Thursday 8/25/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians (72-53) at Rangers (74-53)

Game: 1
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: August 25, 2016 8:05 PM EDT

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The ever-changing roster of the Texas Rangers figures to have a new look when the club begins a pivotal four-game series against Cleveland on Thursday at Globe Life Park.

Texas, which is in first place in the American League West despite getting shutout four times this month, will try to add some pop to the offense as outfielder Carlos Gomez is expected to be added to the roster in time for the series opener.

The former All-Star was released by Houston on Aug. 18 after a dismal start to the season. Texas signed Gomez two days later and sent him to Triple-A Round Rock, where he hit .308 in three games with a pair of extra-base hits and two RBIs.

Texas isn't expected Gomez to be a savior for an offense that has struggled this month despite adding Jonathan Lucroy and Carlos Beltran. He's not guaranteed a starting spot in an outfield that has two fixtures in Nomar Mazara and Ian Desmond.

But Gomez, who was an All-Star in 2013 and 2014, was worth the risk for Texas despite his .210 average in 85 games with Houston this year.

Texas manager Jeff Banister is hoping getting dumped by American League West rival Houston serves as motivation for Gomez.

"For a player of his caliber, for a team to not want you, then not be claimed, has to be a wake-up call, a punch to the nose, if you will," Banister said. "He's still passionate for the game. Can still run, throw, hit for power. He has an opportunity to show the rest of the baseball world that he's still a relevant player, with a team that has a lot to play for."

The first-place Indians have a lot to play for, too. The only team with a better record in the AL than the Indians is Texas. Cleveland comes into the series 5-5 in its last 10 games and losers of consecutive games in Oakland.

While the Indians have a 5 1/2-game lead over Detroit in the AL Central, they know they've got to get things going against a Texas team that is 39-20 at Globe Life Park and leads Seattle by 6 1/2 in the West.

Like the Rangers, Cleveland is in an offensive downturn. The Indians scored three runs in their three games against Oakland.

"Hopefully we just had like three days of amnesia," Cleveland manager Terry Francona said. "Those things happen. It's not fun when it does, but it happens. Fortunately we won one game 1-0, but we have to give them some (the Athletics) some credit. They did a number on us."

While the Indians may not be hitting the ball well, the series in Texas will provide one Cleveland player with a chance to play where he's had a lot of success. Mike Napoli helped the Rangers to the World Series in 2011 and to the playoffs last year before signing with the Indians. This series will be the first for him in Texas since the postseason.

"It's a place that I'll always love," Napoli said. "But I'm going there to compete and try to help our team win in any way. I've got a lot of friends on the other side, but when I step across the lines it's time to compete and try to win."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates (63-61) at Brewers (56-70)

Game: 1
Venue: Miller Park
Date: August 25, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

MILWAUKEE -- It's been a dismal season at times for the Milwaukee Brewers, who are nearing the end of the first full year of rebuilding under the watchful eye of general manager David Stearns.

But one thing that's gone right for the Brewers in 2016 is their home record. Milwaukee finished up a three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday afternoon to improve to 36-29 at home, where they've won six of their last eight games including four in a row.

"I know we've had stretches throughout my tenure here where that's been the case," left fielder Ryan Braun said. "It's just one of those weird things. Most teams in baseball are a little bit more comfortable at home, have a little better routines at home, and play better at home."

History suggests the Brewers' winning ways at home will continue this weekend when the Pittsburgh Pirates roll into town for a four-game set that starts Thursday night.

Miller Park has been nothing short of a house of horrors for the Pirates, who have lost nine in a row in Milwaukee and are 17-64 at Miller Park since the start of the 2007 season.

The Brewers have tormented the Pirates in general during that stretch, posting a 103-54 record.

"They've played better than us," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said Wednesday after his squad fell to Houston 5-4. "I know it sounds (simplistic). They have. And we're due. That's the way I look at it. The longer you go without winning a game somewhere, the better your chances are to win. It's our time to do something there."

Chad Kuhl tries o stop the bleeding when he takes the mound Thursday for his eighth career start and fourth since he was brought back from the minors Aug. 9.

He was 1-0 with a 4.19 ERA when he was sent down in mid-July and in three starts since hasn't allowed more than two earned runs and worked six innings each time out.

Kuhl took no-decision after his last outing, when he allowed three runs (two earned) and five hits without a walk or a strikeout in a 3-1 loss to the Marlins.

"I thought he pitched a very competitive ballgame," Hurdle said. "He pitched out of traffic in the third inning, when it could have really got complicated. He showed really good poise to get the ground ball to get the double play to end the inning. I thought he pitched very good ballgame."

Milwaukee, meanwhile, turns to Wily Peralta, who has looked sharp since returning from a two-month demotion to Triple-A.

The Brewers' opening day starter was 4-7 with a 6.68 ERA in 13 starts when sent down July 11.

Since returning, though, he's 1-2 with a 3.50 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 18 innings over three starts.

"I found my rhythm and felt better about my pitches," Peralta said of his time in the minors. "The pitches don't move where they are supposed to there but you have to do whatever you can and make sure you get on top of your pitches. It's not easy; you have to learn.

"You have to make sure your timing and rhythm is there. If it's not, the pitch is not going to do anything."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners (67-59) at White Sox (60-65)

Game: 1
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: August 25, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

CHICAGO -- After back-to-back series against teams all but out of postseason contention, the Chicago White Sox host a Seattle Mariners team with much more at stake.

The Mariners (67-59) open a four-game weekend series at U.S. Cellular Field on Thursday three games outside of an American League wild card spot following Wednesday's 5-0 loss to the New York Yankees.

Seattle had been among the hottest teams in baseball with 15 wins in 20 games before cooling off a bit this week with back-to-back losses to the Yankees at Safeco Field.

Chicago right-hander Anthony Ranaudo (1-1, 9.42 ERA) works against a Mariners pitcher yet to be named in Thursday's series opener. On Friday, right-hander Felix Hernandez (8-4, 3.26) meets White Sox lefty Chris Sale (15-6, 3.15).

Seattle claimed two wins over Chicago in a three-game home series last month.

The Mariners hope to have third baseman Kyle Seager back for the series. He sat out Wednesday after fouling a ball off his foot on Tuesday. Initial X-rays were reported to be negative. Seager has 24 home runs and 83 RBIs this season.

Robinson Cano needs one double for 30 this season. He has exceeded that total in each of his first 11 seasons.

Seattle has a shot at reclaiming the AL West lead. The Mariners topped the division through most of May before struggling over the next two months and started August at .500 (52-52) and in third place.

They are 6 1/2 games behind first-place Texas and have seven head-to-head games remaining with the Rangers in an 11-day stretch starting next Monday.

Chicago (60-65) has played better of late, taking two of three from Oakland last weekend and splitting two games with visiting Philadelphia this week.

Over a three-game winning streak through Tuesday, Chicago pitchers had allowed only five runs while 1B/DH Jose Abreu has homered in each.

But like the Athletics and Phillies, the White Sox are also playing out the string after beginning the season 23-10.

With less than five weeks left in the regular season, speculation is rising about postseason shakeups ranging from the departure of manager Robin Ventura and front office personnel to major trades including ace left-hander Chris Sale and right-hander Jose Quintana.

"We've got to get some things together," White Sox executive vice president Kenny Williams told reporters this week. "As everyone knows by now, we started off very well. Unfortunately things kind of unraveled and we lost some key members of our bullpen which didn't help and kind of spearheaded that unraveling."

Not even the ballpark is being spared.

The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, owner of the White Sox home field, announced a 13-year naming rights agreement with a Chicago-based mortgage company Wednesday. The park's name changes from U.S. Cellular Field to Guaranteed Rate Field on Nov. 1. Terms were not disclosed.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves (46-81) at Diamondbacks (53-74)

Game: 4
Venue: Chase Field
Date: August 25, 2016 9:40 PM EDT

PHOENIX -- The Arizona Diamondbacks-Atlanta Braves series is anything but dull.

Long, sure, but not dull.

The teams combined for 47 runs and 77 hits in the first three games of the four-game set that concludes Thursday night, when Arizona left-hander Robbie Ray will face off against Atlanta right-hander Matt Wisler, who is being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to rejoin the rotation.

The Braves have one more run in the series and one more loss, both times when Arizona walked them off, in the ninth inning Monday and in the 11th Wednesday.

The teams have used 38 pitchers who have thrown 1,071 pitches.

They have played 29 innings and 11 hours, 27 minutes.

"Eventually we got it done," Arizona manager Chip Hale said after the Diamondbacks survived a four-run Braves ninth inning Wednesday to win on Brandon Drury's short sacrifice fly in the 11th.

Even that play was a little different. With the bases loaded and one out, Drury hit a line drive to short left field that Matt Kemp, playing in, caught with a dive. However, Kemp could not get up in time to get much on his throw to the plate, and Jake Lamb scored the winning run.

Arizona right-hander Zack Greinke recorded his 2,000th career strikeout in the fourth inning, but he also gave up four runs in six innings. Atlanta not only rallied to tie the game with four runs in the ninth but later had runners on first and third with one out in the ninth and runners on second and third with two outs in the 10th but could not push across the go-ahead run.

"We had a legit chance to win against one of the better pitchers in baseball, and it's a tough one to lose," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said.

Arizona has five homers and Atlanta has four in the series, with first basemen Paul Goldschmidt and Freddie Freeman leading the way with two apiece.

It also has been a good series to rub it in to a former team.

Diamondbacks center fielder Michael Bourn is getting a little payback against Atlanta, which released him late in spring training in order to give time to younger players in a rebuilding season. Bourn had two triples in a four-hit game Wednesday and is 7-for-15 with five runs in the series.

Bourn spent time in the Toronto minor league system before returning to the majors with Arizona in May.

Atlanta center fielder Ender Inciarte also has starred against his former team. Inciarte, traded to the Braves at the winter meetings with right-hander Aaron Blair and shortstop Dansby Swanson for right-hander Shelby Miller, had four hits Wednesday and also is 7-for-15 with three runs in the series.

Arizona could believe it has the advantage in the pitching matchup Thursday.

Ray is the reigning NL Pitcher of the Week after giving up two runs in 12 innings in victories over the New York Mets on Aug. 15 and San Diego on Saturday. Ray struck out a career-high 13 in seven innings against the Padres, fanning the side in the second and the fourth with a fastball that tops out in the 97-98 mph range.

He is 2-0 with an 0.95 ERA in his past three starts.

"Command," manager Chip Hale when asked to explain Ray's recent success. "Just being able to command that fastball. It's such a devastating pitch. He's throwing his breaking ball better, better locations with it. The main thing is fastball command and not having to throw so many pitches. Getting deeper in games."

Wisler spent the first four months of the season in the rotation and was 4-11 with a 5.16 ERA in 21 appearances, 20 starts, before being optioned to Gwinnett the first week of August. He was 2-1 with a 3.71 ERA in four starts at Gwinnett, and he gave up no more than three earned runs in any of them. He went seven innings to beat Charlotte in his most recent start, last Friday.

Wisler will be facing the Diamondbacks for the first time. Ray has opposed the Braves just once, when he allowed three runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings at Atlanta on Aug. 14, 2015.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants (68-58) at Dodgers (71-55)

Game: 3
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: August 25, 2016 10:10 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES -- The San Francisco Giants hope Matt Moore can expose weaknesses in the Los Angeles Dodgers' offense.

Moore (7-10, 4.18 ERA overall) will face Dodgers starter Ross Stripling (3-4, 4.04 ERA) in the finale of the three-game series Thursday. A win by the first-place Dodgers would allow them to sweep their archrival and increase their margin in the National League West to four games.

"Now it's time to put the foot on the pedal and keep going and try and create some separation," said Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner, whose homer Wednesday was the difference in Los Angeles' 1-0 win. "You never want to relax with those guys. They've got a great club over there."

The Giants will be relying on Moore to help them reverse their tailspin, which has resulted in an 11-25 mark since the All-Star break, the worst in the majors. San Francisco has lost four in a row and eight of its past 10.

"We're not panicking, I don't think," Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford said. "Yeah, we haven't been playing well, but hopefully we can turn it around."

Moore, a southpaw, could be the answer. The Dodgers haven't been great against lefties this season. At one point, they were hitting under .200 against left-handers as a club but recently raised the average to .227, which remains last among major league clubs.

Moore had mixed results in the two times he faced the Dodgers this season as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays. In his last meeting against them on July 27 at Dodger Stadium, he struck out five, walked four and allowed only an unearned run in 6 2/3 innings in 3-1 Rays victory.

However, Los Angeles tagged Moore for seven runs and knocked him out in 4 1/3 innings in a 10-5 win on May 3 at Tampa Bay. Joc Pederson and Trayce Thompson homered off Moore.

Overall, Moore has a 5.73 ERA against the Dodgers.

Moore will be making his fifth start for the Giants since being acquired in an Aug. 1 trade with the Rays. As a Giant, Moore is 0-3 with a 4.70 ERA.

Moore suffered a loss in his last outing Saturday against the New York Mets. He allowed three runs on five hits in five innings in a 9-5 loss to the Mets.

Stripling made his major league debut at San Francisco on April 8, taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning before manager Dave Roberts pulled him after 100 pitches. Stripling struck out four and walked four in 7 1/3 innings. He didn't factor into the decision as the Dodgers' bullpen faltered in a 3-2 setback.

In his last start on Aug. 18 at Philadelphia, Stripling fanned five, walked two and allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits in five innings in another no-decision. Los Angeles fell 5-4 to the Phillies.

Stripling rejoined the rotation in early August because of a slew of injuries. In six games (three starts) since the All-Star break, Stripling is 1-1 with a 3.16 ERA. He has limited batters to a .224 average while striking out 19 and walking five.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Thursday's Diamond Notes
By Joe Williams

Hottest team: Dodgers (4-0 past 4, 7-3 past 10 at home)

The Dodgers have taken down the Giants in each of the first two games of their series, knocking off All-Stars Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto in the process. As such, the Dodgers have pulled away from the Giants with a three-game lead in the National League West Division. A win in Thursday's game would not be a nail in the coffin, but a major setback for a San Francisco team which has frittered away a division lead and has now lost five straight against teams with a winning overall record while picking up just five wins in the past 18 games. The Dodgers have won four straight against left-handed starters while going 7-1 in their past eight at home against teams with a winning road record.

Coldest team: Indians (2-3 past five, 3-8 past 11)

The Indians won a nailbiter in the series opener at Oakland by a 1-0 score, and then the Athletics busted out the sticks and took Cleveland behind the shed by a combined 14-2 score over the final two games in the series. The Tribe continues to struggle on the road, winning just three of their past 11 road outings as their trip shifts to Texas. Realistically, this series could be an American League Championship Series preview, but if the Indians do not find a way to win on the road that would be a short series. The one thing the Indians have going in their favor is that they are 9-2 in their past 11 against American League West foes and 22-7 in their past 29 against left-handed starters. However, the Rangers are 14-3 in Cole Hamels' past 17 outing at home, and 29-8 in his past 37 overall.

Hottest pitcher: JA Happ, Blue Jays (17-3, 3.05 ERA)

Happ has been on a historic roll for the Blue Jays, winning 17 of his 20 decisions this season. Over the past few outings he has shown no signs of slowing doing, going 3-0 with a 2.33 ERA and 0.98 WHIP over the past three starts while striking out 22 and walking just four in the past 19 1/3 innings. The Blue Jays are in good shape with Happ on the hill, especially against the hapless Angels. The Halos are just 5-21 in their past 26 road games against a team with a winning record, and they're 6-14 in Jered Weaver's past 20 road outings. Meanwhile, the Jays are 21-5 in Happ's past 26 starts, and 20-7 in his past 27 home outings.

Coldest pitcher: Jered Weaver, Angels (8-11, 5.47 ERA)

Happ's counterpart, the veteran Weaver, has been awful this season. He has an 8-11 record, 5.47 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 138 1/3 innings, as he has been extremely hittable all season. Lately it has gotten a lot worse, as Weaver is 0-3 with an 8.40 ERA and 2.13 WHIP while striking out just five over the past 15 innings. The Angels have won just one of Weaver's past six starts against a team with a winning overall record, and the Angels are 7-19 in their past 26 road games overall. Weaver hasn't been the stopper for the team, either, as the Angels are 1-7 in Weaver's past eight outings following a team loss in their previous game.

Biggest UNDER run: Royals (6-1-2 past nine, 16-5-2 past 23)

The Royals have been posting tremendous pitching results while also having a power outage at the plate. As such, 'under' results have been flowing nicely. Over the past three games Kansas City has scored a total of three runs while allowing a total of just four runs scored. During the past nine games, the Royals are allowing an average of just 1.3 runs per game. Interleague play usually means 'under' results for Kansas City, too, as the under is 4-1 in the past five interleague road games against a team with a winning record and 4-0 in Edinson Volquez's past four interleague starts.

Biggest OVER run: Braves (8-0 past eight, 11-1 past 12 and 7-0 past seven road games)

The Braves and Diamondbacks have posted quite a bit of offense and some uneven pitching in the first three games of their four-game set. The slugfest Wednesday night was the highest-scoring game yet, as Arizona outlasted Atlanta 10-9 in 11 innings to give the Braves their eighth consecutive 'over' result. Atlanta has scored at least six runs in each of the past six games, while the first three games of this series has resulted in an average of 8.0 runs per game while allowing 8.0 runs per game. As such the 'over' looks very good for both sides in the series finale.

Matchup to watch: Brewers vs. Pirates

The Brewers are a strange team figure. They traded away one of their best hitters with Jonathan Lucroy being dealt to Texas, and they were 5-14 in August through the 20th. However, they won their interleague series finale in Seattle Aug. 21 by a 7-6 score, and they swept the previously hot Colorado Rockies to carry a four-game win streak into their home series againt the Bucs. The good times could continue in Cream City, as the Pirates have dropped five of their past six games while going 1-5 in their past six outings against right-handed starting pitchers. The Brewers have also won four of the past five meetings in this series, and they have dominated the Bucs at Miller Park going 62-16 in the past 78 meetings in Wisconsin.

Betcha didn’t know: The Chicago White Sox have won five straight games against left-handed starters at home, and they're 5-1 in the past six games overall against southpaws. Plus, the Pale Hose have been hot with eight wins in the past 11 at home. They have also dominated the Mariners in recent seasons, going 35-16 in the past 51 meetings overall and 40-13 in their past 53 home games against Seattle. The M's haven't fared very well with James Paxton on the hill lately, going 4-10 in his past 14 outings and 2-10 in his past 12 starts on grass.

Biggest public favorite: Blue Jays (-235) at Angels

Biggest public underdog: Royals (+105) at Marlins

Biggest line move: Mariners (-130 to -145) at White Sox

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Thursday, August 25, 2016, Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews

I know many Chicago Cubs fans who believe this is finally the year the Lovable Losers win the World Series and who plan to try and get tickets (good luck with that!) to one Fall Classic game at Wrigley Field. Well, now we know when those are as MLB released its postseason schedule on Tuesday, and the three games in the National League city are Oct. 28-30. The World Series opens Oct. 25 at the AL park because the Junior Circuit won the All-Star Game. A potential Game 7 would be on Nov. 2. The playoffs begin Oct. 4 with the AL wild-card game, followed by the NL game a day later. The two AL Division Series begin Oct. 6, followed by the NL Division Series on Oct. 7. The ALCS gets going Oct. 14 and the NLCS Oct. 15.


Red Sox at Rays (+115, 7.5)

A 1:10 p.m. ET first pitch from the mausoleum that is Tropicana Field and should have live betting at sportsbooks with it on the MLB Network. Boston goes with lefty Drew Pomeranz (10-9, 2.95) in the getaway game. He won in Detroit last time out, allowing one run and four hits over five innings. He is now 2-2 with a 4.23 ERA since his trade from San Diego. Pomeranz hasn't faced the Rays this year. Brad Miller is 2-for-5 off him with a solo homer. Logan Forsythe is 2-for-8 with a walk. Tampa's Jake Odorizzi (8-5, 3.63). He beat Texas last time out, allowing a run and six hits over six innings -- his fifth straight decision that resulted in a victory. His last loss was in Boston on July 19, giving up four runs over five innings. Odorizzi is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in two starts vs. the Sox this year. David Ortiz is 4-for-22 off him with a homer and six strikeouts. Xander Bogaerts hits .389 off him with three RBIs in 18 at-bats.

Key trends: The Rays are 4-0 in Odorizzi's past four at home. The "over/under" has gone under in Pomeranz's past four on the road. The Rays are 4-1 in Odorizzi's past five vs. Boston.

Early lean: Rays and under.

Orioles at Nationals (-235, 8.5)

Baltimore again loses the DH as these two conclude their interleague series, although they could conceivably meet in the World Series. It was set to be a fine pitching matchup between Cy Young contenders. But Baltimore had to put projected starter Chris Tillman (15-5, 3.76) on the DL on Tuesday. Not a huge surprise as he pitched on extra rest last time out, having one start skipped due to minor shoulder issues, and Tillman didn't look right in allowing six runs and six hits while walking five in two innings against Houston. So instead it's Ubaldo Jimenez (5-10, 6.94). He had been banished to the bullpen and last pitched Friday vs. Houston, allowing three runs over three innings. Daniel Murphy is 3-for-11 off him with a homer. Bryce Harper is 0-for-1 with two walks. Washington's Max Scherzer (13-7, 3.05) won in Atlanta last time out but wasn't great, allowing four runs over 6.1 innings with an uncharacteristic three walks. Adam Jones hammers Scherzer in going 11-for-22 with three homers. Manny Machado is 1-for-15 off him with seven Ks.

Key trends: The Nationals are 5-2 in Scherzer's past seven vs. teams with a winning record. The under is 6-0 in his past six at home.

Early lean: Nationals and over (latter all because of Jimenez).

Angels at Blue Jays (-235, 9.5)

Los Angeles starts veteran Jered Weaver (8-11, 5.47), looking for his first win since July 17. He lasted 4.2 innings Friday against the Yankees, giving up five runs (four homers) and 10 hits in a blowout loss. He has now allowed at least four runs in five of his past six starts. Weaver is 4-1 with a 4.22 ERA in five career starts at Toronto. Michael Saunders is 9-for-26 off him with a homer and nine strikeouts. Edwin Encarnacion is 3-for-10 with a homer. The Jays are expected to activate outfielder Jose Bautista from the DL for this game. Toronto's J.A. Happ (17-3, 3.05) continues to lead the Cy Young race in the AL. He was just so-so in his most recent start last Wednesday against the Yankees in allowing four runs and seven hits (three homers) over 7.1 innings, but the Jays won his 12th straight outing. Happ hasn't faced the Halos this year but is 0-4 with a 8.00 ERA in 4 starts against them. Mike Trout is 2-for-8 off him with two doubles. Kole Calhoun is 4-for-7 with two homers.

Key trends: The Angels are 1-5 in Weaver's past six vs. teams with a winning record. The Jays are 7-0 in Happ's past seven vs. teams with a losing record. The under is 3-0-2 in Weaver's past five on the road. The under is 11-2 in Happ's past 13 at home vs. teams with a losing record.

Early lean: Blue Jays and under.

Mets at Cardinals (-175, 8.5)

Also on the MLB Network. With Steven Matz going on the disabled list Monday, the Mets need a starter Thursday and it will be Seth Lugo (0-2, 3.04). The 26-year-old's first nine appearances this year were out of the bullpen, and he made his first big-league start Friday in San Francisco and took the loss, giving up three runs and seven hits over 6.2 innings in a quality start. The Mets would take that every day. Lugo has never faced the Cardinals. The go with Adam Wainwright (9-7, 4.71), who hasn't won since July 16. Wainwright took a no-decision on Friday in Philadelphia, allowing three runs and five hits over six innings. He also took a no-decision on July 27 at the Mets, allowing four runs and 11 hits over 6.2 innings. James Loney is a career .516 hitter off him in 31 at-bats. Jay Bruce hits .293 off Wainwright with two homers and 14 strikeouts in 41 at-bats.

Key trends: The Cards are 9-3 in Wainwright's past 12 vs. teams with a winning record. The over is 5-1 in his past six overall.

Early lean: Cardinals and over.

Indians at Rangers (-141, 9)

Series opener and potential playoff preview between these division leaders. Texas took two of three in Cleveland from May 30-June 1. The Rangers were the beneficiaries of Brewers All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy voiding a trade to Cleveland as he was then dealt to Texas the next day. The Tribe start Josh Tomlin (11-7, 4.39). He has really been roughed up in three of his past four starts. Tomlin gave up six runs and nine hits over 4.1 innings last time out vs. Toronto. Tomlin's first loss of the year was May 30 vs. Texas, giving up eight runs (four earned) and nine hits over 3.2 innings. Adrian Beltre is 4-for-10 off him career with a homer and five RBIs. Lucroy is 2-for-3 with a homer. Texas lefty Cole Hamels (13-4, 2.80) dominated the Rays in his last start, allowing a run and three hits with 10 strikeouts over 7.1 innings. He is 0-2 with a 7.41 ERA in three career starts against the Indians. Jason Kipnis is 3-for-6 off him with three doubles. Mike Napoli is 1-for-5 with a homer.

Key trends: The Rangers are 14-3 in Hamels' past 17 at home. The under is 4-1 in his past five.

Early lean: Rangers and under.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Previews, Streaks, Tips, Notes

Atlanta Braves at Arizona DBacks August 25, 9:40 EST

When Atlanta Braves and Arizona D-Backs conclude this four game series they'll look to continue a solid trend for 'Over' gamblers. In the last seven meetings the 'Over' is 6-0-1. Matching that, Braves have played 'Over' in twelve of thirteen games, D-Backs have played 'Over' in twelve of thirteen in front of the home audience.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

StatFox Super Situations

MLB*|*CLEVELAND*at*TEXAS
Play Against - Home favorites with a money line of -110 or higher (TEXAS) starting a pitcher who gave up <=2 earned runs in his last 2 outings against opponent with a cold starting pitcher- ERA >= 7.00 over his last 5 starts
273-324*since 1997.**(*45.7%*|*119.3 units*)
8-16*this year.**(*33.3%*|*-3.8 units*)


StatFox Situational Power Trends

MLB*|*CLEVELAND*at*TEXAS
TEXAS is 112-85 (+44.8 Units) against the money line vs. AL teams allowing 4.7 or less runs/game on the season*over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was: TEXAS (4.9) , OPPONENT (4.5)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

Thursday’s games

National League

Mets @ Cardinals
Lugo allowed three runs in 6.2 IP (69 PT) in his first ’16 start.

Wainwright is 0-2, 6.82 in his last six starts (over 5-1). St Louis won four of his last five home starts.

Mets won three of last four games; eight of last nine New York games went over the total. St Louis won six of last nine games; over is 7-2-1 in their last ten home games.

Pirates @ Brewers
Kuhl is 2-1, 2.63 in his last four starts (over 3-3-1). He is 2-0, 2.00 in his three road starts.

Peralta is 2-4, 5.29 in his last six starts (over 11-4). Brewers are 4-4 in his home starts.

Pirates lost five of last six games, are 13-8 in road series openers. Five of last six Pittsburgh road games went over. Milwaukee won its last four games; they’re 10-11 in home series openers. Over is 5-2 in their last seven home games.

Braves @ Diamondbacks
Wisler is 0-3, 11.15 in his last three starts; over is 10-3 in his last 13. Braves are 3-5 in his road starts.

Ray is 2-0, 1.42 in his last three starts; his last three home starts went over. Arizona is 5-7 in his home starts.

Braves lost nine of last 11 games; 12 of last 13 Atlanta games went over. Arizona is 6-3 in its last nine home games; 10 of last 11 Arizona games went over the total.

Giants @ Dodgers
Moore is 0-3, 4.70 in four starts for the Giants (over 2-2).

Stripling 1-2, 5.66 in his last four starts (under 7-3-2). Dodgers split his six home starts.

Giants lost eight of last ten games; over is 8-3 in last 11 Giant games. Dodgers won their last four games; over is 8-3-1 in last 12 games at Dodger Stadium.


American League

Angels @ Blue Jays
Weaver is 0-3, 9.00 in his last three starts; over is 9-4-1 in his last 14. Angels lost his last three road starts.

Happ is 7-0, 1.78 in his last eight starts; over is 7-5-1 in his last 13. Blue Jays won his last eight home starts.

Angels are 3-16 in last 19 road games; under is 8-3 in last 11 Halo games. Toronto is 10-5 in its last 15 home games; over is 8-4-1 in Jays’ last 13 home games.

Red Sox @ Rays
Pomeranz is 2-0, 2.25 in his last four starts; five of his last six starts stayed under the total.

Odorizzi is 5-0, 2.05 in his last seven starts; his last four went over. Tampa Bay won his last four home starts.

Red Sox won ten of last 13 games; under is 18-6-1 in Boston’s last 25 road games. Tampa Bay won seven of last ten games; over is 10-4 in Rays’ last 14 home games.

Tigers @ Twins
Norris is 0-2, 4.15 in his last four starts (under 4-2).

Berrios is 0-2, 11.45 in his last three starts; over is 4-0-1 in his last five. he is 0-2, 11.45 in three home starts.

Tigers won its last four road games; four of last five Detroit games went over. Minnesota lost 11 of last 14 games; over is 18-4-2 in Twins’ last 24 games.

Indians @ Rangers
Tomlin is 0-4, 10.02 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Cleveland is 8-4 in his road starts, but lost last three.

Hamels is 4-2, 2.22 in his last seven starts; four of his last five stayed under. Rangers won four of his last five home starts.

Indians are 3-8 in last 11 road games; they scored three runs in last three games. Under is 8-3 in their last 11 road games. Cleveland is 10-5 in last 15 road series openers. Texas lost three of last four games; four of their last five games went over the total. Rangers won their last five home series openers.

Mariners @ White Sox
Paxton is 2-1, 1.91 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Seattle is 2-4 in his road starts.

Ranaudo is 0-1, 6.75 in two starts (over 1-0-1) this year.

Seattle lost three of last four games; five of Mariners’ last seven games went over the total. Seattle is 4-8 in last 12 road series openers. White Sox won three of last four games, are 10-10 in home series openers. Four of last five Chicago games stayed under.


Interleague

Orioles @ Nationals
Jimenez is 0-2, 10.12 in his last three starts; over is 10-2 in his last 12 starts. Baltimore is 1-7 in his road starts.

Scherzer is 4-1, 3.04 in his last eight starts; under is 8-2 in his last ten. Washington is 5-5 in his home starts.

Washington lost its last four games; six of Nationals’ last eight games went over the total. Baltimore won four of last five road games; three of their last four games stayed under.

Royals @ Marlins
Volquez is 1-2, 8.56 in his last five starts (over 4-0-1). Royals are 4-6 in his road starts.

Koehler is 3-0, 2.08 in his last six starts; over is 8-3 in his last 11. Miami won his last four home starts.

Royals won nine of last ten games; under is 6-1-1 in their last eight games. Miami won four of last five games; their last four games stayed under.


Teams’ record when this pitcher starts:

NY-StL: Lugo 0-1; Wainwright 16-9
Pitt-Mil: Kuhl 6-1; Peralta 6-10
Atl-Az: Wisler 5-15; Ray 9-16
SF-LA: Moore 1-3/9-12; Stripling 5-6

Det-Min: Norris 2-4; Berrios 2-6
Bos-TB: Pomeranz 4-3; Odorizzi 13-13
LAA-Tor: Weaver 9-15; Happ 19-5 (12-0 last 12)
Clev-Tex: Tomlin 16-7 (0-4 last 4); Hamels 18-7
Sea-Chi: Paxton 4-9; Ranaudo 1-1

Balt-Wsh: Jimenez 8-10; Scherzer 16-10 (5-1 last 6)
KC-Mia: Volquez 14-12; Koehler 12-13 (5-1 last 6)


# of time pitcher allows 1+ runs in first inning:
NY-StL: Lugo 0-1; Wainwright 10-25 (4 of last 4)
Pitt-Mil: Kuhl 3-7; Peralta 6-16
Atl-Az: Wisler 10-20; Ray 5-25
SF-LA: Moore 6-25; Stripling 3-11

Det-Min: Norris 1-6; Berrios 4-8
Bos-TB: Pomeranz 1-7; Odorizzi 5-26
LAA-Tor: Weaver 9-24; Happ 5-24
Clev-Tex: Tomlin 11-23; Hamels 5-25
Sea-Chi: Paxton 3-13; Ranaudo 0-2

Balt-Wsh: Jimenez 9-18 (5 of last 6); Scherzer 9-26
KC-Mia: Volquez 8-26; Koehler 8-25


Teams’ records in first five innings:

Team (road-home-total)- thru 8/24

Arizona 22-30-11…..25-34-5…….47-64
Atlanta 24-32-8……18-31-13……42-63
Cubs 35-19-8……40-17-8…….75-36
Reds 17-37-7……29-31-5…….46-68
Colo 24-29-11…..26-32-4……50-61
LA 27-26-9……38-20-7……65-46
Miami 28-26-9…..29-18-15……57-44
Milw 19-37-7……35-22-7…….54-59
Mets 26-41-9……27-24-9……53-55
Philly 21-28-15….23-29-11……44-55
Pitt 18-33-10…..38-22-4……56-54
St. Louis 29-27-6…..25-26-12…..54-53
SD 19-40-4…..28-30-6……47-70
SF 27-30-7……31-18-13……58-48
Wash 33-20-13…..25-19-16…..58-39

Orioles 24-32-7…….33-24-8…….57-56
Boston 25-27-9……39-17-8…….64-44
White Sox 28-28-8……33-27-2…….61-55
Cleveland 34-23-7……29-26-5…….62-49
Detroit 26-30-8……30-25-4…….56-55
Astros 26-29-11…..29-24-7…….55-53
KC 24-32-10……25-23-13…..49-55
Angels 23-34-7…….23-30-10…..46-64
Twins 23-32-11…..21-33-11…….44-65
NYY 22-34-8……27-28-9……..50-62
A’s 20-34-8……25-29-12……45-63
Seattle 29-25-8……29-22-12……58-47
Tampa Bay 21-25-10……30-30-9…….51-55
Texas 25-34-9…….28-21-9…….53-55
Toronto 38-19-4……..36-25-4…..74-44

 

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Thursday’s six-pack

— Marlins acquired Jeff Francoeur from Atlanta in a 3-way deal where the Braves got minor leaguers, Texas got international signing slots.

— Former big league 1B/DH Dan Johnson (1,625 PA for six teams) is making a comeback as a knuckleball pitcher. He is 37 years old.

— Most NFL scouts think Denver’s Paxton Lynch will be first rookie QB to play for his new team this year.

— A’s are listed at 5,000-1 to win the World Series this year. If you’d like to put $10 or $20 on that one, I’d be glad to book it for you.

— Last night, Zach Greinke became 78th pitcher in MLB history to strike out 2,000+ batters in his career.

— Still bugs me that baseball teams sell broken bats in their gift shop. Shouldn’t they just give them away to season ticket holders?

 

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#1 Sports

Thursday's Free Selection: Washington Nationals - 225

 

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Mike Wynn

Bonus Play: MLB St Louis w/Wainwright -160 Over NY Mets

 

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Razor Sharp

FREE PICK FOR THURSDAY: Take DETROIT (Norris) Pick'em over Minnesota

 

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Totals4U

Thursday's Free Selection: Baltimore/Washington over 8 1/2

 

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Atlantic Sports

Thursday's Free Selection from Atlantic Sports: Texas - 150

 

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Platinum Plays

Free Pick: St Louis Cardinals w/Wainwright -160 over NY Mets

 

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Golden Dragon Sports

Free Pick Bostom Pomeranz -115

 

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Huddle Up Sports

Bonus Play: Texas Hamels -145

 

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Hawkeye Sports

Thursday's Free Selection: British Columbia Lions + 2 (CFL)