Sunday 5/17/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

LA CLIPPERS (63 - 32) at HOUSTON (63 - 30) - 5/17/2015, 3:05 PM

Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) as a road favorite of 3 points or less over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 228-280 ATS (-80.0 Units) after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 203-255 ATS (-77.5 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 177-240 ATS (-87.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 136-175 ATS (-56.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
HOUSTON is 54-38 ATS (+12.2 Units) in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 30-17 ATS (+11.3 Units) in home games this season.
HOUSTON is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) when playing with 2 days rest this season.
HOUSTON is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive overs over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 23-10 ATS (+12.0 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
HOUSTON is 33-23 ATS (+7.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
HOUSTON is 22-13 ATS (+7.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
HOUSTON is 32-22 ATS (+7.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
HOUSTON is 91-126 ATS (-47.6 Units) in home games against Pacific division opponents since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 11-6 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 11-6 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
9 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

LA CLIPPERS vs. HOUSTON
LA Clippers are 11-3 SU in their last 14 games on the road
LA Clippers are 14-6 SU in their last 20 games when playing Houston
Houston is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
Houston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

LA Clippers at Houston
Los Angeles: 35-21 ATS revenging a straight up loss vs opponent as a favorite
Houston: 20-10 OVER after a combined score of 205 points or more 2 straight games

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

CHICAGO (56-30-0-6, 118 pts.) at ANAHEIM (59-24-0-8, 126 pts.) - 5/17/2015, 3:05 PM

Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 60-54 ATS (-25.9 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 59-32 ATS (+17.2 Units) in all games this season.
ANAHEIM is 14-1 ATS (+12.5 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less this season.
ANAHEIM is 35-17 ATS (+5.5 Units) second half of the season this season.
ANAHEIM is 24-8 ATS (+12.2 Units) on Sunday games over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 197-148 ATS (+37.5 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 33-18 ATS (+8.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ANAHEIM is 224-206 ATS (+470.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
CHICAGO is 33-15 ATS (+11.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 5-4 (+2.1 Units) against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 5-4-0 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
7 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.7 U

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL MONEYLINE

NHL > (51) CHICAGO@ (52) ANAHEIM | 05/17/2015 - 03:05 PM
Play ON ANAHEIM using the money line in All games in a home game where where the total is 5 or less
The record is 14 Wins and 1 Losses for the this season (+12.15 units)



NHL PUCKLINE

NHL > (51) CHICAGO@ (52) ANAHEIM | 05/17/2015 - 03:05 PM
Play ON ANAHEIM using the in All games in a home game where where the total is 5 or less
The record is 14 Wins and 1 Losses for the this season (+12.15 units)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves (16-19) at Marlins (16-20)
Game: 3
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: May 17, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

For the Miami Marlins' current slump, there's plenty of blame to go around.

None, though, should go to Giancarlo Stanton.

Following yet another wasted home run by Stanton, the Marlins will turn to Henderson Alvarez in his first start off the disabled list Sunday against an Atlanta Braves team looking for its second consecutive sweep in Miami.

Stanton launched a 478-foot solo shot Saturday in a 5-3 loss to Atlanta (17-19), his third homer of the series and fourth in four games. He has two other tape-measure shots in that span, including one Friday and another that left Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, but Miami also lost both of those games. He's driven in seven of Miami's 12 runs over the past four games and ranks atop baseball with 36 RBIs.

Still, the Marlins (16-21) keep losing. They've dropped five of six, failing to score more than three runs in each defeat.

Stanton has 11 of Miami's 24 home runs.

"We need to get some guys going," reliever Tom Koehler said. "His enormous home runs don't really mean much - they still only count as one. We've got to put it all together."

Saturday's loss saw Miami drop to 0-8 when allowing 12 or more hits, and Mat Latos surrendered five runs - including a second-inning grand slam to Jace Peterson - before leaving in the fourth inning after being hit in the leg with a line drive.

The Marlins are batting .167 with runners in scoring position in the last five games, including 3 for 21 in this series.

"We've had some opportunities to get big hits and we haven't been able to get it," manager Mike Redmond said. "When you talk about winning ballgames and getting on those big rolls and streaks, you have to get those big two-out hits, and we just haven't been able to get them."

Miami hopes the return of its opening day starter provides a spark.

Alvarez (0-2, 4.50), sidelined since April 13 with right shoulder inflammation, posted a 2.65 ERA last season and led the Marlins to victories in both outings against Atlanta. Alvarez got another crack at the Braves on April 6 and surrendered two runs in seven innings of a 2-1 loss.

Atlanta ended up sweeping that three-game set in Miami and will look to accomplish that feat again Sunday behind Shelby Miller (4-1, 1.60).

Acquired from St. Louis in the offseason, Miller has yet to allow more than two earned runs through seven starts. He has been especially dominant over his last two, allowing one run and six hits while striking out 16 over 16 innings.

The right-hander owns a 0.90 ERA in two outings against the Marlins this year, both Braves' victories.

"Shelby Miller is as good as you want him to be," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He's a special guy."

He'll pitch in front of an offense that had all eight positional starters notch hits on Saturday. Peterson's home run was the first of his career and Todd Cunningham, called up from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, is 6 for 8 with three runs in the series.

Freddie Freeman is 6 for 18 with one home run and three doubles against Alvarez, who is looking to avoid starting a season 0-3 for the first time.

Stanton is hitless against Miller this season but belted two home runs against the right-hander on Aug. 11.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Braves at Marlins
Fri, May 15 Final 5 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Braves at Marlins
Sat, May 16 Final 5 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Braves at Marlins
Sun, May 17 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Brewers (13-23) at Mets (20-16)
Game: 3
Venue: Citi Field
Date: May 17, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

As Citi Field fans get their first glimpse of a potential top-of-the-rotation pitcher, they shouldn't expect to see him at the bottom of the lineup.

Noah Syndergaard could cap a memorable 24-hour stretch in Queens if he can follow the New York Mets' slump-busting outburst by earning his first major league victory Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Manager Terry Collins could have Syndergaard batting eighth for this matinee after starter Jacob deGrom did Saturday night while Wilmer Flores dropped to No. 9 even though he led New York with five homers. It was the first time the Mets had their home run leader bat ninth since 1967, and the move worked to perfection as deGrom had three hits and Flores highlighted a 10-run fourth inning with a grand slam in a 14-1 win.

"It's not like he's Giancarlo Stanton," Collins said of Flores.

New York (21-16), which had its highest-scoring inning since 2006, compiled a season-best 16 hits after entering on a five-game losing streak during which it totaled 10 runs.

Syndergaard did bat eighth in his big league debut Tuesday at Wrigley Field, striking out twice, but more importantly showed promise on the mound after being hailed as the Mets' most prized prospect. The 6-foot-6 right-hander held the Chicago Cubs scoreless through five innings before fading in the sixth, when he recorded only one out and gave up three runs in a 6-1 loss.

Regularly reaching the high 90s with his fastball and displaying a sharp curve, Syndergaard struck out six but walked four and surrendered six hits. Opposing pitcher Jake Arrieta said "he was electric," and Collins was fairly dazzled as well.

"Obviously, he's got good stuff and I was certainly impressed with how he threw it," he said.

Syndergaard has been excited for his Citi Field debut since recently seeing reporters tweet about the electric atmosphere there.

"It's been something I've wanted to experience since that point," he told MLB's official website. "I'm looking forward to stepping on that mound."

He'll have trouble winning if the Mets don't solve Wily Peralta (1-4, 3.80 ERA). Every other team to face him more than once has beaten the right-hander, but Peralta has won all three starts he's made against New York with a 1.35 ERA - his best against any opponent.

Peralta is seeking a fifth consecutive quality start, having posted a 2.42 ERA in the last four.

Curtis Granderson is 4 for 5 with a homer off Peralta, and he was 3 for 5 with a homer Saturday.

Ryan Braun drove in Milwaukee's only run with a sacrifice fly after homering twice Friday. Carlos Gomez, whose big league career began with the Mets, had two hits Saturday and is a .444 hitter in 11 games at Citi Field.

Luis Sardinas, part of the Yovani Gallardo deal, had two hits on his 22nd birthday in his Brewers debut. He was called up to help fill in for shortstop Jean Segura (finger).

"There's a pretty good competition to make the team at shortstop," Sardinas told MLB's official website. "... You want to (show) the organization, 'I want it.' Now, for me, it's really important, because I want to stay here for a long time. I don't want to go back to Triple-A."

Peralta has allowed four homers in his last three starts and the Brewers (13-24) have served up a major league-worst 54.

The Mets are 14-4 at home with a 2.50 ERA.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Brewers at Mets
Fri, May 15 Final 7 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Brewers at Mets
Sat, May 16 Final 1 to 14
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Brewers at Mets
Sun, May 17 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants (18-18) at Reds (18-18)
Game: 4
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: May 17, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

Hunter Pence is back, and the same could be said of the San Francisco Giants' offense.

They may not need to do much with Chris Heston getting the ball.

Heston aims to build on his first complete game - and the only one by a member of the Giants - as the club goes for its longest road winning streak over the Cincinnati Reds in nearly a decade Sunday.

San Francisco (19-18) ranks near the bottom of the majors with 26 homers and 3.68 runs per game, but the team may be capable of changing that with Pence returning to action.

The Giants had season highs of 16 hits and three homers while pounding Cincinnati 11-2 on Saturday. Pence, second on the team last year with 20 homers and 74 RBIs, went 2 for 3 with a double and three runs in his first game since breaking his left forearm when he was hit by a pitch March 5.

"It's just nice to have him back and have his energy in the dugout and on the field," shortstop Brandon Crawford said. "To have him flying around the bases like that, it's fun to watch."

Pence, who has a .429 average during a 12-game hitting streak against the Reds, helped San Francisco top its previous season high in scoring, set a day earlier in a 10-2 win over the Reds (18-19). The Giants' five homers in the last two games match their total over the previous 11.

Crawford had one of them Saturday, connecting for a grand slam and driving in a career-high six runs. While Crawford has five hits and seven RBIs in the last two games, Brandon Belt is 6 for 10 with two homers, six RBIs and five runs.

Another offensive outburst in the finale of this four-game set could give San Francisco three straight wins at Cincinnati for the first time since Aug. 15-17, 2005.

Heston (3-3, 2.91 ERA) is likely to be a factor, as he's allowed one or no earned runs in five of his seven starts since replacing the injured Matt Cain (forearm) in the rotation.

"I just pound the bottom of the strike zone," Heston told MLB's official website. "Everything below the knees, really. Anything above the knees is probably up."

The right-hander retired the last 22 batters on his way to a two-hitter in an 8-1 win at Houston on Tuesday. He became the first Giants rookie to throw a complete game since Cain's one-hitter in 2006 and the first to do it with 10 strikeouts since Roger Mason on Oct. 4, 1985.

Heston is facing the Reds for the first time, and they're hitting .128 with runners in scoring position at home - 4 for 41 while splitting the last eight games. They went 1 for 9 in that scenario while stranding 11 runners Saturday.

Joey Votto is 2 for 12 with four strikeouts in this series and is batting .146 over the past 12 home games.

Anthony DeSclafani (2-3, 2.79) also is struggling, going 0-3 with a 4.71 ERA and 14 walks in 21 innings over his last four starts. The right-hander allowed three runs and seven hits and left trailing after the sixth inning Tuesday in a 4-3 win over Atlanta.

DeSclafani has never faced the Giants.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Giants at Reds
Thu, May 14 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Giants at Reds
Fri, May 15 Final 10 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Giants at Reds
Sat, May 16 Final 11 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Giants at Reds
Sun, May 17 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels (18-17) at Orioles (15-18)
Game: 3
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: May 17, 2015 1:35 PM EDT

Injury and sickness has forced Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter to shuffle his starting rotation this weekend.

That's opened an opportunity for Mike Wright, who will make his major league debut Sunday opposite red-hot Garrett Richards and the surging Los Angeles Angels.

Baltimore (15-19) originally had Bud Norris scheduled to start Saturday and Chris Tillman for Sunday. Norris, though, was scratched with a case of bronchitis and Tillman's start was skipped while he deals with lower back stiffness. Ubaldo Jimenez was moved up one day to replace Norris and Wright will be inserted into Tillman's spot.

Wright was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday when reliever Jason Garcia was put on the disabled list. The 6-foot-6 right-hander went 3-0 with a 2.64 ERA in six starts for the Tides, striking out 30 in 30 2-3 innings.

"He's another one of those guys we think highly of," Showalter said. "He's physically ready to go and hopefully he'll be able to present himself well against a good club."

Wright will be asked to help the Orioles avoid their first home sweep of the season after totaling two runs - both on homers - in the first two games of this series. Baltimore was held to three hits in Saturday's 6-1 loss as Los Angeles (19-17) did all its scoring after the sixth inning on en route to its fifth straight win.

Mike Trout and David Freese homered for the Angels, who received another strong pitching performance. Matt Shoemaker allowed three hits over seven innings, lowering the team's ERA during the win streak to 1.15. The bullpen has tossed 12 scoreless innings in that stretch, yielding five hits and striking out 14 without a walk.

'Our pitching staff has been great,' catcher Chris Iannetta said. 'It has really been picking up our offense.'

A 3-8 slide has dropped the Orioles four games under .500 for the first time since 2011. They are batting .218 and averaging 3.0 runs in those 11 contests.

"We're just not getting the timely hits right now,' said Steve Pearce, who homered Saturday. 'We've been hitting. We just have not been scoring runs. It's one of those things that's happened to be going against us all year.'

Adam Jones is hitting .236 with four RBIs in May after batting .400 with 19 RBIs in April. This has also been a poor month for Chris Davis (.180), Alejandro De Aza (.154) and Caleb Joseph (.195).

Generating offense won't be any easier against Richards (3-1, 2.27 ERA), who is 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA in his last four starts and took a no-hitter into the seventh inning Sunday against Houston. He eventually allowed one run and four walks over 6 2-3 innings with 10 strikeouts in a 3-1 victory.

'I've put in a lot of time this offseason, and from day one, I knew that I was going to be back within a month or so,' Richards said. 'And I've been moving in the right direction.'

The right-hander has never fared well against the Orioles, however, posting an 8.74 ERA and yielding four homers in two starts. Jones is 3 for 8 with a home run against Richards.

Los Angeles' Erick Aybar is batting .409 over his last 12 games and was moved into the cleanup spot Saturday. He went 1 for 4 with a run but the Angels' No. 4 spot hasn't produced an RBI in 12 games.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Angels at Orioles
Fri, May 15 Final 3 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Angels at Orioles
Sat, May 16 Final 6 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Angels at Orioles
Sun, May 17 - 1:35PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks (15-19) at Phillies (14-23)
Game: 3
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: May 17, 2015 1:35 PM EDT

A string of solid starts has aided the Philadelphia Phillies in what's easily their longest win streak of this season.

The Phillies' lineup also contributed significantly to the latest victory and Sean O'Sullivan is hoping to see a repeat performance from the offense as he attempts to end his four-year winless drought Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Philadelphia's rotation has a 2.08 ERA in the team's four consecutive wins, dropping its season mark from 5.14, second-worst in the NL, to 4.77. Jerome Williams gave up three runs in five innings Saturday in a 7-5 victory, and the Phillies (15-23) produced 13 hits while matching their highest run total in 2015.

Grady Sizemore had four hits and Chase Utley went 2 for 3 with a pair of RBIs, boosting his average to .138. Philadelphia is near the bottom of the NL with a .236 average, 20 homers and 114 runs, but is batting .307 with 15 runs in its last three games.

"I like what I'm seeing, and it's coming from different guys," manager Ryne Sandberg said. 'The timing is good with some guys getting hot and others joining in. I think it's snowballed with some momentum.'

O'Sullivan (0-2, 5.06 ERA) hasn't seen that level of hitting this season and in his continued attempt to earn his first major league win since May 12, 2011. The right-hander lost his ninth decision in 18 games (13 starts) since his last victory on Tuesday in his return from left knee tendinitis.

O'Sullivan, who made two starts before his stint on the disabled list, gave up three runs in five innings in a 7-2 defeat to Pittsburgh. He's received a combined two runs of support in 16 innings this season.

"I definitely feel like there's an opportunity and I'm doing everything I can to take advantage of it," O'Sullivan said.

In his first start against Arizona (15-20), O'Sullivan will try to lead Philadelphia to its first sweep of the Diamondbacks since July 27-29, 2010, and its 11th win in the last 14 matchups.

Arizona, losers in six of eight and three in a row, is hoping to see Josh Collmenter (3-4, 5.27) rebound from the worst outing of his career. The right-hander was charged with nine runs while recording just four outs in an 11-1 loss to Washington on Monday.

"Even the couple of good pitches I made turned into a couple slow rollers, a couple of hits. I couldn't control the damage from that point," Collmenter said.

Collmenter gave up six runs and a career high-tying 11 hits in 2 2-3 innings in his most recent start against the Phillies on July 26, a 10-6 win in 10 innings in Philadelphia. He pitched six scoreless innings in his other matchup in 2014, a 5-4 home win April 25.

Utley, batting .357 in his last 12 games against the Diamondbacks, is 5 for 9 lifetime against Collmenter.

Aaron Hill homered in his only at-bat against O'Sullivan and was limited to pinch-hitting duties Saturday because of illness.

Hill, who flew out in his lone at-bat, is hitting .432 with three homers and 10 RBIs while batting safely in 10 of his last 13 games. He's batting .368 in his last 11 against Philadelphia.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Phillies
Fri, May 15 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Phillies
Sat, May 16 Final 5 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Phillies
Sun, May 17 - 1:35PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees (21-16) at Royals (23-13)
Game: 3
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: May 17, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

Until Masahiro Tanaka returns, the New York Yankees are hoping they have enough depth in their rotation to withstand another injury.

Chris Capuano will try to provide the Yankees a boost in his return from the disabled list Sunday against the Kansas City Royals.

New York (22-16) put a third starting pitcher on the DL with Chase Whitley suffering a partial tear of his ulnar collateral ligament Thursday, which might require Tommy John surgery. Ivan Nova is still recovering from that procedure, and Tanaka is trying to work his way back from an ailing right arm.

"It's not what you want, obviously," manager Joe Girardi told MLB's official website. "You've got to deal with it. It's all over the game. That's what it is. As an organization, you try to prepare the best way you can by having depth. With some of the guys going down, we have guys coming back."

CC Sabathia provided just the kind of performance New York needed to end a season-worst four-game win streak with a 5-1 victory Saturday. Chase Headley hit a three-run homer while sending the Royals (23-14) to a third loss in eight games and Alex Rodriguez added his 664th home run - his fourth in nine games.

Capuano will try to follow that up with his own strong showing in his return from a strained right quad, an injury suffered in spring training. The left-hander went 2-3 with a 4.25 ERA in 12 starts for the Yankees in 2014 after being released by Boston, signed to a minor league deal by Colorado, then traded to New York on July 24.

"He's a guy that should be able to give us 90 pitches," Girardi said. "That's usually what he's going to give us anyway. I think I would watch when he has to cover first because that's how (the injury) happened."

Capuano will face Kansas City for the first time in his 11 seasons, and Sunday's game will give him at least one start against every major league team.

He'll pitch opposite Edinson Volquez (2-3, 3.19 ERA), who is 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA in three starts this month after going 2-2 with a 1.91 ERA in four April outings. The right-hander gave up four runs in five-plus innings Tuesday in a 7-6, 10-inning win at Texas, his first game since dealing with a blister on his right thumb May 7.

Volquez is facing New York exactly one year after giving up a career-high four homers and five runs in 6 1-3 innings in a 7-1 loss at Yankee Stadium for Pittsburgh. Brett Gardner and Mark Teixeira were among the Yankees to homer off him.

Omar Infante is one of two healthy Royals regulars to have faced Capuano, going 7 for 18 with two homers. Kendrys Morales, who had a 10-game hitting streak end Saturday, is 0 for 3.

New York's Carlos Beltran is 11 for 29 with two homers and seven RBIs during an eight-game hitting streak, raising his average 46 points to .233. He is 6 for 17 lifetime against Volquez.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Yankees at Royals
Fri, May 15 Final 1 to 12
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Yankees at Royals
Sat, May 16 Final 5 to 1
Boxscores

GAME 3
Yankees at Royals
Sun, May 17 - 2:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays (20-17) at Twins (20-16)
Game: 3
Venue: Target Field
Date: May 17, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

It's been over a month since Chris Archer started anywhere but Tropicana Field, and Tampa Bay's No. 1 starter might be itching to shed the home uniform.

When he does Sunday against the Minnesota Twins, he'll take the mound riding an impressive road scoreless streak as the Rays try to avoid a sweep. Even if Archer's away success continues, the tricky part could be bettering Kyle Gibson at Target Field.

Archer (3-4, 2.59 ERA) was strong in Tuesday's 4-2 home win over the New York Yankees, surrendering two runs and seven hits while striking out eight in seven innings. Both runs came in a messy first before the right-hander settled in.

"You can probably make the argument this is Arch's most impressive start, the way it started and then what he did to finish it," manager Kevin Cash told MLB's official website. "That game could have easily got out of hand. Hopefully, we all think it's probably a sign of him progressing to being that pitcher we all think he's capable of being - and is being."

It was his fifth straight home start and sixth in eight outings this season. The two away starts account for 14 innings of a career-best and current MLB-best 20 2-3 scoreless on the road, and dating to May 16, 2014, he's 7-3 with a 1.56 ERA in his last 15 road starts. One of those came in Minnesota on July 20, giving Archer a 3-0 record and 0.49 ERA in three starts against the Twins.

Gibson (3-2, 2.70) is 0-3 with a 9.98 ERA versus the Rays, but his recent home form has been outstanding.

Gibson hasn't allowed a run in 16 2-3 innings over two-plus starts at home as part of a five-start winning streak at Target Field with a 1.60 ERA. That's tied with Scott Baker (2011) and Max Scherzer (2011-14) for the top streaks in the ballpark's young history.

He was about as impressive in Tuesday's 2-1 loss in Detroit while holding the Tigers to a run and five hits in seven innings. The right-hander wasn't stuck with the decision and is 2-0 with a 0.96 ERA in his last four starts. A fourth-inning homer is the only run he's allowed in 24 innings.

It was the fourth time in seven starts Minnesota hasn't given him more than a run of support, and neither Gibson (2.91 RSA) nor Archer (2.40) are getting much in the way of help.

"It's disappointing when you get a game like the one Gibson just pitched and you can't get him any run support," Twins manager Paul Molitor said.

The Twins (21-16) have done a bit better in the first two games of the series with Saturday's 6-4 win setting them up for the sweep. At home, they've won nine of 10 and are an AL-best 14-5 while batting .291 and posting a 3.49 ERA. Away, they're 7-11 with a .231 average and 4.72 ERA.

Brian Dozier homered for the second straight game and fourth time in seven as part of an eight-game hitting streak that's boosted his average to a season-high .262, but he's 0 for 8 against Archer. Torii Hunter has a 10-game hitting streak against Tampa Bay.

"You hope that they remember the feeling and the confidence that they've displayed in these games," Molitor said.

Prior to this series, the Rays (20-18) had been 15-4 at Target Field. It's been nearly a year since they were last swept in a road series, dropping two in Miami from June 2-3 as part of a 10-game road skid. The Twins last swept them in four in July 2006 in Minnesota.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rays at Twins
Fri, May 15 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rays at Twins
Sat, May 16 Final 4 to 6
Boxscores

GAME 3
Rays at Twins
Sun, May 17 - 2:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jays (17-20) at Astros (23-13)
Game: 4
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: May 17, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

Collin McHugh's winning streak may be over, but the Houston Astros have put together one of their own.

McHugh looks to bounce back from his first loss in 10 months Sunday by helping the Astros complete a four-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays.

McHugh (4-1, 3.50 ERA) went 11-0 with a 2.31 ERA in 16 starts before surrendering seven runs - three earned - and seven hits over 4 2-3 innings in Tuesday's 8-1 loss to San Francisco.

"Not good," McHugh told MLB's official website. "Stuff was pretty bad, pretty below average. You could pretty much tell from the get-go. Command wasn't there and stuff wasn't there. Pretty bad combination."

The right-hander is in a familiar position, however, as his previous unbeaten run started at home against Toronto (17-21) on Aug. 1. He allowed one run in 6 1-3 innings before leaving without a decision in a 3-1 victory in his only career meeting with the Blue Jays.

The Astros (24-13) are in position for their best 38-game start to a season since 1998 after running their winning streak to four with Saturday's 6-5 victory.

Houston has nine homers and 24 runs during the streak. Chris Carter hit a three-run shot, Evan Gattis added a two-run blast and Marwin Gonzalez had a solo homer on Saturday.

Carter is 7 for 21 with two homers, two doubles and eight RBIs during the Astros' six-game winning streak - all at home - over Toronto, but he's hitting .158 on the season.

"I feel I've been swinging a lot better now." Carter said. "I think things are about to turn around for me."

The Blue Jays have dropped 12 of 16 on the road, including four straight while being outscored 26-14 and batting .197.

'We haven't been playing great baseball,' manager John Gibbons said. 'And this has been a tough place for us, for whatever reason."

Edwin Encarnacion should be back in the lineup after getting a day off Saturday and hitting a two-run, pinch-hit homer in the ninth. The first baseman has homered on all four of his hits in 16 at_bats over the past five games, plating six runs.

He's done exactly the same (4 for 16 with four homers) in his last six at Minute Maid Park.

Mark Buehrle (5-2, 5.54) will try to prevent Toronto from a fifth straight loss. Since allowing eight runs in a loss at Cleveland on May 1, the left-hander is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in his past two starts. He limited Baltimore to two runs and four hits over six innings in a 10-2 win Tuesday in Toronto's latest road victory.

He hasn't gone beyond that point in any of his seven starts after reaching at least the seventh 20 times last year.

"I wish I went deeper, but I might be getting to that point of my career where getting five, six, seven innings, see where my pitch count is at, and see if I'm getting into trouble late in the game, and if I'm cruising, I can go back out there for another one," Buehrle told MLB's official website.

He has a 0.89 ERA while winning all four of his regular-season starts against the Astros, going eight innings in his only start at Houston on Aug. 25, 2013.

The Jays may be without rookie second baseman Devon Travis, who exited Saturday with left shoulder irritation after striking out in the seventh.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Blue Jays at Astros
Thu, May 14 Final 4 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Blue Jays at Astros
Fri, May 15 Final 4 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Blue Jays at Astros
Sat, May 16 Final 5 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Blue Jays at Astros
Sun, May 17 - 2:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates (17-19) at Cubs (20-15)
Game: 3
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: May 17, 2015 2:20 PM EDT

Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo are making things difficult on opposing pitchers, helping the surprising Chicago Cubs stand on the verge of completing an outstanding stretch at Wrigley Field.

Pittsburgh's A.J. Burnett is frustrating hitters, but the Pirates aren't taking advantage.

The young sluggers try to stay hot as the Cubs go for a sweep of their homestand Sunday, while Burnett looks to extend one of the best starts in team history.

Bryant and Rizzo went a combined 4 for 5 while reaching base six times in Saturday's 4-1 victory as Chicago extended its winning streak to six - its longest since a seven-game run from July 31-Aug. 6, 2011.

Bryant has gone 9 for 20 with three home runs and eight RBIs over the first six games of this homestand, while Rizzo is batting .412 with three homers and eight RBIs during a nine-game hitting streak.

The Cubs (21-15) haven't swept a homestand of at least seven games since going 7-0 from May 26-June 1, 2008. They also haven't been seven games over .500 since they were 82-75 on Sept. 30, 2009.

"We're pitching pretty well. Obviously, our offense has done some pretty good things and we're playing good defense," Bryant said. "We're having a lot of fun with this and hopefully, we can keep it going."

Chicago looks to get past another tough test facing Burnett (2-1, 1.60 ERA), who will try to set a franchise record by opening a season with an eighth straight start with two runs or fewer allowed.

The right-hander joined Bob Walk (1988) as the only Pittsburgh starters to do it over seven outings Tuesday when he gave up one earned run over seven innings in a 7-2 win at Philadelphia. Despite his dominance, the Pirates have only won three of Burnett's starts.

Burnett did not get a decision in his only outing against the Cubs on April 20, yielding one run over six innings in a 5-2 home loss. He's 1-4 with a 3.50 ERA in his last seven starts versus Chicago.

Starlin Castro has fared well versus Burnett, batting .469 (15 for 32) - his best average for any of the 30 pitchers he's faced at least 20 times. Miguel Montero is 4 for 7 off Burnett, while Rizzo has gone 6 for 23 with two home runs. Rizzo is also batting .429 and Bryant is at .375 in nine games versus Pittsburgh this season.

"When teams like that get hot, they can be pretty tough to beat," Pittsburgh second baseman Neil Walker said.

Jake Arrieta (4-3, 3.00) appears to stand a good chance at sending the Pirates (17-20) to a season high-tying fifth straight defeat since he's 4-0 with a 2.70 ERA in five career meetings. The right-hander also opposed Burnett last month, allowing one run over seven innings to earn the win.

After giving up nine runs and 16 hits over 10 1-3 innings in losing his previous two starts, he allowed one run and three hits with a season-high 10 strikeouts in Tuesday's 6-1 win over the New York Mets.

Walker, Pedro Alvarez and Josh Harrison are a combined 3 for 32 when facing Arrieta, though Andrew McCutchen is 6 for 14 with two doubles. Harrison has been a bright spot of late, going 9 for 15 in his last three games.

The Pirates matched a season high run total in Friday's 11-10, 12-inning loss, but struggled while going 1 for 14 with runners in scoring position and leaving 10 men on base Saturday.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Pirates at Cubs
Fri, May 15 Final 10 to 11
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Pirates at Cubs
Sat, May 16 Final 1 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Pirates at Cubs
Sun, May 17 - 2:20PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians (13-21) at Rangers (15-21)
Game: 3
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: May 17, 2015 3:05 PM EDT

The majors' top hitter in May, Jason Kipnis continues to help the Cleveland Indians have their way with the Texas Rangers.

While the second baseman looks to stay hot, the visiting Indians try to complete a series sweep with their ninth consecutive victory over the Rangers on Sunday.

One night after recording four hits in an 8-3 series-opening victory, Kipnis added three more, highlighted by a tiebreaking two-run homer in the ninth inning of Saturday's 10-8 win. It's the first time since taking their season-opening set at Houston that the Indians (14-21) have won two in a row or won a series.

"We'll take wins anywhere we can get them," manager Terry Francona told MLB's official website.

A winner in 13 of the last 14 versus Texas (15-22), Cleveland is averaging 8.0 runs and batting .324 during an eight-game winning streak that's its longest against the Rangers franchise.

Kipnis, meanwhile, is batting .517 (31 for 60) with an on-base percentage of .586 and has three homers with nine RBIs in 14 games this month. He's 20 for 35 while hitting safely in eight straight contests, and is batting .435 during a 10-game hitting streak at Texas.

'Everything's just going right for me,' said Kipnis, who is batting .425 since moving to the leadoff spot April 26. 'I know it's not going to last. I'm not going to keep this up the whole season. Right now I've got my approach where I want it. I'm balanced, and I'm seeing the ball well. So, I'm trying to ride it out as long as I can.'

He went 1 for 2 last season against Nick Martinez (2-0, 1.88 ERA), who yielded eight runs in two innings of a 17-7 home loss to the Indians on June 9.

The right-hander allowed one earned run while recording both wins over four April starts but has a 4.23 ERA in his three this month. He gave up four runs, including his first homer of 2015, over 6 1-3 innings of a 7-6, 10-inning loss to Kansas City on Tuesday - the Rangers' only defeat with him on the mound.

"You gotta find a way to keep fighting and do your best, try to go deep in the game and hopefully have the best chances," he told MLB's official website.

Martinez will be opposed by Carlos Carrasco (4-3, 4.84), who has split his last four starts despite a 6.00 ERA. His attempt to win three straight ended after he struck out seven without a walk but gave up four runs and 10 hits in 6 2-3 innings of an 8-3 loss to St. Louis on Tuesday.

"I think (Carrasco) pitched better than the line showed," Francona said.

The right-hander allowed one run in one inning each of two relief outings against the Rangers last season but has not faced them as a starter since 2011.

Ex-Indian Shin-soo Choo had three hits, including one of three home runs Saturday for Texas, which has dropped three in a row.

After going 5 for 52 with one home run, five RBIs and 15 strikeouts in 16 games last month, Choo is hitting .362 with five homers and 12 RBIs in as many May contests. However, he's fanned 21 times this month.

He had been 1 for 30 in his previous seven games against Cleveland before Saturday.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Indians at Rangers
Fri, May 15 Final 8 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Indians at Rangers
Sat, May 16 Final 10 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Indians at Rangers
Sun, May 17 - 3:05PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox (15-17) at Athletics (13-24)
Game: 3
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: May 17, 2015 4:05 PM EDT

The Chicago White Sox immediately appeared to have upgraded their starting rotation by acquiring Jeff Samardzija from the Oakland Athletics in December.

It didn't look that way early, but there have been signs of improvement. Samardzija, though, still hasn't solved his road woes.

The right-hander will face his former team for the first time Sunday, and ex-teammate Scott Kazmir will try to spoil that return by continuing his success at home.

Oakland got Samardzija in July from the Chicago Cubs for its playoff push and he was expected to start the division series opener. The A's, though, lost the wild card game in Kansas City then dealt him to the White Sox with a minor leaguer for four players, most notably Marcus Semien, who is batting .309 with six homers and 15 RBIs.

"It's good to be back here. (Oakland has) great fans," Samardzija said. "You always know the A's are going to play hard so it's a good series."

Despite the addition of Samardzija, the White Sox's rotation has a 4.93 ERA after being at 4.26 in 2014. Chicago's starters, though, have posted a 3.60 ERA during a 6-1 stretch. John Danks gave up two runs in seven innings in a 4-3 victory Saturday, the team's season-high fourth in a row.

Samardzija (2-2, 4.80 ERA) will try to lead the White Sox to their first five-game win streak since a six-game run in August 2013. Chicago (16-17) is also trying to reach .500 for the first time since it was 33-33 on June 11.

Samardzija, however, is 0-2 with a 6.48 ERA in four starts away from home.

In his return from a five-game suspension Monday, Samardzija gave up seven runs in six innings in a 10-7 loss in Milwaukee, and has allowed 15 runs in 11 innings in his past two road games. He's 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA in three home starts.

The White Sox haven't swept a three-game series in Oakland since 1997.

Kazmir (2-1, 2.78) has a 0.90 ERA in three starts in Oakland this year. The left-hander gave up two runs in six innings in Monday's 5-4, 11-inning home loss to Boston.

Kazmir is 0-5 with a 7.04 ERA in seven starts against the White Sox since beating them in Game 2 of the 2008 division series while with Tampa Bay. He yielded one run in eight innings in a 1-0 loss Sept. 11 in his lone matchup last season.

The A's (13-25) will also attempt to avoid a 14th consecutive game with at least one error, which would be their longest streak since a 17-game run in May 1982. Fernando Rodriguez's miscue with two outs in the seventh inning Saturday allowed the White Sox to score two key runs on a Melky Cabrera single and a Jose Abreu double.

"It's typically a play or two late in the game," manager Bob Melvin said. 'Tonight it's two outs, no one on, a bunt to the pitcher and all we have to do is throw to first. We throw it away and the inning gets away from us."

Cabrera went 3 for 5 on Saturday after going 2 for 20 in his prior five games. He's 10 for 28 against Kazmir but has one hit in his last six at_bats. Jose Abreu, batting .349 in an 11-game hit streak, is 1 for 3.

Ike Davis is 4 for 9 with two homers against Samardzija.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
White Sox at Athletics
Fri, May 15 Final 7 to 6
Boxscores

GAME 2
White Sox at Athletics
Sat, May 16 Final 4 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
White Sox at Athletics
Sun, May 17 - 4:05PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Sox (17-19) at Mariners (16-19)
Game: 4
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: May 17, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

The Boston Red Sox have managed to turn things around after beginning a 10-game trip mired in their roughest stretch of the season.

They can complete a winning trek by taking three of four from the offensively challenged Seattle Mariners on Sunday.

David Ortiz and Pablo Sandoval each homered off Felix Hernandez on Saturday, as Boston (18-19) scored all its runs in six innings off the Seattle ace for a 4-2 victory. The Red Sox have won five of seven since opening this trip with two straight losses to conclude a 1-7 stretch.

Though Saturday marked the first time in five games Boston scored more than two runs, it's allowed five while winning three of the last four.

'Giving the way things have been going, four runs is a little bit of an outburst for us,' Red Sox manager John Farrell said.

Farrell should be pleased with a starting rotation that has posted a 1.30 ERA in those four contests.

'We're throwing the ball the way we should be,' said Rick Porcello, who earned Saturday's win after yielding two runs in 6 2-3 innings. 'That's the bottom line, and we've got to continue to do that.'

The Mariners (16-20), meanwhile, have scored seven runs, batted .198, struck out 36 times and gone 2 for 22 with runners in scoring position while losing three of four since averaging 6.5 runs during a four-game winning streak.

Now, Seattle must deal with knuckleballer Steven Wright (1-0, 4.22 ERA), who makes his third career start while replacing the injured Justin Masterson.

In two relief appearances this season, the right-hander has allowed five runs, 12 hits and six walks over 10 2-3 innings. In two spot starts for Boston over the past two seasons, Wright is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA.

"My job is to throw quality pitches," he said. "I'm just going to do whatever I can to help this team win on Sunday, and after that, it's whatever they want me to do."

Wright yielded five hits over 8 2-3 scoreless innings in two relief outings against the Mariners in 2013.

He'll be opposed by James Paxton (1-2, 4.31), who has not allowed a run in 12 straight innings.

Since giving up 12 runs and 16 hits over nine innings while not factoring in the decision of his second and third starts of 2015, the left-hander is 1-1 with a 1.82 ERA in the last four. Despite five walks, he allowed three hits over six scoreless innings in Tuesday's 11-4 rout of San Diego.

"It's not how you'd draw it up, but zeroes and we got the win," Paxton told MLB's official website. "Obviously, I don't want to walk five guys. I was a little bit all over the place. I want to clean that up. ... I just need to bring that into the zone."

This will be his first appearance against Boston and Ortiz, who is batting .444 with four home runs and nine RBIs in his last 10 games at Safeco Field.

Brad Miller, who homered twice Saturday, has been one of Seattle's few recent offensive bright spots while going 8 for 17 with three homers in the last five games.

'Obviously it's pretty cut and dry for me: I'm just hitting,' said Miller, who batted .225 with one home run in his first 29 contests


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Red Sox at Mariners
Thu, May 14 Final 2 to 1
Boxscores

GAME 2
Red Sox at Mariners
Fri, May 15 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores

GAME 3
Red Sox at Mariners
Sat, May 16 Final 4 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Red Sox at Mariners
Sun, May 17 - 4:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockies (12-20) at Dodgers (23-12)
Game: 4
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: May 17, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Dodgers still own the most home wins in baseball, but they haven't come as frequently lately.

They'll try to avoid losing three of four there to the last-place Colorado Rockies on Sunday.

Los Angeles (23-13) is atop the NL West, thanks in part to hitting .280 with 31 homers and averaging 5.5 runs while going 16-5 at home.

That offense, however, hasn't been as potent in the last four games there, with a .233 average and 15 total runs resulting in three losses.

They were limited to three hits by Jorge De La Rose and two relievers in Saturday's 7-1 defeat, falling to a Colorado (13-20) team that had won once in the previous 13 games.

Adrian Gonzalez should be back in the lineup after getting a day off Saturday. The first baseman is second in the majors with a .356 average and he's 13 for 30 (.433) with 16 RBIs, two homers and eight doubles in his last nine meetings with the Rockies.

Gonzalez has treated scheduled starter Kyle Kendrick rudely, going 7 for 15 with four doubles.

Kendrick (1-4, 7.65 ERA) owns the highest qualifying ERA in the majors by over one run, and he's 1-4 with an 8.40 ERA in six starts at Dodger Stadium.

He was pounded for six runs and seven hits over 4 2-3 innings in a 7-3 loss there April 17, giving up a pair of run-scoring doubles to Gonzalez, while Howie Kendrick had a two-run homer and an RBI double.

The right-hander, though, is coming off one of his best outings of the season, yielding two runs in seven innings before leaving without a decision in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.

"I wanted to establish my sinker and changeup early and work off of that," Kendrick said. "I really wanted to just focus on pitching down, because when I've gotten hit, everything was up."

It's unclear if the Rockies will have shortstop Troy Tulowitzki back after he sat out Saturday with tightness in his left quadriceps. He's 6 for 38 (.158) in his last 10 games in Los Angeles.

His replacement, Daniel Descalso, is 4 for 7 with five RBIs in two games after connecting for a two-run homer Saturday - his first since Aug. 2, 2013, with St. Louis.

"He's a professional player. He's always been on the bench, pulling for everybody and waiting for his opportunity," Carlos Gonzalez said. "It's really nice to see a guy like him take advantage of his opportunity, now that Tulo is a little sore."

The Dodgers are turning to Mike Bolsinger (1-0, 1.59), who earned another turn in the rotation after allowing one run and five hits in 5 2-3 innings of an 11-1 win over Miami on Tuesday, hours after being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City for what was supposed to be a spot start.

"I just tried to put myself in a good position to stay up here," Bolsinger said. "I didn't have my fastball command that I wanted so I just threw a lot of curveballs and sliders and was able to get some groundouts."

The right-hander gave up four runs and nine hits - including a two-run homer to Tulowitzki - in five innings while not figuring in the decision for Arizona in a 5-4 loss to Colorado on April 29, 2014.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rockies at Dodgers
Thu, May 14 Final 5 to 4
Boxscores

GAME 2
Rockies at Dodgers
Fri, May 15 Final 4 to 6
Boxscores

GAME 3
Rockies at Dodgers
Sat, May 16 Final 7 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Rockies at Dodgers
Sun, May 17 - 4:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals (20-17) at Padres (19-18)
Game: 4
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: May 17, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

Perhaps a return to his native San Diego will provide some incentive for Stephen Strasburg to get back on track for the Washington Nationals.

The right-hander can avoid losing a third straight start by winning his fourth in a row against the Padres on Sunday.

Following a May 5 start that Strasburg (2-4, 6.06 ERA) left after three innings because of an issue near his shoulder blade, he was tagged for eight runs and eight hits in 3 1-3 innings of Tuesday's 14-6 loss at Arizona.

Fortunately for Washington (21-17), Strasburg is certain the problems that surfaced in his last outing are related to his mechanics and not his health.

"There are some things I'm working through," he told MLB's official website. "I think in the long run, I'm going to look back on this. I'll think of it as a blessing. I go through times like this. You do your best to stay positive, to be at peace in all situations."

Strasburg has looked quite peaceful while posting a 2.14 ERA during his three-game winning streak against the Padres (19-19). That run began with his only previous start at Petco Park on May 16, 2013, when he gave up one earned run and three hits over eight innings of a 6-2 victory.

"I know the ability and the stuff that I have," he said. "As long as I go out there and execute pitches the way I know I can, I'll be OK."

Naturally, Strasburg is downplaying his return home.

"I try not to worry about that too much," he said. "It doesn't really manner where I'm pitching. ... (Friends and family) are always watching."

Strasburg might have a hard time following up teammate Max Scherzer, who allowed four hits and struck out 11 over seven scoreless innings of a 4-1 victory Saturday. Bryce Harper had two more hits for the Nationals, who have won 14 of 18.

Harper is batting .543 (19 for 35) with an on-base percentage of .636 in 10 games since going 1 for 17 in the first five this month. He's hitting .405 in 12 career games versus San Diego.

The Padres pounded out 13 hits during Thursday's 8-3 series-opening victory but have totaled 12 while scoring once to drop the next two.

Will Venable had one of San Diego's five hits Saturday. He's batting .391 (9 for 23) in his last seven games after going 4 for 30 in his first 19.

Teammate Ian Kennedy (2-2, 5.92) allowed three runs and 10 hits over 13 innings to win his first two starts of May, then gave up four of his five runs on two homers and six other hits over 4 2-3 innings of Tuesday's 11-4 loss at Seattle. The right-hander has yielded seven of the 52 home runs opponents have hit against the Padres.

"It will even out," he said. "It's still early."

Kennedy hasn't allowed a homer in his last four starts against the Nationals, and is 3-1 with a 1.54 ERA while completing seven innings in each of his last five versus Washington.

Wilson Ramos is 1 for 8 with three strikeouts against Kennedy, but is batting .371 with 11 RBIs during an 18-game hitting streak - the longest in the majors this season.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Nationals at Padres
Thu, May 14 Final 3 to 8
Boxscores

GAME 2
Nationals at Padres
Fri, May 15 Final 10 to 0
Boxscores

GAME 3
Nationals at Padres
Sat, May 16 Final 4 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Nationals at Padres
Sun, May 17 - 4:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

JOE WIZ

Sunday... Over 8 runs Colorado and Dodgers