Thursday 5/19/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mohawk: Thursday 5/19 Analysis
By Garnet Barnsdale

DRF HARNESS

Race 1 - $30,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool

Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool


PICK 5: 1,2,3,4,7,8/1,2,6/5/6.7/1,2,6,9 = $28.80

EARLY PICK 4: 6,7/1,2,6,9/7,8/2,4,5 = $48

LATE PICK 4: 2,4,5/1,5,9/1,4/1,3 = $36

MEET STATS: 88 - 249 / $532.10 BEST BETS: 14 - 24 / $56.30

SPOT PLAYS: 5 - 24 / $32.80

Best Bet: SHOCKING IMAGE (3rd)

Spot Play: SQUARE DANCER (6th)


Race 1

(3) MAJESTIC MISTRESS has finished quickly in both of her last two starts and meets a field she can beat here; slight nod. (7) WARAWEE ROO re-qualified well and can contend here if he can stay flat. (8) CRAZY WILD DESIRE is another that re-qualified well that can contend, but has also shown gait issues. (1) SVENSSON is by a top sire and qualified decently with tonight's pilot driving on May 9. He is in with a puncher's chance here in a suspect field.

Race 2

(1) LEAN HANOVER raced well vs. open stakes company last year and looks ready based on his lone qualifier; top call. (6) SPIRIT SQUAD was gobbling up ground late last time and should be a threat vs. these. (2) DIA MONDE flashed good late speed in his lone qualifier and faces maidens for the first time. He is another to consider for Pick 5 tickets. (4) ANNELI HANOVER can sneak onto the ticket while passing horses late.

Race 3

(5) SHOCKING IMAGE raced very well in the Diplomat series, looking like a different horse than last season. He should handle these maidens easily at a short price. (9) MY OLD MASTER has been motoring home from too far back. He could threaten if put into the race earlier. (6) CAROLINA HURRICANE faced some tough ones last season and made $81K without winning. He should take a good share here. (1) OK ICEMAN can improve moving from the worst post to the inside and grab a piece of this.

Race 4

(6) ER QUINN is a hard-knocker that debuts for top trainer Moreau here. Expect an aggressive drive from Filion. (7) LIGHT FOOT RD also debuts in a new barn after setting a new life's mark last week. He is the main threat to the choice. (2) MYSTIC DEUCE raced well vs. a strong winner last time but his six seconds vs. zero wins doesn't inspire great confidence that he can beat both of the two above; minor share predicted. (10) YOURE MY HERO can enter contention late here and hit the super.

Race 5

(2) GENTLEMAN JIM tripped-out to win last week, but finished fast and can contend here despite stepping up. (1) BEE IN CHARGE has come into his own and is another that should challenge here despite the class rise. (9) GIANT MUSCLES was involved in a quicker tempo than the two above and will be tough if he clears early. (6) DYNAMIC EDGE is another that should go close in a competitive dash.

Race 6

(8) SQUARE DANCER qualified nicely against last year's rookie champion pacing filly and the filly that finished 2nd was an easy winner Monday night; top call. (7) JIMMYS LITTLE GIRL was just behind the choice and looks like the main danger. (5) THIS DAY FORWARD keeps coming close but is worth betting against in the win pool if she is a short price. (6) LUCKY PLAYER raced okay in her season's debut and should improve and take a share here.

Race 7

(4) MAJOR HILL hung on well despite setting wicked fractions last time and the winner of that race came back to win again on Monday. He can set a more even pace here and prove tough to beat. (5) CAMS LUCKY SAM has raced well in both Mohawk starts and is improving; dangerous here. (2) IMSPORTY was flying late in a much-improved effort last time and can beat these with a trip. (6) GOTTI can get a spot near the front early and hang around for a piece.

Race 8

(1) P L JERICO simply got too far back early last week and couldn't bridge the entire gap late. The move inside makes him the one to beat here. (5) ULYSSES BI had a tightener and gets a much better post here; beware. (9) HILLS ANGEL left, took a shuffle, then motored up late to just miss. Her good early speed makes her a threat vs. these. (2) WINDSUN MISSILE was an easy winner in a break-filled affair. These are tougher.

Race 9

(4) ST LADS MOONWALK won as expected last week despite being out the route. He can come right back here despite facing tougher. (1) SINTRA was a very impressive winner of his season's debut and is the main threat to the choice. (3) NICHOLAS RYAN was closing last time vs. the choice and could sneak into the tri here at a price. (8) BAD GAMER will be closing from far back here and passing many of these late. He could make the bottom rung of the super.

Race 10

(1) KAYS SHADOW closed well into an accelerating pace in her sophomore debut. Moving inside should mean a more aggressive steer here. (3) LINDWOOD BEACHGIRL took a lot of action and won impressively last week. She can't be left off late Pick 4 tickets. (4) QUEEN IDEAL continues to race well and can latch onto some cover early from this post (2) COLLECTIVE WISDOM was a sharp winner vs. maidens but the top three here will likely prove to be much tougher. (6) IN THE SHADOWS is likely to make a bottom rung of the exotics.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yonkers: Thursday 5/19 Analysis
By Matt Rose

DRF HARNESS

Race 7 - $10,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool

MEET STATS: 170 - 488 / $884.70 BEST BETS: 22 - 41 / $81.60

Best Bet: HIDDEN IDENTITY (2nd)

Spot Play: MASSIVE ATTACK A (8th)


Race 1

(6) SUMMER SNOW returns to the Kokinos barn, where she's had plenty of success; worth a flyer despite the missed time and outside post. (2) AMERICAN ALIVE looks for two straight and is an obvious threat. (3) RAVENNA STAR returns locally to face softer.

Race 2

(1) HIDDEN IDENTITY was in against some tough ones in his last two and failed to seriously threaten; the move inside and the return to Sears should be enough to get it done as the chalk. (3) JUSTICE JET was second best two back from a similar spot. (4) A LIST LINDY did well to hold for a share last week off a long trip.

Race 3

(1) SECOND WIND N went a bizarre trip last week and burned money in the process; he should be able to stalk here and can get by late. (4) ROCK OUT went a quick mile on the front end last week and can certainly repeat. (3) NORTHVIEW PUNTER N is back up in class looking to keep his good form going.

Race 4

(4) MISS MACHQUEEN is not a prolific winner but this is a very questionable field and the Auciello barn has had some live ones recently. (7) GOSSESS'S ROSA needs to fire from the gate for her best chance. (6) CAM FUNNY doesn't have much in the way of form but she should fit decently with these.

Race 5

(4) MONTREAL PHIL debuts for Allard off the claim and has a ton of back class. (1) RAMPAGE JACKSON is another classy veteran who has found a home at this level. (3) DRIVE 'EM COWBOY was claimed by Banca last out and has been in good form but he's got the top two tough ones to contend with.

Race 6

(5) MY IDEAL HANOVER has been very sharp in her last two for the Robertson barn and she may offer some value from this spot. (4) ELISAVETA N faces a bit softer and should be ready to roll for Bamond. (6) UPFRONTWHOSURLADY will be a speed threat even from this outside post.

Race 7

(5) KAITLYN RAE scored right off the bench at this reduced level and the Allard trainee seems sharp enough to take another. (3) ANEGADA raced decently in her debut for Banca and she can build off that effort. (7) IT'S A MIRCALE is better than she's been showing and she will offer a big price; consider her for a share.

Race 8

(2) MASSIVE ATTACK A didn't tire all that badly last out chasing uncovered at 38/1; import can be tighter off that effort. (5) HER OWN LAND has raced well since joining the Lance Hudson barn and Bartlett could be looking to fire from the gate. (1) ENVIOUS HANOVER has done nothing in recent weeks versus better and she could wake up from this spot.

Race 9

(2) STATION THREEOHSIX has been much, much better of late and it looks like he's regained his confidence while facing softer. (1) STOMPIN TOM CREEK draws best again and is in line for a live trip. (6) REAL FLIGHT has been razor-sharp for Milici.

Race 10

(4) STONEBRIDGE TONIC has been super since the Allard claim and he can take another. (1) ARI ALLSTAR drops in class off two dull efforts and the move inside will help his cause. (2) TWIN B FAMOUS blew up the board last out at Philly and he had some good efforts locally a few starts back.

Race 11

(5) UNDERCOVER STRIKE is the King of this optional 30K claiming class until proven otherwise; how come he doesn't get claimed? (1) SUPER MANNING is back in form now and was second best to the top choice last week. (3) ZORGWIJK NOVA was third best in the same race and she may be forwardly placed again.

Race 12

(7) BABY REMIND ME has talent and a good burst of speed but is also very erratic; give her a swing switching to the Allard barn. (1) LISPATTY blasted down the road last week; I'm sure the strategy will be the same tonight. (3) GEISHA GIRL N qualified sharply at Freehold and could be ready off the bench.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Thursday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Belmont Park (4th) Liam's Prince, 3-1
(7th) More Zen Tea, 4-1


Belterra Park (1st) Rebel Reserve, 6-1
(6th) Whitewood Indian, 9-2


Charles Town (4th) Road Agent, 7-2
(9th) Right On the Money, 4-1


Churchill Downs (1st) Dream Seeker, 4-1
(8th) Full Gas, 8-1


Evangeline Downs (1st) Lucky Henny, 3-1
(4th) Unfriendly, 3-1


Golden Gate Fields (6th) Gymnast Jadie, 3-1
(7th) Look Quickly, 7-2


Gulfstream Park (2nd) Gloton, 5-1
(6th) Cunaviche, 5-1


Lone Star Park (1st) Betcho, 7-2
(8th) I'm Highly Rated, 6-1


Louisiana Downs (5th) Stihl Harbor, 6-1
(7th) Zarb's Tinto, 3-1


Penn National (1st) Handsome Boy, 4-1
(3rd) Bear's Cowboy, 7-2


Pimlico (4th) Andrasta, 6-1
(8th) Silent Tale, 6-1


Prairie Meadows (2nd) Listen You Fool, 3-1
(9th) Jackswhispertolily, 8-1


Santa Anita (1st) Forthe Loveof Patty, 5-1
(5th) He's Very Rare, 8-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners (22-17) at Orioles (24-14)

Game: 3
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: May 19, 2016 12:35 PM EDT

The Baltimore Orioles have been successful despite simply average starting pitching from a group of names that wouldn't impress many.

Tyler Wilson probably is the most unrecognizable, but his last effort was one of the best the Orioles have gotten from their staff recently.

The 26-year-old takes the mound for this 10th career start looking to help Baltimore deal the visiting Seattle Mariners a fifth loss in six games Thursday night.

The Orioles (24-14) rank near the middle of the pack in the majors with a 4.35 ERA from their starters, who gave up 10 runs in 9 1/3 innings during back-to-back losses before Chris Tillman's solid performance in Wednesday's 5-2 win.

Wilson (2-1, 2.93 ERA) made five starts and four relief appearances in 2015 and came out of the bullpen for his first three outings this season. He has a 3.57 ERA while making four straight starts and will be pitching on six days' rest against the Mariners (22-17).

The right-hander last pitched May 11, when he allowed two runs in seven innings of a 9-2 win at Minnesota.

"When you don't have your best command, it's important to get contact early in counts," Wilson said. "I wanted to give my team a chance to make plays behind me, which they did all day, like they always do."

Wilson made his major league debut with a scoreless inning of relief against Seattle on May 20, 2015, at Camden Yards, where Baltimore has a baseball-best home mark of 17-7.

Mark Trumbo and Matt Wieters hit back-to-back homers in the second inning, and Wieters added two doubles as the Orioles avoid losing three straight for just the second time this season. They had two hits in a 10-0 loss in Tuesday's series opener.

"I'm seeing the ball good," said Wieters, who had four extra-base hits prior to Wednesday. "Early in the year, I was just going up there pre-swinging and pre-taking. Now, going up and being able to recognize pitches, I think that's always key."

Seattle couldn't build on Tuesday's effort as No. 7 hitter Chris Iannetta was the only one with multiple hits. It has dropped four of five following a three-game winning streak and has lost three of its last five on the road after starting 12-4 away from home.

Nelson Cruz doubled and is batting .478 while hitting safely in all seven games against his former team since leaving Baltimore after the 2014 season.

The Mariners look to get back on track with help from Nathan Karns, who has shaken off a rough beginning to the season to go 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in a stretch of four straight quality starts.

Karns (3-1, 3.51) allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings and got a no-decision in Seattle's 7-6 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Friday.

The right-hander gave up only three hits prior to the seventh, when he allowed singles to three of the first four batters he faced before leaving with the bases loaded.

Karns was solid in his last two starts against the Orioles last season while with Tampa Bay, giving up three hits and striking out 11 through 11 scoreless innings. Manny Machado is 0 for 9 in their matchups.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs (28-10) at Brewers (17-23)

Game: 3
Venue: Miller Park
Date: May 19, 2016 1:40 PM EDT

Jason Hammel's Chicago Cubs teammates have had little trouble scoring runs for him of late.

They hope his presence will help them break out of their current slump Thursday at Miller Park, where the right-hander looks to remain undefeated on the season and against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Though Chicago (28-10) managed to pull out a 2-1 victory in 13 innings Wednesday, it's totaled five runs in three games. However, avoiding a third straight defeat was all that mattered for the majors' top team.

"Our at-bats have been really good," manager Joe Maddon said. "We've hit the ball well. I know people may not agree with that, and that's OK."

Reliever Travis Wood pitched out of a no-out, bases-loaded jam in the 12th and delivered the go-ahead RBI on a bases-loaded walk to pick up the win.

"It was a long hard-fought ballgame," he said. "We're fortunate to come out on top. ... To be able to sit there and grind it out, grind it out and come through is nice."

Despite their current offensive issues, the Cubs' 218 runs lead the NL and they have averaged 9.93 runs of support for Hammel (5-0, 1.77 ERA) in his last four starts. Chicago will go for a seventh consecutive victory in games started by Hammel, who is off to the best beginning to any of his 11 seasons.

One of three Cubs with a sub-2.00 ERA, Hammel is 8-0 with a 2.37 ERA in 11 starts against the Brewers (17-23). Five of those victories came at Miller Park, where he has a 1.60 ERA in six starts.

His most recent outing came at home Friday, when he overcame eight hits to yield an earned run and strike out eight despite eight hits in 6 2/3 innings of a 9-4 victory over Pittsburgh.

Ryan Braun is hitting .348 with two homers in 23 at-bats against Hammel. The Milwaukee star sat Wednesday with stiffness in his back, but should be in the lineup for the finale. He missed back-to-back contests last weekend against San Diego with a sore wrist that manager Craig Counsell says is fine.

"I thought before the season (Braun should be targeted for) 140 (games)," Counsell told MLB's official website. "So we're right on pace for that. There's going to be stuff here and there. We're right on schedule to what I was anticipating."

Braun is batting .364 with 28 RBIs in 35 games, but is 2 for 11 in his last three.

Making his first appearance against Chicago, Junior Guerra (2-0, 4.00) lasted six innings in each of the three starts he's made for Milwaukee since being called up from the minors earlier this month. The right-hander gave up four runs apiece in the first two but only two hits in Friday's 1-0 win over San Diego.

The 31-year-old Guerra is making the most of this opportunity after he couldn't stick with the Chicago White Sox, with whom he made his first three career appearances last season.

"If this was meant to be, you've got to take advantage of it now," Guerra said.

He will try to cool off Ben Zobrist, who is 20 for 40 with 13 runs scored and walked 11 times in 12 games. He's 6 for 13 in the last three against the Brewers.

Teammate Anthony Rizzo is 0 for 10 in three games, and 2 for 16 in the last four at Miller Park.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves (10-29) at Pirates (21-18)

Game: 4
Venue: PNC Park
Date: May 19, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

A surprising turnaround on the mound helped the Atlanta Braves give interim manager Brian Snitker his first victory, and another would give them a four-game split with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The NL-worst Braves look to notch back-to-back wins over the Pirates for the first time in nearly two calendar years with Thursday night's series finale at PNC Park.

Wednesday's 3-1 victory was Snitker's first since moving up from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday to replace the fired Fredi Gonzalez. His first game, Tuesday's 12-9 loss, went similar to an 8-5 loss Monday in Gonzalez's final game.

The Pirates (21-18) pummeled the Braves (10-29) to the tune of 35 hits and four home runs between the first two games of this series, but Atlanta avoided the worst 39-game start in franchise history Wednesday.

Julio Teheran picked up his first win with 7 2/3 scoreless innings, and Arodys Vizcaino shut the door with a four-out save.

"It's a good team win," Snitker said. "It's good all around. We caught the ball well and Julio just kind of fed off of all the runs he got and just did a great job."

The Braves will try for their fifth win in the last 15 games of this series, and grabbing it likely means continuing the struggles of Pittsburgh's Jeff Locke.

Three straight quality starts were promising for Locke (1-3, 5.45 ERA), but he took a step back in Saturday's 8-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs. The left-hander gave up six hits and six runs in 5 1/3 innings while coughing up a pair of home runs.

He walked two and struck out only three, leaving his strikeout-to-walk ratio at an NL-worst 1.19.

Locke held the Cubs to one single through three innings and was staked to a 2-0 lead after Pittsburgh's half of the fourth. He coughed it up immediately, though, with two hits and two walks leading to three Cubs runs before an out was recorded in the bottom half of the inning.

"It really felt like a tale of two games, to be honest," Locke told MLB's official website. "When the action happened for them, it happened quick."

Pittsburgh hasn't won a Locke start against Atlanta since his first appearance against the Braves in October 2012. He holds a 6.31 ERA and 1.87 WHIP in five starts since. The Braves have hit .276 against the southpaw with five home runs, though none came from current Atlanta hitters.

Mike Foltynewicz is tasked with carrying over Teheran's success into the finale.

Foltynewicz (1-1, 2.89) has made three starts since being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett and has taken major strides in each.

After lasting just 3 2/3 innings and allowing four runs in his season debut, the right-hander's numbers drastically improved his last two starts. He tossed seven sharp innings with two runs allowed on five hits with a career high-tying eight strikeouts in a 5-3, 11-inning loss to Arizona on May 8 before tossing eight scoreless innings during Saturday's 5-0 win at Kansas City.

Foltynewicz picked up his first win since Aug. 8 - a stretch of five games in which he received one run of support - by limiting the Royals to seven hits in the longest outing of his three-year career.

The 24-year-old became the first Atlanta pitcher to toss at least eight shutout innings with no walks since Alex Wood on Aug. 31, 2014.

"I just went out there and attacked," he told MLB's official website. "I let the defense do the work."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals (24-16) at Mets (22-17)

Game: 3
Venue: Citi Field
Date: May 19, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

While Stephen Strasburg is out to prove he deserves the lucrative money the Washington Nationals just gave him, Matt Harvey is trying to validate his spot in the New York Mets' rotation.

The pair squares off in Thursday night's rubber game as the host Mets seek their ninth win in the last 12 games of this NL East series.

First-place Washington (24-16) scored just two runs on a three-game losing streak, which included Tuesday's series-opening 2-0 loss, but broke out with Wednesday's 7-1 victory.

Daniel Murphy drove in two runs against his former team and the Mets (22-17) issued 11 walks in a game that lasted 3 hours, 42 minutes. Washington handed New York its fifth loss in six games.

The Nationals turn to their ace to try and seal their eighth series victory in their last nine visits to New York.

Strasburg (6-0, 2.95 ERA) wasn't great in his first start after signing his seven-year, $175 million contract, giving up three runs in six innings of Saturday's 6-4 win over Miami. He still picked up his sixth win, though in his last two outings, the right-hander has surrendered seven runs in 13 innings.

At times against the Marlins, Strasburg relied heavily on his fastball with an inconsistent curveball, changeup and slider.

"It was not my best. I'm going to learn from it," Strasburg told MLB's official website. "The guys played great behind me. It was a good win for us. The other pitches - curveball, changeup, even slider - they kind of just showed up and they disappeared for a little bit. There is going to be games like that. But I just wanted to go out there and give it everything I had and keep it close."

He will try to prove he deserves lucrative money by improving on his stellar numbers against the Mets. Strasburg holds a 2.78 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in nine career starts against them, though those numbers stood at 4.00 and 1.39 in three 2015 starts.

Lucas Duda, Neil Walker and Travis d'Arnaud have homered off Strasburg.

Harvey (3-5, 4.93) was shelled for 11 hits and five runs in 5 2/3 innings of Friday's 5-2 loss at Colorado, continuing his poor start. Opponents are batting .311 against him with 17 of 57 hits going for extra bases.

The defeat extended the lengthiest slump of Harvey's professional career.

"I struggled a little bit my sophomore year of college, but it was pretty quick and didn't really last this long," Harvey told MLB's official website. "It's frustrating. It's taking a lot longer than expected, but you can't give up. You've just got to keep going."

The latest mishap came at hitter-friendly Coors Field, and Harvey has historically loved the matchup against Washington.

The right-hander holds a 1.77 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in 10 career starts against the Nationals, numbers inflated from the eight hits and seven runs he allowed in 5 1/3 innings of one start last season. Otherwise, he has allowed six earned runs in the other nine starts.

Washington hit just .210 against Harvey in six 2015 meetings while striking out 41 times in 39 innings. Astonishingly, Bryce Harper is 0 for 20 against him, striking out seven times. Jayson Werth is 4 for 19 with 11 strikeouts in the matchup, while Ryan Zimmerman is 4 for 17 with the Nationals' only home run.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians (20-17) at Reds (15-25)

Game: 4
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: May 19, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

The Cleveland Indians entered their series against the Cincinnati Reds struggling to score, but the most overworked bullpen in the majors has helped boost their production.

While the Reds continue to seek out a breather for their taxed relievers, the visiting Indians go for a home-and-home sweep over their in-state rivals.

Cleveland (20-17) extended its win streak in this series to five with a pair of home wins Monday and Tuesday before Wednesday's 8-7, 12-inning victory in Cincinnati.

The Indians outscored the Reds (15-25) 28-7 in Cleveland and then rallied late in the Cincinnati opener. Rajai Davis hit a tying two-run homer in the ninth inning - his second of the game - and Francisco Lindor led off the 12th with a winning solo shot.

"I'm a small guy so when I hit them, I hope for the best," Lindor said. "It's fun to watch everyone having success."

The victory was Cleveland's eighth in the last nine games of this series since the start of last season, and it was aided by more bullpen struggles from Cincinnati.

Reds starters totaled 8 1/3 innings in the pair of games in Cleveland, and the relievers were left to eat up 6 1/3 on Wednesday. The rotation has been decimated by injuries and has pitched a MLB-low 205 innings.

The bullpen isn't far behind with 147 - second most in the majors.

No starter has logged more than six innings since Alfredo Simon went a season-high 7 2/3 on May 5, and the only other starter to complete seven was Robert Stephenson on April 19. Nine of the last 11 have failed to get through the sixth.

Not surprisingly, Reds relievers lead baseball with a 6.43 ERA, 85 walks and 33 home runs allowed.

"Unfortunately, it's a lot of short starts," manager Bryan Price said. "I'm throwing (Steve) Delabar every other day, an inning-plus. (Blake) Wood goes four out of five, or (JC) Ramirez. (Tony) Cingrani, if he's not in, he's up. ... "It's too much for a bullpen. It's kind of this cycle of trying to stay competitive and get your starters out if they don't have it, but not kill your bullpen in the process. Or leave a starter out there when he's out there getting beat up so he can save your bullpen."

Jumbo Diaz, Ross Ohlendorf, Cingrani, Ramirez, Caleb Cotham and Keyvius Sampson were used on Wednesday. Cingrani blew his third save in the ninth.

It will be up to rookie Tim Adleman to provide a rest.

Adleman (1-1, 3.38 ERA) has been solid in his first three big league starts, giving up 15 hits and six runs in 16 innings. However, his latest was his least impressive as he was tagged for eight hits and three runs in five innings of Saturday's 4-3 loss at Philadelphia.

On the flip side, Cleveland has not lost a Josh Tomlin start yet. Tomlin (5-0, 3.82) logged his third straight quality start in Friday's 7-6 win over Minnesota, allowing four hits and four runs - three earned - in 6 1/3 innings. All four runs came via three homers.

Tomlin holds a 5.32 ERA while the Reds have batted .300 against him in four career meetings. However, in two starts he has held them to two runs in 13 2/3 innings, and the other two he has given up 11 in 8 1/3.

Zack Cozart (5 for 8, double, triple) and Brandon Phillips (3 for 8, home run) have seen Tomlin well, while Joey Votto has homered and doubled in eight at-bats in the matchup.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockies (20-19) at Cardinals (21-19)

Game: 3
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: May 19, 2016 7:15 PM EDT

Michael Wacha hasn't received much help from his St. Louis Cardinals teammates during the worst losing streak of his career.

Jon Gray was finally rewarded amid his current positive stretch for the Colorado Rockies.

While Wacha looks to avoid a fifth consecutive losing start, Gray tries to build on his first career victory in Thursday night's decisive series finale at Busch Stadium.

Wacha (2-4, 3.23 ERA) received an average of 8.87 runs of support while going 2-0 with a 2.82 ERA in his first four starts. The offense has given him just 1.80 over his last four outings, during which he's posted a 3.60 ERA.

The right-hander allowed six runs, only two of which were earned, over four innings of an 8-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. St. Louis committed four of its major league-leading 36 errors in that contest.

"Errors are going to happen in games," Wacha, who's 1-1 with a 3.93 ERA in three starts against Colorado, told MLB's official website. "It's all about how you deal with them. I have to do a better job of, when those errors do happen, getting the next guy out, making your pitches, not letting it bother you."

St. Louis (21-19) made one of its three errors since that game Wednesday, but it didn't matter in a 2-0 victory that snapped the Rockies' five-game winning streak. Adam Wainwright threw 6 2/3 solid innings, Stephen Piscotty had three hits and Matt Holliday delivered a two-run double in the third inning for the Cardinals, who have managed just three runs in the set.

It is Holliday's lone hit in 15 at-bats over four games.

'Matty stepped up for me, that was a huge hit,' Wainwright said. 'That lineup is very tough, so when you get ahead of them you have to stay ahead.'

While the Cardinals have had their issues at the plate in this series, Piscotty is batting .371 in his last 15 games. He's hit .380 in his last 13 games at Busch after going 4 for 26 in his first seven there.

St. Louis will get its first look Jon Gray (1-1, 4.71), who finally earned a victory in his 14th start Friday. The right-hander allowed two runs and struck out eight in seven innings of the 5-2 win over the New York Mets.

"It's a step - I'm not saying I want to stay here, be content," said Gray, who has a 1.80 ERA in three starts this month. "I look forward to what's next."

Manager Walt Weiss has been impressed with Gray's progression.

"The kid's growing up quick - right before our eyes," he said. "Probably the biggest factor is his confidence. ... Jonny has cleared that hurdle."

Charlie Blackmon is batting .344 in his last eight road contests for Colorado (20-19), which was shut out for the first time while managing six hits.

Blackmon is 6 for 16 with two triples in his last four at Busch Stadium.

Teammate Carlos Gonzalez, however, is 2 for 24 in his last seven games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Astros (17-24) at White Sox (24-16)

Game: 3
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: May 19, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

No longer concerned with striking people out, Chris Sale has enjoyed one of the best starts in baseball history.

Looking to become the first major leaguer in eight years to open with nine straight winning starts, Sale tries to help the Chicago White Sox avoid a fifth consecutive defeat in Thursday night's series finale against the visiting Houston Astros.

"It's just different because his confidence level, I guess it's more of a relaxed confidence," manager Robin Ventura told MLB's official website. "He's a competitor. He's out there with that same fire, but he's also smarter about how he goes about it."

After fanning at least 200 in three straight seasons, including an AL-best 274 in 2015, Sale (8-0, 1.67 ERA) has struck out 53 and not punched out more than nine in any appearance this year.

Arizona's Brandon Webb was the last pitcher to win his first nine in 2008.

"(Sale is) a little more confident in pitching to contact," Ventura said. "Somebody wants to pop up the first pitch? He's giving them a chance to be able to do that. I don't think anybody really wants to get to two strikes with him because he can strike you out."

Sale struck out six without a walk and yielded a second-inning homer during his second complete game of 2016 in Friday's 7-1 victory at Yankee Stadium.

"Right now, he's able to pitch to contact and conserve that," Ventura said about Sale, whose 59 1/3 innings pitched rank among the most in the majors.

"He can reach back and get it any time, but he's not doing it all the time because we are scoring some runs for him and playing defense behind him. It gives him more confidence to last longer in the games."

Sale, who can become the first White Sox pitcher since Eddie Cicotte in 1919 to win his first nine starts, has allowed two earned runs, fanned 47 and walked four over 32-plus innings while going 3-1 against Houston (17-24).

These Astros, however, will try to win three in a row for the first time and hand the White Sox (24-16) their first sweep of 2016. Jose Altuve had three hits with two RBIs in Wednesday's 5-3 victory for Houston, which recorded back-to-back road wins for the first time to open this three-game set.

"Records are cumulative," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "Ours isn't pretty or where we want it to be right now, but that doesn't mean we're not a good team. I'll take our team against any of these guys.

"I do believe we are playing better baseball."

Altuve is 18 for 41 with 10 runs scored and seven RBIs in 10 games. He's batting .357 in 14 at-bats against Sale.

Suburban Chicago native Collin McHugh (4-3, 5.58) won three straight starts before he allowed four runs, 10 hits and three walks in six innings of a 6-5, 11-inning loss at Boston on Saturday. The right-hander has an 8.74 ERA in three road starts.

His only previous appearance against the White Sox came two years ago this week.

Adam Eaton is hitless in three at-bats against McHugh, but is batting .375 in his last 12 games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jays (19-23) at Twins (10-29)

Game: 1
Venue: Target Field
Date: May 19, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

The Minnesota Twins shocked many by winning 83 games and staying the AL wild-card race for much of the season under rookie manager Paul Molitor in 2015.

It's equally surprising that they're suddenly tied for the worst record in the majors this year.

Minnesota has lost six in a row at home, a skid it'll try to snap Thursday night against the Toronto Blue Jays as the struggling clubs open a four-game set at Target Field.

The disappointment has continued ever since the Twins (10-29) dropped their first nine of the season, an unexpected start for a team that overachieved in Molitor's first year. He tried to rally his players prior to Wednesday's game in Detroit, but they committed a season-high three errors in a 6-3 defeat as the Tigers completed a three-game sweep.

Now they're tied at the bottom of the MLB standings with Atlanta.

'We talked a lot (before the game) about the first inning, being ready,' Molitor said after Minnesota allowed a run in the opening inning. 'Some of the basic things that you would hope at this level. All those kind of things that just jump out at you when you're playing poorly."

Joe Mauer went hitless in four at-bats and is 1 for 17 with seven strikeouts over his last four. He's hitting .140 since May 2.

'I keep telling the guys we still have a long way to go and stretches like this happen,' Mauer said.

The Twins have been outscored 39-18 during their home losing streak and will turn to Ervin Santana to try to shut down Toronto. Santana (1-2, 3.38 ERA) had his best start of the season Saturday, allowing one run in six innings of a 6-3 win over Cleveland.

It was his second start since missing three weeks with a back injury. That outing also is one of only two Twins victories in their last 13.

"We have to keep our minds fresh like nothing has been going on," Santana said.

The right-hander lost 5-1 on Aug. 3 in his only start against the Blue Jays (19-23) last season, giving up three runs in six innings. Josh Donaldson his a two-run homer off of him and is hitting .357 with two homers and two doubles lifetime against Santana.

Jose Bautista also has gone deep twice off Santana, but he went 0 for 3 in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to Tampa Bay. Toronto has lost a season-high five straight and was held to seven runs during the Rays' three-game sweep.

Three of the Blue Jays' four hits in the finale were homers, as Michael Saunders, Edwin Encarnacion and Jimmy Paredes went deep.

Marco Estrada has received only 10 runs of support through 43 2/3 innings this season, and he'll be on the mound again in this one. Estrada (1-2, 2.89) allowed two runs and five hits in 13 innings over his previous two starts before struggling Saturday, giving up a season-worst five runs and walking four through six innings of Toronto's 6-5, 10-inning defeat.

The right-hander allowed one homer for the third straight start after surrendering only one long ball through his first four outings combined.

Estrada beat the Twins 3-1 on Aug. 4 in his only start against them last season, giving up one run in 6 2/3 innings. He had a 6.08 ERA in his career against Minnesota prior to that outing.

Toronto manager John Gibbons will sit this one out to serve the last of a three-game suspension.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants (24-18) at Padres (17-24)

Game: 3
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: May 19, 2016 9:10 PM EDT

Madison Bumgarner may be the ace of the San Francisco Giants staff, but the four starters following him have held that title for this team or another over the course of their careers.

Two are now turning in starts regularly that hint that the title could again be applied to their names, and Jeff Samardzija is one of them.

The first-year Giants starter takes the mound Thursday night in San Diego as San Francisco tries to extend its winning streak to eight.

Samardzija (5-2, 2.88 ERA) has really hit his stride over the last three starts, going 2-1 with a 1.52 ERA and .218 opponent batting average. The right-hander gave up a run and eight hits in eight innings of Friday's 3-1 win in Arizona, and a home loss to Colorado five days before came mostly because the Giants didn't give him any run support.

After Johnny Cueto went the distance in Wednesday's 2-1 win, San Francisco's top three pitchers are 15-5. Bumgarner is 5-2 with a 2.45 mark, while Cueto is 6-1 with a 2.70. To some extent, that's allowing former Giants ace Matt Cain and former-Padres-ace-turned-Giant Jake Peavy time to figure their struggles out.

"You've got to keep pace, right?" Samardzija said of the in-staff competition. "It's awesome when you've got guys in front of you that are doing that and showing you the way, and you don't want to let everyone down."

Samardzija just happened to have his worst start thus far against the Padres, surrendering five runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 13-9 home win on April 27. He earned the decision to get to 4-1 with a 3.60 ERA in five starts and two relief appearances against San Diego.

Jon Jay, who has been out with a shoulder injury, is 9 for 21 against Samardzija.

The Padres (17-24) counter with James Shields, whose ERA has dropped by more than a run over the past four starts. Shields (2-5, 3.12) is 2-2 in that span but it comes with a 2.08 ERA after entering that run with a 4.15

The right-hander gave up seven hits in seven innings of last Thursday's 3-0 win in Milwaukee. He struck out a season-high nine and walked one after issuing 11 walks in the previous three starts.

"I felt really good," Shields said. "I think I cleaned up my delivery a little bit in the bullpen session, and I was more consistent."

Shields lost to Cueto on April 26, though he limited the Giants to a run and three hits in seven innings of a 1-0 final. He's 2-2 with a 2.53 ERA in five career starts against them.

Gregor Blanco is 5 for 12 against him, but Hunter Pence (1 for 15), Matt Duffy (1 for 15), Buster Posey (2 for 15) and Denard Span (5 for 34) have struggled.

Pence hit a two-run homer Wednesday, all the Giants (24-18) needed for a seventh straight win. Offense has been modest, but San Francisco has a 1.75 ERA in that span.

The Giants have won all five games in the season series.

The Padres have lost three straight with four runs scored. Matt Kemp is batting .132 in his last 13 games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees (17-22) at Athletics (19-22)

Game: 1
Venue: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Date: May 19, 2016 10:05 PM EDT

The only blemish during Oakland's hot streak was a tough day at the plate the last time Kendall Graveman took the mound for the Athletics.

Their offense has picked up since, leaving the onus on Graveman to recapture the form that helped him shut down the New York Yankees last month.

Oakland looks to keep rolling by winning a fifth straight game in the opener of a four-game set with the visiting Yankees on Thursday night.

The A's (19-22) suddenly have caught fire, winning five of six while scoring at least six runs four times in that stretch. They're coming off a three-game sweep of Texas after Khris Davis launched a walkoff grand slam for his third homer of the game in Tuesday's 8-5 win before connecting for a solo shot in an 8-1 victory Wednesday.

Danny Valencia, who had his own three-homer game in Sunday's win at Tampa Bay, went 3 for 4 with a pair of RBIs and is batting .455 with six homers in nine games since coming off the disabled list.

"We've been fortunate enough to hit the ball hard when we get a pitch to hit," Valencia said. "It's been a lot of fun. The middle of the order is supposed to do some damage and right now we're doing it."

Oakland lost nine of 10 prior to its hot stretch, with starting pitchers posting a 9.00 ERA in that span. Starters have a 3.68 ERA over the last six.

"A lot of things are going right," manager Bob Melvin said. "The rotation is suddenly getting us deep into games and we've been able to sustain the momentum."

The A's lineup took a day off Saturday, though, finishing with only two hits in a 6-0 loss to Tampa. Graveman (1-5, 5.84 ERA) wasn't exactly great on the mound, either, giving up four runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Graveman had a 2.04 ERA through his first three starts but has posted a 9.31 mark while losing the four since. He's allowed eight homers in that stretch, including one Saturday when he had his second-longest outing during his skid.

"I thought he was better than his last several times out, for sure," Melvin said.

The right-hander's last good start came against the Yankees on April 20, when he gave up one run and three hits while striking out a career-high eight in 6 1/3 innings of a 5-2 win.

New York (17-22), which was swept in that three-game series, hopes for a better result this time around against Graveman and the A's after beating Arizona 4-2 on Wednesday to salvage the finale of a three-game series. Brett Gardner hit a two-run homer in the first inning for the Yankees, who had dropped nine of 10 on the road.

Ivan Nova has been good during his return to the rotation, and he'll get the ball again in this one.

Nova (2-1, 3.70) has given up two runs - both on solo homers - and 10 hits in 10 1/3 innings over two starts and beat the Chicago White Sox 2-1 on Saturday, leaving the bullpen trio of Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman to finish the job.

"They're strikeout machines," Nova said. "It's special to have those guys behind us."

The right-hander threw a perfect inning of relief against the A's on April 20, his first appearance against them since posting a 4.50 ERA in three starts in 2012. Billy Butler is 5 for 10 off Nova, and Josh Reddick is 4 for 11 in their matchups.

Alex Rodriguez is eligible to come off the disabled list Thursday, but his strained right hamstring will keep him on the DL a little while longer.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Dodgers (21-20) at Angels (18-22)

Game: 4
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: May 19, 2016 10:05 PM EDT

Ross Stripling's first major league win finally came, but it was in one of his lesser outings in seven with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jhoulys Chacin was far better in his Los Angeles Angels debut than he was in five starts with Atlanta, but he settled for a no-decision.

They meet in the finale of home-and-home two-game sets Thursday night at Angel Stadium with the Angels hoping to take three of four.

Stripling (1-2, 4.26 ERA) gave up four runs and eight hits with three walks in five innings of Friday's 8-4 home win over St. Louis after missing out on victories in far better starts, two of which resulted in one run allowed with at most one hit. Consider it the lineup repaying its debt after providing the right-hander with limited run support through his first six starts.

"I think (Stripling) just started losing his crispness when he got around the 75-pitch mark," manager Dave Roberts told MLB's official website. "The curveball was good, but I don't know if it's a mental thing or physical."

Pitching outside of Dodger Stadium has been the preferred choice so far in his young career, as he's 0-0 with a 2.12 ERA in three road starts compared to 1-2 with a 6.00 mark in four at home.

Chacin (0-0, 2.57), who was acquired on May 11 from the Braves, made his first start with his new team three days later. The right-hander gave up two runs and five hits in seven innings of a 9-7 win in Seattle on Saturday.

His first win with the Angels can now come in his home debut after shoulder issues disrupted much of the past two seasons with Arizona and Colorado before he signed a minor league deal with Atlanta this offseason.

"I feel healthy," Chacin said. "I feel my arm is as good as it was before. I'm just having fun. I'm just trying to make pitches, trying to keep the ball down, and just have fun playing."

Chacin has spent nearly his entire career in the NL West, so he's seen plenty of the Dodgers. In 18 starts and a relief appearance, he's 9-7 with a 3.74 ERA. Carl Crawford is 6 for 9 in their matchups, while A.J. Ellis is 7 for 17 with a homer and could find himself in the lineup.

The Angels (18-22) won 8-1 on Wednesday night after the clubs split two games at Dodger Stadium. They've won five of six and are getting plenty of offense over the last seven, averaging 6.4 runs and batting .313.

Mike Trout was 3 for 4 with a home run and has his average up to .320 after being at .220 a month ago. He's batting .370 with eight home runs in 100 at-bats over his last 26 games after starting with one homer in his first 50 at-bats.

The Dodgers (21-20) have lost three of four and figure to be without their first baseman for at least one more game. Adrian Gonzalez missed his second straight game with lower-back tightness that surfaced Monday.

He's expected to return Friday or Saturday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Thursday, May 19, 2016, Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews

The first managerial domino has fallen in Major League Baseball, and not surprisingly it was the worst team in the majors, the Atlanta Braves, dumping Manager Fredi Gonzalez. This had been rumored coming for a while. There was never any chance of Gonzalez following the team to its new Cobb County stadium next season. Not sure what the point of firing him now is and installing Triple-A manager Brian Snitker as the interim guy. Why not leave Snitker there and wait until after this lost season to hire your full-time choice? But what do I know?

Obviously the Braves front office knew the team was going to struggle this season in a full-bore rebuild, but just not as much as they had. The Braves are off to a worse start than the historically inept 1962 New York Mets. Freddie Freeman is the only player who started for the Braves on Opening Day in 2011 who is still with the team. Gonzalez was in his sixth season as Braves manager after replacing his mentor, Bobby Cox, when Cox retired after the 2010 season.


Braves at Pirates (-190, 8)

Some early candidates you hear for Atlanta's next full-time manager: Snitker, Eddie Perez, Terry Pendleton (both kept from Gonzalez's staff; Pendleton was moved from first-base coach to bench coach in this shakeup) and current MLB Network analyst and former Brave Mark DeRosa. I've heard Chipper Jones' name, and that would certainly be interesting, but the Braves' legend apparently doesn't have interest in managing right now. Many think DeRosa is the favorite. The Braves start former top prospect Mike Foltynewicz (1-1, 2.89) here. This will be his fourth start of the season after being called up early this month. He was great last time out, shutting out the Royals on seven hits over eight innings. He has never faced Pittsburgh. It's lefty Jeff Locke (1-3, 5.45) for the Bucs. His string of three straight quality starts ended Saturday at the Cubs, allowing six runs in 5.1 innings. Atlanta's Freeman is 2-for-7 off him with three RBIs.

Key trends: The Braves are 1-7 in Foltynewicz's past eight road starts. The Pirates are 6-2 in Locke's past eight on Thursday. The "over/under" is 6-0 in Locke's past six at home.

Early lean: Pirates and over.

Nationals at Mets (+100, 6.5)

MLB Network game and should have live betting at sportsbooks, and it's certainly the pitching matchup of the night. Monitor the status of Mets third baseman David Wright. He was scratched from Tuesday's game vs. Washington with a flare-up of the spinal stenosis in his lower back. That problem cost him much of last season. Wright doesn't think it's serious this time but admits that Manager Terry Collins forcing him to sit Tuesday might have saved Wright a trip to the DL. New York goes with Matt Harvey (3-5, 4.93), who really hasn't been himself at times this season. He was touched up for five runs and 11 hits in 5.2 innings last time out in Colorado. Harvey was 2-2 with a 2.31 ERA in six starts vs. Washington last season. Bryce Harper can't hit the guy, going 0-for-20 with seven strikeouts. The Nats go with Cy Young candidate Stephen Strasburg (6-0, 2.95). The Nats have won all his starts this season whether he got a decision or not. Strasburg was 1-2 with a 4.00 ERA last season in three starts vs. New York. Wright, if he plays, is 6-for-22 off him with nine strikeouts. Neil Walker is 3-for-11 with a homer.

Key trends: The Nationals are 7-0 in Strasburg's past seven road starts. The Mets are 3-7 in Harvey's past 10 starts. Washington is 5-1 in Strasburg's past six in New York. The under is 8-2 in his past 10 on the road overall.

Early lean: Nationals and under.

Astros at White Sox (-180, 7)

Pale Hose GM Rick Hahn said Tuesday that he's prepared to make a big move to improve his team and already is talking to teams. A left-handed bat and starting pitcher would appear to be the two biggest needs. The Sox are starting to fade a bit, so they seem likely to do something. They go with ace lefty Chris Sale (8-0, 1.67) here, the fourth starter in franchise history to win his first eight starts. He threw a complete game Friday at the Yankees, allowing one run and six hits. Sale faced Houston once last year and allowed one earned run and five hits in eight innings. Jose Altuve is 5-for-14 off him with a double. It's Collin McHugh (4-3, 5.58) for Houston. He had a three-start winning streak end Saturday in Boston, allowing four runs and 10 hits over six innings. He didn't face the White Sox in 2015. Brett Lawrie is 1-for-12 off him with eight strikeouts.

Key trends: The Astros are 2-8 in their past 10 against southpaws. The White Sox are 8-0 in Sale's past eight following a quality start in his most recent appearance. The under is 8-3 in McHugh's past 11 on four days of rest. The under is 12-4 in Sale's past 16 at home.

Early lean: White Sox and under.

Blue Jays at Twins (+128, 8.5)

Toronto will remain without Manager John Gibbons, who will serve the finale of a three-game suspension for his role in Sunday's brawl with Texas. Jays slugger Jose Bautista was suspended for a game but is appealing. Just keep in mind he could drop that at any time and take a game off. The Jays go with Marco Estrada (1-2, 2.89), whose only win came in his first start of the season despite that fine ERA. He comes off his worst start of 2016, allowing five runs in six innings at Texas. Toronto scored five runs for him in that game as he avoided a loss, but prior to that the Jays had scored just 12 runs in his previous six games. Minnesota's Joe Mauer is 3-for-12 off him with two doubles and three RBIs. The Twins' Ervin Santana (1-2, 3.38) finally got a win Saturday in Cleveland, allowing a run and five hits over six innings. Bautista is 8-for-29 off him with two homers. Josh Donaldson is 5-for-14 with two homers.

Key trends: The Jays are 0-4 in Estrada's past four on the road. The Twins are 1-4 in Santana's past five at home. The under is 6-1-1 in Estrada's past eight on the road. The under is 4-0-1 in Santana's past five in Game 1 of a series.

Early lean: Twins and under.

Yankees at A's (+100, 8)

New York was planning to activate Alex Rodriguez off the DL for this game. He has been out since straining a hamstring on May 3. A-Rod is hitting .194 with five homers and 12 RBIs but had been on a mini-hot streak before going down. Alas, he had a setback while running on Tuesday and now won't play Thursday and maybe not this series. The A's, meanwhile, have lost first baseman/outfielder Mark Canha to season-ending hip surgery. In a platoon role, he was hitting .122 with three homers and six RBIs. The Yanks start Ivan Nova (2-1, 3.70) here. He beat the White Sox last time out, allowing a run and four hits over 5.2 innings. Nova pitched one scoreless inning of relief on April 20 vs. the A's -- Oakland swept three games in the Bronx. It's Kendall Graveman (1-5, 5.84) for the A's. He has struggled since beating the Yankees on April 20, allowing a run and three hits over 6.1 innings. Didi Gregorius is 1-for-4 with a homer against him.

Key trends: The Yankees are 1-8 in Nova's past nine Thursday starts. The A's are 1-6 in Graveman's past seven at home. The over is 4-0 in Graveman's past four on four days of rest.

Early lean: Yankees and over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Previews, Streaks, Tips, Notes

San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres May 19, 9:10 EST

The closing matchup of a three game series is today’s baseball betting focus as the San Diego Padres host the San Francisco Giants this evening at Petco Park. According to the current betting odds, the Giants are -$1.45 road favorites, with a run total of 7.0.

Giants have dominated the season series winning all five meetings. The visitors sends Jeff Samardzija to the mound carrying a 4-1 Team Start Record vs Padres. The home side counters with James Shields owning a 2-5 career TSR vs Giants, 1-3 TSR since joining Padres. Additionally, Shields' and Petco Park go together like oil and water. The hurler enters the contest with a 1-4 TSR at home this season and sports a 4-11 TSR last fifteen in front of the home audience.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

Thursday's games

National League games

Braves @ Pirates
Foltynewicz is 1-0, 1.20 in his last two starts (under 2-0-1).

Locke is 0-1, 5.89 in his last three starts; five of his last six starts went over.

Pirates won three of their last four games (over 10-4-1 in last 15). Atlanta lost ten of its last 13 games; six of its last nine games stayed under.

Nationals @ Mets
Washington is 8-0 when Strasburg starts (3-0, 3.81 last four); over is 6-0-1 in his last seven starts.

Harvey is 1-2, 5.40 in his last three starts; his last four starts stayed under.

Washington lost five of last six road games; under is 4-2-1 in last seven games overall. Mets lost six of their last eight games; eight of their last ten stayed under.

Cubs @ Brewers
Hammel is 5-0, 2.08 in his last six starts (over 4-1-1).

Guerra is 2-0, 4.00 in his three starts (under 1-0-2).

Cubs are 12-4 in their last 16 games (under 3-0 last three). Milwaukee is 6-4 in its last ten home games; six of its last seven games overall stayed under.

Rockies @ Cardinals
Gray is 1-1, 1.80 in his last three starts, which all stayed under.

Wacha is 0-3, 3.43 in his last three starts (over 4-3).

Rockies won five of last six games; eight of their last ten stayed under. St Louis lost three of its last five games; their last three games stayed under.

Giants @ Padres
Samardzija is 4-0, 2.02 in his last five starts, four of which went over.

Shields is 2-2, 2.07 in his last four starts (under 6-2).

Giants won last seven games, allowing 13 runs; under is 10-1 in their last 11. Padres lost four of last five games; six of their last seven games stayed under.


American League games

Mariners @ Orioles
Karns is 2-0, 2.45 in his last four starts (under 3-1 in his road starts). .

Wilson is 2-1, 3.97 in his four starts (over 3-1).

Seattle lost four of last five games; five of its last seven went over total. Baltimore won eight of its last ten games; under is 7-5 in their last 12 home games.

Astros @ White Sox
McHugh is 3-0, 4.18 in his last four starts (over 3-1).

Sale is 8-0, 1.82 in his eight starts, last four of which went over.

Houston lost four of last six games, five of which went over. White Sox lost six of their last seven games; nine of their last twelve games went over.

Blue Jays @ Twins
Estrada is 0-3, 3.68 in his last six starts (under 6-1).

Santana is 1-2, 4.30 in his six starts, last three of which went over.

Blue Jays lost six of last seven games, six of which went over the total. Minnesota is ; over is 10-3-1 in their last 14 games.

Bronx @ A's
Nova is 1-0, 1.80 in two starts this season (over 1-1).

Graveman is 0-4, 9.31 in his last four starts (under 4-3).

A's won five of last six games; eight of their last ten games went over. Bronx lost nine of last 11 road games; over is 7-2-1 in their last ten games.


Interleague

Indians @ Reds
Cleveland is 6-0 when Tomlin starts (5-0, 4.10, over 5-1). Indians scored 34 runs in his six outings

Adleman is 1-1, 3.38 in his three starts (under 2-1).

Reds lost eight of their last ten games; over is 10-3-2 in their last 15 home games. Indians lost seven of last ten road games; over is 9-3-1 in their last thirteen.

Dodgers @ Angels
Stripling is 2-2, 5.84 in his last five starts (under 5-1-1).

Chacin gave up two runs in seven IP (90 PT) in his first start for the Angels.

Angels won five of last six games; five of their last seven games went over. Dodgers are 4-3 in last seven games; four of their last six games went over.


Teams won-lost records when this pitcher starts:

Atl-Pitt-- Foltynewicz 1-2; Locke 1-6
Wsh-NY-- Strasburg 8-0; Harvey 3-5
Chi-Mil-- Hammel 6-1; Guerra 3-0
Col-StL-- Gray 2-3; Wacha 3-4
SF-SD-- Samardzija 5-3; Shields 2-6

Sea-Balt-- Karns 5-2; Wilson 3-1
Hst-Chi-- McHugh 4-4; Sale 8-0
Tor-Minn-- Estrada 2-5; Santana 1-5
NY-A's-- Nova 2-0; Graveman 1-6

Clev-Cin-- Tomlin 6-0; Adleman 2-1
LA-LAA-- Stripling 4-3; Chacin 1-0/2-3


Starting pitchers allowing 1+ runs in first inning:

Atl-Pitt-- Foltynewicz 1-3; Locke 1-7
Wsh-NY-- Strasburg 3-8; Harvey 2-8
Chi-Mil-- Hammel 1-7; Guerra 1-3
Col-StL-- Gray 2-5; Wacha 2-5
SF-SD-- Samardzija 2-8; Shields 2-8

Sea-Balt-- Karns 2-7; Wilson 1-4
Hst-Chi-- McHugh 5-8; Sale 1-8
Tor-Minn-- Estrada 2-7; Santana 2-6
NY-A's-- Nova 0-2; Graveman 2-7

Clev-Cin-- Tomlin 3-6; Adleman 0-3
LA-LAA-- Stripling 1-7; Chacin 2-6


Umpires

Az-Pitt-- Three of last four Conroy games went over.
Wsh-NY-- Road team won five of last six Hoye games.
Cubs-Mil-- Underdogs are 8-6 in last 14 Vanover games.
Col-StL-- Four of last five Barksdale games stayed under.
SF-SD-- Home team won six of last seven LBarrett games.

Sea-Balt-- Three of last four Torres games stayed under.
Hst-Chi-- Four of last five Hamari games went over.

Clev-Cin-- Six of eight Blakney games stayed under.
LA-LA-- Under is 4-1-1 in Estabrook games this season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Thursday's six-pack

Westgate Superbook's odds on random football games this coming fall..........

-- Week 8: Packers (-3.5) @ Atlanta

-- Week 9: Broncos @ Oakland (-1.5)

-- Week 10: Seahawks @ New England (-3.5)

-- Week 11: Bears @ NJ Giants (-4)

-- Week 12: Vikings (-1) @ Detroit

-- Week 13: Colts @ NJ Jets (-2.5)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

#1 Sports

Thursday's Free Selection: Chicago White Sox - 205

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mike Wynn

Bonus Play: MLB Oakland w/Gravemen +110 Over NY Yankees