Sunday 5/1/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: St. Louis at Dallas

When: 3:00 PM ET, Sunday, May 1, 2016
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
The Dallas Stars owned the NHL's second-best home record during the regular season and look to continue that dominance when they host the St. Louis Blues on Sunday afternoon in Game 2 of their second-round playoff series. The Stars squeezed out a 2-1 victory in Game 1 to improve to 8-0-1 in their last nine at American Airlines Center.

Although the Stars were clearly the better team in the series opener, coach Lindy Ruff understands what awaits his team on Sunday. "This series has just started. Game 1 is a long ways behind us right now," Ruff said. "This is like a Game 7. They don't want to go down 2-0." The Blues won four of five meetings - three beyond regulation - during the regular season and finished two points behind Dallas for the best record in the Western Conference. "We knew it wasn't going to be an easy series," St. Louis netminder Brian Elliott said. "So we're down one and now we've got to respond."

TV: 3 p.m. ET, NBC, Sportsnet, TVA

ABOUT THE BLUES: After going toe-to-toe in a hard-hitting seven-game series against reigning Stanley Cup champion Chicago, St. Louis couldn't match the speed of Dallas, which poured 42 shots on goal but also enjoyed a surprised 32-26 edge in hits. Star forward Vladimir Tarasenko, who led the Blues with 40 goals during the regular season and scored four times in the first-round series win against the Blackhawks, logged 21:04 of ice time in Game 1 and absorbed seven of those hits. "It's really fun to play against those guys because like (Stars captain) Jamie Benn said, 'They hate us, we hate them.' But it's fun stuff," Tarasenko said Saturday.

ABOUT THE STARS: Rookie center Radek Faksa, a former first-round draft pick who scored five goals in 45 games this season while splitting time between Dallas and the minors, set up one goal before scoring the decisive tally Friday - his second game-winner of the postseason. "He's always in the right spot," teammate Jason Spezza said of Faksa. "You can tell he's been well-coached. He's a big guy down the middle who doesn't cheat, ever. Really good (defensively). When you have a guy who's 6-3 and plays like that, it really helps." With forward Patrick Eaves on crutches Saturday with a foot injury, Ruff said Valeri Nichushkin will play in Game 2.

OVERTIME

1. Stars G Kari Lehtonen stopped 31-of-32 shots to improve to 7-1-0 in his last eight starts.

2. St. Louis is 0-for-5 on the power play over the past three games.

3. The Stars on Saturday recalled Fs Curtis McKenzie and Brett Ritchie from Texas of the American Hockey League.

PREDICTIONS: Blues 3, Stars 2 (OT)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Charlotte At Miami

When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, May 1, 2016
Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida

The Charlotte Hornets had a chance to close out the series at home but ran into a vintage performance from Dwyane Wade in Game 6. Now it’s the Miami Heat with a chance to clinch the best-of-7 series in front of their home fans, and they host the Hornets in the decisive Game 7 on Sunday.

Wade scored 10 of his team-high 23 points in the fourth quarter of Friday’s 97-90 triumph, including a pair of rare 3-pointers that helped seal the win. “I trust my teammates and I love them, but if we were going to lose, I was going out shooting it,” Wade told reporters. “At this point in my career, I play for these moments. ... It’s what makes you feel alive.” Kemba Walker tried to carry his team in the same manner and finished with 37 points on 14-of-30 shooting in the losing effort for the Hornets. “It’s always tough to lose, obviously,” Walker told reporters. “We made so many mistakes. We just have to be better. Of course I wish it had gone our way, but they just made great plays down the stretch, and they deserved to win.”

TV: 1 p.m. ET, ABC

ABOUT THE HORNETS: Walker scored 14 of the team’s 20 points in the fourth quarter on Friday and could use a more consistent effort from the other perimeter players on the team. Small forward Marvin Williams and guards Courtney Lee, Nicolas Batum and Jeremy Lin have shined at times in the series but combined to go 4-of-22 from the floor in Game 6, and Batum missed the second half with ankle and foot injuries that already forced him out of two games in the series. “I tried everything,” Batum told the Charlotte Observer. “I tried hard, but I can’t push side to side. I was hurting the team much more than I was helping the team. So I told coach, ‘if you need me in the second half, call me.’ But it’s tough.”

ABOUT THE HEAT: Wade is getting more of a boost from his teammates, and Loul Deng continued a strong series with 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting in Game 6. The veteran forward is averaging 19.7 points in the series (up from 12.3 in the regular season) while shooting 51.4 percent from 3-point range (up from 34.4). “The best thing about (Game 7) is we’re at home,” Deng told reporters. “We gave ourselves another chance to fight. We have to come out with a lot of energy. It’s going to be a great game. I’m glad we’re home.”

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Williams combined to go 12-of-19 from the floor in Games 3 and 5 but is 1-of-29 in the other four games in the series.

2. Walker’s Game 6 effort marked the second highest-scoring playoff performance in franchise history behind Glen Rice’s 39 points on April 26, 1996.

3. Wade had not hit a 3-pointer since Dec. 16 before burying two on Friday.

PREDICTION: Heat 99, Hornets 96

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indiana At Toronto

When: 8:00 PM ET, Sunday, May 1, 2016
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario

All the pressure is on the second-seeded Toronto Raptors when they host the Indiana Pacers on Sunday in the finale of the best-of-7 Eastern Conference first-round series. Toronto hasn't won a postseason series since 2001 - the longest drought in the NBA - and is being severely tested by a seventh-seed team that won 11 fewer regular-season games.

Indiana remained alive with a solid 101-83 victory in Game 6 to even the series and Raptors All-Star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan doesn't need to be reminded what a Game 7 home loss will mean. "The season would be a failure if we don't get out of the first round and give ourselves a chance to play in the second round," DeRozan told reporters. "We understand that." DeRozan scored just eight points on Friday for the second time in three games and the shaky performances from him and point guard Kyle Lowry - the first player to shoot below 40 percent in each of the first six games of the postseason - have the Pacers on the brink of pulling off the improbable series victory. "I believe we can play with this team," Indiana coach Frank Vogel said after Game 6. "We have great respect for them, but I really believe we're hitting our stride at the right time and playing our best basketball of the season when it matters."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT, Sportsnet (Toronto)

ABOUT THE PACERS: All five Indiana starters scored 12 or more points in Game 6 as the team gave All-Star forward Paul George some much-needed support. George has been carrying the team by averaging 27.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals in the series and he had 21 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in Friday's victory. "We just had a fight in us," George told reporters. "As a group, collectively, we knew that this could be the end of our season. We just did a great job of battling."

ABOUT THE RAPTORS: DeRozan is averaging 15.8 points and shooting 32.1 percent from the field, while Lowry is faring even worse at 14.3 points and 31 percent. Forward Patrick Patterson, who is shooting 31 percent over the past four games after starting off the series by making 9-of-11 shots, said the Raptors need to take a long at themselves in the mirror. "Do we want to be the team that won 56 games? Do we want to be the team that got two All-Stars to the All-Star Game, set new records, went on long winning streaks and played great defense in the first half of the season?" Patterson rhetorically asked reporters. "Or do we want to be the team that has come into Indiana the past two times and got blown out of the water? We have to decide what we want to be."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Pacers are vying to become the sixth No. 7 seed to beat a No. 2 seed since the playoffs expanded to 16 teams for the 1983-84 season.

2. Toronto backup PG Cory Joseph scored 15 points in Game 6 and is averaging 11.2 points and shooting 60.5 percent from the field in the series.

3. Indiana rookie PF Myles Turner had 15 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots in Game 6 and has 19 rejections in the series.

PREDICTION: Pacers 104, Raptors 102

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Portland At Golden State

When: 3:30 PM ET, Sunday, May 1, 2016
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California

The Portland Trail Blazers benefited from some injury luck in the first round against the Los Angeles Clippers and are hoping for some more when they visit the top-seeded Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday. Warriors MVP guard Stephen Curry (knee) will miss Game 1 and could miss several games in the series.

Curry was diagnosed with a grade 1 strain of his right MCL after falling awkwardly in Game 4 of the first round against the Houston Rockets on Apr. 24 and was given a timetable of two weeks before being evaluated again. “Feeling better but just got a ways to go," Curry told reporters on Friday. "I always have an optimistic view, no matter what it is. I hope to get back sooner. I haven't talked to the doctors, athletic training staff, all the experts. That two-week timeline was, as (Golden State general manager) Bob (Myers) says, an educated guess." The Trail Blazers certainly wouldn’t mind if he missed the whole series and just got done wrapping up a first-round win over a Clippers squad that was without stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin for the final two games. “We thought (Los Angeles) was tough without (Paul) and Blake, but (the Warriors are) a championship team,” Portland guard Damian Lillard told reporters. “Even without Steph, they’re still a championship team. We’ve got to keep our mind right, compete and play together. … We’ve just got to keep improving on the things we’ve done well and be locked in defensively.”

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS: Portland lost the first two games in the first round before winning four straight and were immediately turning the page to Golden State after clinching the series on Friday. “They pose a lot of problems,” Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum told reporters of the Warriors. “Historically speaking, they had a really good year breaking the record for wins, losing (two games) at home I believe this year, so you know it’s going to be a tough environment. Offensively, even without Steph, they do a great job of moving the ball.” McCollum was a key to the first-round win, averaging 12.5 points in Games 1 and 2 before exploding for 23.3 over the final four contests.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS: Golden State dominated the Houston Rockets in the final six quarters of the first-round series after watching Curry go down just before the half in Game 4, outscoring them 179-119 over the final 1 1/2 games. “(We’re) doing a few things different with Steph out,” Warriors forward Andre Iguodala told reporters. “We don’t have that explosive, MVP-type player. But we did a really good job of getting into that mode, making a couple extra passes per possession. The ball had to move quicker. Klay (Thompson) has to move a little bit more than normal. Get the ball in the post a little bit more.” Golden State has two more All-Stars in Thompson and Draymond Green to go along with a solid supporting cast that will hold the fort until Curry returns.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Warriors assistant Luke Walton agreed to a deal to become the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers but will remain with Golden State throughout the playoffs.

2. Trail Blazers C Mason Plumlee averaged 16 rebounds in the last four games against the Clippers.

3. Portland is one of only nine teams to beat Golden State during the regular season, earning a 137-105 victory at home on Feb. 19 behind 51 points from Lillard.

PREDICTION: Warriors 113, Trail Blazers 105

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jays at Rays


Weather information is currently unavailable. 5-Day Forecast
GAME: Toronto Blue Jays (11-14) at Tampa Bay Rays (11-12)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 01 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


Logan Forsythe is enjoying quite the power surge at the plate to provide a jolt for the ailing offense of the Tampa Bay Rays. After recording five hits in his last two contests, Forsythe looks to continue his good fortune on Sunday afternoon as the Rays vie for a series victory versus the visiting Toronto Blue Jays.

Forsythe homered and had an RBI single among his three hits in Saturday's 4-3 victory and is 11-for-21 (.524) during Tampa Bay's 4-2 stretch over the last six games. Teammate Evan Longoria also went deep and could be on his way to breaking out of a 4-for-28 slump as he faces Sunday starter Marcus Stroman, against whom he is 5-for-9 with a homer in his career. Slugger Jose Bautista launched a two-run shot on Saturday, but is 1-for-15 in his career against the Rays starter Jake Odorizzi. Troy Tulowitzki (0-for-12) and Edwin Encarnacion (0-for-11) are mired in tough stretches at the plate for the Blue Jays, who have dropped four of their last five.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, SNET (Toronto), FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (3-0, 4.37 ERA) vs. Rays RH Jake Odorizzi (0-1, 3.58)

Stroman looks to celebrate his 25th birthday by making his second strong performance versus Tampa Bay this season. The right-hander improved to 2-1 in his career against the Rays by allowing three runs on six hits in eight innings en route to a 5-3 win on April 3. Stroman was not as fortunate in his last turn, permitting four runs in 6 2/3 innings of a no-decision versus the Chicago White Sox on Monday.

Odorizzi remains in search of his first victory this season despite yielding two or fewer runs in three of his five starts. The 25-year-old allowed one run on seven hits in five innings en route to a no-decision versus Baltimore on Monday. Odorizzi was left with the same result on April 5 against Toronto despite permitting two runs on four hits and striking out a season-high 10 batters.

WALK-OFFS

1. Toronto CF Kevin Pillar is 10-for-25 with four RBIs and four runs scored in his last seven contests.

2. Tampa Bay LF Desmond Jennings is 0-for-21 in his last six games.

3. Blue Jays C Russell Martin is dealing with lingering issues with neck spasms, causing him to miss Saturday's tilt.

PREDICTION: Rays 2, Blue Jays 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Reds at Pirates


Current Conditions - Pittsburgh


L/FOG 55 °F
Wind: E 3
5-Day Forecast GAME: Cincinnati Reds (9-15) at Pittsburgh Pirates (15-9)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 01 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Pittsburgh Pirates are motoring in the opposite direction of National League Central rival Cincinnati and will look to stretch their winning streak to seven games in Sunday's series finale against the visiting Reds. Pittsburgh improved to 8-1 over the past nine contests after outscoring the Reds 9-2 in the first two games of the series.

Sean Rodriguez clubbed a two-run homer in Saturday's 5-1 victory, giving him four blasts in only 30 at-bats to match his season total from 2015. The Pirates have scored 45 runs during the six-game winning streak to tie a club record for wins in April with 15. Center fielder Billy Hamilton collected three hits to push his batting average above .200 for the first time this season for the Reds, who have dropped six in a row and eight of nine. Cincinnati, which is an NL-worst 1-10 on the road, sends Raisel Iglesias to the mound to oppose Jeff Locke in Sunday's finale.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), ROOT (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Raisel Iglesias (1-1, 3.49 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Jeff Locke (1-2, 5.03)

Iglesias has yet to allow more than three runs in any of his five starts, but his only victory came against the Pirates on April 9, when he gave up one run on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old Cuban is 0-1 in his last three trips to the mound, settling for a no-decision after giving up three runs in five innings at the New York Mets last time out. Iglesias split a pair of decisions versus Pittsburgh a year ago.

Locke bounced back from a wretched start with a stellar performance in his last turn, registering a season-high eight strikeouts over six scoreless innings at Colorado on Monday. The 28-year-old New Hampshire native lasted three-plus innings at San Diego in his previous outing and was shelled for eight runs and 11 hits. Eugenio Suarez is 5-for-9 with a homer against Locke, who is 3-3 with a 3.14 ERA in 12 stars versus the Reds.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates C Francisco Cervelli is 6-for-15 over his last four games.

2. Reds LF Adam Duvall is in a 2-for-18 rut with 10 strikeouts.

3. The Pirates activated RHP Jared Hughes off the disabled list Saturday and optioned Rob Scahill to Triple-A Indianapolis.

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Reds 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants at Mets

GAME: San Francisco Giants (12-13) at New York Mets (15-7)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 01 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The New York Mets try for their ninth straight victory when they host the San Francisco Giants on Sunday in the finale of their three-game series, and the winning streak has been partly fueled by the red-hot Michael Conforto. The left fielder is 15-for-31 with two home runs and 10 RBIs during an eight-game hitting streak, raising his average to .365 while going deep among three hits and driving in three runs during New York's 6-5 victory Saturday.

Conforto (four home runs, 18 RBIs) is playing his first full season in the majors and said he is not feeling any pressure batting third in the lineup, and could be benefiting from having Yoenis Cespedes (seven homers, 23 RBIs) hitting behind him. The Mets outscored opponents 50-21 during the winning streak and their two home runs Saturday gave them 33 in April, tying the club record set in 2006. San Francisco, which had won its last five series at Citi Field, is 4-7 on the road this season with an ERA of 6.21 compared to 4.02 at AT&T Park. The Giants' Madison Bumgarner puts his perfect record versus New York on the line while squaring off against fellow ace Noah Syndergaard, who has an eye-popping 38 strikeouts against four walks in 26 2/3 innings this season.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (2-2, 3.64 ERA) vs. Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (2-0, 1.69)

Bumgarner allowed two runs and six hits while striking out nine in 6 2/3 innings of a 5-4 victory over San Diego on Monday that snapped his two-game slide and four-game winless streak. The 26-year-old North Carolina native, whose 13-11 career record in April marks his worst winning percentage of any month, recorded 38 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings this season and five walks over his last four starts after issuing five free passes in his 2016 opener. Bumgarner is 3-0 with a 1.24 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 29 innings versus New York and has held Cespedes and David Wright to a combined 4-for-17.

Syndergaard received a no-decision after allowing three runs and seven hits while striking out nine in 6 2/3 innings of the Mets' 5-3 victory over Cincinnati on Monday for his four straight quality start to begin the season. The 23-year-old Texan has yet to permit a home run after yielding 19 in 150 innings of his 2015 rookie season. Syndergaard allowed four runs and 10 hits in six innings of a 5-0 loss to San Francisco last season in his only start versus the Giants.

WALK-OFFS

1. Conforto doubled in his sixth straight game Saturday, tying the club record set by Joe Christopher in 1964.

2. San Francisco RF Hunter Pence (.284, four home runs, 19 RBIs) drove in three runs Saturday and is 11-for-27 with two home runs, eight RBIs and seven walks in his last eight games.

3. Cespedes failed to record an extra-base hit Saturday, snapping his club record streak at nine games.

PREDICTION: Mets 3, Giants 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox at Orioles

GAME: Chicago White Sox (17-8) at Baltimore Orioles (14-9)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 01 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Left-hander Chris Sale has been instrumental in the Chicago White Sox's fast start to the season and will go for his major league-leading sixth victory in the finale of a four-game series at Baltimore on Sunday. The White Sox outlasted Baltimore 8-7 on Saturday night after dropping the first two games of the series.

Sale has allowed one earned run over 24 innings spanning his last three starts, helping Chicago tie a franchise record with 17 wins in the month of April. Jose Abreu delivered the game-winning RBI single in the ninth inning Saturday and is 9-for-22 during a five-game hitting streak. The Orioles fell to 10-1 when leading after seven innings and suffered a double whammy when closer Zach Britton sprained his left ankle and limped off the field with two outs in the ninth after attempting to field a swinging bunt. Ubaldo Jimenez starts the series finale for Baltimore, which lost for only the second time in 11 home games.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Chris Sale (5-0, 1.66 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Ubaldo Jimenez (1-2, 3.91)

Sale has pitched at least seven innings in all five of his starts, remaining perfect with another dominant performance last time out by limiting Toronto's powerful lineup to one run and four hits over eight frames. Sale did not permit an earned run in each of his previous two turns, picking up a pair of wins despite Chicago scoring a total of three runs. He blanked the Orioles for 7 2/3 innings last year but is 1-2 with a 3.72 ERA against them.

Jimenez has regressed following an outstanding season debut in which he struck out nine, did not walk a batter and permitted one earned run over seven innings to beat the Minnesota Twins. He has battled control issues during a winless three-start stretch, walking 11 over 16 innings, and has received only six runs of support during that span. Brett Lawrie is 4-for-11 with a homer off Jimenez, who owns a 3-4 mark and 4.17 ERA in 12 starts versus Chicago.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox DH Avisail Garcia, who is 7-for-13 versus Jimenez, is expected to miss his second straight game with a hamstring injury.

2. While Britton is listed as day-to-day, Orioles RHP Darren O'Day had a streak of 10 scoreless appearances halted Saturday.

3. White Sox closer David Robertson is expected back Sunday after missing the previous three games while on bereavement leave.

PREDICTION: White Sox 5, Orioles 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers at Twins

GAME: Detroit Tigers (13-10) at Minnesota Twins (7-17)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 01 - 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Minnesota Twins are having some trouble stringing hits together again and are staring at another series sweep. The Twins will try to avoid a three-game sweep and a fourth straight setback when they host the Detroit Tigers in the finale of a three-game series on Sunday.

Minnesota began a six-game homestand with back-to-back wins over the Cleveland Indians but have since seen their run totals decline, dipping to one in Saturday’s 4-1 setback. The Twins are tied for the worst record in the American League at 7-17 and managed one extra-base hit in Saturday’s loss – a solo home run by rookie Korean slugger Byung Ho Park. That marked the sixth home run for Park, who signed for four years and $12 million over the winter, while Tigers new slugger Justin Upton managed his second blast on Saturday. Upton, signed for six years and $132.5 million, and is just beginning to find his way at the plate with hits in three straight games to raise his average to .221.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Mike Pelfrey (0-4, 4.64 ERA) vs. Twins RH Ricky Nolasco (1-0, 3.25)

Pelfrey is making his first start against his former team and looking for his first win since joining Detroit in the offseason. The Wichita State product was ripped for a season-high five runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings but at least kept the ball in the zone with no walks after issuing 11 in as many innings over his previous two turns. Pelfrey went 11-27 in three seasons as a member of the Twins.

Nolasco struck out a season-high nine over 7 1/3 innings against Cleveland on Tuesday but was reached for four runs on five hits – two home runs – and did not factor in the decision. The 33-year-old allowed one run in two of his first three starts but only got enough run support to pull out one win. Nolasco is 2-1 with a 3.58 ERA in five career starts against Detroit.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tigers DH Victor Martinez is 6-for-9 with a homer and three RBIs in the series.

2. Twins 2B Brian Dozier is 0-for-12 with five strikeouts in the last three games.

3. Minnesota 3B Trevor Plouffe (strained intercostal) began a rehab assignment at Single-A Fort Myers on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Tigers 8, Twins 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals at Cardinals

GAME: Washington Nationals (16-7) at St. Louis Cardinals (12-12)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 01 - 2:15 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Washington Nationals totaled three runs while being swept at home in a three-game series by the Philadelphia Phillies but have pounded out 11 in taking the first two games at the St. Louis Cardinals. The Nationals will try to keep the home runs coming and pull off a three-game sweep when they visit the Cardinals in the series finale on Sunday.

Washington got home runs from Danny Espinosa and Michael Taylor in Friday’s 5-4 win and Jayson Werth backed a strong start from Joe Ross with a three-run blast in Saturday’s 6-1 triumph. Werth went 2-for-3 with four RBIs in the win and has five RBIs in the series to help make up for Bryce Harper’s 0-for-7 against St. Louis. The Cardinals finished off April with three straight losses to fall to 12-12 for the month but feel like they are a much better team. “I think (the players have) all shown signs of going in the right direction, though the numbers maybe are skewed on a couple,” manager Mike Matheny told reporters. “But I believe also we’re better than what we’ve shown.”

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Max Scherzer (2-1, 4.35 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Carlos Martinez (4-0, 1.93)

Scherzer is still trying to find his groove in 2016 and logged his third quality start against Philadelphia on Tuesday, allowing three runs on seven hits and a season-high four walks in six innings without factoring in the decision. The 31-year-old issued only 34 walks in 228 2/3 innings last season but handed out 12 free passes in 31 frames in April. Scherzer, who is from St. Louis, is 0-2 with a 3.52 ERA in four career starts against the hometown Cardinals.

Martinez is coming off his best start in the young season after holding the Arizona Diamondbacks to three hits over eight scoreless innings. The Dominican Republic native logged a quality start in each of his first four outings and surrendered a total of six hits in 15 innings over the last two turns. Martinez is making his first start against the Nationals and yielded three runs and six hits in a total of 3 2/3 innings spread across four relief appearances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo will have knee replacement surgery later in May and miss the rest of the season.

2. Nationals 1B Ryan Zimmerman is 3-for-24 over the last six contests.

3. St. Louis C Yadier Molina has hit safely in 11 straight games.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Nationals 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians at Phillies

GAME: Cleveland Indians (10-11) at Philadelphia Phillies (14-10)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 01 - 2:35 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Philadelphia Phillies are quietly putting together a solid season with eight wins in their last nine games and 14 victories in their last 20 contests. The surging Phillies aim for a series sweep of the visiting Cleveland Indians when the teams square off Sunday afternoon.

Philadelphia has won five straight games - all by scores of 4-3 or 3-0 - and wrapped up April at 14-10 after most experts predicted a 90-loss season. The first two games of this series have been 4-3 decisions, including Saturday's contest in which Freddy Galvis homered and drove in three runs and Jeanmar Gomez improved to 8-for-8 in save opportunities. The Indians, meanwhile, have played five straight one-run games, although they are 1-4 during that stretch. Vince Velasquez gets the nod for the Phillies on Sunday, while the Indians counter with Danny Salazar in an intriguing matchup of young right-handers.

TV: 2:35 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Danny Salazar (2-1, 2.35 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (3-1, 1.78)

Salazar has yet to give up more than three runs in any outing this season, although he has only pitched more than six innings once. He gave up three runs in 4 2/3 innings against Minnesota in his last trip to the mound and also walked four in that outing, giving him 13 in 23 innings. The 26-year-old has gone three straight starts without allowing a home run and has held opponents to a .139 batting average on the year.

Velasquez has been terrific since coming over in last winter's trade that sent Ken Giles to Houston. The 23-year-old has struck out 33 against only six walks and has held the opposition to a .174 batting average through four starts. He gave up three runs in six innings against Washington in his last outing and is succeeding despite the Phillies scoring only nine runs in his four starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Phillies have batted their pitcher eighth in each of the last nine games.

2. Philadelphia OF Odubel Herrera has hit safely in 11 straight games, including 2-for-4 outings in each of the first two games of this series.

3. Indians 2B Jason Kipnis brings a nine-game hitting streak and a five-game RBI streak into Sunday's action.

PREDICTION: Phillies 5, Indians 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Astros at Athletics

GAME: Houston Astros (7-17) at Oakland Athletics (13-12)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 01 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


Billy Burns has provided a consistent presence at the plate to help the Oakland Athletics return on the positive side of .500. Riding a five-game hitting streak, the 26-year-old Burns looks to help the Athletics (13-12) continue their dominance of the Houston Astros and complete a three-game sweep on Sunday when the American League West rivals reconvene in Oakland, Calif.

Burns recorded a hit for the 12th time in 13 contests and provided all the offense in Saturday's 2-0 victory with a two-out single in the second inning. "He’s so exciting to watch play - he’s 5-7, 5-8, but God, he can take over a game,” teammate Yonder Alonso told the San Francisco Chronicle of Burns. "It's a lot of fun to watch." While the Athletics have won four straight home contests and seven of the last eight in this series, the sputtering Astros have dropped nine of 11 overall and fell to 1-4 on their six-game road trip. Jose Altuve has been held without a hit in three of his last four contests after collecting four doubles among his seven hits in the previous three.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Houston), CSN California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Doug Fister (1-3, 5.56 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Rich Hill (3-2, 2.42)

Fister has fallen on hard times after his season-opening victory, losing each of his last three decisions while allowing 11 runs on 18 hits in 17 2/3 innings. The 32-year-old issued a career-high seven walks in a 3-2 setback to Seattle on Monday, nearly doubling the total of his previous three starts (four). Fister also has had trouble keeping the ball in the park, surrendering two homers in his last outing and five this season in just 22 2/3 innings.

Hill authored his best start of the season on Tuesday en route winning his second straight contest, scattering four hits and striking out eight over seven scoreless innings in a 5-1 victory versus Detroit. The 36-year-old did not walk a batter after issuing seven free passes in his previous two outings. Hill owns a 2-0 career mark against Houston and limited the club to a .178 batting average in his eight appearances (four starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Houston OF George Springer has reached base in 15 consecutive contests.

2. Oakland RHP Chris Bassitt, who is on the disabled list, is seeking a second opinion after learning he has a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow.

3. Astros RHP Lance McCullers is slated to pitch four innings in extended spring training on Monday.

PREDICTION: Athletics 3, Astros 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockies at Diamondbacks

GAME: Colorado Rockies (11-12) at Arizona Diamondbacks (12-14)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 01 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


Struggling right-hander Shelby Miller feels as if he took a step in the right direction his last time out, even if his final line was not pretty. Miller will try to build off that outing when he leads the host Arizona Diamondbacks into the finale of their three-game series with the Colorado Rockies on Sunday.

Acquired in the offseason to help fortify the Diamondbacks' rotation, Miller has been a disappointment thus far, but worked four scoreless innings Tuesday against St. Louis before giving up five runs in the fifth and eventually falling to 0-2. "I feel like we're headed in the right direction, sure," Miller told reporters. "At the end of the day, you give up five runs in five innings. That's how I look at it. The first four innings were good." Miller opened the season allowing six runs in six innings against Colorado, which has taken the first two games of this set by a combined 14-2 margin. Rockies rookie Trevor Story is 4-for-9 with a home run, a triple and a double in those two wins and collected three RBIs in Saturday's 5-2 victory.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), FSN Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Chad Bettis (2-1, 3.77 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Shelby Miller (0-2, 8.69)

Bettis is 2-1 with a 2.81 ERA over his last four starts and has lasted at least six innings each time. Before that stretch began, he opened the season with a rocky effort opposite Miller on April 5, allowing five runs on seven hits - two homers - in 5 1/3 frames. That outing left the Texas Tech product with a 7.32 ERA in six career games (three starts) versus the Diamondbacks.

Miller's biggest issue has been his control, as the former first-round pick has issued 15 walks in 19 2/3 innings. He has allowed 15 runs in 16 frames at Chase Field, serving up six home runs in the process - including three against the Rockies in his 2016 debut. Nick Hundley and DJ LeMahieu hit two of those homers and are a combined 9-for-20 with six RBIs versus Miller.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona LF Brandon Drury has belted three home runs in a span of four games.

2. Rockies CF Charlie Blackmon is 4-for-9 with three runs scored in two contests since coming off the disabled list.

3. Diamondbacks RHP Brad Ziegler took the loss Saturday after giving up three runs in one-third of an inning in the ninth, but he has converted a franchise-record 33 straight save opportunities.

PREDICTION: Rockies 6, Diamondbacks 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees at Red Sox

GAME: New York Yankees (8-14) at Boston Red Sox (14-10)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 01 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Red Sox signed David Price for big moments such as anytime they play the Yankees, and the ace left-hander gets his first taste of the rivalry when Boston tries for a three-game sweep at home against New York on Sunday night. The Red Sox paid a hefty price to land the former Cy Young Award winner and five-time All-Star - $217 million for seven years - and Price said he won't treat this start any differently as he attempts to improve on his 13-7 career record versus the Yankees.

“I can’t go out there with negative thoughts or hatred for someone,’’ Price told reporters. “I don’t need added adrenaline. I don’t treat any team differently. I go out there and think they’re all All-Stars.” Boston's David Ortiz announced that he will retire at the end of the season, but the 40-year-old should reconsider after hitting home runs in the first two games of the series - giving him 49 versus New York - while going 4-for-7 to raise his average to .321 this season. While the Red Sox have won six of their last seven games, the Yankees have lost four straight and scored nine runs while dropping five of six and seeing their six-series winning streak at Fenway Park snapped. Nathan Eovaldi takes the ball for New York after no-hitting Texas for six innings in his last start en route to his first victory of the season.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ESPN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Nathan Eovaldi (1-2, 4.38 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH David Price (3-0, 5.76)

Eovaldi allowed two hits and two walks while striking out six in seven innings of a 3-1 victory in Texas on Monday and has recorded 28 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings this season. ''He was amazing. His split ... anything that started at your thigh went straight to the ground,'' the Rangers' Prince Fielder told reporters about the 26-year-old Texan. Eovaldi is 2-0 with a 4.24 ERA in three starts versus Boston, and only Hanley Ramirez has done much damage (5-for-13, home run, four RBIs) among active Red Sox.

Price matched a career high with 14 strikeouts in eight innings of an 11-4 victory in Atlanta on Tuesday, lowering his ERA 1.30 after allowing two runs and increasing his strikeout total to 46 in 29 2/3 frames this season. “I don’t care about strikeouts, man. That doesn’t mean anything to me,” the 30-year-old Tennessee native, who permitted eight runs in 3 2/3 innings in his previous start, told reporters. “I want to be able to go out there and pitch as deep as I can in the baseball game. I want to get 27 outs every five days. Twenty-four is good.” Price struggles against Brian McCann (10-for-29, three home runs) and Chase Headley (8-for-19) but fares better versus Alex Rodriguez (14-for-59, 24 strikeouts) and Mark Teixeira (13-for-64, three homers).

WALK-OFFS

1. New York 2B Starlin Castro (.305) is 9-for-20 in his last six games and is the only Yankee regular hitting better than .262.

2. Boston OF Jackie Bradley recorded two triples while going 3-for-3 with three RBIs in Saturday's 8-0 victory and is 10-for-27 with nine RBIs during his seven-game hitting streak.

3. The Red Sox recalled INF Marco Hernandez from Triple-A Pawtucket and optioned RHP Pat Light prior to Saturday's game.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 3, Yankees 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Marlins at Brewers

GAME: Miami Marlins (12-11) at Milwaukee Brewers (8-15)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 01 - 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


Despite taking a big hit with the suspension of star second baseman Dee Gordon, the Miami Marlins still managed to end April on a good note. The Marlins put a seven-game winning streak on the line Sunday afternoon when they finish a three-game series at Milwaukee.

Derek Dietrich, pushed into the second base job when Gordon was suspended for 80 games earlier in the week, homered on the first pitch of the game to spark a 7-5 win over the Brewers on Saturday, pushing Miami (12-11) over .500 for the first time since Aug. 22, 2014. The Marlins' winning streak, which has taken place entirely on the road, matches their longest run since a nine-gamer late in the 2008 campaign. Giancarlo Stanton also went deep Saturday and has five home runs in his last six games, recording nine RBIs in that span. Struggling righty Wily Peralta will be tasked with trying to slow down Miami when he takes the mound opposite Tom Koehler on Sunday.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Tom Koehler (2-2, 4.50 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Wily Peralta (1-3, 7.40)

Walks have been a bit of an issue for Koehler, who has issued four free passes in two of his four starts and 11 in 20 innings overall. He allowed two earned runs in five innings to pick up a win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday. The 29-year-old has an 8.14 ERA in five career games (four starts) against Milwaukee and has allowed nine runs on 15 hits and seven walks in 9 1/3 innings at Miller Park.

After posting a 10.12 ERA through his first three starts, Peralta is 1-0 with a more respectable 4.09 mark in his last two, including a season-high six-inning outing in a win over Philadelphia on April 24. He limited the Phillies to three earned runs and did not walk a batter for the first time in 2016. The Dominican Republic native is 3-1 with a 3.35 ERA against Miami while holding Stanton hitless in 10 at-bats, although he has walked the slugger five times.

WALK-OFFS

1. Marlins C J.T. Realmuto is batting .500 with four extra-base hits during a six-game hitting streak.

2. Milwaukee is 1-6-2 in series play this season.

3. The all-time series is tied at 65 wins apiece.

PREDICTION: Marlins 6, Brewers 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves at Cubs

GAME: Atlanta Braves (5-18) at Chicago Cubs (17-5)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 01 - 2:20 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A




The opening month of the season has done nothing to quell the rampant optimism surrounding the Chicago Cubs, who look to carry their success into May when they host the Atlanta Braves on Sunday in the finale of an abbreviated two-game series. The Cubs continued their best start since 1907 with a 6-1 victory in Friday’s series opener, improving to 17-5 – the best record in the majors – and have won four straight.



The Cubs matched the franchise record for wins in the opening month of the season, but were unable to break it due to Saturday’s rainout, while the Braves (5-18) set a club record for losses in April. Cubs pitchers lead the National League with 17 quality starts in 22 games, and two of them belong to veteran right-hander John Lackey. Lackey will be expected to add to that total against an Atlanta lineup that hasn’t shown much pop. Freddie Freeman is 10-for-19 during a five-game hitting streak and has three of the Braves’ major league-low five home runs, but there aren’t many others in the lineup who can hurt opposing pitcher.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, FSN South (Atlanta), ABC 7 (Chicago)



PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Julio Teheran (0-3, 4.60 ERA) vs. Cubs RH John Lackey (3-1, 4.97)

Teheran had a couple of rough outings earlier this month but has been solid his last two starts. He was excellent Monday against Boston, holding the Red Sox to one run and six hits over seven innings while striking out eight, but ended up on the wrong end of a 1-0 defeat. The Braves have totaled just 10 runs in the five games he has started.

Lackey has been inconsistent in his first four outings in a Cubs uniform, recording two strong starts and a pair of clunkers. He allowed six runs and seven hits over 5 2/3 innings last time out, losing at Cincinnati. The 37-year-old is 1-1 with a 2.76 ERA in three starts against the Braves.



WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo has 24 RBIs in April, his most in any month in his career.

2. Braves RF Nick Markakis has reached base in 27 consecutive road games, the second-longest active streak in the majors.

3. The Cubs lead the majors with 121 walks and have drawn at least six free passes 10 times this season.



PREDICTION: Braves 3, Cubs 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels at Rangers

GAME: Los Angeles Angels (11-13) at Texas Rangers (14-10)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 01 - 3:05 PM EST
WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


After beginning their six-game homestand on a down note, the Texas Rangers attempt to end it with a sweep Sunday as they host the Los Angeles Angels in the finale of their three-game set. Texas saw its losing streak reach four games when it kicked off its stretch at home with a 3-1 loss to the New York Yankees but have won four in a row since, allowing a total of seven runs in the victories.

Rougned Odor has hit safely in every game of the winning streak, recording a season-high three hits in Saturday's 7-2 triumph. Los Angeles' home sweep of Kansas City to start the week is but a distant memory as the club has totaled four runs in losing the first two games in Texas. Andrelton Simmons is riding a five-game hitting streak that has featured a pair of multi-hit performances but is 2-for-21 lifetime against Cole Hamels, who will be making his first start in nearly two weeks because of a groin injury. Hamels will be opposed by Garret Richards, who is 4-2 with a 3.38 ERA in nine career games at Globe Life Park.

TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), FSN Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Garrett Richards (1-3, 2.35 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Cole Hamels (3-0, 2.52)

Richards finally received a much-deserved victory Monday after limiting Kansas City to an unearned run on three hits and five walks in 6 2/3 innings. The 27-year-old Californian went 0-3 over his first four turns this season despite allowing three earned runs or fewer in each outing. Richards is 9-3 with a 3.16 ERA against Texas in 19 career meetings (15 starts), including a 6 2/3-inning effort on April 9 in which he was tagged with the loss after yielding four runs (two earned).

Hamels returns to the mound after a 10-day layoff because of a sore groin that caused him to miss his last start. The 32-year-old Californian, who also has allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his four outings this year, extended his personal winning streak to 10 regular-season games when he held Houston to one run and five hits over 6 2/3 innings on April 20. Hamels improved to 2-1 in three career starts against Los Angeles in the April 9 meeting, besting Richards by giving up only one run and four hits in six frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers OF Josh Hamilton, who has yet to play this season because of a knee injury, began a rehab assignment Saturday and went 0-for-2 for Double-A Frisco.

2. Los Angeles LHP Andrew Heaney, who made one start this season before landing on the disabled list with a forearm injury, is expected to receive a plasma injection that likely will keep him sidelined until July.

3. Texas DH Prince Fielder recorded his 1,001st career RBI on Saturday, putting him seven behind his father, Cecil.

PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Angels 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Royals at Mariners

GAME: Kansas City Royals (12-11) at Seattle Mariners (13-10)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 01 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


Two teams trending in different directions meet Sunday as the Kansas City Royals and Seattle Mariners close out a three-game series at Safeco Field. The Royals have lost five in a row for the first time since May 2014 while Seattle has won eight of its last 10 to move a half-game back of Texas in the American League West.

Right fielder Seth Smith has homered in back-to-games for Seattle, whose pitchers enter the series finale riding a streak of 20 consecutive scoreless innings. “Our club is playing well,” manager Scott Servais told reporters. “They believe in each other. I think we’re gelling, the personalities. It’s almost contagious the way we’re going about our at-bats. I feel like we’re going to win every night.” The Royals are mired in 0-for-23 slump with runners in scoring position and need more production from leadoff hitter Alcides Escobar, who has four hits in his last 35 at-bats. Escobar can share the blame with several starters, including left fielder Alex Gordon (.208) and center fielder Lorenzo Cain, who will be happy to turn the calendar after batting .220 with two extra-base hits in April.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FSN Kansas City, ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Ian Kennedy (2-2, 2.77 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Taijuan Walker (2-0, 1.44)

Kennedy carried a 1.35 ERA into Monday’s start against the Angels but took the loss after yielding five runs on seven hits with four walks over six innings. The 31-year-old has been a welcome addition to the Kansas City rotation after spending the previous six seasons in the National League with Arizona and San Diego. Nori Aoki is 6-for-13 and Smith is 7-for-24 with a home run against Kennedy, who is 0-2 with a 5.59 ERA in two career starts against Seattle.

Walker continued to impress Monday against Houston with seven innings of one-run ball while striking out a career-high-tying 11 batters on 118 pitches. “We’ve really seen that he has the ability to turn the dial up,” Servais told reporters. “Later in games there’s plenty in the tank. The adrenaline gets flowing, he gets a little emotional and he gets after it.” The 25-year-old owns a 25-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his first four starts covering 25 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seattle (13-10) is three games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2014 season.

2. Kansas City 1B Eric Hosmer was 0-for-4 in Saturday’s loss, snapping his career-best 18-game hitting streak.

3. The Mariners have homered in nine straight games.

PREDICTION: Mariners 7, Royals 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Padres at Dodgers

GAME: San Diego Padres (9-15) at Los Angeles Dodgers (12-13)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, May 01 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


Los Angeles has lost six in a row to fall one game under .500, but manager Dave Roberts is unlikely to shake things up Sunday when the Dodgers look to avoid a three-game sweep by the visiting San Diego Padres. Roberts’ primary concern is the Dodgers’ offense, which has scored a total of 11 runs during their losing streak.

First baseman Adrian Gonzalez is hitless in his last 17 at-bats with seven strikeouts for the Dodgers, who are 2-for-36 with runners in scoring position over the last six games. “These are our guys, and I believe in them. I know they’re going to come out of it,” Roberts told reporters. “They're still confident and they’re trying their tails off, so you’ve got to stick with them.” Roberts will turn to ace Clayton Kershaw on Sunday against the Padres, who have won back-to-back games in Dodger Stadium for the first time since April 2013. First baseman Wil Myers continued to spark the San Diego offense in Saturday’s 5-2 victory with two doubles, two walks, an RBI and a stolen base.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Drew Pomeranz (2-2, 2.86 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (2-1, 2.43)

Pomeranz is set to make his fourth road start in five outings Sunday after yielding four runs (three earned) on seven hits over 4 1/3 innings in Monday’s loss at San Francisco. The 27-year-old was unable to build on his previous start, when he pitched into the seventh inning and recorded a career-best 10 strikeouts against Pittsburgh. Yasmani Grandal is 3-for-8 with a home run against Pomeranz, who is 0-3 with a 5.49 ERA in six career games (four starts) against the Dodgers.

Kershaw struck out 10 batters in Tuesday’s start against Miami but allowed five runs on seven hits over seven innings and took his first loss in his last eight regular-season starts dating to last year. The three-time Cy Young award winner owns a 13-6 record and 2.16 ERA in 28 career starts against the Padres while keeping Myers hitless in 11 at-bats. Alexei Ramirez is 5-for-11 against Kershaw, who tossed seven shutout innings against the Padres on Opening Day.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers RF Yasiel Puig, who is mired in a 1-for-18 slump, is expected to return to the starting lineup Sunday after being given the day off Saturday.

2. The Padres are 8-0 when leading after seven innings.

3. Los Angeles finished April under .500 for the first time since 2010.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Padres 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Bruce Marshall

Pirates -1.5 +159

These teams are headed in opposite directions and will continue to back the surging Pirates, looking for a sweep. The Bucs have won six straight and have scored 5 or more runs in 7 of their last 9 as they just completed their highest-scoring April since 1930. Starter Jeff Locke is also off of a dominant effort vs. the Rockies when he pitched six shutout innings on Monday. The reeling Reds have totaled a mere 11 runs in a 1-8 stretch and are forced to use promoted Tim Adelman in his first MLB start due to Raisel Iglesias' shoulder injury. Adelman had only a 4.24 ERA in April at AAA Louisville.