Saturday 7/23/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

It's prime time for baseball bettors in Las Vegas
By MARC MELTZER

We’re currently in a brief window that is my peak baseball betting time of the year. There are no distractions from other sports on TV, the sportsbooks are relatively quiet and there’s a significant amount of data for the season to use for handicapping.

Football season is less than 2 months away. Sportsbook operators and the majority of sports fans are gearing up for the gridiron betting and fantasy seasons. The focus for most people isn’t on baseball.

However, baseball bettors aren’t most people. While the majority of people are looking one way there’s an abundance of data and trends available for baseball bettors.

There are no distractions for the next month or so. It’s perfect scenario for a baseball bettor.

We know that past performance doesn’t always translate to future performance. However, that’s not always the case with baseball. When you’re wagering on football, trends and statistics can be overrated. Small sample sizes and irrelevant time-frames make a lot of football trends a waste of time.

Trends and data become more useful when you get into basketball and hockey seasons. The information becomes more relevant over time. The 80-plus game seasons allow for real habits and production to be formed. This is why we're seeing the front offices of these respective sports franchises use more analytics when assembling their teams every year.

However, trends and data are even more useful during baseball season. There is a good amount of normalization in data over the 162 game season. The long season allows trends to set in and for statistics to normalize. The actionable information available to baseball bettors in unparalleled. Besides being a fan of the game, this is what makes baseball my favorite sport to bet.

The weeks leading into and out of the All-Star break are my favorite time of the season to bet on baseball. It’s usually a good practice to accept that the statistics are legit when the MLB season approaches and passes the halfway point. Just before the All-Star game is a great time to bet on baseball. Most major trades haven't happened and there isn’t a stoppage in play that might change the human factor of the game.

However, the All-Star game is often a quiet time for all sports wagering. The break offers a few days to study what transpired in the first half of the season. Again, previous performance doesn’t dictate future performance but it sure gives a useful platform for handicapping.

Even though I’m looking at the data all season long, this is the time of year that I move into a higher gear for baseball wagering. I like having data and information on my side. Over time, most statistics will regress to the long-term averages. This is a great time to analyze the information and find players and teams and teams who should either improve or regress.

On a semi-related note, this is traditionally the hottest week of the year in Las Vegas. I can’t think of a better excuse to enjoy the air conditioning in the sports book and covered parking at the casino.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB roundup: Eflin, Phillies shut down Pirates
By The Sports Xchange

PITTSBURGH -- Rookie right-hander Zach Eflin pitched a three-hitter Friday to lift the Philadelphia Phillies past the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 at PNC Park.
Eflin struck out six and walked none in his first career shutout and second career complete game. He threw 100 pitches and faced just two Pirates batters over the minimum. He has a string of six starts in which he hasn't given up more than three earned runs while going at least six innings.
The Phillies scored a run in the sixth and one in the seventh before Cameron Rupp hit a two-run homer in the ninth. Philadelphia picked up its third win in eight games since the All-Star break and also broke a six-game losing streak at PNC Park.
Pittsburgh starter Gerrit Cole fell to 0-2 since he came off of the DL, although his numbers were good. He yielded one run and six hits in six innings, with seven strikeouts and one walk.

Mariners 2, Blue Jays 1
TORONTO -- James Paxton struck out nine over seven innings, Seth Smith doubled in the go-ahead run in the fifth inning and Seattle defeated Toronto.
Paxton, a left-hander, allowed three hits, including a home run, one walk and one run in the opener of a three-game series. Steve Cishek struck out three and pitched around a walk and a single in the ninth inning to earn his 23rd save.
Blue Jays starter Marco Estrada allowed seven hits, one walk and two runs in six innings. The right-hander struck out three and hit two batters.

Orioles 5, Indians 1
BALTIMORE-- Mark Trumbo hit a three-run homer in the first and Manny Machado added a solo shot in the third as Baltimore scored victory over Cleveland.
Trumbo's blast was his 29th of the season and Machado's solo shot -- his 20th -- stretched the lead to 5-0. Both homers came off Cleveland starter Trevor Bauer.
Those homers helped Dylan Bundy earn his first major league victory as a starter as the right-hander threw five strong innings. He allowed one unearned run on five hits with five strikeouts and no walks, an effort the Orioles desperately needed from a starter.

Twins 2, Red Sox 1
BOSTON -- Miguel Sano's RBI double in the sixth inning provided just enough offense for Minnesota in a win over Boston at Fenway Park.
Sano collecting three hits and Brain Dozier added his 17th homer of the year for the Twins.
Twins starter Kyle Gibson tossed eight one-run innings for the victory, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out six.

Padres 5, Nationals 3
WASHINGTON -- Matt Kemp hit two home runs and had four RBIs and Luis Perdomo, in the longest start of his short career, allowed just two runs in seven innings as San Diego beat Washington.
Kemp, who has 22 homers, now has nine multi-homer games in his career and two this season. He has six homers in the last five games and is one homer shy of the 23 he hit last season.
The fourth-place Padres, in the midst of a grueling road trip, snapped a four-game losing streak while the first-place Nationals lost for the fourth time in five games.

Mets 5, Marlins 3
MIAMI -- Jose Reyes, playing his first game in Marlins Park since 2012, had a major role in three New York rallies in a win over Miami.
James Loney added a two-run homer in the ninth, turning on a 95-mph fastball from reliever Fernando Rodney and pulling it to the upper deck in right field. He drove in Yoenis Cespedes, who was hit by a pitch with two outs.
Reyes, 33, played like his younger self, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI.

Yankees 3, Giants 2
NEW YORK -- Chase Headley scored the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning on a throwing error by shortstop Brandon Crawford as New York overcame a hiccup by part of its late-inning relief trio and picked up a win over San Francisco.
The winning run scored on what seemed a certain double play when Austin Romine hit a chopper off Josh Osich over the mound and Crawford easily stepped on second to get the force on Mark Teixeira. Headley advanced to third on the force and when Crawford's throw sailed off first baseman Brandon Belt's glove, Headley raced home and got his left foot on the plate just ahead of the tag.

Reds 6, Diamondbacks 2
CINCINNATI -- Joey Votto hit a three-run homer and Tucker Barnhart added a solo shot, lifting Cincinnati over Arizona at Great American Ball Park.
Jean Segura got Arizona off to a good start with a home run leading off the game. But the Diamondbacks couldn't hold the early lead.
Reds right-hander Dan Straily allowed two earned runs and five hits through six innings.

Royals 3, Rangers 1
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Danny Duffy threw 6 2/3 solid innings and Cheslor Cuthbert homered as Kansas City bested struggling Texas.
Duffy, who did not move into the rotation until May 15, yielded one run on four hits over 6 2/3 innings. He is 5-0 in his past eight starts and has pitched into the seventh inning in his last five starts.
Yu Darvish gave up three runs, one unearned, on seven hits, while striking out 11 and walking one in six innings, throwing a season-high 91 pitches. Darvish is 0-2 in two starts since coming off the disabled list July 16.

Astros 2, Angels 1
HOUSTON -- Lance McCullers carried a shutout into the ninth inning in Houston's win over Los Angeles at Minute Maid Park.
McCullers allowed four hits and four walks while striking out a season-high-tying 10 batters. After escaping trouble in the fifth inning with a double play, McCullers retired nine consecutive batters, including striking out the side in the eighth, before issuing a pair of walks to open the ninth.
Astros closer Will Harris allowed an RBI single to Andrelton Simmons that scored Kole Calhoun yet preserved the victory with a strikeout of Ji-Man Choi. Harris recorded his 10th save on the season.

Cubs 5, Brewers 2
MILWAUKEE -- Dexter Fowler had four hits in his return from a six-week stint on the disabled list and Jason Hammel threw six solid innings to lead Chicago over Milwaukee at Miller Park.
Hammel allowed a pair of runs on four hits and a walk with a pair of strikeouts and earned a victory in consecutive starts for the first time since May 2.
In the lineup for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury on June 18, Fowler wasted little time to get back into a groove and belted Nelson's fifth offering off the batter's eye in center for his eighth home run of the season.

Tigers 7, White Sox 5
CHICAGO -- Miguel Cabrera finished 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles and hit a go-ahead, two-run single to lift Detroit over Chicago.
Nick Castellanos went 2-for-4 with an RBI as the Tigers erased a 5-4 deficit with three runs in the seventh inning. Detroit won its second straight game and improved to 6-2 against Chicago.
Jose Abreu went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs to lead the White Sox. Justin Morneau added a three-run home run as Chicago lost for the eighth time in the past nine games.

Rockies 4, Braves 3
DENVER -- Colorado hit two rapid-fire two-run homers in a win over Atlanta.
Nolan Arenado hit a two-run homer in the sixth, and two batters later, Trevor Story hit a two-run shot.
The Rockies survived a late Braves charge. Jace Peterson hit a two-run homer in the eighth to make it a one-run game, but struck out with the bases loaded in the ninth against closer Carlos Estevez to end it.

Cardinals 4, Dodgers 3 (16 innings)
ST. LOUIS -- Matt Adams' one-out homer in the bottom of the 16th inning early Saturday morning lifted St. Louis over Los Angeles at Busch Stadium.
Adams ripped an 0-1 pitch from Bud Norris, the Dodgers' ninth pitcher of the game, 444 feet over the Cardinals bullpen in right-center to end the 5-hour, 10-minute marathon.
Seth Maness worked a clean 16th for the win as the Cardinals won their fifth straight, tying a season high, and tied Miami for the second wild card spot in the National League.

Athletics 1, Rays 0
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Coco Crisp hit a walk-off single with one out in the 13th inning, lifting over Tampa Bay at the Oakland Coliseum.
The walk-off RBI was Crisp's eight of his career, six of those with the A's.
Rookie third baseman Ryon Healy lined a leadoff double down the left-field line in the 13th off right-hander Dylan Floro, the Rays' sixth pitcher of the game. Then with one out, Crisp lined an opposite-field single to left, bringing Healy home.
A's rookie left-hander Sean Manaea pitched eight shutout innings, allowing five hits while striking out seven and walking none. The innings pitched were a career high for Manaea, who had a no-decision.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners (49-47) at Blue Jays (54-43)

Game: 2
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: July 23, 2016 1:07 PM EDT

TORONTO --The Seattle Mariners won the opener of a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 Friday night behind the dominant pitching of James Paxton.

The left-hander struck out nine in seven innings and held the Blue Jays to three hits, including a home run by Michael Saunders.

Seattle sends out another hot pitcher Saturday afternoon in the second game of the series in Hisashi Iwakuma (10-6, 4.01 ERA), who is going for his fifth consecutive win.

The right-hander pitched seven scoreless innings while surrendering two hits and a walk while striking out eight on July 16 against the Houston Astros. He is 4-0 with a 2.39 ERA in his past four starts and is 9-2 with a 3.75 ERA in his past 11 outings.

This will be his fourth career start (fifth appearance) against Toronto. He is 3-1 with a 2.40 ERA against the Blue Jays. He is 1-0 with a 5.63 ERA in two games at Rogers Centre, including one start.

Iwakuma faces right-hander R.A. Dickey (7-10, 4.11). The knuckleballer took the loss against the Oakland Athletics on July 16, allowing five runs on five hits in six innings as the Blue Jays fell 5-4. Overall, he is 5-4 with a 3.64 ERA in his past 10 starts after overcoming his usual slow start.

In 13 career games (five starts) against Seattle, Dickey is 5-3 with a 4.22 ERA.

Both teams have had to juggle their lineups lately. The Mariners' Shawn O'Malley and Luis Sardinas will be sharing shortstop while regular shortstop Ketel Marte recovers from mononucleosis.

"Does it affect us? Yes," Seattle manager Scott Servais admitted. "He's been our regular shortstop. But Sardinas is up here with O'Malley, and those two will mix and match. They'll share the duties. I don't want to put too much on one guy. I think O'Malley has done a nice job for us in the three games that he's filled in. Again, we're not looking for the spectacular. Make the routine play and battle at the plate."

O'Malley got the start Friday night and was 1-for-4.

Toronto catcher Josh Thole, usually is the personal receiver for Dickey, was pressed into service Friday night after regular catcher Russell Martin suffered a twisted left knee after becoming lightheaded in a sauna Thursday, an off day in the schedule. He said he is hoping to return Sunday but meanwhile, the Blue Jays are restricted with what they can do. With Martin out they cannot run or hit for Thole, to say nothing of what they might do in the case of an injury.

An MRI of the knee on Friday revealed no structural damage.

Martin said he went to the sauna without having eaten much. He stayed in a bit too long and felt woozy, so he took a cold shower. After a minute in the shower, he passed out.

"The next thing I know I'm on the ground," Martin said before the game Friday. "I had dropped the shower hose on my face and I'm on the ground ... I woke up and I had the shower curtain half on my body."

He also banged his head. The small bump on his head is no problem but the knee is still sore.

"It's probably going to be sore, but I've played through soreness before," Martin said. "Knowing that there's no structural damage kind of puts my mind at ease. It's just going to be one of those years where I have to grind it out."

If Martin needs more than a couple of days, the Blue Jays have little catching depth in their system and may have to look outside for help behind the plate.

Toronto infielder Darwin Barney was in left field Friday for the second straight game, his first two career games in the outfield. Ezequiel Carrera, who has been resting a sore Achilles tendon, was used as a pinch-hitter Friday and could return Saturday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Phillies (45-53) at Pirates (49-47)

Game: 2
Venue: PNC Park
Date: July 23, 2016 4:05 PM EDT

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies entered their weekend series hoping for some improvement on offense -- more of it, and more consistency with it.

Philadelphia won round one of that game within the game with a 4-0 win Friday.

Pittsburgh is 3-4 since the All-Star break and has been outscored 30-16. The Pirates had scored five runs in each of their two games before being shut out Friday, but had just six runs combined in the other four games since the break and were limited to three hits Friday by Phillies rookie Zach Eflin.

"We're looking for pitches to hit," Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. "We're looking for one pitch in one zone at the start of the at-bat. We're looking for the ball up and out over the plate. We're not looking for pitches down early. We had balls to hit, and we didn't hit them that well. We had some swings. At the end of the day, we only had three hits (Friday)."

Two of those came from Jason Jaso, on a double and a single, and Josh Harrison had the other. The players in top four spots in the lineup went a combined 0-for-13 with a hit-by-pitch producing the only baserunner.

The Phillies got their four runs Friday on 11 hits off of four Pirates pitchers. Before that game, they were 2-5 since the break and had been outscored 27-17. They scored just 10 runs in four games against the Marlins.

That kind of inconsistent production had manager Pete Mackanin nervous when his club scored just once Friday in the sixth despite loading the bases with no outs. Philadelphia added another with two outs in the seventh, but the game felt tight until Cameron Rupp hit a two-run homer in the ninth for the four-run margin.

"That gave us a little breathing room," Mackanin said.

The teams will each be facing a young starter Saturday.

Pittsburgh had been guarded about its starter until after Friday's game, when Hurdle confirmed that, "We expect (Tyler) Glasnow to make the start."

The rookie right-hander, who will need to be recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis, will be making his second career start. In his debut July 7, a 5-1 Pirates loss at St. Louis, Glasnow took the loss after giving up four runs on three hits, with two walks and five strikeouts.

The Phillies will go with right-hander Aaron Nola (5-8, 4.41 ERA).

Nola had a rough stretch when he had a 13.50 ERA and did not go beyond five innings any of five starts in a row. Philadelphia opted to skip his final start before the All-Star game so he could "clear his head," Mackanin said.

"I understand what they did," Nola told philly.com. "We don't want to miss any starts. But, at the end of the day, my arm feels good. That's the important thing, being healthy and maintaining your health."

Monday, after what stretched into a 16-day layoff, Nola allowed no runs in six innings, with two hits and one walk, in what later turned into a 3-2, 11-inning loss to Florida.

"It was a tough month for me back in June," said Nola, who relaxed during the All-Star break by fishing. "But those two weeks off felt like a really long time and I was ready to get back out on the mound."

He said he made an important adjustment.

"Just try to get lower strikes instead of trying to hit a corner," Nola said. "So I feel like that's where I got myself in trouble."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants (57-39) at Yankees (49-47)

Game: 2
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: July 23, 2016 4:05 PM EDT

NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees saw their bats go quiet the last time they had a chance to get three games over .500 for the first time this season.

This time, New York will hope for a more productive showing and if they can't get a big day at the plate, the Yankees will hope to be as opportunistic as they were Friday.

New York makes its second attempt at going three games over Saturday afternoon when it continues a three-game series with the San Francisco Giants.

The Yankees reached the elusive two games over .500 mark Wednesday when they had a 5-0 shutout of the Baltimore Orioles. In their first attempt at going three over, the Yankees had four hits and were handed a 4-1 loss to Baltimore while facing Chris Tillman.

New York faced another ace Friday when it took swings against Madison Bumgarner. Bumgarner's presence led to Didi Gregorius, Mark Teixeira and Jacoby Ellsbury getting the night off and the Yankees did enough and capitalized on their chances.

In the series-opening 3-2 win, Chase Headley wound up scoring the winning run in the eighth on a throwing error by Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford. Headley wound up scoring the winning run because Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller allowed runs in the seventh and eighth.

Headley's dash allowed the Yankees to improve to 7-4 in the last two weeks while facing Cleveland, Boston and Baltimore and San Francisco, teams which have been in first place this season.

"We're fighting for our lives from here on out and we found a way to win," Headley said. "We got to do the same thing tomorrow."

Meanwhile the Giants would like to stop repeating what happened Friday and what has taken place since the All-Star break. Crawford committed a career-high three errors, giving the Giants 10 during a season-high six-game losing streak.

Besides the defense, the Giants have struggled in the clutch. Pinch hitter Mac Williamson's game-tying double in the eighth off Andrew Miller was their only hit in nine at-bats with runners in scoring position and San Francisco is 7-for-51 in those situations during this skid.

"We hit a couple of balls hard, but we didn't get a break, I thought, today," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said. "And that's the way it goes. When you're in winning streaks, everything goes right. Right now, it's not going well for us. But still, you make your breaks. We've got to tighten up and play crisper ball."

New York's pitching has shined this week after Masahiro Tanaka allowed four hits in six innings, highlighting his outing by working out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth.

New York's starters have allowed one run or less in five of the last six games and Ivan Nova will be tasked with continuing the run of effectiveness.

One of the best outings of Ivan Nova's career took place against the Giants. On Sept. 21, 2013 in New York, he pitched a six-hitter. It was his second career shutout and he is 15-19 with a 5.24 ERA in 41 appearances.

Nova is one of six pitchers since 1900 who have thrown at least nine scoreless innings against the Giants but has not looked like that pitcher for most of this season.

Nova is 7-5 with a 4.92 ERA and is coming off one of his best starts. In Monday's win over the Baltimore Orioles, he allowed one run in six innings and over his last three starts, he has a 3.24 ERA after posting a 7.52 mark in his previous five.

Right-hander Jeff Samardzija would also like to get things turnaround. Although he made the All-Star team and is 9-5, Samardzjia is 2-2 with a 6.02 ERA in his last eight starts.

His previous outing was last Saturday's 7-6 loss in San Diego when he allowed five runs (four earned) and five hits in five innings and did not get a decision.

Before this skid, he has been 7-3 with a 2.84 ERA.

Samardzija has faced the Yankees three times and is 0-1 with a 6.92 ERA in those games. Last year he faced New York while pitching for the Chicago White Sox and allowed nine earned runs in 4 2/3 innings on Aug. 2.

San Francisco may be without Buster Posey, who left Friday's game in the fourth inning with a right foot contusion. He had x-rays after getting injured on a foul ball off his foot and is day-to-day.

"It just wasn't really feeling better," Posey said. "Good thing is, x-rays are negative, so hopefully we'll get it feeling good as soon as possible."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Padres (42-55) at Nationals (57-40)

Game: 2
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: July 23, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

WASHINGTON -- Nationals Park is very familiar to San Diego's Edwin Jackson, who is slated to start here on Saturday against the Washington Nationals.

The veteran right-hander has perhaps discovered the fountain of youth as he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of his start on Sunday against the San Francisco Giants. It was his first appearance with the Padres this season after he was signed by the team last month.

"I was able to mix it up," Jackson said Friday, standing in the San Diego clubhouse. "I didn't feel like I came out of the gates with my best stuff. I was able to get out of jams by keeping the ball down. Anytime I can get some groundballs it is good for me."

Jackson, who had a 5.91 ERA in eight games with the Miami Marlins earlier this year, pitched for the Nationals in 2012 and has a 3.26 ERA in 20 games at Nationals Park in his career.

"It is always fun to come back, especially after that run we had in 2012" with a division title, he said.

He was 10-11 with a 4.03 ERA in 31 starts in his one season in Washington.

"I don't know if I have an advantage or disadvantage," Jackson said of facing his former team. "At the end of the day it is about execution. I know them, they know me. It is about getting the job done."

One of the new faces with the Nationals is infielder Daniel Murphy, who signed with the team as a free agent after playing last season with the New York Mets.

Murphy is hitting .250 with a homer in 20 at-bats against Jackson. Another Washington player with a track record against Jackson is reserve outfielder Chris Heisey, who is hitting .091 in 11 at-bats.

Jackson will be opposed by Washington right-hander Max Scherzer, who has a 1.61 ERA with 81 strikeouts and 13 walks in 61 1/3 innings in his last nine starts.

He has held San Diego outfielder Matt Kemp to an average of .091 in 11 at-bats, though Kemp had two homers in a 5-3 win Friday.

Scherzer may want to be careful with San Diego All-Star first baseman Wil Myers, who has two homers and four hits in six at-bats against Scherzer.

Myers was not in the starting lineup Friday but first-year San Diego manager Andy Green said he planned to have Myers start against Scherzer.

Alexei Ramirez has 42 at-bats in his career against Scherzer but an average of .143.

When the teams met in San Diego last month Scherzer did figure in the decision in a 7-3 loss June 18 to the Padres. Scherzer went six innings in that game and allowed one run.

In his last start on Sunday, Scherzer allowed one run and did not figure in the decision as the Nationals lost 2-1 to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 18 innings. "I am not going to beat myself up," Scherzer said after that game.

The Nationals won the first two games in San Diego last month then lost the next two to begin a seven-game slide.

"They started us on our downhill, seven-game losing streak," Washington manager Dusty Baker said. "They are a scrappy team. That is what I remember. Was it them or was it us?"

Besides Jackson the Padres have two other pitchers with ties to the Nationals and another with a tie to the region.

Lefty reliever Matt Thornton pitched for Washington last year and lefty Ryan Buchter was drafted in the 33rd round in 2005 by the Nationals. San Diego right-hander Paul Clemens graduated from Robinson High in Fairfax, Virginia, about 25 miles from the nation's capital.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians (56-39) at Orioles (55-40)

Game: 2
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: July 23, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

BALTIMORE-- Health issues continue to plague both the Baltimore Orioles and the Cleveland Indians heading into the middle game of their three-game series on Saturday night.

The Indians put pitcher Joe Colon on the disabled list Friday due to right shoulder inflammation -- retroactive to July 15 -- and recalled Cody Anderson. He had been sent back to Triple-A Columbus just five days ago and threw 1 1/3 shutout innings in Friday's loss.

Lonnie Chisenhall got scratched from Friday's starting lineup due to a flu/virus. Manager Terry Francona said pre-game that he was unsure how long the outfielder might be sidelined although the skipper put him in to pinch-hit in the ninth before pulling him when the Orioles brought in left-hander Zach Britton.

Pitcher Zach McAllister has been on the disabled list since July 7, and Francona said Friday that he'll throw a side session Saturday and go again Monday. After that, the Indians will evaluate the situation.

And outfielder Michael Brantley underwent an "outpatient procedure to relieve scar tissue buildup in his shoulder," the Indians said on Twitter Friday. Trainer James Quinlan said doctors were happy with what they saw, and Brantley -- on the 60-day disabled list since May 14 with shoulder inflammation -- could re-start baseball activities next week.

Third baseman Juan Uribe then left in the seventh after Odrisamer Despaigne hit him in the helmet with a pitch. Uribe had a head contusion and is listed as day-to-day.

The heat in Baltimore isn't going to be helping much with the temperature expected to be in the mid-to-high 90s throughout the weekend.

"It's pretty hot pretty much everywhere," Francona said. "We want our guys to be prepared but we don't want to leave it on the field before the game so we've tried to minimize (on things)."

For the Indians, Josh Tomlin (10-2, 3.34) gets the start Saturday, going against Kevin Gausman (1-7, 4.05). Tomlin is 6-0 in road games this season and has no record in two starts versus American League East Division teams.

Gausman has pitched well several times despite his record. The Orioles simply have not scored much when he pitches, posting three runs or fewer in 10 of his 16 starts.

The Orioles lost another player due to injury Friday as outfielder Joey Rickard went on the 15-day disabled list with a ligament injury in his right thumb.

Dariel Alvarez was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to replace Rickard, who manager Buck Showalter said will be out about four-to-six weeks. They hope he'll return in September.

Showalter also said catcher Matt Wieters, out for the past four games with a sore foot, is close to coming back. He was available in Friday's game, if needed. Adam Jones returned to the lineup after missing Thursday's contest with the Yankees while recovering from back spasms.

Set-up man Darren O'Day, out since June 3 with a right hamstring strain, also could return in the next few days, if all goes well. He pitched at Double-A Bowie Friday and fared well.

Hamstring issues also put Hyun Soo Kim on the disabled list but he fared well in work on Friday, and Showalter said the outfield could return in a few days. In addition, there's the bad stomach virus that's working its way through the Oriole clubhouse in recent days. Nothing new there for now.

With all these medical issues, the Orioles certainly were glad to return home. Baltimore has played just three games at Camden Yards since June 26.

"Going to Fenway Park and Toronto and Yankee Stadium's a challenge for a lot of reasons," Showalter said. "To have that comfort of going to place that you're comfortable in and you know that people are going to be on your side, that means a lot to us. I don't know how to phrase it but it feels good to be home."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks (40-56) at Reds (37-59)

Game: 2
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: July 23, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

CINCINNATI -- The Arizona Diamondbacks continue their weekend series against the Reds at Great American Ball Park with manager Chip Hale's job status looming over the club.

Hale led Arizona to a 15-win improvement in 2015, his first season at the helm. After a busy offseason highlighted by the signing of Zack Greinke, the D-backs came into this year expecting to make a run at a National League West title.

But, injuries and overall inconsistent play led to a 40-56 start and last-place standing in the division, leading to rumblings that Hale might be replaced by Triple-A Reno manager Phil Nevin.

"I'm not going to make any comments about any rumors," said Hale, prior to Friday night's game. "Nothing ever surprises me in this game, about anything."

Following Friday night's 6-2 loss at Cincinnati, the Diamondbacks have dropped 16 of their last 20.

Greinke is the latest Arizona injury. The right-handed ace threw off the mound on Wednesday for the first time since being placed on the disabled list with a strained left oblique in mid-June. He will throw again on Saturday after which Hale hopes to define the next step in his rehab.

The D-backs also are without infielder Chris Owings and outfielder David Peralta, both rehabbing with the Triple-A Reno.

Arizona is hoping to continue its recent success against Cincinnati

Last season, the D-backs won six of seven meetings against the Reds who posted their lowest victory total against Arizona since 2002. Arizona had won the last five games at Great American Ball Park prior to Friday night.

Right-hander Keyvius Sampson gets a spot start for Cincinnati on Saturday. He'll be making his eighth appearance of the season but his first start. It's the second time he's faced Arizona as a starter. He last faced the Diamondbacks on Aug. 8, 2015 when he allowed one earned run and four hits in six innings in a 4-1 Reds' win.

Sampson tossed four scoreless innings in his last outing in relief, allowing three hits with two walks and five Ks. It was the longest relief outing of his career and the longest by a Cincinnati reliever since 2013.

Left-hander Robbie Ray will start on Saturday for Arizona. Ray threw seven shutout innings in his last start on July 17 against the Dodgers. He has struck out five or more batters in 18 consecutive starts.

Ray last faced the Reds on Aug. 8, 2015 when he allowed three earned runs in six innings, the same game in which Sampson last faced the D-backs.

He'll likely have to contend with the one-two punch at the top of Cincinnati's batting order in Billy Hamilton and Zack Cozart who on Friday combined to 3-for-8 with a double, two walks and three runs scored.

"Cozart and I are two different players," Hamilton said. "He's a doubles machine. I'm not too much of a doubles machine. If I can get on base in front of him, we can score a lot of runs."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs (58-37) at Brewers (40-54)

Game: 2
Venue: Miller Park
Date: July 23, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

MILWAUKEE -- The way Chicago Cubs fans have taken over Milwaukee's Miller Park this season, John Lackey might feel like he's right at home Saturday afternoon when he takes the mound for game two of a three-game set against the Brewers.

Nobody has enjoyed the friendly confines of Wrigley Field this season more than John Lackey.

The veteran right-hander, in his first year with the Cubs has compiled a 2.84 ERA at home this season but has struggled on the road, where that number jumps up to 4.70 while Lackey gas gone 0-4 in his last seven road starts.

Lackey took a rare home loss his last time out, allowing four runs on six hits over eight innings with eight strikeouts and two walks against the Rangers.

"I was honestly pretty happy about the way I threw the ball," Lackey said following that outing. "Threw eight innings but definitely not a good day to pitch."

He'll be facing Milwaukee for the second time this season -- he allowed a run and struck out five on May 18 -- and has a 5-1 record with a 2.95 ERA in nine career starts against the Brewers, including a 1-0 record and 0.90 ERA in his last three.

Milwaukee will counter with right-hander Zach Davies, who has emerged as a top-notch starter in an otherwise struggling rotation.

Davies, called up April 17 from Triple-A Colorado Springs, started the season slow (0-3, 8.78 ERA) but has been on a roll over since, going 6-1 with a 2.95 ERA in his last 13 outings.

He threw seven scoreless innings his last time out, in a 1-0 loss to the Reds last Sunday in Cincinnati, but retired 16 of his last 17 batters including the final 11 in a row.

"I felt great," Davies said after the game. "It was great to be back and go out there and just from the start be in the game. Be focused and attacking hitters the way we set up the game plan. I let the defense make plays behind me."

Milwaukee had sent Davies back down to Triple-A after his final start of the first half; a procedural move that allowed them to add an extra bat to the bench until Davies' next turn to pitch.

The move drew the ire of Davies' agent, Scott Boras, but Davies said he understood.

"As long as I did my work over the break, I knew it shouldn't be an issue," Davies said. "I took the first couple of days off before I went to Colorado, then had a regular bullpen session, then went home and just tossed every day. I threw a bullpen Wednesday at home and then another one when I got here."

Milwaukee has dropped four of the six meetings between the two NL Central rivals so far this season and is 1-4 in the last five series with the Cubs at Miller Park.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets (51-44) at Marlins (52-44)

Game: 2
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: July 23, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

MIAMI -- The New York Mets have tightened up the playoff battle after beating the Miami Marlins 5-3 on Friday night.

The Mets trail the Marlins by a half-game in the race for the second and final National League wild-card spot.

Miami, however, has an ace in the hole Saturday night -- ace pitcher Jose Fernandez, who has been nearly unstoppable at Marlins Park with a 25-1 career record and a 1.43 ERA.

Against the Mets, Fernandez is 2-0 with a 1.32 ERA in six career starts.

Fernandez will face 2015 All-Star Jacob deGrom, who is 6-4 with a 2.38 ERA this season.

Lately, deGrom has been even better -- 3-0 with a 0.93 ERA in his past four starts.

"If you are going to have a guy on our staff to match up with Fernandez, it would be Jacob deGrom," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "(deGrom) has pitched in his past few starts as good as anybody.

"Again, if you are a baseball fan -- if you love the game -- (Saturday night) is the game you want to come to see."

Besides the great pitching matchup and the wild-card playoff race, the other bit of intrigue regarding Saturday's game revolves around Marlins backup outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, who is four hits shy of 3,000.

Suzuki, who struck out as a pinch-hitter Saturday, could get a start on Saturday against deGrom, a right-hander, as opposed to waiting until Sunday, when Miami faces lefty Steven Matz.

Certainly, the Fernandez-deGrom matchup will captivate baseball, and a Suzuki start would only add to the marquee value of the game.

Otherwise, here are some other story lines to watch on Saturday:

--Marlins closer A.J. Ramos has 31 saves. With one more, he ties his career high, which was set last year.

--Mets closer Jeurys Familia has converted 50 consecutive save opportunities, the longest active streak in the majors and fourth-longest in baseball history. Eric Gagne has the record with 84, followed by Tom Gordon (54) and Jose Valverde (51).

--The Marlins are 11-6 in July and have not lost consecutive games this month. The Marlins are 23-13 in their past 36 games at home. They started the season 1-7 at home.

--Mets infielder Wilmer Flores has seven homers this month, tied for the major league lead.

--The Mets are sixth in the majors with 129 homers. They have 31 this month, tops in the majors.

--The Mets have a 3.41 road ERA, best in the majors.

--The Mets are 19-11 in one-run games.

--Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes is tied for eighth in the NL with 21 homers.

--The Mets' bullpen ranks second in the majors with a 1.74 ERA for the month of July.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels (43-53) at Astros (52-44)

Game: 2
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: July 23, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

HOUSTON -- Angels right-hander Matt Shoemaker produced another exceptional start on Friday night and despite a 2-1 loss, he set the tone needed to keep the Angels rolling out of the All-Star Game break.

Shoemaker delivered his fifth consecutive quality start against the Astros (52-44) yet the Angels fell to 1-5 in those contests. But by allowing just two runs on five hits over 6 2/3 innings, Shoemaker set the stage for the Angels (43-53) to keep pitching effectively in support of an offense that had been cruising before arriving at Minute Maid Park.

"Shoe's thrown the ball well; that's really the most important thing right now," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said of Shoemaker, who tossed his first career shutout in his previous appearance.

"He just has to go out there and keep grinding it out there, and hopefully he'll get the run support that is going to turn them into a win."

The Angels scored 40 runs during their six-game winning streak before being shut down by right-hander Lance McCullers in the series opener. Right-hander Jered Weaver (8-7, 5.02 ERA) will on Saturday make his 12th career appearance against the Astros, against whom he is 5-5 with a 3.77 ERA. In two starts against Houston this season, he has allowed 10 earned runs in 11 1/3 innings, going 0-2 with a 7.94 ERA.

Weaver has won each of his last two starts, allowing just two earned runs over 13 innings during those appearances. He defeated the White Sox in his previous start, allowing one run on six hits and one walk with one strikeout over seven innings.

Right-hander Collin McHugh (6-6, 4.25 ERA) will make his 20th start of the season for the Astros and his third against the Angels. McHugh has yet to record a decision against the Angels in 2016 despite pitching effectively over two starts, allowing four runs on 11 hits and four walks with nine strikeouts in 13 innings.

McHugh is 4-2 with a 2.84 ERA in nine career starts against the Angels. He fanned 10 batters over six scoreless innings in his previous outing, an 8-1 win over the Mariners in Seattle. It marked his second double-digit strikeout performance on the season. McHugh has allowed three earned runs or less in six consecutive starts and nine of his last 11, posting a 2.41 ERA over the six-start stretch with Houston going 5-1.

Perhaps indicative of how the breaks have fallen for the Astros in their season series with the Angels, designated hitter Preston Tucker delivered a triple in the fifth inning in his first game back with Houston since being optioned to Triple A Fresno on May 15. Tucker scored the first run of the game against Shoemaker, giving the Astros a lead they didn't relinquish en route to a ninth consecutive win over the Angels.

"That's what I felt like I got brought back up here to do," Tucker said. "I know (Shoemaker) tonight was tough so I was doing everything I could to get on base or help us out."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers (51-46) at White Sox (46-50)

Game: 3
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: July 23, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

CHICAGO -- No player on the Chicago White Sox is untouchable as the trade deadline approaches.

That includes left-hander Chris Sale, who could yield a bevy of prospects from a desperate contender. Expect plenty of "buyers" to be watching as Sale takes the mound Saturday against the Detroit Tigers.

In all likelihood, the 27-year-old southpaw will stay in Chicago for at least the remainder of the season. At 14-3 with a 3.18 ERA, he is a top candidate for the American League Cy Young Award.

But what if a contending team calls with a blockbuster trade offer for Sale or another star player?

"We have a responsibility to listen," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said to reporters this week. "We have an obligation to understand the value of our guys that are out there and listen to any and all ideas. This time of year, sometimes teams get a little more aggressive and want to put something in front of you that would be, frankly, too difficult to say no to. If that happens, we have the responsibility to listen and vet it and make the best decision for the franchise."

The White Sox (46-50) could transform into sellers after losing eight of the past nine games to fall 10 1/2 games behind the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central. Chicago raced to a 23-10 start but has produced a 23-40 record since then.

Meanwhile, the forecast for the Tigers (51-46) is sunnier -- or, at least, not as gray.

Left-hander Matt Boyd (1-2, 4.91 ERA) will make his eighth start Saturday for Detroit. The 25-year-old is coming off his first win of the season after pitching six scoreless innings against Minnesota. Boyd allowed six runs in 4 1/3 innings in his first appearance against the White Sox on June 13.

Detroit is 5-3 since the All-Star break and trails Cleveland by six games in the division.

Sale is no stranger to Detroit's hitters. He is 8-6 with a 3.20 ERA in his career against the Tigers, including a 5-3 mark with a 2.97 ERA in 16 outings (nine starts) at U.S. Cellular Field. Sale earned the victory against Detroit on June 15 after limiting the Tigers to three runs in seven innings.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said he would not be surprised if his team stood pat at the deadline. Detroit could receive a boost soon as right-hander Jordan Zimmermann (right neck strain) and outfielder J.D. Martinez (right elbow) approach their returns.

"Sometimes, the best move is to do nothing," Ausmus said.

As a player, Ausmus said, he was part of some teams that made big-splash trades at the deadline and other teams that decided to stick with the players on the roster. In 1993, Ausmus was playing for Triple-A Colorado Springs when the Colorado Rockies shipped him to the San Diego Padres in a five-player trade. The Padres immediately promoted Ausmus and flew him to Wrigley Field to join the team on the road.

"I walked in during the middle of the game -- it was a day game -- and Tony Gwynn was in the middle of a five-hit game, and Andy Benes had a shutout going," Ausmus said. "And I played the next day."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins (36-60) at Red Sox (54-40)

Game: 3
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: July 23, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

BOSTON -- Kyle Gibson's stellar star Friday may have been just what the Minnesota Twins needed to finally go on a little run, starting with Saturday's game against the Red Sox.

The Twins (36-60) became the first American League team to reach 60 losses after Thursday's 13-2 rout in the series opener against the Red Sox in Boston, but bounced back in a big way.

Gibson pitched eight one-run innings and gave up just hits while Miguel Sano played the hero as Minnesota held on for a 2-1 victory.

"The starting staff's been throwing a little bit better," Gibson said. "Whenever that happens, that's always going to help you go on a run. Hopefully we can do it again (Saturday)."

Boston (54-40) pounded out 17 hits while scoring 13 runs in Thursday's blowout, but had only two going into Friday's ninth inning before loading the bases for David Ortiz with nobody out.

Miraculously, the Red Sox couldn't win the game -- or even tie it.

"(Boston's) a good team, a really good team," Gibson said. "If our defense is going to play like that and offense is going to scrape a couple runs when they need to, I think we can get on a run."

Boston turns to David Price to get back on track Saturday.

Price (9-7, 4.36 ERA) has been durable, if nothing else, in his recent starts at Fenway Park.

The high-priced southpaw is 6-3 with a 4.06 ERA at home this season, but has gone eight innings in four straight Fenway starts.

Price finished an out shy of a quality start Sunday against the Yankees in New York, allowing three runs on 11 hits and a walk -- but with just one strikeout -- in a 5 2/3-inning loss.

"I couldn't execute whatever pitch I was throwing to get an out," Price said. "That's tough."

It was the second time this year Price recorded one strikeout in a start. He also totaled one in his June 24 start at Texas, something he hadn't done in 40 prior turns.

"You guys are tired of hearing it, and I'm tired of saying it: I've got to execute," Price said.

Price is 9-3 with a 2.12 ERA in 15 starts career against Minnesota. Brian Dozier is 6-for-31 lifetime against Price, but has two home runs, four RBIs and two walks.

Kurt Suzuki, who was given the day off Friday, is expected back in the lineup. While Suzuki is 7-for-33 against Price, he has a homer and a team-leading six RBIs off him.

Ricky Nolasco (4-8, 5.02 ERA) has also proven somewhat durable in his recent starts, going at least six innings in seven of his last nine since the start of June.

Last time out, Nolasco surrendered only one run on three hits and a walk with no strikeouts in a hard-luck, six-inning 1-0 loss at Detroit. It was his fourth loss in five starts.

Nolasco is 3-2 with a 4.50 ERA in six career starts against Boston, but has struggled mightily at Fenway.

The right-hander is 1-1 at the ballpark with a 10.80 ERA, his highest at any park with at least two appearances.

His last start at Fenway came four years ago with Miami, a nine-run debacle over 3 1/3 innings of a 15-5 loss on June 20, 2012.

Unsurprisingly, David Ortiz has been a problem for Nolasco -- as he has been for so many other pitchers.

The retiring 40-year-old slugger is 4-for-13 with six RBIs against him, but three of those hits have been home runs.

Aaron Hill is 6-for-20 with a pair of RBIs, Dustin Pedroia is 4-for-15 and Hanley Ramirez is 2-for-6 with an RBI against Nolasco.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Dodgers (54-44) at Cardinals (52-44)

Game: 2
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: July 23, 2016 7:15 PM EDT

ST. LOUIS -- Even when you're tired, you know when you've hit it well.

Matt Adams' 444-foot game-winning homer in the bottom of the 16th inning early Saturday morning against the Los Angeles Dodgers that gave the St. Louis Cardinals their fifth straight win, tying a season high, fits neatly into that category.

"That might be my best bolt," Adams said.

Adams and the Cardinals try to summon more electricity for Saturday night's rematch with Los Angeles, with both teams desperately in need of long starts after emptying their bullpens this week.

St. Louis (52-44) employed seven pitchers in its longest game of the year, two days after sweeping a day-night doubleheader that took a bite from its bullpen. But it's positively fresh compared to the Dodgers (54-44), who used eight pitchers Thursday in a 6-3 win at Washington and nine more on Friday night/Saturday morning.

The ninth was Bud Norris, who started Wednesday night at Washington and absorbed an 8-1 defeat before tossing 23 pitches just over 48 hours later. His last offering was the one Adams clobbered over the Cardinals' bullpen into the seats in right-center field to conclude the 5-hour, 10-minute marathon.

"We were stretched as thin as we could go," Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said. "You can't say enough about what Bud did. Two days off and taking the ball and trying to give us a boost was huge. The guys fought all game."

Kenta Maeda (8-7, 3.25) takes the ball for the Dodgers, who will need innings of some sort from him, even if he is as ineffective as he was in Sunday's 6-5 loss at Arizona. Maeda gave up seven hits and five runs over 4 1/3 innings in one of his few clunkers this year.

Maeda, who hasn't faced the Cardinals yet, will be opposed by Mike Leake (7-7, 4.00). Known more as a sinker/slider specialist, Leake has become a strikeout pitcher lately, punching out a season-high 11 Monday night in a 10-2 win over San Diego.

In that game, Leake became just the 10th pitcher in major league history to fan at least 10 batters in consecutive starts while pitching at least six innings and giving up one run or less with no walks.

With St. Louis' bullpen logging 10 innings Friday night and the identity of Sunday night's starter still undetermined thanks to a makeup doubleheader Wednesday, Leake, like Maeda, will have to provide a lot of innings regardless of effectiveness.

By winning the series opener, the Cardinals pulled even with Miami for the National League's second wild card and drew within a game of Los Angeles for the first wild card spot.

"I feel like we're playing good baseball," St. Louis starter Michael Wacha, who worked six innings on Friday night, said. "Guys are having a lot of fun."

The Dodgers, who remained four games in back of San Francisco in the NL West, could get right fielder Yasiel Puig (right hamstring) back into the starting lineup, although Roberts hinted Sunday night is a more likely spot for Puig's return.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers (55-42) at Royals (48-47)

Game: 2
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: July 23, 2016 7:15 PM EDT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- When designated hitter Kendrys Morales started the season slowly, Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost stuck with him.

The patience paid off. Morales is hitting .342 with nine home runs and 25 RBIs in his past 31 games.

Yost said he is "absolutely" showing the same perseverance with Alex Gordon, who was hitting .200 after going 0-for-4 on Tuesday, striking out twice and failing to get the ball out of the infield.

Gordon did not start Wednesday but did deliver a pinch double. After an off-day Thursday, which included the Royals visiting the White House, Gordon walked and tripled in his first two plate appearances in a 3-1 victory over the Texas Rangers on Friday night. It was Gordon's first triple since Aug. 17, 2004 at Minnesota.

"Gordy is a guy that puts everything he has into his game," Yost said. "You ask players every single day to come in and be prepared and just give your very best effort every day. As a manager, you take what comes with that, you know good or bad. All they can do is give their best effort. And he does that with the best of them.

"But he also gets a little frustrated with himself and it kind of compounds the problem a little bit. He wants to be productive. I could see him really starting to grind. When you break out, you're going to break out. He's just too good of a player not to. He hasn't forgotten how to hit."

Gordon, who was a free agent this past winter, signed a four-year, $72 million contract to stay with the club that drafted him second overall in 2005. That is the richest contract ever given a Royals player.

"He said the contract doesn't have anything to do with it," Yost said. "Gordy is a guy; he wants to make sure that you're getting your end of the bargain. You know what I'm saying. And he's just right now pressing and getting a little bit frustrated."

Does Gordon appear to be standing more upright and diving at balls across the plate?

"Those are questions I can't answer, articulatory," Yost said. "Dale (Sveum, hitting coach) can. Dale has got some ideas that can help him. But like a lot of good players that have had success, they can be a little bit stubborn. They don't blow with the wind, which makes them successful.

"They are not always trying to tweak and change and do stuff like that. Him and Dale they talk and are trying to figure out what can help him be more productive."

Gordon, who has struck out 72 times in 219 at-bats, did not strike out Wednesday on a night when Yu Darvish struck out 11 in six innings.

"You can't find a whole lot negative with Yu's start tonight," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said.

Keone Kela and rookie left-hander Jake Diekman each pitched a scoreless inning after Darvish was removed after 91 pitches. Kela gave up a career-worst four runs in one inning on Monday in a loss at the Angels. Diekman was pitching for the first time since July 5 at Boston and going on the disabled list with a lacerated left index finger.

"It was great to see Keone rebound from the outing in Anaheim, flooding the strike zone with a big fastball," Banister said. "It was 97-98 mile per hour, a breaking ball and a double play ball, something he doesn't get a whole lot of.

"And then to have Jake Diekman and do what he did, to give us an opportunity there. Those two guys are going to play big for us down the stretch out of our bullpen."

The two teams meet again Saturday night in the middle game of the weekend series. The Rangers' lead over the Houston Astros has dwindled to 2 1/2 games in the AL West. With the victory and the Cleveland loss, the Royals picked up a game on the Indians but are still eight games back in the AL Central.

Royals right-hander Yordano Ventura, who starts Saturday, walked a major league-leading 33 in his first nine starts, 6.10 per nine innings. In his past nine starts, however, Ventura has allowed just eight free passes in 52 2/3 innings, 1.37 per nine innings. That ratio ranks third lowest in the AL during that span.

The Rangers will counter with All-Star left-hander Cole Hamels. This will be first time to appear in a regular-season game at Kauffman Stadium. He did throw a perfect inning there in the 2012 All-Star Game, retiring Billy Butler, Matt Wieters and Adam Jones. He worked a scoreless inning in this year's All-Star game in San Diego.

The Rangers are 14-5 in Hamels' starts this season, including winning seven of his past eight. He struck out the first six Chicago Cubs he faced in his Sunday start, a 4-1 victory, allowing four hits and one unearned run in eight innings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves (33-64) at Rockies (45-51)

Game: 3
Venue: Coors Field
Date: July 23, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies are facing an imminent decision regarding Chad Qualls. He has been ill with a virus and last pitched July 15.

Qualls was unavailable Friday night as was Adam Ottavino, who had pitched in back-to-back games for the first time since coming back from Tommy John surgery in May 2015. So manager Walt Weiss turned to Jason Motte to start the eighth.

Motte threw 32 pitches Thursday night but that was after being off the two previous days.

Referring to the possibility of Qualls going on the disabled list, a move that could be made retroactive to last Saturday, Rockies manager Walt Weiss said, "He's been pretty sick. That's a conversation we need to have as we look toward these next couple days -- if he's going to be available or not. You can only go short so long especially the way we've been using our 'pen."

Rookie left-hander Tyler Anderson will start Saturday and try to minimize the load on the bullpen. He's 2-3 with a 3.43 in his first seven career starts. Five of those games have been at Coors Field, where Anderson is 2-1 with a 3.26 ERA. In 30 1/3 innings in those games at Coors Field, Anderson has seven walks and 29 strikeouts.

Coors Field can be a demon to a young Rockies pitcher, trying to gain his footing in the majors. For example, Jon Gray had trouble pitching there last season after being recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque but has thrived at Coors Field this year. And Eddie Butler, who is starting at Albuquerque and went 2-5 with a 6.96 ERA in 12 games, nine starts, with the Rockies this season, has never settled in at Coors Field.

To his credit, Anderson is faring just fine at Coors Field, giving him one less thing to worry about at the outset of his career. He's coming off a Coors Field win in his last start Monday against Tampa Bay in which he allowed four runs in 6 1/3 innings in the Rockies' 7-4 victory.

"Just the biggest thing to pitching here from all the guys that I've talked to and everything we stress is not having walks," Anderson said. "You can see, my last start, I gave up the most runs (four) and I had also the most walks (3).

"Those two correlate, especially at this field because usually you can give up a couple base hits and the guy doesn't score. But here a lot of balls make it to the wall, because there's so much ground out there that the guys score from first (on a double) all the time. So I think just eliminating walks is the biggest thing."

The Rockies have won eight straight games against the Braves at Coors Field and 12 of their past 14 overall against the Braves.

Matt Wisler, who will oppose Anderson, is 4-9 with a 4.67 ERA in 19 games, 18 starts. In his last outing Monday at Cincinnati, Wisler lost 8-2 and allowed eight hits and six runs, five earned, in five innings. In 11 starts on the road this season, Wisler is 1-6 with a 4.33 ERA.

The Braves expect to know more Saturday about their ace Julio Teheran, who left Friday's game in the fifth inning with tightness in the latissimus dorsi muscles on the right side of his back. The Braves are likely to wait a day or two before deciding whether it will be necessary to put Teheran on the 15-day disabled list.

Teheran said he felt discomfort in his lat while throwing a pitch in the third inning but thought he could make it through five innings. He felt something again in the lat while facing Mark Reynolds to lead off the fifth and left the game after his infield single.

Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said he hopes Teheran could return within a few days.

"Hopefully, it's all clear, but we'll see," Teheran said. "We'll take it day-by-day, and hopefully I don't have to miss a start or anything like that."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays (38-58) at Athletics (43-54)

Game: 3
Venue: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Date: July 23, 2016 9:05 PM EDT

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Oakland A's right-hander Kendall Graveman was 12 starts into the season and was searching for answers. He was 2-6 with a 5.28 ERA, and opposing hitters were batting .309 with 11 home runs against him.

That's when pitching coach Curt Young made a suggestion that helped turn Graveman's season around.

"Curt came up to me and said, 'You got to find what works for you, what makes you have a chip on your shoulder, what's going to lock you in,'" Graveman said.

Graveman said he remembered how locked in he was in 2014, when he visualized his pitches before every game and rocketed through the Toronto Blue Jays' system, earning five promotions and finishing the season in the major leagues.

"It was something that I just had to get back to, visualize throwing every pitch to both sides of the plate to lefties and righties," Graveman said. "It's almost like you're visualizing a pitch that you want to make in a big situation to try to get someone out, but also just visualizing quality pitches.

"I think for me it sets up nicely because I get to see the movement when I visualize it. You've seen it so much after you throw it and watching video that I think that just reinforces it. The mind's a powerful thing. I think we know that now in the game of baseball. You start really thinking positively before a start, I think positive outcomes will happen."

In his past six starts, Graveman has gone 4-0 with a 2.68 ERA, and opposing hitters are batting .232 with two home runs.

Graveman will take a career-high five-game winning streak into his start Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays and left-hander Drew Smyly.

Smyly has lost a career-high seven straight games and is trying to escape the worst slump of his career. He's 2-11 with a 5.64 ERA. Smyly, who missed 105 last year because of a left shoulder injury, entered this season with a career record of 24-15 with a 3.24 ERA.

"It's just been a slump, man," Smyly said. "I wish I had an answer but I don't. You just got to keep grinding, keep searching. I'm healthy. I feel fine. Every chance I get I'm competing my hardest, so hopefully I can get it turned around. It is what it is."

Despite Smyly's struggles, the Rays have no plans to take him out of the rotation, manager Kevin Cash said.

"We're very confident he is going to pitch his way out of this," Cash said before the Rays' 1-0, 13-inning loss to Oakland. "We're looking forward to getting him on the mound (Saturday). I sat down and talked to him casually with him after his start in Colorado. He's doing all the right things. The results just aren't coming. Sometimes you've got to let it kind of work its course and one start, one, two good innings of something clicking can be really beneficial for him."

Smyly gave up five runs and needed 100 pitches to get through five innings in a 7-4 loss to the Rockies on Monday at Coors Field.

"First of all, I believe he's healthy, too," Cash said. "We've talked to Drew. I think it's just inconsistencies in his off-speed pitches. He has not gone into a start here recently where he's really had his wipeout cutter or wipeout breaking ball and it becomes difficult. You're facing some good hitters, good lineups and to go out there with just a fastball -- he tries to get really picky with the fastball knowing that he doesn't have that. I know that's kind of been the focal point for him, to try to get one if not two of those off-sped pitches going for him."

Graveman, who relies heavily on a nasty sinker, is 1-1 with a 2.04 ERA in three career starts against Tampa Bay. He took the loss on May 14 at Tropicana Field, allowing four runs over 5 2/3 innings in a 6-0 defeat.

Smyly is 1-2 with a 6.87 ERA in six appearances against the A's, including three starts.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Saturday, July 23, 2016, Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews

It's tough to be a White Sox fan, especially if you live in Chicago, because almost everything the Pale Hose do is overshadowed by the crosstown Cubs. At least the White Sox have won a World Series since World War I, doing so in 2005. But they have made the playoffs just once since and not finished above .500 since 2012. You have to respect the franchise in that it never totally gives up and does a full-blown rebuild like the Cubs recently did. The White Sox have trouble drawing fans, so they always try to contend. It simply hasn't been working.

Well, things might be changing. GM Rick Hahn admitted on Thursday this franchise is "mired in mediocrity" and that a total rebuild is possible. He said his team won't be trading for short-term rentals but instead anyone is available on the roster other than pitchers Chris Sale and Jose Quintana and rookie shortstop Tim Anderson. Sale would single-handedly rebuild the team's farm system as he'd bring back a ton, but I also understand rebuilding around him.


Giants at Yankees (+101, 9)

Nationally televised matinee (4:05 p.m. ET) on Fox Sports 1 and should have live betting at sportsbooks. The Giants add the DH. Entering Friday's series opener in the Bronx, the Giants were winless in the second half after entering the All-Star break with the best record in the majors. The last team with the first half's best record to lose at least its first five after the break was the 1991 Dodgers, who dropped seven in a row and ended up not making the playoffs. Giants starting pitchers have not been good, and one guy who hasn't been good for a while is Saturday's starter, Jeff Samardzija (9-5, 4.05). He's starting to resemble last year's pitcher while with the White Sox when he was one of the AL's worst. Samardzija has allowed 23 runs over his past five starts, including seven homers. The Yankees' Jacoby Ellsbury is 2-for-6 career off him with a homer and four RBIs. Chase Headley is 5-for-13 with two doubles. It's Ivan Nova (7-5, 4.92) for the Yankees. He had one of his better starts of the year on Monday against Baltimore, allowing one run and four hits over six innings. The Giants' Brandon Belt is 2-for-4 with a double career off him.

Key trends: The Yankees are 11-4 in Nova's past 15 interleague starts. The "over/under" is 5-0 in Samardzija's past five. The over is 3-1-1 in Nova's past five at home.

Early lean: Yankees and over.

Phillies at Pirates (TBA)

Nice matchup of potential futures aces here and for state bragging rights. For the Phillies, it's Aaron Nola (5-8, 4.41), the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 draft out of LSU. The Phillies have lost his past six, but he was excellent Monday against the Marlins, shutting them out on two hits over six innings. He did take a line drive in the shoulder but initially stayed in the game and checked out OK. Nola's last start had been skipped because he was struggling, so the rest apparently worked wonders. This will be his first career start vs. Pittsburgh. The Bucs go with Tyler Glasnow (0-1, 6.75), the No. 5 overall pick in the 2011 draft out of high school. He made his major-league debut on July 7 in St. Louis and allowed four runs and three hits over 5.1 innings. Glasnow is expected to be called up for this start, although he may not be in the majors too long as he's nearing the team's innings limit for him with minor-league IP included.

Key trends: The Phillies are 0-6 in Nola's past six. The over is 5-0 in his past five on the road.

Early lean: Glasnow hasn't been officially announced as of this writing -- thus the TBA -- but it should be him. I like the Pirates assuming so.

Rangers at Royals (+114, 8)

Also televised on Fox Sports 1. Texas had to put outfielder Shin-Soo Choo back on the 15-day DL on Wednesday and first baseman/DH Prince Fielder joined him. While Choo has been on and off the DL all season, he shouldn't be out much longer than the 15 days. Fielder, however, might need season-ending surgery as an MRI revealed a herniation of discs in his neck just above an area that was repaired two years ago. He missed most of the 2014 season because of the problem. Fielder is having a disappointing season, but I wonder if that means the Rangers might now need to add a lefty bat. Here they start lefty Cole Hamels (10-2, 3.00). The All-Star was brilliant Sunday at the Cubs, allowing one unearned run and four hits with seven strikeouts over eight innings. The Royals' Alcides Escobar is 3-for-8 off him with a triple. Kendrys Morales is 2-for-3 with a homer. Kansas City's Yordano Ventura (6-7, 4.97) hasn't won since June 17. He deserved to Sunday in Detroit, allowing two runs over seven innings but took a no-decision. Adrian Beltre is 4-for-9 off him with three RBIs.

Key trends: The Rangers are 4-1 in Hamels' past five on the road. The Royals are 1-4 in Ventura's past five vs. teams with a winning record. The over is 9-4 in his past 13.

Early lean: Rangers and under.

Mets at Marlins (-145, 6.5)

Pitching matchup of the day here, and, who knows, it could be a wild-card game preview. New York's Jacob deGrom (6-4, 2.38) has won three straight starts and comes off his best one of the year, throwing a complete-game (his first) one-hitter in Philadelphia on Sunday with seven strikeouts. Ironically, the lone hit was a third-inning single by the opposing pitcher. DeGrom faced the Marlins the start before that and allowed two runs over seven innings. Miami's Giancarlo Stanton is 4-for-12 off him with two solo homers. Marcell Ozuna is 6-for-22 with seven strikeouts. The Marlins' Jose Fernandez (11-4, 2.53) also comes off a start vs. the Phillies, allowing two runs and four hits over 6.1 innings against them on Monday with a season-high-tying 14 strikeouts. He became the fastest starter, by innings pitched, to 500 career Ks. Fernandez is 1-0 with a 0.75 ERA in two starts vs. the Mets this year. Asdrubal Cabrera is 1-for-8 off him with four strikeouts. James Loney is 3-for-7.

Key trends: The Mets are 4-0 in deGrom's past four. The Marlins are 17-2 in Fernandez's past 19 at home vs. teams with a winning record. The under is 5-0 in deGrom's past five at home. It is 10-3 in Fernandez's past 13 overall. The Marlins are 5-0 in Fernandez's past five vs. the Mets.

Early lean: Marlins and under.

Dodgers at Cardinals (-102, 8)

Reports are that the Dodgers might be getting close to acquiring Chris Archer from the Rays in the wake of the bad Clayton Kershaw injury news. That would cost plenty to get Archer. The Dodgers go with Kenta Maeda (8-7, 3.25) here. The rookie struggled last time out, allowing five runs and seven hits over 4.1 innings in Arizona. This will be his first look at the Cardinals. St. Louis goes with red-hot Mike Leake (7-7, 4.00). Over his past two starts, vs. the Padres and Brewers, he has gone 13 innings and allowed two earned runs and 12 hits with 21 strikeouts and no walks. He hadn't struck out more than six in a game before this stretch of back-to-back double-digit games. The first 189 times Leake started a major league game, he struck out 10 batters or more twice. Leake and some guy named Bob Gibson are the only pitchers in St. Louis history to record double-digit strikeout games without a walk in back-to-back games. Leake pitched at the Dodgers on May 15 and got the win, allowing one run in six innings. Justin Turner is 7-for-15 career off him. Adrian Gonzalez is 1-for-11. Monitor the status of the Cardinals' Matt Holliday here after he took a pitch off his face on Thursday. Miracle he wasn't seriously hurt and he only was diagnosed with a facial abrasion. Might miss a game or two.

Key trends: The Cardinals are 4-0 in Leake's past four vs. the NL West. The over is 5-1 in Maeda's past six on the road. The over is 4-1-1 in Leake's past six following a quality start in his most recent appearance.

Early lean: Cardinals and over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'Indians look to even series'

Cleveland Indians at Baltimore Orioles July 23, 7:05 EST

The Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Indians get ready to duel again at Camden Yards after the Orioles opened the series with a 5-1 victory.

Righthander Kevin Gausman will get the start for Baltimore, bringing a 1-7 record, 4.05 ERA to the mound. Handing the ball to Gausman does not bode well for Baltimore's chances. Orioles have a 3-13 skid with Gausman vs a team with a winning record, 2-5 in his last seven July starts.

Indians counter with Josh Tomlin, who has a 10-2 record, 3.44 ERA, 14-3 Team Start Record overall. Tomlin has put up outstanding numbers in an opposing park. The righthander is undefeated posting a 6-0 record, 2.44 ERA with Indians 8-1 in his nine road starts. Such success has not been limited to this season, the Indians have emerged triumphant in twelve of Tomlin's last thirteen road starts dating back to last season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

Saturday's games

National League

Phillies @ Pirates
Nola is 1-4, 9.00 in his last seven starts (over 5-1-1). Phils are 5-4 in his road starts.

Glasnow allowed four runs in 5.1 IP (87 PT) in his MLB debut at St Louis.

Phillies lost four of last six games; over is 16-7 in their last 23 road games. Pittsburgh won three of last five games; six of their last seven stayed under the total.

Padres @ Nationals
Jackson allowed three runs in 6.1 IP (90 PT) in his first '16 start.

Scherzer is 2-1, 0.99 in his last four starts (under 4-0); Nationals split his eight road starts.

Padres lost seven of last eight road games; five of their last seven road games stayed under. Washington lost four of last five games; seven of Nationals' last eight games stayed under.

Diamondbacks @ Reds
Ray is 1-1, 2.25 in his last two starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five. Arizona is 2-7 when Ray starts on the road.

Sampson is making his first '16 start; he was 2-6, 6.54 in 12 MLB starts LY. He is 2-3, 2.06 in 14 minor league games (nine starts) this year.

Arizona lost 16 of its last 20 games; over is 10-5-1 in their last 16 games. Cincinnati won five of their last seven games; over is 5-2-3 in their last ten home games.

Mets @ Marlins
deGrom is 3-0, 0.93 in his last four starts; seven of his last eight stayed under. New York is 3-4 when he starts on the road.

Fernandez is 9-0, 1.25 in his last ten home starts; under is 9-4 in his last 13 starts overall.

Mets lost seven of last 11 road games; their last ten games all stayed under. Marlins won four of last six games; under is 9-4 in their last thirteen games.

Cubs @ Brewers
Lackey is 0-4, 6.63 in his last six starts; under is 8-5 in his last 13. Chicago is 6-4 when he starts on the road.

Davies is 1-0, 1.32 in his last two starts; under is 5-2-1 in his last eight. Milwaukee won five of his last six home starts.

Cubs won six of last eight games; over is 11-2-1 in Cubs' last 14 road games. Milwaukee lost seven of last nine games; under is 5-1-1 in last seven games at Miller Park.

Dodgers @ Cardinals
Maeda is 2-3, 5.13 in his last five starts; under is 6-3 in his last nine. Dodgers are 6-3 in his road starts.

Leake is 2-0, 1.38 in his last two starts; three of his last four stayed under.

Dodgers lost four of their last six games; four of last five Dodger games went over. St Louis won its last five games; under is 14-7-1 in their last 22 home games.

Braves @ Rockies
Wisler is 1-2, 6.28 in his last five starts; over is 8-3 in his last 11. Atlanta is 3-4 in his road starts.

Anderson is 2-2, 4.44 in his last four starts (under 6-1). He is 2-1, 3.48 at Coors Field.

Braves lost six of last eight games; under is 13-4-2 in their last 19 road games. Colorado won five of last eight games; four of their last five games stayed under.


American League

Indians @ Orioles
Tomlin is 4-0, 2.13 in his last seven road starts; over is 10-4-1 in his last 15 starts. Indians are 8-1 when Tomlin starts on the road.

Gausman is 0-2, 4.58 in his last three starts; nine of his last 11 stayed under. Baltimore split his six home starts.

Indians are 7-9 since their long win streak ended; three of their last four games went over the total. Baltimore won seven of last eight home games; last ten Baltimore games stayed under.

Mariners @ Blue Jays
Iwakuma is 4-0, 2.39 in his last four starts; four of his last five stayed under. Mariners won six of his ten road starts.

Dickey is 2-1, 3.60 in his last three starts; under is 7-3-1 in his last 11. Toronto is 2-8 in his home starts, but won last two (2-0, 1.93).

Mariners lost 11 of last 14 road games; under is 9-2 in their last 11 road games. Toronto won three of its last four games; seven of its last eight home games stayed under.

Twins @ Red Sox
Nolasco is 1-4, 5.64 in his last five starts; over is 15-3 in his last 18. Minnesota is 4-6 when he starts on the road.

Price is 1-3, 3.21 in his last four starts; under is 8-1-1 in his last ten. Boston is 6-5 when he starts at home.

Twins lost four of last six games; under is 6-1-1 in their last eight. Boston won 11 of last 14 home games; seven of last nine Red Sox games stayed under the total.

Tigers @ White Sox
Boyd is 1-0, 0.82 in his last two starts (over 3-3-1).

Sale is 5-1, 4.50 in his last seven starts; four of his last six stayed under. White Sox are 7-3 in his home starts.

Tigers won five of last six games; four of their last four games stayed under. Chicago lost eight of their last nine games; over is 7-2-1 in their last ten home games.

Angels @ Astros
Weaver is 2-0, 1.38 in his last two starts; seven of his last eight went over. Angels are 4-4 in his road starts.

McHugh is 1-1, 2.66 in his last six starts; five of his last seven stayed under. Astros are 7-3 in McHugh's home starts. .

Angels won their last seven games, four of their last five went over. Houston won six of last eight home games; under is 7-2 in their last nine home games.

Rangers @ Royals
Hamels is 5-1, 2.66 in his last seven starts; Texas is 7-3 in his road starts. Over is 3-1-1 in his last five starts.

Ventura is 0-3, 6.55 in his last four starts; over is 9-4 in his last 13. Royals are 6-2 when he starts at home, but lost last two (0-2, 7.30).

Rangers lost 15 of last 19 games, over is 11-4-1 in their last 16 games. Royals lost five of last eight games; four of KC's last five home games went over the total.

Rays @ A's
Smyly is 0-4, 11.32 in his last four starts; over is 11-2 in his last 13 starts. Rays lost six of his last seven road starts.

Graveman is 4-0, 3.12 in his last six starts; A's won his last seven starts. Under is 5-2 in his starts at the Coliseum.

Tampa Bay won three of last four games (over 3-1). Oakland is 5-7 in its last 12 home games; over is 7-4-1 in their last 12 home games.


Interleague

Giants @ Bronx
Samardzija is 1-1, 7.39 in his last five starts; nine of his last ten went over. Giants are 6-5 in his road starts.

Nova is 2-0, 3.24 in his last three starts (over 6-6-1). New York is 4-3 in his home starts.

Giants lost their last six games; over is 6-3-1 in their last ten road games. New York won five of last six games; under is 9-0 in their last nine home games.


Teams won-lost records when this pitcher starts:

Phil-Pitt-- Nola 7-11 (0-6 last 6); Glasnow 0-1
SD-Wsh-- Jackson 1-0; Scherzer 11-9
Az-Cin-- Ray 6-13; Sampson 0-0
NY-Mia-- deGrom 9-7; Fernandez 13-5
Chi-Mil-- Lackey 10-9; Davies 8-8
LA-StL-- Maeda 10-9; Leake 9-10
Atl-Col-- Wisler 5-13; Anderson 3-4

Cle-Balt-- Tomlin 14-3; Gausman 6-10
Sea-Tor-- Iwakuma 12-7 (4-0 last 4); Dickey 7-13
Min-Bos-- Nolasco 7-12; Price 11-9
Det-Chi-- Boyd 3-4; Sale 14-5
LA-Hst-- Weaver 8-10; McHugh 12-7
Tex-KC-- Hamels 14-5; Ventura 9-9 (2-6 last 8)
TB-A's-- Smyly 6-12 (0-5 last 5); Graveman 10-8 (7-0 last 7)

SF-NY-- Samardzija 11-8; Nova 7-6


Starting pitchers allowing 1+ runs in first inning:

Phil-Pitt-- Nola 8-18; Glasnow 0-1
SD-Wsh-- Jackson 0-1; Scherzer 8-20
Az-Cin-- Ray 3-19; Sampson 0-0
NY-Mia-- deGrom 2-16; Fernandez 5-18
Chi-Mil-- Lackey 5-19; Davies 4-16
LA-StL-- Maeda 5-19; Leake 7-19
Atl-Col-- Wisler 9-18; Anderson 2-5

Cle-Balt-- Tomlin 7-17; Gausman 6-16
Sea-Tor-- Iwakuma 3-19; Dickey 6-20
Min-Bos-- Nolasco 7-19; Price 7-20
Det-Chi-- Boyd 0-7; Sale 6-19
LA-Hst-- Weaver 7-18; McHugh 8-19
Tex-KC-- Hamels 3-19; Ventura 5-18
TB-A's-- Smyly 5-18; Graveman 4-18

SF-NY-- Samardzija 5-19; Nova 4-13


Umpires

-- Phil-Pitt-- Seven of last nine Tichenor games stayed under.
-- SD-Wsh-- Favorites won 13 of last 16 Hallion games.
-- Az-Cin-- Last five Drake games stayed under the total.
-- Chi-Mil-- Under is 7-5-1 in last thirteen Culbreth games.
-- NY-Mia-- Over is 8-1-1 in last ten TBarrett games.
-- LA-StL-- Last six DeJesus games went over the total.
-- Atl-Col-- 13 of last 14 Wegner games went over the total.

-- Sea-Tor-- Five of last six Baker games stayed under.
-- Cle-Balt-- Over is 11-0-2 in last thirteen Wolcott games.
-- LA-Hst-- Last seven Wendelstedt games stayed under.
-- Det-Chi-- Four of last six Eddings games went over.
-- Min-Bos-- Home side won 11 of last 13 Fagan games.
-- Tex-KC-- Under is 7-3-1 in last eleven Fairchild games.
-- TB-A's-- Last five Danley games stayed under the total.

-- SF-NYY-- Over is 6-4-2 in last twelve Vanover games.