Monday 8/17/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

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MLB

Monday, August 17

Trend Report

7:05 PM
ARIZONA vs. PITTSBURGH
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Arizona's last 12 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Arizona's last 9 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Pittsburgh's last 12 games at home

7:05 PM
MINNESOTA vs. NY YANKEES
Minnesota is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games
NY Yankees are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 7 of NY Yankees's last 8 games when playing Minnesota

7:05 PM
OAKLAND vs. BALTIMORE
Oakland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Oakland's last 11 games when playing Baltimore
Baltimore is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Baltimore is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Oakland

7:10 PM
CLEVELAND vs. BOSTON
Cleveland is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Boston
Cleveland is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games

8:05 PM
SEATTLE vs. TEXAS
Seattle is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Texas
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing on the road against Texas
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Texas's last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle
Texas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

8:10 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. HOUSTON
Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Tampa Bay's last 13 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Houston's last 13 games when playing Tampa Bay
Houston is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay

8:10 PM
MIAMI vs. MILWAUKEE
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Miami's last 8 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games
Milwaukee is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games when playing at home against Miami

8:15 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. ST. LOUIS
San Francisco is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing St. Louis
San Francisco is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
St. Louis is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
St. Louis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Francisco

10:05 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. LA ANGELS
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chi White Sox's last 7 games on the road
Chi White Sox are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of LA Angels's last 23 games at home
LA Angels are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox

10:10 PM
ATLANTA vs. SAN DIEGO
Atlanta is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Diego
Atlanta is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing San Diego
San Diego is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Diego's last 6 games at home

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Athletics at Orioles

GAME: Oakland Athletics (51-68) at Baltimore Orioles (60-56)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 17 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
LINE: 100, -108 TOTAL: 7.5

A return home for the Baltimore Orioles has not only erased the bitter taste left behind after getting no-hit to wrap a nine-game road trip, but has seemingly brought their offense back to life. After putting together a 26-hit attack in Sunday’s 18-2 rout of Oakland, the Orioles eye their first four-game sweep of the Athletics since 1987 on Monday when the teams wrap up their series in Baltimore.


Seattle’s Hisashi Iwakuma held the Orioles hitless on Wednesday, but Baltimore has clubbed 10 homers – including walk-off shots in the first two contests – and totaled 30 runs in three games against the free-falling Athletics. The 26 hits on Sunday matched the franchise record set on Aug. 28, 1980, and marked the third time this season the Orioles tallied least 18 runs. Baltimore has outscored Oakland 46-21 en route to going 5-1 this season against the American League’s worst team and will attempt to pull off its first four-game home sweep of the Athletics in team history in the finale. Oakland (51-68) has lost 10 of 11 overall away from home – including a season-high seven straight – and will turn to ace Sonny Gray in hopes of avoiding its first winless road trip of six or more games since May 18-23, 1999.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), MASN (Baltimore)


PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Sonny Gray (12-4, 2.06 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Chris Tillman (8-7, 4.66)

Gray missed his last scheduled start on Thursday due to back spasms but has been cleared to resume normal activities and looks to extend his four-start streak of allowing two runs or fewer. One of the two complete games the No. 18 overall selection of the 2011 draft pitched over that stretch came in his last outing on Aug. 7 – a 3-1 win versus Houston – when he permitted one run on five hits. Gray will face Baltimore for the first time this season as he looks to improve on his 1-2 record and 7.04 ERA in three starts against the Orioles.

Tillman was tagged for five runs on eight hits over 2 1/3 innings in Tuesday’s 6-5 setback in Seattle and took a line drive off his right triceps for his troubles after entering the contest with a sprained left ankle. The 27-year-old had been spectacular over his three previous second-half outings, going 2-0 while holding Detroit, Tampa Bay and Atlanta to a total of one run and seven hits in 23 2/3 frames. Tillman has enjoyed similar success in four career starts against Oakland, going 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA.


WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland 1B Ike Davis tossed a scoreless inning of relief on Sunday for the second time this season. One of the batters he faced was RH Danny Garcia, marking the first time an AL position player took the mound against an AL pitcher since 1987.

2. The Athletics’ starting pitchers have allowed 28 runs in the first six games of this road trip after yielding 19 during the 11-game homestand that preceded it.

3. Orioles C Matt Wieters (strained right hamstring) missed his fourth straight game on Sunday and is a candidate for the disabled list if he doesn’t improve by Monday, according to manager Buck Showalter.


PREDICTION: Orioles 3, Athletics 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins at Yankees

GAME: Minnesota Twins (59-58) at New York Yankees (64-52)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 17 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
LINE: 150, -163 TOTAL: 8.5

The New York Yankees made it through a key series over the weekend with a slim lead in the American League East. The Yankees will try to pad that advantage at the expense of the Minnesota Twins, who visit New York for the start of a three-game series on Monday while hanging around in the AL wild-card race.

The Yankees took two of three from the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend but dropped Sunday’s finale and hold a half-game lead in the division. New York now begins a 10-game homestand and is trying to find more offense from a lineup that has been held to two or fewer runs in seven of the last 11 games, going 4-7 over that span. The Twins are one game above .500 (59-58) but stand only 1 1/2 games out of the second wild-card spot and will have a chance to play their way in or out of the race on a 10-game road trip that goes through New York, Baltimore and Tampa Bay. Minnesota will hand Kyle Gibson the ball to begin the trip while the Yankees counter with inconsistent veteran CC Sabathia.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), WPIX (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Kyle Gibson (8-9, 3.75 ERA) vs. Yankees LH CC Sabathia (4-9, 5.23)

Gibson is winless in his last five starts but was strong against Texas last time out, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out seven in six innings. The Missouri product has sandwiched a pair of quality starts around a dud at Toronto on August 6, when he was lit up for eight runs in 4 2/3 frames. Gibson was not much better against New York on July 26, yielding six runs on as many hits and a pair of walks in 5 1/3 innings to absorb the loss.

Sabathia is winless in his last five outings as well but posted three quality starts in that span, including the last two. The burly veteran held Cleveland to two runs in six innings on Wednesday but suffered the loss in a 2-1 final. Sabathia was not at his best at Minnesota on July 25, when he served up five runs on six hits – two homers – in 5 2/3 innings without factoring in the decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Yankees took two of three at the Twins last month and has not lost the season series since 2001.

2. Minnesota 2B Brian Dozier is 3-for-22 over his last six games.

3. New York CF Jacoby Ellsbury is 7-for-18 with a home run and a triple in the last four contests.

PREDICTION: Twins 5, Yankees 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks at Pirates

GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (57-59) at Pittsburgh Pirates (69-46)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 17 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
LINE: 174, -190 TOTAL: 7

The Pittsburgh Pirates have imposed their will on a number of opponents in 2015, leading the majors with 13 sweeps after completing one in New York against the National League East-leading Mets over the weekend. The Pirates notched their second sweep of the season when they visited Arizona in late April and will look to continue their mastery of the Diamondbacks when they open a three-game set at home on Monday.


Pittsburgh shook off a series loss in St. Louis to begin a six-game road trip by completing a season sweep of the Mets, as well as its first series sweep in New York since 2004. The Pirates pummeled the Mets by a combined 37-10 score in their six meetings this year and enjoyed similar success silencing the bats of the Diamondbacks from April 24-26, when they outscored Arizona 14-2. The Diamondbacks’ Nick Ahmed broke up Shelby Miller’s bid for a no-hitter in the eighth inning on Sunday, but the club lost the rubber match of its three-game set in Atlanta when the Braves’ Cameron Maybin led off the 10th with a home run. Arizona has dropped three of four after a 12-5 stretch and will turn to Jeremy Hellickson, who hasn’t won on the road since May 30 in Milwaukee.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, ROOT (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Jeremy Hellickson (8-8, 4.73 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Gerrit Cole (14-6, 2.48)

Hellickson flashed the dominance Arizona was hoping for when it acquired him from Tampa Bay in November, allowing an unearned run in eight innings of a 13-1 victory over Philadelphia on Tuesday. The 28-year-old Iowa native had surrendered 11 runs (10 earned) over eight frames during his previous two outings, which was in stark contrast to his 2-1 mark and 1.88 ERA in four turns last month. Hellickson took the loss in his only career start against the Pirates on April 26, giving up four runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Cole became the majors’ first 14-game winner on July 26 but saw his winless streak reach three starts after yielding four runs (three earned) over 5 1/3 innings during a 4-2 loss at St. Louis on Wednesday. The 11th overall selection of the 2011 draft, who has experienced only one stretch of four winless outings in his career, is 8-2 with a 2.76 ERA at home this season. Cole got the decision in a 4-1 victory at Arizona on April 24 after yielding one run over 7 2/3 frames to improve to 2-0 in two career starts versus the Diamondbacks.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pittsburgh RH Arquimedes Caminero got the victory in relief on Sunday, the 16th straight winning decision by the Pirates' bullpen. It’s the longest such stretch in the majors since the Pirates garnered 22 in a row in 1909.

2. Arizona LF David Peralta recorded one of his team’s three hits on Sunday and is 17-of-34 with two home runs and 13 RBIs over his last 10 games.

3. Pirates 3B Aramis Ramirez is 15-for-44 with 11 RBIs in his last 11 games after going 4-for-30 with two RBIs over his first seven contests following his acquisition from Milwaukee in late July.

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Diamondbacks 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians at Red Sox

GAME: Cleveland Indians (54-62) at Boston Red Sox (52-65)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 17 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
LINE: -143, 132 TOTAL: 9

Terry Francona enjoyed a lot of success as the manager of the Boston Red Sox, including a pair of World Series titles, and had a strong beginning to his tenure with the Cleveland Indians. But when Francona brings his Indians to Boston for the start of a three-game series on Monday, both teams will just be trying to scratch their way out of last place in their respective divisions.

Francona will also get a chance to visit with his former pitching coach and current Red Sox manager John Farrell, who revealed he was diagnosed with lymphoma on Friday. Farrell will not manage for the rest of the season while he receives treatment but is around the team in Boston and watched as the Red Sox put up 45 runs and 60 hits while taking two of three from the Seattle Mariners over the weekend. Francona watched his offense go into a two-day slump over the weekend in back-to-back 4-1 losses to the Minnesota Twins, robbing the Indians of a chance to claim a third straight series win. Cleveland will send Danny Salazar to the mound to try to slow down Boston’s attack while Matt Barnes makes his first major-league start for the Red Sox.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Danny Salazar (10-6, 3.26 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Matt Barnes (3-2, 5.64)

Salazar has put together six straight quality starts and allowed one or no earned runs in each of his last three turns. The 25-year-old struck out eight and allowed one run on four hits and five walks over 7 1/3 innings to earn a win over the New York Yankees on Wednesday. Salazar is making his first appearance against Boston and is 5-4 with a 3.35 ERA in 12 road starts this season.

Barnes is being summoned from Triple-A to take over the rotation spot vacated by knuckleballer Steven Wright (concussion). Barnes made 21 relief appearances for the Red Sox this season before being sent down to Pawtucket and moving back into the rotation. The Connecticut native allowed 12 runs – 10 earned – in 6 2/3 innings spread over 10 appearances as a reliever at Fenway Park this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox OF Jackie Bradley Jr. is 14-for-27 with 13 RBIs, 12 runs scored and 10 extra-base hits in the last six games.

2. Cleveland LF Michael Brantley (left shoulder) could return to the lineup on Monday and serve as DH.

3. Boston 3B Pablo Sandoval (elbow) and LF Hanley Ramirez (foot) remain day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Indians 8, Red Sox 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners at Rangers

GAME: Seattle Mariners (55-63) at Texas Rangers (59-57)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 17 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
LINE: 128, -139 TOTAL: 8.5

The Texas Rangers haven't gotten much out of prized trade acquisition Cole Hamels but remain a strong playoff contender as they continue a six-game homestand with three against the Seattle Mariners beginning Monday. Hamels missed his last start because of a groin injury but was cleared to take the ball Monday and hopes to begin doing his part to help Texas try to climb past Baltimore and the Los Angeles Angels in the American League wild-card race or possibly catch Houston in the West.

"Everything felt pretty good. I was able to throw all my pitches with the type of execution I would in a game," Hamels told reporters after a bullpen session Friday. "Nothing was irritating or nothing was in the back of my mind that I was having to think about." The Rangers, who lost two of three in Seattle from Aug. 7-9 - including Hamels' last start, are coming off a three-game sweep of Tampa Bay and have won four straight overall and seven in a row at home. Texas (59-57) sits one game behind Baltimore and one-half game in back of Los Angeles while trailing Houston by four and has 17 contests remaining against those clubs, including seven apiece versus the Angels and Astros. Taijuan Walker is unbeaten in five starts (1-0) as he goes to the hill for Seattle (55-63), which allowed 45 runs in losing two of three in Boston this weekend.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Seattle), FSN Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Taijuan Walker (8-7, 4.60 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Cole Hamels (6-8, 3.86)

Walker received a no-decision after allowing two runs and five hits while striking out six in six innings of a 6-5 victory over Baltimore on Tuesday. The Louisiana native, who turned 23 on Thursday, is 1-0 with a 2.42 ERA in his last three turns and has won six of his last seven decisions dating back to June 10. Walker defeated Texas 3-1 on April 27 - his only start against the Rangers - after yielding an unearned run and six hits in seven frames.

Hamels allowed four runs - three on solo homers by Mark Trumbo, Nelson Cruz and Robinson Cano - and eight hits while striking out seven in six innings of a 4-3 loss in Seattle on Aug. 7. The 31-year-old Californian, who was acquired from Philadelphia prior to the July 31 trade deadline, received a no-decision after permitting five runs in 7 2/3 frames of a 9-7 loss to San Francisco on Aug. 1 in his Texas debut. Hamels, who is 1-2 with a 4.67 ERA in three starts versus Seattle, permitted 23 runs in 20 innings over four of his last five starts, sandwiched around his no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 25 in his Phillies finale.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre has homered in two straight contests and is 8-for-19 during a five-game hitting streak.

2. Cruz has hit nine of his major league-leading 36 home runs in 13 August contests, including one in each of the last two games.

3. Seattle has won seven of the nine meetings in 2015 and is in position to win its first season series over Texas since 2007.

PREDICTION: Rangers 3, Mariners 0

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants at Cardinals

GAME: San Francisco Giants (64-53) at St. Louis Cardinals (75-42)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 17 - 8:09 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
LINE: 137, -149 TOTAL: 7

The San Francisco Giants cruised past one postseason contender over the weekend, but the road to first place in the National League West only gets tougher. The Giants will try to extend their winning streak to five when they begin a seven-game road trip with a visit to the major-league best St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.

The Giants are in the midst of a brutal stretch that began with four straight losses at the Chicago Cubs from August 6-9 but got better with a split against the American League West-leading Houston Astros and a four-game sweep of the Washington Nationals, capped by Madison Bumgarner’s 14-strikeout, three-hit, one-homer shutout on Sunday. San Francisco will endure five straight series against teams with superior records beginning with the Cardinals and continuing with Pittsburgh, the Cubs, St. Louis again and the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers to close the month. The Cardinals (75-42) are five games up on Pittsburgh in the Central and took two of three from Miami over the weekend to claim a fifth straight series victory. San Francisco will face a tough test in Monday’s opener against 14-game winner Michael Wacha, while the Cardinals square off against rookie Chris Heston.

TV: 8:09 p.m. ET, ESPN, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Chris Heston (11-7, 3.38 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Michael Wacha (14-4, 2.93)

Heston is winless in his last three starts and is coming off a tough-luck loss against Houston on Wednesday. The offense failed to provide any support for the 27-year-old, who allowed one run and three hits in 6 1/3 innings but suffered the loss in a 2-0 final. Heston is making his first start against St. Louis and is 6-2 with a 4.45 ERA in 11 road starts.

Wacha earned his third straight win on Wednesday by holding Pittsburgh to two runs despite nine hits and three walks in six innings. The Texas A&M product held Cincinnati and Colorado scoreless over seven innings in each of his previous two turns. Wacha scattered three hits over six scoreless frames in his lone career regular-season start against San Francisco but served up three runs while recording one out in relief at the Giants during Game 5 of the 2014 NLCS last fall.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals OF Randal Grichuk (right elbow tightness) was removed from Sunday’s game and is day-to-day.

2. San Francisco 2B Joe Panik (inflammation) will see a back specialist in Arizona on Monday and his return is uncertain.

3. St. Louis 3B Matt Carpenter has hit safely in 15 of his last 17 games.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Giants 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays at Astros

GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (58-59) at Houston Astros (64-54)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 17 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: 151, -164 TOTAL: 7.5

The Houston Astros look to solidify their position atop the American League West as they continue a 10-game homestand with the first of four against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday. The Astros answered a rough 1-7 stretch with three wins in their last four contests, including a 6-5 victory over Detroit on Sunday as Jose Altuve delivered a walk-off RBI single.

Altuve has gone 15-for-38 over his last nine contests to lead Houston, which will try to snap a five-game losing streak against the Rays after dropping three at Tampa Bay last month. Former Ray Scott Kazmir takes the mound for the Astros on Monday as they attempt to hand Tampa Bay its fourth straight defeat. The Rays had won seven of nine before allowing 22 runs in a three-game sweep at the hands of the Rangers in Texas over the weekend. Tampa Bay's Asdrubal Cabrera has been the hottest hitter in the majors over the past few weeks, going 29-for-61 in 16 games since coming off the disabled list.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), ROOT (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Erasmo Ramirez (9-4, 3.59 ERA) vs. Astros LH Scott Kazmir (6-7, 2.12)

Ramirez scattered five hits over seven scoreless innings against Atlanta at home last time out to record his first win in five games. The Nicaraguan, who was acquired just before the start of the season, is second on the team in wins and has yielded 89 hits in a career-high 110 1/3 innings but owns a 4.83 ERA on the road. Jason Castro is 3-for-6 with a homer versus Ramirez, who limited Houston to one run and four hits over six frames of a home win on July 10.

Kazmir is 1-2 in four games since being acquired from Oakland, losing his last two starts while permitting seven runs (three earned) over 11 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old, who recorded 55 of his 97 major-league wins with Tampa Bay, has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 10 of his last 11 outings. Cabrera (1-for-15) has been contained by Kazmir, who dropped to 1-3 lifetime against the Rays after giving up three runs in 5 2/3 frames on May 22.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rays are 4-0 when facing former members of the organization this season, beating Kazmir, David Price, Mike Montgomery and Jesse Chavez.

2. Houston CF Carlos Gomez is just 3-for-37 in his last 10 games after going 8-for-23 in his first five contests with the team.

3. Tampa Bay OF Desmond Jennings has gone 5-for-10 with an RBI in three games since returning from the disabled list.

PREDICTION: Astros 4, Rays 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Marlins at Brewers

GAME: Miami Marlins (47-70) at Milwaukee Brewers (51-68)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 17 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
LINE: 135, -146 TOTAL: 8

The Milwaukee Brewers look to feed off their weekend sweep Monday, when they host the Miami Marlins in the opener of their three-game series. Milwaukee concluded a perfect mark against Philadelphia this season with a 6-1 triumph Sunday.

Ryan Braun highlighted a five-run fifth inning with a grand slam after delivering an RBI groundout in the first as the Brewers finished 7-0 versus the Phillies in 2015. Milwaukee, which allowed a total of four runs in the three-game sweep, will be facing Miami for the first time this year. The Marlins salvaged the finale of their three-game set in St. Louis as Derek Dietrich erased a deficit with a three-run triple in the fifth inning en route to a 6-4 triumph. Miami has struggled on the road of late, losing eight of its last 10.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Justin Nicolino (1-1, 4.86 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Matt Garza (6-12, 4.82)

Nicolino will be making the fourth start of his major-league career. The 23-year-old Floridian has not won since his debut June 20, when he scattered four hits over seven scoreless innings at Cincinnati. Nicolino escaped with a no-decision against Boston on Tuesday after yielding four runs and nine hits over 5 2/3 frames.

Garza settled for a no-decision in Chicago on Wednesday after limiting the Cubs to two runs and three hits in seven innings. It was the second straight outing in which the 31-year-old Californian worked seven frames, as he gave up one run and two hits in a victory over San Diego on Aug. 6. Garza has made seven starts against Miami, going 3-2 with one complete game and a 4.62 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Marlins 2B Dee Gordon remained in the race for the National League batting title Sunday, increasing his average to .330 by going 3-for-5 - his 17th three-hit performance of the season.

2. Braun's fifth career grand slam was his 251st home run, tying Robin Yount for first place on the franchise list.

3. Miami RHP David Phelps left Sunday's start in the third inning with elbow discomfort and is expected to be placed on the disabled list.

PREDICTION: Brewers 6, Marlins 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox at Angels

GAME: Chicago White Sox (55-60) at Los Angeles Angels (60-57)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 17 - 10:05 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
LINE: 128, -139 TOTAL: 7.5

Carlos Rodon faces Los Angeles for the second time in less than a week Monday as the visiting Chicago White Sox begin a four-game series against the struggling Angels, who have lost 17 of their last 23. Rodon dominated the Angels last Tuesday with a career-high 11 strikeouts over seven scoreless innings in Chicago’s 3-0 victory.

Los Angeles is looking to get on track after losing three of four in Kansas City over the weekend to fall 3 1/2 games back of first-place Houston in the AL West and one-half game behind Baltimore for the second wild card. Shortstop Erick Aybar returned to the lineup Sunday after missing three games due to tightness in his lower back and went 1-for-4 in the Angels’ 10-inning, 4-3 loss. Chicago arrives in Anaheim on a high note after snapping the Cubs’ nine-game winning streak Sunday behind ace Chris Sale and his 15 strikeouts. The White Sox designated infielder Emilio Bonifacio for assignment Sunday and kept rookie outfielder Trayce Thompson, who is 6-for-12 with a home run since being promoted Aug. 3.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Carlos Rodon (5-4, 4.61 ERA) vs. Angels LH Andrew Heaney (5-1, 2.53)

Rodon allowed 12 runs in 7 2/3 innings over his previous two starts before bouncing back against the Angels on Tuesday. “Not too many guys from the left side have a 92-mph slider,” Angels first baseman Albert Pujols told reporters. “He struck me out twice on that pitch.” The rookie has struggled with his control at times, but owns a 27-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his last four starts.

Heaney entered the AL Rookie of the Year race with five straight wins, but has failed to pitch past the sixth inning in each of his last three outings. The 24-year-old allowed two runs on six hits while striking out four in 5 2/3 innings against the White Sox on Wednesday. Heaney has yielded two or fewer runs in eight of his nine starts and is is 3-0 with a 2.84 ERA in five outings at Angel Stadium.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels have won 11 of their last 16 games at home against the White Sox.

2. White Sox 1B Jose Abreu is hitting .329 with eight home runs and 21 RBIs over his last 22 games.

3. The Angels optioned RHP Matt Shoemaker to Triple-A Salt Lake and recalled RHP Mike Morin, RHP Cam Bedrosian and INF Ryan Jackson.

PREDICTION: Angels 6, White Sox 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves at Padres

GAME: Atlanta Braves (53-64) at San Diego Padres (56-62)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 17 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Petco Park, San Diego, California
LINE: 149, -162 TOTAL: 7

The San Diego Padres attempt to awaken their bats from a brief slumber when they kick off a six-game homestand with the opener of a three-game set against the Atlanta Braves on Monday. San Diego scored a total of 16 runs in winning its first two contests in Colorado before being held to five singles in a 5-0 loss in Sunday's series finale.

The Padres did not fare well on their last homestand, producing more than three runs only once while going 2-4. Atlanta scored only two runs Sunday, but it was enough to register a 10-inning victory over visiting Arizona in the rubber match of their three-game set. Cameron Maybin ended the stalemate with a leadoff homer as the Braves posted their fifth win in seven home games. It was the career high-tying ninth blast of the season for Maybin, who returns to San Diego for the first time since being traded just before the start of the campaign having driven in a personal-best 51 runs.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), FSN San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Williams Perez (4-3, 4.21 ERA) vs. Padres RH Colin Rea (1-0, 5.40)

Perez lost his third straight start Tuesday despite allowing two runs and four hits at Tampa Bay in his first major-league complete game. It was a nice bounceback effort by the 24-year-old Venezuelan rookie after surrendering 15 runs and 19 hits over his previous two outings. Perez was outstanding in his first career turn against San Diego on June 10, allowing an unearned run and four hits in seven innings en route to victory.

Rea will be making his second career start since being summoned from Triple-A El Paso. The 25-year-old native of Iowa worked five innings in his debut against Cincinnati on Tuesday, yielding three runs and seven hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Rea was 2-2 with a 4.39 ERA in six starts in El Paso after going 3-2 with a 1.08 ERA in 12 turns with Double-A San Antonio this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Padres RF Matt Kemp recorded one of his team's singles Sunday to extend his hitting streak - which includes the first cycle in franchise history Friday - to nine games.

2. Atlanta RHP Peter Moylan made his first major-league appearance since 2013 on Sunday and retired both batters he faced.

3. San Diego LF Justin Upton is one homer away from setting the club record for most in a season at Petco Park. He currently shares the mark of 15 with Will Venable.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Padres 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB
Dunkel

Monday, August 17


Arizona @ Pittsburgh

Game 951-952
August 17, 2015 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
(Hellckson) 15.119
Pittsburgh
(Cole) 17.287
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 2
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-210
7
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(-210); Under

Miami @ Milwaukee

Game 953-954
August 17, 2015 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
(Niclino) 14.138
Milwaukee
(Garza) 15.714
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Milwaukee
-155
8
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
(-155); Under

San Francisco @ St. Louis

Game 955-956
August 17, 2015 @ 8:09 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Francisco
(Heston) 15.285
St. Louis
(Wacha) 16.841
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 1 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-155
7
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-155); Over

Atlanta @ San Diego

Game 957-958
August 17, 2015 @ 10:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
(Perez) 11.929
San Diego
(Rea) 13.418
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Diego
by 1 1/2
8 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Diego
-160
7
Dunkel Pick:
San Diego
(-160); Over

Minnesota @ NY Yankees

Game 959-960
August 17, 2015 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
(Gibson) 17.509
NY Yankees
(Mitchell) 16.339
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 1
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Yankees
-165
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(+145); Over

Oakland @ Baltimore

Game 961-962
August 17, 2015 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oakland
(Gray) 16.162
Baltimore
(Tillman) 14.546
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oakland
by 1 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Baltimore
-115
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Oakland
(-105); Over

Cleveland @ Boston

Game 963-964
August 17, 2015 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
(Salazar) 16.394
Boston
(Barnes) 14.774
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 1 1/2
10 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
-135
9
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-135); Over

Seattle @ Texas

Game 965-966
August 17, 2015 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Seattle
(Walker) 14.621
Texas
(Hamels) 16.861
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Texas
by 2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Texas
-155
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Texas
(-155); Under

Tampa Bay @ Houston

Game 967-968
August 17, 2015 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
(Ramirez) 14.914
Houston
(Kazmir) 16.493
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-170
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-170); Over

Chicago White Sox @ LA Angels

Game 969-970
August 17, 2015 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago White Sox
(Rodon) 14.212
LA Angels
(Heaney) 15.649
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Angels
by 1 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Angels
-160
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Angels
(-160); Over

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB Betting Cheat Sheet: Capital punishment
By Jeese Schule

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

Capital Punishment

The Washington Nationals have completely fallen apart since the All Star break, and after being shutout in San Francisco on Sunday they’ve lost six straight.

They are batting a major league worst .222 in the second half, and their star studded pitching staff has been underwhelming. Max Scherzer has been tagged for 10 runs on 15 hits over nine innings in his last two starts, and he surrendered five home runs in those two games.

They will be in Colorado for a three game series versus the Rockies this week, and you might want to think twice before backing the Nats as a road favorite.

Rangers On The Move

Texas has won four straight heading into a three game series at home versus Seattle, and they are now only a half game back of L.A. in the Wild Card race.

They send Cole Hamels to the mound Monday night, and the veteran lefty is still looking for his first win as a Ranger. His last start for Philly was a no-hitter at Wrigley, and you have to think it’s only a matter of time before he figures things out in Texas.

Look Out For The Tigers

Miguel Cabrera is back, and he’s already making his presence felt for the Tigers.

Cabrera was 4-for-10 with a home run in three games at Houston since his return. The Tigers will play two games at Wrigley on Tuesday and Wednesday night, and Cabrera has a history of punishing Cubs pitchers.

He will face Jon Lester on Wednesday, and he’s 14-for-25 (.560) with a home run and four RBIs lifetime versus the southpaw.

Hitting Notes

* Buster Posey is tearing up the National League, hitting .366 since the All Star break. He’s now third in the league batting .327, and his 78 RBIs are just eight fewer than Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado who are tied for first. He’s facing Lance Lynn on Tuesday, and he’s 4-for-6 with a home run and four RBIs lifetime versus Lynn.

* Chris Davis has really turned it on, he’s hitting .336 since the All Star break. Davis was 7-for-15 with three home runs and six RBIs in a three game series at home versus Oakland over the weekend, and he’ll look to stay hot at Camden Yards with the Orioles hosting the Mets on Tuesday and Wednesday.

*Pitching Notes

* Madison Bumgarner is starting to look like the World Series MVP that he was last year. He tossed a complete game (one-hit) shutout, striking out 14 in a win over the Nats on Sunday. That wasn’t all, he was 2-for-3 with a double and a home run in the victory. His next start comes on Friday in Pittsburgh.

* Dallas Keuchel allowed just one run on six hits, striking out eight in seven innings in a home win over Detroit his last time out. He’s been unbeatable at home, boasting a flawless record of 11-0, with a 1.26 ERA in 13 starts at Minute Maid Park so far. His next start comes at home against Tampa on Wednesday.

Totals Streak

* The Seattle Mariners are coming off a three game series in Boston, and the scores in those games looked more like what you would expect in football games. Seattle did it’s fair share of scoring, but lost two of three getting outscored 45-21. The Mariners have seen the total go over in six straight road games, and that trend could continue here in Texas this week.

Injury Notes

*Phil Hughes was placed on the 15 day disabled list with lower back inflammation on August 13. It’s a big blow for the Twins, who are just 1.5 back in the American League Wild Card race.

*Randal Grichuck left Sunday’s game against Miami with a sore elbow, and he will undergo an MRI on Monday. The Cardinals LF is having a fine season batting .284 with 15 home runs and 44 RBIs.

Weather Notes

* There is a 33 percent chance of thunderstorms leading into game time in St. Louis Monday, but that should decrease to 15 percent by the time the Cardinals host the San Francisco Giants.

* There is as much as a 56 percent chance of thunderstorms when the Pirates host the Arizona Diamondbacks in Pittsburgh Tuesday.

Umpire Notes

* Road teams are 4-1 in the last five ball games that umpire Larry Vanover has worked behind home plate. He’ll be calling balls and strikes in Baltimore when the Orioles host the Oakland A’s Monday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Game of the Day: Giants at Cardinals

San Francisco Giants at St. Louis Cardinals (-148, 7)

The San Francisco Giants cruised past one postseason contender over the weekend, but the road to first place in the National League West only gets tougher. The Giants will try to extend their winning streak to five when they begin a seven-game road trip with a visit to the major-league best St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.

The Giants are in the midst of a brutal stretch that began with four straight losses at the Chicago Cubs from August 6-9 but got better with a split against the American League West-leading Houston Astros and a four-game sweep of the Washington Nationals, capped by Madison Bumgarner’s 14-strikeout, three-hit, one-homer shutout on Sunday. San Francisco will endure five straight series against teams with superior records beginning with the Cardinals and continuing with Pittsburgh, the Cubs, St. Louis again and the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers to close the month. The Cardinals (75-42) are five games up on Pittsburgh in the Central and took two of three from Miami over the weekend to claim a fifth straight series victory. San Francisco will face a tough test in Monday’s opener against 14-game winner Michael Wacha, while the Cardinals square off against rookie Chris Heston.

TV: 8:09 p.m. ET, ESPN, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)

LINE HISTORY: The Cards opened -140 and currently sit -148. The total opened at 7 and remains unchanged.

INJURY REPORT:

Giants – CF Angel Pagan (15-day DL, knee), 2B Joe Panik (15-day DL, back), LF Nori Aoki (7-day DL, concussion).

Cardinals – LF Matt Holliday (15-day DL, quad), CF Jon Jay (15-day DL, wrist), CF Randal Grichuk (Questionable, elbow).

WEATHER: Temperatures expected to be in the low-80s under partly cloudy skies. Wind will blow from rightfield to leftfield at around 6 miles per hour.

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: “With the recent loss of 2B Joe Panik (back), the Giants are apparently interested in trading for Chase Utley from the Phillies. Utley reportedly cleared revocable waivers last week and he would seem to be a perfect fit and could even contribute as a role player once Panik is back. The Cards can now realistically think about the first 100-win season in MLB in five years (Philadelphia – 2011). It would also move them past the Braves into third place all time of 100-win teams (nine seasons).” Big Al McMordie.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Chris Heston (11-7, 3.38 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Michael Wacha (14-4, 2.93)

Heston is winless in his last three starts and is coming off a tough-luck loss against Houston on Wednesday. The offense failed to provide any support for the 27-year-old, who allowed one run and three hits in 6 1/3 innings but suffered the loss in a 2-0 final. Heston is making his first start against St. Louis and is 6-2 with a 4.45 ERA in 11 road starts.

Wacha earned his third straight win on Wednesday by holding Pittsburgh to two runs despite nine hits and three walks in six innings. The Texas A&M product held Cincinnati and Colorado scoreless over seven innings in each of his previous two turns. Wacha scattered three hits over six scoreless frames in his lone career regular-season start against San Francisco but served up three runs while recording one out in relief at the Giants during Game 5 of the 2014 NLCS last fall.

TRENDS:

* Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
* Giants are 6-1 in Heston’s last seven starts as an underdog.
* Under is 4-0 in Wachas last four starts overall.
* Cardinals are 4-1 in Wacha’s last five starts as a favorite.

CONSENSUS: Seventy-three percent are backing the Cardinals.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sleepyj

Marlins / Brewers Over 8

The Brew Crew has won three games in a row now..They are swinging the bats much better and facing a guy like Nicolino should be fun for them tonight....His last two starts have been bad and giving up 9ER in just 9 innings of work tells me this kid doesn't have it together yet..He has given up a total of 15 hits in the last two games as well..These teams have nothing to lose at all..It's all house money at this point of the season..These teams are trying to win games anyway possible right now...Brewers have a good lineup and i expect them to get some runs tonight..Issue for the Brewers is Garza goes tonight....Marlins have been hitting well as of late too...Garza has a 4.82 ERA and he has looked better in his last few games..He has given up only 9 hits in 20 innings of work..That's very good for a guy like Garza who can get bopped at any moment..I expect that tonight..He has been lucky to get out of a few jams or he would have given up more runs in this stretch of games..His walks are up and strikeouts are about the same..Expect 3 or 4 from him tonight..He always seems to give up the long ball as well....His last 10 games he has given up 10 HR's...I expect both teams to come out swinging tonight..This one gets over the 8.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Kevin Rogers

Mariners at Rangers
Play: Mariners

The Rangers pulled off a three-game sweep of the Rays this past weekend, as Texas welcomes in Seattle. The Mariners are coming off a rough series at Boston in spite of winning on Sunday, allowing 45 runs in the three games. Taijuan Walker looks to fix Seattle's pitching woes tonight, as the M's are 8-2 in his last 10 starts, which includes a blown save in the 9th at Colorado earlier this month. Walker shut down the Rangers in Arlington earlier this season, allowing one unearned run in seven innings of a 3-1 victory. Cole Hamels makes his third start for Texas since getting traded from Philadelphia, giving up 16 hits and 9 ER in a pair of Rangers' losses. I'll back the Mariners here as a road dog to beat the Rangers.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Joe Gavazzi

Houston Astros -1½ +125

Rays are one of the streakiest teams in MLB, going 0-6, 14-4, 12-21, 7-2, 0-3 following the weekend sweep at Texas by combined scores of 22-10. Ramirez pitched 7 strong innings for the Rays, allowing no runs on 5 hits in a 2-0 win vs. Atlanta. But, that was against a flailing Braves team, who has the worst combination of batting, pitching and relief OPS numbers in MLB. Prior to that, in his previous 3 starts, Ramirez had a 5.12 ERA. Must love playing the Astros on this field, where they are 40-19 for the season, including 16-3 recently in which they have averaged 5.5 RPG with a .282 BA and 31 HRs. Kazmir has continued his strong season. Since joining the Astros from Oakland in 4 starts, he has a 1.04 ERA. That includes 7 2/3 IP of scoreless ball in his only home start at Houston. We play the run line, noting that 20/28 Rays' road losses have been by 2 or more runs, while 30/40 Houston home wins and 48/64 overall wins have been by 2 or more runs.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Larry Ness

Seattle Mariners at Texas Rangers
Prediction: Texas Rangers

I’m NOT the biggest Cole Hamels fan and jumped at the opportunity to play against him in his first start as a Ranger, back on August 1 (cashed a nice underdog play on the Giants, in a 9-7 win, as Hamels allowed five ERs on eight hits over 7.2 innings). The Rangers acquired Hamels in an EIGHT-player trade with Philadelphia on July 31 but they've lost both of his starts as the left-hander has allowed nine ERs on 16 hits (including five HRs!) in just 13.2 innings (that’s a 5.93 ERA). Hamels was scheduled to pitch last Thursday against Minnesota but was scratched because of a groin issue he suffered against Seattle on August 7. He threw a regular bullpen session Friday and told MLB's official website, "It was nice to get on the mound again," "To have something like this with a new team, it's not what you want. You want to come in with guns blazing and throwing shutouts like a couple of guys are doing on their new team. I'd like to be doing that, but it is better to be smart."

I’m going to risk a small play here on Hamels, mostly on “feel.” He takes the mound for a Texas team tonight against the Mariners, which has won seven straight home games. The Rangers are looking to win EIGHT in a row at home for the first time in more than four years. Texas is coming off a 92-loss season in 2014 but has won 12 of its last 17 overall and trails Baltimore and Los Angeles in a tight race for the second wild card (Orioles currently lead the Angels by a half-game with the Rangers just ONE game back). Adrian Beltre and Ryan Strausborger homered in a 5-3 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday, putting the Rangers on the brink of winning five straight for the first time since a season-best seven-game run May 20-26.

While Texas won just 70 game last season, Seattle won 87, falling just ONE game short of a playoff berth. However, it’s been a HUGELY disappointing season for the Mariners in 2015, as they woke up this morning 55-63, SIX games out of the final wild card spot with SIX teams in front of them. Seattle Taijuan Walker (8-7, 4.60 ERA) has been a streaky pitcher in 2015 but comes in on fairly good run, as he’s 1-0 with a 2.42 ERA in his last three starts (team is 2-1)and has won SIX of his last seven decisions dating back to June 10. However, he still owns a 5.03 road ERA in 13 starts and faces a Texas team which has outscored its opponents 44-20 in winning SEVEN straight at home.

Again, I “feel” a good outing for Hamels coming in this one.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Alex Smart

Mariners vs. Rangers
Play: Over 8½

In two starts since being traded to Texas, Hamels has given up nine runs on 16 hits , which includes a whopping five homers in a sloppy 13 2/3 innings of work. There is no doubt in my mind , Hamels is a solid pitcher, but at the moment he is struggling greatly and working through a groin injury, and could easily get lit up by a Seattle team that just scored 21 runs in a 3 game weekend set. Meanwhile, Seattle's Taijuan Walker (8-7, 4.60) owns a bloated 5.03 ERA with his only saving grace is run support, as is evident by getting 44 runs (6.3 rpg) from his offense in his L/7 starts. The linesmakers have compensated for my above observations, and Im just going with the flow and expecting enough offensive fireworks to see a combined 9 runs go on board.

Over is 6-1-1 in Walkers last 8 starts overall.Over is 6-0 in Mariners last 6 road games.Over is 12-5-1 in Rangers last 18 vs. American League West.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jack Jones

Oakland A's +101

The Oakland A's are 0-6 on their current 7-game road trip. They want to get out of this trip with at least one victory, and they have a chance to do that tonight behind arguably the best starter in the American League in Sonny Gray.

Rarely will you get the opportunity to back Gray as an underdog. Considering he's 12-4 with a 2.06 ERA and 0.959 WHIP in 23 starts this season, I'll jump at this chance. Gray is 8-1 with a 1.64 ERA in 12 road starts, and 2-0 with a 0.72 ERA in his last three starts as well.

Chris Tillman hasn't pitched that well this season for the Orioles. The right-hander is 8-7 with a 4.34 ERA and 1.362 WHIP over 21 starts. He had turned it around recently, but then he gave up five earned runs and eight hits over 2 1/3 innings of a 5-6 loss to the Mariners last time out on August 11.

The A's are 7-0 in Gray's last seven road starts. Oakland is 6-0 in Gray's last six road starts vs. a team with a winning record. The Orioles are 1-7 in their last eight during game 4 of a series. Baltimore is 0-5 in its last five after allowing 2 runs or less in its previous game.