Preview: Brewers (66-82) at Cubs (94-53)
Game: 3
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: September 17, 2016 4:05 PM EDT
CHICAGO -- Joe Maddon said he planned to get his regulars a some breaks over the season's final weeks after the Chicago Cubs locked down the National League Central division crown this week.
On Friday, Maddon kicked off the post-playoff clinching stretch by sitting just about all of them.
With the exception of starting right-hander John Lackey, Maddon didn't start a single regular against the Milwaukee Brewers in a game played just 13 hours after the Cubs backed into the division title with a St. Louis loss to San Francisco.
Maddon said he'll taking a spring training approach as he counts down to next month's NL playoffs.
Regulars will get some rest, pitchers won't carry an overly-heavy load and -- left unsaid -- was the opportunity to look at some players who've had more limited action with an eye toward constructing a playoff roster.
"Resting guys more specifically that might have little dings, that's No. 1 for me," Maddon said. "I have ideas with that. It would be specific guys to not play even for a couple, three, four days.
"Beyond that, with the bullpen, just to make sure to work them no more than two days in a row," he said. "Overall, just to treat it like spring training."
For the near term, the starting rotation won't change. Right-hander Jake Arrieta works on Saturday and Kyle Hendricks has a Sunday start in the series finale against the Brewers.
Arrieta (17-6, 2.91 ERA) makes his 29th start of the season and 11th all-time against Milwaukee. He's 6-3 with a 2.78 ERA against the Brewers, a team he's faced twice this season. Arrieta allows one run in five innings on April 28 and five runs in 5 2/3 innings on Aug. 18 in the meetings at Wrigley Field.
Arrieta's 17 victories leads the National League.
Milwaukee sends rookie right hander Zach Davies (10-7, 3.87 ERA) on Saturday.
Davies makes his 27th start of the season and fourth against the Cubs. He started last Sunday against the Cardinals and worked 7 1/3 innings but had no decision in the Brewers' 2-1 win. Davies is 2-2 with a 3.91 ERA in four career starts against Chicago, including a 1-2 record an 5.29 ERA in three starts this year.
The Brewers may also be close to adding one more arm to the bullpen as right-hander Michael Blazek moves closer to activity.
Blazek, activated off the disabled list (right forearm strain) on Sept. 3, threw a simulated game on Thursday and could toss another next week at home.
While Brewers manager Craig Counsell said this week that Blazek could be cleared to pitch, the priority is his health.
"It's not a rush to get him back," Counsell said. "I'd like to get him game action but the No. 1 goal is to have him feel healthy."
Milwaukee right-hander Wily Peralta (6-10, 5.42 ERA) wraps up the series on Sunday.
Game: 3
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: September 17, 2016 4:05 PM EDT
CHICAGO -- Joe Maddon said he planned to get his regulars a some breaks over the season's final weeks after the Chicago Cubs locked down the National League Central division crown this week.
On Friday, Maddon kicked off the post-playoff clinching stretch by sitting just about all of them.
With the exception of starting right-hander John Lackey, Maddon didn't start a single regular against the Milwaukee Brewers in a game played just 13 hours after the Cubs backed into the division title with a St. Louis loss to San Francisco.
Maddon said he'll taking a spring training approach as he counts down to next month's NL playoffs.
Regulars will get some rest, pitchers won't carry an overly-heavy load and -- left unsaid -- was the opportunity to look at some players who've had more limited action with an eye toward constructing a playoff roster.
"Resting guys more specifically that might have little dings, that's No. 1 for me," Maddon said. "I have ideas with that. It would be specific guys to not play even for a couple, three, four days.
"Beyond that, with the bullpen, just to make sure to work them no more than two days in a row," he said. "Overall, just to treat it like spring training."
For the near term, the starting rotation won't change. Right-hander Jake Arrieta works on Saturday and Kyle Hendricks has a Sunday start in the series finale against the Brewers.
Arrieta (17-6, 2.91 ERA) makes his 29th start of the season and 11th all-time against Milwaukee. He's 6-3 with a 2.78 ERA against the Brewers, a team he's faced twice this season. Arrieta allows one run in five innings on April 28 and five runs in 5 2/3 innings on Aug. 18 in the meetings at Wrigley Field.
Arrieta's 17 victories leads the National League.
Milwaukee sends rookie right hander Zach Davies (10-7, 3.87 ERA) on Saturday.
Davies makes his 27th start of the season and fourth against the Cubs. He started last Sunday against the Cardinals and worked 7 1/3 innings but had no decision in the Brewers' 2-1 win. Davies is 2-2 with a 3.91 ERA in four career starts against Chicago, including a 1-2 record an 5.29 ERA in three starts this year.
The Brewers may also be close to adding one more arm to the bullpen as right-hander Michael Blazek moves closer to activity.
Blazek, activated off the disabled list (right forearm strain) on Sept. 3, threw a simulated game on Thursday and could toss another next week at home.
While Brewers manager Craig Counsell said this week that Blazek could be cleared to pitch, the priority is his health.
"It's not a rush to get him back," Counsell said. "I'd like to get him game action but the No. 1 goal is to have him feel healthy."
Milwaukee right-hander Wily Peralta (6-10, 5.42 ERA) wraps up the series on Sunday.
Preview: Nationals (88-59) at Braves (56-91)
Game: 2
Venue: Turner Field
Date: September 17, 2016 1:05 PM EDT
ATLANTA -- With the uncertainty surrounding Stephen Starsburg's right elbow, the Washington Nationals may have a greater need for Gio Gonzalez to come through in the postseason.
The veteran left-hander's turnaround from a dismal middle of the season has made that thought a little less scary for Nationals fans.
Gonzalez, who is 11-9 with a 4.27 ERA, has allowed three earned runs or less in 11 of his past 13 outings going into Saturday's start against the Atlanta Braves in the Nationals' next-to-last game at Turner Field.
Gonzalez is 6-2 over the stretch and is coming off a victory against the Philadelphia Phillies last Sunday in which he allowed just one run and four hits over seven innings.
"He seemed like a guy on a mission," Washington manager Dusty Baker said Sunday. "We talked the other day, and I told him that he's very important in this equation, especially with Stras out. He responded."
It was only the fourth time this season that Gonzalez made it through seven innings and he did it on just 92 pitches He got 10 outs on the ground thanks to a pair of double plays.
If Strasburg can't pitch in the postseason, the Nationals would likely be left with Gonzalez as their third starter behind Max Scherzer and Tanner Roark, and it has definitely been an up-and-down season for the veteran, who turns 31 on Monday.
Gonzalez had a 1.86 ERA through his first eight starts, an 8.10 ERA over his next eight starts, then a 3.10 ERA during his past 11 outings.
Gonzalez's worst start recently came against the Braves in Washington on Sept. 6, when he gave up six runs in three innings.
"My last start didn't go that way," Gonzalez said. "A good bounce back. I just wanted to have a good bounce back. As long as I can keep going deep in the game that is important."
He allowed just three hits over six scoreless innings against the Braves in a no-decision April 12 and is 4-8 with a 4.70 ERA in his career against Atlanta.
Gonzalez will try to help the Nationals inch closer to clinching the NL East. After Trea Turner had four hits and scored four runs and Max Scherzer won his fifth straight decision in Friday's 7-2 win, the Nationals lowered their magic number to six with 15 games remaining.
Turner is hitting .462 in 11 games against the Braves. The 23-year-old's third four-hit outing raised his average to .349 in 58 games.
"Trea had his fingers all over it again," Scherzer said. "This guy can absolutely do everything. I've never seen anybody with this much speed and power from that (slight) frame. He impacts the game is so many different ways. We're asking him to play center field off and he's excelling at that.
Josh Collmenter, acquired by the Braves from the Chicago Cubs organization, will start Saturday against the Nationals. He is filling for Mike Foltynewicz, who was hit in the left calf by a line drive on Monday.
Collmenter made 15 relief appearances for the Arizona Diamondbacks this season before being released. He signed a minor league deal with the Cubs and made four starts for Triple-A Iowa.
The 30-year-old right-hander had a 36-33 record and 3.54 ERA in parts of six seasons with Arizona. He won 10 games in 2011 and 11 in 2014 for the Diamondbacks.
The Braves will have first baseman Freddie Freeman back in the lineup after he missed Friday's game to be with his wife, Chelsea.
She gave birth to the couple's first child, a boy named Frederick Charles Freeman II, on Thursday after a long labor.
"The baby's here, everybody's doing good, but I understand it wasn't an easy go," said Braves interim manager Brian Snitker, who told Freeman to skip the series opener against the Nationals. "He needs to regroup."
Freeman left at the start of the eighth inning Wednesday against the Marlins after extending his hitting streak to 20 games. He also has a 36-game streak of reaching base safely.
Freeman has usually been at his best against the Nationals, hitting .325 with 12 home runs and 54 RBIs during his career.
Game: 2
Venue: Turner Field
Date: September 17, 2016 1:05 PM EDT
ATLANTA -- With the uncertainty surrounding Stephen Starsburg's right elbow, the Washington Nationals may have a greater need for Gio Gonzalez to come through in the postseason.
The veteran left-hander's turnaround from a dismal middle of the season has made that thought a little less scary for Nationals fans.
Gonzalez, who is 11-9 with a 4.27 ERA, has allowed three earned runs or less in 11 of his past 13 outings going into Saturday's start against the Atlanta Braves in the Nationals' next-to-last game at Turner Field.
Gonzalez is 6-2 over the stretch and is coming off a victory against the Philadelphia Phillies last Sunday in which he allowed just one run and four hits over seven innings.
"He seemed like a guy on a mission," Washington manager Dusty Baker said Sunday. "We talked the other day, and I told him that he's very important in this equation, especially with Stras out. He responded."
It was only the fourth time this season that Gonzalez made it through seven innings and he did it on just 92 pitches He got 10 outs on the ground thanks to a pair of double plays.
If Strasburg can't pitch in the postseason, the Nationals would likely be left with Gonzalez as their third starter behind Max Scherzer and Tanner Roark, and it has definitely been an up-and-down season for the veteran, who turns 31 on Monday.
Gonzalez had a 1.86 ERA through his first eight starts, an 8.10 ERA over his next eight starts, then a 3.10 ERA during his past 11 outings.
Gonzalez's worst start recently came against the Braves in Washington on Sept. 6, when he gave up six runs in three innings.
"My last start didn't go that way," Gonzalez said. "A good bounce back. I just wanted to have a good bounce back. As long as I can keep going deep in the game that is important."
He allowed just three hits over six scoreless innings against the Braves in a no-decision April 12 and is 4-8 with a 4.70 ERA in his career against Atlanta.
Gonzalez will try to help the Nationals inch closer to clinching the NL East. After Trea Turner had four hits and scored four runs and Max Scherzer won his fifth straight decision in Friday's 7-2 win, the Nationals lowered their magic number to six with 15 games remaining.
Turner is hitting .462 in 11 games against the Braves. The 23-year-old's third four-hit outing raised his average to .349 in 58 games.
"Trea had his fingers all over it again," Scherzer said. "This guy can absolutely do everything. I've never seen anybody with this much speed and power from that (slight) frame. He impacts the game is so many different ways. We're asking him to play center field off and he's excelling at that.
Josh Collmenter, acquired by the Braves from the Chicago Cubs organization, will start Saturday against the Nationals. He is filling for Mike Foltynewicz, who was hit in the left calf by a line drive on Monday.
Collmenter made 15 relief appearances for the Arizona Diamondbacks this season before being released. He signed a minor league deal with the Cubs and made four starts for Triple-A Iowa.
The 30-year-old right-hander had a 36-33 record and 3.54 ERA in parts of six seasons with Arizona. He won 10 games in 2011 and 11 in 2014 for the Diamondbacks.
The Braves will have first baseman Freddie Freeman back in the lineup after he missed Friday's game to be with his wife, Chelsea.
She gave birth to the couple's first child, a boy named Frederick Charles Freeman II, on Thursday after a long labor.
"The baby's here, everybody's doing good, but I understand it wasn't an easy go," said Braves interim manager Brian Snitker, who told Freeman to skip the series opener against the Nationals. "He needs to regroup."
Freeman left at the start of the eighth inning Wednesday against the Marlins after extending his hitting streak to 20 games. He also has a 36-game streak of reaching base safely.
Freeman has usually been at his best against the Nationals, hitting .325 with 12 home runs and 54 RBIs during his career.
Preview: Rays (63-84) at Orioles (81-66)
Game: 3
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: September 17, 2016 7:05 PM EDT
BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles have done well with comebacks this season. They needed another one in Friday's 5-4 victory after Tampa Bay took an early four-run lead.
Baltimore also nearly did the same thing from a pair of three-run deficits in Thursday's 7-6 loss, coming up empty in the ninth inning despite putting runners on first and third with one out.
Now, the Orioles are hoping for an easier time in Saturday's match-up with the Rays in the third game of the four-game series.
Baltimore has allowed eight runs in the first two innings of the first two games, a big reason why it needed to rally both times. The Orioles, in the fight for the American League East title and a Wild Card spot, are two games behind Boston in the division.
The Orioles now are 7-1 at home versus the Rays this season and glad to be playing in these high-pressure situations. Michael Bourn is one of the players enjoying it after coming to Baltimore from Arizona -- tied for last place in the National League West before Friday.
Bourn played a significant role in Baltimore's latest win over Tampa Bay. He had a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the eighth inning off Brad Boxberger and started the game-ending relay throw from left field to get Mikie Mahtook at the plate in the ninth.
"It's September, and you'd like to play games that mean something and be in playoff contention," Bourn said. "You don't know how many times you to get to play this time of year and have it be meaningful. When it's not happening for you, then you realize it.
Chris Tillman (16-5, 3.68) will start Saturday for the Orioles, his second game since coming off the disabled list. His first was last Sunday when he allowed just one run on four hits in six innings during a victory at Boston.
Matt Andriese (7-7, 4.46) starts for the Rays Saturday. He beat the Yankees while giving up one run on six hits in five innings for his first win in 17 appearances (including eight starts) since June 15.
He's 0-3 with a 9.24 ERA in five games (two starts) against the Orioles.
The Orioles now are dealing with some late-season injuries. Mark Trumbo who leads the majors in homers with 42, did not play in Friday's game due to back spasms that crop up a few times per season.
Manager Buck Showalter would like to see Trumbo return sooner rather than later.
"Hopefully he'll be back in the lineup tomorrow," Showalter said. "He's got that thing that makes your muscles twitch a lot. He had that on tonight most of the time. He got better as the night goes on."
They are also hoping to get set-up man Darren O'Day back -- possibly by Monday -- after he had a good simulated game on Friday afternoon. They'll make a decision on that Sunday or Monday after giving him a day to rest and see how he feels.
Baltimore also wanted to see if outfielder Joey Rickard could return Monday (thumb ligament) from the disabled list. But Rickard lasted just a few swings in a simulated game on Friday, so that might not happen and the team could bring up another outfielder.
For Tampa Bay, outfielder Nick Franklin's hamstring problems sidelined him Friday, and the team will be watching him. Manager Kevin Cash said it's a day-to-day situation.
Franklin did not play Friday night.
First baseman Logan Morrison (strained wrist) will get a second opinion on the injury when the team's back in Tampa Bay and appears headed for surgery.
Cash said even though the Rays are out of the playoff chase, his team is learning from playing in games that are high-pressure for their opponents, and he's glad they're getting that chance.
Saturday will be more of the same.
"I think it's outstanding," Cash said. "You look at where, I thought the most intense environment in September last year was when we went to Toronto, and we didn't perform well -- all of us. I really like the way the guys have responded (this year) in these environments."
Game: 3
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: September 17, 2016 7:05 PM EDT
BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles have done well with comebacks this season. They needed another one in Friday's 5-4 victory after Tampa Bay took an early four-run lead.
Baltimore also nearly did the same thing from a pair of three-run deficits in Thursday's 7-6 loss, coming up empty in the ninth inning despite putting runners on first and third with one out.
Now, the Orioles are hoping for an easier time in Saturday's match-up with the Rays in the third game of the four-game series.
Baltimore has allowed eight runs in the first two innings of the first two games, a big reason why it needed to rally both times. The Orioles, in the fight for the American League East title and a Wild Card spot, are two games behind Boston in the division.
The Orioles now are 7-1 at home versus the Rays this season and glad to be playing in these high-pressure situations. Michael Bourn is one of the players enjoying it after coming to Baltimore from Arizona -- tied for last place in the National League West before Friday.
Bourn played a significant role in Baltimore's latest win over Tampa Bay. He had a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the eighth inning off Brad Boxberger and started the game-ending relay throw from left field to get Mikie Mahtook at the plate in the ninth.
"It's September, and you'd like to play games that mean something and be in playoff contention," Bourn said. "You don't know how many times you to get to play this time of year and have it be meaningful. When it's not happening for you, then you realize it.
Chris Tillman (16-5, 3.68) will start Saturday for the Orioles, his second game since coming off the disabled list. His first was last Sunday when he allowed just one run on four hits in six innings during a victory at Boston.
Matt Andriese (7-7, 4.46) starts for the Rays Saturday. He beat the Yankees while giving up one run on six hits in five innings for his first win in 17 appearances (including eight starts) since June 15.
He's 0-3 with a 9.24 ERA in five games (two starts) against the Orioles.
The Orioles now are dealing with some late-season injuries. Mark Trumbo who leads the majors in homers with 42, did not play in Friday's game due to back spasms that crop up a few times per season.
Manager Buck Showalter would like to see Trumbo return sooner rather than later.
"Hopefully he'll be back in the lineup tomorrow," Showalter said. "He's got that thing that makes your muscles twitch a lot. He had that on tonight most of the time. He got better as the night goes on."
They are also hoping to get set-up man Darren O'Day back -- possibly by Monday -- after he had a good simulated game on Friday afternoon. They'll make a decision on that Sunday or Monday after giving him a day to rest and see how he feels.
Baltimore also wanted to see if outfielder Joey Rickard could return Monday (thumb ligament) from the disabled list. But Rickard lasted just a few swings in a simulated game on Friday, so that might not happen and the team could bring up another outfielder.
For Tampa Bay, outfielder Nick Franklin's hamstring problems sidelined him Friday, and the team will be watching him. Manager Kevin Cash said it's a day-to-day situation.
Franklin did not play Friday night.
First baseman Logan Morrison (strained wrist) will get a second opinion on the injury when the team's back in Tampa Bay and appears headed for surgery.
Cash said even though the Rays are out of the playoff chase, his team is learning from playing in games that are high-pressure for their opponents, and he's glad they're getting that chance.
Saturday will be more of the same.
"I think it's outstanding," Cash said. "You look at where, I thought the most intense environment in September last year was when we went to Toronto, and we didn't perform well -- all of us. I really like the way the guys have responded (this year) in these environments."
Preview: Yankees (77-70) at Red Sox (83-64)
Game: 3
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: September 17, 2016 1:05 PM EDT
BOSTON -- David Price is finally pitching like the $217 million man the Boston Red Sox gambled he would be, but he has yet to turn the page against the New York Yankees.
Price, who is 1-2 with a 7.79 ERA in three starts against the Yankees this year, hopes to do just that when the Red Sox host the Yankees in the third game of a four-game series Saturday.
Boston (83-64) maintained its two-game lead in the American League East with a 7-4 victory over New York on Friday.
The Yankees (77-70), meanwhile, dropped six games back in the AL East and are slipping further behind Baltimore and Toronto in the battle for the two AL wild-card spots.
"It's frustrating," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "We've got to start winning games. That's the bottom line. It's got to start (Saturday). We know we're seeing a good pitcher, but it's got to start tomorrow."
Aside from his struggles against New York, Price has been virtually untouchable as of late. The former American League Cy Young Award winner is 7-0 with a 2.16 ERA in his last seven starts.
"You've got an elite performer who's in a run of starts that might be one of the best of his career," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "David Price on the mound for us is a good day."
That hasn't always been the case, as Price (16-8, 3.81 ERA) has had an up-and-down first season in Boston.
In Price's last outing against the Yankees, he gave up only three runs but was shellacked for 11 hits and a walk while registering just one strikeout in a 5 2/3-inning defeat.
Overall, Price is 14-9 with a 4.35 ERA in 34 games (33 starts) against New York.
Mark Teixeira has been one of Price's toughest customers, with three home runs and nine RBIs against him, despite hitting just .214 (15-for-70) against the southpaw.
Teixeira returned to the lineup Friday after missing two games with a neck ailment, going 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored out of the eight hole in the batting order.
"It's not something that I've done a lot of," Girardi said of batting Teixeira eighth. "I kind of looked at the matchup."
Teixeira is hitting just .199 in 104 games this season.
Meanwhile, Brian McCann is 10-for-29 (.345) with three homers and seven RBIs off of Price.
Former Red Sox hero-turned-villain Jacoby Ellsbury has also enjoyed success against Price, hitting him at a .357 clip (25-for-70) with one homer and six RBIs.
New York hands the ball to Bryan Mitchell (1-1, 6.14 ERA), who is making his third start of the year after missing a chunk of time with a left great toe tear. It is his first start ever against the Red Sox.
Mitchell gave up six runs (five earned) on nine hits in a 2 1/3-inning loss to the Dodgers last Monday. He is 0-0 with a 6.14 ERA in four career appearances against the Red Sox.
Jackie Bradley is 2-for-2 with an RBI, Xander Bogaerts is 1-for-3 with a double and Travis Shaw is 1-for-2 against Mitchell.
The Red Sox will have Andrew Benintendi back in left field after he had the night off Friday. Benintendi will be playing just his second game back after missing 17 with a left knee sprain.
"Given the amount of time down, felt like we're going to ease Andrew back into this," Farrell said.
The Yankees, meanwhile, may be without closer Dellin Betances, as Girardi wanted to give him a couple days off after pitching three consecutive games and giving up a walk-off, three-run homer to Hanley Ramirez on Thursday.
"It's part of it. It's part of being a closer," Girardi said. "As great as he was, we saw (Mariano Rivera) go through a couple times in a row that he would struggle. ... He'll bounce back."
Game: 3
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: September 17, 2016 1:05 PM EDT
BOSTON -- David Price is finally pitching like the $217 million man the Boston Red Sox gambled he would be, but he has yet to turn the page against the New York Yankees.
Price, who is 1-2 with a 7.79 ERA in three starts against the Yankees this year, hopes to do just that when the Red Sox host the Yankees in the third game of a four-game series Saturday.
Boston (83-64) maintained its two-game lead in the American League East with a 7-4 victory over New York on Friday.
The Yankees (77-70), meanwhile, dropped six games back in the AL East and are slipping further behind Baltimore and Toronto in the battle for the two AL wild-card spots.
"It's frustrating," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "We've got to start winning games. That's the bottom line. It's got to start (Saturday). We know we're seeing a good pitcher, but it's got to start tomorrow."
Aside from his struggles against New York, Price has been virtually untouchable as of late. The former American League Cy Young Award winner is 7-0 with a 2.16 ERA in his last seven starts.
"You've got an elite performer who's in a run of starts that might be one of the best of his career," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "David Price on the mound for us is a good day."
That hasn't always been the case, as Price (16-8, 3.81 ERA) has had an up-and-down first season in Boston.
In Price's last outing against the Yankees, he gave up only three runs but was shellacked for 11 hits and a walk while registering just one strikeout in a 5 2/3-inning defeat.
Overall, Price is 14-9 with a 4.35 ERA in 34 games (33 starts) against New York.
Mark Teixeira has been one of Price's toughest customers, with three home runs and nine RBIs against him, despite hitting just .214 (15-for-70) against the southpaw.
Teixeira returned to the lineup Friday after missing two games with a neck ailment, going 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored out of the eight hole in the batting order.
"It's not something that I've done a lot of," Girardi said of batting Teixeira eighth. "I kind of looked at the matchup."
Teixeira is hitting just .199 in 104 games this season.
Meanwhile, Brian McCann is 10-for-29 (.345) with three homers and seven RBIs off of Price.
Former Red Sox hero-turned-villain Jacoby Ellsbury has also enjoyed success against Price, hitting him at a .357 clip (25-for-70) with one homer and six RBIs.
New York hands the ball to Bryan Mitchell (1-1, 6.14 ERA), who is making his third start of the year after missing a chunk of time with a left great toe tear. It is his first start ever against the Red Sox.
Mitchell gave up six runs (five earned) on nine hits in a 2 1/3-inning loss to the Dodgers last Monday. He is 0-0 with a 6.14 ERA in four career appearances against the Red Sox.
Jackie Bradley is 2-for-2 with an RBI, Xander Bogaerts is 1-for-3 with a double and Travis Shaw is 1-for-2 against Mitchell.
The Red Sox will have Andrew Benintendi back in left field after he had the night off Friday. Benintendi will be playing just his second game back after missing 17 with a left knee sprain.
"Given the amount of time down, felt like we're going to ease Andrew back into this," Farrell said.
The Yankees, meanwhile, may be without closer Dellin Betances, as Girardi wanted to give him a couple days off after pitching three consecutive games and giving up a walk-off, three-run homer to Hanley Ramirez on Thursday.
"It's part of it. It's part of being a closer," Girardi said. "As great as he was, we saw (Mariano Rivera) go through a couple times in a row that he would struggle. ... He'll bounce back."
Preview: Tigers (78-69) at Indians (85-62)
Game: 2
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: September 17, 2016 4:10 PM EDT
CLEVELAND -- Round one of the three-game series between the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers decisively went to the Indians on Friday night. Round two will be Saturday at Progressive Field.
The AL Central-leading Indians are trying to go for the knockout punch of the Tigers in this series on Saturday.
The Indians have a seven-game lead over second place Detroit in the AL Central with six games remaining against the Tigers.
"Obviously it's a big series," said Corey Kluber, the Indians' winning pitcher Friday night. "We know the situation. We're ahead of them and they are chasing us. But you try to take it as just another game."
The games in this season series have been painfully repetitive for the Tigers. Cleveland leads the season series 12-1 and the Indians have outscored the Tigers by 50 runs in those games: 90-40.
Cleveland's 12-1 advantage over Detroit includes an 11-4 win Friday night.
"This one was similar to the first 11 or 12 games. They stuck it to us," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "We've got to figure out a way to beat them. They've kicked our tails."
The Indians used a familiar formula in their win Friday: a little speed, a little power, and plenty of pitching. Cleveland stole three bases, got a home run from Mike Napoli, and outstanding starting pitching from Kluber, who pitched seven innings to improve his record to 17-9.
"He's tough. He has over 200 strikeouts and a Cy Young Award in his trophy case," Ausmus said.
In game two of the series on Saturday the pitching matchup will be Cleveland's Carlos Carrasco (11-8, 3.32) against Detroit's Justin Verlander (14-8, 3.33).
In 18 career appearances vs. the Tigers Carrasco is 6-6 with a 4.95 ERA. However, in three starts against the Tigers this season Carrasco is 2-0 with a 0.51 ERA. In 17 2/3 innings he has allowed one earned run and held Detroit to a .136 (8-for-59) batting average.
As for Verlander, the Indians have been a career nemesis for him. In three starts vs. Cleveland this year he is 0-3 with a 9.18 ERA. In 46 career starts vs. the Indians Verlander is 18-21 with a 4.70 ERA. The 21 losses are by far the most Verlander has against any other major league opponent.
Detroit is still very much alive in the chase for the two American League wild card spots. But if the Tigers have any hope of catching Cleveland and winning the Central Division, they probably have to win the next two games of this series, and then win three or four of the games against Cleveland in Detroit.
Indians manager Terry Francona certainly isn't dismissing the possibility of Detroit running down the Indians for first place in the division over the last two weeks of the season.
"We set out today to win the game, and we did," Francona said after Friday's win. "But you quickly turn the page because they will, too. But it is nice to win the first one."
Game: 2
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: September 17, 2016 4:10 PM EDT
CLEVELAND -- Round one of the three-game series between the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers decisively went to the Indians on Friday night. Round two will be Saturday at Progressive Field.
The AL Central-leading Indians are trying to go for the knockout punch of the Tigers in this series on Saturday.
The Indians have a seven-game lead over second place Detroit in the AL Central with six games remaining against the Tigers.
"Obviously it's a big series," said Corey Kluber, the Indians' winning pitcher Friday night. "We know the situation. We're ahead of them and they are chasing us. But you try to take it as just another game."
The games in this season series have been painfully repetitive for the Tigers. Cleveland leads the season series 12-1 and the Indians have outscored the Tigers by 50 runs in those games: 90-40.
Cleveland's 12-1 advantage over Detroit includes an 11-4 win Friday night.
"This one was similar to the first 11 or 12 games. They stuck it to us," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "We've got to figure out a way to beat them. They've kicked our tails."
The Indians used a familiar formula in their win Friday: a little speed, a little power, and plenty of pitching. Cleveland stole three bases, got a home run from Mike Napoli, and outstanding starting pitching from Kluber, who pitched seven innings to improve his record to 17-9.
"He's tough. He has over 200 strikeouts and a Cy Young Award in his trophy case," Ausmus said.
In game two of the series on Saturday the pitching matchup will be Cleveland's Carlos Carrasco (11-8, 3.32) against Detroit's Justin Verlander (14-8, 3.33).
In 18 career appearances vs. the Tigers Carrasco is 6-6 with a 4.95 ERA. However, in three starts against the Tigers this season Carrasco is 2-0 with a 0.51 ERA. In 17 2/3 innings he has allowed one earned run and held Detroit to a .136 (8-for-59) batting average.
As for Verlander, the Indians have been a career nemesis for him. In three starts vs. Cleveland this year he is 0-3 with a 9.18 ERA. In 46 career starts vs. the Indians Verlander is 18-21 with a 4.70 ERA. The 21 losses are by far the most Verlander has against any other major league opponent.
Detroit is still very much alive in the chase for the two American League wild card spots. But if the Tigers have any hope of catching Cleveland and winning the Central Division, they probably have to win the next two games of this series, and then win three or four of the games against Cleveland in Detroit.
Indians manager Terry Francona certainly isn't dismissing the possibility of Detroit running down the Indians for first place in the division over the last two weeks of the season.
"We set out today to win the game, and we did," Francona said after Friday's win. "But you quickly turn the page because they will, too. But it is nice to win the first one."
Preview: White Sox (72-75) at Royals (74-73)
Game: 2
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: September 17, 2016 7:15 PM EDT
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Jason Vargas makes his first start with the Royals since July 21, 2015 when Kansas City hosts the Chicago White Sox on Saturday.
Vargas, who had Tommy John surgery after that outing, will be on a 45-pitch limit and three innings against the Chicago White Sox, who rallied to win the first contest of the four-game series 7-4.
Manager Ned Yost said they hope to get Vargas three starts before the season ends and 10 to 15 innings heading into spring training.
"My arm feels good," Vargas said. "It's what I do for a living, so I'm looking forward to getting back out and doing my job."
Vargas went 0-2 with a 5.85 ERA in six rehab starts with three different minor league clubs. In his final three with Triple-A Omaha, Vargas threw 58, 74 and 83 pitches. In his final start Sept. 1 against Round Rock, Vargas allowed two runs on five hits, including a home run, in 5 2/3 innings. He walked none and struck out 10.
"It's been a pretty smooth ride," Vargas said of the rehab not having any setbacks. "I knew if everything went as it should, there would be the possibility I would have the opportunity to pitch this year."
Vargas, 33, won 11 games for the Royals in 2014 and went 1-0 with a 3.52 ERA in three postseason starts. He was 5-2 with a 3.98 in nine starts last year before the surgery.
The White Sox counter with right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, who is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two September starts after coming off the disabled list with a groin injury. He is 1-4 with a 4.46 ERA in seven starts against the Royals, while walking six and striking out 25.
Jarrod Dyson is 8-for-11 against Gonzalez. Catcher Salvador Perez is 6-for-17 with a home run. Eric Hosmer has only a .176 batting average in 17 at-bats against Gonzalez, but has a home run and five RBIs.
The White Sox trailed 4-2 in the eighth Friday when Chicago third baseman Todd Frazier ducked out of the way of Kelvin Herrera's high and inside pitch. Frazier was upset and Perez stepped in front of him. Frazier eventually doubled in the at-bat, which began a four-run White Sox rally.
"When stuff like that happens, and a guy responds and gets on base, you don't know how much it affects the other side but on your side you zero in a little bit," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "I think it narrows the sights some."
The inning also included Carlos Sanchez's three-run homer, his first home run of the season.
The White Sox are 7-3 in their past 10 games, while the Royals have dropped five in a row to fall out of postseason contention.
Game: 2
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: September 17, 2016 7:15 PM EDT
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Jason Vargas makes his first start with the Royals since July 21, 2015 when Kansas City hosts the Chicago White Sox on Saturday.
Vargas, who had Tommy John surgery after that outing, will be on a 45-pitch limit and three innings against the Chicago White Sox, who rallied to win the first contest of the four-game series 7-4.
Manager Ned Yost said they hope to get Vargas three starts before the season ends and 10 to 15 innings heading into spring training.
"My arm feels good," Vargas said. "It's what I do for a living, so I'm looking forward to getting back out and doing my job."
Vargas went 0-2 with a 5.85 ERA in six rehab starts with three different minor league clubs. In his final three with Triple-A Omaha, Vargas threw 58, 74 and 83 pitches. In his final start Sept. 1 against Round Rock, Vargas allowed two runs on five hits, including a home run, in 5 2/3 innings. He walked none and struck out 10.
"It's been a pretty smooth ride," Vargas said of the rehab not having any setbacks. "I knew if everything went as it should, there would be the possibility I would have the opportunity to pitch this year."
Vargas, 33, won 11 games for the Royals in 2014 and went 1-0 with a 3.52 ERA in three postseason starts. He was 5-2 with a 3.98 in nine starts last year before the surgery.
The White Sox counter with right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, who is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in two September starts after coming off the disabled list with a groin injury. He is 1-4 with a 4.46 ERA in seven starts against the Royals, while walking six and striking out 25.
Jarrod Dyson is 8-for-11 against Gonzalez. Catcher Salvador Perez is 6-for-17 with a home run. Eric Hosmer has only a .176 batting average in 17 at-bats against Gonzalez, but has a home run and five RBIs.
The White Sox trailed 4-2 in the eighth Friday when Chicago third baseman Todd Frazier ducked out of the way of Kelvin Herrera's high and inside pitch. Frazier was upset and Perez stepped in front of him. Frazier eventually doubled in the at-bat, which began a four-run White Sox rally.
"When stuff like that happens, and a guy responds and gets on base, you don't know how much it affects the other side but on your side you zero in a little bit," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "I think it narrows the sights some."
The inning also included Carlos Sanchez's three-run homer, his first home run of the season.
The White Sox are 7-3 in their past 10 games, while the Royals have dropped five in a row to fall out of postseason contention.
Preview: Athletics (64-83) at Rangers (88-60)
Game: 2
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: September 17, 2016 8:05 PM EDT
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Two players having career years look to continue to produce in near anonymity Saturday night when the Texas Rangers host Oakland in the second contest of the three-game series.
Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus recovered from a disastrous playoff game against Toronto last year to have the best season of his career. Oakland third baseman Ryon Healy got a late start to his rookie season, but is one of the best rookies in the second half of the season.
Both will have their work cut out for them Saturday as Andrus faces a rookie pitcher he's never seen before in right-hander Raul Alcantara (0-1) while Healy and the Athletics try to solve right-hander Yu Darvish (5-4).
Andrus had two key errors in Game 5 of the American League Division Series against Toronto last year, but rebounded with his best season average-wise (.295) and is four RBI shy of his career high of 67. He's also been one of the best clutch hitters in baseball as he's hitting .444 with runners in scoring position since June 24.
"I'm trying to do the same thing I do every single day, same routine, same mentality," Andrus said. "Don't try to do too much. This year it's actually paying off the way I want it to. I don't think I'll be changing any time soon."
That approach certainly won't change as the Rangers close in on their defense of the American League West title. Friday's 7-6 victory over Oakland knocked the Texas magic number down to seven. Andrus, who had an RBI single Friday, doesn't expect the Rangers to change their approach if and when they clinch the division.
"Having a lot of fun every single day, I think that's a big key for us," Andrus said. "Knowing we're close to making it to the postseason but at the same time there's still a lot of baseball ahead. Trying to stay focused every single day and just continue to win series, that's our approach."
Having to face Healy and the A's five more times this season will make that difficult. Healy, who went 2-for-4 on Friday to extend his hitting streak to seven games, has hit 10 home runs since the All-Star break. That's the third-most among AL rookies in that span. He's also batting .382 over the last 30 games.
The influx of energy Healy and fellow rookie Joey Wendle (.319 average) have added to the offense have been tangible.
"I think these guys rub off on them," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. "We're down and things aren't going well and all of the sudden an injection of energy and it rubs off on you. I think they enjoy having these guys around. It looks like the energy level is better. It looks like the effort level seems to be better across the board."
Game: 2
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: September 17, 2016 8:05 PM EDT
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Two players having career years look to continue to produce in near anonymity Saturday night when the Texas Rangers host Oakland in the second contest of the three-game series.
Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus recovered from a disastrous playoff game against Toronto last year to have the best season of his career. Oakland third baseman Ryon Healy got a late start to his rookie season, but is one of the best rookies in the second half of the season.
Both will have their work cut out for them Saturday as Andrus faces a rookie pitcher he's never seen before in right-hander Raul Alcantara (0-1) while Healy and the Athletics try to solve right-hander Yu Darvish (5-4).
Andrus had two key errors in Game 5 of the American League Division Series against Toronto last year, but rebounded with his best season average-wise (.295) and is four RBI shy of his career high of 67. He's also been one of the best clutch hitters in baseball as he's hitting .444 with runners in scoring position since June 24.
"I'm trying to do the same thing I do every single day, same routine, same mentality," Andrus said. "Don't try to do too much. This year it's actually paying off the way I want it to. I don't think I'll be changing any time soon."
That approach certainly won't change as the Rangers close in on their defense of the American League West title. Friday's 7-6 victory over Oakland knocked the Texas magic number down to seven. Andrus, who had an RBI single Friday, doesn't expect the Rangers to change their approach if and when they clinch the division.
"Having a lot of fun every single day, I think that's a big key for us," Andrus said. "Knowing we're close to making it to the postseason but at the same time there's still a lot of baseball ahead. Trying to stay focused every single day and just continue to win series, that's our approach."
Having to face Healy and the A's five more times this season will make that difficult. Healy, who went 2-for-4 on Friday to extend his hitting streak to seven games, has hit 10 home runs since the All-Star break. That's the third-most among AL rookies in that span. He's also batting .382 over the last 30 games.
The influx of energy Healy and fellow rookie Joey Wendle (.319 average) have added to the offense have been tangible.
"I think these guys rub off on them," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. "We're down and things aren't going well and all of the sudden an injection of energy and it rubs off on you. I think they enjoy having these guys around. It looks like the energy level is better. It looks like the effort level seems to be better across the board."
Preview: Marlins (73-74) at Phillies (66-82)
Game: 2
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: September 17, 2016 7:05 PM EDT
PHILADELPHIA -- With the games remaining on the schedule quickly running out, each night out becomes crucial for a Miami Marlins team trying to make a late run at a National League wild-card spot.
A crushing 4-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in 13 innings on Friday night halted a run of five wins in seven games, costing the team a chance to climb above .500 and instead dropping the Marlins to 73-74. That comes after a horrid 1-10 stretch from Aug. 27 to Sept. 6 that nearly ruined their playoff chances.
"Every one is painful from the standpoint of you know where you're at, and you have to think about winning absolutely every game," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "Every one is tough, it hurts, you know, and that's just the way it is this time of year.
"If you have a team that cares and is trying to obviously fight for stuff, which I know we are, these kind of rip your heart out a little bit, but you've got to bounce back and keep playing because you still never know."
Those 11 games were enough to send Miami from 1 1/2 games out of the two wild-card spots to six games back, though they've battled back to cut that down to four games behind with 15 to play.
Two teams are ahead of them for the last spot: St. Louis (76-70) is three games up on the Marlins but still two games back of the New York Mets, who remain in control of their own destiny after beating the Minnesota Twins 3-0 at home on Friday night.
Miami has three games left against New York on Sept. 26-28 but first has to navigate two more against Philadelphia and then three each against Washington and Atlanta before the Mets visit south Florida.
To keep the momentum going, Mattingly will turn to Saturday night starter Jose Urena, who's coming off the best outing of his two-year professional career. Urena beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-0 and came one out shy of a complete-game shutout, pulled after 8 2/3 innings with four strikeouts and no walks.
Since moving into the starting rotation in July, Urena is 3-5 with a 3.88 ERA.
Philadelphia, which isn't yet officially eliminated from playoff contention for the fifth straight season -- it won't be much longer, with an elimination number of three -- sits 12 1/2 games back of the second wild-card spot.
The Phillies will hand the ball on Saturday to Jeremy Hellickson, who enters with a 11-9 record and 3.76 ERA. He's coming off a win over Pittsburgh on Sept. 12 in which he gave up one unearned run in 6 1/3 innings.
In five starts against the Marlins this season, he's 2-1 with a 2.59 ERA, giving up 10 runs (nine earned) in 31 1/3 innings. His last time against them, on Sept. 7, he took the loss, giving up four runs (three earned) in six innings of a 6-0 loss.
Game: 2
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: September 17, 2016 7:05 PM EDT
PHILADELPHIA -- With the games remaining on the schedule quickly running out, each night out becomes crucial for a Miami Marlins team trying to make a late run at a National League wild-card spot.
A crushing 4-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in 13 innings on Friday night halted a run of five wins in seven games, costing the team a chance to climb above .500 and instead dropping the Marlins to 73-74. That comes after a horrid 1-10 stretch from Aug. 27 to Sept. 6 that nearly ruined their playoff chances.
"Every one is painful from the standpoint of you know where you're at, and you have to think about winning absolutely every game," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "Every one is tough, it hurts, you know, and that's just the way it is this time of year.
"If you have a team that cares and is trying to obviously fight for stuff, which I know we are, these kind of rip your heart out a little bit, but you've got to bounce back and keep playing because you still never know."
Those 11 games were enough to send Miami from 1 1/2 games out of the two wild-card spots to six games back, though they've battled back to cut that down to four games behind with 15 to play.
Two teams are ahead of them for the last spot: St. Louis (76-70) is three games up on the Marlins but still two games back of the New York Mets, who remain in control of their own destiny after beating the Minnesota Twins 3-0 at home on Friday night.
Miami has three games left against New York on Sept. 26-28 but first has to navigate two more against Philadelphia and then three each against Washington and Atlanta before the Mets visit south Florida.
To keep the momentum going, Mattingly will turn to Saturday night starter Jose Urena, who's coming off the best outing of his two-year professional career. Urena beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-0 and came one out shy of a complete-game shutout, pulled after 8 2/3 innings with four strikeouts and no walks.
Since moving into the starting rotation in July, Urena is 3-5 with a 3.88 ERA.
Philadelphia, which isn't yet officially eliminated from playoff contention for the fifth straight season -- it won't be much longer, with an elimination number of three -- sits 12 1/2 games back of the second wild-card spot.
The Phillies will hand the ball on Saturday to Jeremy Hellickson, who enters with a 11-9 record and 3.76 ERA. He's coming off a win over Pittsburgh on Sept. 12 in which he gave up one unearned run in 6 1/3 innings.
In five starts against the Marlins this season, he's 2-1 with a 2.59 ERA, giving up 10 runs (nine earned) in 31 1/3 innings. His last time against them, on Sept. 7, he took the loss, giving up four runs (three earned) in six innings of a 6-0 loss.
Preview: Twins (55-93) at Mets (78-69)
Game: 2
Venue: Citi Field
Date: September 17, 2016 7:10 PM EDT
NEW YORK -- The New York Mets are trying not to think about the possibility of hosting the National League wild-card game and instead focusing on just getting into the playoffs. The Minnesota Twins have no choice but to look far ahead -- to next year -- while taking what they can from the final weeks of a lost season.
The Mets look to continue their push for a playoff berth Saturday night when they host the Twins in the middle contest of a three-game series at Citi Field. New York (78-69) extended its lead in the race for the second wild card to two games Friday night when it beat the Twins 3-0 while the St. Louis Cardinals lost to the San Francisco Giants 8-2.
The Mets are one game behind the Giants (79-68) in the race for the first wild card. Whomever wins the first wild card hosts the game Oct. 5.
After appearing to be finished four weeks ago -- the Mets were 60-62 and 5 1/2 games behind the second wild card Cardinals on Aug. 19 -- manager Terry Collins and his players are only concerned with qualifying for the wild card game.
"I think the mindset is just getting in the postseason right now," Collins said. "We've got to just continue to try to win as many games as we can.
"We made a statement about three weeks ago that we've just got to take care of our business. And if we do, we'll get back in the hunt. We're in the hunt. Deeply."
Rookie right-hander Seth Lugo, one of the players most responsible for the Mets' surge, is scheduled to take the mound Saturday night. Lugo has won his last four starts --including last Sunday, when he gave up two runs over seven innings in a 10-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves -- and is 4-1 with a 2.27 ERA in five starts since joining the rotation Aug. 19, a stretch in which New York is 18-8.
Such a performance would be noteworthy coming from any rookie, but especially from Lugo, a 26-year-old former 34th-round draft pick who had a 6.50 ERA in 21 games (14 starts) this season at Triple-A Las Vegas, which plays in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
The Twins (55-93), who have the worst record in baseball, counter with ace Ervin Santana. Santana is 1-0 despite a 4.76 ERA in his last four starts. He didn't factor into the decision in his most recent appearance Monday, when the right-hander gave up one run over five innings in Minnesota's 4-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers.
The 33-year-old Santana will be one of the few 30-somethings on the field for the Twins, who had six players younger than 30 in their lineup Friday. First baseman Joe Mauer, 33, will likely play Saturday, thought catcher Kurt Suzuki, 32, could get a night off after taking a foul ball off his chin in the seventh inning.
Brian Dozier, the Twins' 29-year-old second baseman who extended his hitting streak to 20 games by going 1-for-4 on Friday, hopes his younger teammates can absorb something from watching the Mets pursue a playoff berth.
"The opportunity to kind of learn these last couple of weeks, to see these teams and how they play when they are in the running for something special -- that's what you have to take from these games right now," Dozier said.
Game: 2
Venue: Citi Field
Date: September 17, 2016 7:10 PM EDT
NEW YORK -- The New York Mets are trying not to think about the possibility of hosting the National League wild-card game and instead focusing on just getting into the playoffs. The Minnesota Twins have no choice but to look far ahead -- to next year -- while taking what they can from the final weeks of a lost season.
The Mets look to continue their push for a playoff berth Saturday night when they host the Twins in the middle contest of a three-game series at Citi Field. New York (78-69) extended its lead in the race for the second wild card to two games Friday night when it beat the Twins 3-0 while the St. Louis Cardinals lost to the San Francisco Giants 8-2.
The Mets are one game behind the Giants (79-68) in the race for the first wild card. Whomever wins the first wild card hosts the game Oct. 5.
After appearing to be finished four weeks ago -- the Mets were 60-62 and 5 1/2 games behind the second wild card Cardinals on Aug. 19 -- manager Terry Collins and his players are only concerned with qualifying for the wild card game.
"I think the mindset is just getting in the postseason right now," Collins said. "We've got to just continue to try to win as many games as we can.
"We made a statement about three weeks ago that we've just got to take care of our business. And if we do, we'll get back in the hunt. We're in the hunt. Deeply."
Rookie right-hander Seth Lugo, one of the players most responsible for the Mets' surge, is scheduled to take the mound Saturday night. Lugo has won his last four starts --including last Sunday, when he gave up two runs over seven innings in a 10-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves -- and is 4-1 with a 2.27 ERA in five starts since joining the rotation Aug. 19, a stretch in which New York is 18-8.
Such a performance would be noteworthy coming from any rookie, but especially from Lugo, a 26-year-old former 34th-round draft pick who had a 6.50 ERA in 21 games (14 starts) this season at Triple-A Las Vegas, which plays in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
The Twins (55-93), who have the worst record in baseball, counter with ace Ervin Santana. Santana is 1-0 despite a 4.76 ERA in his last four starts. He didn't factor into the decision in his most recent appearance Monday, when the right-hander gave up one run over five innings in Minnesota's 4-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers.
The 33-year-old Santana will be one of the few 30-somethings on the field for the Twins, who had six players younger than 30 in their lineup Friday. First baseman Joe Mauer, 33, will likely play Saturday, thought catcher Kurt Suzuki, 32, could get a night off after taking a foul ball off his chin in the seventh inning.
Brian Dozier, the Twins' 29-year-old second baseman who extended his hitting streak to 20 games by going 1-for-4 on Friday, hopes his younger teammates can absorb something from watching the Mets pursue a playoff berth.
"The opportunity to kind of learn these last couple of weeks, to see these teams and how they play when they are in the running for something special -- that's what you have to take from these games right now," Dozier said.
Preview: Padres (62-85) at Rockies (70-77)
Game: 2
Venue: Coors Field
Date: September 17, 2016 8:10 PM EDT
DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies will try to build on their walk-off win Friday night and clinch their series with the San Diego Padres on Saturday.
The Rockies scored three runs in the ninth inning against Padres closer Brandon Maurer for an 8-7 victory. The winning hit was a pinch-single off the center-field wall by Daniel Descalso.
The veteran infielder's playing time has increased dramatically in the wake of shortstop Trevor Story's season-ending thumb injury on July 30. Descalso, who turns 30 next month, is in the final season of a two-year, $3.6 million contract after four full seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals.
With St. Louis, Descalso played in 44 postseason games -- 25 more than the Rockies in their history -- including nine World Series games.
"He's a winning player," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "That's why we brought him in. One of the few guys in (the clubhouse) that's played in World Series."
Descalso hit just .205 with a .607 OPS in 101 games and 185 at-bats last year. But this season, he has made 55 starts and has 206 at-bats in 85 games and is hitting .272 with an .820 OPS. With runners in scoring position this season, Descalso is hitting .415 (22-for-53) with 32 RBIs.
Descalso said he spent time in the offseason studying the swings of several players, including Josh Donaldson, the reigning Most Valuable Player in the American League, Mookie Betts and former Cardinals teammate Matt Carpenter, and talking with former Cardinals teammate Jon Jay, now a member of the Padres.
"I just found a swing that I can repeat and that I feel confident in," said Descalso, whose swing is more rhythmic because he begins it after some motion with his hands that he lacked last year. "It has just allowed me to simplify my at-bats and just worry about getting good pitches to hit and putting good swings on it instead of worrying about what's wrong with my swing and my timing. It's just put me in a simpler mind set and simpler approach."
Jon Gray, who is 9-8 with a 4.69 ERA, will start for the Rockies. He lost his last start on Sept. 10 in San Diego, giving up six runs (five earned) in four innings.
Weiss said after that outing, Gray and pitching coach Steve Foster and bullpen coach Darren Holmes worked on some "minor" mechanical things.
"Ot's more about timing issues over the rubber," Weiss said. "That's one of the things Jon has to really be in tune with. That affects his slider. When he doesn't have his slider, it makes it tough for him.
"His slider's a wipeout pitch, but it's been inconsistent at times this year. When he has that pitch, everything else kind of falls in place for him and he can be dominant. So, hopefully, we got that rectified."
Gray is 1-2 with a 3.75 ERA in four starts against the Padres this year, including a June outing at Coors Field where he allowed three runs (one earned) in seven innings. Gray is 6-2 with a 4.82 ERA in 13 starts at Coors Field this season.
Edwin Jackson will start for the Padres. He's 4-5 with a 5.32 ERA in 18 games, including 10 starts.
Two starts ago, the well-traveled Jackson, 33, made a mechanical adjustment to the end of his delivery. He then worked seven scoreless innings against Boston on Sept. 5, striking out 11, the most by a Padres pitcher this season, and allowing four hits and two walks while getting the victory in San Diego's 2-1 win.
On Sept. 11, Jackson allowed two runs in six innings against the Rockies but wasn't involved in the decision as the Padres lost 3-2 in 10 innings.
Padres first baseman Wil Myers hit his 25th homer on Friday, a two-run shot in the first inning. Myers joined Mike Trout as the only major leaguers with at least 25 doubles, 25 homers and 25 stolen bases this year. Myers, who has 26 doubles and 25 stolen bases, is the first Padres first baseman to reach those three milestones.
"It's something that's definitely pretty cool," Myers said. "I definitely didn't have that goal in mind when I started the season. But as I learned more about stealing bases, it kind of became one."
Myers also became the third first baseman in major league history to have 25 or more doubles, homers and stolen bases in a season. Jeff Bagwell and Joe Carter are the others.
Game: 2
Venue: Coors Field
Date: September 17, 2016 8:10 PM EDT
DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies will try to build on their walk-off win Friday night and clinch their series with the San Diego Padres on Saturday.
The Rockies scored three runs in the ninth inning against Padres closer Brandon Maurer for an 8-7 victory. The winning hit was a pinch-single off the center-field wall by Daniel Descalso.
The veteran infielder's playing time has increased dramatically in the wake of shortstop Trevor Story's season-ending thumb injury on July 30. Descalso, who turns 30 next month, is in the final season of a two-year, $3.6 million contract after four full seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals.
With St. Louis, Descalso played in 44 postseason games -- 25 more than the Rockies in their history -- including nine World Series games.
"He's a winning player," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "That's why we brought him in. One of the few guys in (the clubhouse) that's played in World Series."
Descalso hit just .205 with a .607 OPS in 101 games and 185 at-bats last year. But this season, he has made 55 starts and has 206 at-bats in 85 games and is hitting .272 with an .820 OPS. With runners in scoring position this season, Descalso is hitting .415 (22-for-53) with 32 RBIs.
Descalso said he spent time in the offseason studying the swings of several players, including Josh Donaldson, the reigning Most Valuable Player in the American League, Mookie Betts and former Cardinals teammate Matt Carpenter, and talking with former Cardinals teammate Jon Jay, now a member of the Padres.
"I just found a swing that I can repeat and that I feel confident in," said Descalso, whose swing is more rhythmic because he begins it after some motion with his hands that he lacked last year. "It has just allowed me to simplify my at-bats and just worry about getting good pitches to hit and putting good swings on it instead of worrying about what's wrong with my swing and my timing. It's just put me in a simpler mind set and simpler approach."
Jon Gray, who is 9-8 with a 4.69 ERA, will start for the Rockies. He lost his last start on Sept. 10 in San Diego, giving up six runs (five earned) in four innings.
Weiss said after that outing, Gray and pitching coach Steve Foster and bullpen coach Darren Holmes worked on some "minor" mechanical things.
"Ot's more about timing issues over the rubber," Weiss said. "That's one of the things Jon has to really be in tune with. That affects his slider. When he doesn't have his slider, it makes it tough for him.
"His slider's a wipeout pitch, but it's been inconsistent at times this year. When he has that pitch, everything else kind of falls in place for him and he can be dominant. So, hopefully, we got that rectified."
Gray is 1-2 with a 3.75 ERA in four starts against the Padres this year, including a June outing at Coors Field where he allowed three runs (one earned) in seven innings. Gray is 6-2 with a 4.82 ERA in 13 starts at Coors Field this season.
Edwin Jackson will start for the Padres. He's 4-5 with a 5.32 ERA in 18 games, including 10 starts.
Two starts ago, the well-traveled Jackson, 33, made a mechanical adjustment to the end of his delivery. He then worked seven scoreless innings against Boston on Sept. 5, striking out 11, the most by a Padres pitcher this season, and allowing four hits and two walks while getting the victory in San Diego's 2-1 win.
On Sept. 11, Jackson allowed two runs in six innings against the Rockies but wasn't involved in the decision as the Padres lost 3-2 in 10 innings.
Padres first baseman Wil Myers hit his 25th homer on Friday, a two-run shot in the first inning. Myers joined Mike Trout as the only major leaguers with at least 25 doubles, 25 homers and 25 stolen bases this year. Myers, who has 26 doubles and 25 stolen bases, is the first Padres first baseman to reach those three milestones.
"It's something that's definitely pretty cool," Myers said. "I definitely didn't have that goal in mind when I started the season. But as I learned more about stealing bases, it kind of became one."
Myers also became the third first baseman in major league history to have 25 or more doubles, homers and stolen bases in a season. Jeff Bagwell and Joe Carter are the others.
Preview: Cardinals (76-71) at Giants (79-68)
Game: 3
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: September 17, 2016 9:05 PM EDT
SAN FRANCISCO -- St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Mike Leake will duel the guy the San Francisco Giants chose to replace him during the winter when he opposes Jeff Samardzija on Saturday night in a key matchup in the National League wild-card race.
Leake was acquired by the Giants from the Cincinnati Reds at the trade deadline.
San Francisco paid a hefty price -- outfielder Adam Duvall has turned into a 30-homer player -- but the defending champs were trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers atop the NL West at the time and thought they needed to do something.
It didn't work. Leake went just 2-5 with a 4.07 ERA in nine starts and the Giants, who trailed LA by a half-game on the day of the trade, wound up eight back.
Leake, a free agent at season's end, wasn't invited back. He went to the Cardinals on a five-year, $80 million deal.
The Giants then turned around and invested $10 million more in Samardzija on a five-year agreement.
Neither high-priced acquisition has impressed, and that's one reason both teams find themselves battling for wild-card playoff spots rather than division titles.
Samardzija has gone 11-10 with a 4.07 ERA in 29 starts for the Giants (79-68), who trail the Dodgers (83-64) by four game atop the West with 15 to play.
Perhaps more important, the Giants have used two series-opening wins to open a three-game lead over the Cardinals (76-71) in the NL wild-card race.
Leake, meanwhile, is 9-10 with a 4.60 ERA in 27 starts for the Cardinals, who have fallen two games behind the New York Mets (78-69) in the race for the second wild-card spot.
"We just have to play better, that's all there is to it," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "The standings are the standings, and we know what they are. You can't run from them. The standings say we're right there, so just keep playing the game."
The pitching head-to-head is critical to each pitcher because both seem to be getting worse as the games get more important.
Samardzija is just 3-6 with a 5.09 ERA in his last 15 starts, with the Giants losing 10 of the 15 games.
Leake has gone 2-3 with a 6.15 ERA in his last eight outings, with the Cardinals losing five of the eight.
If Leake is out for revenge, he should be comforted in the surroundings. He's 6-1 with a 3.07 ERA in nine outings (eight starts) at AT&T Park in San Francisco and 5-2 overall against the Giants with a 5.02 ERA in nine games (eight starts).
He has not faced the Giants this season.
Leake must hope for better support than Friday's Cardinals starter, Luke Weaver, who was pulled before the end of a six-run third inning during which a key error by catcher Yadier Molina made all the runs unearned.
"That's what you want to do," Giants first baseman Brandon Belt said after the win, "take advantage of mistakes."
Samardzija pitched June 4 at St. Louis and was the losing pitcher in a 7-4 defeat. Four Cardinals -- Brandon Moss, Aledmys Diaz, Stephen Piscotty and Matt Adams -- homered off him in his five innings.
The ex-Cub is 4-4 with a 4.61 ERA in 20 career games (nine starts) against the Cardinals.
Game: 3
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: September 17, 2016 9:05 PM EDT
SAN FRANCISCO -- St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Mike Leake will duel the guy the San Francisco Giants chose to replace him during the winter when he opposes Jeff Samardzija on Saturday night in a key matchup in the National League wild-card race.
Leake was acquired by the Giants from the Cincinnati Reds at the trade deadline.
San Francisco paid a hefty price -- outfielder Adam Duvall has turned into a 30-homer player -- but the defending champs were trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers atop the NL West at the time and thought they needed to do something.
It didn't work. Leake went just 2-5 with a 4.07 ERA in nine starts and the Giants, who trailed LA by a half-game on the day of the trade, wound up eight back.
Leake, a free agent at season's end, wasn't invited back. He went to the Cardinals on a five-year, $80 million deal.
The Giants then turned around and invested $10 million more in Samardzija on a five-year agreement.
Neither high-priced acquisition has impressed, and that's one reason both teams find themselves battling for wild-card playoff spots rather than division titles.
Samardzija has gone 11-10 with a 4.07 ERA in 29 starts for the Giants (79-68), who trail the Dodgers (83-64) by four game atop the West with 15 to play.
Perhaps more important, the Giants have used two series-opening wins to open a three-game lead over the Cardinals (76-71) in the NL wild-card race.
Leake, meanwhile, is 9-10 with a 4.60 ERA in 27 starts for the Cardinals, who have fallen two games behind the New York Mets (78-69) in the race for the second wild-card spot.
"We just have to play better, that's all there is to it," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "The standings are the standings, and we know what they are. You can't run from them. The standings say we're right there, so just keep playing the game."
The pitching head-to-head is critical to each pitcher because both seem to be getting worse as the games get more important.
Samardzija is just 3-6 with a 5.09 ERA in his last 15 starts, with the Giants losing 10 of the 15 games.
Leake has gone 2-3 with a 6.15 ERA in his last eight outings, with the Cardinals losing five of the eight.
If Leake is out for revenge, he should be comforted in the surroundings. He's 6-1 with a 3.07 ERA in nine outings (eight starts) at AT&T Park in San Francisco and 5-2 overall against the Giants with a 5.02 ERA in nine games (eight starts).
He has not faced the Giants this season.
Leake must hope for better support than Friday's Cardinals starter, Luke Weaver, who was pulled before the end of a six-run third inning during which a key error by catcher Yadier Molina made all the runs unearned.
"That's what you want to do," Giants first baseman Brandon Belt said after the win, "take advantage of mistakes."
Samardzija pitched June 4 at St. Louis and was the losing pitcher in a 7-4 defeat. Four Cardinals -- Brandon Moss, Aledmys Diaz, Stephen Piscotty and Matt Adams -- homered off him in his five innings.
The ex-Cub is 4-4 with a 4.61 ERA in 20 career games (nine starts) against the Cardinals.
Preview: Dodgers (83-64) at Diamondbacks (62-85)
Venue: Chase Field
Date: September 17, 2016 8:10 PM EDT
PHOENIX -- Brock Stewart gets another chance.
The Dodgers' 24-year-old right hander is set to make his fifth start of the season Saturday when the Los Angeles Dodgers continue their road trip at the Arizona Diamondbacks.
After two recent solid starts, "Brock has earned the opportunity for another start," manager Dave Roberts said.
Also, Stewart had been the designated backup, or long reliever in a couple recent games, but didn't have to be used, Roberts pointed out.
Stewart (1-2, 6.55 ERA) replaces scheduled starter Bud Norris (6-10, 5.05). Stewart and Norris could be in the picture as long relievers in the postseason. The Dodgers' top three postseason starters are expected to be Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill and Kenta Maeda.
The final two spots in the rotation for the regular season may continue to be in flux on a team that has starters Scott Kazmir, Brett Anderson, Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu on the disabled list.
The Dodgers split the first eight games on their season-long 10-game road trip. They evened the series Friday night in a bit of a strange game in which they came up with only five hits while their pitchers issued seven walks. They won thanks to a pair of unearned runs.
Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale lamented a botched double-play attempt. The Dodgers put two runners on base in the fourth when Adrian Gonzalez singled and Josh Reddick walked. Howie Kendrick hit a grounder to short, where Chris Owings retired Reddick on a force play, but second baseman Jean Segura threw the ball away attempting an inning-ending double play. Gonzalez scored, giving the Dodgers their second unearned run and a 3-1.
Ultimately, this was the decisive run.
"Unfortunately, the run that cost us was throwing away on a double-play ball. You can't make those mistakes in a game like this," Hale said.
Also, "We left a lot of guys on base," Hale said. Eleven to be precise. The Dodgers stranded only five.
The Dodgers used six relievers behind starter Kenta Maeda, who acknowledged he wasn't at his best.
"My command was off," Maeda said through his interpreter. "I wasn't able to get into my groove. I put a lot of pressure on the position players to pick up the slack."
"We can't seem to solve him," Hale said of Maeda.
"It was a grind for him," Roberts said of Maeda. "He still found a way, as he seemingly always does, to give us a chance to win. That's a sign of a great competitor."
Kenley Jansen gave up a triple to Chris Owings in the ninth. Owings scored on a sacrifice fly by Paul Goldschmidt, but Jansen got Jake Lamb to ground out to earn his career-best 45th save.
Zach Greinke (12-7) took the loss for the Diamondbacks, though he only gave up only four hits and three runs (one earned) in six innings.
The Dodgers are 11-6 vs. the D-backs this season and 39-16 since the start of 2014. According to STATS LLC, it is the highest win total of any series in this span (St. Louis is 38-19 vs. Milwaukee).
Venue: Chase Field
Date: September 17, 2016 8:10 PM EDT
PHOENIX -- Brock Stewart gets another chance.
The Dodgers' 24-year-old right hander is set to make his fifth start of the season Saturday when the Los Angeles Dodgers continue their road trip at the Arizona Diamondbacks.
After two recent solid starts, "Brock has earned the opportunity for another start," manager Dave Roberts said.
Also, Stewart had been the designated backup, or long reliever in a couple recent games, but didn't have to be used, Roberts pointed out.
Stewart (1-2, 6.55 ERA) replaces scheduled starter Bud Norris (6-10, 5.05). Stewart and Norris could be in the picture as long relievers in the postseason. The Dodgers' top three postseason starters are expected to be Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill and Kenta Maeda.
The final two spots in the rotation for the regular season may continue to be in flux on a team that has starters Scott Kazmir, Brett Anderson, Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu on the disabled list.
The Dodgers split the first eight games on their season-long 10-game road trip. They evened the series Friday night in a bit of a strange game in which they came up with only five hits while their pitchers issued seven walks. They won thanks to a pair of unearned runs.
Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale lamented a botched double-play attempt. The Dodgers put two runners on base in the fourth when Adrian Gonzalez singled and Josh Reddick walked. Howie Kendrick hit a grounder to short, where Chris Owings retired Reddick on a force play, but second baseman Jean Segura threw the ball away attempting an inning-ending double play. Gonzalez scored, giving the Dodgers their second unearned run and a 3-1.
Ultimately, this was the decisive run.
"Unfortunately, the run that cost us was throwing away on a double-play ball. You can't make those mistakes in a game like this," Hale said.
Also, "We left a lot of guys on base," Hale said. Eleven to be precise. The Dodgers stranded only five.
The Dodgers used six relievers behind starter Kenta Maeda, who acknowledged he wasn't at his best.
"My command was off," Maeda said through his interpreter. "I wasn't able to get into my groove. I put a lot of pressure on the position players to pick up the slack."
"We can't seem to solve him," Hale said of Maeda.
"It was a grind for him," Roberts said of Maeda. "He still found a way, as he seemingly always does, to give us a chance to win. That's a sign of a great competitor."
Kenley Jansen gave up a triple to Chris Owings in the ninth. Owings scored on a sacrifice fly by Paul Goldschmidt, but Jansen got Jake Lamb to ground out to earn his career-best 45th save.
Zach Greinke (12-7) took the loss for the Diamondbacks, though he only gave up only four hits and three runs (one earned) in six innings.
The Dodgers are 11-6 vs. the D-backs this season and 39-16 since the start of 2014. According to STATS LLC, it is the highest win total of any series in this span (St. Louis is 38-19 vs. Milwaukee).
Preview: Blue Jays (81-66) at Angels (63-84)
Game: 3
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: September 17, 2016 9:05 PM EDT
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- After a rough stretch, the Toronto Blue Jays have found a slice of paradise -- at least temporarily -- in this city known for being the home to Disneyland.
With Edwin Encarnacion and Troy Tulowitzki leading the way with homers, the Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Angels for the second night in a row, posting a 5-0 decision on Friday night at Angel Stadium. Starter R.A. Dickey and the bullpen combined for the shutout.
The win allowed Toronto to end a four-series losing streak this month. The Blue Jays, who are 5-9 in September, dropped series to the Tampa Bay Rays (twice), the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox before meeting the Angels.
"I thought we had a great approach tonight, battled, good win for us," said Blue Jays manager John Gibbons, whose club also remained tied for the top wild-card spot with the Baltimore Orioles and two games back of Boston for the American League East lead.
The Blue Jays hadn't lost four series in a row since June 30-July 12, 2015, when they fell to the Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals. At worst, they secured a split with the Angels in this four-game series that concludes Sunday.
On Saturday, the Blue Jays will rely on LHP Francisco Liriano (7-12, 5.16 ERA) to keep the good vibes flowing. Liriano will oppose Angels RHP Ricky Nolasco (5-14, 4.94) in the third game of the series.
Liriano was solid in his last outing on Sept. 12 against the Rays, striking out six, walking one and allowing two runs and three hits in a no-decision and a 3-2 Blue Jays win.
"I don't know how he could have been any better in that last time out," Gibbons said. "What was really good to me was he hadn't pitched in a while. His stuff has always been there and he's a dominating guy, but he keeps dealing with control problems even though that wasn't the case that night. That could be very big for him."
Liriano, who the Blue Jays acquired Aug. 1 in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, would enjoy a bouce-back performance against the Angels, who have hit him hard in the past. Liriano has a 2-5 mark with a 6.61 ERA in 10 games (nine starts) against Los Angeles.
In his last start against them as a member of the Pirates, Liriano was shelled for seven runs (six earned) and 10 hits in a 9-2 romp by the Angels on June 3.
Nolasco has pitched well since the Angels obtained him from the Minnesota Twins, but he has little to show for it. Despite being 1-6 in his last eight starts, he has gone at least six innings in all but one of those outings.
Nolasco was charged with the loss in his last start Monday against the Seattle Mariners, working six innings and giving up four runs, six hits with three strikeouts and a walk.
In his career against Toronto, Nolasco, who was acquired by the Angels from the Twins on Aug. 1, is 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia is hoping Nolasco and his club can put some heat on the Blue Jays and snap a five-game skid.
"All in all, we just didn't pressure those guys enough," Scioscia said of the club's loss on Friday.
Game: 3
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: September 17, 2016 9:05 PM EDT
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- After a rough stretch, the Toronto Blue Jays have found a slice of paradise -- at least temporarily -- in this city known for being the home to Disneyland.
With Edwin Encarnacion and Troy Tulowitzki leading the way with homers, the Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Angels for the second night in a row, posting a 5-0 decision on Friday night at Angel Stadium. Starter R.A. Dickey and the bullpen combined for the shutout.
The win allowed Toronto to end a four-series losing streak this month. The Blue Jays, who are 5-9 in September, dropped series to the Tampa Bay Rays (twice), the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox before meeting the Angels.
"I thought we had a great approach tonight, battled, good win for us," said Blue Jays manager John Gibbons, whose club also remained tied for the top wild-card spot with the Baltimore Orioles and two games back of Boston for the American League East lead.
The Blue Jays hadn't lost four series in a row since June 30-July 12, 2015, when they fell to the Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals. At worst, they secured a split with the Angels in this four-game series that concludes Sunday.
On Saturday, the Blue Jays will rely on LHP Francisco Liriano (7-12, 5.16 ERA) to keep the good vibes flowing. Liriano will oppose Angels RHP Ricky Nolasco (5-14, 4.94) in the third game of the series.
Liriano was solid in his last outing on Sept. 12 against the Rays, striking out six, walking one and allowing two runs and three hits in a no-decision and a 3-2 Blue Jays win.
"I don't know how he could have been any better in that last time out," Gibbons said. "What was really good to me was he hadn't pitched in a while. His stuff has always been there and he's a dominating guy, but he keeps dealing with control problems even though that wasn't the case that night. That could be very big for him."
Liriano, who the Blue Jays acquired Aug. 1 in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, would enjoy a bouce-back performance against the Angels, who have hit him hard in the past. Liriano has a 2-5 mark with a 6.61 ERA in 10 games (nine starts) against Los Angeles.
In his last start against them as a member of the Pirates, Liriano was shelled for seven runs (six earned) and 10 hits in a 9-2 romp by the Angels on June 3.
Nolasco has pitched well since the Angels obtained him from the Minnesota Twins, but he has little to show for it. Despite being 1-6 in his last eight starts, he has gone at least six innings in all but one of those outings.
Nolasco was charged with the loss in his last start Monday against the Seattle Mariners, working six innings and giving up four runs, six hits with three strikeouts and a walk.
In his career against Toronto, Nolasco, who was acquired by the Angels from the Twins on Aug. 1, is 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia is hoping Nolasco and his club can put some heat on the Blue Jays and snap a five-game skid.
"All in all, we just didn't pressure those guys enough," Scioscia said of the club's loss on Friday.
Preview: Astros (77-70) at Mariners (78-69)
Game: 2
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: September 17, 2016 9:10 PM EDT
SEATTLE -- The Houston Astros still have time to atone for their September collapse last season, and they took a big step in the right direction Friday night. The 6-0 win over Seattle and ace pitcher Felix Hernandez moved the Astros (77-71) one game closer to the Mariners, Tigers and Yankees in the American League wild-card standings.
The barely-breathing Astros can take push themselves further into the crowded group of contenders with a victory Saturday, which would not only win the series but would also put Houston in a tie with Seattle among the teams chasing Baltimore and Toronto for the two wild-card spots.
The Astros will turn to Mike Fiers (10-7) in the second game of the three-game series with the Mariners on Saturday night. Fiers is coming off his shortest outing of the season, having allowed seven runs in just 2 1/3 innings of a 9-5 loss to the Cubs last Sunday.
"Big games like this," Fiers said after that performance, "I need to lock it in and play better than I did."
He'll get another shot Saturday night, although Fiers has a pretty tough act to follow. Friday starter Collin McHugh shut out the Mariners for seven innings, allowing just two hits, as Houston kept its chances of a second consecutive wild-card berth alive. McHugh has now beaten Seattle in all four of his starts against the Mariners this season.
"We just match up pretty well with them -- me, specifically," McHugh said after dropping his season ERA against Seattle to 1.36 this season. "Whether it's pitch mix or this venue, I've been able to have some success against them."
Seattle's Hernandez had quite the opposite kind of night. Having never pitched in a postseason game, Hernandez was in the rare position of taking the mound for a meaningful September game at Safeco Field and fell flat.
"He certainly was not on top of his game tonight," manager Scott Servais said after Friday's loss, which snapped an eight-game losing streak and dropped Seattle to three games behind co-wild-card leaders Toronto and Baltimore with just 15 games remaining.
The Mariners (78-69) are hoping for better results from Saturday starter James Paxton, a 27-year-old left-hander who can be dominant but can also be frustratingly inconsistent. Paxton turned in his best outing of the season on Aug. 7, when he looked to be on his way to a complete-game win over the Angels before taking a line drive off his left elbow one out into the ninth. He returned to the mound three weeks later but hasn't been nearly as dominant; he's still looking for his first win of September.
Neither team can afford a loss as the remaining games dwindle and the distance separating them from the Blue Jays and Orioles looks harder and harder to overcome. Houston did the early damage but might need a sweep just to stay in realistic contention, while Seattle can't afford to lose again Saturday.
"We've still got a lot of baseball left to play," Servais said. "We're still in a very competitive spot. But (Friday's performance) is not what you wanted to see."
For the Astros, the momentum of a Friday win could set the tone for this series and beyond.
"When you're going into a little bit of a playoff push like this, having the experience of last year, and knowing what it takes, I think that can be a little bit of an advantage for us," Houston's McHugh said.
Game: 2
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: September 17, 2016 9:10 PM EDT
SEATTLE -- The Houston Astros still have time to atone for their September collapse last season, and they took a big step in the right direction Friday night. The 6-0 win over Seattle and ace pitcher Felix Hernandez moved the Astros (77-71) one game closer to the Mariners, Tigers and Yankees in the American League wild-card standings.
The barely-breathing Astros can take push themselves further into the crowded group of contenders with a victory Saturday, which would not only win the series but would also put Houston in a tie with Seattle among the teams chasing Baltimore and Toronto for the two wild-card spots.
The Astros will turn to Mike Fiers (10-7) in the second game of the three-game series with the Mariners on Saturday night. Fiers is coming off his shortest outing of the season, having allowed seven runs in just 2 1/3 innings of a 9-5 loss to the Cubs last Sunday.
"Big games like this," Fiers said after that performance, "I need to lock it in and play better than I did."
He'll get another shot Saturday night, although Fiers has a pretty tough act to follow. Friday starter Collin McHugh shut out the Mariners for seven innings, allowing just two hits, as Houston kept its chances of a second consecutive wild-card berth alive. McHugh has now beaten Seattle in all four of his starts against the Mariners this season.
"We just match up pretty well with them -- me, specifically," McHugh said after dropping his season ERA against Seattle to 1.36 this season. "Whether it's pitch mix or this venue, I've been able to have some success against them."
Seattle's Hernandez had quite the opposite kind of night. Having never pitched in a postseason game, Hernandez was in the rare position of taking the mound for a meaningful September game at Safeco Field and fell flat.
"He certainly was not on top of his game tonight," manager Scott Servais said after Friday's loss, which snapped an eight-game losing streak and dropped Seattle to three games behind co-wild-card leaders Toronto and Baltimore with just 15 games remaining.
The Mariners (78-69) are hoping for better results from Saturday starter James Paxton, a 27-year-old left-hander who can be dominant but can also be frustratingly inconsistent. Paxton turned in his best outing of the season on Aug. 7, when he looked to be on his way to a complete-game win over the Angels before taking a line drive off his left elbow one out into the ninth. He returned to the mound three weeks later but hasn't been nearly as dominant; he's still looking for his first win of September.
Neither team can afford a loss as the remaining games dwindle and the distance separating them from the Blue Jays and Orioles looks harder and harder to overcome. Houston did the early damage but might need a sweep just to stay in realistic contention, while Seattle can't afford to lose again Saturday.
"We've still got a lot of baseball left to play," Servais said. "We're still in a very competitive spot. But (Friday's performance) is not what you wanted to see."
For the Astros, the momentum of a Friday win could set the tone for this series and beyond.
"When you're going into a little bit of a playoff push like this, having the experience of last year, and knowing what it takes, I think that can be a little bit of an advantage for us," Houston's McHugh said.
Five to Follow MLB Betting: Saturday, September 17, 2016, Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews
We have reached that time of year where you have to consider a team's motivation when betting on individual baseball games. On Thursday night, the Chicago Cubs lost at home to the Milwaukee Brewers with a chance to celebrate clinching their first NL Central title since 2008 in front of their fans. But the Cubbies won the division a few hours later when the Cardinals lost in San Francisco. So it's a guarantee that Joe Maddon will be resting a key guy or two in each game from here on out, while also limiting the workload of his starters to keep them fresh. The Cubs still haven't nailed down the NL's top seed yet -- that's all but a formality. Chicago clinched the division after 146 games, the fastest by any team since the 2008 Angels. The last two times the Cubs won the division, they were swept in the playoffs (Dodgers in 2008 and Diamondbacks in 2007). The Cubs are +200 World Series favorites this time.
Yankees at Red Sox (-260, 9)
First pitch of 1:05 p.m. ET on Fox. Yeah, I'll be watching college football, but this game does mean something. It also looks just slightly like a pitching mismatch on paper. New York goes with Bryan Mitchell. The 25-year-old Mitchell (1-1, 2.45) makes his fifth career big-league start and third this season. He was rocked Monday by the Dodgers, allowing six runs (two earned) and eight hits in 2.1 innings. Mitchell missed most of the season after suffering a toe injury that required surgery at the end of spring training. Boston's Jackie Bradley Jr. is 2-for-2 career off Mitchell. Xander Bogaerts is 1-for-3 with a double. The Sox go with lefty David Price (16-8, 3.81), who has been one of the AL's best pitchers in the second half. Price won a seventh straight start Monday vs. Baltimore, allowing two runs and two hits over eight with nine strikeouts. But Price is 1-2 with a 7.79 ERA in three starts against the Yankees this season. That's because of two lousy early-season starts. Brian McCann is 10-for-29 career off him with three homers and seven RBIs. Jacoby Ellsbury is a career .357 hitter off him in 70 at-bats.
Key trends: The Red Sox are 4-1 in Price's past five at home. The "over/under" is 10-1 in Price's past 11.
Early lean: Red Sox and over.
Tigers at Indians (-119, 8)
A 4:10 p.m. ET first pitch on Fox Sports 1. Detroit manager Brad Ausmus cost us a matchup of former Cy Young winners in Friday's opener as he opted to push back Justin Verlander (14-8, 3.33) one day. The Tigers had won four straight of his outings and they were all quality, but Verlander lost at home to Baltimore on Sunday, giving up three runs and seven hits over five innings. It was his shortest outing since July 7, but he still threw 104 pitches -- thus Ausmus' decision. Verlander is 0-3 with an ugly 9.18 ERA in three starts against the Tribe this year. Jason Kipnis hits just .106 off him with 14 strikeouts in 47 at-bats. Carlos Santana has seven homers and 11 RBIs in 61 at-bats off Verlander but 14 strikeouts. Cleveland's Carlos Carrasco (11-8, 3.32) might be hitting a wall as he has allowed four earned in each of his past two starts and lasted just 3.2 innings Monday at the White Sox. He is 2-0 with a 0.51 ERA in three starts this year against Detroit.
Key trends: The Indians are 5-0 in Carrasco's past five vs. Detroit. The Tigers are 1-4 in Verlander's past five in Cleveland. The over is 6-1 in Carrasco's past seven against the Tigers. The over is 4-1 in Verlander's past five in Cleveland.
Early lean: Tigers and under (so I'm basically disregarding the trends on this one).
Marlins at Phillies (-105, 8)
Miami is making a last-ditch miracle effort in the wild-card chase and was expected to finally return Giancarlo Stanton to the starting lineup either Friday or Saturday. He has been limited to pinch-hitting since being activated off the DL on Sept. 6. It's too late, Fish. Miami can partially blame a 6-9 record this season against terrible Atlanta. The Marlins go with Jose Urena (4-6, 4.89) here, and he comes off the best start of his career, shutting out the Dodgers on four hits over 8.2 innings. The 24-year-old Urena was lifted after giving up a base hit to Josh Reddick with two outs in the ninth. He has a ERA of 3.88 in nine starts since joining the rotation in mid-July. Urena is 0-1 with a 4.26 ERA in four appearances (two starts) vs. the Phillies this year. Tommy Joseph is 3-for-3 off him with a homer. Freddy Galvis is 3-for-7 with two RBIs. Philadelphia's Jeremy Hellickson (11-9, 3.76) beat Pittsburgh on Monday in throwing 6.1 innings and not allowing an earned run. He is 2-1 with a 2.59 ERA in five starts this year against Miami. Stanton is 1-for-15 career off him with that one hit a homer. Marcell Ozuna is 5-for-17 with three doubles.
Key trends: The Marlins are 1-5 in Urena's past six vs. teams with a losing record. The Phillies are 5-2 in Hellickson's past seven at home. The under is 4-1 in Urena's past five. The under is 6-2 in Hellickson's past eight at home.
Early lean: Marlins and under.
Blue Jays at Angels (+131, 9)
There's really no excuse for the Jays to take anything less than three of four in this series They better because it's all playoff-caliber teams the rest of the way. Toronto is banged-up, especially reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson, and the offense has struggled this month. The Jays go with lefty Francisco Liriano (7-12, 5.16) on Saturday. He comes off his best start since coming over from Pittsburgh, allowing two runs and three hits in 6.1 innings vs. the Rays, although he took a no-decision. He faced the Angels on June 3 as a member of the Pirates and was rocked for seven runs and 10 hits over 3.1 innings. Mike Trout is 4-for-10 off him with three RBIs. Albert Pujols is just 2-for-17. L.A.'s Ricky Nolasco (5-14, 4.94) has been predictably mediocre since coming over from the Twins. He lost to Seattle on Monday, allowing four runs over six innings. Nolasco hasn't seen the Jays this year. Scuffling Jose Bautista is 2-for-9 off him with three strikeouts. Troy Tulowitzki is 6-for-19 with a homer.
Key trends: The Jays are 4-1 in their past five on Saturday. The Angels are 0-5 in Nolasco's past five vs. teams with a winning record. The under is 4-1 in Liriano's past five. The under is 6-0-1 in Nolasco's past seven.
Early lean: Blue Jays and over.
Cardinals at Giants (-126, 7.5)
San Francisco acquired pitcher Mike Leake from the Cincinnati Reds at last year's trade deadline in hopes of boosting the team's playoff chances. It didn't happen as Leake wasn't great with the Giants, going 2-5 with a 4.07 ERA in nine starts. The team didn't make an effort to re-sign him this offseason, but the Cardinals threw $80 million or so at him, and Leake gets his first crack at his old teammates here. Leake (9-10, 4.60) hast lost both starts since returning from a bout with shingles, allowing seven runs and 15 hits over 10.1 innings. He was much better in the second outing as he regains stamina. The Giants' Hunter Pence is a career .419 hitter off him in 31 at-bats. Brandon Crawford is 7-for-20 with two homers and nine RBIs. San Francisco's Jeff Samardzija (11-10, 4.07) lost to the Padres on Monday, allowing four runs and eight hits in six innings. He lost in St. Louis on June 4, giving up six runs over five innings. Yadier Molina is 10-for-22 career off him.
Key trends: The Cardinals are 2-5 in Leake's past seven vs. teams with a winning record. The Giants are 1-4 in Samardzija's past five at home. The over is 7-3 in Leake's past 10 on the road. The under is 4-0-1 in Samardzija's past five at home.
Early lean: Giants and over.
by Alan Matthews
We have reached that time of year where you have to consider a team's motivation when betting on individual baseball games. On Thursday night, the Chicago Cubs lost at home to the Milwaukee Brewers with a chance to celebrate clinching their first NL Central title since 2008 in front of their fans. But the Cubbies won the division a few hours later when the Cardinals lost in San Francisco. So it's a guarantee that Joe Maddon will be resting a key guy or two in each game from here on out, while also limiting the workload of his starters to keep them fresh. The Cubs still haven't nailed down the NL's top seed yet -- that's all but a formality. Chicago clinched the division after 146 games, the fastest by any team since the 2008 Angels. The last two times the Cubs won the division, they were swept in the playoffs (Dodgers in 2008 and Diamondbacks in 2007). The Cubs are +200 World Series favorites this time.
Yankees at Red Sox (-260, 9)
First pitch of 1:05 p.m. ET on Fox. Yeah, I'll be watching college football, but this game does mean something. It also looks just slightly like a pitching mismatch on paper. New York goes with Bryan Mitchell. The 25-year-old Mitchell (1-1, 2.45) makes his fifth career big-league start and third this season. He was rocked Monday by the Dodgers, allowing six runs (two earned) and eight hits in 2.1 innings. Mitchell missed most of the season after suffering a toe injury that required surgery at the end of spring training. Boston's Jackie Bradley Jr. is 2-for-2 career off Mitchell. Xander Bogaerts is 1-for-3 with a double. The Sox go with lefty David Price (16-8, 3.81), who has been one of the AL's best pitchers in the second half. Price won a seventh straight start Monday vs. Baltimore, allowing two runs and two hits over eight with nine strikeouts. But Price is 1-2 with a 7.79 ERA in three starts against the Yankees this season. That's because of two lousy early-season starts. Brian McCann is 10-for-29 career off him with three homers and seven RBIs. Jacoby Ellsbury is a career .357 hitter off him in 70 at-bats.
Key trends: The Red Sox are 4-1 in Price's past five at home. The "over/under" is 10-1 in Price's past 11.
Early lean: Red Sox and over.
Tigers at Indians (-119, 8)
A 4:10 p.m. ET first pitch on Fox Sports 1. Detroit manager Brad Ausmus cost us a matchup of former Cy Young winners in Friday's opener as he opted to push back Justin Verlander (14-8, 3.33) one day. The Tigers had won four straight of his outings and they were all quality, but Verlander lost at home to Baltimore on Sunday, giving up three runs and seven hits over five innings. It was his shortest outing since July 7, but he still threw 104 pitches -- thus Ausmus' decision. Verlander is 0-3 with an ugly 9.18 ERA in three starts against the Tribe this year. Jason Kipnis hits just .106 off him with 14 strikeouts in 47 at-bats. Carlos Santana has seven homers and 11 RBIs in 61 at-bats off Verlander but 14 strikeouts. Cleveland's Carlos Carrasco (11-8, 3.32) might be hitting a wall as he has allowed four earned in each of his past two starts and lasted just 3.2 innings Monday at the White Sox. He is 2-0 with a 0.51 ERA in three starts this year against Detroit.
Key trends: The Indians are 5-0 in Carrasco's past five vs. Detroit. The Tigers are 1-4 in Verlander's past five in Cleveland. The over is 6-1 in Carrasco's past seven against the Tigers. The over is 4-1 in Verlander's past five in Cleveland.
Early lean: Tigers and under (so I'm basically disregarding the trends on this one).
Marlins at Phillies (-105, 8)
Miami is making a last-ditch miracle effort in the wild-card chase and was expected to finally return Giancarlo Stanton to the starting lineup either Friday or Saturday. He has been limited to pinch-hitting since being activated off the DL on Sept. 6. It's too late, Fish. Miami can partially blame a 6-9 record this season against terrible Atlanta. The Marlins go with Jose Urena (4-6, 4.89) here, and he comes off the best start of his career, shutting out the Dodgers on four hits over 8.2 innings. The 24-year-old Urena was lifted after giving up a base hit to Josh Reddick with two outs in the ninth. He has a ERA of 3.88 in nine starts since joining the rotation in mid-July. Urena is 0-1 with a 4.26 ERA in four appearances (two starts) vs. the Phillies this year. Tommy Joseph is 3-for-3 off him with a homer. Freddy Galvis is 3-for-7 with two RBIs. Philadelphia's Jeremy Hellickson (11-9, 3.76) beat Pittsburgh on Monday in throwing 6.1 innings and not allowing an earned run. He is 2-1 with a 2.59 ERA in five starts this year against Miami. Stanton is 1-for-15 career off him with that one hit a homer. Marcell Ozuna is 5-for-17 with three doubles.
Key trends: The Marlins are 1-5 in Urena's past six vs. teams with a losing record. The Phillies are 5-2 in Hellickson's past seven at home. The under is 4-1 in Urena's past five. The under is 6-2 in Hellickson's past eight at home.
Early lean: Marlins and under.
Blue Jays at Angels (+131, 9)
There's really no excuse for the Jays to take anything less than three of four in this series They better because it's all playoff-caliber teams the rest of the way. Toronto is banged-up, especially reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson, and the offense has struggled this month. The Jays go with lefty Francisco Liriano (7-12, 5.16) on Saturday. He comes off his best start since coming over from Pittsburgh, allowing two runs and three hits in 6.1 innings vs. the Rays, although he took a no-decision. He faced the Angels on June 3 as a member of the Pirates and was rocked for seven runs and 10 hits over 3.1 innings. Mike Trout is 4-for-10 off him with three RBIs. Albert Pujols is just 2-for-17. L.A.'s Ricky Nolasco (5-14, 4.94) has been predictably mediocre since coming over from the Twins. He lost to Seattle on Monday, allowing four runs over six innings. Nolasco hasn't seen the Jays this year. Scuffling Jose Bautista is 2-for-9 off him with three strikeouts. Troy Tulowitzki is 6-for-19 with a homer.
Key trends: The Jays are 4-1 in their past five on Saturday. The Angels are 0-5 in Nolasco's past five vs. teams with a winning record. The under is 4-1 in Liriano's past five. The under is 6-0-1 in Nolasco's past seven.
Early lean: Blue Jays and over.
Cardinals at Giants (-126, 7.5)
San Francisco acquired pitcher Mike Leake from the Cincinnati Reds at last year's trade deadline in hopes of boosting the team's playoff chances. It didn't happen as Leake wasn't great with the Giants, going 2-5 with a 4.07 ERA in nine starts. The team didn't make an effort to re-sign him this offseason, but the Cardinals threw $80 million or so at him, and Leake gets his first crack at his old teammates here. Leake (9-10, 4.60) hast lost both starts since returning from a bout with shingles, allowing seven runs and 15 hits over 10.1 innings. He was much better in the second outing as he regains stamina. The Giants' Hunter Pence is a career .419 hitter off him in 31 at-bats. Brandon Crawford is 7-for-20 with two homers and nine RBIs. San Francisco's Jeff Samardzija (11-10, 4.07) lost to the Padres on Monday, allowing four runs and eight hits in six innings. He lost in St. Louis on June 4, giving up six runs over five innings. Yadier Molina is 10-for-22 career off him.
Key trends: The Cardinals are 2-5 in Leake's past seven vs. teams with a winning record. The Giants are 1-4 in Samardzija's past five at home. The over is 7-3 in Leake's past 10 on the road. The under is 4-0-1 in Samardzija's past five at home.
Early lean: Giants and over.
MLB
Saturday’s games
National League
Brewers @ Cubs
Davies is 1-1, 2.73 in his last four starts; four of his last six went over. Milwaukee is 4-4 in his road starts.
Arrieta is 1-1, 6.11 in his last three starts; five of his last six went over. Cubs are 3-6 in his last nine home starts.
Milwaukee is 10-6 in its last 16 games; under is 5-2-1 in their last eight games. Cubs are 11-2 in last 13 home games; under is 6-2-1 in their last nine games. Chicago has already clinched their division.
Marlins @ Phillies
Urena is 3-2, 1.30 in his last five starts (under 4-1). Miami is 3-1 in his road starts.
Hellickson is 1-2, 5.64 in his last four starts; under is 9-3-2 in his last 14 starts. Phillies are 5-2 in his last seven home starts.
Miami is 3-8 in its last 11 home games, 5-3 in last eight games overall; five of Marlins’ last six road games went over the total. Phillies lost nine of last 12 home games; under is 8-2-3 in their last 13 home games.
Pirates @ Reds
Taillon is 0-2, 4.18 in his last five starts; seven of his last eight stayed under. Pirates are 4-2 in his road starts.
Williams is making first MLB start; he was 9-6, 2.53 in 19 AAA starts this year, has allowed four runs in four IP in two MLB relief stints.
DeSclafani is 1-1, 2.05 in his last three starts; under is 5-3 in his last eight. Reds are 6-2 in his home starts. Finnegan is 2-1, 1.80 in his last five starts; his last four stayed under. Cincy is 4-8 in his home starts.
Pirates won three of last four games; under is 5-2-2 in their last nine games. Cincy won five of last seven games; under is 11-5 in their last 16 games.
Nationals @ Braves
Gonzalez is 3-0, 4.09 in his last four starts; over is 14-9-1 in his last 24. Washington is 2-7 in his last nine road starts.
Collmenter is making first ’16 start; he was 1-0, 2.25 in six AAA starts this year. He is 36-33, 3.54 in 200 MLB games (75 starts).
Nationals won nine of last 11 games; five of last seven Washington games stayed under. Atlanta lost eight of last ten games; over is 14-1 in Atlanta’s last 15 home games.
Padres @ Rockies
Jackson is 1-0, 1.38 in his last two starts; under is 6-3 in his last nine.
Gray is 1-4, 8.23 in his last seven starts (over 6-1). Colorado is 7-5 in his home starts.
Padres won three of last four games; over is 6-4 in their last 10 road games. Colorado lost four of last six games; six of last eight Colorado games went over.
Dodgers @ Diamondbacks
Norris is 0-1, 10.80 in his last three starts (over 7-2).
Miller is 0-5, 8.63 in his last six starts; four of his last six went over. Arizona is 2-7 in his home starts.
Dodgers are 9-4 in their last 13 games; eight of their last ten games stayed under the total. Arizona won four of last five games; over is 20-5 in their last 25 home games.
Cardinals @ Giants
Leake is 1-1, 3.99 in his last five starts; over is 10-6-1 in his last 17. Cardinals are 8-5 in his road starts.
Samardzija is 3-1, 2.95 in his last seven starts; under is 9-1 in his last ten starts. Giants lost four of his last five home starts.
St Louis lost seven of its last ten games; five of its last seven games stayed under. San Francisco lost three of last five games; three of their last four games went over.
American League
Rays @ Orioles
Andriese is 1-2, 9.64 in his last three starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. Rays are 4-4 in his road starts.
Tillman is 2-2, 4.29 in his last four starts; under is 7-2-2 in his last 11. Orioles are 10-2 in his home starts (lost last two).
Tampa Bay won four of its last six games; under is 4-1-2 in their last seven. Orioles won five of their last seven games; under is 9-1-1 in their last 11 home games.
New York @ Boston
Mitchell is 1-1, 7.37 in his two starts this year (over 1-1).
Price is 7-0, 2.16 in his last seven starts; over is 8-0-1 in his last nine. Boston is 9-5 in his home starts.
New York lost five of last six games; under is 9-6 in their last 15 games. Boston won seven of last ten games; over is 8-3-1 in their last 12 home games.
Tigers @ Indians
Verlander is 2-1, 2.76 in his last five starts; under is 12-2 in his last 14. Detroit is 7-5 in his road starts.
Carrasco is 2-2, 6.55 in his last four starts; over is 4-1 in his last five home starts. Cleveland is 8-4 in his home starts.
Tigers lost seven of last ten games; over is 8-3 in their last 11 road games. Cleveland won ten of last 12 home games; over is 6-3 in their last nine home games.
A’s @ Rangers
Alcantara is 0-1, 7.27 in his first two MLB starts (over 1-1).
Darvish is 1-1, 5.40 in his last four starts; four of his last six went over. Texas is 5-3 in his home starts.
A’s won four of last five games (over 4-0-1. Texas is 12-2 in last 14 home games; last seven Ranger home games went over the total.
White Sox @ Royals
Gonzalez is 2-0, 1.93 in his last three starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. White Sox lost four of his last five road starts.
Vargas is making first ’16 start; he was 0-2, 5.93 in three AAA starts this year, is 67-70, 4.20 in 193 career MLB starts.
White Sox won seven of last ten games; over is 10-3 in their last 13 road games. Kansas City lost its last six home games; over is 9-1-1 in their last 11 home games.
Blue Jays @ Angels
Liriano is 1-0, 3.64 in his last three starts (under 4-1).
Nolasco is 1-6, 4.50 in eight starts for the Angels (under 6-1-1).
Toronto lost nine of last 14 games; under is 5-2-2 in their last nine games. Angels lost nine of last ten games; under is 7-1-2 in their last ten home games.
Astros @ Mariners
Fiers is 1-1, 7.23 in his last four starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. Houston is 10-4 in his home starts.
Paxton is 0-1, 6.64 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Seattle is 2-6 in his home starts.
Astros lost six of last nine road games; over is 6-3 in their last nine road games. Seattle won eight of last nine games; over is 10-4 in last 14 Seattle’s home games.
Interleague
Twins @ Mets
Santana is 1-0, 3.38 in his last three starts; three of his last four went over. Twins are 4-9 in his road starts.
Lugo is 4-0, 1.80 in his last four starts (over 4-1).
Twins are 2-13 in last 15 road games; under is 5-1-1 in their last seven games. Mets won nine of last 12 games; under is 7-2 in New York’s last nine home games.
Teams’ record when this pitcher starts:
Mil-Chi– Davies 13-13; Arrieta 19-9
Mia-Phil– Urena 4-5; Hellickson 16-13
Pitt-Cin– Taillon 10-5 Williams 0-0; DeSclafani 10-7 Finnegan 12-18
Wsh-Atl– Gonzalez 14-15 (4-0 last 4); Perez 6-5
SD-Col– Jackson 5-5; Gray 11-15
LA-Az– Norris 5-4/5-5; Miller 5-12
StL-SF– Leake 12-15; Samardzija 15-15
TB-Balt– Andriese 7-9; Tillman 21-6
NY-Bos– Mitchell 1-1; Price 18-13 (7-0 last 7)
Det-Clev– Verlander 18-12; Carrasco 15-9
A’s-Tex– Alcantara 0-2; Darvish 8-6
Chi-KC– Gonzalez 10-10; Vargas 0-0
Tor-LAA– Liriano 3-2/9-12; Nolasco 1-7/9-12
Hst-Sea– Fiers 16-11; Paxton 5-12
Min-NYM– Santana 8-19; Lugo 4-0
# of time pitcher allows 1+ runs in first inning:
Mil-Chi– Davies 7-26; Arrieta 4-28
Mia-Phil– Urena 2-9; Hellickson 9-29
Pitt-Cin– Taillon 6-15 Williams 0-0; DeSclafani 9-17 Finnegan 8-30
Wsh-Atl– Gonzalez 7-29; Perez 4-11
SD-Col– Jackson 1-10; Gray 10-26
LA-Az– Norris 6-19; Miller 7-17
StL-SF– Leake 9-27; Samardzija 10-30
TB-Balt– Andriese 4-16; Tillman 9-27
NY-Bos– Mitchell 1-2; Price 10-31
Det-Clev– Verlander 10-30; Carrasco 7-24
A’s-Tex– Alcantara 1-2; Darvish 5-14
Chi-KC– Gonzalez 6-20; Vargas 0-0
Tor-LAA– Liriano 7-26; Nolasco 11-29
Hst-Sea– Fiers 6-27; Paxton 5-17
Min-NYM– Santana 9-27; Lugo 1-5
Teams’ records in first five innings:
Team (road-home-total)- thru 9/16
Arizona 24-36-11…..32-38-6…….56-73
Atlanta 27-36-11…..24-35-13……51-71
Cubs 39-25-10……43-21-10…….82-46
Reds 20-42-9……34-36-5…….54-78
Colo 27-34-13…..33-34-4……..60-68
LA 30-32-11……46-21-8…….75-53
Miami 32-32-10…..32-24-16…….64-56
Milw 24-41-10……40-24-10…..64-65
Mets 32-44-10……34-26-11……66-60
Philly 24-32-18…..26-34-14……50-64
Pitt 21-39-13…..42-26-6……63-64
St. Louis 33-33-7……28-33-13…….61-66
SD 24-47-5…..32-34-6……..56-81
SF 33-35-7…….37-21-14……70-56
Wash 37-22-14….30-22-22……67-44
Orioles 30-37-9…….36-29-8…….66-66
Boston 30-30-11……45-21-9…….75-51
White Sox 31-31-10…….39-31-6……..70-62
Cleveland 38-27-10……36-29-6……..74-56
Detroit 30-33-9…….31-36-5……..61-69
Astros 30-33-11…..34-29-8……..64-62
KC 28-37-11……29-28-14……57-65
Angels 30-37-7…….25-35-13…….55-72
Twins 28-36-13…….25-38-13…..53-74
NYY 24-39-8……34-31-13……..58-70
A’s 26-39-8……26-35-14……52-73
Seattle 35-29-11……33-26-12……68-55
Tampa Bay 27-31-13……32-33-12……59-64
Texas 28-39-11…….35-25-9……63-64
Toronto 44-24-5……..40-30-5……84-54
Saturday’s games
National League
Brewers @ Cubs
Davies is 1-1, 2.73 in his last four starts; four of his last six went over. Milwaukee is 4-4 in his road starts.
Arrieta is 1-1, 6.11 in his last three starts; five of his last six went over. Cubs are 3-6 in his last nine home starts.
Milwaukee is 10-6 in its last 16 games; under is 5-2-1 in their last eight games. Cubs are 11-2 in last 13 home games; under is 6-2-1 in their last nine games. Chicago has already clinched their division.
Marlins @ Phillies
Urena is 3-2, 1.30 in his last five starts (under 4-1). Miami is 3-1 in his road starts.
Hellickson is 1-2, 5.64 in his last four starts; under is 9-3-2 in his last 14 starts. Phillies are 5-2 in his last seven home starts.
Miami is 3-8 in its last 11 home games, 5-3 in last eight games overall; five of Marlins’ last six road games went over the total. Phillies lost nine of last 12 home games; under is 8-2-3 in their last 13 home games.
Pirates @ Reds
Taillon is 0-2, 4.18 in his last five starts; seven of his last eight stayed under. Pirates are 4-2 in his road starts.
Williams is making first MLB start; he was 9-6, 2.53 in 19 AAA starts this year, has allowed four runs in four IP in two MLB relief stints.
DeSclafani is 1-1, 2.05 in his last three starts; under is 5-3 in his last eight. Reds are 6-2 in his home starts. Finnegan is 2-1, 1.80 in his last five starts; his last four stayed under. Cincy is 4-8 in his home starts.
Pirates won three of last four games; under is 5-2-2 in their last nine games. Cincy won five of last seven games; under is 11-5 in their last 16 games.
Nationals @ Braves
Gonzalez is 3-0, 4.09 in his last four starts; over is 14-9-1 in his last 24. Washington is 2-7 in his last nine road starts.
Collmenter is making first ’16 start; he was 1-0, 2.25 in six AAA starts this year. He is 36-33, 3.54 in 200 MLB games (75 starts).
Nationals won nine of last 11 games; five of last seven Washington games stayed under. Atlanta lost eight of last ten games; over is 14-1 in Atlanta’s last 15 home games.
Padres @ Rockies
Jackson is 1-0, 1.38 in his last two starts; under is 6-3 in his last nine.
Gray is 1-4, 8.23 in his last seven starts (over 6-1). Colorado is 7-5 in his home starts.
Padres won three of last four games; over is 6-4 in their last 10 road games. Colorado lost four of last six games; six of last eight Colorado games went over.
Dodgers @ Diamondbacks
Norris is 0-1, 10.80 in his last three starts (over 7-2).
Miller is 0-5, 8.63 in his last six starts; four of his last six went over. Arizona is 2-7 in his home starts.
Dodgers are 9-4 in their last 13 games; eight of their last ten games stayed under the total. Arizona won four of last five games; over is 20-5 in their last 25 home games.
Cardinals @ Giants
Leake is 1-1, 3.99 in his last five starts; over is 10-6-1 in his last 17. Cardinals are 8-5 in his road starts.
Samardzija is 3-1, 2.95 in his last seven starts; under is 9-1 in his last ten starts. Giants lost four of his last five home starts.
St Louis lost seven of its last ten games; five of its last seven games stayed under. San Francisco lost three of last five games; three of their last four games went over.
American League
Rays @ Orioles
Andriese is 1-2, 9.64 in his last three starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. Rays are 4-4 in his road starts.
Tillman is 2-2, 4.29 in his last four starts; under is 7-2-2 in his last 11. Orioles are 10-2 in his home starts (lost last two).
Tampa Bay won four of its last six games; under is 4-1-2 in their last seven. Orioles won five of their last seven games; under is 9-1-1 in their last 11 home games.
New York @ Boston
Mitchell is 1-1, 7.37 in his two starts this year (over 1-1).
Price is 7-0, 2.16 in his last seven starts; over is 8-0-1 in his last nine. Boston is 9-5 in his home starts.
New York lost five of last six games; under is 9-6 in their last 15 games. Boston won seven of last ten games; over is 8-3-1 in their last 12 home games.
Tigers @ Indians
Verlander is 2-1, 2.76 in his last five starts; under is 12-2 in his last 14. Detroit is 7-5 in his road starts.
Carrasco is 2-2, 6.55 in his last four starts; over is 4-1 in his last five home starts. Cleveland is 8-4 in his home starts.
Tigers lost seven of last ten games; over is 8-3 in their last 11 road games. Cleveland won ten of last 12 home games; over is 6-3 in their last nine home games.
A’s @ Rangers
Alcantara is 0-1, 7.27 in his first two MLB starts (over 1-1).
Darvish is 1-1, 5.40 in his last four starts; four of his last six went over. Texas is 5-3 in his home starts.
A’s won four of last five games (over 4-0-1. Texas is 12-2 in last 14 home games; last seven Ranger home games went over the total.
White Sox @ Royals
Gonzalez is 2-0, 1.93 in his last three starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. White Sox lost four of his last five road starts.
Vargas is making first ’16 start; he was 0-2, 5.93 in three AAA starts this year, is 67-70, 4.20 in 193 career MLB starts.
White Sox won seven of last ten games; over is 10-3 in their last 13 road games. Kansas City lost its last six home games; over is 9-1-1 in their last 11 home games.
Blue Jays @ Angels
Liriano is 1-0, 3.64 in his last three starts (under 4-1).
Nolasco is 1-6, 4.50 in eight starts for the Angels (under 6-1-1).
Toronto lost nine of last 14 games; under is 5-2-2 in their last nine games. Angels lost nine of last ten games; under is 7-1-2 in their last ten home games.
Astros @ Mariners
Fiers is 1-1, 7.23 in his last four starts; over is 5-2 in his last seven. Houston is 10-4 in his home starts.
Paxton is 0-1, 6.64 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Seattle is 2-6 in his home starts.
Astros lost six of last nine road games; over is 6-3 in their last nine road games. Seattle won eight of last nine games; over is 10-4 in last 14 Seattle’s home games.
Interleague
Twins @ Mets
Santana is 1-0, 3.38 in his last three starts; three of his last four went over. Twins are 4-9 in his road starts.
Lugo is 4-0, 1.80 in his last four starts (over 4-1).
Twins are 2-13 in last 15 road games; under is 5-1-1 in their last seven games. Mets won nine of last 12 games; under is 7-2 in New York’s last nine home games.
Teams’ record when this pitcher starts:
Mil-Chi– Davies 13-13; Arrieta 19-9
Mia-Phil– Urena 4-5; Hellickson 16-13
Pitt-Cin– Taillon 10-5 Williams 0-0; DeSclafani 10-7 Finnegan 12-18
Wsh-Atl– Gonzalez 14-15 (4-0 last 4); Perez 6-5
SD-Col– Jackson 5-5; Gray 11-15
LA-Az– Norris 5-4/5-5; Miller 5-12
StL-SF– Leake 12-15; Samardzija 15-15
TB-Balt– Andriese 7-9; Tillman 21-6
NY-Bos– Mitchell 1-1; Price 18-13 (7-0 last 7)
Det-Clev– Verlander 18-12; Carrasco 15-9
A’s-Tex– Alcantara 0-2; Darvish 8-6
Chi-KC– Gonzalez 10-10; Vargas 0-0
Tor-LAA– Liriano 3-2/9-12; Nolasco 1-7/9-12
Hst-Sea– Fiers 16-11; Paxton 5-12
Min-NYM– Santana 8-19; Lugo 4-0
# of time pitcher allows 1+ runs in first inning:
Mil-Chi– Davies 7-26; Arrieta 4-28
Mia-Phil– Urena 2-9; Hellickson 9-29
Pitt-Cin– Taillon 6-15 Williams 0-0; DeSclafani 9-17 Finnegan 8-30
Wsh-Atl– Gonzalez 7-29; Perez 4-11
SD-Col– Jackson 1-10; Gray 10-26
LA-Az– Norris 6-19; Miller 7-17
StL-SF– Leake 9-27; Samardzija 10-30
TB-Balt– Andriese 4-16; Tillman 9-27
NY-Bos– Mitchell 1-2; Price 10-31
Det-Clev– Verlander 10-30; Carrasco 7-24
A’s-Tex– Alcantara 1-2; Darvish 5-14
Chi-KC– Gonzalez 6-20; Vargas 0-0
Tor-LAA– Liriano 7-26; Nolasco 11-29
Hst-Sea– Fiers 6-27; Paxton 5-17
Min-NYM– Santana 9-27; Lugo 1-5
Teams’ records in first five innings:
Team (road-home-total)- thru 9/16
Arizona 24-36-11…..32-38-6…….56-73
Atlanta 27-36-11…..24-35-13……51-71
Cubs 39-25-10……43-21-10…….82-46
Reds 20-42-9……34-36-5…….54-78
Colo 27-34-13…..33-34-4……..60-68
LA 30-32-11……46-21-8…….75-53
Miami 32-32-10…..32-24-16…….64-56
Milw 24-41-10……40-24-10…..64-65
Mets 32-44-10……34-26-11……66-60
Philly 24-32-18…..26-34-14……50-64
Pitt 21-39-13…..42-26-6……63-64
St. Louis 33-33-7……28-33-13…….61-66
SD 24-47-5…..32-34-6……..56-81
SF 33-35-7…….37-21-14……70-56
Wash 37-22-14….30-22-22……67-44
Orioles 30-37-9…….36-29-8…….66-66
Boston 30-30-11……45-21-9…….75-51
White Sox 31-31-10…….39-31-6……..70-62
Cleveland 38-27-10……36-29-6……..74-56
Detroit 30-33-9…….31-36-5……..61-69
Astros 30-33-11…..34-29-8……..64-62
KC 28-37-11……29-28-14……57-65
Angels 30-37-7…….25-35-13…….55-72
Twins 28-36-13…….25-38-13…..53-74
NYY 24-39-8……34-31-13……..58-70
A’s 26-39-8……26-35-14……52-73
Seattle 35-29-11……33-26-12……68-55
Tampa Bay 27-31-13……32-33-12……59-64
Texas 28-39-11…….35-25-9……63-64
Toronto 44-24-5……..40-30-5……84-54
Saturday’s six-pack
Some of the games on ESPN’s college basketball marathon in November:
10pm: Princeton @ BYU
Midnight: San Diego State @ Gonzaga
2am: Wisc-Green Bay @ Pacific
4:15am: Florida Atlantic @ Hawai’i
6:30am: Niagara @ Hartford
8:45am: Winthrop @ Manhattan
11am: Longwood @ Stephen F Austin
1:15pm: Dayton @ Alabama
3:30pm: Oregon @ Baylor
Some of the games on ESPN’s college basketball marathon in November:
10pm: Princeton @ BYU
Midnight: San Diego State @ Gonzaga
2am: Wisc-Green Bay @ Pacific
4:15am: Florida Atlantic @ Hawai’i
6:30am: Niagara @ Hartford
8:45am: Winthrop @ Manhattan
11am: Longwood @ Stephen F Austin
1:15pm: Dayton @ Alabama
3:30pm: Oregon @ Baylor
