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

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Yankees recall RHP Rumbelow
The Sports Xchange

Right-handed relief pitcher Nick Rumbelow was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre by the New York Yankees on Saturday.

Rumbelow was available for Saturday night's game against the Chicago White Sox.

To make room for Rumbelow on the roster, right-hander Nick Goody was sent to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB roundup: Kershaw adds to streak in Dodgers' 3-1 win
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

LOS ANGELES -- Clayton Kershaw extended his scoreless innings streak to 37 and led the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday.

Kershaw retired the final 14 batters he faced, permitted only two hits and a walk and finished with seven strikeouts in eight innings. He took the mound in the top of the ninth to an ovation but was replaced by right-handed closer Kenley Jansen.

With Jansen pitching, the Angels ended the shutout and brought the potential go-ahead run to the plate. David Murphy lined a single to right. Pinch-hitter Kole Calhoun followed with a walk. Jansen then struck out Johnny Giavotella and Mike Trout before Albert Pujols dumped a broken-bat single down the left-field line to bring Murphy home and send Calhoun to third. But Jansen induced Erick Aybar to pop out to register 19th save.

Yasmani Grandal drove in two runs with a two-run homer and finished 3-for-4.

Royals 7, Blue Jays 6

TORONTO -- Ben Zobrist, obtained in a trade this week, hit two home runs, and Yordano Ventura pitched seven innings as Kansas City came back to defeat Toronto.

Ventura allowed six hits and five runs in seven innings and posted his second straight victory to allow the Royals to snap a three-game losing streak. Greg Holland pitched the ninth for his 23rd save of the season despite allowing a walk and a single.

Eric Hosmer drove in three runs for the Royals and extended his hitting streak to 14 games as the Blue Jays had their three-game winning streak end. Jose Bautista hit two home runs for the Blue Jays and Josh Donaldson hit one.

Red Sox 11, Rays 7

BOSTON -- Travis Shaw slugged the first two home runs of his major league career and had three RBIs as Boston overcame another shaky start from Joe Kelly.

Shaw's first homer was a third-inning solo shot to right and his second was a three-run blast in the eighth, putting the game out of reach as the Red Sox won their second straight. He finished with a career-high four hits, was a triple short of the cycle and scored five runs.

Kelly (3-6) gave up only one hit through three innings but departed after giving up five runs and nine hits and striking out six in five-plus innings.

White Sox 8, Yankees 2

CHICAGO -- John Danks rebounded from a rough outing, Melky Cabrera had another big game offensively and Chicago ended a two-game losing streak.

Danks, who allowed seven earned runs in Boston during his previous start, posted the win, going 5 2/3 innings and allowing one run, three hits and four walks.

Cabrera went 2-for-3, scored twice and hit a three-run homer that broke the game open in the fifth.

Mets 3, Nationals 2

NEW YORK -- Lucas Duda provided the offensive power, accounting for all of New York's runs over Washington on Saturday before 42,996, the second largest crowd in Citi Field history.

The Mets moved one game behind Washington in the National League East.

Duda clubbed two solo home runs and drove in the deciding run with a double that scored Curtis Granderson, who led off the eighth inning with a double lead.

Phillies 12, Braves 2

PHILADELPHIA -- Cameron Rupp and Freddy Galvis hit three-run homers as resurgent Philadelphia battered Atlanta.

Odubel Herrera added a solo homer among his three hits. Ryan Howard also had three hits and an RBI for Philadelphia.

The Phillies generated 15 hits in all, en route to a season-high run total. They have beaten Atlanta three straight days and are a major league-best 12-2 since the All-Star break but remain baseball's worst team at 41-64.

Cubs 4, Brewers 2

MILWAUKEE -- Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber homered and Kyle Hendricks struck out six as the Chicago extended its winning streak to four games.

Hendricks scattered four hits and issued a pair of walks over seven innings to earn his first victory since July 5 and just his third since June 7.

In four starts against the Brewers, Hendricks is 3-0 with a 1.07 ERA.

Reds 4, Pirates 3

CINCINNATI -- Rookie Raisel Iglesias pitched six solid innings and Eugenio Suarez drove in three runs, lifting Cincinnati to the victory.

Jung Ho Kang homered for Pittsburgh, which dropped to 3-9 against the Reds this season.

Marlon Byrd tripled and scored twice for Cincinnati, which has won five of six.

Rockies 6, Cardinals 2

ST. LOUIS -- Colorado's Jorge De La Rosa tossed 6 2/3 solid innings, scattering seven hits as the Rockies beat St. Louis.

Ben Paulsen broke the game open for the Rockies leading off the sixth with a solo homer off Lance Lynn and drilling a two-run double off the left-center field wall an inning later for a 6-1 lead.

Lynn was tagged for seven hits and four runs over five-plus innings. It was his first loss in five career outings against Colorado.

Twins 3, Mariners 2

MINNEAPOLIS -- Kurt Suzuki's RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning gave Minnesota the win.

Suzuki's clutch hit capped a two-run rally for Minnesota, who used a leadoff double by Miguel Sano and two wild pitches from Mariners closer Carson Smith to tie the score at 2.

For Smith, it was his third consecutive blown save and dropped his record to 1-5 this season.

Astros 9, Diamondback 2

HOUSTON -- Hank Conger and Carlos Correa each hit two home runs while Dallas Keuchel set a club record for durability as Houston hammered Arizona.

Conger clubbed his seventh and eighth home runs while Correa hit Nos. 11 and 12 to account for the Astros' four homers and eight of the nine RBIs.

Houston hammered three homers off right-hander Jeremy Hellickson in snapping the Diamondbacks six-game win streak.

Padres 5, Marlins 3

MIAMI -- Odrisamer Despaigne beat Miami for the second time in a week, pitching San Diego past the Padres.

Despaigne, a native of Cuba who got the start on Colombian Heritage Night at Marlins Park, allowed five hits, one walk and three runs in six-plus innings. He struck out five and improved his record to 5-7.

San Diego, which broke the game open with a four-run third inning, has gone 7-1 since July 24. The Padres extended their winning streak to four games.

Orioles 6, Tigers 2

BALTIMORE -- Caleb Joseph and Manny Machado both homered, and Kevin Gausman threw seven solid innings as Baltimore won its seventh game in eight games.

Joseph went 2-for-3 and matched his career high with three RBIs. The catcher also had an RBI single in the second and added a two-run homer in the fourth off Anibal Sanchez.

Machado went 2-for-4 with a homer and one RBI. He scored twice.

Athletics 5, Indians 1

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Aaron Brooks allowed one run in 7 1/3 innings in his Oakland debut and Marcus Semien hit a solo home run.

Brooks was acquired on Tuesday from Kansas City along with Sean Manaea in a trade for Ben Zobrist. Brooks was pitching for Triple-A Omaha at the time, but the A's promoted the southern California native to the big leagues.

Brooks kept Indians hitters off balance with a mix of low 90s fastballs, change-ups, sliders and curves. He walked off the mound to a standing ovation with one out and a runner on first in the eighth inning.

Giants 9, Rangers 7, 11 innings

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Hunter Pence blasted a solo homer to left in the 11th inning to lift San Francisco to a come-from-behind win over Texas.

The Giants trailed by three in the eighth inning against new Texas starter Cole Hamels but rallied against the Rangers bullpen and set the stage for Pence.

Pence led off the 11th with his shot off Sam Dyson. Two batters later first baseman Brandon Belt added some insurance with his second homer of the night

 

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Blue Jays' Valencia gets DFA tag
The Sports Xchange

The Toronto Blue Jays designated outfielder Danny Valencia for assignment on Saturday.

The move came after the Blue Jays acquired outfielder Ben Revere from the Philadelphia Phillies before Friday's trade deadline.

Valencia is hitting .296 with seven home runs and 29 RBIs in a part-time role over 58 games this season.

Outfielder Ezequiel Carrera also was designated for assignment. Infielder Munenori Kawasaki was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo and right-hander Ryan Tepera was sent down to the Bisons.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Phillies LHP Harrison says he has hyperthyroidism
The Sports Xchange

Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Matt Harrison's said he has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and the condition might have led to the lower-back inflammation that has sidelined him.

Harrison, acquired from the Texas Rangers on Thursday, was placed on the disabled list Friday. His back has been stiff since his start Monday.

Doctors believe the hyperthyroidism has led to weight loss, and Harrison told the Fort Worth Star Telegram that the condition might have weakened his core muscles and led to the back problems that have limited him to nine starts over the last three seasons.

Harrison, 29, was 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA in three starts for Texas this year. He missed the first half of the season while recovering from spinal fusion surgery performed in June 2014.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'On the Diamond'

August is upon the baseball season which means MLB clubs in the playoff hunt are giving their all and teams outside the October picture are planning holiday's. That disparity in motivation can lead to some big odds baseball bettors must deal with.

On the surface, it may seem like easy money when you see a winning team with a great pitcher against a mediocre team at best. However, what seems like a sure thing seldom is in baseball. The very best teams clock in with a 60% winning percentage, the worst teams are usually good for a win 40% of the time so winning 2 out 3 won’t cut it with the heavy juice.

Over the past six seasons (2009-2014) favorites priced -$2.50 or more during August/September are 95-40 for a 70.4% winning clip. But, the heavy chalk left backers with a -$1513 hole in betting accounts.

Hell bent on betting these humungous favorites down the stretch, the best strategy is to take them on the run line instead of the money line. In baseball, the run line is 1.5 for every game, with the favorite listed at -1.5 and the underdog at +1.5. While you now need the big favorite to win by more than one run, you no longer have to worry about laying huge juice. Many times you will see a favorite at -$2.50 on the money line go all the way down to -$1.15 on the run line. Using this strategy is the best way to bet big favorites. Putting down your hard-earned money in this manner with the above mentioned high priced favorites would have put extra cash in the bank even with the 40 losses.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Streaks, Tips, Notes

San Diego Padres at Miami Marlins August 2, 1:10 EST

History shows Jose Fernandez loves pitching in front of the friendly crowd at Marlins Park. In the righthanders 23 starts at the venue he is 15-0 with Miami 20-3 in those games. The dominance is reflected by the fact he's allowed an average 1.14 runs/game over the span with a 172-37 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He'll be on the bump Sunday trading pitches with Friar's James Shields ridding a 1-5 road team start skid.

Marlins have been given the nod opening -$1.50 to -$1.60 home favorite.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Cokin

Bonus Play Sunday

ROYALS (Volquez) @ BLUE JAYS (Dickey)

Take: ROYALS +126

Edinson Volquez and RA Dickey will be on the mound as the Royals and Blue Jays close out their weekend set in Toronto. This became a really enticing series with both KC and the Jays going all in at the trading deadline, and it has certainly lived up to expectations with two dynamite battles. I suspect we’ll get more of the same today.

The pitching matchup is pretty close. Volquez has the better season data, but the 30-day stats are close to a wash. For what it’s worth, however, Volquez has some really good numbers in his past dealings with the probable lineup he’s going to see here. On the flip side, some of the Royals have given Dickey a tough time in the past.

There’s great reason for all the excitement in Toronto, and it’s sure not going to be surprising if the Blue Jays put together a big run down the stretch. But it’s still true that this is a team that has underachieved all season as far as the W/L ledger is concerned. The Royals, on the other hand, have continued to make the most from the majority of their opportunities. This KC entry has played the entire season with loads of enthusiasm and I don’t think there’s any question they derived a great deal of motivation from the fluke tag so many assigned to them prior the start of the campaign.

It’s not easy to try and beat this thoroughly daunting Toronto lineup. But one constant remains with the Royals and that’s the premise that they need only to be even through six innings to almost always be the favorite down the stretch. The Blue Jays made a bullpen upgrade at the deadline, but their relief corps is still clearly second best in this duel and in fact, new Blue Jay Mark Lowe got victimized on Saturday.

The price here is interesting as one can perhaps make the case that it looks almost too easy to grab the generous price with the underdog Royals. But that’s the only way I can play this game as I think it’s a tossup and getting roughly a quarter with the visitors is pretty attractive. I’ll side with the Royals at plus money to win the rubber match today.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports

Bonus Play Sun Phillies w/Morgan +110

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jack Jones

Atlanta Braves vs Philadelphia Phillies

Jack's Free Pick Sunday: Philadelphia Phillies +105

The Philadelphia Phillies are playing their best baseball of the season right now. They have gone 12-2 in their last 14 games despite being underdogs in all but two of them. They are once again underdogs today against the Atlanta Braves when they shouldn't be.

The Braves appear to have packed it in already, losers of six straight and entering this contest on a 1-9 stretch. Julio Teheran his having an awful season, going 6-6 with a 4.71 ERA and 1.400 WHIP in 21 starts, including 1-5 with a 7.24 ERA and 1.810 WHIP in 11 road starts.

Adam Morgan has pitched well in limited action for the Phillies. He has gone 2-2 with a 4.05 ERA in six starts this season. Morgan has clearly been at his best at home, going 1-0 with a 3.31 ERA in three starts. He faced the Braves on July 3, allowing only two earned runs in seven innings of work.

The raves are 15-37 in their last 52 road games. Atlanta is 1-7 in its last eight games as a road favorite of -110 to -150. The Braves are 0-4 in Teheran's last four road starts. Atlanta is 0-4 in its last four meetings in Philadelphia. Bet the Phillies Sunday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

CAPPERS ACCESS

Marlins(RL)
Royals
Indians

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

BIG AL

Our complimentary selection for Sunday, August 2 is:

Seattle (Iwakuma) over Minnesota (Pelfrey).

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Coach Fletcher’s Sunday Free Pick

The Pick New York Yankees +115

Yankees Just Score Runs

Ivan Nova goes for the Yankees after coming back from Tommy John surgery not too long ago. In his last start Nova asked out after 75 pitches with “arm fatigue”. We’ll see how far he goes today. Samardzija was on everybody’s list before the trading deadline. But the Pale Hose went on a run and evidently the Sox thought they’d be better off with him in the rotation. Samardzija is 4-1 with a 2.78 era and a 0.97 whip in his last 9 starts. But the bottom line is that the NYY just score too many runs. Despite the big resurgence of the White Sox, the Yanks are still outscoring them by a bundle. They had 13 in the first game of the series!

The Pitchers

Nova, NYY Samardzija, White Sox

· NYY - 3-3, 3.38 era ; White Sox – 8-5, 3.94 era

· NYY – 1-2, 4.24 era ; White Sox – 4-2, 2.86 era

· NYY – 2-1, 4.07 era last 3 ; White Sox – 2-1, 3.52 era last 3

· NYY – 3-3, 3.88 last 7 ; White Sox – 4-1, 2.67 era

· NYY – 43-25, 4.15 era career ; White Sox – 44-53, 3.87 career

· White Sox – 6-3, 3.79 era last 15

· White Sox – 8-4, 3.94 era last 30

· NYY – 2-2, 4.37 era in July ; White Sox – 3-1, 2.27 era in July

· NYY – 2-1, 2.33 era vs Yankees (2011-12)

· White Sox – 1-0, 0.00 era (2014)

Samardzija is pitching well enough now that the White Sox wanted to keep him for their playoff run. Nova is one of several players coming off Tommy John surgery. Some have fared well and others not so well. Nova has only gone 34 2/3 innings this season and complained about “arm fatigue” in his last start. This isn’t uncommon for pitchers coming off TJ and the Yankees will watch him carefully. Their pen can absorb an early exit and carry on.

The Offense

This has been 2 separate seasons for Chicago. After spending most of the season spinning their wheels with little or nothing to show for it, they suddenly started to hit. When that stops is anybody’s guess. One thing you don’t have to guess about is the Yankee offense. Of course they are shut down on occasion, but they generally put some serious runs on the board. When you see the year-long numbers, the NYY advantage is huge. They haven’t been bad lately either plating 42 runs in 4 games before Saturday’s contest.



NYY White Sox

· 4.9 runs per game ; 3.7 runs per game

· 4.5 runs per game on road ; 3.2 runs per game at home

· 4.7 runs per game vs RHP ; 3.9 vs RHP

· 9.0 runs per game last 7 ; 6.9 runs per game last 7

· 4.9 runs per game grass ; 3.7 runs per game grass

· 4.3 runs per game day ; 3.2 runs per game day

· 2nd in MLB runs per game ; 24th in MLB runs per game

· 6th in MLB hits per game ; 15th in MLB hits per game

· 2nd in HR per game ; 27th in HR per game

· 1st in MLB total bases per game ; 23rd in MLB total bases per game

· 7th in MLB batting avg ; 24th in MLB batting avg

· 3rd in MLB slugging % ; 24th in MLB slugging %

· 4th in MLB on base % ; 24th in MLB on base %

I know that these numbers are accurate but not necessarily valid considering the way the White Sox have come on. However, what the Sox have done has absolutely nothing to do with the NYY numbers. And they are just too strong in the NY direction.

Odds and Ends

NYY White Sox

· 58-44 ; 49-52

· 28-27 road ; 24-23 home

· 18-13 day ; 18-25 day

· 39-31 vs RHP ; 42-40 vs RHP

· 21-20 vs team w/losing record ; 27-31 vs team w/winning record

· 10-5 when playing team w/losing record 2nd half ; 5-7 when playing team w/winning record 2nd half

While these numbers indicate that the White Sox has been successful in some areas, the Yankees still dominate.

Coach’s Conclusion:

Before I cap a game I do many things. One of the things I do is quickly handicap a game in my head without any record to statistic. I get a feel for what I hope to see based on my memory and recollections. I must admit my original thought in this game was to play the White Sox, especially considering Samardzija’s success. But when I looked closer, I saw that the Yankees are like a tidal wave and they will come at you with numbers you can’t imagine. I knew the White Sox have been playing very well and scoring runs. Then I find out that they have been averaging 6.9 runs (very good) in their last 7 games while the NYY were averaging 9.00. I also noticed that 2 of Samardzija’s last 3 starts weren’t anything to write home about. He gave up 4 runs in 8 innings to Boston and 4 runs in 7 innings to KC. In between he gave up just 1 to Cleveland. But he also gave up 3 bombs in those 3 starts and the Yankees can exploit that. I don’t often change sides from my mental preview, but in this case, I think the change makes sense. Getting them at a plus is even better.

The Pick New York Yankees +115

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Royals at Blue Jays

GAME: Kansas City Royals (62-41) at Toronto Blue Jays (53-52)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 02 - 1:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: 118, -128 TOTAL: 9

The recent acquisitions made by the Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals in the days leading up to the trade deadline wasted little time contributing to their new teams, striking blows against each other in what has the look of a potential playoff showdown. One day after overcoming a four-run deficit to end a three-game losing streak, the Royals attempt to salvage a four-game split in Toronto on Sunday.


Troy Tulowitzki keyed a three-run seventh-inning rally and scored the winning run in Friday’s extra-inning victory three days after the Blue Jays acquired the five-time All-Star from Colorado. In Kansas City’s 7-6 triumph on Saturday, Ben Zobrist – dealt from Oakland on the same day that Tulowitzki was traded – took his turn at stealing the spotlight by clubbing the second of his two home runs to spark a three-run eighth against dominant new Blue Jay reliever Mark Lowe. In only his third game with the team, Zobrist became the seventh Royal to hit a homer from both sides of the plate in a game and first to do it since Wilson Betemit in 2010. The teams have split six games thus far, meaning Sunday’s finale will determine the season series.


TV: 1:07 p.m. ET, FSN Kansas City, SNET and TVA Sports (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Edinson Volquez (10-5, 3.21 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH R.A. Dickey (5-10, 4.27)

Volquez reached the 10-win mark for the second straight year and fourth time in his career on Monday, overcoming five walks to allow three runs on six hits over six innings in a 9-4 triumph at Cleveland. The victory was the second straight following a four-game winless streak to begin July for the 2008 All-Star, who has mostly silenced the big bats of Jose Bautista (3-for-14) and Tulowitzki (3-for-12). Volquez is 0-3 with a 7.30 ERA in five starts against the Blue Jays, however, and was pounded for seven runs (five earned) in his only career turn at Rogers Centre in 2008.


Dickey continued to turn back the clock with Wednesday’s 8-2 victory over Philadelphia, yielding two unearned runs in eight frames to log his 10th outing of permitting three earned runs or fewer in 11 tries. The 40-year-old knuckleballer, who has struggled mightily against Omar Infante (17-for-34, two home runs) but silenced Zobrist (6-for-37, homer), will make a start on three days’ rest for the first time since 2011. Dickey will face Kansas City for the first time since May 2014 and is 3-3 with a 4.81 ERA in 13 appearances (seven starts) versus the Royals.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City RHP Wade Davis surrendered his first home run in 124 relief outings while Lowe was tagged for three earned runs on Saturday, one fewer than he allowed in 34 appearances with Seattle.


2. Royals 1B Eric Hosmer is 28-for-56 with 10 multi-hit games during his 14-game hitting streak, two shy of tying his career high.


3. After batting .344 in July with Philadelphia, LF Ben Revere went 0-for-5 in his debut with the Blue Jays.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 8, Royals 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates at Reds

GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (60-43) at Cincinnati Reds (47-55)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 02 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Pittsburgh Pirates are trying to chase down the first-place St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central, but another division opponent keeps putting a dent in their pursuit. The Pirates on Sunday attempt to salvage a split of their four-game series against the host Cincinnati Reds, who have won nine of 12 meetings between the teams this season.

Cincinnati knocked off Pirates ace Gerrit Cole for the third time this season on Saturday to improve to 5-1 at home against Pittsburgh. Even though the Reds are well back in the standings, they are having a say in how the division race shakes out by beating the Pirates and Cardinals twice each in their last five games. Rookie Jung Ho Kang has homered three times in the last five contests for Pittsburgh, which owns the second-best record in the NL but trails St. Louis by 5 1/2 games. Veteran Charlie Morton takes the mound for the Pirates against rookie Keyvius Sampson, who will be making his first major-league start.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Charlie Morton (6-4, 4.61 ERA) vs. Reds RH Keyvius Sampson (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Since opening the season by winning his first five starts, Morton's success has pretty much hinged on the productivity of Pittsburgh's offense. The 31-year-old sinkerballer is 1-4 over his last seven turns, with the Pirates scoring a combined six runs in the four losses. Morton, whose winless drought reached five starts after allowing three runs in 5 2/3 innings versus Minnesota last time out, is 5-7 with a 4.34 ERA against the Reds.

Sampson made his major-league debut in Thursday's series opener - a 15-5 drubbing by Cincinnati - and pitched a scoreless eighth inning, striking out two of the three batters he faced. Sampson made eight appearances (seven starts) at Triple-A Louisville, logging a 2-4 record and 5.08 ERA while striking out 33 and walking 22 in 39 innings. He had an impressive last start in the minors, with eight scoreless innings of five-hit ball.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds LHP Aroldis Chapman has converted 55 consecutive save chances at Great American Ball Park.

2. Pirates LF Starling Marte struck out with the bases loaded in the ninth inning Saturday, snapping his 10-game hitting streak.

3. With Sampson starting Sunday, Cincinnati's current five-man rotation is comprised of all rookies.

PREDICTION: Pirates 5, Reds 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves at Phillies

GAME: Atlanta Braves (46-58) at Philadelphia Phillies (41-64)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 02 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: -110, 102 TOTAL: 8

Ryan Howard, Domonic Brown and the Philadelphia Phillies are showing no signs of slowing down while the visiting Atlanta Braves seemingly can't pick themselves off the ground. The red-hot Phillies vie for their 13th win in 15 outings since the All-Star break when they attempt to complete a four-game sweep of the listless Braves on Sunday afternoon.

Howard collected an RBI single among his three hits in Philadelphia's 12-2 rout on Saturday to improve to 12-for-25 (.480) with two homers, 12 RBIs and eight runs scored in his last seven contests. Brown is clicking as well, going 15-for-38 (.395) with eight RBIs and seven runs scored in his last 10 games, but is 1-for-15 versus Sunday starter Julio Teheran while Howard is 3-for-18 versus the right-hander. While the Phillies are putting the pieces together, the Braves are completely puzzled by losing a season-high six in a row and 16 of their last 20 while getting outscored 46-16 in their last 10 games. Nick Markakis homered to lead off Saturday's contest and extend his hitting streak to nine games (12-for-38).

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSN South (Atlanta), CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Julio Teheran (6-6, 4.71 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Adam Morgan (2-2, 4.05)

Teheran suffered his second straight loss and remained winless in his last four outings on Tuesday after allowing five runs on as many hits in four innings of a 7-3 setback to Baltimore. The 24-year-old Colombian improved to 4-3 in his career versus Philadelphia after permitting one run in seven strong frames of a 2-1 triumph on July 3. Teheran has struggled with his control, issuing 16 walks in his last five outings.

Morgan settled down after allowing a leadoff homer to Devon Travis to pitch six strong innings and pick up the win versus Toronto on Tuesday. The 25-year-old has yielded three or fewer runs and six or fewer hits in five of his six trips to the mound. Morgan was under the bar on both of those numbers, but suffered a hard-luck loss to Atlanta on July 3 despite logging seven frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta C A.J. Pierzynski has six hits in the series to improve to 13-for-31 (.419) during his eight-game hitting streak.

2. Philadelphia OF Odubel Herrera is 9-for-23 (.391) with seven runs scored during his five-game hitting streak.

3. Braves 1B Freddie Freeman is 5-for-13 with two RBIs and two runs scored in this series after being mired in a 2-for-18 slump.

PREDICTION: Phillies 4, Braves 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Padres at Marlins

GAME: San Diego Padres (51-53) at Miami Marlins (42-62)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 02 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
LINE: 134, -145 TOTAL: 6.5

Jose Fernandez can become only the third pitcher in major-league history to win his first 16 decisions at home when the Miami Marlins wrap up a three-game series against the San Diego Padres on Sunday. Making his sixth start since returning from Tommy John surgery, Fernandez is 15-0 with a 1.19 ERA in 23 career starts at Marlins Park.

Aside from a chance to tie LaMarr Hoyt and Johnny Allen in the record books, Fernandez will be trying to help Miami avoid a three-game series sweep. The Marlins have lost four in a row overall and five straight to San Diego over the last nine days to drop a season-worst 20 games below .500. Conversely, the resurgent Padres have won four consecutive contests and seven of their last eight to draw within one game of the .500 mark for the first time since June 14. Derek Norris delivered a run-scoring double for San Diego on Saturday and is 8-for-13 with six RBIs over his last three games.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH James Shields (8-4, 3.77 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Jose Fernandez (4-0, 2.53)

Shields won his first seven decisions, including four away from home, but he has recorded only one victory in his last 10 starts and is seeking his first road win since May 24. He pitched well in his last outing, allowing three runs in seven innings of a shutout loss to the New York Mets, and has yielded only four runs over his last three turns. Shields is 6-2 with a 3.45 ERA versus Miami but must be wary of Dee Gordon (3-for-4) and Martin Prado (4-for-8).

Fernandez overcame a season-high four walks to remain unbeaten on the season, limiting Washington to one run and four hits over six innings. It marked the fifth quality start in as many outings for the 23-year-old Cuban, who has not surrendered a home run since his season debut. Fernandez's 2014 season ended following a start at San Diego, but he has held the Padres scoreless on five hits in 14 2/3 innings at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. Padres 3B Yangervis Solarte is 12-for-31 with three doubles, two triples and five runs scored during his seven-game hitting streak.

2. Marlins LHP Chris Reed pitched two scoreless innings in his major-league debut Saturday, allowing one hit and throwing 11 of 12 pitches for strikes.

3. Padres RF Matt Kemp has four two-hit performances in his last eight contests, with three coming against Miami.

PREDICTION: Marlins 3, Padres 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays at Red Sox

GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (51-54) at Boston Red Sox (47-58)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 02 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Tampa Bay Rays badly need a strong pitching performance from Jake Odorizzi as they attempt to avoid a three-game sweep against the host Boston Red Sox on Sunday. The Rays have allowed 18 runs and 24 hits in the first two contests of the series to extend their losing streak to three and fall to three games under .500 (51-54) for the first time this season.

Tampa Bay, which is one of the lowest-scoring teams in the majors, has wasted 12 runs in the series and will be without Steven Souza Jr. for the foreseeable future after the club’s leading home run hitter went on the disabled list with a broken left hand on Saturday. The Red Sox chase their fourth straight victory following a stretch in which they dropped 13 of 16. Rookie Travis Shaw, recently recalled with third baseman Pablo Sandoval (forearm) injured, went 4-for-4 with a pair of homers in Boston’s 11-7 victory Saturday. The Red Sox, who send Wade Miley to the mound in the series finale, have recorded 51 runs in the last seven games after posting just 16 in the first nine after the All-Star break.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Jake Odorizzi (6-6, 2.76 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Wade Miley (8-9, 4.65)


Odorizzi held Detroit to one run over six strong innings on Tuesday to earn his third victory in four decisions over a six-start span. The 25-year-old has limited opponents to two or fewer runs in 11 of his 16 outings in 2015 and boasts 82 strikeouts versus 26 walks in 97 2/3 innings. Alejandro De Aza is 2-for-5 with a homer versus Odorizzi, who is 2-2 (1-0 this season) with a 3.26 ERA in seven career starts against Boston.

Miley is winless in his last five starts and was reached for seven runs and a season-high 10 hits over 5 2/3 frames in a loss against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. The Louisiana native permitted one run and five hits over 13 innings combined despite not being involved in either decision in his previous two outings. Rene Rivera is 4-for-10 with a double versus Miley, who is 1-1 with 11 strikeouts and a 1.50 ERA in two starts against Tampa Bay this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston SS Xander Bogaerts is 17-for-40 over the last nine games, including a four-hit, three-RBI effort on Saturday.

2. Three-time All Star Evan Longoria’s next game at third base for the Rays will be his 1,000th at the position.

3. Red Sox utilityman Brock Holt is 8-for-20 during a five-game hitting streak and is 3-for-10 with a homer against Odorizzi in his career.

PREDICTION: Rays 5, Red Sox 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers at Orioles

GAME: Detroit Tigers (50-54) at Baltimore Orioles (53-50)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 02 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
LINE: 160, -174 TOTAL: 8.5

Gerardo Parra wasted little time adjusting to his new team, ripping a double in his first at-bat to extend his hitting streak to 15 games. Parra looks to continue his good fortune as the Baltimore Orioles vie for their eighth win in nine outings on Sunday when they wrap up a four-game series versus visiting the Detroit Tigers.

Acquired from Milwaukee prior to the trade deadline, Parra finished 1-for-3 and scored a run in Baltimore's 6-2 triumph on Saturday to improve to 24-for-53 (.453) during his hitting streak. The 28-year-old Venezuelan has yet to face Sunday starter Daniel Norris in his career, but has feasted on Tigers' pitching - going 12-for-39 (.308) with four RBIs and seven runs scored. While the Orioles (53-50) are hot on the heels of the first-place New York Yankees in the American League East, Detroit has dropped five of seven while yielding 49 runs in that stretch. Ian Kinsler is having a scintillating series for the Tigers, going 10-for-14 with three runs scored and two RBIs after going 2-for-19 in his previous five outings.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSN Detroit, MASN2 (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Daniel Norris (1-1, 3.86 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Ubaldo Jimenez (8-6, 3.73)

Acquired from Toronto in the David Price deal, Norris will make his debut with Detroit after being limited to just five starts in April. The 22-year-old pitched well in four of those outings, but issued 12 walks in 23 1/3 innings. Baltimore's J.J. Hardy is riding high with a 15-game hitting streak, and had a single in his lone career at-bat versus Norris.

After getting shredded for seven runs in his previous two outings, Jimenez overcame an early two-run homer on Tuesday to hold Atlanta in check over seven innings and pick up the win. The 31-year-old Dominican dropped to 5-10 in his career versus Detroit on July 17 after getting blitzed for those seven runs on as many hits - including three homers - in 4 2/3 frames. Jimenez has fared well at home, posting a 6-1 mark with a 2.13 ERA and 0.95 WHIP while limiting the opposition to a .207 batting average.

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore 3B Manny Machado has homered in back-to-back games and is 8-for-21 (.381) with four RBIs and seven runs scored in his last five outings.

2. Detroit C James McCann is 5-or-12 with a homer and four runs scored in this series.

3. Orioles RHP Chris Tillman is doubtful to make his scheduled start on Monday as he is still nursing his ailing left ankle, according to manager Buck Showalter.

PREDICTION: Orioles 6, Tigers 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees at White Sox

GAME: New York Yankees (58-45) at Chicago White Sox (50-52)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 02 - 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: 112, -121 TOTAL: 8.5

The Chicago White Sox attempt to secure their third straight series win when they host the New York Yankees on Sunday in the rubber match of their three-game set. Chicago was pounded in Friday's opener before bouncing back with an 8-2 victory on Saturday, their eighth win in 10 contests.

Former Yankee Melky Cabrera belted a three-run homer while Alexei Ramirez added a solo shot and an RBI double as the White Sox produced at least eight runs for the fifth time in eight games. Brian McCann went deep for the Yankees, who are 5-4 on their 10-game road trip and have lost three of their last four contests. New York struggled offensively as it was held to fewer than six runs for only the third time in 10 games. Jeff Samardzija, who survived Friday's trade deadline, will start the finale for Chicago while Ivan Nova takes the mound for the Yankees.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, TBS, YES (New York), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Ivan Nova (3-3, 3.38 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Jeff Samardzija (8-5, 3.94)

Nova posted his second straight victory Monday at Texas despite leaving after allowing two runs in five innings due to arm fatigue. The 28-year-old Dominican has yet to last seven frames in six outings since returning from Tommy John surgery. Nova has made five career starts against Chicago, going 2-1 with a 2.73 ERA.

Samardzija worked eight innings in each of his last two outings, allowing one run in a victory at Cleveland on July 23 before yielding four in a win at Boston five days later. The 30-year-old native of Indiana has won only one of his last five turns at home - a triumph over Toronto on July 9 in which he tossed a four-hit shutout. Samardzija has made two career appearances (one start) against New York but has not recorded a decision despite giving up one run over 8 1/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox CF Adam Eaton is riding a 10-game hitting streak and has hit safely in 20 of his last 23 contests.

2. McCann has homered in two of his last three contests following an eight-game drought.

3. Cabrera has recorded at least one RBI in 11 of his last 12 games and registered multiple hits in eight of 10.

PREDICTION: White Sox 6, Yankees 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners at Twins

GAME: Seattle Mariners (47-58) at Minnesota Twins (54-49)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 02 - 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
LINE: -133, 123 TOTAL: 8.5

Hisashi Iwakuma strives to continue his dominance of Minnesota hitters when the Seattle Mariners conclude a four-game series against the host Twins on Sunday. The native of Japan has allowed just two runs - both unearned - in 33 2/3 career innings en route to a 5-0 record against Minnesota.

Iwakuma is holding Twins hitters to a .165 collective average and has struck out 34 against eight walks. Minnesota won two of the first three games of the series, pushing across two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning on Saturday to post a 3-2 victory. The win allowed the Twins to remain one game ahead of the Baltimore Orioles for the American League's second wild-card spot. Seattle slugger Nelson Cruz went 2-for-4 with a homer on Saturday and has gone deep seven times with six multi-hit performances during his 12-game hitting streak.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Hisashi Iwakuma (2-2, 5.10 ERA) vs. Twins RH Mike Pelfrey (5-7, 3.92)

Iwakuma was roughed up in his last start, when he allowed six runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings while losing to Arizona. The poor outing followed a stretch during which he went 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA over his previous three starts. Iwakuma is facing Minnesota for the first time this season and has controlled most of the hitters other than Brian Dozier (3-for-10).

Pelfrey is 0-5 in eight starts since defeating Milwaukee on June 7. He has allowed eight runs twice in that span and lasted four innings or less three times. Pelfrey lost his lone career start against Seattle in 2013, when he gave up three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 frames, and struggles against Seth Smith (7-for-14).

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins C Kurt Suzuki went 2-for-4 on Saturday, delivering the game-winning RBI single in the ninth.

2. Seattle DH Robinson Cano (abdominal strain) returned Saturday after a three-game absence and was hitless in four at-bats.

3. Minnesota RF Torii Hunter is 1-for-12 in the series.

PREDICTION: Mariners 4, Twins 2