Friday 6/17/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Meadowlands: Friday 6/17 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

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 50 - 140 / $273.20 (-$6.80) BEST BETS: 7 - 12/ $17.50 (-6.50)

Best Bet: WORLD CUP (3rd)

Spot Play: JAZEBEL DE VIE (10th)


Race 1

(3) I C CAVIAR hooked up successfully with Marshall IV here back in April and has maintained his form nicely over the last few months. (4) JACKS TO OPEN has been a consistent threat in the amateur ranks with Hannah Miller at the controls and could take charge from the onset in this spot. (8) KEYSTONE THOMAS has plenty of early speed and a good record with amateur Hechkoff in the bike.

Race 2

(2) HEELS ON THE BEACH seems to have an affinity for the front but hasn’t been able to stay the mile. She qualified back nicely and doesn’t exactly face a field of winners, so this looks like a good spot. (5) HUG A DRAGONESS comes off two solid efforts and is clearly a win player. (6) IVY LEAGUE has some big-name parents, but hasn’t lived up to the hype as of yet.

Race 3

(2) WORLD CUP was back on his game with the return to The Meadowlands last time and shouldn’t be hurt by the addition of David Miller. (1) UPFRONT BILLY ships in sharp, has inside position, early speed, and Tetrick; plenty to like. (3) CROSBYS CLAM BAKE can leave fast and should make some noise.

Race 4

(2) SEASIDE ILLUSION hasn’t been able to put it all together yet in her three-race career, but does catch a softer group this week. Anything less than a win this week is a disappointment. (4) GLAD ALL OVER raced okay versus NJSS foes and should be dangerous on the class drop. (1) DREAM MERCHANT was short in his 2016 debut; more now?

Race 5

(4) DOC SIMON’S DREAM comes off a positive effort where she finished second at big odds. She looks as good as any in this Amateur race and has some early speed to utilize as well. (2) SHANGHAI JACK is sure to be leaving fast off the gate and should be a major player. (6) CAPTAIN PRIMEAU has consistently been getting a nice share and should hit the bottom of the exotics somewhere. (7) GUILTYWITHANEXCUSE is certainly in a winnable spot if he brings his best game.

Race 6

(4) TOTALLY RUSTY failed on the engine last time and I expect she’ll return to the off-the-pace tactics that helped her win two of her last four starts here. She should offer fair value this week. (1) SHEEZA SHARK N is developing a knack for getting up a bit too late. She remains a serious player. (3) GWENEEEE J was used hard last week and paid the price late; can do better.

Race 7

(4) CLEMENTINE DREAM raced evenly after a four week break. This looks like a close-knit group and she should offer a bit of value. (2) SPIDER BLUE CHIP seems to have found his class for new trainer Mark Ford. (7) B YOYO romped versus easier last week. (3) MEADOWBRANCH WENDY looks good if you draw a line through the break in her last outing. (6) SWEET JUSTICE is sharp enough to upset.

Race 8

(3) IDEAL NUGGETS wasn’t exactly loaded with pace in her qualifier, but she was facing some good boys that day. In a field full of question marks, I’ll take a shot that she is ready to roll. (4) BETTOR BE STEPPIN is supposed to handle this field, but this horse and the barn in general hasn’t exactly been lighting the world on fire of late. (5) CAPELA couldn’t lose at Yonkers back in March and qualified well behind Pure Country.

Race 9

(4) WINNING DOUBLE flashed early speed on the drop to this level and finished a good second. The addition of Callahan in the bike is a nice one. (7) BLUE MUSE typically does his best work one class lower than he faces tonight, but I’m not crazy about the competition and he might be able to step up. (2) COMMENTARY has been racing well and should hit the ticket somewhere. (5) OUTBURST burnt money as the chalk last time and rates as a competitor once again.

Race 10

(1) JAZEBEL DE VIE dealt with some traffic issues and finished up her mile nicely. She drops out of stakes action tonight and seems to be ready to put in a big mile. (4) TECH TITAN sits at an unappealing 0 for 11, but there is a bit of ability in him. (3) BATOUTAHILL has a NJSS win under her belt and probably deserves to be the chalk in here.

Race 11

(2) THAT WOMAN HANOVER comes off a scratched-sick line but only missed a week, which isn’t a big concern. She has as good a shot as any in a wide-open race. (8) REQUEST FOR PAROLE has been facing better in Pennsylvania and is capable of blowing this field away if on her game. (4) DELIGHTFUL DRAGON needs a trip but is very capable. (5) BLUSH HANOVER steps up off a win.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yonkers: Friday 6/17 Analysis
By Brewster Smith

DRF HARNESS

MEET STATS: 136 - 595 / $880.80 BEST BETS: 14 - 60 / $63.20

Best Bet: GALLANT SEELSTER (9th)

Spot Play: OUR ELS DREAM N (3rd)


Race 1

(1) AUTOMATIC SLIMS is clearly the speed of the speed and has the rail to boot; his race to lose. (3) MONTREAL PHIL was uncovered at the 3/4 pole and held on outside for show money last out. (6) OUTA MY HEAD is back at Yonkers where on April 28th the gelding got the job done.

Race 2

(4) MUSTANG MACH N close to victory last out missing by only a neck. Pacing gelding is heading in the right direction and has every right to be the boss over these. (2) SLY RULER led most of the way but tired in deep stretch to hold the show spot last time out. (1) WHATSITTOYOUGRANT makes his return to Yonkers and the rail should put him right in the mix.

Race 3

(7) OUR ELS DREAM N Speedy mare fits well in here and with a clean trip she can make tonight a winning one. (1) GROUNDED has wheeled off two straight victories and now she draws the rail; threat again. (4) JUNGLE GENIE N is knocking at the door based on her last two tries.

Race 4

(1) EVERY INTENTION gets serious post relief and this gelding was a solid winner here on May 13th from the rail; ready for action. (7) ROSE RUN QUEST was very game in his last two starts at Saratoga; major player. (5) GIVEN UP TERROR could contend with these if he is given a favorable trip.

Race 5

(5) AL RAZA N showed signs of life and rallied strongly for third money in her most recent outing. Figures to get a hot pace and might blow by them all in deep stretch. (7) KRISPY APPLE scored her third victory of the year at Philly last time around; post hurts but she is very capable. (6) MACH IT A PAR was late on the scene to nail down the victory last time out.

Race 6

(4) JONSIE JONES makes her return to the Hilltop where she has done her best running. Has good speed and could take these to task for all the cash. (1) REGIL ELEKTRA should fare much better from the rail and this mare does know how to get the job done; we shall see. (2) KNOW IT ALL gets class relief and that should help her cause.

Race 7

(1) LYONS SHADOW did not have the best of trips last out where she was on the rim most of the way. Now she moves to the fence where she was a sharp winner three starts ago. (4) FOR THE LADIES N moves down in class and gets a cozy post; main danger. (3) TIPITINA Her last two tries were quite good and clearly is not out of this.

Race 8

(6) PANPERO FIRPO was second best at Vernon's miracle mile series last time out. 5-year-old figures in this event and good to see Bartlett with the assignment; gets the call. (2) AMERICAN VENTURE was on the engine until the top of the stretch but tired badly in his last try; could have a say in the outcome. (4) STATION THREEOHSIX has hit the board in his last five trips and should make some serious noise in here.

Race 9

(4) GALLANT SEELSTER did not fire in the open event at Scioto last time out but the good news is he is back at his stomping grounds; the one to fear. (2) HERE WE GO AGAIN might find these to his liking and his qualifier at the Meadowlands two starts back was quite good. (1) ROGER MACH EM has done well at Yonkers and should make some noise from the fence.

Race 10

(2) FAMEOUS WESTERN might have moved too soon when he was geared up at the 1/2 mile pole and had nothing left in the stretch drive lasting for third at Pocono. Now he moves to the 2-hole, drops in class and Brennan is at the controls; threat at his best. (1) ARQUE HANOVER should fit well from the fence and Bartlett stays; the main danger. (6) FIRST CLASS HORSE almost got the job done missing the score by only a neck; watch out.

Race 11

(6) MIDNIGHT DYLAN N has tactical speed and the gelding has hit the board 7 of 13 starts this year. If Brennan receives the favorable trip the rest will have to settle for place money. (5) FASHION DELIGHT was sent by Bartlett down the road last time out for all the glory; dangerous again. (1) B JS BEQUIA now gets the rail and was sharp two starts back losing the victory by a nose; don't overlook.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Friday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE

Arlington Park (3rd) Regia Marina, 3-1
(6th) Special Allure, 4-1

Belmont Park (1st) Caribbean, 4-1
(7th) Animal Posse, 6-1


Belterra Park (1st) Silver Buckeye, 9-2
(8th) Stormardini, 3-1


Canterbury Park (3rd) Belleoftheprairie, 5-1
(5th) Slip Kid, 7-2


Charles Town (2nd) Magnetizer, 4-1
(5th) Wild Geraniums, 9-2


Churchill Downs (7th) Sequiota, 5-1
(9th) Dancing Onthemoon, 5-1


Emerald Downs (5th) Outdidya, 9-2
(7th) Kid Christian, 9-2


Evangeline Downs (1st) First Cast, 4-1
(8th) Wingy, 10-1


Gulfstream Park (3rd) Amace, 10-1
(6th) D' Kingfish, 3-1


Indiana Grand (3rd) Mi Ermana Tina, 7-2
(7th) Remember Lucy, 6-1


Lone Star Park (6th) Heaven's Devil, 4-1
(8th) Ice Box Tango, 9-2


Louisiana Downs (5th) Mo's Love, 3-1
(6th) Kateline's Dreamer, 7-2


Monmouth Park (6th) Manacor, 6-1
(7th) Secured Position, 6-1

Oak Tree @ Pleasanton (5th) Purims Faith, 9-2
(8th) Taylear, 9-2

Penn National (4th) Castle Hill, 7-2
(7th) Cathelda, 3-1

Pimlico (1st) My Team, 3-1
(7th) So Royal, 3-1

Prairie Meadows (6th) Rulethenight, 7-2
(8th) Native Princess, 4-1


Santa Anita (3rd) Majestic Heat, 3-1
(6th) Iancol, 3-1


Thistledown (3rd) She's a City Gal, 6-1
(6th) Night Patrol, 9-2


Woodbine (5th) Dr Dynamite, 10-1
(10th) Enchanting Ally, 6-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

June Pitchers Report
By Marc Lawrence

You know the saying, “May flowers bring June showers.”

For Major League Baseball pitchers hurling during the month of June, showers are hopefully not in their immediate plans. Instead, it’s the hope of all MLB starting pitchers to stay around long enough in their starts to avoid having to clean up and go home early.

Listed below are hurlers that have enjoyed a two-to-one or better success ratio in team-starts over the course of the last three seasons during the month of June. On the flip side, we've also listed pitchers that struggle in June, winning 33% percent or less of their team-start efforts.

To qualify pitchers must have made a minimum of 10 starts, with at least one start each June over the last three years. And for your convenience alongside each record we break down each pitcher’s greatest success or greatest failure rate either home (H) or away (A) within his good or bad month.

Note: * designates a categorical repeat appearance by this pitcher, maintaining status quo from last season’s June list.


GOOD MONTH PITCHERS:

Arrieta, Jake - 8-4 (6-2 A)

Only Clayton Kershaw has been in Arrieta's stratosphere since 2015. The right-hander is in the right organization which has allowed his abundant talents to flourish and this season opposing batters are hitting a mere .168 against him. His effortless delivery and mid-90's fastball causes a lot of swings and misses as does his breaking pitches.

Cole, Gerrit - 10-2 (6-0 A)

Cole is now the ace of the Pittsburgh staff and expertly commands a two and four-seam fastball in the mid to upper 90's which he can sink or have riding action. After a sluggish start to season, his ERA is down to close to 2.50 and expect him to have another fine month. Note: Cole’s numbers above reflect his career team mark during June.

*Colon, Bartolo - 10-5 (7-0 H)

The 43-year old right-hander just keeps churning along on staff that is very talented and youthful. Colon knows how and where to spot his fastball, which he tosses 70 or more percent of the time and blends in a quick slider that has excellent depth. The fact is Colon understands his craft and wins.

Lackey, John - 11-5 (6-1 H)

Remember for years no pitcher in his right mind would want to pitch at Wrigley Field, now they line up for the chance. Being a talented young team helps and Lackey is the right fit, with fastball he keeps low in the zone and sinker opposing hitters cannot elevate. Through two months, the batter's Lackey has faced are at a lowly .209 batting average and his WHIP is sick 0.97.

Sanchez, Anibal - 9-4 (8-3 H)

The Detroit hurler has gotten off to a rugged start with ERA over 6 as June began. Sanchez's problems revolve around lack of pitch placement, not even having 2-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio and giving up more than a hit an inning. Of the 58 hits allowed, 11 have left the yard and if the Tigers are going to be contenders in the AL Central, Sanchez will have to throw like previous June's.

*Scherzer, Max - 11-4 (6-2 A)

If you research Mad Max's numbers, many are at or below career norm, yet he begins this month with an ERA over 4. The problem is too many pitches right down the middle, which is why he on pace to give up 45 home runs (15 thru May). If Scherzer solves this, he will have a great rest of the year.

Tillman, Chris - 11-3 (4-1 A)

After an off year in 2015, the Orioles righty has come back in a big way. When he's at his best like he has been this year, Tillman works his low 90's heater at the knees on both sides of the dish and his curve and changeup have sharp downward motion. He starts this month with hitters at .203 batting average versus his tosses.

Volquez, Edinson - 11-5 (7-1 A)

The Royals right-hander is doing what he does best, as in nine of his 11 starts for Kansas City he has induced double digit groundball outs. Volquez is still thought to be a power pitcher and gets numerous weak swings with tilted curve and deluxe changeup he will throw on any count.

*Zimmermann, Jordan - 12-5 (8-3 H)

After an unbelievable start, Zimmermann has drifted back to the previous career numbers. He pulled a groin late last month, but is expected to make start on June 3rd and continue from that point. His strengths include four pitches he trusts to throw for strikes and he has shown greater durability thus far in the AL.


BAD MONTH PITCHERS:

Miller, Shelby - 6-12 (2-6 A)

After disastrous start with Arizona, having ERA over 7, maybe a trip to the DL with bad finger on throwing hand will settle Miller down, who looks like he is trying to throw a no-hitter on every pitch and is getting hammered. The talent has always been in place, just not the execution as this record shows. Note: Miller’s numbers above reflect his career team mark during June.

Verlander, Justin - 4-10 (2-5 H)

No longer equipped with high 90's fastball, Verlander tends to give up runs in bunches these days. He can be sailing along for three to five innings and then give up three or four runs in single inning. Without the necessary secondary pitches, he's become easier to hit a third time through the lineup.

Weaver, Jered - 5-10 (1-6 A)

It is sometimes tough to watch former aces who were among the best in the game, as their stuff is in decline and they are not close to what they used to be. This is the case of Weaver, whose fastball barely reaches 85 MPH, which makes his breaking ball and assortment of change-ups less effective. It is no accident at this juncture hitters are clocking him for .311 BA.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB roundup: Rangers' Lewis narrowly misses no-hitter
By The Sports Xchange

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Colby Lewis lost on no-hitter in the ninth inning on a leadoff double by Max Muncy but rebounded to pitch a complete game, delivering the Texas Rangers a 5-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Thursday afternoon.
Ian Desmond broke a scoreless tie with a leadoff home run in the seventh, propelling the Rangers to a third win in four days against the A's and their franchise-record-tying eighth straight series win.
Lewis took a perfect game two outs into the eighth before issuing a four-pitch walk to Yonder Alonso. In the ninth, Lewis fell behind Muncy 2-1 before the left-handed hitter hit a high drive toward the right-field wall. Rangers right fielder Nomar Mazara got to the fence at the same time as the ball, which deflected off his glove as he was crashing into the padded wall.
Two batters later, Lewis lost his shutout when Rua came up just short on another attempt at a spectacular catch, racing in on a Coco Crisp liner, diving and having the ball go in and out of his glove. Crisp got a double on the play, scoring Muncy.
Lewis (6-0) retired the next A's to complete his two-hitter, throwing 109 pitches. He walked one and struck out four.

Mariners 6, Rays 4
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Dae-Ho Lee was 2-for-3 with three RBIs to lead Seattle over Tampa Bay at Tropicana Field.
Lee had a two-run double in the bottom of the fourth inning that proved to be the difference in the game.
In the top of the ninth, Kyle Seager added an insurance run with a solo homer to right.

Braves 7, Reds 2
ATLANTA -- Matt Wisler bounced back from two poor starts to help Atlanta defeat Cincinnati at Turner Field.
Wisler, who had received only 1.8 runs in support in his previous 12 starts, broke a four-game losing streak and won for the first time since May 20. The win allowed Atlanta to split the four-game series and win back-to-back home games for only the second time this season. Wisler gave up two runs and eight in 6 2/3 innings.
The Atlanta offense was led by first baseman Freddie Freeman, who went 3-for-4, including his 12th homer of the season, a two-run shot in the third inning, and scored two runs. Freeman, who hit for the cycle on Wednesday, was 10-for-18 with three homers in the four-game series.

Orioles 5, Red Sox 1
BOSTON -- Tyler Wilson survived some early hard-hit balls and pitched eight shutout innings and Adam Jones hit a two-run homer and added an RBI double as Baltimore moved into sole possession of first place in the American League East with a victory over Boston.
The win, the Orioles' sixth in 10 games with Boston this season, gave Baltimore the series 2-1 and snapped the tie atop the division.
Wilson, who allowed 10 runs on 14 hits in 9 2/3 innings over his last two starts, yielded three hits in his first win in his last six starts. He walked one and struck out six to raise his record to 3-5 with his fifth major league win.

Mets 6, Pirates 4
NEW YORK -- Bartolo Colon threw 7 2/3 strong innings and doubled to begin a four-run third inning for New York, which went on to beat Pittsburgh at Citi Field.
The Mets won the final two games of the three-game series. The Pirates lost seven of eight to fall to .500 for the first time since they were 9-9 on April 23.
Colon carried a shutout into the eighth, when he gave up a leadoff homer to Matt Joyce and a one-out RBI single to Josh Harrison before exiting to a standing ovation from the crowd of 33,052. The 43-year-old allowed the two runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out eight in lowering his ERA to 3.01.

Blue Jays 13, Phillies 2
PHILADELPHIA -- Kevin Pillar hit two home runs and Edwin Encarnacion homered and drove in four runs as Toronto battered Philadelphia.
Michael Saunders and Devon Travis also homered for the Jays, whose five home runs were a season high as were their 13 runs and 17 hits.
Josh Donaldson went 3-for-3, reached base five times and scored three runs for Toronto, which outscored the Phillies 31-7 in winning the last three contests of a four-game home-and-home series.
Philadelphia lost for the 20th time in its last 26 games.

Yankees 4, Twins 1
MINNEAPOLIS -- Didi Gregorius had two hits, including a three-run home run in the seventh inning, to lift New York over Minnesota at Target Field.
With the game tied at 1, Gregorius hit the first pitch he saw from reliever Fernando Abad over the right-field fence for his sixth homer of the season.
Relievers Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller worked scoreless innings to bridge the gap to closer Aroldis Chapman, who secured his 12th save.

Tigers 10, Royals 4
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Victor Martinez hit three home runs and Miguel Cabrera had a two-run go-ahead shot in the seventh inning as Detroit belted a season-high six homers to top Kansas City.
It could be a costly victory for the Tigers, who lost right fielder J.D. Martinez with a fractured right elbow in the second inning.
Justin Verlander worked seven innings to pick up the victory and is 5-2 in his last seven starts. He allowed four runs on eight hits, while striking out seven, walking one and hitting two batters.

Nationals 8, Padres 5
SAN DIEGO -- Washington hit three home runs, including back-to-back, opposite-field shots by Bryce Harper and Wilson Ramos, to defeat San Diego in the opener of a four-game series at Petco Park.
The win was the second straight and ninth in 11 games for the National League East leaders. The loss was the Padres fifth in their last six games.
Right-hander Tanner Roark allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks with five strikeouts over six innings to get the win and improve to 6-4. Shawn Kelley picked up his second save.

Brewers 8, Dodgers 6
LOS ANGELES -- Jonathan Villar hit the go-ahead home run in the eighth inning and Milwaukee snapped a three-game losing streak with a victory over Los Angeles before 44,183 at Dodger Stadium.
Villar drilled a two-run homer over the center-field wall off reliever Pedro Baez -- breaking a 6-6 tie -- to lift the Brewers.
Tyler Thornburg set the Dodgers down in order in the eight for the win. Jeremy Jeffress allowed a run in the ninth before striking out Corey Seager with the bases loaded for his 19th save.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates (33-33) at Cubs (44-20)

Game: 1
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: June 17, 2016 2:20 PM EDT

CHICAGO -- Hometown fans get their first extended look at rookie outfielder Albert Almora Jr. when the Chicago Cubs return to Wrigley Field to open a six-game homestand Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a three-game set.

But how long Almora remains in Chicago depends on how right fielder Jorge Soler bounces back from a strained left hamstring when he comes off the disabled list later this month.

There's no question that Almora, 22, has already made an impact in his first big league stint.

Since being called up by the Cubs from Triple-A Iowa on June 7, Almora has gone 6-for-17 with three doubles, three RBIs and four runs in eight games.

In Wednesday's 5-4, 12-inning loss at Washington, Almora went 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored in his first career multi-hit game.

But Soler's return -- which could come as soon as the middle of next week -- could limit Almora's playing time and he might be better off returning to Triple-A Iowa where he'll play regularly.

"You see a guy like Albert, you want to make sure he's given some playing time," Cubs manager Joe Maddon told reporters this week. "You don't want him to sit. ... Otherwise he's better served not being here."

Almora has made a rapid climb through the ranks since the Cubs made him the No. 6 overall in the 2012 draft. In 54 games this season at Iowa, he batted .318 with three homers, 12 doubles and 30 RBIs.

Coming off two losses in three games against the National League East-leading Nationals, the Cubs play three with the Pirates followed by three with the Cardinals.

Chicago is arguably in the middle of their most challenging stretch of the season while the Pirates quickly need to make up some ground to stay relevant.

Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta (10-1, 1.86 ERA) takes the mound against Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano (4-6, 4.92 ERA).

Arrieta, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, has been superb through 13 starts including a no-hitter in April and two wins over the Pirates in May.

Liriano, meanwhile, has had a hard-luck run since May 13 when the Cubs knocked him for eight runs on nine hits in a 9-4 Pirates loss at Wrigley Field. Liriano has five losses in his last six starts, including three straight.

The 32-year-old left-hander had seven days rest between starts before facing the Cardinals on Saturday. He told reporters that he felt better despite allowing four runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out eight in Pittsburgh's 5-1 loss to St. Louis.

"Everything was more at the plate," Liriano told reporters. "Not way too high, way too low. ... I feel like I threw the ball better today than the last couple times."

Pittsburgh and St. Louis are already a fair distance behind Chicago.

The Cubs could conceivably head into the season's next benchmark -- the Fourth of July -- with double-digit game leads on both.

The Cubs are 9 1/2 games ahead of the Cardinals and 12 iin front of the Pirates.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks (29-39) at Phillies (30-37)

Game: 1
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: June 17, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

PHILADELPHIA -- The Arizona Diamondbacks will be looking to regain their winning touch on the road when they open a 10-game trip Friday night in Philadelphia.

The Diamondbacks, mired in fourth place in the National League West with a 29-39 record, have countered a 13-25 home record with a 16-14 road mark.

Arizona, however, dropped seven of its last 10 away from home as it begins a four-game set against the reeling Phillies.

Left-hander Robbie Ray (3-5, 4.57) gets the start for Arizona. His last time out he worked a career-best 7 2/3 innings of shutout ball in a 6-0 victory over Miami on Sunday, snapping a personal three-game losing streak.

"That was the best I've seen him," Arizona manager Chip Hale said, according to the Arizona Republic.

Ray had pitched to a 6.63 ERA while going 0-3 over his previous four starts, but he didn't allow a runner to reach second base while throwing a career-high 116 pitches.

"I felt like I accomplished what I was trying to do," Ray told the Arizona Republic. "Getting early outs, down in the zone the entire night unless I wanted to elevate. I wasn't trying to overthrow and leave the ball in the middle of the plate. I was putting the ball where I wanted to."

Ray also had two hits in the game, but the offense continues to be driven by Paul Goldschmidt, who is hitting .281 with 12 homers and 42 RBIs.

The D-Backs will be facing a Philadelphia team that has dropped 20 of its last 26 games to go from 24-17 on May 18 to a season-worst seven under .500, at 30-37. The Phillies were outscored 31-7 in losing the last three games of a four-game home-and-home series against Toronto, and manager Pete Mackanin convened a team meeting after Thursday's 13-2 drubbing.

"I didn't like what I saw today," he said afterward. "I think we're better than we've played the last two weeks. I don't want that to slip away. I want the players to regroup, and start all over."

The Phillies managed five hits and committed four errors. One of the miscues came in the eighth inning, when Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera caught Michael Saunders' fly ball and flipped the ball into the stands, thinking it was the third out. In actuality it was the second, and Edwin Encarnacion, who was on first, was allowed to advance to third.

"Obviously nobody liked to see that," Mackanin said. "There's a few things I've been thinking about, that I wanted to have a meeting and mention them. Today was the culmination of those thoughts."

He said he didn't discuss that play with Herrera, during the game or afterward.

"I don't think I needed to," Mackanin said. "He knows. He better know."

Adam Morgan (1-5, 6.33) will try to stop the bleeding for Philadelphia. He has lost his last five decisions, and last time out pitched 6 2/3 innings in a no-decision against Washington. He allowed three runs on five hits in that game, while striking out a career-high eight and walking three. He has never faced Arizona.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jays (38-31) at Orioles (38-27)

Game: 1
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: June 17, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

BALTIMORE--The Toronto Blue Jays come to Baltimore on Friday for the start of a three-game weekend series with the Orioles that will have an impact on the top of the American League East.

Toronto (38-31) has gotten hot lately, taking three of four from Baltimore in Canada last weekend. The Jays followed that by winning three of four from the Phillies while Baltimore (38-27) rebounded to win two of three in Boston (37-28).

The Orioles lead Boston by one game with the Blue Jays having pulled to within two. Baltimore and the Jays are two of best offensive teams in the American League. Toronto scored 31 runs in its three wins over the Phillies while the Orioles lead the AL in homers with 103 in 65 games.

Adam Jones hit a two-run homer for Baltimore in its 5-1 victory over Boston on Thursday. Jones drove in three runs overall as the Orioles took the division lead with that win.

The Jays have shown plenty of their own power recently as they banged out five homers in Thursday's 13-2 rout of the Phillies. Edwin Encarnacion hit his 18th homer of the season -- the 15th's he's hit since May 1, which leads the major leagues, according to MLB.com. Kevin Pillar hit two of his own.

"Eddie's locked in pretty good," Toronto manager John Gibbons told MLB.com. "If you give him something to hit, he's going to hit it."

Aaron Sanchez (6-1, 3.38) starts for Toronto. He gave up six runs on 10 hits in his last start Sunday against Baltimore, but got the victory as Toronto pulled out a 10-9 decision.

Mike Wright (3-3, 5.31) takes the ball for the Orioles. He gave up four runs on six hits and got a no-decision in Saturday's loss to the Blue Jays.

Baltimore's inconsistent starting pitching has been challenged by the strong Blue Jays' lineup the past few seasons, and that could happen again this weekend. But the team's strong bullpen could pick up the shaky starters.

However, the Orioles still probably won't be having set-up man Darren O'Day back in the bullpen yet. He's been on the disabled list (hamstring strain) since June 3 and could be eligible to come off this weekend, but MLB.com reported Thursday that the right-hander isn't quite sure yet when he'll return to the mound.

O'Day said he wants to be careful and return when the leg is ready.

"I'm antsy to get back, get going, but it's just a matter of doing it once and doing it right instead of re-injuring it," he told MLB.com.

In other off-the-field news, The Baltimore Sun reported Thursday that shortstop/third baseman Manny Machado is going to meet with league officials Tuesday in an appeal of the four-game suspension he was given after last week's brawl with the Royals.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy (fractured foot) is getting closer to returning. He did some rehab work at Double-A Bowie this week and might do some more at Class A Frederick. But he's coming closer, and MLB.com said Hardy might be back in the Baltimore lineup this weekend.

Jose Bautista of the Jays left Thursday's game with what MLB.com reported as "left toe soreness" after trying to make a catch at the wall in Philadelphia. He left in the seventh inning and had an X-ray afterward.

The site also reported that Troy Tulowitzki started a rehab assignment at Class A Dunedin on Thursday. He's been out with a sore right quad.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockies (32-33) at Marlins (34-32)

Game: 1
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: June 17, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

MIAMI -- After a 4-5 road trip, the Miami Marlins return home to face the Colorado Rockies on Friday night.

That will be the start of a 10-game homestand for Miami, including an unusual Friday-through-Monday series against Colorado.

The Marlins (32-30) are third in the National League East, seven games behind the division-leading Washington Nationals. The Rockies (32-33) are third in the NL West, eight games behind the division-leading San Francisco Giants.

However, the Rockies are the hottest team in baseball, tied with the Nationals and Tampa Bay Rays, going 8-2 in their past 10 games.

Marlins outfielder Ichiro Suzuki got two hits on Wednesday to pass Pete Rose for an unofficial record -- most hits in as a professional player. Suzuki has 4,257 -- one more than Rose. But Suzuki got 1,278 of his hits in Japan, which shouldn't count -- at least according to Rose.

One milestone that is not under dispute: Suzuki needs 21 hits to reach 3,000 in the major leagues.

Meanwhile, the Rockies, who have won four games in a row, showed up in Miami on Thursday with their entire roster of players wearing white. This was the brainstorm of Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez, who thought it would be great for team unity and, presumably, laughs.

Among the other storylines facing the Marlins and Rockies this weekend:

-- The Rockies are awaiting the final fallout from the Jose Reyes situation. On Wednesday, they designated the shortstop for assignment, giving them 10 days to either trade or release the troubled star.

Colorado is responsible for the remaining $39 million on the contract of Reyes, a four-time All-Star who on May 31 completed a 59-game suspension for violating MLB's domestic violence policy.

Reyes then went on a minor-league rehab stint, and the Rockies designated him for assignment before he could get on the field for them.

Given his baggage and contract, Reyes, 33, will likely be released.

-- The Rockies have not missed Reyes because of the emergence of rookie shortstop Trevor Story, who is second in the NL All-Star balloting at his position.

Story's 17 homers are the most by a rookie shortstop at this stage of the season since the All-Star Game was first played in 1933. Story is hitting .257 with 45 RBIs and an .877 OPS.

-- Marlins ace Jose Fernandez, who was scheduled to start on Friday, will not pitch, although he is perfectly healthy. It's all part of the plan to reduce Fernandez's workload since he came back from elbow surgery last year.

The goal is to cap Fernandez at about 180 innings this year. So far, he is 9-3 with a 2.57 ERA in 80 innings.

Fernandez's next start is set for Tuesday at home against the Atlanta Braves.

-- Rockies left fielder Gerardo Parra is on the disabled list after colliding with Story in pursuit of a pop fly. Parra is hitting .263 with five homers, 27 RBIs and a .698 OPS.

-- Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton is still in the midst of a massive slump. He has just one homer and five RBIs in his past 20 games. For the season, Stanton, who has averaged 32 homers for the past five years, is batting .193 with 12 long balls and 29 RBIs. His OPS is .718.

-- Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is No. 2 in the All-Star balloting at his position. He is hitting .290 with 20 homers, 57 RBIs and a .961 OPS. He leads the NL and is tied for the major league lead in homers and RBIs.

-- Rockies closer Jake McGee, who has 15 saves but a 4.98 ERA, is on the disabled list witha sprained left knee.

-- Marlins 2B Derek Dietrich has a bruised left foot after being hit with a pitch on Monday. His status for Friday has yet to be determined.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves (20-46) at Mets (36-29)

Game: 1
Venue: Citi Field
Date: June 17, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

NEW YORK -- A pair of longtime rivals going in opposite directions this season will have something in common Friday night when the New York Mets host the Atlanta Braves in the opener of a three-game series at Citi Field.

The Mets and Braves carry two-game winning streaks into the series. The Mets beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4 on Thursday while the Braves knocked off the Cincinnati Reds 7-2.

By scoring 17 runs in their last two wins, the Mets (36-29) have regained the lead in the National League wild card race. New York is one game ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals (35-30).

"I think it's a trust up and down the lineup," said Mets second baseman Neil Walker, who went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs Thursday night. "Guys are getting on base, guys aren't trying to do too much."

The Braves, meanwhile, are just trying to build a little momentum during the franchise's worst season in a generation. Atlanta, whose 20-46 record is tied for the worst in baseball with the Minnesota Twins, hasn't won more than two straight since a season-high four-game winning streak under former manager Fredi Gonzalez from April 15-19.

The lopsided win Thursday came on the heels of a dramatic come-from-behind 9-8, 13-inning victory over the Reds on Wednesday night in which first baseman Freddie Freeman became only the third Braves player to hit for the cycle in the last 100 years.

"It's a good feeling," Freeman told the Braves' postgame show Thursday. "It's a happy flight today. We've been playing well."

Nobody's been playing better than Freeman, who followed up his historic evening Wednesday by going 3-for-4 with a two-run homer Thursday. He is 10-for-18 in his last four games, a stretch in which he's lifted his overall average from 242 to .265.

"He's some kind of hot right now," Reds manager Bryan Price said Thursday.

Mets right-hander Matt Harvey opposes Braves rookie right-hander John Gant. Harvey is 1-0 with a 0.90 ERA in his last three starts, during which he has lowered his overall ERA from 6.08 to 4.66.

This will be the second big league start for Gant, a former Mets farmhand who was dealt to Atlanta in exchange for Kelly Johnson and Jose Uribe on July 24. Gant took the loss in his first start Sunday, when he allowed three runs (two earned) over 4 1/3 innings as the Braves fell to the Chicago Cubs 13-2.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox (33-33) at Indians (35-30)

Game: 1
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: June 17, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

CLEVELAND -- After finishing an exhausting portion of the schedule with a messy loss in Kansas City on Wednesday night, the Cleveland Indians enjoyed a welcome off day on Thursday.

The brief break came after the Indians played 20 games in 20 days, ending with a 9-4 loss to the Royals on Wednesday.

The Indians went 10-10 in their 20-game endurance test that was climaxed by a 10-game trip to Seattle, Anaheim and Kansas City.

The Indians went 4-6 on the road swing, capped with a three-game sweep by the Royals. The 9-4 loss in the final game was a team effort: poor pitching by Corey Kluber, who gave up eight runs in five innings, poor hitting by the lineup, which managed just five hits, and poor defense as the Indians committed two errors.

After the game, Indians manager Terry Francona threw himself under the bus.

"We didn't play very well and that's on me," Francona said. "We were not prepared to play tonight, and I guarantee that will change."

In getting swept in Kansas City, the American League Central-leading Indians saw their three-game lead over the second-place Royals evaporate. The Indians now return to Progressive Field for a six-game homestand, starting Friday night with a three-game series against AL Central opponent Chicago.

In the first game of the series, the Indians will send Trevor Bauer (4-2, 3.69 ERA) to the mound.

Bauer, who will be pitching with an extra day's rest between starts thanks to Thursday's off day, is coming off two strong starts on the road, pitching 7 2/3 innings in a win over Seattle and eight innings in a no-decision at Anaheim. He had a 1.72 ERA with 13 strikeouts and two walks in the two starts.

The White Sox, who were also off on Thursday, just concluded a 4-5 homestand against Washington, Kansas City and Detroit.

Chicago's offense has received a boost from manager Robin Ventura's decision to insert rookie shortstop Tim Anderson into the leadoff spot and putting center fielder Adam Eaton in the No. 2 hole.

Ventura made the lineup change at the start of the three-game series with the Tigers. Anderson and Eaton responded by reaching base a combined 16 times and the Tigers scored 23 runs in the series.

In six games since being recalled from Triple-A Charlotte, Anderson is hitting .320 (8-25), with three doubles and a triple. That includes going 5-for-16 (.375) with two doubles and a triple while batting leadoff in the Detroit series.

"T.A. brings an element there," Ventura told MLB.com. "You know, he's fun to watch when he gets it going. As soon as he puts it in play, you like watching him run. He's had great at-bats. I think that's the other thing. He looks really comfortable."

Jose Quintana will start Friday's game for Chicago. The White Sox have scored an average of just 2.76 runs in Quintana's 13 starts, which helps explain why he is just 5-7 despite a 2.66 ERA that ranks fourth in the AL.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners (35-31) at Red Sox (37-28)

Game: 1
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: June 17, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

BOSTON -- When Roenis Elias was traded from the Seattle Mariners to the Red Sox this past December, his initial reaction was to make it work in Boston and win a championship.

On Friday night, the left-hander finally gets his chance to start to help his new team do just that.

And gets to do it against his old team.

Elias, acquired along with Carson Smith in the deal that sent Wade Miley to Boston, didn't make the Red Sox out of spring training and made one relief appearance with the big club on a call-up before going back and settling in at Triple-A Pawtucket.

Now, after a 4-0 record and 2.00 ERA in his last five starts, Elias joins the battle for Boston's fifth-starter spot vacated by Clay Buchholz and he faces former teammate Hisashi Iwakuma in the opener of a three-game series.

"This is someone who I think prior to the start of the season had made 40-plus (actually 49) starts at the big-league level so he might have been a little bit surprised that he didn't make our staff coming out of camp," manager John Farrell said before Thursday night's game. "He came up a couple of times and pitched out of the bullpen with some limited success but was back to a role he was most familiar with and that's a starting role and got on a little bit of a roll. So he handled that. I think that initial demotion, took a little time to get through but he's been on track.

"The work has been very good, the routines, more than anything have been consistent (and) he gets an opportunity here to run with it starting tomorrow."

Elias, 15-20 with a 3.97 ERA while with the Mariners, has limited the Triple-A opposition to a .194 batting average and struck out 40 while walking eight in the 36 innings over the last five starts. He did not allow a run in his last 13 innings.

He takes the mound after his new team dropped two of three to the Baltimore Orioles. The Red Sox had four hits during Thursday's 5-1 loss and are a game behind Baltimore for the American League East lead.

The Mariners snapped a four-game losing streak with a 5-4 win at Tampa Bay Thursday and Iwakuma (5-5) starts the series opener with four wins in his last five starts.

The right-hander is 0-1 with a 10.20 ERA in four career starts against the Red Sox, 0-0 with a 6.75 in two outings at Fenway Park. The Red Sox have 30 hits in 15 innings and have reached him for a .400 batting average. This will be his first start at Fenway since 2014.

Among the current Boston players, David Ortiz is 4-for-8 with two home runs and Dustin Pedroia 3-for-9 against Iwakuma.

Chris Iannetta went 3-for-4 and drove in a run as the Mariners set up their visit to Boston with their win in St. Petersburg.

"It's good to get a win, good to get a rally together," Iannetta said. "No matter what is being said or written, we're a tight unit, and we're going to keep playing that way."

The win gave the Mariners a 35-31 record and left them 6 1/2 games behind the Texas Rangers in the American League West and very much in the early wild card picture.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants (41-26) at Rays (31-33)

Game: 1
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: June 17, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Rays wrap up a nine-game homestand with an interleague weekend series against the San Francisco Giants beginning Friday.

Tampa Bay (31-33) is 4-2 on the homestand as the Rays continue to creep toward .500. The team, however, is suffering from injuries up and down the lineup.

Outfielder Steven Souza Jr. is on the 15-day disabled list with a sore hip and is expected to miss at least two weeks. Third baseman Evan Longoria didn't play Thursday because of a sore left forearm but hopes to return Friday or at some point in the series.

Longoria is one of the hottest hitters in the majors, batting .371 with eight home runs and 20 RBIs in the past 15 games.

"It's always a challenge when you're missing the key pieces that maybe you thought you were gonna have breaking out of camp," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "It's a challenge for every team in baseball to work through that throughout the course of the season."

The injuries have given more opportunities to utility players such as Steve Pearce, who is batting .346 this season, and Taylor Motter, who was 3-for-4 on Thursday.

"The guys that we have here need to help us find ways to win ballgames," Cash said. "And for the most part a lot of them are doing that and contributing."

Things have been much easier for the Giants (41-26) despite beginning their cross-country road trip with question marks about their rotation. Right-hander Jeff Samardzika (7-4, 3.36) starts Friday but Jake Peavy may have to skip his start Saturday with a sore neck according to the San Jose Mercury-News. Sunday's slot is open with Matt Cain back on the disabled list because of a sore hamstring.

"(Peavy) is still pretty sore," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. " He's a little beat up, to be honest."

Bochy could use Albert Suarez on Saturday and move Peavy to Sunday or use Madison Baumgarner on Sunday if Peavy needs more rest. If Baumgarner pitched Sunday, he would be doing it on normal rest.

"Right now (Sunday) is TBA," Bochy said. "With one day off we can juggle it if we want to."

Bochy also hopes Brandon Belt (sore ankle) will be fine. He might be used in the designated hitter spot.

The Rays start right-hander Chris Archer (4-8, 4.61) on Friday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees (32-34) at Twins (20-46)

Game: 2
Venue: Target Field
Date: June 17, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

Four or five days rest?

Statistically it seems to be the difference between success and struggles for Masahiro Tanaka.

Tanaka will take the mound on five days rest Friday night when the New York Yankees continue their four-game series with the Minnesota Twins.

Tanaka will be pitching on more than four days rest for the eighth time this season and the numbers show he performs better with the slightly more rest.

The right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA when getting more than four days' rest. With four days in between starts, he is 1-2 with a 4.70 ERA in six starts.

Tanaka has made his last two starts on four days rest but an off-day Monday gave him the extra day. He allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings against the Los Angeles Angels on June 6 but Saturday against Detroit, Tanaka allowed five runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Tanaka has attempted to downplay the rest issue by saying, "No, not necessarily" when asked about his comfort level with five days vs. four days in between starts.

And manager Joe Girardi is tired of answering those questions.

"I mean I'm sure there's something to it, but as a manager, when you're playing 40 out of 41 days, you can't have a six-man rotation, you just can't do it. Your roster would be all screwed up."

There was little that went wrong for the Yankees in Thursday's series opening 4-1 victory that stopped a four-game losing streak. CC Sabathia pitched six gritty innings and Didi Gregorius hit a tiebreaking three-run home run off Fernando Abad in the seventh.

The Twins lost 10 of their last 17 games since sweeping Seattle from May 27-29 and Thursday's loss was highlighted by failures to produce clutch hits. Minnesota stranded 10, went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position as its lone run came via an Eduardo Nunez single.

And to demonstrate how poorly things have gone for the American League's worst team, Abad had not allowed a home run until Thursday and is one of the Twins performing well with a 1.16 ERA.

"We just wanted to give him a chance to come in and face that part of the lineup," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "You're hoping for a strikeout but even a walk wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. He tried to get ahead and (Gregorius) was ready."

The Twins will hope left-hander Pat Dean will be ready to give the Yankees fits. New York has faced a left-handed starting pitcher 22 times and lost 14 of those games.

Dean will be making his sixth start and the Twins hope it goes as well as Sunday when he allowed one run and three hits in 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision against the Boston Red Sox. Minnesota won Dean's last start on a 10th-inning home run by Max Kepler and the one run was a career-low and the 6 1/3 innings was the second-longest start for the 27-year-old.

Joe Mauer will likely be back in the lineup Friday for Minnesota after sitting out Thursday. Mauer has reached safely in 27 straight and if he reaches he will join Lenny Green (1961) and Hall of Famer Rod Carew (1977) as the only Twins to have two streaks of reaching safely in at least 28 games during a single season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Reds (26-41) at Astros (32-35)

Game: 1
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: June 17, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

HOUSTON -- The Astros haven't completed the long climb back to .500 following their abysmal opening month, but on the heels of their first sweep in St. Louis since May 11-13, 2010, momentum is building.

In the three-plus weeks since they fell a season-worst 11 games below .500 on May 22, the Astros have won 15 of 22 games.

They open a brief but crucial six-game homestand against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night, their first meeting with their former National League Central rivals since absorbing a three-game sweep at Minute Maid Park Sept. 16-18, 2013, the Astros' first season in the American League. The Astros are 20-44 against the Reds since last winning a season series in 2008.

Their two victories over the Cardinals enabled the Astros to salvage a 4-5 road trip through Texas, Tampa Bay and St. Louis, one that began with three losses during a four-game series against the Rangers. With just six of their final 22 games before the All-Star Game break on the road and only six games against teams currently sporting winning records (the Royals and Mariners), the Astros (32-35) are positioned to play their way back into the postseason picture.

"Obviously, we've had a couple of series in there that we've had some close losses, but we can hang with anybody and we have a good team," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said to MLB.com. "We've got to keep battling."

Astros right-hander Lance McCullers (3-2, 4.54 ERA) makes his fourth career interleague start and will be opposed by Reds rookie left-hander John Lamb (1-4, 5.14 ERA), who has allowed multiple home runs in three of his last five starts but is 1-1 with a 2.95 ERA this month.

The Reds (26-41), just 2-8 in interleague play, are 5-6 since a season-best four-game winning streak June 1-4 yet joined the Marlins as the only team to drop consecutive games to the Braves at Turner Field with their 7-2 loss Thursday.

With right-hander Raisel Iglesias already on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right shoulder, the Reds lost righty A.J. Morris to the DL with a right shoulder strain Thursday. Southpaw Cody Reed will be promoted from Triple A Louisville to make his major league debut Saturday.

Reed, the Reds' No. 3 prospect according to MLB.com, was acquired from the Royals in the Johnny Cueto trade last July. He is 6-3 with a 3.20 ERA in 11 starts with 63 strikeouts against 17 walks in 64 2/3 innings.

"It's just another piece," Reds manager Bryan Price said of Reed to MLB.com. "It's another piece of putting this together, where we have some consistency and some young pieces that get a chance to grow."

Price and the Reds need to remain patient with so many youngsters in their rotation. One of their few veteran starters, right-hander Dan Straily, lasted 4 2/3 innings in the finale against the Braves, leaving left-hander Brandon Finnegan as the lone starter to pitch through the fifth inning over the Reds' last five games.

"I've got some guys down there (in the bullpen) who are willing to take the ball when they're out of gas and they'll continue to come out and pitch," Price told MLB.com. "But that's just not the way you compete. You don't want to get into situations where you're finishing a game with your backend bullpen pieces that are already tired, just simply as to finish a game."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers (34-32) at Royals (35-31)

Game: 2
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: June 17, 2016 8:15 PM EDT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- When the Detroit Tigers take the field Friday night against the Kansas City Royals, J. D. Martinez won't be in right field, where he had started 64 of the first 66 games.

In fact, Martinez may not be in the Tigers lineup again until late July or early August.

Martinez fractured his right elbow while running into the wall in the second inning and immediately left the game, which the Tigers won 10-4 while blasting six home runs. The expected recovery time is 4-to-6 weeks.

With Martinez going on the disabled list, the Tigers announced they are calling up outfielder Steven Moya, 24, from Triple-A Toledo.

"We need Steven to pick up the slack, and everybody else to pick up the slack," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said.

Replacing Martinez's offensive production won't be easy. In his previous 13 games, he had nine multiple-hit games, hitting .451 with nine doubles, one home run, 10 RBIs and scored seven runs.

The other Martinez in the Tigers' lineup -- Victor -- certainly picked up the slack Thursday with his second career three-homer game. Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer with two out in the seventh to put the Tigers ahead to stay.

Victor Martinez has 18 career home runs and 113 RBIs against the Royals. Cabrera has 23 home runs and 102 RBIs in 538 career at-bats against the Royals.

The six home runs surrendered by the Royals tied a club record. The last time they allowed six home runs in a game was May, 10, 2007 against Oakland.

"These guys have an offense that if you make the slightest mistake they can put some runs up on the board in a hurry," Royals manager Ned Yost said.

The Royals welcomed outfielder Brett Eibner from the disabled list Thursday after being out 15 days with an ankle sprain. He singled and homered in his first two at-bats. His first major league homer came off Justin Verlander to lead off the fifth, hitting a first pitch offering out to center.

"I've got to be aggressive against a guy like that," Eibner said. "Anytime he leaves a fastball up out over the plate I've got to jump on it. A guy with his service time in the big leagues and what he's accomplished here, it's pretty special."

The Royals face the hottest pitcher in the majors Friday when they go against Tigers rookie right-hander Michael Fulmer, who has allowed one earned run in 34 1/3 innings in winning his past five starts. He held the New York Yankees to two hits in six scoreless innings in his previous two starts, running his scoreless inning streak to 28 1/3 innings.

Yordano Ventura, who struck out a season-high 10 Chicago White Sox to win his previous start, starts for the Royals. It might be Ventura's last start for a while as he is appealing a nine-game suspension from a June 7 incident at Baltimore that led to a dugout clearing melee.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers (42-25) at Cardinals (35-30)

Game: 1
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: June 17, 2016 8:15 PM EDT

One reason the St. Louis Cardinals last year became the majors' first 100-win team since 2011 was their dominance at Busch Stadium, where they went 55-26 and swept eight series.

This year, St. Louis is 15-18 when playing at home, one reason why it trails the Chicago Cubs by 9 1/2 games in the National League Central. And if this weekend is any indication, the Cardinals may not make up much ground or keep pace.

That's because the Texas Rangers are heading to town to start a weekend series Friday night. At 42-25, Texas owns a 6 1/2-game lead in the American League West over Seattle and is 18-15 on the road.

With a 5-1 victory Thursday in Oakland, the Rangers took three of four from the Athletics and improved to 5-2 on a 10-game road trip which started with a two-of-three win against Seattle.

Texas clubbed 11 homers in the series at Oakland, one of the majors' best pitchers' parks. The outburst included four Wednesday night, when the Rangers wiped out a 5-0 lead against A's ace Sonny Gray and posted a 7-5 win.

"It was a huge win for us," Texas manager Jeff Banister told texas.rangers.com. "It did not look good but it was another chapter in the book these guys have been writing this year."

The Rangers are deep and balanced, enabling them to overcome off years from Prince Fielder and Mitch Moreland, who are hitting .197 and .232, respectively. They've gotten a huge bounceback year from Ian Desmond, the former Washington shortstop who signed as an outfielder and has merely batted a team-high .310 with 10 homers and 44 RBIs.

The 30-year old Desmond, who was seen by many as a cautionary tale after turning down a huge multi-year contract offer from the Nationals early last year and then settling for a one-year deal with Texas in late February, could play in next month's All-Star Game.

Ace left-hander Cole Hamels (6-1, 3.14) starts the series opener for Texas. Hamels is coming off a 6-4 victory Sunday over Seattle, allowing only four hits and a run in seven innings with two walks and five strikeouts. He's 3-4 in 12 career starts against St. Louis.

Michael Wacha (2-6, 4.91) looks for his first win since April 23 when he takes the mound for the Cardinals. Wacha at least has a good start to build off, holding Pittsburgh to two runs off three hits and three walks with five strikeouts on June 10 in St. Louis' 9-3, 12-inning victory.

After posting a season-high five-game winning streak on a road trip through NL Central rivals Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, the Cardinals resumed their home field disadvantage with 5-2 and 4-1 losses to Houston in a two-game interleague set.

"We just couldn't put enough pressure on them," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels (29-37) at Athletics (27-39)

Game: 1
Venue: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Date: June 17, 2016 9:35 PM EDT

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics have scheduled a fireworks show following their series opener against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Friday night.

Given the recent forms of Angels right-hander Matt Shoemaker and A's righty Kendall Graveman, the show might start earlier than planned.

As the San Francisco Bay Area awaits the return of Tim Lincecum as the Angels' starter Saturday, the series opener figures to serve as virtual batting practice for the California rivals.

First off, both teams come in swinging the bats well.

The Angels totaled 19 runs in winning two of three from the Minnesota Twins earlier this week, a series that they capped with a 10-2 romp.

The A's, meanwhile, were nearly no-hit by Texas Rangers right-hander Colby Lewis on Thursday afternoon. But they'd crushed the ball in their previous four games, totaling 31 runs on 50 hits.

Then there's Friday's scheduled pitchers.

Shoemaker has struggled on the road since April 30, having been lit up for 23 hits and 14 runs in 15 innings.

His most recent road start was the most encouraging of the three. He pitched into the eighth inning on June 6 against the New York Yankees, limiting them to four runs mostly on the strength of a no-walk effort.

He did, however, allow two home runs among eight hits, the fifth and sixth homers he's allowed in his five road starts.

Shoemaker rebounded from that to throw eight shutout innings on Saturday against the Cleveland Indians. But that was at home, where his ERA (4.43) is significantly better than his road mark (5.27).

Even last weekend's effort didn't turn out well for Shoemaker. He left with a 3-0 lead, only to see Angels closer Huston Street blow it in the top of the ninth.

The Angels rallied to win it in the bottom of the ninth, but everyone left the stadium feeling the club owed its starting pitcher more than just a team win.

"That's a shame for Matt," Angels manager Mike Scioscia told reporters after the game. "You can't pitch a better ballgame."

Added Street: "I feel bad for Matt Shoemaker. He's the one who deserved to win."

It was an all-around bad night for the right-hander, whose streak of 49 consecutive strikeouts without issuing a walk ended in the seventh inning.

Shoemaker has won twice on the road this season, including 5-1 at Oakland on April 13. That was so long ago, he actually walked three in the game, the same number he's issued in his last six starts combined.

The A's counter with Graveman, who's been less-than-stellar no matter where he's pitched this season.

His last five outings have been especially generous to the opponent, having allowed 35 hits and 11 walks in 24 1/3 innings.

Like Shoemaker, Graveman can look back on an April start against the Angels for inspiration. He held the Angels to one run on four hits over six innings on April 12 in a game the A's went on to lose 5-4.

The thought of Shoemaker-Graveman wasn't nearly as exciting to A's manager Bob Melvin on Thursday as Lincecum's pending season debut.

"That'll be kind of cool," the former Arizona Diamondbacks manager said, fast-forwarding to Saturday. "When he was in his prime, he was one of those guys when you saw the probables coming up, you'd prefer not to be one of them. He's quite a show."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Brewers (31-36) at Dodgers (35-33)

Game: 2
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: June 17, 2016 10:10 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES -- Julio Urias will attempt to follow up his strongest outing of the season when the Los Angeles Dodgers meet the Milwaukee Brewers in the second game of a four-game series Friday.

Urias (0-2, 5.82), the 19-year-old Dodgers rookie, struck out a career-tying seven, walked one and allowed two runs on four hits in 5 1/3 innings in a 2-1 setback to the San Francisco Giants on June 12.

"He had a great outing in San Francisco, so I know he's looking forward to (Friday)," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "Every outing he's had there's been some good strides. He's just more comfortable. He's more comfortable being on a major league mound, being around the clubhouse, seeing scouting reports, and everything he does speaks to him being more comfortable."

Urias will face Brewers right-hander Zach Davies (5-3, 3.88 ERA). Davies picked up a win in last Sunday's 5-3 decision over the New York Mets. Davis fanned seven with a walk, giving up a run and three hits in six innings. He retired 17 straight batters at one point. After dropping his initial three starts with an 8.78 ERA, Davies has gone 5-0 with a 2.55 ERA in eight starts. He has never faced the Dodgers.

The Brewers would like to duplicate Thursday's offensive production, using the long ball to end a three-game skid in an 8-6 win over the Dodgers. Jonathan Villar hit the go-ahead home run in the ninth inning before 44,183 at Dodger Stadium.

"I'm happy for the home run and the team win today," Villar said.

Villar, who went 2-for-5 with two RBIs, a stolen base and his sixth home run, drilled a two-run blast over the center-field wall off reliever Pedro Baez (0-2) -- breaking a 6-6 tie -- to lift the Brewers (31-36), winners of 14 of their last 20 games at Dodger Stadium.

"It was a fun game on our end," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "But it was an interesting game, good game. A lot of big pitches, lot of big plays. (Villar) really got that ball. It was a very well hit ball."

Twice, the Dodgers rallied in the back-and-forth affair. They wiped a 3-0 hole on a three-run homer by Trayce Thompson in the third inning, and forced to come back again with three runs in the sixth to knot the score.

"Was a fastball over the plate and I just put a good swing on it," said Thompson, who has hit eight of his 11 home runs this season at Dodger Stadium. "Had to bear down right there and got a pitch I could handle."

However, the Dodgers couldn't overcome Villar's deep shot to center. Los Angeles loaded the bases in the ninth against closer Jeremy Jeffress, but Jeffress struck out Corey Seager to end the threat.

"It was a fun game on our end," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "But it was an interesting game, good game. A lot of big pitches, lot of big plays. (Villar) really got that ball. It was a very well hit ball."

Jeffress hasn't allowed a run or walked a batter on the road this season. He has converted all seven of his road saves.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals (42-25) at Padres (27-41)

Game: 2
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: June 17, 2016 10:40 PM EDT

SAN DIEGO -- Two teams currently heading in opposite directions are meeting at Petco Park this week and one of the reminders of the San Diego Padres' present plight is starting against them Friday night.

In 2011, the Padres made right-hander Joe Ross the 28th overall pick of the June draft. The dream was to have Joe advance quickly and join his brother Tyson in the Padres' rotation.

Well, Joe advanced quickly. He made his Major League debut last June 6 at the age of 22. And he's now in perhaps the best starting rotation in the National League.

But he's not with the Padres.

On Dec. 18, 2014, the Padres packaged Ross and another first-round pick (shortstop Trea Turner) and sent them to the Washington Nationals in a three-team trade that brought Wil Myers to San Diego.

Now, the Padres are very happy with Myers. The 25-year-old first baseman could be the Padres' representative in the All-Star Game they are hosting next month. In fact, Myers, who hit his 15th homer Thursday night against the Nationals, is hopeful of being part of the National League contingent competing in the Home run Derby.

Myers is hitting .286 for the season. Myers is also hitting .362 (21-for-58) in June with six doubles, eight home runs, 18 RBIs and 16 runs scored. He has a Major League-leading 14 extra-base hits in June.

Myers has become something of a fan favorite for the struggling Padres.

But other Padres fans look at how Ross and Turner, who is at Triple-A, are progressing with the Nationals and wonder if the price for Myers was too high.

Ross is 5-4 in 12 starts for the Nationals this season with a 3.01 ERA. Were he still with the Padres, Ross would have the third-lowest earned run average in the present rotation.

"I really like the makeup of Joe," Nationals manager Dusty Baker said recently. "I like the pitches, the arm action and the approach. He's got a solid future."

Just over five years ago, Joe Ross said pitching in Petco Park with his brother there was "my dream." Well, it happens Friday night ... but not as originally planned. Not only is he pitching for the Nationals, brother Tyson has been on the disabled list since experiencing discomfort in his right shoulder while starting on Opening Day.

Ross will be opposed by Padres left-hander Christian Friedrich Friday.

Friedrich has been one of the positive stories this season for a team that has lost five of the last six games and are mired in last place in the National League West.

Claimed by the Padres when he was released by Colorado during spring training, the 28-year-old Friedrich, who, ironically, was, like Ross, the 25th overall pick in a draft (2008), is 3-1 with a 2.12 ERA in six starts for the Padres since he was promoted from Triple-A El Paso on May 13.

"What we see with Christian is a pitcher getting the opportunity to show what he can do," Padres manager Andy Green said recently of Friedrich. "He'd been up and down and was moved between the rotation and bullpen with the Rockies. The potential was always there, it's just coming to the surface."