Saturday 7/9/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Belmont Park

RACE #6 - BELMONT PARK - 3:15 PM EASTERN POST


The Victory Ride Stakes

6½ FURLONGS DIRT GRADE III THREE YEAR OLD FILLIES STAKES $150,000.00 PURSE

#9 COPPA
#8 LOST RAVEN
#5 BEHRNIK'S BANK
#1 BLAST

F.Y.I. folks ... The Victory Ride is named for the filly who defeated Xtra Heat in the 2001 edition of the Test. at Saratoga Race Course in 2004. Here in the 13th running of this stakes test, #9 COPPA is the overall speed and pace profile leader in this stakes event and is undefeated in a two race career, winning both in "POWER RUN FASHION." Jockey Joe Talamo was in her irons for both of those wins, and is back today for his 3rd ride, gunning for a "Hat Trick Win!"

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Hawthorne Harness: Saturday 7/9 Analysis
By Jeremey Day

DRF HARNESS

Best Bet (10 - 17 / $52.80): MAKEOUTLIKEAPANDIT (7th)

Spot Play: WILLIWIN (3rd)


Race 1

(5) MADD HOSS JACKSON well bred filly comes off two really nice qualifiers. (7) THE SMIDGE finished with nice pace in his sophomore debut; threat. (2) SOUTHERN FLIGHT nice looking 2-year-old has plenty of room to improve off a solid qualifier.

Race 2

(4) EVERGREEN ELITE four-year-old has tons of upside of a romping victory against softer. (3) SIR ARTHUR D doesn't look the best on paper but could hit the ticket at a price. (2) RED RED REDNECK looked really good prior to the last effort.

Race 3

(5) WILLIWIN has just been racing evenly but takes a significant drop in class and was the driver's choice. (8) KRUSTY THE CLOWN has been competitive against much tougher on the year. (2) WHATCHAMACALLUM gets a good post and should be in line for a nice ground saving trip up close.

Race 4

(7) STRONG PLAYIN KING pacer makes his third start back off a long layoff. (6) MACHO BURBON should be much closer turning for home. (9) DUNESIDE SPORT never got into the race last start but had won three straight prior.

Race 5

(2) HOLDONWE'REROLLING drew into the soft division; big chance. (9) IYQ YQR three-year-old looks to be a major player in the division. (1) WONDROUS SPORT picks up the top driver with the best post. The pacer hasn't come back the same this year but could be ready for a better effort.

Race 6

(5) DAN D DUNE is just now back in racing shape and could offer the best price of the contenders. (1) ROYALE ROSE pacer is sharp right now but it's just an elimination and there is not much reason to go all out this week. (2) BS TYRRIFIC looks to be in a great spot to save some ground before shaking loose late.

Race 7

(5) MAKEOUTLIKEAPANDIT was tremendous last week setting a lifetime mark. (2) RASCAL FLATTER has been super impressive for the new barn; threat. (1) IM SO HANDSOME might be overlooked against this group. The pacer has been knocking on the door and looks to offer value.

Race 8

(5) IN YOUR EYE sophomore pacer was super in the qualifier showing a big latekick. (2) SPORTY REDHOT impeccably bred pacer will look to make it two straight. (4) FOX VALLEY SPARTY was the top driver's choice of three.

Race 9

(5) FOX VALLEY HOSS scored at a price last week and likely has more to offer. (2) ROYALE BIG GUY flashed a lot of ability despite the break last week. The pacer gets sent out for proven capable connections. (3) FOX VALLEY JETER well bred pacer will look to make it two straight wins to kick off the year.

Race 10

(8) GABE HENRY pacer was bet down big and raced accordingly last week in his debut. The 2-year-old was the drivers choice and looks to be good one. (5) FOX VALLEY INFERNO wasn't far off to the top choice last week; threat. (6) UPTOWN SLEAZE freshman pacer has a nice pedigree but looks to need more.

Race 11

(6) ULYSSES BLUE CHIP well bred pacer picks up the top driver and just needs a good setup for a chance to score. (2) DIXIE'S BOY is probably the horse to beat but looks to offer low value; use caution. (5) OFFICIALLY YOURS has been competitive against better on the year; threat.

Race 12

(7) S F LAW pacer makes his first start in a new recently hot barn. (8) DONTGETBYME takes a huge dropdown in class and will be used aggressively. (9) CAPELO five-year-old stallion has good closing ability and can pick up the pieces with a good setup.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mohawk: Saturday 7/9 Analysis
By Garnet Barnsdale

DRF HARNESS

Race 1 - $30,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool

Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool


20-CENT PICK 5: 4,8/2/1/1,3,5,7/2,4,6,9 = $6.40

EARLY PICK 4: 1,5,7/4,6/2,3,7/3,5,8 = $54

LATE PICK 4: 7/2,4/1,4,5/2,4,5,6,9 = $30

MEET STATS: 196 - 574 / $1026.10 BEST BETS: 34 - 53 / $108.80

SPOT PLAYS: 11 - 52 / $56.40

Best Bet: SINTRA (2nd)

Spot Play: POISONOUS (4th)


Race 1

(4) RED DOG SALOON looked like he was stymied hopelessly in traffic last time, but once free he blew by the leaders in an impressive display; call to repeat. (8) SECRECY dodges very tough foes Sintra and Piranha here. Notice a lifetime-best score in a similar class four back. (2) BLAISE MM HANOVER raced well against a couple of tough rivals last time and he should make the ticket here. (3) WICHITA LINEMAN has been on a good roll of late and is another that can fill one of the bottom exotics slots.

Race 2

(2) SINTRA went a big trip last week to stretch out North America Cup champ Betting Line and this gelding will be very hard to beat here in the Summertime Final. (6) DREAMFAIR MESA got a new driver and a new approach last week and together they combined for a lifetime-best score. He is a solid bet to complete the exacta here. (7) TEDDYS SUPER TOY was motoring late last week and will be passing many of these in the final 1/4. (3) BLAYDE HANOVER is another that can pass horses late and finish on the edges.

Race 3

(1) L A DELIGHT has a big class edge on this field and should convert at a very short price. (7) GOOD WILL HANOVER didn't fare so well in a tightener last week but that is likely exactly what it was and she could improve sharply here. Notice that she did beat the choice on May 28th. (4) MAYHEM SEELSTER faces mostly easier here and should be able to make the ticket. (3) MAXIM SEELSTER looks best of the rest and can take a smaller share off a following trip.

Race 4

(7) POISONOUS paced his second 1/4 in 27 flat while making the lead last time and he paid the price for it in deep stretch. A slightly more even pace here gets him home in front. (1) FLAHERTY was a sharp winner last time aided by a good trip on the lead. He is capable of better and should be a factor here too. (5) EASY LOVER HANOVER was solid at the start of this meet and judging by his recent qualifiers he could return to good form immediately coming off the shelf. (3) DREAMY FELLA took a new life's mark in his first start out of the Weller barn and although these are tougher, he wouldn't be a total shocker here the way that barn has been going of late.

Race 5

(4) CZAR SEELSTER was a much easier winner last time than it appears on paper and he could triple up here in his current razor-sharp form. (6) YOURE MY HERO should get a good pace to chase here and he could roll by them all if some battling materializes. (2) LYONS AGAIN appears to be hitting his best form again and he isn't out of this. (9) THORN IN YOUR SIDE will likely clear early here but it's hard to say if he will last vs. these.

Race 6

(2) THATSOVERYVERYNICE looked much smoother last week when equaling her life's best beating aged mares. She can beat this group if she maintains that form. (3) BOURBON SEELSTER improves every week and looks like one of the main threats here. (7) CRACKLIN ROSIE shoots for five straight here and she did beat the choice in a similar race on June 4th when that rival broke. She is another contender in a competitive field. (1) THISORTHATHANOVER is another that has shown improvement this year and should be a threat here as well.

Race 7

(3) WAZZUP WAZZUP was visibly flying at the wire last week and he should get a better trip here racing close to the front; slight nod. (8) NIRVANA SEELSTER faces easier and will no doubt look to go right down the road here, He is a Pick 4 must-use. (5) DOVUTO HANOVER has raced well at this meet and can certainly take this with a trip. (9) AMERICAN VIRGIN has a great closing kick but he will likely be too far back early and close for a minor share here.

Race 8

(7) LINDYS NIGHTMARE has been lights out in her past three starts and will win this stakes final easily if she reproduces her June 24th mile. (8) TWENTY THREE RED was given an easy trip from the 10-hole in the second leg of the series and she is capable of much better if put into the race early (which is likely). (4) QUEEN IDEAL is a consistent closer that can get a good piece of this purse. (9) SQUARE DANCER is likely doomed by post here, but she is still capable of taking a share.

Race 9

(4) EVENIN OF PLEASURE stands a very good chance of being in his favorite spot turning home here and winning as a pocket rocket once again. (2) NICKLE BAG went a huge trip in defeat last week and is returning to his best form now; beware. (5) ELLIS PARK continues to race well but often is the victim of trip. Dead cover doomed him last week. (6) ALEXAS JACKPOT faces easier here and should take a share, at a minimum.

Race 10

(4) SPORTSMANSHIP was aggressively driven to a sharp win last week and can take another here now that he has reached his peak form. (5) SHADOW PLACE has also improved sharply recently and looks like the main threat. He can race effectively using various styles. (1) WAR N MUNN can produce an impressive brush and isn't out of this. (6) ARTHUR BLUE CHIP will likely be the first leader and if he gets a breather he could go a long way on the engine.

Race 11

(4) VELOCITY DRIVEN takes a big class plunge here and should get a good setup for his potent late kick. (2) MR CARROTS is another that gets class relief that should produce a better performance here. (6) RAFA raced better last week and he should be a speed threat here. (9) CROCADILE CANYON will be passing many of these late but may get too far back to threaten for the top spot. (5) MOONWRITER is in great form but likely takes a smaller share here as he is facing much tougher.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Meadowlands: Saturday 7/9 Analysis
By Derick Giwner

DRF HARNESS

Race 1 - $30,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool

Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

Race 7 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 74 - 209 / $439.80 (+$21.80) BEST BETS: 10 - 18 / $27.90 (-8.10)

Best Bet: ALL THE TIME (2nd)

Spot Play: ROADWAY (13th)


Race 1

(5) LIMA CADILLAC has responded nicely to the addition of hobbles and couldn’t have won his last start much easier. This guy seems to be moving in the right direction as he faces his toughest test to date. (3) FREE WILLY HANOVER gets an interesting driver change to David Miller and deserves a look in the post parade. (1A) SELFIE HANOVER was freewheeling on the engine in her qualifier and was able to stay on stride. Maybe trainer Jimmy Takter finally has her figured out.

Race 2

(7) ALL THE TIME has looked spectacular in her last two trips to the track and looks hard to beat in this lower level stake. (8) DOUBLE EXPOSURE was my wintertime Hambo Oaks selection. We’ll learn more about her chances on Saturday. (4) SOUTHWIND PEARL comes off a win, her first in 14 career starts. Maybe that will spark her on to better things.

Race 3

(6) MARTY MONKHOUSER A uncorked a 1:54 4/5 winning mile at Monticello in his U.S. debut. That mile certainly catches my eye. (7) FLIGHT DECK N clearly had something left in the tank when qualifying here last Saturday. (4) OUREA NOURRIR can take some air and still finish strong.

Race 4

(5) CAN DO hasn’t been on his game, but drops down to a level where you would expect him to right the ship. (2) SUMATRA had some late life in a better field last time; more now? (7) PHOTOSAVVY broke in her first try for this barn; another shot.

Race 5

(8) UNICA STEED took plenty of air while parked the mile in her first stateside start and still trotted home reasonably well. Italian import was perfect in her home country and is Hambletonian Oaks eligible. Let’s see what she can do with Tetrick in the bike this week. (1) SPICEDBOURBONGIRL has plenty of early zip to secure position from the inside and reunites with Gregory, who has gotten some good miles from her. (9) SOUTHWIND HOPE hasn’t missed the board in nine starts this year.

Race 6

(4) ART HISTORY hasn’t had much luck in terms of trip and has clearly been racing against better company than he faces tonight; winning spot. (3) MAJOR WAR has high early speed and should be using it once again. (7) EL BLOOMBITO can’t be faulted for the equipment break last time; capable with a smooth trip.

Race 7

I wasn’t thrilled with (2) LYONS SNYDER for much of his qualifying mile, but he did kick in late and I have to think trainer Mark Silva should have him right for tonight’s Meadowlands Pace elimination. Along with (9) CONTROL THE MOMENT, they appear to be the two fastest horses in an otherwise evenly-matched field. (1) TALK SHOW never got into contention from last on the rim in the Hempt Final. At the right price I would give him another shot. (5) BOSTON RED ROCKS has been very consistent but can’t seem to get over the top.

Race 8

On paper this is probably the best race on the card. I couldn’t fault a selection of any of the 10 starters here, but let’s try to narrow it down for pick four purposes. (6) MAESTRO BLUE CHIP has been virtually flawless all year and simply had no chance in the Cleveland Trotting Classic last time. This looks like a perfect spot for him to gun to the front in a race that seems to lack an abundance of inside early speed. (1) WINGS OF ROYALTY has already proven he can go a big mile here and the 1:52 2/5 Vernon Downs qualifier seems to indicate that he is sharp. (4) CANEPA HANOVER has all the ability in the world but can’t seem to keep his act together on the track. If he drifts up above 6-1, I’ll certainly be interested on the win end. (9) CRAZSHANA has raced very well since moving into the Bamond barn and has a shot with the right trip.

Race 9

(3) FROST DAMAGE BLUES posted a sharp mile in her first start of the year and seems to be in another winning spot. (6) NOT BEFORE EIGHT is always a player at this level if given a decent trip. (7) BETTOR BE STEPPIN continues to search for form in 2016, but it is encouraging that stablemate Divine Caroline found her stride last week. Maybe it will rub off. (5) KELLI RACHELLE seems fast enough on her best game and does add Tetrick.

Race 10

The rematch between (3) WIGGLE IT JIGGLEIT & (8) FREAKY FEET PETE takes place here but I’m strongly leaning to the former as a key. WIJI worked much harder while attacking the lead in the Ben Franklin than FFP, who had a nice pocket trip. At the wire they were separated by just 1-1/4 lengths. Let’s look for driver Montrell Teague to take no prisoners on Saturday and for FFP to cap a $5 exacta. (7) ROCK N’ ROLL WORLD had no shot in the Franklin from an outside post, but his prior form was fine.

Race 11

(1) BETTOR BELIEVE IT gets a written invitation into this race courtesy of the also eligible condition. I have to think trainer Andrew Harris will have him ready to roll and not waste a gift like this one. (3) AMPED UP took back in his first start for this barn and lost any chance; don’t ignore him here. (4) STIMULUS PLAN has good enough form to make his way into the number.

Race 12

(1) OUR JERRY LEE N & (2) URBANITE HANOVER come out of the same race where they both closed well in their first starts on Lasix. I’ll give the edge to the former on the driver change angle to David Miller. (4) VICE CONSUL N & (5) VILLAGE BEAT seem like the logical players for the exotic spots.

Race 13

(6) ROADWAY drops down in claiming price this week after a decent sixth-place finish where he had every right to be short having missed three weeks of action. (5) BO’S SO HOT is another that is down in class who is capable of stepping up at times. (9) STORMIN RUSTLER is a proven commodity at the $7,500 claiming level. (4) WHO DO YOU LIKE has high early speed and should be involved.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yonkers: Saturday 7/9 Analysis
By Matt Rose

DRF HARNESS

MEET STATS: 226 - 665 / $1210.90 BEST BETS: 33 - 56 / $116.00

Best Bet: SAPPHIRE CITY (12th)

Spot Play: BLOOD BROTHER (6th)


Race 1

(2) MATTAMERICAN missed a nose at this level last week and from this inside post he clearly seems the most logical. (3) VAGUE TRACES has looked good in his three starts for Croghan and he can add a bit of value underneath. (1) LORD OF MISRULE returns locally, draws best and will be in line for a live trip.

Race 2

(5) MELMERBY BEACH isn't the most reliable, but he's clearly the fastest here and should find a way to win. (3) SAM'S ESCAPE gets post relief, was Bartlett's choice and promises to be more involved tonight. (2) FREESPIN N ran decently last week for a board spot.

Race 3

(5) STEVENSVILLE has been sharp recently, gets Stratton back in the bike and moves in a couple of spots. (1) WINDSONG JACK didn't fire from off the pace in his last two but it should be a whole new game tonight from the rail spot; must include. (6) STOLEN CAR just missed in his last three; he's a clear contender and the price should be decent.

Race 4

(1) ROCK ON MOE hasn't put in a bad effort this season at Yonkers and he deserves the most respect from this spot. (2) ONE THROUGH TEN gets much-needed post relief and he's always a speed threat when drawn inside. (4) HERE WE GO AGAIN came up flat late from the pocket last out versus claimers; Bamond trainee has loads of back class and clearly can go with these.

Race 5

(6) BETTOREVER showed sharp speed at both ends of his mile last week to get the job done versus lesser; Bamond trainee may be good enough to handle these. (1) FOOL ME ONCE was dead-game on the front end two back from an inside post. (2) HILLBILLY HANOVER took the money last out and raced decently to be second best; Holland's choice.

Race 6

(4) BLOOD BROTHER paced a huge last half and powered away handily last week; Banca trainee may have even more to offer. (6) GO DADDY GO is coming off two wicked front-end miles but he has to overcome the outside post tonight. (1) J T was second best to the top choice last out and should be in line for another close-up trip.

Race 7

(6) UNDERCOVER STRIKE was overloaded with trot late after recovering from a break last time out; he returns to Bartlett and is a big threat if he minds his manners. (2) LADY'S DUDE has raced very well for Burke since adding Lasix. (3) RED HOT HERBIE is back at the top level after breezing by from the pocket to beat lesser.

Race 8

(4) LONE LIVE ROCK has been insanely good since moving to the Allard barn. Gelding gets tested for class but may prove capable with a live trip. (7) SANTA FE BEACHBOY and (8) MACH IT SO were the top two finishers in the Open last week but both are stuck outside; either can win here but need a smooth trip. Tough race.

Race 9

(1) JENERAL PATTON was outfinished in the late stages last week but that was against significantly better; pacer can get back on the winning track from this spot. (4) WESTERN ROCKSTAR A folded up on the front end after setting fast splits but his start prior he was a solid off-the-pace winner; he could be a closing threat here. (2) MACHTU N also faces softer off a no-excuse trip.

Race 10

(2) TAKE IT BACK TERRY has been racing better recently while facing some of the top pacers in the land; he's back at Yonkers with class relief and should be able to take advantage. (4) GREAT VINTAGE was a solid front-end winner last week and he can be prominent again. (7) P H SUPERCAM is back at his preferred venue and is reunited with Bartlett but he's missed time and is stuck outside; proceed with caution.

Race 11

(2) MONEY MAVEN looks like a speed threat from an inside spot against a field with question marks. (7) CRAZY ABOUT PAT seems like he should be better than he's showing; consider. (3) SOMEBODY AS returns locally off a nice win at Pocono but he doesn't have a great record at Yonkers.

Race 12

(1) SAPPHIRE CITY has been in raging form and he draws best to boot; clearly the one to beat in the finale. (6) CLASS SIX seems to fit with these; does Brennan take a chance and get aggressive early? It's a possibility. (2) MEETYOUATMIDNIGHT faces much tougher but that was a solid win last week.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Saturday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Arlington Park (3rd) Special Allure, 9-2
(5th) Posh Ruler, 8-1

Belmont Park (3rd) So Noted, 5-1
(4th) Caldera, 6-1

Belterra Park (3rd) Nelyn's Flyer, 3-1
(5th) Marching Orders, 9-2


Canterbury Park (4th) Kenna Mae, 6-1
(6th) Spirit Grabber, 3-1


Charles Town (2nd) Caution High Water, 4-1
(6th) Incredible Terms, 3-1


Delaware Park (5th) Howyaformints, 8-1
(8th) First to Fire, 7-2


Ellis Park (2nd) Ranger Sam, 3-1
(5th) Glad Cat, 9-2


Emerald Downs (3rd) Excess R E, 6-1
(5th) Hello Brown, 6-1


Evangeline Downs (2nd) Spicy Afleet, 8-1
(6th) Friend of Indy, 4-1


Finger Lakes (5th) Mom's Chance, 4-1
(6th) Wild Brassy, 3-1


Gulfstream Park (7th) Grand Chama, 4-1
(10th) Terry's Charm, 9-2


Laurel Park (3rd) Doukas, 7-2
(4th) Drop to Pop, 4-1


Lone Star Park (4th) Texas Belle, 9-2
(7th) Boomer's Boy, 7-2


Louisiana Downs (1st) Brother Pops, 5-1
(5th) Kinky Vow, 6-1


Monmouth Park (2nd) If You Say So, 4-1
(5th) Tormenta Fiera, 6-1


Mountaineer (2nd) Two for the Money, 7-2
(5th) Take a Risk, 7-2


Parx (1st) Ramsey Branch, 5-1
(5th) Tekton, 7-2


Penn National (2nd) Let It On Me, 5-1
(4th) Timetogivein, 4-1


Prairie Meadows (4th) Beautiful Bird, 4-1
(8th) Matchlock, 3-1


Sacramento (6th) The Way to Win, 7-2
(7th) Sky Heart, 8-1


Santa Anita (4th) Kristo, 7-2
(9th) Madikwe, 8-1


Suffolk Downs (9th) Synthesizer, 4-1
(11th) Frogman Mel, 3-1


Thistledown (1st) Galakazoo, 4-1
(5th) Woelf Den, 5-1


Woodbine (5th) A Pic by Mrwill, 8-1
(8th) Interject, 4-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

July Pitchers Report
By Marc Lawrence

Fireworks and the MLB All-Star game go hand-in-hand during the month of July. It also denotes the start of the 2nd half of the MLB campaign. And as we’ve come to learn the key to each and every team’s fortune lies on the pitching staff.

Can they sustain or will they unravel like Jose Canseco going back on a fly ball? Stay tuned. What we do know is that certain pitchers love hurling this time of the season while others tend to get lit up like a roman candle on the 4thof July.

Listed below are hurlers that have enjoyed a two-to-one or better success ratio in team-starts over the course of the last three seasons during the month of July.

On the flip side, we've also listed pitchers that struggle in July, winning 33% percent or less of their team-start efforts. To qualify pitchers must have made a minimum of 10 starts, with at least one start each July over the last three years.

And for your convenience alongside each record we break down each pitcher’s greatest success or greatest failure rate either home (H) or away (A) within his good or bad month.

Note: * designates a categorical repeat appearance by this pitcher, maintaining status quo from last season’s July list.

GOOD MONTH PITCHERS:

*Chen, Wei-Yin - 9-4 (5-1 H)

The Miami left-hander has not been terribly effective with an ERA hovering around 5. If Chen can develop more command, he's shown again this year he's tough when in challenging situations, allowing .186 batting average and .271 on-base percentage with runners in scoring position.

Garza, Matt - 9-3 (5-1 H)

Since coming back from spring training injury on June 14th, the Milwaukee right-hander has been a mix of good and bad, but come through when it counted. Opposing hitters are batting over .300 against Garza, but he's held those runners in check and induced a heavy dose of ground balls that have led to outs. If he continues, this Brewers starter might be effective.

Greinke, Zack - 11-4 (6-2 H)

Though Arizona is falling short of preseason expectations, the Diamondbacks ace is not and, other than Clayton Kershaw, has arguably been as effective as any pitcher since the end of April with batters hitting around .200 against him. Once again his array of pitches are finding the right spots and fastball is cooking!

Kazmir, Scott - 10-5 (6-2 H)

When Kazmir misses on location for fastball, the other team's lineup begins to look for off-speed stuff, which has caused his inconsistency this season. When he's working the corners on the knees early in the count, this sets up secondary pitches. In the past he's done so in July, let's see what he comes up with this time.

*Kershaw, Clayton - 12-3 (8-0 A)

When either Kershaw loses or has a less than stellar performance, which is infrequent, it is home page news on most sports websites. With opponents batting just .185 against him, baseball's best pitcher has close to as many home runs surrendered (6) as walks (9) to start the month over 121 innings. It’s no wonder his name is whispered in the same company as Sandy Koufax.

Kluber, Corey - 13-4 (9-2 H)

Since winning the Cy Young award in 2014, Kluber has not been able to match that magical season, but is part of a very good Cleveland rotation. Looking ahead, if the Indians righty can do a better job than permitting .281 batting averages with runners in scoring position, all his numbers will drop and his victories will go up. Note: Kluber’s numbers above also reflect his career team mark during July.

*Liriano, Francisco - 12-2 (7-0 H)

After several fine seasons with Pittsburgh, Liriano has not been effective in 2016. Walks and home runs have done him in and in order to reflect past results of July, he's going to have to stop leaving pitches in the heart of the plate.

Peralta, Wily - 8-4 (5-1 H)

Peralta has been thoroughly ineffective all season (6.68 ERA) and was sent to minors after June 11th start. His return this month or this season depends on his Triple-A results. Note: Peralta’s numbers above also reflect his career team mark during July.

Price, David - 11-5 (7-1 A)

To date, the Boston lefty could be described as a mild disappointment, with an ERA north of 4.5 most of the season. No longer owning an upper 90's heater, Price does not blow away as many hitters as before and the fastball lacks some of the previous movement of the past. The slider has not had the usual bite from start to start. Red Sox need this ace to be one.

Ross, Tyson - 10-4 (4-1 H)

Ross has not pitched since he hit the DL with right shoulder inflammation after first start in April. San Diego Union reports a return even this month appears optimistic.
Note: Ross’ numbers above also reflect his career team mark during July.

Santana, Ervin - 11-4 (8-1 H)

Like his teammates, Santana is not having a good year, as opposing hitters are clocking him for nearly .300 average, compared to .256 over his 11-year career. Little reason to believe this month will match the past even if he improves with this Twins club.

*Volquez, Edinson - 10-5 (6-1 A)

Never a frontline hurler, Volquez numbers this campaign have matched the Royals, being very ordinary to date. The Dominican Republic native has done the job against right-handed batters, who have been knocking him around for nearly .300 average.

BAD MONTH PITCHERS:

Wood, Alex - 4-8 (0-6 A)

Wood – the only pitcher to appear on the July Bad Month list this season - was initially expected to be shut down for four weeks after landing on the 15-day disabled list at the end of May with a posterior impingement in his throwing elbow. Currently, the timetable is for mid-July return, but the oft-injured pitcher can hardly be counted on as record shows. Note: Wood’’s numbers above reflect his career team mark during July.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB roundup: Mets lose Cespedes, Syndergaard in loss to Nats
By The Sports Xchange

NEW YORK -- Stephen Strasburg completed an unbeaten first half of the season Friday night, when the right-handed pitcher allowed one run over seven strong innings to earn the win as the Washington Nationals beat the New York Mets 3-1 at Citi Field
The Mets lost for just the second time in nine games, but it was a costly defeat. A pair of All-Stars, outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and right-handed pitcher Noah Syndergaard, left with injuries. Cespedes exited after the third inning with a strained right quad while Syndergaard left with two outs in the fifth due to arm fatigue.
Clint Robinson hit a two-run homer in the second for the Nationals while Daniel Murphy continued to dominate his former team with an RBI double in the third. Murphy is batting .409 with five homers and 15 RBIs this season against the Mets, with whom he played the first seven seasons of his career before signing with Washington in December.

Angels 9, Orioles 5
BALTIMORE -- Daniel Nava had a pair of RBIs and leaping grab to rob Manny Machado of a homer, helping Los Angeles extend its winning streak to a season-high tying four games with a victory over Baltimore.
Angels starter Matt Shoemaker allowed three runs on five hits with four strikeouts and two walks over five innings. Angels first baseman C.J. Cron suffered a fracture in his left hand after being hit by a pitch in the sixth inning and will see a specialist on Monday.
Adam Jones and Jonathan Schoop each homered for the Orioles. Mark Trumbo had an RBI single in the sixth and his league-leading 27th home run in the ninth.

Red Sox 6, Rays 5
BOSTON -- Bryce Brentz, in the game because of an injury suffered by Brock Holt in the fourth inning, snapped a 4-4 tie with a two-out RBI single in the sixth and Boston pulled out a victory over floundering Tampa Bay.
Newcomer Aaron Hill drove in two runs in his first game with his new team and David Ortiz hit his 21st homer of the season as the Red Sox handed the Rays their 20th loss in the last 23 games.
Brentz's hit made a loser of Chris Archer, who became the first 12-game loser in the major leagues while falling to 1-9 lifetime against the Red Sox.

Pirates 8, Cubs 4
PITTSBURGH -- A four-run seventh inning helped Pittsburgh defeat Chicago at PNC Park.
The Pirates have won eight of their past nine games while the Cubs lost their fourth straight.
Jake Arrieta, who faced Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano, left the game after allowing three straight hits to start the seventh inning, punctuated by a John Jaso single that scored Adam Frazier from third base to tie the game.

Blue Jays 6, Tigers 0
TORONTO -- Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run homer, J.A. Happ struck out nine in winning his sixth straight start and Toronto defeated Detroit.
Happ allowed six hits and one walk in 5 2/3 innings as the Blue Jays increased their season-best winning streak to seven games.
Tigers starter Mike Pelfrey allowed one run and six hits, three walks in six innings. The right-hander struck out two and had three double-play grounders.

Indians 10, Yankees 2
CLEVELAND -- Five Cleveland home runs -- two by Jason Kipnis -- and a Corey Kluber gem led to a rout of New York at Progressive Field.
The Indians also got home runs from Carlos Santana, Lonnie Chisenhall and Mike Napoli, the five home runs being a season high for the streaking AL Central leaders.
Kluber, who was making his last start prior to his first trip to the All-Star game, gave up one run on five hits, with eight strikeouts and no walks in eight innings.

Marlins 3, Reds 1
MIAMI -- All-Star right-hander Jose Fernandez improved to 25-1 at Marlins Park as he led Miami over Cincinnati.
Fernandez, who has a 1.43 ERA in his career in his home stadium, held the Reds to six hits, no walks and one run, which was unearned. He struck out eight batters in seven innings.
Fernandez was supported by left fielder Christian Yelich, who had two RBIs, including a solo home run in the sixth, giving the Marlins the lead.

Mariners 3, Royals 2
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Hisashi Iwukuma frustrated Kansas City, helping Seattle earn a win at Kauffman Stadium.
The Mariners starter gave up one run on five hits through 6 2/3 innings, with six strikeouts and three walks. Iwakuma left with two outs and runners on the corners in the seventh.
Yordano Ventura had a solid outing for the Royals, but didn't receive enough offensive support. He gave up three runs on six hits in seven innings. He struck out five and walked one.

Brewers 4, Cardinals 3
MILWAUKEE -- Jonathan Villar's two-out RBI double in the ninth gave Milwaukee a 4-3 victory over St. Louis at Miller Park.
Chris Carter hit two of the brewers three runs off Michael Wacha. Wacha scattered five hits, struck out eight, walked two in 6 2/3 innings but exited after taking a come-backer from Jonathan Villar off his right ankle.
Jimmy Nelson only allowed two runs despite giving up six hits and four w walks -- one intentional -- with a pair of strikeouts over six innings.

Rangers 6, Twins 5
ARLINGTON, Texas -- A sixth-inning rally pushed Texas past Minnesota at Globe Life Park.
Nomar Mazara led off the top of the sixth with a double down the left-field line. Elvis Andrus followed with a triple to score Mazara. Then No. 9 hitter Bobby Wilson lofted a sacrifice fly to right, bringing in Andrus for the go-ahead run.
The Twins lost promising center fielder Byron Buxton to a knee injury in the first inning. The injury came on a triple by the Rangers' Rougned Odor, who finished a home run shy of the cycle.

Braves 11, White Sox 8
CHICAGO -- Chris Sale fell short of earning his 15th victory before the All-Star break, struggling in Chicago's 11-8 loss to National League-worst Atlanta.
Sale allowed three home runs as his five-game winning streak ended.
Braves starter Matt Wisler wasn't much sharper, but picked up the win, giving up six runs in five innings. Tyler Flowers and Jeff Francoeur each drove in three runs, and Adonis Garcia had a career-high four hits.

Astros 10, A's 9
HOUSTON -- Luis Valbuena hit a three-run, walk-off home run to cap a wild ninth inning and lift Houston over Oakland at Minute Maid Park.
Valbuena's 12th home run of the season came against Athletics closer Ryan Madson, drilling the first pitch into the upper deck in right field. Valbuena followed Jose Altuve, who singled with one out, and Carlos Correa, who reached on a wild pitch after striking out.
The Athletics rallied for five runs in the top of the ninth, with Khris Davis drilling a two-run double off Michael Feliz, the Athletics' fourth extra-base hit in the inning.

Phillies 5, Rockies 3
DENVER -- Tommy Joseph came off the bench in the seventh and walloped a go-ahead, three-run pinch-hit homer off Jake McGee that enabled Philadelphia to beat Colorado.
It was the first pinch-hit homer of Joseph's career, his 10th since making his major-league debut May 14, and capped a four-run seventh.
Trevor Story's two-out single in the bottom of the inning made it a one-run game. But set-up man Hector Neris gave the Phillies a solid inning, and closer Jenmar Gomez, aided by left fielder Tyler Goeddel's sprawling catch, got the final four outs of the game to earn his 24th save in 26 opportunities.

Giants 6, Diamondbacks 2
SAN FRANCISCO -- Brandon Crawford responded to his manager's ejection with a two-run homer that sparked a comeback as San Francisco defeated Arizona in the opener of a three-game series.
Both managers -- the Giants' Bruce Bochy and the Diamondbacks' Chip Hale -- were ejected by home plate umpire Quinn Wolcott in separate incidents during San Francisco's first home win of the season over Arizona in five tries.
The home team won for just the second time in 12 meetings between the Giants and Diamondbacks this season.

Dodgers 10, Padres 6
LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal hit three home runs against his former team as Los Angeles pounded San Diego at Dodger Stadium.
Grandal went deep twice against Padres starter Andrew Cashner -- a two-run home run in the first inning and a three-run home run in the third inning -- before bunting for a single against the defensive shift in the fourth.
Traded by the Padres to the Dodgers in a deal that included Matt Kemp before the 2015 season, Grandal's next at-bat came against Padres reliever Jose Dominguez in the seventh inning and he crushed a solo home run for his third homer, fourth hit and sixth RBI of the night

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers (45-42) at Blue Jays (50-39)

Game: 3
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: July 09, 2016 1:07 PM EDT

TORONTO -- The Detroit Tigers had decent starts from Justin Verlander and Mike Pelfrey in the first two games against the Toronto Blue Jays and lost both of them.

Now they go with Plan B for the final two games of the series that leads into the All-Star break.

The Tigers recalled left-hander Matt Boyd from Triple-A Toledo to start Saturday and right-hander Anibal Sanchez will make his 14th start and 22nd outing of the season on Sunday.

With injuries to Jordan Zimmermann and Daniel Norris, the Tigers left the spots for the final two starts open until after the 6-0 loss to the Blue Jays on Friday.

"Truthfully," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said, "there weren't a lot of options."

Boyd, who was traded to the Tigers last July in the deal that made David Price a Blue Jay for the final two months of the season, will be making his second start of the season against his former team.

The game Saturday will be a rematch of the June 7 game at Comerica Park when he faced right-hander Aaron Sanchez, who will again be his mound opponent.

"Matt Boyd has pitched well up here before, and Sanchie has been a big-league pitcher at the big-league level for decades." Ausmus said. "We need them to pitch well and hope our offense kicks back into gear tomorrow."

Boyd is 0-2 with a 6.44 ERA in six games, including five starts with the Tigers this season. He is 2-5 with a 2.25 ERA with Toledo.

He pitched well against Toronto at Comerica Park and so did Sanchez, although neither factored in the decision in the game won 3-2 by the Tigers in 10 innings.

"The big thing for (Boyd) is he's attacking the strike zone," Tigers catcher James McCann said. "When he's going good, he's getting early contact and he's getting weak contact. He's utilizing all of his off-speed stuff -- slider, curveball and changeup. Not falling in love with one of them. And moving his fastball, really north and south. I think that's the kind of guy he needs to be."

Sanchez, in his only career starts against the Tigers, struck out 12 in eight-plus innings in allowing three hits and two runs.

Boyd allowed three hits, five walks and one run in 5 1/3 innings in that game. He struck out five.

The Blue Jays are using an 11-game homestand to go into the All-Star break on a high note. They have won seven games in a row.

The Tigers are 5-4 on their 11-game road trip leading to the break. They opened the trip with a four-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Blue Jays infielder Darwin Barney, who has a seven-game hit streak, says the recent surge is because of the pitching. The starters have been strong for most of the season but now the bullpen is showing improvement.

"It's all attributable to our starting pitching and our bullpen coming into form," Barney said. "You can't win a lot of ballgames without good pitching and we've had that the past week or two. We're giving ourselves opportunities, we left some runners in scoring position early in the game (Friday), but like Tulo (shortstop Troy Tulowitzki) said, we don't really worry about that, we're eventually going to come through if we keep getting those chances in the game."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals (44-42) at Brewers (38-47)

Game: 2
Venue: Miller Park
Date: July 09, 2016 2:10 PM EDT

MILWAUKEE -- After putting three players on the disabled list in as many days, the St. Louis Cardinals suffered another bit of misfortune on Friday night when right-hander Michael Wacha, left fielder Matt Holliday and closer Trevor Rosenthal all were pulled early because of injuries in a 4-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Wacha's injury -- suffered when he took a line drive to the right foot -- isn't expected to be serious. Rosenthal and Holliday, however, are considered day to day after experiencing hamstring spasms and a stiff ankle, respectively.

Short-handed or not, the Cardinals aren't going to use injuries as an excuse as they continue their final series of the first half on Saturday afternoon in Milwaukee.

"We don't like it, but it's one of those things; you can't allow yourself to go down that road of feeling sorry for yourself or saying too much," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. "You just have to keep playing. We have very good players who can jump in and make it happen."

The Cardinals did get some good news, as shortstop Jhonny Peralta returned to pinch hit after missing the previous two games with a thumb injury. He came on in the ninth inning and drove a 96 mph fastball from Jeremy Jeffress to the base of the wall in center field to end the inning, but Matheny said it was an encouraging at-bat.

"You see him come off the bench, swing the bat like that against a guy throwing as hard as (Jeffress) was ... that's a good sign," Matheny said. "If things feel good tonight, you'll see him in there tomorrow."

Carlos Martinez gets the start and looks to continue his run of success against the Brewers, posting a 2-1 record and 1.08 ERA in 16 career appearances. He jas been especially good at Miller Park, where he's 2-1 with a 1.35 ERA in 10 career appearances, including four starts.

Milwaukee will counter with right-hander Chase Anderson, who is trying to finish the first half on a high note. Anderson hasn't gotten through six innings in any of his last six four starts and hasn't made it through four in his last two, including his last time out when he walked five in 4 1/3 innings against the Cardinals on July 3.

Anderson only allowed three runs in that game but has given up 19 in his last 15 2/3 innings, bumping his ERA to 5.49.

The victory on Friday snapped a three-game losing streak to the Cardinals, who have won seven of the 10 meetings already this season.

"We certainly haven't done enough in all phases to beat them," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "Against any of these better teams, you've got to do a lot right and we're just not doing enough against these guys."

St. Louis' success against Milwaukee isn't limited to this season, either; the Cardinals 12-0-1 in the last 13 series between the NL Central rivals.

"I'm sure we're not the only team that struggles against the Cardinals," Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun said after the Cardinals finished a three-game sweep last weekend. "They're fundamentally sound. They don't make mistakes. They don't beat themselves."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves (30-57) at White Sox (44-42)

Game: 2
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: July 09, 2016 2:10 PM EDT

CHICAGO -- Atlanta Braves right-hander Julio Teheran is expected to make his next start after recovering from an infection in his right thigh.

Braves interim manager Brian Snitker confirmed that Teheran will be able to start Saturday afternoon against the Chicago White Sox in the second game of their three-game series.

Teheran (3-7, 2.72 ERA) returned to Atlanta earlier in the week to undergo treatment for the infection from an ingrown hair, which forced him to miss Wednesday's start against the Phillies. He threw a side session on Thursday.

"Everything's really good," Snitker said. "He's running around and doing all his pregame stuff. He'll be ready to go."

Teheran has never faced the White Sox. If all goes well Saturday and from there forward, Teheran -- the Braves' lone All-Star selection -- could also pitch in the midsummer classic on Tuesday in San Diego.

"I'm happy to be back (as an All-Star)," Teheran told MLB.com. "Last year, I couldn't make it because I was struggling, but I'm glad to be back at that game. Whenever you make it the first time, you just want to keep being an All-Star."

In his last start, Teheran allowed five runs and 11 hits in 6 2/3 innings against the Miami Marlins on July 1 before the discomfort from the infection worsened Sunday.

"I've never gotten that many (antibiotic) shots in my life," Teheran said. "I don't know how I got (the infection), but I'm glad we got it before it got worse."

Atlanta was playing at their fifth ballpark in seven days on Friday. They faced the Marlins in Miami before that series moved to Fort Bragg, N.C., last Sunday for the first major league game on an active military base.

Then the Braves headed to Philadelphia for a three-game series against the Phillies, and made up a rainout against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday at Wrigley Field. After beating the Cubs 4-3 in 11 innings after midnight Friday, the Braves traveled across town to open the series against the White Sox.

"When we went into this I said we're going to need an All-Star break to recover from this with different game times and travel and whatnot," Snitker said. "It's been a tough go, but that's what we do."

The Braves (30-57) have won two straight after losing four in a row. They opened their series against the White Sox with an 11-8 victory Friday.

"The guys were really aggressive and had a good approach," Snitker said.

For the White Sox, left-hander Jose Quintana (6-8, 3.06 ERA) will start. He ended a seven-game losing streak Sunday when he limited the Houston Astros to a run and two hits in seven innings.

The White Sox have scored just 13 runs in his last 10 starts. They tallied four runs to beat the Astros.

"Good reaction," Quintana told MLB.com. "More runs. Sometimes I wait for them. Today, the lineup made a good effort."

In his lone career start against Atlanta on July 21, 2013, Quintana allowed a run and nine hits in 5 2-3 innings for a victory.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks (38-50) at Giants (55-33)

Game: 2
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: July 09, 2016 4:05 PM EDT

SAN FRANCISCO -- Having been shut out twice in his bid to make the National League All-Star team, Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Jake Lamb will be seeking some individual glory when he faces Jake Peavy and the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.

Lamb was denied a spot among the first 33 players to make the NL squad when the fans voted Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs into a starting role, and Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies was picked as the backup.

Lamb, who began play Friday third in the NL among third basemen in home runs (20) and RBIs (61), was given a second shot at making his first All-Star appearance in the Final Vote, but once again the fans let him down.

Lamb finished fourth out of five in the NL balloting that ended before Friday's games, with Giants first baseman Brandon Belt, who took the field Friday with far fewer home runs (10) and RBIs (46) than Lamb, getting the nod.

Neither Lamb nor Belt had much of an impact on Friday's 6-2 Giants win, each going hitless and combining for six walks, four drawn by Belt.

Lamb thus begins the weekend one double shy of becoming just the fourth Diamondback ever to record 20 doubles and 20 home runs before the All-Star break. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who has accomplished the feat twice, was the last to do it in 2015.

Lamb already has a double against Peavy this season. It came in Arizona's 9-7 win the last time they saw the Giants' veteran in San Francisco on April 18.

The double was one of seven Lamb has hit against the Giants this season. Despite going 0-2 Friday, he's still hitting .318 (14-for-44) against San Francisco with one triple, three home runs and seven RBIs in 12 games to go along with the seven doubles.

Lamb and his teammates were reminded Friday night the rest of the season, not just the first half, has been relegated to individual glory with the trade of one of the club's key contributors, closer Brad Ziegler.

The veteran was dealt to the Boston Red Sox for two prospects.

"It's just something that has to happen," Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale said, noting the club's last-place standing in the NL West. "We should have played better and these things wouldn't be happening."

Peavy will be seeking to extend a piece of personal history himself Saturday when he goes after an 18th career win against the Diamondbacks. The 152-game winner has beaten Arizona more than any other team.

The Diamondbacks will counter with left-hander Robbie Ray.

Ray, who has never lost to the San Francisco in three career starts, will be attempting to prevent the Giants from clinching the NL's best record in the first half.

The Giants (55-33) enter the weekend two games ahead of the Chicago Cubs (52-34) in the overall NL standings, which at the end of the season determines the seeding in the playoffs. The Washington Nationals (52-36) are another game farther.

"Every game is so important for us," Giants manager Bruce Bochy insisted after Friday's win, one that included a hit batter, two purpose pitches and a pair of manager ejections. "We're in the business to win games here."

The Giants will see the Nationals seven times in the first 21 games after the All-Star break. They don't play the Cubs again until September.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays (34-52) at Red Sox (47-38)

Game: 2
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: July 09, 2016 4:05 PM EDT

BOSTON -- Rick Porcello's performance has flown under the radar this season.

He didn't make the American League All-Star team despite a 10-2 record and 3.82, but he's been one of the bright spots for a shaky Boston Red Sox pitching staff.

Porcello will try to keep that trend going in Saturday afternoon's game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park, the second of a three-game series that takes both teams into the All-Star break.

After signing a five-year, $82.5 million deal before even throwing a pitch and struggling through a 9-15 campaign last year, nobody knew what Porcello would give the Red Sox going forward.

Thus far, Boston has received 10 victories from a pitcher who won 15 games with the Detroit Tigers in 2014.

Porcello is 4-0 with five no-decisions in his last nine starts. He gave up 12 hits and four runs (three earned) in six innings against the Los Angeles Angels last Sunday, but cruised behind his team's 21-hit attack, adding another notch to his Fenway belt.

"He did bend, he didn't break," Red Sox manager John Farrell said that day, noting, "Pors has been extremely comfortable at home here."

He is 7-0 in eight starts at Fenway Park, making him one of three pitchers in the major leagues without a loss in the first eight home starts of the 2016 season.

Porcello is 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA against Tampa Bay this season and 7-4 lifetime, and his seven straight quality starts against the Rays is the longest active streak in the big leagues.

Tampa hitters have some impressive numbers against Porcello. Evan Longoria is 8-for-13, Logan Forsythe is 6-for-17 and Steven Sousa Jr. is 6-for-15.

Brad Miller is 2-for-8, but both Miller hits have been home runs.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox are dealing with all kinds of injuries as they look to complete a 6-2 homestand -- losing All-Star utility man Brock Holt, among others, to a left ankle sprain in Friday's 6-5 win.

Rays left-hander Matt Moore, still completing his comeback from Tommy John surgery that ruined his 2014 and '15 seasons, has won two straight starts for the first time since Sept. 24 and 29, 2013.

On Saturday, he hopes to give Tampa Bay its fourth win in its last 24 games.

He has thrown at least six innings in six straight starts and is 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA in his last five outings.

Moore is 4-4 with a 4.67 ERA lifetime against the Red Sox, but held them hitless for the first five innings and scoreless for seven in St. Petersburg June 29 -- and has a string of 12 2/3 scoreless innings against them.

Despite constant trade rumors, Moore remains focused on the task at hand.

"There's things that are going on in our clubhouse that are on the forefront of my mind right now, and that's just to get us back into a good place, which is winning more games than I'm losing," Moore said.

"That other stuff, I still feel very comfortable right now. I'm not really sure what's going on there. I don't feel like anything's going to happen, to be honest with you."

David Ortiz, who has done extensive damage to the Rays over the years, is 8-for-23 with three homers and eight RBIs against Moore, while Mookie Betts is 5-for-9 and Xander Bogaerts and Travis Shaw both 5-for-10.

Jackie Bradley Jr. is just 1-for-8 while Dustin Pedroia is 4-for-20 (one homer) off of Moore.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Reds (32-55) at Marlins (45-41)

Game: 2
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: July 09, 2016 4:10 PM EDT

MIAMI -- The Miami Marlins and Cincinnati Reds are teams headed in opposite directions, but they do have at least one thing in common.

Developments on Friday have both organizations looking for possible reinforcements.

The Marlins (45-41) are looking for a fifth starter after announcing earlier in the day that they were demoting Justin Nicolino to the minors for the second time this season.

Meanwhile, the Reds are likely looking for a temporary second baseman while veteran Brandon Phillips recovers from a hairline fracture on his left hand. He suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch on Friday night in Miami's 3-1, series-opening win.

Phillips could try to play with the injury, but more will be known on Saturday in the middle game of a series between the teams that concludes on Sunday.

Nicolino was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans, a move that was no surprise because he was 0-5 with a 6.31 ERA in his past 10 major league starts.

His spot in the rotation will come up again after the All-Star break, on July 19.

"We're looking for the best alternative," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said of the Nicolino spot in the rotation. "We're not committed to 'Nico' getting the next start. We don't have to make that decision right now. We're trying to find the right combination of guys to win games."

Among the trade possibilities are Julio Teheran of the Atlanta Braves, but that would require Miami to send back significant minor league talent. The problem there is that the Marlins' farm system is thin at the moment.

Other starters who may be available include San Diego's Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross, Philadelphia Jeremy Hellickson, Minnesota's Ervin Santana, Oakland's Rich Hill and Tampa Bay's Drew Smyly.

Oakland's Sonny Gray and Tampa Bay's Matt Moore are other potential targets.

Meanwhile, for the Reds, Jose Peraza stepped in and played second base after Phillips was hit by a Jose Fernandez changeup in the seventh inning.

Peraza, a 22-year-old from Venezuela, will apparently get the first shot at second base if Phillips is unable to play with the injury. Peraza originally signed with the Atlanta Braves six years ago and made his major league debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.

He has battled hamstring injuries and was acquired by the Reds this past December. After starting the 2016 season at Triple-A Louisville, Peraza made his Reds debut on May 13.

Now he may step into a larger-than-expected role.

In Saturday' game, Miami will start left-hander Adam Conley (5-5, 3.65 ERA). He is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA against the Reds, making his only appearance against Cincinnati last season.

The Reds will counter with left-hander John Lamb (1-5, 5.43 ERA). It will be his first appearance against the Marlins. The Reds have lost his past three starts and nine of his 12 for the year.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees (42-44) at Indians (52-34)

Game: 3
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: July 09, 2016 4:10 PM EDT

CLEVELAND -- Having split the first two games of the series, the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians will have an interesting pitching matchup in the third game on Saturday.

Indians All-Star Danny Salazar will face former Indians left-hander CC Sabathia. Salazar (10-3) was selected to his first All-Star team this year. The 35-year-old Sabathia, who won the American League Cy Young Award while pitching for Cleveland in 2007, is a six-time All-Star, including three times (2003, 2004, 2007) as a member of the Indians.

The 26-year-old Salazar is in the early years of his career and Sabathia is in the final years of his. Salazar's 2.36 ERA leads the AL. His .195 opponents batting average ranks second in the league and he's sixth in the league in strikeouts.

Sabathia is 5-6 with a 3.48 ERA. In nine career starts against Cleveland, he is 4-2 with a 3.12 ERA.

New York won the first game of the series 5-4 in Cleveland on Thursday. The Indians won Friday's game 10-2.

The Yankees are 3-5 on their current 10-game road trip that will take them into the All-Star break. The Indians are 3-2 on their seven-game homestand that will take them into the break.

The Indians' pitching staff has been outstanding through the first half of the season, and it's a major reason why the team is comfortably in first place in the AL Central. However, the offense, which was a source of concern at the start of the season, has been surprisingly good.

Cleveland leads the league in stolen bases and triples, and although they are middle of the pack (seventh) in runs per game, they have two home run threats with leadoff hitter Carlos Santana and cleanup hitter Mike Napoli, with 20 and 18 home runs, respectively.

"Twenty home runs from your leadoff hitter at the break. Not many teams can say they have that," Indians pitcher Jason Kipnis of Santana.

Cleveland's plus-86 run differential is the best in the AL and the Yankees' minus-39 is the fourth worst in the league.

In hopes of creating more runs, Yankees manager Joe Girardi decided Friday to flip-flop the top two hitters in the lineup. Girardi moved leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury to the No. 2 spot and Brett Gardner into the leadoff spot.

"It's a different look for our offense and hopefully we become more consistent offensively," Girardi said. "That's what I'm hoping it does. I think part of our issues this year has been consistency, so I'm going to see if this changes it."

Girardi said the change is not temporary.

"I'm going to take a look at it," he said. "I'm going to run it through the weekend at least, maybe even more. I'm hoping this makes our offense more consistent."

Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira is not expected to play Saturday. He was removed from Friday's game in the sixth inning when his right knee flared up. Teixeira spent time on the disabled list in June with torn cartilage in the knee.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Athletics (37-50) at Astros (47-40)

Game: 3
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: July 09, 2016 4:10 PM EDT

HOUSTON -- For a second time in three games, the Houston Astros relied on late-inning offense to lead the way to victory, with their 10-9 win Friday night squaring their series with the Oakland Athletics in improbable fashion.

The Astros (47-40) went from three runs ahead entering the ninth inning to trailing by two runs entering their final at-bat before third baseman Luis Valbuena continued what has been a torrid homestand with his third upper-deck homer this week, a walk-off, three-run shot off Athletics closer Ryan Madson.

For Valbuena, it was his 12th home run this season -- all since May 7. He finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs and after being below the Mendoza Line as late as May 22, Valbuena is batting .328 with 10 homers and 26 RBIs in the 39 games since.

"I love the way he conducts his at-bats," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said of Valbuena. "Even his empty at-bats are usually inside the strike zone, they are battled over a number of pitches. And he's been doing this for a while. This isn't like a good homestand or a good stretch. This is a good player who's found a comfort zone where he feels good at the plate."

Thanks in large part to Valbuena the Astros are in position to earn at least a series split with a win on Saturday. Right-hander Lance McCullers (4-2, 3.57 ERA) will make his third career start against the Athletics, against whom he is 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA. On June 5, McCullers allowed two runs on eight hits and three walks with nine strikeouts in seven innings in a 5-2 win over Oakland.

In his previous start, McCullers recorded 10 strikeouts against the Mariners and joined right-handers Don Wilson and Tom Griffin as the only pitchers in club history with four double-digit strikeouts games in their first 31 starts. Per ESPN.com, McCullers induced a career-high 18 swings-and-misses on his curveball, the second-most by any pitcher on that pitch in the past eight seasons behind A.J. Burnett (23 in 2013).

Athletics right-hander Kendall Graveman (4-6, 4.57 ERA) is 3-0 with a 3.63 ERA over his last seven starts, his three-game winning streak matching a career high set June 24-July 4, 2015. Graveman has allowed just two home runs during his streak (0.45 per nine innings) after allowing 10 over his first nine starts of the season (1.91 per nine).

Graveman, 3-3 with a 5.72 ERA in 10 road starts, is 1-1 with a 6.91 ERA in three career appearances (all starts) against the Astros. He did not factor in the decision in his only start against Houston this season, allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk with one strikeout over 4 1/3 innings in a 6-5 Athletics loss on June 4 at Minute Maid Park.

The Athletics (37-50) are hopeful Graveman can provide the momentum right-hander Daniel Mengden failed to deliver on Friday night. After a promising start, Mengden collapsed in the fifth inning in what was his first professional start in his hometown.

Mengden, a product of Houston Westside High School and Texas A&M, had more than 100 friends and family at the game. A former Astros farmhand, Mengden played with current Astros Carlos Correa, Lance McCullers and A.J. Reed in the minors. He took a deflected line drive off the chest in the fourth inning.

"Those are always nerve-wracking," Mengden said. "Never fun. One of the fears of a pitcher is to have one come at your head or body like that. Maybe it affected me, maybe it didn't. I don't know."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners (44-43) at Royals (44-42)

Game: 3
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: July 09, 2016 4:15 PM EDT

KANSAS CITY, Mo.-- Coming off back-to-back quality starts, the Seattle Mariners should feel confident going into the third game of the series Saturday against Kansas City.

Kansas City's offense is struggling, and Wade Miley, Seattle's starting pitcher on Saturday, has done well almost every time he has faced them.

Miley owns a 4-1 career record in five starts against Kansas City with a 2.91 ERA. He joined the Mariners this off-season after pitching for five years with the Diamondbacks and the Red Sox.

In his first appearance against Kansas City in a Mariners uniform, he threw his first career shutout, giving up just five hits and striking out four back on April 30 in Seattle.

Seattle manager Scott Servais hopes things continue the way they have gone in the first two games of the series.

On Thursday, James Paxton threw just 57 pitches through the first seven innings. He had to throw 21 more in the eighth, but still left with a 3-2 lead. Kansas City came back to win 4-3 on a two-run double by Salvador Perez.

In Friday's 3-2 win, Hisashi Iwakuma allowed one run and five hits in 6 2/3 innings and Edwin Diaz retired Jarrod Dyson with a runner in scoring position for the final out of the seventh.

"Our guys did an outstanding job (Friday)" Servais said. "With Iwakuma and the bullpen we kind of matched them up a bit. It was a nice job by Diaz coming back (in the seventh) after getting down 3-0 on Dyson. He just calmed down and made his pitches. The story of the night is definitely our pitching."

Some of the credit or blame must go to the Kansas City offense. Even with a 28-12 home record that is the best, when the bats go silent they go real silent.

The Royals are a 14-12 in their 26 games and has showcased the tendencies of an inconsistent offense.

In their 14 wins, the Royals have batted .308 and averaged 5.6 runs. In the 12 losses, Kansas has batted .240 and averaged 2.9 runs.

Part of the problem is that Kansas City does not take a lot of pitches. The Royals are last in Major League Baseball in walks with 192 through 86 games. Three American League teams have at least 300 walks.

Manager Ned Yost defiantly says it's part of his team's DNA.

"We're an aggressive team," he said. "You try to find what's best for your guys and our guys are aggressive guys. If the other guy is throwing strikes, they're going to be swinging the bat. Sometimes it plays into your game.

The other day (Wednesday), I was really impressed with (Toronto's Marcus) Stroman. He threw 68 pitches going into the eighth inning. We still found a way to tie the ballgame. We ended up losing the game.

"Last night it was 57 pitches (by Paxton) going into the eighth. Dang, that's unheard of. But we still found a way to win the ballgame. It's something you can't change. It's what we are, it's who we are. When it works it's great. When it doesn't, people want to criticize.

Yost will be hoping that his starter, Edinson Volquez, can build on a solid start Monday in Toronto. Volquez allowed one run on just three hits in the first six innings before breaking down in the seventh. He left with no outs in the seventh and the bases loaded. All three runners scored.

The key will be the first inning. Volquez has allowed 14 earned runs in the first inning of his 18 starts this season (7.00 ERA), while his season ERA is 4.87.

Volquez has pitched better at home, where he's 5-3 with a 4.22 ERA in 10 starts. He's 2-5 with a 5.72 ERA on the road.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs (52-34) at Pirates (45-42)

Game: 2
Venue: PNC Park
Date: July 09, 2016 7:15 PM EDT

PITTSBURGH -- Two teams currently heading in opposite directions will meet again Saturday, for the second of three games in Pittsburgh this weekend.

The Chicago Cubs are coming off their fourth straight loss after allowing five combined runs to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the seventh and eighth innings of an 8-4 loss Friday. Meanwhile, the Pirates have won eight of their past nine games to pull within 7.5 games of the National League Central-leading Cubs.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon didn't hide his frustration Friday night.

"We're just not able to play through our mistakes like we did at the beginning of the year," Maddon said. "No excuses. We've got to play better."

Pirates right-handed pitcher Chad Kuhl will make his third MLB start after going 1-0 in his first two. He pitched five innings and allowed three earned runs and four hits in a 4-3 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 6 before going six innings with two runs and seven hits against the Oakland Athletics on July 2.

The Pirates won each time the 23-year-old has started, which helped bolster a starting rotation that was laboring through a dismal June.

Pittsburgh relied on several young pitchers to fuel its recent turnaround, including Kuhl and right-hander Jameson Taillon. It promoted right-hander Tyler Glasnow, the Pirates' top-ranked prospect by Baseball America, on Thursday before optioning him back to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

The youth movement hasn't just belonged to the pitching staff, though. First baseman Josh Bell was promoted from Indianapolis on Friday, when he pinch-hit against Jake Arrieta in the seventh inning and laced a single to center field in his first major league at-bat to help set up the tying run.

Hurdle said the Pirates will use Bell as a bat off the bench during the weekend series before re-evaluating the lineup after the All-Star Break. He was impressed with Bell's temperament, however, and would be confident using him in a similar position Saturday.

"My goodness. Big league first at-bat, that scenario? I don't know how much better it gets than that," Hurdle said. "Mom and dad are in the park. Laces a ball on the first pitch off a Cy Young winner. That's awful nice. I don't know if he had that yesterday when he woke up or this morning on the way here not he plane. Good for him and good for us."

It will have to be seen if the Pirates' youth can help them overcome veteran left-hander Jon Lester on Saturday.

Lester has rolled to a 9-4 record with a 2.67 ERA, but is coming off his worst start of the season. He went just 1 1/3 innings and allowed eight earned runs on nine hits in Chicago's 14-3 loss to the New York Mets on July 3.

In his previous three starts against Pittsburgh this season, Lester has allowed four combined runs across 18 1/3 innings pitched in three wins. He had his least impressive performance against the Pirates when he last faced them, allowing three runs in six innings, but winning 4-3 on June 18.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals (52-36) at Mets (47-39)

Game: 3
Venue: Citi Field
Date: July 09, 2016 7:15 PM EDT

NEW YORK -- For the better part of a season-long 11-game homestand, the New York Mets played as if they would rather not take the All-Star Break. But a spate of bad news means the four-day vacation can't get here fast enough for the Mets, who are again in danger of losing considerable ground to the Washington Nationals in the National League East.

The Mets and Nationals will play the third game of a four-game series Saturday night, when the two division rivals square off at Citi Field.

The teams have split the first two games and Washington ensured it would enter the All-Star Break atop the NL East with a 3-1 win Friday night.

"We've got two more games to go," Nationals manager Dusty Baker said. "I just asked the guys, 'Give me all you've got.' Then you can take a break."

The loss was just the second in nine games for the Mets, but it was a costly one as their two best players, -- All-Star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and All-Star right-handed pitcher Noah Syndergaard left with injuries. Cespedes suffered a right quad strain in the third inning while Syndergaard was pulled due to arm fatigue after 4 2/3 innings

Syndergaard, the Mets' ace, exited hours after New York announced Opening Day starter Matt Harvey would undergo season-ending surgery to repair thoracic outlet syndrome.

"It's hard to walk into this room, because the conversation is about who got hurt tonight," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "I'm a little tired of talking about it, but that s my job to talk about it. But I'm running out of things to say and we're running out of bodies."

Harvey's usual turn in the rotation comes up Saturday, when right-hander Logan Verrett steps in and draws the task of going against Nationals ace right-hander Max Scherzer. It will be just the 10th career start for Verrett.

"We feel for (Harvey), he's a big part of our team," Verrett told reporters Friday. "I'm excited about the opportunity. I know I'm not Matt Harvey. I'm Logan Verrett."

Scherzer, who was named to the All-Star team Friday as a replacement for teammate Stephen Strasburg, has allowed one run or fewer in five of his last six starts, a stretch in which he has gone 3-2 with a 1.83 ERA to lower his overall ERA from 3.87 to 3.21.

On Saturday night, Scherzer will be pitching on the mound where he authored his second no-hitter of the 2015 season last Oct. 3, when he struck out 17, walked none and allowed just one baserunner in a 2-0 win over the Mets.

Still, while the pitching matchup appears to favor the Nationals, Baker knows better than to assume anything will come easy in a series in which the first two games have lasted a combined six hours and 56 minutes and a handful of double switches between Baker and Collins.

"Coming in here, we knew it was a big series," Baker said. "You could tell how Terry s managing over there and how we re managing over here that we all know this is a very big series for both teams."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Padres (38-49) at Dodgers (49-40)

Game: 3
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: July 09, 2016 7:15 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES -- Two opposite ends of the starting pitching spectrum will be paired Saturday afternoon at Dodger Stadium as the Dodgers and Padres meet in the third game of a four-game series heading into the All-Star break.

Right-handed Rule 5 draftee Luis Perdomo, 23, will be making his seventh start for the Padres.

Right-hander Brandon McCarthy, 33, will be making his second start of the season for the Dodgers while just over 14 months removed from "Tommy John" elbow reconstruction surgery.

Both will be coming off impressive outings.

McCarthy, last Sunday allowed two hits and a walk with eight strikeouts in five scoreless innings against the Rockies in his first Major League start since early last season.

A day later, Perdomo, relying on his recently-developed sinker, held Arizona to three runs (two earned) on nine hits with five strikeouts over six innings at Chase Field in his best start of his rookie season.

Both managers were happy with the strides made by two pitchers coming from different directions.

McCarthy wasn't expected to return to the Dodgers rotation until after the All-Star break. But his minor league rehab assignment was cut short after only four starts (5.27 earned run average) after Clayton Kershaw went on the 15-day disabled list eight days ago with a herniated disk.

"We kind of sped it up a little bit with Brandon due to the circumstances," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "But Brandon was excited about getting back. And I thought he was as sharp as could be hoped in his first start. There are some limitations moving forward."

McCarthy said his fifth start since the start of the 2015 season was a step forward but not the final destination.

"I feel I can get deeper into games," he said after his return start. "I don't think you can celebrate anything until the end of the season."

As for Perdomo, the promising youngster figured to be at the back end of the Padres bullpen this season. The Dominican Republic native had never pitched above Single-A when the Padres acquired him from Colorado following the Rule 5 draft.

Perdomo had a 9.88 ERA when he made his first Major League start in an emergency on May 14. His ERA was still 9.50 when injuries to other starters forced the Padres to move him permanently into the rotation on June 15.

Perdomo is 2-0 in four starts since with a 5.48 ERA. But he has made gains with his command with each outing and has a 3.75 ERA in his last two outings, each of which qualifies as a quality start.

"We really like Perdomo's stuff and the way he has progressed this season," said Padres manager Andy Green. "He's been a quick learner while thrown into the fire. I think we're looking at someone who fits into our rotation plans for years to come."

The Padres are 3-1 in Perdomo's four starts as a regular member of the rotation.