Friday 7/31/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs (54-47) at Brewers (44-59)

Game: 2
Venue: Miller Park
Date: July 31, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Now that Carlos Gomez has finally been traded, there's a good chance the Milwaukee Brewers' offensive woes could linger for at least one more night with Jason Hammel set to face them.

Trying to record his first victory in almost eight weeks for the visiting Chicago Cubs, Hammel looks to remain undefeated against the reeling Brewers on Friday night.

A day after a proposed deal that had Gomez headed to the New York Mets fell through, the All-Star center fielder and right-hander Mike Fiers were sent to AL West-leading Houston on Thursday for four prospects.

"I know (the Brewers are) trying to rebuild, and if they trade me, they can get a lot of good prospects," Gomez told MLB's official website.

Having traded veteran slugger Aramis Ramirez earlier this month, Milwaukee (44-59) has totaled 19 runs and posted a .279 on-base percentage while losing seven of the last nine. Gerardo Parra is batting .460 during a career-high 14-game hitting streak but trade rumors continue to persist leading up to Friday afternoon's deadline.

After managing six hits for a second consecutive contest in Thursday's 5-2 series-opening defeat, the Brewers don't expect to have an easy time opposite Hammel (5-5, 3.20 ERA) - 6-0 with a 2.25 ERA in eight starts against them.

Though the right-hander has a 3.46 ERA while going 1-0 against Milwaukee this season, he earned that victory by yielding two runs and striking out eight in seven innings of a 7-6 win at Miller Park on May 8.

Hammel, however, is 0-3 with a 4.10 ERA and has received 11 runs of support in eight starts since winning at Washington on June 6. He'll try to rebound from giving up a season-high six runs and eight hits in 3 2-3 innings of an 11-5 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday.

"My role (Sunday) was just garbage, unacceptable," Hammel said.

Teammate Anthony Rizzo was 5 for 38 with one home run in his previous 10 games but went 3 for 4 and belted a go-ahead three-run homer in the eighth inning Thursday.

'The whole night, it wasn't going our way,' Chicago manager Joe Maddon, whose team scored all its runs in the final two innings. 'But I liked the way we worked."

Rizzo is batting .429 with six home runs and 15 RBIs in during a 13-game hitting streak against Milwaukee.

Dexter Fowler has batted .388 and drawn 16 walks while reaching base safely in 14 consecutive contests.

Two games out of the NL's final wild-card spot, Chicago (54-47) is trying to win three in a row for the first time since sweeping the Mets at Citi Field from June 30-July 2.

The Cubs will get their first look at Taylor Jungmann (5-2, 2.14), who has allowed two or fewer runs in all but one of nine starts since making his major league debut June 9. However, he was hardly satisfied after yielding a pair of first-inning runs and striking out seven but walking four while throwing a season-high 107 pitches over six in Saturday's 2-0 loss at Arizona.

'It was just a frustrating outing," said the right-hander, who has walked 19 in 59 innings.

Parra is batting .360 (9 for 25) when facing Hammel, but Jean Segura is 1 for his last 9 and Ryan Braun is hitless in his last six at-bats against him.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees (57-44) at White Sox (49-51)

Game: 1
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: July 31, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

The New York Yankees have won five straight games over the Chicago White Sox and six in a row when facing left-handed starters.

They'll look to avoid their first three-game slide in a month Friday night when they open a three-game road series against lefty Carlos Rodon and the White Sox.

New York (57-44) makes the final stop on a 10-game trip on which it dropped to 4-3 after a four-game split in Texas, capped by Thursday's 7-6 defeat in which Mark Teixeira homered twice. The Yankees last lost three straight from June 28-30.

They are 18-11 against southpaw starters with six straight wins and a 5-0 mark since the All-Star break as they get their first look at Rodon (4-3, 4.09 ERA), who threw 6 2-3 scoreless innings with nine strikeouts in Sunday's 2-1 victory at Cleveland. He was 1-3 with a 6.98 ERA in his previous six starts.

"He's like every other pitcher," manager Robin Ventura said. "He can get himself into trouble, but what he has that most people don't is he can get himself out of trouble."

Rodon has posted a 10.00 ERA in losing his last two home outings.

His presence means that Chris Young will be back in the Yankees lineup for the first time in three games. Young is third in the AL with a .371 average against lefties, going 7 for 15 with two homers against them since the All-Star break.

Third baseman Chase Headley is 8 for 16 with two doubles against southpaws in the same span, and he's batting .392 in his last 14 overall.

This is the Yankees' first meeting with the White Sox (49-51) since winning the final five last season, including two on the road after losing eight straight in Chicago.

The White Sox held the AL's third-worst record on July 22 before getting back into wild-card contention with a season-high seven-game win streak to start a road trip that was capped with Thursday's 8-2 loss to Boston. Chicago batted .318 and averaged 7.0 runs in the eight games - its overall mark is 3.7.

"We wanted to win all eight, but that's the way it goes," Ventura told MLB's official website. "You want us to swing the bats and we did that on this road trip."

Melky Cabrera was 0 for 3 after going 18 for 33 with 11 RBIs in the first seven games. Jose Abreu is batting .375 with three homers and 13 RBIs during a 10-game hitting streak.

The White Sox seek to avoid their first five-game slide in two years at home, where they average a major league-worst 3.2 runs.

Nathan Eovaldi (10-2, 4.27) will move up a day and pitch on regular rest after New York placed Michael Pineda on the disabled list with a right flexor forearm muscle strain. CC Sabathia started Thursday for Pineda.

Eovaldi benefits from the majors' second-best run support average at 7.09. He improved to 5-0 with a 2.83 ERA in his last seven starts by giving up two runs over eight innings Sunday in a 7-2 win at Minnesota.

The right-hander has never faced the White Sox. Adam LaRoche is the only Chicago hitter with more than four at-bats against him, going 7 for 19 with a homer.

The Yankees will likely debut utility player Dustin Ackley, acquired from Seattle for a pair of minor leaguers Thursday.

"He's a guy who that over the last three or four years has played about five different positions so he's a guy who we feel we can move everywhere," manager Joe Girardi said.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners (46-57) at Twins (53-48)

Game: 2
Venue: Target Field
Date: July 31, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan said he has "every intention" of making a deal before his club takes the field Friday night.

Twins fans can only hope that will be the case for the surprising club, which will again be without Trevor Plouffe when it continues a four-game home series with the Seattle Mariners.

Minnesota (53-48) holds the AL's second wild card in a crowded race, though it has yet to make a move with glaring needs at shortstop and in the bullpen. The Twins have been one of the biggest stories in baseball after four straight seasons with at least 92 defeats, and Ryan intends to bolster the team by the deadline.

They won't have Plouffe, who was placed on the paternity list after the birth of his son Teddy and missed Thursday's 9-5 victory in the series opener. He is not expected to return until Saturday, when he can add to his 55 RBIs - tied for second on the club.

Seattle (46-57) is expected to get Robinson Cano back in the lineup as the designated hitter after the second baseman sat out the last two games with an abdominal strain. Brad Miller and Chris Taylor each started at second in his absence.

"This will be two days of rest and we'll see how it goes from there," Cano told MLB's official website. He's batting .381 with five homers and 12 RBIs in his last 11 games.

Logan Morrison, in a 4-for-34 slump, is day to day after being out of Thursday's lineup with a bruised left thumb.

The Mariners got two new players after trading Dustin Ackley to the New York Yankees on Thursday for right-hander Jose Ramirez and outfielder Ramon Flores, though both were sent to the minors.

Twins star Joe Mauer has a .340 average in an 11-game hitting streak after he had an RBI single in five at-bats. Eddie Rosario is 11 for 21 over his past five games after driving in three runs and falling a single short of the cycle Thursday, when the club ended a four-game slide.

"After you go through these last four days, any win is good," manager Paul Molitor said. "It kind of lightens the mood a little bit."

Rosario will get his first look at Seattle starter Taijuan Walker (7-7, 5.03 ERA), who has never faced the Twins. Walker is 0-1 with an 8.02 ERA in his last four outings after registering a 1.67 ERA in a five-start win streak.

The right-hander was charged with four runs in six innings in Sunday's 6-5, 10-inning win over Toronto. His 5.84 road ERA is one of baseball's worst marks.

Walker will be opposed by Tommy Milone (5-2, 3.58), who has allowed 11 runs in 8 2-3 innings since the All-Star break following a six-start stretch in which he was 3-0 with a 1.62 ERA.

The left-hander is 3-4 with a 3.48 ERA in nine starts against the Mariners. Franklin Gutierrez is 5 for 11 with a homer and two doubles against him, but other Seattle hitters haven't fared as well. Mark Trumbo is 2 for 18 with eight strikeouts versus Milone, Nelson Cruz is 3 for 16, Austin Jackson is 1 for 10 and Cano is 1 for 8.

Cruz, however, is hitting an AL-best .376 off lefties.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks (49-51) at Astros (58-45)

Game: 1
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: July 31, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

The Houston Astros stocked their farm system as they painfully endured their three worst seasons in franchise history.

With an abundance of young talent, they added some veteran flair to their roster Thursday.

Houston looks to continue its push toward its first playoff berth in 10 years Friday night against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Astros (57-45) had a .333 winning percentage from 2011-2013, losing 106-plus games each season. Last year wasn't much better at 70-92, but now they're reaping the benefits from high draft picks Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers and Carlos Correa.

Leading the Los Angeles Angels by two games in the AL West after sweeping them in three games, the Astros have staked their claim as contenders at the trade deadline for the first time in recent memory. Last week they acquired Scott Kazmir from Oakland, and Thursday they sent four prospects to Milwaukee for outfielder Carlos Gomez and right-hander Mike Fiers.

Gomez, a two-time All-Star signed through next season, has been limited to 74 games by injuries, but is still batting .262 with eight home runs and 20 doubles. Fiers is 5-9 with a 3.89 ERA and isn't a free agent until after 2019.

Both are expected to be in uniform.

"To be able to bring a player like Carlos Gomez into our organization in the prime of his career to complement a lot of great players we have out there right now means we're serious about doing some damage this year, and in the years to come," general manager Jeff Luhnow told MLB's official website.

Jason Castro hit a three-run walkoff homer with two outs in the ninth and Kazmir gave up three hits over 7 2-3 innings in Thursday's 3-0 win.

Arizona (49-51) has won a season high-tying five straight, also accomplished May 18-22. Its starting pitchers have posted a 1.64 ERA during this surge, and the team had 16 runs and 27 hits in its last two victories at Seattle.

Jake Lamb is 7 for 17 during the winning streak while Paul Goldschmidt is 7 for 18 with five walks. Goldschmidt has seven doubles and two homers during a 12-game hitting streak against Houston.

The Diamondbacks haven't won six in a row since a nine-game run Aug. 23-31, 2011.

Houston's Scott Feldman (4-5, 4.54 ERA) comes off his best start of the year, limiting Kansas City to one run and four hits over 7 2-3 innings, though he didn't record a decision in the 2-1 loss Saturday. He had given up four runs over 5 2-3 innings in a 7-6 loss to Texas a week earlier in his first start since undergoing knee surgery.

"I've been out for so long it felt like I was starting over almost, building my way back up," Feldman said of the procedure that had sidelined him since May 26. "I felt pretty good when I got activated. Hopefully I can build off of this one and try to continue to pitch deeper into games."

Feldman is 0-1 with a 3.97 ERA in four starts against Arizona.

The Diamondbacks counter with Rubby De La Rosa (8-5, 4.52), who is looking to win a third straight start for the first time in his career after two of his best outings of the season. He limited Miami and Milwaukee to a combined one run and nine hits over 15 innings.

He's given up 13 home runs in 55 1-3 road innings compared to nine over 70 at home, however. The Astros lead the majors with 141 home runs, and De La Rosa was trounced in two previous starts against them, allowing 11 runs over 8 2-3 innings.

Houston won three of four meetings last year.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockies (43-57) at Cardinals (65-37)

Game: 2
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: July 31, 2015 8:15 PM EDT

The St. Louis Cardinals have shown a knack for winning while short-handed throughout much of this season, and their first game without Matt Holliday was no different.

The Cardinals will try to build on a stunning victory and extend their home dominance over the Colorado Rockies on Friday night.

St. Louis (65-37) has forged the best record in the majors despite missing top pitcher Adam Wainwright and first baseman Matt Adams for much of this season. The Cardinals have also endured pitcher Lance Lynn's stint on the disabled list and put Holliday there for the second time this season Thursday because of a strained right quad.

St. Louis, though, rallied with Jhonny Peralta's two-run single and Greg Garcia's bases-loaded walk in the ninth for a 9-8 victory. Matt Carpenter went 4 for 5 with a pair of homers in his return to the leadoff spot, where he's batting .370 with six homers in 22 games. He hit .225 with six homers in 69 games in the No. 2 spot.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't comfortable there," Carpenter said. "It's not to say that I can't hit in other positions. Today might have bought myself a couple of more games there."

Brandon Moss was 0 for 2 in his Cardinals debut after entering the game in the sixth inning. St. Louis picked up Moss in a trade with Cleveland on Thursday with the hope he can help make up for Holliday's absence.

Moss had 15 homers - more than anyone on the Cardinals roster - and 50 RBIs in 94 games for Cleveland.

If he makes his first start for St. Louis, Moss will try to lead his new club to its 16th win in the last 19 home games against the Rockies (43-57). Colorado's defeat Thursday was its 17th in its last 22 road contests, and closer John Axford blew his fourth consecutive save attempt.

Axford, who has allowed eight runs in 3 2-3 innings in his last five games, converted 16 of 17 chances while logging a 2.36 ERA in his first 29 appearances for the Rockies.

"He was almost perfect for most of the season, had a tough week or so," manager Walt Weiss said. "Physically he's fine. . Just the command, particularly with the fastball. I think he struggled throwing strikes with that pitch."

Michael Wacha (11-4, 3.27 ERA) will try to deliver another win over Colorado after his most effective outing in his past three games. The right-hander, though, also took his first loss in five starts Sunday - a 3-2 defeat to Atlanta - after allowing three runs in six innings.

Wacha, who had given up a combined 10 runs in 11 innings in his previous two games, is 0-1 with a 6.35 ERA in his two starts against Colorado. He allowed four runs in 6 2-3 innings in a 4-3 defeat in Denver on June 9.

Kyle Kendrick (4-11, 6.33) has given up a combined 12 runs in 9 1-3 innings in his past two starts but was the beneficiary of an offensive outburst Sunday in Colorado's 17-7 win over Cincinnati as he allowed six runs in five innings.

Kendrick went 1-1 with a 6.57 ERA in two starts against St. Louis last season while with Philadelphia after going 5-2 with a 2.89 ERA in his first eight.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians (47-54) at Athletics (45-58)

Game: 2
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: July 31, 2015 9:35 PM EDT

Sending Brandon Moss elsewhere was seemingly the mark of the Cleveland Indians waving the white flag on the 2015 season.

Try as they might, the Indians face an uphill climb to reach the playoffs for a second straight year.

Cleveland aims for a third consecutive win Friday night as it continues this road series with the Oakland Athletics.

Moss was the Indians' prized offseason acquisition after he hit 76 home runs over the last three seasons for the A's. But with a .217 average and an abysmal .288 on-base percentage, Moss had become emblematic of Cleveland's disappointing season.

The Indians (47-54) are six games out of a playoff spot with seven teams ahead of them for the AL's second wild-card. On Thursday, general manager Chris Antonetti sent Moss to St. Louis in exchange for left-hander Rob Kaminsky, a 2013 first-round pick.

"No one expected to be in the position that we are right now," Antonetti told MLB's official website. "But we've played our way to this point. So we now have to do what we can to make the most of the second half of the season, and that's what we have every intention of doing."

The very immediate outlook appears favorable with Carlos Carrasco throwing a two-hitter in Thursday's 3-1 victory and Danny Salazar (8-6, 3.72 ERA) looking to stymie Oakland for the second time in three weeks.

He came within an out of his second career complete game in a 5-1 win July 10. Salazar struck out eight and allowed five hits, and the run was unearned.

The right-hander has since lost back-to-back outings since despite quality starts against Milwaukee and the Chicago White Sox in which he struck out 16 over 12 2-3 innings. He was given one total run of support in those games and has been backed by one run or fewer four times in his last eight starts while going 2-5.

"I'm disappointed," Salazar said. "I think right now we're not playing the game the right way. We don't have energy - not on the field or in the dugout. We're supposed to enjoy the game and have fun out there, and we're not doing that."

This is a rematch of starters, as Kendall Graveman (6-7, 4.13) allowed four runs over 5 2-3 innings in the loss. Graveman had recorded seven straight quality starts before surrendering 14 runs in his last three. He was charged with four runs in 1 1-3 innings - a career low for a start - in Sunday's 4-3 defeat at San Francisco.

"I had to do a better job of commanding the baseball," he said. "I have to find ways to get outs."

Graveman is 2-4 with a 5.40 ERA in seven home games.

The A's (45-58) have dropped six of seven, scoring three runs or fewer six times. Billy Butler is batting .148 over his last nine games but is 7 for 14 with four doubles off Salazar.

These teams have split the last 14 meetings in Oakland.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Blue Jays land David Price in trade with Tigers, oddsmakers adjust accordingly
By ANDREW AVERY

Just a couple of days after landing Troy Tulowitzki from the Colorado Rockies in a blockbuster deal seemingly out of nowhere, Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopolous is at it again bringing in David Price from the Detroit Tigers to bolster a lackluster pitching staff.

Reportedly headed to the Tigers is prized pitching prospect Daniel Norris and fellow left-handed pitching prospects Matt Boyd and Jairo Labourt.

Price put together a 9-4 record, 2.53 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 21 starts for the Tigers and was ranked seventh in Covers' starting pitcher money standings. The Tigers went 15-6 in those games which the southpaw started.

With one of the league's best shortstops heading north of the border and now a staff ace on his way, oddsmakers had Jays' futures flying all week.

"After the Tulo trade we adjusted the Jays World Series odds to 30-1(35-1), AL Pennant to 12-1(15-1) and AL East to 5-1(7-1)," Michael Stewart said. "With the Price deal we have adjusted these odds again, with the odds moving to 16-1 for the World Series and 7-1 for the AL Pennant."

"After they got Tulo, Toronto went from 25/1 to 20/1 to win the World Series and 12/1 to 10/1 to win AL," says Mike Jerome. "After getting Price, they went from 20/1 to 15/1 to win WS & 10/1 to 7/1 to win AL. I think the Blue Jays will be one of the two wild card participants, along with either the Angels or Astros."

The Blue Jays' pitching struggles are well known. The Jays rank 12th in the American League in ERA (4.02), 12th in quality starts (47), 12th in earned runs (403), 12th in strikeouts (709) and 10th in opponents batting average (.255) just to cite a few numbers.

Heading into Thursday's meeting with the Kansas City Royals, the Blue Jays had an AL-best +100 run differential - 25 runs greater than the second best team in the American League (Houston Astros), yet they sit at just 51-51 and seven games back of the AL East-leading New York Yankees.

"With these two pieces, they have a chance at catching the Yanks for the AL East as they play each other 13 times with six of those games in the next 16 days," Stewart adds. "I definitely think this makes them a favorite to land one of the two wild card spots as they are two games out of the second wild card spot with games remaining against the teams in front of them in the standings."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dodgers add Wood, Latos in three-team, 13-player deal
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

The Los Angeles Dodgers added starting pitchers Alex Wood and Mat Latos and five other players Thursday in a three-team deal that included 13 players and a draft pick.

According to reports from major media outlets, the Dodgers acquired the left-handed Wood from the Atlanta Braves, along with top prospect Jose Peraza and pitchers Bronson Arroyo, Luis Avilan and Jim Johnson. Along with the right-handed Latos, the Dodgers acquired first baseman Michael Morse from the Miami Marlins.

The Braves received infielder Hector Olivera, left-hander Paco Rodriguez, right-hander Zack Bird and a 2016 competitive-balance draft pick from Miami.

The Marlins received minor-league right-handers Jeff Brigham, Victor Araujo and Kevin Guzman while shedding around $18 million in Latos' and Morse's salaries.

The deal was nearly completed Wednesday, but it was put on hold until the players passed physical exams.

Latos, 27, was on the disabled list from May 22 to June 12 due to left knee inflammation. He missed the first 10 weeks of the 2014 season after undergoing right elbow surgery in October 2013 and left knee surgery in February 2014. He also missed the final three weeks of last season because of a bone bruise in his right elbow.

Morse, 33, was out from May 24 to July 4 due to a right ring finger sprain. While with the San Francisco Giants last year, he missed almost all of September because of a left oblique strain.

Latos (4-7) has managed four consecutive quality starts in which he has allowed just six runs in 26 innings to lower his ERA from 5.49 to 4.48. He is a three-time 14-game winner who can become a free agent after this season. He is making $9.4 million this year.

Morse, who is signed through 2016, is hitting .214 with four home runs and 12 RBIs in 52 games. He will join his fifth team in the last three seasons. He is making $7.5 million this year and will earn $8.5 million next year.

The Dodgers, who are battling the San Francisco Giants for the National League West title, are hoping Latos and Wood will give them some rotation depth behind Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. Wood is 7-6 with a 3.45 ERA.

Johnson has a 2.25 ERA and nine saves, and Avilan has a 4.57 ERA.

Peraza had been one of the Braves' top prospects. He has batted .303 in five minor-league seasons and was hitting .294 at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Olivera, a 30-year-old Cuban star, has hit .348 in the Dodgers' minor-league system since signing a six-year, $62.5 million contract in March. The Braves tried to sign Olivera last winter.

Arroyo, 38, is recovering from Tommy John surgery. He was traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Braves in June.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Cardinals acquire OF Moss from Indians
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

The St. Louis Cardinals addressed their need for offense on Thursday, trading for Cleveland Indians outfielder Brandon Moss.

Pitching prospect Rob Kaminsky goes to the Indians in the deal. Kaminsky was the Cardinals' top pick in 2013.

Left fielder Matt Holliday went down in the first inning of a 1-0 loss to Cincinnati on Wednesday night with a strained right quad for the second time in less than two months and is headed for the disabled list. General manager John Mozeliak acted quickly with Holliday and Matt Adams out of the lineup. That combination opened the season as the 3-4 hitters in the order.

Moss, 31, was batting .217 with 15 home runs and 50 RBIs.

A team badly in need of offense -- the Cardinals scored three runs or fewer in 51 of their 101 games -- now has to do something. And it won't exactly be dealing from a position of strength.

"I guess the front office has some extra thinking to do," Cardinals right fielder Jason Heyward said.

Kaminsky, 20, was 6-5 with a 2.09 ERA in 17 games started for Palm Beach this season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Astros' Lowrie to return
The Sports Xchange

The Houston Astros activated Jed Lowrie from the disabled list in time to start Thursday night's game against the Los Angeles Angels at third base.

The Astros designated right-hander Roberto Hernandez for assignment to make room on the roster.

Lowrie, who began the season at shortstop before Carlos Correa took control of the position, was batting .300 with four home runs and 10 RBIs before he tore ligaments in his right thumb on April 27. He has missed 82 games.

Veteran Luis Valbuena has started 84 of the Astros' 102 games at third this year. He has a team-leading 19 homers and 40 RBIs this year but is batting only .200.

Lowrie signed a three-year, $23 million contract with the Astros during the offseason.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Ackley goes to Yankees in deal with Mariners
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

The New York Yankees acquired outfielder Dustin Ackley from the Seattle Mariners on Thursday in exchange for right-hander Jose Ramirez and outfielder Ramon Flores.

The Yankees also placed right-hander Michael Pineda on the 15-day disabled list with a right flexor forearm muscle strain. CC Sabathia was to replace Pineda as the starter for Thursday night's series finale against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas.

Ackley, 27, is batting .215 with six home runs and 19 RBIs in 85 games with the Mariners this season. In 584 career games spanning five seasons in the major leagues, he has a .243 average with 42 homers and 201 RBIs.

Ramirez, 25, was 0-0 with a 15.00 ERA in three relief appearances for the Yankees this season. In 11 career games with the Yankees, the right-hander is 0-2 with a 7.62 ERA.

Flores, 23, is batting .219 in 12 games in his debut season with the Yankees. In 73 games this year for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he hit .286 with seven homers and 34 RBIs.

Pineda is 9-7 with a 3.97 ERA in 2015. He sat the 2012 and 2013 seasons after undergoing shoulder surgery and was sidelined last year with a shoulder problem.

Sabathia entered Thursday night with a 4-8 record and a 5.38 ERA. He was scheduled to start Friday night's game against the Chicago White Sox before the Yankees made the switch.

In other roster moves, the Yankees recalled right-handers Bryan Mitchell and Nick Goody from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and optioned right-hander Caleb Cotham to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'On the Diamond'

Pittsburgh and Cincinnati get ready to duel again after the Reds took Pittsburgh behind the woodshed last night spanking Pirates 15-5. Lefthander Jeff Locke toes the rubber for Pittsburgh, entering the game with a 5-6 record, 4.15 ERA. In his last outing, he allowed four runs over five innings getting tagged with a no-decision in a Pirate home win vs Nationals. The Pirates will be facing righthander Michael Lorenzen, who has a 3-5 record 4.58 ERA in 14 starts, 2 relief appearances. Lorenzen will be coming off of the worst start of his big league career a 2 1/3 innings effort with eight earned runs, seven hits, including two yard-ball in a 17-7 Cincinnati loss at Colorado. When handicapping this contest a few telling betting stats worth considering. The Pirates will be seeking to improve on a 2-10 skid vs Reds, 0-6 slide at Great American Ball Park along with a 1-5 slump in enemy territory with Locke. Oddsmakers have Pirates -$1.20 road favorites with the total set a 8.5 runs.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Streaks, Tips, Notes

Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers July 31, 8:10 EST

Jason Hammel will be looking to end an eight game winless streak that has seen Cubbies post a 2-6 record over the span. The numbers say avoid Cubbies as they're 3-12 in Hammel's starts vs a team with a losing record. Adding to those number, Hammel has a 3-14 team start skid in July and enters 5-12 in his last 17 starts road starts.

Sportsbooks are offering Brewers -$1.10 in their own ball park.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Five To Follow MLB Betting: Friday July 31, 2015 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews

Philadelphia ace Cole Hamels was set to make his first start on Friday since no-hitting the Cubs last Saturday. The team pushed him back a day because it expected to trade him and because he threw so many pitches in the no-no. Smart move as Hamels was traded to Texas on Wednesday in an eight-player deal. Hamels is the first pitcher in major-league history traded during a season immediately after throwing a no-hitter. It's an interesting trade because the Rangers really aren't getting Hamels for this season but for 2016 and going forward to pair him with out-for-the-season-ace Yu Darvish. As for Philly, the team replenished its farm system with this deal but, man, there's really no reason for you to bet on the Phillies to win the rest of this season. The non-waiver trade deadline is 4 p.m. ET on Friday.


Royals at Blue Jays (+100, 8)

New Kansas City ace Johnny Cueto makes his Royals debut here. He was acquired on Sunday for three minor-league pitchers from Cincinnati. Cueto (7-6, 2.62) was spectacular in his final National League start, shutting out Colorado -- at Coors Field -- over eight innings on four hits. Cueto has made two interleague career starts vs. the Blue Jays and is 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA. New Blue Jay Troy Tulowitzki, who was a monster in his Toronto debut on Wednesday, is 3-for-13 with a homer off him. Jose Bautista is 2-for-5 with a double. Drew Hutchison (9-2, 5.42) goes for Toronto. He was roughed up last time out, allowing six runs and seven hits over four innings against the Mariners. He does have a 2.21 ERA at home. By the way, as of this writing, the Jays were completing a trade for Detroit's David Price. Wow! I will touch on that tomorrow.

Key trends: The Jays are 5-0 in Hutchison's past five at home. The "over/under" has gone under in six of his past seven at home.

Early lean: The Jays already are jacked up getting Tulowitzki and now Price? I'm all over them for a while here.


Nationals at Mets (-115, 6.5)

This game is on the MLB Network and will have live betting at sportsbooks. Frankly, the most interesting thing that happened on Wednesday wasn't the Hamels trade but the non-trade of Brewers outfielder Carlos Gomez to the Mets. It was announced as a done deal and apparently young Mets shortstop Wilmer Flores, who was part of it with injured pitcher Zack Wheeler, heard about it after batting in the bottom of the seventh (he got a standing ovation from the fans when he came to bat in that inning and didn't know why) and was seen crying in the field in the eighth inning. He has been a part of the organization since he was 16. Alas, the Mets pulled out because they were concerned with a hip problem Gomez has. Very awkward. Mets GM Sandy Alderson says the deal is dead. It will be a raucous crowd at Citi Field for this one as the "Dark Knight" Matt Harvey (9-7, 3.16) starts. He is 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA in three starts against Washington this season. Harvey dominates Bryce Harper, who is 0-for-14 with seven strikeouts against him. Nats lefty Gio Gonzalez (8-4, 3.83) faced the Mets on July 20, allowing two runs over six innings. Juan Lagares is 10-for-22 with a homer and three doubles off him.

Key trends: The Nats are 4-1 in Gonzalez's past five vs. teams with a winning record. The Mets are 4-0 in Harvey's past four at home. The over is 4-1 in his past five vs. teams with a winning record. The Nats are 7-1 in Gonzalez's past eight at the Mets.

Early lean: Mets and under.


Rockies at Cardinals (-236, 7.5)

St. Louis acquired first baseman/outfielder Brandon Moss from Oakland on Wednesday, and Moss' bat may be needed as Cards outfielder Matt Holliday reaggravated a quadriceps injury on Wednesday against the Reds. Holliday had spent five weeks on the disabled list between June 9 and July 16 with the quadriceps injury. Moss provides power but has a terrible average (.217). This looks to be the pitching mismatch of the night. It's All-Star Michael Wacha (11-4, 3.27) for the Cardinals. Actually, Wacha might be hitting the wall a bit as over his last three starts, Wacha has allowed 13 runs over 17 innings. He pitched in Colorado on June 9 and allowed four runs over 6.2 innings. Scorching-hot Carlos Gonzalez, if he's still a Rockie on Friday, is 1-for-3 off him with two strikeouts. Not sure why the Rockies keep putting Kyle Kendrick (4-11, 6.33) out there. He has allowed six runs in each of his past two outings, not lasting more than five innings in either. Mark Reynolds is 4-for-12 with two homers off him.

Key trends: The Rockies are 1-8 in Kendrick's past nine on the road. The Cards are 1-4 in Wacha's past five vs. teams with a losing record. The over is 4-0 in Kendrick's past four vs. teams with a winning record. The under is 5-1 in Wacha's past six at home.

Early lean: Cards at -120 on the runline and over.


Mariners at Twins (-103, 8)

Monitor the status of Seattle second baseman Robinson Cano here. It's pretty likely he will miss at least a few more games with what has been diagnosed as a Grade 1 abdominal strain. Cano was hitting .306 with nine homers and 23 RBIs in his past 37 games after a slow start. That's one less worry for Twins lefty starter Tommy Milone (5-2, 3.58). He has been lousy the past two outings, both losses, allowing 11 runs over 8.2 innings. Hasn't faced the Mariners this season. Nelson Cruz is 3-for-16 with a homer and three RBIs off him. Mike Zunino is 3-for-5 with two homers. Seattle's Taijuan Walker (7-7, 5.03) also has struggled of late, allowing 22 runs over his past four, not lasting past the sixth inning. He has never faced Minnesota.

Key trends: The Mariners are 5-0 in Walker's past five on the road. The over is 7-1-1 in Milone's past nine at home.

Early lean: Twins and over.


Angels at Dodgers (-215, 6)

Potential Freeway Series Fall Classic preview opens on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. And it's a matchup of All-Star lefties. The Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw (8-6, 2.51) takes the mound after being scratched on Wednesday due to a minor hip problem. In his most recent start, the three-time Cy Young winner took a perfect game into the seventh inning against the Mets. He hasn't allowed a run in 29 innings, the longest active scoreless stretch in the majors. Albert Pujols hits him well, going 9-for-20 with four doubles and two RBIs. It's Hector Santiago (7-4, 2.43) for the Halos. He allowed three earned runs last time out against the Rangers, which was notable because he hadn't allowed that many since June 17. Not many Dodgers have seen him. Yasiel Puig is 0-for-3 against him. Adrian Gonzalez 1-for-4 with two RBIs.

Key trends: The Angels are 7-3 in Santiago's past 10 on the road. The Dodgers are 8-3 in their past 11 interleague games vs. lefty starters. They are 8-1 in Kershaw's past nine with at least seven days of rest. The over is 4-0 in Santiago's past four. The under is 6-0 in Kershaw's past six.

Early lean: Dodgers and under.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

StatFox Super Situations

MLB | ARIZONA at HOUSTON
Play On - All favorites with a money line of -110 or higher (HOUSTON) with a starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.300 to 1.400 on the season-AL against opponent with a starting pitcher whose WHIP is 1.250 to 1.350 on the season-NL
68-25 since 1997. ( 73.1% | 34.2 units )
1-2 this year. ( 33.3% | -1.9 units )


StatFox Situational Power Trends

MLB | ARIZONA at HOUSTON
ARIZONA is 16-7 (+12.5 Units) against the money line in Road games after 3 or more consecutive road games this season.
The average score was: ARIZONA (4.9) , OPPONENT (3.4)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Friday's six-pack

Over/under win totals for NFL teams this season:

5.5-- Jaguars/Raiders/Titans-- Lowest totals in league.

11-- Packers/Seahawks-- Highest totals in league.

8.5-- Arizona, under -$120-- Need Palmer to stay healthy.

10-- Denver, over -$135-- Patched-together OL better keep #18 healthy.

8.5-- Steelers 8.5, over -$125-- Lot of changes on their defense.

9.5-- Eagles-- Lot of faith in oft-injured Sam Bradford.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Cokin

Bonus Play Friday

RAYS (Ramirez) @ RED SOX (Rodriguez) 7:10 PM

Take: RAYS +110

Break up the Red Sox! The downtrodden Bosox had a great game for a change on Thursday night as they blew up Chris Sale and ended the lengthy White Sox winning streak. The bad news for the Red Sox is that they’ve had a terrible time putting any extended periods of good play together, and I expect that unfortunate trend to be maintained this evening.

There’s not a great deal to choose in the pitching matchup. I think Eduardo Rodriguez is going to have a very solid big league career and I don’t see much doubt he’s more talented than Erasmo Ramirez. But we’re talking present and not future as far as this game is concerned. Along those lines, the Rays righty has roughly the same overall 2015 numbers as Rodriguez and Ramirez has the better current form chart.

It’s not like the Rays are on a roll, but the team data clearly favors the Tampa Bay side tonight. The Red Sox have been mostly awful and winning more than one in a row has been very difficult. The Rays have been enjoying quite a bit of success when lining up against lefty starters, capturing 12 of their last 14 in that scenario. As for Ramirez, he’s been a road warrior, with the Rays winning each of his last six away starts.

If you’ve been watching the Red Sox, they’re showing all the telltale signs of a veteran team that knows it’s out of contention. If they can stay in the game early, no problem. But when Boston falls behind early, it seems as the focus wanes rapidly, and that’s been leading to some lopsided losses. In other words, be forewarned any time you’re apt to bet the Red Sox as the lack of motivation is showing up on too many nights.

With the pitching being a coin flip, I’m paying attention to the team info and that points me to the Tampa Bay side. Getting any plus money with the Rays makes them a definite consideration tonight.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports

Bonus Play FRI Royals w/ Cueto -120

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jack Jones

Seattle Mariners vs Minnesota Twins

Jack's Free Pick Friday: Minnesota Twins -104

This is an excellent price to get the Minnesota Twins at home Friday. The Twins lead the race for the second wild card and have plenty to play for, while the Mariners are eight games back and have little-to-no chance. Seattle is certainly feeling down right now having lost four in a row coming in.

Another reason the Twins should be bigger favorites is because of their edge on the mound. Tom Milone has been solid all season, going 5-2 with a 3.58 ERA and 1.234 WHIP in 13 starts. Milone sports a 3.48 ERA and 1.251 WHIP in nine career starts against Seattle as well.

Taijuan Walker has no business getting this much respect from oddsmakers with the way he has pitched this year, especially of late. Walker is 7-7 with a 5.03 ERA and 1.305 WHIP in 20 starts, 5-4 with a 5.84 ERA and 1.596 WHIP in 11 road starts, and 0-1 with an 8.22 ERA and 1.500 WHIP in his last three outings.

Milone is 14-2 (+13.3 Units) against the money line vs. teams averaging 2.75 or less extra base hits per game in the second half of the season in his career. The Twins are 21-7 in their last 28 home games vs. a team with a losing record. Minnesota is 5-0 in its last five games as a home favorite. Bet the Twins Friday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Price

Kansas City Royals vs Toronto Blue Jays

Price's Friday Bonus Play: 1* Toronto Blue Jays +110

The Key: The Toronto Blue Jays are in a great frame of mind right now. They just traded for two of the best players in baseball in Troy Tulowitzki and David Price. They are clearly 'all-in' for the 2015 season. They are coming off back-to-back blowout wins over the Phillies and Royals as they have outscored them 13-4 in the process. They should not be home underdogs to the Royals today despite the perceived advantage KC has on the mound. Johnny Cueto was a great get for the Royals, but he has to face the best offense in baseball in his first start with his new team. Welcome, Johnny. Drew Hutchison has been awful on the road for the Blue Jays, but it has been a different story inside Rogers Centre. Hutchison has been untouchable at home, going 7-1 with a 2.21 ERA and 1.052 WHIP in nine starts this year. He has only allowed 3 home runs all season inside this hitter-friendly park. In his only lifetime start in Toronto, Cueto allowed 5 earned runs in 6 innings. The Royals are 0-6 in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning record. The Blue Jays are 10-2 in their last 12 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. The Blue Jays are 5-0 in Hutchison's last 5 home starts. Take Toronto.