Saturday 6/27/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Scott Spreitzer

Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics 4:05PM

Bonus Play Oakland Athletics

I'm recommending a play on the Oakland A's on Saturday. Chris Young got lit-up in his most recent outing, but in reality, the big right-hander has under-performed in three of his last five outings. The two decent starts came against the weak bats of Milwaukee (30th OBP) and Minnesota (24th OBP). But in the other three, Young allowed 17 earned runs, 29 base runners, and six home runs in just 15 2/3 IP, for a hefty 9.75 ERA & 1.85 WHIP, while allowing 3.44 HR's per 9 IP. Before last night, the A's scored 22 runs in their previous three games and had scored six runs or more in eight of their last 11 games. I expect Oakland to get to Young in his current form. Young hasn't pitched in this venue a lot over the last 3+ seasons, but when he has, he has struggled quite a bit. Oakland counters with Scott Kazmir and the lefty continues to shine in 2015, especially at home where he owns a 1.27 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and .162 BAA in seven starts. The Royals are 1-7 in their last eight against southpaws, while Oakland enters on a 27-13 run when Kazmir is listed as a favorite. I'm recommending a play on the Oakland A's on Saturday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Paraguay, Brazil meet on Saturday
by Ethan Back

BRAZIL vs. PARAGUAY

Copa América
Quarterfinals
Kick-off: Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET
Line: Brazil -149, Paraguay +450, Tie +260, Total: 2.5

South American giant Brazil meets Paraguay in the last quarterfinal matchup of the Copa América on Saturday.

Despite winning two games and finishing atop Group C with six points, Brazil has struggled thus far to produce results. The country’s task will get no easier from here on out, as Neymar, the captain of his side who has 44 international goals to his name, has been suspended from the remainder of the tournament in the aftermath of his country’s 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the group stage. While Brazil is undeniably a talented squad, it does not have depth in attack. Robinho has scored 27 international goals, but he has not found the net for his country since 2013 and at the age of 31 is past his prime. Beyond Robinho, no other player on the roster has more than six international goals, and this inexperience could prove troublesome. Look for Roberto Firmino, who scored what turned out to be the winning goal against Venezuela in Brazil’s most recent game, to lead the attacking line. Defense should continue to be a strength, as manager Dunga has a plethora of quality players, including Dani Alves, Miranda, Thiago Silva, Filipe Luís, and Marquinhos, to call upon. They will have to defend an unheralded Paraguay attack that has scored in each of its first three games. Veteran Roque Santa Cruz, the country’s all-time leading scorer with 32 goals, is more than capable of finding the back of the net, as are Lucas Barrios, Nelson Valdez, and Raúl Bobadilla. While Paraguay boasts a solid squad with a mixture of experience and youth, there is a big gulf in talent between these two opponents. This game will be a scrappy battle, and while Brazil could possibly rack up a few goals, the absence of Neymar will likely prevent this. Anticipate another low-scoring match with under 2.5 goals scored. It would be unwise to count Paraguay out, but ultimately, Brazil should find a way to prevail and win by a score of 2-0.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dunkel Index

CFL (Canadian)

Edmonton at Toronto - Saturday June 27, 2015

The Eskimos open the season today in Toronto and come into the contest with a 4-9 ATS record in their last 13 games in Week 1. Toronto is the pick (+4 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Argonauts favored by 6. Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+4 1/2).

Saturday June 27, 2015
Edmonton @ Toronto

Game 125-126
June 27, 2015 @ 5:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Edmonton
113.270
Toronto
119.065
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 6
52
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Edmonton
by 4 1/2
49 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(+4 1/2); Over

Winnipeg @ Saskatchewan

Game 127-128
June 27, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Winnipeg
110.492
Saskatchewan
115.026
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Saskatchewan
by 4 1/2
53
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Saskatchewan
by 8
48
Dunkel Pick:
Winnipeg
(+8); Over

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, June 27

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SEATTLE (2 - 5) at SAN ANTONIO (1 - 6) - 6/27/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SEATTLE is 15-25 ATS (-12.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 12-23 ATS (-13.3 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 65-92 ATS (-36.2 Units) in road games after a division game since 1997.
SEATTLE is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 95-65 ATS (+23.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game since 1997.
SAN ANTONIO is 2-9 ATS (-7.9 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 22-39 ATS (-20.9 Units) as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points since 1997.
SAN ANTONIO is 13-29 ATS (-18.9 Units) in home games off an upset win as an underdog since 1997.
SAN ANTONIO is 33-58 ATS (-30.8 Units) in home games after scoring 75 points or more since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 5-4 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE is 6-3 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PHOENIX (3 - 4) at MINNESOTA (6 - 2) - 6/27/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 47-30 ATS (+14.0 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 8-7 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 9-6 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
11 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

WNBA

Saturday, June 27

Trend Report

8:00 PM
PHOENIX vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Phoenix is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Minnesota's last 14 games when playing Phoenix
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix

8:00 PM
SEATTLE vs. SAN ANTONIO
Seattle is 16-6-1 ATS in its last 23 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing San Antonio
San Antonio is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
San Antonio is 6-16-1 ATS in its last 23 games when playing Seattle

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

Saturday, June 27

Trend Report

1:07 PM
TEXAS vs. TORONTO
Texas is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Texas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Texas
Toronto is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games at home

2:10 PM
MINNESOTA vs. MILWAUKEE
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Milwaukee's last 13 games at home
Milwaukee is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games at home

3:05 PM
WASHINGTON vs. PHILADELPHIA
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Washington is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Washington
Philadelphia is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington

4:05 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. OAKLAND
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Kansas City's last 11 games when playing on the road against Oakland
Kansas City is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Oakland's last 11 games when playing at home against Kansas City
Oakland is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Kansas City

4:05 PM
COLORADO vs. SAN FRANCISCO
Colorado is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing San Francisco
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Colorado's last 11 games
San Francisco is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of San Francisco's last 8 games when playing at home against Colorado

4:05 PM
ATLANTA vs. PITTSBURGH
Atlanta is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games at home
Pittsburgh is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games

4:08 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. DETROIT
Chi White Sox are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi White Sox's last 5 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games at home

4:10 PM
BOSTON vs. TAMPA BAY
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 7 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Boston is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing Boston

4:10 PM
LA DODGERS vs. MIAMI
LA Dodgers are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing Miami
LA Dodgers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games
Miami is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Miami is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games

4:10 PM
NY YANKEES vs. HOUSTON
NY Yankees are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games on the road
NY Yankees are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Houston's last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games

4:10 PM
CINCINNATI vs. NY METS
Cincinnati is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
Cincinnati is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing NY Mets
NY Mets are 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Cincinnati
NY Mets are 2-7 SU in its last 9 games

7:15 PM
CHI CUBS vs. ST. LOUIS
Chi Cubs are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 11 of St. Louis's last 15 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs

7:15 PM
SEATTLE vs. LA ANGELS
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of LA Angels's last 9 games when playing Seattle
LA Angels are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Seattle

7:15 PM
CLEVELAND vs. BALTIMORE
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
Cleveland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Baltimore
Baltimore is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland
Baltimore is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games

10:10 PM
ARIZONA vs. SAN DIEGO
Arizona is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against San Diego
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Arizona's last 11 games when playing on the road against San Diego
San Diego is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games
San Diego is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

CFL TRENDS

Saturday, June 27

5:00 PM
EDMONTON vs. TORONTO
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Edmonton's last 5 games when playing Toronto
Edmonton is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
Toronto is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games

8:00 PM
WINNIPEG vs. SASKATCHEWAN
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Winnipeg's last 8 games when playing Saskatchewan
Winnipeg is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Winnipeg
Saskatchewan is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Winnipeg

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MMA ODDSBREAKER

Larkin/Ponzinibbio Under 2.5

I like this total because both Lorenz Larkin and Santiago Ponzinibbio have questionable chins and big power. They've been very aggressive in recent fights so it's likely someone is getting knocked out. If you factor in that they'll be competing in the smaller cage with less room to outmaneuver an opponent, the chance for a finish goes even higher.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SLEEPYJ

Milwaukee -125

I've been waiting a long time to make a wager on the Brewers..We took them a few days back in a bonus play and cashed..I believe we can use the Brew Crew here again today and get the same result...The Brewers record is just bad all around..This team has a lineup that can be dangerous when they get it rolling..I believe that have it rolling right now and they are poised to make some kind of a run..I can honestly say that when they are healthy as they are now it's a tough out from the 1st to 8th batter. Brewers have now won 3 of 4 and are coming off the best offensive game they had since they played the Twins in Minnesota 3 weeks ago..This Brewers team likes playing the Twins and last series they took 2 out of 3...So the Brewers have some confidence coming into the 2nd game of this set...Minnesota has struggled to plate runs in recent games..They had a explosion the other day as we had an under play, and i'm still salty about that...Brewers will send Matt Garza to the mound with his ERA of 5.48 and WHIP of 1.54...Garza is at the tail end of his career, but you can still get quality efforts form Garza...He has lost his last 2 games and his linescores in those two games are horrendous..He gave up 26 hits and 13ER and only struck out 7 batters in 11 innings of work...Can Garza pitch that bad of a game again?...I will rule that out for today....I think Garza will show up here as he already beat this Twins team once this year..He only allowed 6 hits and 1ER Vs them in 7 full innings...So i like this spot here for Garza...Garza also had and extra day of rest as well...The Twins will look to Gibson today..He has now dropped 3 in a row and hasn't picked up a win since May 30th...Gibson can be solid at times, but he won't over power a lineup..If his magic isn't working, he can get in trouble Vs. this Brewers lineup..He struggles against deep lineups because he isn;t a high strikeout kinda guy....He can walk betters and that may be another issue for him today..Gibson has given up in his last 3 starts a total of 17 hits and 9ER..He also walked 7 batters...He has tailed off now and it's rather clear..Can we get a bounceback effort here from Gibson?...I won't rule it out, but i'm not sold the Twins will give Gibson much run support today....I like this Brewers defense overall, and Garza has been trying to get the ball on the ground..I think he can have success with that today....Only worry is the Brewers defense and how they give up errors...Still, this Brewers team is far gone for this year, but they have a ton of talent..They will still fight it out this year and this team is healthy right now..The bats for the Brewers will be hot here for a bit and i'm looking at playing on the Brewers for a bit rather then fading them...I will go out on a limb and say Garza will pitch a great game today.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers (37-37) at Blue Jays (40-35)
Game: 2
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: June 27, 2015 1:07 PM EDT

Impressive pitching has been the key for the Toronto Blue Jays' mastery of the Texas Rangers over the last few years. After the club's crafty left-hander extended the trend, a rookie lefty making his first career start will try to keep it going.

The Blue Jays plan to promote Matt Boyd from Triple-A Buffalo to start Saturday in the second of a three-game series against the Rangers at Rodgers Centre.

Toronto (40-35) dropped five of the final six meetings with Texas (37-37) in 2012 before taking all four series over the following two seasons with 10 wins in 13 games.

The 24-year-old Boyd may have caught a glimpse of veteran Mark Buehrle continuing that dominance in Friday's 12-2 win. Buehrle gave up only a two-run homer to Prince Fielder over seven innings, allowing four other hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

Toronto's pitchers have now posted a 2.15 ERA, including a 2.36 mark from the starters, over its last 14 against the Rangers. Texas has hit just .213 in that span, with Elvis Andrus struggling the most at 9 for 59.

Edwin Encarnacion hit a pair of home runs Friday, including a grand slam, and Russell Martin and Danny Valencia also went deep to help Toronto improve to 24-14 at home. The Blue Jays had won nine in a row there before dropping two straight to Baltimore last weekend.

"Every time he steps in the box, he's got a chance to go deep," Toronto manager John Gibbons said of Encarnacion, who flew out to the warning track in his last at-bat.

Boyd, who will start in place of Aaron Sanchez (strained back muscle), has gone 7-2 with a 1.26 ERA over 14 starts for Double-A New Hampshire and Buffalo. His emergence has come after he tweaked his offseason training program and lifted his fastball velocity into the mid-90s, giving him a nice complement to his curve, change-up and slider.

A solid outing from the 24-year-old could help Toronto extend the Rangers' season-worst losing streak to seven. Texas, which had been on a 21-8 tear, is now riding its longest slide since an eight-game skid Aug. 30-Sept. 6, 2014.

Opposing Boyd will be Yovani Gallardo (6-6, 2.98 ERA), who will try to win his fourth straight decision during an occasionally trying season in which he's gotten one or no runs of support in six of his 15 starts.

The Rangers, however, have won five of the eight games he's pitched since he suffered a four-start losing streak April 22-May 8. Gallardo, who received a total of two runs of support during his skid, has put in some solid work over his last six outings.

The right-hander has a 1.22 ERA in that span, working at least six innings in four of those starts and allowing no earned runs in three of them, including the previous two. Gallardo, who hasn't allowed a run over his last 15 innings, has logged three consecutive scoreless starts only once in his career from June 10-20, 2013.

He's also kept the ball in the yard over those six outings after allowing seven homers in his first nine. Gallardo, who spent his first seven seasons with Milwaukee, won his only career start against Toronto with 6 2-3 innings of three-run ball on June 20, 2012.

"He's as competitive as they come," Rangers manager Jeff Bannister told MLB's official website. "He's got ice water in his veins when he's out there on the mound."

Fielder's home run Friday was the 300th of his career, and he joined dad Cecil as only the second father-son duo to reach the plateau after Bobby (332) and Barry Bonds (762). Cecil Fielder hit 319 homers during his 13-year career.

"That's pretty good company," Fielder said.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rangers at Blue Jays
Fri, Jun 26 Final 2 to 12
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rangers at Blue Jays
Sat, Jun 27 - 1:07PM EDT

GAME 3
Rangers at Blue Jays
Sun, Jun 28 - 1:07PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins (39-33) at Brewers (27-47)
Game: 2
Venue: Miller Park
Date: June 27, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

The Minnesota Twins have been unable to carry their home success onto the road, and that's especially true for their offense.

The Twins will try to get their bats going against struggling Matt Garza in the middle game of this series with the last-place Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.

Minnesota (39-34) is among the best home teams in the AL with a 25-15 record and a .276 batting average. However, that hasn't translated on the road, where the Twins are 14-19 while hitting a paltry .219.

That's enough to leave them 4 1/2 games back of Kansas City for the Central lead.

Minnesota has dropped three in a row and five of six away from home after falling 10-4 at Milwaukee (28-47) in the opener of this 10-game road trip Friday.

The Twins seem to have an ideal chance to break out offensively against Garza (4-9, 5.48 ERA), who owns one of the worst qualifying ERAs in baseball and the most losses since going 10-10 with the Chicago Cubs in 2011.

Garza, though, is 2-0 with a 0.89 ERA in his last three starts with the Twins, yielding one run in seven innings of a 4-2 win at Minnesota on June 6.

He hasn't come close to being that effective while losing his last two starts, surrendering 16 runs and 26 hits in 12 innings.

The right-hander's frustrations grew Sunday, becoming the first pitcher since Brandon Backe in 2008 to allow 10 runs in two starts in the same season after a 10-4 loss to Colorado.

"It hasn't been my year," said Garza, who is trying to avoid being the first 10-game loser in the majors. "Everything has been just falling the right way. You can only keep working. It is frustrating."

Brian Dozier will try to capitalize on a meeting with Garza since he has a homer and two doubles in nine at_bats against him.

The second baseman has hit safely in all 18 career meetings versus the Brewers, compiling a .390 average after going 3 for 4 with a solo homer Friday.

He's 15 for 36 (.417) in eight games at Milwaukee, but he's 11 for 17 with two homers and four RBIs in the last four.

The Twins may need a solid offensive effort since they're turning to Kyle Gibson (4-6, 3.35), who has a 5.25 ERA in four starts this month compared to a 1.36 ERA and 3-1 record in six May outings.

The right-hander's rough June started with a 10-5 loss to Milwaukee on June 5, during which he surrendered five runs and a career-high three homers in the fifth inning before leaving after the seventh.

Gibson has since lost a career-high three straight starts behind a 4.76 ERA.

He labored through 102 pitches in five innings Sunday, allowing two runs and six hits in an 8-0 loss to the Cubs.

Gibson has struggled with Jonathan Lucroy, who is 4 for 6 with a homer in the matchup.

The catcher is a .352 hitter in 25 career games against Minnesota, going 7 for 18 in four meetings this year. However, he's mired in a 4-for-22 funk over the last six games overall.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Twins at Brewers
Fri, Jun 26 - Final 4 to 10
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Twins at Brewers
Sat, Jun 27 - 2:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Twins at Brewers
Sun, Jun 28 - 2:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals (41-33) at Phillies (26-49)
Game: 2
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: June 27, 2015 3:05 PM EDT

For Gio Gonzalez, the only streak carrying any pressure Saturday is extending the winning one the Washington Nationals are enjoying.

Gonzalez and the Nationals seek an eighth consecutive victory as they continue their series against the punchless Philadelphia Phillies.

A run for the ages by Washington's rotation ended in Friday night's 5-2 victory as Max Scherzer's bid to match Johnny Vander Meer's back-to-back no-hitters ended with Freddy Galvis' one-out double in the sixth.

The shutout streak by the starters ended at 47 1-3 innings - the second-longest in the expansion era - in the seventh on a two-out, two-base hit by Domonic Brown over the head of center fielder Michael A. Taylor.

"Eventually, I was going to run out of luck there," Scherzer told MLB's official website. "Was it a letdown? Yes. But at the same time, your focus is to win the ballgame."

Scherzer had more than enough to put away the worst team in the majors, yielding five hits and striking out seven in eight innings.

The Nationals (41-33) are enjoying their best run since a 10-game winning streak from Aug. 12-21, and Gonzalez (5-4, 4.41 ERA) gets the challenge of lowering the starters' already minuscule 0.53 ERA with three runs allowed in 51 1-3 innings during this run.

The left-hander contributed seven innings to that shutout streak, scattering four hits and two walks Sunday in a 9-2 victory over Pittsburgh. Gonzalez has split two starts against the Phillies this year, limiting them to one run in 6 1-3 innings of a 4-1 win in the most recent May 24.

He's 7-5 with a 3.02 ERA in 14 lifetime outings versus Philadelphia, including a 4-3 mark at Citizens Bank Park. Galvis is 7 for 20 with a homer and two doubles in this matchup, but slugger Ryan Howard is 0 for 11 with six strikeouts.

After an outburst of 31 runs in a three-game win streak, the Phillies (26-49) have reverted to form with four in losing the last two. Pete Mackanin, who replaced manager Ryne Sandberg on an interim basis following his resignation prior to Friday night's defeat, watched his team lose for the 25th time in 31 games.

"He wasn't real happy about his decision, but I think he might be a little relieved at this point," Mackanin said of Sandberg.

Adam Morgan (1-0, 1.59) will try to build on a strong major league debut Sunday in which he shut down St. Louis on a solo homer and five other hits in 5 2-3 innings of a 9-2 victory. The left-hander was efficient, striking out six in a 78-pitch effort.

"I'm just very, very happy for the opportunity. Very grateful," said Morgan, who had been 0-6 at Triple-A before his call-up. "I didn't want to try to do too much or overthink. The main thing was keeping the ball down."

Nationals slugger Bryce Harper may miss a third straight game due to a hamstring issue, and center fielder Denard Span is day to day after being a late scratch Friday with back spasms. Second baseman Yunel Escobar is also questionable after leaving early with a bruised left hand.

After going 9 for 13 with three homers, two doubles and 11 RBIs during Philadelphia's three-game win streak, rookie Mikael Franco is 0 for 8 in his last two contests.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Nationals at Phillies
Fri, Jun 26 Final 5 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Nationals at Phillies
Sat, Jun 27 - 3:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Nationals at Phillies
Sun, Jun 28 - 1:35PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox (32-41) at Tigers (38-36)
Game: 3
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: June 27, 2015 4:08 PM EDT

As the Chicago White Sox continue to struggle, patience might be wearing thin within their front office.

With executive vice president Kenny Williams watching in person, the visiting White Sox look to rebound from another frustrating defeat Saturday against the Detroit Tigers.

Making his first trip of the season, Williams saw the underachieving White Sox (32-41) fall to 2-3 on a nine-game trek after blowing three leads in Friday's 5-4 loss. Despite the additions of veterans Adam LaRoche, Melky Cabrera and relievers David Robertson and Dan Jennings, Chicago has the worst record in the AL. It ranks near the bottom of the majors in runs (253), batting average (.240), on-base percentage (.295), and is last in slugging (.355).

"I told my mother I wouldn't cuss in the newspaper any more, so I can't tell you," Williams told MLB's official website. "You have to imagine the words I have to describe how I'm feeling on this. We have a lot more people around here that are a lot more patient than I."

Though the jobs of general manager Rick Hahn and manager Robin Ventura appear safe for now, Williams admits turning things around to the point of being a postseason contender in 2015 is a tall order.

"Certainly right now, if I'm being honest, I don't see any indication of that," he said. "But you never know what's going to click at a given time and you go on a roll."

Chicago clubbed three homers Friday but went 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position. Embattled shortstop Alexei Ramirez is 5 for 41 in his last 11 games, and 2 for 12 at Detroit (38-36) this season.

Adam Eaton homered to open the first two of this four-game series. Baltimore's Brady Anderson in 1996 was the last to do so in three consecutive contests, but expected day-long rain could delay Eaton's chance at matching that feat.

Eaton is 1 for 6 versus Kyle Ryan (1-1, 4.56 ERA), who allowed five hits in six scoreless innings of an 8-4 win over the White Sox in his debut Aug. 30. In his first 2015 start, Ryan yielded two runs over seven innings of a 4-3, 11-inning loss at Chicago on June 5.

Though the left-hander gave up two runs over two-thirds of an inning out of the bullpen Wednesday at Cleveland, manager Brad Ausmus never doubted Ryan would make his fifth career start Saturday. He yielded three runs while lasting 3 2-3 innings of an 8-5 victory over the Indians in his last start Monday.

Miguel Cabrera had three hits and J.D. Martinez delivered a tiebreaking homer in the eighth Friday to help the Tigers even the set.

Martinez has homered in three straight for the second time in 14 days, and is hitting .347 with nine home runs and 19 RBIs in his last 12 contests.

'It just feels like I'm getting maybe one hit a game, but it just happens to be a home run,' Martinez said.

Cabrera is batting .479 (23 for 48) with 14 RBIs in his last 13 games.

He homered off John Danks (3-8, 5.38) on June 6, when the left-hander allowed five runs in a fifth inning he never finished and a season-high 11 hits in a 7-1 loss. That defeat began a stretch a four consecutive losing starts for Danks, who has a 6.85 ERA during that span.

He yielded a season-high nine runs - five earned - over 5 1-3 innings of a 13-2 loss at Minnesota on Monday.

'I stunk,' said Danks, 0-2 with a 7.59 ERA on the road this month.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
White Sox at Tigers
Thu, Jun 25 Final 8 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
White Sox at Tigers
Fri, Jun 26 Final 4 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
White Sox at Tigers
Sat, Jun 27 - 4:08PM EDT

GAME 4
White Sox at Tigers
Sun, Jun 28 - 1:08PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves (35-39) at Pirates (41-32)
Game: 2
Venue: PNC Park
Date: June 27, 2015 4:05 PM EDT

The Atlanta Braves' week began with listless efforts in three consecutive losses, and they're heading into the weekend on a similar note.

Failing to take advantage of a strong relief performance in their series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Braves look to regroup Saturday and avoid a season-worst fifth straight loss.

Atlanta (35-39) scored only two runs while being swept at Washington and continued its offensive slump with a 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh in 10 innings on Friday. Juan Uribe hit a solo home run, but the Braves tallied only six hits and went 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position.

Atlanta's bullpen was a bright spot in the defeat despite closer Jason Grilli taking the loss. Luis Avilan, Nick Masset and Jim Johnson combined for 4 1-3 scoreless frames in relief of Williams Perez, who left in the fifth inning after Josh Harrison hit a comebacker off his left ankle.

The Braves' pen has a 0.93 ERA over its last 19 1-3 innings dating back to last Friday.

Julio Teheran (5-3, 4.67 ERA) will follow that effort after bouncing back from an subpar five-game stretch with seven one-hit innings in a 1-0 win over the New York Mets. He had previously posted a 6.97 ERA while going winless from May 26-June 16, hardly resembling the top-end starter who had a 3.03 ERA in 63 starts over the last two seasons.

The right-hander credited his increased aggressiveness for the strong performance.

"I think I was more focused," Teheran told MLB's official website. "I was trying to pound the zone and trying to attack the hitters. Every time I attack the hitters it's a different game."

Teheran's longest outing of the year came against Pittsburgh on June 6, when he allowed four runs in 7 1-3 innings and did not factor into the decision of a 5-4 victory. The Braves have won all five of Teheran's career meetings with the Pirates, and he has a 1.02 WHIP in those contests.

Pittsburgh will start Charlie Morton (5-1, 3.97), whose last outing is the worst by an NL pitcher this season. The right-hander allowed nine runs and recorded only two outs in Sunday's 9-2 loss to Washington, posting a single-game ERA of 121.50.

"The good pitches I made, they hit 'em. The bad pitches I made, they hit 'em," Morton said. "That's embarrassing. ... But you've got to shake it off, learn from it and get ready for the next one."

Morton began his career in Atlanta, and has pitched well in four career starts against his former team. He has a 3.50 ERA with two quality starts in the last three meetings, and dealt five innings of a 10-8 victory on June 5.

Like Atlanta, the Pirates' offense has hardly impressed recently, scoring three or fewer runs in five of their last seven games. Andrew McCutchen scored twice Friday and Pedro Alvarez had two RBIs to pace Pittsburgh, which has left 23 runners on base over its last two contests.

McCutchen is 5 for 12 with two homers and four RBIs against Teheran.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Braves at Pirates
Fri, Jun 26 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Braves at Pirates
Sat, Jun 27 - 4:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Braves at Pirates
Sun, Jun 28 - 1:35PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Dodgers (42-33) at Marlins (30-45)
Game: 2
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: June 27, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

With three Cy Young Awards, an MVP, four NL ERA titles and a no-hitter, there isn't much Clayton Kershaw hasn't accomplished with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

There's one thing he's yet to do that he wants no part of.

Kershaw has never lost three straight regular-season starts, a fate he'll try to avoid Saturday in Miami against a struggling Marlins team that might be without baseball's biggest power threat.

Impressive by almost anyone's standards, it's been a relatively rough first three months for Kershaw (5-5, 3.33 ERA) a season after he became the first NL pitcher since Bob Gibson to win both the MVP and Cy Young.

His strikeouts per nine innings (11.79) lead the NL and are on pace to top his career best from last season, and hitters are swinging and missing at 32.0 percent of his pitches - well above anything he's done up to this point.

But after doing an incredible job of keeping the ball in the park the last two seasons - he gave up an NL-low 0.41 homers per nine - hitters have taken some good swings off Kershaw. He matched last season's total by allowing his ninth homer June 17 in a 5-3 loss to Texas, then surrendered two more to account for the three runs he gave up over seven innings as the Dodgers (42-33) fell 4-2 at Wrigley Field on Monday.

"It's always frustrating to lose," Kershaw told MLB's official website. "It's a couple pitches here and there. I wish they were doubles instead of home runs.

"As long as they're solo shots, it doesn't matter. Right now, it feels like that's how I give up runs. If you make a bad pitch, you make a bad pitch. Hopefully they stay in the ballpark."

Kershaw has lost back-to-back starts eight times over 224 career outings, but he's responded with a 1.63 ERA - and just 34 hits over 55 1-3 innings - in his next trip to the mound while allowing just one home run.

That's about the only way the Marlins (30-45) are plating runs these days. They've lost eight of nine after being held to six singles while falling 7-1 Friday, and 10 of their 18 runs in this ugly stretch have come via homer.

Manager Dan Jennings gave a pep talk before his team lost a fifth straight, but a little postgame soothing may have been in order after Giancarlo Stanton felt some pain in his left palm when batting in the ninth Friday. He had an X-ray after the game, the results of which weren't immediately known.

"On a swing, my bat dug into my hand a little bit and didn't feel the greatest," he said. "It got worse and worse."

Is he worried?

"My concern will be when I know exactly what's up," Stanton said.

Seven of the homers Kershaw has surrendered have come on the road, equaling his total from the last two seasons. But the left-hander has won his last four against Miami behind a 1.15 ERA, allowing 13 hits and two homers - one off Stanton's bat - in 31 1-3 innings.

This game could be missing another power-hitting right fielder if Yasiel Puig sits a fourth straight with a callus on his left hand, but he pinch-hit Friday and could return to face a right-hander who's been one of baseball's best pitchers at home.

Tom Koehler (5-4, 3.76) has a 1.52 ERA in seven outings at Marlins Park, most recently limiting the New York Yankees to a run in seven innings there June 15 before missing his latest start with a stiff neck.

Koehler is 1-2 with a 2.91 ERA in four starts against the Dodgers after allowing a run in six innings at Chavez Ravine in May.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Dodgers at Marlins
Fri, Jun 26 Final 7 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Dodgers at Marlins
Sat, Jun 27 - 4:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Dodgers at Marlins
Sun, Jun 28 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Reds (34-38) at Mets (38-37)
Game: 2
Venue: Citi Field
Date: June 27, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

Before the New York Mets give the six-man rotation another try, they'd like Matt Harvey to continue his recent revival.

He'd certainly appreciate a little help.

Harvey will try to lead the Mets to a fifth straight home win Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds.

New York's short-lived experiment with the six-man rotation ended earlier this month after an ineffective Dillon Gee was designated for assignment.

The Mets (38-37) are going to try again with highly touted prospect Steven Matz taking the mound in Sunday's finale. General manager Sandy Alderson expects the six-man setup "will continue for a period of time."

They'd like Harvey's success to keep going as well. The right-hander has allowed one run in 13 2-3 innings while splitting his last two starts after losing three of his previous four with a 7.20 ERA.

"I think the work that we've been doing in between starts is definitely paying off," Harvey told MLB's official website. "I just have to keep that rolling, keep that going. (My) body feels great, everything feels fine right now."

Harvey (7-5, 3.18 ERA) wasn't feeling too good about the offense Sunday, when he allowed one run in 6 2-3 innings while New York was four-hit in a 1-0 loss at Atlanta.

The Mets are hitting .167 during a 2-7 stretch, but only needed two hits to back Noah Syndergaard's eight-inning gem and edge Cincinnati 2-1 on Friday.

"We've got the pitching," manager Terry Collins said. "There's nothing wrong with our pitching. We've just got to give them some help."

Curtis Granderson is one of the few Mets doing it, going 9 for 21 with four homers during a six-game hitting streak. He had a leadoff shot Friday, giving him four homers among his seven hits in his last 23 at_bats against the Reds (34-38).

New York has won seven of the past nine matchups with Cincinnati despite batting .222.

The Reds, who didn't arrive at their hotel until 4:17 a.m. Friday, are turning to rookie Michael Lorenzen (3-2, 3.56), who has won consecutive starts behind a 2.08 ERA.

The right-hander turned in one of his best performances Sunday, yielding two runs in seven innings of a 5-2 win over Miami despite battling an illness. He also added an RBI single, giving him two hits and three RBIs in three games.

"I felt pretty bad all day," Lorenzen said. "I woke up and my throat was really sore. It felt like it was closed up and I had these body aches. It was a battle out there."

Lorenzen, who is facing the Mets for the first time, has yielded one earned run in three of his four road starts.

Joey Votto is 1 for 23 in his last six meetings with the Mets after going 0 for 4 in the opener. He's 2 for 3 with a homer off Harvey, who is 1-0 with a 3.21 ERA in two starts against Cincinnati.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Reds at Mets
Fri, Jun 26 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Reds at Mets
Sat, Jun 27 - 4:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Reds at Mets
Sun, Jun 28 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees (39-34) at Astros (43-32)
Game: 3
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: June 27, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

Both Masahiro Tanaka and manager Joe Girardi are confident the New York Yankees right-hander can successfully move on from his worst start of the season.

Tanaka gets that chance Saturday at Minute Maid Park against the Houston Astros.

Shortly after Tanaka (4-3, 3.17 ERA) matched a career high by allowing seven runs - five earned - and 10 hits, including three homers, in five innings of Sunday's 12-4 loss to Detroit, Girardi showed no reason for concern.

"These are human beings that go out there," he told MLB's official website. "Some days they just don't have it. A lot of times we try to make too much out of it. He'll get back on track."

Girardi's confidence stems from the fact that Tanaka did not allow more than two runs in any of his previous five starts and had a 1.71 ERA while winning two of his first three since missing more than a month with a strained forearm.

"Hopefully I can get it back and be better next time," Tanaka said.

He worked with pitching coach Larry Rothschild to fine-tune some things, especially considering he walked two batters after not issuing any in his previous three starts.

"It actually all comes down to the pitch form or the pitching mechanics," Tanaka said. "I think I need to tweak just a little bit to get myself right back for my next outing.

"I feel that I'm at a pretty good place. I was able to work on that in the bullpen. The one thing I need to do is get that out in the game, take what I've been working on and do that in the games."

This will be his first appearance against the Astros (43-33), whose four-game home winning streak ended after the Yankees evened this series with a 3-2 victory Friday.

"The one thing that'll make me feel relieved is to go out there and pitch well, and the team winning," Tanaka said.

Houston native Chris Young delivered a go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh for one of his three hits, and New York (40-34) matched its run total while losing the previous three on the road. The veteran outfielder is batting .471 (16 for 34) with two homers and eight RBIs while hitting safely in nine consecutive games.

"He's been really hot and that's why he's playing every day," Girardi said.

Young's .410 average in 25 games at Minute Maid Park is his highest at any ballpark in which he's had more than four at_bats.

Evan Gattis is 4 for 8 with three RBIs in the series for Houston, which looks to bounce back behind Brett Oberholtzer (2-1, 2.81).

The left-hander has not allowed more than three earned runs while going 2-1 in five starts since missing almost three weeks with a blister on his throwing hand.

Oberholtzer labored at times while throwing 101 pitches, hitting a batter and walking a season-high four in 5 2-3 innings Monday, but allowed only a two-run homer and three other hits while not factoring in the decision of a 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.

"I thought Obie battled," manager A.J. Hinch said.

Oberholtzer is 0-2 with a 4.96 ERA in three starts against the Yankees.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Yankees at Astros
Thu, Jun 25 Final 0 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Yankees at Astros
Fri, Jun 26 -3 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Yankees at Astros
Sat, Jun 27 - 4:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Yankees at Astros
Sun, Jun 28 - 2:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Sox (32-42) at Rays (41-33)
Game: 2
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: June 27, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

The Boston Red Sox are at the bottom of the AL East looking up at the Tampa Bay Rays, but they leaned on clutch hitting to knock off the division leaders in this series opener.

They'll look for some more timely offense Saturday to back Wade Miley, who has had little trouble in his career versus the Rays.

Brock Holt hit an RBI single in the 10th inning Friday to lead Boston (33-42) to a 4-3 win over Tampa Bay (41-34), which has followed an 8-1 stretch with losses in four of five. The Rays stranded a leadoff double in the ninth inning, dropping their average with runners in scoring position over the last seven games to .151.

'It's definitely frustrating. We had several situations to get a job done and we just didn't get it done, plain and simple,' Steven Souza Jr. said. 'In order to win ballgames like that, we have to come with clutch hits in those big opportunities.'

History indicates that they could again struggle against Miley (7-6, 4.50 ERA). The left-hander is 3-0 in three career starts against the Rays with a 0.47 ERA - his best versus any opponent - after going 5 2-3 in a 1-0 win on April 21.

Two dismal performances toward the beginning of the season inflated Miley's ERA, but he has delivered seven quality starts in his last 10. Miley tossed six shutout innings Sunday in a 13-2 win at Kansas City after failing to record an out beyond the fourth in his previous two road starts.

"I was able to make a couple of pitches in situations that we needed it and got out of some jams, but overall it was good," Miley told MLB's official website.

Matt Andriese (2-2, 3.79) will go for the Rays following a lackluster effort in an 8-5 loss to Toronto on Monday. The right-hander hadn't allowed an earned run in two appearances following his recall from Triple-A on June 12, but gave up four runs and three homers in 5 1-3 innings against the Blue Jays.

Kevin Kiermaier is batting .407 over a six-game hitting streak with five runs and Logan Forsythe is batting .526 in his last five. Marc Krauss also contributed quickly, picking up an RBI double in his Rays debut Friday after coming over from the Los Angeles Angels a day earlier.

Krauss hit .143 in 11 games with the Angels but posted a .868 OPS in Triple-A.

"He's a guy who has hit in the minor leagues, but maybe he hasn't had the most opportunities up here," manager Kevin Cash said before Friday's game. "He's a nice addition for us. Hopefully we can provide him with a good opportunity and he can run into some balls."

Boston's Mookie Betts, who has 11 extra-base hits during his 13-game hitting streak, has a 1.040 OPS in 14 career games against the Rays.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Red Sox at Rays
Fri, Jun 26 - Final 4 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Red Sox at Rays
Sat, Jun 27 - 4:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Red Sox at Rays
Sun, Jun 28 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians (33-39) at Orioles (39-34)
Game: 2
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: June 27, 2015 7:15 PM EDT

While Chris Tillman is cashing in on a run-support binge, Cody Anderson did everything but get the win in his major league debut.

The Cleveland rookie takes on Baltimore's fortunate veteran in the second of a three-game series at Camden Yards Saturday night, and the Orioles are showing no signs of slowing their offensive production.

Tillman (5-7, 6.22 ERA) is 3-0 with a 6.98 ERA in his last four starts. The only game he didn't win in that span was the one in which he didn't last long enough after allowing six runs and six hits in 1 1-3 innings of Sunday's 13-9 win in Toronto.

The brevity of the outing allowed him to stake claim to a start without a walk for the first time this season, but with at least three in five of his previous six starts, he's showing no signs of lowering his major league-leading rate of 4.48 walks per nine innings.

"I'm falling behind - and even the guys I get ahead (of), it's right back in their favor almost immediately," Tillman told MLB's official website. "I've got to do a better job of keeping me on the offensive, instead of defending against their swings."

The right-hander, who has been worse at home with a 2-4 record and 6.81 ERA that's near the bottom of baseball, has a season run-support average of 6.47. It's spiked significantly on the June unbeaten streak at 14.90 per game.

More good news is four of his worst starts have come against one opponent - Toronto - and the best start on the recent anomalous span was in Cleveland. Tillman gave up two runs and six hits in 6 1-3 innings of a 5-2 win on June 5 to improve to 3-2 with a 4.73 ERA in six starts against the Indians.

Jason Kipnis is 3 for 8 with a home run off Tillman, but Ryan Raburn (0 for 8) and Brandon Moss (1 for 12) have struggled.

Kipnis is batting .400 on a career-best 20-game hitting streak, as well as .373 on a 16-gamer against Baltimore. Both Raburn and Moss homered along with Carlos Santana in Friday's 4-3 loss as the Indians (33-39) allowed Baltimore (39-34) to reach five games over .500 for the first time this year.

It was six games under entering play on June 4 and has gone an MLB-best 16-5 since to get within 1 1/2 games of first-place Tampa Bay.

Jimmy Paredes is batting .396 in his last 12 games, Manny Machado is at .429 in eight, and J.J. Hardy is hitting .341 in 10 games after spending his first 34 at .217 or worse. The recent success has come with Adam Jones (sore right shoulder) missing the last five games and eight of 10, which could result in a stint on the DL.

The Orioles have taken three of four in the season series while limiting the Indians to 2.5 runs per game, but that'd be an upgrade for Anderson.

The only thing missing from Anderson's first big league start was a victory after limiting Tampa Bay to six hits in 7 2-3 innings of Sunday's 1-0 home win. The right-hander looked more the part of the veteran while issuing one walk and needing 94 pitches to become just the fourth Indians pitcher to throw that many scoreless innings in his debut.

"I'm sure there's a lot of guys in player development today that are really proud," manager Terry Francona said. "And, they should be, because he did a heck of a job."

If he's able to continue the scoreless streak, he's got a shot at Scott Lewis' 15-inning scoreless stretch from 2008, which is the franchise's longest to begin a career in records dating to 1974.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Indians at Orioles
Fri, Jun 26 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Indians at Orioles
Sat, Jun 27 - 7:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Indians at Orioles
Sun, Jun 28 - 1:35PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs (39-32) at Cardinals (48-24)
Game: 2
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: June 27, 2015 7:15 PM EDT

Since joining the NL in 1892, St. Louis has reached 50 wins in 74 games or fewer once. It happened in 71 contests, but the 2015 Cardinals should be forgiven for slightly trailing that mark.

They don't have a Stan Musial batting .369 as part of the hot start and a fellow infielder beating him out for MVP. In fact, three of the top players on the present roster remain on the disabled list.

Even so, when they continue this series against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday night at Busch Stadium, they'll try to come closer than any club since Musial and curious MVP Marty Marion paced one of the best Cardinals teams ever in 1944.

After Friday's 3-2 win over Chicago (39-33) in 10 innings, the Cardinals (49-24) are also 25 games over .500 this early in the season for the first time since the 1944 team did so in 64. The 73 it took this season's club is 10 games faster than any other since. The 1987 Cardinals did it in 83, and both the '44 and '87 teams won the World Series.

St. Louis is seeking its fifth winning streak of at least five games and its second eight-gamer at home, where it's gone an MLB-best 27-7. The Cardinals have won five of seven in the season series with Kolten Wong going 9 for 17 in the last five.

Chicago's Starlin Castro has an 11-game hitting streak in the series, but the Cubs are in danger of matching their season-worst four-game losing streak in large part because they've managed four runs in three games.

Should the Cardinals get to 50, they may do it with Michael Wacha accounting for 20 percent of those.

Wacha (9-3, 2.85 ERA) has been on and off lately, trading wins and losses in his last six starts. The off reached a new level in Sunday's 9-2 loss in Philadelphia as the right-hander gave up a season-high five runs and eight hits in five innings. Over his last three starts, he's 1-2 with a 5.50 ERA.

"I guess you could think of (the good starts), but right now it stinks pretty good and you definitely don't want to experience this feeling too many times," Wacha told MLB's official website.

If he gets the 10th win, he'll double his total from last season in four fewer starts.

The 23-year-old is 2-1 with a 3.20 ERA in four starts and a relief effort against the Cubs while never allowing more than three runs. Castro (5 for 11) and Anthony Rizzo (4 for 11) have both homered off him.

Wacha is up against a pitcher who hasn't stood on a major league mound this season. Donn Roach is making his Chicago debut as Tsuyoshi Wada misses a start due to shoulder cramping.

Roach went 1-0 with a 4.75 ERA in a start and 15 relief appearances last season as a rookie with San Diego. The start didn't go well as the right-hander gave up four runs and four hits in three innings of an 8-6 loss in Colorado on May 18.

"There's less of the butterfly effect - I still have some, it's still the big leagues - but this isn't my first big league start or big league appearance," Roach said.

The Cubs acquired the 25-year-old off waivers in November, and he's gone 7-1 with a 2.29 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 14 starts with Triple-A Iowa. That's a significant improvement from his 5.24 and 1.78 marks in 19 games with San Diego's Triple-A El Paso club in 2014, so Chicago's hoping he's turned a corner.

"I had to go backwards to go forwards," Roach said.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cubs at Cardinals
Fri, Jun 26 - Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cubs at Cardinals
Sat, Jun 27 - 7:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Cubs at Cardinals
Sun, Jun 28 - 8:15PM EDT