Monday 4/25/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Athletics (10-9) at Tigers (8-9)

Game: 1
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: April 25, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

After their best road start in 26 years came to a halt in Toronto, the Oakland Athletics could find it hard to get back on track during the last stop on their trip.

Jordan Zimmermann stands in their way Monday night looking to extend the longest scoreless streak by a new Detroit Tigers starter while helping them avoid a fifth consecutive defeat in the opener of a four-game series.

Oakland had batted .276 while averaging 5.2 runs over the last six of a 7-0 road start that was the franchise's best since winning its first eight in 1990. The club was also getting outstanding pitching with a 1.91 ERA over that same stretch.

All that changed in the last two north of the border as the Blue Jays outscored the A's by a combined 15-6 to take the series. Josh Reddick, Khris Davis and Chris Coghlan each had solo home runs, but the A's managed just two other hits in Sunday's 6-3 defeat.

"Obviously we're frustrated but we're 4-2 on this (10-game) road trip and we're looking to finish it above .500 in Detroit," Stephen Vogt said.

Zimmermann, however, has had little trouble adjusting to the AL after signing with Detroit (8-9) following a seven-year stint with Washington. He's struck out 15 while limiting batters to a .211 average over 19 1-3 scoreless innings during a 3-0 start.

The right-hander scattered seven hits and fanned eight over 6 1-3 innings in Wednesday's 3-2 win at Kansas City. He became the first pitcher in Detroit history to begin a season with three consecutive outings of six or more scoreless innings.

The two-time All-Star also has posted the most consecutive shutout innings to begin a Tigers tenure since Doug Bair threw 19 1-3 after a trade from St. Louis in 1983.

"It's just a number," Zimmermann told the league's official website of his streak. "I just try to go out there and put up zeros and keep the game close. I try to go with a bend-but-don't-break mentality, and I've been able to do that the last few games."

Zimmerman has never faced the A's, though Coghlan was 2 for 6 with a double off him last season. Yonder Alonso is 3 for 10 with a home run lifetime in the matchup.

The A's hope to get the offense going for Kendall Graveman (1-1, 2.04 ERA). The right-hander allowed two runs or less for a third straight start Wednesday, giving up one and striking out eight over 6 1-3 innings in a 5-2 win at Yankee Stadium.

In his only meeting with Detroit, Graveman surrendered three runs over six innings in a 5-3 win that began Oakland's three-game sweep at Comerica Park from June 2-4.

The Tigers are struggling offensively, totaling five runs with a .144 average over a four-game losing streak. Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez teamed for four of the seven hits Sunday when the Tigers lost for the seventh time in nine games, 6-3 to Cleveland.

Justin Upton is 1 for 12 during the skid and Miguel Cabrera has gone 0 for 11. Cabrera is also just 6 for 26 (.231) over his last seven games against the A's (10-9).

Oakland infielder Jed Lowrie hopes to return after missing Sunday's game with a calf injury.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Orioles (11-6) at Rays (8-10)

Game: 1
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: April 25, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

It's hard to fathom that Chris Archer was the first pitcher in the majors to four losses.

Unless he's much better against the Baltimore Orioles than he was earlier this month, an 0-5 start is very much a possibility.

Archer looks to avoid that fate and help the Tampa Bay Rays to a third straight home win Monday night in the opener of this three-game series.

Any success Tampa Bay expected this season surely included a big contribution from Archer (0-4, 7.32 ERA), the team leader in wins last season who finished second in the AL in strikeouts (252), fourth in opponent batting average (.220) and sixth in ERA (3.23).

The right-hander, though, struggled late last season and hasn't found any kind of rhythm thus far in 2016. Archer is 0-7 with a 6.39 ERA in 10 starts since beating Baltimore on Aug. 31, and hasn't won at home since June 23.

"I'm not happy by any means," Archer told the Rays' official website, "but nobody said this game was going to be easy. I'm going to continue to work hard, get better every single day, and I really trust and believe that I'll get past this."

He was roughed up again Wednesday at Fenway Park, allowing three runs before recording an out in a 7-3 loss. Archer surrendered six runs and eight hits over 4 1-3 innings while walking three and striking out six.

'The first inning put the team behind the 8-ball,' Archer said. 'I didn't execute pitches very well, and they made the most of it.'

Perhaps Archer's worst start of the season came at Camden Yards on April 8, when he surrendered a career-high four homers and six runs over five innings of a 6-1 loss.

Archer is 1-4 with a 5.86 ERA in his last eight starts against the Orioles.

Manny Machado has been a particular nemesis. The third baseman is 9 for 22 with a home run, while Chris Davis is 5 for 14 with two homers and Jonathan Schoop 4 for 7 with one longball. All three homered on April 8.

Machado failed to get a hit for the first time this season in Sunday's 6-1 loss at Kansas City, ending his career-high 16-game hitting streak. He still leads the AL with a .380 average and teammate Mark Trumbo is next at .373.

Baltimore (11-6) has lost six of 10 since a 7-0 start that included a pair of wins over Tampa Bay. The Rays (8-10) batted .203 in that series and had only two hits with runners in scoring position.

They were much better offensively Sunday at Yankee Stadium, scoring five first-inning runs en route to an 8-1 victory. Steven Souza Jr. hit two of his team's five homers on his 27th birthday and Logan Forsythe had three hits as Tampa Bay avoided the sweep and split its six-game trip.

The Rays scored three runs or fewer in 13 of their first 17 games.

'We've been a little bit quiet here and there, but these guys can hit,' manager Kevin Cash said. 'Evident today.'

They'll try to continue that offense against Kevin Gausman (4-7, 4.25 in 2015), who makes his season debut after sitting out the first three weeks with tendinitis in his right shoulder. The right-hander made his first eight appearances last season as a reliever before moving into the rotation full-time in mid-June. He went 3-7 with a 4.22 ERA in 17 starts.

Gausman posted a 3.27 ERA in three minor league starts this month, striking out 19 in 11 innings.

He's 1-3 with a 5.97 ERA in seven career starts against the Rays.

Forsythe is 4 for 5 with a home run and two doubles against Gausman.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees (7-10) at Rangers (10-9)

Game: 1
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: April 25, 2016 8:05 PM EDT

After being swept in a series for the first time since July, the Texas Rangers were hoping Cole Hamels would stop the slide in their return home.

He's instead been scratched.

The Rangers will now look to pound the New York Yankees' struggling rotation and extend their home winning streak to five games Monday night.

Texas (10-9) hit .198 and was outscored 13-4 in losing three straight to the Chicago White Sox over the weekend, falling 4-1 Sunday.

The Rangers were scheduled to send Hamels to the mound, but he's being skipped in the rotation due to a strained left groin - an injury that cost him a start in August.

"It is something he has had to battle through," manager Jeff Banister told MLB's official website. "Let's be smart and conservative and make sure it doesn't affect anything else. We'd rather give him extra time now and not create a bigger situation."

Fortunately for the Rangers, they're averaging 7.0 runs and batting .301 with 11 homers during a 6-3 stretch against the Yankees (7-10).

Texas enters this three-game set batting .346 while outscoring opponents 24-14 during a four-game home winning streak.

That doesn't bode well for a Yankees rotation that ranks among the worst in baseball with a 5.14 ERA while opponents have hit .290 with 16 home runs.

Michael Pineda was the latest to get hit hard, surrendering seven runs and four homers in five innings of Sunday's 8-1 loss to Tampa Bay.

The Yankees, losers of eight of 11, will now hand the ball to Nathan Eovaldi (0-2, 6.11 ERA). The right-hander had his first quality start of the season Wednesday, allowing three runs and eight hits with seven strikeouts in six innings of a 5-2 loss to Oakland.

Eovaldi's only career start against the Rangers ended in a 5-4 loss with Miami on Aug. 20, 2014, giving up five runs and nine hits in five innings.

He's held Prince Fielder to one hit in five at-bats, but the Rangers slugger is a career .323 hitter with 26 RBIs in 26 meetings against the Yankees. He went 10 of 28 with three homers and 10 RBIs in seven matchups last year.

Cesar Ramos makes his 2016 debut in a spot start in place of Hamels. The journeyman left-hander has started 10 of 251 career games over seven years. He went 2-1 with a 2.75 ERA while all 65 of his appearances came in relief last year with the Los Angeles Angels.

Ramos was 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA in three starts for Triple-A Round Rock. He has no record and a 5.57 ERA in 19 games - one start - against the Yankees.

He may not have to contend with Alex Rodriguez, who exited Sunday with stiffness in his left side. The MRI on his oblique was negative, and he's traveling with the team.

"Anytime someone leaves with an oblique, you're not really optimistic because they take a while depending on the severity of it," manager Joe Girardi said. "And I even think sometimes when players physically feel ready, I still don't think they have the strength that they had before."

Rodriguez is batting .145 with two homers and six RBIs, but he hit .321 in seven games against Texas last year.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians (9-7) at Twins (5-13)

Game: 1
Venue: Target Field
Date: April 25, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

Just as the club's vaunted rotation appeared to be hitting its stride, the Cleveland Indians are bracing for the worst after one of their frontline starters went down.

While losing Carlos Carrasco for an extended period would certainly hurt, the Indians appear to be in good hands in the short term as they give the ball Danny Salazar on Monday night in the opener of a three-game road series against the Minnesota Twins.

Cleveland starters had a 3.25 ERA during a 13-game stretch and limited opponents to two runs or less in four of five before Sunday.

That's when Carrasco suffered a hamstring injury in the third inning of a 6-3 win that gave the Indians a three-game sweep at Detroit. The celebration was subdued, however, with the right-hander's prognosis looking grim after he had grabbed his leg in agony.

'It's going to be a DL situation, but we're just hoping it isn't terrible,' manager Terry Francona said. 'We sent him back to Cleveland, because without an MRI, we're not going to know anything. When you see a guy go down like that, it is deflating."

Salazar (2-1, 1.47 ERA) has been as good as anyone in the rotation. Now he'll try to give Cleveland (9-7) an emotional lift by leading the club to its first six-game road winning streak since a 10-game run from Aug. 8-Sept. 5, 2008.

The right-hander is coming off his first loss despite allowing two runs and three hits while striking out seven over seven innings in Wednesday's 2-1 home loss to Seattle.

The Indians had won five in a row versus Minnesota (5-14) in Salazar's starts before he surrendered three runs over six innings in a 3-1 loss at Target Field on Sept. 22.

Brian Dozier should be happy to see him again as he's 9 for 18 with two home runs and four doubles lifetime in the matchup. Dozier went 2 for 6 with a three-run homer but the Twins wrapped up a 1-4 trip with Sunday's 6-5, 16-inning loss at Washington.

'We have to regroup and put this game behind us," manager Paul Molitor said. "It is horrible stretch.'

Though they've averaged 3.1 runs and hit .226 while going 1-10 on the road, they've scored 5.2 and batted .305 in winning four of their last five at Target Field. Eduardo Nunez, who had four hits at Washington, has gone 9 for 21 in his six home games.

Tommy Milone (0-1, 5.87) looks to rebound after getting knocked around in three starts. The left-hander failed to escape the fifth inning for the second time Wednesday when he allowed four runs over 4 2-3 innings in a 10-5 loss at Milwaukee.

Milone, though, is 3-1 with a 1.27 ERA in his last five starts versus Cleveland. He won both his matchups last season, helping Minnesota take 12 of 19 in the season series.

Cleveland has come alive offensively with 16 runs and 26 hits in its last two games. Jason Kipnis has had four of those hits and is batting .364 in his past 11 versus the Twins.

Kipnis has gone 6 for 15 with a triple and a double when facing Milone.

Michael Brantley, who is dealing with a shoulder injury, could make his season debut in this series.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates (9-9) at Rockies (9-8)

Game: 1
Venue: Coors Field
Date: April 25, 2016 8:40 PM EDT

Unlike Colorado, the Pittsburgh Pirates came out on top in a high-scoring game to close out this past weekend.

The Pirates have also earned plenty of victories in recent matchups with the Rockies and will try for a franchise-best sixth consecutive win in Denver on Monday night.

Pittsburgh (10-9) blew a four-run lead Sunday in Arizona before winning 12-10 in 13 innings. Sean Rodriguez delivered the tiebreaking double in the Pirates' third win in four games.

"We had some things that didn't go our way, had some bad luck, but we persevered at the end. That's what it's all about," reliever Kyle Lobstein said.

Pittsburgh will seek to wrap up its 10-game Western road trip by adding to a 7-1 record from its last eight matchups against Colorado. The Pirates have won their last five games at Coors Field - matching a streak from 1998-2000 - while batting .371 and outscoring the Rockies 40-22.

They are heading into this four-game set having batted .311 with 47 runs in their last seven contests.

Colorado (9-9) has lost four of five after blowing a three-run lead in a 12-10 defeat to the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. The Rockies scored five in the eighth inning to take command but closer Jake McGee gave up five in the ninth in his first blown save in five chances.

"We battled back from 7-1 (after three innings), kept chipping away, put ourselves in position to win the game," manager Walt Weiss said. "Our guys have been playing like that all year. They're doing whatever it takes, but it was a tough one today."

Chad Bettis will try to help Colorado forget its latest result while improving to 3-0 for the first time. Bettis (2-0, 3.33 ERA) is starting Monday because the Rockies wanted to give Jorge De La Rosa an extra day to recover from an illness.

Bettis gave up three runs - on a pair of homers - in six innings Wednesday in Cincinnati. He allowed one other hit and walked none in a 6-5 loss.

The right-hander has no record and a 3.00 ERA in two career starts against the Pirates. He gave up two runs in six innings in his lone matchup last season, a 5-4 loss in Denver on Sept. 24.

Pittsburgh left-hander Jeff Locke (0-2, 7.24) will seek to rebound from one of the worst outings of his career. He matched career highs by allowing eight runs and 11 hits in three-plus innings Wednesday in an 8-2 loss in San Diego.

Locke, who had a 2.53 ERA in his first two starts, is 0-1 with a 4.88 ERA in four starts against Colorado. He gave up four runs in 5 2-3 innings in his lone matchup last season, the 5-4 victory Sept. 24.

Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer, batting .455 in his last five games, is a career .377 hitter against Colorado for his best mark versus any NL team. Josh Harrison is batting .467 in his last eight matchups and Starling Marte has hit .654 in seven lifetime games in Denver.

Marte is also 3 for 3 in his career against Bettis. Nolan Arenado is 6 for 11 with two doubles and a home run versus Locke while Mark Reynolds (1 for 15) and D.J. LeMahieu (0 for 10) are at the other end of the spectrum.

The Rockies might activate catcher Nick Hundley from the seven-day concussion list Monday. He hasn't played since April 13.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals (9-8) at Diamondbacks (10-9)

Game: 1
Venue: Chase Field
Date: April 25, 2016 9:40 PM EDT

Zack Greinke says he's feeling good and that has to be a relief to the Arizona Diamondbacks. It surely won't be for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Greinke looks to build on his best start for the Diamondbacks and help them end an eight-game losing streak to the Cardinals on Monday night.

Greinke (1-2, 5.25 ERA) lost his first two starts with a whopping 9.90 ERA, but he's rebounded by allowing three runs with 12 strikeouts in 14 innings over his last two.

The right-hander was particularly impressive Wednesday, yielding one run and scattering six hits while fanning seven in 6 2/3 innings of a 2-1 victory at San Francisco.

"This was definitely the best I've felt all season," Greinke said. "It worked out pretty good.

"I've been working on getting things right. Everything is smoother. My body is starting to do things it's supposed to do instead of doing things wrong."

The three-time All-Star has done little wrong over his last nine starts - including three in the playoffs - against St. Louis, going 5-1 with a 1.93 ERA and 1.02 WHIP.

Greinke has allowed one run in 13 2-3 innings in his last two starts against the Cardinals while with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He got two runs of support in each game, but the bullpen wasted his chances at victories.

Arizona (10-10) has only backed Greinke with five total runs in the last three games, but it's batting .294 with 30 runs while splitting the last four contests.

The Diamondbacks had 15 hits and four homers Sunday but that wasn't enough in a 12-10, 13-inning loss to Pittsburgh. Greinke even got in on the hit parade, lining a pinch-hit single in the 12th before being replaced by a pinch runner.

Welington Castillo is on a tear, going 6 for 14 with four homers, seven RBIs and five runs over his last three games.

Paul Goldschmidt ended his 10-game home run drought Sunday, launching two and driving in three runs. He's 7 for 18 during the past five games after batting .216 through the first 14.

Goldschmidt is a .242 career hitter at home against the Cardinals (10-8), who have won 13 of the past 14 in the all-time series and five straight at Chase Field.

They enter this four-game set in search of a third straight win after beating San Diego 8-5 on Sunday. St. Louis scored 19 runs and hit .370 while winning the last two of that three-game series.

Jedd Gyorko broke out of his slump in a big way while being booed in his first series against his former team. He went 6 for 10 with two homers and four RBIs in the last two games. He came a double short of the cycle Sunday, connecting for a solo homer and his second career triple.

"I hope when I go back to St. Louis they boo me there, too, because it worked out pretty well," said Gyorko, who is 1 for 13 versus Greinke.

Jaime Garcia (1-1, 2.70) would appreciate some help from the offense after getting just one run of support in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. The left-hander allowed two runs with seven strikeouts and four walks in five innings.

"It's not what I want to do," Garcia said. "Way too short and I've got to do a better job than that next time."

That's not usually a problem against the Diamondbacks, as Garcia has won all five of his starts with a 2.51 ERA. He's 3-0 with a 1.62 ERA in the desert.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Royals (12-6) at Angels (8-10)

Game: 1
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: April 25, 2016 10:05 PM EDT

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Garrett Richards has pitched opposite Jake Arrieta, Cole Hamels and Chris Sale during a career-high losing streak that dates back to October.

He draws another seemingly difficult matchup in the Kansas City Royals' Ian Kennedy, who will try to continue an encouraging start for his new team Monday night.

Richards (0-3, 3.00 ERA) has posted a respectable 3.30 ERA while going 0-4 in his last five starts - four this season - but has received a combined seven runs of support. He got four of those in Minnesota on April 15, but the Angels' bullpen couldn't hold a two-run lead in a 5-4 defeat.

Richards yielded two runs in 6 1/3 innings Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox, but Sale gave up one unearned to saddle Richards with a 2-1 loss.

"I can only worry about one thing, and that's pitching," said Richards, who has fanned 25 batters in 24 innings. 'Give myself a chance to win every single time I pitch, go deep into the game as possible and fill up the (strike) zone."

The Angels (8-11) have batted .177 and generated 14 runs while losing four of six, and 10 of those runs have come via homers. Albert Pujols tied Reggie Jackson for 13th on the all-time list with his 563rd home run in Sunday's 9-4 loss to Seattle while ending an 0-for-26 slump.

The Angels' breakthrough performance might have to wait for at least another day especially if Kennedy (2-1, 1.35) remains locked in.

A lack of support Wednesday against Detroit kept the right-hander from remaining unbeaten. He received no runs while giving up two in 6 1/3 innings in a 3-2 loss.

Kennedy fanned seven while walking two, giving him 21 strikeouts and five free passes in 20 innings. His average of 9.29 strikeouts per nine innings since 2014 ranks 14th in baseball.

"Great coaching staff, the players are all close-knit, and they made it comfortable for me to come over and join this culture that they have created," said Kennedy, who spent the past two-plus season with San Diego.

The Royals (12-6) are heading out on a six-game West Coast road trip after finishing a 4-2 homestand with Sunday's 6-1 victory against Baltimore. Eric Hosmer went 2 for 3 with a solo homer and reached base for an AL-best 26th straight game.

Hosmer is batting .176 in his last eight regular-season games in Anaheim but has a .343 average in his past nine overall matchups, including the playoffs.

Kendrys Morales hit .414 as Kansas City went 6-1 versus his former team in 2015.

Mike Trout's .362 career regular-season average against the Royals is his best versus any AL opponent by 25 points (.337 vs. the New York Yankees). Pujols is batting .155 in his last 15 matchups but did hit a pair of homers against Kansas City last season.

He's 2 for 7 with a home run lifetime versus Kennedy, who is 0-2 with a 6.30 ERA in two career starts against Los Angeles with the most recent in June 2012.

Richards is 0-1 with a 5.00 ERA in his three against Kansas City and gave up three runs in six innings in his lone matchup in 2015, a 7-6 victory Aug. 13. Lorenzo Cain is 5 for 11 with three doubles and a home run against him, and Alex Gordon is 4 for 6 with a double.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Marlins (5-11) at Dodgers (11-7)

Game: 1
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: April 25, 2016 10:10 PM EDT

Don Mattingly knows it will be strange sitting in the visitors' dugout at Dodger Stadium this week. He also understands how difficult a challenge his new club faces against his old one.

Mattingly returns to Los Angeles for the first time since leaving Chavez Ravine to manage the Miami Marlins, who will try keep the Dodgers from a fifth win in six games Monday night.

"It will probably feel a little bit different," Mattingly told MLB's official website of returning this four-game series. "It's like being in the opposite dugout in Yankee Stadium is a little weird."

In five seasons as Dodgers' skipper, Mattingly won 446 games and became the only person in the storied history of that franchise to manage a club to three consecutive division titles. Yet, Mattingly and the Dodgers agreed to mutually part ways Oct. 22, though no real reason for the decision was ever given.

'I've had my own level of cynicism hearing about people mutually parting ways,' Los Angeles general manager Farhan Zaidi said at the time. 'We can sit up here with all level of sincerity and say that's how it came about.'

Seven days later, Mattingly signed a four-year contract to guide the Marlins (6-11).

Mattingly no longer has the hefty payroll that current manager Dave Roberts enjoys with the Dodgers (12-7). Instead, he's trying to find success with a Miami franchise that has solid talent in slugger Giancarlo Stanton, ex-Dodger Dee Gordon and promising right-hander Jose Fernandez, but hardly the same monetary resources to play with.

"(The Dodgers) are a handful," said Mattingly, whose Marlins have won three times in 11 games. "They're a tough club. It will be a handful for us."

Despite blowing an early 7-1 lead at Colorado on Sunday, Los Angeles scored five times in the ninth to win 12-10. Corey Seager had three RBIs and Yasiel Puig two as the Dodgers overcame the outfielder's crucial error in Colorado's five-run eighth to complete a 4-2 trip.

Seager is 6 for 17 with five RBIs in four games after he went 2 for 24 in the previous six.

Teammate Ross Stripling (0-0, 2.65 ERA) didn't allow a hit in 7 1-3 innings of his major league debut April 8, then yielded two runs over six in his next start. However, he gave up three runs, six hits and walked two in 3 2/3 innings of a 5-3, 10-inning win at Atlanta on Wednesday.

The right-hander will try to keep Stanton from building on his three-hit game from Sunday's 5-4 win at San Francisco. Stanton was 0 for 12 with seven strikeouts in the previous three contests.

'Anyone can have a day,' Stanton said. 'I've got to put it together a few times in a row before you want to talk about a relief.'

The Los Angeles area native went 3 for 15 with a home run and seven strikeouts against the Dodgers in 2015.

Gordon, who had two hits Sunday, batted .360 in 25 at-bats against Los Angeles last season after spending his first four there.

The only time Wei-Yin Chen (0-1, 4.91) faced the Dodgers was in 2013.

Miami has scored four runs with Chen on the mound in his three starts. The left-hander allowed three runs and struck out seven in seven innings of a 3-1 loss to Washington on Wednesday.

Adrian Gonzalez, who continues to publicly support Mattingly, is 2 for 11 against Chen but 10 for 23 with seven RBIs in six games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

Monday's games

National League games

Reds @ Mets
Iglesias is 1-1, 3.09 in four starts this month (over 2-2).

Syndergaard is 2-0, 0.90 in three starts this month (under 2-1).

Mets won six of last seven games; seven of their last nine went over. Cincinnati lost five of six road games (over 5-1).

Pirates @ Rockies
Locke is 0-2, 7.90 in three starts this month (over 2-1).

De la Rosa is 1-2, 10.39 in four starts this month (over 3-1).

Pirates are 5-3 in their last eight games; seven of their last eight road games went over. Colorado lost four of its last five games; four of its last five home tilts went over. .

Cardinals @ Diamondbacks
Garcia is 1-1, 2.25 in three starts this month (under 2-1).

Greinke is 1-0, 1.93 in his last two starts (last three stayed under).

Cardinals won five of their last six road games (over 5-1). Arizona won five of its last seven games but is just 3-7 at home- three of their last four games went over.

Marlins @ Dodgers
Chen is 0-1, 4.91 in three starts this month (over 2-1).

Stripling is 0-0, 3.18 in three starts this month (under 2-0-1).

Dodgers won eight of their last 11 games; under is 4-1-1 in their home games. Miami lost eight of its last 11 games- their last three games all went over

Padres @ Giants
Pomeranz is 2-1, 2.50 in three starts this month (over 2-1).

Bumgarner is 1-2, 5.09 in four starts this month (over 2-2).

San Diego lost three of its last four games; over is 7-1 in their last eight. Giants lost nine of their last twelve games (over 8-3-1).


American League games

White Sox @ Blue Jays
Gonzalez is making first '16 start; he was 39-33, 3.82 in 95 career starts for Orioles, 9-12, 4.91 LY. He is 1-0, 2.45 in two AAA starts this month. .

Stroman is 2-0, 3.00 in his last two starts (under 2-2).

Chicago won five of its last six games; under is 7-1 in its last eight road games. Blue Jays won four of last five home games; eight of their last 11 games overall stayed under the total.

A's @ Tigers
Graveman is 1-1, 2.04 in three starts this month (under 2-1).

Zimmerman is 3-0, 0.00 (19.1 IP) in three starts this month (under 2-1).

Oakland won six of last eight games but lost last two; they're 7-2 on road- under is 11-6 in their last 17 games. Detroit lost five of its last six home games (over 5-1).

Orioles @ Rays
Gausman is making first '16 start; he is 14-19, 4.21 in 42 MLB starts (4-7, 4.25 LY), 0-3, 3.27 in three AAA starts this month.

Archer is 0-4, 8.24 in four starts this month (over 2-2)- Rays scored total of seven runs in the four games.

Baltimore lost three of its last four road games; five of its last six games stayed under the total. Tampa Bay is 5-3 in its last eight games; under is 7-1 in its last eight home games. .

Bronx @ Rangers
Eovaldi is 0-2, 6.11 in three starts this month (under 2-1).

Ramos is 0-1, 3.18 in three AAA games, going total of 11.1 IP; only ten of his 251 big league appearances have been starts. .

Bronx is 3-8 in its last 11 games; three of its last four games went over. Rangers lost their last three games, but won five of last six at home; over is 7-1 in their last eight home games. .

Indians @ Twins
Salazar is 2-1, 1.47 in three starts this month (under 3-0).

Milone is 0-1, 7.05 in three starts (over 2-1).

Cleveland won its last five road games; three of its last four road games went over the total. Minnesota lost five of its last six games; over is 7-2-1 in their last ten. .

Royals @ Angels
Kennedy is 2-1, 1.35 in three starts this month (under 2-0-1).

Richards is 0-3, 4.13 in four starts this month (last three under); Angels scored total of six runs in the four games.

Kansas City won 11 of its last 16 games; four of its last five games stayed under the total. Angels lost seven of their last ten games; four of their last five home games went under the total.

Astros @ Mariners
Fister is 0-2, 6.17 in his last two starts (over 1-1-1 this month)

Walker is 1-0, 2.00 in three starts this month (under 3-0).

Houston lost five of its last six games; over is 7-2 in their road games. Seattle won four of its last five games but is 1-5 at home; under is 6-2 in their last eight games. .


Interleague

Red Sox @ Braves
Porcello is 3-0, 4.66 in three starts this month (over 2-1); Red Sox scored 20 runs in the three games.

Teheran is 0-2, 7.16 in his last three starts (over 3-0-1).

Red Sox won five of their last six road games; under is 7-4 in their last 11 games. Atlanta is 1-10 at home; over is 7-1-1 in their last nine home games.


Teams won-lost records when this pitcher starts:

Cin-NY Iglesias 3-1; Syndegaard 2-1
Pitt-Colo-- Locke 0-3; De la Rosa 2-2
StL-Az-- Garcia 2-1; Greinke 2-2
Mia-LA-- Chen 0-3; Stripling 2-1
SD-SF-- Pomeranz 2-1; Bumgarner 1-3

Chi-Tor-- Gonzalez 0-0; Stroman 3-1
A's-Det-- Graveman 1-2; Zimmerman 3-0
Balt-TB-- Gausman 0-0; Archer 1-2
NY-Tex-- Eovaldi 1-2; Ramos 0-0
Cle-Minn-- Salazar 2-1; Milone 1-2
KC-LA-- Kennedy 2-1; Richards 0-4
Hst-Sea-- Fister 1-2; Walker 2-1

Bos-Atl-- Porcello 3-0; Teheran 0-4

Starting pitchers allowing 1+ runs in first inning:
Cin-NY-- Iglesias 0-4; Syndegaard 0-3
Pitt-Colo-- Locke 0-3; De la Rosa 0-4
StL-Az-- Garcia 0-3; Greinke 1-4
Mia-LA-- Chen 2-3; Stripling 0-3
SD-SF-- Pomeranz 0-3; Bumgarner 2-4

Chi-Tor-- Gonzalez 0-0; Stroman 0-4
A's-Det-- Graveman 0-3; Zimmerman 0-3
Balt-TB-- Gausman 0-0; Archer 0-3
NY-Tex-- Eovaldi 0-3; Ramos 0-0
Cle-Minn-- Salazar 0-3; Milone 0-3
KC-LA-- Kennedy 0-3; Richards 3-4
Hst-Sea-- Fister 1-3; Walker 0-3

Bos-Atl-- Porcello 1-3; Teheran 1-4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Monday's games

Dallas-Oklahoma City (OC 3-1)
Five Thunder subs were combined +43 in 11-point win in Game 4; Oklahoma City won seven of last eight games with Dallas-- Mavs are 7-7 vs spread in last 14 series games. Nine of last twelve series games went over. 10 of last 13 Dallas games stayed under total. Kanter had 28 points off bench in Game 4, making 12-13 from field for Thunder. Dallas is 3-2 vs spread in its last five visits here.

Charlotte-Miami (M 2-1)
Hornets lost five of last eight games with Miami (over 6-1); in series where home side won nine of last 1 games (3-0 in this series). Heat lost four of last five visits here. Hornets are 5-8 in their last 13 games overall against Miami. Charlotte won five of its last eight games (over 7-1); they won their last four home games. Miami won six of its last nine games- they shot over 51% in both Games 1-2, but then just 34.2% in Game 3.- their bench was 4-17

Portland-LA Clippers (LA 2-1)
Home side won all three series games; Lillard/MCollum combined for 59 points in Game 3 win, after losing by 20-21 points in first two series games. Clippers are 8-3 in last 11 series games, 3-2 in last five played in Portland. Blazers are just 21-81 on arc in series; Plumlee had 21 boards last game. Trailblazers won eight of their last 12 games overall; seven of their last nine games stayed under the total.

Playoff tally: Favorites vs spread: 19-11, Over: 9-21

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Monday's six-pack

--Cal Bears got good news; big man Ivan Rabb will be back for his sophomore year in Berkeley; he is the highest-rated returning player in the country.

-- Astros have allowed 27 first inning runs in 19 games, most in MLB.

-- Lakers fired coach Byron Scott; he is 102-292 in his last five years as a coach, but he did have success with the Nets/New Orleans. You need good players to win.

-- Celtics 104, Hawks 95-- Atlanta has now lost 10 overtime games in a row.

-- Islanders 2, Panthers 1 OT-- Florida hasn't won a playoff series since 1996.

-- Prop bet at South Point: Will the Cuibs win 100+ games? Yes +$150, No -$170

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sharp Bettor

Sharp Bettor's Free Pick for Monday, April 24, 2016, MLB. 4/25 10:10 PM

(907) MIAMI MARLINS (W CHEN - L) VS (908) LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Play UNDER the total.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Roz Wins

Roz's Monday, April 25, 2016, Free MLB Pick: 04/25 10:10 PM

(923) HOUSTON ASTROS (D FISTER - R) VS (924) SEATTLE MARINERS

Play Houston.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jim Feist

Jim Feist's Comp MLB Pick, Monday, April 25, 2016 9:40 PM ET

(905) ST. LOUIS CARDINALS VS (906) ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Take: UNDER

Reason: Your Bonus Play for Monday, April 25, 2016 is in the MLB scheduled contest between the St Louis Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks. The St Louis Cardinals are not the favorite to win the NL Central this year. For the first time in many years, it's the Chicago Cubs who hold that opinion. And, thus far, it's well founded as the Cubs are 14-5 to start the season and 3 1/2 games ahead of second place St Louis. The Cardinals won a high scoring match with the Padres on Sunday, 8-5. Jaime Garcia starts today for the red birds. Garcia is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA and nice 0.90 WHIP. Meanwhile, Arizona is finally playing much as expected, winning seven of their last nine games. Zack Greinke was the club's big offseason acquisition. However, Greinke is just 1-2 on the season with a 5.25 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. After a start that saw the former Cy-Young winner allow 11 runs in his first 10 innings, Greinke has now allowed just three runs over his last 14 innings. Grienke returns home tonight where he is 0-2 and looking for that first home win. Now that the veteran appears to have shaken off the cob webs, he's in fine form. Both these pitchers are in mid-season form and I expect a low scoring game here tonight. Play the UNDER.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Red Dog Sports

Novara vs Perugia

Bonus Play Draw +220

Look for a 1-1 final in this soccer match taking place in Italy.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Marc Lawrence

Orioles vs Rays

Play - Baltimore Orioles vs. Archer

Edges - Orioles: Kevin Gausman 5-2 last seven overall team starts; and park. Rays: Chris Archer 0-3 with 9.73 ERA career team starts in this series; and 0-4 with 7.23 ERA and 2.09 WHIP this season. With the Orioles 7-4 the last eleven games in this park and Archer in struggling form, we recommend a 1* play on Baltimore. Thank you and good luck as always.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

Monday, April 25

Trend Report

7:07 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Chi White Sox's last 11 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Chi White Sox are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games on the road
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Toronto's last 11 games

7:10 PM
BOSTON vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing Atlanta
Boston is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta's last 9 games at home
Atlanta is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Boston

7:10 PM
CINCINNATI vs. NY METS
Cincinnati is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Cincinnati is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
NY Mets are 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
NY Mets are 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Cincinnati

7:10 PM
BALTIMORE vs. TAMPA BAY
Baltimore is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Baltimore is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Baltimore
Tampa Bay is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Baltimore

7:10 PM
OAKLAND vs. DETROIT
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Oakland's last 19 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oakland's last 6 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Detroit's last 19 games when playing at home against Oakland

8:05 PM
NY YANKEES vs. TEXAS
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of NY Yankees's last 16 games when playing Texas
NY Yankees are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing Texas
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Texas's last 9 games when playing at home against NY Yankees
Texas is 6-2 SU in their last 8 games when playing NY Yankees

8:10 PM
CLEVELAND vs. MINNESOTA
Cleveland is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Minnesota's last 10 games when playing Cleveland
Minnesota is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Cleveland

8:40 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. COLORADO
Pittsburgh is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Colorado is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh

9:40 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. ARIZONA
The total has gone OVER in 5 of St. Louis's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 10 of St. Louis's last 15 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Arizona's last 9 games
Arizona is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against St. Louis

10:05 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. LA ANGELS
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City's last 6 games on the road
Kansas City is 17-7 SU in its last 24 games
LA Angels are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels's last 6 games when playing Kansas City

10:10 PM
HOUSTON vs. SEATTLE
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing on the road against Seattle
Houston is 14-7 SU in its last 21 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing at home against Houston
Seattle is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games when playing at home against Houston

10:10 PM
MIAMI vs. LA DODGERS
Miami is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Dodgers
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games on the road
LA Dodgers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games at home
LA Dodgers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games

10:15 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. SAN FRANCISCO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Diego's last 5 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
San Diego is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
San Francisco is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing San Diego
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco's last 5 games

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB
Dunkel

Monday, April 25


St. Louis @ Arizona

Game 905-906
April 25, 2016 @ 9:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
(Garcia) 14.227
Arizona
(Greinke) 13.059
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arizona
-135
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(+115); Under

Miami @ LA Dodgers

Game 907-908
April 25, 2016 @ 10:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
(Chen) 15.783
LA Dodgers
(Strplng) 14.229
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-150
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(+130); Under

San Diego @ San Francisco

Game 909-910
April 25, 2016 @ 10:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Diego
(Pmranz) 15.393
San Francisco
(Bmgrner) 14.290
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Diego
by 1
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Francisco
-215
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Diego
(+180); Under

Chicago White Sox @ Toronto

Game 911-912
April 25, 2016 @ 7:07 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago White Sox
(Gnzalez) 17.920
Toronto
(Stroman) 16.402
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago White Sox
by 1 1/2
6 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago White Sox
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago White Sox
N/A

Oakland @ Detroit

Game 913-914
April 25, 2016 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oakland
(Grveman) 12.711
Detroit
(Zmmrmnn) 15.369
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 2 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Detroit
-170
8
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
(-170); Over

Baltimore @ Tampa Bay

Game 915-916
April 25, 2016 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Baltimore
(Gausman) 14.590
Tampa Bay
(Archer) 16.947
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 2 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-130
8
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(-130); Over

NY Yankees @ Texas

Game 917-918
April 25, 2016 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Yankees
(Eovaldi) 15.369
Texas
(Ramos) 13.523
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Yankees
by 2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Yankees
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
NY Yankees
N/A

Cleveland @ Minnesota

Game 919-920
April 25, 2016 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
(Salazar) 14.504
Minnesota
(Milone) 16.021
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
-150
8
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(+130); Over

Kansas City @ LA Angels

Game 921-922
April 25, 2016 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Kansas City
(Kennedy) 13.102
LA Angels
(Richards) 16.976
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Angels
by 4
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Angels
-120
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Angels
(-120); Under

Cincinnati @ NY Mets

Game 901-902
April 25, 2016 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cincinnati
(Iglesias) 13.942
NY Mets
(Syndrgrd) 15.393
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Mets
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Mets
-240
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NY Mets
(-240); Over

Houston @ Seattle

Game 923-924
April 25, 2016 @ 10:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
(Fister) 15.526
Seattle
(Walker) 17.026
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Seattle
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Seattle
-150
8
Dunkel Pick:
Seattle
(-150); Under

Pittsburgh @ Colorado

Game 903-904
April 25, 2016 @ 8:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
(Locke) 13.410
Colorado
(Bettis) 14.855
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Colorado
by 1 1/2
13
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Colorado
-120
11 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Colorado
(-120); Over

Boston @ Atlanta

Game 925-926
April 25, 2016 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
(Prcello) 15.319
Atlanta
(Teheran) 16.723
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-155
8
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(+135); Under

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA
Short Sheet

Monday, April 25

Miami at Charlotte, 7:05 ET
Miami: 19-9 ATS after playing a game as an underdog
Charlotte: 45-69 ATS at home after 3 games forcing opp to commit 14 or less turnovers

Dallas at Oklahoma City, 8:05 ET
Dallas: 48-27 ATS in road games after a combined score of 225 points or more
Oklahoma City: 31-41 ATS after playing a game as favorite

LA Clippers at Portland, 10:35 ET
Los Angeles: 35-55 ATS after 3 straight games committing 14 or less turnovers
Portland: 17-7 ATS off an upset win as an underdog

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Monday, April 25

Trend Report

7:00 PM
MIAMI vs. CHARLOTTE
Miami is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Miami is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Charlotte is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games when playing at home against Miami
Charlotte is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Miami

8:00 PM
DALLAS vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Dallas's last 7 games on the road
Dallas is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 5 games at home
Oklahoma City is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home

10:30 PM
LA CLIPPERS vs. PORTLAND
LA Clippers are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the LA Clippers last 7 games when playing Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Portland's last 7 games when playing LA Clippers
Portland is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home