Friday 7/1/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers at Rays

GAME: Detroit Tigers (41-38) at Tampa Bay Rays (33-45)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 01 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The last-place Tampa Bay Rays have suffered through plenty of demoralizing losses this season, but Thursday’s opener of a four-game series with the Detroit Tigers may have been the worst. The Rays look to rebound after allowing 12 batters to the plate and eight runs to score in the ninth inning, as they host the surging Tigers on Friday.

Tampa Bay has dropped 13 of its last 15 overall but registered 14 hits on Thursday in the 10-7 loss, and leadoff batter Logan Forsythe continues to produce with 12 hits in 26 at-bats during his six-game streak. Detroit’s Cameron Maybin notched the big hit in the ninth Thursday, a three-run double, and is 10-for-15 against the Rays this season – including 3-for-3 versus Friday starter Drew Smyly. Rookie Michael Fulmer, who recorded a career-best 11 strikeouts and gave up one run in seven innings to beat Tampa Bay last month, takes the mound for the Tigers. Detroit, which has won three in a row, is 7-3 in its last 10 contests and can move a season high-tying four games over .500 with a victory on Friday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Michael Fulmer (7-2, 2.40 ERA) vs. Rays LH Drew Smyly (2-8, 5.32)

Fulmer completed only 4 1/3 innings last time out on June 22 due to dehydration but returns with a streak of seven straight starts of allowing fewer than two runs. The 23-year-old has surrendered just one home run in his last six outings with 60 strikeouts in 63 2/3 innings overall. Evan Longoria launched a shot for the only run against Fulmer in Detroit’s 5-4 victory over the Rays on May 21.

Smyly is winless in his last seven starts, dropping to 0-4 in that span after permitting eight runs and 10 hits over five innings in a loss at Baltimore. The Arkansas product has recorded 100 strikeouts in 89 2/3 innings but has yielded a career-high 19 home runs. James McCann is 4-for-5 with two blasts versus Smyly, who gave up three runs over 6 1/3 innings in the May 21 loss to Fulmer and the Tigers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays UTIL Nick Franklin has registered nine RBIs in the first four contests of the homestand.

2. Detroit 1B Miguel Cabrera has 426 career homers, one shy of Mike Piazza for 47th place on the all-time list.

3. Tampa Bay OF Oswaldo Arcia is 9-for-20 with four RBIs in six games since being acquired from Minnesota.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Rays 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels at Red Sox

GAME: Los Angeles Angels (32-47) at Boston Red Sox (42-36)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 01 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

With the pressure building in Boston, the Red Sox are likely pleased to see the struggling Los Angeles Angels coming to town for three straight games beginning Friday night. Then again, the Red Sox just dropped two of three to another last-place team, the Tampa Bay Rays, with both losses coming in somewhat embarrassing fashion.

Slumping ace David Price was outdueled and his teammates managed five hits - all singles - in a 4-0 defeat on Wednesday, capping a 10-16 June for Boston, which opened the month three games up in the American League East and entered its final day 5 1/2 games back. The best pitcher for the Red Sox has been Steven Wright, who will attempt to pick up a staff that has given up an average of seven runs over an eight-game span. Fortunately for Boston, the Angels have not put up much of a fight in their current 1-9 slide, during which they've been held to four runs or fewer eight times. "We need to start getting some games on our terms and winning situations early, and get some guy coming in out of the pen making pitches, and right now we're struggling," manager Mike Scioscia told reporters following Wednesday's 10-4 loss to Houston.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jhoulys Chacin (3-6, 5.64 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Steven Wright (8-5, 2.18)

After he ended May with a complete-game win over Detroit, Chacin went 1-3 with an 8.59 ERA in June. He has given up 12 hits and walked nine batters while striking out only one in 6 2/3 innings over his last two starts. The 28-year-old is 2-1 with a 5.17 ERA in three career starts versus the Red Sox.

Wright had a rare slip-up Saturday in Texas, allowing eight runs (three earned) and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, his shortest start in over a month. The AL's ERA leader is 3-0 with a 1.59 ERA over his last four home starts. Wright has given up eight runs in 11 1/3 innings in two starts against the Angels, serving up home runs to both Mike Trout and Albert Pujols in the last encounter just under a year ago.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels have won four straight meetings and nine of the last 11.

2. Trout is batting .571 with three home runs, five RBIs and nine runs scored during a seven-game hitting streak.

3. Red Sox 1B Hanley Ramirez is day-to-day with a side injury.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Angels 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs at Mets

GAME: Chicago Cubs (51-27) at New York Mets (41-37)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 01 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The New York Mets swept Chicago in last year’s National League Championship Series, and now they’ve ended a lengthy regular-season losing streak against the Cubs. The Mets will try to make it two in a row when the teams continue a four-game series Friday at Citi Field.



New York took advantage of an untimely Javier Baez error in a three-run seventh inning and held on for a 4-3 win in the series opener, snapping a nine-game skid against the Cubs in the regular season. Chicago, which entered the series on a three-game winning streak, went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners in the opener – including leaving the bases loaded in the ninth. Baez’s throwing error helped awaken a Mets offense that had managed only nine runs over its previous five games, which is nothing new for Friday starter Jacob deGrom. New York has gone 21 consecutive innings without scoring a run with deGrom on the mound, contributing to his going winless since April 30.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), SNY (New York), MLB Network



PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jason Hammel (7-4, 2.58 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (3-4, 2.67)

Hammel is winless in his last four starts and has been hung with the loss in three of them. The 33-year-old was tagged with a tough-luck loss Sunday at Miami after allowing two runs and four hits over six innings. Hammel has struggled against the Mets, going 0-3 with a 4.91 ERA in five regular-season meetings and taking the loss in the Game 4 of last year’s NLCS.

In 10 starts since his last win, deGrom has pitched to a 3.13 ERA and posted eight quality starts. The 28-year-old threw eight scoreless frames last time out at Atlanta but still didn’t get the win in a 1-0 victory. DeGrom is 0-2 with a 6.46 ERA in three regular-season starts versus the Cubs, but he beat them in the NLCS last October after allowing two runs and four hits over seven frames.



WALK-OFFS

1. The Cubs have hit home runs in the first inning of three consecutive games for the first time since July 24-27, 2012.

2. Mets RH Jeurys Familia, who worked out of a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the ninth Thursday, has converted 43 consecutive save chances dating to Aug. 1 – a franchise record and the longest active streak in the majors.

3. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 17-for-40 during an 11-game hitting streak.



PREDICTION: Cubs 3, Mets 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Marlins at Braves

GAME: Miami Marlins (41-38) at Atlanta Braves (27-52)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 01 - 7:35 PM EST
WHERE: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Atlanta Braves' starting rotation has seen its fair share of turnover in 2016, but Julio Teheran remains the constant as he has put together a potential All-Star season. Teheran, who takes the mound Friday as the Braves host the Miami Marlins, looks to continue a campaign far better than his 3-7 record would indicate, ranking second in the National League in WHIP and seventh in ERA.

The Braves will look for Teheran to give them innings tonight as a rain delay limited starter Mike Foltynewicz to just three innings in Thursday’s 8-5 victory. While Atlanta ended a three-game losing streak, the Marlins lost their third in a row and dropped to 2-7 against Atlanta this season. Miami catcher J.T. Realmuto, who entered Thursday fourth in the NL in road batting average, went 3-for-4 in the series opener. First baseman Justin Bour hit a three-run homer Thursday, his eighth career blast against the Braves in the past 14 games.

TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), FSN South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins TBA vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (3-7, 2.46)

Miami has not announced a starter for Friday but could turn to left-hander Justin Nicolino (2-4, 5.17 ERA), who has made 10 starts this season. He won his first two starts of the season but has struggled lately, giving up 10 runs on 22 hits in 10 innings in starts against Arizona on June 10 and San Diego five nights later. Nicolino won both of his starts against Atlanta last season, posting an 0.64 ERA while allowing one run on eight hits in 14 innings.

Lack of run support has kept Teheran from winning more games – he has received a major-league worst 2.31 runs per start – but his 0.887 WHIP and his 5.9 hits per nine innings (third in the NL) show why contenders are interested in the 25-year-old. Teheran has not allowed a run in his past two starts, giving up six hits with 14 strikeouts in 17 innings. He is 3-4 in his past 11 starts, despite posting a 1.64 ERA and a .154 opponents’ batting average.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Marlins acquired San Diego closer Fernando Rodney Thursday for a minor-league prospect; Rodney, who has a 0.31 ERA and 17 saves, further bolsters a deep Miami bullpen.

2. Atlanta’s rotation evolved even more Thursday when the Braves traded starter Bud Norris to the Dodgers for two pitching prospects.

3. Miami OF Ichiro Suzuki hit a pinch-hit sacrifice fly Thursday, remaining 12 hits shy of reaching 3,000 in his major-league career.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Marlins 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox at Astros

GAME: Chicago White Sox (40-39) at Houston Astros (42-37)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 01 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Houston begins a 10-game homestand with three in a row starting Friday against the Chicago White Sox and no one is hotter - and more durable - than the Astros' Jose Altuve. The diminutive second baseman, who has played in 170 consecutive contests, is riding an 11-game hitting streak in which he is batting .444 with three homers, eight RBIs, 13 runs scored and a .490 on-base percentage while also enjoying a career-high on-base streak of 32 contests.

"He is a little tired, believe it or not," Houston manager A.J. Hinch told reporters about the 26-year-old Venezuelan, who stands 5-6 and weighs 165 pounds, and leads the majors with a .357 batting average and 111 hits. "He came in to talk about it (Wednesday) and we didn't connect, and luckily we didn't make the decision to take him out of the lineup. It's almost impossible not to play him. At some point this homestand, I'll have to give him a day off, maybe two, because he's going to have a busy All-Star break. But if he continues to go like this, players don't want to come out very often." The Astros have won 10 of their last 11 games and 12 of 14 since June 14, but trail the equally red-hot Texas Rangers in the American League West by 8 1/2 while gaining only one game during that stretch. Chicago has won three of its last four games after completing a 4-2 homestand with Thursday's 6-5 victory over Minnesota. Houston's Mike Fiers is unbeaten in his last five starts (2-0) and opposes Miguel Gonzalez, who has alternated solid outings with poor ones over his last four turns.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, ROOT (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Miguel Gonzalez (1-3, 5.17 ERA) vs. Astros RH Mike Fiers (5-3, 4.41)

Gonzalez allowed eight runs (career-high eight earned) and a career-high 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 10-8 loss to Toronto on Saturday and is 0-2 with a 9.39 ERA in his last three starts. The 32-year-old Mexican earned a no-decision in his previous outing, when he permitted a run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings of Chicago's 3-1 victory at Boston on June 20. George Springer is 4-for-9 with two solo home runs while Altuve is 2-for-11 against Gonzalez, who is 1-3 with a 3.60 ERA in five starts versus Houston after a 3-1 loss last June 3 in which he struck out eight in 6 2/3 innings.

Fiers received a no-decision after yielding three runs (two earned) and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings of the Astros' 13-5 victory in Kansas City on Saturday. The 31-year-old Florida native won his previous two starts, allowing two runs in 12 2/3 innings in victories over Cincinnati and at Tampa Bay. Todd Frazier is 5-for-18 with two home runs, five RBIs and four strikeouts against Fiers, who didn't earn a decision in two starts versus the White Sox, allowing two runs and striking out 14 in 13 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Frazier hit his 23rd home run of the season Thursday, moving him into a tie for the major-league lead with Baltimore's Mark Trumbo. It was the White Sox's 14th consecutive solo shot - one shy of the team record set in 1965.

2. Altuve, whose on-base streak is the longest by an Astro since Lance Berkman's 37-game run in 2004, had four hits and four runs scored Wednesday to join Craig Biggio (four times) and Joe Morgan (twice) as the only Astros second baseman to accomplish the feat.

3. Chicago LF Melky Cabrera (.294, eight home runs, 39 RBIs) is expected to miss his third straight game Friday because of a sprained right wrist.

PREDICTION: Astros 3, White Sox 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers at Twins

GAME: Texas Rangers (51-29) at Minnesota Twins (25-53)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 01 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Losing two in a row constitutes a slump for the first-place Texas Rangers, who continue a 10-game road trip with the first of three Friday against the worst team in baseball - the Minnesota Twins. Texas, which leads Houston by 8 1/2 games in the American League West, settled for splitting four contests at New York after Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Yankees - its first consecutive setbacks since being swept in three straight outings at Oakland from May 16-18.

The Rangers, though, are off to their best 80-game start in club history at 51-29 and were 20-8 in June - one victory short of matching the franchise record for wins in a month set in September 1978 and June 2010. Minnesota (25-53) capped a 2-4 road trip with a 6-5 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, but has a hot hitter on its hands in Brian Dozier. The second baseman is batting .447 with six home runs and 13 RBIs during a 12-game hitting streak while extending his club-record run of contests with an extra base hit to 11 with a solo homer Thursday. Texas' Martin Perez won his last six decisions to match a career high and opposes Ervin Santana, who is 1-0 in his last two outings after losing five straight starts.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Martin Perez (7-4, 3.44 ERA) vs. Twins RH Ervin Santana (2-7, 4.64)

Perez allowed one run and six hits in six innings of a 6-2 victory over Boston on Sunday, running his unbeaten streak to seven starts. The 25-year-old Venezuelan permitted four runs in each of his previous two turns after yielding three or fewer in four straight outings - all wins - while pitching at least six innings in all of them. Perez lost his only appearance to Minnesota in 2012 in his third major league game and second career start.

Santana received a no-decision after allowing one run and six hits in five innings of Minnesota's 2-1 loss at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. The 33-year-old Dominican earned his only victory since May 14 when he permitted three runs (two earned) in 7 1/3 innings of a 7-4 victory over the Yankees on June 19 after allowing five runs in each of his previous three turns as part of a 7.71 ERA during his losing streak. Prince Fielder is 7-for-18 with three home runs and seven RBIs while Adrian Beltre is 15-for-60 with five homers and 15 RBIs against Santana, who is 13-11 with a 5.67 ERA in 30 starts versus Texas.

WALK-OFFS

1. Fielder (.219) went 0-for-3 on Thursday to snap an 11-game hitting streak during which he hit .368 and raised his average to .221 - the highest since going 1-for-4 opening day.

2. Twins SS Eduardo Nunez went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored Thursday and has 87 hits, 32 RBIs and 39 runs scored this season, surpassing his previous career highs of 85, 38 and 30, respectively. Nunez is 8-for-18 with two home runs and four RBIs in his last four games.

3. Texas RF Shin-Soo Choo is 12-for-34 with three home runs and five RBIs in his last eight games after belting a solo home run Thursday.

PREDICTION: Rangers 3, Twins 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Brewers at Cardinals

GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (35-43) at St. Louis Cardinals (40-38)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 01 - 8:15 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Jaime Garcia recorded the best pitching performance of his career earlier this season when he recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts during a one-hit shutout against Milwaukee at home. Garcia gets the chance to duplicate the feat Friday, when the St. Louis Cardinals open a three-game series against the visiting Brewers.

Garcia was unable to match the success when he faced the Brewers in Milwaukee on June 1, giving up two runs and five hits in five innings. The Cardinals are struggling in their own ballpark, and Thursday's 4-2 loss to Kansas City extended their home losing streak to seven games - their longest such skid since 1983. Milwaukee slugger Ryan Braun is playing well as he is 18-for-44 during his 11-game hitting streak. The Brewers have lost 10 of their last 15 games, including an 8-1 setback against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Matt Garza (1-0, 2.81 ERA) vs. Cardinals LH Jaime Garcia (5-6, 4.09)

Garza is making his fourth start of the season and has worked six innings in each of his last two. He picked up the victory against Washington on Saturday, when he allowed four runs and seven hits. Garza is 4-4 with a 4.07 ERA in 12 career starts versus St. Louis and has struggled against Matt Adams (8-for-17, one homer), Brandon Moss (7-for-15, one homer), Jhonny Peralta (17-for-37, two homers) and Matt Holliday (11-for-30).

Garcia typically excels against the Brewers as he owns a 10-5 record and 2.71 ERA in 19 career appearances (18 starts). He struggled in June with a 1-2 mark and 5.40 ERA and was touched for five runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings by Seattle on Sunday. Garcia has been able to shut down Braun (10-for-52, one homer) and Aaron Hill (4-for-19).

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cardinals have won 25 of the last 38 meetings and have gone 4-2 this season while outscoring the Brewers 38-13.

2. Milwaukee 1B Chris Carter has recorded just one extra-base hit - a homer - in his last 11 games.

3. St. Louis SS Aledmys Diaz (eye) is expected back in the lineup after missing three contests.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Brewers 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants at Diamondbacks

San Francisco Giants (50-31) at Arizona Diamondbacks (36-45)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 01 - 9:40 PM EST
WHERE: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Johnny Cueto produced a rare poor effort in his last outing and attempts to bounce back Friday, when the San Francisco Giants open a three-game series against the host Arizona Diamondbacks. Cueto received a no-decision against Philadelphia on June 26 when he allowed a season high-tying six runs and eight hits in six innings.

Cueto has won eight consecutive decisions and his lone loss of the season came against Arizona as he allowed three runs and eight hits in seven innings on April 21. San Francisco salvaged the finale of a four-game, home-and-home interleague set versus Oakland with a convincing 12-6 victory on Thursday and holds a six-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. The Diamondbacks, who have lost five consecutive contests, are a disappointing 36-45 and stand 14 games behind the Giants at the halfway point but believe they still can get back into the wild-card race. "We just haven't consistently been able to play up to our abilities, just probably as a whole," Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt told reporters. "There's not one reason. Guys have been positive, guys have been working hard. It's hopefully just a matter of time before we start playing better."

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco), FSN Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Johnny Cueto (11-1, 2.42 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Shelby Miller (2-7, 6.79)

Cueto is 7-2 with a 2.69 ERA in 10 career starts against the Diamondbacks, including a victory on May 12 in which he gave up two runs and eight hits over seven innings. He has experienced difficulties with Michael Bourn (10-for-26) and Goldschmidt (5-for-16, one homer). Cueto has been superb on the road this season, posting a 7-0 record and 2.17 ERA in eight starts.

Miller continued his horrific campaign by being rocked for seven runs and 11 hits over six innings in a loss to Colorado on Saturday. He has struggled at home, going 0-5 with a 6.97 ERA in six outings and serving up eight homers in just 31 frames. Miller is 2-2 with a 2.65 ERA in six career starts against San Francisco and lost to the Giants on May 13, when he gave up three runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Giants are 24-13 against NL West rivals this season.

2. Arizona is expected to decide Friday whether or not to put RHP Zack Greinke (oblique) on the 15-day disabled list.

3. San Francisco 1B Brandon Belt (four RBIs on Thursday) and C Buster Posey (three-run homer) are 1-for-14 and 1-for-13, respectively, against Miller.

PREDICTION: Giants 7, Diamondbacks 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates at Athletics

GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (38-41) at Oakland Athletics (35-44)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 01 - 10:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Two days after ending their horrors on the road, the Pittsburgh Pirates continue their nine-game trek on Friday with the opener of a three-game interleague series against the Oakland Athletics. Pittsburgh had lost six straight and 10 of 11 away from home before posting an 8-1 triumph at Seattle on Wednesday to earn a split of the two-game set that kicked off its road trip.

Starling Marte collected three hits in the win and is 9-for-25 during his six-game hitting streak. Oakland is coming off just its second loss in eight contests, a 12-6 home setback against San Francisco. The Athletics, who were attempting to sweep the four-game, home-and-home set versus the National League West leader, have been producing offensively as they have scored at least six runs in each of their last seven contests. Coco Crisp has been involved in the fireworks, going 11-for-29 with 11 RBIs and 11 runs scored during his eight-game hitting streak.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), CSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Jeff Locke (7-5, 5.12 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Sonny Gray (3-6, 5.03)

Locke has been superb of late, scattering five hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings against San Francisco on June 20 and limiting the Los Angeles Dodgers to one run and five hits in seven frames five days later. The back-to-back victories helped the 28-year-old native of New Hampshire erase the memories of his previous two outings, in which he surrendered a total of 18 runs over 8 2/3 innings. Locke pitched well in his only career start against Oakland but took the loss after allowing two runs and three hits in seven frames on July 8, 2013.

Gray has not been victorious since defeating the Blue Jays in Toronto on April 22, losing five of his last 10 starts. The 26-year-old from Nashville settled for a no-decision on the road against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday despite giving up only two runs and six hits over six innings. Gray made his only career appearance against Pittsburgh on July 10, 2013, allowing one hit while recording three strikeouts over two innings of relief in his major-league debut.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland's Marcus Semien, who leads all American League shortstops in homers with 16, has recorded three blasts and seven RBIs over his last five contests.

2. Pittsburgh RF Sean Rodriguez registered a career-high four RBIs on Wednesday and has collected eight over his last five games.

3. Oakland placed LHP Sean Doolittle (shoulder) on the disabled list and optioned RHP Zach Neal to Triple-A while recalling LHP Daniel Coulombe and RHP Andrew Triggs from Nashville.

PREDICTION: Athletics 5, Pirates 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Orioles at Mariners

GAME: Baltimore Orioles (47-31) at Seattle Mariners (40-39)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 01 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Baltimore Orioles hit 56 homers in June to establish a major-league record for the month and aim to keep their power display going as the calendar changes to July. The Orioles set the all-time June mark but had their seven-game winning streak halted in the series opener against Seattle and look to even the four-game set when they visit the Mariners on Friday.

Hyun Soo Kim hit the record blast in Thursday's 5-3 loss as Baltimore - which leads the majors with 125 homers - surpassed the mark set by the 1996 Oakland Athletics (55). Manny Machado has recorded nine multi-hit performances during a 10-game hitting streak in which he is 23-for-44 with 10 runs scored and nine RBIs. Seattle received a two-run homer from Seth Smith on Thursday and won for the fourth time in its last six games despite going just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Robinson Cano scored twice and is 11-for-28 during his seven-game hitting streak.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (1-5, 3.93 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Wade LeBlanc (0-0, 0.00)

Gausman earned his first victory of the season in his last outing, when he allowed four hits in 7 2/3 scoreless innings against Tampa Bay. The stellar performance came on the heels of two poor ones as he gave up 10 runs and 16 hits over eight frames during the woeful span. Gausman is 0-1 with a 2.63 ERA in two career starts against the Mariners and has struggled to retire Cano (5-for-9) and Adam Lind (3-for-6).

LeBlanc will make his second start since being acquired from Toronto as the Mariners moved the struggling Nathan Karns to the bullpen. He had a stellar first outing, blanking St. Louis on three hits over six innings while receiving a no-decision. LeBlanc has made one career start against Baltimore, giving up one run and seven hits over 6 2/3 frames in a no-decision in 2010 while with San Diego

WALK-OFFS

1. Orioles 2B Jonathan Schoop went 0-for-3 with a walk in the opener to end his 11-game hitting streak.

2. Seattle recalled C Mike Zunino and RHP Tom Wilhelmsen from Triple-A Tacoma, placed C Steve Clevenger (broken hand) on the disabled list and optioned RHP Donn Roach to Tacoma.

3. Baltimore placed LHP T.J. McFarland (knee) on the 15-day disabled list, optioned RHP Oliver Drake and C Francisco Pena to Triple-A Norfolk, recalled C Caleb Joseph and RHP Vance Worley and purchased the contract of RHP Chaz Roe from Norfolk.

PREDICTION: Mariners 5, Orioles 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockies at Dodgers

GAME: Colorado Rockies (37-41) at Los Angeles Dodgers (44-37)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 01 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Los Angeles Dodgers must survive without ace Clayton Kershaw for at least a few weeks after he was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday because of a lower-back injury. The Dodgers wasted no time filling his spot in the rotation by acquiring Bud Norris and the veteran right-hander gets the start Friday against the visiting Colorado Rockies in the opener of a three-game set.

Norris was picked up from Atlanta for a pair of minor leaguers after going 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA in six June appearances – five of them starts – and attempts to help Los Angeles win for the fourth time in five games. The Rockies have dropped two straight and allowed 63 runs in their last eight contests, but Colorado standouts Carlos Gonzalez and Nolan Arenado have also been hot with the bats. Arenado is riding a 12-game hitting streak and Gonzalez is 13-for-26 with three homers and 13 RBIs while hitting safely in seven straight. The Rockies also hope to get second baseman DJ LeMahieu (knee) and rookie shortstop Trevor Story (finger) back in the lineup soon.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Jorge De La Rosa (5-4, 6.47 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Bud Norris (3-7, 4.22)

De La Rosa has been a different pitcher since returning to the starting rotation, allowing four runs over 17 innings in three starts. The Mexico native has won four straight decisions overall, but owns a 10.69 ERA in four road starts this season. Adrian Gonzalez is 17-for-48 with three homers and 15 RBIs versus De La Rosa, who is 7-11 with a 5.22 ERA in 25 games (21 starts) against the Dodgers.

Norris has been outstanding since he returned to the rotation with the Braves, permitting seven runs in his last five starts across 29 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old Californian boasts 27 strikeouts and four walks over his last four starts, including seven scoreless frames Sunday against the New York Mets. Daniel Descalso is 8-for-21 with a homer, five doubles and a triple versus Norris, who is 2-1 with a 6.23 ERA in 10 games (five starts) against the Rockies.

WALK-OFFS

1. Colorado 1B Mark Reynolds boasts two doubles, a homer and five RBIs in the last four games.

2. Los Angeles SS Corey Seager is 22-for-53 during a 13-game hitting streak after belting a two-run homer in an 8-1 victory over Milwaukee on Thursday.

3. The teams have split six games this season, with the road team winning both series.

PREDICTION: Rockies 8, Dodgers 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees at Padres

GAME: New York Yankees (39-39) at San Diego Padres (33-46)
DATE/TIME: Friday, July 01 - 10:40 PM EST
WHERE: Petco Park, San Diego, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The New York Yankees utilized some late-game magic to close out a long homestand in successful fashion and get back to .500. They will try to maintain the momentum when they begin a 10-game road trip with an interleague matchup at the San Diego Padres on Friday.

After dropping the first two games of a four-game series with Texas, the Yankees had a six-run rally in the ninth inning to steal Wednesday's contest and then triumphed 2-1 on Thursday when a passed ball scored the winning run in the ninth. "I mean, (Wednesday) night showed that we never give up," shortstop Didi Gregorius - who had the walk-off homer Wednesday - told reporters. "Everybody's fighting. We're not giving up." The Padres followed up a three-game winning streak with three straight losses by a combined margin of 26-13, dropping a pair against Baltimore to begin their five-game homestand. San Diego then utilized a day off Thursday to ship closer Fernando Rodney to Miami for a minor leaguer.

TV: 10:40 p.m. ET, YES (New York), FSN San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Nathan Eovaldi (6-5, 5.19 ERA) vs. Padres RH Colin Rea (4-3, 5.05)

Home runs continue to be a huge problem for Eovaldi, who surrendered a season-high four in a loss to Minnesota on Sunday and has given up 10 over his last five starts. The 26-year-old was 0-3 with an 8.65 ERA in June after winning his final five starts in May. Eovaldi owns a 2.31 ERA in four career starts against the Padres but is 2-6 with a 5.81 mark in 16 interleague starts.

Rea allowed four runs (three earned) in five innings while striking out seven at Cincinnati his last time out to win for the first time in eight starts. The Indiana State product has given up at least three runs in seven of his last eight outings. The 25-year-old Rea, who gave up six runs in 5 1/3 innings in his only prior interleague start, has never faced the Yankees.

WALK-OFFS

1. Gregorius also homered Thursday and hit .337 in June.

2. San Diego has scored at least five runs in seven straight home games.

3. Padres LHP Ryan Buchter, who gave up five runs in one-third of an inning Wednesday against Baltimore, is expected to be given the first chance to seize Rodney's closer spot.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Padres 5