Friday 6/5/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets at Diamondbacks

GAME: New York Mets (30-25) at Arizona Diamondbacks (25-28)
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 05 - 9:40 PM EST
WHERE: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
LINE: 108, -117 TOTAL: 9

John Mayberry Jr. got a rare start and the New York right fielder cashed in with a career-best performance as the Mets defeated host Arizona in Thursday's opener of a four-game series. Mayberry homered and doubled twice among a career-best four hits after not having a multi-hit outing all season to lead New York to a 6-2 victory.

Mayberry started in place of struggling Curtis Granderson and fueled the Mets' 14-hit attack that leaves them 2-2 through four outings of a seven-game road excursion. New York improved to 9-17 on the road with their second away win in the last 11 games and also moved a half-game ahead of the Washington Nationals in the battle for first place in the National League East. Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt homered in the opener and is a scorching 21-for-47 with six homers and 13 RBIs over the last 14 games. Center fielder A.J. Pollock is also swinging the ball well with three straight multi-hit outings and is 10-for-24 with five extra-base hits over the last five games.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FSN Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Jonathon (3-5, 4.42 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Jeremy Hellickson (3-3, 5.08)

Niese has lost three straight decisions and five of his last six. He will attempt to break out of a slump in which he has allowed 20 earned runs and 31 hits in 20 innings over his last four starts. Niese is 2-2 with a 6.67 ERA in five career starts against Arizona.

Hellickson has won consecutive starts and pitched well in three straight outings. He has allowed seven runs and 13 hits over 18 2/3 innings during the stretch and defeated Milwaukee on Saturday when he gave up two runs and five hits in six innings. Hellickson was torched for eight runs and nine in 3 2/3 innings while losing to the Mets on June 14, 2012, when he was a member of the Tampa Bay Rays.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York INF Daniel Murphy (quadriceps) exited in the third inning and is uncertain for Friday's game.

2. Arizona C Welington Castillo is slated to make his team debut Friday, two days after being acquired from Seattle.

3. Mets LF Michael Cuddyer went 1-for-5 after missing one game due to neck soreness.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 5, Mets 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays at Mariners

GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (29-26) at Seattle Mariners (24-30)
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 05 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington
LINE: -110, 102 TOTAL: 7

The Tampa Bay Rays look to continue their strong road trip when they visit the slumping Seattle Mariners on Friday for the second of a four-game series. The Rays won for the fifth time in seven contests on their 10-game trek Thursday with a 2-1 triumph that extended Seattle's losing streak to six – all at home.

Joey Butler, who played a total of 14 major-league contests the previous two seasons, collected a pair of hits to improve to 12-for-24 during a six-game hitting streak for the Rays. Jake Odorizzi will attempt to add to the Mariners’ offensive woes and left-hander J.A. Happ takes for the mound for Seattle, which went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position Thursday. Mark Trumbo, who was acquired from Arizona on Wednesday, chipped in with two hits in his Mariners' debut. Seattle’s Logan Morrison (back spasms) was a late scratch Thursday, putting his 11-game hitting streak on hold, and his status is uncertain for Friday.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Jake Odorizzi (4-5, 2.61 ERA) vs. Mariners LH J.A. Happ (3-1, 3.70)

Odorizzi snapped a three-game losing streak last time out despite allowing four runs and seven hits, including three homers, over six innings in a 9-5 victory at Baltimore. The 25-year-old, who has limited opponents to a .216 batting average, gave up two runs (one earned) in seven innings to take the loss against Seattle on May 25. Nelson Cruz is just 2-for-13 against Odorizzi, who is 1-1 with a 0.69 ERA in two starts versus the Mariners.

Happ has not gained a decision in his last four starts while yielding 10 runs in 20 innings combined after going 3-0 over his previous four outings. The Northwestern product, who is 54-54 in his career, gave up three runs and seven hits over six innings at Tampa Bay on May 26. Evan Longoria is 5-for-16 with two doubles versus Happ, who is 2-2 with a 5.35 ERA in eight career appearances (seven starts) against Tampa Bay.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mariners designated OF Justin Ruggiano for assignment on Thursday and recalled C Jesus Sucre from Triple-A Tacoma.

2. Tampa Bay RF Steven Souza Jr. knocked in his ninth run on the road trip Thursday with a single in the fourth inning.

3. Seattle RF-DH Nelson Cruz, who leads the American League with 18 homers, is 3-for-23 over the last six contests.

PREDICTION: Rays 4, Mariners 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals at Dodgers

GAME: St. Louis Cardinals (36-18) at Los Angeles Dodgers (31-23)
DATE/TIME: Friday, June 05 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
LINE: 108, -117 TOTAL: 7

Carlos Martinez superbly stymied Los Angeles on Sunday and looks for another strong performance when the St. Louis Cardinals visit the Dodgers on Friday. Martinez struck out eight and allowed just one hit in seven shutout innings as St. Louis posted a 3-1 victory over the Dodgers.

Martinez has pitched 20 1/3 scoreless innings over his last three outings and has allowed just 10 hits during the stretch. He will be looking to help the Cardinals win for the 10th time in 12 games after St. Louis rolled to a 7-1 victory in Thursday's series opener. The top four hitters in the Cardinals' lineup were a combined 8-for-15 in the opener, led by a three-hit game from shortstop Jhonny Peralta. Los Angeles center fielder Joc Pederson had his homer streak end at five consecutive games as his attempt to continue it came up short when he doubled off the left-center field fence in the third inning.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Carlos Martinez (5-2, 3.13 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Brett Anderson (2-3, 3.42)

Martinez has fanned eight batters on five occasions this season and has 64 overall in 60 1/3 innings. He gave up 14 runs over nine innings in his first two May starts before turning things around over his last four turns. Martinez is 1-1 with a 3.43 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) against Los Angeles.

Anderson faced Martinez on Sunday and took the loss as he allowed two runs and five hits in six innings. He is 0-2 over his last four outings and has allowed two or fewer runs in five of his last six turns. Anderson is 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA in five home starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers RHP Kenley Jansen (high blood pressure, headaches and stomach issues) was available but not used in the opener after missing Wednesday's game at Colorado.

2. Peralta is 2-for-11 — both hits are homers — against Anderson.

3. Los Angeles 2B Howie Kendrick (knee) sat out after getting banged up while sliding during Wednesday's game.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 4, Cardinals 3