Saturday 8/1/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Streaks, Tips, Notes

Kansas City Royals at Toronto Blue Jays August 1, 1:05 EST

The 'All-In' Toronto Blue Jays will start Marc Buehrle when they host Kansas City Royals Saturday afternoon. Blue Jays have been money in-the-bank in this spot cashing tickets in each of Buehrle's four starts vs Royals. In fact, Buehrle's teams (Tor/CWS) have now won 9 of his last 10 against Royals and 15-of-20. Adding to those number, Buehrle's teams are 18-2 vs Royals when he tosses in front of a friendly home crowd. Additionally, Blue Jays have a 12-3 record against A.L. Central foes w/Buehrle.

Oddsmakers currently have Jays -$1.30 home chalk.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Saturday's six-pack

Top six and worst six NFL teams in turnover conversion last year.......

6) Buffalo-Detroit-SF, +7 T26) Tampa Bay-Philly, -8

5) Arizona, +8 28) Tennessee -10

4) Seattle, +9 29) New Jersey Jets -11

T2) Houston, +12 30) Washington -12

T2) New England, +12 31) New Orleans -13

1) Green Bay +14 32) Oakland -15

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jeff Saad of Las Vegas Sports Services

8/1/2015: Saturday Bonus Play:

Your Bonus Play for Saturday, August 1 is on : 979. San Francsico Giants

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Cokin

Bonus Play Saturday

INDIANS (Anderson) @ ATHLETICS (Brooks) 9:05 PM

Take: ATHLETICS +110

Not a lot of great baseball being played by the Indians and A’s. Cleveland has been a disappointment as many thought they would be a contender, but that hasn’t materialized. As for Oakland, they really never seemed to shake the late season fade that afflicted them in 2014 and the team is now in rebuild mode.

Two rookie pitchers will be in action here. Cody Anderson, who opened some eyes in his first four starts, has regressed considerably in his last two. Aaron Brooks is a brand new member of the A’s, having come over from KC in the Zobrist deal.

Brooks interests me here. He’s not a high end prospect, and his one prior big league start was an epic disaster. Brooks was absolutely destroyed in that one game, as he got blown out at Toronto in a memorably awful 2014 appearance.

But Brooks knows this is a great chance to cement a big league roster spot as he takes the mound for his new team. The A’s are looking for some back of the rotation help and if Brooks can pitch respectably here, he’ll have a chance to lock up that spot for the rest of the season. Make no mistake, that’s huge motivation for the rookie. The money and the perks are much better at the major league level, so there’s plenty on the line here for Brooks.

Brooks will also have an apparently substantial rooting section on hand here. He’s a SoCal native, and he indicated to the A’s beat writers that he’s expecting a large contingent of family and friends to make the trip to Oakland for this game.

As for Anderson, he was a bit on the fortunate side in those first four starts, but there has been some serious regression in the last two. Anderson, like Brooks, is a guy who will have to rely on command rather than pure stuff to succeed in the bigs, as he’s not going to be a swing and miss power arm.

The Indians have actually been a good road team, and Oakland has been terrible at home. The Tribe is also on a modest winning streak coming into this one, while the hosts have been playing shoddy baseball and their bullpen is a joke. So it’s not as though this is a no brainer in even a remote way. Nevertheless, I like the idea of backing the rookie with a big rooting section and tremendous motivation. In a game between two teams that will be evidently be playing out the string for the two remaining months, that’s a nice intangible. I’ll take my chances with the A’s tonight.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jim Feist

Bonus Play for Saturday, August 1, 2015. 7:10 PM EST

(969) SEATTLE MARINERS VS (970) MINNESOTA TWINS

Take: (970) MINNESOTA TWINS

Reason: Your Bonus Play Saturday, August 1, 2015 is in the MLB contest between Seattle and Twins in Minnesota. Seattle has no offense, 25th in runs scored, 28th in on base percentage. Seattle's Mike Montgomery started hot but has really cooled off with the team 0-4 his last four starts. In those 21 innings he's allowed 26 hits and 19 runs! The Mariners are 2-5 in Montgomerys last 7 starts vs. a team with a winning record. The Mariners are also 2-5 in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600. The Twins are 20-7 at home vs. a team with a losing road record. Minnesota's Kyle Gibson (3.48 ERA, 8-8) has been very good and has a winning record at home with a 3.19 ERA. The Twins are 9-1 in Gibson's last 10 starts vs. a team with a losing record. The Mariners are 1-5 in the last six meetings, including 1-4 at Minnesota. Play Minnesota.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports

Bonus Play Sat: Pirates w/ Cole -145

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Scott Spreitzer

Seattle Mariners vs Minnesota Twins

Bonus Play Minnesota Twins

I'm recommending a play on the Twins on Saturday. Minnesota dropped one last night, but if the playoffs began today, they'd be the AL's second wildcard entry. Losing at home is a rare occurrence with the Twins owning a 33-21 record at Target Field. Tonight, Minnesota gets "just what the doctor ordered," facing a pitcher who looks to be a bit worn out. Seattle has lost four straight Mike Montgomery starts and he's seen his ERA rise from 1.62 to 3.20 during the steak. Montgomery has allowed 16 earned runs, 38 base runners, and 6 home runs in his last 20 1/3 IP, for a 7.09 ERA & 1.87 WHIP, with a huge, 2.66 HR's per 9 IP ratio. Minnesota counters with Kyle Gibson, who has struggled in his last two outings, but he has been strong at home all season, posting a 3.19 ERA & 1.26 WHIP. Gibson has faced the Mariners four times since the start of the 2013 season and has allowed just eight earned runs and 32 base runners in 25 IP. Look for the Twins to bounce back and land in the win column. I'm recommending a play on Minnesota on Saturday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

CAPPERS ACCESS

Reds
Brewers
A's

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, August 1

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

MINNESOTA (13 - 4) at TULSA (10 - 9) - 8/1/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TULSA is 35-22 ATS (+10.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
TULSA is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) as a home underdog of 3.5 to 6 points over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 56-40 ATS (+12.0 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 52-34 ATS (+14.6 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 39-25 ATS (+11.5 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
TULSA is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15+ games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TULSA is 6-6 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 10-2 straight up against TULSA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

WNBA

Saturday, August 1

Trend Report

8:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. TULSA
Minnesota is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Minnesota is 4-7-1 ATS in its last 12 games on the road
Tulsa is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tulsa's last 5 games when playing Minnesota

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Coach Fletcher’s Saturday Free Pick

Saturday, August 1

4:05 pm Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies

The Pick Philadelphia Phillies



What? Betting the Phils? Am I Crazy?

I won’t deny the fact that I must be crazy to bet the Phils. I have been told my entire gambling life that you never ask a bad team to do something good for you. Yet here I am taking the Phillies.

What’s Going on With The Phils ?

Yes, they are still a bad, bad team. But something has happened. Philadelphia has won 7 of their last 8 contests. Philadelphia has won 10 of their last 12 games. They’ve handled Toronto, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay and the Miami Marlins in that streak. They’ve beat Atlanta 2 straight in the current series. Something has happened!

How Bad is Atlanta

Well, Atlanta must be pretty bad if they are a dog to the Phils, visitors or not. The Braves have lost 5 straight. The Braves have lost 10 of their last 13. They’ve scored 25 runs in their last 13 games, less than 2 runs per game. By contrast, the Phils have scored 60 runs in their last 12 games.

The Pitchers

Two youngsters take the mound today. Matt Wisler goes to the hill for the Braves and the Philly Fanatic’s favorite son, Aaron Nola, takes the bump for the Phils. In case you didn’t know it, Philly fans have been waiting with baited breath for Nola to begin his major league career. They hope he will be a savior along the lines of Steve Carlton. And they may be right.

Nola (22 yrs old) Wisler (22 yrs old)

· 1-1, 3.29 era, 0.95 whip 5-1, 3.42 era, 1.33 whip

· 0-1, 1.50 era, 1.00 whip home 2-1, 4.37 era, 1.588 whip on road

· 1-1, 3.29 era, 0.951 whip last 3 2-0, 3.79 era, 1.421 whip last 3

· 4:1 K/BB ratio 2:1 K/BB ratio

· Minors – 14-7, 2.57 era 28-19, 3.53 era

I think any team would love to have these toddlers starting for them. It is hard to separate them. But even if we call them even-steven, the Phils are still my play. I think the home field will be a big advantage for Nola. And the Philly fans must be going nuts!

The Bullpens

Big edge for Phils here.

Philly 2.93 era at home Braves 4.68 era on road

The Offenses

Not much needs to be said here to be honest. The Braves have been averaging less than 2 runs per game for the last 2 weeks. The Phillies have been averaging about 5 runs per game in the same span.

The Phils are on an epic streak for them for 2015. The Braves have not been able to hit the ball all year.

Phils Braves

· Home – 3.7 runs per game Road – 3.5 runs per game

· Past 7 games – 5 runs per game Past 7 games – 1.4 runs per game

· Vs RHP – 3.6 runs per game Vs RHP – 3.9 runs per game

· Grass – 3.6 runs per game Grass – 3.6 runs per game

· Night – 3.5 runs per game Night – 3.7 runs per game

Coach’s Conclusion:

With 2 bad teams heading in opposite directions, I’ll focus on the most recent data to make a selection. If it’s the Dodgers vs the Giants it pays to look at the body of work over the course of the season. But obviously this Philly team is nothing like the team that stumbled and bumbled their way through the first half of the season. In July Atlanta was 10-16. The Phils were 13-12. That’s what I want to know when 2 teams like this are meeting. Also, at home the Phillies are 25-26. On the road the Braves are 20-37. That’s a sizeable discrepancy. Here’s another interesting number:

Phillies - 6-2 in second half when playing a team with a losing record

Braves - 2-9 in second half when playing a team with a losing record

I’m taking the Phillies here. And evidently I’m not alone. The line opened Philly -107.

The Pick Phillies -115

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sleepyj

BOSTON / TAMPA OVER 9

Analysis: Matt Moore for the Rays is showing no signs of getting better...In fact since his return this year he has been down right bad...He has a total of 6 games started this year..His ERA is 7.61 and it's very justifiable...He has a grand total of 22 innings pitched in those 6 games..That rather bad..he has allowed a total of 20 ER in that stretch and 33 hits as well...So he is giving up 1.5 hits per innings and 1 ER per inning he pitches...His walks to strikeout ratio is horrible...He has a total of 12 BB and only 15 K's...He is a fly ball pitcher and he has surrended a total of 3 HR's in those 22 total innings pitched this year..The point of all of this is Moore since his return has nothing to really lean on..He is just bad right now..Tampa Bay on the other hand, got the bats rolling to start off this series...I expect them to keep it rolling again today against Joe Kelly...Kelly is in the same boat as Moore..He has a 5.94 ERA and he has gotten crushed in his last 4 out of 5 starts..He also has only 1 win to his credit over his last 10 starts...His strikeout to walk ratio is just as bad as Moore...These guys are really mirror images of each other..I think today it will be a race to see who hits the showers the fastest..My gut says it's Moore because the RedSox bats have been rather good as of late and they are at home..Although Kelly very well could get crushed as well..The only way to look at this game is to the over IMO...Stikeouts will be rather low..Hits, runs and walks should be rather high for both sides..Don;t be surprised if we see a bunch of fielding errors in this one as well...This one sits at 9 and i think that is the correct number for this game...I'll take the over here in a game we might just see this over get hit early on.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

BIG AL

Our complimentary selection for Saturday, August 1 is:

Oakland (Brooks) and Cleveland (Anderson) 'under' 7.5 runs.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

JOE WIZ

Over Reds and Pirates

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MMA ODDSBREAKER

Parlay: Hugo Viana to win (-440) with Jake Shields to win (-165)

Hugo Viana is a very powerful bantamweight with a nasty overhand right. He's facing an Argentina-based fighter in Guido Canetti who doesn't have very good durability and honestly isn't that great of a fighter overall. The only way Canetti can win this fight is if he neutralizes Viana's power with a clinch or ground attack and I just don't see Canetti avoiding the power of Viana for 15 straight minutes.

I'm going to parlay Viana with Jake Shields. Shields is one of the best wrestler/grapplers in the world at 170 pounds and while he's facing a dangerous leg lock threat in Rousimar Palhares, I don't think Shields should have too much of an issue against the Brazilian. Palhares is a one-trick pony with his heel hooks and knee bars and as long as Shields can defend those attacks properly, Palhares will run out of steam and either lose a decision or get finished as he tires.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Royals at Blue Jays

GAME: Kansas City Royals (61-41) at Toronto Blue Jays (53-51)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 01 - 1:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: 119, -129 TOTAL: 8.5

Perhaps no two teams did more to improve their chances to make a deep postseason run in the week leading up to the trade deadline than the Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals. The revitalized Blue Jays have rewarded the front office’s faith with their recent play against the Royals and eye a series victory on Saturday when they host the third of four games against Kansas City.


After stunning many by dealing for five-time All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, former Cy Young Award winner David Price and reliever LaTroy Hawkins, Toronto completed its trade-deadline makeover by adding outfielder Ben Revere from Philadelphia and reliever Mark Lowe from Seattle on Friday. Later in the evening, new Royals’ ace Johnny Cueto staked Kansas City to a 6-3 lead before Tulowitzki sparked a three-run seventh and helped the Blue Jays win in 11 innings. Revere and Lowe are expected to make their debuts on Saturday, when Toronto will attempt to string together four straight victories for the first time since an 11-game run from June 2-14. The Royals (61-41) still own the best record in the American League despite a three-game slide and hold an eight-game edge on second-place Minnesota in the AL Central, but would like to avoid matching their longest losing streak of the season.

TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Kansas City, SNET (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Yordano Ventura (5-7, 4.86 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Mark Buehrle (11-5, 3.29)

Ventura cruised to his second victory in three turns in Sunday’s win over Houston, yielding a run on six hits over seven innings en route to his best effort in nearly two months. The 24-year-old flamethrower turned in the performance after going 1-3 with a 9.00 ERA over his previous four outings, which led to a one-day demotion to the minors (he was recalled on July 22 to replace injured starter Jason Vargas). Ventura held the Blue Jays scoreless over five innings in his only career start against them last year, but did not factor into the decision.

Buehrle saw his streak of nine straight starts with at least six innings and two earned runs or fewer ended Sunday in Seattle, giving up three runs on 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings. The 36-year-old Missouri native is 5-1 with a 1.78 ERA in 10 outings since the beginning of June and will make his first start in Toronto in exactly a month. Buehrle held the Royals to two runs in seven frames en route to a road win on July 11, improving to 26-12 with a 3.53 ERA in 55 career games (53 starts) against Kansas City.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto also traded LHP Felix Doubront to Oakland for cash considerations before the deadline and placed 2B Devon Travis (left shoulder) on the disabled list to make room for Price on Friday.

2. Kansas City 1B Eric Hosmer is 26-for-52 with three homers and 10 RBIs during his 13-game hitting streak.

3. The Blue Jays failed to hit a home run for the first time in 13 contests on Friday, but finished July with 36 for the month -- one shy of the most in the majors..



PREDICTION: Blue Jays 6, Royals 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays at Red Sox

GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (51-53) at Boston Red Sox (46-58)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 01 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
LINE: 106, -115 TOTAL: 9

The Boston Red Sox played themselves out of realistic contention for a postseason berth in July, but they will have a major role in deciding which teams from the American League East move on. The Red Sox look to continue playing spoiler when they go for two straight against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday afternoon in the second of a three-game set.

Mike Napoli’s go-ahead, two-run homer helped Boston earn a 7-5 victory Friday and All-Star utilityman Brock Holt (7-for-17, four games) continues to make things happen for the Red Sox. The teams have split 10 games this season and Tampa Bay will face Boston nine more times in the final two months of the campaign. The Rays left 13 men on base and committed three errors in the series opener while their normally dependable bullpen gave up three runs. Steven Souza Jr. is starting to warm up for Tampa Bay, going 6-for-16 over his last four games.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Matt Moore (1-2, 7.61 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Joe Kelly (2-6, 5.94)

Moore has lost his past two starts, allowing five runs and eight hits over five innings last time out against Baltimore. The 26-year-old has yet to go past five innings in his first five outings since returning from Tommy John surgery while recording 15 strikeouts and 12 walks over 23 2/3 frames. David Ortiz is 6-for-13 with a homer versus Moore, who is 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA in five career games (four starts) against Boston.

Kelly struggled in his last two outings after being recalled, permitting nine runs (eight earned) and 13 hits over 8 2/3 innings combined. The 27-year-old is 1-6 since winning his 2015 debut on April 11, when he pitched one-run ball over seven innings against the New York Yankees. Souza is 2-for-3 with a double and a homer versus Kelly, who gave up five runs in five innings against the Rays in a no-decision on April 22.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay LHP Jake McGee has yielded three runs and three hits combined in his last two appearances after 21 straight scoreless outings.

2. Ortiz is just 6-for-35 this season versus the Rays, but has 46 homers and 155 RBIs in 220 career games against them.

3. The Rays traded RHP Kevin Jepsen to Minnesota on Friday for a pair of minor leaguers and recalled RHP Kirby Yates.

PREDICTION: Rays 7, Red Sox 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels at Dodgers

GAME: Los Angeles Angels (55-47) at Los Angeles Dodgers (58-45)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 01 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
LINE: 152, -165 N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Los Angeles Dodgers are hoping to send Clayton Kershaw to the mound Saturday as they continue the Freeway Series against the visiting Los Angeles Angels, who have lost four straight and seven of their last eight. Kershaw was scratched for the second time this week Friday due to hip soreness, but the ace insists he’ll be ready for Saturday’s start.

The Dodgers recorded their fourth straight win over the Angels on Friday despite the absence of third baseman Justin Turner, who was placed on the disabled list earlier in the day with a skin infection on his right thigh. Alberto Callaspo will share time at third while Turner is out with rookie Alex Guerrero, who homered Friday for the first time since June 2. The Angels enter Saturday’s action two games behind first-place Houston in the AL West and need more production from the bottom of their order. Kole Calhoun and Mike Trout were a combined 6-for-8 in Friday’s 5-3 loss while the rest of the lineup was 0-for-24 with nine strikeouts – including three by Albert Pujols.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports West (Angels), SportsNet LA (Dodgers)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Andrew Heaney (5-0, 1.79 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (8-6, 2.51)

Heaney has thrown at least six innings and allowed fewer than three runs in all six of his starts this season, and the Angels have won all six outings. The 24-year-old remained unbeaten after holding Texas to two runs over six frames Sunday. Left-handed batters are hitting .207 against Heaney, who boasts a 31-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio and has allowed just three home runs in 40 1/3 innings.

Kershaw extended his scoreless streak to 29 innings July 23, when he posted his third straight victory by limiting the Mets to three hits over nine frames. The Texas native was 3-0 with a 0.27 ERA and 45 strikeouts against two walks in four starts in July. Pujols is 9-for-20 against Kershaw, who is 2-2 with a 3.76 ERA in six career starts against the Angels.

WALK-OFFS

1. New Dodgers LHP Alex Wood is scheduled to make his debut Tuesday against Philadelphia.

2. The Angels placed LHP C.J. Wilson (left elbow inflammation) on the 15-day disabled list and plan to recall RHP Nick Tropeano from Triple-A Salt Lake City to start Sunday’s series finale.

3. The Dodgers optioned RHP Mike Bolsinger and RHP Zach Lee to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 3, Angels 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers at Orioles

GAME: Detroit Tigers (50-53) at Baltimore Orioles (52-50)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 01 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
LINE: 124, -134 TOTAL: 8.5

The Baltimore Orioles nearly overcame a seven-run deficit in the series opener before successfully clawing their way out of a six-run hole the following night. The scappy Orioles look to turn the tables and get the early jump on visiting Detroit Tigers on Saturday as they continue their four-game series.

Adam Jones, who belted a two-run homer in a 9-8 series-opening loss and added a three-run shot in Friday's 8-7 triumph, is 3-for-7 in his career versus Saturday starter Anibal Sanchez. While Baltimore has won six of its last seven following a four-game skid, Detroit has dropped four of six and yielded 43 runs in that stretch. Ian Kinsler is having quite a series already, going 7-for-10 with three runs scored and two RBIs after going 2-for-19 in his previous five outings. The Tigers collected 16 hits on Friday, just hours after shuffling slugger Yoenis Cespedes to the New York Mets to continue their swapping frenzy prior to the trade deadline.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, MASN2 (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Anibal Sanchez (10-8, 4.61 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Kevin Gausman (1-2, 4.20)

Sanchez suffered his first loss since June 3 on Monday after allowing three runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 5-2 setback at Tampa Bay. The 31-year-old Venezuelan had been 7-0 in his previous eight starts, including a win over Baltimore after a strong six-frame performance on July 17. Sanchez owns a 2-0 mark with a 3.86 ERA in three career appearances versus the Orioles.

Gausman deserved a better fate in his last outing as he settled for a no-decision on Monday despite scattering six hits over a career-high 7 2/3 scoreless innings against Atlanta. The 24-year-old has turned in a pair of scoreless outings in four starts since being recalled, but had an 0-2 record to show for it. Gausman, who is 0-1 in two career starts versus Detroit, yielded one run on three hits in 3 2/3 frames of relief against the Tigers in the 2014 playoffs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore OF Gerardo Parra, who was acquired from Milwaukee on Friday, is riding a 14-game hitting streak.

2. Detroit C James McCann launched a solo homer on Friday to improve to 4-for-9 with three runs scored in the series.

3. Orioles 3B Manny Machado, who belted the go-ahead two-run homer on Friday, is 6-for-17 with three RBIs and five runs scored in his last four outings.

PREDICTION: Orioles 6, Tigers 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves at Phillies

GAME: Atlanta Braves (46-57) at Philadelphia Phillies (40-64)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 01 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: 105, -114 TOTAL: 7.5

The Philadelphia Phillies are answering the bell after sleepwalking through much of the season while the listless Atlanta Braves routinely find themselves hitting the snooze alarm. Despite owning the worst majors' record, Philadelphia (40-64) vies for its 12th victory in 14 outings since the All-Star break when it continues a four-game series versus its visiting National League East rival on Saturday.

Domonic Brown homered in each of the first two contests of the series and is 14-for-33 with six RBIs and as many runs scored in his last nine contests. Ryan Howard added a bases-clearing double in Friday's 9-3 triumph and is 9-for-22 with two homers, 11 RBIs and six runs scored in his last six contests. While the Phillies are turning the page after a brutal first half of the season, the Braves have dropped 15 of their last 19 overall and scored only 14 runs while losing eight of their last nine. A.J. Pierzynski has five hits in the series to improve to 12-for-27 during his seven-game hitting streak.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN South (Atlanta), WCAU (Philadelphia)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Matt Wisler (5-1, 3.43 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Aaron Nola (1-1, 3.29)

Wisler picked up his fourth straight victory on Sunday after allowing two runs on seven hits in as many innings of a 3-2 triumph over St. Louis. The 22-year-old did not allow a homer for the first time in four starts, but issued at least three walks for the third time in five outings. Wisler, who is 4-0 in night games, will be making his eighth career start on Saturday - and first versus Philadelphia.

Making his second career start after being promoted from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Nola recorded his first win on Sunday despite allowing four runs on five hits in 7 2/3 innings of an 11-5 victory over the Chicago Cubs. The 22-year-old yielded two homers versus the Cubs and has surrendered three in 13 2/3 innings. Nola, who is the seventh overall pick of the 2014 draft, has permitted just 10 hits this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta RF Nick Markakis is 11-for-34 during his eight-game hitting streak.

2. Philadelphia sent speedy OF Ben Revere to Toronto for RHPs Jimmy Cordero and Alberto Tirado prior to the trade deadline.

3. Braves 1B Freddie Freeman belted his 100th career home run among his three hits in this series after being mired in a 2-for-18 stretch.

PREDICTION: Phillies 3, Braves 2