Friday 4/22/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

At the Gate - Friday
By Mike Dempsey

Kudos to Canterbury Park, who on Tuesday announced they are lowering their takeout (vig) to the lowest in North America for this upcoming meeting, which starts on May 20.

I have been waiting for years for a track to do this, particularly a track that is subsidized by slot machines or other gaming. For a track like Parx to have slots infuses purses but a 30% takeout on trifectas is criminal.

Canterbury Park is located in Minnesota, a track not on many horseplayer’s radar screens, but that will change next month.

Takeout on win, place and show betting has been reduced from 17% to 15%, which exotic bets have been reduced from 23% to 18%. This will return more money to horseplayers and increase the churn the track gets on handle.

"Canterbury Park has long strived to be the most horsemen-friendly track in the country, “said Eric Halstrom, Vice President of Racing, Canterbury Park. “Now, we want to be the most horseplayer-friendly track in America. With the growth in the quality of our racing program we, with the support of our horsemen, are taking the next step and making our races the most profitable wagering opportunity. By changing our takeout to the lowest in the United States, we're giving horseplayers worldwide great value and drawing attention to what is sure to be the finest racing season in Minnesota history."

Horseplayers have been complaining loudly about the high takeout rate, and if Canterbury Park sees a dramatic increase in handle other tracks will have to choice but to follow suit.


Here is today’s opener from Keeneland to get the day off to a good start:

KEE Race 1 Md $75,000 (1:05 ET)
#6 Legal Eagle 5-2
#7 Conquest Nitro 7-2
#5 Silvertown 2-1
#4 Tree Top Lover 4-1

Analysis: Legal Eagle was a bit rank heading into the first turn while setting the early pace and weakened to finish fourth last out. The winner and fifth place finisher came out of that race to win next out. He makes his third start off the layoff and drops in for a tag for the first time here for the Catalano barn. He is out of the stakes winner French Park ($297,601) who has dropped five winners, top earner Parc Monceau ($247,980). He has a solid off track pedigree and there is rain in the forecast this afternoon.

Conquest Nitro drops in for a tag for the first time here in his sixth career start. He checked in fifth last out after a good second two back off the bench. Blinkers go on and he catches a softer spot here for the Casse barn that is having a good meeting, seven winners to lead all trainers. The barn is 24% winners when adding blinkers and rarely brings runners back so quick.

Wagering
WIN: #6 to win at 2-1 or better.
EX: 6,7 / 4,5,6,7
TRI: 6,7 / 4,5,6,7 / 2,4,5,6,7

Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Keeneland:

KEE Race 9 The Doubledogdare G3 (5:30 ET)
#2 I'm a Chatterbox 3-5
#5 Back in Dixie 15-1
#6 Ahh Chocolate 4-1
#7 White Clover 5-1

Analysis: I'm a Chatterbox makes her first start since a disappointing eighth in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1). She had a real good year, landing in the exacta in 6 of 8 starts and winning a Grade 1 and getting DQ'd to second in another. The Jones barn is 18% winners with runners coming back off a 61-180 day layoff and she has been working quickly for her return. She has never been on a wet track in the afternoon but is bred to handle it.

Back in Dixie has won five in a row, her last two for the Mason barn that claimed her for just $35,000 three back at Oaklawn Park. She comes in here very sharp and has won two of three on wet tracks in her career. She steps into a tough spot here but is going to be a generous price.

Wagering
WIN: #2 to win at 4-5 or better.
EX: 2,5 / 2,5,6,7
TRI: 2,5 / 2,5,6,7 / 2,4,5,6,7

Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Keeneland
R4: #5 All Aces 20-1
R8: #8 Melaleuca 8-1
R9: #5 Back in Dixie 15-1
R10: #7 Mill Bayou 15-1

Good luck today!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mohawk: Friday 4/22 Analysis
By Garnet Barnsdale

DRF HARNESS

Race 1 - $30,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool

Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool


20-CENT PICK 5: 6,7,8/3/5,7/1,2,4,5,10/5,7,8 = $18

EARLY PICK 4: 1,2,4,5,10/5,7,8/1,2,10/4,5 = $90

LATE PICK 4: 5,6,8/2,4,5/1,3/1,4,8 = $54

MEET STATS: 29 - 80 / $150.40 BEST BETS: 6 - 8 / $32.90

SPOT PLAYS: 0 - 8 / $0.00

Best Bet: SHES LIGHTS OUT (2nd)

Spot Play: SHADOWS MYSTERY (3rd)


Race 1

(7) SHES DEADLY goes for Waxman off the claim here and is sure to get an aggressive drive from Plante; top call. Both (8) CLASSIC COMEDY and (6) CAUGHT ME SPEEDING escape the red-hot mare Lucky Cocktail here and are top contenders in this field.

Race 2

(3) SHES LIGHTS OUT has been perfect as a sophomore and should continue her winning ways here, likely at a short price. (4) AMERICAN CURVES was sharp in her 2016 debut and is the main danger to the choice. (2) PARTY IN ROME tired badly on the lead last week on a track that was not kind to speed. She can rebound here with a better effort.

Race 3

(5) SHADOWS MYSTERY went a big trip last week to just miss in her first start over Mohawk. She should be right there vs. these. (7) CAMPS BAY rolled up from far back to just get up on the wire. She has improved racing at Mohawk. (3) MACH MAGIC comes in off a sharp qualifier and can take a share here.

Race 4

(4) RADAR TRAP was used up early in the Blossom final and understandably tired badly. She can take these with a more patient drive. (5) ST LADS SMOKIN HOT was a good Grassroots performer last year and was revved up a bit in her final qualifier. She looks ready to produce a good effort. (10) LAY LADY LAY showed promise last fall and is another that looks ready for this 2016 debut.

Race 5

(7) RENEGADE MAGIC was a good 2nd to a strong winner in her 2016 debut and can take this with a similar effort. (8) YANKEE PUZZLE was third in the same dash in a much-improved effort and looks like a logical contender in this field. (5) HURRICANE HAZEL pressed strong splits last week and tired late. She could go better here laying close to a softer pace.

Race 6

(2) PRINCE SHARKA won last time Filion drove three starts back and he returns here; angle play. (1) VELOCITY HEADLIGHT was pushed to some wicked splits last week and hung in well. He should be tough in here. (10) INTENDED STYLE shoots for four straight but the outer post may be his undoing here.

Race 7

(4) SOUTHWIND GEISHA was used hard early last week then came again to just miss on the wire. She should get an easier trip from the improved post position; top call. (5) A PLUS roared up from the back to win at a good price last week and should contend again here. (2) LITTLE MISS SPORTY has had a productive campaign this far and can sit a good trip here; using.

Race 8

(9) SOUTHWIND ALICE blasted up off cover to win in her debut in the new barn last week. She stands a good chance to double up here. (6) UTOPIA closed well into an accelerating pace last week; using. (5) JUSTCALLMERONALD will trip out in the pocket and score an upset one of these weeks; maybe tonight?

Race 9

(4) LIGHTS GO OUT sizzled home last week to pass all her rivals in the stretch. This short field gives her a chance to repeat although these are tougher. (5) WAASMULA slid off the rail just in time to pass two rivals late to nab the win the last time they raced a Mares Preferred. She is another that can take this contentious dash. (2) MS MAC N CHEESE is always a contender it seems. Trip will surely decide this one.

Race 10

(3) SHADYS ART vaulted up off cover last week to win for the 4th time in 5 starts. This assignment doesn't look much tougher; top call. (1) SELMAS WISH was battling a long way and provided cover for the choice last time. She could turn the tables with a better trip. (8) WHISTYS PARADISE changes hands here and will be closing late, as always. Toss her on late Pick 4 tickets.

Race 11

(8) BEYONCES ROCKN flew home last week from far back and is at her sharpest now. She will likely be put into the race much earlier here. (1) SHADYS M THREE was also motoring late but she is more likely to contend and fall short based on her record. (4) ARRIVISTA HANOVER should be leaving here and has upset possibilities off a covered trip near the front. (6) ST LADS PENNY LANE can close for a share from this improved post. (7) CALL IT COURAGE is another with a weak win record that should take a share.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Meadowlands: Friday 4/22 Analysis
By Derick Giwner

DRF HARNESS

Race 1 - $30,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool

Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

Race 7 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

MEET STATS: 158 - 537 / $928.40 (-$145.60) BEST BETS: 20 - 41 / $81.80 (-$.20)

Best Bet: MC TINY’S HOPE (10th)

Spot Play: SHAKE IT CERRY (6th)


Race 1

(2) CUP DAY SPUR N raced well last out, but just isn’t as good a horse as B L Class Act. Tonight he finds himself in a perfect spot and should be sitting close to the action. (5) MICHAEL’S WILD BOY has displayed the ability to gun down the road at times. Can Ehrenberg fire him up early? (7) FEISTY LOVE should be closing for at least a share; more if the pace is hot.

Race 2

(1) SODERBERG & (1A) HONOR ABOVE ALL form a powerful entry for trainer Jimmy Takter. Both are coming off solid qualifiers and look imposing in their 2016 debuts. (7) FREE WILLY HANOVER raced gamely in his latest qualifier; you can’t teach heart. (5) NEW SHERIFF N TOWN also won his qualifier but was tiring late.

Race 3

(3) TROTALOT broke in his last try here but figures to be firing off the gate if there are no miscues. (6) I’M FABULOUS has been racing well and gets one of the better amateurs this week. (2) DOC SIMON’S DREAM is certainly well spotted this week and driver Marshall IV has been hot.

Race 4

(1) PROMISE DELIVERED is a bit of an unknown in that he qualified at Southern Oaks Training Center, but you have to be impressed with the 1:54 4/5 clocking. He did keep up in some good miles at Lexington last Fall, so at least you know he has a hint of ability. (8) MIKKELI HANOVER must be a decent colt because Gingras came to The Meadowlands to drive this guy before heading to Yonkers; more this week? (7) SECRETCODE HANOVER looks okay if you toss the recent break. (6) MUSCLES ON FIRE won his career debut easily enough; can’t completely toss him.

Race 5

(6) STORM POINT raced well to be second in her 2016 debut behind a nice-looking Down Under import. A small step forward tonight should make her tough. (2) ANISTON SEELSTER wasn’t as bad as the last place finish would have you believe in her first start down from Canada for trainer Ron Burke; Gingras drives this week. (9) DELIGHTFUL DRAGON exits stakes action at Yonkers and may enjoy the change of scenery. (8) NOT BEFORE EIGHT won against this type two starts back, though that field may have been slightly easier.

Race 6

(4) SHAKE IT CERRY raced much better than I thought last week after just one qualifier. Multi-millionaire should be ready for a top effort. (3) BEE A MAGICIAN has looked super in the mornings but seems highly unlikely to show speed in her 2016 debut. If by some chance Sears can work out a cover trip, she’s likely a winner. (6) CREATINE came up second best behind the latter a week ago and should improve off that mile.

Race 7

(3) FASHION CREDITOR raced evenly from off the pace against a strong group last week. Now in his second start off a five month break in action, he should be ready to show more. (5) IN NOMINE PATRI has some form on his side and this barn has been going good lately. He could sneak into the number at a healthy price. (9) YOU’RE MAJESTIC had every chance last time out, but she should show speed and have a good shot once again.

Race 8

(6) B YOYO has found his form in recent starts and has proven that he can step up to even the top level when he is on his game. (5) ROCK OF CASHEL was out-kicked by the top choice last week but looms a serious threat. (4) RULES OF THE ROAD is capable of going a big mile on the engine and might be primed to do so in her second start off the bench.

Race 9

(5) B L CLASS ACT raced very well in amateur action a week ago and seems to be in a winnable spot where he out-drew his main competition. (8) COMMENATRY was sharp in his first start for the Harmon barn and deserves respect now. (9) SWEET JUSTICE is always dangerous when down in class; must consider. (7) MEADOWBRANCH WENDY finished with trot last time.

Race 10

(2) MC TINY’S HOPE was my top pick last week versus better and wound up an even third. Now he drops to the basement condition and has no excuses. (3) THE FRANCHISE was used hard early and had nothing left last time; another shot. (7) IMA GOLD DIGGER N should have been better after rating soft fractions last Friday. Maybe a switch to off the pace tactics will help? (5) ROYAL MALINDA switches to the big track and is eligible to awaken.

Race 11

(6) REQUEST FOR PAROLE was a solid second in a qualifier behind Open winner Always At My Place when last seen here. Her only prior Big M efforts resulted in a troubled trip and a 1:50 score. Don’t ignore this gal. (1A) DIVINE CAROLINE came up short in her first start of the year, but she is the fastest of the group if ready. (4) KATIE SAID did nothing wrong in her comeback qualifier.

Race 12

(6) BALLINEEN actually displayed some signs of life on the class drop last week. She drops down again this week and may finally be ready to wake up from her slumber. (1) DAVITA has been racing okay and gets a new set of hands at the controls. (2) FASHION ROCKER comes off an improved effort. (8) M A JACKIE picks up a more aggressive driver. (10) ROYAL ENGAGEMENT is clearly sharp now.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yonkers: Friday 4/22 Analysis
By Brewster Smith

DRF HARNESS

MEET STATS: 100 - 408 / $648.90

BEST BETS: 11 - 44 / $41.00

Best Bet: AUTOMATIC SLIMS (2nd)

Spot Play: WESTERN ROCKSTAR A (8th)


Race 1

(2) ARTHUR leaves the far outside slot and he figures to be ready for a better effort against these. (1) MR BIG LOAD put in a mild rally for third last out. (3) RILEYS LUCK could land a share with a much more favorable trip.

Race 2

(3) AUTOMATIC SLIMS is knocking at the door based on his last two tries; down the road is quite possible. (5) WAYNE THE LEFTY is very consistent and has hit the board 9 of 10 starts this year. (2) MONTREAL PHIL Even finish for the show spot last out.

Race 3

(6) SHARK FANTASY did not fire in his last try but the gelding seems capable of making a quick turnaround and good to see Bartlett with the assignment. (2) GRANDPA DON has wheeled off two straight victories against lesser company. (1) FAT MANS ALLEY sat a good trip to get the job done last time around.

Race 4

(7) SPORTING THE LOOK had good cover and just missed the score by a length. 4-year-old knows how to win and could top these with a well rated drive. (5) GIVEN UP TERROR Gelding was very game in his latest missing glory by 3/4 of a length. (2) EVERY INTENTION was late on the scene to grab the fourth spot recently.

Race 5

(1) VIRGIN MARY moves back to the fence where this mare took home top prize on March 11th and is very capable of retuning back to the winner's circle. (2) DUBLIN ROSE was sent down the road but did not have enough gas in the tank and lasted for fourth money last out. (4) MACHO CHICK rallied strongly as usual to nail down the place spot last week.

Race 6

(3) BETTOR N BETTER Strong rally to grab the victory in her last try. Pacing mare seems to be in solid form so two straight is clearly not out of the question. (5) MCCOVEY COVE N has been no worse than second and she is quite consistent; big threat. (4) SASSA HANOVER gets post relief and that might help her cause.

Race 7

(4) GOD FORBID N made a strong finish down the lane to grab fourth money last out. Brennan keeps the faith and with a favorable trip she could greet the cameraman for pictures. (5) GROUNDED took charge at the 1/4 pole and never looked back in her latest. (2) OUR ELS DREAM N was in the pocket most of the way only to lose glory by a neck; not out of this.

Race 8

(7) WESTERN ROCKSTAR A did not race badly in his last start at this level so there is an indication he is ready to boss these at his best. (1) SKY IS THE LIMIT got the job done via the pocket route last time around. (3) GOTTA LAUGH AGAIN moves back inside after he was a rallying fourth recently.

Race 9

(1) JDS CALEB MAN Gelding had his best run in quite a long time and hopefully this 10-year-old can put his best foot forward down the road; we shall see. (4) SUMMER CAMP has scored two straight victories and could contend despite the rise in class. (7) ARI ALLSTAR has been in the exacta in his last four outings; must be considered.

Race 10

(1) RED HOT HERBIE is clearly knocking at the door based on his last four starts. Now this gelding moves to the fence and with a fine-timed drive he will make tonight a winning one. (4) SKATES N PLATES needs to revert to his April 8th trip to contend with these; maybe. (3) TAKE MY PICTURE was sitting in the pocket most of the trip and had no kick in deep stretch last out but held on for third money.

Race 11

(2) KINGS BARNS Considering his last three wins were at Pocono, this gelding appears to be in solid form and should appreciate the return to Yonkers; can take this with Brennan at the controls. (4) PAMS LEGACY was sent down the road last time out for all the glory. (3) HANDS OFF FRANK is back on the rail where he was quite game for second three trips ago.

Race 12

Will give a shot to pacing mare (3) PASULTIMATEDELITE N to get back into the winner's circle. She just lost glory by a nose so despite the rise up the ladder this 7-year-old can top these. (4) KNOW IT ALL moved up in class to grab the victory making it two scores in a row. (1) EXHILARATED is in rare form scoring her second straight victory.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Friday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Aqueduct (4th) Bustin Aces, 5-1
(6th) Wolf Letter, 4-1

Charles Town (5th) Creative Mist, 7-2
(8th) Silver Warlord, 7-2

Emerald Downs (3rd) Touch of Einstein, 3-1
(7th) Cowboy Gold, 3-1


Evangeline Downs (3rd) Classy Yankee, 6-1
(9th) Tiz Showtime, 3-1


Golden Gate Fields (2nd) Ferrat, 9-2
(8th) Rue de Cry, 3-1


Gulfstream Park (2nd) Peace Militant, 4-1
(9th) Elnath, 9-2


Hawthorne (3rd) Tiz Lately, 4-1
(5th) Expect Elprada, 9-2


Indiana Grand (7th) Fancy Is My Name, 7-2
(9th) Discreet Glen, 9-2


Keeneland (4th) Cape Caroline, 3-1
(6th) Manitoulin, 5-1


Laurel Park (3rd) Hollywood Ice, 6-1
(5th) Bobcat, 7-2


Lone Star Park (1st) Derby Dude, 8-1
(5th) Victors Cowboy, 7-2


Los Alamitos (6th) L's Choice, 6-1
(7th) Top Fortitude, 5-1


Penn National (2nd) Prince Ray, 3-1
(6th) Xtra Special, 3-1


Tampa Bay Downs (6th) Carolina Speed, 9-2
(7th) Be Nice or Leave, 3-1


Woodbine (2nd) Leen and Classy, 6-1
(5th) Ode to Joe, 3-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays (7-8) at Yankees (5-8)

Game: 1
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: April 22, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

Matt Moore is slowly regaining his pre-surgery form and the Tampa Bay Rays' offense is awakening from an early-season slumber.

That could make for a bad combination for a New York Yankees team that continues to be plagued by untimely hitting and inconsistent pitching.

The Rays enter Yankee Stadium for Friday night's opener of this three-game series with plenty of momentum, having won four of five and breaking out offensively in Thursday's wild 12-8 victory at Boston. After tagging former ace David Price for eight runs in 3 2/3 innings to erase an early 5-1 deficit, they scored four over the final two after the Red Sox rallied to tie it at 8-all.

"That was a resilient win. I think that's fair to say," manager Kevin Cash told MLB's official website.

Tampa Bay (7-8) entered the game last in the majors with a .207 average and at the bottom of the AL with 40 runs scored.

While the Rays are surging, New York (5-9) is sputtering during its worst 14-game start since also going 5-9 in 2005. The Yankees have produced 18 runs while hitting .212 during a 1-7 stretch, and they're batting an anemic .101 with runners in scoring position over their last nine.

"I really believe there's a lot of talent in that room and we'll turn it around,' manager Joe Girardi said. 'We're just going through a hard time right now and you got to fight through it.'

New York fell to 0-4 against left-handed starters after being held to two runs and three hits by Rich Hill through six innings of Thursday's 7-3 loss to Oakland, completing the Athletics' first three-game sweep in the Bronx since 2006. Hill registered 10 of 14 strikeouts by A's pitchers.

The Yankees face another tough southpaw in Moore (1-0, 2.95 ERA), who fanned 10 over 6 1/3 innings in Sunday's 3-2 win over the White Sox. After going 1-4 with an 8.42 ERA over his first eight starts since returning from Tommy John surgery last July, the 2013 All-Star is 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 45 innings over his last seven.

'I do feel strong right now, which is something that the last 24 months has not been a word I've been using lot,' he said. 'I still feel like there's a lot of things I'm working on.'

Moore is 3-1 in six Yankee Stadium starts but owns a 5.63 ERA over the past five, issuing 15 walks in 24 innings.

He'll face a lineup that's received little of late from its heart. Mark Teixeira is 3 for 33 with one RBI over his last 10 games and Alex Rodriguez is batting .156 after going 0 for 2 Thursday.

Jacoby Ellsbury did record three hits Thursday and Brett Gardner, 8 for 17 over his last five, expects to play after not starting the last two games due to a stiff neck.

CC Sabathia (1-1, 5.06) makes his third start for New York and looks to bounce back from a shaky effort Saturday against Seattle, when he allowed three runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings of a 3-2 loss.

The Rays have been a challenging assignment for the veteran lefty, as he's 6-13 with a 4.31 ERA in 27 starts since joining the Yankees in 2009. Sabathia did defeat Tampa Bay last May and tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings at Tropicana Field in a no-decision on September 14.

Evan Longoria, who homered off Price, is batting .375 with six home runs against Sabathia. Logan Forsythe is 6 for 15 with two home runs in the matchup and went 3 for 4 Thursday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Athletics (8-7) at Blue Jays (8-8)

Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: April 22, 2016 7:07 PM EDT

Perhaps the Oakland Athletics were a little envious last year when Josh Donaldson developed into the league MVP.

Donaldson's first season away from Oakland was a rousing success and he'll try to help his Toronto Blue Jays post a seventh straight home win over the surging Athletics as they face Sonny Gray in Friday night's series opener.

The slugger was part of three straight Oakland clubs that reached the postseason before he was traded to Toronto before last season. Donaldson then extended his run of getting into the playoffs to four straight seasons with a career year while the Athletics finished with the AL's worst record.

Donaldson was 7 for 25 against his former team last year as Toronto (8-9) took five of six. The defeat was a 4-3, 10-inning loss July 22, in which Gray (2-1, 2.33 ERA) gave up two runs in seven innings with Donaldson going 2 for 3 against him.

Gray will make his first road start after going 0-2 with a 6.64 ERA in his final four of 2015. He allowed two runs in six innings of Saturday's 5-3 win over Kansas City, throwing a season-high 114 pitches.

"It was a frustrating game," he said. "I'd get two quick outs and then 15, 16 pitches later I'd finally get out of the inning."

Gray is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts versus the Blue Jays. Jose Bautista is 5 for 10 with a homer against him while Edwin Encarnacion is 1 for 9.

Oakland (9-7) has won a season-high five straight after completing its first three-game road sweep of the New York Yankees in 10 years with Thursday's 7-3 victory. The Athletics, who can begin 7-0 on the road for the first time since an 8-0 start in 1990, went deep four times as Mark Canha, Khris Davis, Chris Coghlan and Coco Crisp connected to help them end a three-game homerless drought.

'We're finally starting to swing the bats like we've talked about before and we do have multiple guys that can leave the ballpark and it was a huge part of the game today obviously,' manager Bob Melvin said.

The Blue Jays will start Aaron Sanchez (1-0, 1.35), who has been stellar and earned his first victory Sunday by limiting Boston to one run in seven innings in a 5-3 road win.

The right-hander has never started versus the Athletics, pitching two scoreless innings of relief against them in two appearances last year.

Sanchez is seeking to make it seven straight starting pitchers to defeat Oakland in Toronto's home streak in this series. Blue Jays starters have a 2.20 ERA in that run.

Toronto's bullpen will get a boost since Gavin Floyd will be available after the right-hander wasn't for Thursday's 3-2 loss at Baltimore since he threw 33 pitches the night before.

Of more concern is the status of right-hander Jesse Chavez, who was unavailable for all three games against the Orioles due to a sore back.

Toronto went 2 for 20 with runners in scoring position in losing the last two games in Baltimore.

'We're not getting the big hit. It's nothing more than that,' manager John Gibbons said. 'It's something that we're accustomed to around here, but we haven't had it yet. But it will come.'

A's third baseman Danny Valencia is expected to be placed on the disabled list after sitting out Thursday with a strained left hamstring.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins (5-11) at Nationals (11-4)

Game: 1
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: April 22, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

Gio Gonzalez surely would have notched a win by now had he been backed by more than one run.

Bryce Harper has been producing at least one every day.

The reigning NL MVP can match a Washington Nationals record with an RBI in a ninth straight game Friday night and help Gonzalez become the last member of the rotation to get a victory as he faces the visiting Minnesota Twins.

Harper has homered in six of the past eight games while recording 17 RBIs, at least one in every game. The only longer RBI streak by a Nationals player since the franchise moved to Washington in 2005 was Ryan Zimmerman's nine-game run in September 2012.

"I'm just trying to have good at-bats," he told MLB's official website. "I'm getting pitches to hit over the plate and sometimes hitting them and sometimes missing them, so I'm trying to be a little more patient."

Harper hit his eighth home run Thursday to tie Colorado's Trevor Story for the major league lead, but the Nationals (11-4) had only one other hit in a 5-1 loss to Miami. Daniel Murphy had a 12-game hitting streak snapped as Washington capped a 4-3 road trip.

"We've just got to go home and regroup now, and come out swinging against Minnesota," manager Dusty Baker said.

When he last appeared at home on April 14, the 23-year-old Harper became the eighth-youngest player to reach 100 home runs and did it with his first career grand slam. He had another Tuesday, part of his major league-best 22 RBIs.

Harper has driven in three of the four runs Washington (11-4) has scored in Gonzalez's two starts, but none of those RBIs came while the left-hander was in the game.

Gonzalez (0-0, 0.69 ERA) has yielded one run and seven hits through 13 innings against Atlanta and Philadelphia.

Showing better control under new pitching coach Mike Maddux has benefited the former 20-game winner, who has walked only three batters after issuing 3.54 per nine innings last year - fourth-worst in the NL.

Minnesota's Kyle Gibson (0-2, 3.57) has had similar control problems, with 3.01 walks per nine ranking 10th-worst in the AL last season.

The right-hander has been wild again this year with 10 walks in 13 innings, though he had only two Sunday and enjoyed his best performance. Gibson yielded two runs and four hits in seven innings of a 12-inning win over the Los Angeles Angels.

Joe Mauer is the only Minnesota player with more than five at-bats against Gonzalez, going 5 for 17 with two homers.

Mauer has reached base in all 16 games and is batting .339. The only other Twins regulars above .245 are Eduardo Escobar and Trevor Plouffe, who went on the disabled list Tuesday with a rib injury.

Miguel Sano hasn't moved into Plouffe's third-base spot even though that's his natural position. The 22-year-old remains in right field and is flourishing at the plate, batting .444 in the past five games. He homered and reached base five times in Thursday's 8-1 win in Milwaukee.

"I wouldn't feel overly comfortable sticking him (at third) just to play a game to give me a different outfield when he's taken 15 ground balls there this year," manager Paul Molitor said. "If it were a longer deal (with Plouffe out), you'd have to consider it as an option."

Sano isn't the only second-year Twins player who has gotten hot. Eddie Rosario homered in back-to-back games before going 4 for 4 on Thursday, helping the Twins (5-11) get their first road win after an 0-7 start.

The Nationals have won five straight at home.

These teams last met in 2013 when Minnesota lost two of three in Washington.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs (11-4) at Reds (8-7)

Game: 2
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: April 22, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

Jon Lester has a hard act to follow. So do the rest of his Chicago Cubs teammates.

Taking the mound after Jake Arrieta's no-hitter and a one-sided win, Lester attempts to continue Chicago's recent dominance of the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night at Great American Ball Park.

The Cubs' seventh consecutive victory over Cincinnati was as uncompetitive as it was memorable. Backed by an 18-hit attack highlighted by Kris Bryant's two homers and six RBIs, Arrieta threw his second no-hitter in 11 regular-season starts in Thursday's 16-0 rout that opened this four-game series.

Arrieta walked four and struck out six while throwing 119 pitches in the majors' first no-hitter of 2016 and first against the Reds in a regular-season game since Philadelphia's Rick Wise did so at Riverfront Stadium in 1971.

'I feel like I didn't do a whole lot,' catcher David Ross said. 'That animal was in control the whole time.'

Arrieta previously no-hit the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Aug. 30 during his 2015 NL Cy Young campaign. This one helped give the Cubs their first 12-4 start since 1970 and five straight wins in Cincinnati for the first time since the 1972-73 seasons.

Chicago, which swept a three-game set from the Reds at Wrigley Field from April 11-14, has won eight of its first 10 road games for the first time in team history.

Lester (1-1, 2.21) is coming off an impressive performance of his own, albeit in a losing effort. The veteran left-hander yielded four hits - one a solo homer to Nolan Arenado - and fanned 10 over 7 1/3 innings of Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Colorado.

'At the end of the day, I didn't execute one pitch and it ended up costing us,' he said.

Lester wasn't as sharp when facing Cincinnati on April 11. He allowed three runs in six innings and was on the hook for a loss before Chicago rallied late for a 5-3 win.

He was far better in his final 2015 regular-season outing, holding the Reds to a run and three hits and notching nine strikeouts in a 10-3 win at Great American Ball Park.

Jon Moscot makes his fifth career major league start for Cincinnati (8-8), which has lost seven of 10 after opening 5-1. The 24-year-old gave up two solo homers and three runs over 5 2/3 innings of his 2016 debut, not factoring in the outcome of a 4-3 loss Sunday at St. Louis.

'He did a nice job," manager Bryan Price said. "He's stretched and ready to go and he gives us a shot of life in the rotation, which is terrific."

Moscot, who began the season on the disabled list with a strained intercostal muscle, faces a potent Chicago lineup that homered five times in the opener. Anthony Rizzo has gone deep in consecutive games, Bryant had a grand slam among his four hits Wednesday and Dexter Fowler is 7 for 16 over a four-game stretch to raise his average to .393.

Lester will face a slumping Joey Votto, 0 for 17 over his last five games, and won't have to deal with Billy Hamilton with the speedy outfielder sidelined by a bruised left thumb. Hamilton is 5 for 7 against Lester and homered off him in the April 11 matchup.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians (6-7) at Tigers (8-5)

Game: 1
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: April 22, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

It's been a little more than two years since Detroit's Justin Verlander earned a victory against the Cleveland Indians.

The Tigers right-hander looks to change that Friday night when he tries to avoid a fifth straight losing decision to the visiting Indians.

Verlander's 18 wins over the Indians (6-7) are tied for his second-most against any opponent, but he is 0-4 with a 5.19 ERA in seven starts since beating them at home April 17, 2014. The former AL Cy Young Award winner also dropped his last two outings against Cleveland last season.

He last lost three consecutive starts to the Indians in 2008.

Verlander (1-1, 7.16 ERA), though, followed a rough seven-run, 10-hit allowance over 4 1/3 innings of a 7-4 loss to Pittsburgh on April 11 by giving up three runs on two first-inning homers and lasting six in Saturday's 5-3 win at Houston.

"With our offense, I give up three early, but you still know if you settle down, it gives us a chance to win," Verlander said told MLB's official website.

The Tigers (8-6) have lost three of four since that victory, and were held to five hits in Thursday's 4-0 defeat at Kansas City.

Ian Kinsler had two of those hits but Miguel Cabrera went 0 for 4, and is 2 for 18 in the last four games. Justin Upton is 2 for 21 with 10 strikeouts in the last five.

Detroit hardly made a dent offensively the last time it faced Josh Tomlin on Sept 4, when he allowed a run, four hits and struck out six in a complete-game 8-1 victory at Comerica Park.

After inclement weather delayed the start to his 2016, Tomlin gave up a solo homer, three other his and struck out six without a walk in five innings of a 7-5 victory over the New York Mets on Saturday. The right-hander left that contest due cramping in his hamstring, but knew it would not be a major concern going forward.

"I don't know if it was just the adrenaline of not pitching for that long," he said. "My hamstring kept grabbing at me. I knew it wasn't anything serious like a pull. It was just cramping up on me when I followed through."

Cabrera and Kinsler are a combined 10 for 27 with three doubles against Tomlin, but Victor Martinez is 1 for 13. That one hit left the park.

Though the Indians scored three more runs Thursday than in their previous three contests, they fell 10-7 to Seattle in 10 innings. Rajai Davis hit a three-run homer and Mike Napoli had a tying two-run shot in the eighth as Cleveland overcame an early 5-0 deficit but lost for the fourth time in six games.

"It's a hard game to win, but it would have been a great game to win,' Indians manager Terry Francona said. 'We kept coming."

Napoli is batting .310 with two homers in 29 at-bats against Verlander. Davis, though, is 2 for 13 and Jason Kipnis is 4 for 42 with 14 strikeouts against him.

A free agent acquisition in January, Davis will face Detroit for the first time after spending the previous two seasons there.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets (7-7) at Braves (4-11)

Game: 1
Venue: Turner Field
Date: April 22, 2016 7:35 PM EDT

Matt Harvey insists nothing's wrong. The way he's faded quickly in each of his last two starts has his manager believing otherwise.

Harvey isn't reaching for any of the multiple excuses that easily could be considered legitimate, instead owning up to his misfortunes that have plagued the New York Mets during his outings.

He'll be on the mound again Friday night looking to help the Mets beat the Atlanta Braves for the fifth straight time at Turner Field.

Harvey missed the entire 2014 season after Tommy John surgery, then demanded to pitch during the playoffs last year despite a being on an innings restriction. He pitched 26 2-3 innings during New York's run to the World Series, and some wondered if that would take its toll heading into this season.

Then, Harvey dealt with a bladder infection during spring training, but he said nothing in his past is to blame for what's happened on the mound. He's lost each of his three starts with a 5.71 ERA despite the last two beginning so well.

The right-hander retired 10 in a row at one point against Philadelphia on April 10 before allowing three runs in a 5-2 loss, then set down the first 13 he faced against Cleveland before giving up five runs and walking three through 5 2-3 innings of Saturday's 7-5 defeat.

'I felt fine and I was just cruising along, and obviously everybody watched what happened from there,' Harvey said. 'No one is more frustrated than I am now. My job is to keep us in games and put up zeros, and I'm not doing that.'

Manager Terry Collins said Harvey "has all the confidence in the world," but he's looking for more specific answers for why Harvey can't seem to find his groove. Harvey said he made some mechanical adjustments leading up to this outing.

'Right now, I'm concerned about him because he's just cruising along and it disappears fast,' Collins said. 'I've seen it before, but not with guys of his caliber. It's hard to explain and I don't have any answer for it. We've got to figure out why he's losing it so fast.'

The Mets (7-7) have found their stroke at the plate, though, hitting .288 with 19 homers to set a franchise record for a six-game stretch. New York, which homered twice in its first eight, set another record with back-to-back homers in three straight when Yoenis Cespedes and Lucas Duda did it Wednesday, but it wasn't enough in a 5-4, 11-inning loss to Philadelphia that snapped a three-game winning streak.

Cespedes homered twice during a four-game sweep the last time the Mets visited Atlanta. He's gone deep once off Bud Norris, who gets the ball for the Braves (4-11) in the opener of this three-game set.

Norris (1-2, 6.23 ERA) pitched seven solid innings in his Atlanta debut, but he hasn't been nearly as good since. He's allowed nine runs and 16 hits - three homers - while walking five in 10 1-3 innings over his last two.

The right-hander faced the Mets once last season while with Baltimore, giving up three runs in seven innings of a 3-2 loss May 5. He'll look to help Atlanta bounce back after it fell 2-1 in 10 innings to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday.

The Braves had won four in a row before dropping the final two of the series. They tied a season-high with 11 hits in the finale but managed just a first-inning run when Daniel Castro doubled off Clayton Kershaw.

"I think our record this year is not a great indication of how we've competed and how we've played most of the year," outfielder Drew Stubbs said. "We've been in most every game. We just have to keep moving forward."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Phillies (7-9) at Brewers (7-9)

Game: 1
Venue: Miller Park
Date: April 22, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

Though he seemed rather ordinary without his best asset, Aaron Nola remains one of the reasons the Philadelphia Phillies are optimistic about their young rotation.

Nola will try to recover from a lack of command Friday night when the visiting Phillies look to avoid their eighth straight loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Along with Jerad Eickhoff and Vince Velasquez, Nola is part of a staff that is the center of Philadelphia's rebuilding process.

Nola certainly showed promise in going 6-3 with a 3.53 ERA, 85 strikeouts and 19 walks over 91 2/3 innings in his first 15 career starts. He didn't issue a free pass over 19 innings of his previous three outings before Saturday, when everything went wrong.

The right-hander struggled to hit his spots, allowing three walks, seven hits and a career-high seven runs in five innings of an 8-1 home loss to Washington. The Phillies (7-9) have dropped his last six outings, though they've only provided him with eight runs of support.

Manager Pete Mackanin told MLB's official website that he attributed Nola's fastball issues to the ball running over the plate when he threw to his glove side.

"My plan of attack is to be aggressive. But there's different parts of being aggressive," Nola said. "There's being aggressive and making quality pitches, and there's hitting your spots."

Nola (0-2, 5.68 ERA) will try to execute that plan in his first start against Milwaukee, which ranks among the MLB leaders with 65 walks. The Brewers, however, only managed one free pass and five hits as they left 10 on base in Thursday's 8-1 loss to Minnesota.

Jonathan Lucroy extended his home hitting streak to seven games, and he's 11 for 23 over his last six meetings with the Phillies. Scooter Gennett went 12 for 23 against Philadelphia last season when Milwaukee (7-9) took all seven matchups.

The Brewers hope to bounce back offensively for Zach Davies, who had a rough season debut Sunday. The right-hander gave up six runs, three walks and eight hits over 2 1/3 innings of a 9-3 loss at Pittsburgh while filling in for the injured Matt Garza.

"It was tough, but there is always a new day," Davies said.

Odubel Herrera replaced Freddy Galvis as the Phillies' leadoff man and coaxed a walk for the seventh straight game in Wednesday's 5-4, 11-inning home win over the New York Mets. The center fielder owns a .517 on-base percentage over that span, and he's 9 for 21 with four doubles in six games against the Brewers.

Carlos Ruiz had three hits, Galvis homered and doubled, and David Lough and Peter Bourjos added two hits apiece Wednesday. Bourjos, batting ninth, beat out an infield single to give Philadelphia a split of its 10-game homestand.

'Bourjos came through twice for us,' Mackanin said. 'Once he starts swinging the bat like I know he can, I'll probably move him up.'

Ruiz, Galvis and Cesar Hernandez went a combined 3 for 30 when the Phillies totaled four runs in three games at Miller Park in August. Philadelphia enters this visit with 42 runs, the fewest in the NL.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers (9-6) at White Sox (10-6)

Game: 1
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: April 22, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

If starting pitchers Jose Quintana and Martin Perez match each other Friday night, the Chicago White Sox figure to have a major edge over the Texas Rangers because of their bullpen.

White Sox relievers have baseball's best ERA while the Rangers bullpen has produced the AL's worst heading into the series opener at U.S. Cellular Field.

Runs could come at a premium in this contest since Chicago's Quintana (1-1, 2.55 ERA) is 3-1 with a 1.84 ERA in his last eight starts while Perez (0-1, 3.44) is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in two career outings versus the White Sox.

A matchup of bullpens could be a mismatch since Chicago (10-6) sports a relief ERA of 1.62 while Texas is at 5.59.

That puts more an onus on Perez, who may be up to the task even though the Rangers (10-6) have lost his last five starts with three this season. He surrendered three runs in six-plus innings in Friday's 11-5 loss to Baltimore.

No White Sox hitter has more than one hit against Perez, with slugger Jose Abreu 0 for 4 with three strikeouts.

That's bad news for Abreu, who is hitting .190 with a team-high 18 strikeouts. He is batting .108 with one extra-base hit and 11 strikeouts in his last 10 games.

"I think he's chasing pitches, trying to do too much," manager Robin Ventura said. "When you're hitting .190, you're a .190 hitter and there's a reason why you're doing it and it's probably because you're chasing pitches.

"But is he better than that, do we expect more out of him? Absolutely. We have confidence that he's going to do that. But as soon as he stops chasing it, he's going to be just fine."

Abreu isn't the only struggling hitter for Chicago, with Todd Frazier (.206), Jimmy Rollins (.217), Austin Jackson (.170) and Avisail Garcia (.146) all off to slow starts. Frazier hit his second homer in three games in Thursday's 3-2 defeat to the Los Angeles Angels.

"The bottom line is nobody wants to fail and everybody wants to succeed and we've all been through it," Frazier said. "Early in this year there's a couple guys, including myself, that aren't hitting up to their standards and we all know that and we're working our tail off and we'll be fine in the long run."

The Rangers have won a season-high four straight after completing a three-game sweep of arch-rival Houston with Thursday's 7-4 home victory.

'A sweep of anybody is, obviously, anytime during the year is big,' manager Jeff Banister said. 'It doesn't matter the name on the front of the jersey.'

Ian Desmond, who entered Thursday with baseball's worst slugging percentage among qualifying hitters at .151, delivered his first homer with Texas with a three-run blast. He is showing signs of improvement by going 4 for 11 in the series.

'I'm believing in my swing," he said. "That's the stuff that I'm looking for. I'm not necessarily worried about hits.'

Shortstop Elvis Andrus is batting .429 during an eight-game hitting streak.

These teams split six meetings last year. The Rangers have dropped 10 of 14 meetings at Chicago.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Sox (7-8) at Astros (5-10)

Game: 1
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: April 22, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

Following a disappointing opening homestand, the Boston Red Sox look to turn things around on a five-game road trip that begins in Houston.

It's quite possible that could happen considering the way the Astros have begun their season.

The Red Sox can hand the Astros a fourth consecutive defeat Friday night at Minute Maid Park.

Boston (7-8) won three straight at one point on its 10-game home stretch but Thursday's wild 12-8 loss to Tampa Bay concluded a 4-6 stay. The Red Sox appeared in position to take that three-game set after getting out to a 5-1 lead in the finale, but David Price allowed eight runs over 3 2/3 innings and the visitors scored three times in the ninth.

"To jump out to a quick 5-1 lead, we feel like (we were) in pretty good shape," Red Sox manager John Farrell told MLB's official website.

Boston opened the season with a 3-2 trip and heads to Houston where it was swept in a three-game series last season. However, the Astros (5-11) are tied for the worst record in the AL after dropping all three at Texas this week.

"We have to continue to try to hold our heads up," said Houston's Colby Rasmus, who homered twice in Thursday's 7-4 loss to the Rangers.

Dustin Pedroia, who had three hits Thursday including his 1,500th, batted .449 in 19 games against the Astros before going 1 for 8 in two at Houston last season.

Steven Wright (0-2, 2.13 ERA) would love to have the support the Red Sox provided Thursday when he takes the mound in this series opener. The knuckleballer has allowed three earned runs in 12 2/3 innings of his two starts that both came against Toronto. But his teammates provided one run with him on the mound.

Despite that lack of run support, the right-hander is pleased with his solid start and credits former Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield for making it possible.

"I've just gained a lot of confidence working with Wake and just being able to stay under control," Wright said. "If I can stay under control, I can attack the zone.

"I throw such an inconsistent pitch, so the more consistent as far as staying back, attacking the zone and repeating my release point, the more I can throw quality strikes, and that's all I'm trying to do."

Wright last faced the Astros out of the bullpen in 2014, but his first career start came at Houston on Aug. 6, 2013. He allowed three runs and walked two in an inning.

Collin McHugh (1-2, 6.39) went 2-1 with a 2.95 ERA over the past two seasons against the Red Sox, but has been inconsistent through his three starts in 2016. He yielded six runs in one-third of an inning at Yankee Stadium to open his season then pitched seven scoreless to beat Kansas City.

The right-hander allowed four runs and 10 hits but struck out seven without a walk in 5 1/3 innings of a 5-3 home loss to Detroit on Saturday.

'I thought McHugh hung in there pretty well,' manager A.J. Hinch said.

David Ortiz is 0 for 7 with two walks in nine plate appearances against McHugh.

Houston's Jose Altuve is 18 for 35 with 10 runs scored and eight RBIs in his last eight against the Red Sox.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Dodgers (10-6) at Rockies (8-7)

Game: 1
Venue: Coors Field
Date: April 22, 2016 8:40 PM EDT

Scott Kazmir received plenty of pats on the back after his Los Angeles Dodgers debut. Then came his second start. And his third.

A couple of cringe-worthy efforts left Kazmir wondering why he deviated from what went so well in his first outing. He'll try to make some adjustments Friday night against the host Colorado Rockies, who send top pitching prospect Jon Gray to the mound for his season debut.

Kazmir allowed one hit in six scoreless innings to beat San Diego on April 5, but he's been awful since. In back-to-back starts against San Francisco, Kazmir gave up 10 runs, 14 hits and three homers while walking five in eight-plus innings.

"I was actually looking at video, just pitches that were not aggressive in the strike zone and four walks, that's a tell right there," Kazmir (1-1, 6.43 ERA) said after Saturday's 4-3 loss. "That's really frustrating, just not attacking hitters. Just getting out of my game, I think that was the main thing that I saw."

The left-hander will try to bounce back in a park and against a lineup with which he's unfamiliar. Kazmir's only start against the Rockies was at Coors Field in 2007, and the only batter he's faced more than six times - Ryan Raburn - isn't a regular starter.

Gray doesn't have much more familiarity with the Dodgers (10-6). He took his lumps after being a late-season call-up last year, going 0-2 with a 5.53 ERA in nine starts while working on a pitch limit. He faced Los Angeles once, giving up two runs and striking out eight in 4 2/3 innings of a 4-1 loss Sept. 14.

The right-hander began this season on the disabled list because of an abdominal strain and made two rehab starts before being activated.

"We've seen the stuff. He looks the part. He looks like the prototypical power pitcher," manager Walt Weiss told MLB's official website. "It's just a matter of sustaining that from start to start. There are a lot of good things that are in place with Jonny, and he's got a chance to give us a shot in the arm."

The Rockies (8-7) dropped the last two of three-game set at Cincinnati, including Wednesday's 6-5 loss that featured a couple of blunders. Dustin Garneau was called out on an appeal after review seemed to show he missed third base while scoring in the seventh, and Ben Paulsen misplayed a fly ball that led to two runs in the bottom half.

Paulsen hit a two-run double to tie it in the eighth, though, before the Reds won it with a single the following inning.

'This was a tough loss, but the guys did keep fighting, even after all the crazy stuff happened,' Weiss said.

The Rockies swept the Dodgers at Coors Field in the final meetings of last season, but this time will be running into a team that has won six of eight. Adrian Gonzalez had three hits and Yasmani Grandal drove in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning of Los Angeles' 2-1 win at Atlanta on Thursday.

Gonzalez went 6 for 11 with a homer and three walks as the Dodgers took two of three in the series. He's hitting .385 with 13 RBIs in his last 10 at Coors Field.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners (7-8) at Angels (7-9)

Game: 1
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: April 22, 2016 10:05 PM EDT

After another effectively wild effort, an unhappy Felix Hernandez vowed to clean up his mechanics before taking the mound in Anaheim.

The ace hasn't been without his best stuff often against the Los Angeles Angels.

With a chance to become the franchise's all-time strikeout king, Hernandez will try to lead the Seattle Mariners to a sixth victory in eight games and help them end a five-game losing streak at Angel Stadium in Friday night's series opener.

Even though he matched a career high with six walks Saturday, Hernandez earned his first victory after minimizing the damage in a 3-2 win at Yankee Stadium. The right-hander ended up allowing one run but was pulled after five innings after his pitch count reached 106.

Hernandez similarly scuffled on opening day when he had five walks and hit a batter, but gave up one hit and one earned run in six innings of a 3-2 loss at Texas.

"Mechanically, he might not be consistent, staying back over the rubber. He just hasn't had a feel for command of his fastball," manager Scott Servais told the league's official website. "Obviously, it's something he needs to tighten up."

Hernandez has been on his game more than not versus Los Angeles (7-9). He's 7-2 with a 1.37 ERA and 114 strikeouts over 92 innings in his last 14 meetings.

The only time the six-time All-Star has allowed more than three runs during that stretch was Sept. 15, when he gave up four over seven innings of a 4-3 home defeat. He has an 0.82 ERA in his last five at Anaheim.

He's hoping to continue his recent success with a chance to become Seattle's all-time leader in strikeouts. Hernandez (1-1, 1.00 ERA) needs one after pulling into a tie with Hall of Famer Randy Johnson with his 2,162nd punchout Saturday.

"Just to be up there with him, it's an honor," said Hernandez, who is also one victory shy of tying Jamie Moyer's franchise record of 145.

Hernandez will certainly have to be cautious with Mike Trout. He's 5 for 6 in his last two games after homering in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox.

"(I've) quieted myself down at the plate ... not trying to do too much and just hitting the ball hard," the four-time All-Star said.

Trout is also batting .385 with five home runs over his last 14 games versus Seattle and .354 with four homers in 65 career at-bats against Hernandez. It is the highest average of any of the 30 players that have faced Hernandez at least 50 times.

Albert Pujols, however, is hitless in 15 at-bats over his last four games and hitting .120 with one home run in his past 13 meetings with the Mariners (7-8).

Seattle improved to 4-2 on a nine-game road swing with Thursday's 10-7, 10-inning win over Cleveland. Robinson Cano went 3 for 5 and delivered the go-ahead three-run homer in the top of 10th, but hasn't had much success at Angel Stadium, batting .204 with one home run in his last 14 games there.

Nick Tropeano (1-0, 0.84) has pitched well in two starts, but had to settle for a no-decision after allowing one run over 5 2-3 innings in Sunday's 3-2, 12-inning loss at Minnesota.

The right-hander, who is filling in for the injured Andrew Heaney, has surrendered four runs over 10 innings in winning both career outings versus Seattle.

The Angels took 12 of 19 matchups last season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Marlins (5-9) at Giants (7-9)

Game: 1
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: April 22, 2016 10:15 PM EDT

After scoring the second-fewest runs in the majors last season, the Miami Marlins brought in Barry Bonds as their hitting coach to help turn things around.

The move hasn't resulted in a major bump in production just yet, but the Marlins are coming off a solid day at the plate as they begin a three-game series Friday night against the skidding San Francisco Giants in Bonds' return to the Bay Area.

Miami scored 613 runs for an average of 3.78 to rank ahead of only Atlanta in 2015, and when Don Mattingly was hired as manager, owner Jeffrey Loria suggested adding Bonds to the staff.

The Marlins (5-9) are scoring 3.93 runs per game, though they are among the NL leaders with a .263 batting average.

"It's nice to be back on the field," Bonds said. "I like it a lot. It feels better on this side than when I was playing. I was always focused in on, 'I've got to do the next job. I've got to go play defense.' Now I get to be on this side and enjoy it."

The Marlins salvaged a split in their four-game series against visiting Washington with a 5-1 win Thursday. They won the opener 6-1 before totaling one run in the next two.

"It's not how you start, it's how you finish," Bonds said. "These guys are young players. You expect bumps in the road. That's the whole challenge of it."

He can certainly give those young players some pointers on hitting in San Francisco. Bonds, the career leader with 762 home runs and a record seven-time MVP, played there from 1993 until his career ended in 2007.

"It's not going to feel strange," Bonds said. "That's my home. That will always be my home. I don't feel strange at home."

Jeff Samardzija will finally get a chance to pitch in his new home after going 1-1 with a 3.72 ERA in his first three starts with the Giants (7-10). He gave up three runs over seven-plus innings of a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.

The right-hander is 2-1 with a 4.54 ERA in six starts against the Marlins, last facing them in June 2014 with the Chicago Cubs. Giancarlo Stanton is 3 for 16 with six strikeouts in their matchups, while Adeiny Hechavarria has gone 6 for 9 with a homer.

Miami will send Jarred Cosart (0-0, 6.10 ERA) to the mound for his second career start against the Giants. The right-hander allowed four runs over four innings in a 6-0 loss at AT&T Park last May.

"It's one of my favorite parks, the atmosphere," Cosart told MLB's official website. "They have a good lineup and some guys that can hurt you."

That hasn't been the case lately for the Giants, who lost their fifth straight and fell for the eighth time in nine games with a 6-2 defeat to Arizona on Thursday.

San Francisco has been held to two runs or fewer four times while going 3 for 35 with runners in scoring position during the five-game slide.

"That's what we're missing, a timely hit," manager Bruce Bochy said. "You always look like this when you don't get those hits. We need someone to inject some life in us."

The Marlins have won three straight and six of the last eight meetings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Baseball's best Over and Under bets are coming from unlikely sources
By JASON LOGAN

If you hear something long enough, you’re bound to start accepting it as fact. For quite some time, people thought the world was flat – and apparently some still do.

The same can be said about the American and National Leagues. Baseball’s Junior Circuit (AL) has a stigma as a ball-crushing league, with big scores and towering home runs – thanks in large part to the designated hitter. The Senior Circuit (NL) is oft-thought of as a pitchers’ league, with tighter low-scoring baseball taking place.

Those views may be misconceptions, at least as far as the 2016 MLB season is concerned. Heading into the schedule for Monday April 20, the “power-hitting” American League boasted a 31-53-6 Over/Under count against its own – staying Under the total 63 percent of the time. The “pitcher-friendly” National League, on the other hand, was an even-keel 47-46-2 Over/Under, with Interleague games topping the total at 13-5 O/U – 72 percent.

“It’s interesting that you bring it up,” says Peter Korner, founder of Las Vegas-based odds service The Sports Club, when presented this current betting trend. “All my other oddsmakers were giving me really low totals in the American League and I asked, ‘Why so low?’”.

“They noticed it before I did. We have some much lower totals than we normally would but they’re still going Under,” Korner continues. “To me, at this time in the season early on, the pitching is ahead of the hitting, in terms of timing and everything.”

The biggest standouts in terms of divisions and their totals outcomes in each respective league are the American League East and National League Central.

The AL East, once considered the most dangerous group in baseball because of the stacked lineups of the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Orioles, has produced a 16-25-3 Over/Under record as of Monday – 61 percent Unders – to start the 2016 campaign. And games played between two AL East members in that span are 7-14-2 O/U, a 68 percent winner for the Under, with an average of 8.05 runs scored versus an average betting total of 8.39 runs per game.

The NL Central, which owned the top three team ERAs last season, is a collective 34-20-0 Over/Under, playing above the oddsmakers’ projected total 60 percent of the time. There has been an average of 9.2 runs scored in games involving at least one NL Central member versus an average betting total of 7.8 runs per game.

So what’s behind these profitable numbers? Is it market misconception when it comes to how baseball bettors view respective leagues and their divisions? Teddy Covers, handicapper and Las Vegas resident, says there are myriad factors playing into these early season trends.

“It’s a bunch of micro decisions making this macro trend,” he says. “I see it as more static than useful data, honestly. And seeing these kind of trends early on is not unusual.”

Teddy Covers points out specific reasons why the American League East is staying Under – “The Yankees bullpen. Toronto isn’t hitting yet. Baltimore’s pitching has been better than expected. Tampa Bay is pretty much an Under play all season.” – and why the National League Central keeps topping the totals – “The Cubs and Cardinals are crushing the ball, ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in runs. The Pirates relievers and starters have sucked.”

Like many early-season MLB trends, they almost always correct themselves over the course of the marathon baseball season. And whether it be pitching having the edge over hitting, low totals making it easier to go over, or a combined number of circumstances creating these edges, MLB bettors should be on the lookout for life back in the bats of the American League East and pitching taking its place at the top of the National League Central.

On the season, MLB games have produced a 97-114 count – a 54 percent edge for the Under. Last year finished 1,178-1,122 O/U (51% Over) and over the past five baseball seasons, never has the final Over/Under count leaned more 51.7 percent either way.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Friday's Diamond Notes
By Kevin Rogers

Hottest team: Diamondbacks (5-0 last five)
Following a 3-7 start to the season, Arizona has heated up by winning six of its last seven games and five in a row. The D-backs swept the Giants in a four-game sweep at AT&T Park, while allowing just three runs in the final three victories. Zack Greinke has gotten on track by winning his last two starts, including a 2-1 triumph over Madison Bumgarner and the Giants on Wednesday. The D-backs return home to battle the Pirates for a three-game series as Arizona looks to improve on a 2-5 mark at Chase Field.

Coldest team: Giants (0-5 last five)
San Francisco began the campaign with a solid 6-2 record, but things have unraveled for the Giants of late. Bruce Bochy’s club has lost eight of their last nine games, with each of those eight defeats coming to division foes Arizona, Los Angeles, and Colorado. Coincidentally, the last time San Francisco was swept at AT&T Park came last June against Arizona as the Giants fell to 1-9 in their last 10 home matchups with the D-backs. San Francisco begins a three-game set with Miami, as the Marlins captured five of seven meetings with the Giants in 2015.

Hottest pitcher: Felix Hernandez, Mariners (1-1, 1.00 ERA)
The former Cy Young award winner has started out of the gate by allowing two earned runs in his first three starts. Hernandez grabbed his first victory of the season against the Yankees last Saturday, even though it was his shortest outing by tossing five innings and walking six batters. King Felix split six starts against the Angels last season, but the Mariners are 5-2 in his last seven outings in Anaheim since 2013.

Coldest pitcher: Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (0-2, 8.27 ERA)
The St. Louis right-hander has struggled this season, while coming off a pair of awful starts against the Braves and Reds. Wainwright gave up 16 hits and 12 earned runs in only 10.1 innings of work, but the Cardinals’ offense plated 20 runs in his last two outings (1-1). Wainwright is making his first start at Petco Park since May 2013, as the Cardinals are 3-0 in his last three outings against the Padres.

Biggest UNDER run: Blue Jays (8-0 last eight)
Not many people would believe that Toronto’s explosive lineup would produce eight consecutive ‘unders,’ but that’s the case after cashing the ‘under’ in all seven games on their road swing at Boston and Baltimore. In seven of the eight ‘unders’ in this stretch, Toronto has scored four runs or fewer, while the last four games have been decided by one run apiece. The Blue Jays host the Athletics, who have hit the ‘under’ in five of six road games this season, while allowing just 11 runs on the highway.

Biggest OVER run: Red Sox (2-0 last two)
Granted, it’s not a very long streak, but we’ll focus on Boston since the Sox are 4-1 to the ‘over’ away from Fenway Park. Boston is coming off a pair of ‘overs’ against Tampa Bay, while blowing a 5-1 lead in Thursday’s 12-8 setback to the Rays. The Red Sox are hitting the road for the first time following a 10-game homestand as John Farrell’s team has scored at least six runs in four of five road contests. Boston sailed ‘over’ the total in four of six matchups with Houston last season, but scored a combined nine runs in three losses at Minute Maid Park.

Matchup to watch: Dodgers vs. Rockies
Los Angeles continues its six-game road trip after taking two of three from Atlanta. The Dodgers lead the NL West with a 10-6 record, which includes a 4-3 mark on the road against division opponents. However, Los Angeles has lost five of the last seven visits to Coors Field, while getting swept at Colorado last September. The Rockies return home following a 3-3 road trip, as two of those victories came at Wrigley Field over the Cubs. Right-hander Jonathan Gray makes his first start of the season for the Rockies, as Colorado put together a 1-4 record in his five home starts in 2015.

Betcha didn’t know: The Brewers won all seven matchups with the Phillies last season, while finishing ‘under’ the total in a three-game sweep at Miller Park. Philadelphia compiled a 4-0 record in right-hander Aaron Nola’s first four road starts last season, but the Phillies have currently lost each of his past four away outings since last September, including a 3-2 defeat at Cincinnati in the opening series.

Biggest public favorite: Cubs (-200) at Reds

Biggest public underdog: Orioles (+105) at Royals

Biggest line move: Astros (-130 to -145) vs. Red Sox

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Friday, April 22, 2016, Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews

Here's guessing that Mets third baseman David Wright can't wait to get to the plate on Friday in Atlanta after Thursday's day off. Wright no doubt would like to get the sour taste out of his mouth from Wednesday in Philadelphia when he had perhaps the worst game of his career at the plate. Wright was 0-for-6 with four strikeouts. He missed on 10 of his 12 total swings. Entering the game, his previous high miss percentage in a game dating to the start of the 2015 season was just 45.5 percent. Wright hadn't struck out more than twice in a game this season.


Twins at Nationals (-170, 7.5)

This is your interleague matchup of the weekend -- and apparent mismatch of the weekend -- so Minnesota loses the DH. It's the second straight series in an NL park for the Twins as they finished off a set in Milwaukee on Thursday afternoon. They go with Kyle Gibson (0-2, 3.57) here. Minnesota has scored just five total runs in his three starts. Last time out, Gibson took a no-decision in allowing two runs and four hits over seven innings against the Angels. He has had some control problems with 10 walks in 17.2 innings. Gibson has never faced Washington. But Daniel Murphy has seen him and is 2-for-3 with an RBI. It's not clear if Nats outfielder Jayson Werth will play here. He left Wednesday's game with tightness in his left hamstring and then got Thursday off. Washington lefty Gio Gonzalez (0-0, 0.69) is off to the best start of his career, but the Nationals haven't scored much in his two starts. Gonzalez has allowed only seven hits in 13 innings. Joe Mauer has seen him more than any Twin, going 5-for-17 with two homers.

Key trends: The Twins are 3-8 in Gibson's past 11 series openers. They are 2-7 in his past nine interleague games. Washington is 5-0 in its past five at home. The "over/under" has gone under in six straight Gibson starts vs. teams with a winning record.

Early lean: Nationals and under.

Rays at Yankees (+104, 8)

Lefty Matt Moore (1-0, 2.95) is scheduled for Tampa and in the early going he looks back to pre-Tommy John surgery form. Last time out, Moore allowed two runs and five hits over 6.1 innings against the White Sox while striking out 10 and walking none. This will be his first road start of the year. He was 1-2 with a 6.94 ERA in five away starts last year. Moore pitched once against the Yankees in 2015, allowing two runs in 4.2 innings. Alex Rodriguez is 3-for-10 with an RBI and five strikeouts against him. Mark Teixeira is 2-for-5 with a double. New York enters having lost three straight series. The Yankees turn to lefty CC Sabathia (1-1, 5.06). He lasted just 4.2 innings in his last start vs. Seattle, allowing three runs and seven hits. Sabathia wasn't very good in 2015, either, but was 1-0 with a 1.98 ERA in two starts vs. the Rays. Evan Longoria hits him hard, batting .385 with six homers and 14 RBIs in 64 at-bats. Logan Forsythe is 6-for-15 with two homers.

Key trends: The Rays are 6-0 in Moore's past six starts. The Yankees are 0-5 in their past five against a lefty. The under is 6-1 in Moore's past seven.

Early lean: Rays and under.

A's at Blue Jays (-129, 8.5)

On paper, this looks to be the best pitching matchup of the day. It's ace Sonny Gray (2-1, 2.33) for Oakland. He had his third straight quality start last Saturday, allowing one earned run over six innings on seven hits. He struck out six. Gray threw a season-high 114 pitches. Gray made one start against Toronto last year and allowed two runs and nine hits over seven innings in a no-decision. Jose Bautista is 5-for-10 with a homer and two RBIs off him. Former teammate Josh Donaldson is 2-for-3. The Jays entered the spring thinking Aaron Sanchez (1-0, 1.35) would come out of the bullpen, but he won a rotation spot with his performances. Sanchez has allowed just 10 hits in 20 innings over three starts while striking out 20. Sanchez pitched two scoreless innings vs. Oakland in 2015. No Oakland batters have more than one official at-bat against him.

Key trends: The A's are 0-4 in Gray's past four road starts. The over is 7-3 in his past 10. The under is 6-1 in Sanchez's past seven at home.

Early lean: A's and under.

Mets at Braves (+163, 7.5)

If you are wondering, Wright hit .310 against Atlanta pitching last season with two homers and five RBIs in 29 at-bats -- Wright only played 38 regular-season games total in 2015. Wright hasn't had much success off Atlanta starter Bud Norris, going 1-for-11 with six strikeouts. Norris (1-2, 6.23) didn't deserve a win last time out in allowing four runs and seven hits in 5.1 innings vs. Miami but got it. Norris has allowed 22 hits in 17.1 innings this season. He's just not very good. Neil Walker hits him the best of the Mets, going 9-for-23 with a double, homer and five walks. What's up with Matt Harvey (0-3, 5.71)? His velocity is bit down thus far, but the Mets think he's simply pressing. Harvey, who says he feels fine, has struck out only nine batters in 17⅓ innings. Harvey made one start vs. Atlanta in 2015 and lost despite allowing a run in 6.2 innings. Freddie Freeman is 0-for-6 off him.

Key trends: The Mets are 7-0 in their past seven Friday games. They are 6-1 in Harvey's past seven with five days of rest. The Braves are 0-5 in their past five against right-handers. The over is 7-1 in Harvey's past eight on the road.

Early lean: Mets and over.

Dodgers at Rockies (+125, 11)

L.A. had to fly out of Atlanta on Thursday evening for this series opener. The Dodgers go with lefty Scott Kazmir (1-1, 6.43) here. He was fantastic in his season debut in shutting out the Padres on one hit over six innings. But those are the Padres. His past two starts were both against the Giants, and Kazmir lasted four innings in both, giving up 10 runs and 14 hits combined. So who knows what he is yet. Kazmir didn't face the Rockies last year. For Colorado, it's top pitching prospect Jon Gray making his season debut. I always monitor Gray because the Cubs were considering taking him at No. 2 overall in the 2013 draft but instead wisely chose Kris Bryant. Gray went No. 3 to the Rockies. An abdominal strain landed Gray on the disabled list to start the season. He was 0-2 with a 5.53 ERA in nine starts last year as a rookie. Gray made one start vs. L.A. and allowed two runs in 4.2 innings in a loss.

Key trends: The Dodgers are 3-7 in their past 10 series openers. The Rockies are 6-1 in their past seven Friday games. The over is 5-0 in Gray's past five at home.

Early lean: Rockies and over.