrasco. That was nice to see, but I had to grind it out."


Tucker had a career-high four hits and added an RBI single. Jose Altuve, Houston's All-Star second baseman, matched his career-high 14-game hitting streak with two hits, including an RBI double. Marwin Gonzalez homered and drove in two runs, while Colby Rasmus also had two RBIs.


Jason Kipnis, selected to the All-Star team as a reserve at second base, was 1 for 3 with a sacrifice fly for Cleveland and extended his home hitting streak to 29 games.


Cleveland scored in the third, breaking Keuchel's scoreless innings string at 19. He's 3-0 with a 1.86 ERA in four career starts versus Cleveland.


Hinch would like to see Keuchel start the All-Star Game and has expressed his opinion to AL manager Ned Yost.


"I think Dallas is stating his own case, I'm not sure he needs my help," Hinch said. "Multiple guys have the qualifications. I just don't know if anyone's been better."


Keuchel won't argue with his manager.


"I'd like to, but it's nothing I'm going to fret over," Keuchel said. "There are plenty of deserving candidates. There are guys a lot more nasty than I am. I'm just happy to be at the game."


Carrasco had last week's no-hit bid broken up with two outs in the ninth on Joey Butler's single. There was no drama this time. Altuve led off the game with an infield hit to deep shortstop.


Evan Gattis put Houston ahead with an RBI single. Rasmus' ground-rule double bounced over the center field wall for a 2-0 lead. Chris Carter's sacrifice fly and Gonzalez's RBI single added the other runs.


Carrasco allowed five hits and threw 39 pitches in the inning.


Carrasco, who had a perfect game through 7 1-3 innings and struck out a career-high 13 against the Rays, gave up 10 hits and struck out five.


"He went away from the things that make him good," manager Terry Francona said. "You could see it was a struggle right in the first. There are days you aren't going to feel your best, but you've got to find a way."


HAIL TO THE ALL-STAR


Hinch said he told Houston's players following the game that Keuchel made the All-Star team.


"I'm sure guys saw it during the game, but we had a nice little toast for Dallas," Hinch said. "The team was very excited for Dallas."


TRAINER'S ROOM


Astros: 3B Luis Valbuena, who leads the team with 19 homers, missed the game with a sprained big left toe.


UP NEXT


Astros: RHP Vince Velasquez has no-decisions in each of his first five big league starts, tying the record shared by RHP Hideo Nomo (1995), RHP Marc Valdez (1995-1996) and RHP Chris Brock (1997).


Indians: RHP Corey Kluber looks for his first win since May 28. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner went 7 1-3 innings in a 2-0 loss at Houston on opening day.

 

[CNOTES]

Rollins rallies Dodgers past his old Phillies team, 10-7


LOS ANGELES (AP) Jimmy Rollins saw a gaping hole in left field and visualized hitting the ball right there. Then he did just that, teeing off on a sinker left up for the go-ahead runs in the seventh inning.


That rallied the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers to a 10-7 win Monday night over Rollins' old team, the last-place Philadelphia Phillies, who lost for the seventh time in eight games.


"When you get a hit like that it feels good no matter who you're playing," Rollins said. "If you don't, it's `damn it.' I definitely don't want to have a `damn it' moment against my former team."


With one out, Jeanmar Gomez gave up consecutive singles to Yasiel Puig and Andre Ethier, who moved up on pinch-hitter Alberto Callaspo's groundout to the pitcher. Rollins followed with a two-run single to left-center, and Cody Asche's throw home pulled catcher Carlos Ruiz away from the plate. He stretched in an effort to tag Ethier, but lost the ball in the process.


Rollins came home on a double by All-Star rookie Joc Pederson, giving the Dodgers a 10-7 lead in a game that lasted 4 hours, 13 minutes. It was 3 minutes short of the longest nine-inning game in the majors this season.


"The pace was bad," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "Using a lot of pitchers, throwing a lot of pitches. That's a long time for a nine-inning game."


Batting ninth, Rollins finished 2 for 4 with two runs while facing the Phillies for the first time since requesting a trade last December after 14 years in Philadelphia.


"He's always been that guy who wants to be up there in that situation, in that moment, and he loved coming through for his team," former teammate Ryan Howard said. "I saw by the way he took that first pitch that he was locked in."


Gomez (0-2) allowed three runs and six hits in 1 2-3 innings. He had his career-best scoreless streak snapped at 13 2-3 innings.


J.P. Howell (4-1) got the victory in relief, striking out the only batter he faced. Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth for his 14th save in 15 chances.


All-Stars Adrian Gonzalez and Yasmani Grandal each hit a first-pitch homer for the Dodgers, who blew three leads. Gonzalez hit his 16th with two outs in the first, and Grandal added a three-run shot that tied the game 6-all in the fifth.


The Dodgers went ahead 7-6 on Howie Kendrick's RBI single that scored Rollins, who singled. Kendrick went 4 for 5 and finished a home run shy of the cycle with a triple, double and two singles.


Howard hit a three-run homer that gave the Phillies a 5-3 lead in the third. Freddy Galvis had a two-run shot in the second and Odubel Herrera added a solo homer in the fourth, when the Phillies led 6-3.


They tied the game 7-all in the seventh on Galvis' sacrifice fly.


Phillies starter Sean O'Sullivan allowed eight hits and seven runs - six earned - in 5 1-3 innings on a career-high 123 pitches. After the game, he was sent outright to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, having gone winless in his last nine starts.


"I thought I had settled in about the third inning, but the three-run shot by Grandal was really the dagger there," O'Sullivan said. "I need to be down in the zone better. The hits I've been giving up have been on balls that have been elevated."


Yimi Garcia made his first start since 2011 in the minors for the Dodgers in place of Carlos Frias, who went on the disabled list last week. Garcia lasted just two innings, giving up two runs and four hits.


CUBAN PIPELINE


Cuban right-hander Yadier Alvarez will receive a $16 million signing bonus as part of the minor league contract he agreed to with the Dodgers last week. The Dodgers have committed more than $180 million to Cuban players in recent years, also agreeing to major league contracts with Puig ($42 million from 2012-18) and infielders Hector Olivera ($62.5 million from 2015-20), Alex Guerrero ($28 million from 2014-17) and Erisbel Arruebarrena ($25 million from 2014-18) plus a minor league deal with right-hander Pablo Fernandez that included an $8 million signing bonus.


ROAD WOES


The Phillies fell to a major league-worst 10-32 on the road.


TRAINER'S ROOM


Dodgers: Los Angeles transferred LHP Paco Rodriguez to the 60-day DL and optioned LHP Daniel Coulombe to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Rodriguez isn't eligible to return until July 28, but is expected to be sidelined until at least mid-September following surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow.


UP NEXT


Phillies: RHP Chad Billingsley (0-2, 7.71 ERA) faces the team that drafted him. He was with the Dodgers from 2006-13, going 81-61 in 219 games, including 190 starts.


Dodgers: LHP Brett Anderson (5-4, 3.00) will face the Phillies for the first time in his career. He is 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in his last three starts, after going 0-3 with a 3.38 ERA over his previous seven.

 

[CNOTES]

Suarez's homer breaks deadlock, Reds beat Nationals 3-2


WASHINGTON (AP) Eugenio Suarez could only watch and hope as the baseball headed toward the left-field foul pole.


"My first reaction was that I popped it up," he said. "I hit it in front. I didn't hit it well."


The Reds' shortstop got enough of it, though, to send it over the wall for a tiebreaking eighth-inning homer that provided Cincinnati with a 3-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Monday night.


Suarez went 3 for 4 with two RBIs to help the Reds snap a three-game skid and improve to 4-0 against Washington this year, clinching the season series.


With the score knotted at 2, Suarez hit a liner off Casey Janssen (0-2) that barely stayed fair inside the pole that stands 336 feet from home plate.


Recalled from the minors on June 11 after an injury sidelined starting shortstop Zack Cozart, Suarez is batting .329 with three homers and 13 RBIs in 21 games.


"He's been a run-producer, not just getting hits but timely hits, driving in runs. He's shown a little bit of power," manager Bryan Price said. "That was a big one there."


Manny Parra (1-1) worked the seventh and Aroldis Chapman got three outs for his 17th save. One of Chapman's fastballs was clocked at 103 mph.


Danny Espinosa homered for the Nationals, who had won 12 of 15 overall and were unbeaten at home over nine games since June 18.


Washington starter Doug Fister gave up at least one hit in every one of his six innings but allowed only one earned run.


"For me, there's some inconsistency there on the mound," the right-hander said. "I'm not making quality pitches at times that are needed. Just fighting with myself a lot, trying to get the ball down, really trying to get in a rhythm, and it's a battle for me."


Nationals manager Matt Williams replaced the top two players in his starting lineup, center fielder Denard Span in the third inning and third baseman Yunel Escobar in the fifth.


"Denard left the game with a back spasm and Yunel left the game with left hamstring tightness," said Williams, who was unwilling to speculate on the severity of the injuries.


Cincinnati went up 2-1 in the sixth. Marlon Byrd led off a with a drive off the top of the right-field wall that was initially called a double, then switched to a home run, then ruled a double again after a replay review. It didn't matter much, because Suarez followed with an RBI single.


Espinosa tied it in the bottom half with his ninth home run, a shot to right on a 2-1 count.


After a 29-minute rain delay interrupted the first inning, the Reds scored an unearned run in the second on a two-out RBI double by starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani, the No. 8 hitter.


Washington pulled even in the third when Matt den Dekker came home on a two-out wild pitch. He entered in the top half for Span.


ROSTER MOVES


Reds: Cincinnati called up OF Yorman Rodriguez from Triple-A Louisville and optioned RHP Josh Smith to Double-A Pensacola. Because the Reds currently employ a four-man rotation, "it could be a short stay," Price said.


Nationals: Washington recalled LHP Sammy Solis from Double-A Harrisburg and placed RHP David Carpenter on the paternity list. Carpenter's wife gave birth to a son, Darrell, on Monday.


TRAINER'S ROOM


Reds: RHP Raisel Iglesias (left oblique strain) will likely make one more rehab start after he threw 68 pitches Sunday for Triple-A Louisville, Price said. ... LHP Sean Marshall (shoulder surgery) was expected throw from 75 feet as he recovers from a May procedure. "I'm hoping he comes back and is able to help this organization before the year is out," Price said.


Nationals: RHP Aaron Barrett (biceps strain) was scheduled to pitch for Class A Potomac following a day off. The next step is to pitch on successive days, Williams said.


UP NEXT


Reds: Johnny Cueto (5-5, 2.84 ERA) brings a 6-3 lifetime record against the Nationals to the mound on Tuesday night.


Nationals: Max Scherzer (9-6, 1.82) faces the Reds for the first time since 2008 with Arizona.

 

[CNOTES]

Niese gets 1st win since May 9, Mets top skidding Giants 3-0


SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Jonathon Niese had been waiting almost two months to earn a win. So when it took nine innings for the New York Mets to build a lead Monday night, that was just fine with him.


Niese pitched eight sharp innings for his first victory since May 9, and the Mets beat the San Francisco Giants 3-0 to hand the slumping World Series champions their seventh straight defeat.


"Guys persevered today," Niese said. "They pushed some runs across. It was a good feeling."


Johnny Monell snapped a scoreless tie with a two-run double in the ninth against his former team.


"It just felt great to be able to come through for the team," Monell said. "When he pitches that well he deserves to win."


Michael Cuddyer had two hits, including a single that started the winning rally, to help the Mets improve to 3-1 on a six-game West Coast trip.


It was New York's second consecutive shutout, including an 8-0 victory Sunday at Dodger Stadium behind rookie Steven Matz.


"We don't play well on the West Coast, so to get off to a great start on this road trip is huge for us," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "It looks like we're starting to get some breaks."


Juan Lagares added an RBI single to make it 3-0, and Jeurys Familia closed for his 23rd save. Mets pitchers have allowed exactly three hits in each of their last three wins.


Niese (4-8) retired 15 of his first 16 batters before running into a little bit of trouble in the sixth, when he lost his command momentarily. The Giants loaded the bases with two outs on Joaquin Arias' single and walks to Ehire Adrianza and Matt Duffy.


Niese retired All-Star slugger Buster Posey on a grounder to third to end the threat.


"I lost my feel for everything for a few batters," Niese said. "I wanted to slow the game down and stay calm to pitch against Posey."


The left-hander did not permit a run for the first time all season, ending a six-game losing streak and a nine-start winless streak. He allowed three hits, walked two and struck out four.


"He deserved it a lot," Collins said. "He's been pitching well lately and he had another tremendous outing."


Chris Heston, facing the Mets for the first time since throwing a no-hitter against them on June 9 in New York, gave up three hits in 7 1-3 shutout innings. He walked four and struck out two.


"I wish I would have not walked so many people and just tighten the zone a little better," Heston said. "But other than that I thought it went pretty well."


Cuddyer singled off Sergio Romo (0-4) to start the ninth and went to third on a double by Kirk Nieuwenhuis, called up from the minors before the game. Monell doubled against Santiago Casilla to drive in the go-ahead runs.


Heston was pulled after hitting Lagares with a pitch and walking Ruben Tejada sandwiched around a forceout on a ball that fell amid three players in short left field. Gregor Blanco threw to second to force Lagares.


TRAINER'S ROOM


Mets: Right-handed reliever Jenrry Mejia made his final rehab appearance Sunday and is expected to be activated in time for Tuesday night's game. Mejia completed his 80-game suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.


Giants: OF Hunter Pence (soreness in left wrist) took batting practice the past two days, and manager Bruce Bochy said Pence could return this week.


UP NEXT


Mets: RHP Bartolo Colon (9-6, 4.55 ERA) threw seven shutout innings in his last start. Colon is 2-2 with a 5.46 ERA in five starts against the Giants. He has not won in San Francisco in three years.


Giants: RHP Matt Cain (0-1, 9.00) will make his second start of the season Tuesday night. He made his first start in nearly a year on Thursday, taking the loss against Miami. Cain is winless in his last four starts against the Mets and is looking for his first win against them in four years

 

[CNOTES]

Braves win 5-3 to end Brewers' 8-game winning streak


MILWAUKEE (AP) Braves rookie Matt Wisler made his second career road start Monday night. He fared much better this time around against the hottest team in the majors.


Wisler allowed three runs and seven hits while pitching into the sixth inning, and Atlanta ended the Milwaukee Brewers' eight-game winning streak with a 5-3 victory.


Wisler had pitched well in two home starts since being called up in mid-June, allowing one run over 15 1-3 innings. In his only other start on the road, he gave up four earned runs and nine hits over four innings at Washington.


Staked to an early lead on Kelly Johnson's two-run homer in the first, Wisler served up a leadoff shot in the bottom half to Gerardo Parra but then got into a groove.


"I just missed my location but after that I settled in for the most part," said Wisler, who went 5 2-3 innings. "Early on my slider wasn't as good as it was last game. I had to battle a bit in the fifth and sixth innings and make some pitches."


The game was held up for about nine minutes in the top of the ninth while an injured fan received medical attention after getting hit by a line drive off the bat of Atlanta's Eury Perez.


The woman, sitting several rows behind Milwaukee's dugout, was helped to her feet before medical workers placed her on a stretcher and carried her up a flight of stairs to the stadium's first-level concourse. Her face appeared to be covered with a towel.


After the game, there was no immediate update from the Brewers on the fan's condition.


"That's just awful. Our prayers go out to her, for sure," Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said. "You hate to see it. Hope she's able to recover and enjoy a game again. It's scary. Very scary."


Johnson drove in three runs and Wisler's batterymate, A.J. Pierzynski, had four hits - including two doubles.


"He ran out of gas a bit in the sixth inning but he threw the ball well," Pierzynski said. "He threw all of his pitches for strikes. It was a good outing. His last road outing didn't go so well."


Jason Grilli pitched a scoreless ninth for his 23rd save in 24 chances.


Johnson launched a two-run homer to right field in the first off Kyle Lohse. Milwaukee avoided further damage when Juan Uribe was caught in a rundown after attempting to score on a grounder to third later in the inning.


A double by Nick Markakis drove in a run, and Johnson followed with a run-scoring single as Atlanta built its lead to 4-1 in the second. Uribe grounded into an inning-ending double play, stranding a runner at third.


A bloop single by Shane Peterson, pinch-hitting for Lohse, drove in a run to pull the Brewers within two in the fifth. Peterson was thrown out at the plate attempting to score from first on Parra's double.


Lohse (5-10) gave up four runs and 11 hits in five innings. He struck out four and walked one.


Uribe came through in the sixth with a two-out single to drive in a run, making it 5-2.


The Braves left 12 runners on base.


"We had people on base all game long and I'm thinking it's going to come back and haunt us," manager Fredi Gonzalez said.


A two-out, run-scoring single by Carlos Gomez got the Brewers back within two in the bottom of the sixth.


INSULT TO INJURY


Brewers shortstop Scooter Gennett swung and missed at a pitch from Braves reliever Luis Avilan that then struck him flush on the hip. Gennett squirmed on the ground for a few seconds before a sheepish smile crossed his face. "I tried not to laugh but then the umpire is laughing and (Gennett's) kind of laughing. I've done it. It's just more of an embarrassment thing," Pierzynski said. "You're not really hurt, you just know everybody's going to ride you about it."


TRAINER'S ROOM


Braves: Atlanta has scored just 39 runs in the 16 games missed by 1B Freddie Freeman, on the disabled list with a bruised right wrist. The team has averaged four runs per game with Freeman in the lineup.


Brewers: RHP Matt Garza was placed on the 15-day DL, retroactive to July 3, with right shoulder tendinitis. "This was just a good spot for the doctor to have his say," Garza said. "He wanted me to skip a start a while back and I didn't want to. He thought it was a good time to just step back and give it a rest." Relief pitcher Corey Knebel was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs. ... Gomez, who sat out Sunday with a bruised left wrist after getting hit by a pitch Saturday, returned to the starting lineup. ... OF Khris Davis, recovering from right knee surgery, is expected to rejoin the team Tuesday or Wednesday. He's on a rehabilitation assignment with Class A Wisconsin.


UP NEXT


Braves: Manny Banuelos will make his second career start. He pitched 5 2-3 shutout innings in his major league debut Thursday before leaving with cramping and dehydration.


Brewers: Tyler Cravy will start in place of Garza. Cravy, recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs on Friday, is in his second stint with the Brewers this season. The rookie made his major league debut in a start on June 2 at St. Louis, giving up one run and four hits in seven innings

 

[CNOTES]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Tuesday, July 7


National League
Reds @ Nationals
Cueto is 2-1, 2.75 in his last six starts; under is 4-3 in his last seven. .

Scherzer is 3-1, 1.05 in his last four starts; four of his last five stayed under.

Cincinnati won five of last six games with Washington; six of last eight in series stayed under. Reds lost seven of last ten games overall; five of their last eight went over. Nationals won four of last five games, allowing ten runs; six of their last seven games stayed under.

Padres @ Pirates
Ross is 2-0, 2.57 in his last three starts; three of his last four went over.

Liriano is 4-2, 1.98 in his last eight starts; over is 5-3-1 in his last nine.

San Diego won four of last seven games with Pittsburgh; over is 4-1-1 in last six series games. Padres lost six of last eight games; under is 5-1-1 in their last seven. Pirates won six of last seven games (over 4-3).

Cardinals @ Cubs
Cooney is 0-0, 6.48 in his two starts- they both went over. Lyons is 2-0, 5.87 in his five starts; three of his last four stayed under. .

Arrieta is 2-0, 0.75 in his last three starts; under is 2-1-1 in his last four starts at Wrigley. Beeler was 0-2, 4.09 in two starts LY; they both stayed under. He is 1-5, 6.33 in 13 AAA starts this season.

St Louis won seven of last eight games with the Cubs; home side won eight of last 11 series games- four of last five stayed under. Cardinals won six of last seven on road; under is 6-2 in their last eight games overall. Chicago won five of last seven games, allowing 11 runs; under is 6-2 in their last eight.

Braves @ Brewers
Banuelos threw 5.2 shutout innings (75 PT) in his MLB debut, but left with cramping in fingers/legs.

Cravy allowed one run in seven IP (87 PT) in his first MLB start.

Braves won five of last six games (under 4-1-1). Atlanta won nine of last 11 games with Milwaukee, which has won eight of last nine games, scoring 45 runs in its last six (over 5-1-2 in last eight).

Phillies @ Dodgers
Former Dodger Billingsley is 0-2, 8.57 in his four starts, three of which went over the total.

Anderson is 3-0, 1.61 in his last four starts; four of his last five home starts went over.

Philly lost seven of last eight games; over is 6-2-1 in their last nine . Phillies are 5-4 in last nine games with Dodgers; under is 7-3-1 in last 11 series games. LA is 4-5 in last nine home games; five of last seven home games went over. .

Mets @ Giants
Colon is 1-3, 4.45 in his last five starts; five of his last six stayed under.

Cain allowed five runs in five IP (89 PT) in his first '15 start.

Mets start out 3-1 on this road trip; 11 of their last 14 games stayed under the total. Giants lost last seven games; eight of their last 11 games went over. SF won eight of last 11 games against Mets; over is 3-2-1 in last six series games.

American League
A's @ Bronx
Gray had salmonella poisoning last week, missed two starts/was in hospital. He is 5-1, 2.70 in his last seven starts; over is 5-1-2 in his last eight.

Eovaldi is 3-0, 2.08 in his last three starts; seven of his last nine went over.

Oakland won five of last six games with Bronx; four of last five went over total. A's are 4-6 in last ten games; five of their last six games stayed under. Bronx is 3-1 in last four games; under is 5-1-1 in their last seven.

Astros @ Indians
Velasquez is 0-0, 4.21 in his five starts; three of his last four went over.

Kluber is 0-4, 4.07 in his last six starts (under 4-2).

Houston lost seven of last ten games with Cleveland; 10 of last 11 series games stayed under. Astros are 9-17 in last 26 road games; four of their last five overall went over. Indians lost last three games; six of their last eight went over the total.

Orioles @ Twins
Gausman is 0-0, 1.59 in his two starts- they both stayed under.

Gibson is 2-0, 1.23 in his last two starts; under is 3-0-1 in his last four.

Baltimore lost six of last eight games- five of their last six stayed under. Twins are 4-5 in their last nine; under is 5-0-1 in their last six games. Home side won six of last seven Oriole-Twin games (Twins 4-3).

Rays @ Royals
Moore allowed four runs in 4.2 IP (81 PT) in his first '15 start. Andreise is 2-1, 3.48 in his last four starts, three of which went over.

Volquez is 4-0, 3.99 in his last five starts (over 4-0-1). Young is 1-1, 2.38 in his last two starts; under is 5-2-1 in his last eight.

Tampa Bay lost six of last eight games with Kansas City; over is 5-3-2 in last ten series games. Rays lost seven of last eight games (over 6-1-1). Royals lost five of last seven games; under is 4-1-1 in their last six.

Blue Jays @ White Sox
Doubront is making first '15 start; he is 28-23, 4.78 in 73 MLB starts, 1-3, 2.44 in nine AAA starts this season.

Quintana is 2-1, 2.81 in his last five starts; seven of his last ten starts stayed under the total.

Toronto lost six of last eight games; five of their last six went over total. Jays lost seven of last ten games with Chicago; under is 6-3 in last nine series games. White Sox won five of last six games; three of their last four stayed under the total.

Tigers @ Mariners
Ryan is 0-2, 4.71 in his four starts (under 2-2).

Walker is 5-0, 1.67 in his last five starts; under is 4-2-1 in his last seven.

Detroit lost four of last six games with Seattle; Tigers lost four of their last seven games overall- their last 16 games went over. Mariners won four of last seven games; under is 7-2-1 in their last ten.

Interleague
Marlins @ Red Sox
Haren is 0-3, 4.88 in his last four starts; four of his last five stayed under.

Miley is 3-1, 3.04 in his last four starts; four of his last five went over.

Marlins lost nine of last 11 road games; four of their last six games overall went over total. Boston won six of its last eight games; four of its last five went over. Miami lost last five games with Red Sox (over 3-0-1 in last four).

Diamondbacks @ Rangers
Ray is 0-3, 5.60 in his last three starts; five of his last seven stayed under.

Gallardo is 2-0, 0.69 in his last six starts; he hasn't allowed a run in his last four starts (26.1 IP); eight of his last ten starts stayed under.

Arizona won three of its last four games; over is 6-2-1 in its last nine. Texas lost last three games, outscored 33-8; all three went over. D'backs lost three of last four games with the Rangers.

Angels @ Rockies
Heaney is 1-0, 1.38 in his two starts- they both stayed under.

Bettis is 2-1, 3.50 in his last three starts; over is 6-4 in his last ten.

Angels won their last seven games with Colorado; under is 5-3 in last eight series games. Halos won seven of last eight games, scoring 33 runs in their last three. Rockies lost seven of their last nine games.

Win-loss records this year for team with this starting pitcher:
Cin-Wsh-- Cueto 9-6; Scherzer 10-6
SD-Pitt-- Ross 8-9; Liriano 6-10
StL-Cubs-- Cooney 1-1 Lyons 3-2; Arrieta 9-7 Beeler 0-0
Atl-Mil-- Banuelos 1-0; Cravy 0-1
Phil-LA-- Billingsley 1-3; Anderson 9-7
NY-SF-- Colon 9-7; Cain 0-1

A's-NY-- Gray 9-7; Eovaldi 10-6
Hst-Clev-- Velasquez 3-2; Kluber 4-13
Balt-Minn-- Gausman 1-1; Gibson 8-8
TB-KC-- Moore 0-1 Andreise 4-2; Young 7-4 Volquez 11-5
Tor-Chi-- Doubront 0-0; Quintana 7-9
Det-Sea-- Ryan 1-3; Walker 8-8

Mia-Bos-- Haren 9-7; Miley 9-7
Az-Tex-- Ray 2-5; Gallardo 9-8
LAA-Colo-- Heaney 2-0; Bettis 7-3

Times this starting pitcher allowed a run in first inning:
Cin-Wsh-- Cueto 5-15; Scherzer 1-16
SD-Pitt-- Ross 5-17; Liriano 2-16
StL-Cubs-- Cooney 0-2 Lyons 2-5; Arrieta 4-16 Beeler 0-0
Atl-Mil-- Banuelos 0-1; Cravy 0-1
Phil-LA-- Billingsley 2-4; Anderson 4-16
NY-SF-- Colon 4-16; Cain 0-1

A's-NY-- Gray 1-16; Eovaldi 6-16
Hst-Clev-- Velasquez 2-5; Kluber 9-17
Balt-Minn-- Gausman 1-2; Gibson 3-16
TB-KC-- Moore 0-1 Andreise 0-6; Young 1-11 Volquez 11-5
Tor-Chi-- Doubront 0-0; Quintana 8-16
Det-Sea-- Ryan 1-4; Walker 4-16

Mia-Bos-- Haren 1-16; Miley 4-16
Az-Tex-- Ray 2-7; Gallardo 6-17
LAA-Colo-- Heaney 2-0; Bettis 2-10

Umpires
Cin-Wsh-- Underdogs are 10-4 in Knight games.
SD-Pitt-- Four of last five Meals games went over.
StL-Chi-- Favorites won four of last five Conroy games. Hernandez
Atl-Mil-- Home side won ten of last thirteen Cooper games.
Phil-LA-- Four of five May games stayed under the total.
NY-SF-- Under is 5-2-2 in last nine Eddings games.

Hst-Clev-- Ten of last twelve Demuth games went over.
Tor-Chi-- Five of last six Gibson games stayed under.
Balt-Minn-- Underdogs won last three Blaser games.
Det-Sea-- Over is 7-4 in Danley games this season.

 

[CNOTES]

MLB

Tuesday, July 7

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1:20 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. CHI CUBS
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Chi Cubs's last 14 games
Chi Cubs are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games

2:10 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. KANSAS CITY
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Tampa Bay's last 23 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City's last 6 games
Kansas City is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay

7:05 PM
CINCINNATI vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cincinnati's last 8 games when playing Washington
Cincinnati is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington
Washington is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cincinnati
Washington is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home

7:05 PM
OAKLAND vs. NY YANKEES
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland's last 5 games when playing NY Yankees
Oakland is 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 5 games when playing Oakland
NY Yankees are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing Oakland

7:05 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. PITTSBURGH
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Diego's last 5 games
San Diego is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
Pittsburgh is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing San Diego

7:10 PM
HOUSTON vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Houston's last 11 games when playing Cleveland
Houston is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Cleveland's last 11 games when playing Houston

7:10 PM
MIAMI vs. BOSTON
Miami is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Miami
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Miami

8:05 PM
ARIZONA vs. TEXAS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 6 games on the road
Arizona is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas's last 6 games
Texas is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

8:05 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. CHI CUBS
St. Louis is 2-3-1 SU in their last 6 games ,when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
St. Louis4-0-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Chi Cubs are 2-4-1 SU in their last 7 games ,at home
Chi Cubs are 0-4-1 SU in their last 5 games ,when playing St. Louis

8:10 PM
ATLANTA vs. MILWAUKEE
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta's last 7 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Milwaukee's last 7 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Milwaukee is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta

8:10 PM
TORONTO vs. CHI WHITE SOX
Toronto is 3-7 SU in their last 10 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
Chi White Sox are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi White Sox's last 6 games when playing Toronto

8:10 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. KANSAS CITY
Tampa Bay is 1-3-1 SU in its last 5 games ,when playing Kansas City
Tampa Bay is 1-8-1 SU in its last 10 games ,when playing on the road against Kansas City
Kansas City8-1-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Kansas City is 2-5-1 SU in its last 8 games ,

8:10 PM
BALTIMORE vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Baltimore's last 9 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baltimore's last 6 games
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Baltimore
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 9 games when playing Baltimore

8:40 PM
LA ANGELS vs. COLORADO
LA Angels are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels's last 6 games on the road
Colorado is 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Angels
Colorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

10:10 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. LA DODGERS
Philadelphia is 2-3-1 SU in their last 6 games ,when playing LA Dodgers
Philadelphia is 3-15-1 SU in its last 19 games ,on the road
LA Dodgers are 3-5-1 SU in their last 9 games ,when playing Philadelphia
LA Dodgers are 2-4-1 SU in their last 7 games ,at home

10:10 PM
DETROIT vs. SEATTLE
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing on the road against Seattle
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle's last 6 games when playing at home against Detroit

10:15 PM
NY METS vs. SAN FRANCISCO
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of NY Mets's last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of NY Mets's last 8 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
San Francisco is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco's last 5 games at home

 

[CNOTES]

MLB

Tuesday, July 7

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game of the Day: A's at Yankees
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oakland A's at New York Yankees (+102, OFF)

The New York Yankees are fighting off a trio of other teams for first place in the American League East and could use some momentum heading into the All-Star break. The Oakland Athletics, who visit the Yankees for the start of a three-game series on Tuesday, sit in last place in the AL West despite owning a better run differential than New York.

The A’s are among the most unlucky teams in the league this season and are gearing up to be sellers at the trade deadline at the end of the month despite their plus-49 run differential. Oakland dropped six of its last 10 games and three of those losses came by one run, including Sunday’s 2-1 setback against Seattle. The Yankees are trying to find more consistency in an offense that is averaging 2.4 runs over the last seven games, culminating in an 8-1 loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday. New York could find runs hard to come by again on Tuesday when they face A’s ace Sonny Gray, who opposes Nathan Eovaldi.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), YES (New York)

LINE HISTORY: Oddsmakers opened the Yanks as +102 dogs, which is where that line was sitting at the time of writing.

INJURY REPORT: A's - S. Gray (probable), P. Venditte (15-day DL), S. Doolittle (60-day DL), C. Crisp (60-day DL), T. Ladendorf (60-day DL), J. Parker (60-day DL), T. Thompson (60-day DL). Yankees - C. Beltran (15-day DL), J. Ellsbury (early July), B. Ryan (15-day DL), M. Williams (15-day DL), A. Miller (15-day DL), G. Petit (15-day DL), S. Heathcott (15-day DL), S. Santos (out for season), C. Whitley (60-day DL).

WEATHER WATCH: There's currently a 36 percent chance of precipitation in the New York area at game time with a chance of thunderstorms.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Sonny Gray (9-3, 2.09 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Nathan Eovaldi (8-2, 4.53)

Gray battled salmonella last week and is making his first start since earning a win at Texas on June 25. The 25-year-old allowed eight earned runs in 12 innings over his last two turns to see his ERA jump from 1.60 to 2.09. Gray went eight innings against New York on May 29 and scattered two runs and four hits while striking out five to pick up the win.

Eovaldi is riding a hot streak with three straight wins and is coming off the best of the bunch, when he held the Los Angeles Angels scoreless over 5 1/3 innings. The Texan did not go more than six innings in any of those last three starts but let up a total of four runs in 17 1/3 frames. Eovaldi yielded a season-high 11 hits but limited the damage to three runs in 4 2/3 innings at Oakland on May 30 without factoring in the decision.

TRENDS:

*Athletics are 4-0 in Grays last 4 road starts.
*Under is 5-1-1 in Athletics last 7 overall.
*Athletics are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
*Under is 5-1-1 in Yankees last 7 overall.

CONSENSUS: Fifty-six percent of users are presently backing the Bronx Bombers.

 

[CNOTES]

MLB
Long Sheet

Tuesday, July 7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CINCINNATI (37 - 44) at WASHINGTON (46 - 37) - 7:05 PM
JOHNNY CUETO (R) vs. MAX SCHERZER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
CINCINNATI is 8-26 (-15.5 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 48-75 (-21.9 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 48-75 (-21.9 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 32-61 (-22.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 4-18 (-12.2 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SCHERZER is 60-25 (+24.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
SCHERZER is 57-24 (+23.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CINCINNATI is 512-578 (+31.9 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 348-373 (+34.4 Units) against the money line in road games after a win since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 4-0 (+4.4 Units) against WASHINGTON this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.3 Units)

JOHNNY CUETO vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
CUETO is 6-3 when starting against WASHINGTON with an ERA of 4.06 and a WHIP of 1.274.
His team's record is 7-3 (+3.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-4. (+0.2 units)

MAX SCHERZER vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
SCHERZER is 0-0 when starting against CINCINNATI with an ERA of 1.50 and a WHIP of 0.833.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAN DIEGO (39 - 46) at PITTSBURGH (48 - 34) - 7:05 PM
TYSON ROSS (R) vs. FRANCISCO LIRIANO (L)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 233-180 (+35.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 78-46 (+17.6 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 78-46 (+17.6 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 95-67 (+16.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 64-36 (+18.3 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 31-16 (+11.9 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
PITTSBURGH is 29-13 (+12.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
LIRIANO is 20-25 (-12.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LIRIANO is 10-16 (-9.3 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LIRIANO is 0-6 (-9.7 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Tuesday over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LIRIANO is 20-25 (-12.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
LIRIANO is 2-7 (-7.7 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)
LIRIANO is 15-24 (-15.1 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 3-2 (+1.1 Units) against SAN DIEGO this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.9 Units)

TYSON ROSS vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
ROSS is 1-2 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 3.55 and a WHIP of 1.105.
His team's record is 2-2 (+0.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+1.5 units)

FRANCISCO LIRIANO vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
LIRIANO is 1-2 when starting against SAN DIEGO with an ERA of 1.97 and a WHIP of 0.969.
His team's record is 2-3 (-1.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-2. (+0.8 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ST LOUIS (54 - 28) at CHICAGO CUBS (44 - 37) - 8:05 PM
TIM COONEY (L) vs. DALLAS BEELER (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 8-2 (+5.8 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.5 Units)

TIM COONEY vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
No recent starts.

DALLAS BEELER vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
No recent starts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ATLANTA (41 - 42) at MILWAUKEE (36 - 49) - 8:10 PM
MANNY BANUELOS (L) vs. MATT GARZA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 11-26 (-19.1 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 60-69 (-21.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 41-42 (+6.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 31-27 (+8.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 36-49 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 3-9 (-9.0 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -150 this season.
MILWAUKEE is 15-27 (-15.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 13-24 (-12.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 36-49 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MILWAUKEE is 56-71 (-20.8 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 3-10 (-8.8 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MILWAUKEE is 12-24 (-21.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
GARZA is 11-22 (-14.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday since 1997. (Team's Record)
GARZA is 69-79 (-24.8 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 4-1 (+3.4 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.7 Units)

MANNY BANUELOS vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
No recent starts.

MATT GARZA vs. ATLANTA since 1997
GARZA is 0-4 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 4.93 and a WHIP of 1.241.
His team's record is 1-5 (-3.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-5. (-4.7 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHILADELPHIA (28 - 57) at LA DODGERS (47 - 37) - 10:10 PM
CHAD BILLINGSLEY (R) vs. BRETT ANDERSON (L)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 28-57 (-21.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 10-32 (-16.9 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 28-57 (-21.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 17-37 (-15.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 17-39 (-17.8 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 357-385 (+49.6 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
PHILADELPHIA is 397-374 (+48.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
LA DODGERS are 23-24 (-13.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA DODGERS is 1-0 (+1.0 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

CHAD BILLINGSLEY vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
No recent starts.

BRETT ANDERSON vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
No recent starts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NY METS (43 - 41) at SAN FRANCISCO (42 - 42) - 10:15 PM
BARTOLO COLON (R) vs. MATT CAIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 24-33 (-10.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
NY METS are 10-22 (-11.4 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 142-121 (+12.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 142-121 (+12.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 1048-883 (+111.7 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997.
SAN FRANCISCO is 63-58 (+10.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
NY METS are 33-25 (+14.1 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 3 seasons.
NY METS are 122-122 (+6.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
COLON is 47-31 (+14.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
COLON is 30-20 (+13.3 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 since 1997. (Team's Record)
COLON is 23-14 (+11.9 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
COLON is 13-3 (+13.3 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 7 or less since 1997. (Team's Record)
COLON is 47-30 (+15.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAN FRANCISCO is 20-37 (-23.8 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO is 13-18 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 16-24 (-12.5 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 3-13 (-12.9 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive losses this season.
CAIN is 16-30 (-21.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 10-21 (-16.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
CAIN is 16-30 (-21.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN FRANCISCO is 2-2 (+0.2 Units) against NY METS this season
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.1 Units, Under=-0.2 Units)

BARTOLO COLON vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
COLON is 2-2 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 5.46 and a WHIP of 1.449.
His team's record is 2-3 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 5-0. (+5.1 units)

MATT CAIN vs. NY METS since 1997
CAIN is 5-5 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 3.48 and a WHIP of 1.236.
His team's record is 7-6 (-0.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-7. (-1.3 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OAKLAND (38 - 47) at NY YANKEES (44 - 38) - 7:05 PM
SONNY GRAY (R) vs. NATHAN EOVALDI (R)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 38-47 (-17.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
OAKLAND is 36-45 (-18.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
OAKLAND is 81-75 (-18.2 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 5-15 (-11.0 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 12-23 (-17.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday over the last 2 seasons.
NY YANKEES are 54-59 (-19.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
OAKLAND is 3-1 (+1.8 Units) against NY YANKEES this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.1 Units)

SONNY GRAY vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
GRAY is 1-1 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 3.21 and a WHIP of 1.000.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-1. (+0.1 units)

NATHAN EOVALDI vs. OAKLAND since 1997
EOVALDI is 0-1 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 5.60 and a WHIP of 1.811.
His team's record is 1-2 (-0.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+0.9 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON (49 - 36) at CLEVELAND (38 - 44) - 7:10 PM
VINCENT VELASQUEZ (R) vs. COREY KLUBER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 49-36 (+10.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 15-8 (+10.6 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 12-7 (+9.3 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 49-33 (+13.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
HOUSTON is 32-22 (+7.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
HOUSTON is 32-18 (+15.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
HOUSTON is 59-59 (+11.2 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 38-44 (-15.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 15-24 (-17.9 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CLEVELAND is 0-6 (-8.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Tuesday this season.
CLEVELAND is 34-44 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CLEVELAND is 5-16 (-17.5 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.
CLEVELAND is 18-27 (-13.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
KLUBER is 4-13 (-14.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
KLUBER is 3-13 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
KLUBER is 2-8 (-9.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 2-2 (+0.1 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.8 Units)

VINCENT VELASQUEZ vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
No recent starts.

COREY KLUBER vs. HOUSTON since 1997
KLUBER is 2-1 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 2.29 and a WHIP of 1.068.
His team's record is 2-1 (+0.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.0 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TORONTO (43 - 42) at CHI WHITE SOX (37 - 43) - 8:10 PM
FELIX DOUBRONT (L) vs. JOSE QUINTANA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 75-77 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
DOUBRONT is 22-12 (+13.0 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997. (Team's Record)
DOUBRONT is 12-3 (+10.6 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CHI WHITE SOX is 2-2 (+0.2 Units) against TORONTO this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.1 Units)

FELIX DOUBRONT vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
DOUBRONT is 2-1 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 4.15 and a WHIP of 1.384.
His team's record is 3-1 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+0.9 units)

JOSE QUINTANA vs. TORONTO since 1997
QUINTANA is 4-1 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 1.80 and a WHIP of 1.125.
His team's record is 4-2 (+2.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 5-1. (+3.9 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TAMPA BAY (43 - 41) at KANSAS CITY (46 - 33) - 8:10 PM
MATT ANDRIESE (R) vs. EDINSON VOLQUEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 120-126 (-26.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 26-38 (-17.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday over the last 3 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 85-93 (-22.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 46-33 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 30-12 (+16.2 Units) against the money line at home with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 24-9 (+15.0 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 46-33 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
KANSAS CITY is 105-75 (+19.5 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 33-19 (+12.4 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
KANSAS CITY is 70-56 (+11.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 23-16 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 11-3 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in road games in July games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

MATT ANDRIESE vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
No recent starts.

EDINSON VOLQUEZ vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
VOLQUEZ is 2-0 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 2.66 and a WHIP of 1.033.
His team's record is 2-1 (+2.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-1. (+1.0 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BALTIMORE (43 - 40) at MINNESOTA (44 - 39) - 8:10 PM
KEVIN GAUSMAN (R) vs. KYLE GIBSON (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BALTIMORE is 5-17 (-13.0 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season.
MINNESOTA is 44-39 (+13.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 26-15 (+13.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
MINNESOTA is 44-39 (+13.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MINNESOTA is 23-19 (+9.7 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
BALTIMORE is 143-110 (+36.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 63-60 (+14.3 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 127-97 (+31.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 109-81 (+31.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 63-46 (+19.9 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 65-53 (+18.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 34-20 (+17.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 39-69 (-24.3 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 1-0 (+1.1 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.0 Units)

KEVIN GAUSMAN vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
GAUSMAN is 0-1 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 4.91 and a WHIP of 0.955.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

KYLE GIBSON vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
GIBSON is 0-0 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 1.80 and a WHIP of 1.400.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DETROIT (42 - 40) at SEATTLE (38 - 45) - 10:10 PM
KYLE RYAN (L) vs. TAIJUAN WALKER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 20-27 (-9.0 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
DETROIT is 62-60 (-14.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 41-27 (+14.0 Units) against the money line in road games after a win over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 38-45 (-13.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 17-24 (-14.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
SEATTLE is 33-44 (-17.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SEATTLE is 13-19 (-12.4 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.
SEATTLE is 47-57 (-27.1 Units) against the money line in home games after allowing 10 runs or more since 1997.
SEATTLE is 14-22 (-10.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 1-0 (+1.7 Units) against SEATTLE this season
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.0 Units)

KYLE RYAN vs. SEATTLE since 1997
No recent starts.

TAIJUAN WALKER vs. DETROIT since 1997
No recent starts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MIAMI (35 - 48) at BOSTON (39 - 45) - 7:10 PM
DAN HAREN (R) vs. WADE MILEY (L)
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 17-30 (-11.4 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
HAREN is 185-181 (-38.5 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
HAREN is 21-32 (-19.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday since 1997. (Team's Record)
HAREN is 172-174 (-44.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)
HAREN is 123-126 (-33.8 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
HAREN is 19-29 (-17.8 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
MIAMI is 23-14 (+11.7 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 83-85 (+21.9 Units) against the money line in road games when playing with a day off since 1997.
MIAMI is 175-161 (+30.5 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game since 1997.
MIAMI is 404-398 (+38.9 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters since 1997.
BOSTON is 39-45 (-12.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BOSTON is 605-547 (-81.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
BOSTON is 53-69 (-35.1 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 18-26 (-16.2 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 9 to 9.5 over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 32-39 (-14.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BOSTON is 75-95 (-29.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 79-97 (-26.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 14-24 (-13.2 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
BOSTON is 42-51 (-17.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

DAN HAREN vs. BOSTON since 1997
HAREN is 2-7 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 3.41 and a WHIP of 1.203.
His team's record is 3-7 (-3.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-5. (-1.3 units)

WADE MILEY vs. MIAMI since 1997
MILEY is 2-2 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 0.99 and a WHIP of 0.695.
His team's record is 2-2 (+0.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-3. (-2.0 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ARIZONA (40 - 42) at TEXAS (41 - 42) - 8:05 PM
ROBBIE RAY (L) vs. YOVANI GALLARDO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 104-140 (-30.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 199-237 (-61.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday since 1997.
ARIZONA is 104-140 (-30.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 41-42 (+12.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TEXAS is 18-14 (+9.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
TEXAS is 38-38 (+12.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
TEXAS is 31-28 (+13.8 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TEXAS is 22-19 (+9.6 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
GALLARDO is 8-1 (+8.2 Units) against the money line after a loss this season. (Team's Record)
TEXAS is 48-70 (-23.7 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 7-24 (-18.9 Units) against the money line in July games over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 4-12 (-12.7 Units) against the money line in home games when playing with a day off over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 35-57 (-21.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TEXAS is 1-1 (+0.3 Units) against ARIZONA this season
1 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.3 Units, Under=-0.1 Units)

ROBBIE RAY vs. TEXAS since 1997
RAY is 0-1 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 18.92 and a WHIP of 3.904.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.1 units)

YOVANI GALLARDO vs. ARIZONA since 1997
GALLARDO is 8-1 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 1.98 and a WHIP of 1.049.
His team's record is 10-3 (+7.1 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-9. (-5.3 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LA ANGELS (44 - 38) at COLORADO (35 - 47) - 8:40 PM
ANDREW HEANEY (L) vs. CHAD BETTIS (R)
Top Trends for this game.
COLORADO is 25-17 (+10.5 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 142-105 (+19.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 769-748 (+69.4 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 95-75 (+27.9 Units) against the money line in road games in an inter-league game since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 644-629 (+62.0 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 36-24 (+9.4 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
LA ANGELS are 550-529 (+51.3 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters since 1997.
LA ANGELS are 77-45 (+20.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 20-5 (+13.3 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 101-143 (-35.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 203-276 (-80.2 Units) against the money line in July games since 1997.
COLORADO is 13-36 (-26.3 Units) against the money line in an inter-league game over the last 3 seasons.
COLORADO is 101-143 (-35.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 60-99 (-36.8 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA ANGELS is 2-0 (+2.0 Units) against COLORADO this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.0 Units)

ANDREW HEANEY vs. COLORADO since 1997
No recent starts.

CHAD BETTIS vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
No recent starts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ST LOUIS (54 - 28) at CHICAGO CUBS (44 - 37) - 1:20 PM
TYLER LYONS (L) vs. JAKE ARRIETA (R)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 8-2 (+5.8 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.5 Units)

TYLER LYONS vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
LYONS is 0-1 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 12.97 and a WHIP of 2.161.
His team's record is 1-1 (-0.7 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-0. (+2.0 units)

JAKE ARRIETA vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
ARRIETA is 3-1 when starting against ST LOUIS with an ERA of 1.48 and a WHIP of 1.007.
His team's record is 4-4 (+0.5 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-6. (-5.4 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TAMPA BAY (43 - 41) at KANSAS CITY (46 - 33) - 2:10 PM
MATT MOORE (L) vs. CHRIS YOUNG (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TAMPA BAY is 120-126 (-26.0 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 26-38 (-17.3 Units) against the money line when playing on Tuesday over the last 3 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 85-93 (-22.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 46-33 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 24-9 (+15.0 Units) against the money line when playing with a day off over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 75-56 (+17.0 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 3 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 46-33 (+11.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
KANSAS CITY is 83-64 (+12.4 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 70-56 (+11.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
YOUNG is 24-16 (+11.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
YOUNG is 24-15 (+12.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
YOUNG is 16-9 (+9.6 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
YOUNG is 14-8 (+8.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
TAMPA BAY is 23-16 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 11-3 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in road games in July games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

MATT MOORE vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
MOORE is 0-2 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 5.30 and a WHIP of 1.707.
His team's record is 0-3 (-4.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-1. (+0.8 units)

CHRIS YOUNG vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
YOUNG is 1-2 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 7.71 and a WHIP of 2.286.
His team's record is 1-2 (-1.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.1 units)

 

[CNOTES]

MLB
Dunkel

Tuesday, July 7


Cincinnati @ Washington

Game 901-902
July 7, 2015 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cincinnati
(Cueto) 14.133
Washington
(Scherzer) 15.659
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-160
6
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(-160); Under

San Diego @ Pittsburgh

Game 903-904
July 7, 2015 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Diego
(Ross) 12.817
Pittsburgh
(Liriano) 17.308
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 4 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-160
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(-160); Under

St. Louis @ Chicago Cubs

Game 905-906
July 7, 2015 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
(Cooney) 15.817
Chicago Cubs
(Beeler) 14.150
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 1 1/2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
N/A

Atlanta @ Milwaukee

Game 907-908
July 7, 2015 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
(Banuelos) 15.486
Milwaukee
(Cravy) 11.959
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 3 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Milwaukee
-140
8
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(+120); Over

Philadelphia @ LA Dodgers

Game 909-910
July 7, 2015 @ 10:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
(Billingsley) 16.314
LA Dodgers
(Anderson) 15.428
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 1
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-270
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(+225); Over

NY Mets @ San Francisco

Game 911-912
July 7, 2015 @ 10:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Mets
(Colon) 16.628
San Francisco
(Cain) 15.552
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Mets
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Francisco
-140
7
Dunkel Pick:
NY Mets
(+120); Under

Oakland @ NY Yankees

Game 913-914
July 7, 2015 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oakland
(Gray) 13.667
NY Yankees
(Eovaldi) 15.445
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Yankees
by 2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oakland
-115
8
Dunkel Pick:
NY Yankees
(-105); Over

Houston @ Cleveland

Game 915-916
July 7, 2015 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
(Velasquez) 15.121
Cleveland
(Kluber) 14.130
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 1
8 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
-175
7
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(+155); Over

Toronto @ Chicago White Sox

Game 917-918
July 7, 2015 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
(Doubront) 16.536
Chicago White Sox
(Quintana) 15.032
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-115
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-115); Under

Tampa Bay @ Kansas City

Game 919-920
July 7, 2015 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
(Andriese) 13.512
Kansas City
(Volquez) 16.465
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Kansas City
by 3
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Kansas City
-125
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Kansas City
(-125); Under

Baltimore @ Minnesota

Game 921-922
July 7, 2015 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Baltimore
(Gausman) 15.032
Minnesota
(Gibson) 16.465
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
-110
8
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(-110); Over

Detroit @ Seattle

Game 923-924
July 7, 2015 @ 10:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
(Ryan) 13.677
Seattle
(Walker) 15.836
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Seattle
by 2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Seattle
-170
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Seattle
(-170); Over

Miami @ Boston

Game 925-926
July 7, 2015 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
(Haren) 15.489
Boston
(Miley) 14.336
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
by 1
10 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-165
9
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(+145); Over

Arizona @ Texas

Game 927-928
July 7, 2015 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
(Ray) 15.493
Texas
(Gallardo) 14.338
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 1
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Texas
-145
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(+125); Over

LA Angels @ Colorado

Game 929-930
July 7, 2015 @ 8:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Angels
(Heaney) 16.898
Colorado
(Bettis) 13.523
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Angels
by 3 1/2
12
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Angels
-130
11
Dunkel Pick:
LA Angels
(-130); Over

St. Louis @ Chicago Cubs

Game 931-932
July 7, 2015 @ 1:20 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
(Lyons) 14.130
Chicago Cubs
(Arrieta) 15.817
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago Cubs
by 1 1/2
9 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Cubs
N/A

Tampa Bay @ Kansas City

Game 933-934
July 7, 2015 @ 2:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
(Moore) 13.366
Kansas City
(Young) 15.445
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Kansas City
by 2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Kansas City
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Kansas City
N/A

 

[CNOTES]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Tuesday, July 7

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TULSA (8 - 4) at ATLANTA (5 - 6) - 7/7/2015, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
TULSA is 34-20 ATS (+12.0 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
TULSA is 24-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 3-1 against the spread versus TULSA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 3-1 straight up against TULSA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




WNBA

Tuesday, July 7

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8:00 PM
TULSA vs. ATLANTA
Tulsa is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
Tulsa is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Atlanta is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home

 

[CNOTES]

EARLY DOUBLEHEADER MATCH UPS:




1:20 PM EDT


931 ST LOUIS CARDINALS (L) Cooney, T
932 CHICAGO CUBS (R) Arrieta, J -145 -145

DH Gm 1 | STL-LF-Matt Holliday-OUT


2:10 PM EDT


933 TAMPA BAY RAYS (L) Moore, M 7.5u15 7.5u15 +1.5(-175)
934 KANSAS CITY ROYALS (R) Young, C -140 -140 -144 -1.5(+155)

DH Gm 1

 

[CNOTES]

MLB Consensus Picks


SIDES (ATS)


1:20 PM St. Louis +125 34 37.36% Chi. Cubs -135 57 62.64% View View


2:10 PM Tampa Bay +131 31 35.23% Kansas City -142 57 64.77% View View






TOTALS (OVER/UNDER)


2:10 PM Tampa Bay 7.5 6 28.57% Kansas City 7.5 15 71.43% View View

 

[CNOTES]

TUESDAY, JULY 7


Game Score Status Pick Amount


St. Louis - 1:20 PM ET St. Louis +125 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Chi. Cubs -

Tampa Bay - 2:10 PM ET Kansas City -142 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Kansas City - Under 7.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY

 

[CNOTES]

WNBA JUNE/ JULY RECORD:




*****...............................2 - 7 - 2
DOUBLE PLAY....................13 - 17
TRIPLE PLAY......................5 - 3
SLAM DUNK.......................10 - 7




MLB RECORD FOR JUNE/JULY:




*****.............................50 - 59 - 1 .............................- 5.22
double play......................85 - 88 - 2 .............................- 11.99
triple play........................32 - 27 - 1 .............................+ 19.32
grand slam......................49 - 55 - 2...............................- 35.04




CFL JUNE/JULY RECORD:


SINGLE PLAY.................................0 - 0
DOUBLE PLAY................................3 - 2
TRIPLE PLAY..................................1 - 0
BLOW OUT....................................0 - 1

 

[CNOTES]

Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack


-- Jon Lester got his first-ever MLB hit last night, had a no-hitter in 7th inning, but lost to the Cardinals 6-0. Montero caught him too, not David Ross. Does this mean Kyle Schwarber could be promoted as backup catcher soon?


-- Florida State is playing its spring game in Orlando next year, in the Citrus Bowl.


-- Detroit 12, Seattle 5-- Last sixteen Tiger games went over the total.


-- Mets 3, Giants 0-- SF lost its 7th game in row. Under is 10-2-2 in first game of a Met road series.


-- Joe Johnson will make $24.8M next season; why?


-- Congrats to AJ Burnett on making his first-ever All-Star team.


**********


Armadillo: Tuesday's List of 13: Clearing out a cluttered mind.....


13) I posted yesterday's article in this space with ten laps to go in the NASCAR race late Sunday night, around 2:30am, then turned my laptop off and watched the end of the race, which ended in a horrific accident, the scariest thing I've ever seen.


It is totally amazing no one died in that accident; those cars are built really well. If I had a kid and he wanted to race cars, though, think I'd have to discourage him.


12) Rory McIlroy tore ligaments in his ankle playing soccer over the weekend; that is an expensive injury, with British Open and PGA still ahead on the schedule. Maybe Nike can do a string of commercials dealing with his rehab- his ankle was in a walking boot-- doubt he makes it back before the PGA.


11) People in Montreal are excited over rumors the Red Sox will play two exhibition games there before next season- they're guaranteeing two sellouts if that happens, with all the BoSox fans in northern New England, which borders Quebec.


10) Michigan switched from adidas to Nike, third major football program (Notre Dame, Tennessee) to do that in last year or so. Expensive losses for adidas.


9) Darren O'Day is an All-Star but ARod isn't. Bleeping joke. ARod isn't one of last five guys because he would win the vote- they don't want him.


As for O'Day, he has started zero games and has two saves. Guys who aren't closers and aren't starters aren't one of the best six pitchers on their own team-- how can they be All-Stars? Joe Torre started this with Mike Stanton a few years ago; its yet another reason the All-Star Game has gotten ridiculous. Set-up guys shouldn't be All-Stars.


8) Braves' GM John Hart is doing a fine job in Atlanta; Braves are 41-42 when they weren't supposed to be very good, plus he dumped the hideous contract BJ Upton got on the Padres. But how can this be? Hart will be 67 years old in two weeks; he went to Seminole JC and Central Florida (a state university!!!)- how can he be fielding a team that overachieves if he isn't an Ivy League wunderkind? Interesting......


7) Meanwhile, the Cornell alum/genius who runs the Padres (and traded for BJ Upton, ha!!!) has his team at 39-46- they were 32-33 before he fired Bud Black, so that move has worked real well. But he went to Cornell so he must be smarter than most.


6) Popcorn remains an underrated snack. Very good.


5) JD Martinez has 11 homers in his last 13 games-- damn. Detroit's last sixteen games have gone over the total, partially because their pitching isn't as good as usual.


4) Poor Vin Scully; guy is 87 years old, works Dodger games by himself and had to sit thru a 4:13 mess last night in LA, when Dodgers beat a horrible Philly team 10-7. Phils' bullpen is so awful they left journeyman starter Sean O'Sullivan in for 124 pitches, and he never finished the sixth inning.


3) Long baseball games aren't necessarily a new trend; the longest 9-inning game in LA Dodger history was the one-game Giant-Dodger playoff game after the '62 season, which took 4:18 to play.


By contrast, the Buehrle-Sale matchup in Chicago last night was over in 1:54.


2) RIP Burt from Burt's Bees, (Burt Shavitz) who passed away this week at age 80. He started Burt's Bees at a roadside stand a long time ago and wound up selling it a few years ago for $900M.


1) Danny Lee won the Greenbrier golf tourney last weekend; one of his partners in the pro-am was Virginia Tech basketball coach Buzz Williams. Last year, Williams, who is a bad golfer (or so he says) was partners with Cameron Tringale, who finished 4th in the real tournament. Next year, have to find out who ol' Buzz is partners with.