Saturday 7/11/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Tigers' 19-game Over run the greatest sports betting streak in history
By JASON LOGAN

The summer is supposed to be a down time for sports betting. Not a time for arguably the greatest gambling streak ever.

While the sports betting industry lay half asleep in the July sun, dreaming ahead to those fall football days, the Detroit Tigers turned the “Dog Days of Summer” into an Over bettors paradise by topping the total in 19 straight games. Detroit’s Over run came to an end Thursday night in a 4-2 win at Minnesota that stayed Under the 8-run total.

From June 17, an 8-4 loss to Cincinnati that played Over the 6.5-run total, to July 8, a 5-4 victory at Seattle to trump the 7.5-run number, the Tigers earned $17,660 for dime bettors ($1,000) backing the Over during that incredible totals streak. The length of that Over stretch and those huge earnings puts the “Total Topping Tigers” of 2015 at the top of the betting mountain in terms of the greatest runs in sports betting history.

Of course, we can only go back as far as our wagering records will allow, which means we don’t have game-to-game odds on the 1916 New York Giants’ 26-game winning streak. But it’s safe to say if we did, the Giants would have been hefty moneyline favorites in most of those games and they wouldn’t come close to the money earned during Detroit’s 19-game Over run.

Don’t think we’re right? Let’s compare the Tigers’ Over run against the 2002 Oakland A’s 20-game winning streak – now famously depicted in the 2011 film Moneyball - which actually earned just $9,590 for MLB dime bettors from August 13 to September 4, 2002. The Athletics, made out to be underdogs in the movie, were moneyline favorites in all of those 20 games with prices peaking at -330 just before the streak ended.


The Tigers’ Over explosion was not only a product of their own offense – averaging 5.79 runs per game in that span – but also a porous defense on the other side of the ball, allowing 6.42 runs against during those 19 games. Detroit’s contests were tabbed with an average total of just over eight runs during the streak, topping the number by an average of 4.21 runs per game.

Jesse Schule is one of the savvy handicappers to ride the Tigers' Over run to the bank. He played the Over with Detroit nine times during that stretch, including eight Overs between June 26 and July 8. He says he was amazed at how little oddsmakers adjusted to the streak, even toward the end of its run.

"One thing that I think separates this historic run from others is that it appeared to be completely ignored by the bookmakers," Schule says. "Despite going Over in 18 straight games prior to Wednesday's game in Seattle, I was able to get a total of 7.5."

"When I am following a trend, I am careful to avoid 'being late to the party'. What I mean by that is, if a team wins 10 in a row, but the price goes up after each win, you end up with an inflated line," he adds. "It didn't look as though the bookmakers raised the number at all to adjust for the fact Detroit's games continued to sail Over the total."

Detroit’s 19-game Over streak is the longest totals run we have on our betting records, going back to 1999, overtaking the 2005 Florida Marlins’ 15-game Over run, that stacked $13,390 for $1,000 totals bettors. The longest Under streak in that time frame is a tie at 14 games between the 2004 Milwaukee Brewers and the 2001 Seattle Mariners, who also hold the second-longest MLB winning streak since 1999 at 15 games.

The Tigers’ amazing Over run of 2015 also holds up against the biggest betting streaks in the major sports (that we have recorded). Its closest competition comes from the NHL, where the 2003-04 Carolina Hurricanes stayed Under the total 15 times in a span of 19 games, with four pushes, between December 3 2003 and January 11, 2004. That stretch earned $13,650 for NHL dime totals bettors but may not qualify as a true "winning" streak, since there were four pushes against the number.

The 2005-06 New Jersey Devils won 15 straight games from March 28 to April 29, 2006 – spanning the regular season and NHL playoffs. Hockey bettors placing a $1,000 wager on each of the Devils’ games during that tear took in $13,020 in profits, including a 3-2 shootout win in Ottawa as +223 underdogs that started the improbable ride.

Detroit’s Over success has made 2015 a crazy year for sports betting streaks. The Atlanta Hawks made betting history this past NBA season with a mind-blowing 15-game ATS roll from December 27, 2014 to January 23, 2015 – the longest NBA ATS winning run since the 1990-91 season (as far back as our ATS records go).

Atlanta backers would have bought up the Hawks’ spreads at different prices, but with most NBA lines priced around -110 (they climbed even higher toward the end of the streak with the market blindly siding with Atlanta), basketball bettors are looking at a best-case return of $13,650. However, since books padded Atlanta’s vig during this run, the 15-game ATS streak likely earned much less.

Here’s a look at the biggest betting streaks in each of the major sports:

NFL

ATS: 1985 New England Patriots – 14 games
Over: 2010 Dallas Cowboys – 12 games
Under: 2003 Buffalo Bills – 11 games

NCAAF

ATS: 2013 Auburn/1985 Bowling Green/1995 Ohio State – 11 games
Over: 2008 Oklahoma/2009 NC State - 9 games
Under: 2008 Tennessee/2006 Stanford – 10 games

NBA

ATS: 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks – 15 games
Over: 1990-91 Minnesota Timberwolves – 13 games
Under: 1996-97 Houston/2003-04 L.A. Lakers/2014-15 Milwaukee – 12 games

NCAAB

ATS: 2010-11 George Mason Patriots – 14 games
Over: 2008-09 Green Bay Phoenix – 14 games
Under: 2008-09 Eastern Illinois Panthers – 15 games

MLB

Moneyline: 2002 Oakland A’s – 20 games ($9,590 on $1,000 bet)
Over: 2015 Detroit Tigers – 19
Under: 2001 Seattle/2004 Milwaukee – 14 games

NHL

Moneyline: 2005-06 New Jersey Devils – 15 games ($13,020 on $1,000 bet)
Over: 2014-15 Buffalo/2002-03 Detroit/2011-12 Pittsburgh – 10 games
Under: 2003-04 Carolina Hurricanes – 15 games

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'Over-Whelming'

'Over' gamblers are thriving in Seattle games with Iwakuma on the mound. In his four outings this season the 'Over' is 4-0. Going back ten starts the 'Over' is a sparkling 9-0-1. Additionally, Mariners are 9-1-1 'Over' last eleven vs the division which is the case Saturday when they host Los Angeles Angels and C.J. Wilson. 'Over' players will have no problem going back to the well in this one knowing Mariners are 8 'Over', 2 'Under', 1 'Push last eleven at Safeco Field. Another telling baseball betting stats that leap out for 'Over' bettors. The Halos lefty C.J. Wilson is 7-0-1 'Over' last five July road starts.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Streaks, Tips, Notes

Chicago White Sox at Chicago Cubs July 11, 4:05 EST

When the North Siders host the South Siders on Saturday runs should be at a premium. In Jon Lester's last 11 starts Cubs are 9-2 'Under'. In Lester's last seven vs a team with a losing record the 'Under' is 6-1. In Chris Sale's past eleven trips to the mound the Pale Hose are 9-1-1 'Under'. In Chris Sale's last eight vs a team with a winning record the 'Under' is 6-1-1.

Oddsmakers have the total at 7.5 runs

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Saturday's six-pack

What college football expert Phil Steele thinks about the ACC Coastal Division

7) Virginia-- 5-19 in ACC last three years; make a bowl this year, or else.......

6) Duke-- 11-6 in ACC last two years; they were 18-126 from 1995-2012.

5) North Carolina-- Have 17 starters back but that defense has to be a LOT better.

4) Pittsburgh-- Another new HC, but Narduzzi inherits a decent amount of talent.

3) Georgia Tech-- Option offense is hard to prep for; they beat Clemson, Georgia last year, won their bowl game

2) Miami-- Al Golden looks like young George Allen; time to start coaching like him.

1) Virginia Tech-- 12-12 in ACC last three years, do the Hokies bounce back?

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Cokin

Bonus Play Saturday

ANGELS (Wilson) @ MARINERS (Iwakuma) 10:10 PM

Take: ANGELS +100

Another strong showing for the red hot Angels on Friday night as they cooled off Mike Montgomery and rolled past the Mariners. I’m expecting another good performance from the Halos tonight.

Hisashi Iwakuma gets the call for the Mariners tonight. It’s his second start back off the DL, and the hope for Seattle is that he gets back to his old form sooner rather than later. That’s absolutely a possibility, but I can’t see it being a probability based on what I’ve been seeing from Iwakuma.

Right now, there are red flags hovering above Iwakuma. His velocity is a little off where we’re used to seeing it. That in itself is not a huge deal, but the fact his mistakes are getting annihilated is. I didn’t see anything resembling good command in this most recent start. Iwakuma was throwing strikes, but there were too many right down the middle.

Iwakuma is not throwing his four-seamer as frequently as he we’re used to seeing and he’s only averaging 89.3 on those he has launched so far this season. That’s not very encouraging and while it’s a small sample, the fact is actually getting fewer ground balls while throwing a higher percentage of two-seam fastballs.

I’m not going to be shocked beyond belief if Iwakuma suddenly relocates his stuff and morphs right back into the pitcher we’re more accustomed to have watched. But I don’t see any buy signs here right now.

CJ Wilson can blow hot or cold, but he’s generally been pretty warm facing the Mariners, and seems to enjoy pitching at spacious Safeco. Wilson will also have the much better offense to offer support here.

The public figure to back the visitors here, and I also believe the Halos are the right side. Iwakuma will have to prove to me he can avoid giving up the gopher ball, and he’s facing a team that’s homering on a pretty frequent basis lately. I like the red hot Angels to stay that way with another win tonight.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports

Bonus Play Sat: Rockies w/DeLaRosa-140

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Scott Spreitzer

Toronto Blue Jays vs Kansas City Royals

Bonus Play Over

I'm recommending a play on the Over between the Jays & Royals on Saturday afternoon. Chris Young has had a surprising first half of the season for KC. But Young does his best work on the road and in evening action. He hasn't been bad at home, but his 4.07 ERA is much higher than his road ERA of 1.62. Young has been downright poor in daytime action this season and we expect the Jays to get their share of runs off the lanky right-hander. Toronto sends Mark Buehrhle to the mound. The veteran hurler has struggled a bit against current Royals, who have hit nearly .280 off the southpaw. We should note KC ranks 3rd and 8th in team batting average and OBP against left-handers this season. They're also 4th and 7th in the same offensive categories at home. I'm recommending a play on the Over between the Jays & Royals on Saturday afternoon. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

Saturday, July 11

Trend Report

2:10 PM
TORONTO vs. KANSAS CITY
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Kansas City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Kansas City is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Toronto

4:05 PM
DETROIT vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Detroit's last 13 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 20 of Detroit's last 21 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Minnesota's last 12 games when playing at home against Detroit
Minnesota is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing Detroit

4:05 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. CHI CUBS
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi White Sox's last 5 games
Chi White Sox are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
Chi Cubs are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Chi Cubs's last 13 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox

4:10 PM
HOUSTON vs. TAMPA BAY
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Tampa Bay's last 11 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing Houston

4:10 PM
ATLANTA vs. COLORADO
Atlanta is 17-7 SU in its last 24 games when playing Colorado
Atlanta is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Colorado
Colorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Colorado's last 9 games when playing Atlanta

4:10 PM
CINCINNATI vs. MIAMI
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cincinnati's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games when playing at home against Cincinnati
Miami is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games

4:10 PM
ARIZONA vs. NY METS
Arizona is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
NY Mets are 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Arizona
NY Mets are 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

6:35 PM
OAKLAND vs. CLEVELAND
Oakland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland's last 5 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games
Cleveland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Oakland

7:15 PM
NY YANKEES vs. BOSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 5 games on the road
NY Yankees are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Boston is 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Yankees

7:15 PM
WASHINGTON vs. BALTIMORE
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Washington's last 9 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
Washington is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games
Baltimore is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Baltimore's last 8 games at home

7:15 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. PITTSBURGH
St. Louis is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
St. Louis is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Pittsburgh's last 25 games at home
Pittsburgh is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games

9:05 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. TEXAS
San Diego is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
San Diego is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas's last 6 games at home

10:05 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. SAN FRANCISCO
Philadelphia is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games
Philadelphia is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing San Francisco
San Francisco is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
San Francisco is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games

10:10 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. LA DODGERS
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Milwaukee's last 9 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers
Milwaukee is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
LA Dodgers are 3-8 SU in their last 11 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
LA Dodgers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games

10:10 PM
LA ANGELS vs. SEATTLE
LA Angels are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of LA Angels's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Seattle's last 13 games when playing LA Angels
Seattle is 7-15 SU in its last 22 games at home

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, July 11

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

LOS ANGELES (2 - 9) at TULSA (9 - 4) - 7/11/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 18-29 ATS (-13.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 14-24 ATS (-12.4 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 18-35 ATS (-20.5 Units) after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 12-23 ATS (-13.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
TULSA is 25-14 ATS (+9.6 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TULSA is 7-3 against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 7-3 straight up against TULSA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

WNBA

Saturday, July 11

Trend Report

8:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. TULSA
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Los Angeles's last 8 games
Los Angeles is 2-12 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Tulsa's last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tulsa's last 7 games when playing at home against Los Angeles

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

BIG AL

Our complimentary selection for Saturday, July 11 is:

Cleveland (Carrasco) over Oakland (Bassitt).

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Reds (38-45) at Marlins (36-50)
Game: 3
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: July 11, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

Though the Cincinnati Reds are assured of their worst pre-All Star break record in eight years, they're showing life more recently behind dominant pitching.

They're hoping rookie Raisel Iglesias can rise to the occasion and continue that trend when they visit the Miami Marlins on Saturday.

Even if the Reds (39-45) sweep the rest of this series, they'll finish with their fewest wins before the All-Star break since 2007 when they were 38-45. They've won three of four while allowing four runs and 16 hits, however, and held Miami to four hits in Friday's 1-0 victory. Mike Leake struck out 10 over eight innings, giving the club its fourth quality start in five games.

Anthony DeSclafani was responsible for the only non-quality start in that span and this would have been his next turn in the rotation, but he has been scratched because of a strained gluteal muscle. It's not expected to keep him out past the All-Star break, manager Bryan Price told MLB's official website.

That provides an opportunity for Iglesias (1-1, 5.11 ERA), who hasn't pitched in the majors in more than a month due to a strained oblique. He was hammered in his last start, giving up five runs and nine hits over 5 2-3 innings in Cincinnati's 8-5 win over Washington on May 30.

He has allowed two runs in 7 2-3 innings over two starts for Triple-A Louisville since June 30.

"We've been looking forward to getting Iglesias back here," Price said. "We think he's a big leaguer, and a guy that's gonna benefit greatly from being in the rotation and pitching at the big league level. We see him as part of this ballclub moving forward, and these are valuable innings for him."

Jay Bruce homered and doubled Friday and continues to rack up extra bases, recording 11 doubles, four home runs and a triple for a .650 slugging percentage over his last 21 games. He was slugging .389 prior to that stretch.

"It was a hole that I had to dig myself out of, and there's still a lot of work to do," he said. "I'm still not even close to where I want to be."

For Iglesias, he won't exactly be facing murderers' row in the feebly hitting Marlins (36-51), who have been held below four runs in seven straight games and 14 times in the last 17. They struck out 13 times Friday, including a season-worst three by Dee Gordon, who is 5 for 31 (.161) over his last eight games. Miami is fanning once every 4.1 plate appearances over its last 13 contests.

The Marlins are also holding back their initially scheduled starter, with Mat Latos missing his chance to face the Reds for the first time since they traded him in December for DeSclafani and catcher Chad Wallach. Latos injured his right foot Thursday when he was hit by Christian Yelich's foul ball.

Adam Conley will take Latos' place for his first career start. He pitched a perfect inning of relief at Toronto in his major league debut June 10 before being sent back to Triple-A New Orleans the next day. The left-hander is 8-2 with a 2.33 ERA in 16 minor league games this year, including 15 starts.

He was credited with a two-hitter Sunday against Iowa in a game that was called after seven innings due to rain.

The Reds are 9-12 this year against left-handed starters.

Cincinnati's Marlon Byrd is 20 for 57 (.351) during a 13-game hitting streak.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Reds at Marlins
Thu, Jul 9 Final 0 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Reds at Marlins
Fri, Jul 10 Final 1 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Reds at Marlins
Sat, Jul 11 - 4:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Reds at Marlins
Sun, Jul 12 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks (42-42) at Mets (44-42)
Game: 2
Venue: Citi Field
Date: July 11, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

Two years ago at Citi Field, Matt Harvey and Patrick Corbin appeared in their first All-Star Game as two of most promising young arms in baseball.

Shortly thereafter, both underwent Tommy John surgery.

Corbin's second start since coming back will be his first opposite Harvey as the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks face the New York Mets on Saturday.

Harvey's hype reached a crescendo when he started the 2013 All-Star Game in his home ballpark, but it was Corbin who took the loss for the NL.

They shared another experience, albeit a much more dubious one, as both pitchers underwent reconstructive elbow surgery to miss all of 2014.

While Harvey (7-6, 3.11 ERA) returned for spring training, Corbin's first start since September 2013 didn't come until Saturday. The left-hander allowed two runs and eight hits in five innings, throwing 56 of his 76 pitches for strikes in a 7-3 win over Colorado.

"It's great to be back," Corbin said. "You have a lot of emotions going ... I just wanted to go out there and don't overthrow, throw a lot of strikes and I felt like I was able to do that."

Corbin has struggled to do that in three starts against the Mets (45-42), going 0-2 with a 6.46 ERA. Both of those defeats came in Queens, where he surrendered nine runs in 9 1-3 innings.

Harvey is 2-1 with a 3.44 ERA in three starts against the Diamondbacks (42-43), allowing two solo homers with nine strikeouts in seven innings of a 6-2 win at Arizona on June 4.

The right-hander has a 1.46 ERA over his last four games but he's just 1-2 since the Mets have given him four total runs of support - one in the last three games.

He got no help last Saturday, battling through 100 pitches in five innings while allowing three runs and seven hits in a 4-3 road defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"I just had a tough time finding a rhythm," Harvey said. "After the first inning I was pretty amped up and felt good. Then all of a sudden everything got out of whack and I couldn't find the strike zone, so it was a battle."

That wasn't an issue Friday for rookie Noah Syndergaard, who struck out a season-high 13 and yielded one run in eight innings of a 4-2 win to open this three-game set.

New York's .233 average is among the worst in baseball, but it's showing signs of improvement - they've hit .257 during a 4-1 stretch after getting 10 hits - two homers - Friday.

The Mets are batting .293 against Arizona - their best against any opponent this year - and have nine homers in winning three of five between the teams.

Michael Cuddyer had two hits in the opener, including a solo homer for his first in 26 games since hitting one at Arizona on June 5. He entered this series batting .133 in 19 games, but he's got a .403 average with six homers and 18 RBIs in his last 15 meetings with the Diamondbacks.

Cuddyer is also 4 for 11 versus Corbin.

Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt leads the NL with a .345 average, and his 20 homers and 69 RBIs are also among the leaders in those categories. However, the All-Star bopper is batting .178 with one homer in 11 career games at New York.

He homered off Harvey last month for his lone hit in five at-bats against him.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Mets
Fri, Jul 10 Final 2 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Mets
Sat, Jul 11 - 4:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Mets
Sun, Jul 12 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Astros (49-39) at Rays (43-45)
Game: 2
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: July 11, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

Dallas Keuchel has one more chance to prove he's worthy of starting for the AL in next week's All-Star Game.

He'll do so while trying to win a fourth consecutive start and help the visiting Houston Astros avoid a fifth straight defeat Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Looking to become the AL's first 12-game winner, Keuchel (11-3, 2.14 ERA) has the lowest ERA in that league, thrown more innings (130 1-3) than anybody in the majors and ranks among baseball's leaders in WHIP (0.99). The left-hander also received 381 All-Star votes from his fellow players - more than any pitcher in the majors.

'I think Dallas is stating his own case (to start the All-Star Game),' said Houston manager A.J. Hinch, who will be on Ned Yost's staff for Tuesday's contest. 'Multiple guys have the qualifications. I just don't know if anyone's been better."

Keuchel won't lobby for the gig or let the wait consume him.

'I'd like to, but it's nothing I'm going to fret over,' said Keuchel, who can become the first Astro since Roy Oswalt in 2005 to win 12 before the break. 'There are plenty of deserving candidates. There are guys a lot more nasty than I am. I'm just happy to be at the game.'

Keuchel wasn't at his best Monday when his 19-inning scoreless stretch ended while yielding three runs and a season-high nine hits over six of a 9-4 win at Cleveland - Houston's only triumph in the last seven games.

In three starts opposite Tampa Bay (44-45), Keuchel is 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA - his highest against any AL opponent over at least three starts. He must improve in order to help the Astros (49-40) rebound after falling to 2-6 on a 10-game trip with Friday's 3-1 defeat.

Colby Rasmus homered for one of five hits by Houston, which has totaled 21 while scoring four on a four-game slide.

"It's tough, the runs and hits are hard to come by for us right now,' said Hinch, whose club holds a slim lead over the second-place Los Angeles Angels in the West. "We've gone through this, this lull a little bit before and came out of it fine. We'll come out of it again."

The Rays managed four hits but scored twice on ground outs in the sixth and added a Brandon Guyer homer in the seventh to snap their own four-game skid by winning for the second time in 13 contests.

"It's good for us to get back on the winning side of things," All-Star closer Brad Boxberger said after recording his 21st save.

Though Evan Longoria failed to hit safely for the first time in nine games, he recorded his seventh RBI over that stretch. He's 3 for 6 against Keuchel.

Jake Odorizzi (4-5, 2.47) takes the mound for the first time since leaving June 5 after 4 1-3 innings with a strained left oblique.

"Huge (lift getting him back)," manager Kevin Cash told MLB's official website. "Odo has already done a lot this season."

Though the right-hander is 1-2 in five home starts, he's posted a 1.64 ERA. His only appearance against the Astros came at home June 21 of last year when he allowed one hit and struck out 10 in 7 1-3 innings of an 8-0 victory.

Jose Altuve had Houston's lone hit in that contest, and is batting .325 while hitting safely in 19 of his last 21.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Astros at Rays
Fri, Jul 10 Final 1 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Astros at Rays
Sat, Jul 11 - 4:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Astros at Rays
Sun, Jul 12 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Athletics (39-49) at Indians (41-44)
Game: 2
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: July 11, 2015 6:35 PM EDT

The Cleveland Indians staff has been one of MLB's best in the past two weeks and Carlos Carrasco almost provided a no-hitter early in that stretch.

Carrasco's latest effort was nowhere near that level, and he'll try for a better showing in his first start against the Oakland Athletics on Saturday night.

Cleveland (42-44) has logged a 2.19 ERA while going 9-3 and Carrasco (10-7, 4.17 ERA) finished one strike shy of the Indians' first no-no in 34 years July 1 in an 8-1 victory in Tampa Bay.

The right-hander didn't make it past the fourth inning Monday against Houston after giving up five runs - four in the first - and 10 hits in a 9-4 loss. He dropped to 1-3 with a 5.96 ERA in his last four home starts with that performance.

"There are days when you aren't going to feel your best, but you've got to find a way," manager Terry Francona said. "You could see it was a struggle for him right in the first inning."

The Indians have yielded three earned runs in their four subsequent wins, and Danny Salazar gave up one unearned in 8 2-3 innings in a 5-1 victory in Friday's series opener.

"We are competing and having fun at the same time. We're pushing each other every day," Salazar said.

Oakland (39-50) had five hits in its third straight loss, and if Carrasco can limit the A's again, he might head into the All-Star break tied for the AL wins lead. That will also depend on how Houston's Dallas Keuchel performs in Tampa Bay on Saturday.

Keuchel and Seattle's Felix Hernandez, who started Thursday, are tied with 11 victories.

Carrasco's teammates will try to assist after producing their most runs in seven games in a season-best fourth consecutive home win. They scored four runs in the sixth inning and Michael Brantley singled in the final two.

The Indians are expected to face Chris Bassitt, who will likely be recalled from the minors to replace an ailing Jesse Hahn. In his latest big league stint that began June 30, the right-hander made two starts while Sonny Gray was ill and lost both despite pitching respectably in each.

Bassitt (0-2, 2.95), who gave up a combined three runs in 10 2-3 innings, was a 2-1 loser to Seattle on Sunday and was sent to the minors Tuesday.

"I'm a lot more comfortable here now," he told MLB's official website. "We changed some things mechanically that I do, a lot less with my hands. I keep my hands a lot closer to my chest, which really helps me. I'm throwing a lot more strikes, not walking nearly as many guys, and it seems like everything's been clicking from there."

Bassitt will make his first appearance against Cleveland and former A's player Brandon Moss is the only Indians player to have faced him, going 0 for 2 with a strikeout.

Billy Butler 8 for 20 with two homers against Carrasco, and only Detroit's Miguel Cabrera (9 for 24) has gotten more hits off the Cleveland right-hander. Josh Reddick is 3 for 3 with a home run.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Athletics at Indians
Fri, Jul 10 Final 1 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Athletics at Indians
Sat, Jul 11 - 6:35PM EDT

GAME 3
Athletics at Indians
Sun, Jul 12 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals (46-38) at Orioles (43-42)
Game: 2
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: July 11, 2015 7:15 PM EDT

Runs are at a premium in the Beltway, and with Jordan Zimmermann and Miguel Gonzalez pitching, that figures to remain the status quo Saturday night when the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles continue their series at Camden Yards.

Both the Nationals and Orioles have struggled to score runs for nearly two weeks, going a combined 23 for 160 (.144) with runners in scoring position over their last respective 11 games. Baltimore, though, came out with a 3-2 victory to open this three-game set Friday night on Jonathan Schoop's walkoff homer in the ninth to offset going 0 for 7 in such instances.

'It's exciting, really exciting,' Schoop said. 'I'm glad I'm here, with my teammates and my fans. I'm really happy to be here, and especially to help the team to win.'

About the only saving grace for the offense has been the longball - the Orioles (44-42) have hit nine homers in six games and 14 in the last 11 to help overcome a .219 team batting average.

Zimmermann (7-5, 3.04 ERA), however, has been good at keeping the ball in the park, yielding only six home runs in 106 2-3 innings. The right-hander is also enjoying his best stretch of the season, had his wife give birth to the couple's second child Friday night and is looking to win a season-high third straight start.

He has conceded one run - on a solo homer - over 22 2-3 innings in his last three outings, and got away with that mistake Sunday against San Francisco by yielding only two additional hits in seven innings in Washington's 3-1 victory.

'I just think he's got a feel for his breaking pitches that (he) didn't have necessarily early in the season,' manager Matt Williams said. 'It probably helps that's it's gotten warmer and more humid and can grip the ball better.'

Whether that holds true at Baltimore is uncertain. Zimmermann is 0-3 with a 5.12 ERA in three starts there and was drilled for seven runs and a career high-tying 10 hits in six innings of a 9-6 defeat in his most recent outing in 2013.

Steve Pearce is 3 for 7 with a homer and two doubles versus Zimmermann, while Nolan Reimold is 3 for 4 with a home run.

Washington (46-39) has scored four runs in dropping three straight, and the lack of healthy position players is partially to blame for its .221 average the last 11 contests. Denard Span joined Jayson Werth, Ryan Zimmerman and Anthony Rendon on the disabled list Friday, and while the Nationals did have 10 hits, five of them came in their two-run fifth-inning rally.

'We just didn't swing the bats as good as we can tonight,' said Tyler Moore, who had an RBI double and scored the other run. 'Pitching was great. It's just frustrating. You just want to see us swing the bats a little better.'

Gonzalez (7-5, 3.87) looks to keep the Nationals off-balance and win back-to-back starts after pitching six one-run innings Sunday in a 9-1 road victory over the Chicago White Sox. It was the first time in four starts the right-hander lasted at least six innings, something he did in each of his first five home starts this year before failing to do so in his last two.

Getting to four runs may prove to be too much for the other offense to overcome. Zimmermann is 3-0 when backed with more than three runs while Gonzalez is 7-1.

'It gives you confidence and you have more room to work with,' Gonzalez said after Sunday's win. 'We did a good job hitting.'

Gonzalez's lone interleague start at Camden Yards was his only complete game, a four-hit shutout of Cincinnati on Sept. 3.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Nationals at Orioles
Fri, Jul 10 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Nationals at Orioles
Sat, Jul 11 - 7:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Nationals at Orioles
Sun, Jul 12 - 1:35PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees (46-39) at Red Sox (41-45)
Game: 2
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: July 11, 2015 7:15 PM EDT

The New York Yankees continue to feel right at home in Fenway Park.

They'll look to continue that success against the rival Boston Red Sox on Saturday night.

Alex Rodriguez homered and drove in two runs Friday as New York (47-39) won its fifth straight over Boston, 5-1. The Yankees have won all four 2015 meetings at Fenway, where they've taken the last five in a row and eight of nine.

Rodriguez is batting .360 with two of his 17 home runs and eight RBIs in the seven games against the Red Sox (41-46) this season.

Despite batting .230 this month, the Yankees have scored at least five runs in each contest of their three-game winning streak and are 6-2 since totaling three runs while dropping their final three in June.

Boston, meanwhile, averaged 6.8 runs in the previous six games before managing only Mookie Betts' fifth-inning homer as its season-high four-game winning streak ended. More of a concern, is the health of ace Clay Buchholz after he left with elbow tightness with one out in the third.

"There's some tightness in the elbow area," manager John Farrell said. "Until we get any further information, that's all we have right now."

As the Red Sox continue to evaluate Buchholz, Eduardo Rodriguez (4-2, 3.69 ERA) faces the Yankees for the first time.

The rookie has allowed a run in each of his last two starts over 11 innings to go 1-0 since giving up six in 3 2-3 innings of an 8-6 loss to Baltimore on June 25. He struck out a season-high eight in five innings while not factoring in the decision of a 5-4 win over Houston on Sunday.

Though the left-hander is the first Red Sox pitcher since 1920 to yield one or no runs in six of his first eight career starts, he's 0-2 with a 16.20 ERA at home against the only AL East teams he's faced in Toronto and the Orioles.

New York counters with Ivan Nova (1-2, 2.65), who hopes to receive more run support than he did while losing his last two starts.

After rolling to a 10-2 victory over Philadelphia in Nova's return from Tommy John surgery June 24, the Yankees have scored a run each in his last two. Nova has regressed with each start and allowed four runs, six hits and walked three in five innings of an 8-1 defeat to Tampa Bay on Sunday.

"Obviously, not a good game,' the right-hander said. 'The stuff was not there (like) the last two times and there's not much to say. Just keep working and hopefully get a good one next time.'

Nova is 3-2 with a 5.06 ERA in eight starts against the Red Sox.

Mike Napoli recorded his third hit in 30 at-bats over his last 10 games Friday, but both of his hits in the last six at-bats against Nova left the park.

David Ortiz, who went hitless in four at-bats in the opener, is 2 for 16 in his last five games.

New York will call up infield prospect Rob Refsnyder to play second base this weekend. He's hitting .290 with seven homers and 37 RBIs for Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Yankees at Red Sox
Fri, Jul 10 Final 5 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Yankees at Red Sox
Sat, Jul 11 - 7:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Yankees at Red Sox
Sun, Jul 12 - 1:35PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals (56-30) at Pirates (50-35)
Game: 3
Venue: PNC Park
Date: July 11, 2015 7:15 PM EDT

The Pittsburgh Pirates put a dent in the St. Louis Cardinals' NL Central lead behind one of their All-Star starting pitchers.

They'll look to inch closer behind the other All-Star of their rotation.

Trying to become the first Pirate starter in 47 years to enter the break with a sub-2.00 ERA, A.J. Burnett looks to help Pittsburgh get the closest it's been to first place in more than two months Saturday night against the Cardinals.

After losing ground by dropping Thursday's opener 4-1, the Pirates moved back within 4 1/2 games of St. Louis (56-31) with Friday's 5-2 victory. Neil Walker went 3 for 4 with a two-run homer and Gerrit Cole allowed two runs over seven innings to earn his major league-leading 13th win for Pittsburgh (51-35), which hasn't been 3 1/2 games out of first place since April 30.

'It's still July so you don't want to get too wrapped up in talking about a pennant race,' Walker said. 'But the Cardinals are obviously a good team and they've been playing great all year. If we're going to catch them, we're going to have to beat them when we play them because you can't count on other teams beating them, as good as they are.'

The Pirates are 3-5 against the Cardinals this season, and in his only 2015 start against St. Louis on May 1, Burnett allowed two hits and struck out seven in six scoreless innings of a 2-1, 10-inning loss. He has permitted two runs or fewer in six of eight starts versus the Cardinals since 2013, and is 3-1 with a 1.34 ERA in five starts in Pittsburgh.

Burnett (7-3, 1.99 ERA) is in position to enter the break with the lowest ERA by a Pirates starter since Bob Veale was at 1.90 in 1968.

He has an NL-best 1.28 home ERA, yielding two runs or less in all eight outings at PNC Park. The 38-year-old right-hander has surrendered only one homer and issued 13 walks over 56 1-3 innings in Pittsburgh. He leads the majors with 0.24 home runs allowed per nine innings.

Despite his dominance in Pittsburgh, the Pirates are just 4-4 in Burnett's starts. They're 26-12 in all other home games

Shortly after learning he had been selected to the All-Star Game for the first time in his 17-year career, Burnett gave up a run and five hits in 7 2-3 innings in Monday's 2-1 home win over San Diego.

Like Burnett, John Lackey (7-5, 3.09) has also been stellar at home, posting a 1.98 ERA at Busch Stadium, but he has a 4.60 ERA in eight road starts.

Lackey was sharp Monday at Wrigley Field, however, outdueling Jon Lester by yielding six hits over seven innings in a 6-0 win. He is 3-1 with a 1.75 ERA in his last five starts and has thrown at least seven innings in seven of eight starts.

In two starts against the Pirates with the Cardinals, Lackey is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA. He gave up a run over six innings in a 2-1, 11-inning win on May 2.

Andrew McCutchen is 3 for 5 against the righty and extended his career-high hitting streak to 17 games Friday with a first-inning single. The five-time All-Star has just one multihit game in his last 10 contests but has a 1.075 OPS.

Matt Carpenter accounted for St. Louis' offense Friday with a two-run homer and is batting .353 with two home runs and six RBIs in five games in the season series. He is hitting .360 with two doubles and two triples in 25 at-bats against Burnett and Jason Heyward is 7 for 17 with two homers in their matchups.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cardinals at Pirates
Thu, Jul 9 Final 4 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cardinals at Pirates
Fri, Jul 10 Final 2 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Cardinals at Pirates
Sat, Jul 11 - 7:15PM EDT

GAME 4
Cardinals at Pirates
Sun, Jul 12 - 8:05PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Padres (39-48) at Rangers (41-44)
Game: 2
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: July 11, 2015 9:05 PM EDT

Given Prince Fielder's declining numbers and the neck surgery he required just two months into his first season with Texas, it looked as though the Rangers were going to wind up on the short end of their trade with the Detroit Tigers.

A year later, and Fielder is easily the club's most important player.

He'll look to power the Rangers to a series victory Saturday night when they host the San Diego Padres, whose biggest bat continues to struggle.

Fielder hit his 14th homer and had a sacrifice fly to drive in two runs in Friday's 4-3 victory, snapping a five-game losing streak for Texas (42-44). Acquired from Detroit in exchange for Ian Kinsler after the 2013 season, Fielder's .345 average is the highest of his career, and his .940 OPS is his highest in three years. The Rangers improved to 23-12 in 2015 when he drives in a run compared to 19-32 when he doesn't. They're 0-2 when he doesn't play, totaling two runs.

The Padres (39-49) lost a season high sixth straight and have 10 runs in that span. All-Star Justin Upton returned to the lineup after missing a game due to a sore oblique, but was 0 for 3 and is hitting .170 over his last 26 games.

San Diego's struggling lineup figures to be a good draw for Texas starter Colby Lewis (8-4, 4.83 ERA) after a dreadful last game. He was pummeled Sunday by the Los Angeles Angels, giving up season highs of 10 earned runs and 12 hits over four-plus innings in a 12-6 loss.

"I guess you just chalk it up to there's good days and there are bad days," the right-hander said. "You just have to have more better ones than you have bad ones."

Lewis bounced back nicely from another disastrous outing on May 27 when he gave up nine earned in just 2 2-2-3 innings of a 12-3 loss to Cleveland. He held the Chicago White Sox to two runs over seven innings of a 15-2 victory in his next turn.

A career American Leaguer, Lewis is 7-3 in his last 12 starts against NL clubs, though San Diego is one of three major league teams he's yet to face.

San Diego's James Shields (7-3, 3.88) is 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA in six starts since his last victory. The drought is his longest since he went a career-worst 10 straight without a win from May 6-June 23, 2013.

While Shields' stuff hasn't been quite as good lately, the Padres' bats are just as much to blame for his recent misfortune. He averaged 7.2 runs of support during his 7-0 start, but has received 2.3 during his winless slump.

San Diego struggled to back him again Monday in his best outing this season. He limited Pittsburgh to an unearned run and two hits over seven innings in the club's 2-1 loss.

Shields is 5-1 with a 1.18 ERA in his last eight starts against Texas, while Fielder is 7 for 20 lifetime off the right-hander.

Shields is 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA in three interleague starts in his first NL season, while San Diego is 4-11 in interleague play. Upton, 7 for 54 (.130) with 15 strikeouts against AL clubs, is 0 for 7 off Lewis.

Fielder has nine RBIs in eight interleague games.

Elvis Andrus, hitting just .121 over his last 10 contests, is 13 for 30 against Shields.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Padres at Rangers
Fri, Jul 10 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Padres at Rangers
Sat, Jul 11 - 9:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Padres at Rangers
Sun, Jul 12 - 3:05PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jays at Royals

GAME: Toronto Blue Jays (44-45) at Kansas City Royals (51-33)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, July 11 - 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
LINE: -106, -102 TOTAL: 8

The Kansas City Royals vie for a season high-tying seventh win in a row when they continue their three-game series against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon. Alcides Escobar recorded an RBI single to extend his hitting streak to eight contests during Friday's 3-0 triumph as the Royals moved within one victory of matching their seven-game run to begin the campaign.

Escobar is 15-for-33 with seven runs scored during his torrid hitting stretch and 8-for-20 (.400) lifetime versus Saturday starter Mark Buehrle. Eric Hosmer, who is 6-for-20 (.300) against the veteran left-hander, collected four hits in the series opener and has seven in his last three contests. While Kansas City (51-33) owns the top record in the American League, Toronto (44-45) has dropped nine of 12 to fall 4 1/2 games behind the first-place New York Yankees in the East. Rookie Devon Travis is 5-for-11 in his last three contests and 18-for-49 with eight runs scored since returning from the disabled list in late June.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, RSN, TVA (Toronto), FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Mark Buehrle (9-5, 3.38 ERA) vs. Royals RH Chris Young (7-4, 2.89)

Buehrle tasted defeat for the first time since May 23 and did so in painful fashion on Monday, getting hit in the ankle by a comebacker en route to a 4-2 setback to the Chicago White Sox. His X-ray came back negative and the 36-year-old Missouri native will look to shake off any lingering soreness and secure his 15th consecutive double-digit win season on Saturday. Buehrle has enjoyed considerable success against Kansas City, posting a 25-12 record with two complete games to his credit.

Young yielded two homers and settled for a no-decision in his last outing on Tuesday after allowing four runs and five hits in six innings versus Texas. The 36-year-old looks to rebound against Toronto, versus which he has posted a 2-0 record in three career starts despite permitting a 5.17 ERA. Young is 0-3 in his last four home starts, yielding 18 runs and six homers in that stretch.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City 3B Mike Moustakas won the MLB Final Vote for the All-Star Game, giving the team six representatives in the Midsummer Classic - with OF Alex Gordon sidelined by injury.

2. Toronto rookie RHP Aaron Sanchez (lat strain) is expected to make a rehab start for Single-A Dunedin on Saturday before being shuffled to Triple-A Buffalo.

3. Royals RF Alex Rios burned his former team by going 2-for-4 on Friday and has five multi-hit performances in July.

PREDICTION: Royals 3, Blue Jays 2