Friday 9/4/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

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WNBA
Long Sheet

Friday, September 4

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INDIANA (18 - 12) at MINNESOTA (20 - 10) - 9/4/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 57-41 ATS (+11.9 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 34-20 ATS (+12.0 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games against Western conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 27-16 ATS (+9.4 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in road games revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 3-2 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 5-0 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CONNECTICUT (13 - 18) at SAN ANTONIO (7 - 23) - 9/4/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CONNECTICUT is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games against Western conference opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 25-15 ATS (+8.5 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 3-2 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
CONNECTICUT is 3-2 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

WNBA

Friday, September 4

Trend Report

8:00 PM
INDIANA vs. MINNESOTA
Indiana is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indiana's last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 21-4 SU in its last 25 games at home
Minnesota is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Indiana

8:00 PM
CONNECTICUT vs. SAN ANTONIO
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Connecticut's last 12 games
Connecticut is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 6 games when playing at home against Connecticut
San Antonio is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Connecticut

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Coach Fletcher’s Friday Free Pick

Friday, Sept. 4

Milwaukee Brewers at Cincinnati Reds

The Pick OVER 9 -110



Let There Be Runs!

The Pitchers

No doubt tickled pink at their unexpected sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Milwaukee Brewers travel to Cincinnati for a weekend series. If the pitchers are any indication, you may see some runs scored here. The Brewers are sending Matt Garza to the bump. Garza is a very uninspiring 5-14 this season with a 5.83 era. Garza is even worse on the road where his era is 6.50. But that pales in comparison to his last 3 starts. Garza has been rocked for 19 runs and 27 hits in his last 13 1/3 innings. His era for the last 3 is 12.82. Keyvius Sampson goes for the Reds and someone must have cut his hair a month ago because like Garza, he too has been horrendous of late. He’s 2-2 with a 6.67 era over all. He’s been significantly worse at home where he is 0-2 with an 8.76 era. Finally, in his last 3 starts, Sampson has given up 14 runs and 25 hits in just 11 innings! His era for the last 3 starts is 11.45. The Reds opened at -125 with a total of ………………9!

The Hitters

Milwaukee and Cincinnati are not good teams. Between them they are 112-152. Neither of them are particularly strong offensively and both have relatively ineffective pitching staffs.

The Brewers score 4.1 runs per game and their pitchers give up 4.5. The Reds are practically identical. They score 4.0 per game and the staff gives up 4.5. The Brewers are a little weaker on the road where they average just 3.8 runs per game. But they’ve been hot the last 7 games averaging 6 runs per game. The pitching staff has followed suit giving up an average of 5.4 runs per game in the last 7.

The Reds have also had success in their last 7 averaging 5.3 runs per game. And their staff has been bad as well, allowing 4.9 runs per game in the last 7.

Odds and Ends

There are some pretty powerful numbers that randomly pop up:

· The over is 9-1 in Garza’s last 10 starts

· 4 of 6 games played at Cincinnati this year have gone over

· Sampson’s last 2 starts have gone over

· Milwaukee is 64-59 to the over this year

· Cincinnati is 63-63 even

· When playing with a day off the teams are a combined 18-12 to the over

· When playing at night the teams are a combined 90-77 to the over

· When playing a team w/a losing record teams are a combined 61-50 to the over

· 55% of Cincinnati home games go over

· After a day off 61.5% of Milwaukee games go over

· After a day off 57.1% of Cincinnati’s game go over

Coach’s Conclusion:

These are two of the worst starting pitchers in baseball. This game may well end up 1-0, but it is more likely to turn out 9-8. I’m taking the over.

The Play Brewers/Reds OVER 9 -110

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks at Cubs

GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (65-69) at Chicago Cubs (75-57)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 04 - 2:20 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: 188, -205 N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Chicago Cubs have dropped three straight series but hope to turn things around for the stretch run when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks for a three-game series starting Friday. The Cubs have lost six of their last eight contests but remain solidly in position for the National League’s second wild-card.



The Diamondbacks have faded from the playoff picture but have a chance to play spoiler with upcoming series against San Francisco and the Los Angeles Dodgers following their set in Chicago. Arizona split a four-game series at Colorado earlier this week to begin a seven-game road trip. Former Cubs prospect Zack Godley will face his previous organization for the first time after being traded for Miguel Montero in December. Chicago left-hander Jon Lester aims for his seventh win at Wrigley Field, where he has posted quality starts in five of his last six outings.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Arizona, CSN Chicago



PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (4-0, 1.90 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jon Lester (8-10, 3.59)

Godley will be recalled from Double-A to begin his third stint in the majors. The 25-year-old was impressive in his previous stretches with the Diamondbacks, especially as a starter. He has gone six innings in each of his three big-league starts — all quality starts — and two of them were scoreless outings.

Lester had a dominant stretch from mid-June through mid-August, but he has posted a 6.75 ERA over his past three starts. The period included one of his better outings of the year, though, as he came within one out of a shutout in a no-decision against Cleveland on Aug. 24. The 31-year-old allowed two runs in seven innings in a no-decision May 22 at Arizona and is 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA in three career meetings.



WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona 1B Paul Goldschmidt is with his wife, Amy, who is due to deliver the couple’s first child, and is likely to miss Friday’s game.

2. Cubs C/LF Kyle Schwarber was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup with sore ribs and underwent a precautionary MRI.

3. Chicago 3B Kris Bryant is 8-for-19 with two homers and seven RBIs during a five-game hitting streak and leads the team with 84 RBIs.



PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Diamondbacks 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves at Nationals

GAME: Atlanta Braves (54-80) at Washington Nationals (68-65)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 04 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
LINE: 174, -190 TOTAL: 8

The Washington Nationals look to continue their ascent at the expense of the spiraling Atlanta Braves when the National League East rivals play the second contest of a four-game series on Friday in the nation's capital. Ryan Zimmerman collected three hits and drove in four runs during Thursday's 15-1 rout for Washington, which has won four of six to move within six games of the division-leading New York Mets.

Zimmerman is 16-for-40 with seven homers, 22 RBIs and 10 runs scored during his last 10 contests, but is just 5-for-23 versus Friday starter Julio Teheran. Anthony Rendon and Wilson Ramos are riding 12- and 11-game hitting streaks, respectively, as the Nationals have begun flexing their muscles with the opener of a three-game series versus the visiting Mets looming on Labor Day. While Washington could be guilty of looking ahead, Atlanta has no reason to look behind as it has been outscored 82-20 en route to losing nine in a row to plummet perilously close to the basement in the division. The Braves have dropped 10 straight on the road and 20 of 23 overall.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSS (Atlanta), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Julio Teheran (9-7, 4.62 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Tanner Roark (4-4, 4.54)

Teheran suffered his first loss in a month in horrific fashion, allowing eight runs on nine hits - including three homers - in 4 1/3 innings of a 20-6 rout by the New York Yankees on Sunday. The 24-year-old has been taken deep six times in his last three outings after surrendering just two homers in his previous six starts. Teheran escaped with a no-decision in his last meeting with Washington despite yielding six runs on 10 hits - including two homers - in five innings.

Roark is expected to be recalled from Class A Potomac to make Friday's start with Stephen Strasburg nursing upper back pain. The 28-year-old Roark has been used out of the bullpen primarily this season for the Nationals, one year removed from making 31 starts and winning 15 games. Roark owns a 3-0 career mark versus Atlanta with a 1.90 ERA and 0.98 WHIP while limiting the Braves to a .215 batting average.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington RF Jayson Werth is 8-for-22 with two homers, four RBIs and six runs scored in his last five games.

2. Atlanta OF Cameron Maybin has one hit in each of his last two contests after going 0-for-16 in his previous five.

3. Nationals 3B Yunel Escobar is 11-for-25 with six RBIs during his seven-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Nationals 9, Braves 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays at Yankees

GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (66-67) at New York Yankees (74-58)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 04 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
LINE: 148, -161 TOTAL: 8

Didi Gregorius and Stephen Drew, who both suffered through struggles earlier in the season, are providing a major boost to the offense for the New York Yankees of late. The middle infielders are a combined 18-for-27 with 12 RBIs in the last four contests and look to stay hot as the Yankees begin a 10-game homestand with the first of three against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.

Drew was batting .192 before his recent surge and Gregorius, who has raised his average from .234 to .272 since July 22, is 16-for-28 during a seven-game hitting streak. The Yankees have won five of six to remain 1 ½ games behind first-place Toronto in the American League East and the Rays are 4 ½ back of Texas for the second AL wild card. Tampa Bay attempts to recover after blowing two leads in a 7-6 loss at Baltimore on Wednesday that ended a three-game win streak. Logan Forsythe is 11-for-14 in his last four contests for Rays.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Jake Odorizzi (6-7, 3.18 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Luis Severino (2-2, 2.17)

Odorizzi has gone winless in six consecutive starts since his last victory on July 28 against Detroit, but he allowed three runs or fewer in four of those outings. The Illinois native, who gave up four runs over 4 2/3 innings in a loss to Kansas City last time out, owns a 3.68 ERA on the road and 2.61 at home. Brian McCann is 10-for-16 with two homers and nine RBIs versus Odorizzi, who is 0-2 with a 5.11 ERA in two games against the Yankees in 2015.

Severino has carved out a spot in the rotation through his first five major-league starts, yielding two or fewer runs four times and completing six innings in the last four. The 21-year-old Dominican has limited opponents to a .200 batting average overall while allowing three runs (two earned) and five hits in 11 innings at home. Severino, who faces the Rays for the first time, boasts 29 strikeouts and 11 walks – 10 in the last three starts – over 29 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York RF Carlos Beltran is batting .352 with six homers – including his first in 15 games Wednesday – and 17 RBIs since Aug. 4.

2. Tampa Bay C J.P. Arencibia, who was recalled Aug. 26, has registered seven hits in 13 at-bats with two homers and seven RBIs the last four games.

3. The Yankees are 138-2 when leading after eight innings the last two seasons – 69-0 in 2015.

PREDICTION: Rays 5, Yankees 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Orioles at Blue Jays

GAME: Baltimore Orioles (64-69) at Toronto Blue Jays (76-57)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 04 - 7:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: 165, -180 TOTAL: 9.5

The Baltimore Orioles snapped a six-game slide with a walk-off home run on Wednesday and will need all the positive momentum they can muster heading into the weekend when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays for the opener of a three-game series on Friday. The Blue Jays lead the American League East and continue to pound opposing pitching staffs.

The Orioles have played themselves out of the AL wild-card race with losses in 12 of their last 14 games but still have a chance to impact the playoff race with the next six games and the final seven of the season coming against Toronto and the second-place New York Yankees. The Blue Jays lead the majors in runs scored but Baltimore got some positive signs from its offense when Chris Davis busted out of a slump with a pair of home runs on Wednesday to boost his total to 38. Toronto third baseman Josh Donaldson is right behind Davis with 36 blasts and leads the majors with 111 RBIs after adding three more to his total in a series-clinching win over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday. The Blue Jays head into the weekend 1 1/2 games ahead of the Yankees and will turn to Drew Hutchison on Friday while the Orioles counter with Ubaldo Jimenez.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), RSN (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Ubaldo Jimenez (9-9, 4.34 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Drew Hutchison (13-2, 4.87)

Jimenez has absorbed the loss in each of his last two starts while allowing a total of 11 runs and 18 hits in 11 1/3 innings. The Venezuela native failed to finish six innings in any of his last four outings and is 0-2 in that span. Jimenez beat Toronto at home on May 11 but fell at the Blue Jays on Apr. 22, yielding four runs on six hits – two home runs – and three walks in five frames.

Hutchison returned to the rotation on Saturday after a brief trip to the minors and held Detroit to one run and six hits while striking out seven in as many innings to earn the win. The 25-year-old has won his last five decisions and allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of those victories. Hutchison was ripped for seven runs in 4 1/3 innings at Baltimore on Apr. 12 but got some revenge by holding the Orioles to two runs in eight frames at home on Apr. 23.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blue Jays 1B Edwin Encarnacion is 0-for-5 in the last two games following a 26-game hitting streak.

2. Cuban OF Dariel Alvarez of Baltimore will not make the trip with the team due to visa issues.

3. Toronto 2B Ryan Goins has hit safely in a career-high 12 straight games.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 9, Orioles 7

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians at Tigers

GAME: Cleveland Indians (64-68) at Detroit Tigers (61-72)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 04 - 7:08 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: -160, 147 TOTAL: 8

The Cleveland Indians will be looking for a big final month from reigning Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber as they attempt to stay alive in the American League wild-card chase. Kluber will try to halt a three-start winless drought when he faces the host Detroit Tigers on Friday in the opener of a three-game series.

The Indians had won six in a row before dropping the final two of a three-game series against the red-hot Toronto Blue Jays to kick off their nine-game road trip. Despite being four games under .500, they still are within six games of Texas for the second wild card in the American League. The Tigers are in last place in the AL Central after dropping 11 of their last 13, but they have been tough on Kluber, who has beaten them only twice in 13 appearances (12 starts). Detroit counters with Kyle Lobstein, who will be making his first start since May 23.

TV: 7:08 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Corey Kluber (8-13, 3.41 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Kyle Lobstein (3-5, 4.34)

Since stringing together back-to-back complete-game victories, Kluber has had issues keeping the ball in the park with six home runs surrendered in his last three outings. He did not factor in the decision in his last two turns, giving up two earned runs over six innings versus the Los Angeles Angels and one over 7 2/3 frames of an 11-strikeout gem against the Chicago Cubs. He has 43 strikeouts and six walks in his last six starts.

Lobstein was activated from the 60-day disabled list and will make his first start in more than three months after being sidelined with a shoulder injury. The 26-year-old lost his last three outings before he was hurt, including a pair of 3-2 decisions. Lobstein won both of his starts against the Indians earlier this season, giving up three runs on eight hits over five innings on April 12 and three runs in seven frames two weeks later.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers 2B Ian Kinsler is 4-for-11 so far this month after batting .362 in August and .366 in July.

2. Indians 1B/DH Carlos Santana has hit safely in 10 straight games.

3. Tigers SS Jose Iglesias suffered a contusion on his right middle finger while attempting to bunt and will be re-evaluated Friday.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Tigers 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Phillies at Red Sox

GAME: Philadelphia Phillies (53-81) at Boston Red Sox (61-72)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 04 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
LINE: 165, -180 TOTAL: 9.5

The last time the Boston Red Sox faced the Philadelphia Phillies, expectations were high and Hanley Ramirez was looking well worth the huge expense of bringing him in to play left field as a free agent. The Red Sox will have an entirely different look when they host the Phillies in the opener of a three-game interleague series on Friday.

Ramirez homered twice in the season opener in Philadelphia and belted 10 homers in April before tailing off with a total of 19 before the All-Star break and none since. The left field experiment is apparently over, and Ramirez will try his hand at first base whenever he recovers from a sore right shoulder that kept him out of the lineup while Boston was opening its homestand with losses in two of three to the rival New York Yankees. The Phillies enter the series as a last-place team as well but entered 2015 with far lower expectations before dropping steadily to the bottom of the National League East. Philadelphia will try to improve its 23-46 road record behind left-hander Adam Morgan while Red Sox righty Joe Kelly tries to carry an encouraging August into September.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Adam Morgan (5-4, 4.03 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Joe Kelly (8-6, 4.94)

Morgan has provided one of the few bright spots for Philadelphia in 2015 and will try to post his third win in four starts after yielding two unearned runs on four hits over six innings against San Diego on Saturday. The rookie has not issued a walk in any of his last four starts and only 14 in 67 total innings at the major-league level. Morgan is making his first start against Boston and is 2-3 with a 4.03 ERA in five road starts.

Kelly went 6-0 in August and allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of the last five outings. The California native limited the New York Mets to one run and five hits in 7 1/3 frames while outdueling Jacob deGrom on Saturday. Kelly is 2-0 with a total of one earned run and nine hits allowed in 12 innings over his last two home starts – wins over Seattle and Cleveland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Phillies RF Domonic Brown was removed from the game amid concussion concerns after flipping over the wall trying to catch a fly ball on Wednesday.

2. Boston C Blake Swihart is 19-for-40 over his last 11 games.

3. Philadelphia 3B Maikel Franco (wrist) took batting practice on Wednesday but is not ready to return.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Phillies 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Brewers at Reds

GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (58-75) at Cincinnati Reds (55-77)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 04 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: 105, -114 TOTAL: 9

Matt Garza will look to avoid becoming the first pitcher in the majors to reach the 15-loss plateau on Friday as the Milwaukee Brewers begin a 10-game road trip with the opener of a three-game series versus the Cincinnati Reds. Garza, who is tied with Philadelphia veteran Aaron Harang with a league-high 14 defeats, was blasted for seven runs and 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings before escaping with a no-decision in Cincinnati's 12-9 victory on Saturday.

The 31-year-old Garza would be wise to keep a keen eye on Jay Bruce, who belted a two-run homer on Saturday and is 11-for-30 (.367) with three homers and nine RBIs in his career versus the hurler. The Reds have won three of five after losing 13 of their previous 14, while the Brewers completed a three-game sweep of Pittsburgh on Thursday for their fourth win in a row. Jonathan Lucroy is 19-for-43 (.442) with 11 runs scored during his career-high 11-game hitting streak while Jean Segura is 10-for-22 (.455) with four RBIs and six runs scored in his last five games. Cincinnati's Keyvius Sampson will provide the opposition as he - like Garza - looks to rebound from a brutal performance on Saturday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Matt Garza (6-14, 5.56 ERA) vs. Reds RH Keyvius Sampson (2-2, 6.43)

Garza has been blitzed for 19 runs on 27 hits and seven walks in his last three outings (13 1/3 innings), resulting in an 0-2 record in the process. The veteran has been taken deep in each of his last six games and 23 times in 25 appearances this season. Garza has struggled mightily at night, posting a 1-9 mark while allowing the opposition to bat .317 against him.

Sampson endured his third straight tough outing after being ripped for six runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings of a no-decision versus Milwaukee on Saturday. The 24-year-old has been brutal at home, going 0-2 with a bloated 8.10 ERA while allowing the opposition to bat a gaudy .344 against him. Sampson kept the ball in the park versus the Brewers after being taken deep twice in his previous outing against Detroit on Aug. 24.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto is 11-for-20 with three homers, eight RBIs and six runs scored during his six-game hitting streak.

2. Milwaukee 3B Hernan Perez is 5-for-10 with two RBIs in his last three contests.

3. Reds SS Eugenio Suarez went 4-for-12 with two homers and four RBIs to help his team take two of three from the Chicago Cubs.

PREDICTION: Brewers 4, Reds 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets at Marlins

GAME: New York Mets (74-59) at Miami Marlins (55-79)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 04 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
LINE: -176, 162 TOTAL: 7

The New York Mets cruise into the final month of the season with a 6 1/2-game lead in the National League East and a schedule that sets up nicely. The Mets will continue their tour of disappointing NL East rivals when they visit the Marlins for the opener of a three-game series.

New York took two of three from last-place Philadelphia to end its homestand and will sandwich series at Miami and Atlanta around a showdown at Washington on the 10-game trip. The Mets should be happy to hit the road after pounding out 73 runs while finishing off their last road trip with seven straight wins. The Marlins, who were swept in a three-game set at New York from Aug. 3-5, come in with some momentum after outscoring the Atlanta Braves 18-4 in a three-game sweep. Tom Koehler will try to keep that run of strong pitching going and end a string of seven straight losing decisions when he goes up against Mets All-Star Jacob deGrom on Friday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jacob deGrom (12-7, 2.32 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Tom Koehler (8-13, 4.12)

DeGrom struggled through illness at Philadelphia on Aug. 24 and was lit up for six earned runs in 2 2/3 innings but bounced back with a solid start on Saturday. He struck out 10 and allowed two runs and four hits in six innings but suffered the loss to Boston in a 3-1 final. The 27-year-old deGrom is facing Miami for the second time this season and picked up a win by scattering six hits over seven scoreless innings at home against the Marlins on Apr. 18.

Koehler has been reached for at least five earned runs in four of his last seven starts. The New York native is trying to bounce back after surrendering five runs on nine hits – three home runs – in six innings at Washington on Saturday. Koehler was ripped for seven runs – six earned – on seven hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the Mets on Aug. 3.

WALK-OFFS

1. Marlins RF Giancarlo Stanton (broken hamate bone) could return to the team this weekend.

2. Mets INF Daniel Murphy left Wednesday’s game with discomfort in his left quad and is day-to-day.

3. New York rookie OF Michael Conforto is 6-for-10 in his last three games.

PREDICTION: Mets 8, Marlins 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox at Royals

GAME: Chicago White Sox (62-70) at Kansas City Royals (82-51)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 04 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
LINE: 161, -175 TOTAL: 8.5

Already assured of a winning record with 29 games still remaining this season, the Kansas City Royals continue their nine-game homestand when they host the Chicago White Sox on Friday in the opener of a three-game series. Owners of the best record in the American League, the Royals have won 14 of their last 19 contests to move 31 games above .500.

The Royals bounced back from a series-opening loss to Detroit in devastating fashion, amassing 27 runs and 34 hits over their last two games. Kendrys Morales is on a tear as he went 8-for-14 with a pair of homers and eight RBIs in the series against the Tigers. Lorenzo Cain is riding an 11-game hitting streak after homering each of the last two nights for Kansas City. The White Sox averted a three-game sweep by rallying from a three-run deficit to beat Minnesota on Thursday in the series finale.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH John Danks (6-12, 4.82 ERA) vs. Royals RH Kris Medlen (3-0, 3.51)

Danks lost his third consecutive start and fell to 0-4 over his last five turns after giving up two runs and seven hits in six innings of a 2-0 setback versus Seattle. The 30-year-old was knocked around for 12 runs in 12 frames over his previous two outings to drop to 2-8 with a 6.48 ERA in 12 starts away from home. Danks has split four decisions versus the Royals this season and is 9-2 lifetime with a 2.69 ERA against them.

Medlen, who is bidding to make it back from a pair of Tommy John surgeries, will be making his 10th appearance and third start since he was recalled by Kansas City. Helped by ample run support, Medlen won each of his first two starts, holding Tampa Bay to three runs and four hits over 5 1/3 frames last time out after pitching six innings of three-run ball versus Baltimore. He worked 3 2/3 scoreless frames versus Chicago on Aug. 9.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Royals have won 10 of 13 versus Chicago this season, including all six meetings in Kansas City.

2. White Sox RHP Erik Johnson, named the International League Pitcher of the Year, will start the series finale.

3. Morales is two RBIs shy of reaching 100 for the second time in his career.

PREDICTION: Royals 7, White Sox 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins at Astros

GAME: Minnesota Twins (69-64) at Houston Astros (73-61)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 04 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: 175, -191 TOTAL: 8

Both Houston and Minnesota have playoff berths in their sights as they begin a three-game set Friday in the Astros' home ballpark. Houston holds a two-game lead over Texas in the American League West while the Twins are in the mix for the league's two wild-card berths.

Minnesota suffered a 6-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday to fall 1 1/2 games behind the Rangers for the second wild card. The Twins hope to have rookie standout Miguel Sano (hamstring) back in the starting lineup after he missed Thursday's start and flew out as a pinch hitter. Minnesota took two out of three from Houston last week to begin a stretch of four losses in six games for the Astros, who have seen red-hot Texas creep closer. Houston designated hitter Evan Gattis was 1-for-10 in the series against the Twins and is 3-for-20 in the past six games.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN North (Minnesota), ROOT (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Mike Pelfrey (6-8, 3.85 ERA) vs. Astros RH Collin McHugh (14-7, 3.92)

Pelfrey lost to Houston on Saturday when he gave up four runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. He has lasted more than 5 1/3 innings only twice in his last seven outings and is 2-5 with a 5.59 ERA in 13 road outings. Pelfrey is 3-3 with a 3.92 ERA and a .304 batting average against in seven career starts against the Astros.

McHugh has allowed two or fewer runs in each of his last five starts. He beat the New York Yankees in his last turn when he struck out eight and gave up two runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings. McHugh is 1-0 with a 3.48 ERA in two career outings against Minnesota.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins CF Byron Buxton is 1-for-23 over his last seven contests.

2. Houston INF Luis Valbuena is 1-for-11 over his past five games.

3. Minnesota LHP Glen Perkins didn't travel to Houston after Thursday's game as he continues to deal with back issues.

PREDICTION: Twins 4, Astros 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates at Cardinals

GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (79-53) at St. Louis Cardinals (86-47)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 04 - 8:15 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
LINE: 136, -147 TOTAL: 7.5

The St. Louis Cardinals are doing their best to pull away in the National League Central while the Pittsburgh Pirates aren't doing much to stop them. Winners of nine of their last 11, the Cardinals look to add to their 6 1/2-game lead atop the division when they open a three-game home series against the second-place Pirates on Friday.

Brandon Moss is 11-for-24 with four homers, seven RBIs and six runs scored during his seven-game hitting streak and is a blistering 6-for-8 versus Friday starter J.A. Happ. Moss has gone deep in back-to-back contests for St. Louis, which is 48-20 at Busch Stadium - with victories in five of six meetings with Pittsburgh this season. As for the wild card-leading Pirates, they suffered their fourth straight loss Thursday and fell to 7-21 on the road against NL Central rivals after being swept by Milwaukee. A sputtering offense has plagued Pittsburgh, which has mustered 11 runs and 26 hits during its losing streak.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, MLBN, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH J.A. Happ (7-7, 4.10 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Carlos Martinez (13-6, 2.91)

Happ recorded his third straight victory on Saturday after allowing one run and five hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 4-3 triumph over Colorado. The 32-year-old has fared well in five starts with Pittsburgh, posting a 3-1 record with a 1.98 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 27 1/3 frames. Happ is making his first appearance versus the Cardinals since June 2012 and is 1-8 with a gaudy 6.79 ERA against them.

Martinez will be pitching on eight days' rest after he experienced back discomfort following his last outing versus Arizona on Aug. 27. The 23-year-old Dominican owns a 2-1 mark this season versus Pittsburgh, with a scoreless performance on July 9 and a strong eight-inning effort in a 4-3 win on Aug. 5. Martinez would be wise to pitch carefully to Gregory Polanco, who is 8-for-11 in his career versus the hurler - with five hits coming this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. St. Louis rookie OF Stephen Piscotty is riding a career-high 10-game hitting streak.

2. Pittsburgh OF Andrew McCutchen sat out Thursday's contest with tightness in his left Achilles, but manager Clint Hurdle expects him to be ready for the series opener.

3. Cardinals OF Jon Jay (wrist) is expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to Friday's game.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Pirates 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants at Rockies

GAME: San Francisco Giants (69-65) at Colorado Rockies (55-78)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 04 - 8:40 PM EST
WHERE: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
LINE: -107, -101 TOTAL: 10.5

The San Francisco Giants look to end their slide and avoid falling completely out of postseason contention when they visit the Colorado Rockies on Friday for the second contest of their four-game set. San Francisco managed only six hits - including a two-run homer by starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong - in a series-opening 11-3 setback and are 6 1/2 games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.

It was the sixth consecutive defeat for the Giants, who trail the Chicago Cubs by seven games for the second wild-card spot. Carlos Gonzalez was the hitting star for Colorado as he went 4-for-5 with a pair of two-run homers and three runs scored. It was the sixth two-homer performance of the season and second in as many days for Gonzalez, who is 6-for-9 with four blasts and 11 RBIs in his last two contests. The Rockies, who recorded a season-high 19 hits Thursday, are 8-5 against the Giants this season and 3-2 on their eight-game homestand.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco), ROOT (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Chris Heston (11-8, 3.56 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Jorge De La Rosa (8-6, 4.40)

Heston saw his winless streak reach five starts Sunday, when he surrendered five runs and nine hits over 3 2/3 innings in a loss to St. Louis. The 27-year-old Floridian, who hasn't won since July 27 against Milwaukee, allowed one run in each of his previous two outings but went 0-1. Heston improved to 1-2 versus the Rockies this season May 23 despite yielding six runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 frames at Colorado.

De La Rosa halted his four-start drought at Pittsburgh on Sunday, scattering four hits over six scoreless innings while striking out seven. It was the second scoreless outing in three turns for the 34-year-old Mexican, who kept Washington off the scoreboard in a no-decision Aug. 19 even though he gave up four hits and walked six. De La Rosa is 9-6 with a 4.05 ERA in 25 career games (22 starts) versus San Francisco, including a no-decision April 25 in which he allowed two runs over five frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Gonzalez leads the NL with 35 homers, one more than teammate Nolan Arenado, who has gone deep in four straight contests and also is riding a six-game RBI streak during which he has driven in 10 runs.

2. Giants RHP Tim Lincecum, who hasn't pitched since June 27, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left hip Thursday and is out for the season.

3. Colorado 2B DJ LeMahieu enters Friday with a six-game hitting streak during which he has recorded four multi-hit performances - including three three-hit efforts.

PREDICTION: Rockies 7, Giants 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers at Angels

GAME: Texas Rangers (70-62) at Los Angeles Angels (67-66)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 04 - 10:05 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
LINE: 140, -152 TOTAL: 7.5

The Los Angeles Angels will receive plenty of opportunities to chase down the Texas Rangers in September. Los Angeles is 3 1/2 games behind the Rangers for the American League's second wild card and opens a three-game home series against Texas on Friday in the first of seven September meetings.

The Angels have won eight of 12 matchups this season and the teams conclude the regular season with a four-game set in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers have their sights set on more than the wild card - they lead Minnesota by 1 1/2 games for the final spot - as they trail the first-place Houston Astros by two games in the AL West. Texas is on a roll with nine victories in 12 games and began a 10-game West Coast trip by taking two of three in San Diego. The Angels defeated Oakland in their past two games but lost nine of their previous 11 outings.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Martin Perez (2-3, 5.15 ERA) vs. Angels RH Garrett Richards (12-10, 3.80)

Perez continues to show progress after his return from Tommy John elbow surgery and went 2-1 with a 3.13 ERA in five August starts. He defeated the Baltimore Orioles in his last start when he gave up three runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. Perez is 1-0 with a 1.84 ERA in three career appearances (two starts) against Los Angeles.

Richards has fared well against Texas, compiling an 8-1 mark and 3.11 ERA in 16 career appearances (12 starts). He has won both 2015 starts versus the Rangers to go with a 1.84 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and .180 batting average against. Richards received a no-decision in his last turn while striking out nine and allowing three runs and seven hits in seven innings against Cleveland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Angels 1B Albert Pujols has 35 homers, joining Alex Rodriguez (12), Mike Schmidt (11) and Willie Mays (10) as players to reach 35 in 10 or more of their first 15 major-league seasons.

2. Texas 3B Adrian Beltre is batting .342 with four homers and 17 RBIs over the past 21 games.

3. Los Angeles CF Mike Trout is mired in a 25-game homerless drought and has gone deep just once since August began.

PREDICTION: Rangers 3, Angels 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners at Athletics

GAME: Seattle Mariners (63-71) at Oakland Athletics (58-76)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 04 - 10:05 PM EST
WHERE: O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California
LINE: 119, -129 TOTAL: 8

The availability of Seattle slugger Nelson Cruz is uncertain as the Mariners prepare for Friday's opener of a three-game set against the host Oakland Athletics. Cruz injured his right quadriceps in Wednesday's victory over Houston and will be re-evaluated hours before game time.

Cruz is enjoying a banner campaign in his first season in Seattle and leads the majors with 39 homers, one off the career high he hit last season for the Baltimore Orioles. The Mariners scored 15 runs while winning their last two games in Houston and have emerged victorious in six of their past nine contests. Oakland allowed 20 runs while losing two of three to the Los Angeles Angels earlier this week. The Athletics are in the American League cellar, five games behind the fourth-place Mariners.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners LH Edgar Olmos (1-0, 2.13 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Aaron Brooks (1-1, 5.47)

Olmos is making his second career start after allowing three runs and five hits in five innings in a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox last Sunday. He had pitched 7 2/3 innings of scoreless relief in four appearances before getting a look in the rotation. Olmos landed the spot after struggling Mike Montgomery was demoted to Triple-A Tacoma.

Brooks is making his fifth start of the season and second after recently being recalled for the second time since being acquired from the Kansas City Royals. He had a solid outing against Arizona last Saturday when he gave up two runs and eight hits in six innings while receiving a no-decision. Brooks has a career ERA of 9.00 and has allowed 42 hits in 29 big-league innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mariners are 9-4 against Oakland and need to win just one of the final six meetings to clinch the season series for the third straight year.

2. Athletics DH Billy Butler is 9-for-18 over his last seven contests.

3. Seattle 3B Kyle Seager is 13-for-32 with four homers and eight RBIs over the past eight games.

PREDICTION: Athletics 6, Mariners 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Dodgers at Padres

GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (75-58) at San Diego Padres (65-69)
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 04 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Petco Park, San Diego, California
LINE: -114, 105 TOTAL: 7

After watching their bullpen let a fourth consecutive victory get away, the Los Angeles Dodgers look to bounce back when they visit the San Diego Padres on Friday for the second contest of their four-game series. Los Angeles was in line for its ninth win in 10 contests Thursday before five relievers combined to allow six runs over the final three innings en route to a 10-7 loss.

Dodgers phenom Corey Seager started at shortstop in his major-league debut Thursday and recorded two hits while scoring two runs and driving in two more. Los Angeles missed a golden opportunity to extend its lead in the National League West as it remained 6 1/2 games ahead of second-place San Francisco. Jedd Gyorko belted a go-ahead, two-run homer to ignite a four-run eighth inning for San Diego, which posted its third win in five games. The Padres used a 15-hit attack to continue their offensive surge as they scored at least six runs for the fourth time in five contests.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FSN San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Mike Bolsinger (5-3, 2.83 ERA) vs. Padres RH James Shields (10-6, 3.78)

Bolsinger returns from Triple-A Oklahoma City to make his first start for the Dodgers since July 29, when he settled for a no-decision against Oakland after allowing two runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings. The 27-year-old native of Chicago has won just one of his last nine outings despite giving up two earned runs or fewer seven times in that span. Bolsinger is 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA in three career starts against San Diego, including a 1-0 mark with two runs allowed over 12 2/3 frames in two outings this season.

Shields is coming off a victory at Philadelphia on Sunday in which he allowed one run and six hits over seven innings. The 33-year-old Californian had yielded five runs in two of his previous three starts, with the other outing seeing him work six scoreless frames in a victory over Atlanta on Aug. 18. Shields won his only career decision against the Dodgers on May 24, when he gave up three runs over seven innings at Los Angeles.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Padres went 1-2 in each of their first four series against the Dodgers this year.

2. Los Angeles 2B Chase Utley has recorded two-hit performances in two of his last three games and driven in a run in two straight.

3. San Diego C Derek Norris returned from a one-game absence due to injury Thursday and went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

PREDICTION: Padres 5, Dodgers 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

BIG AL

Milwaukee/ Cincinnati Over

I'm not sure if it's something in the water in these two cities or something else, but all of a sudden both the Brewers and Reds are turning into scoring machines. For the visitors, the Brewers finished the month of August ranked 12th in runs scored with 115 (in 22 games played). However in the last four games heading into Thursday (which does include the final two games of last month) the Brewers have plated 29 runs, or better than seven per game. The story is almost identical for the Reds, who finished last month one place below Milwaukee with just 109 runs (also in 22 games), but in their last five have sent a total of 37 runs across (also slightly more than seven per game on average). We could see more of the same tonight with RHs Matt Garza and Keyvius Sampson heading to the mound. Garza has struggled all season, but he's has had a particularly hard time of late, allowing seven ERs over just 3 2/3 innings Saturday against this Reds team, raising his ERA over his past three starts to 12.83. Sampson hasn't been much better with an 11.45 number over his last three covering just 11 innings.

 

[therealsource]

easy winner last night another tonight

gave you sc under won by 5 scores

tonight take wASHINGton+13 to give boise all they want

remember the source was perfect last night in cfb PERFECT dont miss out on the rest of the season