Monday 5/18/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels at Blue Jays

GAME: Los Angeles Angels (19-18) at Toronto Blue Jays (17-22)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 18 - 1:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: -113, 104 TOTAL: 9

Two of the more frustrated teams in the majors begin a four-game series in Toronto on Monday as the Los Angeles Angels visit the Blue Jays, who sit five games under .500 following five straight losses. The Angels have won five of their last six but show no signs of ending their season-long offensive woes.

Los Angeles was shut out for the third time this season on Sunday against Baltimore and ranks in the bottom three in the AL in batting average, on-base percentage and runs. Shortstop Erick Aybar is 14-for-29 during his eight-game hitting streak, but third baseman David Freese is hitting .222 after going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in Sunday’s 3-0 loss. The Blue Jays have struggled with runners in scoring position but should receive a boost as early as next week with the expected return of shortstop Jose Reyes, who has been out since April 27 with a cracked rib. Second baseman Devon Travis missed Sunday’s 4-2 loss at Houston with a sore left shoulder but hopes to be available for Monday’s series opener.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), SNET (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH C.J. Wilson (2-2, 2.63 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Aaron Sanchez (3-3, 4.26)

Wilson has tossed at least seven innings in four of his first seven starts, including last Tuesday when he ended a five-start winless streak by holding Colorado to two runs over eight frames. After struggling with his control last season, the 34-year-old is walking 2.06 batters per nine innings through his first seven outings. Jose Bautista is 9-for-20 with a home run against Wilson, who is 3-4 with a 4.19 ERA in 19 career games (nine starts) against Toronto.

Sanchez leads the majors with 29 walks in 38 innings and allowed a season-high five runs over 5 2/3 innings in a 6-1 loss to Baltimore last Wednesday. “He’s still young, continuing his development,” general manager Alex Anthopoulos told reporters. “We just need to continue to work with him.” The California native, who is facing the Angels for the first time, owns a 2-2 record and 2.02 ERA in 14 career home games (three starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels have won 12 of their last 15 games against the Blue Jays, including seven of the last eight in Toronto.

2. Blue Jays C Russell Martin is 21-for-51 with four home runs over his last 13 games.

3. Angels C Carlos Perez has started 11 of the past 14 games over Chris Iannetta, who is hitting. 123.

PREDICTION: Angels 6, Blue Jays 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Brewers at Tigers

GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (13-25) at Detroit Tigers (23-15)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 18 - 7:08 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: 128, -139 TOTAL: 8.5

After falling short in their attempt to complete a sweep in St. Louis, the Detroit Tigers return to Comerica Park to begin a seven-game homestand that starts Monday with the opener of a three-game set against the Milwaukee Brewers. Detroit followed a 13-1 triumph over Minnesota with another double-digit output in its series-opening victory at St. Louis and edged the Cardinals in the middle contest before having the tables turned Sunday, when it dropped a 2-1 decision.

Miguel Cabrera plated the Tigers' lone run with a double, tying him for the American League lead with 30 RBIs. Milwaukee has struggled offensively of late, scoring two runs or fewer in four of its last five games - all losses. The Brewers mustered just one run against the New York Mets in back-to-back setbacks, which dropped them to 1-2 on their 10-game road trip after posting a 7-0 triumph in the series opener. Ryan Braun drove in the club's lone run on Sunday with a single, giving him at least one RBI in three straight contests and five of his last six.

TV: 7:08 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Mike Fiers (1-4, 5.00 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Kyle Lobstein (3-3, 4.33)

Fiers was forced to settle for a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday despite allowing only two runs and striking out seven in 6 1/3 innings. It marked the third time in four starts the 29-year-old held the opposition to fewer than three earned runs and the second occasion in which he came away empty-handed. Fiers makes his first career appearance against the Tigers.

Lobstein is coming off his worst start of the season, a 2 1/3-inning performance in which he surrendered six runs and seven hits. The 25-year-old did, however, issue fewer than three walks for the fifth time in six turns this year. Lobstein, who has yet to face Milwaukee in his career, is just 1-2 with a 5.87 ERA in three home starts in 2015.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cabrera is riding a four-game RBI streak, driving in nine runs during the run.

2. Milwaukee CF Carlos Gomez left Sunday's game after being hit in the head by a 97-mph fastball from New York's Noah Syndergaard but is hopeful of playing in the series opener.

3. The Brewers, whose pitching staff allowed a total of 19 runs in the last two contests and has served up a major league-high 55 homers this year, was outscored 22-11 during a three-game sweep in 2009 - the last time they visited Comerica Park.

PREDICTION: Tigers 6, Brewers 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks at Marlins

GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (15-21) at Miami Marlins (16-22)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 18 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
LINE: 115, -125 TOTAL: 8


The struggling Miami Marlins will have a new manager when they try to snap a three-game skid Monday in the opener of a four-game series with visiting Arizona. The Marlins reportedly will announce Jeff Conine, who played for the team for eight seasons beginning with the inaugural 1993 campaign, as the successor to Mike Redmond, who was fired Sunday.



Miami was held to two hits — the first of which came with two outs in the ninth — in a 6-0 loss to Atlanta on Sunday and has lost six of its last seven to drop six games below .500. Things haven't been any better in Arizona, as the Diamondbacks have lost four straight and seven of nine. Arizona was swept in three games at Philadelphia over the weekend, including a 6-0 defeat Sunday. Despite both teams' poor play of late, the matchup features two of the league's top young power hitters in Miami's Giancarlo Stanton, who hit three homers in the Atlanta series, and Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt, a career .368 hitter at Marlins Park.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, FSN Florida (Miami)



PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Rubby De La Rosa (4-2, 4.50 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Dan Haren (4-2, 3.70)

De La Rosa has won his last two starts and has gone seven innings in two straight and three of his last four outings. The 26-year-old from the Dominican Republic allowed four runs over seven frames to beat Washington on Tuesday after tossing seven scoreless innings in a win over San Diego in his previous outing. De La Rosa is making his first start against the Marlins; he pitched two innings in relief against them as a rookie in 2011 and allowed one run.

Haren was off to a strong start before getting roughed up Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 34-year-old gave up six runs and 11 hits over 4 1/3 innings and took the loss, seeing his ERA rise from 2.68 to 3.70. Haren is 6-2 with a 3.42 ERA in eight games (seven starts) against the Diamondbacks and went 4-1 against them last season.



WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona SS Chris Owings is 13-for-26 during a six-game hitting streak and is 9-for-14 with a pair of doubles versus Haren.

2. Marlins 2B Dee Gordon has hit safely in 12 straight games at Marlins Park, going 28-for-50 over that stretch.

3. Diamondbacks 1B Paul Goldschmidt, who is 5-for-22 over his past seven games, has struggled against Haren, going 3-for-16 with one home run.



PREDICTION: Marlins 5, Diamondbacks 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals at Mets

GAME: St. Louis Cardinals (25-12) at New York Mets (22-16)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 18 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York
LINE: 129, -140 TOTAL: 6.5

The St. Louis Cardinals look to put an end to their offensive struggles when they visit the New York Mets on Monday for the opener of the four-game series between the division leaders. St. Louis, which sits atop the National League Central, avoided a three-game home sweep at the hands of Detroit by posting a 2-1 triumph on Sunday.

Kolten Wong snapped a 1-1 tie with a solo homer in the sixth inning for the Cardinals, who were held to fewer than four runs for the fifth time in seven contests. New York busted out offensively in victories over Milwaukee during the weekend, scoring 14 runs on Saturday and another five the following day after totaling 10 during its five-game losing streak. Curtis Granderson followed a 3-for-5 effort with his second home run in as many days on Sunday while Michael Cuddyer recorded two RBIs in both contests. The Mets also received strong pitching performances, limiting the Brewers to one run in each of the triumphs.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH John Lackey (2-2, 3.22 ERA) vs. Mets RH Matt Harvey (5-1, 2.31)

Lackey battled through control issues last time out but still ended up with the loss at Cleveland on Wednesday after allowing only two runs on five hits and five walks over 5 1/3 innings. The 36-year-old has given up three runs or fewer in each of his last four outings but is just 1-2 in that span. Lackey has made two career starts against New York, winning one while posting a 2.70 ERA.

Harvey couldn't have pitched much better against the Cubs on Wednesday but left Chicago without a victory despite striking out nine while scattering three hits and two walks over seven scoreless innings. It was a tremendous bounce-back effort by the 26-year-old, who had his season-opening five-start winning streak snapped at Philadelphia on May 8, when he allowed three runs in six frames. Harvey has yet to defeat the Cardinals in his career, losing both of his outings while yielding a total of four runs in 12 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mets are a major league-best 15-4 at home this season.

2. Cardinals LHP Jaime Garcia (shoulder) is expected to make his season debut in the series finale on Thursday, when he will make his first start since June 20.

3. New York and St. Louis have the two lowest team ERAs in the majors, with the Cardinals leading the way at 2.87.

PREDICTION: Mets 5, Cardinals 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians at White Sox

GAME: Cleveland Indians (14-22) at Chicago White Sox (17-17)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 18 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: U.S Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: 105, -114 TOTAL: 7

Corey Kluber is coming off an epic performance as he takes the mound for the Cleveland Indians on Monday to face the host Chicago White Sox. Kluber, who struck out a career-best 18 and allowed one hit without a walk over eight innings in a 2-0 victory over St. Louis on Wednesday, now takes aim at stopping Chicago’s five-game winning streak.

Kluber’s strikeout total equaled the Indians’ record for a nine-inning game set by Hall-of-Famer Bob Feller in 1938. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner was winless in seven starts this season before the dominant effort. White Sox ace Chris Sale will provide the opposition after breaking out of his own rut with a scintillating performance against Milwaukee on Tuesday. Sale struck out a season-high 11 while giving up two runs and three hits in eight innings to record his first victory since April 18.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (1-5, 4.27 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Chris Sale (3-1, 5.09)

Kluber allowed 19 earned runs and 38 hits in a four-start span before regaining his form against St. Louis. The first of those rough outings came against the White Sox on April 22, when he gave up six runs and 13 hits in six frames of a 6-0 loss. Kluber is 4-3 with a 3.60 ERA in 11 career appearances (10 starts) against Chicago.

Sale was touched for 13 earned runs and 16 hits in 8 1/3 innings over a two-start span before finding his form against the Brewers. Despite his high ERA, he has given up two runs or fewer on four occasions and allowed five or fewer hits three times. Sale is 3-4 with a 4.29 ERA in 21 appearances (10 starts) versus Cleveland.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox RF Avasail Garcia went 7-for-12 with a homer and six RBIs as Chicago swept its three-game series against Oakland.

2. Cleveland 1B Carlos Santana is 10-for-27 versus Sale, while LF Michael Brantley is 3-for-22 with 10 strikeouts.

3. Chicago SS Alexei Ramirez is 5-for-31 against Kluber.

PREDICTION: Indians 2, White Sox 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Athletics at Astros

GAME: Oakland Athletics (13-26) at Houston Astros (25-13)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 18 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: 109, -118 TOTAL: 8.5

Highly touted prospect Lance McCullers makes his major-league debut on Monday, when he starts for the Houston Astros against the visiting Oakland Athletics in the opener of their three-game series. The 21-year-old McCullers was a first-round pick in 2012 and dominated at Double-A Corpus Christi this season before being promoted to Triple-A Fresno on Thursday.

McCullers is the son of the former reliever who spent eight years in the majors, including four with San Diego. Despite his minor-league success, McCullers was stunned to be recalled by the Astros. “I don’t think you ever expect your big-league call-up, especially when you were in Double-A and then Triple-A for just a couple of days,” he told reporters. “That just shows how much confidence that the Astros have in me, and the steps I have made toward being here.” Houston enters the series with a five-game winning streak, while Oakland has lost 10 of its last 11 games and owns the worst record in the majors.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Drew Pomeranz (2-3, 4.42 ERA) vs. Astros RH Lance McCullers (NR)

Pomeranz halted a five-start winless stretch with a solid effort against Boston on Tuesday. He allowed one earned run and three hits over seven innings versus the Red Sox in his second-best performance of the season. Pomeranz is 0-2 with a 6.05 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) against Houston, with an 0-1 record and 6.30 ERA in two outings this season.

McCullers was 3-1 with a 0.62 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 29 innings at Double-A Corpus Christi. He recorded 43 strikeouts against 11 walks and limited opposing hitters to a collective .146 average. He hadn’t yet pitched at Fresno and will be making his first major-league start on normal rest.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Astros have the American League’s best record at 25-13, which matches the best 38-game start in franchise history.

2. Oakland placed 1B Ike Davis (quadriceps) on the disabled list and recalled OF Craig Gentry from Triple-A Nashville.

3. Houston 2B Jose Altuve is 5-for-10 against Pomeranz.

PREDICTION: Astros 4, Athletics 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Phillies at Rockies

GAME: Philadelphia Phillies (16-23) at Colorado Rockies (13-21)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 18 - 8:40 PM EST
WHERE: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
LINE: -105, -103 TOTAL: 9

After years of despair, there is a glimmer of hope surrounding the Philadelphia Phillies, who bring a five-game winning streak into Monday’s series opener against the host Colorado Rockies. The Phillies are an even 8-8 in May while Colorado has lost 19 of their past 25 games following a 7-2 start.

Philadelphia has received a welcome boost from rookie third baseman Maikel Franco, who was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley over the weekend and slugged his first career home run in Sunday’s 6-0 win at Arizona. Veteran first baseman Ryan Howard and second baseman Chase Utley were both held out of the starting lineup but should return for Monday’s series opener as the Phillies look to improve on their 4-13 road record. The news is not good in Colorado, where right fielder Carlos Gonzalez is batting .197 and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has missed the last two games due to a quad injury. Catcher Nick Hundley has served as one of the club's few bright spots while hitting 20-for-58 since April 20.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, CSN (Philadelphia), ROOT (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Cole Hamels (3-3, 3.53 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jordan Lyles (2-3, 4.30)

Hamels recorded his second straight victory last Wednesday as he struck out nine and yielded two runs in seven innings in a 3-2 win over Pittsburgh. The 2008 World Series MVP improved to 10-0 in 16 starts since 2014 when the Phillies score at least three runs while he’s still pitching. Wilin Rosario is 4-for-12 with two home runs against Hamels, who is 3-3 with a 3.62 ERA in eight career starts against Colorado.

Lyles’ status was in doubt after he exited last Wednesday’s start against the Angels in the first inning with a right hand injury, but he escaped with a minor bruise. The 24-year-old is winless in his last three outings and owns a 21-to-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio through his first 37 2/3 innings this season. Lyles is 1-0 with a 2.74 ERA in four career starts against the Phillies, including a 1.50 ERA in two outings last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Phillies are 141-92 against NL West opponents since 2008, best among all National League teams.

2. Colorado CF Charlie Blackmon has not recorded an RBI since May 3 covering a stretch of 36 at-bats.

3. Philadelphia placed RHP Chad Billingsley on the 15-day disabled list with a right shoulder sprain and recalled RHP Hector Neris from Triple-A.

PREDICTION: Phillies 8, Rockies 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB MONEYLINE

MLB > (909) OAKLAND@ (910) HOUSTON | 05/18/2015 - 08:10 PM
Play AGAINST OAKLAND using the money line in All games in all games
The record is 13 Wins and 25 Losses for the this season (-16.9 units)

MLB RUNLINE

MLB > (913) MILWAUKEE@ (914) DETROIT | 05/18/2015 - 07:05 PM
Play ON DETROIT using the in Home games in an inter-league game
The record is 15 Wins and 5 Losses for the last three seasons (+14.75 units)

MLB TOTALS

MLB > (909) OAKLAND@ (910) HOUSTON | 05/18/2015 - 08:10 PM
Play OVER OAKLAND on the total in All games in all games
The record is 26 Overs and 10 Unders for the this season (+16 units)

MLB > (911) CLEVELAND@ (912) CHI WHITE SOX | 05/18/2015 - 08:10 PM
Play OVER CLEVELAND on the total in All games in May games
The record is 12 Overs and 2 Unders for the this season (+10 units)

MLB TOP POWERLINES

MLB > (903) ARIZONA @ (904) MIAMI | 05/18/2015 - 07:10 PM
Line: MIAMI -140 BTB PowerLine: MIAMI -107
Edge On: MIAMI (13)

MLB > (905) PHILADELPHIA @ (906) COLORADO | 05/18/2015 - 08:40 PM
Line: COLORADO -110 BTB PowerLine: COLORADO 103
Edge On: COLORADO (13)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL MONEYLINE

NHL > (55) TAMPA BAY@ (56) NY RANGERS | 05/18/2015 - 08:05 PM
Play AGAINST NY RANGERS using the money line in Home games after a 3 game unbeaten streak
The record is 40 Wins and 55 Losses for the since 1992 (-50.05 units)

NHL PUCKLINE

NHL > (55) TAMPA BAY@ (56) NY RANGERS | 05/18/2015 - 08:05 PM
Play AGAINST NY RANGERS using the in Home games after a 3 game unbeaten streak
The record is 40 Wins and 56 Losses for the since 1992 (-43.8 units)

NHL TOTALS

NHL > (55) TAMPA BAY@ (56) NY RANGERS | 05/18/2015 - 08:05 PM
Play UNDER NY RANGERS on the total in All games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season
The record is 20 Overs and 41 Unders for the last two seasons (+20.6 units)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks (15-20) at Marlins (16-21)
Game: 1
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: May 18, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

A managerial change quite obviously had been on the collective mind of the Miami Marlins' brass well before the club came within one out of being no-hit.

Mike Redmond lost his job mere minutes after the final out capped Miami's latest loss, and the club said his replacement will be named before the opener of a four-game set against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.

Redmond received the news almost immediately after the Marlins (16-22) were held without a hit until Justin Bour's single with two outs in the ninth inning of Sunday's 6-0 loss to Atlanta.

Miami has been outscored 39-17 while dropping six of seven, the latest stretch of disappointment after it made headlines in the offseason by signing Giancarlo Stanton to a record $325 million contract.

Stanton's array of tape-measure homers and MLB-leading 36 RBIs weren't enough to save Redmond, who went 155-207 in two-plus seasons and signed a two-year contract extension on the final day of last season.

The Marlins expected to be much more competitive after an offseason that included the acquisitions of Dee Gordon, Mat Latos, Michael Morse, Martin Prado and Ichiro Suzuki. But they lost 11 of their first 14 and still are struggling to find some consistency outside of Stanton and Gordon, who is hitting .420.

The Marlins also fired bench coach Rob Leary as they prepare to name their sixth different manager since firing Fredi Gonzalez in June 2010. Owner Jeffrey Loria fired Jeff Torborg when the Marlins started 16-22 in 2003, and Jack McKeon then led them to their second World Series title.

"We are looking for a new voice," president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. "We haven't played up to our abilities, and we hope that a new voice will spark our team."

Dan Haren also was acquired in the offseason, and he'll take the mound looking to bounce back from a rough outing. Haren (4-2, 3.70 ERA) won his previous three starts while posting a 2.00 ERA before allowing six runs and 11 hits through 4 1-3 innings of Tuesday's 11-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The right-hander was hit on the glove hand by a batted ball in the first, but didn't blame the incident for his performance. Haren is 5-2 with a 3.63 ERA in seven starts against the Diamondbacks since they traded him to the Los Angeles Angels in July 2010.

Chris Owings is 9 for 14 in his career against Haren, and he's 13 for 26 during a six-game hitting streak after going 1 for 4 in Sunday's 6-0 loss to Philadelphia.

The Diamondbacks (15-21) have dropped four straight after suffering their sixth defeat in their last eight on the road.

"It was a tough series," manager Chip Hale said. "They beat us every way they could, and we didn't respond. We're just going to have to go to Miami and figure it out."

Rubby De La Rosa gets the ball looking to help Arizona get back on track. De La Rosa (4-2, 4.50) has won back-to-back starts, giving up three hits in seven innings of an 11-0 victory over San Diego on May 7 before allowing four runs in seven innings of a 14-6 win over Washington on Tuesday.

The right-hander, who also added his first career RBI against the Nationals, had a 5.40 ERA through his first five starts.

De La Rosa has never started against the Marlins, making just one relief appearance against them in 2011 while with the Dodgers.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Marlins
Mon, May 18 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Marlins
Tue, May 19 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Marlins
Wed, May 20 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Diamondbacks at Marlins
Thu, May 21 - 12:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels (19-17) at Blue Jays (17-21)
Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: May 18, 2015 1:07 PM EDT

C.J. Wilson spent the offseason mastering his pitch location after a disastrous 2014 that marked his worst season since becoming a starter in the majors.

The results prove the work has paid off, and he'll take the mound Monday afternoon as the visiting Los Angeles Angels look to deal the Toronto Blue Jays a sixth consecutive defeat.

Wilson (2-2, 2.63 ERA) went 13-10 with a 4.51 ERA last season, his highest since Texas made him a full-time starter in 2010. His average of 4.35 walks per nine innings was the worst of his career as a starter and was the second-highest in the majors.

But the left-hander has had much better control in 2015 with 11 walks in 48 innings, four of those free passes coming in one start. Wilson is 1-1 with a 2.10 ERA in five starts since giving up seven runs in a loss to Kansas City on April 12.

He allowed two runs and walked one in eight innings of a 5-2 win over Colorado on Tuesday.

"When you put enough work on one thing, eventually it comes to you," Wilson told MLB's official website. "I keep evolving, trying to learn. I still feel like I have a lot of life left, mentally and in my pitching, that there's still a lot of different things I'm discovering."

Wilson has struggled against the Blue Jays since 2013, though, going 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA in four starts. Jose Bautista is 9 for 20 with a homer off Wilson in his career, but he's batting just .216 on the season after going 0 for 3 in Sunday's 4-2 loss to Houston.

Toronto (17-22) finished 1-6 on a road trip and will look to get back on track at Rogers Centre, where it has won seven of nine.

'I'm stating the obvious right now when I say that we stink," Mark Buehrle said. "We are not playing very good in every aspect. When we're pitching good, we're not hitting. When we hit and score runs, which we have done most of the year, we are not doing a good job of pitching.'

The Angels (19-18) had a five-game winning streak snapped with Sunday's 3-0 loss to Baltimore. Albert Pujols and Erick Aybar had two hits apiece, but Los Angeles had only three at_bats with runners in scoring position.

It continues a 10-game road trip with four in Toronto, where visitors have taken issue with a new playing surface that is said to be softer and slower. Manager Mike Scioscia said he could mix up his lineup because of the turf.

"We'll read it and get guys off their feet a little bit, for sure," Scioscia said. "We'll get acclimated to it (Monday) morning and then see how it goes."

The Angels rank near the bottom of the AL in average pitches seen per plate appearance, but they will want to be more patient in facing Aaron Sanchez.

Sanchez (3-3, 4.26) has walked at least four in seven starts, and his 6.87 walks per nine innings is the worst mark in the majors. He struggled with his control again Wednesday, walking four and giving up five runs in 5 2-3 innings of a 6-1 loss to Baltimore.

"There were a couple of times I had guys (behind in the count), and I didn't put them away," said Sanchez, who allowed each run in the second inning. "I'll take the good from this start, move on and be ready for my next start."

The right-hander has never faced the Angels, who have won seven of eight in Toronto.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Angels at Blue Jays
Mon, May 18 - 1:07PM EDT

GAME 2
Angels at Blue Jays
Tue, May 19 - 7:07PM EDT

GAME 3
Angels at Blue Jays
Wed, May 20 - 7:07PM EDT

GAME 4
Angels at Blue Jays
Thu, May 21 - 7:07PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Athletics (13-25) at Astros (24-13)
Game: 1
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: May 18, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

The upstart Houston Astros have not allowed youth to prevent them from racing towards the top of the AL.

Looking to extend yet another winning streak, the Astros will get even younger Monday night when they turn to Lance McCullers, who will face the sputtering Oakland Athletics in his major league debut.

Houston (25-13) became the first team to 25 wins and pushed its winning streak to five with a 4-2 victory over Toronto on Sunday. Collin McHugh pitched seven strong innings for the Astros, who have enjoyed three winning streaks of four or more games despite rostering no active position players older than 29.

Elder statesmen Luis Valbuena (29) and Colby Rasmus (28) hit home runs Sunday to cap Houston's four-game sweep.

"It's a great tribute to the players and leadership we have," manager A.J. Hinch told MLB's official website. "Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind, but you're never out of it. That's the way we're going about it."

Their youngest active player is now McCullers, whose call-up came in a somewhat surprising move.

The 21-year-old right-hander dropped from Houston's fifth-best prospect in 2014 to No. 10, according to MLB.com, following a 5.47 ERA in 97 innings last season at High-A. But he began 2015 at Double-A Corpus Christie where he dazzled with a 0.62 ERA in six appearances, allowing only 15 hits and two earned runs while striking out 43 through 29 innings.

McCullers was promoted to Triple-A on Thursday, but had yet to make an appearance. He fills the rotation spot vacated by Brett Oberholtzer, who suffered a blister on his pitching hand.

"We believe he's got the repertoire and stuff to pitch in the big leagues and be successful," Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said. "There are other pitchers we have in Triple-A and Double-A that are close, but when we looked at our options, he gives us the best chance to win on Monday."

McCullers will face an Oakland team that has lost 10 of 11 and is last in the AL West, 12 1/2 games behind the division-leading Astros.

Exactly one year ago, last-place Houston trailed the first-place Athletics by 12 games.

The A's (13-26) fell to the Chicago White Sox 7-3 on Sunday for a fourth straight defeat and now head back on the road where they've lost five straight.

Drew Pomeranz (2-3, 4.42 ERA) is 0-3 with a 6.86 ERA in four road starts this season, which includes allowing four runs in five-plus innings of a 6-1 loss at Houston on April 15. At home against the Astros 11 days later, the left-hander gave up five runs - three earned - in five innings of a 7-6 defeat.

Jose Altuve is 4 for 6 against Pomeranz this year, batting .444 (12 for 27) in the season series and has hit safely in 29 straight games against Oakland. The White Sox's Luke Appling has baseball's longest hitting streak against the Athletics, hitting safely in 31 straight from 1939-1940.

Pomeranz allowed one earned run and three hits over seven innings of Tuesday's 9-2 victory over Boston - the Athletics' only win since May 6.

"Sometimes his confidence goes the other way and he starts taking a little more time, it kind of snowballs on him," manager Bob Melvin said. "But (Tuesday) ... as the game went along you could see the confidence grow and grow."


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Athletics at Astros
Mon, May 18 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Athletics at Astros
Tue, May 19 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Athletics at Astros
Wed, May 20 - 2:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Phillies (15-23) at Rockies (13-20)
Game: 1
Venue: Coors Field
Date: May 18, 2015 8:40 PM EDT

As the strong starting pitching continues for the Philadelphia Phillies, so does the success.

Now turning to perhaps their most reliable arm, the Phillies will try for their best winning streak in nearly three years Monday night when Cole Hamels faces the Colorado Rockies.

Philadelphia (16-23) has won five straight after completing a three-game sweep of Arizona with a 6-0 victory Sunday, matching the team's longest winning streak since a seven-gamer Sept. 5-12, 2012.

Sean O'Sullivan contributed the latest solid outing, dealing six scoreless innings.

Phillies' starters own a 1.69 ERA over the five-game streak with five walks in 32 innings. They previously had a 5.14 ERA with 3.19 walks per nine innings.

"The rotation is kind of feeding off each other," O'Sullivan told MLB's official website. "It's almost like everyone's kind of accountable for their part because you don't want to be the guy that's not accountable for his part. I think everyone's really playing as a unit right now."

Hamels (3-3, 3.53 ERA) kicked off the winning streak with seven innings of two-run ball to beat Pittsburgh on Wednesday. The staff ace has allowed two runs or fewer in four of his past five starts.

Philadelphia is 4-4 in Hamels' starts, with the left-hander posting a 1.61 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in those wins to compensate for a league-worst 2.12 run support average.

The Phillies are a major league-worst 4-13 on the road as they begin a 10-game trip, but they're facing a Colorado team which is an NL-worst 4-9 at home and has lost five straight at Coors Field.

The Rockies (13-21) did snap an 11-game losing streak overall Thursday at Dodger Stadium and ended up splitting a four-game set with the NL West leaders. Carlos Gonzalez hit two of Colorado's five home runs in that four-game series.

"Coming in here and splitting with these guys is not the worst thing," manager Walt Weiss said even after his club managed only three singles in Sunday's 1-0 loss.

The Rockies have totaled only eight runs in the last five games started by Jordan Lyles (2-3, 4.30), and he's gone 1-3 in that span. He exited his last start after taking a line drive off the hand in the first inning Wednesday but suffered no structural damage.

Beyond the injury, Lyles' main issue has been growing ineffectiveness with an increased pitch count.

The right-hander has held opponents to a .217 average with three extra-base hits and five RBIs through his first 45 pitches, but from pitch No. 46 on, opponents are batting .338 with eight extra-base hits and 14 RBIs.

Corey Dickerson may be sidelined after a flare-up of plantar fasciitis forced him out of Saturday's game and limited him to a pinch-hitting role Sunday.

"It's a concern because he's been dealing with it for a long time and he's a little more sore than he's been," Weiss said.

Troy Tulowitzki (quad), who has missed the last two games, could return after successfully completing agility drills Sunday. He is 1 for 9 with a triple in his career against Hamels.

Hamels has a 2.65 ERA in his last seven starts against the Rockies despite allowing four runs in seven innings to lose his only matchup with them in 2014.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Phillies at Rockies
Mon, May 18 - 8:40PM EDT

GAME 2
Phillies at Rockies
Tue, May 19 - 8:40PM EDT

GAME 3
Phillies at Rockies
Wed, May 20 - 8:40PM EDT

GAME 4
Phillies at Rockies
Thu, May 21 - 3:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals (25-12) at Mets (22-16)
Game: 1
Venue: Citi Field
Date: May 18, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Teams don't often get the better of Matt Harvey. Only one has beaten him twice.

He'll try to knock off the St. Louis Cardinals for the first time in his career Monday night when they visit the New York Mets.

Harvey (5-1, 2.31 ERA) is looking for his first victory in three starts overall after winning his first five, though he's hardly been at fault for the brief drought. He's been backed by one run of support in each of the last three after getting 26 over his first four.

The Cardinals are the only team to give Harvey two losses, and of the 13 he's faced multiple times, they join San Francisco and the Los Angeles Dodgers as the only ones he's yet to beat. He dropped both previous matchups, giving up four runs over 12 innings, though the Mets scored only one run in each game.

That was the case again Wednesday when he matched a season high with nine strikeouts in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs, giving up three hits over seven shutout innings.

"We're gonna put up runs," he said after that game. "We're in a little bit of a rut right now, but, obviously, everybody goes through that."

Harvey proved to be right as New York's offense has woken up over the last two games, totaling 19 runs and 25 hits to beat Milwaukee twice following a season-worst five-game losing streak. The Mets (22-16), a big league-best 15-4 at home, have also benefited from back-to-back gems. Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard each limited the Brewers to one run over six innings, helping the rotation recover after it posted a 5.02 ERA during the skid.

Curtis Granderson homered in both games, Michael Cuddyer had four RBIs in those wins and Eric Campbell went 4 for 8 following his call-up from Triple-A Las Vegas. Lucas Duda doubled twice in Sunday's 5-1 win and is 11 for 30 with five doubles over his last eight games.

"Coming off the (14-1) win (Saturday), you don't want to have the quote, unquote hangover after scoring all those runs," Cuddyer told MLB's official website. "It's nice to have the luxury of all the pitching we have, because you can forget about yesterday and focus on today."

The Cardinals (25-12) had dropped five of seven prior to Sunday's 2-1 win over Detroit, going ahead on Kolten Wong's sixth-inning homer to maintain the best record in baseball.

Though they avoided being swept for the first time, they're struggling offensively, scoring 11 runs and going 4 for 26 (.154) with runners in scoring position over the last five games. Matt Adams is 2 for 33 in his last 11, dropping his average from .309 to .237.

John Lackey (2-2, 3.22) was plagued by walks in his shortest outing of the season Wednesday, giving up five free passes and two runs over 5 1-3 innings in a 2-0 loss at Cleveland on Wednesday. He has a 5.82 ERA and no quality starts in three road games, compared to a 1.63 mark in four home outings.

Lackey hasn't faced the Mets since 2008, winning 6-1 with the Los Angeles Angels.

Cuddyer, hitting .359 in his last 11 versus St. Louis, is 8 for 25 with four home runs off Lackey.

New York won four of seven meetings last season, allowing six runs in four games at Citi Field.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cardinals at Mets
Mon, May 18 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Cardinals at Mets
Tue, May 19 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Cardinals at Mets
Wed, May 20 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Cardinals at Mets
Thu, May 21 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Brewers (13-25) at Tigers (23-15)
Game: 1
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: May 18, 2015 7:08 PM EDT

Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell is fully aware of the potency of Detroit's lineup and especially Miguel Cabrera, whom he saw up close while playing in the Brewers' most recent series against the Tigers.

After winning a series over the NL Central leader, Cabrera and the Tigers hope to take advantage of facing the division's last-place club in a three-game set that begins Monday night.

These former AL East foes haven't met since Milwaukee was swept in three games at Detroit from June 19-21, 2009, despite Counsell going 4 for 11 with a home run. Cabrera went 7 for 13 with a pair of longballs and enters this series after having a three-game home run streak snapped in Sunday's 2-1 loss at St. Louis.

The Tigers slugger had an RBI double in the first inning but was hitless the rest of the way. Detroit had won its previous three games, including two over the first-place Cardinals, as Cabrera was 7 for 15 with four homers and eight RBIs.

"You always want to win the series, especially playing against this Cardinals team," manager Brad Ausmus said. "Winning two of three on the road is somewhat satisfying."

Detroit (23-15) batted .400 with 27 runs in those three games even with Victor Martinez out with an ailing knee. The Tigers hit .385 with runners in scoring position in that span before going 0 for 6 on Sunday, including Martinez fouling out in a pinch-hit appearance with a runner on third.

Ausmus said Martinez should be back starting at designated hitter Monday, and Counsell knows how easily the Tigers' lineup can get cranked up again.

Detroit's .281 average, .347 on-base percentage and .431 slugging percentage are all in the top three in the majors. Milwaukee's 4.73 ERA is 28th, and its starters have a 5.03 mark.

"Immediately, to me, you think of Cabrera and Victor Martinez," Counsell told MLB's official website. "You think about getting through the middle of the lineup. It's a challenge to do four times a night. That's the first thing that pops in my head.

"It's a good challenge. Everybody likes that challenge."

The first to face that test is Mike Fiers (1-4, 5.00 ERA), who has performed admirably in interleague play but has never faced Detroit. The right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.14 ERA in six games - four starts - against AL teams after giving up two runs in 6 1-3 innings in a 4-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday.

That defeat was the first of Milwaukee's four in the past five games. The Brewers (13-25) are coming off back-to-back road losses to the New York Mets, getting held to one run in each game.

It's unknown if they'll have Carlos Gomez available after he was beaned by Noah Syndergaard's fastball Sunday. Counsell said the center fielder, batting .259 with 13 RBIs, had bruising to his face but no concussion.

Gomez indicated he could return Monday, but Counsell said he would "wait and see."

"I'm fine, no concussion. The worst thing that happened today is we lost the game," Gomez said.

The Brewers are batting .195 with 13 runs in their last five games with most of that production in Friday's 7-0 win over the Mets. They'll next face a left-hander coming off one of the worst outings of his career.

Kyle Lobstein (3-3, 4.33) allowed six runs in 2 1-3 innings in a 6-2 loss to Minnesota on Wednesday. He had a 2.57 ERA in his prior four starts and pitched at least seven innings in each of his previous three.

Lobstein has never faced the Brewers or any current Milwaukee hitter.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Brewers at Tigers
Mon, May 18 - 7:08PM EDT

GAME 2
Brewers at Tigers
Tue, May 19 - 7:08PM EDT

GAME 3
Brewers at Tigers
Wed, May 20 - 7:08PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Rangers D faces Tampa Bay's kid line

May 17, 2015

NEW YORK (AP) - Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi have been getting the top defensive assignments for the New York Rangers for years.

In the opening round of the playoffs, they were asked to shut down Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom of the Washington Capitals came in the second round.

In the Eastern Conference finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning, they have drawn ''The Triplets,'' instead of the more well-known line featuring star Steven Stamkos.

Scratching your head? Don't. The line of Tyler Johnson, 24, centering Nikita Kucherov, 21, and Ondrej Palat, 24 has combined for 18 of the Lightning's 35 postseason goals, and Palat had the Bolts' only score on a power play in a 2-1 loss in Game 1 on Saturday.

''They've been their best line so far,'' Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said Sunday, a day before the teams returned to Madison Square Garden for Game 2 on Monday night.

''Not to say that the Stamkos line is not a big threat also, but throughout their first series, Johnson's line has been the more effective. So for that game last night we decided to go that way. Doesn't mean we're going to go that way tomorrow.''

Don't expect a change. McDonagh and Girardi have been very good. They limited Crosby and Malkin to two goals - both by Crosby - and held Ovechkin and Backstrom to three goals in seven games - all by Ovechkin. Joel Ward was playing on that line in Game 1 when he tallied a late winner.

The other reason not to change is that Marc Staal and Dan Boyle were outstanding against Stamkos, Valtteri Filppula and Alex Killorn, limiting them to six shots, one by Stamkos.

Johnson was impressed playing against McDonagh and Girardi on Saturday.

''They can move, they can skate,'' said Johnson, whose eight postseason goals lead the NHL. ''It is always tough when you are playing against defenseman that can skate. They make smart plays and they are going to be a good matchup for us.''

McDonagh said the kids are quick.

''We got hemmed in our zone a couple of times,'' the Rangers captain said. ''We understand that they have some ability on the rush, that's a big strength. With these guys too, their cycle game, their third guy gets lost up high, so we had a couple of looks where we got spread away from our net.

''We have to key on the high side guy so he can't get off a good shot. They have great chemistry, too. They don't need to see where a player is, they can throw it to an area and know he is going to be there.''

It's the same with McDonagh and Girardi on defense. They communicate well, and they know instinctively when they can either jump into a play, or swarm and create a loose puck or when they need to back off and reset.

''Things happen quick out there and you have to trust your instincts and your structure,'' McDonagh said Sunday. ''It helps having good communication with your forward lines, too.''

Former Rangers and current Lightning defenseman Anton Stralman played the past three seasons in New York before signing with Tampa Bay as a free agent. He was a top-four defenseman and got to watch McDonagh and Girardi do their thing.

''I think the key for them is they are usually go in with a really strong mentality, a lot of grit and determination to defense at whatever cost,'' Stralman said.

''I think that is what makes them so successful. They block shots, they do whatever it takes for the team to win. They basically put it on the line every night.''

Lightning coach Jon Copper said his team has to control the puck better in Game 2.

''If you're going to go into zones and be one and done like we were last night, we have no chance,'' he said. ''So we have to possess the puck more. It's been a big part of the reason why we're here, and if we're not going to do that, it's going to be a long night, short series.''

NOTES: After missing the opener with an unspecified injury, Lightning C Brian Boyle did not practice Sunday. His status for Game 2 is uncertain. ... Rangers LW Tanner Glass took a maintenance day on Sunday, but Vigneault expects him to play Monday night. ... Rangers LW Martin St. Louis has not scored a goal in 13 playoff games this season. When someone mentioned that Dominic Moore scored the game winner off his shin guard in Game 1, St Louis said: ''Maybe I should leave the stick on the bench and wear four shin guards.'' ... Both teams practiced at MSG Sunday and both teams allowed opposing coaches to watch each other's workouts.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

TONY STOFFO
MLB | May 18, 2015
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies-102

The Phillies hand the ball to Cole Hamels 3-3 with a 3.53 ERA. Philadelphia starters own a .195 ERA and have allowed only 5 walks in last 32 innings of work and are enjoying a five game win streak. They previously had a 5.19 ERA and Hamels is 3-5 against Colorado.

The Rockies counter with Jordan Lyles 2-3 with a 4.30 ERA. The right-hander has been lights out for first 45 pitches holding batters to a .217 average with 5 RBIs and only 3 extra bases hits. After that it has fallen apart as batters are hitting .338 with eight extra base hits and giving up 14 RBIs.



In games this season Philadelphia is.....


4-13 in road games.

11-20 against right-handed starters.

7-11 when playing against a team with a losing record.



In games this season Colorado is.....


3-1 when playing on Monday.

0-0 against Philadelphia , but 4-2 in last 3 seasons

2-1 in last 3 games.



Colorado is the Play here.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

JEFF BENTON

Your Monday freebie is the Under in the Lightning-Rangers game.

It was a 2-1 final on Saturday as the Under cashed in yet again with Henrik Lundqvist minding the net. He has allowed 2 goals or less in 11 of the 13 games the Rangers have played this postseason.

As for the Rangers, they have scored more than 2 goals or less in in the postseason now in 10 of their 13 games played.

Tampa Bay has now gone Under to a tune of 5-2-1 their last 8 postseason games.

Think it is best to stick with the established Under trends.

Game Two stays Under the total just the way Game One did.

3* TAMPA BAY-N.Y. RANGERS UNDER

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB Betting Cheat Sheet: White Sox suddenly .500 thanks to five-game streak
By Doc Sports

Here’s a comprehensive look at betting notes for this week’s major-league schedule:

The Win-dy City

The Chicago White Sox (17-17) have evened their record at .500 for the first time all season. Although they are still last in the American League in runs scored with 132, the Sox have crossed the plate at least four times in each of their past nine games. As for their in-city mates, the Chicago Cubs’ six-game winning streak came to an end with a 3-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. The Cubs had scored 21 runs in their three previous outings.

Feeling blue

The Toronto Blue Jays’ current five-game losing streak is the longest in Major League Baseball, leaving them in sole possession of last place in the AL East. They have given up at least four runs in each of their last five outings and at least six runs in four of their last five. The over is 4-2 in Toronto’s last six.

Gone fishin’

Former Miami Marlins’ manager Mike Redmond can start making tee times or setting up fishing expeditions, because he has some free time on his hands. The Marlins (16-22) fired Redmond on Sunday following a three-game sweep at the hands of the Atlanta Braves. It was announced on Monday morning that general manager Dan Jennings will take over the managerial role.

Pitching Notes

* Aaron Harang of the Philadelphia Phillies is 4-3 with a 2.03 ERA this season. Seven of the 37-year-old’s eight starts have been of the quality variety and he is coming off his second best outing of the year: eight innings, five hits, no runs, and six strikeouts in a win over Pittsburgh. Harang will climb the bump on Tuesday at the Colorado Rockies. The Phillies have suddenly won five games in a row.

* Will the real Corey Kluber please stand up? Last Wednesday, Kluber befuddled the St. Louis Cardinals over eight innings, giving up one hit and no runs while striking out 18 batters. The 29-year-old righty had previously been 0-5 with a 5.04 ERA on the season. He will take the mound again on Monday to face the White Sox. The over is 16-4 in Cleveland’s last 20 games.

Hitting Notes

* The over is 8-3-1 in the Texas Rangers’ last 12 overall and they scored 13 runs in their last two games of their weekend series against the Cleveland Indians. Right fielder Shin-Soo Choo batted .419 last week with three home runs, first baseman Prince Fielder also had three dingers to go along with a .393 average, left fielder Delino DeShields hit .391 and stole three bases, and third baseman Adrian Beltre batted .357 and drove in seven runs.

* It’s safe to say the Braves are getting the best of the Louis Cardinals in the Shelby Miller-Jason Heyward trade. Miller, who came within one out of a no-hitter against Miami on Sunday, is 5-1 with a 1.33 ERA. Heyward (.244, 3 HR, 10 RBI) has three hits in his last 20 at-bats. The under is 4-1 in St. Louis’ last five games.



Totals Streak

Seattle Mariners (15-21-1 O/U): The Mariners are 0-5 O/U in their last five overall. They have scored more than two runs only once in their last five contests and they have allowed a total of 11 runs in this current five-game stretch.

Injury Notes

* Milwaukee Brewers’ center fielder Carlos Gomez (.259, 3 HR, 13 RBI) left Sunday’s game against the New York Mets after getting hit in the head with a pitch. The team is confident that Gomez avoided a concussion, so he is listed as day-to-day with a facial contusion.

* New York Yankees’ first baseman Mark Teixeira (.248, 11 HR, 28 RBI) took a pitch off his right big toe during Sunday’s contest against the Kansas City Royals. Teixeira did not return, but x-rays were negative. He is listed as day-to-day.