Sunday 8/23/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays (62-61) at Athletics (53-71)

Game: 3
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: August 23, 2015 4:05 PM EDT

Following an awful start to their 10-game trip, the Tampa Bay Rays are in position to record a well-earned split on the trek.

They can conclude their journey with a fourth straight victory Sunday over an Oakland Athletics club that continues to struggle against the AL East.

Tampa Bay (62-61) opened its road swing by being swept in three games at Texas then lost two of its first three in Houston before salvaging a split with the Astros and earning a pair of one-run victories against Oakland.

Asdrubal Cabrera homered in the seventh inning then delivered a go-ahead two-run double in the ninth to help the Rays rally for Saturday's 5-4 victory.

Very much in the hunt for the second wild-card spot in the AL, Tampa Bay continues to show its mettle.

"We play in a lot of tight ballgames. We always talk about that's the way our club's built," said Rays manager Kevin Cash, whose team was 0-49 when trailing after eight innings coming into Saturday.

"I guess we hit the reset button and hopefully start a new trend," leadoff hitter John Jaso said.

Cabrera, who clubbed one of the Rays' three solo home runs off Oakland ace Sonny Gray, is batting .412 with four homers and 13 RBIs in 22 games since coming off the disabled list July 28 from a strained hamstring.

Teammate Jake Odorizzi (6-6, 3.02 ERA), meanwhile, has been plagued by inconsistency while going 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in seven starts since the All-Star break. However, he allowed one run and matched a season high with nine strikeouts in Tuesday's 3-2, 10-inning loss against the Astros.

"Once I started using my legs more and the ball started going where I wanted it to, everything just got a lot better," he said.

Despite the outcome, the right-hander is 1-1 with an 0.91 ERA in five starts against the AL West this season. However, Odorizzi hopes to fare better than last season when he gave up three runs and walked five while striking out eight in 4 2-3 innings of a 3-0 loss to the A's.

A loser in nine of its last 11, Oakland (53-71) is 9-23 against the East and has a 6.17 ERA during its current 10-game slide versus those opponents. Saturday's loss was also Oakland's major league-high 29th in one-run games.

Rookie Kendall Graveman (6-9, 4.27) allowed three hits in six innings of a 5-0 victory in his only previous start against Tampa Bay on May 23. It was his first against an East opponent this year, but he's 0-3 with a 5.97 ERA in his last six against the division.

The right-hander gave up six runs and eight hits in 3 1-3 innings of last Sunday's 18-2 loss at Baltimore to fall to 0-5 and raise his ERA to 6.89 ERA over his last seven overall starts - all Oakland defeats.

"I didn't locate the fastball well," Graveman told MLB's official website. "It had great movement, but I didn't locate it well, and I think that's one of those things that got me in trouble, and just not getting ahead of people again. For me, that's how I gotta pitch. I gotta locate the fastball and get ahead of hitters."

With three hits Saturday, Oakland's Brett Lawrie is batting .385 in his last six contests. He's hitting .414 in his last seven against Tampa Bay.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals (77-45) at Padres (61-62)

Game: 3
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: August 23, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

The St. Louis Cardinals' lead atop the NL Central has gotten more uncomfortable during a rocky start to their long West Coast trip.

They're hoping Michael Wacha can help them snap out of their funk.

The San Diego Padres look to sweep this three-game series with a season-high sixth straight win Sunday at Petco Park.

St. Louis (77-45) has dropped four of six after losing the first two of a 10-game road trip and was shut out for the second time in its last four with Sunday's 8-0 defeat.

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has won eight of 10 after beating San Francisco earlier in the day to pull within 3 1/2 games of the Cardinals. St. Louis came apart in the seventh inning Saturday, as the Padres (61-62) sent 12 hitters to the plate and scored seven times.

'It was not a good night offensively,' said Matt Carpenter, who was ejected in the fifth for arguing balls and strikes. '(Padres starter Ian) Kennedy threw the ball well. He kept throwing the ball off the plate and he was getting some calls.'

Wacha (14-4, 2.85 ERA) looks to help St. Louis get back on track. He's 3-0 with a 1.00 ERA over his last four starts after pitching seven solid innings in the Cardinals' 2-1 win over San Francisco on Monday.

It marked the third time in that stretch he's gone seven innings after going at least that many just once in his previous eight.

The right-hander hasn't had a full season in the majors after being a late call-up in 2013 and spending nearly three months on the disabled list last year. His 145 1-3 innings are 38 1-3 more than he tossed in 2014.

"I hated not throwing him back out there (for the eighth inning Monday)," manager Mike Matheny said. "Part of it is that we're going to have to watch him."

Wacha also was lifted after seven when he faced the Padres on July 3 after giving up a homer to Jedd Gyorko leading off that inning. He didn't factor into the decision of the Cardinals' 2-1 loss.

The Padres are the only NL team with a winning record against the Cardinals having taken four of six meetings. They are on the verge of getting back to .500 for the first time since they were 32-32 on June 13 after Matt Kemp had a two-run single and Justin Upton added a two-run double in the big seventh inning Saturday.

Kemp is hitting .375 with four homers and 15 RBIs during a 14-game hitting streak.

San Diego has won nine of 11 and looks to keep rolling behind Colin Rea (2-0, 4.22), who can join Dave Freisleben (1974) as the only Padres to win their first three career starts.

Rea beat Cincinnati 11-6 in his major league debut Aug. 11 before giving up two runs in 5 2-3 innings of Monday's 5-3 win over Atlanta. The right-hander admitted to being more focused in his second outing.

'I thought he was better (Monday),' interim manager Pat Murphy said. 'Breaking ball was good; little baby cutter, good; even threw a splitter or two that was good. I thought he commanded his fastball for the most part. I was real pleased with what he did. He showed great poise again. You've got to take notice.'

It's unclear who will be catching for Rea after Derek Norris suffered a bruised left hand in the eighth inning Saturday. He went to his knees for several minutes after a pitch deflected off him before being taken out of the game.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets (66-56) at Rockies (49-72)

Game: 3
Venue: Coors Field
Date: August 23, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

Nearly two years ago to the day, the New York Mets became concerned about Matt Harvey's workload after he admitted to being tired following his 25th start of pitching at least into the sixth inning.

He was diagnosed with a season-ending injury two days later.

The Mets aren't taking any chances this time in the midst of a playoff race, electing to give rookie Logan Verrett a spot start in place of Harvey as they seek their 11th straight win over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday.

Harvey didn't feel comfortable while losing to Detroit on Aug. 24, 2013, prompting manager Terry Collins to discuss at the postgame press conference how the Mets planned to limit his innings for the rest of that season.

It became a longer break than expected, as Harvey chose to have Tommy John surgery that forced him to miss all of 2014. Harvey is 11-7 with a 2.57 ERA in 154 innings over 23 starts, and Collins believes this is the right time to skip his prized young right-hander's turn in the rotation.

The Mets (66-56) have a five-game lead over Washington atop the NL East.

"It's always hard when you're going to take one of your best pitchers and not pitch him," Collins told MLB's official website. "But here's our options: We either do it now or we do it in September. And I don't want to do it in September, so I'm doing it now."

Verrett (0-0, 0.68 ERA) gets a chance to make his first major league start after making four relief appearances for Texas before being designated for assignment in April and seven more in three stints with the Mets. He's allowed one run and four hits in 13 1-3 innings since joining New York.

The right-hander's toughest job in this contest could be protecting a lead if the Mets continue their hot hitting. They've posted back-to-back 14-9 wins over the Rockies (49-72) after Juan Lagares, Curtis Granderson and Wilmer Flores finished with three hits apiece Saturday.

Yoenis Cespedes had two hits a night after joining Shawn Green (2002) as the only players with at least five hits, five runs, three homers and seven RBIs in a game since 1954.

New York has won 10 in a row against Colorado, posting a 2.60 ERA despite giving up 18 runs in the last two games.

The Mets' latest victory came without leading run producer Lucas Duda, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list earlier Saturday. Duda left Friday's series opener after complaining of back pain following his sixth-inning at-bat.

'Hope he comes back 100 percent and helps us finish it off," Collins said.

David Wright, who has been out since April 14 with a lower-back issue, is expected to return Monday at Philadelphia, but the Mets first are focused on sweeping Colorado for the second time this month.

The Rockies' 2-10 stretch began when they lost all four in New York from Aug. 10-13. Saturday's defeat was their eighth loss when scoring at least eight runs.

David Hale (3-4, 6.17) takes the mound looking to improve Colorado starters' 7.29 ERA over the last nine. Hale spent more than a month on the disabled list with a groin strain before giving up six runs in five innings of Tuesday's 15-6 loss to Washington.

'I felt fine physically,' Hale said after making his first start since July 4. "I was falling behind a little bit and let them get into good counts. My offspeed felt good but my command was a little off with the fastball.'

The right-hander had no record with a 4.50 ERA in two starts and two relief appearances against the Mets while with Atlanta last season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox (58-63) at Mariners (56-67)

Game: 3
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: August 23, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

Although Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma command much of the attention, Taijuan Walker has become a fixture in Seattle's rotation after a rough start to his season.

The Mariners seek their 11th victory in 14 games with Walker on the mound as they try to avoid getting swept at home by the resurgent Chicago White Sox on Sunday.

After making a total of eight starts from 2013-14, the jury was still out on the 23-year-old Walker (5-2, 3.74 ERA) while he went a disappointing 1-5 with a 7.33 ERA over his first nine outings this year.

Something then seemed to click for the 2010 first-round pick in late May. Since then he's gone 7-2 with a 3.40 ERA in 15 starts and has limited teams to three earned runs or less in 12 of those outings.

Walker kept the Mariners (56-67) close without his best stuff Monday, allowing a season-high 10 hits but only three runs over six innings while not factoring into the decision of a 4-3 loss at Texas.

In his only other start against Chicago, the right-hander allowed five walks and one run while throwing 83 pitches over four innings in a 1-0 loss July 6, 2014.

Walker might want to keep matters in his own hands late since the Seattle bullpen has a 9.34 ERA over the past nine games. Carson Smith blew the save in the ninth inning Saturday before Danny Farquhar gave up three runs in the 10th of a 6-3 defeat.

After the game, Seattle designated Fernando Rodney for assignment and optioned Farquhar to Triple-A Tacoma.

"The fact is, we are just not getting it done," manager Lloyd McClendon said.

After losing the first three on this seven-game trip, the White Sox got back within 4 1/2 games of a wild-card spot with three straight wins. They haven't swept a series in Seattle since April 2012.

The White Sox (58-63) have hit .319 and totaled 25 runs during their win streak.

Trayce Thompson, brother of Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, went 2 for 3 with his second home run Saturday. The outfielder is 9 for 19 in 10 games since getting recalled Aug. 4.

"Coming back, everybody loves it, it's always a boost," manager Robin Ventura said.

Since posting a 1.37 ERA while winning six consecutive starts versus Seattle, John Danks (6-10, 4.61) has yielded eight runs over 12 1-3 innings in dropping his last two.

The veteran left-hander allowed five runs - four earned - over seven innings in Tuesday's 5-3 loss at the Los Angeles Angels. Danks has gone 2-7 with a 5.98 ERA in 11 road starts and has a 7.07 mark while dropping his last four decisions there.

Austin Jackson should be happy to see Danks since he's batting .429 with three home runs in 49 at-bats. Robinson Cano is hitting .400 with a homer in 15 at-bats against him.

Nelson Cruz has hit .364 with 16 longballs and 23 RBIs while reaching base in 32 consecutive games.

The Mariners, however, are slumping offensively with a .223 average and 15 total runs over their last five contests. They've further faded from the playoff chase during their current 2-6 stretch.

Franklin Gutierrez had three of the team's eight hits Saturday, including a two-run double. Mark Trumbo, however, was a late scratch and is day-to-day with a sore left knee.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants (66-57) at Pirates (73-48)

Game: 4
Venue: PNC Park
Date: August 23, 2015 8:08 PM EDT

Jung Ho Kang keeps coming up big in tightly contested games, and the Pittsburgh Pirates keep coming out on top.

They'll look for Kang and red-hot Starling Marte to help them to a series victory against the visiting San Francisco Giants on Sunday night.

Kang went deep twice against San Francisco in his first career multihomer game Saturday before Marte hit a walkoff shot against George Kontos for a 3-2 victory - the Pirates' 19th in their last 24 games at PNC Park.

Kang is batting .290 in one-run games with 20 RBIs and a team-leading eight of his 12 home runs. Pittsburgh (73-48) has been flourishing in one-run games, too, winning 13 of 15 since June 30. The Pirates improved to 27-15 on the year with Saturday's win, which is tied with the Chicago Cubs for the second-most one-run victories behind St. Louis' 28.

Pittsburgh's bullpen has also been crucial in close games, winning 18 straight decisions - the majors' longest streak since 1909 - since its last loss June 25. Although the bullpen was shaky Saturday with Joakim Soria blowing a save, the unit owns a 0.82 ERA over the last eight games.

Meanwhile, Marte was 2 for 4 and robbed Brandon Crawford of a second-inning homer. He's batting .375 with eight runs and six extra-base hits during a seven-game hit streak.

"He's an exciting player," manager Clint Hurdle said.

The Giants (66-57) were held to fewer than four runs for the fifth time in six games after breaking out for 14 hits in Friday's 6-4 win. Marlon Byrd was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts after going 3 for 5 with a homer in his club debut a day earlier.

San Francisco's Ryan Vogelsong (9-8, 3.93 ERA) has been tough to hit in three starts since rejoining the rotation after Mike Leake's injury, holding opponents to a .196 batting average. He yielded one run over 11 innings while striking out 13 in back-to-back victories against Washington and St. Louis.

Vogelsong is 2-4 with a 3.55 ERA in six starts against the Pirates, for whom he pitched 103 games from 2001-06. He gave up three earned runs over six innings in a 4-3 home loss June 1.

Neil Walker is batting .167 over his last seven games but owns a .421 average in 19 at-bats versus Vogelsong.

Francisco Liriano (8-6, 3.35) hasn't lost in nine starts, but he's been less than stellar recently with a 5.82 ERA in the last four while yielding a .394 on-base percentage compared to his previous .265 mark. He gave up five runs over seven-plus innings in Pittsburgh's 9-8, 15-inning victory against Arizona on Tuesday.

He struck out five and walked three, and owns a 1.6 ratio in his last three outings. Liriano's season strikeout-to-walk ratio is 3.0, his best since 2010.

The left-hander won a 5-2 final at San Francisco on June 3, allowing one run in seven innings - the second straight time he posted that line against the Giants.

San Francisco's .268 average against lefties is one of the best in the majors. Buster Posey is 5 for 11 against Liriano, while Byrd is 5 for 13.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mets send Duda to DL, claim Young
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

The New York Mets placed first baseman Lucas Duda on the 15-day disabled list Saturday and reacquired infielder-outfielder Eric Young Jr. from the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations.

To fill Duda's spot on the roster, the Mets recalled left-hander Dario Alvarez from Triple-A Las Vegas.

Duda left Friday night's 14-9 win over the Colorado Rockies with lower back pain that forced him to miss six games earlier this month.

"It just kind of jammed up again," Duda said.

The 29-year-old Duda is batting .247 with 21 home runs and 56 RBIs in 113 games this season. Michael Cuddyer, Kelly Johnson and Daniel Murphy are expected to split time at first in Duda's absence.

"He is a big piece in our lineup," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "When he walked up and said his back tightened up again, certainly we didn't need to hear that. Hope he comes back 100 percent and helps us finish it off."

Alvarez had a 3-1 record with a 2.75 ERA in 42 games for Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas this year.

Young played with the Mets in 2013-2014 and hit .242 with 68 stolen bases in 191 games. He began this season on the Braves' roster but batted just .169 in 35 games before being designated for assignment and winding up with Triple-A Gwinnett, where he batted .248 in 67 games.

The Mets will send Young to Triple-A Las Vegas and plan to call him up to the majors in September when the rosters expand.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'Over-Whelming'

The Washington Nationals and Milwaukee Brewers series has meant plenty of runs. In the past eight meetings the 'Over' has been the right choice as the clubs crossed 76 runs (9.5 runs/game) posting 6 'Over', 1 'Under' and 1 'Push'. With Nationals sending out Jordan Zimmermann and Brewers countering with Matt Garza 'Over' gamblers will rejoiced in another cashed ticket.

That's because 'Over' has paid out in 4-of-5 day games that Zimmermann has started and in 6-of-9 Garza starts away from the friendly confines of Miller Park. Taking those numbers into account, there is still one more fact that leans towards 'Over'. In Washington's last eleven home games 'Over' has cashed 8 times with 1 'Under and 2 'Push'. As always best of luck.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Streaks, Tips, Notes

Tampa Bay at Oakland August 23, 4:05 EST

Oakland has lost each of Graveman's last seven starts with the righthander making it into the sixth inning just once while surrendering 7 yard-ball, 28 runs (25 earned) over the seven outings. The fact this is a day game is another knock against Oakland as Athletics are 2-7 in daylight hours w/Graveman. Look for A's to fall to 0-6 in Graveman's starts against an A.L. East opponent.


Kansas City Royals at Boston Red Sox August 23, 1:35 EST

Eduardo Rodriguez getting the start for Boston in this afternoon affair should get the attention of sports handicappers keeping close tabs on the lefthander. Rodriguez sports a 1-4 record, 10.67 ERA in daylight starts, 6-1 record, 1.67 ERA tossing in night games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Cokin

Bonus Play Sunday

RAYS (Odorizzi) @ ATHLETICS (Graveman)

Take: RAYS -120

Contending Tampa Bay tries to finish off a weekend sweep at Oakland. The Rays might be just one game above .500, but they’re only 1.5 games out of the playoffs as of right now, so this team is definitely in the hunt.

Jake Odorizzi should own an edge over Kendall Graveman here. If this gets decided late, Tampa Bay clearly owns an edge over the unreliable Oakland bullpen, which blew yet another save on Saturday night. Considering that Graveman has not been getting past six innings in nearly all of his recent starts, one has to think there’s a good chance that A’s relief corps gets a multiple innings assignment here, and that’s certainly not a good thing.

The Rays aren’t going to scare anyone with that offense. But this is a team that has managed to hang tough all season and Odorizzi has been a solid asset. He has allowed three or fewer runs in all but four of his starts this year. That’s a key here as odds are Odorizzi should deliver a quality start yet again. If that’s the case again this afternoon, I’m going to like Tampa Bay’s chances of getting the brooms out and dusting off the A’s yet again. The price is not prohibitive, so I’ll side with the Rays today.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports

Bonus Play NFLX Sun STEELERS -3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Scott Spreitzer

Texas Rangers vs Detroit Tigers

Bonus Play Texas Rangers

I'm recommending a play on the Texas Rangers on Sunday. Cole Hamels has a hefty ERA in his last three starts since tossing a no-hitter in his final outing with the Phillies. But we like what he's doing in the sense that we believe it's just a matter of time before Hamels works his magic with Texas. The reason for the optimism? Hamels has 21 strikeouts in his first 20 2/3 IP in the AL, and according to reports, he induced 17 swinging strikes in his 100 pitches last time out. Matt Boyd makes his 5th appearance with the Tigers, following a pair of outings with the Blue Jays. Boyd has been a disaster more often than not with just one strong outing in 2015. Boyd, a left-hander will face a Texas squad that has won seven straight games against southpaw starters and they rank 6th and 9th in August in team batting average and OBP. I doubt Boyd is going to find the "sweet elixir" in this one. And if he has a typical Boyd outing, he'll then give way to MLB's 6th most permissive bullpen with at least a couple of innings to go. As mentioned, Texas enters on a 7-0 run against southpaws. They're 8-2 in their last 10, overall, and have overtaken the Angels for second place in the AL West and for the second wildcard spot. Meanwhile, the Tigers enter having won just 3 of their last 16 as a home underdog up to +150 -- they haven't won games they're not expected to. I'm recommending a play on Texas on Sunday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MARC LAWRENCE

Play - Tampa Bay w/Odorizzi vs Graveman.

Edges - Rays: Jake Odorizzi 34 strikeouts and 5 walks last five starts. Athletics: Kendall Graveman 2-7 day team starts and 2-5 team starts versus A.L. east opponents this season. With Graveman 0-7 witha 6.89 ERA his last seven overall team starts, we recommend a 1* play in Tampa Bay. Thank you and good luck as always.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mike Lundin

New York Mets vs Colorado Rockies

Free Pick 8* Over

The NL East best New York Mets are off back-to-back 14-9 wins against the Colorado Rockies and I think we'll see another high-scoring encounter at Coors Field this afternoon. The 25 year old rookie Logan Verrett will take the ball for the Mets making his first start in the majors. He's compiled a respectable 2.85 ERA through 11 appearances out of the bullpen but this could be possibly the worst stadium to make his debut start. The Rockies are batting a major leagues best .300 on their own ground and will send David Hale to the mound. Hale has a 6.17 ERA on the season and he was lit up for six runs on eight hits and three walks in five innings of a 15-6 loss to the Nats his most recent start. He posted a 4.50 ERA in two starts and two relief appearances against the Mets with Atlanta last year.

Note that:
- The over is 12-3-1 in New York's last 16 road games and 10-0-1 in its last 11 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
- The over is 5-0 in Hale's last five home starts.
- The over is 6-2 in Fieldin Culbreths last eight games behind home plate vs. Colorado.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB Betting Cheat Sheet: Tigers reinvigorated with Cabrera back

Here’s a comprehensive look at betting notes for the week-end major-league schedule:

Home Sweet Home

The Washington Nationals return home to host the Brewers in a three game series starting Friday, coming off a brutal road trip losing six of nine. Despite the fact that they’ve lost 12 of 18 games in August, the Nats are still only 3.5 games back of the Mets for first place in the AL East.

The Brewers have lost seven of their last eight on the road, and Game 1 appears to be a particularly tough spot for Milwaukee. Gio Gonzalez will go for the Nats, and he’s won four straight versus the Brewers, and he’s 5-1 with a 2.60 ERA at home in 2015.

Sleeper In The AL East

While the Blue Jays and Yankees are getting all the headlines in the AL East, the Orioles are only five games back. Baltimore has won 10 of its last 14 home games and it will host the Minnesota Twins this weekend.

The Twins took the opener in a blowout by a score of 15-2, but they had lost nine of their previous 10 on the road, and they are a pathetic 22-37 away from home this season. Baltimore could make up some ground over the weekend.

Here Come The Tigers

On Monday I mentioned that Miguel Cabrera was back for Detroit, and that they would likely be getting great value as an underdog in Chicago. Well they’ve since won three straight, including back to back games at Wrigley as a 2-1 dog.

Cabrera is hitting .400 in six games since coming off the DL, and Detroit is a far better team with the slugger in the lineup. They host the Rangers over the weekend, and we could see fireworks in the Motor City as six of the last eight in this series have gone over the total.

The Tigers don’t play many low scoring games, as they’ve gone over the number at a rate of 36-16-3 in their last 55 overall.

Hitting Notes

* Travis Shaw is hardly a household name, but the rookie first baseman is making the most of his opportunities in Boston. He’s played 15 games so far in August, batting .420, with six home runs and 11 RBIs.

* The Detroit Tigers are batting a major league best .284 versus left-handed pitching, and they will face southpaw Cole Hamels on Sunday. Miguel Cabrera is 6-for-8 lifetime versus Hamels.

Pitching Notes

* Gerrit Cole has been stuck on 14 wins since July, and that has allowed Jake Arrieta to take over the major league lead with his 15th win on Thursday night at Wrigley. Cole will get a chance to draw level as he starts at home against the Giants this Saturday. Cole is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA versus the Giants this year, and he’s won all three of his career starts against San Francisco.

* Luis Severino is still in search of his first win, despite the fact that the Yankees rookie right-hander has pitched quite well in his first three starts. He gave up three runs on five hits, but struck out nine over six innings in a 3-1 loss to Toronto his last time out. His next start comes on Saturday at home versus Cleveland, and he did look good striking out seven in five innings in a loss to the Red Sox in his only prior start in the Bronx.

Totals Steak

* The Milwaukee Brewers are trending under on the road, only managing to go over the total once in their last nine away from Miller Park. They are in Washington this weekend, and the Nats have been really struggling to score runs. Washington is batting a major league worst .226 since the All Star break. We could see a low scoring series here in the nation’s Capital.

Injury Notes

*The injury bug has really hit the St. Louis Cardinals, with Randal Grichuk and Jason Heyward both joining Matt Holliday on the DL this week. That’s going to leave the Cardinals with a pretty thin lineup as they visit San Diego over the weekend.

*Yasiel Puig suffered a hamstring injury on August 18, and his availability is questionable heading into this weekend’s series at Houston.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

JEFF HOCHMAN – NFLx Bonus Play
5* SF 49ers -3
Jason Garrett is not in the preseason to win games. He could care less. Since the 2011 season when Garrett took over the head coaching duties full time, the Cowboys are 7-10 SU and 6-11 ATS. It’s important to note that the Cowboys are 0-4 SU and 0-4 ATS in game number two of the preseason during that time. The Cowboys “dress rehearsal” game will be next week at home against the Vikings. That’s their focus. San Francisco has more talent on their roster than given credit for. Expect the starters to play a lot in Jim Tomsula’s NFL preseason home coaching debut. 49ers by 10.