Thursday 6/25/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees (39-33) at Astros (42-31)
Game: 1
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: June 25, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

They didn't see them often, but the New York Yankees had their way with the Houston Astros for a decade before the series took on a different tone last year.

After struggling against not just the Yankees but all of baseball upon switching leagues in 2013, the AL West-leading Astros now seek their fifth win in seven meetings when the clubs open a four-game series in Houston on Thursday night.

New York (39-33) dominated the Astros (42-31) when they were still in the NL, winning eight of nine matchups from 2003-10. The Yankees didn't relent once Houston shifted to the AL with a 5-1 series record in '13 - including a three-game sweep to close out the Astros' franchise-record 111-loss season.

The Astros improved to 70-92 in 2014 and their results against the Yankees were a lot better with series wins in both three-game sets, which included snapping a six-game home skid against New York with a season-opening 6-2 win.

Houston won six of seven from June 12-18 but has now dropped four of six after a 2-1 road loss in 13 innings against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday.

Their poor play on the road has kept them from creating some breathing room in the West. After losing their previous two road series, the Astros have fallen to 19-18 away from home - 8-16 since May 8.

It's been a far different story at Minute Maid Park, where Dallas Keuchel (8-3, 2.35 ERA) will take the hill looking to help Houston win for the 16th time in 21 contests.

With the AL's third-best ERA, Keuchel's 4.02 run-support average has been more than enough to put him among the major league wins leaders. The left-hander may get a bit more Thursday since Houston has hit .341 with 36 homers, 34 doubles and 101 runs scored in its previous 20 at home.

Keuchel has gone 6-0 there with a 1.62 ERA and .188 opponent batting average. His previous start, however, came in Seattle on Saturday and he allowed season highs of five runs, three homers and four walks in six innings of a 6-3 loss.

"After getting spotted two runs early, off a good pitcher, I've got to take advantage of that and I didn't," he told MLB's official website. "So hats off to them for being patient and putting some good wood on three pitches."

Keuchel's only start against the Yankees was a decent one in which he gave up three runs in eight innings on Aug. 21, but Houston's bats were silenced in Brandon McCarthy's four-hitter.

Opposing him will be right-hander Adam Warren (5-4, 3.62), who may give Houston a chance to keep its offense surging at home since he's 2-3 with a 4.91 ERA in seven road starts compared to 3-1 with a 2.21 mark in six at Yankee Stadium.

Warren, who has never started against Houston, is coming off his longest outing of 2015 after working eight innings and allowing two runs in a 7-2 home win over Detroit on Friday. He struck out seven and tossed a career-high 110 pitches.

"I thought he was outstanding," manager Joe Girardi said. "He was as good as he's been all year, and we pushed him. And he was outstanding."

New York, which has dropped four of six on the road, snapped a three-game skid in which it allowed 34 runs with a 10-2 home win over Philadelphia on Wednesday.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Yankees at Astros
Thu, Jun 25 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Yankees at Astros
Fri, Jun 26 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Yankees at Astros
Sat, Jun 27 - 4:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Yankees at Astros
Sun, Jun 28 - 2:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks (34-36) at Rockies (31-39)
Game: 3
Venue: Coors Field
Date: June 25, 2015 3:10 PM EDT

It's tough for a starting pitcher to carve out a name for himself in the NL West with the Kershaws, Bumgarners and Greinkes of the division hogging headlines and awards.

Jorge De La Rosa has been trying for eight years to no avail, and in addition to an ERA consistently north of five cramping his style, having someone by the same surname showing signs of passing him by can't be helping.

Rubby De La Rosa has done that in recent starts, though staking a claim as the more productive De La Rosa hasn't required much and is up for grabs Thursday when the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies complete a poorly pitched three-game series.

The two have never appeared in the same game, but if the series thus far is any worthwhile indication, they're both doomed. After Arizona's 8-7 win Wednesday, only one of the set's four starters has made it the requisite five innings to qualify for a win.

Over the last 11 games between the two clubs, pitchers have been mere middlemen with the Rockies averaging 6.5 runs and batting .311, while the Diamondbacks are at 6.3 and .323. Colorado's starting staff has a 6.35 ERA and Arizona's a 6.87.

Arizona (35-36) got four hits from Yasmany Tomas for the first time Wednesday, and the rookie is batting .349 in his last 32 games. Paul Goldschmidt homered and is batting .429 with 31 RBIs in his last 24 against the Rockies.

The Diamondbacks are a game away from getting back to .500 for the first time since being 8-8 on April 24, while Colorado (31-40) saw a three-game winning streak end after blowing a two-run lead in the ninth.

Nolan Arenado is batting .372 on an 11-game hitting streak, while Troy Tulowitzki is hitting .421 on a 14-gamer at Coors and .417 in his last 37 against Arizona.

The Rockies haven't scored under four runs in eight games, averaging 6.3 with 31 extra-base hits, but they've gone 3-5 thanks to a 7.50 ERA from the rotation.

Among the struggling arms on each team, it seems Rubby De La Rosa (6-3, 4.96 ERA) at least has grown tired of serving up batting practice.

The right-hander has won his last two starts with a 0.60 ERA over 15 innings. He gave up two runs - one earned - and five hits in seven innings of Friday's 4-2 home win over San Diego. Arizona hopes he's turning a corner after posting a 5.84 ERA though 12 starts.

"He's getting better mentally because he's always had really good stuff," catcher Welington Castillo told MLB's official website. "That's part of my job to calm him down because it's not easy to get rid of bad habits. I just try to calm him down and let him make the pitch that he needs to make."

The 26-year-old has won both of his starts against Colorado with a 3.27 ERA, though they came back in 2011 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Jorge De La Rosa (4-3, 5.47) gave up six runs and 11 hits with three walks in five innings of Friday's 9-5 home loss to Milwaukee, dropping to 2-2 with a 7.56 ERA in seven starts at Coors.

"It wasn't only the first inning. It was all the innings," said De La Rosa, who allowed three runs in the first inning. "I did the same thing. That's why we lost the game. With the stuff I had today, it's nothing I can live with. Anyone can see it."

The left-hander is also 0-4 with a 5.34 ERA in his last five starts against Arizona.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Rockies
Tue, Jun 23 Final 5 to 10
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Rockies
Wed, Jun 24 Final 8 to 7
Boxscores

GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Rockies
Thu, Jun 25 - 3:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Lynx (5-2) at Storm (2-4)

Date: June 25, 2015 10:00 PM EDT

The Minnesota Lynx had few problems beating the Seattle Storm earlier this month at home but road games in last season's series were a different story.

They'll try to keep their losing streak in Seattle brief and avoid dropping back-to-back games for the first time this season in Thursday night's rematch.

Minnesota (5-2) never trailed in a 94-70 rout of Seattle on June 11, its 10th consecutive home victory in the series and 16th in the past 20 overall meetings, including playoffs. Reserve Tricia Liston's 15 points paced five players in double figures in the team's highest-scoring performance this season.

The Lynx didn't have nearly as easy of a time against Tulsa on Sunday, losing 86-78.

"It's a long season and games like this absolutely don't feel good," forward Maya Moore said. "If we can look back on this and remember this feeling, I'll take it."

The 86 points were the most allowed this season by Minnesota, which is among the league leaders with 70.3 yielded per game. Tightening their defense was a focus of Tuesday's practice.

"I think our players are thinking too much about their offense," coach Cheryl Reeve, whose team is third in the league with 77.1 points a contest. "We have to understand where our bread is buttered, and that's when we play great defense."

The Lynx outshot the Storm 53.0-38.1 percent earlier this month but had accuracy issues in their two trips to Seattle last season, especially from beyond the arc. They shot a combined 40.6 percent and went 4 of 23 from 3-point range against a team that finished tied for the league's worst record.

The Storm (2-4) seem to be headed for a similar finish after an 84-72 defeat to Phoenix on Sunday. Seattle got within two points of the Mercury on Sue Bird's basket with 5:18 remaining but was outscored 13-3 after that.

"We still had chances to stay in it, but we didn't really execute down the stretch," Bird told the team's official website. "It is a work in progress, but obviously today we played much better, much tougher, than we did (in a 79-58 loss to Connecticut on June 16) and we just have to keep getting better."

Seattle has dropped its past two at home since an 86-61 win over Los Angeles in its season opener June 6. Minnesota is 3-1 on the road and has won back-to-back away games.


WNBA HEAD TO HEAD

Jun 11, 2015 Score ATS Results
SEA 70 Over: 164
MIN « 94 Cover: 10.5
Tools: Recaps

Jul 13, 2014 Score ATS Results
SEA 60 Under: 137
MIN « 77 Cover: 9
Tools: Recaps

Jun 29, 2014 Score ATS Results
SEA 69 Cover: 4
MIN « 74 Under: 143
Tools: Recaps

Jun 27, 2014 Score ATS Results
MIN 71 Over: 152
SEA « 81 Cover: 16.5
Tools: Recaps

Jun 6, 2014 Score ATS Results
MIN 62 Under: 127
SEA « 65 Cover: 9
Tools: Recaps

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Schedules

SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY JUNE 25, 2015

Time (ET) Away Home Site

8:00 PM Phoenix Mercury San Antonio Stars Freeman Coliseum

10:00 PM Minnesota Lynx Seattle Storm KeyArena


SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY JUNE 26, 2015

Time (ET) Away Home Site

7:00 PM Chicago Sky Indiana Fever Bankers Life Fieldhouse

7:00 PM Los Angeles Sparks Connecticut Sun Mohegan Sun Arena

7:30 PM Washington Mystics Atlanta Dream Philips Arena

8:00 PM New York Liberty Tulsa Shock Bank of Oklahoma Center


SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY JUNE 27, 2015

Time (ET) Away Home Site

8:00 PM Phoenix Mercury Minnesota Lynx Target Center

8:00 PM Seattle Storm San Antonio Stars Freeman Coliseum


SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY JUNE 28, 2015

Time (ET) Away Home Site

3:00 PM Los Angeles Sparks New York Liberty Madison Square Garden

4:00 PM Chicago Sky Washington Mystics Verizon Center

7:00 PM Seattle Storm Tulsa Shock Bank of Oklahoma Center


SCHEDULE FOR TUESDAY JUNE 30, 2015

Time (ET) Away Home Site

7:00 PM Indiana Fever Connecticut Sun Mohegan Sun Arena

8:00 PM New York Liberty Chicago Sky Allstate Arena

10:00 PM San Antonio Stars Phoenix Mercury US Airways Center

10:00 PM Tulsa Shock Seattle Storm KeyArena


Updated Thu Jun 25 2:04 AM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox at Tigers

GAME: Chicago White Sox (31-40) at Detroit Tigers (37-35)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 25 - 1:08 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: 126, -136 TOTAL: 8.5

The Detroit Tigers found some success toward the end of their road trip and hope to keep the momentum up when they return for the beginning of a 10-game homestand on Thursday. The Tigers found their offense in the last four games and will take on the light-hitting Chicago White Sox to start the homestand.

Detroit put up 27 runs in a three-game winning streak that lifted the club back above .500 before settling for an 8-2 loss in the finale at Cleveland on Wednesday. That result can be brushed aside for the offense as star slugger Miguel Cabrera sat on the bench for a rare day off. Cabrera will be back on Thursday to face White Sox rookie Carlos Rodon for the first time when he opposes Alfredo Simon. Rodon needs some support from an offense that has been held to three or fewer runs 10 times in the last 11 games.

TV: 1:08 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Carlos Rodon (3-1, 3.75 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Alfredo Simon (7-4, 3.29)

Rodon posted a quality start in five of his last six turns, including a six-inning stint against Texas on Saturday in which he allowed two runs and earned the win. The 22-year old has yet to pitch more than 6 1/3 innings this season, due in part to 28 walks in 50 1/3 innings. Rodon is 0-1 with a 5.25 ERA in six road games – four starts.

Simon endured his worst start of the season at New York on Saturday, when he was rocked for seven runs on eight hits and three walks in 2 2/3 innings. The Dominican Republic native surrendered a pair of home runs in that start – matching his total from the previous six outings. Simon pitched at Chicago on June 7 and picked up the win while allowing four runs (one earned) and five hits in eight innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox 1B Adam LaRoche is 6-for-11 with a home run and three RBIs in the last three games.

2. Cabrera is just 7-for-31 with one home run against Chicago this season.

3. Detroit RF J.D. Martinez has four home runs and eight RBIs in the last three games.

PREDICTION: Tigers 5, White Sox 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Orioles at Red Sox

GAME: Baltimore Orioles (37-34) at Boston Red Sox (32-41)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 25 - 1:35 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
LINE: 111, -120 TOTAL: 8.5

The Boston Red Sox snapped a six-game slide against the Baltimore Orioles and a seven-game skid against American League East opponents on Wednesday. The Red Sox will now try to win a series against an AL East foe for the first time since late April when they host the Orioles in the rubber match of a three-game set Thursday.

Boston has won four of its last six games overall and scored at least four runs in each of those six contests, including a 5-1 triumph Wednesday. The Red Sox did all of their damage in the sixth inning in the win as David Ortiz capped the rally with a two-run blast to dead center. The lone run came in sharp contrast to the recent performance of the Baltimore offense, which totaled 24 runs in winning its previous three games. The Orioles could find runs difficult to come by again Thursday, when Boston rookie Eduardo Rodriguez opposes Miguel Gonzalez.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Miguel Gonzalez (5-4, 3.33 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Eduardo Rodriguez (3-1, 3.13)

Gonzalez is taking the mound for the first time since leaving a start against Boston on June 9 with a groin injury. The Mexico native, who held the Red Sox scoreless over 4 1/3 innings in that June 9 outing, worked five innings in a rehab start at Double-A on Saturday. Gonzalez is 5-1 with a 2.93 ERA in 11 career games – nine starts – against Boston.

Rodriguez is facing the team that traded him away last season for the second time in his brief career. The 22-year-old, who went to Boston in exchange for left-handed reliever Andrew Miller, was rocked for nine runs in 4 2/3 innings against Toronto on June 14 but bounced back to win at Kansas City on Friday while surrendering one run in 6 1/3 frames. Rodriguez held Baltimore scoreless on three hits and three walks in six innings on June 9 but did not factor in the decision.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox LF Hanley Ramirez (left hand) and 2B Dustin Pedroia (right hamstring) both left Wednesday’s game.

2. Baltimore DH Jimmy Paredes is 8-for-17 over his last four games.

3. Boston 1B Mike Napoli is 0-for-6 with six strikeouts in the series.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 4, Orioles 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Athletics at Rangers

GAME: Oakland Athletics (33-41) at Texas Rangers (37-35)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 25 - 2:05 PM EST
WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
LINE: -146, 135 TOTAL: 8.5

Josh Phegley and Billy Burns are two of the primary reasons that the Oakland Athletics have begun to make positive strides toward salvaging their season. The two look to continue their respective scintillating stretches as Oakland vies a sweep of the host Texas Rangers when the American League West rivals conclude their three-game series on Thursday afternoon.

Phegley belted a two-run shot for his second homer of the series and fourth in seven contests while Burns had two doubles and a single to extend his career-best hitting streak to 14 games in the Athletics' 8-2 triumph Wednesday. Oakland has won five in a row on the road, four straight overall and eight of its last 10, while Texas has tumbled to a season high-tying four consecutive losses. Sonny Gray makes his fourth start of the season against Texas on Thursday, having recorded a 2-1 mark with an impressive 0.87 ERA. Gray will be opposed by fellow right-hander Colby Lewis, who is 9-4 in his career versus the Athletics and has limited the club to one run in 12 innings this season.

TV: 2:05 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), FSN Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Sonny Gray (8-3, 1.95 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Colby Lewis (7-3, 4.08)

Gray breezed through his first six innings in his last outing before allowing the first four batters to reach in the seventh, ending his evening with a no-decision against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. The 25-year-old is 4-1 in his last six starts, with the lone blemish coming after permitting two runs in six frames in a hard-luck loss to Texas on June 9. Gray traditionally has pitched well versus the Rangers, posting a 6-3 career mark with a 1.68 ERA and 1.04 WHIP while limiting the club to a .196 batting average in nine starts.

Lewis won his third straight decision and sixth of his last seven in impressive fashion Friday, yielding one run and striking out seven over eight innings in a 2-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox. The 35-year-old handcuffed Oakland on two occasions this season, allowing just one run on three hits in six frames to pick up the win on April 7 before settling for a no-decision after scattering two hits over six scoreless innings on May 1. Brett Lawrie belted a grand slam Wednesday, but is 1-for-7 with four strikeouts in his career versus Lewis.

WALK-OFFS

1. Oakland C Stephen Vogt, who sat out the series opener with an ailing elbow, is 14-for-29 with 13 RBIs in his last eight games.

2. Texas C Carlos Corporan had a two-run double in the fifth inning Wednesday and is 3-for-7 in his last two contests.

3. The Rangers (37-35) are 11-19 against division foes this season.

PREDICTION: Athletics 2, Rangers 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets at Brewers

GAME: New York Mets (36-37) at Milwaukee Brewers (27-46)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 25 - 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
LINE: -134, 124 TOTAL: 7

The New York Mets look to avoid a fruitless road trip when they conclude their eight-game trek against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday afternoon. New York has scored nine runs and is batting .159 during the season-high seven-game skid while falling to 10-26 away from Citi Field, which is second only to Philadelphia (9-29) for the worst road record in the majors.

Curtis Granderson is doing his part by belting a solo homer in three of his last four contests, but the Mets mustered just two additional hits in a 4-1 setback on Wednesday. Milwaukee entered the series having lost eight of its previous nine before winning back-to-back contests to improve their majors-worst home mark to 13-24. Ryan Braun had an RBI single among his two hits Wednesday and is 5-for-11 with three runs scored in last three games. The five-tool player routinely has been flustered by Thursday starter Jacob deGrom, going 0-for-7 in his career with two strikeouts.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), MLB Network

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jacob deGrom (7-5, 2.34 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Taylor Jungmann (2-1, 3.50)

DeGrom suffered his first loss since May 11 despite allowing just two runs on four hits in 7 1/3 innings in a 2-1 setback to Atlanta on Friday. The 27-year-old improved to 2-1 in his career versus Milwaukee after permitting just one run on five hits in six frames in a 14-1 rout on May 16. DeGrom is 4-1 in his last seven starts, yielding one homer and six walks in that span.

Jungmann made the most of his third career start as he allowed four runs in six innings to pick up the win at Coors Field against Colorado on Friday. The 25-year-old pitched well in his lone outing at home, but was saddled with the loss despite permitting two runs in five innings against Washington on June 14. Jungmann has yielded one homer and walked four batters in 18 innings this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Milwaukee RHP Francisco Rodriguez has converted both save opportunities versus his former team and his 363 career saves are four shy of Jeff Reardon for eighth place on the all-time list.

2. New York CF Juan Lagares and 1B Lucas Duda are struggling mightily on the road trip, with the former going 3-for-26 while the latter is 3-for-25.

3. The Mets (36-37), who reside below .500 for the first time since going 2-3 after five games, have struck out 53 times during the road trip.

PREDICTION: Mets 3, Brewers 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Dodgers at Cubs

GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (40-33) at Chicago Cubs (39-31)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 25 - 2:20 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: 117, -127 N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Chicago Cubs signed Jon Lester in the offseason to pitch big games, and the left-hander will get a chance to lead the Cubs to a series victory over the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. The Cubs took the first two games of the four-game series before the Dodgers won 5-2 on Wednesday behind homers from Adrian Gonzalez and Justin Turner.



Lester is looking to end a six-start winless streak dating to May 16, but has pitched well in his last two outings and should give the Cubs the upper-hand over struggling right-hander Carlos Frias. Chicago could use a deep outing from Lester to spare its bullpen, which has turned in 13 1/3 innings of solid work in the series, allowing two runs and seven hits. The five-run output Wednesday was a welcome sight for the Dodgers, who had topped two runs only three times in their previous nine games. Los Angeles is trying to salvage a split to avoid losing its third consecutive series.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), ABC 7 (Chicago)



PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Carlos Frias (4-5, 4.68 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jon Lester (4-5, 3.80)

Frias is 0-3 in four starts this month and has allowed four or more runs in four of his last six outings. The 25-year-old Dominican Republic native gave up a pair of homers in his last turn, allowing six runs in 5 1/3 innings in a loss to San Francisco. Frias made two relief appearances against the Cubs last season and gave up three runs in 3 1/3 innings.

Lester hasn't gotten much run support, but has posted quality starts in nine of his last 11 outings. The 31-year-old has kept the Cubs in his last two starts, allowing one run in each while going seven and 6 1/3 innings in a pair of no-decisions. Lester won his only previous meeting with the Dodgers, allowing one run and three hits in 7 1/3 innings in 2013.



WALK-OFFS

1. Dodgers RF Yasiel Puig, who has hit safely in all nine games he has played at Wrigley Field while going 17-for-35 in those contests, was scratched from Wednesday's lineup because of an open callous on his left hand.

2. Cubs CF Dexter Fowler has been limited to pinch hitting in the past two games because of a sprained left ankle.

3. Gonzalez has homered twice in his past four games following a 17-game drought from June 3-20.



PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Dodgers 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks at Rockies

GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (35-36) at Colorado Rockies (31-40)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 25 - 3:10 PM EST
WHERE: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
LINE: 114, -123 TOTAL: 10

The Arizona Diamondbacks visit the Colorado Rockies on Thursday afternoon in the rubber match of their three-game set and can thank three players in particular for the opportunity to win the series. Aaron Hill, Paul Goldschmidt and rookie Yasmany Tomas on Wednesday continued to make life miserable for Colorado by contributing in a three-run ninth inning that lifted the Diamondbacks to an 8-7 victory - their first win in 30 tries when trailing after eight innings this season.

Hill, a .346 career hitter against the Rockies and 8-for-18 with seven RBIs this season, lifted the game-winning sacrifice fly after Tomas knocked in a run with his career-high fourth hit and Goldschmidt walked and scored the tying run. Goldschmidt, who leads the National League in batting at .353, has reached base safely in 24 consecutive games versus the Rockies and Tomas is 11-for-21 with eight RBIs in his first five contests versus Colorado, including 7-for-11 with four RBIs in two games at Coors Field. The last-place Rockies (31-40), who were denied in their bid to match a season high with a fourth straight victory, are eight games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers and four back of the third-place Diamondbacks. A pair of De La Rosas - Arizona's Rubby and Colorado's Jorge - square off as the Diamondbacks' right-hander vies for his third straight victory and the Rockies' left-hander tries to regain his winning form at Coors Field.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Rubby De La Rosa (6-3, 4.96 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Jorge De La Rosa (4-3, 5.47)

Rubby De La Rosa allowed two runs (one earned) in a combined 15 innings in victories over San Diego 4-2 on Friday and at San Francisco 4-0 on June 14 when he tossed eight shutout innings. "He is a young guy finding his way. It's the first time someone is allowing him to go out there,'' Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale told reporters about the 26-year-old Dominican, who is in his first season with Arizona. ''If he has two or three bad outings he goes back to the minor leagues (in the past). ...'' De La Rosa, who yielded 16 runs in his previous two turns, is 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA in four games (two starts) against Colorado.

Jorge De La Rosa permitted six runs, 11 hits (two home runs) and three walks in five innings of a 9-5 loss to Milwaukee on Friday to fall to 2-2 with a 7.56 ERA in seven home turns this season. The 34-year-old Mexican, who yielded five runs in a combined 13 innings in home victories over St. Louis 4-3 on June 9 and the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-3 on June 2, is 47-16 with a 4.23 ERA in 88 games (83 starts) at Coors Field. Goldschmidt is 3-for-12 with a home run and four RBIs against De La Rosa, who is 8-8 with a 2.98 ERA in 24 games (20 starts) versus the Diamondbacks.

WALK-OFFS

1. Diamondbacks SS Nick Ahmed on Wednesday went 2-for-3 and is 13-for-39 in his last 12 games with a home run, two doubles, five RBIs and five walks to raise his average 25 points to .234.

2. Colorado RF Carlos Gonzalez on Wednesday took some swings, but missed his second straight game because of a left hand sprain and remains day-to-day.

3. Arizona (35-36) has lost its last eight games when attempting to return to .500.

PREDICTION: Rockies 6, Diamondbacks 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Padres at Giants

GAME: San Diego Padres (35-39) at San Francisco Giants (39-34)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 25 - 3:45 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
LINE: 110, -119 TOTAL: 7

The San Francisco Giants’ injury-riddled outfield is forcing manager Bruce Bochy to get creative with his lineup, but otherwise it’s business as usual for the reigning World Series champions. The Giants have won four of their last six heading into Thursday’s rubber match of a three-game series against the visiting San Diego Padres.

Giants left fielder Nori Aoki (fractured right fibula) and right fielder Hunter Pence (left wrist tendinitis) are out indefinitely, which could create an opportunity for backup catcher Andrew Susac, who received the start in Wednesday’s 6-0 victory. Bochy said Brandon Belt and Travis Ishikawa will share time in left field with Aoki out, with Buster Posey moving to first base when Susac starts at catcher. Bochy won’t receive any sympathy from Padres interim manager Pat Murphy, whose team has scored three or fewer runs in 10 of its last 12 games. Murphy looked to spark the offense by having Matt Kemp hit leadoff Wednesday for the first time since 2010, but the struggling veteran went 0-for-4 and has five hits in his last 28 at-bats.

TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH James Shields (7-1, 3.75 ERA) vs. Giants RH Chris Heston (7-5, 3.83 ERA)

Shields on Friday suffered his first loss after yielding four runs over six frames in a 4-2 loss at Arizona. Control was once again an issue for Shields, who issued four walks in the defeat and has granted 29 free passes over 93 2/3 innings. The 33-year-old is 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA in two career starts against the Giants, including seven innings of one-run ball at Petco Park on April 11.

Heston earned his first win since tossing a no-hitter against the Mets on June 9 by holding the Dodgers to three runs in 5 2/3 innings Friday. “He’s been big for us,” Posey told reporters. “Every time he takes the ball, I think he expects to have a good outing.” The 27-year-old rookie is looking to improve on his last outing against the Padres on May 6, when he was rocked for five runs on 11 hits over five frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Diego INF Yangervis Solarte is 7-for-49 with one extra-base hit in June.

2. Giants RHP Sergio Romo is expected to be available Thursday after hyperextending his right knee in Tuesday’s game.

3. The Padres placed RHP Dale Thayer (right shoulder strain) on the 15-day disabled list and optioned RHP Nick Vincent to Triple-A El Paso. RHPs Kevin Quackenbush and Marcos Mateo were recalled from El Paso.

PREDICTION: Padres 5, Giants 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves at Nationals

GAME: Atlanta Braves (35-37) at Washington Nationals (39-33)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 25 - 4:05 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
LINE: 139, -151 TOTAL: 7.5

Matt Wisler made quite an impression in his major-league debut, and the Atlanta Braves are hoping for more of the same when the 22-year-old makes his second start Thursday at the Washington Nationals. Wisler dominated the Mets on Friday in Atlanta, giving up one run in eight innings, and he takes the mound looking to snap the Braves’ seven-game losing streak against the National League East leaders.

Washington’s 2-1, 11-inning victory Wednesday extended its winning streak to five and continued a stellar run of starting pitching that Doug Fister hopes to extend in the series finale. Nationals’ starters have surrendered one earned run in 36 1/3 innings in the past five games, while Anthony Rendon is 6-for-8 through the first two games of the series. Atlanta’s offense has struggled this week, plating just three runs in its past 30 innings. Nick Markakis collected three hits for the second consecutive game Wednesday and is hitting .333 in June.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), MASN 2 (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Matt Wisler (1-0, 1.13 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Doug Fister (2-3, 4.80)

Wisler, acquired as part of the package San Diego sent to the Braves for Craig Kimbrel on the day before the season opener, did not walk a hitter against New York in throwing 63 of his 88 pitches for strikes. He went 3-4 with a 4.29 ERA in 12 starts for Triple-A Gwinnett, and counting his Atlanta debut has allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven of his past nine outings. Wisler became the first Atlanta pitcher to go eight innings in his major-league debut since Hall of Famer John Smoltz in 1988.

Fister, who missed a month with a strained right forearm flexor tendon, gave up five runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings in his return June 18 against Tampa Bay. He faces the Braves for the third time this season after allowing five runs (four earned) on 10 hits in an April 27 loss and three runs on six hits in a no-decision on May 9. Fister, who won 16 games a year ago with a 2.41 ERA, has a 1.444 WHIP after posting the NL’s fifth-best mark (1.079) in 2014.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals RF Bryce Harper drove in the game’s first run Wednesday; 10 of his 58 RBIs have come against the Braves this season (eight games).

2. Wisler is the 44th player the Braves have used this season, six away from the franchise record of 50 set in 2007.

3. Washington CF Denard Span walked twice Wednesday, extending his streak of consecutive games reaching base to 17.

PREDICTION: Nationals 3, Braves 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Reds at Pirates

GAME: Cincinnati Reds (33-37) at Pittsburgh Pirates (40-31)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 25 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
LINE: 136, -148 TOTAL: 7.5

The Cincinnati Reds have been a disappointment for much of the season but they have been a nemesis for Central Division rival Pittsburgh. The Reds have won six of the eight meetings between the clubs this season and aim for their third series victory over the host Pirates in the finale of a three-game set Thursday night.

Cincinnati right fielder Jay Bruce continued his tear in Wednesday's 5-2 victory, going 2-for-5 with a run-scoring double. Bruce is 14-for-30 with nine RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak but is only 3-for-31 with 11 strikeouts against A.J. Burnett, Pittsburgh's scheduled starter Thursday. The Pirates' offensive struggles continued Wednesday as they went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position to fall to 1-4 in the last five games, scoring a combined five runs in the losses. Bad starts are also plaguing Pittsburgh, which has permitted 18 first-inning runs over the last five contests.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), ROOT (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds LH Anthony DeSclafani (5-5, 3.48 ERA) vs. Pirates RH A.J. Burnett (6-3, 2.05)

DeSclafani will be making his third start against Pittsburgh this season and first since May 7, when he was reached for three runs on seven hits in four walks over five innings. He had a better effort against the Pirates in his season debut, going six innings and limiting them to two runs on five hits. The 25-year-old rookie had a five-start unbeaten streak snapped last time out, giving up three runs over five innings to Miami.

Burnett was nearly unhittable through his first 13 starts, permitting two runs or fewer on 11 occasions following nine scoreless innings versus Philadelphia on June 14. That wasn't the case last time out at Washington, when he gave up a career-high 14 hits but managed to minimize the damage to three earned runs in a 4-1 loss. He has allowed two runs in each of his two starts versus the Reds this season to improve to 8-6 against them.

WALK-OFFS

1. Reds 3B Todd Frazier has five homers and 10 RBIs over the past seven games.

2. The Pirates placed OF/1B Corey Hart on the 15-day disabled list and recalled RHP Chris Volstad, who tossed two scoreless innings Wednesday.

3. Reds LF Marlon Byrd is 6-for-19 with a pair of homers and four RBIs in five games since coming off the DL.

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Reds 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals at Marlins

GAME: St. Louis Cardinals (47-24) at Miami Marlins (30-43)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 25 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Lance Lynn will come off the 15-day disabled list to make his first start in 2 1/2 weeks Thursday as the visiting St. Louis Cardinals attempt to complete a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins. St. Louis, which has won nine of 12 to boost its major league-best record to 47-24, holds a a six-game lead over Pittsburgh atop the National League Central Division.

Right fielder Jason Heyward, acquired in an offseason trade with Atlanta, homered for the third straight game Wednesday and is 13-for-28 with four blasts and nine RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak. Miami has dropped six of seven games despite the exploits of its own power-hitting right fielder. Giancarlo Stanton went deep for the second straight game to push his major league-leading total to 27 and extend his franchise record to 12 blasts in the month of June. The Marlins send out veteran right-hander Dan Haren to oppose Lynn, who has a 3-0 career mark against Miami.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Lance Lynn (4-4, 3.07 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Dan Haren (6-4, 3.19)

Lynn returns to the rotation for the first time since June 7, when he experienced tightness in his forearm at the Los Angeles Dodgers and subsequently landed on the DL. Lynn, who had a string of seven straight starts of at least six innings halted in his last start, has allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of his past eight turns. Lynn has suffered three of his four losses away from home, giving up at least five runs in each.

Haren has lost his last two starts and is winless over his last three turns despite surrendering a total of seven runs over 19 1/3 innings. The 34-year-old Haren has not permitted more than three runs in seven consecutive starts, although he continues to struggle with the long ball, yielding six of his 14 over his last five outings. He has made seven career starts versus St. Louis, posting a 4-2 mark and 4.05 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Marlins 2B Dee Gordon has hit safely in six straight and 11 of 12 games.

2. Cardinals C Yadier Molina is riding a nine-game hitting streak.

3. The Marlins will activate RHP Jarred Cosart (vertigo) off the 15-day disabled list Thursday and move him to the bullpen.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees at Astros

GAME: New York Yankees (39-33) at Houston Astros (42-32)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 25 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: 136, -148 TOTAL: 7

Ace Dallas Keuchel attempts to rebound from his worst outing of the season when the Houston Astros kick off a four-game series against the visiting New York Yankees on Thursday night. The American League West-leading Astros have dropped four of six entering a pivotal seven-game homestand that features a three-game set against Central Division front-runner Kansas City.

The Yankees averted a sweep by routing Philadelphia 10-2 in Wednesday's series finale, halting a three-game skid in which their pitching staff was pounded for 34 runs. New York's offense has held up its end of the bargain, amassing 58 runs over its last seven games, but faces a tough matchup against Keuchel. The left-hander is unbeaten at Minute Maid Park this season, posting a 6-0 record and sparking 1.62 ERA. Houston could use a solid outing from Keuchel after it was forced to trot out seven relievers in Wednesday's 13-inning, 2-1 loss at the Los Angeles Angels.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, YES (New York), ROOT (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Adam Warren (5-4, 3.62 ERA) vs. Astros LH Dallas Keuchel (8-3, 2.35)

Warren failed to get through six innings in his first six starts this season, but he has reached that number in all but one of his last seven outings. He is coming off a strong effort versus Detroit on Friday, going a season-high eight innings while allowing two runs and striking out seven. Warren won his only career start against the Astros in September 2013, blanking them on two hits over five frames.

Keuchel permitted only five hits over six innings in his last outing but three of them left the park in a 6-3 loss at Seattle. It marked the fifth time in six turns that Houston has scored three runs or fewer for Keuchel, who has made 25 straight starts of at least six innings - the longest active streak in the majors. He lost his only career start against the Yankees despite allowing three runs over eight innings last August.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros 3B Luis Valbuena is 7-for-14 with three homers and five RBIs during a four-game hitting streak.

2. Yankees DH Alex Rodriguez moved into 27th place on the all-time hits list (3,008) and is two shy of tying Wade Boggs.

3. Houston has agreed to terms with LSU shortstop Alex Bregman, this year's No. 2 overall draft pick.

PREDICTION: Yankees 4, Astros 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB
Dunkel

Thursday, June 25


NY Mets @ Milwaukee

Game 901-902
June 25, 2015 @ 2:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Mets
(deGrom) 15.640
Milwaukee
(Jungmann) 14.149
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Mets
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Mets
-140
7
Dunkel Pick:
NY Mets
(-140); Under

LA Dodgers @ Chicago Cubs

Game 903-904
June 25, 2015 @ 2:20 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Dodgers
(Frias) 13.608
Chicago Cubs
(Lester) 15.226
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago Cubs
by 1 1/2
5 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
-130
No Run Total
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Cubs
(-130); N/A

Arizona @ Colorado

Game 905-906
June 25, 2015 @ 3:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Arizona
(DeLaRosa) 15.723
Colorado
(DeLaRosa) 14.668
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 1
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Colorado
-135
10
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(+115); Over

San Diego @ San Francisco

Game 907-908
June 25, 2015 @ 3:45 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Diego
(Shields) 15.929
San Francisco
(Heston) 14.447
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Diego
by 1 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Francisco
-125
7
Dunkel Pick:
San Diego
(+105); Over

Atlanta @ Washington

Game 909-910
June 25, 2015 @ 4:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Atlanta
(Wisler) 16.232
Washington
(Fister) 15.109
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Washington
-165
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
(+145); Under

Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh

Game 911-912
June 25, 2015 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cincinnati
(DeSclafani) 16.315
Pittsburgh
(Burnett) 15.498
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cincinnati
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-160
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cincinnati
(+140); Under

St. Louis @ Miami

Game 913-914
June 25, 2015 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
(Lynn) 16.725
Miami
(Haren) 14.219
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 2 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-120
7
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-120); Over

Chicago White Sox @ Detroit

Game 915-916
June 25, 2015 @ 1:08 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago White Sox
(Rodon) 14.850
Detroit
(Simon) 16.358
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 1 1/2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Detroit
-140
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
(-140); Over

Baltimore @ Boston

Game 917-918
June 25, 2015 @ 1:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Baltimore
(Gonzalez) 16.384
Boston
(Rodriguez) 14.871
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Baltimore
by 1 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Boston
-120
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Baltimore
(+100); Under

Oakland @ Texas

Game 919-920
June 25, 2015 @ 2:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oakland
(Gray) 13.466
Texas
(Lewis) 18.365
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Texas
by 5
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oakland
-145
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Texas
(+125); Under

NY Yankees @ Houston

Game 921-922
June 25, 2015 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Yankees
(Warren) 15.335
Houston
(Keuchel) 17.254
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-150
7
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-150); Over

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Chance of thunderstorms at Wrigley Thursday
Andrew Avery

Forecasts are calling for rain before first pitch at Wrigley Field but the possibility of thunderstorms still exist during gametime when the Chicago Cubs host the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday afternoon.

There is as much as a 100 percent probability of showers leading up to the game with a 51 percent chance of thunderstorms looming during the game.

The Cubs are presently -120 home faves with Jon Lester scheduled to pitch while the Dodgers will counter with Carlos Frias. The total is currently off the board.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Thursday's Tip Sheet


Reds at Pirates

These two NL Central rivals play the rubber match of their three-game series at PNC Park after the Reds dominated the last two nights. Pittsburgh exploded for a seven-run fourth inning in Tuesday’s 7-6 victory, erasing an early 4-0 deficit, but Cincinnati wouldn’t let lightning strike twice on Wednesday. The Reds built another 4-0 advantage last night and held on for a 5-2 victory as a nearly +170 underdog. Cincinnati improved to 6-2 against Pittsburgh this season, while the Reds have won five of their past seven games.

A.J. Burnett (6-3, 2.05 ERA) is winless in his last three starts for the Pirates, but that lack of success doesn’t fall on the veteran’s shoulders. The Pirates’ offense has scored a total of two runs in those three outings, with Pittsburgh needing 11 innings to beat Philadelphia, 1-0 back on June 14 even though Burnett tossed nine scoreless innings. Burnett allowed a season-high 14 hits in 6.2 innings of a 4-1 defeat at Washington in his previous outing, while the Pirates are riding a three-game ‘under’ run with the right-hander on the mound.

The Reds counter with right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (5-5, 3.48 ERA), who is coming off a 5-0 defeat to the Marlins in his past outing as a -125 home favorite. DeSclafani’s five-game streak of pitching at least six innings ended last Saturday against Miami, as the former Marlin lasted only five innings. DeSclafani has split a pair of starts against Pittsburgh this season, picking up a no-decision in early April in a 3-2 walk-off home victory, while allowing three earned runs in five innings of a 7-2 loss at PNC Park in May.

Cardinals at Marlins

St. Louis goes for the sweep of Miami following a pair of comebacks the last two nights at Marlins Park. The Cardinals erased a 3-0 deficit in Tuesday’s 4-3 victory, while St. Louis overcame an early Giancarlo Stanton solo homer to crush the Marlins last night, 6-1 to cash as a short favorite. The Redbirds finish off their eight-game road trip tonight, looking for a 5-3 record with a win after starting the trip with consecutive losses at Minnesota.

Since knocking off the Yankees in consecutive home games ten days ago, the Marlins have stumbled to a 1-6 record the past seven games. Dan Haren (6-4, 3.19 ERA) has failed to pick up a win in his last three outings, in spite of making quality starts each time. Haren scattered four hits and two earned runs in 6.1 innings of a 5-0 loss at Cincinnati his last time out, as the Reds scored three late runs to put the game away. The Marlins have performed well in Haren’s seven home starts, putting together a 5-2 record, including a 2-0 mark as a home ‘dog.

Lance Lynn (4-4, 3.07 ERA) makes his first start since injuring his forearm against the Dodgers on June 7. The Cardinals own a 5-1 record in Lynn’s past six outings, including a 2-1 ledger on the road. Lynn has allowed two earned runs or less in nine of 12 starts this season, while the Cards have cashed the ‘under’ in each of his past five outings. Since the beginning of 2013, Lynn has put together a perfect 3-0 record against the Marlins, including a 13-7 victory at Miami on June 15, 2003, in spite of allowing seven earned runs.

Yankees at Astros

Houston returns home from a 4-4 road trip, capped off by a 13-inning loss to the Angels on Wednesday. The Astros’ offense has been a pleasant surprise this season, but was extremely inconsistent on the West Coast swing, scoring three runs or less in all four losses and six runs or more in all four victories. The Yankees travel to the Lone Star State after snapping a three-game skid in Wednesday’s 10-2 blowout of the Phillies, as New York allowed 34 runs in its previous three defeats.

Dallas Keuchel (8-3, 2.35 ERA) got off to a hot start for Houston, posting a 6-0 record in his first nine outings. The Astros are 2-5 in the southpaw’s previous seven starts, including a 6-3 setback at Seattle last Saturday as a -120 favorite. Keuchel allowed a season-high five earned runs to the Mariners, as the Astros dropped to 0-3 in his past three starts away from Minute Maid Park. Pitching at home has been more beneficial for Keuchel, as the Astros are 6-2 in his eight home outings, which includes six ‘unders.’

The Yankees send out right-hander Adam Warren (5-4, 3.62 ERA), who is unbeaten in his last three trips to the mound. Warren is fresh off his best outing of the season, lasting eight innings and striking out seven in a 7-2 rout of the Tigers as a short home favorite. The Yankees are 1-3 in Warren’s past four road starts, while New York is currently riding a seven-game ‘over’ streak overall.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

This team struggling with Carapazza as umpire

The New York Mets have gone just 1-7 in their last eight games when umpire Victor Carapazza is tasked with calling pitches. Carapazza will be working Thursday's meeting with the Milwaukee Brewers.

No matter the umpire, the Mets have been struggling recently. They bring a seven game losing skid into Thursday's finale against the Brew Crew.

Jacob deGrom will try to snap the drought as the Mets are -125 at Miller Park. The Brewers, +115, will counter with Taylor Jungmann.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Home team is hot with Estabrook behind the plate

The Home team has gone 4-0 in the last four ball games when umpire Mike Estabrook is behind home plate. Estabrook will be calling pitches in Washington as the Nationals and Atlanta Braves finish up a three-game series at Nationals Park Thursday afternoon.

Estabrook ranks 16th overall in our MLB Umpire Homer statistics with a home team record of 9-4. The hosts average 5.08 runs per game compared to the visitors' 3.31 in his games.

Doug Fister is scheduled to start for the Nats (-159) while Matt Wisler is expected to start for the visitors (+145).