Saturday 9/12/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers at Indians

GAME: Detroit Tigers (64-76) at Cleveland Indians (69-70)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, September 12 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Cleveland Indians continue to enjoy the comforts of home while the Detroit Tigers remain uncomfortable regardless of venue. The Indians were rained out on Friday, but will vie for their 11th win in their last 12 home games when they play the second contest of their four-game series versus the tumbling Tigers on Saturday.

Michael Brantley continued his power surge by homering twice in Thursday's 7-5 triumph and is 18-for-59 in his career versus starter Justin Verlander. Abraham Almonte has six hits in his last four contests for Cleveland, which has won four of five overall to remain 4 1/2 games behind Texas in the race for the second wild card in the American League. Detroit has plummeted in the other direction, having lost 15 of its last 20 to reside in the basement of the AL Central. Miguel Cabrera carries a 13-game hitting streak at Progressive Field into Saturday's tilt versus Cody Anderson, against whom he is 0-for-3.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Justin Verlander (3-7, 3.43 ERA) vs. Indians RH Cody Anderson (3-3, 3.72)

Verlander saw his brief two-game winning streak halted despite allowing just three runs on seven hits in as many innings of a 4-0 setback to Cleveland on Sunday. The 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner has pitched well in his last nine starts (65 2/3 innings), posting a 1.78 ERA despite seeing Detroit record a 4-5 mark in those games. Verlander has kept the ball in the park in five of his last six trips to the mound.

Anderson captured his first win in nearly two months Sunday after scattering two hits over seven innings against Detroit. The 24-year-old has turned in strong performances since returning from the disabled list, posting a 2.08 ERA while limiting the opposition to a .130 batting average. Anderson has split a pair of decisions at home, but his ERA (5.33) is more than a run-and-a-half above his season average.

WALK-OFFS

1. The teams will make up Friday's contest with a doubleheader on Sunday.

2. Cleveland 1B Carlos Santana has hit safely in 15 of his last 17 contests.

3. Tigers C James McCann is 10-for-24 with six RBIs and four runs scored in his last six games.

PREDICTION: Tigers 4, Indians 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins at White Sox

GAME: Minnesota Twins (73-67) at Chicago White Sox (66-73)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, September 12 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Minnesota Twins continue their charge toward a wild-card spot when they visit the American League Central-rival Chicago White Sox on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Minnesota posted a 6-2 triumph in Friday's opener to remain one game behind Texas for the second wild card.

Trevor Plouffe belted a pair of solo homers and added an RBI single as the Twins recorded their third win in four contests to improve to 4-3 on their nine-game road trip. Minnesota has kept pace with Texas in the race for the playoff spot as both teams have gone 6-4 in their last 10 contests. The Twins have had their way with the White Sox this season, going 12-5 overall but just 4-3 at U.S. Cellular Field. Adam Eaton launched a two-run homer on Friday for Chicago, which has lost three of four since sweeping a three-game series at Kansas City last weekend.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Tommy Milone (8-4, 3.54 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Jose Quintana (8-10, 3.60)

Milone looks to remain perfect against Chicago in his career after striking out seven and scattering three hits over seven scoreless innings in a victory on Sept. 2. With the triumph, the 28-year-old Californian improved to 4-0 with a 1.39 ERA in seven starts versus the White Sox. Milone has won three of his last four decisions, allowing a total of three runs over 19 frames in the victories.

Quintana extended his unbeaten streak to four starts last Saturday, when he allowed seven hits in seven scoreless innings of a victory at Kansas City. The 26-year-old Colombian has lost only once in his last 10 outings despite yielding four runs on four occasions in that span. Quintana lost both of his previous starts against Minnesota this season to fall to 3-4 with a 4.48 ERA in 12 career turns.

WALK-OFFS

1. Plouffe is four home runs away from matching his career high of 24 set in 2012 and four RBIs shy of tying his personal-best mark of 80, which he recorded last season.

2. White Sox 3B Mike Olt recorded two of his team's six hits Friday, making him 4-for-14 in five games since being claimed off waivers from the Chicago Cubs.

3. Minnesota RHP Phil Hughes (lower back) is expected to face Detroit on Tuesday for his first start since Aug. 9.

PREDICTION: Twins 4, White Sox 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Athletics at Rangers

GAME: Oakland Athletics (60-81) at Texas Rangers (74-66)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, September 12 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Texas Rangers have enjoyed a considerable run of good fortune in the Lone Star State of late while Yovani Gallardo has made himself at home regardless of venue. The right-hander looks to keep the Rangers in the thick of the postseason discussion on Saturday when he faces the Oakland Athletics in the second contest of a three-game series.

Gallardo boasts a 5-0 mark with a 2.39 ERA in his last seven starts for Texas, which rebounded after being shut out in consecutive games to record a 4-0 triumph over Oakland on Friday. The Rangers have won 17 of their last 21 in Arlington, outscoring the opposition 22-5 during their five-game winning streak at home. Texas enjoys a one-game lead over Minnesota for the second wild-card spot in the American League while residing 1 1/2 games behind West-best Houston. The cellar-dwelling Athletics have dropped seven of their last nine as they send left-hander Sean Nolin to the mound.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), TXA-21, FSN Southwest Plus (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics LH Sean Nolin (0-1, 4.50 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Yovani Gallardo (12-9, 3.16)

Nolin suffered the loss in his season debut on Sunday despite recording a quality start versus Seattle. The 25-year-old is searching for his first major-league win despite making one start in each of the last three years - with both previous efforts coming while with Toronto. Nolin had pitched well with Triple-A Nashville prior to being called up, posting a 2.66 ERA while recording a 2-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio (38 strikeouts, 19 walks) in 47 1/3 innings.

Gallardo scattered five hits over 5 1/3 innings in a 3-0 triumph over Seattle on Monday. Although the 29-year-old has been breezing along, he owns an 0-3 career mark against Oakland with a 5.32 ERA. Two of those losses came this season, as Gallardo yielded four runs in as many innings in an 8-0 setback on April 6 before surrendering four more in a 7-1 loss on May 3.

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas 1B Mitch Moreland ripped a two-run double nd scored a run on Friday, and is 8-for-22 with a homer and four RBIs in his last seven contests.

2. Oakland RF Josh Reddick is 3-for-23 in his last eight games.

3. Rangers SS Elvis Andrus is 0-for-21 in his last six contests.

PREDICTION: Rangers 5, Athletics 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets at Braves

GAME: New York Mets (80-61) at Atlanta Braves (56-86)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, September 12 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Having too many capable starting pitchers is not a bad thing, but as the New York Mets push closer to the National League East division title, they face the quandary of figuring out who will comprise their postseason rotation. Noah Syndergaard gets his latest turn to impress Saturday as the high-flying Mets play the third game of a four-game road series versus the Atlanta Braves.

New York manager Terry Collins has skipped some of his starters the past two weeks in order to ease the innings load on a staff featuring six contenders for starting nods in the playoffs. The Mets have won five in a row and eight of 11 and lead Washington by 8 ½ games in the East after Friday’s 5-1 victory, punctuated by Yoenis Cespedes’ seventh homer in his past 10 games. The Braves also are looking at their starting rotation with an eye on the future, albeit 2016 and not next month, as rookie Williams Perez takes the mound Saturday – the second of three consecutive rookies to face the Mets in the series. At 56-86, the Braves are 30 games under .500 for the first time since finishing the 1990 season at 65-97.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, WPIX (New York), FSN South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (8-6, 3.31 ERA) vs. Braves RH Williams Perez (5-6, 5.42)

The Mets skipped Syndergaard’s turn through the rotation last weekend, opting to go with fellow rookie Steven Matz on Sunday in Miami. New York hopes the extra rest will benefit the 23-year-old Syndergaard, whose August ERA ballooned to 4.79 with nine homers allowed in 35 2/3 innings. Syndergaard still has found ways to win, going 3-1 last month after posting a 2-1 record with a 1.32 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP in July.

The Braves hope Perez is returning to his early-season success after he allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings – with seven strikeouts and no walks – in his last start Monday at Philadelphia. He struggled mightily in his previous seven starts since coming off the disabled list July 31, posting a 9.59 ERA while going 0-6 with 20 walks and 14 strikeouts. Perez went 4-0 with a 2.88 ERA in 11 appearances before bruising his left foot June 26 at Pittsburgh, and earned a save against the Mets on June 13 with a scoreless inning.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta hopes CF Cameron Maybin, who has missed the past six games with a corneal abrasion, will be ready to return early next week.

2. Since going 11-26 on the road through June 30, the Mets are 24-11 away from home.

3. Braves C Christian Bethancourt allowed a run to score Friday on a passed ball, his seventh passed ball of the season in just 315 1/3 innings.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Braves 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Astros at Angels

GAME: Houston Astros (76-65) at Los Angeles Angels (71-69)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, September 12 - 9:05 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Los Angeles Angels are not going down without a fight as they host the first-place Houston Astros on Saturday in the second contest of the three-game series between the American League West rivals, and Kole Calhoun is a big reason why they're still standing. Los Angeles prevailed 3-2 on Friday behind two RBIs and a pair of hits by Calhoun to trim Houston's lead to 1 1/2 games over Texas and 4 1/2 on the Angels, who remained three behind the Rangers for the final wild-card spot.

Calhoun, who already has achieved career highs of 23 home runs and 75 RBIs, is 16-for-39 during his nine-game hitting streak. The leadoff hitter has helped the Angels begin their nine-game homestand 4-3 as superstar teammates Mike Trout (1-for-13 in his last four games) and Albert Pujols (1-for-12 in last three) struggle. The Astros fell to 1-3 on their 10-game road trip which concludes with four in Texas next week and are 28-41 away from home this season - 13-34 since May 25. Houston rookie Lance McCullers is winless in four outings (0-2) since July 29 despite posting three consecutive quality starts as he opposes Hector Santiago, who snapped a three-game losing streak in his last turn.

TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, MLBN, ROOT (Houston), FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Lance McCullers (5-5, 3.07 ERA) vs. Angels LH Hector Santiago (8-9, 3.24)

McCullers wasn't involved in the decision after allowing one run and three hits while striking out eight in seven innings of Houston's 3-2 loss to Minnesota on Sept. 5 and has fanned 22 in 20 frames over his last three turns. That stretch followed the worst performance of the 21-year-old Floridian's career, a loss at Texas on Aug. 3 in which he was roughed up for six runs and seven hits while recording one out before being optioned to Triple-A Round Rock after the game. McCullers is 1-5 with a 5.09 ERA in eight road starts - including a no-decision on June 24, when he permitted one run in six innings of the Astros' 2-1 setback at Angel Stadium.

Santiago yielded one hit and matched a career high by issuing six walks in six innings of a 7-0 victory over Texas on Sunday. The 27-year-old New Jersey native was 0-4 with a 6.21 ERA in six August starts covering 29 frames after permitting five runs in each of his last two turns during that period. Santiago is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in seven appearances (five starts) versus Houston, including a pair of no-decisions in two starts this season in which he yielded one run in 12 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Houston 2B Jose Altuve on Friday became the fastest player in team history to record 800 hits, accomplishing the feat in 657 games - 50 fewer than Cesar Cedeno.

2. Los Angeles is 18-5 in its last 23 meetings with Houston at Angel Stadium.

3. Astros RHP Scott Feldman (5-5, 3.90 ERA in 18 starts) is out for the season after an MRI revealed a sprained right shoulder.

PREDICTION: Angels 3, Astros 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Dodgers at Diamondbacks

GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (80-60) at Arizona Diamondbacks (68-73)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, September 12 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Los Angeles Dodgers look to avoid a third straight loss when they visit the National League West-rival Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game series. After failing to complete a sweep against the Los Angeles Angels, the Dodgers were routed 12-4 by Arizona in Friday's opener.


Justin Ruggiano prevented the Dodgers from being shut out, belting a two-out grand slam in the ninth inning, but the club still fell to 5-3 on its 10-game road trip. Phenom Corey Seager continued the strong start to his career with a single and three walks, giving him at least one hit in each of his first seven major-league starts, as the Dodgers saw their lead over second-place San Francisco in the NL West reduced to 7 1/2 games. The Diamondbacks put the Dodgers away early, scoring four runs in the first inning and six in the second as Welington Castillo belted a three-run homer while Paul Goldschmidt and Nick Ahmed added two-run blasts. Ahmed registered the second four-hit performance of his young career - the first coming on Aug. 3 at Washington.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FSN Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Mike Bolsinger (6-3, 2.97 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Rubby De La Rosa (12-7, 4.49)

Bolsinger extended his unbeaten streak to five starts on Sept. 4, improving to 2-0 during the stretch with a triumph at San Diego in which he gave up three runs on two hits - both homers - over five innings. It marked the first time the 27-year-old Arkansas alum allowed more than two runs in his last five outings. Bolsinger made both of his career starts versus the Diamondbacks earlier this season, winning at home on June 8 before settling for a no-decision at Arizona 21 days later despite yielding three hits in four scoreless frames.

De La Rosa lost for the second time in three starts on Sunday, when he gave up three runs and five hits in five innings against the Cubs in Chicago. The 26-year-old Dominican has made only two of his last eight starts at home, where he is 7-2 with a 4.44 ERA in 13 turns. De La Rosa is 0-2 in three outings versus the Dodgers this season, surrendering 14 runs and 13 hits over 10 frames in the losses - both at Los Angeles.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers INF Alex Guerrero left Friday's contest with a strained left calf muscle after beating out a grounder for an infield single as a pinch hitter.

2. Arizona RHP Jeremy Hellickson (hamstring) was activated from the disabled list and will start against San Diego on Monday.

3. The Dodgers are 20 games over .500 at 80-60 but own a 33-39 record on the road.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockies at Mariners

GAME: Colorado Rockies (59-82) at Seattle Mariners (68-74)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, September 12 - 9:10 PM EST
WHERE: Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Colorado Rockies are putting the final touches on their fifth consecutive losing season, but manager Walt Weiss' charges are determined to finish 2015 strong as they visit the Seattle Mariners on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Colorado is 10-8 since dropping a season-worst 25 games below .500 on Aug. 24, and Weiss' encouragement and words of wisdom have a lot to do with their better play of late.

"It's easy to get distracted when you're not in a pennant race and you're playing out the string,'' Weiss told the Denver Post. "It's just human nature. My message once a week has about getting to the finish line the right way, maintaining integrity, building a reputation in the game as a winning player. Don't miss out on an opportunity to do that every day.'' Colorado prevailed 4-2 in the series opener on the strength of a home run, but it didn't come from Nolan Arenado (38 homers) or Carlos Gonzalez (37) - the top two sluggers in the National League. Rookie Dustin Garneau provided the three-run shot - his second career blast - to snap Seattle's scoreless string at 24 innings and help hand the Mariners their third loss in 10 games. Seattle's Roenis Elias is winless in his last five starts (0-4) as he opposes Yohan Flande, who suffered his first loss of the season as a starter in his last outing.

TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado, Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Yohan Flande (3-2, 4.65 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Roenis Elias (4-8, 4.30)

Flande fell to 2-1 with a 4.93 ERA in eight starts this season after allowing six runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings of a 7-4 loss to San Francisco on Sunday. The 29-year-old Dominican has permitted 10 home runs in his last six turns and is 1-1 with a 5.63 ERA during that span. Flande earned the victory with a scoreless inning of relief in a 7-5 triumph on Aug. 5 in his only appearance versus the Mariners.

Elias yielded two runs and five hits while striking out six in 5 1/3 innings of a 3-0 loss to Texas on Monday. Seattle has scored 29 runs during the 27-year-old Cuban's 16 starts this season and 40 in those entire games. Elias, who never has faced Colorado, is 1-4 with a 4.25 ERA in eight home outings (seven starts) this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seattle LF Mark Trumbo on Friday went 0-for-3 to snap a career-high 12-game hitting streak during which he was 18-for-48 with four home runs, 11 RBIs and eight runs scored. Trumbo also had a 10-game run (18-for-38, four homers, 13 RBIs, 10 runs) halted against Colorado.

2. Colorado is 4-14 versus the American League West this season.

3. Mariners 2B Robinson Cano has 1,988 career hits and is on track to become the 14th player in major-league history to record 2,000 in his first 11 seasons.

PREDICTION: Mariners 3, Rockies 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Padres at Giants

GAME: San Diego Padres (67-75) at San Francisco Giants (73-68)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, September 12 - 9:05 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

A poorly-timed losing streak that ended last week took the San Francisco Giants from being on the verge of threatening the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West to the brink of not being able to defend their World Series crown. Facing a daunting 7 ½-game deficit in the division and a 9 ½-game hole in the wild-card race with only 21 contests left, the Giants will look to trim both margins on Saturday as they continue a three-game set with the visiting San Diego Padres.


San Francisco stood 2 ½ games behind the Dodgers in the NL West and 4 ½ in back of the Chicago Cubs after a victory over St. Louis on Aug. 28, but seven straight losses – including three in a row in Los Angeles – may be too much for it to overcome. The Giants have won four of their last six, however, and gained ground on the Dodgers for the first time since Aug. 21 with Friday’s 9-1 rout of the Padres. San Diego was hoping to recover from a 4-7 homestand but instead fell to San Francisco for the fifth time in the division rivals' last six meetings. As a result, the Padres (67-75) likely are headed to their fifth consecutive losing season after moving within one game of .500 as recently as Aug. 22.

TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, MLBN, FSN San Diego, NBC Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Ian Kennedy (8-13, 3.99 ERA) vs. Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (17-7, 3.05)

After opening the second half of the season by going 4-2 with a 2.27 ERA, Kennedy is winless in his last three turns after enduring his worst post-break outing in Monday’s loss to Colorado. The 30-year-old USC alum, who was tagged for six runs (four earned) over five innings, has a 2.74 ERA in his last 10 trips to the mound overall and recorded at least seven strikeouts seven times over that span. Kennedy has a 2-1 record and 1.69 ERA in four turns versus the Giants this season and is 11-5 with a 2.41 mark in 24 career starts against them.

Bumgarner was not his usual dominant self on Sunday at Colorado, but he managed to improve to 8-2 with a 2.58 ERA since the All-Star break despite yielding four runs and nine hits in six frames. The 2014 World Series MVP has been incredible at home, however, winning each of his last six outings while allowing a total of seven runs across 44 1/3 innings over that span. Bumgarner, who can tie his career-best win total from last year with a victory on Saturday, has split a pair of starts against San Diego this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco, which has won 17 of its last 22 home contests, plays 15 of its remaining 21 games at AT&T Park.

2. Padres RF Matt Kemp singled in the opener to extend his hitting streak to nine games and on-base streak to a career-high 31 contests.

3. Giants OF Gregor Blanco was diagnosed with a concussion on Friday and is in danger of missing the rest of the season.

PREDICTION: Giants 3, Padres 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

JOHN RYAN

TORONTO GM2

10* play on Toronto as they take on the NY Yankees in a critical double header that can very well determine the winner of the Division. Play a 10* amount ($100 for the $10/* unit player) in both games of the twin bill. These plays are a continuation of my 'arbitrage' wager where I am selling the Yankees and buying the Blue Jays. The strategy started 34 days days ago when the Yankees held a 6 1/2 game lead over the Blue Jays and is based on the premise that Toronto will catch and pass the NY Yankees. I'm now targeting Toronto to have a 5 game lead before stopping this daily arbitrage. Remember though, the timing is not important, but the trend that has Toronto taking over the lead and building a lead over the Yankees is paramount.
For the first 34 days I have recommended this strategy, it has made the $100 player a very nice $1578 and for the Dime Player a nice bonus of $15,780.
I recommended taking Toronto for the series and expect them to win 3-of-4 games. Toronto got off to a very strong start winning easily and making Yankees rookie sensation Severino look like a Triple-A starter at best. In Game 2, Toronto starter Estrada is in top form posting a 2.50 ERA and a 1.058 WHIP in this last three starts. Nova is not in top form - or even close - sporting a 7.31 ERA and a 1.625 WHIP. If you are a starter and struggling the last team you want to face is the Toronto Blue Jays.
The first game will feature Toronto's Stroman. He has had an incredibly quick recovery from a torn ACL. His performance in rehab was up and down, but what's most important is that his strikeout stuff appears to be back, as he recorded 12 strikeouts in 7.2 innings across two levels. When you have an offense like the Blue Jays backing you up, it is far easier for any starter to just go out throw strikes and get outs. Perfection is not required.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals (88-52) at Reds (58-81)
Game: 3
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: September 12, 2015 1:05 PM EDT

Extra rest didn't seem to do Lance Lynn any good his last time out, but maybe a bit of a pause will help St. Louis figure out the Cincinnati pitching staff.

The Cardinals and Reds will pick up Friday's 2-2 game in the top of the eighth inning Saturday before moving on to the third of a four-game set at Great American Ball Park.

Rain suspended the game in the bottom of the eighth with St. Louis' Pete Kozma on first with no outs and a 2-for-4 Yadier Molina at the plate.

"We've got the leadoff runner on, and we'll see where it goes from there," manager Mike Matheny said.

Including the suspended game, the Cardinals (88-52) have scored 11 runs with a .189 batting average in their last seven against the Reds (58-81), going 2-4 in those completed. They're also averaging 2.4 runs in their last nine overall, going 2-6 thus far.

The Cardinals enter four games up on Pittsburgh in the NL Central, and winning both games would get them to 90 wins for the third straight season. They last accomplished that from 2000-02.

Joey Votto played while appealing his two-game suspension for his home-plate tantrum Wednesday. He's walked three times in the suspended game, bumping his on-base percentage to .571 in 53 games since the All-Star break - 102 points higher than next-best Bryce Harper.

Brandon Phillips is 2 for 4 and batting .375 over his last 14.

In Monday's 9-0 home loss to the Chicago Cubs, Lynn (11-9, 3.12 ERA) surrendered six runs and seven hits in 2 1-3 innings to bump his ERA over three for the first time in three months. The right-hander, who's still 53 2-3 innings shy of his career-high 203 2-3 logged last season, hadn't pitched since Aug. 29.

Control has been a greater concern over his last eight starts with 4.65 walks per nine innings after posting a 2.80 mark through 18 starts.

"I was having trouble getting people out from the get-go," Lynn told MLB's official website. "I just didn't have any command. The ball was all over the place. Early on, I was all over the zone, and when I started making pitches, they were already locked in and I couldn't do anything about it. I have to be better early on."

In his last four starts against the Reds, Lynn is 2-2 with a 1.61 ERA and .168 opponent batting average. Jay Bruce, however, is 14 for 28 with three home runs, two triples and a double off Lynn, and Votto is 9 for 18.

Anthony DeSclafani has thrived in limited action against St. Louis, winning both of his starts and posting a 1.29 ERA in 14 innings over three total appearances. DeSclafani (8-10, 3.75 ERA) has Yadier Molina and Kolten Wong hitless in six at-bats each, but Brandon Moss (4 for 9 with a home run) and Randal Grichuk (3 for 5) have had some success.

The 25-year-old has also been good lately, going 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in his last three starts. He held Pittsburgh to a run and seven hits in 7 1-3 innings of Monday's 3-1 win to earn the decision in his second-longest outing this season. He said execution on a secondary pitch made it possible.

"The difference-maker for me these last few games was the curveball," DeSclafani said. "It's probably the best it's been all year these last few games. It's kind of been the equalizer for me."

Wong has been out of the lineup for five straight games due to a slight tear in his left calf.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cardinals at Reds
Thu, Sep 10 Final 0 to 11
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cardinals at Reds
Fri, Sep 11 - 7:10PM EDT ( SUSPENDED )
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Cardinals at Reds
Sat, Sep 12 - 1:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Cardinals at Reds
Sun, Sep 13 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jays (80-60) at Yankees (77-62)

Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: September 12, 2015 4:35 PM EDT

A blowout loss to start a key series against the Toronto Blue Jays was bad news for the New York Yankees. The worse news was losing their cleanup hitter for the rest of the season.

The Yankees continue their postseason push without Mark Teixeira on Saturday as they play a doubleheader against the AL East-leading Blue Jays.

The Yankees trail Toronto by 2 1/2 games after opening this four-game set with Friday night's 11-5 loss, their third straight.

The Blue Jays, trying to reach the playoffs for the first time in 22 years, won their fifth in a row in the Bronx for the first time since 2003. Russell Martin led the charge, going 3 for 5 with two home runs against his former team.

'We definitely feed off one another, for sure. It's just our lineup, it just has a lot of depth,' Martin said. 'I don't think the opposing pitchers feel like they have any breathing room out there.'

New York (77-62) also lost Teixeira's 31 home runs and 79 RBIs out of the middle of its lineup after tests revealed it is a broken right leg that has hampered him for nearly four weeks.

'You can't really put into words how disappointed I am,' said Teixeira, who was initially diagnosed with a deep bone bruise after fouling a ball off his shin Aug. 17. 'I feel like this team has a chance to win a World Series. I really do. And not to be able to be on the field during that run is really tough to take.'

The Yankees have hit fine without Teixeira, though, posting an MLB-high 6.69 runs per game since Aug. 27. They remain atop the wild-card standings, though their lead was cut to 3 1/2 games with Texas' 4-0 win Friday.

Manager Joe Girardi has reason to worry about his pitching staff, which used five relievers for the final 6 2-3 innings of the opener. Girardi announced after the game he will throw Michael Pineda in Game 1 with Ivan Nova to follow in the twin bill, which was scheduled to make up for Thursday's rainout.

"It's not ideal for your pitching," Girardi told MLB's official website. "It just changes your flexibility in a sense."

Pineda (10-8, 4.15 ERA) has struggled with a 1-3 record and 6.11 ERA in his last five starts. The right-hander allowed four or more runs in four of those outings, including four in six innings of an 8-6 New York victory over Baltimore on Monday.

Pineda is 2-2 with a 3.22 ERA in seven starts against Toronto, and he is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in two Yankees' wins over the Blue Jays this season.

Toronto (80-60) counters with Marco Estrada, who is 1-2 against the Yankees this year despite a 3.18 ERA.

Estrada (12-8, 3.18) has held opponents to two earned runs or fewer in 13 of his last 15 starts. Carlos Beltran is 5 for 19 with three home runs against the right-hander.

Marcus Stroman will make his first start since last September for the Blue Jays in the second game after landing on the 60-day disabled list with a torn ACL in April. The righty was originally expected to miss the entire season.

Stroman went 11-6 with a 3.65 ERA in 26 appearances - 20 starts - during his 2014 rookie season, including a 2-1 mark and 2.55 ERA in three starts against the Yankees.

Nova (6-7, 4.50) snapped a three-start losing streak by allowing three runs over six innings to beat the Rays 6-4 on Sunday. The right-hander will make his 100th career start.

He is 5-2 with a 4.72 ERA in 11 starts against the Blue Jays, recording a loss and a win against them in consecutive outings in August while posting a 5.11 ERA.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Blue Jays at Yankees
Thu, Sep 10 - 7:05PM EDT ( RAIN )
Recaps

GAME 2
Blue Jays at Yankees
Fri, Sep 11 Final 11 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Blue Jays at Yankees
Sat, Sep 12 - 4:35PM EDT

GAME 4
Blue Jays at Yankees
Sun, Sep 13 - 1:05PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Royals (83-57) at Orioles (68-72)
Game: 2
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: September 12, 2015 1:05 PM EDT

Ned Yost says mixing up his rotation in mid-September isn't a sign that he's changing his postseason plans. It also doesn't have anything to do with Johnny Cueto's health issues. It's about getting Cueto - and his team - back on track.

With Yordano Ventura inserted into the struggling Cueto's spot Saturday, the visiting Royals look to end their own skid while continuing an already heated series against the Baltimore Orioles.

The Royals (83-57) are 3-7 in September and their latest loss was a wild one in Friday night's opener. Baltimore (68-72) rallied for a 14-8 victory with a 10-run eighth in which Nolan Reimold and Steve Clevenger hit grand slams and Manny Machado added a solo shot.

Baltimore joined seven other teams with two grand slams in an inning, and the Orioles are the only team to do it twice (1986). Four of those clubs added a third home run in the same inning, most recently the New York Mets in 2006.

After homers from Reimold and Machado and a single from Adam Jones, Franklin Morales hit Chris Davis in the back with a pitch, prompting the Orioles slugger to turn away from the mound and shatter his bat on the ground. Davis glared at Morales before taking his base, and manager Buck Showalter was subsequently ejected.

"We hit a grand slam, another home run, a couple rockets," Davis said. "It just didn't look right, regardless of whether it was on purpose or not."

Kansas City has lost six of seven, but it still holds a comfortable 10-game lead in the AL Central.

Cueto was scheduled to start Saturday but chose to switch to Sunday's night contest when given the option by Yost. The right-hander is 2-5 with a 4.86 ERA since getting traded from Cincinnati and has lost each of his last four starts.

"It's all about getting him comfortable and getting him going in a good direction," Yost told MLB's official website. "Yordano was OK with it. He doesn't care."

That's probably because Ventura (10-8, 4.34 ERA) has hardly lost since July. He did have a hiccup in Monday's 6-2 defeat against Minnesota, allowing four runs in 5 1-3 innings, but that was the right-hander's only loss in his last nine starts.

In his last six outings, Ventura is 4-1 with a 1.93 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 37 1-3 innings.

Ventura has dominated the Orioles in three starts over the last two years, holding them to two runs in 20 1-3 innings for an ERA of 0.89. He picked up the win in a 5-3 victory Aug. 27, allowing two hits in six scoreless innings while striking out a career high-tying 11.

Baltimore starter Chris Tillman took the loss in that game, allowing nine hits and four runs in six innings. Tillman (9-11, 5.15) is suffering through his second four-start losing streak this season and will try to avoid dropping five consecutive outings for the first time in his seven-year career.

The right-hander's 8.19 ERA since Aug. 11 is the MLB's highest of qualifying pitchers, and he has coughed up 16 hits and 13 runs in 7 2-3 innings during blowout losses to Tampa Bay and Toronto his last two times out.

Tillman is 2-3 with a 6.17 ERA against the Royals in six career starts.

Mike Moustakas and Kendrys Morales are each 5 for 11 against Tillman, while Alex Gordon is 3 for 13 with two home runs.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Royals at Orioles
Fri, Sep 11 Final 8 to 14
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Royals at Orioles
Sat, Sep 12 - 1:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Royals at Orioles
Sun, Sep 13 - 8:05PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Sox (66-74) at Rays (69-71)
Game: 2
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: September 12, 2015 6:10 PM EDT

While David Ortiz is closing in on a milestone home run, Asdrubal Cabrera and Evan Longoria are hitting the ball hard for the Tampa Bay Rays.

The duo looks to continue its hot stretch as the Rays face the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night.

Ortiz leads last-place Boston (66-74) with 32 homers and is two shy of becoming the 27th player to reach 500.

Cabrera and Longoria, meanwhile, are trying to help the Rays (69-71) reduce a five-game deficit to Texas for the AL's second wild-card spot.

Cabrera is hitting .400 with two homers and seven RBIs over his last six games, while Longoria has a .378 average with five homers and 11 RBIs in the past 10.

They combined for four hits, three RBIs and three runs Friday while Longoria's leadoff double sparked a five-run eighth that included a two-run homer by Cabrera in an 8-4 win over the Red Sox.

They're both pounding Boston with Longoria batting .396 with three homers, seven doubles and 12 runs during a 12-game hitting streak. Cabrera has a seven-game string during which he has a .483 average.

Matt Moore (1-3, 8.04 ERA) is facing the Red Sox for the first time since being tagged for six runs and nine hits in three innings of an 11-7 road defeat Aug. 1, prompting a demotion to Triple-A Durham.

The left-hander returned in strong fashion last Saturday, allowing two runs while being limited to 79 pitches in 4 2-3 innings of a 3-2 win at Yankee Stadium.

"I thought he was outstanding. I was happy for him. In my opinion, he looked like a different guy," manager Kevin Cash said. "That was a definite bright spot, to see where he is right now."

Moore is 2-3 with a 5.34 ERA in five starts against Boston.

The Red Sox will counter with Rick Porcello (7-12, 5.12), who's 2-1 with a 1.61 ERA while completing at least seven innings in all three starts since returning from a strained triceps that sidelined him for nearly a month.

The right-hander was solid again Monday, allowing three earned runs in 7 1-3 innings of an 11-4 win over AL East-leading Toronto.

"What's really impressive is how he's come back since he's come off the disabled list. It's the length of his outings, it's the easy, quick innings that's allowing him to throw into the seventh, eighth inning," interim manager Torey Lovullo told MLB's official website.

"Fastball command, movement of his two-seam fastball, location of his two-seam fastball, confidence in all of his pitches, and he worked hard to get to that point. He deserves so much credit for what's going on."

Porcello gave up three runs and nine hits in six innings of a 4-3 win in 10 at Tampa Bay on June 26 after winning his two previous matchups behind 16 scoreless innings.

Ortiz may not have homered Friday, but he had an RBI double and a single. He's batting .381 with six homers and 15 RBIs in the past 13 games, and he's 6 for 15 with one homer against Moore.

Mookie Betts, who is facing Moore for the first time, has a .379 average during a career-high 16-game hitting streak.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Red Sox at Rays
Fri, Sep 11 Final 4 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Red Sox at Rays
Sat, Sep 12 - 6:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Red Sox at Rays
Sun, Sep 13 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs (82-58) at Phillies (54-88)
Game: 3
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: September 12, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

The Chicago Cubs continue to show just how good they've been since being embarrassed by the lowly Philadelphia Phillies in July.

Looking to build on a doubleheader sweep of the Phillies, the Cubs can secure a win of this four-game road series Saturday night.

Chicago (82-58) was outscored 21-8, recorded 15 hits and was no-hit by Cole Hamels during a three-game home sweep by Philadelphia from July 24-26. However, the Cubs are 31-12 since that series after totaling 22 hits and outscoring the Phillies 12-4 to take both games Friday.

"That's a good hitting team," Game 1 loser Adam Morgan said of the Cubs, who have 70 home runs in the last 43 games.

With a firm grasp of the NL's second wild-card spot and two games behind Pittsburgh for the top position, Chicago has clinched its first winning season since 2009.

Kris Bryant went 5 for 10 with a homer and four RBIs on the day and Kyle Schwarber homered in his first two at-bats in the nightcap. Bryant's 90 RBIs are a club rookie record and by far the most from a rookie in the majors this year.

'It just shows, when there's people on base he becomes an even better hitter,' manager Joe Maddon said. 'You get guys with that mentality, it makes all the difference in the world.'

Dan Haren (9-9, 3.73 ERA) went 1-2 with a 5.87 ERA in his first six starts since joining the Cubs at the trade deadline, then pitched seven innings in Monday's 9-0 win at St. Louis. It marked the first time in 10 starts that he didn't allow any of his major league-leading 30 home runs.

"It feels good to go deep in a game like that," said Haren, who pitched into the seventh one other time with Chicago.

The right-hander is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in three starts against the Phillies this year.

Ryan Howard and Freddy Galvis are each 3 for 7 with two home runs against Haren in 2015. Howard, though, is 1 for 35 with nine strikeouts in his last nine games after recording that hit in Friday's second contest.

'It happens to the best of them," manager Pete Mackanin said. "We're just hoping he's going to get hot again.'

Jerad Eickhoff (1-3, 4.70) posted a 2.84 ERA in his first three career starts with Philadelphia, then dropped his third in a row after allowing six runs and eight hits in four innings of Sunday's 6-2 loss at Boston.

"I'm as stubborn as they come," Eickhoff told MLB's official website. "And I want to come up here, and no matter how bad it's looking or how bad it is, I want to go out there for my team and try to get as deep as I can."

The right-hander expects to learn and grow from the worst outing of his young career.

"I think it's a good reference point for sure," Eickhoff said.

He could face Starlin Castro, who is 9 for 16 with two home runs and five RBIs in his last five contests. He's hitting .364 with two homers and 13 RBIs in 17 career games at Philadelphia.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cubs at Phillies
Thu, Sep 10 - Final 7 to 1
Recaps

GAME 2
Cubs at Phillies
Fri, Sep 11 Final 7 to 3
Boxscores

GAME 3
Cubs at Phillies
Sat, Sep 12 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Cubs at Phillies
Sun, Sep 13 - 1:35PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Brewers (62-79) at Pirates (84-56)
Game: 3
Venue: PNC Park
Date: September 12, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Pittsburgh's inexplicable losing streak to one of the NL's worst teams is over, so all of its attention can again be focused on tracking down baseball's best.

The Pirates host the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night, and another win could get them as close as 2 1/2 games to NL Central-leading St. Louis.

Prior to Friday's 6-3 win over the Brewers (62-79), the Pirates (84-56) had dropped seven straight and nine of 10 in the series to a team that's 17-24 against the rest of the division.

"Regardless of who we're playing, we have to win," Charlie Morton said. "We're a good team. We can beat anybody and we've just got to win."

St. Louis will finish a suspended game before its scheduled contest in Cincinnati, so the Pirates could pick up 1 1/2 games in the standings. They were last within 2 1/2 games at the All-Star break.

Since being swept in three games in Milwaukee to begin the month, Pittsburgh's rotation has gotten it together with a 1.69 ERA over a 5-3 span. It's up to Jeff Locke to keep that going.

Locke (7-10, 4.56 ERA) has dropped consecutive starts and made it through at least six innings only once in his last nine, going 2-4 with a 5.79 ERA. The left-hander improved some in Monday's 3-1 loss in Cincinnati, allowing three runs - one earned - and four hits with six strikeouts in five-plus innings. A two-error second inning made his pitch count jump, and his manager was happy with the individual effort.

"I thought (Locke) pitched a very aggressive ballgame ... probably some of his better swing-and-miss stuff that we've seen in a while," Clint Hurdle said. "It was a very good outing."

Prior to that, Locke surrendered five runs and nine hits in 3 2-3 innings of a 9-4 loss in Milwaukee on Sept. 2 for his second straight defeat in the series. Jean Segura (10 for 29) and Ryan Braun (9 for 28) have homered off him, but Khris Davis is 4 for 21 with seven strikeouts.

He'll be opposed by Zach Davies.

Davies (1-0, 3.97) earned his first major league win in Monday's 9-1 win in Miami, giving up a run and four hits in seven innings without issuing a walk. The right-hander had control issues five days prior in his debut against Pittsburgh, surrendering four runs and four hits with three walks in 4 1-3 innings of a 9-4 home win. What's remained consistent is support with 14 runs in 11 1-3 innings.

"The offense took care of it," Davies said. "It gets you comfortable, makes you stay in the zone a little bit more, because you don't want to be wasting pitches and wasting time out there when the lead is like that."

Milwaukee has dropped four of six following a six-game winning streak that included the sweep of the Pirates and now finds itself on the doorstep of 80 losses for a third straight season. That's been a forgone conclusion for some time, but the Brewers have pushed it back some by going a respectable 18-16 dating to Aug. 4. Their 4.9 runs per game in that time ranks fourth in the NL behind the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs and Washington.

The last three have come without Jonathan Lucroy due to a concussion, and he's not expected to play Saturday.

Pittsburgh's Starling Marte (left shoulder discomfort) was held out of the starting lineup Friday after being hit by a pitch Thursday.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Brewers at Pirates
Thu, Sep 10 Final 6 to 4
Boxscores

GAME 2
Brewers at Pirates
Fri, Sep 11 Final 3 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Brewers at Pirates
Sat, Sep 12 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Brewers at Pirates
Sun, Sep 13 - 1:35PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins (73-67) at White Sox (66-73)
Game: 2
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: September 12, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Trying to keep the pressure on in the playoff race, the Minnesota Twins appear to be giving the ball to the right pitcher as their series continues at U.S. Cellular Field.

Tommy Milone can earn a fourth straight victory against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night and help the Twins move closer to a wild-card spot with their 15th win in 21 games.

Minnesota (73-67) seemed to be fading from the postseason chase during a 9-21 stretch that left it four games back of the AL's second wild-card spot on Aug. 19.

After putting up a 5.68 ERA over that span, the Twins have turned things around by posting a 3.61 mark while winning 14 of 20 to get back within one game of Texas.

They'll try to continue that push following Friday's 6-2 victory in the opener of this three-game series. Minnesota has a 2.59 ERA in winning 11 of the past 14 against the White Sox (66-73).

Ervin Santana went seven strong innings and Trevor Plouffe went 3 for 5 with two home runs. Plouffe, who had batted .150 over his previous 13 games, is hitting .355 in his last 28 versus Chicago.

"I'm just trying to have good at-bats," he said. "I was just able to hit a few balls out of the park."

Milone has allowed two runs over 20 2-3 innings to win each of his three starts in the season series. He's also 4-0 with a 1.39 ERA in seven meetings dating to his time with Oakland.

Since returning from a sprained elbow Aug. 16, Milone (8-4, 3.54 ERA) is 3-1 with a 3.03 ERA in five starts and also had a save at Baltimore on Aug. 23. He went seven innings in a second straight start Monday, giving up two runs in a 6-2 win at Kansas City.

"I'm feeling pretty strong right now, and I'm hoping to keep it up," he told MLB's official website.

Adam Eaton is 0 for 7 versus the left-hander in 2015, while Melky Cabrera is 0 for 8 and Gordon Beckham 1 for 8. Tyler Flowers and Alexei Ramirez are a combined 4 for 31 lifetime against him.

Chicago had batted .292 with 11 homers while averaging 6.3 runs during a 5-2 stretch before totaling just six hits in the opener. Eaton provided all the scoring with his 13th home run.

After posting a 4.97 ERA over a five-start stretch, Jose Quintana (8-10, 3.60) got back on track last Saturday when he scattered seven hits over seven scoreless innings in a 6-1 win at Kansas City. He'll try to help the White Sox avoid their third straight loss and 10th in 15 home games.

"He just competes," Beckham said. "That's what you want out there as a pitcher."

Quintana will make his third start versus Minnesota this season. He had been 3-1 with a 1.81 ERA over his previous seven meetings before giving up seven runs over six innings in an 8-1 loss May 24.

Brian Dozier hit one of his two home runs in that contest off Quintana, but he's hitting just .194 with two longballs in 31 career at-bats. Eduardo Escobar, who hit his 10th homer Friday, has gone 1 for 15 with five strikeouts in the matchup.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Twins at White Sox
Fri, Sep 11 Final 6 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Twins at White Sox
Sat, Sep 12 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Twins at White Sox
Sun, Sep 13 - 2:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers (64-76) at Indians (69-70)
Game: 3
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: September 12, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Justin Verlander didn't pitch poorly against the Cleveland Indians last week. Cody Anderson just happened to be better.

Anderson can help the host Indians reach .500 for the first time since the fourth game of the season Saturday night with another win over Verlander and the Detroit Tigers, who insist manager Brad Ausmus' future is safe for now.

Verlander (3-7, 3.43 ERA) looked strong last Sunday until he gave up three runs in the sixth inning of a 4-0 loss to Cleveland (69-70). Anderson (3-3, 3.72) yielded two hits in seven innings to improve to 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in his last three starts.

'He's out there battling Verlander in a game where neither team could get anything going, and he made outstanding pitches every time he needed one," manager Terry Francona said.

"He didn't ever let something bother him to the point where it was going to affect the game. That's been a trademark of him early on. Even with his youth, man, everybody here knows that he's a tough kid."

Anderson was scheduled to oppose Verlander on Friday before the game was postponed by rain. The teams will play a traditional doubleheader Sunday.

After the Indians beat Detroit 7-5 on Thursday for their 11th victory in 15 games, he has the chance to get them back to .500 for the first time since they were 2-2 on April 10.

Though Minnesota and Los Angeles stand in its way, Cleveland is within striking distance of Texas for the second wild-card spot.

"We're playing good baseball, team baseball, right now," outfielder Michael Brantley told MLB's official website. "So, we've got to keep it up."

Brantley had a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth after hitting a solo shot an inning earlier in the series opener.

'It feels great, but it's a team win,' said Brantley, who ranks among the AL leaders with a .319 average. 'The team gives you those opportunities to get back up to the plate."

He is batting .339 with those two home runs and nine RBIs in 14 games against the Tigers (64-76) this season.

"I'm glad he's on our side," Francona said. "He's really something to watch."

Brantley is 3 for his last 21 when facing Verlander, who is 0-3 with a 5.06 ERA in his past six starts against the Indians.

The right-hander has a 1.27 ERA in his last six overall but is 2-3.

"I'm sure it's frustrating for him, he'd like to get some wins," Ausmus said of Verlander, who has received an average of 2.89 runs of support this season.

Amid reports that Detroit had already decided to fire Ausmus at the end of the season, general manager Al Avila said Friday that the news had been a surprise to him.

'These evaluations are on-going and decisions in any of these areas will be made by the end of the season,' Avila said.

Three of Carlos Santana's five hits in his last 18 at-bats against Verlander have left the park. Yan Gomes is batting .353 with two doubles against him since the start of last season.

Victor Martinez doubled in three at-bats against Anderson last weekend, and he returned to Detroit's lineup Thursday after missing three games with a sinus infection.

He's batting .151 with no home runs in his last 20 games on the road for a Tigers team that's dropped 15 of 20 and sits last in the AL Central.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Tigers at Indians
Thu, Sep 10 Final 5 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Tigers at Indians
Fri, Sep 11 - 7:10PM EDT ( RAIN )
Recaps

GAME 3
Tigers at Indians
Sat, Sep 12 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Tigers at Indians
Sun, Sep 13 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets (80-61) at Braves (56-86)
Game: 3
Venue: Turner Field
Date: September 12, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Perhaps the biggest reason the New York Mets are pulling away in the NL East is the acquisition of Yoenis Cespedes, who is gaining strong consideration for NL MVP.

Cespedes looks to continue his torrid pace and lead the Mets to a sixth straight win Saturday night against the Atlanta Braves, losers of 10 straight at home.

In search of a big bat at the July 31 trade deadline, New York (80-61) landed Cespedes in a deal with Detroit.

He's delivering in the biggest way possible, batting .313 with 39 RBIs while his 15 homers are the most by any player in his first 38 games with the Mets.

New York is 27-11 with Cespedes in the lineup, and 7-2 in a nine-game span during which he's hit .405 with six homers and 14 RBIs.

Cespedes went 3 for 5 with a two-run homer and an RBI double in Friday's 5-1 win over Atlanta (56-86), adding to the hype of him becoming the first Met to be named NL MVP.

"It is not about me, it is about the team," Cespedes said through a translator. "I am one part of the team. To be producing, and seeing the team winning, and everybody chipping in for one purpose. That is to play in the playoffs and hopefully we can bring the big trophy to the city."

The Mets are on their way to getting that chance, opening a season-high 8 1/2-game lead over struggling Washington.

"We have 21 left," manager Terry Collins said. "We have to go out and play the games. We have to win games. I'll be happy when we have an 8 1/2-game lead with eight to play."

Collins will also be happy if Noah Syndergaard (8-6, 3.31 ERA) can get back on track. The rookie right-hander, who had his last turn in the rotation skipped, is 2-1 with a 5.53 ERA in his last five starts. However, he's averaging 9.43 strikeouts per nine innings, nearly identical to his 9.36 mark over his previous seven games, during which he went 4-1 with a 1.44 ERA.

His recent issues, however, are leading to speculation that he could be moved to the bullpen for the playoffs.

Syndergaard allowed four runs in four innings of a 6-4 loss at Atlanta on June 20.

He'll face a Braves team that has lost 22 of 25 overall and 10 straight at home for the first time since dropping the 1987 finale and the first nine the following season. It's also tied for their single-season record set in 1977.

'You get mad and upset when there is a lack of effort, lack of hustle and we don't have that,' manager Fredi Gonzalez said. 'We're going through some growing pains.'

Williams Perez (5-6, 5.42) has a chance to win consecutive starts for the first time since June 15 and 20.

The rookie right-hander followed those two victories by going 0-6 with an 8.85 ERA in eight starts before allowing two runs with seven strikeouts in seven innings of Monday's 7-2 win at Philadelphia.

"For once all my pitches were working, and I was locating," Perez said through an interpreter. "I felt really good out there."

Perez allowed four runs and solo homers to Curtis Granderson and Travis d'Arnaud in six innings opposite Syndergaard on June 20.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mets at Braves
Thu, Sep 10 Final 7 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Mets at Braves
Fri, Sep 11 Final 5 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Mets at Braves
Sat, Sep 12 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Mets at Braves
Sun, Sep 13 - 1:35PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals (71-69) at Marlins (60-81)
Game: 2
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: September 12, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

With little to play for, at least the Miami Marlins can look forward to the return of Jose Fernandez.

Making his first start in a little more than a month, the oft-injured ace tries to remain undefeated at home and help hand the visiting Washington Nationals a fifth consecutive defeat Saturday night.

Fernandez (4-0, 2.30 ERA) made seven starts since returning from elbow surgery July 2, then landed on the disabled list with a biceps strain Aug. 11. The 23-year-old last pitched in the majors Aug. 7, when he allowed two runs and struck out six in five innings of a 6-3 loss at Atlanta.

Fully recovered and fresh from a successful bullpen session Wednesday, the right-hander appears ready to help Miami (60-81) try for a fourth straight victory and ninth in the last 11.

"It looks like all systems are go there for him to get ready to toe the rubber and pitch against the Nationals," manager Dan Jennings told MLB's official website.

Fernandez, 15-0 with a 1.14 ERA in 24 starts at Marlins Park, can join Johnny Allen (1932-33) and LaMarr Hoyt (1980-82) as the only pitchers to win their first 16 career decisions at home.

"Every step along the way is a test," Jennings added. "Once he passes one test, he moves to the next. He's passed (the bullpen), the next one will be Saturday against the Nats."

Fernandez has aced his four previous tests against Washington (71-69), going 2-0 with an 0.69 ERA in all at home. He overcame four walks to yield a run in six innings of a 4-1 victory over the Nationals on July 28.

Washington held a one-game lead over the New York Mets in the NL East after that contest but now trails them by a season-high 8 1/2 games.

"It's not over yet,' left-hander Gio Gonzalez said. 'Things change - a lucky rabbit's foot or something comes through. We're going to stay positive most of the time. We still have a lot of fight in us.'

Bryce Harper is 1 for 6 with three strikeouts and walked three times in nine plate appearances against Fernandez.

The Washington star leads the NL with a .334 average but fanned three times and stranded five runners during Friday's 2-1 loss. Harper's three hits during Wednesday's 5-3 defeat to the Mets are the only ones he's recorded in his last 15 at-bats.

'Bryce has had a fantastic year for us,' manager Matt Williams said. 'We'll try to give him those opportunities again.'

Back in the Nationals rotation after Joe Ross was sent to the bullpen, Tanner Roark (4-4, 4.41) takes the mound after he allowed a run in 4 1-3 innings of last Friday's 5-2, 10-inning win over Atlanta in his first start since June 28. The right-hander is 3-1 with a 5.21 ERA in seven starts this season.

Making his first start opposite the Marlins in 2015, Roark is 2-1 with 2.39 ERA in four against them.

Miami's Dee Gordon ranks among the major league leaders with a .328 average, and is batting .370 in 13 games against Washington this year.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Nationals at Marlins
Fri, Sep 11 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Nationals at Marlins
Sat, Sep 12 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Nationals at Marlins
Sun, Sep 13 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Athletics (60-81) at Rangers (74-66)
Game: 2
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: September 12, 2015 8:05 PM EDT

Texas could be emerging from a terrible offensive funk, and it might just be passing it down the line to Oakland.

A night after Colby Lewis flirted with perfection, Yovani Gallardo will try to keep a nice personal unbeaten run going as the Rangers and Athletics meet Saturday in Arlington.

After being shut out in consecutive games with a total of five hits, the Rangers (74-66) opened the three-game series and a 10-game homestand with Friday's 4-0 win, limiting the A's (60-81) to two hits and ending a five-game skid in the series.

Texas still hasn't had a double-digit hit performance over a 5-4 span while batting .182, and Adrian Beltre is in a 3-for-30 slump. The club's six home runs in the last 12 games are more than only Atlanta, and a little more power might help the Rangers track down Houston or shake Minnesota.

The Astros lead the AL West by 1 1/2 games, while the Twins are a game off the Rangers' pace for the second wild card.

Gallardo (12-9, 3.16 ERA) is 5-0 in his last nine starts, though he hasn't made it through more than six innings in that time. The right-hander earned the decision in Monday's 3-0 win at Seattle after giving up five hits over 5 1-3 innings for his third scoreless start in his last four.

"I felt good," Gallardo told MLB's official website. "My last start in San Diego, I was struggling with the command of my fastball and I worked on that between starts trying to find a good rhythm. I was able to do that and move the ball on both sides of the plate."

In four career starts against the A's, including three this season, Gallardo is 0-3 with a 5.32 ERA, though he didn't factor into the decision in a 5-4 loss at Oakland on June 10 after giving up two runs and five hits with 10 strikeouts over seven innings.

Stephen Vogt is 3 for 6 with a homer and two doubles off Gallardo, but Danny Valencia (0 for 6) and Billy Butler (0 for 5 with four strikeouts) have struggled.

The A's, who just started a 10-game trip, have lost seven of nine this month, but it's been mostly their pitching shouldering the blame with an 8.06 ERA out of the rotation. Sean Nolin is making his second career start for Oakland.

Nolin's major league debut in Sunday's 3-2 home loss to Seattle was promising before a three-run fifth, and the 25-year-old gave up five hits with three walks in six innings.

"I thought he threw the ball really well," manager Bob Melvin said. "Kept them off-balance, really not too many good swings, it was just the two walks that ended up costing him some runs."

The left-hander, who was part of the Josh Donaldson deal in the offseason, didn't go beyond 4 2-3 innings in his last four starts with Triple-A Nashville and only appeared in 14 games this season because of two injuries. His 85 pitches was his highest total since throwing 102 on June 27 before missing nearly two months.

"That's the deepest I've been in a game for a while," Nolin said. "I was definitely happy about it. I'm physically feeling good."

Oakland's Billy Burns missed Friday's game due to right hamstring tightness. Manager Bob Melvin said there was no timetable for Vogt's return after the catcher was hit in the groin by a foul tip Sunday but he could DH.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Athletics at Rangers
Fri, Sep 11 Final 0 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Athletics at Rangers
Sat, Sep 12 - 8:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Athletics at Rangers
Sun, Sep 13 - 3:05PM EDT