907 San Francisco Giants/Cincinnati Reds Under 8½ -110 (B Zito - L must Start B Arroyo - R must Start)
923 Baltimore Orioles/Tampa Bay Rays Over 9½ -105 (C Tillman - R must Start J Niemann - R must Start)
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="650"><tbody><tr><td nowrap="nowrap">Parlay </td><td align="right" nowrap="nowrap"> $100.00 </td><td align="right" nowrap="nowrap"> $159.18 </td><td nowrap="nowrap"> Baseball - 905 Colorado Rockies -154 for Game
Baseball - 909 Atlanta Braves -175 for Game </td></tr></tbody></table>
923 Baltimore Orioles/Tampa Bay Rays Over 9½ -105 (C Tillman - R must Start J Niemann - R must Start)
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="650"><tbody><tr><td nowrap="nowrap">Parlay </td><td align="right" nowrap="nowrap"> $100.00 </td><td align="right" nowrap="nowrap"> $159.18 </td><td nowrap="nowrap"> Baseball - 905 Colorado Rockies -154 for Game
Baseball - 909 Atlanta Braves -175 for Game </td></tr></tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"><tbody><tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td align="left">
</td> <td align="right">
Minute Maid Park | 8:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Sean West, LHP (4-4, 4.57)
Marlins (64-55) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Yorman Bazardo, RHP (0-0, 5.06)
Astros (57-62) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Marlins: Without his best stuff, West was able to rely on his changeup to help keep the Astros in check over six innings at Land Shark Stadium on Aug. 13. Now, West will experience his second straight start against the Astros. This time, in Houston. The 23-year-old left-hander was efficient in six innings, limiting the Astros to one run on five hits. He didn't walk a batter, and he struck out three. This will be his 13th start. The rookie has yet to face the same team twice. When he was down at Double-A Jacksonville recently, he worked on improving his changeup and slider. His changeup was an "out pitch" against the Astros in Miami.Astros: This will be Bazardo's first start with the Astros and third of his career after spending most of the season at Triple-A Round Rock. He allowed five runs (three earned) in his Astros debut on Aug. 8 and has thrown 4 1/3 scoreless innings in two outings since. He was 9-6 with a 3.20 ERA in 23 games (20 starts) at Round Rock this year before being called up. Bazardo appeared in one game with the Marlins in 2005 before getting into 14 games with Detroit in 2007 and '08.
</td></tr> </tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"> <tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">
</td></tr> <tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td align="left"></td> <td align="right">
Rangers Ballpark in Arlington | 8:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Scott Baker, RHP (10-7, 4.54)
Twins (57-62) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Kevin Millwood, RHP (9-7, 3.31)
Rangers (67-51) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Twins: Baker pitched a gem his last time out, allowing just two hits and hitting one batter in a shutout on Friday against the Indians. It was his first complete game of the season. Baker's best pitch was his fastball, but he used a good mix to keep Cleveland's hitters off balance. It was the kind of start Baker needed following a six-run, nine-hit outing against Detroit his previous time out. Baker is 1-0 this season against the Rangers, having allowed just one run -- a solo homer -- in eight innings to earn the win.Rangers: Millwood is 2-3 with a 4.68 ERA in his last nine starts. He allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings and received a no-decision in his last start against the Red Sox on Friday. He 7-1 with a 2.46 ERA in 12 starts at home. Left-handers are hitting .217 off him but right-handers are hitting .281. He is 0-6 with a 6.00 ERA in ten starts against the Twins in his career. That's the seventh highest ERA ever by a pitcher with at least 10 starts against a single team in his career. He is also the only pitcher to have made at least 10 starts against the Twins and not get at least one victory.
</td></tr> </tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"> <tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">
</td></tr> <tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td align="left"></td> <td align="right">
PETCO Park | 10:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Rich Harden, RHP (7-7, 4.30)
Cubs (60-57) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Mat Latos, RHP (4-2, 4.01)
Padres (51-70) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Cubs: Harden was scheduled to start Sunday vs. the Pirates, but that game was postponed by rain. He now will start Wednesday in the series finale against the Padres. Harden is 2-1 with a 1.95 ERA in six starts since the All-Star break, with 47 strikeouts in 37 innings. He's walked 11. Opponents are batting just .150 against the right-hander. His last start was Aug. 11 vs. the Phillies, and he gave up two runs on two hits over seven innings but didn't get a decision.Padres: Latos, the 21-year-old rookie and resident top prospect, finally got roughed up in his sixth Major League start. In that outing, Latos allowed the Cardinals seven runs on eight hits over four innings. He surrendered a home run to his counterpart, Adam Wainwright, and was gone in the fifth inning after he allowed the first four batters to reach base. There was nothing wrong with Latos' velocity, but his command wasn't nearly as sharp as it had been in his previous five starts, when he won four times. This will be Latos' first career start against the Cubs.
</td></tr> </tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"> <tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">
</td></tr> <tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td align="left"></td> <td align="right">
Oakland Coliseum | 10:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Chad Gaudin, RHP (5-10, 5.13)
Yankees (75-45) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Brett Anderson, LHP (7-8, 4.55)
Athletics (53-66) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Yankees: Originally scheduled to face the Mariners on Sunday, Gaudin was pushed back to Wednesday against the A's as the Yankees continue to look for a pattern that fits Chamberlain's innings limit. Almost exclusively a starting pitcher this year with the Padres, Gaudin has not started a game since the Yankees acquired him, last doing so Aug. 5 in San Diego.Athletics: Anderson struggled for the first time in a long time on Friday against the White Sox. Holding a 4-1 record and a 2.22 ERA in 52 2/3 innings over his past eight starts, Anderson allowed seven earned runs on nine hits and three walks in five innings. He surrendered six of those runs in the first two frames. "Give him a lot of credit," manager Bob Geren said. "He gave us a chance and didn't quit." The 21-year-old rookie has given up nine earned runs over 12 innings (6.75 ERA) in two starts against the Yankees.
</td></tr> </tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"> <tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">
</td></tr> <tr><td height="20"><table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td align="left"></td> <td align="right">
Dodger Stadium | 10:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Adam Wainwright, RHP (14-7, 2.62)
Cardinals (68-53) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Clayton Kershaw, LHP (8-7, 2.91)
Dodgers (71-49) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td></tr> <tr><td class="pad5">
Scouting Report:
Cardinals: If Chris Carpenter isn't the best National League Cy Young Award candidate in the NL Central, then Wainwright is. He ranks among the leaders in several categories, and he has gone at least six innings in 23 straight starts. Wainwright is durable, efficient, effective and he has fully overcome the command problems that plagued him somewhat earlier this year. He's an elite starter having a superb year.Dodgers: In his last start, Kershaw dug the Dodgers a four-run hole during the second inning, and there was no catching up against D-backs ace Dan Haren. It was more runs than Kershaw had allowed in any start since May 12. He lasted only 4 1/3 innings before using up his pitch allotment while striking out nine batters. Next, Kershaw will be facing the Cardinals, whom he held scoreless for eight innings on four hits in St. Louis last month.
</td></tr></tbody></table>
</td> <td align="right">
Minute Maid Park | 8:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Sean West, LHP (4-4, 4.57) Marlins (64-55) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Yorman Bazardo, RHP (0-0, 5.06) Astros (57-62) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
Scouting Report:
Marlins: Without his best stuff, West was able to rely on his changeup to help keep the Astros in check over six innings at Land Shark Stadium on Aug. 13. Now, West will experience his second straight start against the Astros. This time, in Houston. The 23-year-old left-hander was efficient in six innings, limiting the Astros to one run on five hits. He didn't walk a batter, and he struck out three. This will be his 13th start. The rookie has yet to face the same team twice. When he was down at Double-A Jacksonville recently, he worked on improving his changeup and slider. His changeup was an "out pitch" against the Astros in Miami.Astros: This will be Bazardo's first start with the Astros and third of his career after spending most of the season at Triple-A Round Rock. He allowed five runs (three earned) in his Astros debut on Aug. 8 and has thrown 4 1/3 scoreless innings in two outings since. He was 9-6 with a 3.20 ERA in 23 games (20 starts) at Round Rock this year before being called up. Bazardo appeared in one game with the Marlins in 2005 before getting into 14 games with Detroit in 2007 and '08.
</td></tr> </tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"> <tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">
Rangers Ballpark in Arlington | 8:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Scott Baker, RHP (10-7, 4.54) Twins (57-62) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Kevin Millwood, RHP (9-7, 3.31) Rangers (67-51) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
Scouting Report:
Twins: Baker pitched a gem his last time out, allowing just two hits and hitting one batter in a shutout on Friday against the Indians. It was his first complete game of the season. Baker's best pitch was his fastball, but he used a good mix to keep Cleveland's hitters off balance. It was the kind of start Baker needed following a six-run, nine-hit outing against Detroit his previous time out. Baker is 1-0 this season against the Rangers, having allowed just one run -- a solo homer -- in eight innings to earn the win.Rangers: Millwood is 2-3 with a 4.68 ERA in his last nine starts. He allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings and received a no-decision in his last start against the Red Sox on Friday. He 7-1 with a 2.46 ERA in 12 starts at home. Left-handers are hitting .217 off him but right-handers are hitting .281. He is 0-6 with a 6.00 ERA in ten starts against the Twins in his career. That's the seventh highest ERA ever by a pitcher with at least 10 starts against a single team in his career. He is also the only pitcher to have made at least 10 starts against the Twins and not get at least one victory.
</td></tr> </tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"> <tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">
PETCO Park | 10:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Rich Harden, RHP (7-7, 4.30) Cubs (60-57) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Mat Latos, RHP (4-2, 4.01) Padres (51-70) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
Scouting Report:
Cubs: Harden was scheduled to start Sunday vs. the Pirates, but that game was postponed by rain. He now will start Wednesday in the series finale against the Padres. Harden is 2-1 with a 1.95 ERA in six starts since the All-Star break, with 47 strikeouts in 37 innings. He's walked 11. Opponents are batting just .150 against the right-hander. His last start was Aug. 11 vs. the Phillies, and he gave up two runs on two hits over seven innings but didn't get a decision.Padres: Latos, the 21-year-old rookie and resident top prospect, finally got roughed up in his sixth Major League start. In that outing, Latos allowed the Cardinals seven runs on eight hits over four innings. He surrendered a home run to his counterpart, Adam Wainwright, and was gone in the fifth inning after he allowed the first four batters to reach base. There was nothing wrong with Latos' velocity, but his command wasn't nearly as sharp as it had been in his previous five starts, when he won four times. This will be Latos' first career start against the Cubs.
</td></tr> </tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"> <tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">
Oakland Coliseum | 10:05 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Chad Gaudin, RHP (5-10, 5.13) Yankees (75-45) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Brett Anderson, LHP (7-8, 4.55) Athletics (53-66) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
Scouting Report:
Yankees: Originally scheduled to face the Mariners on Sunday, Gaudin was pushed back to Wednesday against the A's as the Yankees continue to look for a pattern that fits Chamberlain's innings limit. Almost exclusively a starting pitcher this year with the Padres, Gaudin has not started a game since the Yankees acquired him, last doing so Aug. 5 in San Diego.Athletics: Anderson struggled for the first time in a long time on Friday against the White Sox. Holding a 4-1 record and a 2.22 ERA in 52 2/3 innings over his past eight starts, Anderson allowed seven earned runs on nine hits and three walks in five innings. He surrendered six of those runs in the first two frames. "Give him a lot of credit," manager Bob Geren said. "He gave us a chance and didn't quit." The 21-year-old rookie has given up nine earned runs over 12 innings (6.75 ERA) in two starts against the Yankees.
</td></tr> </tbody></table>
<table bgcolor="#e6e6e6" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="581"> <tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#cacaca">
Dodger Stadium | 10:10 PM ET </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Adam Wainwright, RHP (14-7, 2.62) Cardinals (68-53) </td> <td class="textXl"> @ </td> <td width="38">
</td> <td class="textSm" width="50%"> Clayton Kershaw, LHP (8-7, 2.91) Dodgers (71-49) </td> </tr></tbody></table></td></tr> <tr><td>
Scouting Report:
Cardinals: If Chris Carpenter isn't the best National League Cy Young Award candidate in the NL Central, then Wainwright is. He ranks among the leaders in several categories, and he has gone at least six innings in 23 straight starts. Wainwright is durable, efficient, effective and he has fully overcome the command problems that plagued him somewhat earlier this year. He's an elite starter having a superb year.Dodgers: In his last start, Kershaw dug the Dodgers a four-run hole during the second inning, and there was no catching up against D-backs ace Dan Haren. It was more runs than Kershaw had allowed in any start since May 12. He lasted only 4 1/3 innings before using up his pitch allotment while striking out nine batters. Next, Kershaw will be facing the Cardinals, whom he held scoreless for eight innings on four hits in St. Louis last month.
</td></tr></tbody></table>
Baker two-hits Indians for 10th win: Scott Baker pitched a two-hitter, Jason Kubel homered and had five RBI and the Twins beat the Indians 11-0 on Friday. Baker, who faced three batters above the minimum, received plenty of support from Kubel and Joe Mauer as the Twins pounded out 12 hits and chased Justin Masterson (3-4) after just 3 1/3 innings. Kubel and Mauer each had three hits. The Twins are trying to remain within striking distance of the Tigers in the AL Central and needed a strong outing from Baker (10-7).
Baker allowed six runs in 4 1/3 innings against the Tigers on Aug. 9 in his last start, squandering an early three-run lead and an opportunity to close the gap on the division leaders. But on Friday he struck out five and needed just 94 pitches in the gem. Baker pitched his first shutout since flirting with a perfect game and tossing a one-hitter on Aug. 31, 2007, against Kansas City. The right-hander enduced several lazy flyball outs and is 8-2 since June 1.
Millwood doesn't get through six: Rangers SP Kevin Millwood allowed one run on three hits in 5 2/3 innings Friday against the Red Sox, issuing five walks and recording four strikeouts. He has a 2.29 ERA over his last four starts but hasn't pitched more than six innings in any of them.
Millwood had a rough stretch early in July but seems to have righted the ship. He has helped lead the breakthrough of the Rangers pitching staff this season and is a viable option
Baker allowed six runs in 4 1/3 innings against the Tigers on Aug. 9 in his last start, squandering an early three-run lead and an opportunity to close the gap on the division leaders. But on Friday he struck out five and needed just 94 pitches in the gem. Baker pitched his first shutout since flirting with a perfect game and tossing a one-hitter on Aug. 31, 2007, against Kansas City. The right-hander enduced several lazy flyball outs and is 8-2 since June 1.
Millwood doesn't get through six: Rangers SP Kevin Millwood allowed one run on three hits in 5 2/3 innings Friday against the Red Sox, issuing five walks and recording four strikeouts. He has a 2.29 ERA over his last four starts but hasn't pitched more than six innings in any of them.
Millwood had a rough stretch early in July but seems to have righted the ship. He has helped lead the breakthrough of the Rangers pitching staff this season and is a viable option
West goes six solid innings for win: Sean West (4-4) struck out three in six innings, and relievers Brian Sanches and Chris Leroux combined to give the Marlins their sixth win in the last seven games on Thursday in a 9-2 win over the Astros. West allowed one earned run on five hits, lowering his ERA to 4.57 with the performance.
West was much better in his second start since his return to the rotation. He has a 4.57 ERA on the season and 4-4 record with a high 1.46 WHIP. The Marlins are hot right now and West is worth taking a look at.
Bazardo to start Wed. for Hampton: The Houston Chronicle reports that Astros RP Yorman Bazardo will make his first start for the Astros on Wednesday against the Marlins in place of injured SP Mike Hampton (shoulder).
Hampton was dealing with a knee injury for a bit, and then had to leave Thursday's start against the Marlins with this shoulder problem. He will throw in the bullpen on Tuesday and could return on Saturday vs. Arizona. Bazardo has made just two starts in his major league career and got roughed up in his one relief appearance this season. You're better just staying away from both of these guys for the time being until they prove worth
West was much better in his second start since his return to the rotation. He has a 4.57 ERA on the season and 4-4 record with a high 1.46 WHIP. The Marlins are hot right now and West is worth taking a look at.
Bazardo to start Wed. for Hampton: The Houston Chronicle reports that Astros RP Yorman Bazardo will make his first start for the Astros on Wednesday against the Marlins in place of injured SP Mike Hampton (shoulder).
Hampton was dealing with a knee injury for a bit, and then had to leave Thursday's start against the Marlins with this shoulder problem. He will throw in the bullpen on Tuesday and could return on Saturday vs. Arizona. Bazardo has made just two starts in his major league career and got roughed up in his one relief appearance this season. You're better just staying away from both of these guys for the time being until they prove worth
