Sunday 8/2/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Balmoral: Sunday 8/2 Analysis
By Jeremey Day

DRF HARNESS

Race 7 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

Best Bet (32 - 50 / $114.80): VENGEFUL (3rd)

Spot Play: FOX VALLEY CHINO (4th)


Race 1

(5) SOUTHERN APPEAL is a very risky bet with the breaking issues, however the lightly raced 3-year-old might be the fastest in the field if he minds his manners. (6) ABC BIG SHOT owns a decent burst of speed but has lacked stamina late so far in his short career. (2) NONE OF THAT STUFF showed a decent burst of speed last week before fading late.

Race 2

(7) LEXINGTON LADY will look to make it five straight wins against a soft field. (5) FOX VALLEY GYPSY is likely the only horse with a shot at upsetting the top choice. The filly pacer gets a provisional driver and needs a smooth trip. (4) AUNT ETHEL was the driver's choice of three and should be primed to take a step forward.

Race 3

(3) VENGEFUL picks up a huge driver change and showed tremendous ability last week despite the early miscue. (1) ROCKNPRICESSABBIE had some sneaky late trot last week and gets the best post. (2) AWFULLY EMOTIONAL couldn't parlay a perfect trip last start but has some upside.

Race 4

(9) FOX VALLEY CHINO freshman pacer has been facing much tougher in his last two starts; big chance. (8) MY MAN RED showed some nice determination last week getting a win after it looked like he was not going by the leader. (3) M A SMASH ON nice looking pacer put in a perfect debut and has plenty of room for improvement.

Race 5

(1) WRIGHTWOOD is undefeated in his brief career and gets the best post. (4) PASTOR CLINT has made breaks in three straight but has flashed a lot of ability. (2) MR STRATA might be closing the gap some on the top choice racing gamely last week.

Race 6

(9) WHISKERSONKITTENS was really picking up steam late last week against a nice opponent. (10) SINISTER will offer a big price and could be ready for a better effort third start out. (1) MANCHESTER MATTIE has been improving with every start; threat.

Race 7

(8) ROCKNROLL CRYSTAL pacer put in an exceptional effort last week being used multiple times. (9) NITTY GRITTY has been knocking on the door recently but only owns one win on the year; command a price. (1) VIRGIN OFMY DREAMS was just even last week after being sharp the two starts prior; use underneath.

Race 8

(1) BIG EXPENSE has the look of a really nice late-developing trotter. The 3-year-old will look to make it two straight wins to start his career. (8) SOUTHERN SPECIAL picks up a significant driver change and is probably the horse to beat if he stays trotting. (7) AMAZED gelding hits the board a lot but seems to lack stamina late in most of his efforts; use underneath.

Race 9

(1) SEEYOUATTHEFINISH was overdriven last week into a huge three-quarters of a mile before fading late. The pacer appears to be back on her game and is versatile. (3) MOON BAY DANCER has been very sharp in a new barn; threat. (8) JOYFUL GAME has also been sharp and just needs a fast pace to close into for a shot at upsetting.

Race 10

In a tough race to gauge, (6) FOX VALLEY LYN flashed good ability before breaking in her most recent start. The pacer picks back up the top driver and should offer a nice price. (7) FRONTIER SARAH was very flat last start after being sharp prior; command a price. (1) MONTANA REI has shown steady improvement and gets the best post.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Royals (62-41) at Blue Jays (53-52)

Game: 4
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: August 02, 2015 1:07 PM EDT

With a whole new look and a lot more swagger, the Toronto Blue Jays have been playing very well against the top club in the American League.

After coming out on the losing end of an exciting slugfest with Kansas City, the Blue Jays look to take three of four from the Royals in Sunday's series finale.

Ben Zobrist homered from both sides of the plate and Eric Hosmer singled home the go-ahead run in the eighth Saturday to help Kansas City (62-41) snap a three-game skid. Facing new Blue Jays reliever Mark Lowe, Zobrist tied it at 5 with a drive in the eighth.

"We had to have this one today," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "We had to."

Toronto (53-52) got a pair of solo homers from Jose Bautista and a two-run shot from Josh Donaldson before threatening in the bottom of the ninth to no avail.

Now the club looks for its first win in a series of at least four games against the Royals since a road sweep April 20-23, 2012, behind their only starter with a losing mark after acquiring All-Star left-hander David Price, who starts Monday against Minnesota.

R.A. Dickey (5-10, 4.27 ERA), however, takes the hill in this finale looking to win three straight starts for the first time since Sept. 2-13. After a four-start losing streak where the Blue Jays gave him just four total runs of support, the right-hander has gone 2-1 with a 1.53 ERA in his last four outings.

He's made it through at least eight in his last two, going 8 1-3 innings in a 5-2 win at Oakland on July 23 before holding Philadelphia to two unearned runs in an 8-2 victory Wednesday.

"I've been able to consistently execute a mechanic that produces a good knuckleball, that's what it always comes down to," he told MLB's official website.

With Toronto's recent moves signaling its playoff intentions, Dickey sustaining his surge could provide just as big of a boost. He's 2-0 with a 3.72 ERA in three starts against Kansas City since joining the Blue Jays, but was roughed up for five runs and 10 hits in five innings in an 8-6 loss May 29, 2014, the last time he faced them.

Zobrist is 6 for 37 (.162) with nine strikeouts lifetime against Dickey, though Omar Infante is 17 for 34.

Opposing Dickey will be right-hander Edinson Volquez (10-5, 3.21), who is also riding a two-start win streak as he tries to help earn a series split. The Royals seem to have a good chance since Volquez has lost only once in his last 10 starts.

After tossing 7 2-3 innings of one-run ball with eight strikeouts to beat Pittsburgh on July 22, he went six innings at Cleveland on Monday and gave up three runs in a 9-4 victory that gave him at least 10 in two straight seasons.

"I won 13 last year and I want to go over 13 this year," he said. "And everybody here keeps talking about how James Shields got 13 wins last year, so I want to go past him and get 15 or 16."

To continue marching toward those numbers, Volquez will have to turn the tide on his career struggles against the Blue Jays. He is 0-3 with a 7.30 ERA over five starts against Toronto, which is the only team he's faced that many times without a win.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Padres (51-53) at Marlins (42-62)

Game: 3
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: August 02, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

Jose Fernandez's performance in his first month back from Tommy John surgery has made the Miami Marlins' miserable season somewhat tolerable.

Looking to remain unbeaten at home for his career, the right-hander tries to help the lowly Marlins prevent the San Diego Padres from matching a season high with a fifth straight win Sunday.

Fernandez (4-0, 2.53 ERA) wasn't totally on his game while yielding four hits and four walks in six innings against Washington on Tuesday, but only allowed one run in a 4-1 home victory. It was good enough for him to improve to 15-0 with 1.19 ERA in 23 starts at Marlins Park.

"It's always fun to win. Winning at home is even more fun," said Fernandez after throwing a season-high 99 pitches in his fifth start since returning July 2 from elbow surgery.

Fernandez, who turned 23 on Friday, has struck out 173 and walked 40 while opponents have hit .172 against him at home in his career. He'll have the chance to join Johnny Allen (1932-33) and LaMarr Hoyt (1979-82) as the only pitchers since 1900 to win their first 16 home decisions.

'His record speaks for itself, what he's been able to do here,' interim Miami manager Dan Jennings said. 'I think it's remarkable."

Fernandez is 2-1 with a 2.29 ERA against San Diego, but allowed a two-run homer and a grand slam to Jedd Gyorko on May 9 of last season - his final outing before undergoing surgery.

More than a year later, Fernandez is in fine shape but Miami (42-62) has the majors' second-worst record and has totaled 16 runs while hitting .182 in losing seven of the last eight.

The Marlins managed three runs and five hits in each of the first two of this set and dropped their fourth in a row, 5-3 on Saturday.

Things might not get any easier against James Shields (8-4, 3.77), who has a 2.12 ERA while going 1-1 and receiving four runs of support while on the mound in his last three starts. He gave up a two-run first-inning homer and one other run in the eighth of a 4-0 loss to the New York Mets on Tuesday.

Though the right-hander's name was one of many Padre veterans rumored to be involved in trade talks this week, he's content in his first year with the club.

"As far as I'm concerned, I think I'm going to be here for a while," he said. "I think we're on the right track. We've just got to keep rolling."

Though Shields' most recent start against the Marlins came in 2012, he's allowed one earned run over 32 innings to go 3-0 in his last four.

Yangervis Solarte and Matt Kemp each had two hits with a RBI on Saturday as San Diego (51-53) won for the 12th time in the last 16 games with a fifth consecutive victory over Miami. The Padres, third in the NL West and 6 1/2 games out of the final wild-card spot, have scored at least five runs and recorded nine or more hits in each of the last four.

'The security guard from Miami told me, 'I've never seen anything like this. If they do 'Major League 4,' you guys could be 'Major League 4,'' interim Padres manager Pat Murphy said. 'We're having fun and the guys are believing.'

Kemp is batting .348 with 15 RBIs in his last 19 games.

Miami's Dee Gordon remains among baseball's leaders with a .330 average but is 1 for 15 in the last four games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates (60-43) at Reds (47-55)

Game: 4
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: August 02, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

The Pittsburgh Pirates haven't been doing well with Cincinnati Reds pitchers who have never started against them, and they'll see another one Sunday.

Many teams going forward will be in the same situation considering the Reds rotation is now comprised solely of rookies.

Keyvius Sampson makes his first major league start looking to help Cincinnati claim its fourth series victory in as many tries against the visiting Pirates.

This four-game set began Thursday with the Reds calling up David Holmberg to make his season debut to replace Johnny Cueto, who was traded to Kansas City. Holmberg got the win by allowing two runs in six innings of a 15-5 victory.

It was a similar story Saturday when Raisel Iglesias faced Pittsburgh for the first time and emerged victorious, giving up two runs and four hits in 6 2-3 innings of a 4-3 win.

Eugenio Suarez had three RBIs - two off major league wins leader Gerrit Cole - as Cincinnati (47-55) won for the fourth time in five games.

"It was a really good night for me and the team," said Suarez, hitting .364 in six games against Pittsburgh this year.

The Reds are 9-3 in the season series and would be in position to sweep if it weren't for a 5-4 loss Friday which saw Starling Marte throw out a runner at the plate in the ninth and make a game-ending diving catch. That is Pittsburgh's only win in its last eight games in Cincinnati.

Marte had another diving grab Saturday but had a 10-game hitting streak snapped. Jung Ho Kang homered for the third time in five games and is batting .449 in his last 13.

Sampson (0-0, 0.00 ERA) made his major league debut against the Pirates (60-43) on Thursday, striking out two in one perfect inning, but didn't face any of Pittsburgh's regulars. He's filling an opening in the rotation created later that night when Mike Leake was dealt to San Francisco.

"We didn't know when he pitched that day that he'd be the Sunday starter, so it wasn't a prelim to the Sunday start," manager Bryan Price told MLB's official website. "... It's a spot start. There's no guarantees beyond (Sunday), but it does give us a better chance to look at him and give him a chance to use his full mix."

For now, the 24-year-old right-hander gives the Reds a rotation of five rookies - Michael Lorenzen and Anthony DeScalfani are the others - now that Leake and Cueto are gone. Sampson was 2-4 with a 5.08 ERA in eight games for Triple-A Louisville but did throw eight scoreless innings July 24 in his last start.

He'd be helped by Cincinnati starting fast again, having totaled seven runs in the first two innings during this series.

That doesn't bode well for Charlie Morton (6-4, 4.61). Sixteen of the 38 runs he's allowed have been in the first. Opposing batters are hitting .370 through Morton's first 30 pitches and .190 on pitches 31-to-90.

Morton is 0-2 with a 5.89 ERA in three games since the All-Star break and winless in five straight due partly to poor control, issuing 15 walks and hitting four batters in 30 1-3 innings.

He's 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA in his last six starts against the Reds. Todd Frazier is 7 for 15 with five extra-base hits against him, including two homers.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves (46-58) at Phillies (41-64)

Game: 4
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: August 02, 2015 1:35 PM EDT

The Philadelphia Phillies have proved a handful for their opponents since the All-Star break, and the scuffling Atlanta Braves have provided them little resistance.

The Phillies will try to finish off their first four-game home sweep of the Braves in 66 years Sunday.

Philadelphia (41-64) improved to 12-2 in the second half with a 12-2 rout Saturday. Cameron Rupp and Freddy Galvis hit three-run homers in the club's eighth win in nine home games.

"It looks to me like everybody feels we're going to score runs," interim manager Pete Mackanin said. "They look like they feel they're going to win. We're on a pretty good roll right now."

The Phillies have averaged 5.6 runs since the break compared with a major league-worst 3.4 in the first half. They have also posted a 2.98 ERA in their last 14 games after also ranking last with a 4.83 mark before the break.

"We basically just came out the second half with a brand-new mind-set," said first baseman Ryan Howard, who is batting .462 with 12 RBIs in his last seven games. "The first half was the first half. We left it there and came out just playing loose, having fun."

The Phillies have outscored the Braves 25-6 in this series and will try to register their first four-game sweep in Philadelphia since Sept. 2-4, 1949, against the then-Boston Braves. They haven't swept any four-game series against Atlanta since May 5-8, 1995.

Adam Morgan (2-2, 4.05 ERA) will try to secure that feat for Philadelphia while building on his first win in five starts. The left-hander yielded two runs in six innings in a 3-2 victory in Toronto on Tuesday, his sixth major league outing. He was 0-2 with a 4.98 ERA in his previous four.

Morgan gave up two runs in seven innings at Atlanta (46-58) on July 3 but was outdueled by Julio Teheran (6-6, 4.71) in a 2-1 defeat.

Teheran, though, has labored mightily on the road, going 1-5 with a 7.24 ERA in 11 starts compared with a 5-1 record and a 2.37 ERA in 10 home starts. He gave up five runs in four innings in a 7-3 loss in Baltimore on Tuesday.

"I don't know if it's mental, but the numbers sure show it," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "We can't pick and choose when he pitches. You got a five-man rotation and we're on a 10-day road trip. Send him home for the 10 days? We got to get through it."

Teheran went 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA in his two starts in Philadelphia last season and is 4-1 with a 1.69 ERA in his last six overall matchups.

He'll try to snap Atlanta's six-game losing streak - its longest since an 0-8 road trip July 29-Aug. 6, 2014. The Braves have been outscored 36-10 in the last six.

They've dropped 13 of 14 on the road, failing to score more than three runs in any of the past 13. Atlanta has totaled 16 runs in its past 10 overall contests and is 4-16 since July 8.

"Every single day, we come to the yard, just hoping for something to click," first baseman Freddie Freeman said. "When you (score two runs) in the first inning like that, you think it's going to be the day, but obviously it wasn't today. So, we've got to come back tomorrow and hopefully, it changes."

Galvis, batting .413 in 12 games against Atlanta this season compared to .253 versus everyone else, is 2 for 6 lifetime against Teheran.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers (50-54) at Orioles (53-50)

Game: 4
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: August 02, 2015 1:35 PM EDT

Ubaldo Jimenez struggled against the Detroit Tigers in his first start after the All-Star break but a return to Camden Yards - where he's often performed well - helped quickly put an end to his second-half funk.

He'll get to face the Tigers again Sunday this time in Baltimore, and there's a chance he could avoid facing J.D. Martinez in the Orioles' attempt at an eighth win in nine games.

After giving up one run in 20 innings in his final three starts before the break, Jimenez (8-6, 3.73 ERA) allowed seven in 4 2-3 innings in a 7-3 loss in Detroit on July 17. He had an even worse performance six days later at Yankee Stadium, giving up seven runs in 2 1-3 innings in a 9-3 loss, before claiming a 7-3 win over Atlanta on Tuesday.

Jimenez yielded two runs and four hits in seven innings to win his third straight home start. He's 6-1 with a 2.13 ERA in eight games in Baltimore and 2-5 with a 5.25 ERA in 12 on the road.

"It always good when you find a way to get back on track, especially after having two really tough games," he told MLB's official website. "It felt really good to go out there and compete and give the team a chance to win."

Baltimore (53-50) has five wins in its past six home contests and is one game behind Minnesota for the AL's second wild card. The Orioles are also two back of Los Angeles for the top spot.

Baltimore has totaled 22 runs and 31 hits in its three games against Detroit (50-54) after batting .212 and averaging 3.3 runs in its previous nine.

The Tigers, losers in 13 of 19 and nine of 12 on the road, had 16 runs and 32 hits while splitting the first two games in this series then registered six hits Saturday. Martinez was forced to leave after fouling a pitch off his left knee in the second inning.

X-rays were negative for the right fielder, who is among the AL leaders with a career-high 28 homers and 68 RBIs, and he's considered day to day. The Tigers are already missing Miguel Cabrera (calf) and traded Yoenis Cespedes to the New York Mets on Friday.

"I want to play," said Martinez, who hit a solo homer off Jimenez on July 17. "I'm going to do everything I can."

If Martinez sits out, that might aid Jimenez's attempt for a rare win against the Tigers. He's 0-3 with a 7.71 ERA in his past four matchups with two of the last three taking place in Detroit, where he's 2-8 with a 7.39 ERA in 10 starts.

Jimenez pitched seven scoreless innings in his only meeting with the Tigers at Camden Yards, a 4-1 loss May 13, 2014.

Daniel Norris (1-1, 3.86) will make his first start for Detroit after being acquired from Toronto on Thursday in the David Price trade. Norris will also make his first start in the majors since April 30 and his first against Baltimore.

"I feel like I couldn't be put in a better situation, an immediate opportunity to compete in the big leagues," Norris said. "I'm happy about that, kind of itching to get out there and throw."

J.J. Hardy, the owner of a 15-game hit streak, singled in his lone at-bat against the left-hander. Gerardo Parra, acquired from Milwaukee on Friday, extended his hit streak to 15 games in his Orioles debut.

Parra, batting .453 during that run and .389 in his last 44 games, has never faced Norris.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays (51-54) at Red Sox (47-58)

Game: 3
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: August 02, 2015 1:35 PM EDT

The Tampa Bay Rays might have looked at a series against one of the AL's worst teams as a way to get their playoff drive on track.

The Rays instead are just hoping to avoid a three-game sweep Sunday to the Boston Red Sox, who just learned that a significant change to their organization is coming soon.

Tampa Bay has all but faded from the AL East race since holding a half-game lead June 27 but still remain in striking distance for a wild-card spot, albeit facing plenty of competition. The Rays (51-54) haven't helped their cause by losing eight of 12 overall and 13 of 16 on the road.

"You just keep moving forward and keep hacking away and keep making pitches," designated hitter John Jaso said. "You just have to be professional, brush it off and get your work in."

Tampa Bay let Pablo Sandoval's replacement, Travis Shaw, have a historic performance in an 11-7 defeat Sunday. Shaw became the first Red Sox player since at least 1914 with four hits, five runs and 11 total bases in one game.

He also drove in three runs on his first two major league home runs and finished a triple shy of the cycle in his 10th major league game.

"I'm just trying to make the most of my opportunities up here and trying to help the team any way that I can," Shaw said.

He was called up after Sandoval missed a second straight game because of a bruised left forearm, caused when he was hit by a pitch while striking out Thursday. The third baseman is considered day-to-day, but he might get a longer chance to heal after batting .176 in his 10 games before getting hurt.

He's been a disappointing acquisition for a Boston club which was expected to be a contender but has the AL's second-worst record, and the first of many expected changes came Saturday with the announcement that team president and CEO Larry Lucchino is stepping down at the end of the season. Lucchino, who hopes to stay with the team in some capacity, was a member of the ownership group that purchased the Red Sox in 2002 and the franchise won three World Series in his tenure.

Wade Miley (8-9, 4.65 ERA) is another offseason acquisition who has underperformed. His ERA is the highest of his five-year career after having one of his worst outings of the season Tuesday, giving up seven runs in 5 2-3 innings in a 9-4 defeat to the Chicago White Sox.

The left-hander allowed one run in 13 innings in his prior two starts but enters Sunday on a five-game winless streak.

Miley, though, has dominated the Rays, going 3-1 with a 1.07 ERA in four starts. He might still be undefeated against them if he had received any run support in a 4-1 loss June 27 when he yielded two runs in 6 1-3 innings.

Jake Odorizzi (6-6, 2.76) will try to keep the Red Sox at bay while building on a 10-2 win over Detroit on Tuesday. The right-hander yielded one run in six innings in his first victory in three starts and his longest since May 31.

Odorizzi was making his fourth start since a five-week stint on the disabled list for a strained left oblique. He went 1-0 with a 1.32 ERA in two starts against Boston (47-58) before that injury and gave up one run in seven innings in a 5-1 win at Fenway Park on May 4.

Xander Bogaerts is batting .396 with 18 RBIs in his last 25 games after going 4 for 5 and driving in three runs Saturday for Boston, which will seek a season-high tying fourth consecutive win.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs (56-47) at Brewers (44-61)

Game: 4
Venue: Miller Park
Date: August 02, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

Anthony Rizzo is helping the surging Chicago Cubs win ballgames, and that's all he seems to care about.

He'll look to continue his offensive roll Sunday when the visiting Cubs try to complete a four-game sweep of the lowly Milwaukee Brewers.

Rizzo homered in a career-high fourth consecutive game Saturday with a three-run shot that keyed Chicago's fourth straight victory, 4-2 over Milwaukee. Before this stretch, during which he's gone 8 for 15 with four home runs and nine RBIs, Rizzo batted .118 during the Cubs' 3-6 slump and had gone 17 games without homering.

"He's really on a roll and it's fun to watch," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.

Rizzo has a chance to join Sammy Sosa (1998), Ryne Sandberg (1989) and Hack Wilson (1928) as the only Cubs since 1914 to homer in five consecutive games. However, his main concern is helping Chicago (56-47) win for the sixth time in seven games and record its first four-game sweep at Milwaukee (44-61) since July 28-31, 2008.

The Cubs are one game behind San Francisco for the final NL wild-card spot.

"I'm feeling really good right now," said Rizzo, who has hit at least 20 home runs in three straight seasons. "But the most important thing is we got another win."

Rizzo is batting .446 with eight home runs and 19 RBIs during a 15-game hitting streak against Milwaukee. He's hit .458 (11 for 24) with two doubles and a homer against Kyle Lohse (5-12, 6.24 ERA), who tries to avoid becoming the majors' first 13-game loser.

Though the 6 2-3 innings Lohse completed Monday were the most he's logged in his last 13 starts, the right-hander allowed four runs and walked three in a 4-2 loss at San Francisco.

He's yielded 14 homers in his last 12 starts, going 2-8. That doesn't include giving up Kris Bryant's first career homer - a three-run shot - and one other run in five innings of a 12-4 victory over the Cubs on May 9. It was Lohse's third win in his last four starts against Chicago.

Lohse, though, can't rely on getting much support from a Brewers club that's dropped nine of 11 and has scored two or fewer runs in eight of the last nine.

"We're just not swinging the bats well enough," said manager Craig Counsell, whose team has totaled five runs during a four-game skid.

With Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Gomez and Gerardo Parra all traded, Ryan Braun is left to pick up the offensive slack but is batting .182 with three homers and 13 strikeouts in his last 10 games.

After being held to five hits Saturday, the Brewers look to salvage something against Clayton Richard (1-0, 5.40).

With recently acquired Dan Haren not yet available, Richard was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to make his first appearance since July 20 when he allowed three runs and two solo homers in 5 2-3 innings of a 5-4 loss to Cincinnati. This will be his third start with the Cubs since being acquired from Pittsburgh.

The left-hander is 2-3 with a 5.97 ERA in seven starts against the Brewers but last faced them in 2013. Jonathan Lucroy is 4 for 7 with two doubles and a homer against him.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees (58-45) at White Sox (50-52)

Game: 3
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: August 02, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

Melky Cabrera is enjoying a sizzling 10-game stretch that New York Yankees starter Ivan Nova doesn't figure to be likely to slow down.

Cabrera has dominated Nova in past matchups and will try to help the White Sox capture a third straight series Sunday in Chicago.

The left fielder has been a major catalyst to this 8-2 stretch for Chicago (50-52), going 21 for 42 with three homers, 15 RBIs, 12 runs and a 1.486 OPS. His three-run homer keyed Saturday's 8-2 victory that evened this three-game set.

"He's been hot," manager Robin Ventura said. "He's been in the middle of a lot of it."

Cabrera is 6 for 9 with two homers, a double and a walk against Nova (3-3, 3.38 ERA) for his highest average versus any pitcher against which he has at least 10 plate appearances. These two haven't faced each other since 2013 with Nova missing most of last year after right elbow surgery.

Nova is 2-1 with a 2.73 ERA in five career starts against the White Sox. He has faced Alexei Ramirez the most among Chicago hitters, with the shortstop going 3 for 14.

The right-hander has yielded four runs over 11 innings in earning consecutive victories. His last streak of three in a row was a five-start run in 2012.

He'll try to help avoid an early call to the bullpen after Yankees relievers had to log 25 1-3 innings in six games this week, including 7 1-3 innings in this series while yielding seven runs. Spot starter Bryan Mitchell was charged with four runs Saturday and gave up a homer to Ramirez.

"Some of the other guys didn't throw (Saturday) so we should be fine," manager Joe Girardi said.

Chicago will start someone whom many believed wouldn't be on the team anymore in Jeff Samardzija (8-5, 3.94), who was the subject of trade rumors.

"You go out and do your job every fifth day, and those things you can't control you don't worry about it," he told MLB's official website. "So nothing changes for me."

The right-hander seeks his first career three-start win streak after pitching eight effective innings in wins at Cleveland on July 23 and Boston five days later. He was staked to five-run leads both times.

Samardzija pitched seven scoreless innings versus the Yankees (58-45) in his lone start against them for the Chicago Cubs last May 21. Carlos Beltran is 5 for 14 with a homer against him and Chase Headley is 4 for 11.

Beltran is expected back in the lineup after sitting out Saturday with a sore left foot. Girardi also plans to give catcher Brian McCann, who homered off the bench, his first start in this series.

The White Sox successfully cooled off Mark Teixeira, limiting the slugger to three hitless at-bats with a walk. Teixeira entered off consecutive two-homer efforts; his woes were part of an 0-for-16 showing with eight strikeouts for the top five hitters in the Yankees batting order.

Chicago's Jose Abreu is batting .378 with four homers and 16 RBIs in a 12-game hitting streak as he gets ready for his first look at Nova.

These teams have the AL's best records since June 30, with Chicago 19-10 and New York 17-10.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners (47-58) at Twins (54-49)

Game: 4
Venue: Target Field
Date: August 02, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

In the midst of a playoff race, the Minnesota Twins don't need to be reminded just how important every win can be.

Scoring, let alone winning, is something they've hardly been able to accomplish against the Seattle Mariners' Hisashi Iwakuma.

Following a dramatic victory, the Twins try to end Iwakuma's dominance against them and win their first series in three weeks Sunday.

Though Minnesota (54-49) won for the fourth time in the last 13 games, Saturday's 3-2 victory maintained its one-game lead in the race for the last AL wild-card spot. It also might be the spark the Twins need to win their first series since taking three of four against Detroit from July 9-12 and string together some victories.

"Wins, we're finding out, are a little tougher, but we found a way to stay in the game," manager Paul Molitor told MLB's official website.

After two wild pitches from Carson Smith helped the Twins tie things in the ninth, Kurt Suzuki delivered a run-scoring single with two outs for the winner.

'It's still only August 1, but you take them any way you can now,' said Suzuki, batting .310 with five RBIs in his last nine games.

"Anyone who plays this game wants to be in this position. I don't care where you are in the standings. You want to be in that spot. This is why you play. It's kinda like a playoff atmosphere."

Though the Twins have something to build on, they've totaled four runs and seven hits in the last two games and have been held to three or fewer runs in eight of the last 13.

Things don't expect to be any easier while opposing Iwakuma (2-2, 5.10 ERA), who has allowed two unearned runs over 33 2-3 innings to win all five starts against them. He has given up none in the last 23 2-3 of his last three-plus meetings.

However, if Iwakuma is to continue that dominance in his first look at Minnesota this season, he must bounce back from allowing season highs of six runs and 10 hits in 5 2-3 innings of an 8-4 loss to Arizona on Tuesday.

"His command was just not where it needed to be," manager Lloyd McClendon said. "I thought his velocity was good, he just left a lot of pitches in the middle of the plate."

The right-hander was 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA in his three previous starts.

"I have to bounce back and pitch a good game on Sunday," Iwakuma said.

Though the Mariners (47-58) have lost five of the last six, Nelson Cruz is batting .407 with seven homers, four doubles and 11 RBIs during a 12-game hitting streak. He's batting .408 with four home runs, six doubles and nine RBIs in his last 12 games at Target Field.

Looking to contain Cruz, Mike Pelfrey (5-7, 3.92) has a 3.18 ERA despite going 0-1 in two starts since the All-Star break after going 0-4 with a 7.59 ERA in his previous six. He yielded two earned runs in 5 1-3 innings while not factoring in the decision of an 8-7 loss to Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

The right-hander's only other appearance against the Mariners came in 2013.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks (50-52) at Astros (59-46)

Game: 3
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: August 02, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

Houston's Collin McHugh has the chance to match Dallas Keuchel for the AL lead in victories a day after his teammate got win No. 13.

While Keuchel is pitching like a Cy Young contender and has dominated the opposition at home, McHugh hasn't been particularly sharp lately and is struggling in Houston.

McHugh looks to bounce back from another shaky outing and win a fourth consecutive start in the AL West-leading Astros' series finale with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.

After dropping Friday's opener in 10 innings, the Astros (59-46) rebounded with a 9-2 victory Saturday for their ninth win in 12 contests to move three games ahead of second-place Los Angeles.

Hank Conger broke open the game with a fourth-inning grand slam - his second homer of the game - and Carlos Correa also went deep twice. It was the major league-leading 44th multihomer game for the Astros, who also lead all of baseball with 147 home runs.

"It's not a secret we've got a great team," said Correa, who has hit four of his 12 homers in the last five games. "We've got one of the best teams in baseball and we're going to go out there and compete."

Keuchel's 25-inning home scoreless streak ended in the second inning when gave up two runs, two hits and walked three, but the Astros staff allowed no hits and one walk the rest of the way.

Keuchel moved a win ahead of McHugh (12-5, 4.43 ERA) and Seattle's Felix Hernandez by improving to 10-0 with a 1.26 ERA in Houston.

McHugh has also found success at Minute Maid Park with an 8-2 record, but he's racked up those wins despite a 5.22 ERA. The last pitcher to have at least eight home wins in a season with a plus-5.00 ERA was Jorge De La Rosa, who went 10-6 with a 5.21 ERA at home for Colorado in 2009.

McHugh has regularly had to work out of trouble in his last three starts - all at home - surrendering 25 hits over 18 innings. Against the Angels on Tuesday, the right-hander gave up seven hits with four walks and let in five runs in five innings but was bailed out by his offense in a 10-5 win. He has a 7.57 run-support average in his victories.

"Wins and losses is not irrelevant when it comes to pitchers, but team wins and losses are a lot more important," McHugh told MLB's official website.

McHugh, who was tagged for six runs over five innings in his only start against Arizona (50-52) in 2013, has a 7.00 ERA in losing all three career starts against NL teams in Houston.

The Diamondbacks' Robbie Ray (3-5, 2.70) has fared much better against the opposite league.

The 23-year-old left-hander continued his dominance of the NL on Monday, allowing two runs with a career high-tying eight strikeouts in seven innings of a 4-3, 10-inning win at Seattle. The only times he has lasted seven innings this season have come in his three interleague starts - all in AL parks - and he's gone 2-0 with a 0.83 ERA.

Ray made his big league debut in his only appearance against the Astros on May 6, 2014, allowing a run and five hits in 5 1-3 innings of an 11-4 win for Detroit.

Arizona manager Chip Hale said rookie right fielder Yasmany Tomas will be back in the lineup Sunday after being removed in Saturday's sixth inning for not running hard on a groundout.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockies (44-58) at Cardinals (66-38)

Game: 4
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: August 02, 2015 2:15 PM EDT

Jaime Garcia's worst career ERA is against the Colorado Rockies mostly thanks to one disastrous outing at Coors Field, though he also has been poor in two home losses to them.

He won't get a victory no matter how well he pitches if the St. Louis Cardinals continue their alarming trend of providing him with no support.

The Cardinals (66-38) have been blanked in half of Garcia's eight starts heading into Sunday's outing as they look to capture a four-game home series from the Rockies.

Garcia (3-4, 2.00 ERA) was activated off the 15-day disabled list Tuesday and gave up three runs in six innings in a 4-0 loss to Cincinnati, and the Cardinals have been shut out in all four of his losses as he's had a 2.67 ERA. He had been out with a left groin strain.

The left-hander is 0-3 with a 10.53 ERA in four outings versus the Rockies, with the bulk of that damage in a career-worst 12-run effort in 3 1-3 innings at Denver in a 15-4 loss May 28, 2011. That doesn't mean it will be easier for him Sunday because since that game, he's faced them twice at home and lost both with an 8.18 ERA. He also received no runs of support in any of those three defeats.

Drew Stubbs is a .310 hitter with a homer and 11 strikeouts in 29 at-bats versus Garcia and Carlos Gonzalez is 6 for 12 with a homer and two doubles.

The Rockies (44-58) are a major league-worst 5-17 against left-handed starters and could give righty-hitting first baseman Kyle Parker his first start after he was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday. Parker, who only received 26 at-bats in 18 games for Colorado last year, was batting .280 with 58 RBIs for the Isotopes.

"He'll get an opportunity to get some more consistent playing time than he had in the past," manager Walt Weiss told MLB's official website. "It's always tough when your at-bats are hit-or-miss. He's done a good job this year and he got better as the year went on and put himself in position for this."

St. Louis is seeking to capture its sixth straight home series over Colorado, taking 16 of the last 20 meetings at Busch Stadium despite losing 6-2 on Saturday.

Nolan Arenado went 2 for 5 with a two-run homer to give him a major league-best 80 RBIs after entering in a 5-for-36 slump.

The Rockies will give Yohan Flande (1-1, 3.68) his second start after he yielded one run over five innings Tuesday to earn a 7-2 road victory over the Chicago Cubs. He went 0-6 with a 5.77 ERA in his first 10 starts - all last year.

The left-hander's only start against the Cardinals was his big-league debut June 25, 2014. He was charged with four runs over five innings and did not receive a decision in a 9-6 defeat.

Stephen Piscotty is 5 for 11 in this series for St. Louis and batting .435 during a seven-game hitting streak.

"It's like a dream," said Piscotty, who was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on July 21. "This has been the best two weeks of my life."

Jhonny Peralta seeks to homer in three consecutive games for the first time since May 10-13, 2011, with Detroit.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants (57-46) at Rangers (50-53)

Game: 3
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: August 02, 2015 3:05 PM EDT

Manager Bruce Bochy was quite familiar with Mike Leake long before the San Francisco Giants acquired him prior to the trade deadline.

He'll get a closer look at the right-hander Sunday when he makes his Giants debut in the finale of a three-game set with the Texas Rangers.

As a preteen, Leake played on a travel team out of San Diego that included Bochy's son Brett and Washington right-hander Stephen Strasburg.

"He was a good athlete then. He could pitch and played short. It was a really good club. Mike, he stood out," Bochy said. "He was the best player on the field, whether it was pitching, playing short, swinging the bat. He was their best player."

Bochy is just looking for Leake (9-5, 3.56 ERA) to excel on the mound after San Francisco (57-46) acquired him Thursday from Cincinnati for two prospects.

"He's a quality starter who's going to help us," Bochy said. "He's excited about being here. He's been throwing the ball well, good athlete. That's a great move for us to give us some depth in the rotation."

Leake, in the rotation in place of the injured Tim Hudson (shoulder), has allowed two runs and 15 hits in 30 innings while winning four straight starts, completing the eighth in three. He did that while limiting NL-leading St. Louis to four hits in Tuesday's 4-0 road win.

Leake, who spent his first five-plus seasons with the Reds, is 0-2 with a 9.60 ERA in his last three starts in AL parks. He gave up four runs - one earned - in seven innings on the road in his only career start against the Rangers in June 2013.

The Giants have won 14 of their past 17 contests to move 1 1/2 games back of NL West-leading Los Angeles.

They bounced back from Friday's 6-3 loss in the series opener by spoiling Cole Hamels' Rangers debut with a 9-7, 11-inning victory Saturday.

Hunter Pence hit the go-ahead homer to lead off the 11th after tying the game with an RBI single in a three-run eighth. He's hitting .324 with five homers and 16 RBIs in 17 road games during this injury-plagued season.

Buster Posey is on a tear with a .459 average and 12 RBIs in the last 15 games. The All-Star catcher came a triple short of the cycle Saturday, connecting for a solo homer and an RBI double. He's also put together a 13-game hitting streak on the road, batting .388 with four homers and 14 RBIs.

The Rangers (50-53), who had a three-game winning streak end Saturday, are giving Martin Perez (0-2, 10.50) a fourth chance at his first win since returning from Tommy John surgery.

The left-hander surrendered a career high-tying eight runs before getting an out in the second inning and being pulled in Tuesday's 21-5 loss to the New York Yankees.

This will be his first game against San Francisco.

Prince Fielder doubled on two of his three hits Saturday after batting .143 in his previous eight games. His .330 season average is second in the AL to Detroit's Miguel Cabrera (.350), who is on the disabled list with a calf strain.

Fielder is 2 for 8 with a homer against Leake, while Shin-soo Choo is 3 for 5 with two home runs and a double.

Choo is 6 for 14 with a homer and two doubles in his last four games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians (48-55) at Athletics (46-59)

Game: 4
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: August 02, 2015 4:05 PM EDT

Sonny Gray is mired in the longest home winless streak of his career but is getting the ideal opponent to help end it.

The Oakland Athletics ace is coming off a shutout and now faces the other team he recently blanked as he tries to continue his mastery of the Cleveland Indians on Sunday.

Gray (11-4, 2.16 ERA) has allowed one run with 22 strikeouts in 21 innings in three career starts against Cleveland, winning both decisions on the road. No AL team has a lower batting average against him than the Indians (.129), with Carlos Santana, Yan Gomes and Jason Kipnis going a combined 1 for 22 with eight strikeouts.

The All-Star right-hander two-hit the Indians in a 2-0 road win July 12, and Cleveland (48-55) has been awful offensively in this series with six runs through three games.

Most recently, Gray tossed a three-hitter in Tuesday's 2-0 win at Dodger Stadium.

"I feel like throwing strikes was the key," he told MLB's official website. "That was the gameplan going in, and then just being able to execute the fastball to both sides. My slider was better than it has been, too, but just getting ahead was huge."

Those two shutouts made Gray 6-0 with a 1.05 ERA in his last seven road starts. It's been a different matter at home, where he's 0-2 with a 5.04 ERA in four games since beating the New York Yankees on May 29.

However, he received no runs of support in two of those outings, and the A's (46-59) are batting .197 while averaging 2.8 runs during a 2-7 stretch at home.

Stephen Vogt is in an 0-for-23 drought overall and hitting .111 in 12 contests since appearing in his first All-Star game.

Josh Reddick is a .179 hitter in 15 meetings with the Indians at the Coliseum after going 1 for 12 in this series. He was 7 for 13 with a homer and three doubles over his previous three games.

The Indians turn to Trevor Bauer (8-8, 4.13), who has lost three straight starts for the first time in his career with a 6.16 ERA despite pitching extremely well Tuesday. He gave up a solo homer in the ninth to lose 2-1 to Kansas City despite tossing a five-hitter for his first complete game, the first by an Indian in a losing effort since Justin Masterson in 2009.

"That was one of the better games we've seen from him," manager Terry Francona said. "Talk about a change of emotion in one pitch."

Facing the A's for the first time, Bauer has lost two of his last three road starts with a 5.71 ERA after going 4-1 with a 1.10 ERA in his first six.

Kipnis is 1 for 12 in this series and batting .071 in his last seven games against the A's.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels (55-48) at Dodgers (59-45)

Game: 3
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: August 02, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

Mat Latos has a chance to quickly ingratiate himself to the Los Angeles Dodgers fan base in his club debut.

He can pitch the Dodgers to their first three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels in over nine years Sunday as he seeks his second career victory at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers (59-45) acquired Latos on Thursday in a 13-player deal with Atlanta and Miami. Latos (4-7, 4.48 ERA) was in his first season with the Marlins after previously pitching for Cincinnati and San Diego.

The right-hander, who is making $9.4 million in the final year of his contact, has gone 1-5 with a 3.34 ERA in six starts as a visitor in Dodger Stadium.

Latos has faced the Angels (55-48) once, allowing three runs in 6 2-3 innings in a 5-4 victory for Cincinnati in April 2013. Mike Trout had a double in three at-bats against him in their only meeting.

Other Angels have more experience versus Latos. Shane Victorino is 3 for 10 with a homer in this matchup while Albert Pujols and Chris Iannetta each have gone 2 for 8.

Facing Latos can be considered a break for the Angels after they were beaten by Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw in the first two games. Kershaw fired eight scoreless innings of two-hit ball in Saturday's 3-1 victory.

The Angels, who have 10 hits and 18 strikeouts in the first two games, seek to avoid an 0-6 trip and their first single-season six-game losing streak since July 26-31, 2013.

"We'll keep moving forward and hopefully start to get a little more continuity on the offensive side and start to regain some momentum," said manager Mike Scioscia, who was ejected Saturday for the second time in 2015. "I think we're holding tight in these games, we're just not able to get a little momentum to get the big hit and have been on the wrong side of them."

The Dodgers can complete their first three-game Freeway Series sweep since May 19-21, 2006. They have captured five straight meetings for the first time.

"Obviously it feels good for us, that kind of team over there, to be able to do that, it's not an easy thing," manager Don Mattingly said.

Trout fell a double short of the cycle in Friday's 5-3 defeat before going 0 for 4 with two strikeouts the next day. Pujols is 2 for 8 in this series while Victorino is hitless in six at-bats.

Kole Calhoun, who had three hits Friday, figures to be back in the lineup after not starting Saturday with the left-hander Kershaw on the mound.

The Dodgers' Yasmani Grandal drilled a two-run homer Saturday and is 6 for 8 in the series.

"Yas is a guy who can swing the bat, obviously a guy who puts two runs on the board right there," Mattingly said.

The Angels figure to use multiple pitchers since right-hander Cory Rasmus (0-0, 0.00) will make his first 2015 start after he was recalled Thursday from Triple-A Salt Lake. Rasmus, pitching in the spot of the injured C.J. Wilson, struck out the side on 12 pitches in an inning of relief Friday and his innings will likely be limited.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals (54-48) at Mets (54-50)

Game: 3
Venue: Citi Field
Date: August 02, 2015 8:08 PM EDT

Superb pitching has been the New York Mets' calling card but clutch hitting has them on the verge of gaining a share of the NL East lead.

Noah Syndergaard looks to continue his home dominance and help the Mets sweep a three-game set with the Washington Nationals on Sunday night.

New York (54-50) has one of the best staffs in baseball with a 3.25 ERA, making up for the offense's .234 average that is lowest in the majors.

The bats, however, have been vital to the Mets climbing to within one game of first-place Washington (54-48). Wilmer Flores' walkoff homer delivered Friday's 2-1 win, and Lucas Duda hit a tiebreaking double in the eighth of a 3-2 victory the next day.

The Mets haven't been in first since June 19, and they haven't swept a three-game series from the Nationals since May 25-27, 2009.

They have a good chance of changing both behind Syndergaard (5-5, 2.70 ERA).

The rookie right-hander is 3-1 with a 1.29 ERA over the past six starts. He's been even better at Citi Field, going 3-0 with a 0.90 ERA and 11.40 strikeouts per nine innings over his past four games. He's the first Met to go eight innings in three straight home games since Al Leiter in 2001.

"I don't think any of us could have predicted the rise to where he's at this fast," manager Terry Collins told MLB's official website.

Syndergaard carried a perfect game into the seventh Tuesday before leaving with nine strikeouts after the eighth of a 4-0 win over San Diego.

"I've learned so much. I've gained so much confidence," said Syndergaard.

He allowed one run with a season-high five walks in five innings and didn't get a decision in a 4-3 loss at Washington on July 22.

New York has won eight of its last 12 home games with Duda batting .325 with 10 homers and 14 RBIs. The first baseman hit a pair of solo shots Saturday to give him eight home runs in his last seven games.

Yoenis Cespedes batted in front of Duda during his Mets debut Saturday, a day after being acquired from Detroit. Cespedes, the big bat the Mets have craved this year, went 0 for 3 and drew an intentional walk that set up Duda's heroics.

"That's exactly what we're hoping to do, put some guys in the middle of that lineup, where you have bats throughout that can produce some runs," Collins said. "You kind of like the way we're headed."

The Nationals will try to end a 10-game road trip with a fourth victory. They turn to Jordan Zimmermann (8-6, 3.36), who is 5-0 with a 2.70 ERA in his last seven starts against the Mets - all ending in Washington wins.

He's won three straight visits to Queens with a 1.50 ERA, tossing 13 consecutive innings without yielding an earned run.

The right-hander allowed three runs in seven innings opposite Syndergaard on July 22. While he didn't figure in the decision, he extended his unbeaten streak to six starts with a 3-0 record and 2.33 ERA.

It ended six days later, however, when Zimmermann gave up three runs in six innings of a 4-1 loss at Miami.

He'll face Cespedes for the first time and he's limited Duda to 7 for 35 (.200) - 1 for 6 this year.

Bryce Harper is looking to build on his two hits from Saturday after going 3 for 20 in his first five games in New York this season. He is 2 for 3 off Syndergaard.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

A's add two minor moves to previous deadline deals
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Athletics general manager Billy Beane already made three major deals before the non-waiver trade deadline arrived Friday, sending left-hander Scott Kazmir to Houston, closer Tyler Clippard to the New York Mets and super utility man Ben Zobrist to Kansas City for a haul of minor-leaguers.

The deadline passed without another major trade, but Beane made a pair of minor deals. The A's acquired Toronto left-hander Felix Doubront for cash. They also sent Triple-A right-hander Ryan Cook, a former American League All-Star, to Boston for a player to be named later or cash.

Doubront will join the A's roster, likely Sunday. He has appeared in 107 career major league games with 77 starts for Boston, the Chicago Cubs and Toronto, posting a 29-24 record with a 4.78 ERA. He has 399 strikeouts in 461 innings.

A's manager Bob Melvin said he's not sure how he'll use Doubront, but he has spent most of his career as a starter, and he'll likely be used in that role.

"We've seen him a couple times over the last couple years," Melvin said. "He's a big guy with an assortment of pitches and at times has pretty good velocity. I know our scouts and our player development people have liked what they've seen out of him. Obviously we're bringing him in here. It's also nice to have a left-handed starter as well, if that's what we're looking to do with him."

The Blue Jays designated Doubront for assignment Wednesday. He went 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA in five games, including four starts, for Toronto this season. He went 1-3 with a 2.44 ERA in nine starts for Triple-A Buffalo.

Cook's trade ended his four-year stint with Oakland, which reached its zenith in 2012 when he went 6-2 with a 2.09 ERA and 14 saves and made the All-Star team. He went 6-4 with a 2.54 ERA in 2013, but last year he battled injuries and went 1-3 with a 3.42 ERA.

This season has been a disaster for Cook. He started the season with Triple-A Nashville after a nightmare spring training. In his only stint with the A's, he went 0-2 with a 10.38 ERA over four relief appearances then was sent back to Nashville.

"He's been paramount with the success that we've had here the last three years," Melvin said. "I communicated with him today, wished him the best. Sometimes when you get sent down you can get a little bogged down with your confidence and your motivation. Sometimes just a change of scenery and a new organization can really invigorate you. I think that will be the case with him. I know he's excited about the opportunity."

The A's acquired Cook from Arizona in a five-player trade on Dec. 9, 2011.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yankees make a statement by standing pat
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

CHICAGO -- The non-waivers trade deadline expired Friday and New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman made a statement by not doing anything.

Rather than forking over a prized prospect or two for more experienced talent to help his American League East-leading team, Cashman did exactly what he told New York's media a couple days earlier. He stood pat, didn't cave into the pricey demands of opposing GMs and put faith in both the current roster and a crop of prospects that already has started helping the effort at the big league level.

The Yankees might still look to make a trade through the waivers process, but it's not likely to be anything splashy.

"We're not going to have as much access to other teams, in terms of the blocking and stuff like that, so the best time to get your business done was the time that just passed," Cashman said during a teleconference with reporters Friday, prior to the start of a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field. "We tried. We engaged. We were willing to do certain things and unwilling to do other things, and so today, obviously, I'm not able to present anything I was able to accomplish ... other than the fact that I am doubling down on what we've got. And that's from this current major league roster that I believe in, as well as the support cast that's behind it, that's knocking at the door in the minor leagues.

How close did Cashman come to completing a deal Friday?

"Not close," he said. "We stayed, over the last few weeks, engaged in tire-kicking and spit-balling with all clubs to try to come up with a match that would improve our club -- whether it was on the offensive or defensive, meaning pitching, side. But I was unable to, obviously, get anything done."

The sticking point was the Yankees' top three or four prospects, whom opposing teams apparently coveted. During Cashman's trade talks with opposing teams, he was asked plenty about right-hander Luis Severino, outfielder Aaron Judge, shortstop Jorge Mateo and first-baseman Greg Bird, who are considered New York's top four prospects.

He refused to bite on deals involving any of them, and reiterated his "doubling down" decision by announcing that Severino -- the top prospect -- would make his next start in the major leagues, in his big-league debut. Manager Joe Girardi said he's not exactly sure when that will happen, but pointed to the Yankees' next series, which starts Tuesday against the rival Boston Red Sox.

If it goes well, there's a chance Severino might stay on the roster longer than just a couple starts while right-hander Michael Pineda is on the 15-day disabled list with a right flexor forearm muscle strain.

"I like the team we have," Cashman said. "I know that we are obviously dealing now with recent trouble (with Pineda), and we certainly are reacting to that trouble with our conversations to try to fortify, but at the same time we will be relying on our farm system, as we have done all year. We're going to continue to promote from within and utilize that. I know there's risk of throwing some of the young guys in the Atlantic Ocean and saying, 'Time to swim,' but that's also something we're not afraid of. We do like this team and we have benefited from the use of a lot of the young guys throughout this season."

Right-handers Bryan Mitchell and Diego Moreno are prime examples. Each has given the Yankees some needed help recently and each will be counted upon again down the stretch run. Severino could be the next young prospect to do the same. That's why Cashman took such a hard stance against trading him or any of his other minor-league jewels.

"I approached this deadline with discipline, but also aggressiveness at the same time," he said. "We were willing to do certain things, but we weren't willing to do certain things at the same time. Listen, you don't get anything for making the phone calls. You get something for, at the end of the day, winning the division and hopefully winning a world championship. And that's still our intentions, even though I don't have anything to present to you today that I'm sure would be (included in) articles."

If Girardi is disappointed that his front office didn't make any moves to counter the blockbuster trades division-rival Toronto pulled off to get shortstop Troy Tulowitzski and ace left-hander David Price, you couldn't tell by his words or tone.

"As I've said all along, I count on the guys in that room and how we've gotten to where we are ... the guys in that room," he said. "I think it just tells you we have depth in our minor leagues that we haven't had in a while. When you think about the last time we relied on young players, it was a long run. So, hopefully that transpires and these kids continue to develop the way we think they're capable of and make the impact we think they're capable of."

Severino will be the next one up, and he's already got Girardi's full attention. Between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the 21-year old fireballer has posted a 9-2 record with a 2.45 ERA and has struck out 98 batters in 99 1/3 innings.

"He's thrown very well this year at the Double-A and Triple-A level," Girardi said. "They talked about his last start was his best start. I think it was Wednesday night, so I'm curious. He's got a big arm. He's got a very good changeup. His slider has developed. And what I saw in spring training ... there was no fear there. There was a guy who went right at hitters with his stuff, and I think that's important that he continues to do that."

It's a similar to the way Cashman approached the trade deadline. He went into it with a set game plan in mind and refused to deviate from it. The Yankees might wind up benefiting greatly from it, both in the short term and long range.

"They are knocking on the door, a lot of these guys," Cashman said. "I've been in the position in the past where we've had a strong system, but it was down low and you had to wait it out. Well, we've done the waiting. We've done the hard part in waiting it out. I know that maybe it's not the traditional way that our franchise has operated, but I think it's a way that we have already communicated is our intention to operate. And we haven't deviated from that game plan."

Girardi summed it up a different way.

"I feel good about this team," he said. "We've heard it a number of times. Sometimes the best trade is the trade not made. It happens a lot, so I feel good about the guys in that room and the way they play the game and how they go about their business."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Reds' moves may be just the beginning of sell-off
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

CINCINNATI -- General manager Walt Jocketty said there was a flurry of activity leading up to Friday's non-waiver trade deadline, and his Cincinnati Reds were close to dealing closer Aroldis Chapman and/or right fielder Jay Bruce, but no offer made sense.

"Couple things could've gone either way," Jocketty said. "In the end, the value wasn't there. There was interest in both players. But we weren't necessarily looking to move them. The guys we were in the best position to talk about were the potential free agents."

That would be ace right-hander Johnny Cueto, last year's National League Cy Young Award runner-up, who was traded to the Kansas City Royals on Sunday, and durable right-hander Mike Leake, who was dealt to the San Francisco Giants late Thursday.

Those deals accomplished two goals for the fifth-place Reds -- finding adequate homes for Cueto and Leake where they have the opportunity to reach the postseason and acquiring prospects considered to be on the fast-track to the major leagues.

In return for Cueto, the Reds got left-handers Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb and Cody Reed. For Leake, they acquired first baseman/outfielder Adam Duvall and right-hander Keury Mella.

Cincinnati's return was pitching-heavy, but Jocketty deflected concerns that the club wasn't able to fortify the organization's position needs .

"We always try to build our organization with pitching," he said. "There were a couple deals where we tried to get position players, but those fell through so we settled for pitchers."

Duvall, 26, is hitting .279 with a .323 on-base percentage, a .548 slugging percentage, 26 homers and 79 RBIs in 99 games for Triple-A Sacramento this year. Jocketty said Duvall will be assigned to Triple-A Louisville where he'll be developed as a left fielder.

Mella is 5-3 with a 3.31 ERA in 16 starts for Class A San Jose this season. Jocketty sees the 21-year old Mella as a future starter in the big leagues.

It's possible that Chapman, who is a free-agent after this season, Bruce, left fielder Marlon Byrd, and others could be shopped following the season.

That is the current reality for Cincinnati which entering Friday's action stood 9 1/2 games behind the first-place St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central and 9 1/2 games out of the second Wild Card.

"We're sellers more than buyers," said Reds manager Bryan Price. "That's the environment we're in. As far as the impact on the club, we're going to miss both guys, but they're going to make two playoff-caliber teams better."

 

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Rockies' Kendrick leaves after one inning
The Sports Xchange

ST. LOUIS -- Colorado Rockies starter Kyle Kendrick departed Friday night's game against the St. Louis Cardinals after one inning with right shoulder inflammation.

Kendrick allowed four hits and two runs in the bottom of the first. Colorado manager Walt Weiss had Thursday night's starter, Chris Rusin, ready to bat for Kendrick in the second inning before left fielder Brandon Barnes made the third out.

Left-hander Aaron Laffey relieved Kendrick in the second. The Rockies said Kendrick is day to day.

At the time of Kendrick's departure, St. Louis led 2-0.