Monday 8/31/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals (66-63) at Cardinals (84-46)

Game: 1
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: August 31, 2015 8:15 PM EDT

While the St. Louis Cardinals' bats are heating up just in time for the home stretch, the Washington Nationals hope their lineup didn't wake up too late.

The two surging offenses open a three-game set in St. Louis on Monday night with the Cardinals clinging to the NL Central lead and the Nationals looking to climb in the East.

St. Louis (84-46) has won seven of eight but has added only one game to its division lead over Pittsburgh, which trails by 4 1/2. The Pirates and Cardinals have six games remaining this year, including three at Busch Stadium this weekend.

The Cardinals will first try to add to a sparkling record against Washington over the last three years. St. Louis took two of three against the Nationals (66-63) in April and has won 13 of 16 in the series since the beginning of 2013.

St. Louis will hand the ball to John Lackey (11-8, 2.92 ERA), who got some help from the offense in the club's 7-5 victory April 22. In his third career start against the Nationals and first since 2008, Lackey didn't factor into the decision after allowing eight hits and five runs in just 5 2-3 innings. He exited with the game tied at 5.

The right-hander held Arizona to one run in seven innings of Wednesday's 3-1 win, the 11th time in his last 14 starts he's given up two runs or fewer. Lackey - 1-0 with a 4.58 ERA in his career against Washington - has a 2.30 ERA since June 15.

Not that he's needed the support, but the offense likely will be at Lackey's back after posting back-to-back 13-hit games in San Francisco.

During Sunday's 7-5 victory, Matt Carpenter, Brandon Moss and Mark Reynolds homered, and Jason Heyward finished a home run shy of the cycle. Heyward went 5 for 10 against the Giants and is hitting .375 since Aug. 22.

The Cardinals totaled 33 hits and 17 runs in taking two of three in the series.

"It's coming together right now," Heyward said. "Hitting-wise, we've kept our heads up and kept plugging away."

Now they'll face a pitcher they've struggled against in Gio Gonzalez. In four career starts in the series - one in each of the last four years - Gonzalez (9-7, 4.11) is 2-1 with a 0.93 ERA. Over 29 combined innings, he has allowed just 23 hits and three runs while walking eight and striking out 25.

Following a streak of eight starts without allowing more than two earned runs, however, Gonzalez's ERA has blown up this month with three straight outings of five innings or less and at least four earned runs allowed.

Gonzalez has lost each of his last three starts and his ERA has risen 61 points during the stretch. In losses to San Francisco, Milwaukee and San Diego, the left-hander coughed up 16 runs - 14 earned - and 20 hits over 12 1-3 innings.

Gonzalez has failed to pitch more than five innings in six of his last seven starts.

Washington is trying to chip away at the New York Mets' 5 1/2-game division lead. The Nationals had 30 hits and 15 runs in taking two of three from Miami this weekend. They had 13 hits in Sunday's 7-4 win, including homers by Jayson Werth and Clint Robinson.

"We dug ourselves a pretty good hole here, so we're going to need to get hot and stay hot the rest of the way," said Werth.

St. Louis right-hander Lance Lynn said he expects to make his next start after injuring his right ankle in Saturday's 6-0 win.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks (63-67) at Rockies (52-76)

Game: 1
Venue: Coors Field
Date: August 31, 2015 8:40 PM EDT

Although their hopes of making a playoff push took a big hit at home, the Arizona Diamondbacks should feel good about winning back-to-back road series for the first time.

Seeking a fifth straight road win, Arizona tries to continue its success against the last-place Colorado Rockies on Monday night in the first of four meetings over three days.

The Diamondbacks (63-67) were five games back of the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 23 after sweeping a four-game series in Cincinnati. Now it'll likely take an improbable run to make up the difference following an ill-timed 1-6 homestand.

David Peralta went 3 for 4 with his 14th homer and drove in the tying run in the ninth Sunday, but Oakland scored three in the 11th off closer Brad Ziegler for a 7-4 victory.

"Just poor play on this homestand. It's disappointing after coming off a pretty good series in Cincinnati," manager Chip Hale said.

Hale's club looks to regroup with its longest road winning streak since May 2013. Arizona then plays two at Coors Field on Tuesday to make up a May postponement.

The Diamondbacks have hit .332 and averaged 6.9 runs while winning eight of 12 versus Colorado.

Paul Goldschmidt is hitting .416 with 19 RBIs in his last 18 matchups and is one walk away from setting a single-season franchise record with 101. Peralta is batting .368 in his past 11 meetings, while A.J. Pollock is batting .390 in his past nine.

They'll try to continue that trend against a Rockies rotation that has posted a 7.34 ERA during a 5-12 stretch at Coors.

Colorado (52-76) is looking to win back-to-back games for only the second time since Aug. 7 after closing a 3-3 trip with Sunday's 5-0 win at Pittsburgh.

In his first start since missing five weeks with right elbow inflammation, Chad Bettis (6-4, 4.69 ERA) allowed one run over five innings in a 5-1 win at Atlanta on Tuesday. The right-hander has limited opponents to three runs or less in 11 of his last 13 starts.

"He picked up where he left off," manager Walt Weiss told MLB's official website.

Bettis has never started against Arizona but has a 23.14 ERA over three relief appearances.

Robbie Ray (3-10, 3.86) looks to avoid becoming the first pitcher in Diamondbacks history to lose six games in a month. He's 0-6 with a 6.25 ERA in his last seven starts.

The left-hander was given an extra day of rest after arguably his worst outing of the season. He gave up season highs of six runs and five walks in Tuesday's 9-1 home loss to St. Louis.

Ray has been much more comfortable on the road, posting a 2.75 ERA in nine starts. In his only career outing at Colorado, he yielded one run in six innings of a 5-1 win May 6.

The Rockies are 5-23 when facing left-handed starters and they'll see Ray and Patrick Corbin in the first two of this eight-game homestand. Charlie Blackmon is batting .230 in 122 at-bats versus lefties, while Carlos Gonzalez is hitting .200 over 110 at-bats.

Blackmon, who had two hits Sunday, is batting .382 over a nine-game hitting streak at Coors. He's also hitting .427 in 22 career home meetings against the Diamondbacks.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels (65-65) at Athletics (57-74)

Game: 1
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: August 31, 2015 10:05 PM EDT

Once seemingly in good position to defend their AL West title, the Los Angeles Angels have posted the worst record in the league over the past 5 1/2 weeks.

Hector Santiago's fall from grace has coincided with his team's struggles in that stretch.

The visiting Angels look to turn it around and avoid a fourth straight loss Monday night against the last-place Oakland Athletics.

Los Angeles was two games up in the division July 22 after winning seven in a row, but the club has since gone 11-25 to fall 6 1/2 behind first-place Houston.

The Angels (65-65), on the verge of falling below .500 for the first time since June 7, have also dropped 3 1/2 behind surging Texas for the second wild-card spot.

"Even though this is a tough stretch, we always talk about, 'Hey, the sun is coming up, and let's go out there and try to create some momentum,'" manager Mike Scioscia told MLB's official website.

After going 7-4 with a 2.30 ERA in his first 18 starts and being selected to his first All-Star Game, Santiago has gone 0-4 with a 5.70 mark in his past seven outings.

The left-hander hasn't made it out of the fifth inning in his last two. He allowed five runs and seven hits - including a career-high three homers - over 4 1-3 in Wednesday's 5-0 loss at Detroit.

Santiago (7-8, 3.13 ERA), however, is 3-0 with a 1.31 ERA in seven career starts against the A's.

Oakland's Stephen Vogt had three hits and his 18th home run in a 7-4, 11-inning win at Arizona on Sunday. He's gone 6 for 9 with two homers in his last two games and is 9 for 18 in six at home against Los Angeles.

'It was just nice for us to see it, in a game that could have easily just swayed the other way like so many of our games have this year,' Vogt said after the A's blew a one-run lead in the ninth.

Oakland now seeks only its second three-game win streak since a five-game run June 20-25.

Felix Doubront (1-1, 3.70) should be fine after going two innings and leaving after getting hit on the foot by a line drive at Seattle last Monday. He was slated to start Saturday before the club choose to give him two extra days.

The left-hander hasn't given up an earned run over eight innings in two starts since joining Oakland (57-74) on July 31, and he's posted a 1.26 ERA in his last three appearances for the A's.

Mike Trout has doubled twice in five at-bats against Doubront.

Trout was batting .194 in August before finishing with four hits in Sunday's 9-2 loss at Cleveland. The Angels rank last in the majors in batting (.218) and runs (81) this month.

David Freese, out since July 23 with a fractured right index finger, could be activated off the disabled list Monday. He's hit .308 in his last 10 games at O.co Coliseum.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants (69-61) at Dodgers (72-57)

Game: 1
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: August 31, 2015 10:10 PM EDT

Engaged in a tight race atop the NL West, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants have plenty more than just their longtime rivalry to play for over the final seven meetings.

The first-place Dodgers try to bounce back after getting no-hit for the second time in 10 days, while the Giants look to close the gap in the division race Monday night at Dodger Stadium.

Although Los Angeles (72-57) has been in first place for most of the season, San Francisco has refused to go away, never falling more than 5 1/2 games back due in part to it taking nine of 12 in the season series.

The Giants (69-61) are just 3 1/2 behind heading into this matchup despite dropping the last two of a three-game series with St. Louis. That's because the Dodgers were no-hit by the Chicago Cubs' Jake Arrieta on Sunday, nine games after Houston's Mike Fiers held them hitless Aug. 21.

'We can create a lot of distance or lose a lot of ground,' Los Angeles outfielder Andre Ethier said earlier in the week. 'That series is the most important of the year. We don't want it to come down to the last one when we have to go up there (four games in San Francisco from Sept. 28-Oct. 1).'

The Dodgers, who had their five-game winning streak snapped Sunday, face Madison Bumgarner on Tuesday after drawing nemesis Jake Peavy on Monday.

Peavy (4-6, 4.21 ERA) is 14-3 with 2.30 ERA in 27 career starts against the Dodgers and 6-0 with a 2.51 mark over his last 10 at Dodger Stadium. Chase Utley is 0 for 8 off Peavy, while Ethier is hitting .143 with 11 strikeouts in 35 at-bats.

With Zack Greinke set to pitch Tuesday and Clayton Kershaw going Wednesday, the Giants look to get off to a good start against Brett Anderson (8-8, 3.36) in the opener of a 10-game road swing.

'We're not where we want to be but we're in the hunt,' manager Bruce Bochy said. 'This is a huge series for us. We're behind and I hope we go down there and get back on track.'

Anderson allowed two hits through six scoreless innings Wednesday and didn't give up an earned run over 6 2-3 in a 7-4 win at Cincinnati, his third straight quality start.

After going 0-4 with a 5.67 ERA in his first six career starts against San Francisco, Anderson allowed one run over six innings of a 10-2 win at Los Angeles on June 21.

Brandon Crawford is 5 for 7 off the left-hander and has batted .412 in his last 17 meetings with the Dodgers. He's expected to play after missing five games with a tight oblique, and Joe Panik could also return after missing 27 with a lower back inflammation.

Brandon Belt matched a season high with four hits in Sunday's 7-5 loss to the Cardinals, while Marlon Byrd and Buster Posey each had three. Posey is 5 for his last 8, while Belt has batted .400 in his past 10 overall - though he's hitting .188 with 14 strikeouts in 32 at-bats against the Dodgers in 2015.

The teams have split six meetings at Dodger Stadium this season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers (68-61) at Padres (63-67)

Game: 1
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: August 31, 2015 10:10 PM EDT

The last time the Texas Rangers faced the San Diego Padres, they were stumbling through July. This time around, the Rangers are one of the hottest teams in baseball.

Texas looks to keep rolling as it starts a season-high road trip against San Diego on Monday night.

The Rangers (68-61) look to cap a strong August that boosted them into the second wild-card spot. They've won four straight and are 13-4 since Aug. 13, giving them the most wins in the AL in that span.

Sunday's 6-0 victory over Baltimore completed a three-game sweep as Texas exceeded its 2014 win total.

"It's a big homestand. We still gotta go out and keep playing," Derek Holland said after pitching a three-hitter with 11 strikeouts and no walks. "We gotta turn the page now, it's over, we gotta look forward to San Diego now, that's the big thing, and take those games and go out there and gain as much ground as we can, or take what we think is ours."

The Rangers - starting a 10-game, 11-day trip through San Diego, Anaheim and Seattle - are seven games above .500 for the first time since the end of the 2013 season. They've moved past four teams in the wild-card race since Aug. 13 and cut their deficit behind AL West-leading Houston from five games to three.

Things didn't look as bright when San Diego (63-67) handed them two losses in a three-game set July 10-12. That was part of a 2-10 stretch for the Rangers, who fell to nine back in the division and seven behind in the wild card.

Colby Lewis (14-6, 4.38 ERA) pitched in that series and will try to turn in another strong start as he looks to tie for the AL lead in wins.

Lewis - 8-4 with a 3.71 ERA on the road - pitched seven innings of three-run ball with five strikeouts in a 6-5 loss July 11. Matt Kemp, hitting .340 in his last 13 games, homered off Lewis in that contest.

Lewis struggled with command his last time out, walking a season-high four in a 12-4 loss to Toronto on Wednesday. He surrendered five runs - four earned - over five innings in his shortest outing since July 5.

The Padres will close out an August in which they lost seven of their first nine, won nine of 11 and then dropped five of seven.

Tyson Ross (9-9, 3.42) beat Washington 6-5 on Wednesday, tying his season high with nine strikeouts while allowing four runs in 6 1-3 innings. The right-hander threw 6 2-3 scoreless innings and gave up three hits to beat the Rangers 2-1 on July 12.

Ross looks to benefit from a San Diego offense that broke out in a 9-4 win over Philadelphia on Sunday. The Padres, who had scored six runs in dropping three straight, collected 16 hits and got home runs from Kemp, Yangervis Solarte and Justin Upton.

'As a group the offense has to feel good about today,' interim manager Pat Murphy said. 'Our big guys came up big.'

Texas hopes to have second baseman Rougned Odor back Monday, six days after he tore a fingernail on his throwing hand.

Lewis last batted in July 2014 and has a four-game hitting streak - a Rangers record for a pitcher.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB roundup: Cubs' Arrieta no-hits Dodgers
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

LOS ANGELES -- Jake Arrieta pitched a no-hitter Sunday night, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

By throwing the Cubs' first no-hitter in seven years, Arrieta (17-6) became the major leagues' leader in victories. The right-hander allowed only two baserunners, on a walk and an error, and amassed 12 strikeouts while throwing 116 pitches.

In the ninth inning, Arrieta struck out Justin Turner, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley consecutive to close out the gem.

The Dodgers were no-hit for the second time in 10 days after Astros right-hander Mike Fiers accomplished the feat Aug. 21 in Houston. No NL team was ever no-hit twice in a shorter span.

Blue Jays 9, Tigers 2

TORONTO -- Edwin Encarnacion hit his fourth homer in two days and extended his hitting streak to a major-league-best 25 games as Toronto defeated Detroit.

Encarnacion, who hit three home runs and equaled the club record with nine RBIs on Saturday, went 2-for-3 and was hit by a pitch on Sunday. He hit his 30th of the season with two outs in the first.

Josh Donaldson, Kevin Pillar and Russell Martin also homered for the Blue Jays, who completed a three-game sweep of the Tigers.

Mets 5, Red Sox 4

NEW YORK -- Michael Cuddyer atoned for a costly misplay in the field by delivering the tie-breaking RBI single as New York salvaged the finale of a three-game series by edging Boston.

The Mets snapped a five-game home losing streak while the Red Sox fell to 10-6 under interim manager Torey Lovullo.

David Ortiz gave the Red Sox a 2-1 lead with a two-run homer in the sixth. It was the 494th homer of his career, breaking a tie with Lou Gehrig and Fred McGriff for 27th place all-time.

Nationals 7, Marlins 4

WASHINGTON -- Leadoff man Jayson Werth had a homer, double, walk and three RBIs and Washington, despite another abbreviated start by Stephen Strasburg, battled back to beat Miami.

The Nationals won their fourth series in a row but remained 5 1/2 games back of the first-place Mets.

The Marlins jumped out to a 3-0 lead on a homer by Justin Bour in the first but the bullpen couldn't hold up after starter Brad Hand (4-4) allowed five runs in 4 2/3 innings and fell to 0-6 against the Nationals.

The winning pitcher was former starter Doug Fister (5-7), who came on in the fifth after Strasburg gave up seven hits and four runs in four innings while throwing just 60 pitches.

Rays 3, Royals 2

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla -- Kevin Kiermaier hit the go-ahead home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to lift Tampa Bay over Kansas City.

The Rays' bullpen combined for four shutout innings, with Xavier Cedeno (3-1) earning the win. Brad Boxberger pitched a perfect ninth inning for his 32nd save of the season.

Luke Hochevar (1-1) took the loss for the Royals, who failed to sweep the season series against the Rays.

Indians 9, Angels 2

CLEVELAND -- Josh Tomlin pitched seven strong innings and Cleveland took advantage of a couple of gift hits that produced runs to complete a three-game sweep of Los Angeles.

The Indians have won five in a row while the Angels have lost eight of their last 10. The only bright spot for the Angels was center fielder Mike Trout, who came into the game hitting .194 in the month of August, but was 4-for-4.

In seven innings the right-hander Tomlin (3-1) gave up two runs on six hits, with eight strikeouts and no walks.

Rockies 5, Pirates 0

PITTSBURGH -- Jorge De La Rosa pitched into the seventh inning for just his second win in his last 10 starts before being ejected and Ben Paulsen hit a two-run triple as Colorado beat Pittsburgh.

De La Rosa (8-6) allowed four hits in six-plus innings while striking out seven and walking one. The left-hander's only other win since July 11 came Aug. 7 against the Nationals at Washington. Relievers Scott Oberg, Christian Friedrich, Jairo Diaz and John Axford completed the four-hit shutout.

De La Rosa and manager Walt Weiss were ejected for arguing with home plate umpire Jeff Nelson as Weiss went to the mound to remove De La Rosa from the game in the seventh.

Brewers 4, Reds 1

MILWAUKEE -- A strong performance by right-hander Wily Peralta and a solo home run by Ryan Braun led Milwaukee over Cincinnati.

Peralta (5-8) was coming off his worst outing of the season, a 2 2/3-inning effort last Tuesday in Cleveland, but he started out strong on Sunday, hitting the mid-90s with his fastball in the first inning. His offense gave him a slim lead to work with, going up 1-0 on Braun's 24th home run of the season.

Reds left-hander John Lamb (0-3) allowed five hits over his six innings of work. He allowed Milwaukee's first two runs and didn't walk a batter while striking out eight.

Padres 9, Phillies 4

PHILADELPHIA -- San Diego finally solved Philadelphia for a win to avoid a season sweep.

The Padres, who came in 0-5 this season against the Phillies, got homers from Matt Kemp, Justin Upton and Yangervis Solarte, while right-hander James Shields threw seven innings of one-run ball and struck out eight.

The long balls by Kemp and Upton came early against right-hander Alec Asher, who was making his major league debut. Despite the loss, the Phillies are 18-5-2 in 25 series against the Padres since 2004.

Yankees 20, Braves 6

ATLANTA -- Nathan Eovaldi, supported by three early home runs, extended his league-leading winning streak to nine games in New York's rout over Atlanta.

Jacoby Ellsbury, Chase Headley and Stephen Drew each went deep over a two-inning span to help the Yankees sweep the three-game series and send the Braves to their 12th loss in 13 games.

It marked the 12th time this season the Yankees have scored double-digit runs, and the second time this series. The 38 runs are the most scored by the Yankees in a three-game series this year.

Twins 7, Astros 5

MINNEAPOLIS -- Ervin Santana pitched seven solid innings, scattering six hits, allowing no runs while striking out 10 batters as Minnesota took the rubber game of a three-game series.

Santana had just one clean inning but was able to steer clear of trouble. Five of the six hits allowed by Santana were singles and he didn't walk a batter.

Santana became the first Twins starter to pitch at least six innings since Aug. 20, a span of eight games. Despite the recent rough patch by its starters, the win was Minnesota's eighth in its last 10 games.

Rangers 6, Orioles 0

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Derek Holland allowed just three hits and struck out 11 in a complete-game shutout as Texas completed a three-game sweep of Baltimore.

Holland recorded his eighth career shutout, and he matched his career high for strikeouts.

Holland (2-1) struck out all nine Baltimore starters at least once and didn't walk a batter. It marked the first time in his career he struck out at least 10 without walking a hitter.

Delino DeShields and Elvis Andrus each had two hits and drove in a run.

White Sox 6, Mariners 5 (11 innings)

CHICAGO -- Seattle was one out away from beating Chicago for the third consecutive game but threw it away in the ninth inning.

A throwing error by shortstop Brad Miller with two outs in the bottom of the ninth allowed the game-tying run to score and forced extra innings. The White Sox then won it in the 11th on a single by Tyler Saladino to earn a split in the four-game series.

Saladino, who also drove in a run with a double in the fourth, went 2-for-5 with two RBIs. His single to right in the 11th was off left-hander David Rollins and scored shortstop Alexei Ramirez (3-for-5) to end the game.

A's 7, Diamondbacks 4

PHOENIX -- Marcus Semien hit a two-out, two-run single in the 11th inning, and switch-pitcher Pat Venditte recorded his first major league victory in Oakland's win over Arizona.

Danny Valencia singled with two outs in the 11th off right-hander Brad Ziegler (0-2), and Stephen Vogt singled before Josh Phegley was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Semien grounded an opposite-field single to right field to break a tie at 4, and Eric Sogard followed with a run-scoring single off A.J. Schugel.

Cardinals 6, Giants 0

SAN FRANCISCO -- St. Louis hit three home runs, including a game-opening shot by Matt Carpenter, in a victory over San Francisco that gave the Cardinals a 2-1 series win.

Jaime Garcia survived 10 Giants hits in 6 1/3 innings to win for the 10th time in his last 15 road starts.

The Cardinals roughed up rookie Chris Heston for three runs within the first four batters of the game and never looked back, completing a 7-3 Western swing that began with a pair of losses at San Diego.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB notebook: Mets acquire reliever Reed
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

The New York Mets continued to bolster their bullpen by acquiring right-hander Addison Reed from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for a pair of minor leaguers, RHP Miller Diaz and RHP Matt Koch.

Reed, who was 2-2 with a 4.20 ERA this season, will join the Mets on Monday. To make room for Reed on the 40-man roster, the Mets recalled infielder Wilfred Tovar from Triple-A Las Vegas and placed him on the 60-day disabled list.

--Boston Red Sox manager Torey Lovullo said right-hander Jean Machi is the team's new closer. Junichi Tazawa, who was injured beginning a double play Friday night, will return to eighth-inning duties.

--San Francisco Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum disclosed before the game that he could miss the rest of the season because of continuing problems in his degenerative hip. He hasn't pitched since June 27.

--The Seattle Mariners recalled right-hander Mayckol Guaipe from Triple-A Tacoma.

The team also optioned left-hander Mike Montgomery to Tacoma.

--Kansas City Royals right fielder Alex Rios, who was removed from the lineup Saturday, is back in Kansas City with what manager Ned Yost says is an illness. Yost does not expect Rios to go on the disabled list.

--Cleveland Indians right-hander Gavin Floyd and infielder Chris Johnson will both be activated off the disabled list on Tuesday.

--New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira missed his third straight start because of bone bruise in his lower right leg.

--The Philadelphia Phillies claimed left-hander Ken Roberts off waivers from the Colorado Rockies, then optioned Roberts to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

--Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander A.J. Burnett had a 71-pitch bullpen session Sunday and is hopeful of returning from the disabled list sometime from Sept. 15-17 when the Pirates play a four-game home series against the Chicago Cubs. Burnett has been on the disabled list since July 31 with a strained flexor tendon in his right elbow.

--Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa missed his fourth consecutive game with a left hamstring injury. Correa said he should be ready to return this week when Houston opens a three-game series at home against the Seattle Mariners.

--Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor was out of the starting for a fifth straight game because of a sore fingernail on his right middle finger.

--St. Louis Cardinals RHP Lance Lynn (sprained right ankle) announced that his ankle is much improved and he will make his next scheduled start Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Blue Jays open around -200 against Indians
Andrew Avery

Lines have begun to trickle out for the Cleveland Indians' visit north of the border to the Toronto Blue Jays and the home team is in the -200 vicinity.

David Price is scheduled to make the start for the Jays, who are coming off a weekend sweep of the Detroit Tigers that saw them outscore the AL Central club 29-6.

The Indians are expected to give the ball to Danny Salazar.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Braves mulling rotation options after Perez demotion
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

ATLANTA -- The demotion of right-handed pitcher Williams Perez has put a speedbump in the Atlanta Braves' starting rotation for later this week.

Perez was tagged for eight runs in 1 2/3 innings on Friday and optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett. He will likely be recalled in September, but he won't be back to take his regular turn Tuesday.

Manager Fredi Gonzalez said after Sunday's game that the club was not yet ready to make the decision. There are options.

There's a chance it could be left-hander Manny Banuelos, who has been on the disabled list since July 25 with a sore left arm. Banuelos was effective in a two-inning rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday. But the club is showing extreme caution with Banuelos, who had Tommy John surgery in 2013 and missed the entire season.

Banuelos appeared in five games, four of them starts, for Atlanta this season. He was 1-2 with a 2.49 ERA in 21 2/3 innings.

It could be Edwin Jackson, acquired from the Cubs on Aug. 14. He's a former starter turned reliever who is capable of pitching deeper into the game. Jackson has made 262 career starts, including 27 in 2014. He has pitched exclusively in relief in 2015.

It could be Sugar Ray Marimon, who was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Aug. 24 when David Aardsma was released. Marimon has predominantly been a starter in his minor league career and started 14 games for the G-Braves.

It could be Jake Brigham, who was recalled when Perez was shipped out. Brigham has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen for Atlanta, but worked as a starter for Triple-A Gwinnett. Brigham made 13 starts for Gwinnett and even posted a complete game.

"Nothing has been said to me," Brigham said. "I'll be ready every day. I feel like I'm a versatile guy. I can go one (inning), I can go five. Give me the ball and I'll get the guy out."

Brigham's chances were lessened after he was used in long relief on Sunday. He pitched 1 2/3 innings, throwing 59 pitches, and gave up eight runs in the mop-up role.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yankees 1B Bird producing in place of Teixeira
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

ATLANTA -- The New York Yankees' Greg Bird came to spring training as a non-roster invitee. He did not make his major league debut until Aug. 13. Now he finds himself starting at first base in the middle of a pennant chase.

The rookie has been thrust into an important role with the Yankees since the injury to first baseman Mark Teixeira, who is out with a bone bruise in his lower leg. Doctors examined Teixeira and only found inflammation, but the pain prevented him from running and kept him out of the lineup.

That's allowed Bird to play and he has responded.

In the three games in Atlanta, he went 4-for-9 with five runs scored and three RBIs.

In the 15 games since Bird has been recalled, he is hitting .255 with two homers and 10 RBIs.

"I think he's done a good job," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "There is no panic in him. And defensively he has a good idea of what to do."

Bird was the team's fifth round draft choice in 2011. He has shown power throughout his rise to the major leagues, hitting 20 in 2013 and 14 in 2014 in the minors. This year, he was batting .277 with 23 doubles, 12 homers and 52 RBIs in 83 games split between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton.

The prognosis for Teixeira's return is uncertain. The team hopes to get him back some time during the series in Boston. If not, Bird will continue to get a chance to play.

"And I'm OK with it," Girardi said.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Twins counting on Gibson's return to form
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

MINNEAPOLIS -- If the Minnesota Twins are to make the postseason for the first time since 2010, the club will need right-handed starter Kyle Gibson to return to his early season form.

Gibson, in his third season in the majors, looked every bit the part of a top of the rotation starter to begin the season as the Twins raced to the front of the American League Central standings through May.

Gibson rolled all the way through the All-Star break, compiling an 8-6 record with a 2.85 ERA in 18 starts.

But nine days between starts after July 12 cooled Gibson off, as he got out of his normal routine. In six starts spanning July 21 until Aug. 17, Gibson was 0-3 with a 7.91 ERA -- a far cry from his first half production.

"His innings are going to be up there this year," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "He had a couple of starts there on the road that weren't too appealing with the command."

Gibson was especially bad in Toronto on Aug. 6, allowing a season-high eight runs on nine hits and three walks in just 4 2/3 innings, a game the Twins lost 9-3.

Over his last two starts Gibson has looked more like the starter from the early part of the season, allowing just two runs total in those starts, including 5 2/3 shutout innings on Friday in a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros. The win for Gibson was his ninth of the season, but first since his pre-break outing on July 12 against Detroit.

The only thing Gibson must try and do now is last later into games. That was his one regret from Friday, as he was lifted with two outs in the sixth after already reaching 111 pitches.

"I probably should have gone seven or eight (innings), that's really the only frustrating thing about it," Gibson said. "Anytime you can leave an outing healthy and not give up any runs, that's probably a good night for the most part. Any time you don't give up a run, the team has a chance to win."

The key for Gibson down the stretch will be fastball command. One of the better sinkerball pitchers in the majors, Gibson needs his fastball to be a trustworthy secondary pitch.

Molitor said if Gibson can keep improving with his fastball, it's not only possible, it's likely Gibson can return to his early season form.

"Sometimes, he gets a little too cute rather than going with that good fastball," Molitor said.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'On the diamond'

Atlanta Braves taken behind the woodshed spanked 20-6 Sunday marking a 12th loss in 13 attempts try to right the ship when they host the Miami Marlins ridding a 2-8 skid of their own. Braves open the set with Mike Foltynewicz carrying a 4-6 record 5.71 ERA on the campaign. Marlins have Chris Narveson toeing the rubber with a 1-1 mark, 7.04 ERA over one start and six relief appearances. Despite the slump, Oddsmakers have given Braves the nod as they've opened -$1.45 home favorites.

A higher price on a game is cause to ratchet up the tension for a sports handicapper and in this case probably a good one to walk away from. However, for diehard Atlanta backers there is a silver lining. Miami isn't a peg to hang your hat on away from Marlins Park. The Marlins have lost 43 of 65 in enemy territory this season costing backers a whopping -$1578 at the betting window. Additionally, Marlins have a severe case of 'Monday Blues' winning just 2 of 14 to open a week. Finally, Braves have made a habit of knocking off Marlins this season winning 10 of 13 encounters.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Monday's six-pack

-- Braves got swept at home this weekend, outscored 38-11; Tigers got outscored in Toronto 29-6. tough weekend for those two teams.

-- It is funny that one of the gurus of the spread offense that has taken over college football was the coach at Colorado School of Mines; he is at Montana now.

-- Red Sox 1B Travis Shaw at home: 26-58 (6 HR, 12 RBI, .492 OB%)
Red Sox 1B Travis Shaw on the road: 4-41 (1 HR, 4 RBI, .156 OB%)

-- Seattle Mariner John Hicks is first big leaguer since 2003 whose first two games in the majors came at third base and at catcher.

-- Angels are 11-25 in their last 36 games; that not good.

-- Best wishes to John Daly, who apparently suffered a collapsed lung Saturday on a golf course; he was back playing yesterday, so hopefully he is OK.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Cokin

Bonus Play Monday

DIAMONDBACKS (Ray) at ROCKIES (Bettis) 8:40 PM

Take: DIAMONDBACKS -109

The Diamondbacks are hitting the road following what can only be termed a disastrous home stand. One week ago at this time, the Snakes were heading back to their house suddenly in the conversation as to what team would win the NL West. Seven days and six losses later, that’s not really a reality anymore. The D-Backs were swept by the Cardinals and then lost two of three to the lowly A’s, and whatever playoff hopes they held are probably shot at this point.

That said, I like Arizona’s chances of getting back in the win column tonight. I know Robbie Ray is saddled with an ugly 3-10 ledger, but the southpaw has pitched better than that. The key for Ray this evening is that he’s a lefty, and the Rockies have had a very bad time with portsiders all season.

Chad Bettis get the call for the Rockies. This has been yet another down season for what has become kind of a laughable franchise, but I would say that Bettis has been somewhat of a pleasant surprise for Colorado. Bettis returned from a DL stint with a solid six innings at Atlanta. This has been a reasonably nice breakout year for Bettis, who had basically fallen completely off the prospect chart. But thanks to a decent heater and a pretty good change, he’s looking like a guy who will own a spot in the 2016 Rockies rotation.

The keys for me tonight are more on the offensive side of the ball and in the bullpen. The Rockies simply aren’t very good against lefties and that’s illustrated by their per nine inning run production splits. As for the bullpen, while the Colorado relief corps has actually been okay recently, it’s downright awful overall. If this is tight late, it’s advantage Arizona.

Ray has not pitched well recently but I think the line is skewed a bit due to that nasty 3-10 record. So I see a bit of value with the game priced where it is currently. I’ll side with the Diamondbacks to garner a win in tonight’s series opener.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jim Feist

Jim Feist's Bonus Play for Monday, August 31 10:05 PM ET

(971) LOS ANGELES ANGELS VS (972) OAKLAND ATHLETICS

Take: (972) OAKLAND ATHLETICS

Reason: Your Bonus Play for Monday, August 30th is in the MLB Scheduled contest between the LA Angels and Oakland A's. These are two teams that were expected to contend for the AL West title. Instead, the A's are in last and the Angels are in third and falling faster than the stock market. The Angels just got swept by the Indians, making them 3-8 in the last 11 games. They have averaged just 2.7 runs per game during that span. Hector Santiago has been a solid starter for the Angels. However, Santiago is coming off one of his worst starts, allowing five runs over just 4 1/3 innings to the Tigers. The Angels have now lost four straight of Santiago's starts and six of the last seven. The Oakland A's took the last two games of their series at Arizona. The A's turn to Felix Doubront tonight. Doubrount has not allowed a run over his last two appearances (eight innings). Doubrount came over to the A's from the Blue Jays in Early August. Since joining the A's, he's allowed five earned runs over 18 2/3 innings, dropping his ERA more than one full run. Both clubs are big disappointments this year, but the Angels are in the midst of a big slump, especially with the bats. Your Bonus Play tonight is on the Oakland A's.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports

Bonus Play MON Texas w/Lewis +120

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Stephen Nover

Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets

Bonus Play Philadelphia Phillies

So why get involved with the Phillies when they are playing the Mets?
Bartolo Colon. That's why.
The overweight 42-year-old has a 4.65 ERA on the season, worked in relief two days ago for the first time in four years and the Mets' bullpen carries a high fatigue rating.
Oh, yes, the Mets also are 3-9 in Colon's last 12 starts.
Jerad Eickhoff makes his third big league start for Philadelphia. Acquired in the Cole Hamels deal with Texas, Eickhoff threw six shut out innings against the Marlins during his big league debut then lost five days ago to Colon and the Mets, 9-4. Eickoff pitched decently in that game allowing three earned runs on six hits in six innings. He has a 2.25 ERA on the season.
The Phillies aren't as bad as their overall record shows. They are 23-17 since the All-Star break.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Scott Spreitzer

Tampa Bay Rays vs Baltimore Orioles

Bonus Play Baltimore Orioles

I'm recommending a play on the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night. The O's are off a horrible road trip after finishing their last homestand on a rough note. The slump has the Orioles in virtual must-win mode if they wish to grab a wildcard spot. But I'm not recommending a play on the O's because they "must win." Instead, I'm backing them because they're back home with Wei-Yin Chen on the mound. Baltimore enters on a 37-25 winning run at home and Chen has been one of the few bright spots in August. In fact, Chen led the Orioles to their only win on the just completed nightmare of a road trip. Also, take one weak start against Detroit out of the mix (July 31) and you'll see Chen has posted a 2.67 ERA & 1.18 WHIP in his other 14 starts since June 4. Chris Archer has been inconsistent of late and his numbers against the Orioles are not good since he came into the league a few seasons ago. We have seen Archer post an ERA north of 4.00 in 15 career September appearances and he looks to be a little shaky of late again. I'm recommending a play on the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mike Lundin

Washington Nationals vs St. Louis Cardinals

Mike's MLB *Best of the Rest*

8* STL@WAS Over

Both the St. Louis Cardinals and the Washington Nationals have been swinging hot bats of late and I think we'll see a high-scoring contest as the National League foes open a three-game series at Busch Stadium Monday. John Lackey will take the ball for the Cardinals. He's off seven innings of one-run ball at Arizona and has a 1.91 ERA through 13 home starts on the year, but the Nats torched him for five runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings at Nationals Park earlier in the season. He has a 4.58 ERA in three career starts versus the Nationals who will turn to Gio Gonzalez. The 29 year old left-hander has dominated the Cards in the past allowing just 23 hits and three runs while walking eight and striking out 25 over a total of 29 innings. He's 0-3 with a 10.22 ERA in his three outings though while the Cardinals have averaged seven runs per game over their last seven. The Nats have scored 41 runs over their last six for a 6.83 rpg average behind a .299 AVG.

Note that:
- The over is 4-0 in Gonzalez's last four starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
- The over is 6-2-1 in Lackey's last nine starts with four days of rest.
- St. Louis' Yadier Molina is 4-for-10 with a double and four RBI over his last two games. He's 5-for-12 with three doubles in previous meetings with Gonzalez.
- Washington has a .287 team batting average against Lackey. Jayson Werth is 6-for-12 with three doubles against him and is off a 2-for-4 performance Sunday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAMBLERS DATA

Atlanta -120