Saturday 8/6/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Belterra Park - Race #8 - Post: 4:53pm - Claiming - 8.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $6,500 Class Rating: 74

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#6 BIG ROQUES (ML=5/1)


BIG ROQUES - Garcia is right back for another event today after riding on board this horse for the first time on July 14th and ought to know the ropes to this one a little better. This jockey and trainer are consistent together. Win pct when teamed up is extremely hard to better.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 OUR BAILIWICK (ML=3/1), #3 HONORABLE CAUSE (ML=7/2), #1 EXAMEN (ML=4/1),

OUR BAILIWICK - Hasn't been coming close at all of late. On a downward cycle. Equibase speed figs keep lessening. HONORABLE CAUSE - Difficult to put any dough on this gelding on the top end. Likes to hit the board though. Don't believe this racer will make a winning move in today's race. That last fig was common when compared with today's class rating. EXAMEN - This mount hasn't been close to the winner at the wire of late. I don't think this horse likes running on the inside, certainly not out of the one slot.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: Winston - BIG ROQUES - This beautiful animal is meeting a much easier bunch than in the last event on July 14th. Worth a wager today.


STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #6 BIG ROQUES to win if we can get at least 1/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
6 with 5

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Evangeline Downs - Race #3 - Post: 6:44pm - Maiden Claiming - 8.3 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $11,500 Class Rating: 51

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#7 CLINK N DRINK (ML=7/2)
#9 CALLING DR. RIGGS (ML=12/1)


CLINK N DRINK - Was in a $7,500 Maiden Claiming race at Evangeline Downs in the last race. That event had a class number of 58 and he is moving down right here in this race. A certain win candidate. CALLING DR. RIGGS - Ran against 'open' company in the last race, in with state breds today.

Vulnerable Contenders: #8 LUCAME (ML=3/1), #6 SHERM'S GOLD (ML=9/2), #4 SNEAKY TEAKY (ML=6/1),

LUCAME - Doesn't seem to be worth 3/1 today. Pass on him this time. SHERM'S GOLD - I can't play this frequent non-winner. Gets the task finished occasionally. This gelding earned a speed rating in his last contest which probably isn't good enough in today's event. SNEAKY TEAKY - This gelding has had a great number of attempts at Evangeline Downs and still no triumphs.


STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#7 CLINK N DRINK to win at post-time odds of 8/5 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [7,9]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Saratoga

RACE #10 - SARATOGA RACE COURSE - 5:48 PM EASTERN POST


The Whitney Stakes

9.0 FURLONGS DIRT GRADE I THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARDS STAKES $1,250,000.00 PURSE

#4 FROSTED
#2 COMFORT
#6 EFFINEX
#5 NOBLE BIRD

Well folks ... this race is named after the family that for generations has had so much to do with racing at Saratoga, the Whitney Handicap was first run in 1928. The Whitney family's involvement with thoroughbreds began when William Collins Whitney, one of the founders of The Jockey Club, began campaigning racehorses in 1898, bearing the familiar Eton blue-and-brown silks. His legacy was carried on by his son, Harry Payne Whitney, and grandson, Cornelius Vanderbilt "Sonny" Whitney, who died in 1992, with other family members involved under various names including Greentree Stables. Whitney-owned horses have won every major race in the United States including multiple wins at the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. In this year's edition, which is the 89th running of this Grade I test, #4 FROSTED, shares the overall speed honors with #2 COMFORT, takes a slight class drop (-1), is the pace profile leader and has posted a trio of "POWER RUN WINS" in his last five outings, including a BLISTERING 14 length, "POWER RUN WIN" facing slightly better company in his last start. #2 COMFORT also has a nice pace profile, and has won four of his last five outings, including back-to-back "POWER RUN WINS" in his last two starts.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Hawthorne Harness: Saturday 8/6 Analysis
By Jeremey Day

DRF

Race 6 - $20,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

Best Bet (13 - 23 / $65.40): CHLO’S RICHESS (4th)

Spot Play: VITAL TERROR (6th)


Race 1

(6) GABE HENRY freshman pacer will look to make it four of five. The pacer is versatile and owns a big brush. (7) SPORTY REDHOT nice looking 2-year-old got beat for the first time last week and will look to bounce back. (8) FOX VALLEY INFERNO lightly raced pacer has a nice pedigree and room to improve.

Race 2

(3) FOX VALLEY ELIJAH is just now back in racing shape and should offer a better price than last start. (5) MAKEOUTLIKEAPANDIT has been sharp for the new barn just missing last week against the same bunch. (6) OLD MAN RIVER will look to make it three straight wins at this level.

Race 3

(9) SPIRITED ENCOUNTER owns a decent burst of speed against a weak and inconsistent field. (1) ROYALE BIG GUY pacer comes off a winning qualifier for proven connections. (7) IN YOUR EYE could be sitting on a better effort against softer.

Race 4

(1) CHLO'S RICHESS has been competitive against better on the year. The pacer looks tough to beat with a trouble-free trip. (10) IMPRESSIVE ART pacer is very talented and one of few threats in the race. (5) J B'S HERO has just been racing evenly and is probably best used underneath.

Race 5

In a really inconsistent field, (8) DUNESIDE SPORT picks back up the top driver and owns a win at this level. (7) STRONG PLAYIN KING gets sent out for a capable barn in a field full of question marks. (5) MAJOR ED drops down a notch and is one of few threats in the race.

Race 6

In a very tough race to gauge, (9) VITAL TERROR should offer a big price and is capable with a good setup. (8) LASTDUKESTANDING was a well rated winner at this level last week. (2) FOUR STARZ LOUIE comes off a nice win but will likely need more to make it two straight.

Race 7

(2) THAT MAN OF MINE pacer was a game winner against similar two back. The pacer looks to be in line for a nice trip up close. (3) RED HOT ART is one of the faster pacers in the race if he minds his manners. (5) DELIGHT FASHION takes a significant drop in class but has lacked pop late in recent starts; use caution.

Race 8

(8) CAPTAIN RHETT pacer picks up a big driver change and has flashed ability. (1) LETS TALK SPORTS freshman pacer has room to improve with the best post. (5) FOX VALLEY SCAMPI faces much weaker competition and has been competitive at this level.

Race 9

(7) UNCLE BUD was close against much better last start. The pacer should find this field to his liking. (10) ULYSSES BLUE CHIP could use a fast pace and a good setup from a tough post. If the pacer gets one of those scenarios he's a threat at a price. (4) AT MAX SPEED has not won a race in almost a year; use underneath.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mohawk: Saturday 8/6 Analysis
By Garnet Barnsdale

DRF

Race 1 - $30,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool

Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool


PICK 5: 2,3,4,6/1,4,5/1,3,7/5/2,4,6,7 = $28.80

EARLY PICK 4: 5/2,4,6/1,5,6,7/2,3,4 = $36

LATE PICK 4: 2,3,6,7/1,7/5,7/1,3,10 = $48

MEET STATS: 262 - 739 / $1408.20 BEST BETS: 43 - 69 / $139.40

SPOT PLAYS: 17 - 68 / $86.60

Best Bet: SPORTSMANSHIP (4th)

Spot Play: ARTISTIC MADISON (5th)


Race 1

(4) JENKINS CREEK chased a sharp winner that was winning for the second time straight last week. Give him a slight nod in a contentious start to the Pick 5. (6) BUGGER BRUISER has improving form and should be blasting to get early position here. (2) PRINCE CLYDE should leave much better from the inside post and is another to consider for the Pick 5. (3) RISE UP NOW was rank racing in the pocket at Grand River. Perhaps he disdained the wet track.

Race 2

(5) EVENIN OF PLEASURE shoots for his fifth straight Preferred score here. It's hard to imagine him being anywhere other than lurking in the pocket turning for home; top call. (1) ELLIS PARK was flying late last time and was only a stride short of catching the choice; using. (4) STATE TREASURER will likely try to go down the road here but will have to hold off the two listed above late. (2) NICKLE BAG gets an improved post and is dangerous, but he hasn't won in several weeks.

Race 3

(3) SUPER ALL DAY was a strong winner in his first start at this track now he gets a much-improved post. Call to repeat. (7) MERCHANDISER was short after missing 26 days action now he gets back to a 7-day cycle here. Expect an improved performance. (1) WORLDCLASS HANOVER dusted an easier group despite racing with broken equipment; don't dismiss easily. (8) COUNTRY PROPHET can close late for a small share here.

Race 4

(5) SPORTSMANSHIP takes a big class dive here and he should be very tough to beat. (3) BRINGHOME THEBLUE has had two rough trips since returning to the races. He is capable if he gets an easier journey. (7) MR CARROTS also gets class relief. He should be heard from late. (4) UFDRAGONS ROCKET will be closing late for a piece, as he almost always does.

Race 5

(4) ARTISTIC MADISON raced better last time, now drops again and she will likely get a more aggressive drive here in her third start back; top call. (6) LIGHTS GO OUT also drops and she is very capable in this class; using. (2) BET YA is another that gets class relief here and she will likely be sent for a position on or near the lead here which puts her right in the picture. (7) A PLUS can close well in this class and should take at least a smaller share.

Race 6

(6) ST LADS MOONWALK is the best horse in this race, but, he is typically driven less aggressively in these classes that do not count towards the Grassroots standings - see May 26th and June 25th. He could prevail regardless as he did on those occasions and gets the nod. (1) SPIRIT SHADOW could get the jump on the choice and is worth using in the Pick 4. (5) ARSENIC fits well here and is another to consider. (7) INSPIRATION VIEW took a win vs. similar last month but seems destined to finish on the fringes here.

Race 7

(4) ALEXAS JACKPOT takes another class drop, returns in 7 days and should be formidable here. (3) ASAP HANOVER was the easiest of winners vs. lesser last week but he merits Pick 4 inclusion off that sharp score. (2) DRACHAN HANOVER has a better chance to carve out a good trip here with the move inside. (5) TRACEUR HANOVER makes his first start of the year going for the top trainer here. He is obviously classy enough, but made need one or two.

Race 8

(2) MAJOR HILL has faced several sharp sophomores lately and hasn't been able to break through for a win. This assignment may be easier; top call. (3) PRINT MEDIA took a bad shuffle last week and is capable of better. (6) POISONOUS may look for a helmet to follow this time and if he finds one that can carry him, he's in with a shot. (7) BETTOR MEMORIES faces easier and is another that should be considered here.

Race 9

(1) CHARLIE IS A JOKER takes a big class plunge here and gets a good post to work with. He should prove tough to beat vs. these. (7) DUH BUBBEES produced a quick final 1/4 to score a huge upset for white-hot teamster Jamieson last week; using. (3) UTOPIA fits well in this class and should make the trifecta ticket at a minimum. (2) AMITYVILLE LINDY will be passing horses late and is another that should fill one of the lower exotic slots.

Race 10

(5) ROCKIN IN HEAVEN looked like he was in trouble turning for home last week, but he exploded up the pylons to win going away. This assignment isn't much tougher; call to repeat. (7) THE WAYFARING MAN is on a good roll now and very sharp as shown by his 26 3/5 third 1/4 last week; using. (3) IDEAL JET couldn't sustain hid bid into quick fractions but he can share here - especially if he gets an easier trip. (1) CARACCI HANOVER gets class relief and he is another that should fight it out for a minor award.

Race 11

(10) SILVERHILL SHADOW holds a mark of 1:50 2/5 on this track taken over just two years ago. His July 29th qualifier indicates he is ready to fire a big one, that is if he gets sent from the 10-hole. (1) THORN IN YOUR SIDE gets to drop in class here and should trip out well on or near the lead. (3) ST LADS LOTTO was used up early last week. A better trip puts him right there vs. these. (8) THEY CALL ME GORDY van leave in the top flight and stick around for a slice. (9) LEAFS AND WINGS will be far back early but should get a slowing late pace to close into here.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Meadowlands: Saturday 8/6 Analysis
By Derick Giwner

DRF

Race 1 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool

Race 3 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

Race 8 - $75,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 118 - 314 / $649.30 (+$21.30)

BEST BETS: 16 - 26 / $40.90 (-11.10)

Best Bet: ARIANA G (5th)

Spot Play: SOLAR SISTER (15th)


Race 1

(9) WESTERN FAME hasn’t been up to facing the best 3-year-olds in the sport but proved he can go with this class two starts back when he was second in a 1:49 3/5 mile. In a field with multiple options, I’ll stay here assuming the price doesn’t drift too low. (7) CALVIN B was a solid second in this class last week when he lost a bit of momentum by taking the inside route before angling outside. (2) POLAK A was facing some top-notch foes at Yonkers and should fit nicely with this group. (4) ART HISTORY will get another win sooner or later, but I’ve lost my patience.

Race 2

It is difficult to separate (4) BLUE MOON STRIDE & (3) DARLINONTHEBEACH. My advice would be to take whichever filly is the better price. For the sake of official selections, I’m giving the edge to the former since she comes with fewer recent issues (break, AFib). (5) CALL ME QUEEN BE & (1) PENPAL look to be exotic players only.

Race 3

(4) HANNELORE HANOVER somehow overcame an early break and still beat some of the better older trotters in the sport last time out. Unless she looks awful on the track and you think another break is in store, there really are no kinks in her armor. (6) JEWELS IN HOCK has done very well in her starts versus mares and should provide an honest effort Saturday. (9) SHAKE IT CERRY hasn’t been her usual self in 2016, but that doesn’t mean she can’t pop a big mile. The 1-1/8 distance should help her gain valuable early position from the outside. (2) ROCKIN WITH DEWEY qualified okay. Her best race puts her in the exotics at a price.

Race 4

(1) KING ON THE HILL has been much improved since adding hobbles and seemed even better mannered in his second start with the new equipment in play. I don’t see much separating the top five or six horses in this race and this Jimmy Takter trainee should offer some value. (4) VICTOR GIO IT could be an interesting play depending on how the money goes. There is a chance that foreign bettors hammer down his price with Bjorn Goop driving. There is no doubt that this horse has tons of talent. (6) RUBIO is perfect in four starts but hasn’t separated himself from this group enough for me to take a short price. (2) WHAT THE HILL certainly belongs in the conversation when discussing contenders. I couldn’t fault anyone who likes this colt on top.

Race 5

(1) ARIANA G jumps off the page for me and will do the same for most betting this race. This homebred daughter of Muscle Hill-Cantab It All oozes talent and maturity. (5) CHEZATTER has stepped up with David Miller joining the team and really showed poise by fighting off a stiff challenge from That’s All Moni last time. The above said, she’ll need a career best effort to beat the top choice. (9) ROSESAREEXPLOSIVE was flashing some good late trot in deep stretch during last week’s elimination. That could be a hint that this Linda Toscano trainee is ready to peak. (8) THAT’S ALL MONI had dead aim but lacked the winning desire last time. She’s a contender but I’m using her underneath only.

Race 6

(5) RESOLVE has been super in his Meadowlands starts and I see no reason why he isn’t the one to beat in this spot. (7) JL CRUZE has shown some signs of returning to the form that made him the best trotter in North America for a time last year. (9) HONOR AND SERVE is probably the second best trotter in trainer Ake Svanstedt’s barn, but this guy is no slouch. The addition of Brian Sears makes him worth considering on multi-race tickets despite the poor draw. (1) FLANAGAN MEMORY has proven time and time again that he is the best in Canada; respect his chances. (4) HOMICIDE HUNTER has displayed flashes of brilliance.

Race 7

I probably spent more time on this race than most of the others trying to find a way to beat (4) CONTROL THE MOMENT. The bottom line is that he is the best horse, has a good post and one of the best drivers in the sport. As long as he doesn’t offer odds south of 4-5, I’m sticking with him. (1) CHECK SIX should get the award for consistency, with nine in-the-money finishes in 11 starts. I’m not sold on him stepping up to win, but I wouldn’t be shocked. (11) PURE COUNTRY ranks as highly in this race as any of the boys except my top pick. If Brett Miller can get this filly a decent trip, she can win. (5) ADRIAN HANOVER comes in sharp and his connections liked him enough to put up $35,000 to vie for a first place check of $160,000.

Race 8

(1) BAR HOPPING has been a victim of circumstance in some of his races and displayed signs of a possible Hambletonian winner in others. Unless something goes very wrong or one of his eight competitors finds a new gear, this is his race to lose as the odds-on chalk. (5) BROOKLYN HILL has played the role of a tease throughout his career. You look at him week after week and wait for that huge effort you think he has inside, but it never seems to come. Personally I think he is best as a one-move closer, but they haven’t asked me to drive yet. (6) MAVENS WAY does have that 1:51 4/5 mile that jumps off the page. I’m still not sure how good this colt is yet.

Race 9

I love the progression I’ve seen from (4) MARION MARAUDER. He has displayed impressive versatility and brings his best late in the mile when others get leg weary. While I’m on the Marion Marauder bandwagon, I do admit that (5) SOUTHWIND FRANK is the clear horse to beat in this elimination and anyone who tosses him off their tickets is simply being illogical rather than contrarian. (1) JIMMY WILLIAM was a bit better last time in the Zweig and he does come from Mr. Hambo’s barn, Jimmy Takter.

Race 10

The Vincennes came up really tough this year. While I see legitimate angles on a few horses, I’m going to try my luck with (2) PINKMAN. After scoring an impressive win in Sweden he wound up getting sick and had to miss time, but I love how he battled to win his qualifier and I’m sure Takter will have him ready for a top effort. (3) MUSICAL RHYTHM went from awesome in the Graduate to blah in the Hambletonian Maturity. He had to race without Lasix in the latter stake and I’m thinking that is a reasonable excuse. (6) WINGS OF ROYALTY lured Sears to The Meadowlands last weekend for one race; interesting. Something tells me we’ll see a big race from this guy sometime this year, maybe tonight. (9) CENTURION ATM is another horse that was sharp prior to the Maturity when he had to race without Lasix.

Race 11

In my mind, (3) ALWAYS B MIKI is the fastest of the ‘Big Three’ and is also the sharpest. Anything can happen during a race, but on the mile track in a short field, I have to strongly side with Always B Miki. (6) WIGGLE IT JIGGLEIT is simply as freak of nature. Most horses would crumble facing his schedule and yet he brings 110% every week. (1) DEALT A WINNER comes off a big mile and posted a career best 1:47 3/5 win in the Cane Pace on Hambo Day last year. (4) FREAKY FEET PETE is an excellent horse that may have been a megastar if racing against different horses. Unfortunately he has to consistently compete against two potential Hall of Fame-type horses.

Race 12

Before you get all excited about her 40-1 morning line, trust me, (5) WINDOWSHOPPER is not going to offer anywhere near those odds. More likely, she’ll open up as one of the favorites and drift up to a reasonable 6-1 or 8-1. The angles on this horse are obvious. She appeared to be rolling past both Broadway Donna and All The Time two starts back before she broke and now hired gun Brian Sears is in the bike. She is a much better horse than it appears on paper. (1) CAPRICE HILL has never missed the board in her 15-race career. Last week she came up a head short, but I’m willing to give her a pass having just shipped down from Canada. (6) ALL THE TIME has clearly been off her game a touch in recent weeks, but we are talking about trainer Jimmy Takter here and a huge effort if very possible. (4) SIDE BET HANOVER has won three straight including last week’s elimination. The best part is you’ll get a price on her. (7) BROADWAY DONNA could scare people away after the break last time. She remains loaded with talent. (2) CELEBRITY EVENTSY is another elimination winner from last week. She rarely puts in a bad race.

Race 13

While it is impossible to know which horses will be racing in the 10-horse Hambletonian final, I’m making MARION MARAUDER my early selection. He comes into this race in fine form and always seems to finish up his miles fresh. To me, that seems like a fit for a second heat win.

Race 14

(5) ROCKEYED OPTIMIST is probably the best older pacer of the ‘B’ level crowd. He’s no Wiggle It Jiggleit, but this guy has compiled a stellar 26 wins in 50 career starts. The near four week layoff is a slight concern, but that is wiped away but the strong 1:51 1/5 qualifying win on Tuesday at Philly. (1A) MEL MARA has proven to be the fastest in this group. If the recent scratched-sick line is nothing, who knows how fast this guy may pace? (3) BIT OF A LEGEND N raced well for second in the Gerrity at Saratoga last time. It remains to be seen how good he can be on the bigger track.

Race 15

(5) SOLAR SISTER was buried in the second tier in her last start and charged home for second behind Lady Shadow. Now those post positions are reversed and this Gregg McNair trainee should be the one asserting herself in the early stages. (4) KATIE SAID has been the victim of circumstance in many of her starts. The inside post today finally gives her the chance at coming up with a big mile. (12) LADY SHADOW deserves props as the best pacing mare in the country right now; obvious top contender. (1) DEVIL CHILD has picked up her game since Lasix was removed. The ability is there with this gal.

Race 16

I’d love to send you home a winner in the last race of the meet, but I truly don’t have a strong opinion in this race. (7) BARIMAH A came up with a nice effort in his first start at this level and certainly figures prominently. (4) HOPE FOR BADLANDS stopped on the lead on a track that was certainly tiring; could rebound. (2) OUREA NOURRIR is always capable if he minds his manners and gets smooth sailing. (1) LETTUCERIPRITA A is an interesting Down Under import.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yonkers: Saturday 8/6 Analysis
By Matt Rose

DRF

MEET STATS: 257 - 761 / $1344.40

BEST BETS: 36 - 63 / $123.40

Best Bet: TAKE IT BACK TERRY (8th)

Spot Play: LADY’S DUDE (6th)


Race 1

(5) DUEL IN THE SUN isn't the most consistent horse but he certainly is capable versus this highly questionable bunch; MacDonald's choice. (4) TYLER was third best at this level two back from a similar spot. (2) KEYSTONE HONOR is up the ladder again looking for three straight; sharp sort certainly has a chance.

Race 2

(3) STEVENSVILLE was outfinished after an uncovered grind last week; Stratton drives again and I'm giving him one more chance. (5) DENNY CRANE N took all the money last week and just failed; Vallee trainee looms a big threat again. (1) NATIONAL SEELSTER gets class and post relief but needs to show more late.

Race 3

(2) PANCETTA got well in a hurry out of town and the veteran is a legit Open commodity when he's on his game. (3) BIG N BAD should be leaving the gate from this spot and can take this field a long way. (7) ROYAL HEART is sharp but has to overcome the outside post.

Race 4

(2) SOMEWHERE FANCY jogged at odds-on at this level when last seen at Yonkers; Allard trainee should be primed from this spot. (1) BETTOREVER gets needed post relief and is in line for a live trip. (5) MICHAEL'S POWER has tailed off a touch recently at The Meadowlands and maybe the change in scenery can perk him up.

Race 5

(4) SHADES OF BAY finished with plenty of pace but just had too far to come in his local debut, his second start for the Allard barn. Sears' choice may have more to offer. (1) WINDS OF CHANGE was a safe winner last week versus one notch lesser and he draws best for the third consecutive week. (7) LIMELIGHT BEACH raced well from off the pace last out and will likely be in another closing spot tonight from the outside post.

Race 6

(6) LADY'S DUDE went a huge effort in defeat last week and he deserves top billing off that effort. (2) MONEY MAVEN was no factor last out, but that was in that Open event with Resolve and Shake It Cerry; gelding could be in line for a live trip from this inside post. (5) E R ELLIE has quietly had a solid season and she's proven she can go with this type. (8) UNDERCOVER STRIKE is stuck outside again but he'll be a big threat with good early positioning.

Race 7

(1) MACH IT SO couldn't sustain a two-move effort last week but he lands the rail tonight in this open draw and looms the one to beat. (5) MCERLEAN was super last out flashing both early and late pace; sharp sort must be included. (6) LUCK BE WITHYOU is a certified speed threat.

Race 8

(5) TAKE IT BACK TERRY was stellar in defeat last week, getting run down by a tripped-out P H Supercam; Burke trainee is sharp and seems better than these. (4) FASHION DELIGHT exits claimers in solid form and looking for three straight. (2) DREAM OUT LOUD N should be close up throughout from this spot.

Race 9

(1) MAKE SOME LUCK returns locally with some class relief after getting roughed up last week in the Open at Saratoga; Allard trainee gets the call. (3) BADIOU HANOVER actually raced pretty well last week from the tough outside spot; big threat with the class and post relief. (4) J T doesn't seem like a threat to win but he's a steady check-earner; use underneath.

Race 10

(7) FOOL ME ONCE had late pace in traffic last week versus better stock; Alagna trainee has to overcome the poor post but he's sharp and may find a way. (2) HILLBILLY HANOVER has been close up in his last handful from inside posts. (5) STOLEN CAR has been well handled by Vallee in his last few and he looks like a candidate to round out the exotics.

Race 11

(4) PANSFORMATIVE had been sharp prior to last week's no-chance effort; 4-year-old gets some post relief in this tough-to-figure event. (5) OH JONNY B GOOD N qualified very nicely for his U.S. debut. (2) CYCLONE KIWI N is better than last week's no-excuse effort.

Race 12

(1) WESTERN ROCKSTAR A was a good second to a much better rival last and he draws best again while luring the leading driver. (3) U F ROCKIN DRAGON drops from the Open ranks and he was an upset winner when last in with this type. (5) CLASS SIX had no chance last out at Saratoga but was a winner here the start prior.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Saturday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Arlington (4th) Chas the Man, 7-2
(7th) Forget the Name, 6-1


Belterra Park (1st) Shirota, 5-1
(8th) Honorable Cause, 7-2


Canterbury (6th) Irish Beauty, 3-1
(8th) Hatties Jewel, 5-1


Charles Town (1st) Immediate Release, 4-1
(3rd) Jakesoutcaster, 5-1


Del Mar (5th) Zip N Bayou, 5-1
(7th) Spanish Hombre, 8-1


Delaware Park (1st) Rum Therapy, 5-1
(8th) It's All Copacetic, 10-1


Ellis Park (3rd) Panama Will, 5-1
(10th) Alibythee, 9-2


Emerald Downs (3rd) Shes Well Informed, 6-1
(5th) In Private, 9-2


Evangeline Downs (3rd) Sherm's Gold, 9-2
(7th) Tracy's Interest, 7-2


Finger Lakes (2nd) Exact Again, 6-1
(7th) Single Malt Female, 5-1


Gulfstream Park (1st) Silent Admirer, 6-1
(10th) Zipping, 10-1


Indiana Grand (2nd) Havana Stroll, 9-2
(5th) Folded Wings, 4-1


Laurel (2nd) Flyin Lion S, 5-1
(9th) Dattt Melody, 6-1


Louisiana Downs (2nd) Forest Lake, 9-2
(7th) Wheatfield, 3-1


Monmouth Park (4th) Lightning Flash, 4-1
(9th) Brother Chub, 7-2


Mountaineer (1st) Moonshine Promise, 5-1
(7th) Mobile Bay, 8-1


Parx Racing (2nd) Amblin Man, 5-1
(6th) Haunted Vision, 8-1


Penn National (1st) Annakissa, 4-1
(2nd) Oklahoma Crude, 7-2


Prairie Meadows (3rd) Commander Gib, 3-1
(8th) It's the Swede, 3-1


Santa Rosa (5th) Benchmark Rose, 3-1
(9th) Ed Johnson, 3-1


Saratoga (2nd) Tyler U, 8-1
(6th) Casses Story, 9-2


Suffolk Downs (4th) Thomas Knight, 6-1
(8th) Tania, 9-2


Thistledown (1st) Dona Maritza, 9-2
(3rd) Kiki's War, 6-1


Woodbine (4th) French Quarter, 6-1
(5th) Executiveguts, 3-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

August Pitchers Report
By Marc Lawrence

With the MLB trading deadline officially closed, and the NFL preseason whetting our pigskin palates, the month of August sets the table for the stretch run of the baseball season. Which pitchers can we count on to satisfy our tastes, and which ones figure to sour our stomachs?

Take a look below.

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 August.

On the flip side, we've also listed pitchers that struggle in August, 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 April 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 August list.

I’ll be back next month with September’s Good Month Pitchers.

Until then, as legendary singer and songwriter Neil Diamond would say, enjoy the hot August nights.

GOOD MONTH PITCHERS:

Arrieta, Jake - 10-5 (6-3 A)

After being Clayton Kershaw-like for nearly 12 months, the Cubs starter has "regressed" back to just being among the best starters in baseball. Arrieta has a nearly 3-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio and only allows a base hit 70 percent of the time in innings pitched this season, among the finest in the majors.

Duffy, Danny - 11-4 (6-1 H)

After starting the season as a reliever, the Kansas City left-hander was forced back into the rotation based on need and he has responded. Since June, after a pair of starts, Duffy has put up an ERA of just over 3.00 and opposing batters have just a .289 on-base percentage against him.

*Gallardo, Yovani - 9-4 (5-2 A)

Not close to the same pitcher he used to be with Milwaukee, with ERA so far this season approaching almost two runs higher than career average (5.37 vs. 3.73). The lost velocity is to blame and secondary pitches have less bite. For Baltimore to win AL East, Gallardo has to find some of his old magic.

Greinke, Zack - 10-5 (5-2 H)

After being on the shelf with oblique injury since late June, Greinke is close to returning for Arizona if no reoccurrence were to take place after a rehab start or two this month. After pathetic start to season, the D-Backs prized starter has cut ERA by 2 1/2 runs and is close to career norms in all major categories. Elite starter.

*Hamels, Cole - 12-6 (8-4 H)

Having typical Hamels season, with low numbers across the board. In bigger picture, underrated high level hurler who has not been getting acclaim after Phillies fall, but has been ace with Texas. As usual, left-handed batters have no chance with .176 batting average and .287 slugging percentage.

*Iwakuma, Hisashi - 12-5 (7-1 A)

Not having normal season for Seattle, with hits allowed much higher than usual for Iwakuma. However, has won four of five starts and the Mariners are 10-3 when the righty has toed the rubber since May 20. With Felix Hernandez back, this pair could lead Seattle charge to postseason.

Milone, Tom - 7-3 (4-1 A)

Milone starts for bad Minnesota club and is inconsistent as ever. Of his 74 hits allowed in only 59 2/3 innings, 11 have gone the yard. Maybe he can keep the ball down and spot his pitches better like previous August’s.

*Sanchez, Anibal - 9-3 (5-1 H)

With decreased velocity and no action on breaking pitches, Sanchez ERA has been six or higher almost all season. Not sure if he can respond this month, with opponents having BA over .300 and owning a WHIP of 1.64.

*Strasburg, Stephen - 13-3 (8-1 H)

Only July 21st, Strasburg suffered first loss of entire season after 13 consecutive wins. Though the fastball is no longer in upper 90's all the time, the breaking pitches disappear from batter's view and he's been exceptional. If Strasburg has true to form month, he will have real shot at 20 wins in 2016.

Teheran, Julio - 11-5 (7-2 H)

Suffered lat strain in late July and has been a victim of no run support from bad Braves club with 2.81 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and opposing batters at only .205 batting average. Note: Teheran’s record also represents his MLB career team start mark during the month of August.

Weaver, Jered - 12-5 (7-3 A)

Shell of his former self at 33. Never a hard thrower, Weaver's fastball only occasionally makes the upper 80's these days and his once dominating changeup is a pitch batter's wait on now with lack of variance of speed of pitches. Will blend good and really awful performances these days.

*Zimmermann, Jordan - 12-6 (8-3 H)

On July 24th had excellent rehab start and will be rejoining Detroit this month. After sensational start with Tigers, Zimmermann was tagged for at least five runs in four of his last five outings. Detroit needs the Zimmermann they had early in the season to have chance to catch Cleveland in AL Central.

BAD MONTH PITCHERS:

Gray, Sonny - 5-11 (0-7 A)

Given Gray's troubles this month, his woes of all season are very likely to continue. Gray simply has been more hittable the entire season, permitting those with bats to hit almost 50 points higher than normal batting average permitted of .233. Note: Gray’s record also represents his MLB career team start mark during the month of August.

*Hellickson, Jeremy - 4-11 (2-9 A)

Back of the rotation starter, Hellickson has largely performed better than expected for Philadelphia and as this article went live, he was rumored to be traded. His KW ratio is significantly higher at 4 to 1 compared to 3 to 1 for his career. Will he be able to maintain the rest of season?

Kazmir, Scott - 5-11 (1-7 A)

The Dodgers port-sider has 9-4 record, but his 4.41 ERA is still above career average of 3.98. Durability has been issue all season, with too many starts around five innings for what is supposed to be Los Angeles No. 2 or 3 starter.

Koehler, Tom - 4-13 (0-10 A)

Above average arm but always up or down and unless he pulls a Rich Hill, at 30 is not likely to change. An 8-8 record, 4.18 ERA and WHIP of 1.46, is about what we have come to expect from Mr. Koehler. Note: Koehler’s record also represents his MLB career team start mark during the month of August.

*Miley, Wade - 5-11 (1-6 A)

Overrated lefty who does not miss many bats and fails to come anywhere close to averaging punch-out an inning. Strictly an innings-eater and provides nothing more than 50-50 chance to win.

Miller, Shelby - 5-11 (2-8 H)

Demoted to Triple-A in July after disastrous campaign. Miller hopes to regain confidence and repair mechanics that are really out of whack and return to Arizona yet this season.

Samardzija, Jeff - 5-13 (3-8 H)

After appearing as the No.3 starter San Francisco wanted for two months, Smards has returned to same old serviceable pitcher of the past and seen his ERA climb from 2.84 to present 4.30 heading into this month.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB roundup: Complete-game shutout for Astros' Keuchel
By The Sports Xchange

HOUSTON -- Dallas Keuchel rebounded from a poor start with a complete-game shutout and the Houston Astros showed life offensively in their 5-0 win over the Texas Rangers Friday night at Minute Maid Park.
Keuchel (7-11), shelled by the Tigers in Detroit on Sunday, surrendered three hits and two walks while stifling the Rangers (63-47). Keuchel added seven strikeouts to end a three-game losing skid to Texas in which he allowed four-plus earned runs in each appearance this season.
The Astros (57-52) tagged Rangers left-hander Martin Perez (7-8) for four runs in the third inning to snap from their offensive funk. Second baseman Jose Altuve finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs to pace the attack.
Perez surrendered five earned runs on eight hits and three walks with four strikeouts over seven innings. He had allowed a total of 10 earned runs in seven previous appearances against the Astros.

Orioles 7, White Sox 5
CHICAGO -- Pedro Alvarez's hot streak continued at U.S. Cellular Field, where he hit two more home runs to lead Baltimore to a win to start a series against Chicago.
Alvarez, the Orioles' designated hitter, went 2-for-5 and clubbed solo homers in the second and eighth innings. It was the second two-homer performance in the past three games for Alvarez, who has hit five home runs in the past three games and six in the past five, bringing his season total to 18.
Manny Machado and Adam Jones also had big nights for the Orioles, who totaled 16 hits and overcame four errors to remain percentage points ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays in a virtual tie for first in the American League East.

Pirates 3, Reds 2
PITTSBURGH -- Sean Rodriguez led off the bottom of the ninth with a 413-foot home run to left field to give Pittsburgh a win over Cincinnati.
Pittsburgh broke a two-game losing streak. It was the start of a six-game homestand for the Pirates, who were coming off a 1-5 road trip.
In a matchup of young right-handers, Pittsburgh's Jameson Taillon and the Reds' Anthony DeSclafani had similar nights but neither got a decision. Taillon allowed one run on six hits over six innings, with one walk and six strikeouts. He threw 102 pitches and picked up his first career win at PNC Park. DeSclafani, who had won four of his past five starts, allowed two runs on two hits over six innings, with three walks and six strikeouts. He threw 106 pitches.

Nationals 5, Giants 1
WASHINGTON -- Lefty Gio Gonzalez allowed just two hits and one run in seven innings and new leadoff man Trea Turner had a double, homer and scored twice as Washington beat San Francisco in a battle of first-place clubs.
The Nationals, who are 21 games over .500 for the first time this year, began the day seven games ahead of the second-place Miami Marlins in the National League East.
The Giants started the night two games ahead of the second-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. San Francisco is 5-14 since the All-Star break.

Twins 6, Rays 2
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Minnesota got a go-ahead pinch-hit home run from Eddie Rosario in the seventh inning on the way to a victory over Tampa Bay at Tropicana Field.
Rosario is 2-for-2 this season as a pinch-hitter with a pair of two-run homers. This one came off Rays reliever Erasmo Ramirez, who had seen the Rays take a 2-1 lead in the sixth on a solo home run by red-hot shortstop Brad Miller.
Ramirez gave up another home run -- a solo shot to Miguel Sano in the eighth -- to spoil another strong outing from rookie Blake Snell, who lowered his ERA to 2.95.

Tigers 4, Mets 3
DETROIT -- Victor Martinez smashed a long two-run homer and James McCann added an RBI single in a three-run fourth inning to bring Detroit from behind in a victory over New York for the Tigers' ninth win in their last 10 games.
Justin Verlander (12-6) faced a Mets lineup packed with seven left-handed batters and allowed four hits in six innings. He struck out nine and walked one.
Shane Greene and Justin Wilson each worked a scoreless inning and Francisco Rodriguez gave up a ninth-inning run but still notched his 31st save.

Cardinals 1, Braves 0
ST. LOUIS -- Jaime Garcia did it all on a night where the St. Louis Cardinals needed him to do it all.
Garcia fired a three-hitter over eight shutout innings and fanned 11 while knocking in the only run in his shutout victory over Atlanta at Busch Stadium.
Coming off an 11-0 loss Saturday night in Miami in which he gave up four runs in the game's first five batters and allowed six runs in only 3 1/3 innings while pitching on just three days' rest, Garcia (8-8) more than made amends.

Yankees 13, Indians 7
NEW YORK -- Starlin Castro's grand slam powered a five-run third inning for New York, which went on to beat Cleveland at Yankee Stadium.
Jacoby Ellsbury finished 4-for-5 with two runs scored and a seventh-inning RBI single for the Yankees, who have alternated wins with losses in their last five games.
The Indians have lost four of six, a stretch in which they have been outscored 50-32.

Blue Jays 4, Royals 3
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Devon Travis opened the game with a home run and homered again in the eighth as Toronto edged by Kansas City.
Travis' ninth home run off Kelvin Herrera with two out in the eighth was the decisive blow.
Brett Cecil (1-6) pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning to claim the victory, while Joaquin Benoit earned his first save of the season.

Marlins 5, Rockies 3
DENVER -- What had the makings of a bitter, disheartening loss for Miami turned into an immensely satisfying comeback victory.
The Marlins scored four runs in the ninth inning to beat Colorado. The big hit was Martin Prado's go-ahead, two-run single.
Brian Ellington (2-1), who rescued Fernando Rodney in the eighth, was the winning pitcher. A.J. Ramos, who blew a save in his last outing on Wednesday in Chicago, posted his 32nd save of the season.

Mariners 6, Angels 4
SEATTLE -- Felix Hernandez and Seattle overcame a rough start to beat the Angels on a night when Los Angeles starter Tim Lincecum endured another rough outing.
Hernandez (6-4) bounced back from Mike Trout's three-run homer in the first to pitch eight strong innings. He allowed four runs and three hits, only one of which came over his final seven innings.
The Mariners used a six-run first inning -- including a three-run homer by Mike Zunino -- to hand Lincecum (2-6) his third consecutive loss.

Red Sox 9, Dodgers 0
LOS ANGELES -- Knuckleballer Steven Wright threw a complete-game shutout, and Boston rolled to a rout of Los Angeles before an announced sellout crowd of 52,728 at Dodger Stadium.
Wright (13-5) retired 18 of 19 batters before giving up a single to Yasmani Grandal to open the eighth inning. Wright finished with nine strikeouts one walk and held the Dodgers to three hits.
Wright is the only major league pitcher to allow three runs or fewer in his 11 road starts this season, tying Rogers Clemens' club mark set in 1988.

Cubs 7, Athletics 2
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Jorge Soler hit a three-run homer in his first at-bat after being activated from the disabled list, Jon Lester threw seven strong innings and Chicago defeated Oakland at the Oakland Coliseum.
Lester (12-4) allowed two runs on six hits, struck out eight and walked none. He faced the A's for the first time since leaving them as a free agent and signing with the Cubs after the 2014 season. The A's acquired Lester on July 31, 2014, from Boston with outfielder Jonny Gomes in exchange for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.
Dexter Fowler led off the game with his ninth home run of the season for the Cubs, who won their fifth straight game.

Phillies 5, Padres 4
SAN DIEGO -- Cameron Rupp erased a 2-0 Padres lead with a three-run homer and added a run-scoring double to tie a career high with four RBIs as Philadelphia defeated San Diego at Petco Park.
Right-hander Jeremy Hellickson, who was the subject of considerable trade speculation before last Monday's deadline, retired 13 straight Padres from the third through seventh innings and picked up his ninth win against seven losses.
Padres starter Christian Friedrich (4-7) suffered the loss.

Diamondbacks 3, Brewers 2
PHOENIX -- Welington Castillo walked with the bases loaded to force in the winning run in the 11th inning and Yasmany Tomas had two homers in Arizona's victory over Milwaukee at Chase Field.
Paul Goldschmidt singled to right field off right-hander Blaine Boyer (1-2) to open the 11th inning and Jake Lamb singled to center. Tomas struck out before Peralta reached on a fielding error by shortstop Orlando Arcia to load the bases.
Castillo walked on a 3-1 pitch.
Left-hander Adam Loewen (1-0) had two strikeouts in a 1-2-3 11th inning for his first victory since Sept. 29, 2015 with Philadelphia.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians (61-46) at Yankees (55-54)

Game: 2
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: August 06, 2016 1:05 PM EDT

NEW YORK -- There was a bit of role reversal going on at Yankee Stadium Friday afternoon, when the small-market Cleveland Indians held a press conference for the player (left-handed pitcher Andrew Miller) they'd acquired from the biggest market team of all, the New York Yankees, five days earlier.

After Friday night, the Yankees are hoping the role reversals last a couple more days.

The rebuilding Yankees host the American League Central-leading Indians in the second game of a three-game series Saturday afternoon. New York never trailed in winning Friday night's opener, 13-7.

While the final score suggested a back-and-forth slugfest, the Yankees' ability to jump out to insurmountable leads -- they led 6-0 in the third and 11-4 after the seventh -- against a doubly dangerous Indians team had manager Joe Girardi pleased.

"When you talk about Cleveland, everyone talks about how well their pitching has been this year," Girardi said. "But going into tonight they were second in the league in runs. You don't hear as much about their offense, but it's really good."

The Indians offense hasn't been nearly good enough to cover up for the sudden struggles of their pitching staff, which was seemingly bolstered by the acquisition of Miller in exchange for four prospects on Sunday.

Cleveland has been outscored 50-32 in the last five games, during which it has gone 1-4 while its starters have allowed a whopping 30 runs in just 17 1/3 innings. The skid has raised the Indians' ERA nearly three-tenths of a run -- from 3.59 to 3.88 -- and dropped them from first in the AL in ERA to third.

"It's still a tough pill to swallow whenever the offense is clicking like they're clicking and we're not doing the job we're supposed to be doing," said right-hander Josh Tomlin, who became the latest culprit Friday by giving up seven runs over 4 2/3 innings -- the longest start by an Indians pitcher during the slump.

The last pitcher to produce a strong start will take the mound for the Indians on Saturday, when right-hander Corey Kluber opposes Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia in a matchup of pitchers who won the American League Cy Young Award while playing for Cleveland.

Kluber, who won the Cy Young in 2014, earned the win Sunday, when he threw seven shutout innings in an 8-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics. He has allowed one run or fewer in three of his last four starts, a stretch in which he's lowered his ERA from 3.79 to a season-low 3.27.

Sabathia, the 2007 Cy Young Award winner, will be trying to snap out of a lengthy slump. A late comeback by the Yankees spared Sabathia the loss on Monday, when he gave up five runs over 5 2/3 innings in a 6-5, 10-inning win over the New York Mets. Sabathia has failed to author a quality start in seven of his last eight outings, a stretch in which he's gone 1-4 with a 6.85 ERA as his overall ERA has increased from 2.20 to 4.15.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Sox (60-48) at Dodgers (60-49)

Game: 2
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: August 06, 2016 4:05 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES -- If the Los Angeles Dodgers expect to compete against the Boston Red Sox, they need a solid outing from one of their starting pitchers.

Scott Kazmir was the latest Dodgers' starter who failed to deliver in three of the last four games. Kazmir (9-5) allowed four runs on five hits with four walks and two strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings in a 9-0 loss to the Red Sox on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.

"Overall, he just really didn't command the fastball tonight," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "That's a very good hitting club and they made us pay for some mistakes. Game got away from us."

Kazmir's troubles come on the heels of Los Angeles starters managing just seven innings in two blowout losses to the Colorado Rockies earlier this week. On Saturday, they'll trust their fate to Ross Stripling.

Stripling (2-3, 4.14 ERA), who is being called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City, has not been consistent. But the Dodgers have few options since right-hander Bud Norris (back strain) is headed to the 15-day disabled list Saturday. Norris' injury is the latest of a string that have handcuffed the Dodgers, including ace Clayton Kershaw (herniated disk), who landed on the 60-day disabled list earlier this week and isn't expected back before September.

Needless to say, Stripling will be challenged.

"They're a lot of good hitters actually on that team," Roberts said of the Red Sox. "I can say we probably caught a break with David (Ortiz) on the bench (Friday night) in a National League ballpark."

Lefty Eduardo Rodriguez (2-4, 5.91 ERA) will get the start for Boston. In his last four starts, Rodriguez has a 2.63 ERA and has allowed only two hits in 12 at-bats with runners in scoring position (.167). This will be the first time he's face the Dodgers.

"For four months, we really haven't had any success," Roberts said regarding his team's woes with hitting left-handed pitchers. "We've got our work cut out but we'll be OK."

They weren't OK against Boston knuckleballer Steven Wright, who threw a complete-game shutout in Friday's gem, striking out nine, walking one and limiting the Dodgers to three hits.

"Outstanding. Complete control," Red Sox manager John Farrell said of Wright's performance. "I thought the two big pitches that were really good to see were the 3-2 knuckleballs that he threw to the middle of the order guys in the seventh inning for two strikeouts. He didn't go away from (his knuckleball) even in a four-run game. He executed even when he was behind in the count."

Wright (13-5) retired 18 of 19 batters, including 15 in a row at one point, before giving up a single to Yasmani Grandal to open the eighth inning.

"Watching Dodgers' games was what I did growing up, so to have an opportunity to pitch here was fun and to be able to throw my first complete-game shutout was definitely icing on the cake," said Wright, a native of nearby Torrance.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs (67-41) at Athletics (48-61)

Game: 2
Venue: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Date: August 06, 2016 4:05 PM EDT

OAKLAND, Calif. -- After the way Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta finished last season en route to winning the National League Cy Young Award and started this season, he was overdue for a rough streak.

Arrieta went 11-0 with a 0.57 ERA over his final 13 regular-season starts last year, and the Cubs went 13-0 during that stretch. This year, he went 9-0 with a 1.72 ERA in his first 10 starts as the Cubs won all 10.

But over his past five starts, Arrieta has gone 0-3 with a 4.88 ERA, and the Cubs have lost all five games. He'll try to end that skid Saturday afternoon against the Oakland A's in the second game of a three-game series at the Oakland Coliseum.

"I just think we all (have) high highs and lows," catcher David Ross said Friday before the Cubs' 7-2 victory against Oakland. "It's going to be hard to sustain what he was doing. I don't think anything's wrong.

"I think we all went through a little stretch there where we were kind of fatigued. I think the All-Star break helped him recover and he's pitched well since then. It could be fatigue, it could be rhythm, it could be any number of things. But for how long he sustained just being completely unhittable, I think everybody said, 'What's wrong?' when he gives up a couple runs."

Arrieta (12-5) certainly isn't sweating his mini-slump. In his previous start, he gave up two runs on two hits over seven innings in a 4-1 loss to Seattle. Two starts before that, he held the Mets to one run on five hits over seven innings and got a no-decision in a 2-1 loss.

"Yeah, two hits," Arrieta said of his start against the Mariners. "Two walks in the 8th or it could have easily been a different story. A couple close calls led to a couple base runners. They ended up getting a couple.

"Sometimes this game does weird things to you. But trying to get locked in and be at our best individually down the stretch is the most important thing for us. That's kind of what we're striving to do."

Oakland catcher Stephen Vogt said the A's are expecting nothing but the best from Arrieta.

"I faced him a lot in the minor leagues," Vogt said. "You can't say enough about what he's done over the last couple years. It's pretty special. I'm looking forward to the challenge. He's got some of the best numbers in baseball and he's had some of the best success over the last couple years. It will be a good challenge for us. I'm looking forward to it."

A's right-hander Sonny Gray will be looking again to recapture the command he had last year when he finished third in the American League Cy Young Award voting. Gray is 5-10 with a 5.84 ERA and 15 wild pitches.

"Obviously he's frustrated and obviously he's working to get better every day," Vogt said. "It's just been kind of when he hasn't been good, they take advantage of him, and when he has been good, bounces haven't gone his way.

"So it's kind of been an up-and-down season for him. But he's handling it well. I think he's learning. Obviously it's not easy, but he's doing a good job, he's keeping a good level head and he's putting his work in every week, like he has all year."

In his previous start, Gray gave up seven runs over 3 1/3 innings in an 8-0 loss to Cleveland.

"We're always looking and expecting him to go out and be the guy that we've seen in the past," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "So is he. It's just about going out there and stringing a few performances together that get him going in the right direction again."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins (44-65) at Rays (44-64)

Game: 2
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: August 06, 2016 6:10 PM EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- If Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer needs some kind of spark to get out of the long, difficult slump that has been his 2016 season, perhaps the Minnesota Twins will do the trick.

Archer is 5-15, leading the majors in losses, with just one win in his last 10 starts and his team 2-8 in those games. Baseball hasn't had a 20-game loser since Detroit's Mike Maroth in 2003, and if Archer is to keep pitching and avoid such infamy, something has to change.

For his career, Minnesota has been that kind of cure-all -- he's 4-1 all-time against the Twins, with a sterling 1.78 ERA in his five starts. He actually lost in his last outing against Minnesota, but struck out 12 in doing so nearly a year ago in August.

And if the Rays, too, are to reverse their struggles, they'll need Archer to last longer than Friday's starter, Blake Snell, who got to 97 pitches in just 5 1/3 innings, putting a 2-1 lead in the hands of the Tampa Bay bullpen.

It didn't go well, as relievers Erasmo Ramirez and Ryan Garton combined to give up five runs and six hits in their 3 2/3 innings, while the Twins bullpen calmly threw 2.2 innings of one-hit, scoreless relief.

"(Ramirez) has been throwing the ball pretty good for us," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "Today, you go back and look at those pitches and I'm guessing they were probably hit where they were supposed to be hit, (given) the location."

Those pitches included a two-run home run to Eddie Rosario and a solo shot from Miguel Sano. And just as the Twins have been good for Archer in the past, the Rays could benefit from facing a young, unproven arm in Minnesota starter Jose Berrios, who is carrying an 8.57 ERA with a 2-1 record.

Berrios had good numbers at Triple-A Rochester, carrying a 2.71 ERA in 13 starts, and Saturday will be his second start since being recalled. He took the win in his last start, giving up three runs on five hits in six innings for a quality start, retiring 15 straight at one point.

Minnesota kept the Rays from causing any real trouble in Friday's opening win, holding them to a 1-for-7 night with runners in scoring position. Starter Ervin Santana gave up three hits in the first five at-bats, then settled down to retired 10 straight and last into the seventh inning. Their bats, meanwhile, came through with four hits with runners in scoring position, allowing them to break open a game that was a pitcher's duel entering the seventh inning.

"A nice overall win for us," manager Paul Molitor said. "We had to keep fighting. We fought our way back in the game and the bullpen was solid."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Reds (44-64) at Pirates (54-53)

Game: 2
Venue: PNC Park
Date: August 06, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

PITTSBURGH -- The scheduled starters for Saturday's Cincinnati-Pittsburgh game at PNC Park have had an eventful week, for different reasons.

Reds right-hander Homer Bailey returned Sunday after 15 months between major league starts because of Tommy John surgery. Two days later, he was vocal in criticizing the club for trading slugger Jay Bruce.

Pirates right-hander Ivan Nova, meanwhile, was directly part of the trade deadline flurry. Pittsburgh acquired him from the Yankees for two players to be named. He will be making his debut with his new team Saturday.

The game will be the second of the series, after the Pirates won 3-2 on Friday.

Nova joined the Pirates on the road and during his first pregame appearance in the Pittsburgh clubhouse, he was pulled in a few directions to tend to some equipment needs, publicity photos and such.

But it sounded as if Nova would have some comfort level Saturday night.

"I have the advantage that the catcher who will probably be catching me is a guy that I've known for a long time," he said of Francisco Cervelli. "He's a really good friend of mine. We have good history."

In fact, Nova worked with Cervelli and another Pirates catcher, Chris Stewart, during his time with the Yankees. Stewart (knee) is on the disabled list.

"I came from the American League to the National League. There's a lot of hitters I don't know," Nova said. "They have an idea how to pitch to them."

Nova was 7-6 with one save and a 4.90 ERA in 21 games with New York. He moved from the bullpen to the rotation in early May. In 15 starts, he is 6-5 with a 4.86 ERA.

Nova doesn't plan on changing a lot and had not spoken with Pittsburgh pitching coach Ray Searage about his delivery.

"I don't think I have any mechanical problems," Nova said. "My job is to go out there and execute my pitches."

For hitters, that usually means a heavy diet of Nova's sinker.

"The way I think is, if you don't show me you can hit my sinker, why (would) I stop throwing it?" he said.

Nova got some insight to life in the Pirates clubhouse from left-hander Francisco Liriano, a friend who was traded by Pittsburgh to Toronto on Monday.

He also got the standard mantra from Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle: "The organizational themes, to shrink-wrap it: You fear nothing. You respect everything. We hold ourselves to a very high level of execution in what we say and do. We don't make excuses. We play for the name on the front and represent the name on the back. If you're going to get your name in the paper, keep it in the sports page."

Bailey, if he were under the Pirates' watch, wouldn't have violated Hurdle's mandates, but surely didn't get rave reviews from the Cincinnati management for questioning the motives behind the Bruce trade.

"I think I see the plan," Bailey told ESPN.com on Tuesday. "They talked about us losing 100 games at the beginning of the year, and (expletive), we're damn sure trying, aren't we?"

Two days earlier, Bailey was basking in a successful return from his long injury absence. He allowed two runs, struck out six and walked three in 5 2/3 innings in a 3-2 victory against San Diego.

"He was sharper than I thought he would be," catcher Tucker Barnhart told Cincinnati.com. "When Homer's elevating and getting swings-and-misses on fastballs up, he's at his best. It just opens up his split and his breaking balls even more."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants (62-47) at Nationals (65-44)

Game: 2
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: August 06, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

WASHINGTON -- Two pitchers with very different ERAs will face each other Saturday in the second game of a series between first-place teams at Nationals Park.

Giants right-hander Matt Cain (3-6, 5.53) will face Washington right-hander Stephen Strasburg (15-1, 2.63) in the second game of the series.

Cain will try to pick up the slack after Giants starter Jeff Samardzija gave up five runs in a 5-1 loss on Friday night. The Giants have now gone 5-14 since the All-Star break and their lead is slipping in the National League West.

"We have to start winning ballgames. This is a big series," said Bruce Bochy, the Giants manager.

Cain got the 100th victory of his career but had to leave after five hitless innings due to a high pitch count last weekend against the Nationals. The Giants got the win 3-1 over Gio Gonzalez, who has also been known to reach 100 pitches in five innings at times.

Strasburg was named the Pitcher of the Month for July in the National League and entered Friday as the league leader in winning percentage (.938) and wins and was fourth in strikeouts with 161 and fourth in opponents' batting average at .194.

In three games at home against the Giants in his career, Strasburg has been given 5.93 runs per game by his teammates.

Hunter Pence is hitting .260 (4-for-16) against Strasburg while Buster Posey is hitting .375 in 16 trips to the plate while first baseman Brandon Belt, who did not start Friday against lefty Gonzalez, is 1-for-7 against Strasburg.

Eduardo Nunez, just acquired from the Minnesota Twins in a trade, is 3-for-4 in his career against Strasburg.

A few of the Nationals hitters have interesting -- albeit limited -- track records against Cain.

Daniel Murphy, the July player of the month in the National League, is hitting .167 against him but has two homers in 12 at-bats.

Danny Espinosa, the Washington shortstop, has two homers in eight at-bats for an average of .250.

Clint Robinson, a backup first baseman for the Nationals, is two-for-two in his career against Cain.

The slumping Bryce Harper is hitting .167 in seven at-bats against Cain. Harper has hit the ball hard the past few games but has little to show for it.

He was 1-for-3 with a sacrifice fly on Friday.

"He hit the ball hard," said Washington manager Dusty Baker after Friday's win. "Good times are around the corner."

Gonzalez pitched for the Oakland A's through the 2011 season so he is no stranger to the Giants.

The lefty, who won 21 games with Washington in 2012, has had amazing success against right-handed hitting Hunter Pence -- who is hitting .059 in 17 at-bats against Gonzalez.

Buster Posey is hitting .333 in 15 at-bats against the Miami-area native while Angel Pagan has an average of .364 in 11 trips to the plate.

Brandon Crawford is hitting .273 in 11 at-bats against Gonzalez.

"We have to find a way to get this offense going," Bochy said Friday. "We have to bust out of this. It better be sooner than later. We have our work cut out tomorrow (against Strasburg)."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Orioles (62-46) at White Sox (52-57)

Game: 2
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: August 06, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

CHICAGO -- The Baltimore Orioles seem to enjoy playing behind right-hander Chris Tillman.

The 28-year-old pitcher is slated to make his 24th start of the season Saturday night against the Chicago White Sox. Baltimore is 19-4 this season when Tillman takes the mound, including team victories in five of his last six outings.

The steady wave of Tillman-related triumphs is a big reason why Baltimore (62-46) remains locked in a virtual tie with the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the American League East. Tillman (14-3, 3.46 ERA) is two wins shy of matching his career high from 2013, and he has limited opponents to a .219 batting average since July 5.

As the Orioles surge closer toward a postseason run, the White Sox (52-57) are sliding in the opposite direction. Chicago has lost seven of its past nine games and 15 of 22 after a 7-5 loss to Baltimore in Friday's series opener.

The White Sox could welcome back rookie shortstop Tim Anderson, who left Thursday's game against the Tigers because of a bruised left hand and was not in the lineup Friday.

"You're just a little concerned about him going out there and doing something that would jeopardize some other part of his body," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "We're going to let him rest a little bit and hopefully that (swelling) goes down and it feels better by (Saturday)."

White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon (2-8, 4.67 ERA) will look to snap his streak of eight straight starts without a win. Rodon does not have a victory since May 22 against the Kansas City Royals. He is 0-2 with a 4.85 ERA in three appearances (two starts) against the Orioles during his career.

Rodon will have his hands full against one of the top-hitting teams in the league.

Baltimore leads the majors this season with 163 home runs. The team boasts the top long-ball hitter in the game (Mark Trumbo, 31 home runs), not to mention two corner infielders with mammoth power (Chris Davis and Manny Machado, 22 home runs apiece).

Yet the Orioles' latest thunder bat does not belong to Trumbo, Davis or Machado. Look instead to Pedro Alvarez, who clubbed two home runs in Friday's series-opening win and has five in his past three games.

Alvarez's first blast traveled 415 feet over the center-field wall. His next one soared even farther -- 451 feet.

The left-handed hitter has 18 home runs for Baltimore after hitting 27 home runs last season with Pittsburgh.

"I just think you can tell he's in a good place," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "He's seeing the ball well. He's sitting on some pitches that he wasn't, and when he's getting his pitch, he's not missing it.

"He's as strong as anybody we've got. ... Took him a little while to get going, but some of that's not his fault. He's coming to a new league, new pitchers, there was a lot of different things going on."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers (63-47) at Astros (57-52)

Game: 2
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: August 06, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

HOUSTON -- The Astros entered their decisive series with their American League West division rivals Texas in need of a jolt, something to snap them from their recent doldrums and the Rangers' dominance of the series.

The Astros (57-52) had lost nine of 10 against the Rangers before coasting to a 5-0 victory in the opener Friday night. But their inability to succeed against Texas, as opposed to their 11-1 mark against the Angels, was something worthy of discussion with the division up for grabs.

"I think in a lot of ways you just have to play the game," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "I don't think they're all related. I scoff at the idea of them having our number of the next time we play the Angels that they're automatic wins. The fact that you've got to play the whole schedule, you've got to figure out ways to match up against them. This is a different team from when we played them earlier. We're a different team.

"Regardless of how we've gotten here they're in sight. The challenge to beat them remains the same as it does whether they've beaten us nine out of 10 or we've beaten them eight out of 10."

Right-hander Doug Fister (10-7, 3.56 ERA) returns from the paternity list to start for the Astros. Fister is 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in two road starts against the Rangers this season and 5-5 with a 4.88 ERA in 12 career starts against Texas.

The Rangers (63-47) counter with right-hander Lucas Harrell (3-2, 3.57 ERA with the Braves and Rangers), who makes his second career start with Texas on Saturday. It will mark his first career appearance against the Astros, for whom Harrell made 77 appearances from 2011-14.

Texas has yet to fully discover its offensive stride following the non-waiver trade deadline acquisitions of Carlos Beltran and Jonathan Lucroy. Beltran, who started as the designated hitter for a fourth consecutive game, finished 1-for-4 on Friday night. He will start in right field Saturday for the first time with the Rangers.

Lucroy was given the night off but will return behind the plate Saturday to catch Harrell. Lineup maneuverings aside, the Rangers need more of an offensive punch than they mustered against Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel, who tossed a three-hit shutout in the series opener.

"I think it was more of a story that they were able to get him a lead," Rangers manager Jeff Banister said of Keuchel. "You get a guy of his caliber some runs to work with he can go to work. He was able to pound the strike zone, which early on our guys felt like we had a nice patient approach against Keuchel. First we got a little impatient for the last out of the first and also on the double-play ball. Look that's what he does.

"He can induce the groundball. I mean 19 groundball outs tonight, 16 of which were on the pull side which tells me that he was able to put the fastball where he wanted to, kept us off-balance with the slider."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets (56-53) at Tigers (60-49)

Game: 2
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: August 06, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

DETROIT -- Injuries are part of the game, but for the Detroit Tigers and New York Mets, they seem to be an everyday part.

One of the reasons Detroit didn't make any non-waiver trade deadline deals -- aside from having little to offer -- was the expectation of getting pitchers Jordan Zimmermann and Daniel Norris back from the disabled list along with right fielder J.D. Martinez.

They're all back now -- sort of.

Norris was taken off the disabled list -- and optioned to Toledo.

Zimmermann came off -- and got rocked in his first start. Now he's dealing with a bad right lat muscle that might land him back on the disabled list. More might be known after he throws a side session on Sunday.

Martinez came back as a pinch hitter and clubbed the winning home run on the first pitch he saw upon his return, then smoked a double on the first pitch he saw in his first start the following day.

The Mets will be missing a middle-of-the-order bat for two weeks (or maybe more) with outfielder Yoenis Cespedes going on the DL with a right quad issue he has been dealing with for three weeks.

That's not to mention problems with keeping their first basemen healthy and assorted injuries to other infielders and key rotation members.

"It seems like there's a night we pitch well and we don't hit," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "Then there's another night we score six and we win a game and the pitching's OK. The next night we don't hit again.

"It's certainly hard to understand why we're going like that."

New York will send right-hander Logan Verrett out to face Detroit for the first time when he starts Saturday night against the Tigers.

Verrett is 3-6 with a 4.20 ERA in 28 games with the Mets this season, including 10 starts. He has made four starts since the All-Star break with no decisions but a 3.86 ERA. He has 16 strikeouts and eight walks.

This will be his second straight start against an American League team, having allowed three runs in five innings against the New York Yankees in his most recent start.

Detroit left-hander Matt Boyd will be seeking a chance to prolong his time in the rotation when he starts against the Mets.

Boyd (2-2, 4.71 ERA) will be making his 10th start in 11 appearances with Detroit this season. He has done a decent job of filling in while Zimmermann and Norris recuperated.

It will be his first game against the Mets and only his second time facing a National League opponent. Boyd got two outs in relief in a game against the Cubs last Aug. 19 in Chicago.

Boyd has been inconsistent, tending to throw too many hittable pitches at some point in his most of his starts, but he did pick up a win in his last outing. He allowed three runs in five innings with a walk and six strikeouts against Houston on July 29.

Detroit has pulled within two games of first-place Cleveland in the American League Central after winning nine of 10 games while the Indians have cooled off.

"We want everyone to join us," Detroit second baseman Ian Kinsler said. "There's plenty of room on the bandwagon."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves (39-70) at Cardinals (58-51)

Game: 2
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: August 06, 2016 7:15 PM EDT

ST. LOUIS -- And the winner is ... Roberto Hernandez.

Hernandez, known as Fausto Carmona when he won 19 games for the 2007 Cleveland Indians that reached the American League Championship Series, starts Saturday night's game for the Atlanta Braves at the St. Louis Cardinals.

The 36-year old Hernandez was about the only logical choice Atlanta (39-70) had for this one after right-hander Aaron Blair, who it had planned to promote from Triple-A Gwinnett to make the start, injured his knee Thursday and landed on the disabled list.

Their rotation already threadbare by other injuries and trades, the Braves turned to Hernandez, who is 4-6 with a 4.60 ERA in 16 International League starts between Buffalo and Gwinnett.

Hernandez was picked up by Atlanta on July 15, so forgive interim manager Brian Snitker if his scouting report on him isn't exactly detailed.

"I don't know," Snitker said. "I haven't talked to anybody. Last time I seen him on TV, he started the season opener in '06 when I managed Triple A -- Buffalo against Richmond."

The following year, Hernandez -- a.k.a. Carmona -- enjoyed by far the best year of his MLB career. He drew votes for the Cy Young Award and helped Cleveland get within a game of the World Series.

But Hernandez couldn't follow that season with other good ones and has bounced from team-to-team over the last five years. He started this year in Toronto's organization, but was released July 3.

While the Braves are just trying to piece together a rotation to finish out their final 53 games, St. Louis (58-51) is in a fight with the Miami Marlins and others for a wild-card spot.

Friday night's 1-0 victory over Atlanta kept the Cardinals in lockstep with Miami for wild card number two. They were led by starter Jaime Garcia, who fanned 11 over eight scoreless innings and knocked in the only run with a second inning single.

Garcia's outing was just the team's seventh quality start since the All-Star break. Not only did it serve as a great bounceback from his 11-0 loss on July 30 in Miami, it gave an overworked bullpen a night off, save for closer Seung Hwan Oh.

"If we had had a little more room, we could have sat the bullpen down and given them a night's rest," manager Mike Matheny said of the decision to lift Garcia after eight innings. "Jaime wanted the ball (in the ninth) and probably deserved the ball, but they were turning the lineup over for a fourth time. We need every win we can get."

St. Louis' Carlos Martinez (10-6, 2.99 ERA) will try to ape Garcia's effort. Martinez is 2-0 in his career against the Braves, earning a 1-0 win against them last July and a 12-2 decision on April 9 in Atlanta, working six innings in that one.

Martinez is coming off a no-decision Sunday in Miami, working seven innings and allowing four runs on seven hits and four walks, whiffing four. Martinez shrugged off a three-run first to keep the Cardinals in the game.