Thursday 8/27/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Saratoga

RACE #8 - SARATOGA RACE COURSE - 4:45 PM EASTERN POST


The Riskaverse Stakes

8.0 FURLONGS INNER TURF THREE YEAR OLD FILLIES STAKES $100,000.00 PURSE

#6 BUGLE
#8 STORMY REGATTA
#3 PARTISIAN POLITICS
#1 ALL IN FUN

This turf race for 3-year-old fillies was first run in 2009 and named for Peter G. Schiff's outstanding mare, a two-time winner of the Flower Bowl Invitational in 2004-05. Riskaverse, who also won the 2002 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, retired with more than $2 million in earnings. Schiff, president of Northwood Ventures, LLC, named the daughter of Dynaformer after an economic concept based on the behavior of investors who, when faced with two investments with a similar expected return (but different risks), will prefer the one with the lower risk. Here in the 7th running of this stakes test, #6 BUGLE, an 8-1 shot, has hit the board in four of her last five outings, winning twice ... here last three "board hit efforts," including a win in her 2nd race back, also qualifying as "POWER RUNS." #8 ALJALELA is 6-1 in the morning line, and has hit the board in "POWER RUN FASHION" winning three times in this recent streak of racing consistency.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mohawk: Thursday 8/27 Analysis
By Garnet Barnsdale

DRF HARNESS

Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

EARLY PICK 4:

1,4,8/3/1,2,4/1,2,5 = $27


LATE PICK 4: 3,6,7,9/1,2/2,3,7/3,6 = $48

Best Bet: EMOTICON HANOVER (5th)

Spot Play: MYSTERY BET (7th)


Race 1

(8) TRUMPETS was trotted off her feet last time vs. a mixed group of 2 and 3-year-olds in a quick mile. She is back with her own age group exclusively and picking up the leading driver; figures prominently. (6) TRAVIATA has trotted two sharp miles in a row out of town and should contend here. (1) ANNELI HANOVER grabbed checks in her last three vs. Grassroots rivals and should sit a good trip here.

Race 2

(4) DEWY DON'T CHEAT went a big uncovered trip last time in an OSS Gold event and fired a quick last 1/4. A repeat of anything close to that mile should get the job done here. (7) WILL TAKE CHARGE has been sharing regularly in OSS Gold races and is the main threat to the choice. (8) RECREATE carved out a beautiful trip on good cover last week then hung in the lane; minor award predicted.

Race 3

(3) WRANGLER MAGIC was conservatively driven vs. her elders last week in what should serve as a perfect tightener for this bigger purse; top call. (1) CAST NO SHADOW made a big move on a track rated one second slow and was nailed late by a very sharp filly. She'll be tough here. (6) MS MAC N CHEESE makes a living in these OSS Gold races. Don't let her losses in conditioned races fool you; she can win this.

Race 4

(1) MAX IS BACK raced in open stakes company last Saturday. He should find these easier. (4) GOTTI had too long a trip at Georgian Sunday and predictably tired. He's wheeled right back here and should be right there vs. this group. (8) REJUVENATE has had a steady diet of stakes company and should go better with class relief here.

Race 5

(3) EMOTICON HANOVER was trotting so fast on the final turn last time at Georgian that her speed likely contributed to the break. It is very possible that she would have trotted right by division leader Caprice Hill that night if she stayed trotting. She looks best here. (10) SILKY FLASHY NFAST made a long sustained move last time and made the classier winner work hard for the win. This filly is improving fast. (5) DEWDLE ALL DAY is a consistent earner and sure-gaited. Put her on deeper pick 4 tickets.

Race 6

(4) REGAL SIGHT is only a one-time winner this year but has been very good recently - when he has stayed pacing. He can beat these if he behaves. (1) MOONWRITER picked up Filion last time, who elected to stay in. He did have some pace late and is likely to get a more aggressive steer from the leading driver here. (2) SPORTING THE LOOK sports a 1:51 2/5 winning mile on his card taken less than a month ago. He's dangerous.

Race 7

(2) MYSTERY BET has lost twice straight to a very sharp mare who lowered her life's mark both times. There should be lots of pace to chase down here. (5) IRON has faced open stakes company all year and will be bet off the board here based on the company he has kept. He's an obvious contender but has also had gait issues all year. What price would you take? (1) LOOKSLIKEACHPNDALE is improving rapidly and it is not out of the question to record his 4th straight win here.

Race 8

(7) VEGAS ROCKS was an easy winner in a new life's mark last week and will be tough here if he can duplicate that mile despite facing tougher. (3) VELOCITY HEADLIGHT has been rallying against tougher and could see the pace collapse in front of him here; using. (9) NEW YORK NIGHTMARE rebounded with a new life's mark victory last time out and is a threat even from the outer post here.

Race 9

(2) MAPLELEA has fired off two impressive upset wins in conditioned races and comes into this OSS Gold dash in the best form of her career. Beat her to greet the cashier. (1) SOLAR SISTER has won the last two times she has raced in this class and is the one that the choice will need to chase down late. (5) SOUTHWIND GEISHA took a new life's mark last week the first time Filion drove. She too is dangerous here.

Race 10

(2) MAJESTIC SUNSET put trotting hopples on for his August 21 qualifier and trotted the best mile of his young career. If he duplicates that kind of mile here, he will be tough to beat. (3) ZLATAN is fast but also erratic. If he stays trotting he will be right there with these, but that may be a big if. (7) ONTHEROAD DE VIE trotted a winning race last time and was just overtaken very late by a rapidly-improving colt. Even though he's 0 for 22, with that kind of effort you have to think he'll get there sometime soon.

Race 11

(3) BRINGHOME THEBLUE drops back into a claimer where he took his life's mark of 1:51 earlier this year. He is quite capable vs. this group. (6) SPORTS VISION rocketed to the front last time, surrendered the lead on the backside, and then re-rallied for 2nd in a good effort. He's a player here. (9) BAD BAD BOY has the look of one that Zeron winds up from the back and mows 'em down late with; beware. (4) REBEL CHILD has been racing well in conditioned races out of town and gets to race in a claimer here for the switch to the big circuit; should share. (5) LMC NUKULAR STRYKE should get a good trip up near the front and hang around for a slice.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yonkers: Thursday 8/27 Analysis
By Brewster Smith

DRF HARNESS

MEET STATS: 157 - 759 / $1,098.00 BEST BETS: 17 - 64 / $85.50

Best Bet: CANACO STAR (12th)

Spot Play: MY CAROLINE (2nd)


Race 1

(2) PRIVATE PERFORMANC showed sharp speed in her previous try; could boss these down the road for all the glory. (3) MY IDEAL HANOVER took the pocket route home to victory at odds-on last out; dangerous again. (6) JUST SAYIN just got up for win honors recently; post hurts but could contend.

Race 2

(4) MY CAROLINE was late on the scene to just miss by a length and a half; seems to be heading in the right direction; threat at her best. (8) BAD GIRL VEGAS makes her return to Yonkers. She got the job done with an easy victory at Saratoga last week; factor despite leaving from the 8-hole. (1) JENJENS DRAGON moves back to the fence where she was a fast closing second two starts back; watch out.

Race 3

(5) EAGLE MOLLY showed promising form last time around; capable of moving forward against these. (4) STIRLING BREEZE was sent down the road in her last trip and got the job done; big player. (3) SADIES PLACE is knocking at the door; beware.

Race 4

(6) WHOLLY LOUY did not fire his best last time out but this gelding has sharp form June 26th, July 9 & 30, respectably; can take this with a favorable trip. (4) DINAS GAMBLE moves down the ladder and that could help his cause; maybe. (2) WACO BRUISER ships in from Pocono and should fare well from the 2-hole.

Race 5

(5) SODYS MOONSHINE just missed the victory by 3/4 of a length; has a fondness for the $12k ranks and has every right to boss this group. (2) STORY BOOK has hit the board in his last four tries and puts this guy right in the mix. (3) BAZILLION is back at Yonkers where he was second best two trips ago; not out of this.

Race 6

(6) MAMAS FALLEN ANGEL was closing fast in her previous try and missed the victory by a neck. With a favorable trip, this gal can mow them down for all the glory. (1) DREAS GOOD POWOW draws the best post and could take advantage. (5) EXHILARATED rallied from last to finish fourth by a length and a quarter; watch out.

Race 7

(2) ART FOR ARTS SAKE raced evenly for the fourth spot last time out. He was sharp in victory on July 31st and if he returns to that performance, it's game over for the rest. (3) DVCFLYINGFRENCHMAN drops a notch in class and this seems to be a better level for this pacer to be a serious threat. (1) ALL FIRED UP is back on the rail, drops in class and Brennan has the call; don't count him out.

Race 8

(5) KIMS DAY was very sharp last time out to just hold on for win honors; good enough to make it two straight. (2) DENYITTOTHEEND moves inside and has showed good early zip; main danger. (3) CLARA BEA finishes strong nailing down the show spot in her most recent trip; not out of this by far.

Race 9

(6) COLONIAL ROAD was charging down the center of the track to miss the score by a neck; all systems go for this 8-year-old to move forward. (2) FITS Z TAM is hot at the claim box; He had a tough break at the start last time out, but remains a big threat with a return to his August 8 victory. (3) GEORGE JETTISON gets post relief in here; was second best in his recent start; beware.

Race 10

(5) ISLAND VIEW posted two sharp efforts in a row. It is good to see Zeron with the return call and this gal is heading in the right direction; very capable. (2) VALENTINA DE VIE is a Maryland invader that has wheeled off two straight victories; could contend with Brennan at the helm. (8) MIKELEH draws bad but based on her last outing, this gal is in the mix; watch out.

Race 11

(5) ABBEYLARA closed well to grab the fourth spot in his latest. With a favorable trip, he can mow these down for his fifth victory of the year. (1) IM BLUE TOO moves to the rail slot and has the speed to take these all the way; maybe. (2) IDEAL RACE just got up to get the job done in his last try; can't be overlooked in this event.

Race 12

(4) CANACO STAR put in an even finish to grab the third spot on August 13; fits with these and this pacing mare could put it all together for the top prize. (3) KAITLYN RAE should be helped by the move to the 3-hole; went down the road three starts back; contender. (1) THE RIGHT MOVE is a Chicago invader that gets the luck of the draw; not out of this.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Thursday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Arlington Park (1st) Dargle, 9-2
(2nd) Snapped, 3-1


Belterra Park (2nd) First Shadow, 7-2
(5th) Here's to Rose, 3-1


Canterbury (5th) Riseseastsetswest, 6-1
(9th) Austere Ascetic, 3-1


Charles Town (2nd) Sea Zar Run, 4-1
(3rd) Jacky's Notion, 7-2


Del Mar (4th) Sweet Profit, 7-2
(6th) Housemaker, 3-1


Evangeline Downs (4th) Little Lola, 10-1
(9th) Joe Bailey, 3-1


Finger Lakes (2nd) Rivetto, 7-2
(5th) Cajun Best, 3-1


Gulfstream Park (1st) Our Sister Ania, 8-1
(9th) Rich Daddy, 7-2


Louisiana Downs (2nd) Kukosa, 8-1
(5th) One True Sun, 4-1


Penn National (1st) Honor Achieved, 4-1
(8th) Market At Close, 9-2


Presque Isle Downs (3rd) Fell From Grace, 8-1
(6th) Brahms Belle, 3-1


Remington Park (1st) Locket Alley, 5-1
(5th) Hawaakom, 5-1


Saratoga (3rd) Thank You, 7-2
(9th) The Big Deluxe, 8-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Dodgers (69-56) at Reds (52-73)

Game: 3
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: August 27, 2015 12:35 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Dodgers struggled to provide much of any offensive support for Zack Greinke in his last outing. Considering how well they've hit the ball in Cincinnati the past two games, that might not be a problem this time.

Greinke and the Dodgers will try to complete a three-game sweep of the lowly Reds on Thursday.

Los Angeles (69-56) totaled nine runs and two homers while dropping the first five of an eight-game trip before scoring 12 times in the last two at Cincinnati. Three of the Dodgers' five home runs in the series came during Wednesday's 7-4 victory.

Cincinnati (52-73) has lost 11 of 12 while its starting pitchers have posted a 7.13 ERA and given up 18 home runs during that stretch.

'When you're not winning, you have to find victories in other ways,' said Reds manager Bryan Price, whose club has been outscored 27-12 during a five-game losing streak to Los Angeles.

The NL West leading-Dodgers last swept a road set at Cincinnati in June 2008, and should have a good chance to do it again with Greinke (13-3, 1.67 ERA) on the hill. The right-hander went 8-0 with a 1.16 ERA in 11 starts prior to Saturday when he allowed three runs, a season-high two homers and one other hit in seven innings of a 3-1 loss at Houston.

"A lot of good pitches but not good enough," said Greinke, who still has the lowest ERA, WHIP (0.85) and opponent batting average (.191) in the majors.

He also won't place blame on his teammates for their lack of run support.

"Every game, you're not going to get five runs (on offense)," he told MLB's official website.

The Dodgers didn't need to give Greinke much offensive help in a 2-1 victory over Cincinnati on Aug. 16 when he yielded a run and struck out eight in seven innings.

Greinke also homered off Anthony DeSclafani (7-9, 3.97) in that contest, one batter after Joc Pederson went deep. DeSclafani gave up four other hits over six innings for the game. The rookie right-hander wasn't nearly as effective Saturday, allowing six runs and two more homers over five innings in an 11-7 defeat to Arizona.

"Plain and simple, I wasn't good," he said.

Jimmy Rollins and Yasiel Puig, a combined 5 for 11 against DeSclafani, have each homered in this series. Puig is batting .324 with two home runs in his last nine games.

Teammate Kike Hernandez is batting .480 with four RBIs in six games against the Reds this season.

The Dodgers expect to have All-Star catcher Yasmani Grandal in the lineup after he missed the last three games with a bruised shoulder.

"We're trying to be careful with him," manager Don Mattingly said of Grandal, who is 3 for 30 with 10 strikeouts in his last 10 games. "This time of year, especially with catchers, they're banged up. I'm not saying (the injury) won't stick around, but this gives him the best chance of being as healthy as he can be this time of year."

Todd Frazier is batting .211 in 19 at-bats against Greinke, but .387 in the last eight games.

Joey Votto has hit .444 with three home runs and four doubles when facing Greinke.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels (64-62) at Tigers (60-66)

Game: 3
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: August 27, 2015 1:08 PM EDT

Randy Wolf is searching for his big-league stuff from long ago, while Matt Shoemaker would like to rediscover the mojo that left him more recently.

It might be best if they found what they're looking for in Thursday's series finale between the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels if either side hopes to revive its postseason hopes.

The Angels (64-62) have dropped 22 of their last 32 to fall from atop the AL West to a game back of the second wild-card spot. Wednesday's 5-0 loss in Detroit was the their fifth in six games, a stretch that included dugout tirades from Huston Street and Jered Weaver and a team meeting from manager Mike Scioscia.

Chris Iannetta's leadoff double in the ninth inning Wednesday broke up Justin Verlander's no-hitter, but Los Angeles still failed to score three runs for the 12th time this month. A frustrating August has seen the Angels score the fewest runs per game (3.04) in the AL while allowing the second most (5.29).

Shoemaker (5-9, 4.76 ERA) has been as disappointing as anyone of late.

The right-hander was the runner-up in last year's AL rookie of the year voting but still hasn't gained traction in 2015 - a low-point coming with his demotion to Triple-A Salt Lake last week.

He struggled to a 4-7 record and 4.85 ERA through mid-July, found himself briefly with 19 scoreless innings over three starts, and then was optioned to Salt Lake after allowing 13 runs and 16 hits in 7 1-3 innings between his last two big-league outings.

Shoemaker will jump back into the rotation, though, after allowing two hits and three unearned runs in six innings in his lone Triple-A start on Saturday.

"He really pitched well in his one rehab start, not just line-score-wise, but the evaluation of how he pitched from all the guys who saw him pitch," Scioscia told MLB's official website.

Shoemaker, who's 1-0 with a 0.73 ERA in two career starts against Detroit, will try for his first win since July 21.

Wolf, meanwhile, will go for his first victory since June 2, 2014.

The Tigers (60-66) acquired Wolf in a minor league deal from Toronto last week. He made his first major league start in more than a year on Saturday, a 5-3 loss to Texas that saw some good and bad for the 39-year-old left-hander.

The Rangers started with eight singles from their first 14 batters and jumped ahead with a four-run third inning. But Wolf retired 14 of the final 15 he faced, lasting seven innings for the first time since Aug. 19, 2012.

"He gave up the four runs, but with the exception of I think two hits up to that point, they were all (on) ground balls," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus told MLB's official website. "If they were at people, it probably would've been a different story."

Wolf, who will try to help the Tigers win for just the second time in their last seven games, has not faced the Angels since 2010.

Albert Pujols has hit .286 in 42 at-bats off Wolf, connecting for three of his 554 career homers.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jays (71-55) at Rangers (64-61)

Game: 3
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: August 27, 2015 2:05 PM EDT

The Toronto Blue Jays have some breathing room, an offense that is on fire, and a pitcher up next who has rarely lost of late.

Marco Estrada looks to deliver the streaking Blue Jays a road sweep Thursday over the Texas Rangers and former teammate Yovani Gallardo, who is searching for his 100th career victory.

Five straight wins and two consecutive losses from the New York Yankees have supplied Toronto (71-55) with a two-game lead in the AL East. The Blue Jays have won 21 of 25, a span since July 28 that has seen them climb from eight games back in the division.

Estrada (11-7, 3.27 ERA) has racked up four wins in five starts during that stretch, pitching to a 2.37 ERA and holding opposing hitters to a .155 average in 30 1-3 innings.

He has 10 wins in his past 15 starts with a 3.00 ERA and a batting average against of .204.

The right-hander has allowed five runs and eight hits over 11 2-3 innings in his last two outings, a 4-1 loss to the Yankees on Aug. 15 and a 15-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday.

Toronto's potent offense gives its pitchers plenty of room for error.

Wednesday night's 12-4 win over the Rangers - who dropped a half game back of the AL's second wild-card spot - gave the Blue Jays 54 runs during their five-game streak. They've batted .347 and hit 11 homers and 11 doubles in that stretch.

Edwin Encarnacion led the way Wednesday by extending his league-high hitting streak to 21 games with a sixth-inning grand slam - his second of the season against the Rangers (64-61). He is batting .392 with seven home runs and 23 RBIs during the streak that dates back to July 26.

'We've been waiting for Eddie to break out in a big way,' manager John Gibbons told MLB's official website. 'I'm seeing it now. I think he's feeling it like the rest of the guys.'

Encarnacion has hit Gallardo relatively well in his career with five hits in 14 at-bats, including three home runs.

Gallardo (10-9, 3.25) - a teammate of Estrada's with the Brewers from 2010-14 - got the best of Encarnacion and the Blue Jays on June 27, though, in a 4-0 win. Encarnacion had one of Toronto's three hits in 8 1-3 innings against the right-hander.

Since giving up five runs in three consecutive starts to end July, Gallardo has picked up victories in three of his four August starts with an ERA of 2.45, though he hasn't pitched seven full innings since June.

He scattered eight hits over six scoreless innings in a 5-3 win at Detroit on Saturday.

"I think the breaking ball is a big key for him," manager Jeff Banister said of Gallardo. "That gets these hitters off his fastball, and he was able to pound the outside of the strike zone. â?¦ Just a fine job putting up the six zeros for us."

Texas second baseman Rougned Odor is hopeful to return to the lineup Thursday after a grounder almost tore off the nail on his right middle finger Tuesday. He had a splint Wednesday and said doctors were able to save the nail.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Orioles (63-63) at Royals (77-49)

Game: 4
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: August 27, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

A six-game losing streak dropped the Baltimore Orioles several spots in the wild-card race. Back-to-back wins against the team with the best record in the AL would at least take some of the sting out of that.

Baltimore tries to send the Kansas City Royals to rare consecutive home losses Thursday in the conclusion of this four-game series.

Mired in their longest skid of the season, the Orioles brought out their power bats Wednesday after going deep once in the previous four games. Manny Machado, Chris Davis and Jonathan Schoop hit two-run homers off Johnny Cueto, and Steve Pearce and Ryan Flaherty added solo shots as Baltimore (63-63) beat Kansas City 8-5 to end an eight-game losing streak in the series - including four defeats in last season's ALCS.

'You're facing the best team in the American League last year and they've added players to improve on that,' manager Buck Showalter said. 'So it's a challenge, but we've got a chance to split against the American League champions (Thursday) and move on to Texas.'

The Orioles, who held a wild card before the skid, trail Minnesota by two games in the crowded chase for the final playoff berth.

Mike Moustakas hit a two-run homer for the Royals (77-49), who had won four straight and nine of 11. They lead the AL Central by 12 games and remain comfortably ahead of Toronto and Houston in the race for home-field throughout the playoffs.

Kansas City is 44-21 at home, losing two straight there only once since early June.

Moustakas is batting .407 with four homers and 10 RBIs during a seven-game hit streak.

He's 3 for 8 with a home run off Chris Tillman (9-8, 4.51 ERA), who looks to rebound from his first loss in nearly three months. The right-hander had won a career high-tying seven straight decisions before allowing three runs over 6 2-3 innings Saturday in a 3-2 loss to Minnesota - his first defeat since May 31.

Tillman has recorded quality starts in six of his last seven outings, going 3-1 with a 2.56 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP during that stretch.

He's 2-2 with a 6.75 ERA in six career starts - playoffs included - against the Royals, but threw a five-hitter in a 4-0 victory in his last appearance at Kauffman Stadium on May 16, 2014.

Kendrys Morales (5 for 9) has had the most success of any current Royal against Tillman, while Ben Zobrist (6 for 37), Eric Hosmer (1 for 11) and Salvador Perez (1 for 8) have all struggled.

Yordano Ventura (8-7, 4.64) looks to continue his resurgence for the Royals. After allowing 11 runs over 12 innings in his first two starts in August, the right-hander has gone 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA in his past three outings. He was very sharp in a 6-3 victory at Boston on Saturday, yielding one run and six hits over six innings while walking one and striking out six.

'For him, like it is for anybody, it's a confidence-type of thing,' Perez said.

Ventura limited the Orioles to two runs over 14 1-3 innings in two regular-season starts against them last season, but wasn't as effective in Game 2 of the ALCS, giving up four runs, five hits and three walks in 5 2-3 innings.

Adam Jones homered off Ventura in that game and is 2 for 10 in their matchups. Schoop, Davis and Pearce are a combined 0 for 12 when facing him.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs (73-52) at Giants (67-59)

Game: 3
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: August 27, 2015 3:45 PM EDT

Though San Francisco has a better chance of catching the NL West leaders than the Chicago Cubs for the second wild-card spot, Madison Bumgarner should give the Giants a strong opportunity to further cut into the North Siders' lead in the latter.

Looking for a fifth straight winning start, Bumgarner tries to help the Giants hand the Cubs their first losing road series in almost two months Thursday.

By evening the three-game set with Wednesday's 4-2 victory, San Francisco (67-59) snapped Chicago's six-game winning streak and moved within 6 1/2 games of the Cubs for that final wild-card position.

"We weren't going to win them all," said Chicago manager Joe Maddon, whose club will try to avoid losing its first road series since June 26-28 at St. Louis after falling for the fifth time in the last 26 games overall.

While catching the Cubs (73-52) might be difficult regardless of Thursday's result, a 15th win in the last 18 at home could possibly cut the Giants' deficit behind the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers to 1 1/2 games.

They should feel confident behind Bumgarner (15-6, 3.02 ERA), who concluded July by allowing six runs in seven innings of a 6-3 loss at Texas but is 4-0 with a 1.42 ERA - and 41 strikeouts to two walks - this month. Though he last faced the Cubs at home in 2013, Bumgarner is 2-0 with an 0.75 ERA in his last three against them at AT&T Park.

'I don't care if I get the win, if we get the win when I start I feel the same way everybody feels,' said Bumgarner, who admitted he wasn't that sharp while giving up three runs in 6 1-3 innings of Friday's 6-4 victory at Pittsburgh. "You've got to win every game you can win.'

In this last seven starts, the left-hander has yielded two home runs - one fewer than he's hit during that stretch.

"I'm just trying to be aggressive," said Bumgarner, whose five homers are the most in a season by a pitcher since the Cubs' Carlos Zambrano hit six in 2006. "Just trying to do something. Anything productive."

He's never homered in 20 plate appearances while facing Chicago but could have a decent chance to go deep against Dan Haren (8-8, 3.76), who has allowed an NL-high 28 home runs. He's given up seven while going 1-1 with a 6.05 ERA and failing to complete more than 5 1-3 innings in four starts since joining the Cubs at the trade deadline.

His shortest outing with Chicago came Saturday when he lasted 4 1-3 and gave up four runs in a 9-7 victory over Atlanta.

"Obviously, I'd like to do better, be out there longer and stuff like that," Haren told MLB's official website."

He's 1-0 with a 3.55 ERA in two starts against the Giants this season.

Marlon Byrd is batting .424 with three homers and five doubles in 33 at-bats against Haren while Brandon Belt is 4 for 11 with two doubles and a homer. Belt is hitting .391 with 14 RBIs in his last 19 home contests.

It's possible Giants All-Star shortstop Brandon Crawford could sit a second straight game due to tightness in his side. Outfielder Angel Pagan (tendinitis), meanwhile, might be activated from the disabled list.

Chicago's Anthony Rizzo is 2 for 10 with four strikeouts when facing Bumgarner, but Starlin Castro is batting .417 against him.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets (70-56) at Phillies (50-77)

Game: 4
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: August 27, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

The New York Mets are capitalizing on a favorable schedule to get more comfortable atop the NL East, and things should get cushier over the next week.

The Mets look to extend their longest winning streak over the Philadelphia Phillies in 43 years Thursday night before facing another last-place opponent.

New York (70-56) leads the East by 6 1/2 games over second-place Washington and is on the verge of its second seven-game winning streak this month after beating the Phillies 9-4 on Wednesday.

The Mets' current run includes three wins each over Colorado and Philadelphia (50-77), occupants of last place in the West and East. Following the conclusion of this four-game series, New York's next nine games come against last-place Boston, the Phillies and Miami before a series with the Nationals that may lose its importance to the division race.

"If you want to make the playoffs, you have to beat the teams you should," catcher Anthony Recker said.

The Mets have won 28 of the last 35 matchups with Philadelphia, including eight straight for their longest winning streak in the series since a 10-game stretch from 1971-72. New York is making itself at home at Citizens Bank Park, winning 17 of the last 20.

Jonathon Niese (8-9, 3.80 ERA) looks to keep it going. The left-hander is 5-0 with a 1.61 ERA over his last seven starts against Philadelphia, winning both this year while yielding one earned run in 13 1-3 innings.

Niese wasn't nearly that effective Saturday, surrendering seven runs and 11 hits over 5 1-3 innings in a 14-9 win at Colorado. He was 2-0 with a 2.42 ERA over the four prior outings and had a 2.84 ERA in his first 11 road starts.

The Mets are hitting .347 with 16 homers while averaging 10.7 runs over the last six games.

"You talk about hitting being contagious, you stop putting pressure on yourself," Michael Cuddyer said. "Because we have confidence in the guys around us, we've had success."

Cuddyer is 7 for 10 with two homers, three doubles and six RBIs in this series after coming a triple shy of the cycle while plating three runs Wednesday. He's batting .461 during a 21-game hitting streak against the Phillies, hitting .600 with four homers and 11 RBIs in the last six.

Yoenis Cespedes has a .400 average with five homers and 13 RBIs in his last five games. He has a pair of homers and a triple among his five hits in this series.

The Phillies have dropped six of seven at home and are turning to Aaron Harang (5-14, 4.67), who's tied with Milwaukee's Matt Garza for the most losses in the majors. The right-hander is 0-3 with an 8.18 ERA in his past four starts.

The best of that recent bunch came Saturday, though he still had control issues. Harang only gave up two hits over seven innings, but three of the four walks he allowed came in a two-run third inning in a 4-2 win at Miami.

"It felt like ever since I came back, I was rushing a little bit and not getting my arm on top enough," Harang told MLB's official website.

He's yielded four runs in 13 innings while losing both of his starts against the Mets this season, including one May 9 opposite Niese.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Padres (62-64) at Nationals (63-62)

Game: 3
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: August 27, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

After watching his brother beat his team, Joe Ross has a chance to make this a very good couple of days for the Ross family.

He'll will try to pitch the Washington Nationals to a fourth win in five games Thursday night against the San Diego Padres.

The Nationals were denied a fourth straight win Wednesday, falling 6-5 as San Diego's Tyson Ross allowed four runs over 6 1-3 innings to earn the win.

Now, he'll watch his younger brother take the mound for Washington (63-62), which dropped 6 1-2 games behind the NL East-leading New York Mets.

"You know it's going to be fun to watch that game (Wednesday)," Tyson Ross said. "I hope my brother does well and I think he said it best when he said I hope he pitches well and we beat the bullpen."

Joe Ross (4-5, 3.56 ERA) is 3-1 with a 1.69 ERA, 26 strikeouts and one walk in 26 2-3 innings over his last four home starts.

The rookie right-hander is facing the Padres for the first time after turning in seven strong innings Saturday, yielding one run in a 6-1 win over visiting Milwaukee. He lost his two previous outings on the road with a 9.35 ERA, failing to complete the fifth inning in both.

"Used my changeup a lot more," Ross said of his improvement against the Brewers. "I didn't throw it a ton, but definitely threw it more than I have the past few games."

He'll try to slow down Justin Upton, who had two homers and three RBIs Wednesday. The left fielder is 6 for 18 with three doubles and five RBIs in the past four games.

Wednesday's victory was the 10th in 14 games following a six-game skid for San Diego (62-64), which has a chance to win a fifth straight series - its first against the Nationals since May 2011.

"That's the goal from day one of the season to try and win each series and we've done a good job of it lately," Upton said.

Andrew Cashner (5-12, 4.03) attempts to win back-to-back starts for the first time this year. The right-hander allowed one unearned run with eight strikeouts in six innings of a 9-3 victory over St. Louis on Friday.

Cashner, though, is 0-3 with a 5.44 ERA in eight road starts since beating the Los Angeles Angels on May 27. He's walked 24 and struck out 26 over 46 1-3 innings in those games.

Cashner is 0-3 with a 4.95 ERA in his last four starts against the Nationals, losing both visits to the nation's capital while surrendering 10 runs in eight innings.

He's has had a tough time with Denard Span and Jayson Werth, who are a combined 9 for 23 against him.

Span had a pair of doubles Wednesday after going 0 for 4 in the series opener following a seven-week stint on the disabled list for back tightness. He's 8 for 23 in five games against the Padres this year, while Werth is 1 for 8 in this series.

Bryce Harper is batting .407 with five doubles in seven games after going 2 for 3 with two RBIs Wednesday. He's a .434 hitter with 20 RBIs in 15 career contests with San Diego, and is 11 for 18 while driving in eight runs in the last five.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates (76-49) at Marlins (51-76)

Game: 4
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: August 27, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

After a week of pedestrian run totals, the Pittsburgh Pirates used an early offensive explosion to put themselves into position to win a fourth straight series.

Gerrit Cole would certainly appreciate if those bats have a bit more left in them.

Cole takes his sixth crack at what's become an elusive 15th victory Thursday night as he tries to help the visiting Pirates win three of four from the Miami Marlins.

Pittsburgh (76-49) totaled 27 runs over its previous seven games before riding a six-run second inning to Wednesday's 7-2 win. Andrew McCutchen hit a three-run homer in the second after a run-scoring double in the first, his fourth consecutive multihit game and seventh in his last nine, and he boosted his major league-leading average with runners in scoring position.

'Look at the batting average with runners in scoring position (.394),' Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. 'Cutch is always looking to improve. You get guys on in front of him and that gives him more opportunities.'

McCutchen is 20 for 46 (.435) with three homers and five doubles in his last 12 games against Miami.

'This guy was the MVP,' Marlins manager Dan Jennings said. 'He's a special talent.'

Cole (14-7, 2.49 ERA) hasn't been bad in the second half with a 3.00 ERA - his 2.53 FIP since the All-Star break is sixth in the NL and better than it was in the first half (2.80) - but some less-than-stellar defense and a lack of support haven't made things easy on him.

The Pirates have backed Cole with just 13 runs in his seven starts since the All-Star break. Cole left with a lead Saturday after holding San Francisco to three hits and an unearned run over seven innings, but the bullpen gave it up before Pittsburgh walked off with a 3-2 win.

Cole allowed homers to Justin Bour and Christian Yelich and five other hits while lasting seven in a 5-2 win over the Marlins (51-76) on May 27. Yelich is 3 for 8 with a pair of homers off Cole.

The Pirates will get their first look at Justin Nicolino (2-1, 3.77), the third straight left-hander they'll face in this series. Nicolino has pitched into the seventh in three of his five major league starts, lasting 7 2-3 and allowing two runs before Miami's bullpen faltered in the ninth of Saturday's 4-2 loss to Philadelphia.

'It was a frustrating loss to waste that quality of a start by the kid,' Jennings said. 'Nico pitched a tremendous ballgame.'

Nicolino retired the first hitter he faced in all eight innings, dropping opponents' average against him leading off an inning to .194.

"That was the biggest thing, getting the leadoff hitter every inning," Nicolino told MLB's official website. "We let the defense work. ... We executed both sides of the plate with the fastball. The cutter was working a lot better, probably the best it's been all year."

The cutter is one of four pitches Nicolino throws - along with a fastball, changeup and curve - and it's been by far his most effective. Opponents are hitting .150 against that pitch, and he needs it to work because he doesn't miss many bats.

Of the 381 pitchers in baseball to pitch at least 30 innings this season, only Mark Buehrle has induced a lower swing-and-miss percentage than Nicolino's 12.4.

MLB batting leader Dee Gordon got the night off Wednesday, but should be back for the finale and could pose a problem on the basepaths. Gordon stole four bases Tuesday to raise his season total to 45 and Cole's 22 stolen bases allowed are the fourth most in the majors.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins (65-61) at Rays (62-64)

Game: 3
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: August 27, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

A mid-August sweep that capped a disastrous first month out of the All-Star break had the Minnesota Twins' playoff chances looking bleak.

Suddenly, a surprising winning streak has pushed the Twins into a postseason spot while the Tampa Bay Rays are the ones starting to feel things slipping away.

Minnesota goes for a three-game sweep of the Rays on Thursday night as it looks to win a seventh straight game for the first time in more than four years.

The Twins (65-61) sat four games back of the AL's second wild-card spot on Aug. 19 after dropping three straight to the Yankees to open this 10-game trip, falling to 9-21 in the second half. But after a four-game sweep of Baltimore and a pair of wins over Tampa Bay, Minnesota is back in playoff position, a half-game ahead of Texas.

Tommy Milone has played a part in two wins during the Twins' streak, which with a win Thursday would be their longest since and eight-game run in June 2011.

In a 4-3 victory in Baltimore on Friday, Milone retired 13 consecutive hitters to start the game and left after allowing three runs and five hits in 5 1-3 innings.

Milone (6-3, 3.69 ERA) was then called on in a pinch two days later during Sunday's 4-3, 12-inning win over the Orioles. The left-hander was the last of eight Twins pitchers used and picked up his first career save with a perfect 12th inning.

"We showed that we're not giving up," Milone told MLB's official website. "We just go out and battle and we are going to grind out games until the very end. Obviously it didn't work out for us in New York, but we didn't let that get us down. I think it's going to help us in the end."

Milone is 2-2 with a 6.17 ERA in four career starts against the Rays, none this season.

While the Twins have driven through the jam-packed wild-card standings, Tampa Bay (62-64) is stuck right in the middle. The Rays' third consecutive loss Wednesday pushed them three games back of Minnesota while still behind three other teams.

Opportunities were there the last two days, but the Rays have left 21 runners on base so far in the series.

'A disappointing loss to say the least,' manager Kevin Cash said after his team went 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position in Wednesday's 5-3 loss. 'We've talked about it time and time again, when we get opportunities to score, we've got to somehow find a way to get those guys across. We did not.'

Tampa Bay hopes Drew Smyly can help break its skid. Smyly (1-2, 3.42) will make his third start since coming off a three-month disabled list stint with a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder.

The left-hander's first start back was underwhelming - five runs over four innings in a 5-3 loss to the Rangers on Aug. 16 - but he picked up his first win in nearly a year on Friday.

Smyly, who's 1-1 with a 1.74 ERA in four career starts against the Twins, held the A's scoreless over 5 2-3 innings in a 2-1 victory in Oakland, surrendering just six singles on 91 pitches for his first victory since Aug. 27, 2014.

"We all said we were very optimistic after that start that he would bounce right back," Cash said, "and he made us look smart because he did."

With his 3-for-5 day Wednesday, Joe Mauer has reached base in 28 of 29 career games at Tropicana Field. He is hitting .404 in St. Petersburg with a .507 OBP.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners (59-68) at White Sox (59-66)

Game: 1
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: August 27, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Nelson Cruz would be enjoying a second straight stellar offensive season a lot more if the Seattle Mariners were winning.

As Cruz looks to build on another strong performance, the visiting Mariners try for a third straight victory Thursday night against the Chicago White Sox.

After setting career highs for homers (40) and RBIs (108) with Baltimore in 2014, Cruz is batting .321 and increased his major league-leading home run total to 39 with one of three hits in Wednesday's 8-2 victory over Oakland. Though Cruz could make a case for the AL MVP, his immediate focus is to help Seattle (59-68) string together some needed victories and make a serious run in the final month of the season.

"Like I said, I just play my game and whatever happens, happens,' said Cruz, who is batting .370 with 18 home runs and 29 RBIs in his last 33 games. "If I got lucky enough to be considered (for the MVP), I'm blessed, but if not, I'm here to play games and win games and that's the only thing I care about.

"I look at the wins. That's my goal."

Sitting 6 1/2 games out of the AL's final wild-card spot with seven teams ahead of them - including Chicago (59-66) - the Mariners face a daunting task but have won three of the last four. They can win three straight for a second time this month.

However, the Mariners must improve on the mound after yielding 23 runs while dropping two of three to the White Sox last weekend.

Manager Lloyd McClendon has replaced Vidal Nuno in the rotation with Roenis Elias (4-6, 4.22 ERA), who since late June has spent most of his time in Triple-A Tacoma. The left-hander gave up three runs and struck out seven in six innings of a 4-0 loss at Oakland in his most recent major league start July 2.

He then went back down to the minors and has made one relief appearance since being recalled Sunday.

"(Elias is) a starter, not a bullpen guy," McClendon told MLB's official website. "Nuno is a swing guy. He may start again."

Elias went 1-1 with a 5.91 ERA last season against the White Sox, who have dropped three of the last four after managing six hits in Wednesday's 3-0 defeat to Boston.

'We just have to keep fighting," Chicago ace Chris Sale said. "It's nothing in particular. We just have to keep fighting and keep our heads up.'

Melky Cabrera had half of Chicago's hits, giving him five in the last two contests after going 1 for 10 at Seattle.

Rookie Carlos Rodon (5-5, 4.22) allowed six hits, four walks and three runs - one earned - in seven innings of Saturday's 6-3, 10-inning victory at Seattle. The left-hander is 1-1 with a 1.23 ERA in his last three starts.

"I think for any young guy the later you get into the year and him being in here, you're always careful to watch it and see what the workload is and where he's at," manager Robin Ventura said. "I think as of right now he's only gotten better."

Cruz went 1 for 3 with a double and walked against Rodon.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals (81-45) at Diamondbacks (62-64)

Game: 4
Venue: Chase Field
Date: August 27, 2015 9:40 PM EDT

The St. Louis Cardinals' dominance of the Arizona Diamondbacks has been particularly pronounced on the mound.

Carlos Martinez, however, is just looking to avoid the longest losing streak of his career as the Cardinals go for an eighth straight win over the Diamondbacks on Thursday night.

St. Louis (81-45) has won 12 of the past 13 meetings with Arizona (62-64) behind a 1.94 ERA from the rotation. Lance Lynn, Jaime Garcia and John Lackey have combined for a 1.89 ERA while winning the first three of this series at Chase Field.

Lackey delivered the latest gem Wednesday, yielding one run in seven innings of a 3-1 victory to move the Cardinals 36 games over .500 for the first time since finishing 2005 at 100-62.

"You've got to pound the strike zone early on to establish things later on," Lackey said. "It's kind of risk-reward; you try to get guys to put balls in play and sometimes they get hits."

Martinez (12-6, 2.85 ERA), second to Michael Wacha's team-high 15 wins, struck out eight in seven scoreless innings of a 3-2 win in his only career start against the Diamondbacks on May 25.

That performance was part of a 14-start stretch, during which the right-hander went 9-2 with a 1.76 ERA. However, he's in danger of losing three straight starts for the first time after giving up eight runs and 14 hits in 11 1-3 innings over his last two.

Martinez was solid in Saturday's 8-0 loss at San Diego, yielding three runs and striking out six in 6 1-3 innings.

Tommy Pham has been a revelation lately, hitting .407 with seven runs and five walks in seven games. He was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Aug. 17 to replace the injured Randal Grichuk (elbow) in center field.

The rookie has five hits and three walks in this series.

Jhonny Peralta went 0 for 4 Wednesday but is still batting .371 with 18 RBIs in 17 career matchups with Arizona.

The Diamondbacks are trying to avoid their first five-game slide at home since dropping eight in a row from April 2-16, 2014.

Giving the ball to Rubby De La Rosa (11-5, 4.32) should help. Arizona's wins leader, De La Rosa is 5-0 with a 2.54 ERA over his last seven starts, posting a 1.71 ERA while winning all three home appearances in that stretch.

The right-hander yielded two runs in seven innings of 6-3 win at Cincinnati on Friday, completing at least six for the sixth time in seven games.

"If there's a guy on our staff who can go deep into a game, it's him. He's a horse," manager Chip Hale said. "He's got the ability to throw a hundred pitches."

De La Rosa gave up one run in six innings and didn't get a decision with Boston in a 3-2 loss at St. Louis in his only career start against the Cardinals on Aug. 5, 2014.

Paul Goldschmidt has a solo homer and a double among his four hits in the last two games, giving him a .524 average in the last seven at home. The first baseman is hitting .331 to rank behind Miami's Dee Gordon (.333) and Bryce Harper (.332) of Washington in the NL batting race.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

M's Montgomery might be pitching way out of rotation
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

SEATTLE -- Manager Lloyd McClendon spent part of the past two weeks talking about the importance of figuring out a way to cut back on the innings count for young Seattle Mariners starters Taijuan Walker and Mike Montgomery.

Montgomery did McClendon's work for him Tuesday night.

The 25-year-old rookie left-hander endured the shortest outing of his young career, throwing only 40 pitches over 1 1/3 innings before McClendon put him out of his misery with a trip to the mound six batters into the second inning.

The outing, which saw Montgomery give up seven hits and five runs as the Mariners fell into an early 5-0 hole, makes one wonder whether he might get pulled from the rotation for a different reason than saving his arm.

Montgomery has hit a wall over his past nine starts, which have resulted in his season ERA ballooning from 1.62 (through seven starts) to 4.60 (through Tuesday's debacle).

"I'm concerned," McClendon said after the performance. "That's something we'll have to address."

Asked whether Montgomery might be taken out of the rotation, McClendon was non-committal late Tuesday night.

"I don't want to make a quick decision," he said. "We'll talk about it with the (coaching) staff and figure it out."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Gordon's pending return will add to Royals' depth
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- With left fielder Alex Gordon set to return from his rehab assignment in the next couple of weeks, the question becomes how to adjust the Kansas City Royals' roster.

Ben Zobrist, acquired via trade with Oakland July 30, has filled Gordon's spot in left field and his place in the batting order. Zobrist can also play second base or right field, or occasionally third base, but those three spots are currently manned by the hottest hitters in the Royals' lineup.

And who would lose his major league spot if Gordon returns before rosters expand on Sept. 1? Outfielders Paulo Orlando and Jarrod Dyson and catcher Drew Butera are all playing a key role off the bench.

With the Royals cruising in the American League Central, owning a 13-game lead -- the largest advantage in club history outside of the 1980 season -- how to manage roster without losing an edge is the question manager Ned Yost faces as August comes to a close.

"(Team chemistry) factors into it," Yost said. "It does have an impact, but again, the bottom line is that we've got to go with the best 25 guys. But again, a lot of things can happen between now and then, and we don't make decisions until we get to the point where we need to make those decisions."

Second baseman Omar Infante and right fielder Alex Rios, each of whom figured to lose playing time to Zobrist, are enjoying offensive resurgences of late, and Infante is a strong contributor to the Royals' defensive cohesion. Their improved performance is making playing-time decisions more difficult.

"Yeah, and that's what you want," Yost said before the Royals' 3-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday. "You want everybody firing on all cylinders and playing well. It's important that that happens. These guys compete every day. It's not just Omar and Alex. It's the whole group. They were focused from the first day of spring training, they were focused on winning this division. They're focused on home-field advantage.

"Every day they bring that intensity and trying to keep it going. Not one time, I don't think I can recall one time where they ever lost focus or energy. We're almost at the end of August now, and to be able to say that is quite amazing to me."

For Yost, the most important thing is the desire to win, a desire infused with the recognition that this team can accomplish great things.

"You never know until you know," he said. "You can always hope, you always think, you always wish that you can accomplish great things, but until you know you can accomplish great things, you never know. Now they know, even in the most stressful situations with the brightest lights shining on them, they know what they can accomplish. That's a great bit of experience to have."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Tigers RHP Greene to have season-ending shoulder surgery
The Sports Xchange

Detroit Tigers right-hander Shane Greene will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery Thursday.

The surgery to repair arterial damage in his right shoulder will be performed at Baylor University Hospital in Waco, Texas.

Greene, 26, is expected to be ready for spring training. He will be cleared for physical activity within two weeks and be able to resume throwing after at least two months, Tigers head trainer Kevin Rand said.

Greene (4-8, 6.88 ERA) had been experiencing numbness in his fingers recently, an apparent symptom of a pseudoaneurysm that extended from the circumflex artery in his shoulder to his hand.

Greene's injury is the latest hit to the Tigers' pitching staff. Starters Anibal Sanchez (rotator cuff) and Daniel Norris (oblique) were placed on the 15-day disabled list last week. Greene had been a part-time No. 5 starter.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Astros make sure Gomez 'head was on straight'
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

NEW YORK -- Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch was glad Carlos Gomez's actions in the sixth inning Tuesday did not escalate beyond a shouting match but also said he had to make sure his new center fielder's "head was on straight."

After the brief fracas which began when Gomez began yelling "shut up" to the New York Yankees dugout while running down the first line, Hinch pulled aside Gomez to make sure everything was fine.

"It's something we talk to our players (about) all the time," Hinch said before Wednesday's 6-2 win in New York. "I don't need someone to come up and have a daily interaction with him. But I wanted to make sure his head was on straight and we were going to finish the game.

"We were in the middle of a very positive game for us so I didn't want any more attention taken away from the scoreboard and finishing the game. So I talked to him in the middle of the game and it was a non-issue for me."

There was not any follow up after the sixth. Gomez was not pitched inside in his final two at-bats Tuesday and again Wednesday.

The only repercussions for Gomez was hearing some boos each time he stepped to the plate.

Gomez wound up reaching twice with a single and a walk. He also scored a run on a bunt base hit by left fielder Jake Marisinick and also had a strikeout.

He spent the last two games batting sixth and was 3-for-12 in New York, raising his average to .196.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Where has Yankees' offense gone?
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

NEW YORK -- The first few questions to manager Joe Girardi on Wednesday weren't about Michael Pineda's return from a right forearm injury.

Instead, the inquiries were about a more pressing matter for the Yankees.

Where's the offense?

"We're just not hitting, that's the bottom well," Girardi said after a 6-2 loss to the Houston Astros Wednesday afternoon. "We didn't swing the bats extremely well against Cleveland or Houston and that's kind of been the root of our problems."

What happened to the offense that hit home runs in bunches and gave the Yankees a 5 1/2 game lead through Aug. 4?

At that point after having a nine-run inning against the Red Sox, the Yankees had a .260 batting average with 144 home runs and 525 runs.

Since then, the lead is gone and is now at least a 1 1/2 game deficit. In the three weeks since, the Yankees have dropped 12 of 20 games with an offense hitting .216 (138-for-640) with 20 home runs and 61 runs leading to the perception of the team looking flat and lifeless.

"I think our grinding them out and trying to get through it," Girardi said. "They're working. It's just we're not really having a whole lot of success right now and the only thing you can do is keep working."

While Girardi spoke of working their way out it, left fielder Brett Gardner felt the energy was lacking after the Yankees batted .165 (15-for-91) in the three games.

"The last couple of days I don't it was real good," Gardner said. WE lose 15-1 or whatever (Tuesday) and (Wednesday) obviously it was just kind of flat."

Regardless of the energy level, several components have been slumping badly in recent weeks.

Gardner was an All-Star left fielder but hardly resembled one recently. After going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, he has 15 hits in his last 115 at-bats with 23 strikeouts.

Mark Teixeira has not started eight of the last nine games but since Aug. 4, he has seven hits in his last 45 at-bats.

Then there's Alex Rodriguez, the darling for his comeback story in the first four months. He has struggled all month but since Aug. 4 he has nine hits in his last 71 at-bats and his average is at .255.

The only consistent hitter in recent weeks has been right-fielder Carlos Beltran. Beltran has had a pair of 10-game hitting streaks this month and batting .338 (23-for-68) over his last 21 games.

"We got a lot of guys scuffling at the same time," Girardi said. "And it's hard to score runs."