John Ryan
San Diego at Tampa Bay
Play: San Diego +159
The following game situations match the SIM projections and my compiled research for the outcome of this game. Tampa Bay is just 12-30 (-19.5 Units) against the money line facing a starting pitcher with good control (less than 1.75 BB's/start) this season; 16-29 (-17.7 Units) against the money line vs. an average bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 to 4.50 this season; 28-40 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. SD is a solid 27-21 (+18.1 Units) against the money line after having lost 4 or 5 of their last 6 games this season.
San Diego at Tampa Bay
Play: San Diego +159
The following game situations match the SIM projections and my compiled research for the outcome of this game. Tampa Bay is just 12-30 (-19.5 Units) against the money line facing a starting pitcher with good control (less than 1.75 BB's/start) this season; 16-29 (-17.7 Units) against the money line vs. an average bullpen whose ERA is 3.75 to 4.50 this season; 28-40 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. SD is a solid 27-21 (+18.1 Units) against the money line after having lost 4 or 5 of their last 6 games this season.
Frank Jordan
Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians
Play: Cleveland Indians -110
Cleveland put up a pair of runs in the 5th and 6th to jump out ahead for good over LA Angels yesterday to sweep the four game set. Boston had an onslaught of homeruns including three from Mookie Betts to win 16-2 to sweep Arizona. Today these two teams come in both in a playoff position with the Indians in first place in the AL Central and Boston in the second wildcard spot. On the mound Boston has Drew Pomeranz who is 0-2 since coming to Boston and the team is 2-3 when he has pitched. His overall numbers are 8-9 with a 3.03 ERA and on the road he is 4-5 with a 2.88 ERA. Josh Tomlin is throwing for Cleveland and he is 11-5 with a 4.18 ERA. At home he is 5-2 with a 4.33 ERA. Look for a little bit of a slugfest in this one between two strong offensive teams with the home team Indians pulling out the victory 7-5 when the dust settles.
Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians
Play: Cleveland Indians -110
Cleveland put up a pair of runs in the 5th and 6th to jump out ahead for good over LA Angels yesterday to sweep the four game set. Boston had an onslaught of homeruns including three from Mookie Betts to win 16-2 to sweep Arizona. Today these two teams come in both in a playoff position with the Indians in first place in the AL Central and Boston in the second wildcard spot. On the mound Boston has Drew Pomeranz who is 0-2 since coming to Boston and the team is 2-3 when he has pitched. His overall numbers are 8-9 with a 3.03 ERA and on the road he is 4-5 with a 2.88 ERA. Josh Tomlin is throwing for Cleveland and he is 11-5 with a 4.18 ERA. At home he is 5-2 with a 4.33 ERA. Look for a little bit of a slugfest in this one between two strong offensive teams with the home team Indians pulling out the victory 7-5 when the dust settles.
Larry Ness
Miami vs. Cincinnati
Pick: Cincinnati
The 48-68 Reds own one of MLB’s worst records but they’ve gone 16-11 since the All Star break, winning SEVEN of nine series in that span. Miami ended a three-game losing streak with a 5-4 win against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday and at 61-56, are 8 1/2 games behind Washington in the NL East. However, they are in the thick of the NL wild card race with St Louis , Pittsburgh and the NY Mets. The Marlins currently trail the Cards for the No. 2 spot by a half-game, while being up by one game on the Pirates and by two over the Mets. The Marlins’ playoff path became much tougher on Sunday though, with the team placing Giancarlo Stanton (groin) and pitcher Adam Conley (finger tendonitis) on the 15-day disabled list. An MRI revealed Stanton has a Grade 3 groin strain, putting the rest of the season in jeopardy for him. "The best-case scenario is a six-week return," Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said Sunday. "There's still an opportunity to get (Stanton) back before the end of the season, but it was a significant injury." Stanton has 25 HRs, 70 RBI and a slugging percentage of .497 this season.
The Marlins need to take advantage of this four-game series in Cincinnati and Monday’s opener features David Phelps (5-6, 2.40 ERA) taking on Brandon Finnegan (7-8, 4.45 ERA). Phelps is making his third start since joining the rotation (his first 50 appearances this season came as a reliever) and was sharp in his first two chances, allowing a total of one run in 9.1 innings. He took the loss against San Francisco on Wednesday despite surrendering just one run in five innings. He has scattered nine hits across 14.1 innings in his last six appearances with 18 Ks. Phelps is making his fourth career start against Cincinnati and is 1-2 with a 3.43 ERA in five appearances against the Reds (teams are 1-2 in his starts). Finnegan is facing the Marlins for the first time in his career and is making a team-high 24th start in 2016.
Phelps has had a bounce-back season in 2016 out of the bullpen but I don’t much trust him in the role of a starter. Meanwhile, Finnegan has allowed just three ERs on 12 hits over his last three starts (18 innings for a 1.50 ERA) and as noted earlier, the Reds have been playing solid baseball since the break. The loss of Stanton could be a ‘back breaker’ for Miami plus note that Phelps saw his teams (Miami in 2015 and the NYY Yankees in 2014) go 12-24 in his 36 starts over that two-year span. The bet is on the home dog.
Miami vs. Cincinnati
Pick: Cincinnati
The 48-68 Reds own one of MLB’s worst records but they’ve gone 16-11 since the All Star break, winning SEVEN of nine series in that span. Miami ended a three-game losing streak with a 5-4 win against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday and at 61-56, are 8 1/2 games behind Washington in the NL East. However, they are in the thick of the NL wild card race with St Louis , Pittsburgh and the NY Mets. The Marlins currently trail the Cards for the No. 2 spot by a half-game, while being up by one game on the Pirates and by two over the Mets. The Marlins’ playoff path became much tougher on Sunday though, with the team placing Giancarlo Stanton (groin) and pitcher Adam Conley (finger tendonitis) on the 15-day disabled list. An MRI revealed Stanton has a Grade 3 groin strain, putting the rest of the season in jeopardy for him. "The best-case scenario is a six-week return," Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said Sunday. "There's still an opportunity to get (Stanton) back before the end of the season, but it was a significant injury." Stanton has 25 HRs, 70 RBI and a slugging percentage of .497 this season.
The Marlins need to take advantage of this four-game series in Cincinnati and Monday’s opener features David Phelps (5-6, 2.40 ERA) taking on Brandon Finnegan (7-8, 4.45 ERA). Phelps is making his third start since joining the rotation (his first 50 appearances this season came as a reliever) and was sharp in his first two chances, allowing a total of one run in 9.1 innings. He took the loss against San Francisco on Wednesday despite surrendering just one run in five innings. He has scattered nine hits across 14.1 innings in his last six appearances with 18 Ks. Phelps is making his fourth career start against Cincinnati and is 1-2 with a 3.43 ERA in five appearances against the Reds (teams are 1-2 in his starts). Finnegan is facing the Marlins for the first time in his career and is making a team-high 24th start in 2016.
Phelps has had a bounce-back season in 2016 out of the bullpen but I don’t much trust him in the role of a starter. Meanwhile, Finnegan has allowed just three ERs on 12 hits over his last three starts (18 innings for a 1.50 ERA) and as noted earlier, the Reds have been playing solid baseball since the break. The loss of Stanton could be a ‘back breaker’ for Miami plus note that Phelps saw his teams (Miami in 2015 and the NYY Yankees in 2014) go 12-24 in his 36 starts over that two-year span. The bet is on the home dog.
Chase Diamond
Pirates vs Giants
Play: Pirates
Big game between the 59-56 Pirates and the 66-51 Giants. Pirates have been playing well 6-4 in they're last 10 games and off a big 11-3 blowout of the Dodgers. Ryan Vogelsong has looked very good despite his 1-2 record since his return to the big leagues. He has a 2.67 ERA through 33.2 innings pitched. He faces off with Matt Moore 2-10 team starts at night. Pirates are also 5-1 last 6 games in San Francisco this team has proven to be comfortable on the west coast. Look for a little extra motivation from Vogelsong to get a win against his old team.
Pirates vs Giants
Play: Pirates
Big game between the 59-56 Pirates and the 66-51 Giants. Pirates have been playing well 6-4 in they're last 10 games and off a big 11-3 blowout of the Dodgers. Ryan Vogelsong has looked very good despite his 1-2 record since his return to the big leagues. He has a 2.67 ERA through 33.2 innings pitched. He faces off with Matt Moore 2-10 team starts at night. Pirates are also 5-1 last 6 games in San Francisco this team has proven to be comfortable on the west coast. Look for a little extra motivation from Vogelsong to get a win against his old team.
Jack Jones
San Francisco Giants -137
The San Francisco Giants are coming off a tough 7-8 loss to the Baltimore Orioles yesterday where they blew a big lead in the closing innings. They'll come back motivated today as they are a perfect 5-0 in their last five games following a loss.
Matt Moore has certainly enjoyed his new home in San Francisco. He has gone 4-3 with a 2.22 ERA in his last eight starts overall, giving up just 13 earned runs in 52 2/3 innings. Moore is 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA in his last three starts, two of which have come with the Giants.
Ryan Vogelsong is getting way too much respect tonight from oddsmakers. He has pitched well in four starts this season, but he's only averaging 4 2/3 innings per start. Three of those starts have come at home while the other was on the road against the lowly Atlanta Braves. Vogelsong is 0-1 with a 5.93 ERA and 1.829 WHIP in three career starts against San Francisco.
The Pirates are 3-14 in Vogelsong's last 17 starts vs. a team with a winning record. Pittsburgh is 1-5 in Vogelsong's last six starts overall. The Giants are 37-18 in their last 55 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
San Francisco Giants -137
The San Francisco Giants are coming off a tough 7-8 loss to the Baltimore Orioles yesterday where they blew a big lead in the closing innings. They'll come back motivated today as they are a perfect 5-0 in their last five games following a loss.
Matt Moore has certainly enjoyed his new home in San Francisco. He has gone 4-3 with a 2.22 ERA in his last eight starts overall, giving up just 13 earned runs in 52 2/3 innings. Moore is 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA in his last three starts, two of which have come with the Giants.
Ryan Vogelsong is getting way too much respect tonight from oddsmakers. He has pitched well in four starts this season, but he's only averaging 4 2/3 innings per start. Three of those starts have come at home while the other was on the road against the lowly Atlanta Braves. Vogelsong is 0-1 with a 5.93 ERA and 1.829 WHIP in three career starts against San Francisco.
The Pirates are 3-14 in Vogelsong's last 17 starts vs. a team with a winning record. Pittsburgh is 1-5 in Vogelsong's last six starts overall. The Giants are 37-18 in their last 55 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Jimmy Boyd
Reds +118
Cincinnati is showing great value here as home dog against the Marlins in Monday's series opener. The Reds will send out youngster Brandon Finnegan, who has been throwing lights out of late. Finnegan has a 1.50 ERA and 1.157 WHIP in his last 3 starts.
Miami counters here with David Phelps, who will be making just his 3rd start of the season. Phelps has pitched well in each of his first two outings, but he's still working on building up his stamina. He lasted just 4 1/3 innings in his first start and only 5 innings the second time out. The Reds will be into the Marlins bullpen early and they have a ugly 4.10 ERA and 1.366 WHIP on the road this season. Cincinnati also comes into this game swinging a hot bad, averaging 5.9 runs/game over their last 7 games.
Reds are 10-1 in their last 11 games following a loss, 7-2 in their last 9 during game 1 of a series and 5-1 in Finnegan's last 6 starts. Miami is 1-6 in the last 7 during game 1 of a series, 0-4 in their last 4 after a win and 0-6 in Phelps last 6 road starts against a team with a losing record.
Reds +118
Cincinnati is showing great value here as home dog against the Marlins in Monday's series opener. The Reds will send out youngster Brandon Finnegan, who has been throwing lights out of late. Finnegan has a 1.50 ERA and 1.157 WHIP in his last 3 starts.
Miami counters here with David Phelps, who will be making just his 3rd start of the season. Phelps has pitched well in each of his first two outings, but he's still working on building up his stamina. He lasted just 4 1/3 innings in his first start and only 5 innings the second time out. The Reds will be into the Marlins bullpen early and they have a ugly 4.10 ERA and 1.366 WHIP on the road this season. Cincinnati also comes into this game swinging a hot bad, averaging 5.9 runs/game over their last 7 games.
Reds are 10-1 in their last 11 games following a loss, 7-2 in their last 9 during game 1 of a series and 5-1 in Finnegan's last 6 starts. Miami is 1-6 in the last 7 during game 1 of a series, 0-4 in their last 4 after a win and 0-6 in Phelps last 6 road starts against a team with a losing record.
Buster Sports
Miami at Cincinnati
Play: Miami -127
The Cincinnati Reds come home from a 9 game road trip to face the Miami Marlins who are without their superstar Giancarlo Stanton, who will be lost for the season with a groin injury. Although this is a huge loss for the Marlins they actually have a better record without him in the lineup than with him and we believe the Marlins will use this injury to rally the team in their fight for a playoff berth. The Marlins send RH David Phelps (5-6, 2.40 ERA) to the hill tonight and he faces the Reds LH Brandon Finnegan (7-8, 4.45 ERA) Phelps has pitched well since joining the starting rotation with a 0.96 ERA with a WHIP of 1.16 in 2 starts. Finnegan has pitched well of late but at home he has struggled with a 4.31 ERA and with a WHIP of 1.245. He has never faced the Marlins so that does give him the advantage. The Reds however fall into one of our Buster Sports Systems. We had a Bonus Play winner with the Brewers yesterday with a similar situation. We believe this gives the Marlins HUGE value tonight. One other advantage we have tonight is that the Fish love hitting against LH starters as they are 20 -8 on the year. Backing our selection is the fact that the Marlins are 5-0 in the last 5 meetings and the fact that the Reds are 1-6 in Finnegan's last 7 starts with 5 days of rest.
Miami at Cincinnati
Play: Miami -127
The Cincinnati Reds come home from a 9 game road trip to face the Miami Marlins who are without their superstar Giancarlo Stanton, who will be lost for the season with a groin injury. Although this is a huge loss for the Marlins they actually have a better record without him in the lineup than with him and we believe the Marlins will use this injury to rally the team in their fight for a playoff berth. The Marlins send RH David Phelps (5-6, 2.40 ERA) to the hill tonight and he faces the Reds LH Brandon Finnegan (7-8, 4.45 ERA) Phelps has pitched well since joining the starting rotation with a 0.96 ERA with a WHIP of 1.16 in 2 starts. Finnegan has pitched well of late but at home he has struggled with a 4.31 ERA and with a WHIP of 1.245. He has never faced the Marlins so that does give him the advantage. The Reds however fall into one of our Buster Sports Systems. We had a Bonus Play winner with the Brewers yesterday with a similar situation. We believe this gives the Marlins HUGE value tonight. One other advantage we have tonight is that the Fish love hitting against LH starters as they are 20 -8 on the year. Backing our selection is the fact that the Marlins are 5-0 in the last 5 meetings and the fact that the Reds are 1-6 in Finnegan's last 7 starts with 5 days of rest.
Wunderdog
Kansas City @ Detroit
Pick: Detroit -132
Detroit has been a streaky team all season, and now the Tigers have won two straight with two shutouts against Texas after losing five in a row. Daniel Norris pitched well his last start allowing one run in five innings before the bullpen blew the game twice for the Tigers in a 15-inning loss at Seattle. Kansas City is 21-39 on the road and has lost seven of Ian Kennedy's last eight starts, although some of that can be attributed to poor run support. The Royals are 25th in the Majors with a .708 OPS and dead last with a .667 OPS on the road. Also, Kansas City is just 4-11 after a win, and the Royals have lost six of their last eight games in Detroit. The Tigers are 33-21 at home with a .796 OPS at Comerica Park.
Kansas City @ Detroit
Pick: Detroit -132
Detroit has been a streaky team all season, and now the Tigers have won two straight with two shutouts against Texas after losing five in a row. Daniel Norris pitched well his last start allowing one run in five innings before the bullpen blew the game twice for the Tigers in a 15-inning loss at Seattle. Kansas City is 21-39 on the road and has lost seven of Ian Kennedy's last eight starts, although some of that can be attributed to poor run support. The Royals are 25th in the Majors with a .708 OPS and dead last with a .667 OPS on the road. Also, Kansas City is just 4-11 after a win, and the Royals have lost six of their last eight games in Detroit. The Tigers are 33-21 at home with a .796 OPS at Comerica Park.
want to make a correction on fast eddie from banker sports. i had him as a lost but he did win. this was the post from sunday.
fast eddie from banker sports has his 4 1/2 unit run line dog on odorizzi and tampe bay +1 1/2 over severino and ny yankees
lost his last 2 picks and now 4-4 for the month
his corrected record should be 5-4 instead of 4-5 sorry my bad
fast eddie from banker sports has his 4 1/2 unit run line dog on odorizzi and tampe bay +1 1/2 over severino and ny yankees
lost his last 2 picks and now 4-4 for the month
his corrected record should be 5-4 instead of 4-5 sorry my bad
Preview Toronto at NY Yankees
Edwin Encarnacion hopes to build off a sizzling series when the Toronto Blue Jays visit the New York Yankees on Monday for the opener of a three-game set. With fellow slugger Jose Bautista placed on the disabled list, Encarnacion went 6-for-10 with a pair of blasts, four runs and three RBIs as the Blue Jays took two of three from Houston over the weekend.
Troy Tulowitzki, Russell Martin and Encarnacion all went deep Sunday in a 9-2 victory that helped first-place Toronto maintain a half-game lead over Baltimore in the American League East. Veteran R.A. Dickey goes for the Blue Jays in the opener against the Yankees, who are 4 1/2 games back in the AL wild-card race after a 12-3 loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday. New York sold several veterans at the trade deadline and is turning to youngsters such as hulking outfielder Aaron Judge, who joined Joe Lefebvre (1980) on Sunday as the only Yankees to homer in their first two major league games. Outfielder Brett Gardner (ankle) and Mark Teixeira (undisclosed) missed the last two games and could return Monday for New York, which has dropped seven of nine to Toronto in 2016.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, TVA Sports (Toronto), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH R.A. Dickey (8-12, 4.61 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Chad Green (1-2, 4.94)
Dickey could not find his rhythm last time out at home against Tampa Bay, allowing four runs and six hits over 4 1/3 innings in a game the Blue Jays went on to win 7-5. The 41-year-old knuckleballer has been a much better pitcher on the road this season, going 6-4 with a 3.51 ERA in 11 starts. Teixeira is just 6-for-25 but has two homers against Dickey, who is 7-5 with a 2.76 ERA lifetime versus the Yankees.
Green gets the call for his fifth major league start as manager Joe Girardi shuffles his rotation due to Nathan Eovaldi’s injury. The 25-year-old Louisville product has struggled as a starter, going 1-2 with a 7.50 ERA and giving up eight homers in 18 innings. Green, who has not yielded a run in 9 1/3 innings as a reliever this season, will face the Blue Jays for the first time and owns a 2.89 ERA at home.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York RHP Dellin Betances has at least one strikeout in a career-high 22 straight appearances.
2. Toronto RHP Jason Grilli has struck out 37 of the 95 batters he has faced since being acquired from Atlanta.
3. New York 2B Starlin Castro went 5-for-12 with two homers in the last series and has 14 blasts to match his career high.
PREDICTION: Blue Jays 7, Yankees 4
Edwin Encarnacion hopes to build off a sizzling series when the Toronto Blue Jays visit the New York Yankees on Monday for the opener of a three-game set. With fellow slugger Jose Bautista placed on the disabled list, Encarnacion went 6-for-10 with a pair of blasts, four runs and three RBIs as the Blue Jays took two of three from Houston over the weekend.
Troy Tulowitzki, Russell Martin and Encarnacion all went deep Sunday in a 9-2 victory that helped first-place Toronto maintain a half-game lead over Baltimore in the American League East. Veteran R.A. Dickey goes for the Blue Jays in the opener against the Yankees, who are 4 1/2 games back in the AL wild-card race after a 12-3 loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday. New York sold several veterans at the trade deadline and is turning to youngsters such as hulking outfielder Aaron Judge, who joined Joe Lefebvre (1980) on Sunday as the only Yankees to homer in their first two major league games. Outfielder Brett Gardner (ankle) and Mark Teixeira (undisclosed) missed the last two games and could return Monday for New York, which has dropped seven of nine to Toronto in 2016.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, TVA Sports (Toronto), YES (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH R.A. Dickey (8-12, 4.61 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Chad Green (1-2, 4.94)
Dickey could not find his rhythm last time out at home against Tampa Bay, allowing four runs and six hits over 4 1/3 innings in a game the Blue Jays went on to win 7-5. The 41-year-old knuckleballer has been a much better pitcher on the road this season, going 6-4 with a 3.51 ERA in 11 starts. Teixeira is just 6-for-25 but has two homers against Dickey, who is 7-5 with a 2.76 ERA lifetime versus the Yankees.
Green gets the call for his fifth major league start as manager Joe Girardi shuffles his rotation due to Nathan Eovaldi’s injury. The 25-year-old Louisville product has struggled as a starter, going 1-2 with a 7.50 ERA and giving up eight homers in 18 innings. Green, who has not yielded a run in 9 1/3 innings as a reliever this season, will face the Blue Jays for the first time and owns a 2.89 ERA at home.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York RHP Dellin Betances has at least one strikeout in a career-high 22 straight appearances.
2. Toronto RHP Jason Grilli has struck out 37 of the 95 batters he has faced since being acquired from Atlanta.
3. New York 2B Starlin Castro went 5-for-12 with two homers in the last series and has 14 blasts to match his career high.
PREDICTION: Blue Jays 7, Yankees 4
Preview: Padres at Rays
GAME: San Diego Padres (50-67) at Tampa Bay Rays (47-69)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 15 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Two teams looking forward to next season meet in an interleague matchup Monday when the San Diego Padres visit the Tampa Bay Rays for the opener of a three-game set. The Rays begin a 10-game homestand after losing four of the last six on the road and San Diego is 2-4 heading into the last leg of a road trip, following a 5-1 defeat against the New York Mets on Sunday.
Tampa Bay will host the Padres for the fifth time in six all-time series between the two clubs and has won nine of 15 games overall, including four straight. The Rays pounded out 15 hits in a 12-3 victory over the New York Yankees on Sunday as Evan Longoria finished the series 7-for-11 with a home run and six RBIs. Newly-acquired Matt Duffy makes his home debut after starting his Tampa Bay career by going 4-for-13 and San Diego All-Star Wil Myers will meet his former team for the first time. Myers, who boasts 23 homers this season but is 4-for-22 on the road trip, played 175 games with the Rays in 2013-2014 and batted .258 with 19 blasts.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Luis Perdomo (5-6, 6.80 ERA) vs. Rays LH Drew Smyly (4-11, 5.04)
Perdomo has dropped two straight starts while allowing nine runs (eight earned), 19 hits and seven walks over 11 2/3 innings. The 23-year-old Dominican Republic native won his previous two starts against two teams in playoff position – Toronto and Washington – on the road. Duffy (0-for-1) is the only Tampa Bay player to face Perdomo, who meets the Rays for the first time.
Smyly has strung together four solid starts, winning two and permitting seven runs total over 25 innings with 19 strikeouts and six walks. The Arkansas native boasts 130 strikeouts in 130 1/3 innings this season, but has surrendered 23 homers – two in the last four games. Alexei Ramirez is 3-for-10 versus Smyly, who is 1-3 with a 4.62 ERA in interleague play – none against the Padres.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rays, who are 7-10 in interleague play, need a three-game sweep to avoid finishing under .500 against the National League for the first time since 2010.
2. San Diego 3B Yangervis Solarte has reached 50 RBIs for the second time in his three-year career that started in the American League with the Yankees.
3. Tampa Bay CF Kevin Kiermaier is 7-for-22 with three doubles during a five-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Rays 6, Padres 3
GAME: San Diego Padres (50-67) at Tampa Bay Rays (47-69)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 15 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Two teams looking forward to next season meet in an interleague matchup Monday when the San Diego Padres visit the Tampa Bay Rays for the opener of a three-game set. The Rays begin a 10-game homestand after losing four of the last six on the road and San Diego is 2-4 heading into the last leg of a road trip, following a 5-1 defeat against the New York Mets on Sunday.
Tampa Bay will host the Padres for the fifth time in six all-time series between the two clubs and has won nine of 15 games overall, including four straight. The Rays pounded out 15 hits in a 12-3 victory over the New York Yankees on Sunday as Evan Longoria finished the series 7-for-11 with a home run and six RBIs. Newly-acquired Matt Duffy makes his home debut after starting his Tampa Bay career by going 4-for-13 and San Diego All-Star Wil Myers will meet his former team for the first time. Myers, who boasts 23 homers this season but is 4-for-22 on the road trip, played 175 games with the Rays in 2013-2014 and batted .258 with 19 blasts.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Luis Perdomo (5-6, 6.80 ERA) vs. Rays LH Drew Smyly (4-11, 5.04)
Perdomo has dropped two straight starts while allowing nine runs (eight earned), 19 hits and seven walks over 11 2/3 innings. The 23-year-old Dominican Republic native won his previous two starts against two teams in playoff position – Toronto and Washington – on the road. Duffy (0-for-1) is the only Tampa Bay player to face Perdomo, who meets the Rays for the first time.
Smyly has strung together four solid starts, winning two and permitting seven runs total over 25 innings with 19 strikeouts and six walks. The Arkansas native boasts 130 strikeouts in 130 1/3 innings this season, but has surrendered 23 homers – two in the last four games. Alexei Ramirez is 3-for-10 versus Smyly, who is 1-3 with a 4.62 ERA in interleague play – none against the Padres.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Rays, who are 7-10 in interleague play, need a three-game sweep to avoid finishing under .500 against the National League for the first time since 2010.
2. San Diego 3B Yangervis Solarte has reached 50 RBIs for the second time in his three-year career that started in the American League with the Yankees.
3. Tampa Bay CF Kevin Kiermaier is 7-for-22 with three doubles during a five-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Rays 6, Padres 3
Preview: Marlins at Reds
GAME: Miami Marlins (61-56) at Cincinnati Reds (48-68)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 15 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Miami Marlins will have to continue their march toward a playoff spot in the National League without their star slugger. Giancarlo Stanton’s season is in jeopardy due to a groin strain and he will be absent when the Marlins visit the Cincinnati Reds for the opener of a four-game series on Monday.
Stanton was injured on the last play of Saturday’s 8-7 loss to the Chicago White Sox, and an MRI on Sunday revealed a Grade 3 strain of the groin. "We're going to rehab it, and best-case scenario is a six-week return,” Miami president of baseball operations Michael Hill told reporters. “Obviously, there is still opportunity for (Stanton) to be back (by) this season's end. But obviously, it was a significant injury and we'll see how rehab goes.” The Marlins are locked in a battle with the St. Louis Cardinals for the second NL wild card while the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates are creeping up from behind. The Reds are sitting in the NL Central basement but have a chance to throw a wrench into the wild card race with the next eight games against Miami and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH David Phelps (5-6, 2.40 ERA) vs. Reds LH Brandon Finnegan (7-8, 4.45)
Phelps is making his third start since joining the rotation and was sharp in his first two chances, allowing a total of one run in 9 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old suffered the loss against San Francisco on Wednesday despite surrendering one run in five frames and has scattered nine hits across 14 1/3 innings in his last six appearances. Phelps is making his fourth career start against Cincinnati and is 1-2 with a 3.43 ERA in five appearances against the Reds.
Finnegan escaped with a no decision on Tuesday at St. Louis despite issuing six walks and surrendering two home runs among six hits in six innings. The Texas native limited the damage to three runs but was noticeably worse than in his previous two starts, when he totaled 12 scoreless innings in two wins. Finnegan is seeing the Marlins for the first time in his career and is 3-3 with a 4.31 ERA at home this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Ichiro Suzuki started in Stanton’s spot in RF on Sunday and went 0-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored.
2. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto is 12-for-21 with six RBIs and five runs scored in the last five games.
3. Miami CF Marcell Ozuna went 2-for-4 on Sunday, doubling his hit total from the previous eight games.
PREDICTION: Marlins 6, Reds 5
GAME: Miami Marlins (61-56) at Cincinnati Reds (48-68)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 15 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Miami Marlins will have to continue their march toward a playoff spot in the National League without their star slugger. Giancarlo Stanton’s season is in jeopardy due to a groin strain and he will be absent when the Marlins visit the Cincinnati Reds for the opener of a four-game series on Monday.
Stanton was injured on the last play of Saturday’s 8-7 loss to the Chicago White Sox, and an MRI on Sunday revealed a Grade 3 strain of the groin. "We're going to rehab it, and best-case scenario is a six-week return,” Miami president of baseball operations Michael Hill told reporters. “Obviously, there is still opportunity for (Stanton) to be back (by) this season's end. But obviously, it was a significant injury and we'll see how rehab goes.” The Marlins are locked in a battle with the St. Louis Cardinals for the second NL wild card while the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates are creeping up from behind. The Reds are sitting in the NL Central basement but have a chance to throw a wrench into the wild card race with the next eight games against Miami and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH David Phelps (5-6, 2.40 ERA) vs. Reds LH Brandon Finnegan (7-8, 4.45)
Phelps is making his third start since joining the rotation and was sharp in his first two chances, allowing a total of one run in 9 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old suffered the loss against San Francisco on Wednesday despite surrendering one run in five frames and has scattered nine hits across 14 1/3 innings in his last six appearances. Phelps is making his fourth career start against Cincinnati and is 1-2 with a 3.43 ERA in five appearances against the Reds.
Finnegan escaped with a no decision on Tuesday at St. Louis despite issuing six walks and surrendering two home runs among six hits in six innings. The Texas native limited the damage to three runs but was noticeably worse than in his previous two starts, when he totaled 12 scoreless innings in two wins. Finnegan is seeing the Marlins for the first time in his career and is 3-3 with a 4.31 ERA at home this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Ichiro Suzuki started in Stanton’s spot in RF on Sunday and went 0-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored.
2. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto is 12-for-21 with six RBIs and five runs scored in the last five games.
3. Miami CF Marcell Ozuna went 2-for-4 on Sunday, doubling his hit total from the previous eight games.
PREDICTION: Marlins 6, Reds 5
Preview: Royals at Tigers
GAME: Kansas City Royals (57-60) at Detroit Tigers (63-54)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 15 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The defending champion Kansas City Royals aren’t likely to win a third straight American League pennant but have a chance to play spoiler down the stretch with 15 games left against the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers. The Royals will take their first crack at knocking the Tigers down in the race when they visit Detroit for the opener of a three-game series on Monday.
Kansas City began its spoiler role by taking back-to-back games from AL East-leading Toronto on Aug. 6 and 7, beginning a string of six wins in the last eight games. The Royals, who are coming off an 11-4 drubbing of the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, can impact the wild card races in both leagues with series at Boston and Miami before the end of the month. The Tigers pulled out of a five-game skid with back-to-back shutouts of the Texas Rangers on Saturday and Sunday and sit 1 1/2 games behind the Red Sox in the race for the second AL wild card. The Detroit staff allowed three runs or fewer in five of the last seven games but only managed two wins in that span as the offense averaged three runs.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, FSN Kansas City, FSN Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Ian Kennedy (6-9, 3.91 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Daniel Norris (1-0, 4.00)
Kennedy is trying to snap an eight-start winless streak and has been much stronger of late. The USC product allowed a total of two runs in 19 1/3 innings over his last three starts and three earned runs or fewer in eight of 10 but has not gotten a lot of support from the offense. Kennedy allowed one run and four hits in 5 1/3 innings without factoring in the decision at Detroit on July 15 and lost to the Tigers on April 20 despite allowing only two runs in 6 1/3 frames.
Norris is making his second straight start and looking for his first win since rejoining the rotation last week. The 23-year-old scattered one run and seven hits across five-plus innings at Seattle on Tuesday but was held out of the decision in a game the Tigers went on to lose 6-5. Norris is seeing Kansas City for the first time this season and is trying to improve on his 1-0 record and 4.50 ERA at home.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tigers RF J.D. Martinez is 9-for-22 with a pair of home runs during a five-game hitting streak.
2. Kansas City RF Paulo Orlando is 8-for-14 in his last three games and recorded multiple hits in seven of the last 10 contests.
3. Detroit CF Cameron Maybin (thumb) has yet to swing a bat since going down on Aug. 4, but could take some swings on the homestand.
PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Royals 4
GAME: Kansas City Royals (57-60) at Detroit Tigers (63-54)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 15 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The defending champion Kansas City Royals aren’t likely to win a third straight American League pennant but have a chance to play spoiler down the stretch with 15 games left against the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers. The Royals will take their first crack at knocking the Tigers down in the race when they visit Detroit for the opener of a three-game series on Monday.
Kansas City began its spoiler role by taking back-to-back games from AL East-leading Toronto on Aug. 6 and 7, beginning a string of six wins in the last eight games. The Royals, who are coming off an 11-4 drubbing of the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, can impact the wild card races in both leagues with series at Boston and Miami before the end of the month. The Tigers pulled out of a five-game skid with back-to-back shutouts of the Texas Rangers on Saturday and Sunday and sit 1 1/2 games behind the Red Sox in the race for the second AL wild card. The Detroit staff allowed three runs or fewer in five of the last seven games but only managed two wins in that span as the offense averaged three runs.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, FSN Kansas City, FSN Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Ian Kennedy (6-9, 3.91 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Daniel Norris (1-0, 4.00)
Kennedy is trying to snap an eight-start winless streak and has been much stronger of late. The USC product allowed a total of two runs in 19 1/3 innings over his last three starts and three earned runs or fewer in eight of 10 but has not gotten a lot of support from the offense. Kennedy allowed one run and four hits in 5 1/3 innings without factoring in the decision at Detroit on July 15 and lost to the Tigers on April 20 despite allowing only two runs in 6 1/3 frames.
Norris is making his second straight start and looking for his first win since rejoining the rotation last week. The 23-year-old scattered one run and seven hits across five-plus innings at Seattle on Tuesday but was held out of the decision in a game the Tigers went on to lose 6-5. Norris is seeing Kansas City for the first time this season and is trying to improve on his 1-0 record and 4.50 ERA at home.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tigers RF J.D. Martinez is 9-for-22 with a pair of home runs during a five-game hitting streak.
2. Kansas City RF Paulo Orlando is 8-for-14 in his last three games and recorded multiple hits in seven of the last 10 contests.
3. Detroit CF Cameron Maybin (thumb) has yet to swing a bat since going down on Aug. 4, but could take some swings on the homestand.
PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Royals 4
Preview: Athletics at Rangers
GAME: Oakland Athletics (52-66) at Texas Rangers (69-50)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 15 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Texas Rangers are among the American League's best offensive teams, but they are coming off a pair of putrid showings and a franchise first they would just as soon forget. The AL West-leading Rangers hope to rebound from consecutive shutout losses Monday when they begin a three-game set at home against the Oakland Athletics.
Texas (69-50) saw its division lead over surging Seattle shrink to 5 1/2 games following Sunday's 7-0 setback against Detroit, marking the first time the team was blanked in back-to-back games within a three-game series at Globe Life Park since the venue opened in 1994. Worse yet, the Rangers - fourth in the AL with 554 runs scored - have not crossed the plate in their last 21 innings after scoring eight times over the first five frames in Friday's series-opening win versus the Tigers. The Athletics concluded a 10-game homestand (4-6) with Sunday's 8-4 setback to Seattle but took two of three in Texas from July 25-27. Khris Davis, who went deep in each game against the Mariners over the weekend, is hitting .419 with seven home runs and 19 RBIs against the Rangers this season, including a two-homer, three-RBI effort in their last meeting.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), FSN Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Ross Detwiler (1-0, 2.13 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Martin Perez (7-8, 4.22)
Detwiler dazzled in his first big-league turn since May 14, 2015, in a win over Baltimore on Wednesday, holding the Orioles to six hits without a walk in a career-high eight scoreless frames. The victory was the Missouri native's first as a starter since May 10, 2013, and came nearly a month after he was acquired from Cleveland for cash considerations. Detwiler, who went 0-5 with a 7.12 ERA in 17 games (seven starts) with the Rangers last year before they released him, will face Texas for the first time.
Perez settled for a no-decision Wednesday versus Colorado, limiting the Rockies to one run on four hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old Venezuelan is 6-1 with a 2.47 ERA in 12 home outings this season (1-7, 6.00 in 12 road turns) but must show better control, as he is tied for fifth in the majors with 60 walks. Perez is 1-1 in three starts versus the Athletics in 2016 and did not factor into the decision against them on July 25 after giving up five runs (three earned) across six frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre, who has 99 career homers at Globe Life Park, needs one more to pass Hall-of-Famer Cal Ripken Jr. (431) and move into sole possession of 47th place on the all-time list.
2. Davis has 50 home runs and 116 RBIs over his last 162 games.
3. Perez has induced a MLB-high 31 ground-ball double plays this season, tied with C.J. Wilson for the most by a Texas pitcher in a single season.
PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Athletics 3
GAME: Oakland Athletics (52-66) at Texas Rangers (69-50)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 15 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Texas Rangers are among the American League's best offensive teams, but they are coming off a pair of putrid showings and a franchise first they would just as soon forget. The AL West-leading Rangers hope to rebound from consecutive shutout losses Monday when they begin a three-game set at home against the Oakland Athletics.
Texas (69-50) saw its division lead over surging Seattle shrink to 5 1/2 games following Sunday's 7-0 setback against Detroit, marking the first time the team was blanked in back-to-back games within a three-game series at Globe Life Park since the venue opened in 1994. Worse yet, the Rangers - fourth in the AL with 554 runs scored - have not crossed the plate in their last 21 innings after scoring eight times over the first five frames in Friday's series-opening win versus the Tigers. The Athletics concluded a 10-game homestand (4-6) with Sunday's 8-4 setback to Seattle but took two of three in Texas from July 25-27. Khris Davis, who went deep in each game against the Mariners over the weekend, is hitting .419 with seven home runs and 19 RBIs against the Rangers this season, including a two-homer, three-RBI effort in their last meeting.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), FSN Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Ross Detwiler (1-0, 2.13 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Martin Perez (7-8, 4.22)
Detwiler dazzled in his first big-league turn since May 14, 2015, in a win over Baltimore on Wednesday, holding the Orioles to six hits without a walk in a career-high eight scoreless frames. The victory was the Missouri native's first as a starter since May 10, 2013, and came nearly a month after he was acquired from Cleveland for cash considerations. Detwiler, who went 0-5 with a 7.12 ERA in 17 games (seven starts) with the Rangers last year before they released him, will face Texas for the first time.
Perez settled for a no-decision Wednesday versus Colorado, limiting the Rockies to one run on four hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old Venezuelan is 6-1 with a 2.47 ERA in 12 home outings this season (1-7, 6.00 in 12 road turns) but must show better control, as he is tied for fifth in the majors with 60 walks. Perez is 1-1 in three starts versus the Athletics in 2016 and did not factor into the decision against them on July 25 after giving up five runs (three earned) across six frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre, who has 99 career homers at Globe Life Park, needs one more to pass Hall-of-Famer Cal Ripken Jr. (431) and move into sole possession of 47th place on the all-time list.
2. Davis has 50 home runs and 116 RBIs over his last 162 games.
3. Perez has induced a MLB-high 31 ground-ball double plays this season, tied with C.J. Wilson for the most by a Texas pitcher in a single season.
PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Athletics 3
Preview: Nationals at Rockies
GAME: Washington Nationals (69-47) at Colorado Rockies (56-62)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 15 - 8:40 PM EST
WHERE: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Max Scherzer carries a hot streak into one of the few places he has yet to solve when he leads the Washington Nationals into the first of three games at the Colorado Rockies on Monday. Scherzer, who owns a 1.44 ERA over his last eight starts, is 0-3 with a 5.32 ERA in four career starts at Coors Field.
Fortunately for Scherzer, he will be facing a Rockies team that has dropped seven of eight and nine of its last 11, including three in a row at Philadelphia over the weekend. The Nationals are coming off a 5-3 homestand capped by Sunday's 9-1 rout of the Atlanta Braves, which kept Washington 8 1/2 games clear of the pack in the National League East. Bryce Harper (neck) returned from a five-game absence to go 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored, while Anthony Rendon homered and drove in four runs. The Nationals will need to be wary of red-hot center fielder Charlie Blackmon, who has gone deep six times in the last four games for the Rockies.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), ROOT (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Max Scherzer (12-7, 2.80 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Jorge De La Rosa (7-7, 5.25)
Scherzer has struck out at least 10 batters in his last two outings and has seven such efforts in his last 11 starts. He was a hard-luck loser his last time out after giving up two runs (one earned) and three hits in seven innings of a 3-1 loss to Cleveland on Tuesday. The 32-year-old has done well against most Colorado hitters, although Carlos Gonzalez is 3-for-10 with three homers and a pair of walks versus the four-time All-Star.
De La Rosa, who will be pitching in his 300th career game (235th start), gave up three runs in five innings in a no-decision at Texas on Wednesday. He has allowed three or fewer runs in 10 of his last 11 starts and surrendered only one home run over a span of six appearances. The 35-year-old is 5-2 with a 3.71 ERA in 10 starts against the Nationals.
WALK-OFFS
1. Nationals LF Jayson Werth has reached base in a career-high 42 straight games, the longest streak in the majors this season and one shy of 1B Ryan Zimmerman's club record in 2009.
2. Blackmon is 23-for-42 with eight home runs, 14 RBIs and seven multi-hit games over his last nine contests.
3. Washington 2B/OF Trea Turner is 9-for-19 with seven runs scored during his four-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Rockies 3
GAME: Washington Nationals (69-47) at Colorado Rockies (56-62)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 15 - 8:40 PM EST
WHERE: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Max Scherzer carries a hot streak into one of the few places he has yet to solve when he leads the Washington Nationals into the first of three games at the Colorado Rockies on Monday. Scherzer, who owns a 1.44 ERA over his last eight starts, is 0-3 with a 5.32 ERA in four career starts at Coors Field.
Fortunately for Scherzer, he will be facing a Rockies team that has dropped seven of eight and nine of its last 11, including three in a row at Philadelphia over the weekend. The Nationals are coming off a 5-3 homestand capped by Sunday's 9-1 rout of the Atlanta Braves, which kept Washington 8 1/2 games clear of the pack in the National League East. Bryce Harper (neck) returned from a five-game absence to go 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored, while Anthony Rendon homered and drove in four runs. The Nationals will need to be wary of red-hot center fielder Charlie Blackmon, who has gone deep six times in the last four games for the Rockies.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), ROOT (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Max Scherzer (12-7, 2.80 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Jorge De La Rosa (7-7, 5.25)
Scherzer has struck out at least 10 batters in his last two outings and has seven such efforts in his last 11 starts. He was a hard-luck loser his last time out after giving up two runs (one earned) and three hits in seven innings of a 3-1 loss to Cleveland on Tuesday. The 32-year-old has done well against most Colorado hitters, although Carlos Gonzalez is 3-for-10 with three homers and a pair of walks versus the four-time All-Star.
De La Rosa, who will be pitching in his 300th career game (235th start), gave up three runs in five innings in a no-decision at Texas on Wednesday. He has allowed three or fewer runs in 10 of his last 11 starts and surrendered only one home run over a span of six appearances. The 35-year-old is 5-2 with a 3.71 ERA in 10 starts against the Nationals.
WALK-OFFS
1. Nationals LF Jayson Werth has reached base in a career-high 42 straight games, the longest streak in the majors this season and one shy of 1B Ryan Zimmerman's club record in 2009.
2. Blackmon is 23-for-42 with eight home runs, 14 RBIs and seven multi-hit games over his last nine contests.
3. Washington 2B/OF Trea Turner is 9-for-19 with seven runs scored during his four-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Rockies 3
Preview: Mets at Diamondbacks
GAME: New York Mets (59-58) at Arizona Diamondbacks (48-69)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 15 - 9:40 PM EST
WHERE: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The last time the New York Mets faced the Arizona Diamondbacks they were embarrassed in front of their home crowd and received a tongue-lashing from manager Terry Collins. After seemingly righting the ship over the weekend, the Mets will seek a measure of revenge when they begin a three-game series at Arizona on Monday.
Collins was steamed following a 9-0 loss and a three-game sweep at the hands of the Diamondbacks last week and let his team know by unleashing a diatribe in his postgame media session before conducting a closed-door meeting with players in the clubhouse. New York lost again the next day to San Diego but recovered to take two straight from the Padres over the weekend. Wilmer Flores, who had the game-winning RBI in an extra-inning triumph on Saturday, homered in Sunday's 5-1 win, which lifted the Mets back over .500 (59-58) and kept them within two games of the second wild-card spot in the National League entering Sunday night. The Diamondbacks were unable to maintain their momentum from the sweep at Citi Field, as they were outscored 31-9 in three consecutive losses at Fenway Park over the weekend.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FSN Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Bartolo Colon (10-6, 3.35 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (5-11, 4.57)
Colon's 500th career game (491st start) will be his second in six days against the Diamondbacks, whom he held to a run in seven strong innings in a no-decision on Wednesday. That marked the third time in four starts that the 43-year-old has lasted beyond six innings while allowing exactly one run. He is 0-1 with a 3.20 ERA in his career versus Arizona.
Ray has tossed seven scoreless innings in two of his last five outings, including Wednesday opposite Colon. He owns a 5.40 ERA at home and gave up six runs (five earned) in six innings of a loss against Washington in his previous outing at Chase Field. The Tennessee native is unscored upon in two starts spanning 12 career innings against the Mets but failed to factor into the decision either time.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mets 2B Neil Walker also homered Sunday and is hitting .444 with five home runs in his last 18 games.
2. Diamondbacks 3B Jake Lamb is hitless in 21 at-bats over his last six games.
3. Arizona is 19-39 at home, compared to 29-30 on the road.
PREDICTION: Mets 4, Diamondbacks 3
GAME: New York Mets (59-58) at Arizona Diamondbacks (48-69)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 15 - 9:40 PM EST
WHERE: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The last time the New York Mets faced the Arizona Diamondbacks they were embarrassed in front of their home crowd and received a tongue-lashing from manager Terry Collins. After seemingly righting the ship over the weekend, the Mets will seek a measure of revenge when they begin a three-game series at Arizona on Monday.
Collins was steamed following a 9-0 loss and a three-game sweep at the hands of the Diamondbacks last week and let his team know by unleashing a diatribe in his postgame media session before conducting a closed-door meeting with players in the clubhouse. New York lost again the next day to San Diego but recovered to take two straight from the Padres over the weekend. Wilmer Flores, who had the game-winning RBI in an extra-inning triumph on Saturday, homered in Sunday's 5-1 win, which lifted the Mets back over .500 (59-58) and kept them within two games of the second wild-card spot in the National League entering Sunday night. The Diamondbacks were unable to maintain their momentum from the sweep at Citi Field, as they were outscored 31-9 in three consecutive losses at Fenway Park over the weekend.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FSN Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Bartolo Colon (10-6, 3.35 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (5-11, 4.57)
Colon's 500th career game (491st start) will be his second in six days against the Diamondbacks, whom he held to a run in seven strong innings in a no-decision on Wednesday. That marked the third time in four starts that the 43-year-old has lasted beyond six innings while allowing exactly one run. He is 0-1 with a 3.20 ERA in his career versus Arizona.
Ray has tossed seven scoreless innings in two of his last five outings, including Wednesday opposite Colon. He owns a 5.40 ERA at home and gave up six runs (five earned) in six innings of a loss against Washington in his previous outing at Chase Field. The Tennessee native is unscored upon in two starts spanning 12 career innings against the Mets but failed to factor into the decision either time.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mets 2B Neil Walker also homered Sunday and is hitting .444 with five home runs in his last 18 games.
2. Diamondbacks 3B Jake Lamb is hitless in 21 at-bats over his last six games.
3. Arizona is 19-39 at home, compared to 29-30 on the road.
PREDICTION: Mets 4, Diamondbacks 3
Trends - Toronto at NY Yankees
W/L Trends
Toronto
•Blue Jays are 7-1 in their last 8 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
• Blue Jays are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Blue Jays are 5-1 in their last 6 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Blue Jays are 4-1 in their last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Blue Jays are 17-7 in their last 24 vs. American League East.
• Blue Jays are 7-3 in their last 10 road games.
• Blue Jays are 7-3 in their last 10 games on grass.
• Blue Jays are 38-18 in their last 56 games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Blue Jays are 1-4 in their last 5 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Blue Jays are 4-1 in Dickeys last 5 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Blue Jays are 4-9 in Dickeys last 13 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Blue Jays are 8-20 in Dickeys last 28 starts vs. American League East.
• Blue Jays are 2-10 in Dickeys last 12 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
NY Yankees
•Yankees are 5-0 in their last 5 games following a loss.
• Yankees are 4-0 in their last 4 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
• Yankees are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. American League East.
• Yankees are 4-1 in their last 5 overall.
• Yankees are 4-1 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
• Yankees are 4-1 in their last 5 games on grass.
• Yankees are 7-2 in their last 9 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Yankees are 6-2 in their last 8 during game 1 of a series.
• Yankees are 9-4 in their last 13 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Yankees are 11-5 in their last 16 home games.
OU Trends
Toronto
•Under is 7-0 in Blue Jays last 7 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Under is 7-0 in Blue Jays last 7 on grass.
• Under is 9-1 in Blue Jays last 10 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
• Under is 7-1 in Blue Jays last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Under is 6-1 in Blue Jays last 7 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Under is 9-2 in Blue Jays last 11 games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Under is 11-3 in Blue Jays last 14 overall.
• Under is 6-2 in Blue Jays last 8 games following a win.
• Under is 9-3 in Blue Jays last 12 during game 1 of a series.
• Under is 23-8-1 in Blue Jays last 32 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
• Under is 20-7-1 in Blue Jays last 28 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 8-3 in Blue Jays last 11 vs. American League East.
• Over is 5-2 in Blue Jays last 7 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Under is 35-17-3 in Blue Jays last 55 road games.
• Over is 4-0 in Dickeys last 4 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Under is 14-3-1 in Dickeys last 18 starts during game 1 of a series.
• Over is 4-1 in Dickeys last 5 starts with 6 days of rest.
• Over is 4-1 in Dickeys last 5 starts overall.
• Under is 8-2-1 in Dickeys last 11 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Under is 4-1 in Dickeys last 5 starts vs. American League East.
• Under is 7-2-1 in Dickeys last 10 starts on grass.
• Under is 7-2-2 in Dickeys last 11 road starts.
• Under is 24-8-2 in Dickeys last 34 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Under is 5-2-1 in Dickeys last 8 Monday starts.
• Under is 5-2-1 in Dickeys last 8 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
NY Yankees
•Over is 6-1 in Yankees last 7 games following a loss.
• Under is 9-2 in Yankees last 11 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
• Over is 4-1 in Yankees last 5 overall.
• Over is 4-1 in Yankees last 5 on grass.
• Over is 4-1 in Yankees last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
• Over is 4-1 in Yankees last 5 vs. American League East.
• Under is 4-1 in Yankees last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Under is 14-5 in Yankees last 19 home games.
• Under is 11-4 in Yankees last 15 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Under is 19-7-1 in Yankees last 27 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 4-0 in Greens last 4 starts on grass.
• Over is 4-0 in Greens last 4 starts overall.
Head to Head
•Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
• Under is 10-1 in Dickeys last 11 starts vs. Yankees.
• Under is 6-1 in Dickeys last 7 road starts vs. Yankees.
• Blue Jays are 19-7 in the last 26 meetings.
• Blue Jays are 18-37 in the last 55 meetings in New York.
• Blue Jays are 1-6 in Dickeys last 7 road starts vs. Yankees.
Umpire Trends - Name unavailable
No trends available.
W/L Trends
Toronto
•Blue Jays are 7-1 in their last 8 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
• Blue Jays are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Blue Jays are 5-1 in their last 6 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Blue Jays are 4-1 in their last 5 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Blue Jays are 17-7 in their last 24 vs. American League East.
• Blue Jays are 7-3 in their last 10 road games.
• Blue Jays are 7-3 in their last 10 games on grass.
• Blue Jays are 38-18 in their last 56 games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Blue Jays are 1-4 in their last 5 after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Blue Jays are 4-1 in Dickeys last 5 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Blue Jays are 4-9 in Dickeys last 13 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Blue Jays are 8-20 in Dickeys last 28 starts vs. American League East.
• Blue Jays are 2-10 in Dickeys last 12 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
NY Yankees
•Yankees are 5-0 in their last 5 games following a loss.
• Yankees are 4-0 in their last 4 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
• Yankees are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. American League East.
• Yankees are 4-1 in their last 5 overall.
• Yankees are 4-1 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
• Yankees are 4-1 in their last 5 games on grass.
• Yankees are 7-2 in their last 9 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Yankees are 6-2 in their last 8 during game 1 of a series.
• Yankees are 9-4 in their last 13 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Yankees are 11-5 in their last 16 home games.
OU Trends
Toronto
•Under is 7-0 in Blue Jays last 7 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Under is 7-0 in Blue Jays last 7 on grass.
• Under is 9-1 in Blue Jays last 10 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
• Under is 7-1 in Blue Jays last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Under is 6-1 in Blue Jays last 7 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
• Under is 9-2 in Blue Jays last 11 games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Under is 11-3 in Blue Jays last 14 overall.
• Under is 6-2 in Blue Jays last 8 games following a win.
• Under is 9-3 in Blue Jays last 12 during game 1 of a series.
• Under is 23-8-1 in Blue Jays last 32 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
• Under is 20-7-1 in Blue Jays last 28 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 8-3 in Blue Jays last 11 vs. American League East.
• Over is 5-2 in Blue Jays last 7 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Under is 35-17-3 in Blue Jays last 55 road games.
• Over is 4-0 in Dickeys last 4 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
• Under is 14-3-1 in Dickeys last 18 starts during game 1 of a series.
• Over is 4-1 in Dickeys last 5 starts with 6 days of rest.
• Over is 4-1 in Dickeys last 5 starts overall.
• Under is 8-2-1 in Dickeys last 11 starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Under is 4-1 in Dickeys last 5 starts vs. American League East.
• Under is 7-2-1 in Dickeys last 10 starts on grass.
• Under is 7-2-2 in Dickeys last 11 road starts.
• Under is 24-8-2 in Dickeys last 34 road starts vs. a team with a winning record.
• Under is 5-2-1 in Dickeys last 8 Monday starts.
• Under is 5-2-1 in Dickeys last 8 starts after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
NY Yankees
•Over is 6-1 in Yankees last 7 games following a loss.
• Under is 9-2 in Yankees last 11 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
• Over is 4-1 in Yankees last 5 overall.
• Over is 4-1 in Yankees last 5 on grass.
• Over is 4-1 in Yankees last 5 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
• Over is 4-1 in Yankees last 5 vs. American League East.
• Under is 4-1 in Yankees last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
• Under is 14-5 in Yankees last 19 home games.
• Under is 11-4 in Yankees last 15 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
• Under is 19-7-1 in Yankees last 27 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
• Over is 4-0 in Greens last 4 starts on grass.
• Over is 4-0 in Greens last 4 starts overall.
Head to Head
•Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
• Under is 10-1 in Dickeys last 11 starts vs. Yankees.
• Under is 6-1 in Dickeys last 7 road starts vs. Yankees.
• Blue Jays are 19-7 in the last 26 meetings.
• Blue Jays are 18-37 in the last 55 meetings in New York.
• Blue Jays are 1-6 in Dickeys last 7 road starts vs. Yankees.
Umpire Trends - Name unavailable
No trends available.
