Sunday 7/17/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sunday's Diamond Notes
By Joe Williams

Hottest team: Red Sox (8-1 past nine)

The Boston Red Sox look to continue their ascension in the American League East by completing a three-game sweep at Yankee Stadium over their archrivals Sunday night. The Red Sox were not flummoxed by the All-Star break, as they have picked up right where they left off. The Red Sox have won six in a row, and eight of the past nine to rocket up the standings while possibly putting a nail in the coffin of the Yankees. The Red Sox head into this series finale with a 7-1 record in their past eight against right-handed starters, and they're 5-0 in their past five against teams with an overall losing record. Conversely, the Yankees have dropped seven of their past eight against divisional foes and appear headed for the sellers line leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

Coldest team: Rays (3-24 past 27)

Sticking in the AL East, the Rays have been on a sustained cold streak since mid-June and it is likely to cost manager Kevin Cash his job soon. The good news is the Rays continue to fight hard, and three of their past five losses have come by one run. That's because their pitching has been great, and the offense has been on vacation. Tampa is averaging just 1.8 runs per game over the past seven outings, and as you might imagine the 'under' has been the play for them. It has hit in four straight, and is 9-1-1 over their past 11.

Hottest pitcher: Max Scherzer, Nationals (10-6, 3.03 ERA)

Scherzer's overall numbers won't bowl you over, but he is making up for lost time lately after a slow start by his standards. He is 2-1 with a 0.44 ERA over his past three outings, turning in a spiffy 0.74 WHIP with 26 strikeouts and just six walks over the past 20 1/3 innings. He will face a Pirates team he no-hit back on June 20, 2015. The Bucs have managed just five wins in their past 18 tries on the road against a right-handed starter, while the Nationals are 6-0 in their past six at home against a team with a winning record. Things look very positive for Scherzer in Sunday's afternoon game in the capital.

Coldest pitcher: Jon Gray, Colorado (5-4, 4.67 ERA)

Gray looks to help the Rockies cap off a road sweep, but he hasn't been at his best away from Coors Fields. He is just 2-4 with a 4.63 ERA while issuing a staggering 20 walks in just 46 2/3 road innings. The Rockies offense is never a problem, even on the road, and they have scratched out 7.5 runs per game in the first two outings in this series. They'll need every bit of that offense with Gray pitching rather uneven lately with a 5.01 ERA over his past four appearances.

Biggest UNDER run: Astros (7-3 past 10)

The 'under' has been a regularity for the Astros lately, including Saturday's 1-0 setback at Safeco Field against the Mariners. The 'under' is 5-2-2 in their past nine against Seattle, and the 'under' has hit in four of their past five on the road against left-handed starters and 11 of their past 15 overall against southpaws. In addition, the under is 12-4 in Houston's past 16 road games, and 13-5 in their past 18 inside the division. Also, the 'under' has cashed in five straight starter with Collin McHugh on the hill against a team with a winning overall record.

Biggest OVER run: Rangers (7-3-1 past 11)

While yes, the 'under' has hit in the first two games of their series against the Cubs, the Rangers might break out the lumber against John Lackey, a team many Texas players know well from his days in Boston and inside the division with the L.A. Angels. The 'over' was 7-1-1 in the nine games leading up to the All-Star break, and pitching had been the concern. Texas has allowed five or more runs in nine of the past 11 outings, something 'over' bettors love to see.

Matchup to watch: Red Sox vs. Yankees

The Yankees are desperately trying to stay in the race, but they entered the All-Star break at 44-44 and did themselves no favors with two straight losses to open the second half. Now, they face an unofficial must-win game against LHP David Price. They Yankees have been so-so against left-handed starters, but not very good at home lately, especially against teams with a winning overall record. New York has won just twice in the past seven on home turf, and they're 2-5 in their past seven at home against teams with a winning overall record and 1-7 in their past eight inside the division. If they're going to win it's with Masahiro Tanaka, as the team is 7-1 in his past eight outings at home and 4-1 in his past five against teams with a winning overall mark.

Betcha didn’t know: The Giants have won 21 of their past 27 inside the division, and a large part of their success has been their ability to keep their eyes on the prize. San Francisco is 20-8 in their past 28 road games against teams with a losing overall record, and they're 39-16 in their past 55 against teams with a losing overal mark. They turn to All-Star Johnny Cueto, who was rocked on this very same mound in Tuesday's mid-summer classic. However, the Giants are 16-2 in his past 18 outings, and 13-0 in his past 13 against teams with a losing overall record. He is 3-0 with a 0.33 ERA and three complete games against the Friars this season.

Biggest public favorite: Nationals (-245) vs. Pirates

Biggest public underdog: Rangers (+140) at Cubs

Biggest line move: Nationals (-230 to -245) vs. Pirates

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'Runs at a premium'

Toronto Blue Jays at Oakland Athletics July 17, 4:05 EST

Toronto Blue Jays and Oakland Athletics complete a three-game series with a pair of southpaws on respective mounds. According to opening odds the A's are -$1.17 to -$1.23 home faves depending on locale with the total hovering between 8.0 and 8.5 runs.

Rich Hill will be throwing from the left side for the Athletics, bringing a 9-3 record, 2.25 ERA to the hill. Hill has shown he can limit runs from being scored. In his last four starts, Hill has allowed two or fewer runs playing 'Under' in each contest. Matching that, the 'Under' has been the correct betting option in four of his last five home starts.

Souhtpaw J.A. Happ toes the rubber for John Gibbons' crew. Happ entering 12-3 on the campaign with a 3.36 ERA also seems to be able to keep the score low in an opposing park allowing three or fewer runs in seven of nine with 6 'Under', 3 'Over'.

Another positive for 'Under' gamblers has been when Blue Jays play a day game away from Toronto. The Blue Jays sport a 9-4-1 'Under' record in that select category. Finally, Blue Jays have struggled scoring against a portside starter platting just 3.7 runs/game resulting in 19 'Under', 5 'Over', 3 'Push' which includes an eye-opening 12 'Under', 2 'Over', 1 'Push' in unfriendly territory.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

Sunday's games

National League

Pirates @ Nationals
Kuhl is 1-0, 6.08 in three MLB starts (over 1-1-1). .

Scherzer is 2-1, 0.89 in his last three starts (under 3-0). Washington is 4-3 in his home starts..

Pirates lost last three games, five of their last six road games stayed under total. Washington won six of last seven games, seven of last nine National games stayed under.

Mets @ Phillies
deGrom is 2-0, 1.35 in his last three starts (under 6-1 in last seven). Mets are 2-4 when he starts on the road.

Eflin is 2-0, 2.67 in his last four starts (over 3-1).

Mets lost eight of last 11 road games, seven of last eight New York games stayed under the total. Philly won 11 of last 15 games, under is 8-2-1 in last 11 Philly home games.

Brewers @ Reds
Davies is 4-1, 3.07 in his last seven starts (under 4-2-1). Milwaukee is 2-3 in his road starts. .

Straily is 0-4, 7.67 in his last five starts; over is 8-3 in his last 11. Cincinnati is 5-3 when he starts at home.

Brewers lost eight of last 12 games, under is 4-2-2 in last eight Milwaukee tilts. Cincinnati lost eight of last ten home games, over is 14-6-1 in Reds' last 21 games.

Rockies @ Braves
Gray is 1-3, 4.60 in his last five starts; over is 6-3-1 in his last ten. Colorado is 2-6 in his road outings.

Teheran is 0-1, 7.11 in his last two starts; five of his last seven stayed under. Atlanta is 0-10 in his home starts.

Rockies lost six of last nine road games, under is 9-4 in last 13 Colorado games. Atlanta lost eight of last 11 home games, over is 6-3 in Braves' last nine home games.

Marlins @ Cardinals
Conley is 2-0, 1.54 in his last two starts; under is 7-2 in his last nine. Miami lost his last four true road starts.

Wacha is 3-0, 4.07 in his last four starts; over is 10-2 in his last 12. Cardinals are 5-4 in his home starts.

Marlins won five of last seven games, over is 16-5 in last 21 Miami road games. St Louis won four of last six games, under is 9-3-2 in Cardinals' last 14 games.

Dodgers @ Diamondbacks
Maeda is 2-2, 4.09 in his last four starts; under is 5-3 in his last eight. Dodgers are 6-2 in his last eight starts.

Ray is 0-3, 6.14 in his last four starts (under 3-0-1). Arizona is 3-6 in his home starts. .

Dodgers won 11 of last 16 games, under is 8-4 in last 12 LA games. Arizona lost 13 of its last 16 games, over is 7-1-1 in their last nine home games.

Giants @ Padres
Cueto is 9-0, 2.34 in his last 11 starts; four of his last five went over. Giants are 9-0 when he starts on the road. .

Jackson is making his first '16 start; he is 88-108, 4.59 in 262 big league starts, last of which were in 2014 for Cubs (6-15, 6.33 in 27 starts in '14). Jackson is 0-1, 7.11 in three starts this year for AAA El Paso, whose home park is a launching pad.

Giants won eight of last 12 games, over is 6-3-1 in last ten Giant road games. San Diego won four of last five home games, ten of last 12 games at Petco Park went over the total.


American League

Red Sox @ New York
Price is 1-1, 1.69 in his last two starts; under is 7-1-1 in his last nine. Boston is 5-3 when he starts on the road.

Tanaka is 1-0, 6.38 in his last three starts; four of his last five went over. New York is 7-2 when he starts at home.

Red Sox won nine of last ten games, their last three road games stayed under. New York lost five of last seven home games, seven of last ten Bronx games went over the total.

Royals @ Tigers
Ventura is 0-3, 8.40 in his last three starts; six of his last eight went over. Royals are 3-6 in his road starts.

Fulmer is 2-0, 1.56 in his last three starts; three of his last four went over.

Royals lost seven of last nine games, six of last nine KC games stayed under. Detroit lost six of last nine games, eight of its last 11 games stayed under total.

Orioles @ Rays
Bundy is making first MLB start; he is 2-1, 2.94 in 24 big league games (39.2 IP).

Odorizzi is 0-3, 6.49 in his last five starts; five of his last seven went over. Rays are 1-6 in his last seven home starts.

Orioles won six of last seven games, their last four games stayed under. Tampa Bay lost 24 of last 27 games; eight of Rays' last 11 games stayed under the total.

Indians @ Twins
Tomlin is 1-1, 5.61 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Cleveland is 7-1 in his road starts.

Gibson is 2-0, 3.86 in his last three starts; five of his last seven went over. Twins are 3-3 in his home starts.

Indians lost five of last seven games, over is 8-2-1 in last 11 Cleveland games. Minnesota won eight of last 11 games; over is 20-7-1 in their last 28 home games.

White Sox @ Angels
Turner is making first '16 start; he is 11-25, 4.97 in 51 MLB starts, last of which was in '14. Turner is 4-7, 4.71 in 18 AAA starts this season.

Weaver is 2-1, 3.96 in his last four starts; Halos lost his last four home starts. Six of his last seven starts went over.

White Sox got shut out in their last three games, under is 9-4 in last 13 road games. Angels won six of last eight games, their last four games stayed under the total.

Blue Jays @ A's
Happ is 6-0, 3.19 in his last six starts (over 5-2 in his last seven). Toronto is 5-4 in his road starts. .

Hill is 6-0, 2.05 in his last seven starts; his last four stayed under. A's are 2-4 in his starts at home this year.

Blue Jays lost seven of last ten road games, six of Toronto's last nine games stayed under. Oakland won three of last four games, five of A's last six home games went over.

Astros @ Mariners
McHugh is 0-1, 3.16 in his last five starts; five of his last six stayed under. Houston slit his eight road starts.

Montgomery allowed one run in 6.1 IP (74 PT) in his first '16 start.

Astros won six of last nine games, under is 12-4 in last 16 Houston road games. Seattle lost six of last nine games; six of last nine Seattle games stayed under.


Interleague

Rangers @ Cubs
Hamels is 0-1, 10.80 in his last two starts; over is 4-1-1 in his last six. Texas won six of his nine road starts.

Lackey is 0-3, 7.22 in his last five starts; three of his last four went over. Chicago split his eight home starts.

Texas lost 11 of last 14 games, over is 8-2-1 in last 11 Ranger games. Cubs won their last three games; their last four at Wrigley stayed under.


Teams won-lost records when this pitcher starts:

NY-Phil-- deGrom 8-7; Eflin 3-3
Pitt-Wsh-- Kuhl 3-0; Scherzer 11-8
Mil-Cin-- Davies 8-7; Straily 7-9
Col-Atl-- Gray 6-9; Teheran 4-14
Mia-StL-- Conley 10-8; Wacha 9-9
LA-Az-- Maeda 10-8; Ray 5-13
SF-SD-- Cueto 16-2; Jackson 0-0

Bos-NY-- Price 11-8; Tanaka 13-5 (5-0 last 5)
Balt-TB-- Bundy 0-0; Odorizzi 8-9 (0-5 last 5)
KC-Det-- Ventura 9-8; Fulmer 11-2
Clev-Min-- Tomlin 13-3; Gibson 4-6
Chi-LA-- Turner 0-0; Weaver 7-10
Tor-A's-- Happ 13-5; Hill 9-4
Hst-Sea-- McHugh 11-7; Montgomery 1-0

Tex-Chi-- Hamels 13-5; Lackey 10-8


Starting pitchers allowing 1+ runs in first inning:

NY-Phil-- deGrom 2-15; Eflin 3-6
Pitt-Wsh-- Kuhl 1-3; Scherzer 8-19
Mil-Cin-- Davies 4-15; Straily 4-16
Col-Atl-- Gray 5-15; Teheran 4-18
Mia-StL-- Conley 5-18; Wacha 4-18
LA-Az-- Maeda 4-18; Ray 3-18
SF-SD-- Cueto 6-18; Jackson 0-0

Bos-NY-- Price 7-19; Tanaka 2-18
Balt-TB-- Bundy 0-0; Odorizzi 3-17
KC-Det-- Ventura 5-17; Fulmer 2-13
Clev-Min-- Tomlin 7-16; Gibson 5-10
Chi-LA-- Turner 0-0; Weaver 7-17
Tor-A's-- Happ 5-18; Hill 4-13
Hst-Sea-- McHugh 8-18; Montgomery 0-1

Tex-Chi-- Hamels 3-18; Lackey 5-18


Umpires

NY-Phil-- Six of last seven Hoberg games stayed under.
Pitt-Wsh-- Over is 13-4-1 in Meals games this season.
Mil-Cin-- Underdogs won three of last five Carlson games.
Col-Atl-- Five of last six HGibson games went over.
Mia-StL-- Three of last four Hudson games stayed under.
LA-Az-- Six of last eight Davidson games went over.
SF-SD-- Five of last six Morales games stayed under.

Bos-NY-- Five of last six Torres games went over total.
Balt-TB-- Underdogs won ten of last fifteen Little games.
KC-Det-- Three of last four Reyburn games went over.
Cle-Min-- Six of last seven Hamari games went over.
Chi-LA-- Underdogs are 6-5 in last eleven Bucknor games.
Tor-A's-- Six of last eight Emmel games stayed under.
Hst-Sea-- Eight of last nine Blakney games stayed under.

Tex-Chi-- Eight of last ten Blaser games stayed under.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sunday's six-pack

-- Final Four of NBA Summer League: Minnesota-Phoenix-Chicago-Cleveland.

-- All four quarterfinal games were decided by 3 or less points, or in OT.

-- Pelicans' rookie Cheick Diallo played 109 minutes in 17 conference games for Kansas LY. In NBA summer league, he's played 145 minutes in five games.

-- Blue Jays signed Justin Smoak to a 2-year, $8.5M contract extension.

-- They had 5,263 fans at a Class A baseball game in Troy last night. Minor league ball is a sound financial investment.

-- Padres 7, Giants 6 (10)-- San Diego wins on a walk-off balk.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Cokin

Bonus Play for Sunday 7/17/16 1:10 PM

ROYALS (Ventura) at TIGERS (Fulmer)

Take: TIGERS -1 (-148 ML, +135 RL)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mike Lundin

Dodgers vs Diamondbacks

5* MLB Free Pick Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers opened the second half of the schedule with a 13-7 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, but the D'Backs tied the series with a 2-1 win in extra innings Saturday night. I like the Dodgers to claim the rubber match Sunday afternoon with Kenta Maeda on the mound.

Maeda (8-6, 2.95 ERA) held the Padres to one run on two hits with a career best 13 strikeouts through seven innings his last time out. Maeda is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in five day starts this season and he's held the D'Backs to two earned runs in 11 1/3 innings of work already this year.

The D'Backs turn to Robbie Ray (4-8, 4.81 ERA) who has allowed three runs or more in each of his last four starts, all Arizona losses. Ray is 1-3 with a 4.91 ERA in afternoon starts on the season and he has a bloated 1.56 WHIP overall. The Dodgers are 17-5 in their last 22 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.

The D'Backs have the second worst home record in baseball at 16-33 and they're 1-4 in Ray's last five home starts. Look for the Dodgers to bounce back with a win today.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

Sunday, July 17

Trend Report

1:10 PM
BALTIMORE vs. TAMPA BAY
Baltimore is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Baltimore is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home
Tampa Bay is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Baltimore

1:10 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. CINCINNATI
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Milwaukee's last 15 games when playing Cincinnati
Milwaukee is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Cincinnati's last 15 games when playing Milwaukee
Cincinnati is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

1:10 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. DETROIT
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kansas City's last 6 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Kansas City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing at home against Kansas City
Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Kansas City

1:35 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
Washington is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games

1:35 PM
COLORADO vs. ATLANTA
Colorado is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 6 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
Atlanta is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games when playing Colorado

1:35 PM
NY METS vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of NY Mets's last 7 games on the road
NY Mets are 15-7 SU in its last 22 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games

2:10 PM
CLEVELAND vs. MINNESOTA
Cleveland18-6-1 SU in its last 25 games
Cleveland is 3-6-1 SU in its last 10 games ,when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 2-3-1 SU in its last 6 games ,when playing at home against Cleveland
Minnesota is 2-3-1 SU in its last 6 games ,when playing Cleveland

2:15 PM
MIAMI vs. ST. LOUIS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami's last 7 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Miami's last 22 games on the road
St. Louis is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Miami
The total has gone OVER in 5 of St. Louis's last 7 games when playing at home against Miami

2:20 PM
TEXAS vs. CHI CUBS
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Texas's last 8 games when playing Chi Cubs
Texas is 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing Chi Cubs
Chi Cubs are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Chi Cubs's last 8 games when playing Texas

3:35 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. LA ANGELS
Chi White Sox are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games when playing LA Angels
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi White Sox's last 5 games when playing LA Angels
LA Angels are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 9 of LA Angels's last 13 games at home

4:05 PM
TORONTO vs. OAKLAND
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing Oakland
Toronto is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Oakland
Oakland is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Toronto
Oakland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home

4:10 PM
LA DODGERS vs. ARIZONA
LA Dodgers are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against Arizona
LA Dodgers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games on the road
Arizona is 7-18 SU in their last 25 games when playing LA Dodgers
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Arizona's last 9 games at home

4:10 PM
HOUSTON vs. SEATTLE
Houston is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 7 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle's last 6 games

4:40 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. SAN DIEGO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Francisco's last 6 games
San Francisco is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing San Diego
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Diego's last 8 games when playing San Francisco
The total has gone OVER in 10 of San Diego's last 12 games at home

8:05 PM
BOSTON vs. NY YANKEES
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games on the road
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
NY Yankees are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games at home
NY Yankees are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games when playing at home against Boston

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

WNBA

Sunday, July 17

Trend Report

3:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. ATLANTA
Los Angeles is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Los Angeles is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
Atlanta is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games when playing Los Angeles

3:00 PM
CONNECTICUT vs. NEW YORK
Connecticut is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against New York
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Connecticut's last 5 games when playing on the road against New York
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of New York's last 8 games when playing Connecticut
New York is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Connecticut

4:30 PM
MINNESOTA vs. DALLAS
Minnesota is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Dallas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Dallas is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota

7:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. SEATTLE
Chicago is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Seattle
Chicago is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Seattle
Seattle is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing Chicago

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

JOE WIZ

Sunday... Over 8.5 Dodgers and Arizona

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

BIG AL

Our complimentary selection for Sunday, July 17 is:

NY Mets (deGrom) over Philadelphia Phillies

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Bruce Marshall

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cards have had their problems at Busch Stadium this season but maybe those are in the rear-view mirror after Saturday's 5-1 win over Miami. Saturday starter Michael Wacha has seen improved form, with quality starts in five of his last six efforts, as his ERA has dropped almost a full run from 5.16 to 4.36 that span.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Orioles at Rays

GAME: Baltimore Orioles (53-36) at Tampa Bay Rays (34-56)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, July 17 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Baltimore Orioles continue to get contributions throughout their lineup, and the injury-plagued J.J. Hardy has joined the party. The two-time All-Star shortstop looks to extend his hitting streak to 10 games when the visiting Orioles go for a three-game sweep of the last-place Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.

Hardy, who has been hampered by various injuries the past few seasons, belted a two-run homer in a 2-1 victory on Saturday as the Orioles maintained their two-game lead atop the American League East. Former first-round pick Dylan Bundy makes his first major-league start Sunday as Baltimore tries to extend its winning streak to five games while handing the Rays their ninth consecutive loss and 25th in 28 contests. Tampa Bay managed just four hits Saturday, but Hardy’s blast brought the only runs home for the Orioles. “It stinks when you lose a ballgame on one pitch,” Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters. “That kind of sums it up how it’s been going for us.”

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MASN2, WJZ (Baltimore), FSN Sun (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (2-1, 3.08 ERA) vs. Rays RH Jake Odorizzi (3-5, 4.47)

Bundy has made 24 relief appearances in his career – 22 in 2016 – and allowed one unearned run in his last six outings across 14 1/3 innings with 19 strikeouts. The 23-year-old Tulsa native gave up two hits over three scoreless frames against the Rays on June 26. The fourth overall pick in 2011 has recorded 32 strikeouts but has permitted 46 hits - three homers - in 38 innings.

Odorizzi is winless in his last six starts, including Sunday at Boston as he yielded four runs over five innings. The 26-year-old allowed fewer than three runs in nine of his first 12 starts this season but has accomplished the feat just twice in his last seven outings. Adam Jones is 10-for-25 with two homers versus Odorizzi, who is 0-1 with a 5.63 ERA in three starts against Baltimore this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay C Luke Maile is 3-for-6 with an RBI in his first two games of the season after being recalled before Friday’s encounter.

2. Baltimore DH Mark Trumbo has recorded five homers and eight RBIs during a 10-game hitting streak that has pushed his batting average to .290.

3. Rays OF Steven Souza Jr. notched two hits and an RBI on Saturday after going 0-or-16 in his previous four contests.

PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Rays 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Royals at Tigers

GAME: Kansas City Royals (46-44) at Detroit Tigers (47-44)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, July 17 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Michael Fulmer's first foray in the majors has been a smashing success, especially considering how much of it has come on the road. The 23-year-old rookie will try to avenge one of his two defeats this season in a rare home turn Sunday as his Detroit Tigers try to take the rubber match of their three-game series against the Kansas City Royals.


Since winning at Minnesota in his big-league debut on April 29, Fulmer has continued to take his show on the road and made 10 of his 13 career starts outside of Detroit, going 7-2 with a 2.43 ERA. The Oklahoma native has been even better at home (2-0, 1.04) and will be seeking payback after the Royals handed him a loss despite having given up only one run in 5 2/3 frames on June 17. Kansas City roughed up the Tigers' bullpen following his departure that night in a 10-3 victory and improved to 6-3 this season against Detroit after riding four first-inning runs to an 8-4 win on Saturday. The Royals did their best to spread the wealth offensively in their most recent triumph, as all but one player recorded a hit and scored a run.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FSN Kansas City, FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Yordano Ventura (6-7, 5.15 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Michael Fulmer (9-2, 2.11)

Ventura has lost each of his last three starts since serving an eight-game suspension, but he turned in his finest outing over that time against Seattle on July 8, permitting three runs on six hits across seven innings. The 25-year-old Dominican showed no ill effects from the ankle injury that ended his previous outing after 2 2/3 frames, although a pair of sixth-inning wild pitches led to his demise against the Mariners. Ventura worked 6 1/3 scoreless innings in his head-to-head battle with Fulmer on June 17 to improve to 6-0 with a 3.27 ERA against Detroit.

Fulmer concluded a brilliant first half of the season with his seventh victory in his last nine turns at Cleveland on July 6, holding the Indians to two runs (one earned) on five hits in six frames despite striking out a season-low two. The 23-year-old rookie has not allowed more than one earned run over that span and is one of only 11 major-league pitchers since 1913 to boast such a streak. Fulmer has kept the opposition off the scoreboard five times during the streak as well, going 7-1 with a 0.63 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Detroit 2B Ian Kinsler is 4-for-8 with two homers, three RBIs and four runs scored over the first two games of the series.

2. Kansas City RHP Wade Davis worked a perfect inning of relief in a non-save situation in his return from the disabled list Saturday.

3. Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera, who hasn't driven in a run over his last six games, remains two RBIs shy of becoming the 56th player in major-league history to reach 1,500.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, Royals 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Brewers at Reds

GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (39-50) at Cincinnati Reds (33-58)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, July 17 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Jonathan Lucroy keeps increasing his trade value as the Milwaukee Brewers struggle to find their way into the win column. The Brewers will try to earn a rare series win when they visit the Cincinnati Reds in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday.



Lucroy is one of the biggest pieces thought to be available before the Aug. 1 trade deadline and is likely to bring a big return for rebuilding Milwaukee as an All-Star catcher. Lucroy belted a two-run homer in Saturday’s 9-1 triumph and has driven in at least one run in each of the last three games while maintaining a .303 batting average. The one positive to come out of Saturday’s loss for the Reds was the 4-for-5 effort from struggling first baseman Joey Votto. The former All-Star’s four hits were one fewer than he managed in his previous eight games combined and pushed his batting average to a season-high .261.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Zach Davies (6-4, 4.10 ERA) vs. Reds RH Dan Straily (4-6, 4.35)

Davies bounced back from a sub-par effort closing June with a strong start against the Washington Nationals on July 5. The 23-year-old allowed two runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings to earn the win but was sent back to Triple-A after that to get some work in while the major league squad took time off for the All-Star break. Davies was not at his best against Cincinnati on May 27 but managed to pull out a win while yielding five runs – two earned – on six hits in 5 2/3 frames.

Straily has not won since June 11 against Oakland but posted back-to-back quality starts in front of the break. The 27-year-old allowed a total of six runs and eight hits in 13 innings at Washington and Miami while going 0-1. Straily is making his first career start against Milwaukee and is 2-1 with a 3.70 ERA in nine home games – eight starts – this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds 2B Brandon Phillips (strained right calf) sat out Saturday and is day-to-day.

2. The Brewers have struck out a major league-high 855 times.

3. Milwaukee SS Jonathan Villar is 7-for-13 in the last three games.

PREDICTION: Brewers 5, Reds 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockies at Braves

GAME: Colorado Rockies (42-48) at Atlanta Braves (31-60)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, July 17 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Colorado Rockies have their work cut out for them in order to get in the wild-card race, but its pursuit toward that goal figures to be aided by the ineptitude of their upcoming opponents. The Rockies attempt to match their longest winning streak in Atlanta in over 18 years Sunday, when they try to complete a three-game sweep of the Braves.


Colorado, which sits six games behind the New York Mets and Miami for the last wild-card spot in the National League, is 72-115 against its former division rival but has held the upper hand recently, winning 10 of the last 11 meetings after scoring all of its runs after the seventh inning in Saturday's 4-3 victory. The triumph gave the Rockies their fourth straight win over the team with the worst record in the majors in the Braves (31-60), who will visit Colorado for four games next weekend. Atlanta was its own worst enemy over the last two innings of Saturday's defeat, as its bullpen unleashed three wild pitches and the defense committed two errors to ruin a strong start from Mike Foltynewicz. The Braves have dropped seven of their last nine games in Atlanta and own the majors' worst home mark at 15-33.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), FSN South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Jon Gray (5-4, 4.67 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (3-8, 2.96)

Gray avoided giving up a home run for the first time in nine starts against Philadelphia on July 8 but settled for a no-decision despite allowing two runs and striking out eight over 6 1/3 innings. Despite struggling to keep the ball in the yard during that time, the 24-year-old rookie has lowered his ERA from 6.75 by logging a quality start seven times over that stretch. Gray is holding opposing hitters to a .225 average away from home, but he only has a 2-4 record and 4.63 ERA to show for his troubles.

Teheran will return for the first time since ending the first half with a thigh infection that led to two of his worst three outings of the season, as he was tagged for a total of 10 runs and 20 hits over 12 2/3 innings. The Braves' lone All-Star representative took the loss in his last trip to the mound in Chicago against the White Sox on July 9, giving up five runs over six frames. Teheran has enjoyed much more success in five starts versus the Rockies, however, going 4-1 with a 3.41 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Colorado's rotation has posted a 3.73 ERA over its last 21 road games and allowed three runs or fewer in 18 of those outings.

2. Atlanta C A.J. Pierzynski's two-run homer in Saturday's loss gave the team 29 home runs over its last 27 contests - two more than the Braves recorded over their first 64 games.

3. Rockies RF Carlos Gonzalez struck out in his first at-bat Saturday, ending a streak of 21 plate appearances in which he failed to do so.

PREDICTION: Rockies 3, Braves 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets at Phillies

GAME: New York Mets (48-42) at Philadelphia Phillies (43-49)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, July 17 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The New York Mets aren't doing themselves any favors with their sub-.500 play against National League East representatives. After splitting their first eight contests versus the light-hitting Philadelphia Phillies, the Mets look to get it together in Sunday afternoon's rubber match of the three-game series at Citizens Bank Park.

New York finds itself comfortably behind first-place Washington due in large part to its showing versus division foes, against whom it fell to 20-23 after dropping a 4-2 decision to Philadelphia on Saturday. The Phillies, conversely, improved to 18-17 versus the NL East after posting their 11th win in 15 outings. Maikel Franco had an RBI single for his second run driven in during the series and fifth in three outings. The 23-year-old Dominican looks to add to his torrid numbers in July (19-for-48, five homers, 13 RBIs) when he faces Sunday starter Jacob deGrom, against whom he is 0-for-3 in a small sample size.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, WPIX (New York), CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jacob deGrom (5-4, 2.61) vs. Phillies RH Zach Eflin (2-2, 4.08)

DeGrom recorded his second straight win after allowing two runs - both solo homers - in seven innings of a 4-2 victory over Miami on July 6. The 28-year-old has permitted three runs on 16 hits in his last three outings (20 frames) to wash the sour taste out of his mouth following a three-start losing skid. DeGrom improved to 3-0 in his career versus Philadelphia on April 8 after yielding one run on five hits in six innings of a 7-2 romp.

Eflin has recorded back-to-back victories after beginning his career with an 0-2 mark in his first four outings. The 22-year-old followed a complete-game triumph over Atlanta on July 5 by allowing two runs on seven hits in six innings of a 10-3 triumph at Colorado five nights later. Eflin kept the ball in the park at Coors Field after being taken deep five times in his previous five starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York SS Asdrubal Cabrera, who committed a costly error on Saturday, is 4-for-9 in this series and has 11 hits in eight games versus Philadelphia.

2. Phillies SS Freddy Galvis is just 1-for-8 with two strikeouts in this series after recording five straight multi-hit performances heading into the All-Star break.

3. The Mets are 11-35 when scoring three or fewer runs this season.

PREDICTION: Mets 5, Phillies 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates at Nationals

GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (46-45) at Washington Nationals (56-36)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, July 17 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Washington Nationals are winners of five straight and own the second-most wins in the major leagues. The Pittsburgh Pirates, who visit the Nationals in the finale of a three-game series on Sunday, have dropped three in a row following a stretch of nine wins in 10 games and are looking for some stability in the starting rotation.

The Pirates activated ace Gerrit Cole off the disabled list on Saturday but watched him get knocked around for five runs and seven hits in four innings during a 6-0 loss. Pittsburgh recently demoted left-hander Jon Niese to the bullpen and is trying to infuse some youth into the rotation with rookie right-hander Chad Kuhl getting the nod on Sunday. The Nationals improved to 29-15 at home with Saturday’s win and the pitching staff has allowed a total of five runs in the last five games. Tanner Roark worked into the ninth inning on Saturday after Stephen Strasburg’s eight-inning gem on Friday, leaving the bullpen well stocked heading into the series finale.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Chad Kuhl (1-0, 6.08 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Max Scherzer (10-6, 3.03)

Kuhl turned in solid efforts in each of his first two major league starts before being knocked around by the Chicago Cubs on July 9. The Delaware native was ripped for four runs on seven hits and a walk in 2 1/3 innings but avoided a loss when Pittsburgh came back to earn a 12-6 victory. Kuhl’s lone road start came at Oakland on July 2, when he scattered two runs and seven hits across six innings without factoring in the decision.

Scherzer wowed opposing hitters with velocity approaching 100 mph in his single inning of work in Tuesday’s All-Star Game and is hoping to pick up right where he left off prior to the break. The Missouri product surrendered a total of one earned run and nine hits while striking out 26 in 20 1/3 innings over his last three starts. Scherzer pitched a no-hitter at home against the Pirates on June 20 last season, coming within one out of a perfect game before hitting Jose Tabata with a pitch.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Pirates optioned 1B Josh Bell, who reached base in each of his first four major league at-bats, to Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.

2. Washington All-Star 2B Daniel Murphy (hamstring) sat out the last two games and is day-to-day.

3. Pittsburgh RF Gregory Polanco (hamstring) has been out since July 8 but could return to the lineup when the team hosts Milwaukee on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Nationals 7, Pirates 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians at Twins

GAME: Cleveland Indians (53-37) at Minnesota Twins (33-57)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, July 17 - 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The American League Central cellar-dwelling Minnesota Twins haven't had much reason to smile this season, but they sure are having fun at the expense of the first-place Cleveland Indians. The Twins will look to take two of three from the Indians for the third time in 2016 when the division rivals conclude their series at Target Field on Sunday afternoon.

Minnesota overcame a late two-run deficit and a two-hour, two-minute rain delay to post a 5-4 victory in 11 innings on Saturday night, marking its fifth win in eight outings versus Cleveland while going 2-19 against the rest of the division. Brian Dozier drove in a pair of runs and has two homers and five RBIs in his last three games, but is 3-for-19 versus Sunday starter Josh Tomlin. Indians' designated hitter Mike Napoli went deep in Friday's 5-2 victory and reached base three times the following night to improve to 8-for-16 with two blasts, five RBIs and seven runs scored in his last five contests. Carlos Santana had three hits to increase his total to 19 during his 13-game hitting streak, but is 2-for-15 - albeit with two homers - versus Sunday starter Kyle Gibson.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Josh Tomlin (9-2, 3.51 ERA) vs. Twins RH Kyle Gibson (2-5, 5.02)

Tomlin saw his string of six consecutive starts of three earned runs or fewer in six innings come to an abrupt halt on July 6, as he yielded eight runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 frames of a 12-2 setback to Detroit. The 31-year-old saw his ERA jump .30 points following the shellacking against the Tigers and has struggled versus the Twins in his career. Tomlin permitted five runs in 5 1/3 innings of a 6-5 victory over Minnesota on April 27 before surrendering three homers and four runs total in a no-decision on May 13.

Gibson permitted four runs for the second straight start and walked away with a no-decision after pitching just five innings at Texas on July 8. The 28-year-old owns a 2-0 mark in his last three starts after falling on the wrong end of a decision in five of his previous seven. Gibson improved to 2-2 in his career versus Cleveland after scattering four hits and striking out nine over six scoreless innings in his last encounter.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota 3B Miguel Sano committed two errors on Saturday to increase his total to seven in his last eight games.

2. Cleveland C Yan Gomes, who dropped the ball on Saturday's game-winning fielder's choice, is hitless in his last 27 at-bats and is mired in a 1-for-35 stretch in July.

3. The Twins will induct former radio broadcaster John Gordon into the team's Hall of Fame on Sunday.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Twins 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Marlins at Cardinals

GAME: Miami Marlins (48-42) at St. Louis Cardinals (47-43)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, July 17 - 2:15 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Tommy Pham and Stephen Piscotty are heating up in July and the St. Louis Cardinals would love to follow their lead. Pham homered twice in the series opener and Piscotty ripped a two-run double the following night for the Cardinals, who will look to win the rubber match of the three-game set with the visiting Miami Marlins on Sunday afternoon.

Pham collected two hits in Saturday's 5-0 triumph to improve to 8-for-17 with three homers, five RBIs and four runs scored during his five-game hitting streak. Piscotty's double extended his hitting streak to seven games and his production in the month to 16-for-44 with three blasts, 11 RBIs and 10 runs scored. While St. Louis has gone deep on five occasions in the series and 122 times this season, Miami mustered just three hits against Adam Wainwright on Saturday to see its four-game winning streak halted. Adeiny Hechavarria collected two of the hits to improve to 3-for-7 in the series after a 1-for-17 stretch in his previous five games.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Adam Conley (6-5, 3.62 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Michael Wacha (5-7, 4.36)

Conley won his second straight start and third in four outings on July 9 after allowing two runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings in a 4-2 victory over Cincinnati. The 26-year-old has struck out 22 batters against six walks in his last four outings after issuing five free passes versus Colorado on June 17. Conley will be making his 30th career start and first against St. Louis on Sunday.

Wacha was thwarted in his bid to win his fourth straight start on July 8, as he allowed three solo homers in 6 2/3 innings of a no-decision at Milwaukee. The 25-year-old had kept the ball in the park in each of his previous two outings and five of seven overall. Like the rest of the team, Wacha has struggled at home this season with a 2-4 mark and 4.70 ERA while allowing the opposition to bat .289 against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miami 2B Derek Dietrich is 0-for-9 in his last three contests after going 5-for-11 in his previous three.

2. St. Louis SS Aledmys Diaz saw his seven-game hitting streak come to an end Saturday, but has six runs scored in his last eight contests.

3. Marlins injured 1B Justin Bour (right ankle sprain) has yet to make a rehab start and is likely to remain sidelined despite being eligible to return from the disabled list on Monday.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Marlins 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers at Cubs

GAME: Texas Rangers (54-38) at Chicago Cubs (55-35)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, July 17 - 2:20 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


Things didn’t go so well for the Chicago Cubs the last time Cole Hamels took the mound at Wrigley Field. Hamels makes his first start at the famous ballpark since no-hitting the Cubs last July, and his Texas Rangers might need another dominant performance to avoid a three-game sweep.



The Cubs have claimed the first two games of the interleague clash between first-place teams, limiting Texas to one run in the process. Chicago has won three straight spanning the All-Star break following a rough stretch leading up to the break, while Texas has lost 11 of its last 14. Right-hander John Lackey looks to keep the Rangers’ slumping offense on its heels and outduel Hamels, who is 6-1 with a 2.09 ERA on the road this season. Lackey might not get much support from a Cubs’ roster that is a combined 10-for-86 with 26 strikeouts against Hamels.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, TBS, FSN Southwest (Texas), ABC 7 (Chicago)



PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Cole Hamels (9-2, 3.21 ERA) vs. Cubs RH John Lackey (7-5, 3.70)

Hamels was 6-for-6 in quality starts in June, going 4-0 with a 1.51 ERA, but he has allowed five runs and failed to get out of the fifth inning in each of his last two outings. The 32-year-old struggled to command the strike zone at times and has walked nine over his past two starts, including six last time out against Minnesota. Hamels is 4-1 with a 2.00 ERA in eight career starts against the Cubs.

Lackey is winless in six starts since throwing seven scoreless frames to win at Philadelphia on June 8, and he posted an unsightly 6.23 ERA over that stretch. The 37-year-old gave up 11 runs over 12 innings in his last two starts before the All-Star break and has surrendered seven homers over his last five outings. Lackey is 14-15 with a 5.71 ERA in 40 career starts against the Rangers, but has faced them only four times since 2011.



WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 18-for-44 during an 11-game hitting streak and has hit safely in 22 of his last 23 contests.

2. Rangers SS Elvis Andrus has reached safely in 12 of his last 13 games, hitting .333 during that stretch, but he is 7-for-34 with five strikeouts versus Lackey.

3. The Cubs are 4-0 in interleague games this season and have won six straight against American League opponents dating back to last year.



PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Cubs 2