Tuesday 5/19/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

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SPOT PLAYS

For Tuesday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Finger Lakes (6th) Miss Bellamy, 7-2
(7th) Quick Hall, 3-1


Indiana Grand (3rd) Hold the Wire, 3-1
(9th) Taking Cheap Shots, 6-1


Mountaineer (1st) Grabthemoneyandrun, 6-1
(2nd) Courageous Linc, 10-1


Parx Racing (3rd) Empress Caro, 10-1
(6th) Valid Aim, 6-1


Presque Isle Downs (4th) Wish to Opine, 7-2
(8th) Ptolemaic, 8-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB Preview: Yankees (22-17) at Nationals (22-17)

Game: 1
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: May 19, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

The last time Bryce Harper was in front of a home crowd, he was providing all sorts of souvenirs and establishing himself as the clear early pacesetter for NL MVP.

Seven road games didn't slow that, and he returns to Nationals Park on Tuesday night as Washington tries for its 16th win in 20 games with the slumping New York Yankees in town.

"I think we've all recognized his talent for a long time," Yankees manager Joe Girardi told MLB's official website. "I think he's starting to fulfill the expectations, and he'll fill them for some time."

The Nationals (22-17) won the last three of a four-game series in San Diego, and Harper was 3 for 4 with a home run, triple and four RBIs in Sunday's 10-5 win.

"It would have been cool (to get the cycle). I'm just happy we got the W," Harper said. "I'm excited to get home in front of our fans for the next couple of days. It's going to be fun."

In the past 11 games, he's batting .564 with nine home runs, 22 RBIs and a 2.038 OPS while reaching base at least twice in each contest. At home, he's batting .373 with nine home runs and 19 RBIs in 16 games.

"He is unbelievable," catcher Jose Lobaton said. "How can you explain that? He hits a home run, a single, triples. I don't know. It's good to have someone like that on the team."

Along with Yunel Escobar, who is batting .415 in his past 13 games, the 22-year-old's performance is pacing a .308 team average and 6.58 runs per game during Washington's 15-4 stretch since losing 13 of 20 to start the season.

The Yankees (22-17) have taken a different path to the same record, dropping five of six with offensive production Harper has often been capable of on his own. After Sunday's 6-0 loss in Kansas City, New York has scored 11 runs with a .215 average in six games.

"We just haven't swung the bats well," Mark Teixeira said. "It was just a bad week for us."

Teixeira was 0 for 2 before leaving with a right toe contusion, but he expects to be in the lineup Tuesday. Washington's Jayson Werth has missed two games since getting hit by a pitch on the left wrist Friday and is considered day to day.

New York's recent struggles could work in the favor of Gio Gonzalez, who has lost five straight starts with an 8.17 ERA against the Yankees, though only one of those has come since he moved to Washington in 2012. He's also 1-3 with a 9.08 ERA in his last eight starts against the AL.

Gonzalez (3-2, 4.25 ERA) has been up and down this season, and he didn't earn the decision in Wednesday's 9-6 win in Arizona after allowing five runs and nine hits in five innings. He's only made two home starts, but is 3-0 with a 1.42 ERA in his last six at Nationals Park and hasn't allowed a home run there over 64 innings in his last 11.

He'll face Nathan Eovaldi, who got to know the Nationals well in the NL East with Miami. Eovaldi (3-1, 4.14) is 2-4 with a 4.76 ERA in seven starts against Washington. Ryan Zimmerman is 3 for 8 with two home runs against him, while Harper is 5 for 13.

The right-hander is trying to bounce back from his first loss after yielding four runs in 7 1-3 innings of last Tuesday's 4-2 defeat in Tampa Bay.

The Yankees are 15-8 in interleague play since the start of last season and swept the Nationals in three games in Washington in June 2012.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

A's still the top over team in the bigs
Andrew Caley

Another week of Major League Baseball League action in the books and the Oakland Athletics are still the bigs best over bet. Here are the MLB's Top 5 over bets after six weeks of play:

1. Oakland Athletics - 27-10-2 over/under

2. Washington Nationals - 25-13-1 O/U

3. San Diego Padres - 24-14-1 O/U

4. Los Angeles Dodgers - 23-12-2 O/U

5. Miami Marlins - 23-13-2 O/U

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Rays tops when it comes to under bets
Andrew Caley

The Tampa Bay Rays are the top under bet through six weeks of Major League Baseball action. Here are the rest of the top five under plays so far this season:

1. Tampa Bay Rays - 16-23 O/U

2. Seattle Mariners - 15-21-1 O/U

3. Los Angeles Angels - 15-20-2 O/U

4. St. Louis Cardinals - 16-20-1 O/U

5. Detroit Tigers - 18-20 O/U

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dodgers still the faves to win Fall Classic
Andrew Caley

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the still the 9/2 favorites to win the 2015 World Series, according to the Westgate LV Superbook.

The Washington Nationals recent hot streak has them back up to 5/1, while the St. Louis Cardinals ans the Kansas City Royals are both on the board at 8/1. The Detroit Tigers round out the top five contenders at 9/1.

 

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Yankees' Whitley to have Tommy John surgery
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

New York Yankees right-hander Chase Whitley will undergo Tommy John surgery Tuesday, the team announced Monday.

Yankees team physician Christopher Ahmad will perform the operation at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

Whitley left his Thursday start against the Tampa Bay Rays in the second inning because of pain in his right elbow. The Yankees originally announced it was a sprain.

Whitley, 25, said after Thursday's game he had felt elbow pain for several weeks, but said nothing.

"I have no regrets about it," Whitley said Thursday. "In my head, I'm going to pitch. I told you that from the time I got called up last year. It just happened that way."

An MRI exam Friday revealed a ligament tear, and after an examination in New York on Monday, it was decided that Whitley would have Tommy John surgery.

He will miss the rest of the 2015 season and at least part of the 2016 season while recovering.

Whitley was called up from Triple-A on April 27 and made four starts for the Yankees. He posted a 1-2 record and a 4.19 ERA.

Left-hander Chris Capuano took Whitley's place in the Yankees rotation.

The Yankees did get some positive news about another injured starting pitcher Monday. Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka, out since April 24 due to right wrist tendinitis and a mild right forearm strain, threw a 29-pitch bullpen session at Nationals Park in Washington. He might be able to make a minor league rehab start Thursday.

 

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Indians activate Aviles, demote Adams
The Sports Xchange

The Cleveland Indians on Monday activated Mike Aviles and optioned Austin Adams to Triple-A Columbus.

Aviles hasn't played since appearing in a game May 6 in Kansas City. The next day he found out that his 4-year-old daughter Adriana was diagnosed with leukemia. He's been with his family ever since. First the Indians placed the 34-year-old on the Family Medical Emergency list and then he was transferred to the restricted list.

He has appeared in 18 games with Cleveland this season and is hitting .288 with two home runs and four RBIs.

Aviles will be in the lineup Monday night when Cleveland plays the Chicago White Sox.

Adams was recalled from Columbus on Saturday for his third sting this season with the big league club.

In three relief appearances he has posted a 1.59 ERA.

 

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Yankees' Tanaka throws 29-pitch bullpen session
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

New York Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka threw a 29-pitch bullpen session at Nationals Park in Washington on Monday.

Tanaka hasn't started since April 23 because of wrist tendinitis and a mild forearm strain. He reported no problems Saturday after throwing 35 pitches in the bullpen Friday.

Tanaka could next throw in a rehab start in the minor leagues on Thursday.

Manager Joe Girardi said Sunday that Monday's bullpen would be around 30 pitches.

"Just a normal bullpen," Girardi said. "We just felt that it would be good for him to throw one more, because he hasn't thrown in a while. We'll make sure he's sharp, then he'll go down and make a rehab start."

Tanaka's rehab start likely would take place with either Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre or Double-A Trenton.

"That's probably a decision that Brian will make," Girardi said, referring to general manager Brian Cashman.

In four starts this season, Tanaka is 2-1 with a 3.22 ERA, including 24 strikeouts and seven wallks in 22 1/3 innings. He missed several months last season with a small ligament tear in his elbow but has said he doesn't believe this year's injury is connected to 2014.

Pitching coach Larry Rothchild and Girardi have speculated the wrist injury is derived from how Tanaka has thrown splitters in bullpen sessions, but the 26-year-old believes that is unrelated.

"Not really," Tanaka said recently. "Just because I always throw that way and that was the way I was throwing those bullpens as well but I do understand our guys would say something like that because there's always a possibility of something like that. As far as for me, that bullpen I was just throwing the splitter as I would always usually throw the splitter."

 

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A's Parker to have elbow surgery
The Sports Xchange

Oakland Athletics right-hander Jarrod Parker is scheduled to have surgery on Tuesday to repair a fractured medial epicondyle in his pitching elbow, the team announced Monday.

But there is some good news: at least he won't need a third Tommy John surgery.

Parker, 26, has not pitched in the major leagues since 2013, undergoing two Tommy John surgeries since then.

The A's were hoping to have Parker back later this month, but he suffered the latest elbow injury during a rehab outing on Saturday. It was feared he might need a third Tommy John surgery, but a less extreme surgery will be performed instead.

It is unclear when Parker will be able to pitch again.

Parker, who had records of 13-8 in 2013 and 12-8 in 2012 for the A's, posted an optimistic Tweet: "Got the best of the bad news... Just a break that'll be fixed tomorrow! #11Believes"

 

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Orioles place Norris on disabled list
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

After missing one scheduled start due to bronchitis, Baltimore Orioles right-hander Bud Norris was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday.

The move was made retroactive to May 11. The Orioles called up right-hander Tyler Wilson from Triple-A Norfolk, and he is expected to move into the Baltimore bullpen.

Norris was sent back to the team hotel during the May 9 game at Yankee Stadium due to chills, but manager Buck Showalter said Norris was feeling well enough to pitch May 10 against the New York Yankees. Norris lasted 3 1/3 innings and allowed four runs and six hits. Following the game, Norris said he still felt sick in his stomach but did not want to skip a start.

In six starts this season, Norris is 1-4 with a 9.88 ERA. Only twice did he pitch more than five innings.

According to MASNSports.com, Norris might pitch one or two games on a rehab assignment before rejoining the Orioles for a start in a May 28 doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox.

Wilson, 25, has no major league experience. He was 2-4 with a 3.43 ERA in seven starts for Norfolk this season. Last year, he went a combined 14-8 with a 3.67 ERA in 28 starts for Double-A Bowie and Norfolk. He was a 10th-round draft pick in 2011 out of the University of Virginia.

MASNSports.com also reported that Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman, whose latest turn in the rotation was pushed back due to lower back spasms, should be ready to start Thursday afternoon against the Seattle Mariners. Right-hander Mike Wright filled in Sunday and made a stellar major league debut, firing 7 1/3 shutout innings in a 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Veteran Hamels continues to win for Phillies
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

DENVER -- The Phillies have lost each of their past eight road series with an overall record of 7-20 in those games since Sept. 15, 2014. Moreover, they are 2-13-1 over their past 16 road series since July 18, 2014, with a record of 17-34 in those games.

But thanks in large part to Cole Hamels, the Phillies began a four-game series at Coors Field with a 4-3 win over the Rockies. It was their sixth straight victory, giving the Phillies their longest winning streak since they won seven straight from Sept. 5-12, 2012, and enabled them to pass the Miami Marlins and climb out of last place in the National League East. The Phillies had been last or tied for last in the division dating back to April 28.

The Phillies are weighing whether trading Hamels would hasten their rebuilding. Meanwhile, Hamels (4-3) is 11-0 in 17 starts since 2014 when his teammates tally three runs with him on the mound. He won his third straight start, worked a season-high 7 1/3 innings on 106 pitches and allowed one run on one walk and six hits while striking out seven, five swinging.

"Early on, he was misfiring up with some fastballs," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "Some of that accounted for his pitch count going up to around 80 for five innings. But he made pitches when he had to."

That was the case in the fourth when center fielder Odubel Herrera, who had a two-run double when the Phillies scored three in the sixth to go ahead 4-1, lost a ball in the darkening sky, putting runners on second and third with one out.

Hamels then struck out second baseman DJ LeMahieu on a high cutter, threw another cutter past pitcher Jordan Lyles to end the inning and began the fifth with two more strikeouts, both swinging, as he faced left fielder Charlie Blackmon and third baseman Nolan Arenado.

"Sometimes when you get ahead of guys, you're able to throw pitches out of the zone and guys are still going to be aggressive," Hamels said. "They want to put the ball in play. They don't want to sit back and walk. You're able to get away with more pitches out of the zone than probably what I'm accustomed to doing. But outs are outs."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Surging White Sox filled with confidence
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

CHICAGO -- The obvious thing about the Chicago White Sox right now is all the winning.

Their 2-1 victory in 10 innings on Monday was their sixth straight, which extended their season high and is the first time they've won that many in a row since the 2013 season. Their manager, Robin Ventura, sees more than the wins. He sees what's behind it and enjoys the view.

"It's their confidence that comes out when you start playing like this, getting some guys on base and some hits that fall in there, and you score late and score early," Ventura said, before watching his team rally to tie the game 1-1 in the sixth off Corey Kluber and then win it in the 10th off the Indians' bullpen. "Offensively, you feel better about yourself, and guys are feeling it as far as the way the lineup is working and where they're at."

Self-assurance is the name of the game now. They came into the game off a 5-1 road trip to Milwaukee and Oakland that included their first sweep of the A's in Oakland since 1997, and their win Monday pushed them past the .500 mark for the first time since June 4, 2014.

"We're picking up momentum," said left-handed ace Chris Sale, who allowed just one run in eight innings for a no-decision against the Indians. "I think we're all starting to get confident. We've always believed in each other, but I think we're starting to believe in ourselves. When we put that combination on the field, hey ... (Kluber's) the best pitcher in the game, and to come out and not be fazed by that, to keep grinding, to keep at it and win in the end, you can't ask for much more than that."

Ventura won't ask for much more. He's hesitant to change anything at this point.

"You just continue to let them play," Ventura said. "Again, it's their confidence that needs to be high. Mine's going to be the same every day, regardless. You're just picking and choosing who's in there, or maybe some decisions that need to be made in the bullpen. But these are the guys (who) actually go out there, and they're looking at pitches, swinging at strikes, doing the same stuff that we're doing right now. But again, their confidence is quite a bit higher than it's been earlier in the year."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Tigers RHP Verlander sees value in rehab start
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

DETROIT -- Looks like Justin Verlander has changed his mind about the value of a rehab start prior to his return to the active Detroit Tigers roster.

Verlander threw a 45-pitch bullpen session Monday -- "All good effort; not babying anything" -- and took another positive step toward starting a game for the Tigers in early June.

"It felt good," Verlander said afterward. "I feel I'm pretty close to a 'sim' (simulated) game. Maybe another bullpen (first)."

Verlander will soon mark two full months since he last pitched in a game on March 23. Initially he resisted suggestions he'd need to work in a minor league game, or two, without problems prior to being removed from the disabled list.

The club naturally wants him to be fully ready to pitch in a game that counts, which is why it prefers the rehab start route.

Verlander reasoned if he was healthy enough to pitch a simulated game or two, he was healthy enough to pitch for the Tigers.

"He will probably need one more 'pen before he gets up and down," manager Brad Ausmus said. "It was kind of at this point earlier in the year that he had a little setback."

Up and down is a euphemism for pitching a half-inning, going to the dugout while his team bats and then getting up to pitch again.

Verlander apparently now sees the wisdom of facing hitters who have mayhem on their mind.

"After I throw a rehab start," he said, "get up and (sit) down, I see no reason to throw another one."

Verlander threw his 45-pitch session without a break.

"I normally wouldn't throw that many pitches in an inning," he said. "Of course, David (left-hander Price) was quick to point out he's thrown 51 in an inning this year."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mets' Wright, d'Arnaud take step toward recovery
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

NEW YORK -- With a 2-1, 14-inning victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field on Monday night, the New York Mets extended their winning streak to three games. However, the injury-ravaged Mets got their best news of the day many hours earlier, when third baseman David Wright resumed baseball activities and catcher Travis d'Arnaud was cleared to begin swinging a bat.

Wright strained his right hamstring April 14, and his recovery was slowed in early May when the Mets announced he also was dealing with lower back pain. General manager Sandy Alderson said Wright is not yet hitting and that a potential timeline for his return to the Mets won't be established until he gets in the batter's box.

"Today is the first day he was actually back on the field for any amount of work," Alderson said during a visit to a veterans hospital Monday afternoon. "Until he's back cleared for all baseball activity, it's hard to put a schedule together."

D'Arnaud broke his right pinkie finger when he was hit by a pitch April 19. He took dry swings Monday and is expected to ramp up his activity during the week.

While d'Arnaud is now participating in all baseball activities, Alderson said the 26-year-old won't be activated until he proves he can handle the rigors of catching.

"It's not just about swings," Alderson said. "It's about stamina, being able to crouch back there for nine innings."

Wright and d'Arnaud were both hurt during the Mets' team-record-tying 11-game winning streak. New York leads the majors with 13 players on the disabled list, a big reason why the Mets are just 10-13 in their last 23 games.

Even so, Alderson said Monday that he is not looking to use the injuries as an excuse.

"Nobody cares if your players are on the DL or not," Alderson said. "They just care about the win-loss record."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'On the Diamond'

A series opener is Tuesday's baseball betting focus as Washington Nationals host New York Yankees in a mini two-game Interleague set at Nationals Park. Highly regarded Nationals starting out 7-13 are finally starting to hit their stride. The Nationals have reeled off a smart 15-4 run platting a whopping 6.5 runs/game stuffing +$996 into betting accounts. Nationals' lefty Gio Gonzalez carrying a 3-2 record, 4.25 ERA toes the rubber in this one. Gonzalez will match pitches with Yankees right-hander Nathan Eovaldi entering with a 3-1 record, 4.14 ERA. According to opening betting odds, Washington is anywhere from -$1.37 to -$1.45 favorite depending on locale. That chalk status can be attributed to the presence of Gonzalez on the mound as Nats have a 15-4 stretch at home when he starts, including 9-3 opening a series. And, the fact Yankees have hit a rough spot losing 5-of-6 crossing a messily 1.8 runs per/game with its pitching staff giving up a whopping 5.3 per/contest. Eovaldi's teams (NYY, MIA) 5-13 as road underdogs, 3-10 under the light's a play on Washington is a good choice.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Major League Baseball Betting:

The Cleveland Indians at Chicago White Sox May 19, 8:10 EST

Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians play the second of a four-game set at U.S Cellular Field Tuesday night. The opener played true to form as White Sox won 2-1 in ten innings marking a sixth straight 'Under' between these two clubs on the South Side of Chicago. In fact, the past eleven encounters in this park the 'Under' has been the right choice in 10 of 11 contests.

No need bucking trends here. The 'Under' is 13-4 in Quintana's last 17 starts as a home favorite, 21-4-2 'Under' in the hurlers last 27 starts facing a team with a losing record. Finally, Tribe have a tendency to play 'Under' on the road when the total is set at 7.5 or lower going 11-5 'Under' last 16 situations.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

StatFox Super Situations

MLB | TAMPA BAY at ATLANTA
Play Against - Road teams when the money line is +125 to -125 (TAMPA BAY) AL team with a low slugging percentage (<=.410) against a team with a good bullpen (WHIP <=1.350), starting a pitcher who gave up no earned runs last outing
87-45 over the last 5 seasons. ( 65.9% | 38.0 units )
5-4 this year. ( 55.6% | 0.5 units )

StatFox Situational Power Trends

MLB | SEATTLE at BALTIMORE
BALTIMORE is 24-8 (+17.0 Units) against the money line vs. a decent bullpen whose WHIP is 1.350 to 1.450 over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was: BALTIMORE (5.2) , OPPONENT (3.9)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Five To Follow MLB Betting: Tuesday, May 19, 2015 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews

Pretty gutsy move, one that I don't understand why ownership would approve of, in Marlins general manager Dan Jennings naming himself to replace Manager Mike Redmond, whom Jennings fired on Sunday. The Marlins were only 16-22 under Redmond. If it sounds familiar that the franchise would can a manager after only 38 games, it should. In 2003, the Marlins fired Jeff Torborg after 38 games. The team won the World Series that season under replacement Jack McKeon. Jennings has no big-league coaching experience. He did coach at Davidson High School in Mobile, Ala. I coached Little League for a while. Maybe I should have applied.

Yankees at Nationals (-146, 7.5)

Potential World Series preview here as the Yankees lead the AL East and the Nationals are right behind the Mets in the NL East. Washington will win that division unless the Mets add a big bat. Will the Nats have Jayson Werth for this game or series? He hasn't played since May 15 due to a wrist injury and was to have an MRI on Monday. Werth is hitting .208 with two homers and 12 RBIs. It's Nathan Eovaldi (3-1, 4.14) for New York. The Bombers had won four straight of his starts, but they lost his most recent one when Eovaldi allowed four runs and six hits over 7.1 innings at the Rays. Werth is 6-for-16 with three RBIs off him. Ryan Zimmerman is 3-for-8 with two homers and eight RBIs. Lefty Gio Gonzalez (3-2, 4.25) starts for Washington. He is 1-5 with a 6.75 ERA against the Yanks in his career. Mark Teixeira is 5-for-16 with two doubles and a homer off Gonzalez.

Key trends: New York is 5-1 in its past six against lefties. It is 1-5 in its past six against teams with a winning record. The Nats are 5-0 in Gonzalez's past five vs. teams with a winning record. The "over/under" hasn't gone over in his past seven Tuesday starts.

Early lean: Nationals and under. Presumably no A-Rod in the lineup for Yankees with no DH.


Rangers at Red Sox (-134, 8.5)

Texas manager Jeff Banister has said there are no more clearly defined roles in his bullpen, presumably meaning that closer Neftali Feliz has been demoted. He is 1-2 with a six saves but three blown saves and a 5.51 ERA. So we will have to see who might pitch the bottom of the ninth here if Yovani Gallardo (3-5, 3.94) can get Texas the lead. The Rangers had lost his past four starts before Gallardo allowed two runs over seven innings on May 13 vs. the Royals. Pablo Sandoval is only 4-for-21 with five strikeouts against him. It's lefty Wade Miley (2-4, 5.60) for Boston. He had his best outing as a Red Sox last time out, shutting out Oakland on five hits over 6.2 innings. Not many Rangers have faced him. Adrian Beltre is 0-for-3 with three strikeouts.

Key trends: Texas is 0-4 in its past four road games vs. teams with a losing record. The Sox are 2-5 in their past seven after an off day. The under is 4-1 in Miley's past five starts.

Early lean: Red Sox and over.


Brewers at Tigers (-160, 8)

Just about nothing has gone right for Milwaukee this season, but the team appeared to avoid disaster on Sunday when Carlos Gomez left after getting hit in the head with a 97-mph fastball against the Mets. Gomez was able to walk off the field under his own power and doesn't have a concussion. Minor miracle. Anibal Sanchez (3-4, 4.76) starts for the Tigers. He was very good last time out, allowing a run and five hits over eight innings vs. the Twins. Gerardo Parra is 8-for-14 with two doubles and two RBIs off him. Gomez, if he plays, is 2-for-3. Young Jimmy Nelson (1-4, 4.22) of the Brewers has really struggled on the road this season, going 0-2 with a 7.07 ERA in three starts. In his past two starts overall, he has allowed five homers. Nelson has never faced the Tigers.

Key trends: The Brewers are 2-10 in Nelson's past 12 overall. The Tigers are 2-5 in Sanchez's past seven following a quality start. The under is 12-1 in Detroit's past 13 on Tuesday.

Early lean: Tigers on runline and over.


Phillies at Rockies (-116, 10.5)

Colorado may have to put outfielder Corey Dickerson on the disabled list. He is dealing with plantar fasciitis. He aggravated the problem in his left foot while running in the outfield Saturday night. Dickerson is hitting .312 with five home runs and 16 RBIs in 109 at-bats. So that's possibly one fewer good bat for Phillies starter Aaron Harang (4-3, 2.03) to deal with on Tuesday. He shut out Pittsburgh over eight innings on five hits last time out. Troy Tulowitzki has faced him more than any other Rockies batter, going 6-for-23 with a homer and 10 RBIs. Chad Bettis starts for Colorado. He made his season debut on May 14 at the Dodgers and allowed four runs and seven hits over five innings. The Phillies' Carlos Ruiz is 3-for-3 off him career, all singles.

Key trends: The Phillies are 1-6 in their past seven Tuesday games. Colorado is 1-10 in its past 11 in Game 2 of a series. The under is 3-0-2 in Harang's past five starts.

Early lean: Phillies and over.


Cubs at Padres (-123, 6.5)

The Cubs expect to have rookie star Kris Bryant back in the lineup after he left Sunday's game with an illness. He has a hit in seven straight games. The Padres believe that outfielder/first baseman Wil Myers will be back on Tuesday. He hasn't played since May 10 with wrist tendinitis. Myers is hitting .291 with five homers and 19 RBIs. Jason Hammel (3-1, 3.11) gets the start for the Cubs. He held the Mets to a run and five hits over eight innings in his last start. He lost to the Padres on April 17, allowing four runs in 6.1 innings. Justin Upton is 8-for-32 with two homers and eight RBIs against Hammel. Will Venable only 1-for-17. James Shields (5-0, 3.91) became the first Padres pitcher to start a season with a 5-0 record since 2007 when he defeated Seattle his last time out. He won at the Cubs opposite Hammel on April 17, allowing three earned over six innings. Bryant was 0-for-3 with three strikeouts off him.

Key trends: The Cubs are 7-1 in its past eight series openers. They are 6-1 in Hammel's past seven series openers. the over is 8-1 in San Diego's past nine vs. teams with a winning record.

Early lean: Padres and over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Tuesday's six-pack

-- Bruce Chen retired after 17 big league seasons with 11 different teams, where he proved that it pays to be lefthanded.

-- Angels' Matt Shoemaker has started seven games, all won by the road team.

-- Rough night for Randal Grichuk of St Louis; 0-6 with five K's. Oy.

-- Coming into this week, Miami's Dee Gordon had 15 more hits than anyone else in the National League.

-- Padres/Marlins have never had a player hit for the cycle; Arizona's Aaron Hill hit for the cycle twice, both in 2012.

-- Lightning 6, Rangers 2-- Tyler Johnson had a hat trick; series is 1-1.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports

Bonus Play TUES Nationals /Gonzalez -140