Saturday 6/3/17 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Cleveland Indians (28-25) at Kansas City Royals (23-30)

DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 03 - 2:15 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Whit Merrifield attempts to extend his hitting streak to 18 games when the Kansas City Royals host the Cleveland Indians on Saturday for the middle contest of the three-game series between the American League Central rivals. Merrifield doubled in the first run as the Royals took the opener 4-0 on Friday and has gone 23-for-58 during his streak to raise his batting average to .295.

Merrifield is 2-for-3 with a homer against Indians scheduled starter Carlos Carrasco, who has been rolling along at a pace that could make him a candidate for the All-Star Game. Jason Hammel, who will oppose Carrasco on Saturday, has yet to find the form he displayed in 2016, when he recorded a career-high 15 wins with the World Series champion Chicago Cubs. The Indians registered seven hits and went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position Friday after scoring 33 times during a 4-1 stretch that had vaulted them into a virtual first-place tie in the division. Michael Brantley recorded three hits to raise his average to .311 on Friday while slugger Edwin Encarnacion, who has belted four homers against Hammel in his career, extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a single.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (5-2, 2.89 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jason Hammel (1-6, 6.18)

Carrasco is unbeaten in his last five starts, including a turn on Monday in which he held Oakland to two runs and four hits over seven innings while notching seven strikeouts. The 30-year-old Venezuelan has recorded seven quality starts in 10 outings and 65 strikeouts over 65 1/3 frames while limiting opponents to a .194 batting average. Lorenzo Cain is 8-for-25 versus Carrasco, who is 7-5 with a 3.40 ERA in 19 career games (14 starts) against the Royals.

Hammel has gone 0-3 while giving up 19 runs - 18 earned - over 23 1/3 innings in four starts since defeating Cleveland on May 5, when he allowed one run and struck out six in six frames. The 34-year-old South Carolina native, pitching for his sixth team, has yielded three or more runs in eight of his 10 turns while opponents are batting .306 against him. Encarnacion is 8-for-21 against Hammel, who is 1-3 with a 4.75 ERA in 10 career appearances (eight starts) versus Cleveland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Indians OF Lonnie Chisenhall (concussion) may begin a rehab assignment this weekend if he receives medical clearance.

2. Kansas City 1B Eric Hosmer has hit safely in five straight contests overall and is 9-for-22 versus the Indians this year.

3. Cleveland is 22-1 when leading after six innings.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Royals 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: St. Louis Cardinals (26-26) at Chicago Cubs (26-27)

DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 03 - 2:20 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


Things haven’t gone as well as the Chicago Cubs would have hoped during the opening months of their World Series title defense, but clinching a series win against the rival St. Louis Cardinals would be a step in the right direction. The Cubs aim for a second consecutive victory over the visiting Cardinals when the National League Central foes continue their three-game series Saturday.



The Cubs snapped a season-high six-game losing streak with a 3-2 win in Friday’s opener, as former Cardinals outfielder Jason Heyward knocked in the tying and winning runs. Chicago has faced a recent offensive outage, totaling just nine runs during the six-game skid before eking out a win despite just five hits Friday. "We haven't been playing badly, we just have not been hitting," Cubs manager Joe Maddon told reporters. "You can't say we killed it (Friday) on offense, we just pitched well enough.” The Cardinals have been in the same situation recently – they haven’t scored more than four runs in any of their last nine games and have allowed just one run in their three wins during that stretch.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), WGN (Chicago)



PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Mike Leake (5-3, 2.24 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jon Lester (3-3, 3.86)

Leake recorded quality starts in his first nine outings of the season before giving up four runs over seven innings in a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. The 29-year-old gave up two homers in that outing and surrendered six in five May starts after not allowing a single long ball in five April outings. Leake is 9-6 with a 3.50 ERA in 24 starts against the Cubs, including a tough-luck loss on May 12 in which he gave up two runs in six innings.

Lester is coming off his worst outing of the season after giving up six runs and seven hits in 3 1/3 innings in a loss at the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. The clunker came on the heels of the 33-year-old’s best start of the year, as he struck out 10 and held San Francisco to one run and four hits in a complete game just five days earlier. Lester is 3-4 with a 2.19 ERA in 11 starts against the Cardinals, including a loss and a no-decision this season.



WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs pitchers have allowed 14 first-inning home runs – tied for the most in the majors – including an MLB-high five leadoff blasts.

2. Cardinals OF Magneuris Sierra is 12-for-32 during an eight-game hitting streak to begin his major-league career, the longest career-opening hitting streak by a St. Louis player since Homer Smoot in 1902.

3. Heyward is 5-for-15 with three RBIs against the Cardinals this season and is batting a team-best .293 with runners in scoring position.



PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Cardinals 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Washington Nationals (34-19) at Oakland Athletics (23-31)

DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 03 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Washington Nationals attempt to remain perfect on their nine-game road trip when they visit the Oakland Athletics on Saturday afternoon for the middle contest of their three-game series. After registering a three-game sweep in San Francisco, the Nationals pounded out 20 hits en route to a 13-3 victory in Friday's opener.

Daniel Murphy and Brian Goodwin each recorded four hits - including a homer- and drove in two runs, with the latter's home run being the first of his major-league career. Murphy has been swinging a hot bat on the road trip, going 10-for-19 with a blast and five RBIs. Oakland returned home from a 2-5 road trip to suffer its sixth loss in seven contests. Yonder Alonso is riding a six-game hitting streak after going 2-for-4 with his 15th homer on Friday.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), NBCSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Joe Ross (2-1, 6.18 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Daniel Mengden (0-1, 13.50)

Ross has allowed five runs and failed to complete five innings in three of his last four starts, including a loss to San Diego on Sunday in which he yielded 12 hits over four frames. The 24-year-old Californian was demoted after back-to-back rough outings in late April but returned on May 23 to dominate Seattle as he gave up one run and five hits over eight innings en route to victory. Ross will be facing Oakland for the first time in his career.

Mengden lasted only 3 1/3 innings in his season debut on Monday at Cleveland as he was tagged for five runs and seven hits. The 24-year-old Texan made four starts for Triple-A Nashville this year, going 2-1 with a 2.21 ERA and 0.93 WHIP while striking out 20 and walking just five in 20 1/3 frames. Mengden, who never has faced Washington, remains in search of his first win at home after going 0-7 with a 6.86 ERA in eight outings as a rookie last year.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Athletics sent LHP Sean Doolittle (shoulder), who has been on the disabled list since May 3, on a rehab assignment to Single-A Stockton on Friday.

2. Washington OF Chris Heisey (biceps) experienced a setback while playing for Double-A Harrisburg during his rehab assignment, which has been put on hold.

3. Oakland RHP Jesse Hahn (triceps) made a rehab start for Stockton on Wednesday and is expected to throw a bullpen session on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Nationals 6, Athletics 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: San Francisco Giants (23-33) at Philadelphia Phillies (17-35)

DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 03 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

San Francisco Giants center fielder Denard Span has made himself extremely comfortable at Citizens Bank Park, with the most recent evidence being his fifth career five-hit performance in the opener of a three-game series versus the host Philadelphia Phillies. Span has recorded 17 hits in his last 29 at-bats in the City of Brotherly Love entering Saturday's contest against the free-falling Phillies.

Eduardo Nunez has been hitting regardless of venue of late, collecting two doubles and a single in the opener to give him 24 hits in his last 16 games to raise his batting averaging from .246 to .288. The outbursts by Span and Nunez paved the way for a season-best 10 runs and campaign high-tying 15 hits by San Francisco, which entered that contest after being limited to just four runs in a three-game sweep by Washington. Philadelphia is singing a much sadder tune, as it has been outscored 31-5 in its last four games, scored two or fewer runs in 10 of its last 12 and has dropped 26 of 32 overall to secure the worst record in the majors. "I'm at a loss for words. Bad way to start the month," said Phillies manager Pete Mackanin, who had a front row seat to watch his team record a historically bad month in May.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, NBCSN Bay Area (San Francisco), CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Johnny Cueto (5-4, 4.37 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Ben Lively (NR)

Cueto snapped a four-start winless skid on Sunday after allowing one run on six hits in as many innings en route to a 7-1 triumph versus Atlanta. The 31-year-old Dominican kept the ball in the park after getting shredded for three homers in his previous outing against the Chicago Cubs. Cueto traditionally has struggled against Philadelphia, posting a 1-4 mark with a 5.37 ERA in 11 career appearances while allowing the Phillies to bat .272 versus him.

Lively, who was acquired in a deal for outfielder Marlon Byrd in late 2014, was tabbed as the organization's Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2016. The 25-year-old recorded an 18-5 mark with a 2.69 ERA in time split between Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley last year. Lively kept the run of success going in 2017, posting a 6-1 mark with a 2.40 ERA in nine starts with the IronPigs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia OF/INF Howie Kendrick is 6-for-16 with a homer and two runs scored in four contests since returning from a 37-game absence due to an abdominal strain.

2. San Francisco C Buster Posey is 7-for-16 with two RBIs during his four-game hitting streak.

3. Phillies 3B Maikel Franco has answered a 2-for-21 stretch with three hits in his last two contests.

PREDICTION: Giants 8, Phillies 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (34-23) at Miami Marlins (22-31)

DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 03 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Justin Bour and the Miami Marlins are enjoying a productive homestand, as the 29-year-old has homered three times in the last three games and recorded 11 hits to lift his team to six wins in its last eight contests. Bour looks to keep the power surge going on Saturday as the Marlins play the third contest of a four-game series against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks.

Bour belted his 12th homer in 21 contests with a two-run shot in Friday's 7-5 victory, although the game likely will be remembered for Giancarlo Stanton recording his franchise-best 579th RBI. Stanton is batting a blistering .400 in his past 11 contests while riding respective five-game hitting and RBI streaks into Saturday's tilt versus starter Randall Delgado. Arizona's Chris Iannetta and Paul Goldschmidt are experiencing their own power surges as the former has five homers in his past eight games while the latter has gone deep in two of his last three. Goldschmidt has tormented Saturday starter Edinson Volquez, going 7-for-14 in his career with five extra-base hits - including one homer - and four RBIs.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Arizona, FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Randall Delgado (1-0, 3.47 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Edinson Volquez (1-7, 4.44)

Delgado put up a doozy of a performance in his second start in place of Taijuan Walker (blister) on Monday, allowing one run and striking out a season-high eight in a no-decision at Pittsburgh. The 27-year-old recorded his longest appearance of the year in terms of innings (5 2/3) and pitches thrown (92) against the Pirates. Delgado has fared well against Miami, posting a 2-0 mark with a 1.54 ERA in his four previous starts.

Volquez snapped a career-long eight-game losing skid dating to last year on Monday after allowing one run on three hits in six innings of a 4-1 victory over Philadelphia. The 33-year-old Dominican, who posted his first win since pitching for Kansas City on Aug. 25, walked just two batters for the second straight start and third in four outings after issuing a staggering 20 in his previous four trips to the mound. Volquez owns a 2-2 career mark with a 3.94 ERA in 10 appearances versus Arizona.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona RF David Peralta has collected multi-hit performances in four of his last six games.

2. Miami has belted 15 homers during its current homestand.

3. Marlins C J.T. Realmuto is 3-for-7 with an RBI and two runs scored in the series after going 3-for-20 in his previous six games.

PREDICTION: Marlins 5, Diamondbacks 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Colorado Rockies (34-23) at San Diego Padres (23-33)

DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 03 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Petco Park, San Diego, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Jhoulys Chacin faces his former organization for the first time when the San Diego Padres host the Colorado Rockies on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Chacin spent his first five-plus major-league seasons with the Rockies but is with his fourth different club since leaving after the 2014 campaign.

Chacin is trying to recapture the form that saw him record 14 wins with the Rockies in 2013 and is looking forward to facing former teammate Carlos Gonzalez and other familiar faces. "I was rooting for them to get hits my whole career," Chacin told reporters. "Now I'm facing them, competing against them. It's going to be really exciting for me. ... It was a really good time that I spent with the Rockies." San Diego stretched its season-best winning streak to five games with an 8-5 victory on Friday as Austin Hedges, Yangervis Solarte and Wil Myers each homered. Colorado has allowed 32 runs while losing four of its last five contests.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), FSN San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Tyler Chatwood (4-7, 5.04 ERA) vs. Padres RH Jhoulys Chacin (4-4, 5.77)

Chatwood has been rocked twice by the Padres this season, taking the loss both times while compiling a 7.59 ERA over 10 2/3 innings. Overall, the 27-year-old is 4-2 with a 4.88 ERA in 11 career appearances (nine starts) versus San Diego and has struggled with Myers (6-for-16, two homers). Chatwood lasted a season-low 4 1/3 innings while losing to Seattle in his last turn, allowing seven hits and a season-high six runs.

Chacin did not factor in the decision against Washington in his last outing after giving up three runs and eight hits over 4 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old has been stellar at home, registering a 2-0 record, 0.67 ERA and .132 batting average against in four outings compared to going 2-4 with a 10.27 ERA and .377 average against in seven road starts. Chacin has shut down Mark Reynolds (1-for-13) while struggling with Ian Desmond (7-for-19).

WALK-OFFS

1. The red-hot Solarte is 15-for-37 with 10 walks over his last 10 games.

2. Rockies CF Charlie Blackmon, who went 2-for-4 in the opener, was named National League Player of the Month for May after batting .359 with 22 RBIs during the month.

3. Hedges is 4-for-8 with two homers, a double and six RBIs over his last two contests.

PREDICTION: Rockies 7, Padres 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Atlanta Braves (22-30) at Cincinnati Reds (25-28)

DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 03 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The calendar has flipped from May to June, but Ender Inciarte and Matt Kemp keep piling up the hits as the Atlanta Braves play the middle game of a three-game set Saturday at the Cincinnati Reds. Kemp, who batted .357 last month with 41 hits, collected three in Friday’s series-opening 3-2 10-inning loss while Inciarte, who finished May with 40 hits while batting .336 for the month, went 2-for-4.

Cincinnati was held without a first-inning run for just the second time in the past 11 games Friday, but rallied with two runs in the bottom of the ninth before Devin Mesoraco hit the game-winning solo shot in the 10th. The Reds scored the game-tying run on a wild pitch in the ninth and ended a three-game losing streak, allowing only two runs after surrendering 28 runs during the skid. Shortstop Zack Cozart finished 1-for-4, extending his streak of consecutive games reaching base to 24. Atlanta relievers gave up three runs in two innings (two by Jim Johnson, one by Jose Ramirez), raising the bullpen’s ERA to 4.29 as the Braves have lost five of their past six games.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH R.A. Dickey (3-4, 4.95 ERA) vs. Reds RH Scott Feldman (4-4, 4.26)

The Braves are 5-5 in Dickey’s 10 starts, but the 42-year-old knuckleballer looks to rebound after a rough showing in Atlanta’s loss Sunday at San Francisco. Dickey gave up seven runs (six earned) in six innings with five walks, the first start of the season in which he allowed more than four earned runs. Right-handers are hitting .303 with a .903 OPS against Dickey, who is 1-2 in four career starts against the Reds.

Feldman looks to win his third consecutive start, after giving up four runs in five innings to beat Philadelphia on Sunday and six one-hit innings with nine strikeouts in a May 22 victory against Cleveland. The 34-year-old has pitched better at home, posting a 3.53 ERA in six home starts with 30 strikeouts and 12 walks in 35 2/3 innings. Feldman is 0-2 in three career appearances against Atlanta and will be facing the Braves for the first time since 2014.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta juggled its roster Friday, activating 3B Adonis Garcia and P Eric O’Flaherty from the disabled list while promoting INF Johan Camargo, optioning P Matt Wisler and INF Jace Peterson to Triple-A Gwinnett, and designating OF Emilio Bonifacio for assignment.

2. Cincinnati C Tucker Barnhart has hit safely in 12 of his past 14 appearances, hitting .311 in that stretch.

3. The Reds have won seven of the past eight series at home against Atlanta.

PREDICTION: Braves 6, Reds 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Chicago White Sox (24-29) at Detroit Tigers (26-28)

DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 03 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Detroit Tigers have put together consecutive wins for the first time in over two weeks and will try to make it three in a row when they continue a three-game series with the visiting Chicago White Sox on Saturday. After taking the finale of a set in Kansas City on Wednesday, the Tigers erupted for 18 hits - including a season-high seven doubles - in a 15-5 rout of the White Sox on Friday.

Miguel Cabrera had two of those doubles as he became the 39th player in history to record 1,000 career extra-base hits. Jose Iglesias added three hits and four runs scored for Detroit and the slick-fielding shortstop has four multi-hit games over his last nine to raise his average from .195 to .242. Chicago opened a nine-game road trip with Friday's defeat and it has lost 11 of its last 14 away from home. It will try to keep pace with the Tigers behind starter Miguel Gonzalez, who opposes Jordan Zimmermann in a matchup of veteran right-handers.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Miguel Gonzalez (4-5, 4.43 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Jordan Zimmermann (4-4, 6.47)

Gonzalez put forth his longest start in over a month with 7 2/3 innings in a win over the Tigers at home on Memorial Day, letting up three runs and six hits while tying a season-high with six strikeouts and walking zero batters for the first time this year. It was a far cry from Gonzalez's first start against Detroit on April 30, which resulted in him giving up seven runs (six earned) on 14 hits in six frames. The 33-year-old has a 7.02 ERA in 11 career encounters (nine starts) with the Tigers and has been hit hard by Cabrera (8-for-19, one home run).

Zimmermann's rocky campaign continued in a loss at Chicago on Sunday, when he gave up a season-high seven runs on eight hits over five innings. He has allowed at least four runs in eight of 10 outings and has served up 15 home runs over his last seven starts. Four of those long balls have come during two starts versus the White Sox and the Wisconsin native has a 5.63 ERA in seven career matchups with them.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cabrera needs one home run to tie Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski (452) for 37th on the all-time list.

2. White Sox CF Leury Garcia is 7-for-17 with four RBIs during a four-game hitting streak.

3. Tigers RF J.D. Martinez had been 0-for-10 with four strikeouts against the White Sox this year before going 3-for-5 with a homer and a triple Friday night.

PREDICTION: Tigers 7, White Sox 6

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (34-22) at Milwaukee Brewers (29-26)

DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 03 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Milwaukee Brewers matched the major-league record by striking out 26 times in the series opener but look to make better contact when they host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game series. The Brewers fell 2-1 in Friday's 12-inning contest, matching the record shared by their 2004 team, the 1971 California Angels and this season's Chicago Cubs.

The Dodgers fanned 16 times in the pitching duel that was decided when rookie phenom Cody Bellinger hit a solo blast in the top of the 12th. The other runs also came on homers as Milwaukee's Domingo Santana went deep in the seventh inning and Los Angeles' Yasmani Grandal tied the contest with one out in the ninth. The Dodgers have won seven of their last nine games despite scoring just three runs over their last three. Milwaukee has given up just four runs over its last three contests but is only 14-16 at home despite leading the National League Central with a 29-26 record.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Rich Hill (2-2, 4.09 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Matt Garza (2-2, 3.98)

Hill defeated St. Louis in his last turn as he gave up one run and two hits over five innings. The 37-year-old has worked five frames or fewer in each of his three starts since being sidelined one month due to a recurrence of blister issues. Hill is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in six career appearances (five starts) against the Brewers but hasn't faced them since posting a win on Aug. 28, 2007 as a member of the Cubs.

Garza has dropped consecutive starts, allowing 10 runs and 14 hits in 11 innings during the stretch. The 33-year-old lost to the New York Mets in his last turn, when he gave up four runs and seven hits over 5 2/3 frames. Garza is 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA in two career starts against Los Angeles, with the loss occurring last season at Dodger Stadium.

WALK-OFFS

1. Brewers 2B Jonathan Villar and 1B Jesus Aguilar each struck out four times on Friday.

2. Los Angeles 3B Justin Turner (hamstring) took batting practice and ran the bases on Friday but remains without a scheduled return date.

3. Milwaukee LF Ryan Braun (calf) won't be ready to come off the 10-day disabled list when first eligible to do so on Monday.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 4, Brewers 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Houston Astros (39-16) at Texas Rangers (26-29)

DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 03 - 7:15 PM EST
WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Houston Astros are the best team in the majors and no one within their own division looks capable of stepping up to offer a challenge. The Astros will try to become the first team to reach 40 wins and push their latest streak to nine straight victories when they visit the rival Texas Rangers in the second of a three-game series on Saturday.

Houston had no trouble pounding the top team in the American League Central in a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins to begin its road trip this week and cruised right past the Rangers 7-1 in the series opener on Friday. The Astros are 12 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Los Angeles Angels in the AL West and own an 18-6 record against teams from their own division, including a 4-1 mark against Texas. The Rangers won the AL West last season but are 2-8 in their last 10 games while dropping three games below .500 at 26-29. One bright spot of late for Texas is right-hander Andrew Cashner, who gets the start on Saturday opposite budding Houston star Lance McCullers Jr.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Lance McCullers Jr. (6-1, 2.48 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Andrew Cashner (2-4, 2.92)

McCullers hasn't lost since April 26 and went 4-0 with a 0.99 ERA in May, including a stretch of four straight starts in which he did not allow an earned run. That came to an end on Sunday, when the 23-year-old was reached for three runs - two earned - while striking out eight in six innings and earning a win over the Baltimore Orioles. McCullers matched a season high with 10 strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings against Texas on May 1 but did not factor in the decision while yielding two runs.

Cashner matched a season high with seven innings at Toronto on Sunday and scattered one run on five hits to pick up the win. The 30-year-old allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven of his last eight starts but notched three or fewer strikeouts in seven of those eight as well. Cashner dueled with McCullers in that May 1 contest but came out as the loser while allowing three runs - two earned - on three hits and three walks in six innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rangers designated opening-day closer Sam Dyson for assignment on Friday with the RHP owning a 1-6 record and a 10.80 ERA.

2. Houston SS Carlos Correa is batting .472 with four homers and 13 RBIs in his last eight games.

3. Texas 3B Adrian Beltre hit his first home run on Friday and is batting .400 in four games since making his season debut on Monday.

PREDICTION: Astros 5, Rangers 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Boston Red Sox (29-25) at Baltimore Orioles (29-24)

DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 03 - 7:15 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Boston Red Sox came into the weekend playing well and making up some ground in the American League East, but the Baltimore Orioles are having little trouble sending them back down the standings. The Orioles will try to clinch the series win when they host the Red Sox in the third of the four-game set on Saturday.

Boston won eight of 10 before coming into Baltimore and watching solid starting pitchers Eduardo Rodriguez and Rick Porcello struggle to keep the ball in the park. The Orioles bashed four home runs off Rodriguez in the 7-5 triumph on Thursday and added two more off Porcello to steal Friday's contest 3-2 and move past the Red Sox into second place in the American League East behind the New York Yankees. Boston will try to get a better effort on Saturday out of another former Cy Young Award winner, David Price, who will be making his second start of the season while going up against Baltimore ace Dylan Bundy. Bundy is hoping for continued support from second baseman Jonathan Schoop, who is 3-for-8 with a home run and three RBIs in the series but just 4-for-20 in his career against Price.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, Fox

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH David Price (0-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (6-3, 2.89)

Price began the season on the disabled list after suffering an elbow strain in spring training and returned at the Chicago White Sox on Monday. The Vanderbilt product allowed three runs on two hits - one homer - and two walks in five innings while striking out four but did not factor in the decision. Price went 3-1 with a 3.71 ERA in five starts against Baltimore last season and is 11-5 with a 2.88 ERA versus the Orioles in his career.

Bundy snapped a four-start winless streak by holding the Yankees to two runs on seven hits over seven innings on Monday in a 3-2 final. The 24-year-old surrendered two or fewer earned runs in eight of his 11 starts but yielded at least one home run in each of the last four turns. Bundy is already making his fourth start against Boston this season and went 2-1 in the first three, including seven scoreless innings in the lone home start on April 21.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Red Sox placed Rodriguez on the 10-day DL with a knee injury on Friday and recalled RHP Brandon Workman.

2. Orioles 3B Manny Machado is 3-for-8 with one strikeout in the series after striking out 10 times while going 0-for-18 in his previous four games.

3. Boston rookie LF Andrew Benintendi is 1-for-23 over his last seven games.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 4, Orioles 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (25-30) at New York Mets (23-30)

DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 03 - 7:15 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The New York Mets are having some trouble getting the pitching staff and the lineup on the same page as their latest losing streak sits at three games. The Mets will try to coax another solid effort out of right-hander Robert Gsellman while keeping the bats humming along when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second of a three-game series on Saturday.

New York totaled one run in back-to-back losses to the Milwaukee Brewers prior to the current series but watched the lineup explode with three homers on Friday, only to end up falling 12-7 as the Pirates bashed former ace Matt Harvey and the Mets bullpen. The strong offensive showing by Pittsburgh - led by a home run and six RBIs from backup catcher Elias Diaz - bailed out a poor effort from ace Gerrit Cole and gave the Pirates their third straight road victory, improving the team to 11-17 away from PNC Park. Gsellman will try to keep Diaz and company off the board on Saturday while Pittsburgh counters with right-hander Tyler Glasnow, who struggled against the Mets at home on Sunday. New York fell to 2-3 on its current homestand with Friday's loss and is just 13-18 at Citi Field on the season.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, Fox

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Tyler Glasnow (2-4, 6.95 ERA) vs. Mets RH Robert Gsellman (3-3, 5.75)

Glasnow held New York scoreless through three innings at home on Sunday but ended up going just five innings while being charged with five runs and eight hits in a loss. The 23-year-old went past the sixth inning in just one of his seven outings this season and has issued 26 walks in 45 1/3 innings. Glasnow managed to keep all eight of the Mets' hits in the ballpark on Sunday, snapping a string of five straight starts yielding at least one homer.

Gsellman is ticketed to return to the bullpen when Steven Matz and Seth Lugo come off the disabled list but pitched well in his last two starts. The 23-year-old held Milwaukee to two runs - one earned - and three hits in seven innings on Monday after posting a quality start against San Diego in his previous turn. Gsellman will be seeing Pittsburgh for the first time in his career.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets 1B Lucas Duda homered twice on Friday and has six blasts in his last nine games.

2. The Pirates designated INF Alen Hanson for assignment and optioned INF Gift Ngoepe to Triple-A on Friday.

3. Pittsburgh C Francisco Cervelli (illness) was scratched from the lineup on Friday and is day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Mets 6, Pirates 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Minnesota Twins (28-23) at Los Angeles Angels (28-30)

DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 03 - 10:07 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Albert Pujols takes another shot at reaching 600 career home runs on Saturday as the Los Angeles Angels continue their four-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins. Pujols remains stuck on 599 blasts as he was kept in the park for the third straight game Friday as Los Angeles suffered an 11-5 defeat.

The 37-year-old slugger, who is looking to become the ninth member of the 600-homer club, also hopes to begin a new hitting streak as he went 0-for-4 to halt an eight-game run and remains one hit behind Mel Ott (2,876) for 43rd place on the all-time list. Yunel Escobar has gone 2-for-4 in back-to-back contests after missing nearly three weeks with a strained hamstring while Kole Calhoun is 6-for-15 during his four-game hitting streak as the Angels have gone 2-3 on their seven-game homestand. Minnesota appears glad to be away from Target Field as it has kicked off its 10-game road trip with a pair of victories after losing the final four contests of its 1-5 homestand. Joe Mauer has hit safely in six of his last seven games after going 4-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs on Friday.

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN North (Minnesota), FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Ervin Santana (7-2, 1.75 ERA) vs. Angels RH Matt Shoemaker (4-3, 4.26)

Santana's superb season continued Monday as he allowed two runs - one earned - and five hits over seven innings against Houston but settled for a no-decision. The 34-year-old Dominican, who has given up more than one earned run only twice in 11 starts this year, is holding opponents to a .140 batting average. Santana, who spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Angels, is 1-2 with a 4.35 ERA in three career starts against his former team.

Shoemaker had his three-start winning streak snapped Sunday, when he yielded four runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings at Miami. It was the 30-year-old native of Michigan's shortest outing since April 9, when he worked only 4 1/3 frames, but also marked the first time in 11 turns this season he did not issue a walk. Shoemaker has made three career starts against Minnesota, going 1-1 with a 4.61 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels signed veteran OF Michael Bourn to a minor-league contract to improve their depth with Mike Trout (thumb) and Cameron Maybin (oblique) on the disabled list.

2. Minnesota traded LHP Jason Wheeler, who was designated for assignment on Wednesday, to the Los Angeles Dodgers for cash.

3. The return of Los Angeles RHP Huston Street (triceps) from the 60-day disabled list will be delayed at least one week after he suffered a setback during his rehab assignment.

PREDICTION: Twins 5, Angels 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (29-28) at Seattle Mariners (26-30)

DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 03 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Seattle Mariners are enjoying one of their best stretches of the season and look to win for the sixth time in seven games when they host the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday for the second contest of their three-game series. Danny Valencia hit a three-run homer and matched his career high with five RBIs as the Mariners established a season best for runs in Friday's 12-4 triumph.

Former Ray Taylor Motter belted a grand slam for Seattle and is expected to see most of the playing time at shortstop for a while as the hot-hitting Jean Segura - second in the American League with a .341 average - went on the disabled list with a high ankle sprain. Seattle did receive good news when Nelson Cruz's hand injury was ruled to be just a bruise, and the slugger went 2-for-3 with a walk in the opener. Tampa Bay's Corey Dickerson (.342) edged ahead of Segura in the batting race by going 2-for-5 on Friday and is 15-for-41 during his eight-game hitting streak. The loss was just the third in nine games for the Rays, who also are receiving solid play from Kevin Kiermaier as the outfielder is 15-for-38 with four homers in that span.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Alex Cobb (4-4, 3.67 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Sam Gaviglio (1-1, 3.50)

Cobb settled for a no-decision against Minnesota in his last outing despite giving up just one run and six hits over five innings. The 29-year-old has the same ERA on the road as at home - 3.67 - but is 3-1 in away games and has served up just three homers in seven starts compared to five in four home outings. Cobb is 2-3 with a 5.28 ERA in six career starts against Seattle and has struggled with Robinson Cano (8-for-23, three homers).

Gaviglio is making his fourth major-league start after recording his first career win last time out despite a shaky performance. The 27-year-old gave up five runs and six hits in five innings against Colorado but prevailed in a 6-5 decision. Gaviglio has registered just eight strikeouts in 18 frames, including only one in each of his last two outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rays 3B Evan Longoria (neck) departed Friday's game and is day-to-day.

2. Seattle RHP Felix Hernandez (shoulder) pitched a two-inning simulated game on Friday and said he will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday.

3. Tampa Bay activated INF Brad Miller (abdomen) from the 10-day disabled list and optioned OF Mallex Smith to Triple-A Durham.

PREDICTION: Rays 5, Mariners 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Tony Brown
TONY'S *5 MLB FREE PICK
Cleveland vs. Kansas City, 06/03/2017 14:15 EDT
Total: Under 8.5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Chris Ruffolo

TORONTO

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Andrew Jett

CLEVELAND

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mark Roberts

ST LOUIS+1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Randy Chambers

SEATTLE

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB
Dunkel

Saturday, June 3


Washington @ Oakland

Game 929-930
June 3, 2017 @ 4:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
(Ross) 13.933
Oakland
(Mengden) 15.036
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oakland
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-125
9
Dunkel Pick:
Oakland
(+105); Under

Tampa Bay @ Seattle

Game 927-928
June 3, 2017 @ 10:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
(Cobb) 17.136
Seattle
(Gaviglio) 14.562
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 2 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-115
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(-115); Under

Minnesota @ LA Angels

Game 925-926
June 3, 2017 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
(Santana) 12.781
LA Angels
(Shmaker) 15.271
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Angels
by 2 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Angels
-115
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
LA Angels
(-115); Under

Boston @ Baltimore

Game 923-924
June 3, 2017 @ 7:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
(Price) 15.957
Baltimore
(Bundy) 14.534
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Boston
by 1 1/2
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-120
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Boston
(-120); Over

Chicago White Sox @ Detroit

Game 921-922
June 3, 2017 @ 4:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago White Sox
(Gnzalez) 15.655
Detroit
(Zmmrmnn) 14.241
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago White Sox
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Detroit
-135
10
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago White Sox
(+115); Under

Cleveland @ Kansas City

Game 919-920
June 3, 2017 @ 2:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
(Carrasco) 16.654
Kansas City
(Hammel) 15.118
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 1 1/2
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
-180
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-180); Over

Houston @ Texas

Game 917-918
June 3, 2017 @ 7:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
(McCllers) 15.941
Texas
(Cashner) 16.882
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Texas
by 1
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-175
9
Dunkel Pick:
Texas
(+155); Over

NY Yankees @ Toronto

Game 915-916
June 3, 2017 @ 1:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Yankees
(Mntgmry) 16.120
Toronto
(Biagini) 15.314
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Yankees
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-140
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NY Yankees
(+120); Under

Pittsburgh @ NY Mets

Game 913-914
June 3, 2017 @ 7:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
(Glasnow) 12.953
NY Mets
(Gsellman) 15.958
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Mets
by 3
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Mets
-130
9
Dunkel Pick:
NY Mets
(-130); Under

Atlanta @ Cincinnati

Game 911-912
June 3, 2017 @ 4:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
(Dickey) 13.156
Cincinnati
(Feldman) 15.329
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cincinnati
by 2
12
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cincinnati
-150
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cincinnati
(-150); Over

Colorado @ San Diego

Game 909-910
June 3, 2017 @ 4:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Colorado
(Chtwood) 16.602
San Diego
(Chacin) 12.921
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Colorado
by 3 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Colorado
-120
8
Dunkel Pick:
Colorado
(-120); Under

LA Dodgers @ Milwaukee

Game 907-908
June 3, 2017 @ 4:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Dodgers
(Hill) 15.692
Milwaukee
(Garza) 17.443
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-160
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
(+140); Over

San Francisco @ Philadelphia

Game 905-906
June 3, 2017 @ 4:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Francisco
(Cueto) 14.890
Philadelphia
(Lively) 11.788
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Francisco
by 3
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Francisco
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
San Francisco
N/A

St. Louis @ Chicago Cubs

Game 903-904
June 3, 2017 @ 2:20 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
(Leake) 13.564
Chicago Cubs
(Lester) 16.083
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago Cubs
by 2 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
-160
No Total
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Cubs
(-160); N/A

Arizona @ Miami

Game 901-902
June 3, 2017 @ 4:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
(Delgado) 15.203
Miami
(Volquez) 15.987
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Miami
-115
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(-115); Under