Thursday 5/21/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers at Red Sox

GAME: Texas Rangers (17-23) at Boston Red Sox (19-21)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, May 21 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
LINE: 145, -157 TOTAL: 8.5

A big part of the problem for the Boston Red Sox’s offense is an inability to hit left-handed pitching. The Red Sox will need to solve that problem in a hurry when they face lefty Wandy Rodriguez of the visiting Texas Rangers in the finale of a three-game series on Thursday.

Boston owns a .199 team batting average against left-handed pitchers – the worst mark in the major leagues. The pitcher’s throwing hand did not matter much on Wednesday, when right-hander Phil Klein held the Red Sox to one run in 5 1/3 innings in his major-league debut as the Rangers grabbed a 2-1 win to even the series. The loss marked the sixth time in the last eight games that the Boston offense managed two or fewer runs. Texas improved to 11-10 on the road with Wednesday’s triumph.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (Texas), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Wandy Rodriguez (1-2, 3.86 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Clay Buchholz (2-4, 4.93)

Rodriguez is coming off his worst start of the season after surrendering five runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings against Cleveland on Friday. The Dominican Republic native had allowed a total of two runs and five hits over 14 innings in his previous two starts. Rodriguez is making his first ever appearance against the Red Sox and is 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA in three road starts this season.

Buchholz put together his longest start of the season at Seattle on Friday, going eight innings and allowing one run on three hits while striking out 11 without a walk. The Texas native could not get any offensive support and did not factor in the decision, leaving him with one win in his last seven outings. Buchholz has struggled in his career against the Rangers, posting a 1-4 record with a 4.46 ERA in six starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox 3B Pablo Sandoval (knee) sat out Wednesday and is day-to-day.

2. Texas OF Josh Hamilton (shoulder surgery) is expected to join Triple-A Round Rock to continue his rehab on Thursday before joining the major-league club on Monday.

3. Boston LF Hanley Ramirez, who hit 10 home runs in April, has yet to homer in May.

PREDICTION: Rangers 4, Red Sox 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Brewers at Braves

GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (15-26) at Atlanta Braves (19-20)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, May 21 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
LINE: 118, -128 TOTAL: 7.5

Brandon Cunniff has put together an impressive streak to start his major-league career, and the Atlanta Braves may be tempted to use the rookie right-hander more out of their bullpen. Cunniff, whose Braves open a four-game home series Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers, has not allowed a hit in 28 at-bats against right-handed batters to start his career.

Cunniff earned the victory in Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over Tampa Bay, marking Atlanta’s fourth win in the past five games to lift the Braves within one game of .500. The Brewers could not complete their first sweep of the season in losing 5-2 Wednesday at Detroit, but Milwaukee slugger Ryan Braun continued his hot streak. Braun hit his fourth homer in the past six games and is batting .350 on the Brewers’ current 10-game road trip. Milwaukee is 10-9 in May after losing 17 of 22 games in April.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), SportSouth (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Matt Garza (2-5, 5.72 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (3-1, 4.33)

Garza endured the worst start of his career Saturday against the Mets, allowing 10 runs on 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings. That snapped a streak of four consecutive quality starts for Garza, who had surrendered nine runs on 19 hits in his previous 25 2/3 innings. Garza really has struggled away from home, posting a 7.48 ERA and 1.892 WHIP in four road outings with as many walks (13) as strikeouts.

Teheran continues trying to find his dominant form of a year ago, having allowed eight runs (seven earned) and 19 hits across 10 2/3 innings in his past two starts. He has surrendered nine homers in 43 2/3 innings; Teheran gave up 22 longballs in 221 innings in 2014. Teheran gave up two runs (one earned) on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings against Miami on Friday, striking out five with one walk.

WALK-OFFS

1. Brewers CF Carlos Gomez has hit safely in 19 of 23 games this season.

2. Cunniff is five outs from tying the record for longest streak of holding right-handers hitless to start a career (33), set by Kansas City’s Bob McClure in 1975.

3. Milwaukee is 8-8 since Craig Counsell took over as manager May 4.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Brewers 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians at White Sox

GAME: Cleveland Indians (16-23) at Chicago White Sox (18-19)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, May 21 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: U.S Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: -125, 115 TOTAL: 8.5

The Cleveland Indians look to record two straight series victories for the first time this season when they visit the Chicago White Sox on Thursday in the finale of a four-game set. The Indians took two of three contests at Texas last weekend and received two strong pitching performances to capture the last two against Chicago, including Wednesday’s 4-3 triumph.

Jose Ramirez is 5-for-10 with three RBIs in the series and All Star Michael Brantley has also knocked in three the last two days for the Indians, who have won four of six. Reigning American League Rookie of the Year Jose Abreu tries to extend his hitting streak to 16 games for the White Sox, who had won a season-high six in a row before dropping the past two. White Sox leadoff batter Adam Eaton has also hit safely in nine straight after his first homer Wednesday. Chicago shortstop Alexei Ramirez is 8-for-10 against Cleveland starter Danny Salazar, who opposes veteran left-hander John Danks.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Danny Salazar (4-1, 4.06 ERA) vs. White Sox LH John Danks (2-3, 4.66)

Salazar looks to rebound from his worst start of the season when he allowed seven runs (five earned) on nine hits over 4 2/3 innings without a decision at Texas. The 25-year-old Dominican completed at least six innings in his previous five outings, giving up two or fewer three times, and has struck out 52 in 37 2/3 frames. Abreu is 2-for-5 with a pair of homers versus Salazar, who is 2-1 in four starts with a 5.09 ERA against Chicago.

Danks comes in off his two best outings of the campaign when he permitted three runs on nine hits in 14 innings combined with a victory and a no-decision. The Texas native did walk six in those two turns and has struggled against the Indians this season while allowing seven runs over 10 2/3 innings. Ryan Raburn is 17-for-47 with four homers and 12 RBIs versus Danks, who is 5-12 in 24 career starts with a 5.16 ERA against Cleveland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland C-1B Carlos Santana has missed four straight games with back spasms, but is expected to play Thursday.

2. Chicago 3B Conor Gillaspie is 4-for-11 with a solo homer in the series.

3. Indians C Yan Gomes (knee) could return to the lineup soon after missing more than a month.

PREDICTION: Indians 4, White Sox 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs at Padres

GAME: Chicago Cubs (22-17) at San Diego Padres (20-21)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, May 21 - 9:10 PM EST
WHERE: Petco Park, San Diego, California
LINE: -115, 106 TOTAL: 7

Rookie Kris Bryant looks to extend his hitting streak to 10 contests and help the visiting Chicago Cubs to a series victory over the San Diego Padres on Thursday in the finale of a three-game set. Bryant, who knocked in the winning run during a 3-2 triumph Wednesday night, is 12-for-29 with three homers and nine RBIs during his streak.

The Cubs won for the seventh time in their last nine games despite managing only five hits and striking out 10 times as they evened their record at 9-9 on the road. The Padres have dropped four of their last five — all at home — scoring two or fewer runs in three of the defeats. San Diego slugger Justin Upton has homered three times in the last three games, including a two-run blast for his team’s only tallies Wednesday. The Padres will need more from two-time All Star Matt Kemp, who is 0-for-8 with four strikeouts in the series.

TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, CSN Chicago, FSN San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (0-1, 5.15 ERA) vs. Padres RH Odrisamer Despaigne (2-2, 6.75)

Hendricks’ longest outing of the season was against San Diego on April 18 at home when he surrendered two runs and three hits over six innings with eight strikeouts. The Dartmouth product has allowed three or fewer runs in three of five starts since and has struck out 30 in 36 2/3 innings overall. Kemp is just 1-for-6 with a homer against Hendricks, who is 1-0 in two starts versus San Diego while permitting two runs in 13 total frames.

Despaigne struggled in his last two outings — yielding 15 runs in eight innings combined — after giving up three runs total in a pair of victories in a starting role early in the season. The 28-year-old Cuban has struck out only 12 and walked nine in 29 1/3 innings overall — 7 2/3 out of the bullpen. Miguel Monteiro is 3-for-10 with a homer and four RBIs versus Despaigne, who will be facing the Cubs for the first time in his career.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego RHP Joaquin Benoit has allowed no runs and one hit with five strikeouts in his last six relief appearances.

2. Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo is 1-for-9 in his last three contests after registering a nine-game hitting streak.

3. Padres 3B Will Middlebrooks has hit safely in five of the last six games — including a 2-for-4 effort Wednesday — to raise his average to .212.

PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Padres 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL
Dunkel

Thursday, May 21


Anaheim Ducks @ Chicago Blackhawks

Game 61-62
May 21, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Anaheim Ducks
11.599
Chicago *********
13.194
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago *********
by 1 1/2
4
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago *********
-135
5
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago *********
(-135); Under

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL
Long Sheet

Thursday, May 21

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ANAHEIM (60-24-0-9, 129 pts.) at CHICAGO (57-31-0-6, 120 pts.) - 5/21/2015, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 34-16 ATS (+10.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ANAHEIM is 60-33 ATS (+12.1 Units) in all games this season.
ANAHEIM is 19-8 ATS (+27.1 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 36-18 ATS (+9.3 Units) second half of the season this season.
ANAHEIM is 198-148 ATS (+25.3 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
ANAHEIM is 34-19 ATS (+9.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
ANAHEIM is 225-207 ATS (+447.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.
CHICAGO is 61-55 ATS (-45.4 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ANAHEIM is 6-5 (+1.9 Units) against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 6-5-0 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
7 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.7 Units)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NHL

Thursday, May 21

Trend Report

8:00 PM
ANAHEIM vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Anaheim's last 10 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Anaheim is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Chicago is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Anaheim