Thursday 8/4/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Gulfstream Park - Race #7 - Post: 4:09pm - Maiden Special - 5.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $40,000 Class Rating: 77

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#8 SWEET ABDICATION (ML=6/1)


SWEET ABDICATION - The ROI when Meneses and Collazo team up is outstanding. Atop this horse on Jun 2nd and Meneses is yet again in the irons this time around. Got to love a filly who outruns her odds in her first start. Filly did just that back on Jun 2nd. Can't help but like the 2nd time addition of Lasix by the trainer today. Pretty good indication Collazo thinks she can win.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 SHES GOT THE LOOK (ML=2/1), #1 FAITH N HOPE (ML=5/1), #5 STELLA BELLE (ML=6/1),

SHES GOT THE LOOK - This filly almost certainly won't be very close at the finish. FAITH N HOPE - Disappointing speed figure last time out at Gulfstream Park at 5 furlongs. Don't believe this racer will improve too much in today's event. STELLA BELLE - This questionable contender will in all probability be pulling up the rear as this field crosses the finish line.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: Winston - SWEET ABDICATION - Collazo is making good money with this horse. Uppermost in earnings per start.


STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#8 SWEET ABDICATION to win at post-time odds of 1/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
8 with [2,6]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPER HI 5 WAGERS:
Skip

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Saratoga

RACE #9 - SARATOGA RACE COURSE - 5:18 PM EASTERN POST


The Quick Call Stakes

5½ FURLONGS TURF THREE YEAR OLDS STAKES $100,000.00 PURSE

#9 TOO DISCREET
#7 HOLDING GOLD
#5 DON'T BE SO SALTY
#3 COMMEND

Well folks ... inaugurated in 2008, the Quick Call was named after the multiple graded stakes winning gelding who won more than half his 16 career victories at the Spa. Trained by Sid Watters, Jr. and Warren Croll, Quick Call finished fifth in the Saratoga Special in 1986, and went on to win nine races there each year from 1987-1990 including the Forego in 1988 and 1989. He retired in 1992. Here in the 9th running of this stakes test, #9 TOO DISCREET has posted a trio of wins in his last five outings, including a "POWER RUN WIN" in his 2nd race back. Jockey Joel Rosario and Trainer Chris Clement send him to the post ... they've hit the board with 53% of nearly 100 entries saddled as a team to date. #7 HOLDING GOLD takes a class drop (-14), and has hit the board in four of his last five respective outings, winning in both his 3rd and 5th races back.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mohawk: Thursday 8/4 Analysis
By Garnet Barnsdale

DRF

Race 1 - $30,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool

Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool


PICK 5: 1,4,5,6/1/4/1,4,6/5,6,8,9,10 = $12

EARLY PICK 4: 1,4,6/5,6,8,9,10/2,3/5,8 = $60

LATE PICK 4: 5,8/4,6,7,8/3/4,5,9 = $24

MEET STATS: 259 - 731 / $1388.80 BEST BETS: 43 - 69 / $139.40

SPOT PLAYS: 16 - 67 / $82.90

Best Bet: CANDLELIGHT DINNER (2nd)

Spot Play: PENNIES FROM ABOVE (3rd)


Race 1

(6) JAKE raced OK in his debut when beaten by a colt that had already won an OSS Gold previously. He should move forward off that race. (1) STENHOUSE HANOVER has raced well in both of his starts and should be prominent throughout in this short field. (4) SEVEN AND SEVEN took a ton of action for his debut but wasn't close enough early to be able to threaten late. The smaller field helps his chances here. (5) CANT U SPELL - a $35K yearling purchase who is a full-brother to two winners - could go much better here if he can say flat.

Race 2

(1) CANDLELIGHT DINNER is impossible to take a stand against here based on what she has shown on the track so far, but she will be 1/9 on the board. Take the Pick 5 free square and move on. (5) BLACK JACK PAT was 2nd to the choice two back and her driver will likely be looking to carve out a similar journey here. (3) MOMENT TO PONDER could complete an identical trifecta as her last start here by closing late for third. (8) SOUTHWIND GEO could better this placing but she will need to overcome the post.

Race 3

(4) PENNIES FROM ABOVE gets a catch driver back here and she should get put into this race earlier; top call. (2) HILLS ANGEL was a decent second to a strong winner last week and she looks like the main threat to the choice. (1) MIGHTY NICKY has some upside and isn't out of this if he is kept close enough to the front to pounce late. (3) ALFA MERSADIES has shown improvement in her past two starts and she can share here.

Race 4

(6) NEW YORK NIGHTMARE dropped and not only popped last start, he also took a new life's mark in the process; call to repeat. (4) HIGHLAND TARTAN was cleverly driven to win his last and Jamieson remains hot; using. (1) VELOCITY DRIVEN is the most likely beneficiary if things get crazy up front early here. (8) TIGHTEN UP takes a big drop here but has missed 5 1/2 weeks of action. His chances are dicey here despite the class relief.

Race 5

(6) GOLDIES MACH beat many of these last week and appears to have a favorable pace scenario in her corner here; call to repeat. (5) DONNA PARTY couldn't get to the choice late last week and looks next best again, but it wouldn't be a shocker of Henry tried to wrestle command from the choice in the mid-stages here. (8) TIGRA SEELSTER isn't impossible here and would benefit from a quicker pace, should that develop. (10) LADY JEN would look a lot better from a more favorable post here.

Race 6

(2) WORK THAT MAGIC has a couple of races earlier this spring that would make her a top contender here if she could duplicate one of those performances. I'll give her a slight nod in a wide-open race. (3) ROSE RUN RUDI will likely take this group a long way on the lead; using. (5) THE MUSCLE TOUCH always looks on the verge of a win but can't seem to convert. A minor share is likely again here. (4) SILKY FLASHY N FAST is another that just can't seem to get there. She will probably finish on the fringes again.

Race 7

(8) GATEWAY TO VICTORY - a homebred out of an unraced dam - has shown plenty enough speed in her qualifiers to beat this group, if she can stay flat throughout. (5) MACHING ME ZILLY was an unlucky loser last time when the winner closed like she was shot out of a cannon at the 1/16th pole. Use this filly in your Pick 4's. (2) SHEER TALENT paced a quick final 1/4 in her debut and she should go forward here. (4) FASHION WRITER seems likely for a minor share here.

Race 8

(4) SOIREE SISTER is one of many that could win this conditioned event. If she is kept close enough early her late kick will have her right there on the wire. (7) FUTURE HEADLINES went a big first up trip to win her debut but she will likely need more late speed to win this. (6) SIR NATIVE and (8) TALBOT CHANEL are also in with a chance here in a race where it makes sense to go deep for multi-race tickets.

Race 9

(3) STYLISH BEACHWARE, looking to extend her unbeaten streak here, appears to be a Pick 4 single but she will be a short price again. (4) AMERICAN CURVES returns quicker and moves inside here and she can provide some value for exotic wagers. (6) JUMP JIVE AND JAM looks next best and should take a share. (5) DIXIE LULLABY has some upside and should close for a share here.

Race 10

(4) GIVE EM HECK produced a quick final 1/4 on a wet track to win last week off the claim and he should be tough here, too. (5) BOLD AND LAZY ships in for Weller, who continues to send them ready every time; using. (9) MYSTIC DEUCE fits this class well and isn't out of this. (6) P L DANGEROUS is a great one to use on the bottom of exotic wagers. (3) Q ZILLA can follow along here and crack the High-5 at a price.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yonkers: Thursday 8/4 Analysis
By Brewster Smith

DRF

MEET STATS: 181 - 774 / $1,157.80

BEST BETS: 22 - 75 / $113.50

Best Bet: HEY KOBE (12th)

Spot Play: CLARA BEA (5th)


Race 1

(4) SOUTHWIND MISCHIEF seems to be a perfect spot for this mare to get the job done with a favorable trip; we shall see. (2) AMERICAN ALIVE flashed good speed in her latest; main danger. (3) I DO IT MYSELF put in a mild rally for fourth money last out.

Race 2

(2) ON THE PODIUM was a game second in his last try and this gelding appears to be in fine form; gets the call. (3) STORMONT PARK gets post relief and that should help his cause. (4) DEWYCOLORINTHELINE closed strongly for the victory in his latest.

Race 3

(4) CLASSY LANE ROSE showed life closing late to nail down the show spot in her last try. Mare can make tonight a winning one with a well judged drive. (5) NIPPY W HANOVER is on quite a roll scoring her third straight victory; likely favorite. (3) CLEAREDFORTAKEOFF should fare well from the 2-hole; watch out.

Race 4

(3) HER OWN LAND just missed glory by a head and this pacing mare seems to like this level; gets the call. (1) ARIELLE LYNN has the rail and speed; big threat. (4) SIR JILLIAN Z TAM should do much better from the inside post; watch out.

Race 5

(2) CLARA BEA Pacing mare just got up for win honors last out and she continues to stay in sharp form; the pick. (3) CHEYENNE ROBIN rallied strongly to nail down the score in her latest. (4) KAMWOOD LAUGHTER N came up a little short losing glory by a head; not out of this.

Race 6

(3) MIRAMONTMAN Clearly this pacer is knocking at the door based on his last three trips to the post; big threat at his best. (2) BORDER CONTROL A Sharp in his last start with a very game second. (4) PRONOLOGY Z TAM rallied strongly to grab the show spot last time out.

Race 7

(3) CHUCARO ACERO BC finally gets post relief and there should be enough speed in here for this 5-year-old to mow them down for all the glory. (4) FAMEOUS WESTERN here's another that gets a better post to work with; factor. (1) MC DYNAMITE was on the rim at the 3/4 pole and rallied for show honors last out.

Race 8

(1) MOTU MOONBEAM N has sharp speed and the good news is she moves to the fence where she can take these down the road for all the marbles. (2) KAITLYN RAE is very consistent and has hit the board 8 of 10 trips this year; main threat. (3) OUR ELS DREAM N moves now to the 3-hole and that might help her cause.

Race 9

(4) IDOLE DUHARAS leaves Pocono and is back at Yonkers so hopefully this gelding can make a quick turnaround here if given a favorable trip. (6) SIX GUN was sent down the road in his last try for all the glory; post hurts but is very capable. (3) BETTOR REASON N moves up in class but gets a cozy post to work with; can't overlook.

Race 10

(3) ROETHBLISSBERGER Gelding was sharp in his last start finishing second. 8-year-old is heading in the right direction and could be the boss over these with a down the road score. (1) SPORTSKEEPER retains the rail and moves down in class; must be considered. (4) REAL FLIGHT is clearly better than his last flop; not out of this.

Race 11

(1) JAILHOUSE JESSICA Mare knows how to get the job done and now she moves to the fence; big factor. (2) TAKE MY PICTURE has tactical speed and Brennan has the assignment; main danger. (7) SKATES N PLATES led most of the way but could not hold off the winner last out.

Race 12

(5) HEY KOBE moves back to the NW10000 ranks where she was a very sharp second two trips ago; capable of putting her best foot forward. (1) FOR THE LADIES N has good speed but tired in the stretch run in her last try so maybe the rail could help her chances; possible. (6) CHERRY BLISS faced Open foes at Tioga last time around; not out of this.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Thursday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Arlington Park (4th) Acid Rain, 7-2
(8th) Mr. Stein, 5-1

Belterra Park (5th) Baskets, 7-2
(7th) After the Bell, 8-1

Canterbury Park (5th) Sammy's Mineshaft, 9-2
(9th) Anzoo, 4-1


Charles Town (5th) Pa Adventure, 6-1
(8th) He's My Hero, 6-1


Del Mar (7th) That's a Lady, 5-1
(8th) Soap Box, 7-2


Delaware Park (6th) Lucky in Malibu, 8-1
(7th) Southemperfection, 3-1


Evangeline Downs (3rd) Razorback Blend, 5-1
(5th) Duenay, 7-2


Finger Lakes (5th) Sirtori, 6-1
(9th) Patriots Way, 7-2


Gulfstream Park (4th) Vera's Finally, 4-1
(6th) Reynard Fox, 3-1


Indiana Grand (6th) Sage's Epiphany, 7-2
(9th) Bahama Benny, 9-2


Louisiana Downs (4th) Zarbuck, 5-1
(5th) Shesahuckleberry, 7-2


Penn National (2nd) Taller Sister, 6-1
(4th) Gold Man, 6-1


Prairie Meadows (1st) Callme Mr Mister, 4-1
(6th) Karner Blue, 8-1


Presque Isle Downs (3rd) War Ready, 6-1
(7th) She's Sassy, 5-1


Santa Rosa (6th) Sure Victory, 4-1
(7th) Tiz Titus, 7-2


Saratoga (3rd) Tizway That Way, 6-1
(5th) Wildcat Belle, 7-2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

August Pitchers Report
By Marc Lawrence

With the MLB trading deadline officially closed, and the NFL preseason whetting our pigskin palates, the month of August sets the table for the stretch run of the baseball season. Which pitchers can we count on to satisfy our tastes, and which ones figure to sour our stomachs?

Take a look below.

Listed below are hurlers that have enjoyed a two-to-one or better success ratio in team-starts over the course of the last three seasons during the month of August.

On the flip side, we've also listed pitchers that struggle in August, winning 33% percent or less of their team-start efforts.

To qualify pitchers must have made a minimum of 10 starts, with at least one start each April over the last three years. And for your convenience alongside each record we break down each pitcher’s greatest success or greatest failure rate either home (H) or away (A) within his good or bad month.

Note: * designates a categorical repeat appearance by this pitcher, maintaining status quo from last season’s August list.

I’ll be back next month with September’s Good Month Pitchers.

Until then, as legendary singer and songwriter Neil Diamond would say, enjoy the hot August nights.

GOOD MONTH PITCHERS:

Arrieta, Jake - 10-5 (6-3 A)

After being Clayton Kershaw-like for nearly 12 months, the Cubs starter has "regressed" back to just being among the best starters in baseball. Arrieta has a nearly 3-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio and only allows a base hit 70 percent of the time in innings pitched this season, among the finest in the majors.

Duffy, Danny - 11-4 (6-1 H)

After starting the season as a reliever, the Kansas City left-hander was forced back into the rotation based on need and he has responded. Since June, after a pair of starts, Duffy has put up an ERA of just over 3.00 and opposing batters have just a .289 on-base percentage against him.

*Gallardo, Yovani - 9-4 (5-2 A)

Not close to the same pitcher he used to be with Milwaukee, with ERA so far this season approaching almost two runs higher than career average (5.37 vs. 3.73). The lost velocity is to blame and secondary pitches have less bite. For Baltimore to win AL East, Gallardo has to find some of his old magic.

Greinke, Zack - 10-5 (5-2 H)

After being on the shelf with oblique injury since late June, Greinke is close to returning for Arizona if no reoccurrence were to take place after a rehab start or two this month. After pathetic start to season, the D-Backs prized starter has cut ERA by 2 1/2 runs and is close to career norms in all major categories. Elite starter.

*Hamels, Cole - 12-6 (8-4 H)

Having typical Hamels season, with low numbers across the board. In bigger picture, underrated high level hurler who has not been getting acclaim after Phillies fall, but has been ace with Texas. As usual, left-handed batters have no chance with .176 batting average and .287 slugging percentage.

*Iwakuma, Hisashi - 12-5 (7-1 A)

Not having normal season for Seattle, with hits allowed much higher than usual for Iwakuma. However, has won four of five starts and the Mariners are 10-3 when the righty has toed the rubber since May 20. With Felix Hernandez back, this pair could lead Seattle charge to postseason.

Milone, Tom - 7-3 (4-1 A)

Milone starts for bad Minnesota club and is inconsistent as ever. Of his 74 hits allowed in only 59 2/3 innings, 11 have gone the yard. Maybe he can keep the ball down and spot his pitches better like previous August’s.

*Sanchez, Anibal - 9-3 (5-1 H)

With decreased velocity and no action on breaking pitches, Sanchez ERA has been six or higher almost all season. Not sure if he can respond this month, with opponents having BA over .300 and owning a WHIP of 1.64.

*Strasburg, Stephen - 13-3 (8-1 H)

Only July 21st, Strasburg suffered first loss of entire season after 13 consecutive wins. Though the fastball is no longer in upper 90's all the time, the breaking pitches disappear from batter's view and he's been exceptional. If Strasburg has true to form month, he will have real shot at 20 wins in 2016.

Teheran, Julio - 11-5 (7-2 H)

Suffered lat strain in late July and has been a victim of no run support from bad Braves club with 2.81 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and opposing batters at only .205 batting average. Note: Teheran’s record also represents his MLB career team start mark during the month of August.

Weaver, Jered - 12-5 (7-3 A)

Shell of his former self at 33. Never a hard thrower, Weaver's fastball only occasionally makes the upper 80's these days and his once dominating changeup is a pitch batter's wait on now with lack of variance of speed of pitches. Will blend good and really awful performances these days.

*Zimmermann, Jordan - 12-6 (8-3 H)

On July 24th had excellent rehab start and will be rejoining Detroit this month. After sensational start with Tigers, Zimmermann was tagged for at least five runs in four of his last five outings. Detroit needs the Zimmermann they had early in the season to have chance to catch Cleveland in AL Central.

BAD MONTH PITCHERS:

Gray, Sonny - 5-11 (0-7 A)

Given Gray's troubles this month, his woes of all season are very likely to continue. Gray simply has been more hittable the entire season, permitting those with bats to hit almost 50 points higher than normal batting average permitted of .233. Note: Gray’s record also represents his MLB career team start mark during the month of August.

*Hellickson, Jeremy - 4-11 (2-9 A)

Back of the rotation starter, Hellickson has largely performed better than expected for Philadelphia and as this article went live, he was rumored to be traded. His KW ratio is significantly higher at 4 to 1 compared to 3 to 1 for his career. Will he be able to maintain the rest of season?

Kazmir, Scott - 5-11 (1-7 A)

The Dodgers port-sider has 9-4 record, but his 4.41 ERA is still above career average of 3.98. Durability has been issue all season, with too many starts around five innings for what is supposed to be Los Angeles No. 2 or 3 starter.

Koehler, Tom - 4-13 (0-10 A)

Above average arm but always up or down and unless he pulls a Rich Hill, at 30 is not likely to change. An 8-8 record, 4.18 ERA and WHIP of 1.46, is about what we have come to expect from Mr. Koehler. Note: Koehler’s record also represents his MLB career team start mark during the month of August.

*Miley, Wade - 5-11 (1-6 A)

Overrated lefty who does not miss many bats and fails to come anywhere close to averaging punch-out an inning. Strictly an innings-eater and provides nothing more than 50-50 chance to win.

Miller, Shelby - 5-11 (2-8 H)

Demoted to Triple-A in July after disastrous campaign. Miller hopes to regain confidence and repair mechanics that are really out of whack and return to Arizona yet this season.

Samardzija, Jeff - 5-13 (3-8 H)

After appearing as the No.3 starter San Francisco wanted for two months, Smards has returned to same old serviceable pitcher of the past and seen his ERA climb from 2.84 to present 4.30 heading into this month.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB roundup: Tigers win eighth straight
By The Sports Xchange

DETROIT -- J.D. Martinez blasted a go-ahead, solo home run in his first at-bat since June 16, lifting the Detroit Tigers to their eighth consecutive victory, a 2-1 decision over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.
Martinez, who was activated from the 15-day disabled list earlier in the day, jumped on the first offering from White Sox ace Chris Sale in the eighth inning. The left-center-field blast was the second career pinch-hit home run by Martinez, who had been sidelined with a fractured right elbow.
Shane Greene (2-2) picked up the victory with 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, including two strikeouts. Francisco Rodriguez escaped a bases-loaded jam to notch his 30th save in his 900th career appearance. He is the 25th pitcher in major league history to have 900 appearances.

Cubs 5, Marlins 4
CHICAGO -- Matt Szczur scored on a wild pitch to cap a three-run ninth inning as Chicago rallied to a walk-off victory.
The Cubs trailed 4-2 entering the ninth but A.J. Ramos gave up a leadoff double to Miguel Montero, a single to Javier Baez and walked Szczur on five pitches to load the bases.
Dexter Fowler hit a sacrifice fly to right-center to score Montero. Ben Zobrist walked to bring home Baez and Ramos' two-out wild pitch sailed past Miami catcher Jeff Mathis and allowed Szczur to score the game-winner.

Orioles 3, Rangers 2
BALTIMORE -- Baltimore's Kevin Gausman outdueled Texas ace Cole Hamels, leading the Orioles to their third straight victory.
Gausman (3-8) allowed two runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts over seven innings. It was only his third win in 19 starts this season.
Matt Wieters had a pair of RBIs for the Orioles, who improved to 39-16 at Camden Yards -- the best home record in the majors. Zach Britton picked up his American League-leading 33rd save for Baltimore. Carlos Beltran hit his first homer for Texas since being traded from the Yankees on Monday.

Blue Jays 3, Astros 1
HOUSTON -- Marco Estrada pitched seven strong innings and Josh Donaldson slugged a pair of home runs as Toronto topped Houston.
Donaldson produced his ninth career multi-homer game and third this season with home runs in consecutive plate appearances. He belted his 26th and 27th homers on the year in support of Estrada (7-4), who allowed one run on four hits with seven strikeouts to pace the Blue Jays.
Jose Bautista homered just ahead of Donaldson in the sixth inning off Astros right-hander Collin McHugh (7-8). Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna set the side down in order in the ninth inning for his 23rd save.

Twins 13, Indians 5
CLEVELAND -- Minnesota continued its devastating attack on Cleveland pitching with a third consecutive rout. The Twins have won the first three contests of the four-game series, outscoring the Indians 35-16 and outhitting Cleveland 48-27.
Minnesota starter Tyler Duffey (6-8) gave up five runs and eight hits in six innings, but that was good enough to get the win.
Joe Mauer had his second four-hit game of the series and added four RBIs. In the series, Mauer is 10-for-15 with five doubles, a triple, a home run and six RBIs. Eddie Rosario added three hits and three RBIs for the Twins.

Rockies 12, Dodgers 2
DENVER -- Colorado took advantage of a Los Angeles pitching ploy and pounded the Dodgers. The win was the 11th in 13 games for the onrushing Rockies (54-53) and moved them above .500 for the first time since they were 20-19 on May 18.
Colorado walloped five home runs, including two by Carlos Gonzalez, who left the game after fouling a ball off his left ankle in the seventh inning. Four homers came against Dodgers call-up Brock Stewart, who departed after facing five batters in the four-run fifth inning that put the Rockies ahead 9-2.
Nolan Arenado, Mark Reynolds and DJ LeMahieu also went deep for the Rockies. Justin Turner homered for the Dodgers.

Nationals 8, Diamondbacks 3
PHOENIX -- Daniel Murphy and Trea Turner homered, and Max Scherzer earned his 12th win and contributed two RBIs.
Murphy broke a 1-1 tie with a bases-empty homer in the sixth inning, and Scherzer capped the three-run rally with a two-run single for a 4-1 lead.
Scherzer (12-6) pitched through bases-empty homers by Jake Lamb in the sixth inning and Yasmany Tomas in the seventh inning for his seventh consecutive quality start. He is 4-1 with a 1.46 ERA in seven starts since June 29.

Phillies 5, Giants 4 (12 innings)
PHILADELPHIA -- Maikel Franco, who tied the game with an eighth-inning, two-run single, singled home the winning run in the 12th for Philadelphia.
Ryan Howard and Cameron Rupp hit back-to-back homers in the seventh inning for the Phillies, who erased a 4-0 deficit to win for the fourth time in six games.
Buster Posey drove in three runs for San Francisco, which is a major-league-worst 4-13 since the All-Star break.

Yankees 9, Mets 5
NEW YORK -- Mark Teixeira hit a three-run homer in the second inning and nearly sparked a benches-clearing incident three innings later as the New York Yankees beat the New York Mets at Yankee Stadium.
Teixeira gave the Yankees the lead for good when he homered off Steven Matz (8-8) with two outs in the second. With one out in the fifth, the switch-hitting first baseman was hit on the left knee by Matz's first pitch.
Teixeira took exception to being hit and immediately began yelling and glaring at Matz. Teixeira tossed his shin guard in the air and walked toward first base while being restrained by Yankees third baseman Chase Headley and Mets catcher Rene Rivera. Both benches emptied but never got past the foul lines and relievers from both teams stood in front of the warning track in case things escalated further.

Rays 12, Royals 0
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- One day after being one-hit, Tampa Bay bounced back with 14 hits while holding Kansas City to two.
Jake Odorizzi (6-5) pitched his third straight scoreless start and the Rays got three-run homers from Steven Souza and Kevin Kiermaier as they came within one run of their season high for scoring.
Kansas City was ugly all around, matching season highs for errors (three) and walks (seven), including one with the bases loaded.

Padres 12, Brewers 3
SAN DIEGO -- Yangervis Solarte and rookie Jabari Blash homered to lead San Diego's 14-hit attack in the rubber match of a three-game series.
Padres starter Edwin Jackson retired the first 11 Brewers he faced and took a shutout into the eighth inning en route to his second win in four starts since being acquired by San Diego. Jackson also had an RBI double, stole the first base of his career and scored a run.
The Padres had seven extra-base hits and four steals in addition to the two homers while building an 11-0 lead before Milwaukee scored three in an eighth inning, capped by a two-run Ryan Braun homer to center.

Cardinals 5, Reds 4
CINCINNATI -- Stephen Piscotty homered, and Brandon Moss doubled twice and drove in two runs to lift St. Louis.
St. Louis starter Michael Wacha (7-7) allowed two runs and six hits in five innings. After blowing a two-run lead in the ninth inning Tuesday, the Cardinals' banged-up bullpen held off another Reds rally.
Cincinnati's Joey Votto extended his career-high hitting streak to 17 games with an RBI single. Rookie left-hander Cody Reed (0-6) took the loss.

Braves 8, Pirates 4
ATLANTA -- Atlanta spotted Pittsburgh four runs in the first inning before rallying to hand starter Rob Whalen a victory in his major league debut.
Whalen, who was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett and signed his major league contract only hours before the game, allowed four runs on four hits and four walks, with five strikeouts. He did not allow a hit after the second inning.
Atlanta's bullpen held the Pirates at bay. Ian Krol, Mauricio Cabrera, Chris Withrow and Jim Johnson each pitched a perfect inning of relief. The final 15 Pittsburgh batters were retired in order.

Mariners 3, Red Sox 1
SEATTLE -- Solo home runs from Nelson Cruz, Mike Zunino and Adam Lind helped Seattle end Boston starter Rick Porcello's six-start winning streak.
Cruz, Zunino and Lind homered in the third, sixth and seventh innings, respectively, while Seattle starter Hisashi Iwakuma threw 7 1/3 shutout innings.
New Mariners closer Edwin Diaz earned his second consecutive save despite a shaky ninth inning that included a single, a hit batter and a wild pitch as the Red Sox scored their run. Diaz got Travis Shaw and Sandy Leon to ground out to end the game.

Angels 8, A's 6
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Albert Pujols' two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth lifted the Los Angeles Angels to an 8-6 win over the Oakland A's on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium.
Pujols unloaded on a 3-1 pitch from Ryan Dull with Mike Trout on first base, ending the game a half-inning after Los Angeles reliever Cam Bedrosian blew a 6-5 lead.
Trout and Pujols each had three hits, and Andrelton Simmons two for the Angels. Yonder Alonso, Billy Butler, Crisp, Vogt and Healy had two hits apiece for Oakland.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins (43-64) at Indians (60-45)

Game: 4
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: August 04, 2016 12:10 PM EDT

CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins will meet Thursday afternoon at Progressive Field in the final game of their four-game series. Based on what has happened in the first three games, the fact that there is one more game left in the series is good news for Minnesota and bad news for Cleveland.

Minnesota has reached double figures in runs in each of the first three games and put a frightful pounding on Cleveland's vaunted starting rotation.

In the first three games, Minnesota has outscored the Indians 35-16 and outhit Cleveland 48-27.

"We've gotten it going offensively. You've got to enjoy these things whenever they come along," Twins manager Paul Molitor said.

Indians manager Terry Francona said, "They've done it to us three days in a row. They've had their way with us and it's not a fluke. They've beat us around."

In the past three games, Indians starting pitchers Danny Salazar, Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer combined for a 22.68 ERA, as they allowed 21 earned runs and 23 hits in 8 1/3 innings.

As if getting blown out in three consecutive games wasn't bad enough, the Indians, if they don't turn it around soon, are in danger of falling out of first place in the American League Central for the first time in two months.

Cleveland, which has been alone in first place since June 4, has lost seven of its last 11 games, and that has coincided with an eight-game winning streak by second-place Detroit. The Indians led the division by as many as 7 1/2 games on July 20, but their lead over the Tigers is now down to two games.

"You've got to play through the tough times because they are inevitable. They happen to everyone," Francona said. "But I' confident we'll bounce back."

To do so, the Indians will have to rely on rookie right-hander Mike Clevinger, who will be recalled from Triple-A Columbus and start Thursday. Clevinger is taking Danny Salazar's spot in the rotation. Salazar was placed on the disabled list Tuesday with an inflammed right elbow.

Clevinger was 11-1 with a 3.00 ERA at Columbus. He was up with the Indians earlier this season and appeared in four games, three of them starts. In those four appearances, he was 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA. He is considered one of the top pitching prospects in the organization, and the Indians could use a boost. Cleveland's starting pitcher has lasted fewer than four innings in all three games of the Minnesota series.

After Wednesday's game, the Indians optioned pitchers Shawn Armstrong and Cody Anderson to Columbus. They will recall two pitchers on Thursday, one of whom will be Clevinger.

The Twins have quietly become one of the hotter teams in the American League. They've won four games in a row, six of their last seven games, and in their last 25 games they are 16-9.

In Thursday's game, the Twins will start left-hander Hector Santiago, who will be making his Twins debut, after being acquired earlier in the week in a trade with the Angels. As a member of the Angels, Santiago faced Cleveland on June 10 and gave up six runs and seven hits in 1 1/3 innings.

In 22 starts overall this year, Santiago is 10-4 with a 4.25 ERA. In seven career starts against the Indians, he is 2-2 with a 5.94 ERA.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Royals (51-56) at Rays (43-63)

Game: 4
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: August 04, 2016 12:10 PM EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The resurgence of Rays starter Jake Odorizzi, now with three straight scoreless starts, is a reminder of the strong starting pitching Tampa Bay was supposed to have this season, though it's frustrating those starts were seldom found in the previous two months.

"Obviously we'd all like to be like this from the start of the season to the end," Odorizzi said. "It's nice to be on it now, and you just keep plugging away and I knew things would get better. You just have to stay the course."

Odorizzi hasn't given up a run in his last 20 2/3 innings, four short of the team record for a starting pitcher. His turnaround is what the Rays need from the rest of their rotation such as Thursday starter Drew Smyly, who goes into the series finale against the Kansas City Royals with a 3-11 record and a 5.29 ERA.

His last start, however, was what the Rays are looking for -- six innings, four hits and two runs in a victory over the Yankees. To continue where Odorizzi left off, he'll have to be nothing like the pitcher the Royals saw May 31.

In that start, Smyly lasted only four innings -- matching his shortest outing of the year -- and gave up a season-high 12 hits while tying his high with eight runs in a 10-5 loss.

Inconsistency is something the Royals pitchers know well.

Thursday starter Ian Kennedy is 6-9 with a 4.23 ERA. His last outing against the Rays, moreover, is something you'd want to repeat, holding Tampa Bay to one run (unearned) on three hits in six innings. In 11 starts since, he's given up at least one earned run in every start.

Royals manager Ned Yost has tried nearly anything to solve his pitchers' problems. Knowing that Wednesday starter Edinson Volquez had struggled in the first inning, Yost had pitching coach Dave Eiland warm Volquez up before the game, but stop early, sitting him down for a moment. He then got him back up for the rest of warmups, thinking the pronounced break would seem like a first inning to his mechanics and bypass his early issues.

"The four-run first did us in," Yost said, pleased that Volquez held the Rays to two runs in the next five innings before his bullpen imploded. "If we eliminate the first inning, we're right in the game."

The Royals had beaten the Rays in 12 of 13 previous meetings, so a loss Thursday and a season split will be disappointing for a team still just five games below .500 but bearing little resemblance to last year's championship team.

Fixing those problems will start in the first inning, where Royals pitchers have a 6.48 ERA, the worst in the majors. The Rays hit for the cycle in their first seven at-bats Wednesday -- double, single, home run, triple -- so nearly anything from Kennedy will be a step in the right direction.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals (57-50) at Reds (43-63)

Game: 3
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: August 04, 2016 12:35 PM EDT

CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Reds are in the midst of a rebuilding process centered around their young pitching. On Thursday, they'll face St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Mike Leake, who was an integral part of the Reds' future when he was selected eighth overall by them in the 2009 draft.

Leake, whom the Reds traded to the San Francisco Giants at the non-waiver deadline last July, was signed by the Cardinals as a free-agent in December. He's 8-8 with a 4.50 ERA in 21 starts this season for St. Louis. He'll be making his second career start against Cincinnati.

Throughout his career, Leake has been an innings-eater who's able to limit his walks and be pitch-efficient without relying on strikeouts. His first season in a Cardinals uniform has been no different.

Coming into Thursday's start at Great American Ball Park, Leake has not walked a batter in a career-high 30 straight innings, the longest active streak in the major leagues and second-longest this season.

Despite his outstanding control, Leake has given up his share of runs this season. He allowed six runs and seven hits in five innings in his last start. In his only other meeting against the Reds, the 28-year old San Diego native allowed six runs and 10 hits while escaping with a no-decision in a 7-6 walk-off Cincinnati win June 7 at Great American Ball Park, where he has 34 victories.

Cincinnati's starter in Thursday's finale of a three-game series is left-hander Brandon Finnegan, whom the Reds got from the Kansas City Royals last July in the Johnny Cueto trade.

Finnegan has been a victim of tough luck this season, but not in his last start Friday when he tossed six shutout innings in a 6-0 win at San Diego.

He has 10 quality starts but three times was the victim of a blown save and was the Reds' starter on April 21 when the Cubs' Jake Arrieta tossed a no-hitter at Great American Ball Park. Finnegan suffered a 1-0 loss on May 23 at Dodger Stadium.

The Reds hope to have shortstop Zack Cozart back in the lineup Thursday after he missed two starts with a bruised right ring finger.

"He did make great improvements from last night," Reds manager Bryan Price said Wednesday. "but this gives him a chance to go through more treatment and be in there tomorrow."

Cincinnati won Tuesday's opener on Scott Schebler's three-run, walk-off home run. The Cardinals rebounded with a 5-4 victory Wednesday behind a pair of doubles and two RBIs by Brandon Moss, Stephen Piscotty's homer and solid relief work.

The Cardinals come into Thursday's rubber game having won 18 of the past 22 series against the Reds. In the last 11 series at Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati has won only three.

"We've got talent out there," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. "Some days it's just easier than others for whatever reason. It's never easy. Some days it's hard to get anything to go your way."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants (61-46) at Phillies (50-59)

Game: 3
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: August 04, 2016 1:05 PM EDT

PHILADELPHIA -- Left-hander Matt Moore, one of the more noteworthy acquisitions at Monday's non-waiver trade deadline, makes his first start for the San Francisco Giants when they attempt to salvage the finale of a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday afternoon.

The 27-year-old Moore, who will be opposed by Vince Velasquez (8-3, 3.32 ERA), was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for third baseman Matt Duffy and two minor leaguers, shortstop Lucius Fox and right-handed pitcher Michael Santos.

"It's hard to keep a smile off my face when I think about the things to come and being part of this group," Moore told reporters Tuesday, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Moore, 7-7 with a 4.08 ERA in 21 starts for the Rays this season, was an All-Star in 2013, when he went 17-4 with a 3.29 ERA. He underwent Tommy John surgery the following season, and in 2015 compiled a 3-4 record, with a 5.43 ERA.

He has begun to regain his form of late, going 4-2 with a 1.99 ERA in his last six outings with Tampa Bay.

"(Tampa Bay) is where I was raised but I've been watching what's been going on here for a while and I'm very grateful to be a part of it," Moore said, according to CSNBayArea.com. "It's quite a turnaround from where we were in Tampa, in bad shape. To be here in first place is a pretty cool feeling."

The Phillies reportedly discussed trading Velasquez to the Texas Rangers before Monday's deadline, but ultimately held on to the 24-year-old right-hander, who was acquired from the Astros in December in the deal that sent reliever Ken Giles to Houston.

Velasquez was charged with a 2-1 loss to Atlanta his last time out after allowing two runs in six innings. He is 3-1 with a 2.75 ERA in six starts since a stint on the disabled list in June with a right biceps strain, and has never faced the Giants.

The Phillies used a five-run eighth inning to beat San Francisco 13-8 in the series opener and erased a 4-0 deficit to win 5-4 in 12 innings Wednesday.

San Francisco had six hits and scored all their runs in the first three innings against emergency starter Phil Klein, then added two more hits in the fourth. They managed only two hits in nine scoreless innings against Klein and six relievers thereafter.

Klein, recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley when Wednesday's announced starter, Aaron Nola, went on the disabled list with a strained right elbow, began a stretch that saw Phillies pitchers retire 19 straight hitters between the fourth and 10th.

"That's the difference in the game -- we couldn't tack on," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "We couldn't do anything with their bullpen. We couldn't get anybody on. Four runs in this ballpark, anything can happen. ... Their pen shut us down completely."

San Francisco is a major league-worst 4-13 since the All-Star break.

"It's hard to believe," starting pitcher Johnny Cueto said through an interpreter. "We're a good team. The only thing we can do is keep grinding and keep putting our best effort out there, every time we go out."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox (51-56) at Tigers (59-48)

Game: 3
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: August 04, 2016 1:10 PM EDT

DETROIT -- Jordan Zimmermann can stop watching his streaking team and start contributing again.
The red-hot Detroit Tigers will get even stronger with the return of one of the top pitchers on Thursday.
Zimmermann will make his first start since June 30 when he takes the mound for the finale of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox. Zimmermann, who is 9-4 with a 3.95 ERA, has been sidelined with a right neck strain.
"It was miserable," he said of his time on the 15-day disabled list. "The only time I've been out prior to this was when I had Tommy John (in 2009). It's not something I ever want to do again, but it's baseball and injuries do happen. It can happen on any pitch. I'm glad it was just a month and nothing major that led to surgery."
Zimmermann didn't feel particularly sharp during two rehab starts with Triple-A Toledo but still gave up just one run in eight innings. He also threw two bullpen sessions in recent days. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus believes Zimmermann can throw approximately 90 pitches in his return.
"I faced a few live hitters down in Triple-A, but it's not like the hitters up here," Zimmermann said. "You have that in the back of your mind -- how are you going to feel when you get out there? But there's going to be a lot of adrenaline and I'll be ready."
Detroit right fielder J.D. Martinez was certainly ready when he returned from the DL on Wednesday. Martinez blasted a go-ahead solo homer in a pinch-hitting appearance to give the Tigers a 2-1 victory, their eighth straight.
He's expected to be back in the lineup on Thursday.
"You don't get many moments like that during the course of a season," Ausmus said of Martinez's eighth-inning homer off White Sox ace Chris Sale. "It was really almost perfect. I guess the only way it would have been more perfect is if it was the bottom of the ninth."
Martinez fractured his right elbow crashing into a wall in Kansas City on June 16. He didn't have a home run in eight rehab games at Triple-A Toledo but ripped one on the first pitch he saw in his major-league return.
"At that point, your adrenaline takes over," he said.
The fading White Sox got more bad news on Wednesday when center fielder Charlie Tilson was diagnosed with a torn left hamstring. He will undergo season-ending surgery on Thursday.
Tilson was injured during his major-league debut chasing after a Miguel Cabrera double on Tuesday. He's the fourth White Sox player to suffer an injury this season just before or during his team debut.
"He gets called up, gets a hit in his first at-bat and after that, it all gets taken away from you for a while," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "It's definitely odd, I'll say that. I wouldn't call it a curse, but I feel bad for all of them."
Tilson's injury opens the door for Avisail Garcia to revive his stalled career. Garcia hit two home runs against his former club, the Tigers, on Tuesday. He was 0-for-2 on Wednesday but was hit by a pitch and also drew a walk.
"His last week is probably the best I've seen him since we got him," Ventura said of Garcia, who was acquired in the summer of 2013. "He's starting to figure out some things as far as elevating the ball and swinging the bat."
Left-hander Jose Quintana will oppose Zimmermann. Quintana is 3-0 with a 1.95 ERA in his last five starts, including 6 2/3 shutout innings against Detroit.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Athletics (47-60) at Angels (49-58)

Game: 3
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: August 04, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Ricky Nolasco will make his Angels debut Thursday against the Oakland A's, three days after coming to Los Angeles in a trade from the Minnesota Twins.

Nolasco, who was born in nearby Corona, Calif., was happy to learn he was heading back home to pitch.

"I'm just excited to be back in California and doing what I can to help the Angels win as many games as possible," Nolasco told the Orange County Register.

Nolasco, though, was not the reason the Angels traded their top pitcher this season -- Hector Santiago -- to the Twins. Alex Meyer, a hard-throwing, 6-foot-9 right-hander, was the key to the deal. Meyer, however, has yet to reach his lofty potential and was sent by the Angels to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Nolasco was more of a salary dump, though the Twins are picking up a portion of his salary. He is making a guaranteed $12 million this year and will receive $12 million next year.

After winning 13 games combined playing for the Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013, Nolasco signed a four-year, $49 million contract with the Twins, but he was a bust. In 2 1/2 years with the Twins, Nolasco went 15-22 with a 5.44 ERA in 57 games (56 starts). He was 4-8 with a 5.13 ERA in 21 starts this year.

Nolasco, though, isn't discouraged.

"I understand what happened there," he said. "I feel I pitched better than the numbers say."

Likewise, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said he believes the 33-year-old right-hander still has some good games left in him.

"When we've seen him up close, he's always been tough on us," Scioscia said. "He spins the ball very well, and he has a fastball that has movement on it. Hopefully he can put pitches together and get another pitch or try and adapt a little bit and find some consistency. But his stuff is good."

In four career starts against the A's, Nolasco is 2-1 with a 3.33 ERA.

Nolasco will be opposed Thursday starter by Oakland right-hander Jesse Hahn, who will be called up from Triple-A Nashville for the fourth time this season.

Hahn went 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in his first stint with the A's, 1-3 with an 8.34 ERA in his second stint, then 0-0 with a 1.17 ERA in his third stint. In eight starts overall, he is 2-4 with a 5.53 ERA.

Against the Angels on Thursday, Hahn will have the benefit of pitching under the sun. He is 2-1 with a 2.77 ERA in four daytime starts this year, as opposed to 1-3 with an 9.92 ERA in four nighttime starts. Thursday's game sort of falls in the middle, scheduled to start at 4:05 p.m. PDT.

Hahn also can lean on his two career starts against the Angels, both coming last year, when he went 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA.

Though Hahn has not been a mainstay in the A's rotation this season, he has accomplished one major goal -- staying healthy. He missed time last year with a strained forearm, which caused some concern.

"The main objective is just to be healthy," Hahn told the San Francisco Chronicle back in spring training. "I got my base a little stronger, and I'm hoping to incorporate my legs more."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers (62-46) at Orioles (61-45)

Game: 3
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: August 04, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles will look to complete a three-game sweep of the Texas Rangers in a battle of first-place teams on Thursday.
The Orioles won the opener 5-1 with the help of four solo homers and a masterful performance by starter Dylan Bundy. Kevin Gausman then outdueled Texas ace Cole Hamels, leading the Orioles to a 3-2 victory the following night.
Wade Miley (7-8, 4.98 ERA), acquired from the Seattle Mariners on Aug. 1, will make his Orioles debut and try to keep the momentum going in the series finale.
"We're playing some good teams," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "If you look at our schedule, it's a top-rated schedule the rest of the way. You know what? Our guys are pretty good, too. They enjoy the competition. They don't shirk from it. They like people telling them they shouldn't be able to do it. They like proving people wrong. They've done that for quite a while."
Wiley is expected to give the Orioles an immediate boost as the only left-hander in the rotation and his ability to throw deep into games -- an area where Baltimore has struggled all season. Left-handers are also batting just .239 against him this season.
"We needed a left-handed pitcher to complement our rotation, and Wade's a workhorse," Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said. "He's pitched in the American League effectively. He's got all the qualities to help our club, and not just for this year, for next year. We've liked his skills for a while, going back to the first winter meetings. We tried to acquire him in a trade with Arizona. And he had a terrific year."
The Rangers will look to avoid the sweep with right-hander A.J. Griffin (4-1, 3.99 ERA), who is beginning to regain his form after an earlier stint on the disabled list with right shoulder stiffness. Griffin picked up his first win since April 26 in his last outing against the Kansas City Royals. He gave up two runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Griffin joined Hamels as the only Rangers starter to post a win in July. Griffin hopes to play a key role in the first-place Rangers' stretch run toward the playoffs.
"You can't take this job for granted," Griffin told the Fort Worth Star Telegram after the game. "There's someone always trying to take your job from you. To be part of something that's great like we have here in Texas right now, you're scratching and clawing to stay around."
The Rangers boosted their lineup with the addition of Carlos Beltran and Jonathan Lucroy at the trade deadline. Their lineup, however, has been mostly contained by Orioles pitching. Manager Jeff Banister is hopeful that will change in the final regular-season game between the teams.
"This is a quality lineup, they're going to hit and put runs up on the board," Banister said of the Orioles. "You have to pitch to go out and pitch your best game.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets (55-52) at Yankees (54-53)

Game: 4
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: August 04, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

NEW YORK -- On Wednesday, the New York Mets had Yoenis Cespedes hitting ahead of Jay Bruce.
Their two biggest bats were positioned in the lineup hoping to spark an offense that has struggled in many facets, including situational hitting.
Now the Mets will have to wait to see it again as Cespedes will be going on the disabled list with a strained right quadriceps on Thursday when they conclude the "Subway Series" against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
Cespedes did not start the previous three games with the injury he initially sustained July 8. He missed two games before the All-Star break and the first two of the second half.
Then the injury recurred Saturday and he did not appear again until getting a pinch-single Tuesday. Cespedes told manager Terry Collins he was feeling fine after Tuesday's game and again Wednesday over lunch, which followed a round of golf for the outfielder.
He was the designated hitter Wednesday when he went 1-for-5. The Mets planned on using him there through Sunday before hoping to return him to the outfield next week.
Instead, Cespedes was reinjured on his penultimate swing of the ninth inning when he struck out swinging.
Cespedes' DL stint, which will start three days after Bruce was obtained, became the latest injury for the Mets, who have lost 14 of their last 22 games and are 8 1/2 games out of first place.
"It's pretty frustrating," Collins said. "We've had to battle through a lot of things. We've been inconsistent on both sides of the ball. We've go out and will get a real good pitching performance and the next night we'll give up four or five.
"And one night we'll hit four homers and the next night we leave the bases loaded. It's pretty frustrating, but it's the game and we've got to fight through it."
Now the Mets will be counting on Bruce to do better than his two 0-for-4 nights and wait at least two weeks to use him and Cespedes together.
"I think the move we made the other day, even though Jay's gotten off to a rough start in two games, but I think it should tell our players, 'Hey, look. We're in this,'" Collins said. "Teams that are out of it, they don't make those kind of moves. So I think it's a real positive move for us and I think, hopefully, as we kinda smooth things out after tomorrow night, we'll start to see some effects from it."
The Mets have struggled to smooth many things out recently despite having a winning record since April 22.
Since finishing April at 15-7, they are 40-45 overall. The last time the Mets seemed headed for a run that resembled anything from the last two months of 2015 was June 30-July 7 when they won seven of eight to get to 47-38 and three games out of first place.
Situational hitting has plagued the Mets all year and Wednesday was not any different. They took a 2-0 lead on four hits in the first inning and a 3-2 lead in the second but also bounced into three double plays and went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
Lack of consistency led the Yankees to trade off four players from July 25 to Aug. 1 and return home with talk of integrating prospects. The tipping point toward selling was a three-game sweep in Tampa Bay over the weekend, but the Yankees have responded by taking two of the first three.
The Yankees have scored 15 runs in their last two wins and Wednesday's game was highlighted by Mark Teixeira's three-run homer and his reactions to being hit in the left knee by Steven Matz and being accused of stealing signs in the seventh by reliever Hansel Robles.
"Tonight was one of those nights where everybody was having a good time," Teixeira said. "We were having some laughs. We got a little fired up for a little bit, but it was a good win."
Bartolo Colon, who won eight games for the Yankees in 2011, will start for the Mets and this time will pitch on regular rest. After throwing 87 pitches on July 26 against the St. Louis Cardinals, Colon allowed five runs and seven hits in five innings on three days' rest in a 7-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Saturday.
Colon is 5-7 with a 5.98 ERA in 18 appearances against the Yankees but has never faced a rebuilding edition of New York.
Nathan Eovaldi is 9-7 with a 4.78 ERA and like so many other Yankees consistency has been difficult at times for the hard-throwing right-hander. This season, Eovaldi has won six straight starts and also gone winless in six consecutive outings.
It was the winless skid that temporarily sent him to the bullpen before the All-Star break. Since returning, Eovaldi is 2-1 with a 2.79 ERA in four appearances.
Eovaldi is 1-3 with a 4.98 ERA in eight starts against the Mets.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates (53-52) at Braves (38-69)

Game: 3
Venue: Turner Field
Date: August 04, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

ATLANTA -- Don't expect to see Andrew McCutchen on Thursday when the Pittsburgh Pirates make the final appearance at Turner Field. He won't be playing.

Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle, looking for anything that might get the center fielder's bat in gear, decided to bench him for the three-game series against the Braves.

Why not give it try, since nothing else has worked, Hurdle said.

"Let's try this because we have tried just about everything else," Hurdle said.

The final contest of the three-game series features Atlanta rookie right-hander Tyrell Jenkins (1-2, 4.91) against veteran right-hander Ryan Vogelsong (1-1, 3.74), who is making his first start since getting hit in the face by a pitch May 23.

The two teams have split the first two games of the series. Pittsburgh is 4-2 against Atlanta this year.

McCutchen has suffered through a very atypical season. The veteran is batting .241 -- 52 points below his career average -- with 15 home runs and 43 RBIs. It is unlikely he will be able to extend his streak of five straight years with at least 80 RBIs. If the Pirates have any hopes staying in the picture for the wild card spot, they need McCutchen to return to form.

"The man has tried everything," Hurdle said. "At this point we're asking him to step away, hit the pause button and get away from it for three games."

McCutchen is 1-for-12 with one RBI on the six-game road trip.

McCutchen hesitantly agreed to give Hurdle's plan a try, although he didn't necessarily agree with the ploy.

"I wouldn't be taking days off," McCutchen said. "Not something I prefer for myself. They seem to think so. We'll see."

The pitching matchup offers quite a contrast with Jenkins, 24, making his fourth career start against Vogelsong, 39, trying to extend his career.

Jenkins picked up his first major league win in his last start against the Phillies, going six innings and allowed only an unearned run. Jenkins has allowed two runs or fewer in three of his four starts. Jenkins, the 2015 Minor League Pitcher of the Year for the Atlanta organization, has never faced Pittsburgh.

In four rehab starts since he was struck in the left eye, Vogelsong was 1-2 with a 2.86 ERA. He will be making his third start of the season and first against Atlanta. Vogelsong is 2-3 with a 5.08 ERA in eight career appearances (five starts) against the Braves.

The Pirates may need to make a decision on catcher Franciso Cervelli, who was hit in the head by a pitch Tuesday and was being monitored for a concussion. If Cervelli needs to go on the concussion disabled list, he would be replaced by Elias Diaz, who was brought to Atlanta in case he was needed. The Pirates are likely to make a decision before Thursday's game.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jays (61-47) at Astros (56-51)

Game: 4
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: August 04, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

HOUSTON -- After earning at worst a series split with a 3-1 victory Wednesday night, the Toronto Blue Jays enter the series finale against the Houston Astros almost as concerned with the start they'll get the following day.

Left-hander J.A. Happ (14-3, 3.16 ERA) starts the series finale for the Blue Jays (61-47). Happ is 3-1 with a 3.50 ERA in six starts against the Astros, for whom he went 18-28 with a 4.84 ERA over parts of three seasons following his trade from the Phillies on July 29, 2010.

Left-hander Francisco Liriano (6-11, 5.46 ERA) follows Happ in the rotation, making his first start with the Blue Jays on Friday night in Kansas City against the Royals. Liriano and two prospects joined the organization Monday following a trade deadline deal with the Pirates.

Liriano has scuffled this season as he led the majors with 69 walks prior to the trade. But the Blue Jays are confident that Liriano can be reborn, in part because he will be reunited with former Pirates catcher Russell Martin.

"I think you just need to watch him and let him go out and pitch before you jump the gun," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "He's back with Russ. Let him pitch. There's nothing worse than trying to pinpoint something in someone's mind before you see him.

"He may go out there and shine like there's nothing to it."

Right-hander Mike Fiers (7-4, 4.42 ERA) starts the series finale for the Astros. Fiers has appeared in just two games (one start) against the Blue Jays in his career, going 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA over eight innings. Once in the precarious position of losing his spot in the rotation, Fiers has rebounded to go 1-0 with a 2.03 ERA over his last two starts.

Like the Blue Jays, the Astros (56-51) have one eye on their weekend rotation. With right-hander Lance McCullers landing on the 15-day disabled list with a mild elbow sprain, rookie right-hander Joe Musgrove makes his first career start against the Rangers on Sunday.

Musgrove excelled in his major league debut on Tuesday night, pitching 4 1/3 scoreless innings of relief with eight strikeouts, matching the major league record for strikeouts in relief in a major league debut. Musgrove arrived from Triple-A Fresno on Sunday poised to start in place of right-hander Doug Fister (paternity list) on Monday night.

Instead, opportunity knocked one day later and Musgrove validated the trust the organization showed with his promotion.

"We thought he could handle it which is why we were going to give him an opportunity if Fister was gone," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "We really like this guy. He's got a lot of charisma; he's got a lot of polish to him. Even to be able to come in and warm up in front of a full crowd and both teams waiting and the umpire sort of pushing the action, it's not easy. His maturity came through with rave reviews.

"He made some really good hitters look uncomfortable and I think that's a good sign. He's going to have a big test with his first start against the Rangers but I think the way he's handled this season, the way he's matured over the year is why we gave him the opportunity on the front end."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Dodgers (59-48) at Rockies (54-53)

Game: 3
Venue: Coors Field
Date: August 04, 2016 8:40 PM EDT

DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies, asserting themselves in the National League wild-card scramble, will try to complete a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday.

Victories in the first two games of the series nudged Colorado over .500 for the first time since they were 20-19 on May 18.

The Rockies (54-53) have won 11 of their past 13 games and are a major-league-best 14-5 since the All-Star break. They are tied for fifth in the battle for two NL wild cards, but they sit just three games out of the final playoff position.

"That's where the fun starts, this time of year when you get to watch the scoreboard and you're paying attention to the other games and there's that focus, that emphasis on your game to win every night," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "That's fun. It's a lot easier showing up to the ballpark under those circumstances."

Starting pitching is at the root of the Rockies' surge. Colorado starters are 10-0 with a 2.00 ERA in the past 13 games.

Tyler Chatwood, who is 10-6 with a 3.50 ERA in 19 starts, will take the mound Thursday, seeking to win his third consecutive start while reducing his walks in the process.

The right-hander allowed one hit in five scoreless innings but walked eight in a 7-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on July 24. In his most recent outing, at New York on Friday, Chatwood held the Mets to three hits and one run in seven innings with four walks. He emerged with a 6-1 victory.

"You want to cut down on walks and not give free passes," Chatwood said, "but I think overall what really matters is if your team wins the game or not. And we've been able to do that. I think my command is where I need it to be -- maybe try to stay through the ball a little longer."

Chatwood is 6-0 with a 1.30 ERA on the road, 4-6 with a 5.69 ERA at home.

Kenta Maeda, who is 9-7 with a 3.23 ERA, is 6-2 with a 3.29 ERA in road starts. In his Coors Field debut April 23, Maeda allowed three hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings. The right-hander walked one, struck out eight and won 4-1. He faced the Rockies on June 8 at Dodger Stadium and allowed one run and five hits in 6 2/3 innings, taking a 1-0 loss.

The Dodgers, who are 5-5 in their past 10 games with losses in three of the past five, desperately need Maeda to give them innings after starters Brandon McCarthy and Brock Stewart pitched a combined seven innings in the first two games of the series.

Stewart, who was supposed to start Wednesday night for Triple-A Oklahoma City at nearby Colorado Springs, instead was called up to pitch at Coors Field so Maeda and lefty Scott Kazmir could each have an extra day of rest.

The Dodgers, who are two games behind the slumping San Francisco Giants in the NL West and clinging to the first wild-card spot, are looking to solidify a rotation that has clouds looming above it in the form of Rich Hill's blister, Bud Norris' lat muscle, Clayton Kershaw's back and McCarthy's road back from Tommy John surgery.

Asked about overcoming the issues and injuries that have caused problems with the rotation, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, "We've done it up to this point, but you do have to get innings from your starting pitching.

"It's not some new formula. You can weather and combat adversity as much as possible, and our group has done a great job of that, but you're as good as your next starter. No excuses. We've still got to find ways to win games."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Sox (58-48) at Mariners (54-52)

Game: 4
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: August 04, 2016 10:10 PM EDT

SEATTLE -- The Seattle Mariners tried their best to debunk the notion that they'd given up on the 2016 season by trading veteran pitchers Wade Miley, Joaquin Benoit and Mike Montgomery late last month, but it was hard to evaluate the moves as anything less than a fire sale.

On Thursday, Seattle will get its first look at a return investment when left-handed rookie Ariel Miranda makes his Mariners debut in the series finale against the Boston Red Sox.

"You're going off scouting reports and hoping he throws strikes," Seattle manager Scott Servais said. "That's my biggest thing."

Coincidentally, Miranda's only other big-league action also came at Safeco Field, where he threw two innings of relief for the Baltimore Orioles in a July 3 game against the Mariners. He hasn't necessarily been inserted into Seattle's rotation for the remainder of the season -- the return of right-hander Taijuan Walker from the disabled list this season could render this a spot start -- but Miranda could make a case for himself with a good outing Thursday.

Boston has its own up-and-coming prospect under the crosshairs in left fielder Andrew Benintendi, who made his first start Wednesday night and received a standing ovation from the Pacific Northwest Red Sox fans when he collected his first career hit in the third inning.

Benintendi, who was called up late Monday night, probably won't be in the lineup Thursday because he's platooning with right-handed-hitting Bryce Brentz in left field. But he has become an instant fan favorite because of his potential and quick rise through the Red Sox minor-league system.

Benintendi had about a dozen friends and family members at Wednesday's game in Seattle.

"Some of them flew in (Wednesday) morning and are flying out (after the game)," Benintendi said. "I've had that kind of support system my entire life."

The Red Sox (58-48) are hoping Benintdendi's bat can add some pop to an offense that has struggled for much of the current road trip.

"On this West Coast trip, the offense has been a premium to come by," manager John Farrell said after Wednesday's 3-1 loss to Seattle.

Boston is likely to play Thursday's game without first baseman Hanley Ramirez, who hurt his wrist in a dugout fall late Tuesday night and was wearing a brace Tuesday.

After the loss to Seattle, Hernandez said he was hoping to get back on the field as soon as possible. Farrell said Ramirez was likely to miss the Seattle series and possible part, if not all, of the upcoming series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Thursday is also likely to mark the final time retiring Red Sox star David Ortiz plays in Seattle. The Mariners honored him before Wednesday's game with a short ceremony that included Seattle hitting coach Edgar Martinez and a playful presentation by Mariners stars Nelson Cruz, Robinson Cruz and Felix Hernandez, who dressed in costume.

"That was good, very special," Ortiz said. "My boys doing their thing, bringing their bling out."

Left-hander Drew Pomeranz (0-2, 7.53 ERA) is scheduled to make his fourth start since being traded from San Diego for the Red Sox.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Thursday, August 4, 2016, Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews

Sportbooks have released from updated NL Rookie of the Year odds on Tuesday, and Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager was a slight favorite over Rockies shortstop Trevor Story. Well, that's not going to be a race any longer. That's because Story's storybook season is over. He injured his thumb on Saturday sliding into second base against the Mets and then landed on the same thumb when diving for a ground ball. Original X-rays were negative, but MRI results showed a torn ulnar collateral ligament. He will have surgery this week. Quite a shame as Story was on pace to have one of the great rookie seasons for a shortstop in MLB history, hitting .272 with 27 homers (already an NL mark for a rookie shortstop and three shy of Nomar Garciaparra's MLB record) and 72 RBIs. Story actually didn't rule out returning for the postseason, but you can rule out the Rockies making the playoffs. Walt Weiss will use a committee to replace Story.


Twins at Indians (-150, 9)

First pitch of the day at 12:10 p.m. ET and on the MLB Network. This will be the Minnesota debut of lefty Hector Santiago as he was dealt Monday from the Angels in a minor surprise. The Twins gave up free-agent bust pitcher Ricky Nolasco (no loss there) and pitching prospect Alex Meyer. Santiago is 10-4 with a 4.25 ERA in 22 starts this season but leads the AL in walks with 57 in 120 innings. The Angels had won his past seven starts, and he allowed two runs or fewer in five of them. Santiago lost to the Indians on June 10, allowing six runs and seven hits in just 1.1 innings. Jason Kipnis is 6-for-18 off him with three RBIs. Mike Napoli is 3-for-13 with a homer and eight walks. The Tribe go with Mike Clevinger (0-1, 7.71), who has made four big-league appearances in this his rookie season and three starts. He's essentially taking the rotation spot of Danny Salazar, whose MRI came up clean on Tuesday but who still will miss 2-3 weeks. Clevenger is 11-1 with a 3.00 ERA in Triple-A this year. He hasn't faced the Twins.

Key trend: The Twins are 2-5 in their past seven on Thursday. The Indians are 8-1 in their past nine at home vs. a lefty. The "over/under" is 4-1-2 in the Tribe's past seven on Thursday.

Early lean: Twins and over.

Rangers at Orioles (-128, 9)

While the Rangers were the biggest winners on Monday in terms of trades in landing Jonathan Lucroy and Carlos Beltran, I'm stunned the Orioles didn't add a starting pitcher of better caliber than Wade Miley, who was traded from Seattle on Sunday. All the O's did Monday was acquire utility guy Steve Pearce, a former Oriole, from Tampa Bay. The O's do go with the lefty Miley (7-8, 4.98) here. He was very good in his final Seattle start, allowing one run and one hit with nine strikeouts over seven innings at the Cubs. Miley is 0-2 with a 7.41 ERA in three starts this year against Texas. Elvis Andrus is 5-for-15 off him with three doubles. Adrian Beltre is 4-for-15 with a homer. The Rangers go with A.J. Griffin (4-1, 3.99). He got his first win since April 26 last time out, allowing two runs and three hits over 5.2 innings vs. Kansas City. He hasn't faced the Orioles in 2016. Adam Jones is 1-for-3 off him with a homer. Mark Trumbo is 1-for-8 with four strikeouts.

Key trend: The Rangers are 8-3 in Griffin's past 11 starts. The over is 7-2-1 in Texas' past 10 vs. a lefty.

Early lean: Rangers and over.

Mets at Yankees (-127, 8)

MLB Network is also televising this Subway Series finale. It's Bartolo Colon (9-6, 3.58) for the Mets, who will add the designated hitter. Too bad because it's hilarious watching Colon try to hit. He lost Saturday to Colorado, allowing five runs and seven hits over five innings. Colon has now had three really shaky starts in his past five and could be running out of gas at age 43. Alex Rodriguez is a career .442 hitter off Colon with eight homers and 20 RBIs in 52 at-bats, but the Yanks are barely playing A-Rod these days. Mark Teixeira is 12-for-42 with three homers. The Yanks go with Nathan Eovaldi (9-7, 4.78), who was rumored on the trade market. He lost at Tampa Bay on Saturday, giving up three runs and three hits over six innings. He has pitched better since returning from a demotion to the bullpen. The Mets' Curtis Granderson is 4-for-8 against him with two homers. New Met Jay Bruce is 1-for-7. The Mets will be without shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who has landed on the DL.

Key trend: The Mets are 5-2 in Colon's past seven interleague starts. The Yankees are 6-1 in Eovaldi's past seven at home. The under is 4-0 in Colon's past four on the road. The under is 4-1 in Eovaldi's past five at home.

Early lean: Mets and under.

Blue Jays at Astros (+110, 8.5)

Have you noticed that Blue Jays lefty J.A. Happ is 14-3 with a 3.16 ERA this season? Wow. Everyone made fun of the Jays when they supposedly overpaid for the free agent this offseason. He struck out 44 of the 121 batters he faced in July (36.3 percent), the highest strikeout rate per batter in all of MLB. Happ dominated the Orioles in his last start, allowing one run and three hits with a season-high-tying 11 strikeouts over seven innings. The Jays have not just won his last nine starts but all of them by at least two runs. Houston's Jose Altuve is 1-for-9 career against him. Evan Gattis is 2-for-9 with a homer and four RBIs. The Astros' Mike Fiers (7-4, 4.42) took a no-decision in Detroit on Saturday in allowing one unearned run and four hits over 6.1 innings. Only a few Jays have faced him. Russell Martin is 1-for-6. Jose Bautista 0-for-3.

Key trend: The Jays are 4-1 in Happ's past five on the road. The Astros are 5-0 in Fiers' past five at home. The under is 5-1-1 in Happ's past seven on the road vs. teams with a winning record. The over is 7-3 in Fiers' past 10 at home.

Early lean: Blue Jays and over.

Red Sox at Mariners (+140, 8.5)

Boston top outfielder prospect Andrew Benintendi -- a guy the White Sox demanded as part of any package for Chris Sale -- was to make his MLB starting debut on Wednesday night (he pinch-hit on Tuesday in his first big-league at-bat) and should be in there again Thursday as he likely will start in left field against right-handers. The 22-year-old 2015 first-round pick was hitting .312 with 31 doubles, 12 triples and nine home runs in 97 games between two minor league levels this season. Meanwhile, Mariners manager Scott Servais has decided to yank a struggling Steve Cishek from the closer's role in favor of rookie Edwin Diaz. The Sox start lefty Drew Pomeranz (8-9, 3.09). He has made three starts since coming over from San Diego and had a second shaky one Saturday at the Angels, allowing five runs in 5.1 innings. I'm starting to think his Padres numbers were a fluke. Pomeranz hasn't faced the Mariners this year. Kyle Seager is 2-for-7 off him with a homer. Seattle goes with lefty Ariel Miranda in his first major-league start. Miranda has made one MLB relief appearance, ironically throwing two innings and allowing three runs in Seattle on July 3. He came over from the Orioles over the weekend in the Wade Miley trade. Miranda had a 4-7 record and 3.93 ERA in Triple-A this season.

Key trends: The Red Sox are 6-2 in their past eight vs. a lefty. The Mariners are 4-10 in their past 14 vs. a lefty. The over is 6-2 in Boston's past eight on Thursday.

Early lean: Red Sox and over.