Thursday 4/14/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Thursday's NHL betting previews

Eight more teams hit the ice for the first time in the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thursday night with both number one seeds (Washington Capitals and Dallas Stars) and one of the most hyped matchups of the opening round between the San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings.


No. 8 Philadelphia Flyers at No. 1 Washington Capitals (A:+190, H:-230, O/U: 5)

After exceeding expectation by capturing the second Presidents' Trophy in franchise history, the Washington Capitals look to avoid the end result that befell them the last time the club emerged with the NHL's best record. No stranger to early exits in the playoffs, the Capitals attempt to get off on the right foot on Thursday when they host the upstart Philadelphia Flyers in Game 1 of their opening-round series.

"I can't go to the bank and they're going to give me anything," coach Barry Trotz said after his club finished 11 points better than the next closest team (Dallas). "Other than (home ice), we're entitled to nothing." While Washington had a fair amount of time to prepare for the playoffs, Philadelphia punched its ticket during its penultimate game of the regular season. The Flyers rode a blistering 15-5-3 stretch over the final 23 contests to leap over four teams and secure the final wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference. Included in that stretch was a 2-1 shootout win over the Capitals on March 30 that evened the four-game regular-season series at two victories apiece.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCSN, CBC, TVA

ABOUT THE FLYERS (41-27-14, 46-36 ATS, 32-30 O/U): To a man, many of the Philadelphia players dedicated the team's spirited late-season surge to owner Ed Snider, who died on Monday after a two-year battle with bladder cancer. "We'll be playing with heavy hearts. But at the end of the day, I think Mr. Snider wanted us to win a Stanley Cup," forward Wayne Simmonds told Philly.com. Simmonds scored seven times in his last seven games to set a career high in goals (32) and added two more assists in that stretch to match a personal best with 60 points.

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (56-18-8, 37-45 ATS, 33-33 O/U): Captain Alex Ovechkin reached the 50-goal plateau for the seventh time in his career this season, with two of those tallies coming against Philadelphia. The three-time Hart Trophy winner traditionally has tormented the Flyers to the tune of 48 points (31 goals, 17 assists) in 41 career encounters. Goaltender Braden Holtby tied Martin Brodeur's NHL record with 48 wins in a season, but managed only two at Philadelphia's expense and owns a 6-4-6 mark with a 2.76 goals-against average versus the Flyers.

TRENDS:

* Flyers are 4-1 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
* Capitals are 1-4 in their last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
* Under is 12-3-3 in Flyers last 18 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
* Under is 4-1 in Capitals last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Flyers are 8-3 in the last 11 meetings.


No. 7 New York Islanders at No. 2 Florida Panthers (A:+120, H:-140, O/U: 5)

The visiting New York Islanders and Florida Panthers begin their first-round playoff series on Thursday in search of something neither team has seen in a long time: the second round. The Islanders last won a postseason series a staggering 23 years ago while the Atlantic Division champion Panthers' most recent visit to the second round came during their unlikely run to the Stanley Cup Final in 1996.

"I know our fan base is dying for it," New York captain John Tavares (team-leading 33 goals) said of ending the prolonged drought. "They've been itching for us to obviously get past the first round, get over that hump." Whether the club did its best to get over the hump at the end of the season is open to debate, with Rangers coach Alain Vigneault heaping criticism toward Islanders coach Jack Capuano - noting that the latter openly rested his players to avoid a date with white-hot Pittsburgh in favor of a series with Florida. The Panthers are pretty potent in their own right, setting franchise records in wins (47) and points (103). Future Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr has tormented the Islanders like no other, recording 64 goals versus the club in his decorated career.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, CNBC, RSN, TVAS2, MSG-Plus (New York)

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (45-27-10, 34-48 ATS, 34-40 O/U): After missing last year's first-round loss to Washington, Travis Hamonic isn't about to let history repeat itself as the defenseman eyes a return to the ice on Thursday. "I'd be lying if I said there wasn't some deja vu there, certainly, but the prognosis was better than we originally anticipated," Hamonic told the team's website. While Hamonic is a game-time decision after missing his last six contests with a lower-body injury, goaltender Thomas Greiss has been confirmed to start after posting a career high in wins (23) - including a 23-save performance in a 3-2 victory over Florida on March 14.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS (47-26-9, 41-41 ATS, 33-31 O/U): Veteran goaltender Roberto Luongo, who was selected by New York with the fourth overall pick of the 1997 draft, turned aside 81-of-87 shots as Florida took two of three in the season series. "I'm glad we are at the point we are right now, but that being said, there is still a lot of work to be done," Luongo told the Miami Herald. "So right now, I don't really want to reflect on anything but (Thursday) night." Aleksander Barkov has benefited from the presence of Jagr, scoring a team-leading 28 goals - with two tallies and three assists coming in three games versus the Islanders this season.

TRENDS:

* Islanders are 6-1 in their last 7 games following a loss of 3 or more goals.
* Panthers are 13-3 in their last 16 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
* Under is 4-1 in Islanders last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Over is 7-0-1 in Panthers last 8 home games.
* Islanders are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings.


No. 8 Minnesota Wild at No. 1 Dallas Stars (A:+155, H:-175, O/U: 5)

It will be a meeting of the past and the present when the Central Division champion Dallas Stars open the postseason against the visiting Minnesota Wild on Thursday night in Game 1 of their best-of-seven series. The Stars, the top seed in the Western Conference, played 26 seasons in Minnesota before bolting the state and relocating to Texas in 1993.

The ties to the past aside, Dallas may be more interested in another history - making a deep run in only its second postseason appearance in the past eight seasons. The Stars, who were bounced in the opening round two years ago, could receive a huge boost with the potential return of second-leading scorer Tyler Seguin, who missed the final 10 games of the regular season. The situation is just the opposite for the Wild, who will be without top goal scorer Zach Parise for at least the first two games. Dallas won four of the five regular-season matchups - three in overtime - and prevailed in all three meetings at Minnesota.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, TVAS3, Sportsnet360, FSN North/FSN Wisconsin (Minnesota), FSN Southwest (Dallas)

ABOUT THE WILD (38-33-11, 39-43 ATS, 29-35 O/U): Parise, who scored 25 goals and averaged 29 tallies over the past three seasons, aggravated a back injury and is listed out as indefinitely, prompting goaltender Devan Dubnyk to term his absence "an extraordinary loss for us." Forward Thomas Vanek, an 18-goal scorer, is dealing with an upper-body injury and also will miss at least the first two games while center Erik Haula (14 goals) will travel with the team to Dallas but already has been ruled out for the series opener. Dubnyk sparked last season's run to the playoffs and came on strong over the second half this year, but he lost his final four decisions following a six-start winning streak.

ABOUT THE STARS (50-23-9, 41-41 ATS, 45-36 O/U): Seguin, who was within reach of matching his career-high total of 37 goals when his Achilles tendon was sliced by a skate on March 17, practiced fully Wednesday and has been cleared to play, but coach Lindy Ruff said "First is health" when determining his availability. Dallas doesn't lack for firepower with captain Jamie Benn finishing second in scoring with 89 points after leading the NHL last season while Jason Spezza matched Seguin with 33 tallies and Patrick Sharp scored 20 times. Ruff has not settled on one goaltender, alternating the tandem of Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen, who each registered 25 victories this season.

TRENDS:

* Wild are 0-8 in their last 8 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
* Stars are 6-0 in their last 6 home games.
* Over is 5-1-3 in Wild last 9 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Over is 13-3 in Stars last 16 vs. Central.
* Wild are 5-22 in the last 27 meetings in Dallas.


No. 5 San Jose Sharks at No. 4 Los Angeles Kings (A:+120, H:-140, O/U: 5)

The Los Angeles Kings pulled off the near-impossible in their last postseason meeting with the San Jose Sharks, overcoming a 3-0 series deficit to win their first-round matchup, and went on to capture their second Stanley Cup championship in three years. San Jose will have revenge on its mind when the Pacific Division rivals meet in Los Angeles on Thursday for Game 1 of their opening-round showdown.

The Sharks are comfortable away from home as they set a franchise record for road wins by posting a league-best 28-10-3 record. Los Angeles is hoping its trend of winning Cups in alternate years continues as it claimed the trophy in 2012 and 2014. That likely will depend on the performance of 2012 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jonathan Quick, who set a franchise record with 40 wins during the regular season. San Jose went 3-1-1 in the season series, winning both visits to Los Angeles.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, CNBC, CBC, TVA; CSN California (San Jose); FSN West (Los Angeles)

ABOUT THE SHARKS (46-30-6, 38-44 ATS, 42-33 O/U): San Jose will turn to someone familiar with its opponent in Game 1 as former King Martin Jones will start in net. The 26-year-old goaltender, who was acquired from Boston four days after Los Angeles traded him to the Bruins last summer, went 37-23-4 with six shutouts and a 2.27 goals-against average in his first season as a starter and got the decision in all five meetings with the Kings. The Sharks likely will receive a boost on the blue line as Marc-Edouard Vlasic is expected to play in the series opener after missing the final 12 regular-season games with a knee injury.

ABOUT THE KINGS (48-28-6, 28-54 ATS, 28-32 O/U): Los Angeles is hoping to have Marian Gaborik and defensemen Alec Martinez and Matt Greene in the lineup at some point during the series, as all three participated in practice Wednesday. Gaborik has been sidelined for two months with a knee injury, Martinez sat out the final week of the regular season with an undisclosed ailment and Greene has not played since Oct. 13 because of a shoulder ailment that required surgery in December. Tyler Toffoli, who became the first King to hit the 30-goal plateau since Anze Kopitar in 2008-09 with 31, looks to carry over his strong play as he finished the season with nine points (four goals) in his final eight games.

TRENDS:

* Sharks are 5-0 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
* Sharks are 0-4 in their last 4 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Kings are 4-0 in their last 4 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Under is 7-0-1 in Sharks last 8 road games.
* Over is 5-1-1 in Kings last 7 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Sharks are 4-12 in the last 16 meetings in Los Angeles.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA playoff schedule

WESTERN CONFERENCE

No. 1 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 8 Houston Rockets
Game 1 -- Saturday, April 16, Houston at Golden State, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Game 2 -- Monday, April 18, Houston at Golden State, 10:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 -- Thursday, April 21, Golden State at Houston, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 4 -- Sunday, April 24, Golden State at Houston, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Game 5 * Wednesday, April 27, Houston at Golden State, TBD
Game 6 * Friday, April 29, Golden State at Houston, TBD
Game 7 * Sunday, May 1, Houston at Golden State, TBD

No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 7 Memphis Grizzlies
Game 1 -- Sunday, April 17, Memphis at San Antonio, 8 p.m., TNT
Game 2 -- Tuesday, April 19, Memphis at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 -- Friday, April 22, San Antonio at Memphis, 9:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 -- Sunday, April 24, San Antonio at Memphis, 1 p.m., ABC
Game 5 * Tuesday, April 26, Memphis at San Antonio, TBD
Game 6 * Thursday, April 28, San Antonio at Memphis, TBD
Game 7 * Saturday, April 30, Memphis at San Antonio, TBD, TNT

No. 3 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 6 Dallas Mavericks
Game 1 -- Saturday, April 16, Dallas at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 2 -- Monday, April 18, Dallas at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m., TNT
Game 3 -- Thursday, April 21, Oklahoma City at Dallas, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 4 -- Saturday, April 23, Oklahoma City at Dallas, 8 p.m., ESPN
Game 5 * Monday, April 25, Dallas at Oklahoma City, TBD
Game 6 * Thursday, April 28, Oklahoma City at Dallas, TBD
Game 7 * Saturday, April 30, Dallas at Oklahoma City, TBD, TNT

No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 5 Portland Trail Blazers
Game 1 -- Sunday, April 17, Portland at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m., TNT
Game 2 -- Wednesday, April 20, Portland at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 -- Saturday, April 23, L.A. Clippers at Portland, 10:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 -- Monday, April 25, L.A. Clippers at Portland, 10:30 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Wednesday, April 27, Portland at L.A. Clippers, TBD
Game 6 * Friday, April 29, L.A. Clippers at Portland, TBD
Game 7 * Sunday, May 1, Portland at L.A. Clippers, TBD


EASTERN CONFERENCE

No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Detroit Pistons
Game 1 -- Sunday, April 17, Detroit at Cleveland, 3 p.m., ABC
Game 2 -- Wednesday, April 20, Detroit at Cleveland, 8 p.m., TNT
Game 3 -- Friday, April 22, Cleveland at Detroit, 7:00p.m., ESPN
Game 4 -- Sunday, April 24, Cleveland at Detroit, 8:30 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Tuesday, April 26, Detroit at Cleveland, TBD
Game 6 * Thursday, April 28, Cleveland at Detroit, TBD
Game 7 * Saturday, April 30, Detroit at Cleveland, TBD, TNT

No. 2 Toronto Raptors vs. No. 7 Indiana Pacers
Game 1 -- Saturday, April 16, Indiana at Toronto, 12:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 2 -- Monday, April 18, Indiana at Toronto, 7 p.m., NBA TV
Game 3 -- Thursday, April 21, Toronto at Indiana, 7:30 p.m., NBA TV
Game 4 -- Saturday, April 23, Toronto at Indiana, 3 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Tuesday, April 26, Indiana at Toronto, TBD
Game 6 * Friday, April 29, Toronto at Indiana, TBD
Game 7 * Sunday, May 1, Indiana at Toronto, TBD

No. 3 Miami Heat vs. No. 6 Charlotte Hornets
Game 1 -- Sunday, April 17, Charlotte at Miami, 5:30 p.m., TNT
Game 2 -- Wednesday, April 20, Charlotte at Miami, 7 p.m., NBA TV
Game 3 -- Saturday, April 23, Miami at Charlotte, 5:30 p.m., TNT
Game 4 -- Monday, April 25, Miami at Charlotte, TBD
Game 5 * Wednesday, April 27, Charlotte at Miami, TBD
Game 6 * Friday, April 29, Miami at Charlotte, TBD
Game 7 * Sunday, May 1, Charlotte at Miami, TBD

No. 4 Atlanta Hawks vs. No. 5 Boston Celtics
Game 1 -- Saturday, April 16, Boston at Atlanta, 7 p.m., ESPN
Game 2 -- Tuesday, April 19, Boston at Atlanta, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 3 -- Friday, April 22, Atlanta at Boston, 8 p.m., ESPN2
Game 4 -- Sunday, April 24, Atlanta at Boston, 6 p.m., TNT
Game 5 * Tuesday, April 26, Boston at Atlanta, TBD
Game 6 * Thursday, April 28, Atlanta at Boston, TBD
Game 7 * Saturday, April 30, Boston at Atlanta, TBD, TNT

* -- if necessary
TBD -- to be determine

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

At the Gate - Thursday
By Mike Dempsey

A field of 12 was entered yesterday for Saturday’s $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1), the final major Kentucky Derby points race.

The Bob Baffert trained Cupid was installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite. The colt won the Rebel (G2) over the Oaklawn Park main track on March 19 in his first start against winners. His current early betting odds for the Run for the Roses is 12-1, good for the seventh choice in the early betting.

Baffert has been very good shipping runners from Southern California into Hot Springs. Over the past five years he has started 30 horses and has won with 13. He has won the Arkansas Derby twice, with Bodemeister in 2012 and last year with American Pharoah.

There are several very talented runners taking on Baffert including Suddenbreakingnews (5-1), Whitmore (9-2) and Gettysburg (6-1).

Suddenbreakingnews won the Southwest (G3) over the Oaklawn Park main track and then as the beaten favorite in the Rebel, checking in fifth after having to steady in traffic at the 5/16’s. He is 13-1.

Whitmore ran second in both the Southwest and Rebel for trainer Ron Moquett. His odds for the Run for the Roses stand at 25-1.

Trainer Todd Pletcher will be represented by Gettysburg, who was second in the Sam F. Davis (G3) and then was fifth last out in the Sunland Park Festival of Racing. He is 85-1 in early Kentucky Derby betting.

I will have selections and analysis for the race in Saturday’s column.

Morning line odds for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1):

1 Discreetness 20-1

2 Cutacorner 50-1

3 Creator 10-1

4 Suddenbreakingnews 5-1

5 American Pioneer 8-1

6 Unbridled Outlaw 10-1

7 Dazzling Gem 12-1

8 Whitmore 9-2

9 Luna de Loco 30-1

10 Cupid 2-1

11 Gray Sky 30-1

12 Gettysburg 6-1


Here is today’s opening race from Keeneland to get the day off to a good start:

KEE Race 1 Md Sp Wt (1:05 ET)
4 Lady Aurelia 7-5
2 Honey Bunny 5-1
3 Silvertoni 7-2
5 Lineup for Kisses 3-1

Analysis: Lady Aurelia goes for the Ward barn that has already won a with a couple of juvenile firsters including one yesterday with Jimenez in the irons. This $350,000 Keeneland purchase is by Scat Daddy out of the stakes winner D'Wildcat Speed ($530,755) who has dropped three foals to race with a couple of winners. The barn hits at a 23% clip overall with first timers and has them cranked here although they usually get bet heavy.

Honey Bunny debuts for the Calhoun barn that is 25% winners with first time starters. She is by Tapizar out of a Storm Cat mare that has dropped one foal to race no winners to date. A couple of quick works on the morning tab for a barn known have them ready to go at first asking.

Wagering
WIN: #4 to win at 6-5 or better.
EX: 2,4 / 2,3,4
TRI: no play

Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Keeneland:
KEE Race 8 The Appalachian G3 (4:57 ET)
8 Catch a Glimpse 6-5
11 Baciami Piccola 10-1
3 Dothraki Queen 4-1
6 Miss Katie Mae 20-1

Analysis: Catch a Glimpse has won four in a row, taking the Herecomesthebride (G3) last out off a four month break after capping off her '15 campaign by winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). The price is going to be on the light side in this spot but she looks as if she still may have some upside and looks capable of moving forward off her last outing.

Baciami Piccola won the Florida Oaks (G3) last out in her U.S. debut and off an eight-month layoff, pulling off the upset at 14-1. It was her first route try after racing in turf sprints in Italy. She overcame a tough post last out and the layoff and figures to move forward off that effort in this spot. Worth a look if she goes off near her 10-1 morning line.

Wagering
WIN: #8 to win at 7-5 or better.
EX: 8,11 / 3,6,8,11
TRI: 8,11 / 3,6,8,11 / 1,3,6,8,11

Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Keeneland
R2: #1 Kel Kel Karterbug 10-1
R3: #5 Speightstastic 8-1
R8: #11 Bacaimi Piccola 10-1
R8: #6 Miss Katie Mae 20-1
R9: #5 Awesome Music 8-1

Good luck today!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mohawk: Thursday 4/14 Analysis
By Garnet Barnsdale

DRF HARNESS

Race 1 - $30,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool

Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

20-CENT PICK 5: 1,3,4/4,5/3/1,2,5,6,8/2,3,8 = $18

EARLY PICK 4: 1,6,8/2,3,8/1,9,10/3,6 = $54

LATE PICK 4: 3,6/3/1,5,8/2,4 = $12

MEET STATS: 14 - 40 / $81.40 BEST BETS: 3 - 4 / $24.90

SPOT PLAYS: 0 - 4 / $0.00

Best Bet: WINDSONG MAGIC (8th)

Spot Play: MARKATHY (10th)


Race 1

(1) HILLS ANGEL hinted at some promise last year and qualified okay for her sophomore debut for noted trotting trainer Bax; slight nod in the opener. (4) ROADMAPPER broke right on the wire last time, which was costly. Zeron sticks with her and she should be right there vs. these if flat. (3) DOTTIE looks ready based on her lone qualifier; using.

Race 2

(5) SHOREVIEW brings a sharp qualifier to the track for her 2016 debut and faces a weak group; top call. (4) THINK AGAIN has been facing much better and should be prominent here. (6) CHALK PLAYER was 2nd behind the choice in the qualifier and can also be a factor off the shelf here.

Race 3

(3) FLOWERS AND SONGS ships in sporting an impressive resume and looks much the best here. (1) WANAKA was a strong winner in her first start over Mohawk and appears to be the only legitimate threat to the choice. (5) SHES ALL MAGIC is a possibility to show dramatic improvement as many young progeny of Kadabra sometimes do.

Race 4

(8) JENS CREDIT raced well in her first start for new connections and should be prominent here. (6) STONEBRIDGE MEDUSA finished right with the choice and gets back to a 7-day rotation now; using. (1) ROCKNROLL VISION comes out of the same race and wasn't far behind the top two. She is another to consider for multi-race bets.

Race 5

(3) TOUGH AFFAIR qualified faster than most of these racing at night in pari-mutuel action; top call. (8) LISBERG also qualified well and has good gate speed which should make her a player here. (2) BEE IN CHARGE seems to have his gait issued figured out based on the last two qualifiers; using.

Race 6

(9) WARAWEE PROTON goes for Moreau off the claim here, which has been an angle that clicks at the rate of 38% so far this year. (10) PRETTY BOY raced okay over Mohawk last week and now drops in class. He's the main threat. (1) JUSTCALLMERONALD will pocket up early and trip out one of these times; maybe tonight?

Race 7

(6) GOTTI gets class relief here and is sure to be sent by Henry, who has been at his aggressive best so far at this meet. (3) SPORTY MERCEDES also drops out of the same stakes series and could get a great trip following the choice here. (1) HOME JAMES took lots of early action last week and raced okay. He could improve here.

Race 8

(3) WINDSONG MAGIC went a big trip to win last week, gobbling up ground quickly late in the mile. She should leave much better here from an inside post and double up. (8) ONATOPP qualified very well and could be faster than she was last season. (2) MIAMI MAGIC was lucky to hold on last week when a rival broke late. She will need to be faster here to beat the choice.

Race 9

(1) LUCKY COCKTAIL was a dead-game winner last week here then went to Flamboro three days later and won for fun on a snow-covered track. She is tough to beat in this class right now. (8) CAUGHT ME SPEEDING went a big first-up trip against the choice and isn't out of this, but needs a slightly better trip. (5) MICHELLES DEUCE was third in the same mile in a much-improved effort and should share again here.

Race 10

(2) MARKATHY drops from a claiming handicap into a conditioned claimer and may just take these right down the road. (4) CANADIAN WRITER went a long trip last time and paid the price. He should go better here. (6) HP BLACK SHADOW rarely wins but almost always hits the ticket. (1) LIGHT FOOT RD will be passing horses late and can take a share. (8) BEIBER HANOVER goes for Auciello off the claim and could better this placing.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yonkers: Thursday 4/14 Analysis
By Matt Rose

DRF HARNESS

Race 7 - $10,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool

MEET STATS: 101 - 333 / $577.90

BEST BETS: 14 - 28 / $51.60

Best Bet: ITS A MIRCALE (12th)

Spot Play: DAYLON MIRACLE (11th)


Race 1

(4) HUSTLEONHOME rallied for a small piece in a strange race last week; A. Nap drives again and she could be a bit of value in here. (1) AFTER ALIMONY gets much-needed post relief in her local return. (5) NIPPY W HANOVER has ability but is too inconsistent to recommend.

Race 2

(1) JUSTICE JET closed with plenty last week and is tough to look past from the pole position. (7) AUSPICIOUS HANOVER ships north from Pompano, where he spent the winter facing some good stock. (6) BRANDOS MUSCLE MAN hasn't done much since winning right off the claim; he's capable of showing early speed.

Race 3

(5) MUSTANG MACH N has been a total failure since being claimed for 40K a few months back; owner waves the white flag and gives the horse back to trainer Tritton while dropping him in for the basement tag. Time to recoup some money. (2) BIG BAMBU debuts for Banca via claim and is always a player at this level. (7) ARTHUR closed for a piece at a big price last week, will be a big price again.

Race 4

(2) NARCIAN JEWEL regained some confidence up at Saratoga and note she was a 100K earner last year. (3) RD IOU also has class, had a big season in 2015 and drops to a new low. (1) AMERICAN ALIVE was Kakaley's choice and she draws best.

Race 5

(3) I AM THE COWBOY gets the all-important class and post relief; Allard trainee should be ready to roll from this spot. (6) BOX CAR JOHNNIE was reclaimed by Milici and he'll be firing early. (1) OHOKA TEXAS N lands the best post for the hot Tritton/Stratton combo.

Race 6

(2) CAVIART SCARLETT was a well-rated winner last out versus similar and it seems like she can control the action again from this spot. (4) ANALYZE was a sharp front-end winner last out but that was from the rail spot; she may have to work harder tonight for a trip. (1) CLASSY LANE ROSE showed a hint of forward progress last week; mare does have back class.

Race 7

(4) COUSIN EDDIE returns to the Renaud barn, where he was a blowout winner two back at the added-distance. (1) HIDDEN IDENTITY debuts for Milici off a winning effort, draws best. (3) KASCARA ROSA has the ability to compete here but she also throws in the occasional break; use caution.

Race 8

(8) CRACKER COFFEE is probably best here but she lands another tough post; I'll take a swing if the price is right and hope Buter can find some early position. (6) UPFRONTWHOSURLADY goes for Milici now and is a huge speed threat. (2) MY TALLIA IDEAL has missed lots of time and may need a start or two.

Race 9

(1) SUMMER CAMP has been solid since returning locally and joining the Banca barn; lucky inside draw should make him a repeat winner. (2) R CAAN was reclaimed by Allard and returns to Sears. (4) REGULUS N makes his third start back in the Tritton barn and he had some late pace last out.

Race 10

(3) GALLANT SEELSTER debuts for Allard via claim and stays at a winning level; gelding was a rail-skimming winner two back from a similar spot. (6) ONTHECLOCK HANOVER has just missed in his last couple; assume he'll be forwardly placed early for his best chance. (1) HYPNOTIST has had trouble getting underway this season; perhaps the live hands of A. Nap can shake him up.

Race 11

(7) DAYLON MIRACLE is a legitimate Open-caliber trotter who will find a way to win here despite the outside post. (3) ZORGWIJK NOVA looms a threat but keep in mind she had no excuse to fail last out. (2) ITZAZIAM has been feeling good of late.

Race 12

(8) ITS A MIRACLE faces much softer tonight and there's no way Brennan will be sitting last with the classy mare. (1) HARMONY OAKS QUIKE needed her last start at Freehold after being on vacation and she should be tighter tonight. (5) THE RIGHT MOVE upset versus lesser last out and she could be a closing threat.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Thursday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Aqueduct (3rd) Gloves Off, 5-1
(8th) Summit Moon, 4-1


Charles Town (2nd) Majestic Indeed, 3-1
(4th) Colonial Rocket, 9-2


Evangeline Downs (1st) Sandana Heat, 6-1
(7th) Royal Rising, 6-1


Golden Gate Fields (6th) Miz Graycee, 4-1
(7th) Broderick Street, 3-1


Gulfstream Park (1st) Steve, 3-1
(2nd) Storm Warnings, 10-1


Hawthorne (3rd) Tac Rap, 7-2
(6th) Clockwork King, 6-1


Keeneland (3rd) Speightstastic, 8-1
(9th) City Beauty, 5-1


Los Alamitos (1st) Ultimate Luck, 7-2
(6th) Ebony Cat, 8-1


Oaklawn Park (1st) Density, 7-2
(7th) Smart Emma, 7-2


Penn National (3rd) Promotora, 4-1
(4th) Go On Green, 10-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers (4-2) at Pirates (5-3)

Game: 4
Venue: PNC Park
Date: April 14, 2016 12:35 PM EDT

After dominating his first American League start, Jordan Zimmermann returns to a more familiar environment.

Uncharacteristically shaky in his season debut, Gerrit Cole seeks better results when matched opposite Zimmermann in Thursday's interleague game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers.

Following seven successful seasons in Washington, Zimmermann signed a five-year, $110 million contract in November to bolster a Tigers rotation that posted an AL-worst 4.78 ERA in 2015. The investment yielded an instant benefit when the two-time NL All-Star limited the New York Yankees to two singles and three walks over seven innings in a 4-0 victory in Friday's home opener.

"He's a bulldog," Tigers catcher James McCann told MLB's official website. "You saw the way he goes out and attacks hitters. He wants to let his defense work. I look forward to catching him some more."

None of Zimmermann's 70 wins with the Nationals came against Pittsburgh, however. He's lost both previous starts to the Pirates, including a 4-3 defeat at PNC Park on May 23, 2014, in which he allowed four runs in six innings.

While Zimmermann was in top form, Cole is still trying to get there after missing part of spring training with a rib cage injury and struggling in Saturday's outing in Cincinnati, where the Pittsburgh ace walked three and surrendered three runs over 4 2-3 innings of a 5-1 loss.

"I was just a little rusty," he said. "I'm going to have to do a little work.'

An interleague matchup could help Cole, tied for second in the NL with 19 wins last season, get untracked. He's won six of his last seven decisions against AL teams and owns a 7-2 record and 2.82 ERA in 11 career interleague starts.

The Pirates have won eight of Cole's last nine interleague assignments, including a 4-3 home win over Detroit on April 13, 2015 behind the All-Star's six innings of one-run ball and eight strikeouts.

Pittsburgh, though, enters the finale of this four-game home-and-home series in a rut, having lost four of five following a 4-0 start. After amassing 17 hits in Monday's 7-4 win in Detroit, the Pirates have just nine in losing the past two.

Backed by Jarrod Saltalamacchia's 100th career homer - a go-ahead grand slam off reliever Arquimedes Caminero in the sixth inning - Shane Greene combined with three relievers on a four-hitter in Wednesday's 7-3 Tigers' victory. The right-hander allowed two runs over six innings to earn his first major league win since May.

'It means a lot,' said Greene, who underwent shoulder surgery in August, "but we're just trying to win ballgames.'

J.D. Martinez finished 2 for 4 with an RBI for Detroit (5-2) to extend his season-opening hitting streak to seven games. The outfielder, 13 for 29 during the run and 2 for 5 lifetime against Cole, was 4 for 5 with two RBIs in Tuesday's 8-2 win.

David Freese, 2 for 5 with a home run against Zimmermann, had two of Pittsburgh's four hits.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Padres (3-4) at Phillies (2-5)

Game: 4
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: April 14, 2016 1:05 PM EDT

Vince Velasquez might be the fifth starter for the Philadelphia Phillies, but he has the confidence of a staff ace.

The right-hander looks to build on a strong season debut Thursday as the Phillies try for a third straight win and series victory over the visiting San Diego Padres.

Acquired from Houston in a seven-player December deal that sent closer Ken Giles to the Astros, Velasquez allowed three hits and struck out nine over six innings Saturday to help Philadelphia (4-5) end an 0-4 start with a 1-0 victory over the New York Mets. Velasquez, who made seven starts and appeared in 19 games as a rookie last season, opened with 16 straight fastballs - clocked between 92-95 mph.

"Just go out and dominate," he told MLB's official website.

"(I wanted) to go out there and make a statement ... to show that we're capable of winning and we're not losers.'

Though Velasquez is at the back of the Phillies' rotation for now, manager Pete Mackanin believes good things are in store for the spirited young man who turns 24 in June.

"He exudes energy," Mackanin said. "It's almost like he pitches with a chip on his shoulder.

"He's going to be a good one. Coachable, great kid, a true competitor."

Making his first appearance against San Diego (3-6), the southern California native will try to help Philadelphia move to .500 after starters Charlie Morton and Jerad Eickhoff combined to allow seven hits and fan 16 over 13 2-3 scoreless innings of the last two contests.

"It's no secret these guys are good," Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp said of the team's young but talented rotation. "It seems like they're literally going to see who can do better each night."

Maikel Franco homered, doubled and drove in both runs Wednesday for the Phillies, who won for the fourth time in five games with a 2-1 victory. Franco, 5 for 11 in the series, is batting .379 with two homers.

"I'm feeling pretty good, hitting the ball pretty good," he said. "I want to continue to do that, continue to make adjustments on the pitches and try to be ready every single day."

One night after being shut out for the fourth time, the Padres' 20-inning scoreless streak ended with Brett Wallace's RBI single in the ninth.

'We've got to focus on our hitting and not be concerned about the pitcher," San Diego manager Andy Green said.

Matt Kemp went 1 for 4 for a second consecutive contest, but is 2 for 16 in four games since going 9 for 15 in the previous three.

Drew Pomeranz takes the mound after winning his Padres' debut Saturday. The left-hander, who came over in a five-player trade with Oakland in December, gave up two runs, four hits and three walks in five innings but struck out seven and was the beneficiary of 10 runs during San Diego's 16-3 rout of Colorado.

"Everything was working pretty good," Pomeranz said.

He is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in three starts against the Phillies, but last faced them in 2014.

Carlos Ruiz is 2 for 3 with a double against Pomeranz and Franco has a hit in two at-bats.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox (5-2) at Twins (0-7)

Game: 3
Venue: Target Field
Date: April 14, 2016 1:10 PM EDT

The Chicago White Sox can claim their best start since 1982 by extending the Minnesota Twins' worst since they headed north.

Mat Latos will try to lift the White Sox to a 7-2 record Thursday and give them a sweep of the winless Minnesota Twins.

Chicago has taken advantage of Minnesota's anemic lineup for a pair of wins after Carlos Rodon went six innings in a 3-0 victory Wednesday. The Twins (0-8) have totaled 13 runs in their franchise's worst start since dropping their first 13 games as the Washington Senators in 1904 and are one of MLB's two winless teams along with Atlanta.

Minnesota is also batting .210 and has a dreadful .082 average with runners in scoring position (5 for 61) after going 0 of 6 in its latest contest.

"It's difficult. It's the story and that's what's happening. Everybody knows about it and is reading about it," pitcher Phil Hughes said. "We come in and things are being said, and we've got to find a way to block that out and treat (Thursday) like it's the first game of the season and not worry about this hole we've dug ourselves."

The White Sox (6-2), meanwhile, secured their best start since their World Series championship campaign in 2005. They won their first eight games in 1982 and nine of their first 11.

A well-rested Latos (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will try to complete Chicago's first three-game sweep in Minnesota since September 2012 by building on his spectacular debut for the team.

The right-hander yielded just one hit and one walk in six innings in a 6-1 victory in Oakland last Thursday. It was a promising sign for a player who has dealt with left knee issues in each of the past two seasons.

"I just wanna get back to my old self, I wanna put up zeros on the board and I wanna compete with (the other White Sox starters)," Latos told MLB's official website. "I know we're on the same team, but it's still a competition. With pitchers, I think that's the way we have to go about it. We're always trying to out-do one another, and I think that'll take everybody to the next level."

Latos will face the Twins for the first time and pitch opposite Ervin Santana (0-0, 2.25). After having his season debut cut short by rain, the Twins' right-hander yielded two runs in six innings while fanning seven Friday in Kansas City.

Santana won his only start against the White Sox last season, yielding two runs in seven innings in a 6-2 road victory Sept. 11. He is 2-2 with a 2.77 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP in his last four starts versus Chicago.

Santana has yielded one hit to Austin Jackson in 17 matchups, and Jimmy Rollins is 1 for 11 against him. Latos has never faced any Twins regular.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians (2-2) at Rays (2-4)

Game: 6
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: April 14, 2016 1:10 PM EDT

Mired in a lengthy personal winless stretch, Chris Archer hasn't lost faith.

Looking to avoid losing three straight starts for the first time, Archer tries to help the Tampa Bay Rays take Thursday's decisive finale against the visiting Cleveland Indians.

Archer (0-2, 7.00 ERA) has not looked like a 2015 All-Star or been up to the caliber of an opening-day starter while lasting only five innings in each of his first two starts. He allowed six runs and 10 hits, including a career-high four homers, in Friday's 6-1 loss at Baltimore.

Though the right-hander won a career-high 12 games last season, he's 0-5 with a 6.15 ERA in eight starts since beating the Orioles on Aug. 31.

Despite a rough 2016 start that's aided his dry spell, Archer remains confident in his abilities.

"I'm not going to beat myself up too much," he told MLB's official website. "Obviously I wanted to win, but I think if I continue to pound the strike zone the way that I did tonight, that over the course of 33, 34, 35 starts I'm going to have a more normal outcome for me."

Rays manager Kevin Cash doesn't seem too concerned at the moment, either.

"(Archer) will be fine," he said. "He'll make some adjustments and be right where he needs to be."

Archer can start by improving on his 0-3 record and 5.40 ERA against the Indians (3-3), though he last faced them in September 2014.

'The biggest thing, when you have a bad outing is bouncing back and trusting your ability, trusting your stuff,' Archer said. 'I know and I trust that if I fill up the strike zone, then I'll get the ultimate goal and that's a team win.'

After opening this set with a 5-1 victory Tuesday, the Rays (3-5) didn't score until the eighth inning of Wednesday's 4-1 defeat that ended a 21-game streak with at least one home run.

Jason Kipnis went 2 for 4 with his first homer for the Indians, who struck out 15 times for the second time already this season but got eight strong innings from Carlos Carrasco.

After going 0 of 4 in the opener, Kipnis recorded his second two-hit game in the last three. However, he struck out twice for a third consecutive contest, and has fanned seven times in four games.

He didn't strike out while going 2 for 6 with a double against Archer.

The Indians will turn to Danny Salazar, who gave up a home run, one other hit and struck out seven in 5 1-3 innings of a Friday's 7-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

"Sometimes I was getting behind in the count, but then I was coming back and I made the adjustment right there," he said.

The right-hander was also solid the only other time he faced Tampa Bay on June 30, yielding a one earned run and two hits in 7 2-3 innings of a 6-2 road victory.

Salazar will try to keep down struggling Logan Morrison, who is 2 for 25 with no RBIs and 11 strikeouts through eight games.

Cleveland has won six of seven at Tropicana Field.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Brewers (3-4) at Cardinals (4-3)

Game: 3
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: April 14, 2016 1:45 PM EDT

Jonathan Lucroy may not end the season with the Milwaukee Brewers, and his terrific start will increase the odds that he'll be shipped off.

Lucroy looks to continue his surge at the plate and help the Brewers move above .500 for the first time this season with another win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday.

After finishing 68-94 last year, Milwaukee entered 2016 expected to miss the playoffs for a fifth straight year, leading to speculation that it would trade Lucroy in an effort to build for the future.

The Brewers (4-4), though, have won four of six after being outscored 14-4 while losing the first two.

Lucroy had his best performance of the season Wednesday, connecting for three hits with two RBIs and two runs before Domingo Santana's two-run shot in the ninth delivered a 6-4 win over the Cardinals.

"Timely hitting in big spots," manager Craig Counsell said. "We got the big hits when we needed them."

Lucroy is batting .346 while getting at least one hit in each of his seven games for the longest season-opening hitting streak by a Brewer since he had a nine-gamer to start 2011.

An All-Star in 2014, the catcher is hitting .542 over his last eight games in St. Louis (4-4), getting at least one hit in seven. He's also 8 for 20 since 2012 against scheduled starter Jaime Garcia.

The left-hander takes the mound after giving up four runs with six strikeouts in six innings while not getting a decision in a 7-4 win at Atlanta in his season debut Friday.

Garcia will now try to re-establish his success at home, where he went 5-2 with a 1.70 ERA in 10 starts last season. However, his last appearance there ended in a 6-3 loss to Chicago in Game 2 of the NL division series Oct. 10, allowing five unearned runs in two innings.

Garcia, though, is 4-3 with a 1.88 ERA in nine career home starts against Milwaukee. He split two last year, allowing two runs in 15 innings.

The Brewers will counter with Wily Peralta (0-2, 10.80 ERA), who hasn't come close to getting his first win of 2016. The right-hander was pounded for six runs and three homers with four walks in 4 1-3 innings of a 6-4 loss to Houston on Saturday. That came five days after he surrendered five runs in four innings of a 12-3 defeat against San Francisco.

Both of those outings were at home, and Peralta is 1-7 with a 4.78 ERA over his last 12 starts on the road.

He's 1-3 with a 5.04 ERA in five starts in St. Louis, and he's lost five straight decisions over his last six overall starts against the Cardinals.

Peralta has had a tough time with Matt Carpenter and Matt Holliday. Carpenter is 15 for 33 with three homers and three doubles off him, while Holliday is 10 for 26 with a pair of homers.

Both, however, are off to sluggish starts with Carpenter hitting .233 and Holliday scuffling at .207.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants (5-2) at Rockies (3-3)

Game: 3
Venue: Coors Field
Date: April 14, 2016 3:10 PM EDT

Playing in baseball's most hitter-friendly atmosphere, the Colorado Rockies aren't usually prone to slumps.

With Nolan Arenado having broken out of his, the Rockies aim to earn a series victory and extend Matt Cain's winless stretch in Thursday's finale with the San Francisco Giants.

Stymied by Jeff Samardzija's eight outstanding innings in Tuesday's 7-2 loss, the Rockies returned to their heavy-hitting ways in the second of this three-game set. With Arenado's two homers and seven RBIs leading the charge, Colorado collected 18 hits en route to Wednesday's 10-6 win.

Following a 3-for-19 start, Arenado is 7 for 13 with three homers over his last three games. The 2015 Silver Slugger recipient fell one RBI short of a single-game team record.

'It's a matter of time,' manager Walt Weiss said of Arenado's breakout. 'He's a great player.'

Colorado (4-4) did set a franchise mark with four triples - two by rookie sensation Trevor Story - and matched a club record with 12 extra-base hits, last set against the Cubs on July 30, 2010.

After pounding Jake Peavy for six runs and 11 hits in four innings, the Rockies now attempt to deny Cain his first win in nearly nine months. The injury-plagued hurler is 0-3 with a 6.25 ERA in 10 starts since besting San Diego on July 22.

Cain was in line to end the drought in his final 2015 start, limiting Colorado to two hits over five scoreless innings on Oct. 4. The Rockies scored seven times in the ninth to rally for a 7-3 win.

Though he owns a 6.27 ERA in six Coors Field starts since 2011, Cain is coming off an encouraging 2016 debut. The three-time All-Star allowed two runs over six innings in Friday's 3-2, 10-inning win over the Dodgers.

"It's a great start," Giants manager Bruce Bochy told MLB's official website. "He just looks healthy. He made a couple of two-strike mistakes, but besides that, he did a terrific job."

Cain has handled two of the Rockies' top hitters, holding Carlos Gonzalez to a .128 average (6 for 47) with 17 strikeouts and Arenado to 3 for 17.

Gonzalez is batting .403 over an 18-game hitting streak dating back to Sept. 23 and finished a home run short of the cycle Wednesday.

San Francisco (6-3) has a few players swinging hot bats as well. Angel Pagan is 11 for 24 over a seven-game stretch and Trevor Brown, starting a second straight night in place of an injured Buster Posey, went 2 for 4 Wednesday after hitting a pair of two-run homers in the opener.

The Giants are hoping to have Posey, dealing with a bruised right foot, in Thursday's lineup.

Posey is 6 for 10 with a home run against Christian Bergman (0-1, 12.00), set for his first 2016 start after working twice in relief.

Bergman took the loss after allowing four runs in one inning of an 11-6 defeat at Arizona on April 5, then worked two scoreless innings Friday against San Diego. The right-hander won the final rotation spot by posting a 2.84 ERA in 19 spring innings.

Bergman also opposed Cain in the Oct. 4 matchup, surrendering two runs and six hits over three innings. He's 1-0 with a 3.32 ERA in four overall starts against San Francisco.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves (0-6) at Nationals (4-1)

Game: 4
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: April 14, 2016 4:05 PM EDT

An illness delayed Stephen Strasburg's attempt to open a season with two straight winning starts for the first time since he was a rookie six years ago. That chance could be pushed back again.

With Strasburg's status still unknown, the Washington Nationals attempt to tie a franchise record by continuing their dominance of the winless Atlanta Braves on Thursday.

Strasburg was scheduled to start Wednesday but was scratched as a precaution due to the lingering effects of an illness. Washington (6-1) instead sent Tanner Roark to the mound, and he went seven innings in a 3-0 win over Atlanta.

"We gave him 24 hours to prepare and he came through big time," manager Dusty Baker said.

Strasburg might take the ball in the finale of this four-game set, but the Nationals have Yusmeiro Petit ready for a spot start. Petit made one start in 42 games with San Francisco last year, allowing four runs in six innings of a loss at Colorado.

Baker hasn't decided if Strasburg will get a chance to beat the Braves for a fifth start in a row. The right-hander allowed one run in six innings of a 3-1 road win April 6 after winning the previous three by striking out 20 over 18 scoreless innings.

Extending that streak would give the Nationals a 14th consecutive home victory over Atlanta, tying the franchise record set as the Montreal Expos against San Diego from 1993-95.

It would also give the Braves their longest slide on the road against an opponent since losing 17 in a row to the Chicago Cubs from 1935-36.

There are few reasons to believe Atlanta (0-8) won't move closer to matching that streak. The team is off to its worst start to a season since losing the first 10 games of 1988, and it's batting .199 while averaging 2.8 runs.

The dreadful start isn't much of a surprise since the Braves are 25-61 since holding a 42-42 record on July 7. It's the worst record of any team in the majors over that stretch.

Julio Teheran takes the mound in search of a bounce-back effort. The right-hander was tagged for five runs - four earned - and six hits with four strikeouts and as many walks in four innings of Saturday's 12-2 loss to St. Louis.

"We didn't make some plays behind Julio, and he just struggled," manager Fredi Gonzalez told MLB's official website. "There's no pitching staff alive that survives when a starting pitcher only goes four innings. You start going into the middle relievers, and we didn't catch the ball behind those guys either."

Teheran was much better five days earlier against the Nationals, yielding solo homers to Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy in six innings of a 4-3 loss in 10.

He's 0-1 with a 4.29 ERA over his last six starts against them.

Teheran has major problems with Harper and Murphy. Harper is 11 for 25 with four homers and three doubles off him, while Murphy is 7 for 17 with one home run.

Harper, though, is 1 for 11 in this series after going 0 for 4 with two strikeouts Wednesday. Murphy, though, is 11 for 22 with two homers, seven RBIs and a 1.516 OPS. He's batting .395 while driving in 11 runs over his last 11 meetings with Atlanta.

Freddie Freeman is 2 for 25 and 0 for 12 over the past four games. He might be looking forward to facing Strasburg since he's 12 for 31 with three homers in the matchup.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees (3-2) at Blue Jays (3-4)

Game: 3
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: April 14, 2016 7:07 PM EDT

The New York Yankees' lineup wasn't quite as dynamic with Brian McCann missing and it's not quite clear when they'll get their hot-hitting catcher back at the plate.

The Yankees did receive some good news on McCann's big toe and that could mean his return in Thursday night's series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays.

New York (4-3) scored its second-fewest runs in the early season with McCann nursing his ailing left digit, losing 7-2 on Wednesday. Toronto (4-5) broke open a competitive game with four runs off Ivan Nova in the eighth inning, and Jose Bautista's doubled home his 800th RBI.

"You play these teams in your division and you need to beat them," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "That was an important game for us."

Austin Romine was 1 for 4 in McCann's place, and the Yankees were 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position, putting them 2 for 17 in those situations in their first two games in Toronto.

"I thought we hit some balls pretty hard in some key situations, but they were at people," manager Joe Girardi said. "We had some opportunities to get the lead, but we weren't able to do it."

A fluoroscope showed that McCann's toe wasn't broken after it was hit by a foul tip in a 3-2 victory Tuesday. He stayed in that game until the final inning and hit a tying home run in the sixth.

McCann is 9 for 18 with two homers while hitting safely in each of his first five games and has two hits in each of the past four.

"I had him to pinch hit if I needed him," Girardi said. "I sure hope (he's back Thursday)."

The Yankees could perhaps be slightly tempted to keep him out of the lineup for another day as he's 2 for 13 lifetime against Marcus Stroman (1-0, 5.40 ERA). The Blue Jays right-hander couldn't build on his opening day win against Tampa Bay on April 3, giving up five runs in 5 1-3 innings in an 8-7 loss to Boston on Friday.

Stroman is 4-0 with a 2.08 ERA in his last four starts against the Yankees and went 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA last season. He made his return from a torn left ACL suffered in spring training with a 10-7 victory at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 12 and has won six consecutive decisions dating back to September 2014.

Nathan Eovaldi (0-0, 9.00) also avoided a loss in his latest start and his season debut, an 8-5 victory against Houston last Thursday. The right-hander yielded five runs in five innings in that game but gave up one in 6 1-3 innings in his only start against Toronto, a 2-1 loss in 10 innings Aug. 7.

Josh Donaldson is 1 for 6 lifetime against Eovaldi, but the lone hit was a home run. Justin Smoak is 0 for 6, and Bautista, who has reached base safely in every game, is 0 for 2.

Jacoby Ellsbury has also struggled against Stroman, going 0 for 11. Brett Gardner is 3 for 13, but two of those hits were home runs.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Reds (5-2) at Cubs (6-1)

Game: 3
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: April 14, 2016 8:05 PM EDT

The Cincinnati Reds arrived in Chicago riding their best start in five years. The Cubs have a chance to exit the series with their best since 1969.

After another prosperous night at the plate, they'll seek to complete a three-game sweep against the Reds on Thursday night.

Cincinnati was a surprising 5-1 before coming to Wrigley Field and kept the potent Cubs lineup without a hit until the seventh inning Monday until faltering in a 5-3 defeat. Chicago (7-1) made sure it didn't need a late rally Wednesday and kept Reds starter Alfredo Simon from escaping a five-run first inning.

The Cubs forced Simon to throw 49 pitches before he exited with two outs and Cincinnati's staff had to deliver 188 in a 9-2 loss. Chicago's pitchers threw 121.

"Guys are trying to do the best they can. It just wasn't very efficient tonight," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "Whenever you get outhit by one (8 to 7) and lose by seven that usually means there were some walks involved. ... It was a painful game to watch from a tempo perspective. We have to do better."

The Cubs' Kris Bryant hit his first home run, and each starter reached base as Chicago boosted its season run total to 56. The Cubs also lead MLB with 48 walks after drawing 10 on Wednesday.

"This lineup's deep," Chicago pitcher John Lackey said. "Looking from the other side as a pitcher, it's tough to get through without suffering a little bit of damage."

The Cubs haven't started 8-1 since beginning 11-1 with their legendary team that featured Ernie Banks, Ferguson Jenkins, Ron Santo, Billy Williams and manager Leo Durocher.

Jason Hammel will try to help deliver that while building on his strong season debut. The right-hander yielded one run in six innings Friday in Arizona but was denied the win when the Diamondbacks rallied for a 3-2 victory.

He also escaped a first-inning jam after giving up hits to each of the first two batters. Hammel had a 5.23 ERA in the opening inning in 2015.

Hammel went 1-0 with a 3.15 ERA in four outings against Cincinnati last season and pitched five scoreless innings in his final start, a 5-3 victory Oct. 1.

Reds starter Raisel Iglesias (1-0, 2.31 ERA) posted a 2.84 ERA and totaled 18 strikeouts in his two starts versus Chicago in his rookie campaign, but did not get a decision in either one. The right-hander yielded one run in 5 2-3 innings in Saturday's 5-1 victory against Pittsburgh.

Jason Heyward, who had a two-run single Wednesday, is 1 for 9 in his career against Iglesias and Bryant is 0 for 6.

Joey Votto is 4 for 23 lifetime against Hammel, his third-worst performance against any active pitcher he's faced at least 20 times. Eugenio Suarez, batting .400 with four homers, is 4 for 8 versus Hammel.

The statuses of Zack Cozart and Devin Mesoraco are unclear because of quad injuries. Both players were held out Wednesday, and Cozart is batting .313 in his last 15 matchups with Chicago.

The Cubs have won five straight over the Reds (5-3) and haven't completed a three-game home sweep in the series since Sept. 15-17, 2014.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Orioles (6-0) at Rangers (4-4)

Game: 1
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: April 14, 2016 8:05 PM EDT

Held in check for the first time this season, the Baltimore Orioles' offense next faces arguably its toughest challenge yet.

After having a historic winning streak halted, Baltimore attempts to end Cole Hamels' unbeaten run when it begins a four-game series with the host Texas Rangers on Thursday night.

The Orioles scored 40 runs in recording the franchise's first 7-0 start since moving to Baltimore in 1954, but their bats generated little other than Chris Davis' two-run homer in Wednesday's 4-2 loss at Boston.

Coming off a long flight and a short turnaround, they'll now have to gear up for Hamels (2-0, 2.08 ERA), who's 9-0 with a 2.96 ERA in 11 regular-season starts dating back to Aug. 23. The Rangers have won the accomplished left-hander's last 12 non-playoff assignments.

Hamels has been sharp in each of his two outings this season. He yielded four hits through seven innings in a 3-2 victory over Seattle in the April 4 season opener, then held the Los Angeles Angels to a run and four hits in six innings in Saturday's 4-1 win.

The three-time All-Star was even better in a 4-1 victory over Baltimore in Arlington on Aug. 28, permitting a run and two hits with 10 strikeouts over eight innings.

Hamels did allow a pair of solo homers in his season debut and faces an Orioles team that's hit 14 over a seven-game stretch. Davis has four with nine RBIs during that span and Manny Machado has three while batting .441 over an eight-game hitting streak.

Mark Trumbo, who homered in the first two games of the Boston series and is hitting .406, is 4 for 12 with a homer against Hamels.

Texas (5-5) returns home after winning four of six to conclude a seven-game trip against AL West foes Los Angeles and Seattle, though it was denied a three-game sweep of the Mariners when Dae-Ho Lee's pinch-hit two-run homer in the 10th inning Wednesday resulted in a 4-2 defeat.

'I like the way we played, 4-3 going home, win a series against division foes, I like the way we went about it. I like our approaches at the plate,' manager Jeff Banister said. 'Offense got going a little bit, so we'll take the 4-3 and go back and go to work in our ballpark.'

Texas, held to six hits in the finale after recording 26 over the series' first two games, faces a potentially rejuvenated Chris Tillman (1-0, 1.29) in the opener.

Tillman allowed a run and four hits over five effective innings in Friday's 6-1 win over Tampa Bay, flashing the form that made him among the AL's steadiest pitchers from 2013-14. He compiled a 29-13 record and a 3.52 ERA in 67 starts over that period, but slipped to 11-11 with a 4.99 ERA last season.

"It was OK," Tillman said of his 83-pitch effort. "The command was a little bit off, especially early. It kind of got better right towards the end. I was able to command the fastball better, as well as the changeup. Threw some real good changeups later on in the game to help me get through that."

Tillman posted a 5.33 ERA in 15 road outings last season but does have past success at Globe Life Park, compiling a 3-0 record and 3.91 ERA in four starts.

Adrian Beltre is 6 for 12 with a home run off Tillman and 8 for 20 with two homers in the last five games. Elvis Andrus, 5 for 8 in the Seattle series, is 5 for 13 against Tillman.

Texas won six of seven against Baltimore in 2015 and swept a three-game set at home Aug. 28-30.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Royals (4-2) at Astros (3-4)

Game: 4
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: April 14, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

World Series MVP Salvador Perez is hoping he's finally solved his early season funk. The Kansas City Royals certainly aren't suffering from a championship malaise.

After coming through with his most significant hit of the season, Perez will try to help the Royals cap this four-game series with a third straight win over the Houston Astros on Thursday night.

Last fall, Perez went 8 for 22 with two RBIs and three runs while leading Kansas City to its first World Series title in 30 years by beating the New York Mets in five games.

That success didn't carry into 2016 for the All-Star catcher, who was hitting .208 with one RBI through seven games. Perez ended that slump with his first homer Wednesday, connecting for a go-ahead, two-run shot in the eighth inning of a 4-2 win at Houston.

"I have struggled a little, but every time I go to hit, I try to do the best I can do to do something to help us win," said Perez, who went 4 for 14 with two homers and four RBIs while the Royals beat the Astros in five games of last year's AL division series.

Perez, though, has a .186 average with three homers and nine RBIs in 12 games at Minute Maid Park, including the postseason.

The Royals (6-2) will give the ball to Ian Kennedy, who is aiming to open with back-to-back wins for the first time since 2012, with Arizona.

The right-hander got 2016 off to an impressive start Saturday, striking out seven while yielding five hits in 6 2-3 innings of a 7-0 win over Minnesota. That was a relief to Kennedy, who struggled through spring training with an 0-3 record and 6.30 ERA in six starts.

"There was a little more added to it, coming to a new team that's the defending world champs," Kennedy said. "You want to do well. It adds a little more to it in your first outing for them."

Kennedy has allowed one run in 12 2-3 innings while winning both career starts against the Astros (3-6) - both in Houston. However, he hasn't faced them since 2012.

He'll try to slow down Jose Altuve, who is 6 for 13 with a homer, two doubles, three RBIs and five runs in this series. The second baseman was 5 for 24 over the first six games.

Like Kennedy, Doug Fister is hoping a change of scenery can revive his career after going 5-7 with a 4.19 ERA in 25 games - 15 starts - with Washington last year. The right-hander allowed three runs with six strikeouts in five innings of a 6-4 win at Milwaukee on Saturday to end Houston's three-game skid.

"I felt like I had some decent command," Fister said. "Couple walks that really kind of irked me, but at the same time, it felt like I got out of situations when I needed to. Overall it wasn't a bad day, but I still have a lot of room to grow."

Fister is 1-4 with a 3.50 ERA over his last seven starts against the Royals, last facing them in 2013, with Detroit.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks (2-5) at Dodgers (4-3)

Game: 3
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: April 14, 2016 10:10 PM EDT

Ross Stripling, and his parents, are all grateful first-year Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts sees the potential in the rookie right-hander.

After Roberts pulled Stripling from a no-hit bid in his major league debut, the 26-year-old makes his first home start trying to build on that strong performance Thursday night in the decisive series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Two years removed from Tommy John surgery, Stripling had not allowed a hit through 7 1-3 innings Friday at San Francisco when Roberts replaced him after he walked Angel Pagan on his 100th pitch. The next batter, Giants backup catcher Trevor Brown, hit a tying two-run homer off Chris Hatcher and Los Angeles (5-4) eventually lost 3-2 in 10 innings.

Though it would have been easy for Roberts to regret his decision or for Stripling to whine about being yanked, all parties involved knew it was the appropriate move.

'It was the right call,' said Stripling, who threw 145 pitches over four spring training games and also appeared in a minor league contest.

'It was a tough decision for him and I certainly had no ill feelings toward the decision one bit.'

Stripling's parents also agreed with the move. His father, Hayes, even personally thanked Roberts the next morning in the lobby of the team hotel for taking care of his son.

"I wanted to see him throw a no-hitter," Roberts told MLB's official website. "I think it's a special moment but we're looking at the long term, and Ross can help us win many more games.

"If it would have went south and something would have happened, I never would have been able to live with myself because this is this kid's livelihood. That's my job.'

As a fifth starter, Stripling knows he must continue to prove himself but certainly earned a second start. At least his manager and teammates are behind him.

"I'm really proud of him, excited for the future and for what he can be as a major league pitcher, and excited to catch him going forward," Los Angeles catcher A.J. Ellis said.

Stripling will try to help the Dodgers to a series win after they posted a 3-1 victory over Arizona (3-6) on Wednesday. Adrian Gonzalez homered for the first time in 2016, and Chase Utley and Yasiel Puig each had two hits to help Los Angeles move above .500.

Puig is hitting .394, Gonzalez .389 with seven RBIs and Utley .324.

Gonzalez is 0 or 8 against Robbie Ray, who went 2-2 with a 2.28 ERA against the Dodgers last year. He earned both victories while yielding five hits over 11 scoreless innings in the last two outings over a 12-day span in September.

The left-hander issued four walks and hit a batter Friday against the Chicago Cubs, but yielded only two runs in six innings while taking a no-decision in the 3-2 victory.

"Early (on), I was getting a lot of early outs and it was just that (third) inning where I just kind of lost a little bit of my focus and had those walks," Ray said.

Teammate Jean Segura had two more hits Wednesday, and is batting .412 through nine games. He's 8 for 19 in his last five games at Dodger Stadium.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Thursday, April 14, 2016, Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews

It's a big getaway day on Thursday around the majors with a handful of matinees, so you might see regulars all over baseball out of the starting lineup after playing at night on Wednesday. I have a feeling the Detroit Tigers aren't big fans of interleague baseball right now as they will play a sixth total game already against a National League team on Thursday and fourth in the NL park, meaning the Tigers have to sit one of their big bats in DH Victor Martinez when that happens because he's not healthy enough to play in the field.


Tigers at Pirates (-128, 7)

A 12:35 p.m. first pitch on the MLB Network (out-of-market only). Could be the pitching matchup of the day as well -- it's hard enough on the hitters having to play about 14 hours after Wednesday's game ends. It's Jordan Zimmermann for Detroit. He looked very deserving of that $110 million free-agent deal this winter as the former National had one of the most dominating efforts of the first week, shutting out the Yankees on two hits over seven innings. Both hits were singles and one runner was then wiped out when caught stealing. Zimmermann didn't face Pittsburgh last year while with Washington. Andrew McCutchen is 2-for-6 career off him with a pair of solo homers. David Freese is 2-for-5 with a homer and double. It's Pirates ace Gerrit Cole. He normally would have started Opening Day but was pushed back after missing some of spring training with inflammation around his ribcage. Cole definitely didn't look 100 percent in his debut Saturday in Cincinnati, allowing three runs and five hits over just 4.2 innings. Detroit's Miguel Cabrera is 2-for-6 career off him. J.D. Martinez is 2-for-5.

Key trends: The Pirates are 8-1 in Cole's past nine interleague starts. The "over/under" has gone under in four of Cole's past five starts overall.

Early lean: Tigers (Cole not in full form yet) and under.

Padres at Phillies (-131, 8)

A 1:05 p.m. ET start. The Phillies could actually be pretty good as soon as next year as they've done a good job stockpiling young pitching in their teardown and rebuild. And one of those good young pitchers is Vincent Velasquez, who was a big part of the haul acquired from Houston in the Ken Giles trade this offseason -- that looks like a steal so far for Philly as Giles couldn't even win the Astros' closer job and has struggled in the early going. The 23-year-old Velasquez shut out the Mets on three hits over six innings in his Philly debut. He struck out nine. Velasquez didn't face the Padres last year as a rookie. San Diego acquired lefty Drew Pomeranz this offseason in the Yonder Alonso trade with Oakland, and Pomeranz won his San Diego debut in Colorado by allowing two runs and four hits over five innings, striking out seven. Not many Phillies have seen the guy. Carlos Ruiz is 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Key trends: The Phillies are 5-16 in their past 21 Thursday games. The under is 4-1 in their past five vs. a lefty.

Early lean: Phillies and under.

White Sox at Twins (-114, 8)

A 1:10 p.m. ET start here. Will Minnesota be 0-8 entering this one? I actually projected the Twins to finally win a game on Wednesday. But the Twins got bad news before that game as closer Glen Perkins has been lost to the DL with shoulder troubles, and we all know that can lead to major problems especially as Perkins' velocity has been dropping. Perkins blew his lone save opportunity so far -- it's not like the Twins have had many leads. Kevin Jepsen fills in. Ervin Santana (0-0, 2.25) starts on the mound for Minnesota. He beat the White Sox in his lone start against them last year, allowing two runs in seven innings. Austin Jackson can't hit the guy, going 1-for-17. Mat Latos looks to build on a terrific White Sox debut as he held Oakland to no runs and just one hit last Thursday in a victory. Latos has never faced the Twins as his entire career before this was in the NL.

Key trends: The Sox have lost six straight in Game 3 of a series. The Twins are 4-0 in Santana's past four on five days of rest. The under is 5-0 in his past five starts.

Early lean: Twins and under.

Braves at Nationals (-164, 7.5)

As if lousy Atlanta needed any more bad news, outfielder Hector Olivera has been placed on administrative leave and the commissioner's office has begun an investigation into an alleged domestic dispute he was involved in with a woman early Wednesday at a hotel in Virginia. Remember, MLB isn't putting up with this kind of stuff now and Olivera is probably looking at an eventual suspension. He was a big part of the Alex Wood trade last summer with the Dodgers. Olivera is hitting .211 with two RBIs. The Braves throw Julio Teheran. He was very inconsistent last year and has been in two starts this season. He faced the Nationals in Atlanta on April 4 and allowed two runs in six innings. But then against St. Louis last time out, he gave up five runs in four. Bryce Harper eats him alive, going 11-for-25 with three doubles, four homers and six RBIs. It's Tanner Roark for Washington. He struggled in his season debut last Thursday, allowing nine hits and three earned runs in four innings against the Marlins. Roark has a 2.01 ERA in 12 career outings against the Braves. Freddie Freeman hits .409 off him career.

Key trends: The Braves are 2-7 in Teheran's past nine road starts. They are 0-5 in his past five vs. Washington. The Nats are 4-1 in Roark's past five vs. Atlanta. The under is 5-0 in those five.

Early lean: Nationals, a Harper homer and under.

Yankees at Blue Jays (-144, 8)

New York catcher Brian McCann missed Wednesday's game with a toe injury; he had to leave Tuesday's after getting hit there on a foul tip. X-rays showed no fractures but blood was pooling below his nail when he crouched between the plate. So monitor whether he plays here. McCann is hitting .500 on the young season with two homers. The Yanks could use all hands on deck against Jays ace Marcus Stroman (1-0, 5.40). He's still young so still a bit up-and-down. He was very good in the opener against the Rays but knocked around some last time vs. Boston. Stroman was 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA last year vs. New York. McCann is 2-for-13 off him. Brett Gardner has two homers and five RBIs in 13 at-bats. Nathan Eovaldi is on the mound for New York. He had a great record in 2015 despite a high ERA because of great run support. His offense bailed him out of his debut last Thursday as Eovaldi allowed five runs in five innings vs. Houston. Eovaldi allowed one run in 6.1 innings in 2015 vs. the Jays. Troy Tulowitzki is 2-for-8 off him with two RBIs.

Key trends: The Yanks are 7-0 in Eovaldi's past seven on the road. The Jays are 8-2 in Stroman's past 10. The over is 5-0 in Eovaldi's past five on the road and 4-0 in Stroman's past four at home.

Early lean: Jays and over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'Rubber Match'

The Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees conclude their three-game set with both teams having notched one victory. Occording to current odds the Blue Jays are -$1.55 home favorite with the total set at 8.0 runs.

Marcus Stroman (1-0, 5.40 ERA) will be the starter charged with keeping the Yankees offense in check on Thursday night. The Jays' right-hander tagged for six hits, 5 runs earning a no-decision in Jays 8-7 loss to Boston last effort carries to the mound a solid 7-2 team start record in nine starts since returning from an ACL tear last year.

New York will respond with Nathan Eovaldi (0-0, 9.00 ERA) hoping to snare his first victory of the season after struggling in his debut serving up five runs on six hits, including two homers over five innings to the Astros.

The Blue Jays are in good hands in this rubber match. Toronto has been successful vs division opponents with Stroman on the mound going 11-4 including 4-1 facing rival New York Yankees. Additionally, Jays are 4-0 off a team win handing the ball to Stroman and the team hits the field a solid 6-3 last nine rubber matches in front of the friendly crowd.