Monday 8/3/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Red Sox place Porcello on DL
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

Rick Porcello's disappointing season just got a little worse.

The Boston Red Sox placed the right-handed Porcello on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday because of a right triceps injury, nesn.com reported.

The stint on the disabled list is retroactive to July 30, one day after inflammation in Porcello's triceps developed following his last start Wednesday.

In that game, Porcello allowed 10 hits and six runs (five earned) in two-plus innings and was booed by the sellout Fenway Park crowd.

Porcello signed a four-year, $82.5 million extension with the Red Sox in April, but the 26-year-old Porcello is just 5-11 with a 5.81 ERA in 20 starts this season.

"The best we could have done would have been to push him back to Saturday to give him ample time, but felt like that was going to be too much of a risk," Red Sox manager John Farrell said, according to nesn.com. "We feel like it's a short-term thing, but at the same time, we need to back him out of there, because he wasn't going to be able to throw a bullpen (Sunday). While the symptoms are improving, there's still soreness there."

Henry Owens and Brian Johnson are the top candidates to make starts in Porcello's absence.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Burnett's career could rest on diagnosis
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

CINCINNATI -- A.J. Burnett's 16-year major league career could hinge on a meeting with team doctors Monday in Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander was placed on the disabled list Friday after complaining of right elbow soreness after allowing seven earned runs in a 15-5 loss at Cincinnati on Thursday.

The 38-year old Burnett told Pirates beat writers on Sunday that he expects the diagnosis to involve either the ulnar ligament or flexor tendon.

Either way, Burnett said surgery is not an option for him.

"It is difficult," said Burnett, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2003. "I'm prepared for (anything) ... if I just need some rest or something more. In my mind, surgery is not an option."

Burnett is 8-5 with a 3.06 ERA this season in 21 starts.

His 2,484 strikeouts rank 33rd on baseball's all-time list, two behind Hall of Famer Don Drysdale.

This season, Burnett has 114 strikeouts in 135 1/3 innings pitched.

Burnett said he's been dealing with elbow soreness of varying degrees for years. And while he's built up a high tolerance for pain, Burnett said he won't pitch to the detriment of the Pirates, who currently lead the National League wild-card standings.

"We'll find out tomorrow," Burnett said. "I don't expect it to get better."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Marlins RF Stanton's rehab slower than expected
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton, rehabbing from surgery on his fractured left wrist, said the progress has been slower than expected.

The right fielder was hoping to return within six weeks after suffering a left hamate fracture on a swing June 26 and undergoing surgery two days later.

"Definitely slower," Stanton said Saturday. "That's the generation of your whole swing is that turnover (with) your hand and your wrist. I know what a sore wrist feels like, and now with a broken hand and the sore wrist, it takes a little longer."

Stanton was hitting .265 with 27 home runs and 67 RBIs in 74 games this season when he was injured.

The 25-year-old Stanton began swinging a bat last week and has progressed to the tee as he works through the pain. There is no timetable for his return.

"I think what you're going to have with Giancarlo is once it kicks in and he gets to that comfort level where he is good with turning it loose, it'll be a pretty fast thing, but he has to get to that level first," manager Dan Jennings said. "He's still building some strength in his wrist. It's not there yet. He knows his body, as I've said. When he gets to that point I think you'll see that clock speed up and he'll be able to progress in the live BP and be ready to go."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Rays OF Souza fractures hand
The Sports Xchange

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Steven Souza Jr is headed back to the disabled list after X-rays revealed that he suffered a fractured left hand in Saturday's game.

Souza left Saturday's 11-7 loss against the Boston Red Sox after getting hit on his left hand by a pitch from starter Joe Kelly in the top of the fifth inning. He remained in the game until the top of the sixth.

Souza, 26, was on the DL last month with a finger injury. He is batting .214 with a team-leading 15 home runs, 34 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 89 games.

The Rays plan to place Souza on the 15-day disabled list and recall outfielder Mikie Mahtook from Triple-A Durham prior to Sunday's game in Boston.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Fister, Nationals have hit a wall lately
Stephen Campbell

The Washington Nationals are just 1-4 in Doug Fister's last five starts.

Fister will be seeking to right the ship Monday when the Nats welcome Zack Godley and the Arizona Diamondbacks to town.

Washington is presently listed as -155 favorites for the clash.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Blue Jays big faves in Price's debut vs. Twins
Stephen Campbell

Ace pitcher David Price is slated to make his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays against the Minnesota Twins on Monday, and it's quite apparent sportsbooks are expecting him to continue his dominance north of the border.

Price, who came over to Toronto in a trade deadline deal with the Detroit Tigers, will surely help bolster a club that's been plagued by starting pitching woes all season.

Ervin Santana is the probable starter for the Twinkies. At the time of writing, the total was off the board.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

National League

Cubs @ Pirates
Lester is 2-0, 1.61 in his last three starts; under is 9-0-1 in his last ten.

Liriano is 3-0, 2.37 in his last six starts (over 4-1 in last five).

Cubs won four of their last six games with Pittsburgh; Chicago won its last five games overall (under 4-0-1). Pirates won five of last seven (under 2-0-1 in last three games). .

Diamondbacks @ Nationals
Godley is 3-0, 2.25 in his first two starts (over 2-0)-- Arizona scored eight runs in each of his two starts.

Fister is 1-3, 5.14 in his last five starts; four of his last six stayed under.

Washington is 3-7 in last ten games overall; five of last seven stayed under the total- they won seven of last eight games with Arizona- five of last seven in series went over. D'backs lost five of their last seven games (under 5-2).

Giants @ Braves
Cain is 1-1, 4.76 in his last three starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five.

Foltynewicz is 0-2, 6.35 in his last five starts (over 3-1 in last four).

Giants won seven of last ten games with Atlanta; four of last five went over the total. SF won 14 of last 18 games; under is 5-1-2 in their last eight. Braves lost six of last seven games (over 2-0-1 in last three).

Mets @ Marlins
Mets lost last seven Colon starts (0-6, 6.63); seven of his last 10 went under. .

Koehler is 1-3, 4.68 in his last four starts; under is 5-1-1 in his last seven.

Mets won six of last eight games, are tied for first in NL East, but they lost four of last five with Miami- three of last four went over. Marlins lost seven of last nine games (under 9-4 in last 13 games).

Padres @ Brewers
Ross is 2-1, 2.77 in his last five starts.

Peralta is 2-1, 3.72 in his last five starts (over 3-1-1 in last five).

Brewers lost ten of last twelve games; under is 8-0-2 in last ten. Milwaukee is 4-6 in its last ten games with San Diego (under 8-2). Padres won four of their last five games (over 5-0).


American League

Twins @ Blue Jays
Santana is 2-0, 0.76 in his three road starts this year (under 3-0).

Newly-acquired Price makes his Toronto debut here; he was 0-2, 3.43 in his last three starts for Detroit- three of his last four stayed under.

Minnesota won six of last eight games with Toronto; Twins lost six of last eight games overall, with last three staying under. Blue Jays won four of last five games; six of their last nine went over.

Astros @ Rangers
McCullers is 2-1, 2.50 in his last six starts (over 3-0-1 in last four).

Lewis is 3-0, 2.57 in his last three starts; four of his last six went over.

Houston lost four of last six games with Texas; three of last four went over the total. Astros won five of last six games (over 4-2). Rangers won four of last five games; over is 5-3-1 in their last nine.

Rays @ White Sox
Karns is 2-0, 0.82 in his last two starts; under is 5-2-1 in his last eight.

Quintana is 2-0, 1.17 in his last two starts; three of his last four home starts stayed under the total.

Rays won four of last five games with Chicago; three of last four went over the total. Tampa Bay lost three of last four games; three of their last four on road went over. White Sox lost three of last four games; eight of their last nine games went over.

Orioles @ A's
Wilson allowed two runs in six IP (86 PT) in his only MLB start.

Chavez is 1-4, 5.23 in his last six starts; eight of his last nine went over.

Orioles lost three of last four games with Oakland; eight of last ten in series went over the total. Baltimore won seven of last nine games but lost last five road series openers. Under is 4-1-1 in their last six road games. A's won last two games after a 1-7 skid; eight of their last ten games stayed under.

Indians @ Angels
Kluber is 1-1, 3.90 in his last four road starts (over 3-1).

Richards is 1-3, 3.45 in his last four starts; Angels scored eight runs in those four games- under is 5-3 in their last eight games.

Angels lost nine of last ten games after going 0-6 on Houston/LA trip last week; they're 5-2 in last seven games with Cleveland (under 6-4 in last ten). Indians lost eight of last 11 games, with last four staying under total.


Interleague

Mariners @ Rockies
Hernandez is 0-1, 1.42 in his last three road starts (under 3-0); Seattle scored three runs in those three games.

Butler is 0-2, 6.61 in his last three starts; three of his last four stayed under.

Rockies are 4-7 in last 11 games; over is 5-1-1 in their last seven. Colorado lost its last three games with Seattle; under is 3-1-1 in last five series games. Mariners lost five of last seven games, with last three staying under.


Win-loss records this year for team with this starting pitcher:
Chi-Pitt-- Lester 11-10; Liriano 10-10 (6-0 last 6)
Az-Wsh-- Godley 2-0; Fister 5-9
SF-Atl-- Cain 3-2; Foltynewicz 4-6
NY-Mia-- Colon 9-11 (0-7 last 7); Koehler 10-9
SD-Mil-- Ross 11-11; Peralta 4-6

Min-Tor-- Santana 3-2; Price (15-6 w/Det)
Hst-Tex-- McCullers 7-6; Lewis 11-10
TB-Chi-- Karns 9-10; Quintana 9-12
Balt-A's-- Wilson 0-1; Chavez 5-13
Clev-LAA-- Kluber 7-15; Richards 11-8

Sea-Col-- Hernandez 13-8; Butler 6-7


Times this starting pitcher allowed a run in first inning:
Chi-Pitt-- Lester 7-21; Liriano 2-20
Az-Wsh-- Godley 0-2; Fister 4-14
SF-Atl-- Cain 2-5; Foltynewicz 5-10
NY-Mia-- Colon 6-20; Koehler 4-19
SD-Mil-- Ross 5-22; Peralta 2-10

Min-Tor-- Santana 0-5; Price 4-21
Hst-Tex-- McCullers 2-13; Lewis 4-21
TB-Chi-- Karns 8-19; Quintana 11-21
Balt-A's-- Wilson 0-1; Chavez 5-18 (3 of last 4)
Clev-LAA-- Kluber 10-22; Richards 2-19

Sea-Col-- Hernandez 6-21; Butler 7-14

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'Price is right!'

Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins both chasing a Wild Card berth open a crucial four-game set at the Rogers Center. Lefty David Price carrying a 9-4 record, 2.53 ERA makes his Blue Jays debut in this early start. Price has faced Twins three times this season going 3-0 tossing 23 innings of 5 run-ball with a 20-5 strike-to-walk ratio. Price trades pitches with Twins Ervin Santana who is 2-1 with a 3.78 ERA in five starts for his new club. With the presence of today's starter, the Blue Jays have opened -$2.00 home favorites, with the total set at 7 runs. A pricey home favorite in baseball betting is always a risky proposition. However, in this case Price's success vs Minnesota makes it less risky. Additionally, facing a southpaw has not been good for the Twins on the road this year, since losses in 11 of 16 games has been the end result. This being a series opener is yet another nod towards the Blue Jays, since the team has compiled a 11-5 record in series home openers, whereas Minnesota has shown a habit of faltering opening a series in enemy territory (5-11). Taking all those numbers into account, there is still one more fact that leans in Toronto's direction. Minnesota as a team has had its problems in daylight hours on the road. In the past five they're 1-4 and 9-14 on the year.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Streaks, Tips, Notes


Seattle at Colorado August 3, 8:40 EST

The Colorado Rockies don't put up much of a fight when they take on the Junior Circuit. Rockies are just 2-12 this season vs the A.L. and 9-25 the last 34 games. That is exactly the situation the Rockies will be in Monday when they host the Seattle Mariners and Felix Hernandez who carries a 3-1 TSR his last four on the road vs an N.L. opponent.

Mariners have been given the nod opening -$1.60 road favorite.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Cokin

Bonus Play Monday

CUBS (Lester) @ PIRATES (Liriano) 7:05 PM

Take: CUBS +120

We have a potentially dynamite duel on tap tonight as the Cubs open a series at Pittsburgh. It’s Jon Lester and Francisco Liriano in a battle of southpaws. I’m looking to ride Lester here. He’s really hot right now and he’s also one of those guys who seems to rise to the occasion in big games.

Lester is on fire. His recent BB/K ratio is spectacular and when contact gets made, it usually results in a ground ball. There’s nothing wrong with Liriano, either. The Pirates southpaw is putting up very solid numbers. But they’re just a shade below those of Lester.

The Cubs are also arriving in the Steel City with some major momentum. They’re off an impressive road sweep at Milwaukee and underdogs on a winning streak are often very attractive. The Pirates managed to get a split at Cincinnati, but the Bucs didn’t really play all that well in the four-game set and I see the Cubs being a little sharper right now.

Team data shows the Cubs being more productive than the Pirates against lefties, so that’s a positive. The Pirates have the more reliable bullpen stats for the season, but not lately as their relief corps has struggled at times recently.

This is a huge series for both teams. The Pirates have a four-game cushion for the first wild card spot in the NL. Meanwhile, the Bucs would love to make a serious dent in the 5.5 game deficit they have in the NL Central, and that’s with the beat up Cardinals looking a little vulnerable right now. As for the Cubs, they’re currently tied with the defending champion Giants for the second wild card in the NL. So this is a big set and I expect a real playoff atmosphere at what should be a packed PNC tonight.

I make this game a tossup, so grabbing a decent price with the Cubs would appear to represent some decent value. I would think runs will be tough to come by tonight, but I’ll side with the Cubs to sneak past the Pirates in this one.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jim Feist

Bonus Play for Monday, August 3, 2015. 7:05 PM

(953) ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS VS (954) WASHINGTON NATIONALS

Take: (953) ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Reason: Your Bonus Play Monday, August 3, 2015 is in the MLB contest between the Diamonbacks and Nats in Washington. Arizona has a top 7 offense in baseball and the Diamondbacks are 6-2 in their last 8 games as a road underdog. Arizona's Zack Godley (2-0, 2.25 ERA) has been terrific and the Diamondbacks are 6-11 in their last seven interleague road games. Washington is home from a road trip and goes with struggling Doug Fister (4.39 ERA) with opponents hitting .299 off him. The team is 2-6 his last eight starts. The Nationals are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. a team with a losing record. Play Arizona.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports

Bonus Play MON Seattle w/Hernandez-155

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Stephen Nover

Tampa Bay Rays vs Chicago White Sox

Bonus Play Tampa Bay Rays

For just a fleeting moment it looked like the White Sox might make a move. They had won a season-high seven in a row.
Since then, though, the White Sox have lost three of their past four. They've been hammered in those defeats losing by a margin of 33-11. Any excitement on the south side of Chicago has quelled. I'm not buying into the White Sox being a favorite against the Rays in a pitching matchup of Nate Karns versus Jose Quintana.
Both of these pitchers are somewhat underrated. But the White Sox don't win for the southpaw Quintana and the Rays are very good against lefties.
Chicago has lost nine of the past 12 times Quintana has been favored.
The Rays ranked sixth in Weighted On-Base Average (WOBA) against southpaws. Tampa Bay is 13-3 in its last 16 games versus a southpaw starter and has won seven of the past nine times when facing a lefty on the road.
The White Sox are bad defensively ranking 24th in errors. They also rate 24th in runs scored and 25th in homers.
Karns has given up two runs or fewer in seven of his last eight starts. The Rays enter the matchup having just beaten the Red Sox on the road Sunday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Scott Spreitzer

New York Mets vs Miami Marlins

Bonus Play Miami Marlins

I'm recommending a play on the Miami Marlins on Monday. We had the Mets last night and cashed when they completed the weekend sweep of the Washington Nationals. But talk about a letdown spot! The Mets are in a tough situation tonight and they haven't played well on the road this season anyway. New York enters the series with Miami having won just 17 of 49 games away from Citi Field. They have also dropped seven straight Bartolo Colon starts, so I highly doubt they're going to find the "sweet elixir" tonight. Colon has allowed at least four earned runs in four of his last seven starts and like his team, he's been a disaster away from home, where he's been tagged for a 5.57 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and .302 BAA in nine starts. Colon has made one start at Marlins Park this season, getting knocked around in a 7-3 loss. Tom Koehler was roughed-up a bit in his last outing, but had allowed just seven earned runs in his previous six starts, posting a 1.62 ERA & 0.92 in 39 innings of work. Koehler has been tremendous this season at home and I expect more of the same tonight. I'm recommending a play on the Miami Marlins on Monday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

CAPPERS ACCESS

Cubs
Nationals
Orioles

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

JOE WIZ

Over 8 Tampa and White Sox

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

BIG AL

Our complimentary selection for Monday, August 3 is:

San Francisco Giants (Cain) over Atlanta Braves (Foltynewicz).

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Coach Fletcher's Monday Bonus Play

Monday, August 3
New York Mets at Miami Marlins
The Pick Mets/ Marlins over 7 -130

Colon Running Out of Gas?

Bartolo Colon is defintiely a veteran. But if his last 3 starts are an indication of where he's headed, retirement may come sooner than he would like. But Bartolo is a funny guy, just when you are ready to count him out, he comes through. I still like the OVER 7 here.

The Pitchers

The line for this one opened at 7.5 and was quickly bet down to 7. I'll go the other way here.

Colon, Mets Koehler, Miami
9-10, 4.96 era 8-7, 3.55 era
3-6, 5.57 era road 4-2, 2.45 era home
0-3, 8.59 era last 3 1-2, 3.32 era last 3
0-6, 6.16 era last 7 4-3, 2.40 era last 7
5-9, 5.59 era last 15 6-5, 3.00 last 15
3-10, 5.40 era night 4-4, 2.38 era night
Colon - This year vs Marlins - 20 2/3 innings, 8 runs, 21 hits, 3HR
Koehler - This year vs Mets - 6 2/3 innings, 12 runs, 12 hits, 6 BB, 2 K

While Koehler seems to be sharp against everybody else, the Mets have gotten to him big time this season.

The Offense

Any time you see a total of 7 you either have 2 great pitchers or 2 crappy hitting teams. These are 2 crappy hitting teams.

Mets Marlins
Score 3.5 rpg, give up 3.6 rpg Score 3,6 rpg, give up 3.9 rpg
2.9 rpg road 3.7 rpg home
3.7 vs RHP 3.4 vs RHP
5.3 rpg last 7 2.1 rpg last 7
3.6 rpg grass 3.6 rpg grass
3.1 rpg night 3.3 rpg night
3.9 rpg vs division 3.9 rpg vs division

These numbers don't suggest a catastophic barrage of runs will be scored, but it does look good to exceeed 7 in my opinion. I like the Mets getting 5.3 in their last 7. It corresponds well with their run for a playoff berth. The numbers within the division are also encouraging.

Odds and Ends

Mets -23-18 to over in division Marlins 21-14 to the over in division
Mets - 26-23 to the over when playing team with losing record
Marlins - 21-17 to the over when playing team with winning record
23 of 44 have gone over in the last 3 years between these teams
6 of 10 have gone over this season between these teams
Total is 4/4 in Colon's starts vs Miami
Total is 4-2 to the over in Koehler's starts

Coach's Conclusion:
I think the Mets will be playing excellent ball. They are right in the thick of it after beating Washington last night. I think they will be tough to beat from here on out - but Colon is the one most likely to get abused buy opponents.

The Play Mets/Marlins OVER 7 -130

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins at Blue Jays

GAME: Minnesota Twins (54-50) at Toronto Blue Jays (54-52)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 03 - 1:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: 208, -228 TOTAL: 8

David Price makes his much-anticipated debut with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday when they begin a big four-game series with the visiting Minnesota Twins. Price was one of the major acquisitions prior to Friday's trade deadline, coming over from Detroit for a trio of prospects to give the Blue Jays' rotation a big boost.

The 2012 American League Cy Young Award winner held the Twins to just two unearned runs in eight innings while with the Tigers last month and blanked Minnesota over 8 2/3 innings in his season debut April 6. Toronto has won four of five since acquiring shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in its other major deadline move, surviving a heated affair with Kansas City on Sunday to claim a 5-2 win. That pulled the Jays within a game behind the reeling Twins in the race for the second wild card. Minnesota, which did little at the trade deadline, has lost six of its last eight to come back to the pack, including a 4-1 setback in extra innings against Seattle on Sunday.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN North (Minnesota), SNET (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Ervin Santana (2-1, 3.78 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH David Price (9-4, 2.53)

Santana has been inconsistent since returning from a suspension last month, following up back-to-back scoreless efforts with 5 2/3 rough innings against Pittsburgh on Wednesday. He was reached for eight runs (six earned) while walking a season-high four in his second straight difficult start at home. The veteran from the Dominican Republic has allowed two runs in 23 2/3 innings in three road appearances this year.

Price's last start with the Tigers was a rocky one, as he gave up five runs in six innings of a 10-2 loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday. He served up two home runs for the first time since May 16 and has allowed four in his last three starts. The 29-year-old, who has a 2.21 ERA in 14 career games against Minnesota, is 7-0 all-time in Toronto.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tulowitzki is 6-for-14 with three extra-base hits since joining the Blue Jays.

2. Blue Jays 1B Edwin Encarnacion is 8-for-18 with four walks during a five-game hitting streak.

3. Twins closer LHP Glen Perkins has allowed four home runs in his last four appearances.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 4, Twins 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks at Nationals

GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (50-53) at Washington Nationals (54-49)
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 03 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
LINE: 129, -140 TOTAL: 8

The Washington Nationals are no longer alone in first place in the National League East as they host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday to start a four-game set. The New York Mets swept the Nationals over the weekend to pull into a virtual tie atop the division as Washington managed just five runs in the three-game series.

The Nationals look to get their scuffling offense going, led by All-Star Bryce Harper (14-for-42 last 11 contests), during a seven-game homestand. The Diamondbacks dropped two straight at Houston over the weekend after winning their previous six and stand 6½ games out of the second wild-card spot in the National League. Arizona All-Star Paul Goldschmidt was 0-for-7 in those two losses, but is batting .329 versus the Nationals in his career. Washington, which is 7-1 in its last eight against the Diamondbacks, took two of three games as the teams combined for 47 runs in their last series in May at Arizona.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (2-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Doug Fister (4-6, 4.39)

Godley, who was a 10th round pick of the Chicago Cubs in 2013, has put together two solid starts to begin his major league career. The 25-year-old University of Tennessee product allowed three runs over six innings to win at Seattle last time out after blanking Milwaukee in six frames during his debut. Godley, who came to the Diamondbacks in the Miguel Montero trade, has 11 strikeouts and three walks in 12 innings of work.

Fister snapped a four-game winless streak last time out when he yielded two runs and four hits over six innings to defeat Miami. The 31-year-old California native permitted 14 runs (13 earned) over 22 innings during his winless stretch as the Nationals scored eight times combined in support. Jarrod Saltalamacchia is 5-for-16 with a homer versus Fister, who gave up one run over seven innings in his only start against Arizona last year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona C Welington Castillo is 8-for-19 with four homers and five RBIs in his last five contests.

2. Washington’s bullpen has allowed three earned runs in 23 1/3 innings with 21 strikeouts since July 25.

3. Diamondbacks CF A.J. Pollock (hamstring), who is batting .305, missed the last two games.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Diamondbacks 2