Thursday 7/30/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Penn National - Race #2 - Post: 6:27pm - Claiming - 8.0 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $17,100 Class Rating: 69

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#12 TOUCH OF SNOW (IRE) (ML=6/1)
#8 VERUSKA (ML=7/2)
#11 PENRY (ML=9/2)


TOUCH OF SNOW (IRE) - I think Penn National players know a good thing when they see the rider/trainer pair of Rodriguez and McMahon. Their winning percent together has been great. In this race here, this thoroughbred has clearly shown signs that she likes the turf. Her speed figs are the highest in the field for this dist/surf. Average class rating is tops in this group. I think that is a big edge for a race on the grass. Taking a trip to a lower level; has the ability to make her presence felt. VERUSKA - Based on the TrackMaster data I've reviewed, this mare should run well off the vacation. Taking a trip down in class; has the ability to make her presence felt. I like the case that this mare's last speed fig, 75, is tops in this group. PENRY - Horse's last race was at Gulfstream in a race with a class figure of 79. Dropping considerably in Equibase class figure this time puts her in a solid position in this field.

Vulnerable Contenders: #3 BLACK OPAL (ML=5/2), #7 SOUTHERN FLAIR (ML=4/1), #9 BOARDWALK RUN (ML=5/1),

BLACK OPAL - You always think this horse has a shot to be the victor, but she comes up short often. SOUTHERN FLAIR - Hard to play a less than sharp equine that can't even win one time in her last ten races. This questionable contender ran a run-of-the-mill rating last time around the track. She shouldn't run better and will likely get beat in today's event running that number. BOARDWALK RUN - While Equibase's speed ratings are solid, I would not seriously consider the high one from the June 25th on a track listed as good. Some entries just run well on the off going.


STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#12 TOUCH OF SNOW (IRE) to win at post-time odds of 3/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [8,11,12]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [8,11,12] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
[8,11,12] with [8,11,12] with [3,7,8,11,12] with [3,7,8,11,12] Total Cost: $36

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Saratoga

RACE #4 - SARATOGA RACE COURSE - 2:36 PM EASTERN POST


The John Morrissey Stakes

6½ FURLONGS DIRT THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD STAKES $100,000.00 PURSE

#4 PALACE
#7 MOONLIGHT SONG
#8 NOBLE CORNERSTONE
#5 READTHEBYLINE

This race for New York Bred Sprinters has an interesting "background" as it is named in honor of one John Morrissey, the former champion bare-knuckle boxer and gambler from Troy, N.Y., who created Saratoga Race Course in 1863 with the help of William Travers, John Hunter, and Leonard Jerome. Although not an official member of the Saratoga Association, Morrissey ran the meet when it moved across Union Avenue to its current location. Brought to the United States from Ireland by his parents as a toddler, Morrissey died in 1878 in a room at the Adelphi Hotel in downtown Saratoga Springs at the age of 47. Here in the 12th renewal of this stakes test, #4 PALACE takes a slight class drop (-1), and is the overall speed leader in this field sprinting at, or about, 6½ furlongs on the dirt, and has hit the board in three of his last five outings, winning in both his 4th and 5th races back.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mohawk: Thursday 7/30 Analysis
By Garnet Barnsdale

DRF HARNESS

Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

EARLY PICK 4:

4,8/1,8,9/1,2,6,9/1,4,10 = $72


LATE PICK 4: 3,4,5,7/4/2,3/1,5,8 = $24

MEET STATS: 194 - 637 / $1110.20 BEST BETS: 26 - 57 / $90.00

SPOT PLAYS: 7 - 57 / $57.30

Best Bet: ITS ALL ABOUT SAM (9th)

Spot Play: BALLYKEEL ROCKET (5th)


Race 1

(5) VERY CLASSY has overcome gait issues to post a decent qualifier on July 14 followed by a nice debut effort at Grand River of July 22. Perhaps trainer Bax – noted for his work with young trotters - has this one figured out now; top call. (9) ONATOPP overcame a slow pace and displayed impressive late speed to break his maiden out of town. He has a big shot if he stays flat, which will undoubtedly be an issue for several inexperienced trotters on this card. (1) MALIBU SEELSTER faced perhaps the best 2-year-old trotting filly last week and was drubbed. These are much easier.

Race 2

This race has the feel of, ‘No matter whom I bet she’ll break’, but, if you absolutely must play here, maybe try (8) NORSTAR SEELSTER. She is a half-sister to a couple of decent ones and showed a lot of speed in her July 15 qualifier (before breaking in her debut). (4) CADILLAC SALLY was a big chalk last time and couldn’t close fast enough into a quickening pace. She figures here. (2) HERBE A LORAL was a decent third last time out and one of few with any kind of ‘form’.

Race 3

(9) MAGICAL STEPH faced Grassroots company for the first time last week and was a sharp first-up winner. Call to repeat. (6) MYRETIREMENTTICKET similarly dropped from OSS Gold action to face Grassroots foes in his second start and was an easy coast-to-coast winner; the main threat. (2) MAJOR MUSCLE was third to the choice last time but couldn’t keep up with her late after following her cover; minor award predicted.

Race 4

(4) CROWN ISLE changed tactics as expected last week and was just short of getting the job done. He was claimed from that race and figures highly here. (8) SLIGHT TOUCH was only a neck back of the choice at the wire last week and has raced well every time in this class; using. (2) LITTLE QUICK is sharp but dependent on a pace meltdown which seems unlikely here.

Race 5

(9) BALLYKEEL ROCKET may have fallen victim to her own pace-slowing tactics last time as she couldn’t withstand the pressure of the first-over challenger late. She has had a solid start to her career and the outside post shouldn’t be an issue. (1) SMASH HIT is by the country’s top trotting sire and is a full-sister to $325K earner I Know Magic (1:55 1/5). She looks well-prepped but many Kadabras have gait issues early; beware taking a low price. (8) TOSS IT BACK was a sharp winner in her second start and should be used on pick 4 tickets.

Race 6

(6) MAGIC BABE looked well on her way to 3 wins in as many starts when she miscued in the stretch last time. She looks best, but would you single her at 4/5 off a break? (9) TYMAL WIZARD broke early in her debut then made up 16 lengths in the final three quarters to nab third. She is an obvious threat…if she stays on gait. (1) CRAZY FIONA is interesting in that she totally turned things around in her July 24 qualifier. She merits inclusion if she goes off at a big price.

Race 7

(10) BADDESTNBESTEST lived up to his name in his Mohawk debut, taking no prisoners en route to a sharp score; call to repeat – even from post 10. (1) MATCHPLAY HANOVER drops out of the OSS Gold ranks and is a logical contender here. (4) BLUE ZOMBIE was passed by a breaker that looked like he accelerated once on the gallop to get by. He can compete here.

Race 8

(5) MALIA gets a big driver change here and can double up vs. similar company as she faced last time out when she won first up. (7) WINDSONGMUSCLELADY is showing improvement for trainer Bax and isn’t out of the question here for the win. (4) JARETTE A S had a decent debut and now drops in class, but has missed time due to a vet scratch; mixed signals.

Race 9

(4) ITS ALL ABOUT SAM closed with an impressive rush into an accelerating pace but the winner was long gone. She should handle this group. (8) CHEER FOR THE CATS also fired off an impressive last 1/4 and can improve here in her 2nd lifetime start. (2) MAJESTIC PRESENCE was only 2 1/2 lengths behind the choice last time and should get a better trip here.

Race 10

(2) L A DELIGHT stayed in during the mid-stages but found room early in the stretch last week then motored away. She looks like one of only two contenders here for the win, the other being (3) SHES LIGHTS OUT, who easily won the first leg of this stake series last week. Of the rest, (5) BOHEMIAN DELIGHT looks most likely to complete a chalky tri.

Race 11

(8) I WANT KANDY faced the top 2-year-old trotting filly we’ve seen last week and was a very respectable 4th. She gets top call here but is likely to be odds-on. (5) JANGONE broke twice last week but was an impressive winner twice prior to that. She seems most likely to capitalize if the leader falters. (1) HAILEYSGONEDANCING drops from OSS Gold to Grassroots competition and should be heard from.

Race 12

(5) A MARCOU STORY has won the past two times he has raced at Mohawk with similarly powerful moves around the final turn. He should handle this group. (3) MITCHELL BLUE CHIP was a close 2nd to the choice last week but had an easy trip. He should get a good slice here. (2) SPORTS VISION has never missed the board so far in his career and trainer Moore is famous for shipping these types in and winning; using. (10) CORSICA HALL was a sharp winner but now has missed 23 days. He faltered late on June 29 under similar circumstances. (1) ALASKAN SEELSTER is as solid as they come to make the ticket. Use him in lower slots of all your vertical wagers.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yonkers: Thursday 7/30 Analysis
By Brewster Smith

DRF HARNESS

MEET STATS: 127 - 639 / $908.80 BEST BETS: 15 - 55 / $70.40

Best Bet: MURRAYFIELD (10th)

Spot Play: BAZILLION (5th)


Race 1

(2) COSMICPEDIA was motoring on the backstretch from fourth to an easy victory last time out. All systems go for this pacer to grab his second straight score. (4) LEGAL LITIGATOR will most likely be on the engine but must relax his early foot to contend. (8) OUTA MY HEAD was no match for the top pick last out. Post hurts, but is capable of making some serious noise.

Race 2

(6) WHITE ROLLS flashed good speed in his upstate finale. Three starts back he was quite sharp for win honors at Monticello; threat at his best. (5) HASH TAG CHROME makes his way from Tioga with a nose victory last time around; good enough to be a major factor in here. (1) MAJOR PLANS blasted out from the 7-hole to the front, but tired in the stretch drive recently to lose by a head; watch out.

Race 3

(4) HUDSONANDBERNARD makes his initial trip to the Hilltop after two nice tries upstate. Two trips ago at Pocono he made his move on the backstretch to get the job done and showed good early speed last time out to last for third at Tioga; big player. (8) KJ ERICH is a speedy 2-year-old has hit the board in all of his tries; the one to catch. (1) FRESH CUT put in a mild bid in his recent outing; should fare well from the fence tonight.

Race 4

Considering most of these are seeking their first pari-mutuel victory, I'll go with (2) DUAL CELEBRATION to put it all together. Upstate invader put in two good efforts on June 29 and July 8 respectfully, now Brennan will take charge on this 2-year-old. With a favorable trip, juvenile can make tonight a winning one. (1) ROLL AWAY JOE was just a little short on getting the score last time out at Tioga; main danger. (6) ARTMAGIC was over his head in the Sheppard final last week, but this might be a perfect spot for him to contend against these.

Race 5

(2) BAZILLION took charge right from the bell, but might have gone too quick and faded down along the rail last time out against most of these. Gelding needs to go back to his July 25 trip if he has any chance of turning the tables on (5) AMASA AL. The latter blew the doors off the competition on July 9 and it appears this guy has the ability to make it two in row; maybe. (1) WHOLLY LOUY was completely off the screen and surged his way from sixth to second in a blink of an eye last time; watch out.

Race 6

(7) MY IDEAL HANOVER got bet down to 3-1 last week and showed good speed against better company. Pacing mare could be ready for a breakout performance. On May 12 she was a fast closing third in the Jackpot series against Grace Seelster; big threat. (4) JOKES JET was dull in her last try but now moves to the four slot where she showed good speed at Tioga on July 3; possible. (2) LITTLE MERMAID N also receives post relief and two starts back she was in the pocket and came through the passing lane to hold on for the victory; not out of this.

Race 7

(1) FINE DIAMOND is clearly knocking at the door; stays on the rail and good to Brennan gets the call for trainer Ron Burke. All systems go for him to get the job done. (5) AUTOTUNE HANOVER leaves the fence for the 5-hole, but if he goes back to his four length victory last week, the rest will be battling for the place money. (4) CARLOS DANGER showed good early pace and held on for the third spot at Tioga on July 17; don't overlook.

Race 8

(3) JOE LARRY N CURLY posted a tough break at odds-on in the Sheppard elimination two starts ago, but this guy rebounded back at Tioga with a sharp score; talented juvenile can boss this group. (2) RED ROLL showed some speed against the top pick but was a non factor in that event; the 2-hole should help his cause; maybe. (7) TRAVEL PLAYLIST got to the front early, was sitting in the pocket for the rocket victory last out at Tioga; post hurts but is very capable.

Race 9

(5) CHEYENNE LEILA was quite sluggish from the 8-hole last time out. The good news for this pacing mare is she moves back to the NW5k ranks where she was a railying third three starts back; could take this with a fine-timed drive from Ray Baynes (3) IDEAL A LITTLE was fourth last out, but on July 9 she rolled home to an easy victory; big factor. (1) JANIE BAY comes by way of Vernon Downs with good early foot; watch out.

Race 10

(3) MURRAYFIELD was completely dead last for most the trip last out but did close some. Now this mare moves to the three-slot against a weak group and Brennan is back in the bike; can boss these with a favorable trip. (4) STRINGS was against tougher last out and tried to clear from the 8-hole, but that was not the case and she faded into submission; should find these to her liking. (7) BLUSH HANOVER put in two good outings at Philly, so she is sharp enough to contend.

Race 11

(6) DUKE DID IT was first up at the half and could not clear to the front, but did hold on for the fourth spot. There is an indication this gelding could revert to his late punch; threat at his best. (2) IM BLUE TOO's last outing was on the engine for the entire trip, but he could not hold off the eventual winner Someplace Special, who was buying is time in the pocket; main danger. (3) TOO DARN HOT did not disappoint the chalk players with a well measured drive from Brennan last week to grab his second straight victory; beware again.

Race 12

(3) BABY REMIND ME finally receives post relief. On July 9 this gal was a fast closing second at this level. Versatile miss can get the job done with Sears taking over the lines. (6) ROCK N LOAD took charge from the bell and stayed on the lead down the stretch, but could not hold on for win honors last week; sharp enough to contend. (1) SHESAIDHESAIDISAID makes her return to Yonkers. If you go back to May 20, she was on the fence and got the job done against a better group; not out of this by far.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Thursday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE

Arlington Park (4th) Wildwood's Prize, 4-1
(5th) Mystra, 7-2


Belterra Park (1st) Indy Gale, 7-2
(2nd) Superstardom, 3-1


Canterbury Park (7th) Precious Passion, 9-2
(10th) Demis Nativedancer, 6-1


Charles Town (2nd) King's House, 9-2
(4th) My Reward, 4-1


Del Mar (1st) Itz a Saint, 4-1
(4th) Unbridled Rocket, 4-1


Evangeline Downs (6th) Indigo Dancer, 3-1
(7th) Sparky Top, 6-1


Gulfstream Park (1st) Indy Artist, 6-1
(8th) Mystic Blue, 6-1


Louisiana Downs (3rd) Ringneckdove, 5-1
(7th) Surgate, 4-1


Penn National (4th) Celtic Wonder, 7-2
(5th) Kizuna, 3-1

Prairie Meadows (7th) Air Assault, 6-1
(9th) Timeless Truth, 3-1

Presque Isle Downs (1st) Shopper, 7-2
(6th) Zooma, 6-1


Saratoga (4th) Moonlight Song, 5-1
(7th) Songbook, 6-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB Preview: Royals (61-39) at Blue Jays (51-51)

Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: July 30, 2015 7:07 PM EDT

While moving on after being traded sometimes takes time, Troy Tulowitzki has begun doing so in emphatic fashion.

Toronto's new leadoff hitter will try to stay hot Thursday night when the Blue Jays open a four-game set versus a Kansas City Royals team hoping to unveil its own new acquisition.

Tulowitzki admitted before Wednesday night's game versus Philadelphia he was "blindsided" by the trade that sent him north of the border from Colorado a day earlier. The shock didn't seem to last long, because after striking out in his first at-bat, Tulowitzki hit a two-run homer to snap an 0-for-21 slump. He added two doubles and finished with three runs and three RBIs as Toronto (51-51) rolled to an 8-2 victory.

"That was huge for me to get that under my belt," he said. "I relaxed after that and took better swings."

Tulowitzki hadn't played at Rogers Centre since 2007, but all five of his hits at Rogers Centre have gone for extra bases - three were home runs.

He's also gone deep once in three at-bats against Royals starter David Duffy (4-4, 4.03 ERA).

Duffy has gone 2-1 with a 2.15 ERA in six starts since a stint on the disabled list with a sore biceps, and the left-hander has yielded only four runs in 26 1-3 innings covering his last four outings. He limited Houston to one run and three hits in six innings of a 2-1, 10-inning victory Saturday.

"Actually, we knew he was back two starts ago," manager Ned Yost told MLB's official website. "He's back looking sharp again."

One of those sharp outings came at the expense of the Blue Jays on July 10 when he allowed four hits and three walks in six innings of a 3-0 victory, his first career win over Toronto. While Duffy has kept Jose Bautista in the ballpark, he hasn't kept him off the basepaths - the slugger is 4 for 6 lifetime against him.

The Royals (61-39) enjoy the biggest division lead in the majors at nine games and recently made two moves to bolster their chances of returning to the World Series, acquiring starting pitcher Johnny Cueto and utility player Ben Zobrist. While Cueto will make his first start Friday, Zobrist may play in this game, and the anticipation of his impact negated any bad vibes of Wednesday's 12-1 loss to Cleveland that snapped a four-game win streak.

"These moves obviously will help our team, and they're going to give us a lot of flexibility," manager Ned Yost said. "Zobrist, especially, because every player needs breaks the later you go into the season."

Eric Hosmer had two doubles to continue his torrid hitting since the All-Star break. He's batting .462 with nine extra-base hits and a 1.288 OPS in those 14 games, and that surge stands to continue given he went 3 for 3 against scheduled Blue Jays starter Marco Estrada (7-6, 3.55) in Duffy's win last month.

Estrada has alternated losses and wins in his last five starts, partly due to inconsistent run support. The Blue Jays have given him 11 runs in the two victories but only one in the three defeats.

The righty failed to help himself Friday at Seattle, giving up five runs and eight hits in four-plus innings of a 5-2 defeat. He was reached for two runs and nine hits in 6 2-3 innings in losing to Duffy - his lone start against the Royals.

While Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis (shoulder strain) remains out indefinitely, the status of Edwin Encarnacion is uncertain after X-rays on his jammed middle finger were negative.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals (53-46) at Marlins (42-59)

Game: 3
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: July 30, 2015 12:10 PM EDT

Max Scherzer was hardly at his best the last time out, or against the Miami Marlins earlier this season.

He'll try to improve on both performances for the Washington Nationals in Thursday's decisive finale at Marlins Park.

For the third time this season and second in his last four starts, Scherzer (10-8, 2.33 ERA) allowed a season-high five runs Friday before leaving without a decision in a 7-5 loss at Pittsburgh - the same club he no-hit June 20. All the damage off Scherzer came via a season-high three homers while he lasted fewer than seven innings for the third time in those four starts after doing so on three occasions in his first 16.

'That's the stuff I relish and want to do to help the team, pitch deep into a game and I wasn't able to do that," he said.

Scherzer has yielded six of his 13 home runs while going 1-2 with a 4.81 ERA in his last four starts.

"That's going to happen," manager Matt Williams.

Though Washington (53-46) beat Miami 7-5 on May 6, the right-hander gave up a three-run shot to the currently injured Giancarlo Stanton, two other runs, a season-high 10 hits and struck out 10 without a walk over seven innings.

Miami (42-59), however, has totaled 10 runs and batted .213 while losing four of five. The Marlins managed five hits and watched as Bryce Harper homered twice during Wednesday's 7-2 defeat.

Harper's hit six of his career-high 29 home runs and has 12 of his personal-best 68 RBIs while batting .385 (10 for 26) in eight games against Miami this season.

'I could remember when the kid came out a lot of people compared him to a young Mickey Mantle, that type of thunder,' Marlins manager Dan Jennings said. 'He's a special hitter.'

One of those homers came off ex-Nationals pitcher Dan Haren (7-6, 3.51) when the right-hander allowed two runs in five innings of a 6-2 victory over Washington on April 26.

Possibly making his last Marlins start with trade rumors swirling around him, Haren is 4-2 with a 2.83 ERA in 10 home starts but has gone 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in two outings since the All-Star break - both on the road. He's yielded five home runs in those two starts with three coming over six innings in Friday's 3-1 loss at San Diego.

'It was very frustrating,' said Haren, who won't use the lingering trade speculation as an excuse.

"It's not my first time I have gone through this,' he said. 'I keep up to date with some stuff but it is not fun for anybody especially having a family. I don't really have any control over it. It's like turbulence on a plane. There is nothing you can do about it.'

Miami is reportedly trying to iron out a three-team deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta that includes starter Mat Latos and Michael Morse.

"I would say that they are in a holding pattern, pending," Jennings said.

Batting .357 in his last 11 contests, Martin Prado also could be traded by Friday's deadline. He's 6 for 10 with a double against Scherzer.

Dee Gordon is 6 for 15 with a home run and double against him.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Padres (48-53) at Mets (52-49)

Game: 3
Venue: Citi Field
Date: July 30, 2015 12:10 PM EDT

As the New York Mets' search for offensive reinforcement continues, the immediate focus is just winning a series for the first time in more than two weeks.

They can do so Thursday - and no longer with Carlos Gomez coming on board - against a visiting San Diego Padres team still listening to offers as the trade deadline approaches.

While New York's three-game winning streak was ending with Wednesday's 7-3 loss, it reportedly acquired Gomez from Milwaukee for pitcher Zack Wheeler and infielder Wilmer Flores. However, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said after the game that the deal for the two-time All-Star center fielder will not happen.

"There is no trade," Alderson said. "Unfortunately social media, etc., got ahead of the facts."

Seeking its first series win since sweeping Arizona from July 10-12, New York (52-49) remains in need of a big-name bat prior to Friday's deadline. The majors' lowest-scoring offense (356 runs) was held to three or fewer runs for the ninth time in 12 games despite three more homers from Lucas Duda on Wednesday.

He's the second player in club history to accomplish the feat after Kirk Nieuwenhuis on July 12.

Each of Duda's six hits in 16 at-bats over the last four games have left the park. He has seven homers and 14 RBIs while batting .329 in 24 games against San Diego (48-53).

Duda is 2 for 5 with two doubles when facing Andrew Cashner (4-10, 3.93 ERA), who has allowed 10 runs and 19 hits in 10 2-3 innings to lose both career starts against New York. The right-hander yielded six of those runs and 11 hits but struck out 12 without a walk in 4 2-3 innings of a 7-0 defeat June 1.

Though Cashner is 0-2 with a 5.10 ERA in his last five road starts, he's helped his potential trade value by going 2-1 with a 2.60 ERA in his last four overall.

"Keep getting better each time I go out," he told MLB's official website.

Cashner beat Miami on Friday, giving up a run in seven innings of a 3-1 victory.

"You look here in this clubhouse, he is one of our biggest competitors," first baseman Yonder Alonso said.

Also mentioned as a possible trade target, perhaps for the Mets, three-time All-Star Justin Upton homered for the second time in three games and had three RBIs on Wednesday. Upton, who leads the Padres with 17 home runs and has 53 RBIs, is batting .327 with nine RBIs in his last 12 games at Citi Field.

"My job is to come here and I'm a Padre, and I'm going to go play a baseball game as a Padre," he said.

He's hitting .391 (9 for 23) against Jonathon Niese (5-9, 3.75), who is looking to bounce back from his shortest start of the season.

Instead of attending the birth of his second child in Ohio on Friday, Niese gave up six runs and eight hits in three innings of a 7-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"I know he wanted to be with his wife, especially today," catcher Kevin Plawecki said of Niese, who was 2-2 with a 2.01 ERA in his previous seven starts. "It showed his character to even want to be here and compete, and I think he gave 110 percent and that's all we can ask."

The left-hander's 2.04 ERA against the Padres is his lowest against any opponent, but he hasn't faced them since 2013.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves (46-55) at Phillies (38-64)

Game: 1
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: July 30, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

The other shoe finally fell in the Cole Hamels saga, though the Philadelphia Phillies will likely have to wait for the return to begin bearing fruit.

It remains to be seen if the Atlanta Braves follow suit in shipping off assets before Friday's trade deadline.

The last-place Phillies and plummeting Braves open a four-game series Thursday night at Citizens Bank Park.

Philadelphia (38-64) finally pulled the trigger on a deal Wednesday night involving Hamels, sending him along with reliever Jake Diekman to Texas for Matt Harrison and four prospects, highlighted by catcher Jorge Alfaro. The deal doesn't do much in the present for the Phillies, who have the worst team in baseball and are on pace to finish with their worst record since going 47-107 in 1961.

Atlanta (46-55) was at the .500 mark just three weeks ago but has dropped 13 of 17 and has scored 10 runs while losing six of seven. The Braves could be looking to sell, too, though manager Fredi Gonzalez downplayed that suggestion after Wednesday's 2-0 loss at Baltimore.

"The only thing I can say is I got here, turned my phone on and there's nothing on my phone," he said. "I am not talking about Twitter. I am not on Twitter. I didn't get anything from our general manager or anything like that. So, as far as I am concerned, there's no truth to those rumors right now."

Thursday's matchup features two pitchers seeking their first victories since May.

Atlanta's Shelby Miller (5-7, 2.27 ERA) is 0-6 despite a 2.96 ERA in 12 starts since his last win. He's averaged 1.2 runs of support in that span, getting backed by no runs in six of his last seven outings.

He lost again Saturday at St. Louis despite limiting his former club to a run and two hits over 7 1-3 innings in a 1-0 defeat.

"One run, two hits. How much more can you ask for and can he do other than drive in a couple of runs himself?" Gonzalez told MLB's official website. "He pitched great."

Miller's winless stretch includes Atlanta's 4-0 loss to Philadelphia on July 5 as he allowed seven hits in 6 1-3 scoreless innings. He's 3-1 in six career meetings with a 2.03 ERA.

Aaron Harang (4-11, 4.08) is making his first start since July 1 after being sidelined by plantar fasciitis. His season went downhill prior to the injury - he dropped his last eight starts and owns an 8.31 ERA over the last six with opponents hitting .331 in that span. He surrendered a career high-matching 14 hits and a season-high eight runs over five-plus innings in a 9-5 loss to Milwaukee on July 1.

Jose Contreras was the last pitcher to lose nine consecutive starts in the same season, doing so in 2007 with the Chicago White Sox. Harang will look to draw upon recent success against Atlanta, as he's 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in his last five meetings, and gave up one run over 14 innings in two this year with his second-to-last win.

Atlanta owns a 5-4 edge in the season series and has won 14 of the last 22 meetings.

Freddie Freeman is 9 for 23 with six RBIs while playing six times against Philadelphia this year but is 2 for 17 with five strikeouts off Harang. He's also just 2 for 18 since being activated from the disabled list.

Freddy Galvis is 18 for his last 42 (.429) against the Braves.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers (49-52) at Orioles (51-49)

Game: 1
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: July 30, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Just a few days ago, it looked like the Baltimore Orioles would be best served going into sell mode with their impending free agents.


A hot streak has almost certainly dismissed any chance of that.

While the Detroit Tigers appear to be looking toward next season judging by their general manager's comments, they'll try to prevent the Orioles from matching their longest win streak of the year Friday night in the opener of a four-game series at Camden Yards.

Friday's loss at Tampa Bay capped a 5-15 stretch for the Orioles, who were in danger of falling too far behind in the wild-card race. Baltimore (51-49) rebounded to win two straight against the Rays, however, and completed a three-game sweep of Atlanta with Wednesday's 2-0 victory.

With Minnesota struggling, the Orioles are now one game behind the final wild-card spot.

Chris Tillman became the latest Baltimore starter to impress, falling one out shy of the team's first complete game to lower the rotation's ERA to 1.24 during the five-game streak, one shy of the season high set June 7-13.

"Pitching like we've been pitching keeps you in every game," manager Buck Showalter said. "I'll take my chances with that."

Jonathan Schoop homered and J.J. Hardy also went deep to extend his hitting streak to 12 games.

Although the Tigers (49-52) ended a three-game skid with Wednesday's 2-1 victory at Tampa Bay, general manager Dave Dombrowski confirmed after the game that he will listen to offers for their free agents.

"We look at it more as rebooting going into next year," Dombrowski told MLB's official website.

While ace David Price would net the biggest return, Yoenis Cespedes, Joakim Soria, Rajai Davis and Alex Avila could also be attractive pieces for contending clubs.

Losing superstar Miguel Cabrera (left calf strain) didn't originally hurt the Tigers after he went down July 3, as they won four of six and averaged 6.7 runs per game. Since then, however, they've gone 5-11 while scoring 3.8 per contest with a .236 batting average.

Detroit has dropped to fourth place in the Central, its lowest spot after the All-Star break since the end of the 2008 season.

The Tigers get another shot at Miguel Gonzalez (9-6, 3.99 ERA) after he beat them July 19, yielding two runs over five innings in a 9-3 victory at Comerica Park.

The right-hander followed that outing by winning in more impressive fashion Saturday, taking a shutout into the eighth at Tampa Bay before ultimately allowing one run and five hits over 7 2-3 innings in a 5-1 win.

He's 1-2 with a 7.65 ERA in four starts against the Tigers.

Davis (4 for 12 with three homers) and Cespedes (5 for 11) have both posed problems for him.

Alfredo Simon (9-6, 4.46), who broke into the majors with the Orioles in 2008, faces his former team for the first time.

The right-hander went 1-3 with a 10.16 ERA during a six-start span before limiting Boston to one run and five hits over six-plus innings in a 5-1 victory Saturday. He suffered a slight groin injury on his second pitch in the seventh.

Travis Snider has the most experience of any Orioles hitter against Simon, going 5 for 15. Chris Davis is 2 for 2 with a home run.

Victor Martinez is hitting .392 with four homers during a 13-game hitting streak at Camden Yards, including two games in last season's AL division series.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates (59-41) at Reds (45-54)

Game: 1
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: July 30, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

A.J. Burnett acknowledges that maintaining his superb first-half statistics was unlikely, but he undoubtedly wanted a better showing after the All-Star break than his past two outings.

The veteran right-hander will try to end his brief slump and lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to their sixth win in seven games Thursday night against the Cincinnati Reds, whom they've struggled to beat this season.

Burnett headed to his first All-Star Game in Cincinnati after going 7-3 with a 2.11 ERA, tied for the NL's second-best, and went 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in three starts against the Reds.

In his two games since the break, he has allowed 11 runs and 22 hits in 11 2-3 innings. Burnett (8-4, 2.68 ERA) got enough support for a 10-7 win in Kansas City on July 20 but took a 9-3 loss to Washington on Saturday, his first in six starts since June 19.

"If you expect me to go out and do what I did in the first half, you're nuts," Burnett said. "I'm doing everything I can but that's ridiculous numbers and I mean execution is really the answer. The first half I executed, the last two starts I haven't."

The Pirates (59-41) have won three in a row since Burnett's loss and finished a two-game sweep in Minnesota with a 10-4 victory Wednesday.

Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run homer in the fifth and scored on two Twins errors following an RBI single in a five-run sixth. Jung Ho Kang, batting .462 in his last 10 games, went 3 for 5 with his second home run in as many contests.

The Pirates now seek to improve on a 2-7 record against the Reds. Pittsburgh opened its season being swept in a three-game series in Cincinnati and has dropped nine of 11 there.

The Reds (45-54) have lost 17 of 28 since their latest series with the Pirates, and dealing Johnny Cueto to Kansas City on Sunday signaled they are sellers ahead of Friday's trade deadline. One player rumored to be on the move, Jay Bruce, hit a solo homer in a 1-0 win in St. Louis on Wednesday, and another, Aroldis Chapman, converted his 12th consecutive save.

"It's one of those things where you try your best to be a professional and not let any of it bother you," Bruce told MLB's official website. "You hear what people say. But I'm on the Reds. I'm here to help these guys win games. This is all that I know."

David Holmberg will try to fill Cueto's sizable spot in the rotation in his season debut. Holmberg went 2-2 with a 4.80 ERA in seven appearances for Cincinnati last season, including five starts, and will make his first against Pittsburgh.

Aramis Ramirez is the only current Pirates hitter to have faced him, going 2 for 5 with a solo homer. He had his first hits in four games since returning to Pittsburgh on Wednesday, going 2 for 5.

Pittsburgh might need more production from Ramirez with Gregory Polanco's status unknown because of an ailing left knee. The outfielder was removed in the fourth inning Wednesday and failed to get a hit for just the third time in his past 19 games.

Cincinnati's Joey Votto, batting .550 in his last 12 games despite going 0 for 3 on Wednesday, is hitting .458 with three homers in his past six at home against Pittsburgh but is 1 for 9 versus Burnett this season. Bruce is 3 for 31 lifetime against the right-hander.

Brandon Phillips is batting .406 in a seven-game hit streak against Pittsburgh, and Todd Frazier is hitting .359 with five homers in a nine-game run.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox (49-50) at Red Sox (44-58)

Game: 4
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: July 30, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

The Chicago White Sox didn't provide Chris Sale with much support throughout most of June, but he's received plenty of help this month and got enough runs to win his last start before throwing a pitch.

The White Sox's lineup has produced at such a torrid clip that the franchise seems ready to alter its plans at the trading deadline and make a playoff push.

Chicago will try to take its next small step by climbing back to .500 and completing an 8-0 road trip with its first four-game sweep of the Red Sox at Fenway Park in 88 years.

Sale (9-5, 2.85 ERA) got a combined seven runs to work with in his final five starts in June and went 1-2 despite logging a 2.17 ERA. He's gone 3-1 with a 2.76 ERA in four games this month while backed with 17 runs.

Sale was spotted a five-run lead before taking the mound Saturday in Cleveland and gave up two runs in seven innings in a 10-3 victory.

Chicago (49-50) has batted .332 and scored 54 runs on its trip, and its seven-game win streak is the longest since a nine-game run May 23-June 1, 2012, and longest on the road since an eight-gamer that same season.

Melky Cabrera went 3 for 6 for his career-best seventh straight multihit game and has an RBI in nine straight contests, also a personal best.

Cabrera, batting .545 (18 for 33) with a 1.589 OPS in his last seven games, has also appeared to help push the White Sox out of selling mode before Friday's deadline. Chicago is rumored to have taken starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija off the market after climbing within 2 1/2 games of Minnesota for the AL's second wild-card spot.

The White Sox, winners in 11 of 12 on the road, still have two teams between them and the Twins. They're also tied with Tampa Bay but have passed three clubs since July 22.

"It seems like the team was left for dead a week ago and now it's got some life and is playing good baseball," manager Robin Ventura said. "You never know what's going to happen."

Chicago will try register its first four-game sweep at Fenway Park since June 2-6, 1927, and reach .500 for the first time since it was 18-18 on May 19. The only time the White Sox went unbeaten on a road trip of at least eight games came on an 11-game trek in 1951.

Sale looks to help deliver all three in his third career start against Boston. He had no record and a 1.23 ERA in his other two, both last season, and is 5-2 with a 2.02 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 58 innings in his last eight on the road.

It's unclear if he'll face Pablo Sandoval in this start after the third baseman left Wednesday's game due to dehydration.

"That's something that Pablo's dealt with his entire career," manager John Farrell said. "It continues to be addressed. ... There are ongoing efforts to support that, to try to get him in the best shape possible."

Steven Wright (3-4, 4.78) will make his first appearance against Chicago and try to avoid a third consecutive defeat since returning to the rotation. The knuckleballer has a 7.71 ERA in his two outings and gave up four runs in 4 1-3 innings Saturday in a 5-1 loss to Detroit.

Wright will try to lead Boston to just its third win in 15 games and help it avoid a season high-tying fourth consecutive home loss.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockies (43-56) at Cardinals (64-37)

Game: 1
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: July 30, 2015 7:15 PM EDT

The St. Louis Cardinals have enjoyed their most success at home in more than half a century this season, though they've been stalled by recent hiccups.

Carlos Martinez figures to be a good bet to get them back on track Thursday night against the Colorado Rockies, who have been abysmal away from Coors Field this year.

St. Louis (64-37) owns baseball's best record and its home record of 37-15 would be its second-best ever over a full season behind a 58-21 record from 1943. The Cardinals, though, have been shut out in two straight for the second time this season, dropping back-to-back games to Cincinnati while totaling eight hits.

'This is a team that will produce, can produce at times," manager Mike Matheny said. "It just didn't come as easy and we got to figure out a way to get it done and just haven't been able to get it done the last couple of nights."

The offense could be limited with Matt Holliday set to be reevaluated after leaving Wednesday's loss with a strained right quad - the same injury that saw him miss 31 games earlier this season. Holliday is a .397 career hitter against his former team with 11 homers and 35 RBIs.

Martinez's 1.13 ERA since May 20 is the best among pitchers with at least 10 starts in that span. He threw a career-best eight innings in Saturday's 1-0 win over Atlanta and has allowed only four runs over his last 32 innings.

One of the keys to Martinez's success has been his stinginess with runners on base. While Martinez's 1.23 WHIP isn't elite by any means - the major league leader is Zack Greinke at 0.83 - he's limiting opponents to a .122 batting average with runners in scoring position. Opponents are 1 for 23 in those situations over his last five games.

Colorado is 19 for 91 (.209) with runners in scoring position over their last 12 road games.

Martinez (11-4, 2.34 ERA) pitched in the Cardinals' lone win when they dropped two of three in Denver from June 8-10. He gave up a Ben Paulsen two-run homer while working 6 1-3 innings in a 4-2 victory in the finale.

The Rockies' 3-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday was their major league-worst 16th in their last 21 on the road going back to June 11. Colorado (43-56) is averaging 3.3 runs on the road in that span compared to 6.0 at home. The now-traded Troy Tulowitzki was the only qualifying player batting above .260 on the road during that stretch.

While the Rockies had 10 hits in their first game without Tulowitzki, a 7-2 victory Tuesday over the Cubs, they were limited to five and struck out 16 times in Wednesday's 3-2 loss. Jose Reyes was 1 for 3 and walked in his Colorado debut.

Carlos Gonzalez continued his hot stretch, hitting his 21st homer. He's batting .426 with 11 home runs and 24 RBIs over his last 17 contests and has hit .347 over his last 26 meetings with the Cardinals.

Chris Rusin (3-4, 4.13) had logged five consecutive quality starts before having a tougher time in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Reds, giving up four earned runs and 10 hits over five innings.

He won his only start against St. Louis, allowing seven hits over seven innings in a 3-0 road victory for the Cubs on Aug. 9, 2013. He also yielded one run over five innings of relief at Busch Stadium on April 12, 2014.

The Cardinals have won 23 of the last 33 meetings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees (57-43) at Rangers (48-52)

Game: 4
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: July 30, 2015 8:05 PM EDT

The Texas Rangers won the Cole Hamels sweepstakes, but they might not be done dealing.

Yovani Gallardo is scheduled to make what could be his last start for the Rangers Thursday night against the visiting New York Yankees.

Texas acquired Hamels, along with fellow pitcher Jake Diekman and cash considerations, from Philadelphia on Wednesday in exchange for Matt Harrison and five prospects, highlighted by catcher Jorge Alfaro and pitcher Jake Thompson.

Hamels, the 2008 World Series MVP, ranks fourth among active pitchers with a 3.30 career ERA and comes off a 13-strikeout, no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.

"He's definitely a great pitcher," first baseman Mitch Moreland said after Texas' 5-2 win over New York on Wednesday. "Obviously watched the no-hitter the other day, pretty impressive. He's got a long track record of great success. It will be huge for us."

While the Rangers (48-52) have an arduous road to a playoff berth this season - they're only four games out of a playoff spot, but are looking up at seven teams in the wild-card standings - Hamels helps them contend for the foreseeable future. He's signed through 2018 with a team option for 2019.

Gallardo (7-9, 3.19 ERA), on the other hand, is a free agent after this season. With the right-hander posting the lowest ERA of his career, it makes sense for Texas to send him elsewhere before Friday's deadline.

He's been roughed up recently though, giving up five earned runs while throwing only four-plus innings in each of his last two starts, and he's 0-3 in his last five.

Texas snapped a three-game skid Wednesday with just its second victory in the last 14 home games, bouncing back from Tuesday's 21-5 loss.

"I feel like (Tuesday) was kind of weird, just overall a weird game," said Colby Lewis, who recorded his 11th win. "Feel like this is a team, we don't really worry about what happened last night."

It marked just the second time in seven games the Yankees (57-43) scored fewer than six runs. They're averaging 5.7 runs while going an AL-best 13-4 since July 8.

RBI leader Mark Teixeira didn't play after taking a pitch on the foot Tuesday, though manager Joe Girardi said it was a planned day off.

Scheduled starter Michael Pineda (9-7, 3.97) has been erratic over his last eight outings, going 2-5 with a 4.91 ERA. In that span he has four quality starts in which he's limited teams to four earned runs over 28 1-3 innings. In the other four, he's given up 22 in 19 1-3.

If the pattern continues, he's in for a better performance. He gave up five runs over 5 2-3 innings of a 10-1 loss at Minnesota on Friday.

"I want to pitch good and help my team," he said. "I don't have control for this situation, so I keep in my head continue working hard and go back to pitching good and help my team."

The right-hander has had a tough time in four starts against Texas, however, posting an 0-3 record with a 5.04 ERA. He gave up seven runs - four earned - over six innings of a 10-9 loss on May 22, surrendering home runs to Prince Fielder and Moreland.

Adrian Beltre is just 1 for 9 off Pineda, while Moreland is 4 for 9 with two homers, a double and a triple.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs (53-47) at Brewers (44-58)

Game: 1
Venue: Miller Park
Date: July 30, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Jake Arrieta was overshadowed by a no-hitter the last time out, and while his next opponent hasn't quite been on that level, he is enjoying maybe the best starting span of his career.

Jimmy Nelson will try to continue finding his way Thursday night as the visiting Chicago Cubs attempt to figure out the last-place Milwaukee Brewers.

While Nelson is 5-1 with a 2.54 ERA in his last six starts, the already established Arrieta has been even better with a 5-1 record and 1.37 ERA in his past seven.

The defeat came in a 5-0 home loss to Philadelphia on Saturday with Cole Hamels throwing a no-hitter while Arrieta (11-6, 2.61 ERA) gave up three runs and had eight strikeouts in six innings. He's struck out 18 in 13 innings over his last two starts, but that's come with six walks after yielding four in 39 2-3 innings of his previous five outings.

"I struggled with timing," Arrieta told MLB's official website. "That was the main issue from start to finish. Toward the end was really the only time I felt like I had consistent command of multiple pitches. I felt like it was a battle. I didn't pitch near the way I would've liked to today."

Arrieta is 2-3 with a 3.22 ERA in six starts against the Brewers, and the best of the bunch was in 2013 in his only one at Miller Park. Ryan Braun (3 for 8), Adam Lind (4 for 13) and Carlos Gomez (3 for 10) have homered off him, but Jonathan Lucroy (2 for 12) and Gerardo Parra (0 for 6) have struggled.

Nelson (8-9, 3.97) hasn't allowed an earned run in two of his last three starts and has won the past two, including Friday's 2-1 victory in Arizona. The right-hander gave up five hits in seven scoreless innings and is no longer thinking about the six-start span preceding his recent success that resulted in a 1-4 record and 6.06 ERA.

"Really not letting the stuff before affect me, not trying to do too much, not trying to go out there and paint corners and strike everybody out, just going to my strengths and let the defense do it job," Nelson said.

Nelson's four starts against the Cubs have resulted in an 0-3 record and 5.25 ERA. Jorge Soler is 5 for 12 with a home run and three doubles, while Kris Bryant is 0 for 6.

The Cubs (53-47) haven't been providing much offense with 3.0 runs per game and a .222 average over a 14-17 span, but that was enough in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Colorado.

Anthony Rizzo homered for the first time in 18 games, a span during which he's batting .203. Bryant went 0 for 4 as his average dipped below .250 for the first time since May 10, and he's hitting .129 in his last 16.

Manager Joe Maddon inserted Kyle Schwarber in left field for a full game for the first time, and while the rookie is 2 for 14 in his last seven games, he has a .400 on-base percentage in that time.

The Brewers (44-58) have won four of six in the season series, but with Wednesday's 5-0 loss in San Francisco, they've fallen into a 1-4 funk with seven runs after winning 15 of their previous 21.

Braun returned from a two-game absence due to lower back tightness and went hitless in four at-bats to drop to 6 for 34 since the All-Star break.

Parra is on a career-best 13-game hitting streak, which could help entice a contender to make a move for the free-agent-to-be before Friday's trade deadline.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels (55-45) at Astros (57-45)

Game: 3
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: July 30, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

With Mike Trout out of the lineup, the Los Angeles Angels haven't had enough to beat the Houston Astros in a pivotal AL West series.

Trout's status is unclear for Thursday night's finale against the Astros, who are hoping for another stellar outing from Houston native Scott Kazmir in his home debut.

A sore left wrist has sidelined Trout the first two games in Houston, and the Angels (55-45) went 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position Wednesday when they plated just one run in the first eight innings of a 6-3 loss Wednesday.

"We're definitely going to err on the side of caution to make sure he's where he needs to be ... it's definitely the type of injury where you would rather give it a couple of more days on this end and not risk a couple of weeks on the back end," manager Mike Scioscia said of his star center fielder, who is batting .315 with an MLB-best 31 homers and 64 RBIs.

Albert Pujols provided a bright spot by reaching 30 homers for the first time since 2012, his first season with the Angels, but the Astros (57-45) moved one game ahead in the division by scoring all of their runs in their final four innings.

They'll try to pad that lead with help from the recently acquired Kazmir (6-5, 2.24 ERA), who is 2-0 with a 0.34 ERA in four starts this month. He went seven innings in a 4-0 win in Kansas City on Friday, one day after he was acquired from Oakland.

"Obviously, the reason we went out and got him is exactly what he did tonight, to give us solid innings," catcher Jason Castro said. "We can't expect him to throw a shutout every time, but that would be nice. That's exactly what we were hoping to get out of him, to have another arm like that in our rotation is going to be huge."

Kazmir yielded one run in 7 1-3 innings in a 3-2 win over Los Angeles on June 21. He went 11-18 with a 5.45 ERA in 37 starts for the Angels - including two in the postseason - from August 2009 until being released in June 2011.

Matt Shoemaker (5-7, 4.55) will try to help his team, losers in five of six, avoid its first sweep of three games or longer in Houston while bolstering his hopes of staying in the rotation.

Shoemaker will likely get bumped to the bullpen when Jered Weaver returns from a hip injury, but he made a good impression by scattering two hits in six innings and fanning a season high-tying 10 in a 7-0 win over Minnesota on July 21.

Shoemaker gave up six runs in three innings - matching the shortest start of his career - in his only matchup with Houston this season, a 6-5 loss May 9. Jose Altuve, 4 for 7 lifetime against Shoemaker, hit the first of three Astros home runs off the right-hander and is batting .406 (28 for 69) in his last 17 games against the Angels.

Jed Lowrie would face Shoemaker for the first time if he makes his return from right thumb surgery as expected Thursday. Lowrie was batting .300 with four homers in 18 games when he was injured April.

Erick Aybar is 7 for 11 with two doubles lifetime versus Kazmir, but Pujols is 1 for 9.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners (46-56) at Twins (52-48)

Game: 1
Venue: Target Field
Date: July 30, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Phil Hughes has regained the form that made his first season with the Minnesota Twins such a success, and the approach he takes is one J.A. Happ could employ to work through recent struggles.

Two pitchers displaying very different command in recent starts face off Thursday night with the Twins hoping to halt a four-game losing streak with the Seattle Mariners in town.

Hughes (9-6, 3.93 ERA) has issued 12 walks all season and 28 in 52 starts in his time with the Twins. Happ (4-5, 4.27), who has greatly improved on his free passes since the start of 2014, has matched that mark in 15 starts and a relief effort since the beginning of May.

Happ pitched a perfect relief inning Monday, but prior to that the left-hander had issued nine walks in 12 2-3 innings over three starts. He didn't pick up a decision in any, though the club lost all three after he gave up 10 runs and 12 hits.

His 2.65 walks per nine innings remains his lowest mark, bettering last season's 2.91 rate, but the recent slip is reminiscent of the 3.99 mark he put up from 2007-13.

The first-year Mariner gave up three runs with one hit, four walks and hit a batter in 1 2-3 innings of Saturday's 8-6 home loss to Toronto, but he's not yet ready to call his recent form a regression.

"That's not me. It hasn't been me all year. I'll keep working to get better," Happ told MLB's official website. "This was kind of an anomaly, I felt like. It's certainly frustrating."

Hughes' frustrating times are more than a month in his wake. The right-hander had a 4.79 ERA entering his start June 19, but he's 5-0 with a 2.44 ERA and three walks in 48 innings of seven outings since. In Friday's 10-1 home win over the New York Yankees, Hughes gave up seven hits in seven innings.

It was his first scoreless performance of the season, and all the hits were singles after surrendering 11 home runs in his previous eight starts.

"Anytime you're giving up homers, you're obviously giving up runs and that's not the object of this game, so it was nice to go out there and stay away from that," Hughes said. "I made some adjustments early, tried to mix in some more offspeed pitches."

He's 2-1 with a 0.81 ERA in his last three starts against the Mariners, while Happ is 1-1 with a 2.89 ERA in two against the Twins.

Mike Zunino has struck out in all six of his at-bats against Hughes, and Brian Dozier is 2 for 4 with a home run against Happ.

Minnesota (52-48) needs another strong start from Hughes after Wednesday's 10-4 home loss to Pittsburgh sent it to its second four-game losing streak in the last 10, and another would match a season-worst five-game skid from June 8-13.

Since Hughes last pitched, the staff has a 7.50 ERA with nine home runs allowed and 13 walks, and that's helped waste Aaron Hicks' 9-for-16 run at the plate.

"It's just that time of the year, I guess, where teams start to go into slumps and things just aren't going our way," Hicks said.

Seattle (46-56) has dropped three in a row after Wednesday's 8-2 home loss to Arizona completed the sweep. Over a 5-9 span, the Mariners have a 5.82 ERA from the rotation.

The lineup was without second baseman Robinson Cano, who is day to day with an abdominal strain.

The Twins won two of three in Seattle from April 24-26, giving them five wins in the last six meetings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians (46-54) at Athletics (45-57)

Game: 1
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: July 30, 2015 10:05 PM EDT

Based on their activity prior to Friday's trade deadline, neither the Cleveland Indians nor the Oakland Athletics see themselves as serious playoff contenders. However, that won't prevent both from expecting the best from their respective rosters.

After earning a needed victory to conclude a miserable homestand, the Indians try to extend the Athletics' latest rough stretch Thursday night.

Cleveland (46-54) was outscored 37-10 while losing six straight and falling to the bottom of the AL Central before ending its seven-game home stretch with Wednesday's 12-1 rout of Kansas City.

"It was very important for us to get our confidence back," said rookie shortstop Francisco Lindor, had a three-run homer and four RBIs. "We'll take the things we did the right way and try to do it again (Thursday)."

While Corey Kluber went the distance, the Indians matched a season high with 18 hits to snap an eight-game home skid.

"I think we needed it on a number of fronts," manager Terry Francona told MLB's official website. "We needed that. That'll help us."

Though Cleveland traded outfielder David Murphy to the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday and general manager Chris Antonetti might not be done dealing, he isn't expected to break up the club's starting rotation.

Carlos Carrasco (10-8, 4.26 ERA) leads the team in wins and is 3-0 with a 1.98 ERA in his last four road starts, but he allowed a season-high six runs in four innings of Saturday's 10-3 home loss to the Chicago White Sox.

The right-hander has a 3.27 ERA without a decision in two starts against the A's (45-57) - both in Cleveland - after giving up two runs and striking out seven in seven innings of a 5-4 loss July 11.

Cleveland is 20-32 at home but 26-22 on the road, where it has won eight of 12. The Indians have dropped five of six overall to the A's, but those all came at home.

Oakland carried a three-run lead into the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday before falling 10-7, its fifth loss in six games. While the A's have the second-worst record in the AL and have traded Scott Kazmir, Tyler Clippard and Ben Zobrist over a six-day span, they don't expect their effort to wane.

"Doesn't matter who's out there, who's in the clubhouse, who's not," ace Sonny Gray said. "When the game starts, it's 25 guys out there, and you're just trying to win a baseball game. I don't think that's going to change for us. We're going to go out there and we're going to compete and we're going to battle, and try to win as many games as we can."

Chris Bassitt (0-3, 2.94) gave up two runs in a season-high 6 1-3 innings opposite Carrasco on July 11. The right-hander was sent back to Triple-A Nashville after that game but was recalled Saturday, yielding two runs through six innings of Saturday's 2-1 loss at San Francisco.

Bassitt, whose only major league win came Sept. 22 with the White Sox, has received a combined four runs of support in four starts for Oakland.

Rookie Giovanny Urshela went 2 for 3 with a double against Bassitt this month and has batted .370 in his last eight contests.

Oakland's Josh Reddick, batting .414 in the last nine games, is 5 for 5 with a double and a home run against Carrasco.

Teammate Brett Lawrie was 3 for 23 in the six games prior to going 4 for 5 with a homer and four RBIs on Wednesday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Betts on concussion watch after tumbling over wall
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

BOSTON -- It was a split second from being one of the best catches ever seen.

Instead, it was a home run.

More important to the Red Sox, though, Mookie Betts' head-over-heels tumble over the short right-field fence and into the bullpen in the sixth inning Tuesday night resulted in the 22-year-old center fielder suffering from concussion symptoms that might land him on the disabled list.

"It's an odd play, certainly," manager John Farrell said after the Red Sox lost for the 11th time in 13 games, 9-4, to the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park. "I think at this point the concern is just about how he comes out of the imaging and the testing here. But as far as the freak play, there's been a number of them this year."

To recap: Betts tracked first baseman Jose Abreu's drive to the warning track in right-center field. After catching the ball on the run, Betts leaped to brace himself from a collision with the wall and wound up somersaulting over the fence and into the bullpen.

As Betts fell to the ground, he hit his head. The force of the fall jarred the ball out of his glove.

After initially ruling that Betts made the catch, the umpires reviewed the play and overturned the call based on Rule 5.09(a). Farrell agreed with the umpires' interpretation.

"He's got to hold onto the ball, that's the bottom line," Farrell said. "Once the ball came loose, it's ruled a home run."

The Red Sox' larger concern is for Betts' health.

After climbing back over the wall, Betts ran almost all the way off the field before sitting down on the grass in front of the Red Sox' dugout and complaining of "light-headedness," according to Farrell.

Betts underwent additional testing after the game. While a decision has not been made yet, it seems likely he will have to go on the 7-day concussion disabled list, in which case center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. would be called up from Triple-A Pawtucket, according to the Boston Herald.

"It's an unbelievable effort Mookie gave to try to run that ball down," pitcher Wade Miley said. "That's how he plays. He's going to give you everything he's got every out. Unfortunately, it didn't go for us. Whatever the rule states, it is what it is. Hats off to Mookie for the effort."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dodgers' Mattingly downplays rumors of possible Puig trade
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly reiterated Tuesday that the club has no immediate plans to trade right fielder Yasiel Puig.

Puig has been the subject of published reports and speculation that the Dodgers would deal the Cuban right fielder for the right price, a front-line starting pitcher being one of the team's biggest needs.

"There hasn't been any kind of talk between me and (the front office) about him being available," Mattingly said before the Dodgers opened a two-game series with the Oakland A's at Dodger Stadium. "I don't know if it's speculation; I don't know whatever that would be. I kind of feel like everybody's always available when you really look at it. But there's been no talk from the front office to me saying we're looking to do this or trying to do this (with Puig).

"I've read a little bit of it, (but) it hasn't really filtered down to us. I didn't hear about it until a day ago or a couple days ago in New York. That was the first I heard about it."

Despite the rumors, Mattingly downplayed the possibility of the 24-year-old Puig going anywhere. Mattingly added that Puig's colorful personality and his penchant for showing off skills might contribute to the trade speculation.

"I think Yasiel, obviously, is pretty much a lightning rod in all areas," Mattingly said. "It doesn't matter if he's doing good or doing bad or makes a good throw or makes a bad throw or he gets a hit or doesn't get a hit. He's pretty much a lightning rod.

"I really looked at it like this time of year there are so many rumors about guys going everywhere."

Puig was batting .253 with six home runs and 22 RBIs in 53 games heading into Tuesday's contest. Though he has homered twice in the previous seven games, he batted .095. In the previous 15 games, Puig hit .173.

An All-Star last season, Puig batted .296 with 16 homers and 69 RBIs in 148 games.