Friday 9/9/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Reds (57-82) at Pirates (69-69)

Game: 2
Venue: PNC Park
Date: September 09, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

PITTSBURGH -- Cincinnati Reds rookie right-hander Tim Adleman and Pittsburgh Pirates rookie left-hander Steven Brault have a combined 14 major league appearances between them entering their matchup Friday night at PNC Park.

They also have only two wins between them -- both by Adleman. And as his first stint in the majors wind down, Brault still wants to get that elusive first victory before the season ends, and possibly a few more.

The Pirates earned their second win in a row Thursday after dropping eight straight. Pittsburgh turned three runs in the first inning against Reds starter Dan Straily into a 4-1 victory in the series opener, with Ivan Nova throwing a six-hitter to improve to 5-0 with the Pirates.

Pittsburgh is 7-5 against the Reds this season, with three more games left in this series and four more still to come in Cincinnati next weekend.

Brault could be facing the Reds in each of his next two starts -- which would be his fifth and sixth in the majors. He is 0-2 with a 3.32 ERA so far, giving up one run in five innings Sunday in his last start, what turned out to be a 10-0 Pirates loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. In his first four starts, he has received only three runs of support while he was on the mound.

The Pirates have loaded up their rotation with rookies in the second half of the season, but two of them -- right-handers Jameson Taillon and Chad Kuhl -- will skip a start to keep from building up their innings.

Taillon, who did not pitch the last two seasons following Tommy John surgery, has pitched 149 2/3 innings in the majors and minors this season, and Kuhl has pitched 134 1/3 innings. Right-hander Drew Hutchison will start Saturday in Kuhl's spot, and right-hander Gerrit Cole will come off the disabled list to start Monday in Philadelphia.

"It's basically the innings, just modifying and taking care of the innings pitched," said manager Clint Hurdle, who got his 500th win with the Pirates on Thursday.

Hurdle certainly liked the innings Nova through in pitching his second complete game in his last four starts.

"It was a really nice mix of pitches and pitching," the manager said of Nova, who needed only 95 pitches. "No walks again. It's the manual there of how you want to get it done in a quick and efficient way."

Adleman is one of the 12 Reds rookies to make their debuts this season. He will make his ninth career start Friday, and his fifth since his Aug. 16 promotion from the minors. The Pirates will be the first team he faces twice.

Adleman (2-3, 4.02 ERA) made his major league debut May 1 at PNC Park, a 6-5 Pirates victory in 11 innings. He limited Pittsburgh to two runs on three hits in six innings. Adleman is 1-2 with a 5.63 ERA in his past three starts. He took a 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday, allowing three runs in five innings.

The Reds again will be missing center fielder Billy Hamilton, who didn't make the trip to Pittsburgh due to an oblique strain. Cincinnati could have used him in the first inning Thursday, when Jung Ho Kang's two-run double sailed over the head of center fielder Jose Peraza on a ball that Hamilton might have had a chance to run down.

"I don't spend a lot of time with the what-if game -- this game drives you crazy enough as it is, to try to find different ways to go nuts before your time," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "So I don't spend any time thinking what would happen if Billy was here, simply because he's not and Jose covers a lot of ground in center."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays (59-80) at Yankees (74-65)

Game: 2
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: September 09, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

NEW YORK -- The right field scoreboard at Yankee Stadium will prominently display the events in Toronto and Detroit while fans will likely glance and check the scores on their phones Friday night.

It's the time of year when scoreboard watching becomes prevalent for fans as playoff races grow tighter and the games continue their high level of urgency.

Meanwhile, the New York Yankees will be focused on the business at hand, which is getting another win and they will attempt to equal a season-high with their sixth straight victory when they continue a four-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays.

"We expected to win from day one, there's going to be disappointment if we don't get to where we want to get," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.

Getting there not only depends on accumulating more wins but is also tricky when figuring who the Yankees need to root for.

After Tyler Austin homered with two outs in the ninth inning in Thursday's 5-4 victory over Tampa Bay, the Yankees are four games behind Boston, which is in Toronto this weekend.

Then there's the wild card.

The Yankees are two games behind Baltimore for the second wild card spot. Baltimore's opponent this weekend is Detroit, which is one game behind.

"They're excited in there and they should be," Girardi said. "We're playing extremely well."

The Rays lost four of their last five contests since taking the first two games with Toronto last weekend.

Kevin Kiermaier homered twice and takes a career-high 12-game hitting streak into Friday. He had four hits in the series opener and is batting .400 with four home runs and eight RBIs during his streak.

"It's fun watching him do what he does," Tampa Bay right fielder Stephen Souza Jr. said of Kiermaier. "He's an impressive athlete and hopefully he keeps it going."

Michael Pineda may be peeking at the scoreboard but the Yankees hope he isn't looking at fly balls and line drives headed toward the seats. Pineda is 6-11 with a 5.10 ERA and one of his losses occurred April 24 to Tampa Bay in New York when he gave up four home runs in a 9-1 loss.

Pineda has struggled immensely against the Rays this season, going 0-3 with an 11.05 ERA in three starts. The right-hander was torched for six runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings May 28 in Tampa Bay and gave up five runs and six hits in six innings there July 31.

Pineda is 0-1 with a 4.78 ERA in his last five starts and 4-5 with a 4.12 ERA in his last 17 since the end of May. Even with the moderate improvement and the Yankees going 10-7 in his last 17 outings, Pineda has shown significant inconsistency by allowing two runs or fewer in 13 starts and at least five in 10 other outings.

Pineda last pitched Sunday in Baltimore when he allowed two runs and five hits in four-plus innings. With an expanded roster, Pineda was lifted after Adam Jones and Pedro Alvarez opened the fifth with hits.

Luis Severino relieved with two innings but threw 52 pitches Wednesday and is unlikely to be available should Pineda's outing end early.

Blake Snell made his debut at Yankee Stadium on April 23 and allowed a run and two hits in five innings. He is 5-7 with a 3.39 ERA and had the same line as his major league debut in six innings during Saturday's 7-5 victory over the Blue Jays.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Sox (78-61) at Blue Jays (77-62)

Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: September 09, 2016 7:07 PM EDT

TORONTO -- The Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays open an American League East showdown series on Friday at Rogers Centre with first place at stake.

The way the struggling Blue Jays have been playing, they could find the series a battle for survival in a tight race.

The Red Sox, on the other hand, are playing better than Toronto and could use the three-game set to vault into a significant lead.

Boston has a chance to make a strong start Friday as Rick Porcello (19-3, 3.23 ERA) attempts to become the first 20-game winner in the majors this season.

Toronto will counter with Marco Estrada (8-7, 3.56 ERA).

The Red Sox took a one-game league in the division over the faltering Blue Jays with their 7-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday while Toronto dropped a 2-0 decision to the New York Yankees on the same night.

The Blue Jays were swept in the three-game series at Yankee Stadium and finished a nine-game road trip with a 3-6 mar.

"We started out doing good in Baltimore (winning two of three) and then the starters got tough on us," Toronto manager John Gibbons said.

That scenario does not change for the Blue Jays. Porcello is 4-0 with a 2.52 earned-run average over his past five starts and has won two of his three outings this season against Toronto.

The Red Sox have set up their rotation so that David Price, the winning pitcher on Wednesday, could start the final game of the season Oct. 2 at Fenway Park against Toronto.

Drew Pomeranz has been given an extra day of rest, allowing Porcello, Eduardo Rodriguez and Clay Buchholz to make their respective starts in Toronto on regular rest.

The improved Buchholz has enjoyed success against the Blue Jays and that also figured into the rotation alignment.

"There's some of that involved," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "And you start to begin to look at styles and matchups. You take all that into account."

He said Price will likely make his remaining starts of the season on regular four days' of rest.

Toronto has a 7-6 lead in the season series with Boston.

The Blue Jays' bats were cold on the trip to Baltimore, Tampa Bay and New York. Collectively, the team batted .236/.318/.348 with eight home runs and averaged 3.9 runs a contest (35 for the trip) despite scoring first in seven straight games during the trip.

Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin, one of the team's better hitters in the second half of the season, tweaked his left knee during an at-bat on Wednesday. He remained in the game and threw out a runner before giving way to a pinch hitter in the ninth.

"It was kinda something that I just felt when I was swinging," Martin said. "It was weird. Just every swing, it was like something was biting me right in that knee. ... It really didn't affect me behind the plate."

Despite winning twice against the Blue Jays, Porcello has a 5.21 ERA this season in the three outings and is 1-0 with a 5.68 ERA in two starts at Rogers Centre.

In 15 career games, including 14 starts, Porcello is 6-7 with a 5.27 ERA against Toronto. He is 2-5 with a 6.86 ERA in eight career games, including seven starts, at Rogers Centre.

Estrada is 2-1 with a 2.57 ERA in three starts against Boston this season. He is 4-3 with a 3.73 ERA in eight career games (six starts) against the Red Sox. He is 3-5 with a 3.30 ERA in 12 starts this season at Rogers Centre.

Martin said the left knee has been bothering him for a while, even during his hot-hitting surge. He batted .286/.356/.626 in August with nine homers and 22 RBIs.

It would be no surprise, however, if Dioner Navarro, who was re-acquired late last month in a trade with the Chicago White Sox, was behind the plate for Estrada on Friday. Navarro, who worked well with Estrada last season, caught the right-hander in his last start.

Martin has been through stretch runs for postseason spots several times in his career.

"It's the time of the year where if you struggle, it's magnified," Martin said. "If you're doing well, everybody gets excited. We had a tough series (in New York). Put it behind us. Keep moving forward. Got a lot of baseball ahead. Lot of games left. We're right in it."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Dodgers (79-60) at Marlins (69-71)

Game: 1
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: September 09, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

MIAMI -- It's a matchup for the Marlins Park marquee - Jose Fernandez vs. Clayton Kershaw in a battle of All-Star pitchers.

But given the Miami Marlins' recent slide out of primary contention for a National League wild-card playoff berth, perhaps this marquee should be shifted off Broadway.

Because of the recent slump by the 69-71 Marlins, Friday's matchup may be bigger for Kershaw's Los Angeles Dodgers. This will be the first start off the disabled list for Kershaw, who hasn't pitched since June 26 due to a back injury.

If the three-time Cy Young Award winner is indeed the Kershaw of old, it would be hugely positive news for the Dodgers (79-60), who lead the San Francisco Giants by five games in the battle for the NL West title.

Kershaw, a 28-year-old lefty, was dominant this year before his injury, posting an 11-2 record with a 1.79 ERA.

For his career, Kershaw is 125-58 with a 2.39 ERA. He is the type of pitcher who can push the Dodgers -- if everything breaks right -- a long way in the 2016 postseason.

But, to get back to a point in which Kershaw flat-out dominates opponents, he said he will need some time.

"At this point, it's more of a pitch-count deal, making sure I can contribute and not just kind of go out there," Kershaw told media members earlier this week. "We're still working the kinks out."

Kershaw said that "it helps" that it's after Sept. 1, and the Dodgers -- like all teams -- have an expanded roster and more relievers available in case he doesn't last long on the mound.

When he's right, Kershaw features two-seam and four-seam fastballs, ranging between 91 and 95 mph, and mixes in a nasty curve and an even nastier slider.

Kershaw will match up against Fernandez, who is four years younger but is already a two-time All-Star and one of the best right-handers in the game.

Fernandez is 13-8 with a 3.03 ERA this season. For his career, he is 35-17 with a 2.62 ERA. Fernandez truly shines is at Marlins Park, where he is almost unbeatable at 27-2.

Fernandez's home-road splits have become even more pronounced this year. He is just 3-6 with a 4.46 ERA on the road but is 10-2 with a 1.91 ERA at home.

Kershaw, meanwhile, is 4-1 with a 2.29 ERA on the road this year.

Fans at Marlins Park should be prepared for a show because Fernandez has immense pride and wears his emotions on his uniform sleeves. He will no doubt be jacked up to face a pitcher of the caliber of Kershaw, six-time All-Star and the NL MVP in 2014.

"I think Jose enjoys these big matchups," Marlins shortstop and fellow Cuban native Adeiny Hechavarria said in Spanish. "He belongs in a group with the best pitchers in the league, but I still think he wants to prove it, and that's good."

Fernandez will also try to prove himself at the plate, a role he relishes. He is a very good hitting pitcher, as his .273 batting average this season proves.

In 128 career at-bats, Fernandez has four doubles, one triple and two homers, and the Dodgers can't take him lightly with a bat in his hands.

Most of the time, though, the Marlins will let their "real" hitters take their chances against Kershaw, and that lineup of batters has received a boost this week as several players have returned from injuries.

First baseman Justin Bour (ankle) and outfielder Marcell Ozuna (wrist) returned to the starting lineup on Wednesday. Right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (groin) came back on Tuesday but only as a pinch-hitter.

Maybe Marlins manager Don Mattingly will give Stanton -- perhaps the most feared power hitter in the NL - his first start since the injury on Friday against Kershaw, adding to what would be a crowded marquee.

The Marlins, who trailed the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals by five games entering Thursday night's action, can certainly use the boost that Stanton's bat could provide.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Orioles (76-63) at Tigers (75-64)

Game: 1
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: September 09, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

DETROIT -- Kevin Gausman feels strong physically in the closing weeks of the season. That's helped him make opposing batters look overmatched in recent starts.

The Baltimore Orioles' right-hander has won his last four starts and carries a streak of 19 consecutive scoreless innings into his outing at the Detroit Tigers on Friday night. Gausman was floundering with a 3-10 record until his recent turnaround.

"I've just been a little bit frustrated, until about a month ago, with how my season's been going," Gausman told the Baltimore Sun. "I felt like I was pitching great and things just didn't go my way. Now it's kind of on the other side, the other flip side of it. Like I said, I'm just confident, feeling good. I think this is the first time I've got into August and September and felt this good physically with this amount of innings under my belt."

Gausman has walked five and struck out 27 during the winning streak. His scoreless stretch began with a six-inning stint against Washington. He then held down the New York Yankees in back-to-back outings, spanning 13 innings.

Gausman is 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA in four career starts against the Tigers. The three-game series could impact the pennant race, as both Baltimore and Detroit are in the wild-card hunt while still trying to catch the leaders of their divisions.

The Orioles are two games back of American League East Division leader Boston and hold the second wild card spot, one game ahead of the Tigers. Detroit trails Cleveland in the AL Central by six games.

"He's had a great look in his eye for about a month, not that he hasn't before," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said to the media recently of Gausman. "It's just there's a real driven look and presence about him. Felt like he's really kind of hit his stride. He's been solid for us for a while."

The Orioles have won four of their last six games but dropped the finale of a three-game series to Tampa Bay 7-6 on Wednesday. They are hopeful that first baseman Chris Davis will return to the lineup on Friday. Davis sat out the last game with soreness in his left palm.

Detroit returns home after losing two of three to the Chicago White Sox. The Tigers' bullpen gave away a 4-3 lead in the eighth on Wednesday by surrendering four runs.

"Down the stretch, we need to win every game that we can," catcher James McCann said. "So not getting the series win is frustrating, but at the end of the day, we've got to show up to the ballpark on Friday. We've got a big series with Baltimore."

Rookie Michael Fulmer, who has lost his last three starts, will oppose Gausman. Fulmer was encouraged by his most recent outing, when he gave up three runs in six innings to Kansas City in a 5-2 loss on Saturday.

"I'm taking all positives out of this," he told the Detroit News. "My fastball command was better. I made a few mechanical tweaks that helped a lot. The change-up was sharp and the slider was sharp. I got a lot of ground balls, kind of like the old me out there -- that's what I want."

Fulmer got a no-decision on May 15 in his only career appearance against the Orioles, allowing four earned runs in 4 1/3 innings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets (74-66) at Braves (54-86)

Game: 1
Venue: Turner Field
Date: September 09, 2016 7:35 PM EDT

ATLANTA -- A five-game winning streak has the New York Mets in the middle of the wild-card race again, but they'd be in better position if they had been able to take care of business in June against the Atlanta Braves.

The Braves, who have the worst record in the National League, swept a three-game series in New York and then split a four-game set in Atlanta as part of the Mets' funk.

The teams play six more times beginning with a weekend series in the Mets' farewell to Turner Field, and the Braves are no longer the patsies they were for most teams -- if not the Mets -- during the first half of the season.

"We're not having the kind of season we wanted to, but we want to finish strong," said Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, who has led the team's offensive revival.

The same thing can be said about the defending National League champion Mets, who have had their season nearly dashed by injury after injury.

The Mets are back in postseason contention thanks to 14 victories in their past 18 games.

"There's nothing like coming to the ballpark in September when (games) mean something," manager Terry Collins said. "The energy is better. The aches and pains just don't seem to hurt as bad. We're fortunate to be where we are."

The Mets also have a favorable schedule, with next week's series at National League East leader Washington the only one against a team with a winning record.

Of course, that means New York (74-66) can't slip up again against a team like the Braves (54-86).

"Our guys are completely focused on what they've got to do and how they've got to go about it," Collins said.

The Mets will continue to live and die offensively with the home run. They hit three in each of the three games of their sweep at Cincinnati to start their road trip and have 192 for the season.

When the Mets hit at least one homer, they're 64-36. When they've failed to go deep, they're 10-30.

New York, of course, also is dependent on its makeshift rotation to go deep into games and rookie right-hander Robert Gsellman (2-1, 2.87 ERA) will try to do that again Friday night in the series opener against the Braves.

Gsellman has pitched six innings in each of his two starts and is coming off a victory over the Nationals in which he allowed four hits and a run while striking out four and walking three.

A victory against the Braves would push the Mets nine games over .500 -- matching their high-water mark for the season. They will face a nemesis, though, in right-hander Julio Teheran (5-9, 3.01 ERA).

Teheran, who pitched in the All-Star Game, tossed a one-hit shutout in New York on June 19 and hasn't allowed a run in his past three starts against the Mets.

Teheran finally got a home victory this year in his most recent start at Turner Field against San Diego and is 6-3 with a 2.40 ERA in 13 career games against the Mets.

Freeman, who has always hit well against New York, will take a 14-game streak into the series and center fielder Ender Inciarte has hit in 18 straight games.

The Braves, who lost three games at Washington after a three-game sweep at Philadelphia, need to go 9-13 the rest of the way to avoid 100 losses.

"We're not looking at the big picture," interim manager Brian Snitker said. "We're just trying to put our best foot forward every day."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians (81-58) at Twins (52-88)

Game: 1
Venue: Target Field
Date: September 09, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Cleveland Indians will try and take the momentum gained during an 8-2 homestand and carry it to the road when they begin a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins on Friday night at Target Field.

Cleveland owns the second-best record in the American League and leads the Central Division by six games over the Detroit Tigers but has struggled against last place Minnesota this season. The Twins, who own the worst record in baseball (52-88) and have won just three times in their last 20 games, are 8-8 against the Indians.

Minnesota is 10-34 against the other three teams in the Central Division.

The Indians, meanwhile, salvaged a split against the Houston Astros in a 10-7 win at Progressive Field. The victory allowed Cleveland to push its lead one-half game further ahead of idle Detroit, which welcomes the Baltimore Orioles to Comerica Park on Friday.

"We've got to win the homefield advantage," said Indians slugger Mike Napoli. "We're still a game and a half behind Texas for that. So every game is still important for us. We're not letting down. Detroit is a good team. They are not out of it. I've seen leads shrink quick. Our goal is to have the best record in the American League."

Minnesota came back to steal a win over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday to take the finale of a three-game series. The Twins were in danger of dropping to 2-5 during the first seven games of a 10-game, 11-day homestand, but instead, have a chance to post a winning record during that stretch if they can continue their winning ways against the Indians.

The Twins are hoping to see a continued resurgence from rookie outfielder Byron Buxton, who has been red-hot since being recalled from Triple-A Rochester last week. Buxton has four doubles, four homers, 10 RBIs and 10 runs in seven games since his recall.

"I feel more comfortable," Buxton said. "I still have learning to do but I feel confident, feel prepared and I feel ready."

Danny Salazar will continue his efforts to round back into form in the series opener for Cleveland. The right-hander has a 2.45 ERA over his last two starts while striking out 21 batters in just 11 innings.

Tyler Duffey will start for the first time since Aug. 24 after a brief stint in Rochester. The right-hander has struggled in Minnesota this season to the tune of a 6.24 ERA in 115 1/3 innings. Duffey allowed five runs on eight hits in six innings his last time against the Indians, earning the victory on Aug. 3 at Progressive Field.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Brewers (63-77) at Cardinals (73-66)

Game: 2
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: September 09, 2016 8:15 PM EDT

ST. LOUIS -- After watching another loss low-lighted by poor starting pitching and shaky defense, St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny didn't sugarcoat the situation.

"We're going to have to clean it all up," he said.

Thursday night's 12-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers leaves St. Louis a full game behind San Francisco for the National League's first wild card spot and a half-game in back of the New York Mets for wild card number two.

Simply put, the Cardinals (73-66) are running out of time and chances to extend their MLB-best string of consecutive playoff seasons to six. The good news regarding Friday night's matchup with Milwaukee is that they can use their best starting pitcher this year.

Carlos Martinez (13-7, 3.07) is coming off a 5-2 win Sunday at Cincinnati in which he struggled with his control, giving up five walks in six-plus innings, but didn't give up a run until the seventh because he induced three double plays.

That's become a staple of Martinez's 26 starts -- the twin-killing. Martinez leads the National League with 30 double play balls, as batters simply can't do much with his mid to upper-90s sinker.

Meanwhile, hitters have been able to do plenty with the offerings of Brewers right-hander Jimmy Nelson (7-13, 4.36), who has struggled in his last 17 starts, going 2-10 with a 5.61 earned run average.

Martinez owns two wins in three outings this year against Milwaukee -- all at Miller Park. The one game he didn't win, he left with the lead after fanning a career-high 13 batters in six innings on Aug. 29.

As for Nelson, he's been drilled by St. Louis throughout his career, losing all six of his decisions against it with a 7.57 earned run average. Nelson is 0-1 this year in two starts, although he has a respectable 3.75 earned run average.

However, the Brewers are looking more like playoff contenders at this point than the opponent that's chasing a postseason spot. Milwaukee has won seven of its last eight games, including two of three earlier in the week against the Chicago Cubs, and owns a season-high five-game road winning streak.

"We try to keep it loose," shortstop Orlando Arcia said through an interpreter when asked about the team's recent success. "You're always happy to be in a good streak. You're just going out there and having fun."

More than one pundit felt the Brewers were a candidate for 100 losses this year, but they clearly aren't tanking their way to the finish line. Milwaukee has showcased a nice blend of power and speed, cracking 163 homers and leading the NL with 159 steals.

While the Brewers still have work to do defensively and with their pitching, Cubs manager Joe Maddon likes the progress they have made.

"They continue to get it together on the field," he said after Wednesday night's 2-1 loss in Milwaukee. "I know we got them at home recently but they are doing a lot of things well. You have to give them credit, man. And their bullpen, I keep saying it, they have some really nice arms."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Royals (72-67) at White Sox (67-72)

Game: 1
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: September 09, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

CHICAGO -- The Kansas City Royals will try to preserve their slim hopes for the postseason when they open a three-game series against the host Chicago White Sox on Friday night.

The defending World Series champion Royals (72-67) have lost five of their past eight contests and trail the Baltimore Orioles by four games for the American League's second wild-card spot. Three other contenders - the Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros and New York Yankees - are ahead of the Royals in the wild-card pursuit.

A matchup against the underwhelming White Sox (67-72) could help Kansas City gain ground in the standings. The Royals are 9-3 against Chicago this season after winning 12 of 19 games against the South Siders in 2015.

Right-hander Yordano Ventura (10-9, 4.22 ERA) will start the series opener for the Royals. The hard-throwing, hot-tempered 25-year-old started the season poorly but has proved to be much better in recent weeks. In his previous six starts, he is 4-0 with a 2.23 ERA.

Ventura ignited a bench-clearing incident with the White Sox last season after he exchanged words with outfielder Adam Eaton. However, he showed no signs of losing his composure in his most recent meeting against Chicago on June 12 as he struck out a season-high 10 batters in seven innings to earn the victory. He is 3-3 with a 4.33 ERA in nine career starts against the White Sox.

Opposing Ventura will be White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon (6-8, 3.90 ERA), who also has been on a hot streak. The 23-year-old is 4-0 with a 1.91 ERA in his past six outings. He has walked eight and struck out 31 in that span.

Rodon has fared well against Kansas City during his brief career. In three starts, he is 1-1 with a 2.55 ERA.

Kansas City hopes to have one of its best players back in the lineup to face the White Sox. Catcher Salvador Perez could return after missing a game because of a bruised right wrist. Perez was hit by a fastball Tuesday and sat out Wednesday's series finale against the Minnesota Twins.

The four-time All-Star is hitting .254 with 20 home runs and 59 RBIs in 122 games this season.

"I'm hoping that he's ready to play," Royals manager Ned Yost told the Kansas City Star before the team traveled to Chicago. "Most of the time, you get hit by a pitch and it hurts. But if you get that ball-on-bone sound - that crunching sound - it's not a good sound."

For the White Sox, first baseman Jose Abreu will look to continue his torrid hitting. The Cuban slugger is hitting .447 (17-for-38) with five home runs and 15 RBIs during his past eight games. He has boosted his season totals to a .298 average with 23 home runs and 88 RBIs in 136 games.

"I've been having some ups and downs during this season," Abreu said. "I think everybody knows that. But I think fighting through all those stretches (has helped). ... Right now, I'm having my best moment in this whole season, and that's part of all my work and all the advice that I've been getting from different people, especially from the hitting coach.

"This is a long season. No matter what, how good or bad your first half was, you still have the second half to do better. That's what I've been trying to do."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants (74-65) at Diamondbacks (58-81)

Game: 1
Venue: Chase Field
Date: September 09, 2016 9:40 PM EDT

PHOENIX -- The National League West seems to be slowly slipping away from the San Francisco Giants, and even a postseason spot is in jeopardy.

After posting the best record in the majors at the All-Star break, the Giants have had the worst record since.

San Francisco's seemingly secure four-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers five weeks ago has evaporated, to the point where the Giants find themselves five games behind the Dodgers with 25 games to play in the regular season and clinging to a tenuous lead in the NL wild card race. The Dodgers have gained ground despite the fact that ace Clayton Kershaw has been out since June 26 with a herniated disk.

The Giants enter a three-game series at the Arizona Diamondbacks this weekend trying to right matters after falling three more games behind the Dodgers in the last 10 days.

Arizona had had a little bit to do with the recent shift in the balance of power.

The Diamondbacks split a two-game series in San Francisco on the final two days of August in the first stop of a three-city road trip that concluded when they were swept in Los Angeles in a three-game set that ended Wednesday. The Giants, meanwhile, lost two of three in Colorado, giving up three runs in the ninth inning of a 6-5 loss Wednesday.

"You have to win games you're supposed to win," Giants manager Bruce Bochy told reporters.

The Giants could look at this as a supposed-to-win series close to a must-win one, although the Giants and Dodgers do meet six times in the final 13 games of the season.

San Francisco is 10-6 against the Diamondbacks this season and has won 10 of 12 against them since being swept in a four-game series at home during the second week of April. Arizona is 25-43 at home.

Madison Bumgarner, a top NL Cy Young candidate, will oppose Arizona right-hander Rubby De La Rosa in Friday's series opener. De La Rosa will make his first start since going on the disabled list in late May with right elbow soreness. He threw 30 pitches in his most recent rehab assignment on Monday for Class A Visalia, so he is likely on a severe pitch limit.

Bumgarner, 14-8 with a 2.51 ERA, has won four of his last five starts but has a 4.20 ERA over that span. He beat the Chicago Cubs last Saturday -- the only game the Giants won in that four-game series -- and is 2-3 with a 1.22 ERA in his last five starts against Arizona.

The day before the All-Star break, Bumgarner beat Arizona with one of the best games of his career, striking out 14 and giving up only one hit, an eight-inning single by Jake Lamb, in a 4-0 victory on July 10.

Part of San Francisco's trouble is a lack of offense. The Giants have only 39 homers since the All-Star beak, the second-fewest in the majors. Brandon Belt's homer in Colorado on Wednesday broke a streak of 254 homerless at-bats for Belt, Brandon Crawford and Buster Posey, the top three home run hitters on the team. Posey has gone 150 at-bats without a blast.

Arizona did not hit well in Los Angeles, scoring only five runs in the sweep while facing three rookie starters.

Diamondbacks second baseman Jean Segura had 30 hits in each of the first five months of the season, the first player in franchise history to do that. Luis Gonzalez had five straight 30-hit months from May to September in 2000. Segura has 35 doubles and 30 stolen bases, joining Jonathan Villar and Starling Marte as the only 30-30 players in the majors.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs (89-50) at Astros (74-66)

Game: 1
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: September 09, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

HOUSTON -- With their top two starters sidelined and the clock on the regular season winding down, the Houston Astros are in the precarious position of opening an interleague set against the Chicago Cubs with a busted rotation and an overworked bullpen.

There is a correlation between the losses of left-hander Dallas Keuchel, shut down earlier this week with left shoulder inflammation, and right-hander Lance McCullers, out since early August with right elbow discomfort, and the Astros' current run of abbreviated starts.

Right-hander David Paulino, making his major league debut, lasted three innings in a 10-7 loss to the Cleveland Indians on Thursday, the eighth consecutive game that a starter failed to record more than 15 outs for the Astros.

"It was a big ask for us to expect him to go pretty deep in the game," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said of Paulino. "We've got a start on Tuesday; we've got to figure out who's going to face the Rangers. We'll get home and see where it takes us.

"Complete baseball wins games against good teams."

Without Keuchel and McCullers, the Astros (74-66) have plugged holes in their rotation with the likes of right-hander Brad Peacock, an organizational arm who spent most of this season with Triple-A Fresno, and rookies Joe Musgrove and Paulino. Musgrove (2-3, 5.06 ERA) will open the three-game series with his first appearance against the National League Central-leading Cubs (89-50).

After a promising start to his career, a stretch that included a dazzling relief appearance and two subsequent starts, Musgrove has struggled over his last four starts. He's posted an 8.53 ERA and 1.125 opponents' OPS while surrendering six home runs in 19 innings pitched. He lasted just 4 1/3 innings in his last start at Texas.

The Cubs, 13-4 in interleague play, will start left-hander Jon Lester (15-4, 2.61 ERA) in the opener. Lester is 6-0 with a 1.85 ERA in nine starts since the All-Star break. He has faced the Astros (10-7 in interleague play) once in his career, allowing six runs on nine hits over five innings for Boston on June 28, 2008, at Minute Maid Park.

Lester has faced only two current Astros in his career: catcher/designated hitter Evan Gattis (2-for-3) and outfielder Colby Rasmus (3-or-14 with five strikeouts).

Maddon flipped his weekend rotation behind Lester, opting to bump right-hander Jake Arrieta to Sunday night while keeping right-hander John Lackey on regular rest. Lackey will start the middle game of the series on Saturday.

"It's just to break up Lester and Jake," Maddon said to MLB.com. "It was strategical because we could."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers (83-58) at Angels (62-77)

Game: 1
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: September 09, 2016 10:05 PM EDT

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Back when the 2016 major league schedule was announced, any rational baseball fan likely would have looked at three-game series Sept. 9-11 between the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers as pivotal to the American League West race.

As it stands now, however, the Rangers hold a comfortable 8 1/2-game lead in the West, while the Angels have long since been reduced to playing spoiler, mixing and matching young players and veterans who are trying to make a good impression on club officials for next year and beyond.

The Friday starting pitchers for the two clubs are similar, though. Both are Tommy John surgery survivors who missed all of the 2015 season and part of this season.

Texas right-hander Yu Darvish, who also battled shoulder troubles this year, is 5-4 with a 3.45 ERA in 13 starts. Los Angeles left-hander Tyler Skaggs, who didn't make his season debut until July 26, is 3-3 with a 4.71 ERA in eight starts.

Darvish is coming off his shortest outing of the season, when he lasted just four innings and gave up five runs and seven hits in a 7-6 loss to the Houston Astros on Sunday.

"I felt very good going into the game," he said. "I think I was feeling well, so I have to tip the hats to their offense today. Command-wise, I didn't feel as bad as I did the last time I struggled. The bloopers, the ground balls found a way. We put the shift on and it went through it. It's just one of those things. I didn't think I was that bad."

Darvish is 7-2 with a 4.00 ERA in 12 career starts against the Angels.

Skaggs, meanwhile, seems to be finding a rhythm. He is coming off back-to-back victories over the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners in which he gave up three runs in 12 total innings.

For Skaggs, the life on his fastball seems to be improving, according to Angels manager Mike Scioscia, and he continues to develop his changeup.

In three career starts against Texas, Skaggs is 2-1 with a 7.90 ERA.

Skaggs will benefit from the return to the lineup of designated hitter Albert Pujols and center fielder Mike Trout. Both got a day off for rest on Wednesday and then another day with Thursday's scheduled day off.

Trout has finished first or second in AL Most Valuable Player voting in each of his four full seasons and will get votes again this year, though playing for a team near the bottom of the division will hurt his chances. Even his own manager said recently that he didn't think players on a last-place team should win the MVP.

The Angels aren't in last, but they are close enough to hurt Trout despite his lofty numbers going into the series: .323 average, 27 homers, 88 RBIs, 24 stolen bases, 109 runs (tied for the AL lead), .442 on-base percentage (best in majors).

Trout has hit Darvish well, batting .294 (10-for-34) with four homers, a double, six RBIs and six walks against him.

Pujols also has put up big numbers this season, his 110 RBIs among the league's leaders. It is his highest RBI total since he had 118 in 2010 while playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.

"It's fun anytime Albert hits a home run, anytime he gets an RBI or an extra-base hit," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said recently. "Every time something happens, he's in some conversation with the all-time greats."

One of the hottest Texas hitters of late is Carlos Gomez, who has been with the club only a couple of weeks following his release from the Astros. He hit a three-run homer in his first at-bat as a Ranger, struggled through an 0-for-18 stretch but has nine hits in his past 24 at-bats as he settles in to his new surroundings.

"It's the best thing that could happen to me," Gomez told MLB.com about joining the Rangers. "Seeing the energy here, a new opportunity has been given to me. It has been really good. This team is like family. You're supposed to be here by 3 o'clock, but everybody is here by 1 because it is so much fun."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners (72-68) at Athletics (60-79)

Game: 1
Venue: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Date: September 09, 2016 10:05 PM EDT

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Seattle Mariners will try to give their wild-card playoff hopes another boost Friday night when they send veteran Hisashi Iwakuma to the mound to face the Oakland A's and rookie Daniel Mengden in the opener of a three-game series at the Oakland Coliseum.

Iwakuma (14-11, 4.01 ERA) has a career-high-tying four-game losing streak, but he posted quality starts in three of those defeats. In his most recent start, a 4-2 loss Sunday to the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field, Iwakuma gave up three runs on eight hits over seven innings, struck out five and walked one.

"I hate to think where we'd be without him this year," Mariners manager Scott Servais said after Iwakuma's last start. "He's been very valuable."

Before his four-game skid, Iwakuma was 14-4 with a 3.63 ERA in his previous 19 starts, a stretch that ended with a 4-3 victory against the A's in Oakland on Aug. 13. Iwakuma allowed three runs on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings with two strikeouts and no walks that day, raising his career record against the Athletics to 8-5. He is 3-0 with a 3.26 ERA in three starts against the A's this season.

The Mariners (72-68) are 5-11 over their past 16 games, but they ended their seven-game homestand with a 6-3 victory against the Texas Rangers on Thursday night. Seattle won three of four games from the Rangers, who lead the AL West by 8 1/2 games over the Houston Astros and 10 1/2 over the Mariners.

The Mariners trail Baltimore by 4 1/2 games for the American League's second wild-card spot. They also trail the Detroit Tigers, Houston, the New York Yankees and the Kansas City Royals in the wild-card race.

"We are not done," Servais said after Thursday night's victory. "I know people want to write us off, but we still have a bunch of games to play. It's going to be interesting."

Seattle is 7-5 this year against the A's (60-79), and two teams will meet seven more times, including a season-ending, four-game series at Safeco Field.

Mengden was called up Saturday from Triple-A Nashville for his second stint with the A's this season. He gave up seven runs on eight hits over 2 2/3 innings that night in an 11-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox as his record fell to 1-6 and ERA rose to 6.66.

This will be Mengden's first career appearance against the Mariners, but he has watched them enough to know what type of challenge he is in for.

"It's going to be a tough lineup, but I know if I stick to what I can do and I get ahead, I'll be able to use my stuff and hopefully get some early outs, force weak contact and try to go from there," Mengden said.

Mengden started the season at Double-A Midland, jumped to Nashville and earned his first trip to the major leagues in early June. He was sent back to Nashville on July 26 after making nine starts for the A's and developing a tired pitching arm. He had his work load reduced at Triple-A, and his arm strength returned.

"Toward the end of my (first) stint in the big leagues, I was getting a little tired," Mengden said. "I feel like my arm wasn't recovering as fast, my (velocity) was down. I wasn't able to make pitches and I got a little wild. I think I was trying to do too much with what I had in the tank.

"I went down there and had six, seven starts, five innings max, no matter what the pitch count was. It felt really good, not throwing as much and getting a little rest every outing going into it. I feel really good right now."

Mengden is 0-5 with a 7.53 ERA at the Coliseum. His career-opening, five-game losing streak at home is tied for the longest in Oakland history with Dallas Braden (2007) and Steve Ontiveros (1985-86).

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

Friday’s games

National League

Phillies @ Nationals
Thompson is 0-4, 5.63 in his last four starts (over 3-2-1). Phils scored three runs in those four games.

Roark is 1-2, 3.86 in his last four starts; under is 9-5 in his last 14. Washington won six of his last eight home starts.

Phillies won three of last four games; under is 9-2 in their last 11. Washington won seven of last ten games with three of last four going over the total.

Reds @ Pirates
Adleman is 0-2, 6.19 in his last three starts (over 4-4).

Brault is 0-2, 4.26 in four starts this year (over 2-2).

Reds lost nine of last 11 games; under is 7-2 in their last nine games. Pittsburgh lost eight of last ten games; four of last six Pirate games went over the total.

Dodgers @ Marlins
Kershaw is 4-1, 2.36 in his last five starts, last of which was June 26. Under is 7-0-2 in his last nine starts. LA is 8-1 in his road starts.

Fernandez is 1-4, 4.76 in his last seven starts; over is 5-3 in his last eight. Miami is 10-4 in his home starts.

Dodgers won six of last seven games, are 7-14 in road series openers. Under is 8-3 in LA’s last eleven games. Miami lost 10 of last 12 games, is 1-7 in last eight home series openers. Under is 8-1 in their last nine home games.

Mets @ Braves
Gsellman is 1-1, 3.75 in his first two MLB starts (under 2-0).

Teheran is 2-0, 1.38 in his last two starts; four of his last five starts went over. Braves are 2-11 in his home starts.

Mets won their last five games, are 4-7 in last 11 road series openers. Five of last six NY games stayed under. Atlanta lost its last three games; they’re 7-14 in home series openers. Over is 17-4 in Braves’ last 21 games.

Brewers @ Cardinals
Nelson is 1-6, 9.00 in his last nine starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. Milwaukee is 2-7 in his last nine road starts.

Martinez is 3-0, 1.67 in his last four starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. Cardinals are 3-8 in his last 11 home starts.

Brewers won seven of last eight games; five of their last six games went over. St Louis is 4-8 in its last 12 home games (over 8-3-1).

Giants @ Diamondbacks
Bumgarner is 4-1, 4.20 in his last five starts (over 4-1). Giants lost five of his last six road starts.

De la Rosa is 1-0, 5.63 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Colorado is 4-5 in his home starts.

Giants lost five of last seven games, are 2-10 in last 12 road series openers. Five of last six SF games stayed under the total. Arizona lost five of last seven games; they’ve won last four home series openers. Over is 14-3 in last 17 games at Chase Field.

Rockies @ Padres
Chatwood is 0-3, 7.48 in his last four starts (under 15-6-2). Colorado is 8-2 in his road starts.

Perdomo is 2-1, 2.86 in his last three starts (over 10-6). San Diego is 3-2 in his home starts.

Rockies lost five of last six games; over is 8-3 in their last 11 road games. San Diego lost 11 of last 16 games; four of last six Padre games stayed under the total.


American League

Rays @ New York
Snell is 2-3, 6.63 in his last five starts (under 9-6). Rays are 1-5 in his road starts.

Pineda is 0-1, 7.05 in his last three starts; five of his last seven went over. New York is 8-5 in his home starts.

Rays lost four of last five games; over is 10-2-1 in Tampa’s last 13 road games. New York won six of its last seven home games; five of last seven NY games stayed under the total.

Red Sox @ Blue Jays
Porcello is 5-0, 2.68 in his last six starts; four of his last five went over. Boston is 6-7 in his road starts.

Estrada is 1-3, 6.92 in his last five starts (over 4-1). Toronto is 6-6 in his home starts.

Red Sox won five of last seven games, are 15-9 in road series openers. Under is 6-3 in their last nine road games. Toronto lost five of last six games, is 7-2 in last nine home series openers. Over is 5-2 in Jays’ last seven home games.

Orioles @ Tigers
Gausman is 4-0, 1.75 in his last four starts; he has a 19-inning scoreless streak. Under is 5-2 in his last seven starts. Orioles are 2-9 in his last 11 road starts.

Fulmer is 0-3, 6.48 in his last three starts; six of his last seven starts stayed under. Detroit is 5-2 in his home starts.

Orioles won three of last four road games, are 12-11 in road series openers. Over is 8-2 in their last ten road games. Detroit won five of last seven home games, is 11-2 in last 13 home series openers. Under is 11-3 in last 14 home games.

Royals @ White Sox
Ventura is 4-0, 2.61 in his last seven starts; under is 6-2 in his last eight. Royals won his last four road starts.

Rodon is 4-0, 2.39 in his last six starts; three of his last four went over. White Sox are 3-8 in his home starts.

Royals are 10-3 in last 13 road games, 6-0 in last six road series openers. Over is 10-1 in their last 11 games. Chicago won four of last five home games, is 11-11 in home series openers. Six of last seven White Sox games went over.

Indians @ Twins
Salazar is 0-3, 9.27 in his last six starts; over is 7-1 in his last eight. Indians are 2-6 in his last eight road starts.

Duffey is 0-2, 14.85 in his last two starts; over is 6-2-2 in his last ten. Twins are 5-2 in his last seven home starts.

Indians won eight of last ten games, but are 1-6 in last seven road games, 12-10 in road series openers. Under is 6-3-1 in Tribe’s last 10 road games. Minnesota is 3-17 in its last 20 games, 8-14 in home series openers. Over is 15-1 in their last 16 home games.

Rangers @ Angels
Darvish is 1-1, 7.02 in his last three starts; four of his last five went over. Texas is 2-3 in his road starts.

Skaggs is 2-0, 2.25 in his last two starts; three of his last four stayed under.

Texas lost three of last four games, is 2-8 in last 10 road series openers. Rangers’ last nine games went over the total. Angels are 10-4 in last 14 games, 5-2 in last seven home series openers. Under is 7-3 in last ten games at the Big A.

Mariners @ A’s
Iwakuma is 0-4, 5.48 in his last four starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Seattle is 8-7 in his road starts.

Mengden is 0-3, 10.87 in his last six starts; six of his last seven went over. A’s are 1-4 in his home starts.

Mariners lost six of last seven road games, is 5-9 in last 14 road series openers. Over is 15-5 in their last 20 games. Oakland won three of last four games, is 2-5 in last seven home series openers. Under is 11-7 in their last 18 home games.


Interleague

Cubs @ Astros
Lester is 5-0, 1.35 in his last seven starts; his last five stayed under. Chicago is 2-4 in his last six road starts.

Musgrove is 1-3, 8.53 in his last four starts (under 3-2-1).

Cubs lost four of last five road games, are 13-9 in road series openers. Over is 5-3 in their last eight road games. Houston won five of last six home games, is 14-8 in home series openers. Over is 5-2 in their last seven games.


Teams’ record when this pitcher starts:

Phil-Wsh: Thompson 1-5; Roark 17-11
Cin-Pitt: Adleman 3-5; Brault 1-3
LA-Mia: Kershaw 14-2; Fernandez 11-8
NY-Atl: Gsellman 1-1; Teheran 7-18
Mil-StL: Nelson 11-17; Martinez 14-11
SF-Az: Bumgarner 17-12; De le Rosa 3-5
Col-SD: Chatwood 12-11 (0-4 last 4); Perdomo 9-7

TB-NY: Snell 5-10; Pineda 13-14
Bos-Tor: Porcello 21-7; Estrada 13-11
Balt-Det: Gausman 12-13 (4-0 last 4); Fulmer 16-6 (0-3 last 3)
KC-Chi: Ventura 16-11 (7-0 last 7); Rodon 10-13 (5- l last 6)
Cle-Min: Salazar 15-9; Duffey 10-12
Tex-LAA: Darvish 7-6; Skaggs 3-5
Sea-A’s: Iwakuma 15-13 (0-4 last 4); Mengden 2-8

Chi-Hst: Lester 20-7; Musgrove 2-4


# of time pitcher allows 1+ runs in first inning:

Phil-Wsh: Thompson 3-6; Roark 5-28
Cin-Pitt: Adleman 1-8; Brault 2-4
LA-Mia: Kershaw 2-16; Fernandez 6-19
NY-Atl: Gsellman 1-2; Teheran 6-25
Mil-StL: Nelson 10-28; Martinez 3-26
SF-Az: Bumgarner 8-29; De le Rosa 0-8
Col-SD: Chatwood 7-23; Perdomo 7-16

TB-NY: Snell 4-15; Pineda 9-27
Bos-Tor: Porcello 7-28; Estrada 9-24
Balt-Det: Gausman 8-25; Fulmer 5-22
KC-Chi: Ventura 5-27; Rodon 6-23
Cle-Min: Salazar 5-24; Duffey 7-22
Tex-LAA: Darvish 5-13; Skaggs 4-8
Sea-A’s: Iwakuma 7-28 (4 of last 4); Mengden 3-10 (3 of last 3)

Chi-Hst: Lester 7-27; Musgrove 2-6


Teams’ records in first five innings:

Team (road-home-total)- thru 9/8

Arizona 24-36-11…..27-36-5…….51-71
Atlanta 27-36-11…..21-31-13……48-67
Cubs 35-24-9……43-21-8…….78-45
Reds 18-42-8……31-35-5…….49-77
Colo 25-31-12…..33-34-4…….58-65
LA 27-29-9……46-21-8…….72-50
Miami 30-30-10…..30-23-16……60-53
Milw 21-38-8……40-24-10…..61-62
Mets 29-42-9……33-26-11…….62-58
Philly 24-31-16…..24-32-13……48-61
Pitt 20-36-12…..42-24-5……62-59
St. Louis 33-31-7……27-29-12……60-60
SD 22-46-4…..31-32-6……..53-78
SF 32-33-7…….34-20-13…….66-53
Wash 36-22-14….28-21-19…….64-43

Orioles 26-35-9…….36-27-8……..62-62
Boston 29-28-11……43-18-9…….72-46
White Sox 31-31-9……36-29-4………67-60
Cleveland 35-26-7……35-29-6……..70-55
Detroit 30-32-9…….30-31-4……..60-63
Astros 29-33-11…..32-26-7……..61-59
KC 27-35-11……28-25-13……55-60
Angels 30-37-7…….24-30-11……54-67
Twins 25-35-12…….25-36-12…..50-71
NYY 23-38-8……33-29-10……56-67
A’s 22-38-8……26-33-13…….48-70
Seattle 31-29-9……33-25-12…….64-54
Tampa Bay 22-30-11……32-33-12……54-63
Texas 26-37-9…….35-24-9……61-61
Toronto 42-24-5……..38-27-4……80-51

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

Friday’s games

National League

Phillies @ Nationals
Thompson is 0-4, 5.63 in his last four starts (over 3-2-1). Phils scored three runs in those four games.

Roark is 1-2, 3.86 in his last four starts; under is 9-5 in his last 14. Washington won six of his last eight home starts.

Phillies won three of last four games; under is 9-2 in their last 11. Washington won seven of last ten games with three of last four going over the total.

Reds @ Pirates
Adleman is 0-2, 6.19 in his last three starts (over 4-4).

Brault is 0-2, 4.26 in four starts this year (over 2-2).

Reds lost nine of last 11 games; under is 7-2 in their last nine games. Pittsburgh lost eight of last ten games; four of last six Pirate games went over the total.

Dodgers @ Marlins
Kershaw is 4-1, 2.36 in his last five starts, last of which was June 26. Under is 7-0-2 in his last nine starts. LA is 8-1 in his road starts.

Fernandez is 1-4, 4.76 in his last seven starts; over is 5-3 in his last eight. Miami is 10-4 in his home starts.

Dodgers won six of last seven games, are 7-14 in road series openers. Under is 8-3 in LA’s last eleven games. Miami lost 10 of last 12 games, is 1-7 in last eight home series openers. Under is 8-1 in their last nine home games.

Mets @ Braves
Gsellman is 1-1, 3.75 in his first two MLB starts (under 2-0).

Teheran is 2-0, 1.38 in his last two starts; four of his last five starts went over. Braves are 2-11 in his home starts.

Mets won their last five games, are 4-7 in last 11 road series openers. Five of last six NY games stayed under. Atlanta lost its last three games; they’re 7-14 in home series openers. Over is 17-4 in Braves’ last 21 games.

Brewers @ Cardinals
Nelson is 1-6, 9.00 in his last nine starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. Milwaukee is 2-7 in his last nine road starts.

Martinez is 3-0, 1.67 in his last four starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. Cardinals are 3-8 in his last 11 home starts.

Brewers won seven of last eight games; five of their last six games went over. St Louis is 4-8 in its last 12 home games (over 8-3-1).

Giants @ Diamondbacks
Bumgarner is 4-1, 4.20 in his last five starts (over 4-1). Giants lost five of his last six road starts.

De la Rosa is 1-0, 5.63 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Colorado is 4-5 in his home starts.

Giants lost five of last seven games, are 2-10 in last 12 road series openers. Five of last six SF games stayed under the total. Arizona lost five of last seven games; they’ve won last four home series openers. Over is 14-3 in last 17 games at Chase Field.

Rockies @ Padres
Chatwood is 0-3, 7.48 in his last four starts (under 15-6-2). Colorado is 8-2 in his road starts.

Perdomo is 2-1, 2.86 in his last three starts (over 10-6). San Diego is 3-2 in his home starts.

Rockies lost five of last six games; over is 8-3 in their last 11 road games. San Diego lost 11 of last 16 games; four of last six Padre games stayed under the total.


American League

Rays @ New York
Snell is 2-3, 6.63 in his last five starts (under 9-6). Rays are 1-5 in his road starts.

Pineda is 0-1, 7.05 in his last three starts; five of his last seven went over. New York is 8-5 in his home starts.

Rays lost four of last five games; over is 10-2-1 in Tampa’s last 13 road games. New York won six of its last seven home games; five of last seven NY games stayed under the total.

Red Sox @ Blue Jays
Porcello is 5-0, 2.68 in his last six starts; four of his last five went over. Boston is 6-7 in his road starts.

Estrada is 1-3, 6.92 in his last five starts (over 4-1). Toronto is 6-6 in his home starts.

Red Sox won five of last seven games, are 15-9 in road series openers. Under is 6-3 in their last nine road games. Toronto lost five of last six games, is 7-2 in last nine home series openers. Over is 5-2 in Jays’ last seven home games.

Orioles @ Tigers
Gausman is 4-0, 1.75 in his last four starts; he has a 19-inning scoreless streak. Under is 5-2 in his last seven starts. Orioles are 2-9 in his last 11 road starts.

Fulmer is 0-3, 6.48 in his last three starts; six of his last seven starts stayed under. Detroit is 5-2 in his home starts.

Orioles won three of last four road games, are 12-11 in road series openers. Over is 8-2 in their last ten road games. Detroit won five of last seven home games, is 11-2 in last 13 home series openers. Under is 11-3 in last 14 home games.

Royals @ White Sox
Ventura is 4-0, 2.61 in his last seven starts; under is 6-2 in his last eight. Royals won his last four road starts.

Rodon is 4-0, 2.39 in his last six starts; three of his last four went over. White Sox are 3-8 in his home starts.

Royals are 10-3 in last 13 road games, 6-0 in last six road series openers. Over is 10-1 in their last 11 games. Chicago won four of last five home games, is 11-11 in home series openers. Six of last seven White Sox games went over.

Indians @ Twins
Salazar is 0-3, 9.27 in his last six starts; over is 7-1 in his last eight. Indians are 2-6 in his last eight road starts.

Duffey is 0-2, 14.85 in his last two starts; over is 6-2-2 in his last ten. Twins are 5-2 in his last seven home starts.

Indians won eight of last ten games, but are 1-6 in last seven road games, 12-10 in road series openers. Under is 6-3-1 in Tribe’s last 10 road games. Minnesota is 3-17 in its last 20 games, 8-14 in home series openers. Over is 15-1 in their last 16 home games.

Rangers @ Angels
Darvish is 1-1, 7.02 in his last three starts; four of his last five went over. Texas is 2-3 in his road starts.

Skaggs is 2-0, 2.25 in his last two starts; three of his last four stayed under.

Texas lost three of last four games, is 2-8 in last 10 road series openers. Rangers’ last nine games went over the total. Angels are 10-4 in last 14 games, 5-2 in last seven home series openers. Under is 7-3 in last ten games at the Big A.

Mariners @ A’s
Iwakuma is 0-4, 5.48 in his last four starts; under is 5-2 in his last seven. Seattle is 8-7 in his road starts.

Mengden is 0-3, 10.87 in his last six starts; six of his last seven went over. A’s are 1-4 in his home starts.

Mariners lost six of last seven road games, is 5-9 in last 14 road series openers. Over is 15-5 in their last 20 games. Oakland won three of last four games, is 2-5 in last seven home series openers. Under is 11-7 in their last 18 home games.


Interleague

Cubs @ Astros
Lester is 5-0, 1.35 in his last seven starts; his last five stayed under. Chicago is 2-4 in his last six road starts.

Musgrove is 1-3, 8.53 in his last four starts (under 3-2-1).

Cubs lost four of last five road games, are 13-9 in road series openers. Over is 5-3 in their last eight road games. Houston won five of last six home games, is 14-8 in home series openers. Over is 5-2 in their last seven games.


Teams’ record when this pitcher starts:

Phil-Wsh: Thompson 1-5; Roark 17-11
Cin-Pitt: Adleman 3-5; Brault 1-3
LA-Mia: Kershaw 14-2; Fernandez 11-8
NY-Atl: Gsellman 1-1; Teheran 7-18
Mil-StL: Nelson 11-17; Martinez 14-11
SF-Az: Bumgarner 17-12; De le Rosa 3-5
Col-SD: Chatwood 12-11 (0-4 last 4); Perdomo 9-7

TB-NY: Snell 5-10; Pineda 13-14
Bos-Tor: Porcello 21-7; Estrada 13-11
Balt-Det: Gausman 12-13 (4-0 last 4); Fulmer 16-6 (0-3 last 3)
KC-Chi: Ventura 16-11 (7-0 last 7); Rodon 10-13 (5- l last 6)
Cle-Min: Salazar 15-9; Duffey 10-12
Tex-LAA: Darvish 7-6; Skaggs 3-5
Sea-A’s: Iwakuma 15-13 (0-4 last 4); Mengden 2-8

Chi-Hst: Lester 20-7; Musgrove 2-4


# of time pitcher allows 1+ runs in first inning:

Phil-Wsh: Thompson 3-6; Roark 5-28
Cin-Pitt: Adleman 1-8; Brault 2-4
LA-Mia: Kershaw 2-16; Fernandez 6-19
NY-Atl: Gsellman 1-2; Teheran 6-25
Mil-StL: Nelson 10-28; Martinez 3-26
SF-Az: Bumgarner 8-29; De le Rosa 0-8
Col-SD: Chatwood 7-23; Perdomo 7-16

TB-NY: Snell 4-15; Pineda 9-27
Bos-Tor: Porcello 7-28; Estrada 9-24
Balt-Det: Gausman 8-25; Fulmer 5-22
KC-Chi: Ventura 5-27; Rodon 6-23
Cle-Min: Salazar 5-24; Duffey 7-22
Tex-LAA: Darvish 5-13; Skaggs 4-8
Sea-A’s: Iwakuma 7-28 (4 of last 4); Mengden 3-10 (3 of last 3)

Chi-Hst: Lester 7-27; Musgrove 2-6


Teams’ records in first five innings:

Team (road-home-total)- thru 9/8

Arizona 24-36-11…..27-36-5…….51-71
Atlanta 27-36-11…..21-31-13……48-67
Cubs 35-24-9……43-21-8…….78-45
Reds 18-42-8……31-35-5…….49-77
Colo 25-31-12…..33-34-4…….58-65
LA 27-29-9……46-21-8…….72-50
Miami 30-30-10…..30-23-16……60-53
Milw 21-38-8……40-24-10…..61-62
Mets 29-42-9……33-26-11…….62-58
Philly 24-31-16…..24-32-13……48-61
Pitt 20-36-12…..42-24-5……62-59
St. Louis 33-31-7……27-29-12……60-60
SD 22-46-4…..31-32-6……..53-78
SF 32-33-7…….34-20-13…….66-53
Wash 36-22-14….28-21-19…….64-43

Orioles 26-35-9…….36-27-8……..62-62
Boston 29-28-11……43-18-9…….72-46
White Sox 31-31-9……36-29-4………67-60
Cleveland 35-26-7……35-29-6……..70-55
Detroit 30-32-9…….30-31-4……..60-63
Astros 29-33-11…..32-26-7……..61-59
KC 27-35-11……28-25-13……55-60
Angels 30-37-7…….24-30-11……54-67
Twins 25-35-12…….25-36-12…..50-71
NYY 23-38-8……33-29-10……56-67
A’s 22-38-8……26-33-13…….48-70
Seattle 31-29-9……33-25-12…….64-54
Tampa Bay 22-30-11……32-33-12……54-63
Texas 26-37-9…….35-24-9……61-61
Toronto 42-24-5……..38-27-4……80-51

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockies (67-73) at Padres (58-82)

Game: 2
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: September 09, 2016 10:40 PM EDT

SAN DIEGO -- The Colorado Rockies continue their three-game series with the San Diego Padres on Friday, nestled on the fringes of the National League wild-card race.

Getting thumped 14-1 by the Padres in the series opener Thursday didn't help the Rockies' cause. But at least Colorado can sniff a playoff spot.

The Padres were long ago been erased from being a postseason factor. They assume their traditional role as a spoiler in a season-ending span of 22 more games against National League West teams.

However, there is another race that is heating up for the Rockies.

Can second baseman DJ LeMahieu win the NL batting title?

"No doubt," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said.

LeMahieu is matched against the New York Mets' Daniel Murphy, with Murphy holding a slight edge, .345 to .342, after the Colorado veteran went 0-for-1 with two walks Thursday. That ended a stretch in which LeMahieu hit safely in eight of nine games.

Baseball law says manager back their players. And while Weiss appreciates Murphy, he likes LeMahieu.

"A lot of that has to do with seeing what he's made of," Weiss said. "It really shows up every day in him trying to get better. That's how he works, that's how he competes. I expect DJ will be in that race right down to the end."

The beginning of Padres pitcher Luis Perdomo's career caused some pause. After never working above Double-A before this season, the right-hander got rocked for six runs in one inning by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the season-opening loss.

However, as the Padres get closer to the tape, Perdomo (7-8, 5.92 ERA) has been among the few bright spots in another dismal season. The Padres have notched one complete game this season, and it belongs to Perdomo, 23.

Perdomo has defeated the Rockies twice this year in three decisions. One of those wins came as a reliever, before he was inserted into a depleted rotation after the Padres peddled starters James Shields, Drew Pomeranz and Andrew Cashner and went into complete rebuilding mode.

Since June 15, Perdomo has surrendered three earned runs or less in 10 of his 14 starts.

The Padres have some concerns about his workload, as he has thrown 121 2/3 innings. He threw 126 2/3 innings last year when splitting time between low Class A Peoria and high Class A Palm Beach.

"He feels good," manager Andy Green said. "But that is something we will watch."

The Padres will try to add a day of rest down the stretch with an eye on Perdomo's inning total.

Perdomo's mound opponent Friday will be Tyler Chatwood (10-9, 3.94 ERA). The Colorado right-hander is making his second start since being reinstated from the disabled list after recovering from a back strain. He took the loss on Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, allowing six runs (five earned) in five innings.

Chatwood has been particularly impressive on the road, pitching to a 6-1 record and a 1.82 ERA. His road ERA is the best in the majors (minimum 50 innings pitched).

Chatwood is 2-0 with an 1.84 ERA in two starts against the Padres this season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Friday, September 9, 2016, Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews

Sorry Nationals fans and backers, but I warned you. On Wednesday's Opening Line Report, I said to watch Stephen Strasburg very closely in his first start back from a DL stint due to elbow pain. If said pain returned and Strasburg had to be pulled from the game, his season was surely over (and maybe 2017 too) and so was Washington's chance to win the pennant for the first time in franchise history. Unfortunately, Strasburg had to leave the game against Atlanta after just 2.2 innings because of pain -- Nationals manager Dusty Baker said Strasburg felt a "pinch in the back of his elbow"-- and he will undergo an MRI on Thursday. The 28-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery after experiencing pain in that same elbow in late August 2010. It's very unusual for a pitcher to ever get back to normal after two Tommy John surgeries. Let's hope it's not that. Did the Nationals get insurance on that $175 million extension they signed Strasburg to earlier this season?


Brewers at Cardinals (-220, 8)

I was hoping that St. Louis would be attempting to tie the big-league record with a homer in 27 straight games here, but the Cards' streak was stopped at 25 in a row Wednesday against Pittsburgh. Milwaukee starts Jimmy Nelson (7-13, 4.36). He comes off a no-decision in Pittsburgh, allowing one run and four hits in 5.1 innings -- his second straight start vs. the Bucs. Nelson has just one victory since July 17. He is 0-1 with a 3.75 ERA in two starts this year against the Cardinals. Matt Carpenter is 6-for-13 career against him with a homer. Jhonny Peralta is 5-for-13 with three RBIs. The Cards' ace these days is clearly Carlos Martinez (13-7, 3.07), and he hasn't lost since Aug. 6 Martinez comes off a win over Cincinnati, allowing two runs over six innings -- his fifth straight quality start. Martinez has owned the Brewers this year, going 2-0 with a 0.95 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 19 innings. Ryan Braun is 5-for-18 career off him with seven strikeouts. Scooter Gennett is 6-for-20 with three doubles.

Key trends: The Brewers are 1-7 in Nelson's past eight road starts vs. teams with a winning record. The Cards are 5-1 in Martinez's past six vs. Milwaukee. The "over/under" has gone under in four of his past six vs. Milwaukee.

Early lean: Cardinals and under.

Red Sox at Blue Jays (-110, 9)

It didn't used to be a huge deal when a pitcher got to 20 wins in a season because they were in four-man rotations. But nowadays all teams go with five-man groups and sometimes six. So it's obviously tougher to get to 20 wins; only two guys did in 2015. Boston's Rick Porcello (19-3, 3.23) can be the first to the mark in 2016 on Friday. He hasn't personally lost since Aug. 3. Last time out, Porcello won in Oakland, giving up two runs and four hits over seven innings. He hasn't walked a batter in three straight outings. Porcello is 2-0 despite a 5.21 ERA in three starts vs. the Blue Jays this year. Edwin Enarnacion hits .382 off him with three homers and 10 RBIs in 34 at-bats. Jose Bautista is 14-for-34 off him with three homers and nine RBIs. Toronto's Marco Estrada (8-7, 3.56) lost at Tampa Bay on Saturday, allowing five runs in five innings. It's the third time in four starts he has allowed at least five earned. Estrada is 2-1 with a 2.57 ERA in three starts vs. Boston. David Ortiz is 3-for-17 against him with two homers. Mookie Betts is 0-for-11.

Key trends: The Sox are 6-1 in Porcello's past seven vs. teams with a winning record. The Jays are 7-2 in Estrada's past nine vs. the AL East. The over is 4-1 in Porcello's past five and in Estrada's past five.

Early lean: Blue Jays and over.

Dodgers at Marlins (+136, 6.5)

Quite possibly the pitching matchup of the season. Dodgers ace lefty Clayton Kershaw (11-2, 1.79) will be activated from the disabled list and make his first big-league start since June 26. He looked very good in his final rehab start but is likely going to be on a pitch count here off that herniated disk in his back. If something flares up again in this start, much like Strasburg, cross the Dodgers off your teams capable of winning the NL pennant. Kershaw's season-high in runs allowed was five, and that came on April 26 in a loss to Miami. He did strike out 10 over seven innings. Miami's Jose Fernandez (13-8, 3.03) comes off his worst start of the year, allowing seven runs and 12 hits over 5.2 innings in a loss at Cleveland (I recommended the Tribe then). In his last seven starts, Fernandez is 1-4 with a 4.54 ERA. But the guy is a different animal pitching at home. Fernandez won at the Dodgers on April 28, allowing two runs and striking out eight over six innings. Adrian Gonzalez is 1-for-10 off him with a homer. Corey Seager is 2-for-2.

Key trends: The Dodgers are 0-5 in their past five on Friday. The Marlins are 19-4 in Fernandez's past 23 at home vs. teams with a winning record. The under is 5-1-1 in Kershaw's past seven on the road. The under is 9-4 in Fernandez's past 13 at home.

Early lean: Marlins and under.

Royals at White Sox (-109, 8.5)

Kansas City expects outfielder Lorenzo Cain, an AL MVP finalist last year, back in this series opener. Cain has been out since Aug. 30 with a wrist injury. He's having a moderately disappointing season compared to 2015 as he's hitting .287 with nine homers, 56 RBIs and 13 steals in 102 games. Catcher Salvador Perez also should be in there after getting hit on the wrist Tuesday and sitting Wednesday. The Royals go with Yordano Ventura (10-9, 4.22). They have won his past seven. He beat the Tigers on Saturday, allowing a run but walking six over six innings. Ventura has not allowed more than three earned runs in a start since July 3 and is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in three starts this year vs. Chicago. Red-hot Jose Abreu is 3-for-13 off him with two homers. The Sox might still be in division contention if lefty Carlos Rodon (6-8, 3.90) had pitched like he has lately for the majority of the season. He's working on a string of six straight quality starts and has a 1.91 ERA in that stretch. He's 1-1 with a 2.55 ERA in three starts vs. the Royals. Cain is 5-for-8 off him with a double.

Key trends: The Royals are 6-1 in Ventura's past seven vs. Chicago. The Sox are 5-1 in Rodon's past six at home. The under is 6-2 in Ventura's past eight.

Early lean: White Sox and under.

Cubs at Astros (+127, 8)

The only interleague series of the weekend, and if any NL team is built to add the designated hitter it's the Cubs -- even after losing slugger Kyle Schwarber, who would be a DH if he played in the AL, to a season-ending injury in the first week. Chicago lefty Jon Lester (15-4, 2.61) looks to continue his Cy Young push. He comes off a complete-game win over the Giants, allowing a run and three hits; he went 7.2 no-hit innings. Lester has a 1.85 ERA in nine starts since the All-Star break. He hasn't faced Houston since 2008. Colby Rasmus is 3-for-15 off him with five strikeouts. Evan Gattis is 2-for-3 with an RBI. Houston rookie Joe Musgrove (2-3, 5.06) has generally been very good or very bad in his six big-league starts. It was the latter on Saturday in Texas, allowing five runs and eight hits over 4.1 innings. Musgrove hasn't seen the Cubs but was shelled in Pittsburgh in his lone interleague start.

Key trends : The Cubs are 10-1 in Lester's past 11 during Game 1 of a series. The Astros are 0-5 in Musgrove's past five at home vs. teams with a winning road record. The over is 9-3-1 in Lester's past 13 on the road.

Early lean: Cubs and over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

StatFox Super Situations

MLB*|*BALTIMORE*at*DETROIT
Play On - Home teams with a money line of -100 to -150 (DETROIT) after 2 or more consecutive losses, a marginal winning team (51% to 54%) playing a winning team
260-143*since 1997.**(*64.5%*|*83.0 units*)
10-11*this year.**(*47.6%*|*-3.9 units*)


StatFox Situational Power Trends

MLB*|*KANSAS CITY*at*CHI WHITE SOX
KANSAS CITY is 37-20 (+18.6 Units) against the money line against division opponents*this season.
The average score was: KANSAS CITY (5.1) , OPPONENT (3.8)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Friday’s six-pack

Submitted for your perusal, NFL trends for Week 1………..

— Ravens are 0-10-2 in last 12 games as a favorite.

— Dallas covered one of last eight home openers.

— Chargers are 3-10 in last 13 divisional games.

— Indianapolis covered one of last eight season openers.

— Falcons are 2-8 in last ten games as a home favorite.

— Green Bay is 9-4 in last 13 games as a road favorite.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

#1 Sports

Friday's Free Selection: Miami Marlins + 130