Sunday 8/21/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Marlins at Pirates

GAME: Miami Marlins (64-59) at Pittsburgh Pirates (62-58)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 21 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Miami Marlins did not do themselves any favors by dropping three straight at Cincinnati earlier in the week but have turned things around this weekend. The Marlins will try to wrap up their seven-game road trip with a winning record when they go for a three-game sweep of the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

Miami held off the Pirates in Friday’s series opener and got a strong effort from starter David Phelps in Saturday’s 3-1 triumph, pushing it a half-game ahead of Pittsburgh in the National League wild card race. The Marlins sit 1 1/2 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the second NL wild card and are trying to hang around despite a lineup missing slugger Giancarlo Stanton and a rotation that is without Wei-Yin Chen and Adam Conley due to injury. The Pirates were riding high after a 5-1 road trip through NL West contenders Los Angeles and San Francisco but managed only four hits in Saturday’s loss, with Josh Harrison accountied for three out of the leadoff spot. Pittsburgh had a string of four straight series wins come to an end with Saturday’s setback.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), ROOT (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Jose Urena (1-4, 6.80 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Ryan Vogelsong (2-2, 3.20)

Injuries are keeping Urena in the rotation despite some ugly results of late. The 24-year-old Dominican was sent back to the minors after surrendering eight runs in 4 1/3 innings on July 29 and came back to replace Conley (finger) on Tuesday at Cincinnati, where he was only mildly more effective with five runs allowed over six frames in a loss. Urena has faced Pittsburgh twice in his first two seasons – one start – and yielded a total of nine runs and 13 hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Vogelsong is making his fourth consecutive start since rejoining the rotation and is looking for his second straight win. The North Carolina native started against his former team at San Francisco on Monday and earned the win despite allowing four runs on nine hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings. Vogelsong started twice against Miami last season and went 0-1 while surrendering a total of five runs in 13 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates 3B Jung Ho Kang (shoulder) was placed on the disabled list and is expected to miss 2-4 weeks.

2. Marlins RF Ichiro Suzuki needs two hits to tie Wade Boggs (3,010) for 27th on the all-time list.

3. Miami 1B Xavier Scruggs hit his first major-league home run on Saturday.

PREDICTION: Pirates 8, Marlins 6

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals at Braves

GAME: Washington Nationals (73-49) at Atlanta Braves (44-79)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 21 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


A pair of pitchers looking for milestone victories take the mound when the Atlanta Braves host the Washington Nationals for the finale of their four-game series on Sunday. Washington's Gio Gonzalez takes the mound in search of his 100th career victory – and a Nationals sweep – while Braves rookie Joel De La Cruz hopes to pick up his first major-league win.



Washington has dominated the series the past two seasons, winning 25 of the 31 meetings - including an 11-1 mark against Atlanta this year. The Nationals, who lead the National League East by 9 1/2 games over Miami, have won all five meetings at Turner Field this season - including an 11-9 slugfest on Saturday in which they pounded out 17 hits. Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman made a noisy return to the lineup Saturday, coming off the disabled list to go 3-for-4 with a solo homer in his first plate appearance. Last-place Atlanta has dropped seven straight and nine of 10.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, MASN, WUSA 9 (Washington), FSN South (Atlanta)



PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (8-9, 4.28 ERA) vs. Braves RH Joel De La Cruz (0-6, 3.72)

Gonzalez had his last start cut short after three innings due to a two-hour rain delay, denying him a real shot at his 100th victory. The 30-year-old had won his previous two starts and is 3-1 with a 2.97 ERA since the All-Star break. Gonzalez has struggled to a 4-8 record and 4.20 ERA in 14 starts against the Braves, but he limited them to three hits over six scoreless frames in his first start this season.

De La Cruz has pitched to a 2.79 ERA in four starts since transitioning back into the rotation, but the Braves have managed a total of just seven runs in those four games. The 27-year-old Dominican pitched well enough to win last time out, holding Minnesota to one run and four hits over 5 2/3 innings, but took the loss in a 4-2 defeat. De La Cruz has pitched much better at home, where he has a 2.00 ERA in five games (three starts).



WALK-OFFS

1. Washington INF/OF Trea Turner is batting .383 during a career-best 10-game hitting streak.

2. Atlanta 1B Freddie Freeman, who is riding a 10-game hitting streak, is 9-for-31 with two homers versus Gonzalez.

3. Nationals 2B Daniel Murphy is 14-for-33 with four homers in 10 games against the Braves this season.



PREDICTION: Nationals 6, Braves 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Astros at Orioles

GAME: Houston Astros (63-60) at Baltimore Orioles (67-55)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 21 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Alex Bregman needed 10 games to get acclimated to the majors before setting the league on fire. The 22-year-old New Mexico native looks to continue his torrid streak on Sunday afternoon as the Houston Astros attempt to secure a series victory in the four-game set versus the host Baltimore Orioles.

Bregman has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 contests, highlighted by an 11-for-24 stretch with three homers and nine RBIs during his five-game hitting streak. Bregman and George Springer each belted two-run shots in Saturday's 12-2 rout, with the latter improving to 8-for-13 with two homers, four RBIs and six runs scored in the series. While the Astros have answered a five-game skid with back-to-back victories to move within 4 1/2 games of the Orioles for the second wild-card spot in the American League, Baltimore has dropped four of five to fall 2 1/2 games behind Toronto in the East. Chris Davis continued his homer parade with his fifth blast in his last four games, but is just 2-for-9 versus Sunday starter Dallas Keuchel.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, ROOT (Houston), MASN2 (Baltimore)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (7-12, 4.76 ERA) vs. Orioles RH Yovani Gallardo (4-4, 5.18)

Keuchel fell to 1-3 in his last four starts as he followed up a three-hit shutout versus Texas on Aug. 5 with a clunker against St. Louis on Tuesday. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner allowed six runs on as many hits in five innings of an 8-5 setback to the Cardinals. The road hasn't been kind to Keuchel, who is 4-7 with a 5.74 ERA and 1.51 WHIP away from Minute Maid Park this season.

Gallardo recorded a pair of strong outings to begin August before issuing five walks and a three-run homer over five innings in a no-decision versus Boston on Tuesday. The 30-year-old has been taken deep in five of his last six trips to the mound and permitted 46 walks in 83 1/3 innings this season, but a meeting with a familiar foe could get Gallardo back on track. He owns an impressive 15-4 mark in 21 career starts against Houston, highlighted by 115 strikeouts in 133 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore RF Mark Trumbo homered in the each of the first two games of the series and is 6-for-13 with three blasts and seven RBIs versus Keuchel.

2. Houston 2B Jose Altuve, who is riding a five-game hitting streak, is 32-for-77 with 19 RBIs and 12 runs scored in August.

3. The Orioles have launched 13 homers in the series.

PREDICTION: Orioles 5, Astros 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals at Phillies

GAME: St. Louis Cardinals (65-57) at Philadelphia Phillies (58-66)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 21 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Cesar Hernandez isn't known for his power, but the 26-year-old Venezuelan has been putting a charge into the ball as of late. Hernandez will look to continue his power display at the plate on Sunday afternoon as the host Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals play the rubber match of their three-game series.

Hernandez belted a solo homer among his three hits in Saturday's 4-2 victory to improve to 12-for-24 with two blasts, three RBIs and seven runs scored in his last seven games. Hernandez also scored on an RBI single by Maikel Franco, who is 7-for-20 with a homer, three RBIs and four runs scored during his five-game hitting streak. While the Phillies have won six of their last nine, the Cardinals had their five-game winning streak come to a halt and saw their lead for the National League's second wild card dip to 1 1/2 games over Miami. Jhonny Peralta is 4-for-9 in the series and batting .319 with three homers and 21 RBIs in 24 career encounters with Philadelphia.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Mike Leake (8-9, 4.78 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (8-5, 4.14)

Leake recorded a pair of no-decisions in his last two starts despite allowing three runs on six hits in six innings in both outings. The 28-year-old received the same result in his last encounter versus Philadelphia, against which he permitted four runs on as many hits - including a pair of homers - on May 4. Leake would be wise to keep a keen eye on St. Louis native Ryan Howard, who is 8-for-23 with three homers and eight RBIs versus the hurler.

Velasquez fell to 0-3 with a gaudy 7.24 ERA in his last five starts on Tuesday after yielding five runs in 5 2/3 innings in a 15-5 setback to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 24-year-old allowed three homers for the second straight outing as his workload this season may be catching up to him. "I don't want to stop right now, at the stage I'm at right now," said Velasquez, who is at 113 innings after tossing just 88 2/3 between the minors and majors in 2015. "It's not the ending point. I want to have a few more starts. Probably three or four more starts, I would say, and finish strong."

WALK-OFFS

1. St. Louis 1B Brandon Moss is 0-for-5 with three strikeouts in the series after going 19-for-62 previously in August.

2. Philadelphia SS Freddy Galvis has five RBIs during his seven-game hitting streak.

3. The Phillies have homered in 14 consecutive contests.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Phillies 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Athletics at White Sox

GAME: Oakland Athletics (53-70) at Chicago White Sox (58-64)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 21 - 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Chris Sale was able to end a pesky losing streak with eight scoreless innings on Saturday, but his recent struggle to collect a win pales in comparison to Jose Quintana's elusive quest for double-digit victories in a season. Quintana takes his third shot at reaching the 10-win plateau for the first time in his career Sunday as the host Chicago White Sox conclude their season series with the Oakland Athletics in the rubber match of their three-game series.


Sale struck out eight in Saturday's 6-2 triumph over Oakland, picking up his first victory in seven turns after becoming the first pitcher in the majors to reach 14 wins on July 2. Despite logging at least 22 starts in each of his five big-league seasons and never posting an ERA higher than 3.76, Quintana has finished with nine wins in each of the last three years and has yet to record 10 in a season. After taking Friday's series opener 9-0 to snap a five-game skid, Oakland fell for the sixth time in seven contests and is 6-12 this month. The Athletics' losing ways haven't cooled the bat of Danny Valencia, however, as he went 2-for-4 with a solo homer to notch his sixth consecutive two-hit game.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Zach Neal (2-2, 5.19 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Jose Quintana (9-9, 2.85)

Neal will draw his third straight start in place of Jesse Hahn, who was slated to pitch Sunday before experiencing some discomfort in his right shoulder during a bullpen session. Neal surrendered five runs and eight hits across 5 1/3 innings in last Sunday's loss to Seattle, failing to build upon a solid outing at home against Baltimore five days on Aug. 9. Neal has yet to face the White Sox but has struggled substantially more on the road (7.07 ERA) than in Oakland (3.92).

Quintana was denied a victory for the second time in as many tries Tuesday, taking a hard-luck loss at Cleveland after permitting two runs in six frames. The 27-year-old Colombian is receiving an AL-worst 3.13 runs of support in his starts and has been backed by fewer than two runs in 11 of his last 17 outings. Quintana has yet to factor in the decision in any of his four turns against the Athletics, including his season debut on April 5 in which he allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago 1B Jose Abreu, who went 2-for-3 with a home run on Saturday, is batting .400 with four blasts and 13 RBIs during his 15-game hitting streak against Oakland.

2. Athletics SS Chad Pinder on Saturday became the 46th player to appear in a game for Oakland this season and the 11th to make his big-league debut.

3. The White Sox have won 13 of the last 18 meetings and eight of their last 12 contests against Oakland at U.S. Cellular Field.

PREDICTION: White Sox 3, Athletics 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins at Royals

GAME: Minnesota Twins (49-74) at Kansas City Royals (63-60)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 21 - 2:15 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Kansas City Royals were presumed to be out of the race for a playoff spot in the American League one season after their World Series title, but they have been making up lost ground over the last week. The Royals will be searching for their eighth straight win when they go for a four-game sweep of the visiting Minnesota Twins on Sunday.

Kansas City has picked on the Twins for four of the seven wins, beginning with an 11-4 triumph at Minnesota last Sunday. The Royals needed 11 innings and had to fight through multiple rain delays in Friday’s 5-4 triumph but ran away with the other two games in the series by a combined 18-1. Kansas City pitchers are allowing an average of 1.7 runs during the winning streak as the Royals have crawled three games over .500 and within 4 1/2 games of the Baltimore Orioles for the second AL wild card. The Twins (49-74) are in last place in the AL, the lone team yet to reach 50 wins, and have dropped eight of their last 11 overall.

TV: 2:15 p.m. FSN North (Minnesota), FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Ervin Santana (6-9, 3.43 ERA) vs. Royals LH Danny Duffy (10-1, 2.73)

Santana is enjoying a string of three straight victories and five straight quality starts, capped by seven scoreless innings at Atlanta on Tuesday. The Dominican Republic native allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of the last five outings and issued a total of five walks in that span. Santana was not quite as strong in his last chance against the Royals on May 24, when he was knocked around for six runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Duffy is riding his own streak of six consecutive quality starts and has not lost since June 6. The 27-year-old followed up a complete-game win over the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 11 by limiting the Detroit Tigers to one run and three hits over 7 2/3 innings of a win on Tuesday. Duffy has not faced Minnesota since a relief appearance on April 9 and is 4-1 with a 2.33 ERA in 13 career games – nine starts – against the Twins.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Royals bullpen has combined for 26 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.

2. Minnesota 1B Joe Mauer is 0-for-11 with four strikeouts in the series.

3. Kansas City CF Lorenzo Cain recorded three of the team’s 17 hits on Saturday and is 14-for-27 during the winning streak.

PREDICTION: Royals 6, Twins 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees at Angels

GAME: New York Yankees (63-59) at Los Angeles Angels (51-72)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 21 - 3:35 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The New York Yankees hope to continue their climb in the American League wild-card standings and complete a three-game sweep when they visit the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday for the finale of their series. A trip to the West Coast apparently has been exactly what New York needs, as the club has outscored the Angels 12-1 in winning the first two games of the series after dropping three of its last four at home.

Rookie Gary Sanchez homered for the fifth time during his six-game hitting streak Saturday while Luis Cessa tossed six scoreless innings in his first major league start as the Yankees rolled to a 5-1 triumph and pulled within four games of AL East rival Baltimore for the second wild card. Sanchez is 12-for-22 with four multi-hit performances during his streak, with seven of his hits going for extra bases. Los Angeles continued its downward spiral Saturday, recording only four hits as it lost for the 14th time in 16 contests. Albert Pujols prevented the Angels from being shut out for a second straight night by leading off the ninth inning with his 583rd career home run, tying him with Mark McGwire for 10th place on the all-time list — three behind Frank Robinson for ninth.

TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, YES (New York), FSN West (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Chad Green (2-2, 4.05 ERA) vs. Angels RH Jhoulys Chacin (3-8, 5.92)

Green is coming off a superb performance against Toronto on Monday in which he allowed only two hits and struck out 11 in six scoreless innings. The 25-year-old native of South Carolina has not started on the road since July 8, when he was battered for seven runs and five hits — four homers — in 4 1/3 frames at Cleveland. Green, who never has faced the Angels, is 1-2 with a 6.00 ERA in four games (three starts) away from home this year.

Chacin has struggled in two starts since rejoining the rotation, surrendering 11 runs and 13 hits in only six total innings. The 28-year-old Venezuelan came out of the bullpen in eight of his previous nine appearances after occupying a spot in the rotation during the first three months of the season. Chacin made his first career start against the Yankees on June 9, when he surrendered five runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings of a loss at New York.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels placed 3B Yunel Escobar on the seven-day concussion list and designated INF Johnny Giavotella for assignment while activating 1B C.J. Cron from the 15-day disabled list and recalling INF Kaleb Cowart from Triple-A Salt Lake.

2. New York 3B Chase Headley (Achilles) missed his second straight game Saturday.

3. Pujols has gone deep against 375 different pitchers in his career.

PREDICTION: Angels 5, Yankees 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Brewers at Mariners

GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (52-70) at Seattle Mariners (66-56)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 21 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Seattle Mariners continue their surge toward a postseason position Sunday as they attempt to complete a sweep of their three-game interleague series with the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. Seattle, which has won eight straight at home, edged Milwaukee 7-6 in the opener before rolling to an 8-2 triumph Saturday and climbing within one game of Baltimore for the second wild-card spot in the American League.

Mike Zunino has been swinging a hot bat for the Mariners, going 7-for-19 during his five-game hitting streak while recording two homers and five RBIs over his last two contests. Robinson Cano also is riding a five-game hitting streak but had his run of contests with a home run halted at two Saturday. Milwaukee is looking to avoid being blanked on its seven-game road trip as it has lost the first six games of the trek and eight of nine overall. The Brewers have struggled to score during most of the road trip, producing six runs on both Thursday and Friday but a total of four in the other four setbacks.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Matt Garza (4-5, 4.87 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Ariel Miranda (1-0, 5.79)

Garza had his three-start winning streak snapped Tuesday by the Cubs in Chicago, where he allowed three runs on five hits and three walks over five innings against his former team. The 32-year-old Californian gave up fewer than three earned runs in each outing during his winning streak but has issued three walks in three straight turns. Garza has made seven career starts against Seattle, going 3-1 with a 5.12 ERA.

Miranda will be making his second straight start and third overall since being acquired from Baltimore. The 27-year-old Cuban escaped a road outing against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday with a no-decision after yielding three runs on three hits and four walks over five innings. Miranda notched his first career victory Aug. 9 versus Detroit despite giving up a run and two hits in one frame of relief.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mariners are 10 games over .500 thanks to a 30-19 mark since June 24.

2. Milwaukee 3B Jonathan Villar is 4-for-8 in the series thanks to back-to-back two-hit efforts.

3. Cano recorded his 29th double of the campaign Saturday, leaving him one shy of his 12th consecutive season with 30 or more.

PREDICTION: Brewers 6, Mariners 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs at Rockies

GAME: Chicago Cubs (78-44) at Colorado Rockies (59-64)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 21 - 4:10 PM EST
WHERE: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


Jason Hammel’s history at Coors Field is a mixed bag, but Hammel is a different pitcher than he was with the Colorado Rockies early in his career. The Chicago Cubs’ right-hander looks to continue his career year when he takes on his former team in the finale of their three-game series on Sunday.



Hammel is an even 14-14 at Coors Field, which served as his home park from 2009-11, but he is in the midst of the best season of his career and backed by a powerful offense. The Cubs have won 19 of their last 23, including a 9-2 rout of the Rockies on Saturday in which the first four batters in Chicago’s lineup combined for nine hits, eight runs, two homers and six RBIs. Chicago star Kris Bryant has led the charge lately, going 10-for-16 with three homers and 10 RBIs over his last three games. The Rockies had won three straight before Saturday’s loss, but they dropped four in a row and eight of nine prior to the modest winning streak.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, ABC 7 (Chicago), ROOT (Colorado)



PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jason Hammel (13-5, 2.75 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Jorge De La Rosa (7-7, 5.29)

Hammel has won all six of his starts since the All-Star break, allowing two runs or fewer in each and compiling a 0.95 ERA over that stretch. The 33-year-old struck out seven and allowed just two hits over seven scoreless frames Tuesday against Milwaukee. Hammel has faced his former team just once, earning the win with six innings of three-run ball last season.

The Rockies have lost De La Rosa’s last three starts and five of the last six times he has taken the ball. The 35-year-old didn’t get a decision Monday against Washington, allowing four runs over six innings in a 5-4 loss. De La Rosa is 4-0 with a 3.30 ERA in 11 games (seven starts) against the Cubs.



WALK-OFFS

1. Rockies OF Charlie Blackmon (toe) was out of the lineup for a second consecutive day on Saturday and could be limited to pinch-hitting duty on Sunday.

2. Cubs starting pitchers are 12-0 with a 1.50 ERA in 18 games this month, including 14 quality starts.

3. Chicago has scored at least three runs in 19 straight games, the second-longest streak in the majors this season behind Baltimore’s string of 28 straight.



PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Rockies 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks at Padres

GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (51-72) at San Diego Padres (52-71)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 21 - 4:40 PM EST
WHERE: Petco Park, San Diego, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks may not be competing for anything meaningful this season, but the young talent on both sides has given the clubs a reason for hope in the near future. Coming off the heels of a dominant pitching performance from 24-year-old Robbie Ray, the Diamondbacks hope to salvage a split of a four-game set Sunday when they wrap up their stay in San Diego.


Travis Jankowski played a starring role for the Padres in Thursday's 9-8 series-opening victory with a four-hit effort before fellow rookie Ryan Schimpf blasted two home runs as part of a four-hit performance during a 7-4 extra-inning triumph Friday. It was Ray's turn one day later, however, as the young southpaw allowed one hit and struck out a career-high 13 over seven frames en route to a 2-1 win for Arizona, although San Diego's Patrick Kivlehan also made a name for himself by clubbing a long home run in his big-league debut. The Padres' youthful offense has been extremely inconsistent lately, scoring at least seven runs in each of their six wins this month while tallying no more than two runs in any of their last seven defeats. Conversely, Arizona's pitching has abysmal recently — even after Ray's gem — posting a MLB-worst 6.41 ERA in August.

TV: 4:40 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, FSN San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Braden Shipley (2-2, 4.30 ERA) vs. Padres RH Luis Perdomo (5-7, 6.68)

Shipley endured the worst outing of his brief major league career in Tuesday's defeat versus the New York Mets, surrendering seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits — including a pair of homers — in five frames. It was a reversal of fortune for the 24-year-old Oregon native, who had went 2-0 with a 0.90 ERA over his previous three turns since getting pounded in his big-league debut July 25. Shipley has fared well in his three road starts, going 2-1 with a 2.95 ERA.

Perdomo again continued to struggle with his control in Monday's setback at Tampa Bay, giving up three runs on five hits and three walks across 5 2/3 frames to suffer his third loss in as many turns. The former Rule 5 Draft pick has issued 10 free passes over that stretch spanning 17 1/3 innings and walked 40 in only 99 2/3 frames for the season. Perdomo has encountered no such trouble in his two starts against the Diamondbacks this season, however, winning both starts and walking only two over 11 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Padres are averaging 6.6 runs and have outscored the opposition 344-169 in their 52 wins. In their 71 losses, they are scoring only 2.7 runs and have been pummeled 432-191.

2. Arizona C Welington Castillo is 13-for-27 with a homer and seven RBIs during his seven-game hitting streak.

3. Kivlehan on Saturday became the first player in club history to homer and record two hits in his big-league debut.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Padres 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets at Giants

GAME: New York Mets (61-62) at San Francisco Giants (68-55)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 21 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

If the New York Mets are to climb back into National League wild card contention, they'll need Yoenis Cespedes to keep producing as they vie for a four-game series split in San Francisco against the Giants on Sunday night. Cespedes homered twice Saturday - and nearly hit a third - in his second game back after missing the previous 14 because of a strained right quadriceps, leading New York to a 9-5 victory and maintaining its flickering hopes alive of defending the NL pennant.

The Mets (61-62) are in the middle of a season-defining stretch, standing 4 1/2 games behind St. Louis for the second wild card spot, and conclude their 10-game road trip with three against the Cardinals beginning Tuesday. New York struggles offensively, so Cespedes and his 24 home runs, 62 RBIs and .293 batting average - all team bests - are vital to the cause. San Francisco (68-55) enters Sunday one-half game ahead of Los Angeles in the NL West, but is 11-22 since the All-Star break and hasn't won more than two straight during that stretch. The Mets' Noah Syndergaard snapped a six-start winless streak (0-4, 3.78 ERA) while homering for the third time this season in his last start and opposes Jeff Samardzija, who has pitched well in his last two games following a three-game losing streak.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (10-7, 2.76 ERA) vs. Giants RH Jeff Samardzija (10-8, 4.24)

Syndergaard yielded four runs (two earned) and seven hits with eight strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings of a 7-5 victory in Arizona on Aug. 16. The 23-year-old Texan permitted four Diamondbacks to steal a base, raising his total allowed to 40 - the most in baseball by 18 over Milwaukee's Jimmy Nelson. Syndergaard is 0-2 with a 6.17 ERA in two starts versus San Francisco after yielding four runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 6-1 loss May 1.

Samardzija received a no-decision after yielding three runs and six hits with five strikeouts in six innings of the Giants' 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh on Tuesday. The 31-year-old Indiana native rebounded from permitting 14 runs in 18 2/3 innings during his slide by allowing three hits in 5 2/3 frames of San Francisco's 1-0 victory at Miami on Aug. 10. Jay Bruce has struck out 12 times in 34 at-bats while Cespedes has gone deep twice in 13 at-bats versus Samardzija, who is 0-3 with an 8.72 ERA in nine games (three starts) against New York after allowing seven runs in 3 2/3 innings of a loss while with Oakland in 2014.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets 2B Neil Walker (.281, 22 home runs, 54 RBIs), who is 5-for-25 with two homers versus Samardzija, went 2-for-4 with two runs scored Saturday in his first game since missing four because of a sore lower back.

2. Giants LF Angel Pagan (.299) went 1-for-2 on Saturday to extend his hitting streak to 18 games before leaving with tightness in his right groin. He is batting .356 with 14 runs during the run.

3. New York activated RHP Jim Henderson from the disabled list Saturday and optioned RHP Erik Goeddel to Triple-A Las Vegas. Henderson was out since June 21 with shoulder tendinitis.

PREDICTION: Giants 3, Mets 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

David Banks

NY Mets -113

It’s a Sunday night pitching matchup made for prime time as the Mets Noah Syndergaard takes on the Giants Jeff Samadzija as the two teams close out their four-game series. Both teams desperately need wins as they fight to stay relevant in talks of postseason play. Last year’s NL champion Mets are struggling, having lost seven of their past 10 games. They are now a game below .500 and two games behind second-place Miami in the NL East.

The Giants lost four games in a row, including being swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates, before defeating the Mets 10-7 in the first game of their weekend series on Thursday night. San Francisco is now just a half-game behind NL West leader Los Angeles. The Giants finally found some offense on Thursday getting a big two-run homer from winning pitcher Madison Bumgarner. Left-fielder Angel Pagan has been hot in August and now leads the team in batting average hitting .296. Pagan, a 10-year MLB veteran, is 9-for-26 (.423) over the past week and has five doubles.

For the Mets to get back on track, they are going to need Yoenis Cespedes back in the lineup. The centerfielder just came off the 15-day disabled list where he rested a quadriceps injury. Cespedes lead the Mets in batting average (.289), home runs (22), and RBIs (59). Having him back will be a big boost to the Mets, one of MLB’s worst hitting teams (.239).

Also back for the Mets is shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who suffered a knee injury that put him on the 15-day disabled list at the beginning of August. Syndergaard, 10-7 on the season, lost to the Giants way back on May 1 when he gave up five hits and four runs in a 6-1 loss. He is just 1-4 since July 3. Samardzija (10-8 ), like Syndergaard, has not had much success recently going just 1-3 since July 8. The Giants right-hander has not struck out more than six batters since May 24.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Chase Diamond

Phillies

Big game for us and the 65-57 Cardinals as they take on the 58-66 Phillies. Phillies could be going for a sweep if not for a 9th inning meltdown on Friday. I love today's pitching matchup as it really favors the Phillies Vince Velasquez is 8-5 with a 4.14 ERA but really has electric stuff. Mike Leake on the other hand is very hittable and I believe the Phillies will get to him today. Vince is on a innings limit with the Phillies and really only has 3 or 4 more starts this season and I think you will see him go all out to close out the season strong. I love the Phillies here at this line this is also getaway day for the Cardinals as they finish up a long 9 day road trip and I'm sure there will be some guys just wanting to get this game over with. Public betting is 75% behind the Cardinals here yet this line has dropped from -120 to -113 and I expect the Phillies to be -115 by gametime.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB
Long Sheet

Sunday, August 21

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LA DODGERS (67 - 55) at CINCINNATI (53 - 69) - 1:10 PM
JULIO URIAS (L) vs. ANTHONY DESCLAFANI (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 67-55 (-6.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA DODGERS are 67-76 (-31.4 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 8-14 (-12.3 Units) against the money line in road games in August games over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 64-53 (-8.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 121-94 (-10.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
LA DODGERS are 37-32 (-12.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
CINCINNATI is 22-19 (+9.7 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
CINCINNATI is 14-11 (+11.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
CINCINNATI is 116-168 (-34.6 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 11-35 (-24.2 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 116-168 (-34.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CINCINNATI is 387-413 (-95.0 Units) against the money line in home games after a win since 1997.
CINCINNATI is 83-98 (-34.1 Units) against the money line in home games after 3 or more consecutive wins since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
CINCINNATI is 2-3 (-0.1 Units) against LA DODGERS this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+1.1 Units)

JULIO URIAS vs. CINCINNATI since 1997
No recent starts.

ANTHONY DESCLAFANI vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
DESCLAFANI is 1-2 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 2.37 and a WHIP of 1.211.
His team's record is 1-2 (-0.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-2. (-1.2 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ST LOUIS (65 - 57) at PHILADELPHIA (58 - 66) - 1:35 PM
MIKE LEAKE (R) vs. VINCENT VELASQUEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 58-66 (+8.0 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 166-103 (+42.4 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Sunday since 1997.
PHILADELPHIA is 57-65 (+7.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 787-810 (+27.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
PHILADELPHIA is 420-408 (+54.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
ST LOUIS is 167-121 (+22.1 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ST LOUIS is 37-24 (+16.6 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
ST LOUIS is 37-24 (+16.6 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
ST LOUIS is 26-16 (+13.7 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
ST LOUIS is 60-41 (+20.0 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ST LOUIS is 4-2 (+1.0 Units) against PHILADELPHIA this season
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.6 Units)

MIKE LEAKE vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
LEAKE is 2-3 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 6.11 and a WHIP of 1.283.
His team's record is 3-6 (-3.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-8. (-8.8 units)

VINCENT VELASQUEZ vs. ST LOUIS since 1997
No recent starts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WASHINGTON (73 - 49) at ATLANTA (44 - 79) - 1:35 PM
GIO GONZALEZ (L) vs. JOEL DE LA CRUZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 156-128 (-16.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 155-127 (-17.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 117-100 (-16.5 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 30-31 (-13.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
GONZALEZ is 17-27 (-13.6 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GONZALEZ is 0-6 (-8.1 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a losing record this season. (Team's Record)
GONZALEZ is 2-8 (-10.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
ATLANTA is 24-21 (+15.2 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
WASHINGTON is 35-15 (+13.8 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
ATLANTA is 18-43 (-21.4 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
ATLANTA is 18-43 (-21.4 Units) against the money line in home games in games played on a grass field this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 11-1 (+8.7 Units) against ATLANTA this season
8 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.8 Units)

GIO GONZALEZ vs. ATLANTA since 1997
GONZALEZ is 4-8 when starting against ATLANTA with an ERA of 4.20 and a WHIP of 1.377.
His team's record is 5-9 (-5.2 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 7-7. (-1.1 units)

JOEL DE LA CRUZ vs. WASHINGTON since 1997
No recent starts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MIAMI (64 - 59) at PITTSBURGH (62 - 58) - 1:35 PM
JOSE URENA (R) vs. RYAN VOGELSONG (R)
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 43-51 (-15.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
PITTSBURGH is 160-123 (+21.5 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 29-16 (+13.6 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 160-123 (+21.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 390-398 (+44.9 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
PITTSBURGH is 40-25 (+20.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 383-443 (+40.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997.
PITTSBURGH is 44-50 (-12.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 5-1 (+5.3 Units) against PITTSBURGH this season
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.8 Units)

JOSE URENA vs. PITTSBURGH since 1997
URENA is 0-1 when starting against PITTSBURGH with an ERA of 9.64 and a WHIP of 2.355.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

RYAN VOGELSONG vs. MIAMI since 1997
VOGELSONG is 3-3 when starting against MIAMI with an ERA of 2.20 and a WHIP of 1.163.
His team's record is 4-3 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-5. (-3.3 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NY METS (61 - 62) at SAN FRANCISCO (68 - 55) - 8:05 PM
NOAH SYNDERGAARD (R) vs. JEFF SAMARDZIJA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
NY METS are 61-62 (-16.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
NY METS are 61-62 (-16.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
NY METS are 38-46 (-18.2 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
NY METS are 46-45 (-13.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 1117-945 (+107.4 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997.
NY METS are 32-27 (+5.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
SAN FRANCISCO is 43-40 (-12.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SAMARDZIJA is 37-53 (-25.3 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAMARDZIJA is 19-25 (-12.9 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
SAMARDZIJA is 8-20 (-13.9 Units) against the money line in August games since 1997. (Team's Record)
SAMARDZIJA is 35-52 (-26.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
NY METS is 3-3 (+0.2 Units) against SAN FRANCISCO this season
6 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+6.5 Units)

NOAH SYNDERGAARD vs. SAN FRANCISCO since 1997
SYNDERGAARD is 0-2 when starting against SAN FRANCISCO with an ERA of 6.17 and a WHIP of 1.542.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-1. (-0.5 units)

JEFF SAMARDZIJA vs. NY METS since 1997
SAMARDZIJA is 0-3 when starting against NY METS with an ERA of 11.40 and a WHIP of 1.867.
His team's record is 0-3 (-3.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.1 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHICAGO CUBS (78 - 44) at COLORADO (59 - 64) - 4:10 PM
JASON HAMMEL (R) vs. JORGE DE LA ROSA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1566-1667 (-263.9 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 820-836 (-147.5 Units) against the money line in day games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1509-1580 (-238.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 753-813 (-185.5 Units) against the money line after a win since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 765-733 (-153.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record since 1997.
HAMMEL is 14-24 (-20.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
COLORADO is 50-46 (+12.9 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
COLORADO is 101-105 (+9.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
DE LA ROSA is 125-110 (+23.4 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
DE LA ROSA is 74-42 (+27.4 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997. (Team's Record)
DE LA ROSA is 10-3 (+8.6 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
DE LA ROSA is 125-105 (+28.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)
DE LA ROSA is 69-56 (+18.9 Units) against the money line after a loss since 1997. (Team's Record)
DE LA ROSA is 37-21 (+17.0 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997. (Team's Record)
CHICAGO CUBS are 34-12 (+17.2 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLORADO is 3-2 (+3.4 Units) against CHICAGO CUBS this season
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+0.8 Units)

JASON HAMMEL vs. COLORADO since 1997
HAMMEL is 1-0 when starting against COLORADO with an ERA of 4.50 and a WHIP of 1.333.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

JORGE DE LA ROSA vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
DE LA ROSA is 3-0 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 3.82 and a WHIP of 1.375.
His team's record is 4-3 (+0.4 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-4. (-1.6 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ARIZONA (51 - 72) at SAN DIEGO (52 - 71) - 4:40 PM
BRADEN SHIPLEY (R) vs. LUIS PERDOMO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 51-72 (-20.3 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
ARIZONA is 14-25 (-11.8 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 this season.
ARIZONA is 5-13 (-10.2 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 50-71 (-21.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
ARIZONA is 34-56 (-20.0 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
SAN DIEGO is 34-37 (+10.6 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
ARIZONA is 70-73 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 34-31 (+10.5 Units) against the money line in road games after a win over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA is 73-54 (+14.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 3-16 (-11.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday this season.
SAN DIEGO is 10-29 (-15.1 Units) against the money line in day games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 6-6 (+1.2 Units) against ARIZONA this season
10 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+7.9 Units)

BRADEN SHIPLEY vs. SAN DIEGO since 1997
No recent starts.

LUIS PERDOMO vs. ARIZONA since 1997
PERDOMO is 1-0 when starting against ARIZONA with an ERA of 3.00 and a WHIP of 1.500.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BOSTON (69 - 53) at DETROIT (64 - 59) - 1:10 PM
HENRY OWENS (L) vs. JUSTIN VERLANDER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 218-229 (-34.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 647-580 (-78.5 Units) against the money line when the total is 9 to 9.5 since 1997.
BOSTON is 132-124 (-11.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 103-115 (-25.4 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 64-59 (+10.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
DETROIT is 18-5 (+11.4 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -125 to -150 this season.
DETROIT is 26-19 (+9.4 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
DETROIT is 59-56 (+6.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
DETROIT is 38-33 (+10.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
DETROIT is 138-156 (-44.8 Units) against the money line in home games in August games since 1997.
VERLANDER is 3-10 (-10.0 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 4-2 (+3.5 Units) against BOSTON this season
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.8 Units)

HENRY OWENS vs. DETROIT since 1997
OWENS is 1-0 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 1.80 and a WHIP of 1.400.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

JUSTIN VERLANDER vs. BOSTON since 1997
VERLANDER is 4-6 when starting against BOSTON with an ERA of 2.90 and a WHIP of 1.124.
His team's record is 6-9 (-4.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 3-9. (-6.6 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TORONTO (70 - 53) at CLEVELAND (70 - 51) - 1:10 PM
MARCUS STROMAN (R) vs. COREY KLUBER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 2-15 (-12.2 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +125 to +150 over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 46-22 (+16.5 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 46-51 (-14.0 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 142-126 (-13.4 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
KLUBER is 24-32 (-21.2 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
KLUBER is 23-30 (-19.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
KLUBER is 9-16 (-14.0 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
KLUBER is 11-18 (-14.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 3-3 (+0.0 Units) against TORONTO this season
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.7 Units, Under=-0.3 Units)

MARCUS STROMAN vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
STROMAN is 0-0 when starting against CLEVELAND with an ERA of 1.35 and a WHIP of 0.900.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.1 units)

COREY KLUBER vs. TORONTO since 1997
KLUBER is 1-3 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 6.14 and a WHIP of 1.727.
His team's record is 1-3 (-3.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-3. (-2.1 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TEXAS (73 - 51) at TAMPA BAY (51 - 70) - 1:10 PM
MARTIN PEREZ (L) vs. DREW SMYLY (L)
Top Trends for this game.
TEXAS is 73-51 (+26.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TEXAS is 56-41 (+25.0 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 34-31 (+10.4 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
TEXAS is 34-28 (+16.1 Units) against the money line on the road when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 70-61 (+21.5 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 3 seasons.
TEXAS is 55-47 (+18.4 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
TEXAS is 28-22 (+8.1 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
TEXAS is 39-28 (+11.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
PEREZ is 14-6 (+8.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
TAMPA BAY is 51-70 (-25.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 29-35 (-13.1 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 32-44 (-24.5 Units) against the money line in home games in day games over the last 3 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 29-35 (-13.1 Units) against the money line in games played in a dome this season.
TAMPA BAY is 33-37 (-9.7 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf this season.
TAMPA BAY is 19-40 (-23.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 1-1 (+0.0 Units) against TEXAS this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.1 Units)

MARTIN PEREZ vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
PEREZ is 0-1 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 3.97 and a WHIP of 1.324.
His team's record is 1-1 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-2. (-2.1 units)

DREW SMYLY vs. TEXAS since 1997
SMYLY is 2-2 when starting against TEXAS with an ERA of 3.81 and a WHIP of 1.341.
His team's record is 2-3 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-3. (-1.2 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOUSTON (63 - 60) at BALTIMORE (67 - 55) - 1:35 PM
DALLAS KEUCHEL (L) vs. YOVANI GALLARDO (R)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 63-60 (-11.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 21-33 (-16.5 Units) against the money line on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 64-82 (-24.5 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 228-330 (-87.9 Units) against the money line in road games in day games since 1997.
HOUSTON is 61-56 (-8.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
HOUSTON is 32-38 (-13.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
KEUCHEL is 10-14 (-10.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
KEUCHEL is 10-13 (-9.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
BALTIMORE is 67-55 (+9.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
BALTIMORE is 40-21 (+14.9 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
BALTIMORE is 21-13 (+9.1 Units) against the money line in day games this season.
BALTIMORE is 62-47 (+11.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
BALTIMORE is 55-31 (+18.5 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 114-104 (+21.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 64-53 (+18.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
GALLARDO is 29-21 (+10.7 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
GALLARDO is 13-7 (+10.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BALTIMORE is 19-28 (-13.7 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
BALTIMORE is 108-148 (-65.4 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Sunday since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 5-1 (+4.4 Units) against BALTIMORE this season
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.4 Units, Under=-0.5 Units)

DALLAS KEUCHEL vs. BALTIMORE since 1997
KEUCHEL is 1-2 when starting against BALTIMORE with an ERA of 3.46 and a WHIP of 1.154.
His team's record is 1-3 (-2.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 3-1. (+1.9 units)

YOVANI GALLARDO vs. HOUSTON since 1997
GALLARDO is 15-4 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 3.11 and a WHIP of 1.241.
His team's record is 16-5 (+8.9 units) in these starts. The OVER is 12-8. (+3.3 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OAKLAND (53 - 70) at CHI WHITE SOX (58 - 64) - 2:10 PM
ZACH NEAL (R) vs. JOSE QUINTANA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
OAKLAND is 53-70 (-13.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
OAKLAND is 8-27 (-19.5 Units) against the money line in road games in August games over the last 3 seasons.
OAKLAND is 42-64 (-23.3 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 50-67 (-13.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
OAKLAND is 29-52 (-25.7 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 26-43 (-16.1 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
OAKLAND is 50-70 (-21.6 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
OAKLAND is 36-41 (-19.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 16-31 (-17.1 Units) against the money line when the total is 8 to 8.5 this season.
CHI WHITE SOX are 43-61 (-23.1 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 24-34 (-18.4 Units) against the money line in home games after a win over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
CHI WHITE SOX is 4-2 (+2.1 Units) against OAKLAND this season
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.9 Units)

ZACH NEAL vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
No recent starts.

JOSE QUINTANA vs. OAKLAND since 1997
QUINTANA is 0-0 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 3.51 and a WHIP of 1.247.
His team's record is 1-3 (-2.6 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.1 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA (49 - 74) at KANSAS CITY (63 - 60) - 2:15 PM
ERVIN SANTANA (R) vs. DANNY DUFFY (L)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 49-74 (-14.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 15-31 (-11.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
MINNESOTA is 47-73 (-16.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MINNESOTA is 24-49 (-21.1 Units) against the money line after a loss this season.
KANSAS CITY is 63-60 (+5.9 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 39-21 (+18.7 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 14-5 (+10.5 Units) against the money line in August games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 17-6 (+10.4 Units) against the money line in home games when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 33-17 (+18.3 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
KANSAS CITY is 49-34 (+17.1 Units) against the money line in day games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 61-55 (+8.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
KANSAS CITY is 48-45 (+4.9 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
KANSAS CITY is 34-29 (+6.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
KANSAS CITY is 54-33 (+21.2 Units) against the money line after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 3 seasons.
DUFFY is 15-3 (+12.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season. (Team's Record)
DUFFY is 18-4 (+13.8 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
DUFFY is 14-3 (+11.6 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season. (Team's Record)
MINNESOTA is 20-15 (+12.9 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Sunday over the last 3 seasons.
SANTANA is 54-33 (+25.3 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
KANSAS CITY is 10-2 (+8.1 Units) against MINNESOTA this season
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+0.7 Units)

ERVIN SANTANA vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
SANTANA is 5-8 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 4.87 and a WHIP of 1.421.
His team's record is 6-12 (-10.8 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 10-8. (+0.8 units)

DANNY DUFFY vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
DUFFY is 4-1 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 2.63 and a WHIP of 1.286.
His team's record is 8-1 (+6.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-3. (+2.5 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NY YANKEES (63 - 59) at LA ANGELS (51 - 72) - 3:35 PM
CHAD GREEN (R) vs. JHOULYS CHACIN (R)
Top Trends for this game.
LA ANGELS are 131-112 (+31.0 Units) against the money line as a home underdog of +100 to +125 since 1997.
NY YANKEES are 36-22 (+15.2 Units) against the money line in road games in day games over the last 3 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 51-72 (-21.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
LA ANGELS are 14-33 (-21.1 Units) against the money line in August games over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 48-71 (-24.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
LA ANGELS are 35-55 (-20.1 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
NY YANKEES is 6-0 (+6.1 Units) against LA ANGELS this season
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+1.7 Units)

CHAD GREEN vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
No recent starts.

JHOULYS CHACIN vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
CHACIN is 0-1 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 8.44 and a WHIP of 1.876.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-0. (+0.0 units)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MILWAUKEE (52 - 70) at SEATTLE (66 - 56) - 4:10 PM
MATT GARZA (R) vs. ARIEL MIRANDA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 4-17 (-12.2 Units) against the money line in road games when playing on Sunday over the last 2 seasons.
GARZA is 53-81 (-29.3 Units) against the money line in road games since 1997. (Team's Record)
GARZA is 24-46 (-23.0 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss since 1997. (Team's Record)
SEATTLE is 66-56 (+4.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 47-31 (+11.8 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
MILWAUKEE is 23-16 (+11.2 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
SEATTLE is 11-15 (-13.2 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -175 over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 71-70 (-20.5 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 6-13 (-9.4 Units) against the money line when playing on Sunday this season.
SEATTLE is 134-138 (-21.3 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 62-78 (-27.3 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 29-31 (-16.1 Units) against the money line in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 363-335 (-80.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record in the second half of the season since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 2-0 (+2.0 Units) against MILWAUKEE this season
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+2.1 Units)

MATT GARZA vs. SEATTLE since 1997
GARZA is 3-1 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 5.12 and a WHIP of 1.577.
His team's record is 5-2 (+2.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 6-1. (+5.0 units)

ARIEL MIRANDA vs. MILWAUKEE since 1997
No recent starts.