Thursday 6/9/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jim Feist

Jim Feist's Comp MLB Pick, Thursday, June 8, 2016 10:10 PM

(961) CLEVELAND INDIANS VS (962) SEATTLE MARINERS

Take: UNDER THE TOTAL

Reason: Your Bonus Play for Thursday, June 9, 2016 is in the MLB scheduled contest between the Cleveland Indians and the Mariners from Safeco Field in Seattle. Josh Tomlin (8-1, 3.54 ERA) has been sharp most of the season for Cleveland, walking just 7 with 41 strikeouts in 61 innings. The Under is 18-6-3 in the Indians last 27 road games vs. a team with a winning record. Seattle is a big park, great for pitchers, and the Mariners have hit better on the road. The under is 39-19-3 in the Mariners last 61 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Nathan Karns is fine at home with a 3.60 ERA and the Under is 9-4-1 when the Mariners face a team with a winning record. Play Cleveland/Seattle Under the total.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports

Bonus Play: THURS: Mets w/ Colon +105

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Red Dog Sports

Jamaica vs Mexico

Bonus Play Under 2.5

Take the under when Mexico and Jamaica meet in Copa America action. Mexico plays solid defense and has a good goalie. I think it ends 2-0.

Mexico 2

Jamaica 0

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mike Lundin

Nationals vs White Sox

5* MLB Free Pick Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals have won seven of their last nine games and they've scored 31 runs in their past three games alone. I like them to complete the sweep of this three-game set against the Chicago White Sox Thursday night as they come up against the struggling Miguel Gonzalez.

Gonzalez (0-1, 3.93) was bumped from the rotation following the acquisition of James Shields, but he'll make a spot start as Carlos Rodon is dealing with neck discomfort. He could ask for an easier opponent than the red hot Nats, and his 1 1/3 inning relief appearance on June 5 can't be good for the rhythm.

The Nats turn to left-hander Gio Gonzalez (3-4, 3.94 ERA) who has been hit hard in recent starts, but interleague play usually brings out the best of the left-hander. He's won his first two interleague starts of the season against Kansas City and Minnesota behind a 1.50 ERA, and we can note that the White Sox are 1-6 in their last seven games vs. a left-handed starter.

We have a favorable umpire situation for this game as well as the Nats are 5-1 in their last six games with Eric Cooper behind home plate while the White Sox are 1-5 in their last six.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Kyle Hunter

Cardinals vs CIN

*2 Star MLB Free Pick* OVER 9

The Cincinnati Reds host the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday night, and I am recommending a small play on the over in this game.

St. Louis has what has been the most consistent offense in the National League this year. The Cardinals have scored 18 runs in the first two games of this series. They should score plenty again there. Brandon Finnegan has a 3.89 ERA, but a FIP of 5.23, so he is a candidate for regression and facing this Cardinals lineup is a tough test.

Adam Wainwright hasn't been himself this year. He is coming back from an injury and he just isn't very young anymore. The Cincinnati Reds offense actually ranks first in the majors in weighted on base average in the past two weeks, so they are swinging the bats very well right now.

St. Louis' bullpen is league average, and Cincinnati has the worst bullpen in baseball by a big margin.

The over is 13-5 in the Cardinals last 18 games. The over is 4-0-1 in Finnegan's last 5 home starts. Take the over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Art Aronson

PIT vs COL

1* Bonus Play OVER Pirates/Rockies

The visitors hand the ball to Jeff Locke (5-3, 4.28 ERA) who gave up three earned runs off seven hits over seven innings in an 8-7 win over the Angels on Saturday. Locke struck out two, but also gave up two more home runs. It was the third time in his last five outings that he’s given up multiple homers in a start. If Locke has had one big glaring weakness it’s been his play on the road where he’s 2-2 with a pedestrian 4.58 ERA. The home side counters with the volatile Chad Bettis (4-5, 5.58) who gave up four runs off ten hits and one walk over five innings in a loss to the Padres on Saturday. Bettis had been blasted for 13 runs over just 8.1 innings over his previous two starts, so this effort was a slight improvement. Bettis though owns an unremarkable 1-2, 5.70 ERA record in front of the home town crowd this year. With these two inconsistent starters going head-to-head at hitter friendly Coors Field, the OVER is definitely worth a second look.

AAA Sports

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Marc Lawrence

Nationals vs White Sox

Play - Washington Nationals w/Gonzalez

Edges - Nationals: Gio Gonzalez 2-0 versus A. L. Central foes this season, and 3.48 ERA with 1.13 WHIP away starts this season. White Sox: Miguel Gonzalez 1-6 last seven overall home team starts at night this season, and 0-1 with 10.80 ERA career team starts versus Washington. With Gonzalez in sharp KW form with 21 K’s and 4 BB’s his last three starts, we recommend a 1* play on Washington. Thank you and good luck as always.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Ben Burns
MLB | Jun 09, 2016
Nationals vs. White Sox White Sox
+1½-125 at 5DIMES in 11h

The Sox are reeling right now and they got blown out again yesterday. That was with a struggling James Shields on the mound against a hot Max Scherzer. Today's matchup is considerably more favorable. Looking to avoid the sweep, Chicago should be far more competitive. In my opinion, getting an extra +1.5 runs, at close to a pick'em price, is providing us with some value.

While he got off to a great start, Gio Gonzalez isn't pitching well right now. His ERA has risen two full runs over his last three starts, as he's gone 0-3 with a 10.34 ERA in those games.

Miguel Gonzalez won't ever win any Cy Young awards. He's done a respectable job so far though and has been much better than Gio of late. In his last three starts, he's got a 3.12 ERA. Note that two of those were decided by a single run. Five of his six starts have come on the road but he pitched well in his lone home start, a 2-1 loss. He had 8 K's without walking a batter in that game, allowing two runs through six innings.

Gio has made just two starts against the ChiSox, the team which drafted him, since 2011. Both were decided by a single run. Going back further finds him at 0-4 with a 5.24 ERA and 1.684 WHIP in six career starts vs. the Sox. Take a look at Chicago on the run-line.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Chip Chirimbes
MLB | Jun 09, 2016
Pirates vs. Rockies Rockies
-101 at 5DIMES in 8h

Pittsburgh at Colorado 5:10 ET

Rockies over Pirates- This contest is a make-up game from a rain-out in April as the Pirates had to break-up a nine game home stand after losing in 10 innings to the Mets last night. This 'price' seems awful short considering Pittsburgh is 5-1 against the Rockies this season as Colorado has lost five of their last six at home. And their starter Chad Bettis (4-5, 5.58 ERA) has dropped his last three starts. The Pirates who's routine has been disturbed will most likely just go through the motions. Take COLORADO!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sleepyj

Pirates / Rockies Under 11.5

If you get this tonight and you are a scalp player..Grab the Rockies now....They will go off as the favorite IMO by a decent amount....I'm on the under here for this one..Last time Locke pitched here, he was very strong..0ER and only 5 hits allowed...He should feel strong here playing today...This is now a day game and both teams played the late ones last night..Bats will be a tad slower, but some of the players got rested yesterday..Still the pitchers should rule the day...Bettis gets the nod and he got bopped at home Vs. Pitt..He gives up a bunch of hits and runs...Usually the first game for teams coming to Colorado is a Rockies fade, but I feel good here with the situation against the Buccos..Pitt bats should struggle coming across the country playing early..Pitt and the mets last night went late and was a barn burner..How much energy will they have here playing and early game..I feel the pitchers do enough to keep this one under 12 runs.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Will Rogers

Cleveland vs. Seattle
Pick: Over

The Cleveland Indians won the opener of this four-game set against the Seattle Mariners 3-1 on Monday, and all three games in this series have failed to reach the total. I expect that to change here tonight, given that the Mariners had gone over in seven straight home games prior to this series.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Mariners hand the ball to Nathan Karns (5-2, 4.23) who is coming off his worst start of the season when he was knocked around for seven runs on eight hits and five walks in four innings at Texas. Rebounding tonight might be a tough ask as he conceded five runs in just 5 1/3 innings at Cleveland earlier this season.

2. Trends - The Indians have gone over in six of Tomlin's last seven starts, while the Mariners have seen the total go over in each of Karns last five starts.

3. X-Factor - Jason Kipnis is 4-for-9 with a pair of doubles in previous meetings with Karns.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

LPW Sports Forecast

WNBA

SAN ANTONIO/PHOENIX u155.5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jimmy Boyd
MLB | Jun 09, 2016
Angels vs. Yankees Yankees
-125 at BETONLINE

Free Pick on Yankees -

New York is showing some decent value here as a small home favorite against the Angels. The Yankees are playing well at the moment and come in having won 3 straight. They are really swinging the bats well, as they are averaging 6 runs/game and hitting .321 as a team over their last 7.

The offense figures to put up another big number here. Angels starter Jhoulys Chacin has a 4.85 ERA in 7 road starts and LA's bullpen has a 5.08 ERA and 1.494 WHIP on the road this season. New York will counter with Ivan Nova, who has pitched very well at home, where he has a 3.17 ERA and 1.235 WHIP in 3 starts. Yankees are 12-4 in his last 16 starts against a team with a losing record and 45-18 in his last 63 as a favorite of -110 or more. Take New York!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Astros at Rangers

GAME: Houston Astros (29-32) at Texas Rangers (36-23)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 09 - 2:05 PM EST
WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Houston Astros ended their long losing streak against Texas and have the opportunity to earn a split of their four-game series when they visit the Rangers for the finale on Thursday afternoon. The Astros recorded a 3-1 victory on Wednesday to defeat Texas for the first time in nine meetings this season while also halting a 12-game skid at Globe Life Park in Arlington.

Houston's Jose Altuve delivered the tiebreaking two-run double in the seventh inning, raising his average to .418 over his last 14 games. Teammate George Springer hit his team-leading 14th homer as part of a two-hit performance after being hitless in 12 at-bats over his previous three games. The Rangers had their five-game winning streak halted on Wednesday and may be without third baseman Adrian Beltre in the finale after he departed in the eighth inning with tightness in his left hamstring. Red-hot Texas has won 14 of its last 18 games and is tied with Washington for the second-best record in the majors at 36-23.

TV: 2:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, ROOT (Houston), FSN Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Collin McHugh (5-4, 4.97 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Martin Perez (4-4, 3.24)

McHugh is unbeaten against the Rangers with a 4-0 record and 3.99 ERA in five career starts, but he has posted a 5.59 ERA - and one win - in two outings in Arlington. The 28-year-old native of Illinois has experienced major difficulties with Prince Fielder (8-for-11) and Beltre (6-for-14). McHugh received a no-decision against Oakland in his last turn, when he gave up four runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Perez has won three consecutive starts, posting a solid 2.50 ERA during the stretch. All three of those victories occurred at home, where the 25-year-old Venezuelan is 4-1 with a 2.55 ERA in seven outings this season. Perez is 4-2 with a 1.71 ERA in six career starts against the Astros but has been hit hard by Evan Gattis (5-for-9) and Altuve (7-for-18, four doubles).

WALK-OFFS

1. Rangers rookie RF Nomar Mazara is 7-for-12 in the series and 12-for-27 during his seven-game hitting streak.

2. Houston SS Carlos Correa is hitless in 11 at-bats this series and just 1-for-23 in his last six contests against the Rangers.

3. Texas LF Josh Hamilton underwent reconstructive knee surgery to repair his left ACL on Wednesday - his third procedure on the knee in 10 months.

PREDICTION: Rangers 7, Astros 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates at Rockies

GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (32-27) at Colorado Rockies (27-32)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 09 - 5:10 PM EST
WHERE: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Thanks to Mother Nature, the Pittsburgh Pirates will break up what would have been a nine-game homestand when they travel to Denver for a meeting with the Colorado Rockies on Thursday. Pittsburgh, which dropped an extra-inning affair with the New York Mets on Wednesday to conclude a 3-3 stretch at PNC Park, visits the Rockies to make up a game that was rained out April 28.

The Pirates are 5-1 against Colorado this season as they wound up sweeping the shortened three-game series before taking two of three at home last month. Gregory Polanco collected three doubles for Pittsburgh on Wednesday, giving him at least one hit in all but one game of the homestand. Colorado broke even on its six-game road trip as Chris Rusin combined with four relievers on a four-hit shutout victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. The makeup game against the Pirates kicks off a six-game stretch for the Rockies at home, where they have lost five of their last six.

TV: 5:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh, Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Jeff Locke (5-3, 4.28 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Chad Bettis (4-5, 5.58)

Locke is coming off his fourth consecutive victory, a seven-inning outing against the Los Angeles Angels in which he allowed three runs and seven hits. The 28-year-old New Hampshire native, who has lost only one of his last eight turns, has not walked a batter in his last two outings. Locke has made five career starts versus Colorado, going 1-1 with a 3.90 ERA.

Bettis has lost his last three starts, surrendering 17 runs and 25 hits over 13 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old Texan has yielded four or more runs in five of his last six outings, winning just once in that span. Bettis has yet to defeat Pittsburgh in his career, going 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in five meetings (three starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Pirates LF Starling Marte (ankle) was kept out of Wednesday's starting lineup but lined out as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning.

2. Colorado RHP Adam Ottavino, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Modesto on Friday.

3. Pittsburgh is in the midst of a stretch during which it plays five games in four days against three different teams.

PREDICTION: Pirates 4, Rockies 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels at Yankees

GAME: Los Angeles Angels (26-33) at New York Yankees (29-30)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 09 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The New York Yankees look to complete a four-game sweep and return to .500 when they host the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday. Behind two home runs from newcomer Chris Parmelee and another big effort from Carlos Beltran, the Yankees cruised to a 12-6 win Wednesday night and have won eight straight meetings with the Angels at Yankee Stadium.

With a win in the series finale, New York would improve to 24-8 in the last 32 games at home against the Angels and would find itself at .500 for the first time since May 24. Beltran has been the catalyst in the series as the veteran right fielder has homered in each game while driving in eight. Leadoff man Jacoby Ellsbury, who also went deep Wednesday, has heated up with multi-hit games in four of his last eight contests for New York, which has at least five runs in six of seven affairs. Los Angeles starter Jhoulys Chacin will attempt to slow down the surging Yankees opposite fellow righty Ivan Nova.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jhoulys Chacin (2-3, 4.50 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Ivan Nova (4-3, 4.41)

Chacin has a 3.73 ERA in five starts since being traded to the Angels last month but struggled in a no-decision at Pittsburgh on Saturday. He allowed three runs on six hits and four walks in five frames while striking out one, which came on the heels of a 10-strikeout effort in a complete game win five days earlier. The 28-year-old has never faced the Yankees but has plenty of experience against third baseman Chase Headley (2-for-15) and second baseman Starlin Castro (3-for-14).

Nova was sharp through six innings at Baltimore on Saturday before he hit a wall in the seventh and was charged with five runs without getting an out in the frame. The 29-year-old has lasted at least six innings in each of his last four starts but has given up 13 runs in 18 2/3 frames over the last three outings. Angels center fielder Mike Trout is 6-for-14 with a pair of doubles against Nova, who owns a 5.19 ERA in seven career starts against Los Angeles.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels are 1-8 against the American League East in 2016.

2. Los Angeles SS Gregorio Petit has four straight two-hit games.

3. Beltran has slugged 11 of his 16 home runs at home.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Angels 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Orioles at Blue Jays

GAME: Baltimore Orioles (35-23) at Toronto Blue Jays (32-29)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 09 - 7:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Toronto Blue Jays managed a 3-3 road trip with a win at Detroit on Wednesday and are hoping to keep the momentum going when they host the Baltimore Orioles in the opener of a four-game series on Thursday. The Orioles are winners of four straight and seven of eight to reach the top spot in the American League East.

The Blue Jays totaled two runs in losing the first two games at Detroit to start the week but finally broke out on Wednesday afternoon as Josh Donaldson found his form at the plate. The reigning American League MVP has dealt with a series of nagging injuries over the first two months of the season and was 0-for-10 over a four-game span while dealing with a jammed thumb before breaking out with a home run and a triple among three hits in Wednesday’s 7-2 triumph. Baltimore has plenty of players capable of putting up power numbers similar to Donaldson and are pairing that with strong pitching of late. The Orioles allowed a total of three runs in the four-game sweep of the defending champion Kansas City Royals.

TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, MASN (Baltimore), Sportsnet (Toronto)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Tyler Wilson (2-5, 4.39 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marcus Stroman (5-2, 4.82)

Wilson is struggling through a four-start losing streak and had his worst outing of the bunch last time out against the New York Yankees. The 26-year-old allowed five runs and seven hits in four innings to mark just the second time in eight starts that he yielded more than three runs. Wilson has made three appearances against Toronto, surrendering a total of two runs in 8 2/3 innings.

Stroman was ripped for at least six runs in three of his last four outings and struggled to keep the ball in the strike zone at Boston on Saturday. The Duke product allowed six runs on nine hits and a career-high five walks in the loss. Stroman was sharper at Baltimore on April 19, surrendering three runs on six hits – two home runs – to earn a win and improve his career record against the division rivals to 2-1 with a 3.24 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Blue Jays SS Troy Tulowitzki (quad) will continue his rehab at extended spring training over the weekend and is expected to be ready to come off the disabled list on Monday.

2. Baltimore SS-3B Manny Machado is still awaiting word from MLB about a possible suspension after being ejected from Tuesday’s game for charging the mound.

3. Toronto CF Kevin Pillar is 4-for-6 with a home run and three RBIs in the last two games after totaling four hits in the previous eight contests.

PREDICTION: Blue Jays 7, Orioles 6

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals at Reds

GAME: St. Louis Cardinals (31-28) at Cincinnati Reds (22-37)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 09 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Adam Wainwright has turned his season around after a disastrous start but will face a nemesis when the St. Louis Cardinals visit the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday night in the rubber match of a three-game series. Wainwright has more losses (10) against the Reds than any other team, including a seven-run battering by Cincinnati in mid-April.

The Reds slammed three home runs, including a walk-off blast by Joey Votto, to squeeze out a 7-6 win in the series opener before St. Louis went deep four times in Wednesday's 12-7 romp. Brandon Moss belted a pair of homers, Jhonny Peralta added a three-run blast and Matt Adams clubbed a three-run shot to run his hitting streak to eight games for St. Louis, which is 17-4 in its last 21 series against the Reds. Cincinnati's offense has scored 54 runs during a 5-2 stretch and has amassed 27 hits in the first two games of the series. Reds right fielder Jay Bruce has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games, collecting 12 RBIs in that stretch.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (5-4, 5.40 ERA) vs. Reds LH Brandon Finnegan (2-4, 3.89)

Despite one of his better performances, Wainwright's seven-start unbeaten streak ended when he allowed two runs and struck out a season-high six batters over seven innings in a 5-1 loss to San Francisco on Friday. He survived a three-homer outburst to earn the victory in a 9-4 win at Washington and has pitched at least six innings in six of his last seven turns. Billy Hamilton is 0-for-7 with seven strikeouts versus Wainwright, who is 8-10 with a 4.51 ERA against Cincinnati.

Finnegan finally ended an eight-start winless drought last time out against Washington, permitting one run and five hits over 6 1/3 innings for his first victory since April 16 in St. Louis. Control problems continue to plague the 23-year-old Texan, who has walked at least three batters in eight of his 12 turns. Finnegan allowed four runs (zero earned) to the Cardinals in April to even his record against them to 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA in four appearances (two starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Peralta is 4-for-9 with a homer, two doubles and five RBIs in his first two games of the season.

2. Cincinnati's pitchers have surrendered 101 homers, by far the highest total in the majors.

3. Adams, who has reached safely in 19 straight games overall, has seven home runs and 16 RBIs in 24 games at Great American Ball Park.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Reds 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets at Brewers

GAME: New York Mets (32-26) at Milwaukee Brewers (28-31)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 09 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Miller Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The New York Mets were falling off the pace in the National League East due to a lack of offense but managed a few key hits in a win on Wednesday and are hoping that sparks a turnaround. The Mets will try to add to the run total and secure back-to-back wins when they visit the Milwaukee Brewers for the opener of a four-game series on Thursday.

New York totaled two runs during a three-game slide but watched Ty Kelly hit his first career home run and got a tying two-run blast from Michael Conforto in the eighth inning on Wednesday before Wilmer Flores’ pinch hit gave the team a 6-5 win over Pittsburgh in 10 innings. Conforto went 10 straight games without an extra-base hit before doubling on Tuesday and homering the following night. The Brewers should be confident in their ability to shut down Conforto and the Mets offense after finishing off a two-game interleague sweep of the Oakland Athletics with a three-hit shutout in Wednesday 4-0 triumph. Milwaukee has won five of its last seven games to pull within three games of .500 and swept a three-game series at New York last month.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Bartolo Colon (4-3, 3.27 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Jimmy Nelson (5-4, 3.43)

Colon surrendered two or fewer runs in each of his last three starts but was held out of the decision in the last two. The hefty veteran threw just 76 pitches at Miami on Saturday but was lifted after allowing two runs – one earned – in five innings. Colon faced Milwaukee twice in 2015 and lost both starts, surrendering a total of 10 runs – nine earned – and 17 hits in 11 innings.

Nelson had a string of four straight starts yielding two or fewer runs come to an end when he was ripped for six runs in four innings at Philadelphia on Friday. The 27-year-old gave up a pair of home runs to the light-hitting Phillies – one more than he had surrendered in the previous four games combined. Nelson went up against Colon at home on June 24 last season and held New York to one run on two hits and a walk in eight innings to pick up the win.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mets acquired veteran INF Kelly Johnson in a trade for the second straight season on Wednesday, and he is expected to join the team on Friday.

2. Milwaukee RHP Matt Garza (strained lat) is scheduled to make his final rehab start on Thursday in the minors.

3. New York LF Yoenis Cespedes recorded three hits on Wednesday, matching his total from his previous 11 games.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Brewers 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals at White Sox

GAME: Washington Nationals (36-23) at Chicago White Sox (29-30)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, June 09 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Washington Nationals have won three in a row to move a season-high 13 games over .500 as they vie for a three-game interleague sweep of the host Chicago White Sox on Thursday. The Nationals are lighting up the scoreboard, hitting four homers Wednesday to register at least 10 runs in three consecutive contests for the second time in franchise history.

A paternity leave did little to cool off Washington's Ryan Zimmerman, who swatted a two-run homer to extend his hitting streak to seven games. Jayson Werth also is on a roll with four homers and 10 RBIs over his last eight games for the Nationals, who own a 3 1/2-game lead atop the National League East. Chicago, in a freefall since racing out to an American League-best 23-10 start, was forced to use outfielder J.B. Shuck on the mound in Wednesday's 11-0 shellacking. The defeat was the fifth in a row and 20th in 26 games for the White Sox, who dropped below .500 (29-30) for the first time.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), WPWR (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio González (3-4, 3.94 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Miguel González (0-1, 3.93)

Gio Gonzalez owned a sparkling 1.86 ERA through his first eight starts after beating the New York Mets with 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball on May 18, but the wheels have come off since. He lost his third consecutive outing as he was knocked around for five runs and nine hits over six innings at Cincinnati on Friday. The 30-year-old Floridian, who is 0-4 with a 5.23 lifetime ERA versus Chicago, has allowed 18 runs and 25 hits over 15 2/3 frames during his three-start skid.

Miguel Gonzalez was bumped from the rotation to make room for the newly acquired James Shields, but he earned a reprieve when the White Sox elected to skip Carlos Rodon's scheduled start due to neck discomfort. The 32-year-old Mexican pitched decently in the three starts prior to his demotion, going 0-1 while yielding a total of six earned runs. He was rocked for six runs and nine hits in his lone start versus Washington last year, serving up homers by Bryce Harper and Danny Espinosa.

WALK-OFFS

1. Harper continues to emerge from his slumber, going 7-for-14 over his last three games.

2. White Sox 1B Jose Abreu is 9-for-20 during his five-game hitting streak while LF Melky Cabrera is 5-for-9 in the series.

3. Espinosa has homered six times in his last 12 contests.

PREDICTION: Nationals 6, White Sox 4