Sunday 4/24/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians (8-7) at Tigers (8-8)

Game: 3
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: April 24, 2016 1:10 PM EDT

Despite a strong finish against the Detroit Tigers, a miserable 2015 record within the AL Central kept the Cleveland Indians from contention.

Continued success against their neighbors to the north has provided a better start this season.

Carlos Carrasco hopes to continue his roll Sunday while lifting the visiting Indians to their first sweep in Detroit in nearly eight years.

Cleveland (8-7) sputtered within its own division a year ago, compiling a 32-43 record to finish in the middle of five teams. A 2-9 start against Detroit (8-8) didn't help, though the Indians closed the season with wins in five of the final seven matchups.

The Indians entered the first meeting this season having lost four of six but have taken the first two of the weekend series, setting up a chance for their first sweep in the Motor City since Aug. 25-27, 2008. Cleveland is 21-44 in Detroit since that series, even with three straight wins there.

Home runs from Carlos Santana and Marlon Byrd off Justin Verlander lifted the Indians to Friday's 2-1 victory, and they broke out for 15 hits in Saturday's 10-1 rout - their fourth straight road win.

Starters Josh Tomlin and Corey Kluber combined to allow two runs and six hits in 14 2-3 innings, walking one and striking out 14. If Carrasco (2-0, 2.79 ERA) continues that trend, he would improve on his own awful numbers in this series.

The right-hander holds a 6.29 ERA and 1.86 WHIP in 15 appearances, 10 of them starts, against the Tigers. Their .346 batting average against Carrasco is the highest of any team. His 5.00 ERA and .296 batting-average against in three 2015 outings actually improved those career numbers, thanks largely to eight solid innings in an 8-2 victory in June.

After a shaky 2016 debut, Carrasco has settled in. He surrendered three home runs in his first start but has since given up just two runs over 14 1-3 innings, posting an 0.84 WHIP in consecutive victories over Tampa Bay and Seattle.

"Every start, I just take a little bit from there. I kind of learn a little bit," Carrasco told MLB's official website. "Sometimes you have to make an adjustment. That's what I did. I was trying to make my pitches."

Carrasco will face a Detroit lineup that has totaled two runs and 11 hits during a three-game skid.

J.D. Martinez, Miguel Cabrera, Mike Aviles and Justin Upton have each homered off Carrasco while hitting at least .333 against him lifetime. Martinez has homered twice off him but enters in a 1-for-14 slump without an RBI in five straight games. Cabrera is hitless in 12 straight at-bats.

Shane Greene (1-1, 7.15 ERA) starts for the Tigers against a Cleveland lineup that broke out Saturday. Yan Gomes had a three-run homer and five RBIs as the Indians posted their first 10-run game and most hits since they had 17 against the New York Yankees on Aug. 11.

Greene's ERA is inflated due to the seven runs he coughed up in 4 1-3 innings of Tuesday's 8-6 loss in Kansas City. The only time he's ever allowed more runs came in his most recent start against Cleveland, giving up eight in four innings of a 13-1 defeat a year ago to the day of this game.

Detroit has lost six of eight after a 6-2 start and has opened 2-4 at Comerica Park. The clubhouse was closed for almost 30 minutes following Saturday's loss for what manager Brad Ausmus called a "discussion."

'We're trying to fix things and help guys get better,' Ausmus said. 'We're in here working to win games.'

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins (5-13) at Nationals (13-4)

Game: 3
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: April 24, 2016 1:35 PM EDT

No one questions Stephen Strasburg's ability to dominate when he's healthy. Of course, he hasn't always been 100 percent.

Strasburg hasn't shown any signs of problems so far, and another solid outing Sunday could help the Washington Nationals sweep this three-game series with the visiting Minnesota Twins and set a record for the best start in franchise history.

Six disabled list stints - two of which came last year - have interrupted the right-hander's career, but he's been fantastic since his latest return and carried it over into 2016.

Strasburg (3-0, 1.25 ERA) struck out 10 and scattered three hits over eight innings of a 7-0 win over Miami on Tuesday. The Nationals (13-4) have won his last seven starts, with Strasburg posting a 0.89 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 50 2-3 innings during that span.

"He's coming into his own. It's incredible," said Bryce Harper, who hit a grand slam to back Strasburg. "You see what he did in college. He had so much pressure going through the minors, coming up and everything, got hurt, trying to get back into it with his ankle and things like that. Then, the second half last year was absolutely ridiculous. Now, he's putting up video game numbers again."

Strasburg was limited to 23 starts last year and finished with a 3.46 ERA, the highest of his career. He tried to put that out of his mind during the spring.

"I don't really try and worry about injuries and everything like that," Strasburg said. "Last year, it is what it is, but I learned a lot from it, so I'm just trying to build off of each outing."

Strasburg has helped Washington tie the 1981 Montreal Expos and 2012 Nationals for the best start in franchise history. Nationals pitching struck out 18 in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Twins (5-13), tying the team mark for the most in a nine-inning game set in 1980.

Harper doubled twice after going 3 for 18 over his previous five.

Minnesota has dropped four of five since a four-game winning streak and managed only two hits Saturday. It has struck out at least 10 times in six games this season and was just one short of tying the franchise record.

"That's a big number, no matter who's out there (pitching)," manager Paul Molitor said.

Molitor made a lineup change Saturday, putting right fielder Miguel Sano at third base for the first time in 2016. He should be back in the outfield for this one with Eduardo Nunez playing third.

Byung Ho Park is expected to play first in place of Joe Mauer.

Tyler Duffey will get the ball for his season debut after Ervin Santana was scratched with back soreness. Santana said he felt pain when he bent over to pick up a ball during batting practice Friday, but he's expected to make his next start and won't go on the disabled list.

Duffey went 5-1 with a 3.10 ERA in 10 starts as a rookie last season. He was given an opportunity to make the rotation out of camp, but a poor spring led to him starting the season in Triple-A.

The right-hander has a 1.72 ERA in three starts for Rochester and likely will be sent back down after the game.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers (10-7) at White Sox (11-6)

Game: 3
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: April 24, 2016 2:10 PM EDT

Coming off a nomadic 2015 season, Mat Latos seems quite comfortable in his new home.

The rejuvenated right-hander looks to continue a stellar stretch from White Sox starters and pitch surprising Chicago to a three-game sweep of the Texas Rangers on Sunday.

Plagued by knee troubles and banished to the bullpen by the end of last season, Latos (3-0, 0.49 ERA) has been an early revelation during his short time with Chicago. The three-time 14-game winner has yielded one run through 18 1/3 innings in three White Sox victories while helping his new team lead the AL with a 2.35 ERA.

Latos posted a career-worst 4.95 ERA and finished 4-10 with three teams in 2015, causing him to remain on the market until signing with Chicago shortly before spring training.

The move has paid off so far, as Latos has allowed three hits or less while working at least six innings in all three outings. He held the Los Angeles Angels to two hits over 6 1/3 innings to win his U.S. Cellular Field debut 5-0 on Tuesday.

'Fastball command has been there. Slider is really good,' he said. 'I made pitches when I needed to.'

He's fit in well in a rotation that's combined for a 1.09 ERA over the last five games. Chicago (12-6) posted its second shutout during that run behind Jose Quintana's seven-inning gem in a 5-0 win in Friday's opener.

The White Sox are still struggling somewhat at the plate, though Todd Frazier homered for the third time in five games and Jose Abreu delivered a bases-loaded RBI single in the 11th inning in Saturday's 4-3 victory.

Frazier is 6 for 18 after hitting .154 over the first 13 games and Abreu ended an 0-for-18 slump with his game-winning hit.

'You're always looking for a silver lining that makes you feel good,' manager Robin Ventura said. 'Josie getting a hit right there, it's something to build off of. ... That's a step in the right direction.'

Texas (10-8), which entered the series with four straight wins, received six innings of one-run ball from Colby Lewis and forced extras with a run off David Robertson in the ninth.

'That's a great character builder for a ballclub that's going to continue to battle and fight through games,' manager Jeff Banister said of his team. 'If you were a fan and you walk away unsatisfied, you don't like baseball.'

Derek Holland (2-0, 2.70) will attempt to prevent a fifth straight Rangers loss in Chicago and build off his latest effective outing. After working 6 2/3 innings in an 8-0 win at Seattle on April 12, the left-hander held Houston to two runs in a 105-pitch, five-inning stint in Tuesday's 7-5 victory.

Holland faces Chicago for the first time since April 7, 2012, and is 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA in three prior starts against the White Sox.

Melky Cabrera, 5 for 8 with a homer and four runs scored for the series, is 4 for 15 against Holland.

Texas' Adrian Beltre is hitting .435 over a six-game hitting streak and Rougned Odor is batting .357 with seven RBIs over his last eight. Odor homered off Latos in the latter's relief outing with the Angels on October 3.

Chicago last swept a three-game set from Texas July 3-5, 2012 at home.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Sox (8-8) at Astros (5-12)

Game: 3
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: April 24, 2016 8:05 PM EDT

One of Colby Rasmus' finest performances at the plate allowed the Houston Astros enjoy their highest-scoring game in nearly two weeks.

Rasmus and his teammates will try to sustain their offensive momentum Sunday night while spoiling Henry Owens' season debut for the Boston Red Sox.

Rasmus hit his fifth career grand slam and drove in five runs, one shy of matching his personal high, in an 8-3 victory Saturday that ended Houston's four-game slide. The Astros (6-12) surpassed their run total from their prior three games and plated more than five for the first time since an 8-2 win over Kansas City on April 11.

They produced an average of 2.7 runs in their 10 subsequent contests while batting .136 with runners in scoring position and .215 overall.

"We've had a tough stretch, so to be able to do something for the team I feel blessed and thankful that that gave us a spark,'" said Rasmus, who has three of his six homers in the past three games. "We had some good energy, got the crowd going with us and everybody was having a good time."

Houston will seek to win its three-game series over the visiting Red Sox (8-9) when it faces Owens, a former top prospect and 2011 first-round draft pick. The 23-year-old left-hander couldn't win a spot in the rotation out of spring training but is coming back up after posting a 1.00 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 18 innings over three starts at Triple-A Pawtucket.

Owens went 4-4 with a 4.57 ERA in 11 starts in his first major league season but did not face the Astros.

"In the final outing of the spring, I thought he pitched with a lot more crispness, better command, and he's maintained that through his starts at Pawtucket thus far," manager John Farrell told MLB's official website. "This is also someone who came up last year and handled this environment well. With major league innings under his belt, he's the guy we're going to."

The Astros haven't won in any of Scott Feldman's three starts, and the chances of earning a victory don't appear promising given his struggles against Boston. Feldman (0-2, 4.11) is 1-4 with a 9.37 ERA in seven career starts versus the Red Sox and has a 15.23 ERA in losing the last three starts, with the most recent Aug. 14, 2014.

The right-hander gave up four runs - three in the first of his five innings - in a 7-5 loss in Texas on Tuesday. He was coming off his best outing of the season, two unearned runs allowed in 6 1-3 innings in a 4-2 defeat to Kansas City.

"I've got to come out better than that," said Feldman, who also gave up three first-inning runs at Milwaukee on April 8. "I settled down a little bit, but next time I've got to come out better in the first."

Dustin Pedroia, 7 for 15 with three extra-base hits in his last three games, is 10 for 23 lifetime against Feldman. Christian Vazquez is 4 for 5 with two doubles against the veteran starter while Brock Holt has two doubles and a triple in six at-bats.

The Red Sox are hoping to get Xander Bogaerts back in the lineup. He sat out Saturday after being hit on the right wrist by Astros pitcher Luke Gregerson on Friday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Marc Lawrence

Cubs vs Reds

Play - Chicago Cubs w/Hammel

Edges - Cubs; Jason Hammel 6-3 career team starts versus Cincinnati, including 3-0 the last three in this park; and 12-4 last sixteen team starts during April. Reds: Alfredo Simon 0-3 with a 10.80 ERA last three team starts during April. With Hammel sporting a 1.00 ERA along with a 1.11 WHIP this season, we recommend a 1* play on the Chicago Cubs. Thank you and good luck as always.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Ben Burns

Warriors vs Rockets

Bonus Play Houston Rockets

The Rockets are getting a large handful of points here and I believe that big number is providing us with some value.

Curry is expected to be "back" for Game 4. However, Houston believes its "back" in the series. While winning the series remains an extreme longshot, that Game 3 victory should give the Rockets the confidence to know that they can compete - and that they at least have a fighting chance. I expect Harden and co. to be absolutely "ready to play" on Sunday afternoon. With Houston at 29-12 ATS (30-11 SU) the past few seasons, when playing with two day's rest, consider grabbing the points.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Red Dog Sports

Lugo vs Mallorca

Bonus Play Draw +205

Look for a 1-1 final when these two play on Sunday.

Mallorca 1

Lugo 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jim Feist

Jim Feist's Comp MLB Pick, Sunday, April 24, 2016 8:05 PM

(977) BOSTON RED SOX VS (978) HOUSTON ASTROS

Take: Over the total

Reason: Your Bonus Play for Sunday, April 24, 2016 is in baseball as the Boston Red Sox and the Astros battle in Houston. Boston brings an offense that is #5 in on base percentage and #6 in runs to Houston. They pounded out 15 hits in winning here Friday and Boston is 14-4 OVER the total against a team with a winning percentage below .400. Unfortunately the pitching staff has been very week, #25 in team ERA. Young starter Henry Owens (4.57 ERA in 2015) does not throw hard and makes his first start of the campaign. The left-hander has been able to overcome some ongoing control issues so far in the minors this season, but that was not the case against major league competition during spring training. Houston's pitching staff has been worse, #27 in team ERA. Starter Scott Feldman (0-2, 4.11 ERA) comes off a 7-5 loss at Texas and has been awful, allowing 18 hits and 7 walks in 15 innings. This shapes up as an offensive show and the over is 11-5 when these teams clash. Play Boston/Houston Over the total.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Roz Wins

Roz's Sunday, April 24, 2016, Free MLB Pick: 4/24 8:05 PM

(977) BOSTON RED SOX (H OWENS - L) VS (978) HOUSTON ASTROS

Play Boston Red Sox

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sharp Bettor

Sharp Bettor's Free Pick for Sunday, April 24, 2016, MLB. 04/24 4:40 PM

(963) ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (M LEAKE - R) VS (964) SAN DIEGO PADRES

Play St. Louis Cardinals

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports

Bonus Play: Sun Phlliies w/ Eickhoff -110

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

JOE WIZ

Under 9 Pitt. and Arizona

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

BIG AL

Our complimentary selection for Sunday, April 24 is:

Pitt Pirates (Liriano) over Arizona Diamondbacks (Ray).

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

JEFF BENTON

My Sunday freebie is the Spurs and Grizzlies to hold Under the total in Game Four of their best-of-seven set.

Each of the 3 previous games contested have ALL held Under the total, as that makes 4 straight and 7 of the last 9 overall between these Western rivals having held Under the total.

Dating back to the regular season, San Antonio is on a 6 game Under run, while battered Memphis has seen 5 of their last 6 go Under the total.

The bottom line is this postseason has been chock-full-of-Unders, so it makes no sense right now to play the Over, especially based on the past Under nunbers I have just listed for you both on these teams individually, and against one another.

Spurs-Grizzlies Under.

4* SAN ANTONIO-MEMPHIS UNDER

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

BRAD WILTON

Sunday comp play is the Dodgers over the Rockies.

Los Angeles has gotten some fine pitching of late, as the staff ERA is 1.38 over their last 10 games, 7 of the 10 wins! Yesterday the Dodgers took it 4-1 over the Rockies, and today they give the ball to southpaw Alex Wood.

Wood was rocked in a pair of starts at Coors Field last year, and has not been too impressive this season, but I believe today he keeps pace with what the rotation has been doing and give L.A. the quality start they need.

Jordan Lyles will counter with an 0-4 mark his last 5 home starts, and an over 8 ERA in those starts.

Los Angeles snapped a 4-game series losing streak that had dated back to last year with last night's win, today they build with a series clinching victory before they head back home to host the Marlins tomorrow.

Play the Dodgers.

2* L.A. DODGERS

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DAVE COKIN

MARLINS +103

Adam Conley isn’t what one would call a household name, but the Miami southpaw has raised some eyebrows early this season. Conley might not have the attractive ERA some bettors put great stock into. But if you look beyond that number, you’re likely to be impressed with what the young lefty is doing.

Conley has been a bit on the unlucky side as far as some of the analytics are concerned. The BB/K numbers are glittering, there’s an adjustment coming with the BABIP, and Conley has been really good in each of his last two starts. Don’t be misled by the most recent stat line, as he wore out and got knocked around, but Conley was pretty dominant prior to that.

The Giants could have their hands full with Conley here. He’s got a deceptive motion and while he’s not what one would call overpowering, he’s certainly no picnic to face. None of the Giants have seen him, and I’ve always been one who especially likes lefties against hitters with nothing but film and/or scouting reports to go on.

Matt Cain is pitching for the Giants, and it really looks as though Cain is no more than back of the rotation filler at this point. That could change, but in light of the injuries and the innings already logged, I think it’s unlikely. Cain is probably savvy enough to get by, but he’s strictly a bulldog at this juncture.

I can’t say there’s a load of value here, as it sure looks like the books are onto Cain’s decline from his front of the rotation days. But even that is not discouraging bettors from playing against him, as is the case with the early action on this game.

The Giants can knock lefties around and it’s pretty clear that Miami is playing lousy baseball to start the season. I can’t help but wonder about when the next Marlins fire sale is coming. There’s ample documentation to rely upon in speculating that’s a when and not an if that this franchise’s upper management decides to repeat the process yet again. But that’s for another day. Today, I’ll look for Conley and Marlins to cash a ticket as a small underdog against the Giants.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Bruce Marshall

Twins / Nationals Under 7.5

Minnesota is a deserving underdog this afternoon, but perhaps we should not completely discount the Twins. Especially since starter Tyler Duffey fared well in 10 starts last season and was working with a 1.72 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with 13 strikeouts in 15.2 innings over three starts at Triple-A this year before being recalled to replace Ervin Santana in D.C. this afternoon. If Duffey is somewhat effective it helps keep this one "under" since it is doubtful Minnesota does much damage vs. Stephen Strasburg and his 1.25 ERA.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sleepyj

Boston Celtics -125

We went with the C's in Game 3 on the ML and picked up a win...We will do that same wager here again as I believe Boston will win this one as well...It's rather clear what Boston is doing now..They are taking away Millsap and Horford as much as they can...The paint hasn't been great for the Hawks and in order for them to win they need to shoot a higher %...This game will be even more intense now that the series can be tied up..I expect the C's to play some really strong defense in this one...Both teams benches are good, but I favor Boston a little here...Big thing is Kent Bazmore launching up 20 shots last game..The Hawks hit just 9 of 36 3pt attempts..That's only 25%, while Boston shot 34%...Free throw line was in favor of Boston as they made 6 more free throws on 12 extra attempts..It's the little thing s Boston did to win the game..Atlanta really didn't do much IMO besides the 3rd qtr push..Boston took care of that in the 4th behind a crazed crowd...C's will look to push the pace, but I can see Atlanta trying to slow things down a bit here as well..I lean to the under as I think this number is a tad high..Boston should get this one and even this thing up..I got this one 101-98 C's

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Scott Spreitzer

Angels -127

If Wade Miley could wipe the months of April and May off the calendar, his ERA over the last three seasons would be a decent 3.73. But he can't and Miley has been a terribly slow starter, saddled with a 5.13 ERA in 68 April/May starts, to go along with a 1.41 WHIP. He's been even worse in his first three starts this season. First look at Matt Shoemaker's numbers and his peripherals don't impress in 2016. But before a weak outing to begin this season, the right-hander held a 2.61 ERA & 1.12 WHIP in his previous 27 appearances at Angel Stadium. He punched-out more batters than IP (142 in 141 1/3) in those home outings, and he's allowed less than 1 HR per 9 IP. His home ERA is more than two runs lower than it is on the road since the start of the 2013 season. In addition, Shoemaker has slammed the door on the Mariners in eight appearances, including six starts. The Angels are on a 35-16 run at home against southpaws and they have taken 43 of the last 63 at home against Seattle.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Power Sports

Toronto

For the first time all season, the A's lost a road game yday, 9-3 here in Toronto. That was after taking the series opener by a score of 8-5. Saturday's setback not only ended a 7-0 start to the season on the road, but also snapped a 6-game win streak overall. Still, Toronto is the better team here & they'll take the series.

Looking back to last year, we know what this Blue Jays offense is capable of doing. They "lapped" the field in terms of runs per game in 2015 and averaged 5.5 runs per game here at Rogers Centre. So, it was no surprise to see them "bust loose" for nine runs yday as Josh Donaldson and Troy Tulowitzki combined for three home runs. I like this lineup's chances today facing embattled Oakland starter Eric Surkamp, who carries a 1.636 WHIP (three starts) into Sunday's matinee.

This game marks the season debut for Jays starter Drew Hutchinson. It's just a spot start as Hutchinson lost his place in rotation despite a successful 2015 in terms of wins and losses. The key to that success (went 13-5 in 28 starts) was that the offense tended to "show up" for him as Hutchinson benefited from a MLB-best 7.90 run support average. It's dangerous to back a starter like that because "what if" the offense goes away? But I don't anticipate the offense going away here for the Jays and besides, one of Hutchinson's better starts last year came against these A's as he allowed just two runs and only four hits in 7+ IP.