Monday 5/25/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports

Bonus Play Mon Houston -115 w/ Keuchel

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

CAPPERS ACCESS

(NBA)Rockets+4.5
(MLB)Cubs-108

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

JOE WIZ

Monday... Over 7 runs Pittsburgh and Miami

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB
Dunkel

Monday, May 25


Philadelphia @ NY Mets

Game 951-952
May 25, 2015 @ 1:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
(Gonzalez) 13.721
NY Mets
(Colon) 15.355
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Mets
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Mets
-170
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NY Mets
(-170); Under

Colorado @ Cincinnati

Game 953-954
May 25, 2015 @ 1:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Colorado
(Butler) 14.602
Cincinnati
(Marquis) 16.007
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cincinnati
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cincinnati
-130
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cincinnati
(-130); Under

San Francisco @ Milwaukee

Game 955-956
May 25, 2015 @ 2:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Francisco
(Lincecum) 17.260
Milwaukee
(Lohse) 15.628
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Francisco
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Milwaukee
-125
8
Dunkel Pick:
San Francisco
(+105); Over

Washington @ Chicago Cubs

Game 957-958
May 25, 2015 @ 2:20 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
(Roark) 15.184
Chicago Cubs
(Wada) 16.353
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago Cubs
by 1
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-115
No Run Total
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Cubs
(-105); N/A

Arizona @ St. Louis

Game 959-960
May 25, 2015 @ 4:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
(Anderson) 15.184
St. Louis
(Martinez) 14.099
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 1
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-160
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(+140); Over

Miami @ Pittsburgh

Game 961-962
May 25, 2015 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
(Phelps) 16.578
Pittsburgh
(Morton 15.801
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
by 1
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-140
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(+120); Over

Atlanta @ LA Dodgers

Game 963-964
May 25, 2015 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
(Perez) 15.717
LA Dodgers
(Anderson) 17.260
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Dodgers
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-180
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Dodgers
(-180); Under

Kansas City @ NY Yankees

Game 965-966
May 25, 2015 @ 1:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Kansas City
(Guthrie) 16.724
NY Yankees
(Eovaldi) 18.203
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Yankees
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Yankees
-120
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NY Yankees
(-120); Under

Houston @ Baltimore

Game 967-968
May 25, 2015 @ 1:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
(Keuchel) 13.837
Baltimore
(Chen) 14.844
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Baltimore
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-120
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Baltimore
(+100); Under

Boston @ Minnesota

Game 969-970
May 25, 2015 @ 2:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
(Kelly) 13.674
Minnesota
(Nolasco) 15.122
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-125
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(+105); Under

Texas @ Cleveland

Game 971-972
May 25, 2015 @ 4:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Texas
(Klein) 13.064
Cleveland
(Marcum) 14.659
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 1 1/2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
-140
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-140); Over

Detroit @ Oakland

Game 973-974
May 25, 2015 @ 4:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
(Greene) 16.796
Oakland
(Hahn) 18.337
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oakland
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oakland
-110
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Oakland
(-110); Over

Chicago White Sox @ Toronto

Game 975-976
May 25, 2015 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago White Sox
(Noesi) 16.952
Toronto
(Hutchison) 15.804
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago White Sox
by 1
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-150
9
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago White Sox
(+130); Over

Seattle @ Tampa Bay

Game 977-978
May 25, 2015 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Seattle
(Elias) 16.629
Tampa Bay
(Odorizzi) 15.552
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Seattle
by 1
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-150
7
Dunkel Pick:
Seattle
(+130); Over

San Diego @ LA Angels

Game 979-980
May 25, 2015 @ 9:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Diego
(Ross) 12.638
LA Angels
(Weaver) 15.796
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Angels
by 3
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Angels
-135
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Angels
(-135); Under

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Phillies (19-26) at Mets (24-20)
Game: 1
Venue: Citi Field
Date: May 25, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

While the Philadelphia Phillies' latest addition to the rotation could be showing promise, the relic of the New York Mets' staff is displaying some wear.

Two pitchers separated by nearly 20 years in age square off Monday in New York with the Mets trying to shake another losing streak with a little offense.

New York (24-21) was swept in three games in Pittsburgh with Sunday's 9-1 loss dropping it to 4-10 since its 20-11 start, running its road losing streak to seven. The Mets return to a 17-6 home record, but that'll be tough to add to if they can't improve on production that's amounted to 1.83 runs and a .207 average while dropping five of six overall.

They struck out 36 times against the Pirates with at least 10 in each game. It's been 193 games since they last did it in four straight.

'We're just not executing,' said Mets manager Terry Collins, who addressed his team behind closed doors after Sunday's loss. 'For five years, the effort has never been a question. We've just gotta go back and start doing the little things.'

Improvement will have to come against a pitcher they've never faced, though its far from a proven one. Severino Gonzalez, who is filling the injured Chad Billingsley's rotation spot, had his best start in his return to the rotation on Wednesday. The 22-year-old Gonzalez (2-1, 7.11 ERA) allowed a run and five hits in five innings of a 4-2 victory in Colorado.

The right-hander has won the last two of his three big league starts, but the first win came back on May 3 after a miserable debut on April 28. His stay in the rotation figures to be a little longer this time around with Billingsley expected to be sidelined for at least four weeks.

"My first outing wasn't that good," Gonzalez said through translation. "I was nervous. I kind of feel more settled down now with a few more starts. I feel like the jitters are gone so I'm looking forward to it."

He'll be up against Bartolo Colon, who was signed by Cleveland a matter of months after Gonzalez was born.

Colon (6-3, 4.85), conversely, has really fallen off in consecutive losses with a 12.54 ERA and .383 opponent batting average. He established a franchise record with 48 1-3 innings without a walk before issuing two free passes in Wednesday's 9-0 loss to St. Louis, but the mark came at great cost as the 42-year-old allowed nine runs and 11 hits in 4 1-3 innings.

It followed a 7-0 loss to Milwaukee on May 15 in which he surrendered six runs and seven hits in five innings. Both defeats have come at home while yielding four home runs.

"I don't think I've ever seen him struggle so much with command," Collins said.

During his two seasons in New York, the right-hander is 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA in five starts against the Phillies. He's held Ryan Howard to 3 for 17, but two of those hits were home runs. Ben Revere is 7 for 18 against him.

Philadelphia (19-27) missed out on a series win with Sunday's 4-1 loss in Washington accounting for its fourth loss in six games following a six-game winning streak.

Howard was out of the lineup, but the first baseman is batting .425 with four home runs and five doubles in his last 10 games. He's batting .160 in his last 20 games against the Mets.

The Mets have won five of six in the season series, including a three-game sweep in New York from April 13-15 to give them wins in eight of 10 home meetings.

New York's Juan Lagares (arm discomfort) and Lucas Duda (hamstring) were out of the lineup Sunday.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Phillies at Mets
Mon, May 25 - 1:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Phillies at Mets
Tue, May 26 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Phillies at Mets
Wed, May 27 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockies (16-25) at Reds (18-24)
Game: 1
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: May 25, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

Both the Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies enter Monday's contest with some desperation.

One team can't find a win, the other can't avoid the rain.

Looking to snap the league's longest active losing streak, the Reds welcome the Rockies to Great American Ball Park, where inclement weather could again be a problem.

Cincinnati (18-25) fell 5-2 in Cleveland on Sunday for its eighth straight loss to match the franchise's longest skid since 2009. The Reds haven't endured a longer slide since dropping 11 straight in 1998.

They are hitting .207 over their last five games with a .531 OPS, and including a 9-8 loss to San Francisco on May 17, have averaged 2.4 runs per game during the skid while allowing 6.8.

Sunday's loss proved especially ugly, as Cincinnati committed a season-high three errors and Raisel Iglesias, filling in for the injured Johnny Cueto, lasted only three innings.

"We saved our very worst when we needed our best," manager Bryan Price told MLB's official website. "It was the worst game of the series, the worst game of the road trip, the worst game of the season. We needed a good game and we didn't show up today.

"I apologize for anybody that drove up from Cincinnati to come out and watch us play because this was brutal. … We're all brutal right now."

Colorado (17-25) has enjoyed a relative upswing following an 11-game losing streak, winning six of 12.

A more demanding challenge than winning for the Rockies, however, has been simply taking the field.

This month, Colorado has had seven home games delayed by rain and three postponed. The Rockies fought through delays in both games of a double-header Saturday, and endured a two-hour, 10 minute wait Sunday before beating the Giants 11-2.

Should they be able to play through the possibility of thunderstorms Monday, the Rockies will turn to Eddie Butler (2-5, 4.38 ERA). The 24-year-old has a 6.00 ERA in losing each of his last four starts.

The right-hander has struggled to limit baserunners since making his major league debut last season and possesses a 1.89 WHIP in 53 career innings - the highest among the 198 pitchers with at least 10 starts since 2014.

"I used to just throw inside," Butler said. "'Here you go. Here's my fastball. Let's see if you can hit it.' That was college, high school, first couple years of pro ball. ... These guys can hit a 95 mph fastball inside; I understand you can't just live doing that."

Jason Marquis (3-4, 6.91) takes the mound for Cincinnati hoping for improvement from several dreadful outings. The 36-year-old has allowed 15 runs and five homers over his last 12 1-3 innings, going 0-3 in that span.

Marquis has the league's worst ERA among pitchers with at least 40 innings, and Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez are a combined 7 for 22 with four extra-base hits against the right-hander.

Tulowitzki has excelled at Great American Ball Park, hitting .395 with nine home runs and a 1.237 OPS in 22 career games. He is 9 for 20 with five homers in his last five contests in Cincinnati.

Nolan Arenado went 4 for 5 with four RBIs Sunday and finished a double shy of the cycle.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rockies at Reds
Mon, May 25 - 1:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Rockies at Reds
Tue, May 26 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Rockies at Reds
Wed, May 27 - 12:35PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Astros (28-16) at Orioles (19-21)
Game: 1
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: May 25, 2015 1:35 PM EDT

Dallas Keuchel had a difficult time finding his way early in his career, but those struggles seem like long ago.

Off to the best start for a Houston Astros pitcher in 11 years, the early Cy Young Award candidate looks to win his fourth consecutive start Monday in the opener of a three-game road series with the Baltimore Orioles.

Keuchel, a 2009 seventh-round draft pick, went a combined 9-18 with a 5.20 ERA after coming up with the Astros in 2012-13. Then, something clicked with the left-hander in the middle of last season.

Keuchel has gone 9-3 with a 2.06 ERA over his last 20 starts. He's also won eight straight decisions since a 3-0 loss to the New York Yankees on Aug. 21, 2014, posting an AL-best 1.79 ERA over that span.

After giving up eight runs over 12 2-3 innings in his previous two starts, Keuchel returned to his dominant form Wednesday when he did not allow an earned run over seven innings in a 6-1 home win over Oakland.

"The perfectionist he is, he's probably going to be a little harder on himself than I am, but I love the way he found ways not to break," manager A.J. Hinch told the team's official website.

Keuchel, the AL Pitcher of the Month for April, owns a league-low 1.67 ERA for AL West-leading Houston (29-16) and is the team's first pitcher to begin a season 6-0 since Roger Clemens won his first nine in 2004.

He'll try to help the Astros claim their third straight win on this seven-game trip following Sunday's 10-8 victory that earned them a split of a four-game series at Detroit. Evan Gattis went 3 for 4 with a home run and a triple, while Preston Tucker hit his second game-tying pinch-hit home run of the series.

Keuchel has yielded four runs over 12 innings while splitting two career home starts against the Orioles. Baltimore sluggers Chris Davis, Adam Jones and Steve Pearce have gone a combined 2 for 14 with five strikeouts off him.

Former Astro Jimmy Paredes went 5 for 11 in the first two games before going hitless in three at_bats Sunday, when Baltimore fell 5-2 at Miami in the decisive finale of that three-game series. Paredes ranks among the AL leaders with a .344 average.

Paredes and the Orioles (19-22) won't have it easy against Keuchel as they begin the second homestand of a stretch with 17 of 20 at Camden Yards. They ended a streak of 19 consecutive scoreless innings in the sixth inning Sunday.

'Offensively it's been a challenge for us here,' manager Buck Showalter said.

He doesn't have to remind Wei-Yin Chen (1-3, 2.90 ERA). The lefty has gone seven innings in his last two outings at home without a run of support, though he allowed season highs of four runs and eight hits in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to Seattle.

"Being able to get through seven innings (is) the only thing I can say is good," Chen said through his interpreter. "Maybe in my next bullpen try to make adjustments, and hopefully I can do better (versus Houston)."

Chen is 3-0 with a 2.75 ERA - striking out 19 in 19 2-3 innings - while winning each of his three career starts against the Astros. Jose Altuve has gone 4 for 10 when facing Chen, but he has just three hits in his last 33 at_bats.

The Astros dropped four of seven matchups last season and have lost 10 of 12 at Camden Yards.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Astros at Orioles
Mon, May 25 - 1:35PM EDT

GAME 2
Astros at Orioles
Tue, May 26 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Astros at Orioles
Wed, May 27 - 4:35PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants (25-19) at Brewers (16-28)
Game: 1
Venue: Miller Park
Date: May 25, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

The San Francisco Giants fired on all cylinders during a long winning streak, but several poor outings from their starting rotation has left them staring at a potential three-game skid.

Following the worst of those starts, San Francisco tries to avoid a seventh loss in eight games at Miller Park on Monday when it opens a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Giants (25-20) enjoyed eight straight wins prior to Saturday's 5-3 loss in Colorado. They scored 7.63 runs per game over the streak and had several outstanding pitching performances, including a three-game scoreless streak against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

That momentum was completely derailed Sunday in an 11-2 loss to the Rockies as Tim Hudson surrendered eight runs in 3 2-3 innings. San Francisco's starters have posted a 10.57 ERA in the last three games.

Tim Lincecum (4-2, 2.08 ERA) looks to put the Giants back into the win column after notching scoreless outings in three of his last four starts. Outside of allowing three runs in 4 2-3 innings May 14 against Cincinnati, Lincecum has surrendered nine hits and no runs while striking out 16 in 21 innings this month.

The right-hander tossed three-hit ball over seven innings Wednesday in a 4-0 victory over the Dodgers.

For a pitcher that followed four dominant seasons with three subpar ones, Lincecum hopes to have finally settled in with his new approach.

"I have come to grips with the pitcher I am this year," Lincecum told MLB's official website. "I don't know what I'll be next year, but I know that along the way I can make adjustments. ... As time goes on, you find different ways to get outs. You come to grips you are not the same guy you once were."

Lincecum is 3-1 with a 2.84 ERA in his last six starts against the Brewers, but Ryan Braun is 8 for 25 with three home runs in their matchups. Braun is hitting .311 with 12 homers in 50 games against San Francisco.

Milwaukee (16-29) fell 2-1 in Atlanta on Sunday for its fourth loss in five games. Braun and Aramis Ramirez were both rested and the Brewers managed only three hits - one from pitcher Jimmy Nelson - to wrap up their 4-6 road trip.

'That's not good enough. We're going to have to score more than that,' manager Craig Counsell said. 'We've got to find ways to get men on base. We've got to get our pitch and can't miss it.'

The Brewers have had success in Milwaukee against the Giants, winning six of the last seven meetings, but sit at the bottom of the NL with only eight home victories.

Kyle Lohse (3-4, 5.53) takes the mound following two solid outings to rebound from a difficult start to the season. After posting a 7.03 ERA through seven starts, Lohse has allowed two runs and nine hits over his last 14 innings.

The right-hander was shelled by San Francisco on Aug. 31, yielding nine hits and seven runs in 5 2-3 innings. Hunter Pence went 4 for 5 with three runs and two RBIs in that contest, and has eight runs and seven RBIs in nine games since returning from injury this season.

Pence is 16 for 50 (.320) with four doubles and a triple against Lohse, while Angel Pagan is 6 for 14.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Giants at Brewers
Mon, May 25 - 2:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Giants at Brewers
Tue, May 26 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Giants at Brewers
Wed, May 27 - 1:40PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Sox (20-23) at Twins (24-18)
Game: 1
Venue: Target Field
Date: May 25, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

Scoring first has been a mantra behind the Minnesota Twins' revival. An autograph from a child seems to have sparked Mike Napoli's surge.

The surging Twins look for another fast start Monday when they host Napoli and the Boston Red Sox in the opener of this three-game set.

Minnesota (25-18) has turned around its season with a 16-6 stretch, scoring first in 12 of those victories. The Twins have tallied the opening run in seven straight games, winning five after scoring the first five runs in an 8-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.

"We always preach that, whether that's a leadoff homer or whatever, score first," said Brian Dozier, who hit a leadoff homer and added a three-run shot in the seventh.

The second baseman has eight of his nine homers and 18 of his 24 RBIs in that 22-game stretch, but he's 4 for 32 with 10 strikeouts in his past nine against Boston (21-23).

The Twins are 15-6 in May after they went 10-12 in April and have won six of their past seven series.

'We've got a lot of confidence in here,' pitcher Kyle Gibson said.

Confidence should be less of a problem now for Napoli, who is 5 for 9 with four homers and eight RBIs in three games - all with a bat he had signed by a child. He had a two-run homer and drove in another pair on a double, spurring the Red Sox's 6-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.

"Sometimes there's kids in the dugout (pregame) and I go up and have them sign my bat," said Napoli, who only knows the child's first name - Ethan. "It's kind of crazy, the first home run I hit the other day I hit right where he signed it. That was pretty cool."

Napoli's hot stretch comes after he had a .178 average with four homers and 13 RBIs through his first 36 games.

The Red Sox will try to make it eight wins in 10 tries against the Twins as Joe Kelly (1-3, 5.13 ERA) takes on the mound.

The right-hander is winless in seven starts since beating the New York Yankees in his season debut, but has allowed three runs over 13 1-3 innings in his last two. That's in stark contrast to his previous four outings, during which he posted an 8.86 ERA.

Kelly was a hard-luck loser in Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Texas, yielding two runs with seven strikeouts in seven innings.

"Used his curveball a little bit more. He started to elevate his fastballs for strikeouts," manager John Farrell told MLB's official website.

The Twins are turning to Ricky Nolasco (4-1, 6.00), who is trying to win five consecutive starts for the first time. The right-hander has won four straight since returning from elbow inflammation that landed him on the disabled list for nearly a month.

Nolasco has benefited from an offense that has supported him with 10.7 runs during his win streak, while he's posted a 4.29 ERA in that span.

He's failed to complete six innings in any of his five starts, falling one out short in Tuesday's 8-5 win at Pittsburgh. Nolasco gave up four runs and set season highs with 10 hits and eight strikeouts.

He's 2-2 with a 5.08 ERA in five career starts against Boston, particularly struggling against David Ortiz, who is 4 for 10 with three homers in their matchups.

Pablo Sandoval is 10 for 21 with three homers and four doubles versus Nolasco, but he's nursing a bruised left foot that has kept him out of the lineup for five straight games.

He had an RBI single as a pinch-hitter Sunday.



SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Red Sox at Twins
Mon, May 25 - 2:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Red Sox at Twins
Tue, May 26 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Red Sox at Twins
Wed, May 27 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals (25-18) at Cubs (24-18)
Game: 1
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: May 25, 2015 2:20 PM EDT

A poor pitching performance led to the end of a lengthy winning streak for the Washington Nationals, but it didn't take long for the NL East leaders to get back on track.

Following their eighth consecutive series victory, the Nationals hit the road Monday to take on the Chicago Cubs.

Washington (26-18) had won six in a row and 12 of 14 prior to Saturday's 8-1 loss to Philadelphia in which Stephen Strasburg failed to escape the fourth inning.

Gio Gonzalez righted the ship Sunday with 6 1-3 strong innings while the bullpen allowed just one baserunner in Washington's 4-1 victory. The Nationals are a major league-best 19-5 since April 28.

"Being able to get the 'W' was huge," Bryce Harper told MLB's official website. "What we did today to get that 'W' - going on the road right now - I'm just glad we ended it on a good note in this homestand."

Tanner Roark (0-2, 2.66 ERA) takes the mound Monday in his first start of the season. The right-hander impressed as a key member of the Nationals' rotation last season, winning 15 games behind a 2.85 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 31 starts. However, he was forced from the starting staff following the offseason acquisition of Max Scherzer.

Roark takes the place of Doug Fister, who is sidelined with a strained flexor muscle in his forearm. He won his final three starts of 2014 with a 1.83 ERA, never topping 89 pitches, and is expected to last around 70 against Chicago (24-19).

"Hopefully, I can talk those guys into letting me go a little longer," Roark said. "It's all dependent on how I feel. They can see what I look like out there on the mound if I'm tired or not."

Roark will have the benefit of pitching during Harper's torrid month, which continued Sunday with two RBIs. The right fielder is batting .491 with a 1.798 OPS, 11 home runs and 26 RBIs since May 6.

Chicago's Kris Bryant has impressed as well, although the third baseman saw his 12-game hitting streak end in Sunday's 4-3 loss to Arizona. Bryant has 16 RBIs and a .953 OPS in his last 15 games.

Both natives of Las Vegas, Harper and Bryant have a head-to-head rivalry that dates back to high school.

"The thing that stands out to me is just how good he was and how much better he was than the competition," Bryant said of growing up with Harper. "He's obviously younger than I am, but watching him play, I was amazed. I knew he'd be doing what he's doing at this level someday."

Coming off its first series defeat in the last four, Chicago will turn to Tsuyoshi Wada in his second start. The left-hander pitched effectively in his season debut, striking out nine and allowing two runs while throwing 69 pitches over 4 2-3 innings in Wednesday's 3-2 win against San Diego.

Chris Coghlan hit his seventh home run of the year Sunday and is 5 for 10 against Roark.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Nationals at Cubs
Mon, May 25 - 2:20PM EDT

GAME 2
Nationals at Cubs
Tue, May 26 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Nationals at Cubs
Wed, May 27 - 8:05PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers (26-18) at Athletics (15-30)
Game: 1
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: May 25, 2015 4:05 PM EDT

While the Oakland Athletics expected Ben Zobrist to provide a versatile glove and reliable bat, he hasn't been around the past month as things turned south.

The veteran may give the disappointing A's a lift should he return from the disabled list Monday when Yoenis Cespedes plays his first game in the Bay Area since joining the Detroit Tigers.

Zobrist had a .270 average with 99 home runs and 95 stolen bases while playing seven different positions for Tampa Bay from 2009-14 before Oakland (16-30) picked him up in a January trade.

The two-time All-Star batted .303 over his first eight games with the A's before going 2 for 15 over his next five. He then underwent arthroscopic knee surgery April 28 and has missed most of an 8-22 stretch after Oakland had split its first 16 games.

The A's put up just 2.3 runs per game during a 1-8 span before totaling 12 to take the last two of a four-game series at Tampa Bay. Billy Burns, Josh Reddick and Mark Canha homered in Sunday's 7-2 win.

"To turn it around the last two, it was some big wins for sure," said winning pitcher Sonny Gray, who was OK after leaving the game with a bruised right ankle.

One day shy of his 34th birthday, Zobrist now hopes to chip in well ahead of his initially projected mid-June return. It certainly seems like a good spot since Zobrist went 11 for 25 (.440) in his last six meetings with the Tigers (26-19) in 2014.

"That's the plan," manager Bob Melvin, whose club hasn't won three straight since Aug. 7-9, told MLB's official website. "You want to sit down with him and make sure he feels good about it, too."

Cespedes will be playing in Oakland for the first time since spending his first two-plus seasons with the A's. The slugging outfielder went 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI in Sunday's 10-8 home loss to Houston.

The Tigers now hit the road for seven games after splitting the series with the Astros to conclude a 3-4 homestand.

Shane Greene (4-2, 4.05 ERA) has pitched well in his last three starts, going 1-0 with a 1.40 ERA. He seemed fine Wednesday in his first outing since ulnar neuritis forced him out after five innings against St. Louis on May 15.

The right-hander allowed two runs and three hits over 6 1-3 innings but did not get a decision in a 5-2 home victory. He's never faced the A's, but Zobrist went 1 for 3 with two strikeouts against the former Yankee in their AL East matchups.

Oakland probable starter Jesse Hahn would like to turn things around after going 0-3 with a 5.96 ERA over his last four outings. The right-hander allowed three runs over six innings in Wednesday's 6-1 loss at Houston.

Hahn (1-4, 4.43) will have to deal with a red-hot Miguel Cabrera in his first look at the Tigers. Cabrera, who hit his 11th home run Sunday, is batting .413 with five homers over a 12-game hitting streak.

J.D. Martinez is also seeing the ball well, batting .400 over his last 12 games.

Shortstop Jose Iglesias will likely be a game-time decision due to a knee contusion, while A's third baseman Brett Lawrie could return after missing two games with an undisclosed injury.

The Tigers went 5-2 versus Oakland last season, winning the last four meetings.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Tigers at Athletics
Mon, May 25 - 4:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Tigers at Athletics
Tue, May 26 - 10:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Tigers at Athletics
Wed, May 27 - 3:35PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox (19-21) at Blue Jays (19-26)
Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: May 25, 2015 7:07 PM EDT

Drew Hutchison's record is almost entirely the work of the Toronto lineup, masking what could be a hefty loss total if it weren't for an MLB-high 9.55 run-support average.

The Blue Jays just seem to be relying on that lineup a little too much, and things have more often than not failed to work out as the team labors through a 4-11 stretch.

Hutchison and the Jays will try to turn the page on some of those concerns and win consecutive games for the first time in that span Monday night as they begin a three-game series against the visiting Chicago White Sox.

Jose Reyes (ribs) may give Toronto another bat on which to lean, as he's expected to return from the disabled list, but Jose Bautista could remain out for a second straight game after receiving a cortisone shot in his ailing right shoulder.

After dodging a home sweep at the hands of Seattle with Sunday's 8-2 victory, the Blue Jays' last six wins have come with the club scoring at least seven runs - something that would represent a promising trend if there weren't 11 losses sprinkled in.

Edwin Encarnacion homered for the third time in four games and eighth time in 16 after opening the year with four in 30.

It was the first time in eight games that a starting pitcher for Toronto (20-26) allowed fewer than three runs.

With Hutchison (3-1, 6.06 ERA) on the mound, three runs weren't enough in Wednesday's 4-3 home loss to the Los Angeles Angels for the right-hander's first defeat after he allowed four in 6 2-3 innings.

"The offense did their job again and we're not doing ours," Hutchison said. "We need to do a better job."

In his lone start against the White Sox, Hutchison allowed seven runs in seven innings of a 7-5 loss on Aug. 17 that included a Conor Gillaspie grand slam in a six-run first.

Hutchison will face Hector Noesi, who is returning to the rotation after a pair of relief efforts as the club rests rookie Carlos Rodon.

Noesi (0-3, 5.60) is 0-3 with a 6.06 ERA in four starts, the last coming on May 9 in a 10-4 loss to Cincinnati. He allowed three hits and two walks while throwing 46 pitches in 1 2-3 innings before departing after being hit by a line drive.

The White Sox have lost all six games he's pitched in.

"I want to be a starter," Noesi told MLB's official website. "I came here to be a starter,"

The right-hander's only start against Toronto came in the same series as Hutchison's against Chicago, with Noesi allowing five runs and eight hits over five innings but earning an 11-5 victory on Aug. 15. Combined with five relief efforts, he's 1-0 with a 6.06 ERA against the Blue Jays. Josh Donaldson (0 for 6), Encarnacion (0 for 5) and Danny Valencia (0 for 5) haven't had any success against Noesi, but Munenori Kawasaki is 4 for 4.

About the only positive the White Sox (19-22) have entering this matchup is road success. They haven't lost a series in Toronto since 2011, going 8-4 since with wins in 15 of the last 22 overall meetings.

Sunday's 8-1 home loss to Minnesota was their fifth in six games, but they're embarking on an 11-game road trip with a five-game road winning streak. Chicago last won six in a row away in August 2013.

Continuing that run will take some hitting. The White Sox are batting .196 in their last seven games.

"It's embarrassing," Adam LaRoche said.

Melky Cabrera has been at the center of that, heading into his return to Toronto in a 2-for-24 slump.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
White Sox at Blue Jays
Mon, May 25 - 7:07PM EDT

GAME 2
White Sox at Blue Jays
Tue, May 26 - 7:07PM EDT

GAME 3
White Sox at Blue Jays
Wed, May 27 - 12:37PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Marlins (17-27) at Pirates (20-22)
Game: 1
Venue: PNC Park
Date: May 25, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

The Pittsburgh Pirates' pitching staff turned in an impressive weekend, and their next man in line has more at stake than continuing the club's recent form.

Charlie Morton makes his season debut Monday night trying to prove he belongs in the rotation after a disquieting spring as the Pirates conclude an eight-game homestand with three against the Miami Marlins.

Morton has been on the disabled list all season after spring training struggles followed offseason hip surgery. The right-hander made three rehab starts, going 2-1 with a 1.33 ERA with Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis. He struck out 22 and walked six over 20 1-3 innings.

He last pitched with the big league club on April 4, surrendering five runs and six hits with five walks in 1 2-3 innings of his final spring game against Philadelphia.

The right-hander replaces Vance Worley in the rotation, and he's probably pleased the debut is coming at home. Over the past two seasons, Morton was 6-6 with a 2.59 ERA in 21 starts at PNC Park and 7-10 with a 4.34 in 25 road starts.

He's been strong regardless of location against Miami in that time, going 3-0 with a 2.77 ERA in four starts, though Giancarlo Stanton is 7 for 15 lifetime against him.

The Pirates (21-22) completed a three-game sweep of the New York Mets with Sunday's 9-1 victory, surrendering four runs in the series and putting themselves in position to get back to .500 after dropping six of seven.

They've had three straight starters strikeout at least 10 batters for the first time since 1969, but a fourth, which would be an MLB first dating to 1914, seems unlikely considering Morton has done it once in 134 starts.

Pittsburgh also got it together offensively, scoring 21 runs for its top production in any series this season, including four-game sets.

"We needed this weekend. We needed to play some ball," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle told MLB's official website. "We played good team baseball this weekend. Everyone threw something in."

Josh Harrison is batting .468 on an 11-game hitting streak and was 10 for 22 against the Marlins last season. More importantly for Pittsburgh, Andrew McCutchen is as hot as he's been this year, going 9 for 15 with three homers and two doubles in four games. Since the start of 2012, he's batting .438 against Miami - his best mark against any NL team.

The Marlins (18-27) are also hinting at getting back on their feet, though their recent struggles were far more substantial with 11 losses in 12 games. That was before consecutive wins to conclude a three-game series with Baltimore.

Sunday's 5-2 victory came despite Stanton going 0 for 3 and dipping to 3 for 30 in his last eight. Martin Prado went 2 for 4 with a home run and has a nine-game hitting streak against the Pirates.

Dan Jennings improved to 2-5 since taking over managerial duties.

"Wins are like doughnuts," Jennings said. "You like them so much you want to keep eating them."

David Phelps will try to continue feeding his boss. Phelps (2-1, 3.21 ERA) is coming off his worst start after allowing four runs and five hits with three walks in five innings in Wednesday's 6-1 home loss to Arizona. The right-hander had gone his first six starts with a 1.75 ERA. Most of his success has come on the road, where he's 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in four starts.

His only start against Pittsburgh went better, limiting it to five hits in five scoreless innings of a victory with the New York Yankees last May.

Dating to 2012, the Pirates have won 12 of 17 in the series, including eight of nine in Pittsburgh.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Marlins at Pirates
Mon, May 25 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Marlins at Pirates
Tue, May 26 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Marlins at Pirates
Wed, May 27 - 12:35PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners (20-22) at Rays (24-20)
Game: 1
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: May 25, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

The Seattle Mariners can't count on Kyle Seager's torrid stretch lasting as they prepare to open a series at a venue where he's had trouble hitting.

The All-Star third baseman will try to keep swinging a hot bat when the Mariners look to deal the Tampa Bay Rays their longest losing streak in five weeks Monday night at Tropicana Field.

Seager went 2 for 4 with his second home run in as many games in Sunday's 8-2 loss at Toronto. He's batting .378 with three homers while striking out just six times during a 10-game hitting streak.

The 27-year-old has become accustomed to lengthy hot stretches. He had hitting streaks of 13, 15 and 16 games two years ago and went 19 for 36 (.528) with three homers and 12 RBIs from June 23-July 2, 2014.

Seager, however, could have a tough time trying to help the Mariners (20-23) move above .500 through the first seven of a nine-game trip. He's 1 for 32 in his last eight at Tropicana and his .194 average there is his second worst among AL ballparks.

After totaling two runs while losing the last two of a four-game series with MLB-worst Oakland, the AL East-leading Rays (24-21) can bounce back by avoiding their longest skid since dropping four straight April 17-21.

Seager doesn't have much experience facing Tampa Bay's Jake Odorizzi (3-4, 2.43 ERA), going 0 for 1 with a walk. Odorizzi has put up a quality outing in eight of nine starts, but he's received just 15 total runs of support.

"You feel for him because he's pitched really well all year," manager Kevin Cash told MLB's official website. "At the same time, he's a pro. He gets it. He just keeps going out there giving us what we need."

The right-hander will try to avert his third straight loss after giving up two runs over six innings in Wednesday's 2-1 loss at Atlanta. He had two walks after issuing none over his previous four outings.

In his only career start versus Seattle, Odorizzi allowed one hit over six innings in a 2-0 road win May 14, 2014. Nelson Cruz is just 1 for 10 lifetime when facing him, though Justin Ruggiano is 2 for 3 with a home run.

The Mariners have batted .226 while averaging 3.0 runs over their last 11 games. Robinson Cano (5 for 32), Mike Zunino (4 for 24), Seth Smith (4 for 23) and Logan Morrison (5 for 35) are among those scuffling.

They've only scored 10 runs for Roenis Elias (1-1, 2.76) over his five outings. The left-hander picked up his first victory in a fourth straight quality start Wednesday when he gave up one run over 7 2-3 innings in a 4-2 win at Baltimore.

"He's been outstanding," manager Lloyd McClendon said. "He's been very consistent since his recall from Triple-A."

Elias surrendered four runs and five hits over 7 2-3 innings in a 7-4 win at Tropicana on June 7. Evan Longoria and James Loney each took him deep in that contest, and Longoria is 10 for 31 (.323) over an eight-game hitting streak.

The Rays could be without outfielder Steven Souza Jr. after he sprained his left wrist Sunday on a swing. Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera's status is uncertain after he left with a strained left groin, as is that of Loney, who sprained his middle finger on a slide.

Tampa Bay dropped four of seven meetings in 2014, including the last three at Tropicana by a combined 15-4 score.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mariners at Rays
Mon, May 25 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Mariners at Rays
Tue, May 26 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Mariners at Rays
Wed, May 27 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Padres (20-24) at Angels (22-21)
Game: 1
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: May 25, 2015 9:05 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Angels are returning from a lengthy road trip on the other side of the country, but their winning percentage remains the same as the day they left - exactly .500.

The Angels will try again to break free from mediocrity in a 10-game homestand that begins Monday night against the San Diego Padres, and Jered Weaver will attempt to start that on a winning note by adding to his recent turnaround.

Los Angeles was 17-17 when it started its 10-game trip against AL East teams and moved two games above .500 on Wednesday with Weaver's 4-3 victory over Toronto. It finished that trek by dropping three of its final four and each of its last two games against Boston.

The Angels registered four hits in a 6-1 defeat Sunday and batted .206 in the final six games.

"We haven't played anywhere near our potential," catcher Chris Iannetta told MLB's official website.

The Angels won six of eight at home before heading out, including the final three, and will try to extend that streak behind a rejuvenated Weaver (3-4, 4.37 ERA). The right-hander is 3-0 with a 1.54 ERA in his past three starts and survived one difficult inning in Wednesday's victory.

He gave up three runs, three hits and two walks in the fourth, and totaled one hit and one walk allowed in his other six innings.

"His last couple of starts have been great. It's fun to play behind him," outfielder Mike Trout said. "He's working fast and trying to get us back in the dugouts to get some hits. It's fun to watch."

Weaver is 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA in two career starts against the Padres (21-24) and took a 7-2 win in the most recent May 18, 2012. That victory was part of a 19-start stretch in which he went 11-1 with a 2.20 ERA in interleague play.

Weaver will face a team that batted .168 with 13 runs in a 1-7 stretch before Sunday's 11-3 rout of the Los Angeles Dodgers. San Diego matched its season high with 20 hits, and Justin Upton had two of those while matching a career best with six RBIs, including a grand slam.

"I don't think we cared how we got our runs today. But it was nice to get some runners in scoring position, get the bases loaded and get some hits in those situations," Upton said.

Tyson Ross (2-4, 3.93) is hoping to see that kind of help after getting two runs of support or fewer for the seventh time in nine starts Wednesday. The right-hander gave up three runs and four hits in seven innings of a 3-2 defeat to the Chicago Cubs while striking out eight.

Ross is 1-1 with a 1.99 ERA in four career starts against the Angels.

The Padres took two of three in the most recent matchup with Los Angeles in 2012 and lost all three in their last visit to Anaheim in 2009.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Padres at Angels
Mon, May 25 - 9:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Padres at Angels
Tue, May 26 - 10:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Padres at Angels
Wed, May 27 - 10:05PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks (20-22) at Cardinals (27-16)
Game: 1
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: May 25, 2015 4:15 PM EDT

Paul Goldschmidt has looked comfortable at the plate in his home park but hasn't been at his best in the Arizona Diamondbacks' recent road games.

Goldschmidt will try to change that during a six-game trip that begins Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals as the Diamondbacks go for a seventh win in eight games.

Goldschmidt homered and drove in three runs for the second time in three games against the Chicago Cubs in a 4-3 victory Sunday. He was 5 for 10 in the series for Arizona (21-22) and has helped keep his average at .333 by going 22 for 45 (.489) in his last 13 home games.

By contrast, Goldschmidt was 5 for 25 on a seven-game trip that ended Thursday.

"I just try to hit it and keep it simple, and hopefully they don't catch it. I've been feeling pretty good the past week or so," he told MLB's official website.

Goldschmidt is hitting .323 with two homers and 10 RBIs in his last eight games in St. Louis, but Arizona has lost four straight and nine of 12 there.

The Diamondbacks are trying to get back to .500 for the first time since they were 8-8 on April 24, but are just 2-6 in Chase Anderson's starts.

Anderson (1-1, 2.54 ERA), however, can't entirely be blamed for that record.

After receiving a combined 10 runs of support in his first seven outings, the right-hander earned his first win of the season with Wednesday's 6-1 victory over Miami. He yielded one run while pitching into the ninth inning for the first time and has a 1.03 ERA in four starts this month.

"He's mixed his pitches and commanded both sides of the plate. He does all the little things well," manager Chip Hale said. "Is his stuff electric? It's pretty good. I don't think people give him enough credit for having good stuff."

In his first start against St. Louis, Anderson will face a team that totaled two runs and 14 hits in three consecutive losses before a 6-1 win in Kansas City on Sunday. The Cardinals (28-16) had 10 hits despite the absences of Matt Holliday (forearm) and Jason Heyward (hip).

"Not getting a win today would have hurt," said third baseman Matt Carpenter, who had a two-run homer in the sixth. "It's nice to end (a seven-game road trip) on a good note."

Carpenter is batting .419 in his last nine contests against Arizona and the Cardinals won five of six meetings in 2014.

Carlos Martinez (4-2, 4.08) will make his first start against the Diamondbacks after allowing four hits over 6 1-3 innings in Wednesday's 9-0 win over the New York Mets. The right-hander has a 1.59 ERA in his last two starts after posting a 14.00 in his previous two.

Yadier Molina has six multihit performances in his last eight home games against Arizona, batting .364 with five doubles. Matt Adams is 10 for 24 (.417) with two homers and five doubles in the past seven overall meetings.

Mark Trumbo has three home runs in six career contests against the Cardinals and is 7 for 22 (.318) with seven RBIs.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Cardinals
Mon, May 25 - 4:15PM EDT

GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Cardinals
Tue, May 26 - 8:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Cardinals
Wed, May 27 - 8:15PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers (20-23) at Indians (19-23)
Game: 1
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: May 25, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

Josh Hamilton is getting another shot at redemption in baseball with an unlikely journey that has led back to the Texas Rangers.

After leaving for a big free agent contract with the Los Angeles Angels, the 2010 AL MVP had struggles on and off the field.

Hamilton, out of the majors since shoulder surgery in February, is now set for a Rangers reunion Monday against the Cleveland Indians, a matchup of streaking teams. His season debut comes exactly four weeks after the Angels finalized a trade to basically give him back to their AL West rivals for little in return less than halfway into a $125 million, five-year deal.

"I've always wanted to play the game the right way. Play hard, give what you have, leave it out there. If you do that, then you don't have to answer to anybody,' Hamilton said Saturday, when his stint at Triple-A Round Rock ended with a rained-out game. "Hopefully, people in my career have enjoyed watching me play."

Hamilton will start in left field and likely will hit second or fifth in the batting order, according to manager Jeff Banister.

Banister said his plan was to "open our arms and love him up and give him a great big hug and welcome him in, and then treat him like he's one of 25, just like we do everybody else."

During Hamilton's first stint in Texas, after 19 homers and 47 RBIs in his 2007 rookie season with Cincinnati, the outfielder was an All-Star in each of his five seasons (2008-12) and was the AL MVP the same season the Rangers went to the first of consecutive World Series.

Hamilton had a disappointing two seasons on the West Coast, where in 240 regular-season games for the Angels he hit .255 with 31 homers and 123 RBIs. He played only 89 games last season because of injuries, and was hitless in 13 at_bats during the AL division series against Kansas City.

Then there was his self-reported alcohol and cocaine relapse last offseason, along with shoulder surgery. He is also going through a divorce.

Angels owner Arte Moreno made it clear they no longer wanted Hamilton, and will pay $105 million for two underwhelming seasons. Texas is responsible for $6 million and Hamilton agreed to give up $14 million he was due.

Hamilton went to extended spring training in Arizona the day after the April 27 trade, then spent the past two weeks playing 12 games combined for Round Rock and Double-A Frisco.

"Josh is physically and game-ready to get started," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said.

With Hamilton, the Rangers (21-23) will try to extend their season-high win streak to six. All of those victories have come during a nine-game trip that ends Wednesday. Texas, winners in 11 of 14 away from home, had double-digit hit totals in each of its three wins against the New York Yankees, culminating with Sunday's 5-2 victory.

They outscored the Yankees 30-15 in the three-game sweep and Prince Fielder went 8 for 14 with three homers, raising his AL-best average to .358.

Phil Klein (1-0, 4.50 ERA) will attempt to contribute to Texas' run in his second major league start. The right-hander yielded a solo homer and four other hits in 5 1-3 innings in Wednesday's 2-1 victory over Boston.

The Indians (20-23) completed a three-game sweep of visiting Cincinnati with a 5-2 win Sunday to push their season-high win streak to six.

"It's nice to see that we're kind of coming together as a team and putting some wins together," pitcher Trevor Bauer said.

Cleveland has a 1.98 ERA in its last seven games with its starters boasting a 1.42 mark. Shaun Marcum (1-0, 2.31) won his first start for the Indians on Wednesday by allowing two runs in 6 2-3 innings in a 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

The nine-year veteran is 2-0 with a 4.30 ERA in five career starts against the Rangers, last facing them in 2010.

Cleveland took two of three in Texas from May 15-17, totaling 18 runs and 26 hits in its victories. The Indians have won 13 of 15 over the Rangers and six consecutive home meetings.

They've won seven straight home games against that franchise just once from Sept. 21, 1969-July 8, 1970, versus the Washington Senators.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rangers at Indians
Mon, May 25 - 4:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Rangers at Indians
Tue, May 26 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Rangers at Indians
Wed, May 27 - 12:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves (21-21) at Dodgers (26-16)
Game: 1
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: May 25, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Strong pitching has helped the Atlanta Braves put together a strong stretch, while the Los Angeles Dodgers have been woeful offensively of late.

The Braves will again turn to a rookie on the mound as they try to capitalize on the Dodgers' scuffling lineup in the opener of this three-game series Monday night.

Atlanta (22-21) owns a 4.00 ERA on the season, but has compiled a 2.71 mark during a 7-2 stretch. The rotation has allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of those victories.

Rookie Mike Foltynewicz tossed the latest gem Sunday, allowing one run and three hits with seven strikeouts in 7 2-3 innings of a 2-1 win over Milwaukee.

"He was dominant, really, the whole game," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "It was a nice start to build on."

That was also the case Wednesday for Williams Perez (0-0, 6.14 ERA), who yielded one run and six hits with seven strikeouts in five innings of a 2-1 victory over Tampa Bay in his first career start.

"One of the best parts of my game was having the changeup and the curveball working," Perez said through a translator. "That was a big thing for me and why I pitched so well."

Perez's first two appearances came out of the bullpen, but he was moved into the rotation to replace struggling Eric Stults.

He'll face a Dodgers team that's been outscored 29-9 and batted .190 during a 3-5 stretch. They haven't scored more than three runs in any of those games, including Sunday's 11-3 defeat to San Diego.

Adrian Gonzalez and Howie Kendrick aren't helping. Gonzalez is 5 for 24 (.208) with no RBIs in eight games, while Kendrick is 5 for 27 (.185) with one extra-base hit in the past seven.

Gonzalez's struggles have dropped his average 25 points to .342, which is still among baseball's leaders.

He went 11 for 29 (.379) with seven RBIs as Los Angeles took six of seven meetings from the Braves last year.

Starting pitching hadn't been a problem lately for the Dodgers (26-17) until Carlos Frias was pounded for 10 runs and 12 hits in four-plus innings Sunday.

Los Angeles' starters posted a 1.90 ERA in the previous seven games. Brett Anderson (2-2, 3.61) had a quality start in that span, allowing three runs over a season-best 6 1-3 innings Wednesday in a 4-0 loss at San Francisco.

That was Anderson's third straight game pitching in rain, prompting him to make light of it.

"At this point, if your city/area is in a desperate need of precipitation ... just pay me to come for a few days and it's bound to rain," Anderson said via his official Twitter account.

The difficult conditions haven't affected the left-hander, who has compiled a 1.99 ERA in his past four starts after opening the season with a 5.49 mark in his first four.

There's no rain in the forecast for this series.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Braves at Dodgers
Mon, May 25 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Braves at Dodgers
Tue, May 26 - 10:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Braves at Dodgers
Wed, May 27 - 10:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Royals at Yankees

GAME: Kansas City Royals (28-15) at New York Yankees (22-22)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 25 - 1:05 PM EST
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
LINE: 121, -131 TOTAL: 8.5

The New York Yankees attempt to snap their six-game losing streak as they make a quick turnaround and host the Kansas City Royals on Monday afternoon in the opener of their three-game series. New York's skid, which began with a 6-0 loss in Kansas City on May 17, was extended Sunday night as it suffered a 5-2 defeat against visiting Texas - its 10th setback in 11 games.

It was a moral victory of sorts for the Yankees, who surrendered 25 runs over the first two contests of the three-game set with the Rangers. Kansas City had its five-game winning streak come to an end Sunday as it dropped a 6-1 decision to St. Louis. Salvador Perez drove in the lone run with a single for the Royals, who finished 6-2 on their eight-game homestand. Kansas City began its string at Kauffman Stadium by outscoring New York 19-6 while winning two of their three contests.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, FSN Kansas City, YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jeremy Guthrie (4-2, 4.75 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Nathan Eovaldi (3-1, 4.73)

Guthrie is coming off his best outing of the season, a performance against Cincinnati on Wednesday in which he scattered five hits over six scoreless innings en route to his third straight victory. The 36-year-old has allowed a total of four runs during his winning streak after yielding at least that amount in four of his first five starts this season. Guthrie has not fared well versus New York in his career, going 5-10 with a 4.92 ERA in 19 games (17 starts).

Eovaldi matched his shortest start of the year on Tuesday, when he escaped with a no-decision after surrendering five runs over 4 1/3 innings at Washington. The 25-year-old recorded only 13 outs against the New York Mets on April 26 but also avoided a loss despite yielding four runs and seven hits. Eovaldi, who has been tagged for 10 runs and 21 hits over 15 1/3 frames in three home starts this season, never has faced Kansas City.

WALK-OFFS

1. Eovaldi has allowed at least six hits in each of his eight starts this year.

2. Royals 3B Mike Moustakas, who exited Saturday's game after being hit in the left clavicle with a grounder, was in the lineup Sunday and went 1-for-4.

3. Yankees OF Carlos Beltran, who is riding a 13-game hitting streak, was kept out of the lineup Sunday due to flu-like symptoms.

PREDICTION: Royals 6, Yankees 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockies at Reds

GAME: Colorado Rockies (17-25) at Cincinnati Reds (18-25)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 25 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: 136, -148 TOTAL: 8.5

The Cincinnati Reds are mired in the worst tailspin in the major leagues, but they will face another struggling team when the Colorado Rockies come to town to open a three-game series on Monday. The Reds have dropped eight in a row following a three-game sweep at in-state rival Cleveland, a performance that manager Bryan Price termed as "brutal."

"I apologize for anyone from Cincinnati that drove up to watch us play," Price said after Sunday's 5-2 loss. "We saved our very worst for when we needed our very best. That was the worst game of the series, road trip and season." The Rockies have had their share of brutal moments this season, including an 11-game skid from April 28-May 13. Colorado has played .500 ball since then, earning a split of three straight four-game series. Nolan Arenado finished a double shy of the cycle in Sunday's 11-2 romp over San Francisco, going 4-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Eddie Butler (2-5, 4.38 ERA) vs. Reds RH Jason Marquis (3-4, 6.91)

Butler's spot in the rotation could be in jeopardy after his second consecutive abbreviated outing in which he failed to go past three innings. The 24-year-old rookie lost his fourth straight start, giving up four runs and six hits over three frames in a 4-2 setback to Philadelphia. "It's frustrating; you don't go six innings in two starts?" Butler said. "Your objective is to go six innings every time you go out."

Marquis hasn't been much better than Butler, failing to get through four innings in each of his last two outings while getting shelled for 10 runs and 13 hits. He followed a three-start winning streak with three straight losses, prompting Price to wait until Sunday to confirm the veteran would get the nod for the series opener. Marquis has made 17 career appearances (15 starts) versus Colorado, posting a 6-6 record with a 4.15 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Reds have been outscored 54-19 during the eight-game slide, their longest losing streak since 2009.

2. Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki, who drove in two runs Sunday, is batting .346 with 13 homers and 30 RBIs in 36 games versus Cincinnati.

3. Reds DH Marlon Byrd homered Sunday but is 2-for-25 in his last six games.

PREDICTION: Reds 6, Rockies 5