Tuesday 5/24/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Chatsworth Consortium at Yonkers Raceway
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 8 - Post: 9:30 - 1 mile. PACE - Class Rating: 72 - Purse:$15000 - NON-WINNERS OF 2 P-M RACES OR $20,000 LIFETIME. 3& 4 YEAR OLD COLTS, HORSES & GELDINGS

CONSORTIUM CHOICES
Chatsworth Consortium


# 2 SPENDABUCKONME 3/1

# 4 CLASSIC BREEZE 9/2

# 5 STIRLING ENSIGN 15/1

Hard not to like SPENDABUCKONME as the top pick today. Worth looking at here given the numbers in the speed rating department alone. Enters this outing with very nice TrackMaster class numbers as compared to the group - take a good look. The 2 post sports a much higher than average win pct at Yonkers Raceway. CLASSIC BREEZE - Worth considering here looking at the numbers in the TrackMaster Speed Rating department alone. Battling very well, recorded a huge TrackMaster SR in his last race (72). STIRLING ENSIGN - Has been running admirably lately and his style of running should result in a strong performance.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays at Marlins

GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (20-22) at Miami Marlins (23-21)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 24 - 12:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


Veteran Ichiro Suzuki has been on an offensive tear of late while teammate Marcell Ozuna seemingly can't be stopped at home. The Miami Marlins outfielders look to continue their respective torrid stretches on Tuesday afternoon when the club hosts the Sunshine State-rival Tampa Bay Rays in the second contest of their four-game, two-city interleague series.

Playing in place of an injured Christian Yelich (back), Suzuki collected four hits in Monday's series-opening 7-6 win and has 10 in his last three contests. Ozuna added three of his own to extend his home hitting streak to 14 games and has gotten the better of Tuesday starter Jake Odorizzi, albeit in a small sample size (3-for-7). Tampa Bay continued to keep the scoreboard operator busy as it has erupted for 64 runs in its last nine contests, however its record in that stretch fell to 5-4 following its third straight loss. Evan Longoria saw his 10-game hitting streak come to an end in the series opener and is just 1-for-6 against Tuesday starter Tom Koehler.

TV: 12:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Sun (Tampa Bay), FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Jake Odorizzi (1-2, 3.81 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Tom Koehler (2-4, 4.71)

Odorizzi recorded his first win in his ninth start of the season on Wednesday, permitting a pair of solo homers for the only runs and hits allowed in five innings of a 6-3 victory over Toronto. The 26-year-old has been taken deep five times in his last two outings after yielding three homers in his previous seven. Odorizzi struggled with a lack of control in his last outing, however, issuing four walks after permitting nine free passes in his previous eight.

Koehler fell to 0-2 in his last four starts, although one difficult inning was to blame as a three-run third led to his undoing in a 4-2 setback to Philadelphia on Wednesday. The 29-year-old issued five walks for the second straight outing and his 25 free passes in 42 innings is cause for concern. Koehler routinely has kept the ball in the park, going three games without allowing a homer, and has been taken deep just three times this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay OF Brandon Guyer is 7-for-14 with four extra-base hits and four runs scored in his last three contests.

2. Miami OF Giancarlo Stanton showed flashes of breaking out a prolonged slump, going 1-for-3 in the series opener for just his sixth hit in 16 games.

3. Rays CF Kevin Kiermaier (fractured left hand) is scheduled to have surgery on Tuesday and is expected to be sidelined for 8-10 weeks.

PREDICTION: Rays 5, Marlins 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks at Pirates

GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (21-25) at Pittsburgh Pirates (24-19)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 24 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Pittsburgh Pirates could use a lengthy outing from left-hander Francisco Liriano when they wrap up a 10-game homestand with the first of three contests against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night. The Pirates secured a series win over Colorado with a 6-3 victory on Monday in a makeup of Sunday's postponement.

Pittsburgh's bullpen was taxed for seven innings Monday after starter Ryan Vogelsong was hit in the face by a pitch and sustained an injury to his eye and the orbital bone surrounding it. The Pirates are 5-2 on the homestand and took two of three at Arizona last month, although their pitching staff was ravaged for 24 runs in the series. The Diamondbacks continue to produce at the plate, rolling up 39 runs during a 4-2 stretch, and are coming off their first series win in St. Louis since April 2003. Right-hander Shelby Miller, who has won once in nine starts this season, will oppose Liriano in the series opener.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, ROOT (Pittsburgh)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Shelby Miller (1-5, 6.64 ERA) vs. Pirates LH Francisco Liriano (3-3, 4.63)

Miller has pitched six full innings on only two occasions, including his only victory when he limited the Atlanta Braves to two runs on four hits on May 7. The 25-year-old Miller has lost his last two turns, allowing three runs on 5 2/3 innings in each one while yielding a combined 17 hits. Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen is 7-for-22 lifetime against Miller, who owns a 2-6 record with a 4.29 ERA in nine starts versus Pittsburgh.

Liriano has dropped two straight starts even though he turned in a strong performance last time out against Atlanta, taking the loss despite seven innings of two-run ball. The 32-year-old Dominican was pelted for eight runs over 4 2/3 innings at the Chicago Cubs in his previous turn, which followed back-to-back wins in which he yielded a total of three runs. Liriano is 1-0 with a 3.73 ERA versus the Diamondbacks after taking a no-decision last month.

WALK-OFFS

1. Diamondbacks RHP Brad Ziegler has converted 36 straight save chances dating to last year.

2. Pirates 2B Josh Harrison, who had two hits and two RBIs Monday, was 5-for-10 at Arizona last month.

3. Diamondbacks CF Michael Bourn went 5-for-10 in the last two games at St. Louis.

PREDICTION: PIrates 5, Diamondbacks 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets at Nationals

GAME: New York Mets (26-18) at Washington Nationals (27-18)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 24 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The New York Mets can jump into first place in the National League East with a second consecutive win over the Nationals when they visit Washington on Tuesday. The Mets entered the key three-game series 1 1/2 games out of the top spot but breezed to a 7-1 victory in Monday’s series opener to tighten up the race.

New York has allowed a total of eight runs during a four-game winning streak and is hoping ace Matt Harvey can keep that momentum going on the rubber as he struggles to find his form in 2016. The Mets have been able to withstand Harvey’s slow start thanks to efforts like Bartolo Colon’s seven strong innings on Monday and Yoenis Cespedes’ home run barrage. Cespedes went deep in Monday’s opener and has four blasts in the last eight games to boost his season total to 15 – four more than Nationals superstar Bryce Harper. Harper went 0-for-4 on Monday to drop his batting average to .252 and is homerless in nine straight games with just two in May after belting nine in April.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Matt Harvey (3-6, 5.77 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (7-0, 2.80)

Harvey was lit up in his last two outings and lasted only 2 2/3 innings at home against Washington on Thursday while getting dinged for nine runs – six earned – on eight hits and two walks. The Connecticut native surrendered three or fewer earned runs in four straight turns before falling apart in his last two starts with 19 hits allowed in 8 1/3 innings. Harvey is 3-4 with a 2.49 ERA in 11 career starts against the Nationals and has held Harper to 1-for-22.

Strasburg and Cubs ace Jake Arrieta are the last two undefeated full-time starters in the NL, and Strasburg is coming off a dominating outing. The San Diego native struck out 10 and scattered one run and six hits over six innings while going up against Harvey at New York on Thursday. Strasburg, who has 75 strikeouts in 61 innings, is 5-3 with a 2.66 ERA in 10 career starts against the Mets.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mets placed 1B Lucas Duda (lower back stress fracture) on the 15-day disabled list on Monday.

2. Washington 2B Daniel Murphy went 2-for-4 on Monday and is 6-for-15 in four games against his former team.

3. New York SS Asdrubal Cabrera has hit safely in six straight games and drove in at least one run in each of the last three.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Mets 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jays at Yankees

GAME: Toronto Blue Jays (22-24) at New York Yankees (21-22)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 24 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


Just as the New York Yankees were being written off as contenders, they have roared back with a vengeance and will take a five-game winning streak into the start of a three-game series against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night. Nathan Eovaldi, who has won three straight starts and is 4-0 in his last five trips to the mound, gets the nod in the opener for the Yankees.

"We just needed to play better baseball," New York catcher Brian McCann said after the team completed a four-game sweep in Oakland. "We needed better situational hitting, better defense, better pitching. We're getting that. We're happy where we're at." Carlos Beltran sparked New York's offense in the sweep of Oakland, going 9-for-18 with a homer and eight RBIs, but he is only 7-for-35 against Toronto knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who will oppose Eovaldi in the series opener. After dropping five in a row and getting ambushed at home by American League East rival Tampa Bay, Toronto bounced back by winning three of four in Minnesota. Jose Bautista, elevated to the leadoff spot, has homered in three consecutive games for the Blue Jays.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, RSN1 (Toronto), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH R.A. Dickey (2-5, 4.50 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Nathan Eovaldi (4-2, 4.44)

Dickey's string of solid performances came to a screeching halt in his last start against Tampa Bay, when he served up three homers and was charged with five runs on eight hits over six innings. That came on the heels of eight scoreless innings of three-hit ball against Texas and snapped a three-start streak in which he permitted three earned runs over 21 1/3 innings. Dickey is 7-4 with a 2.60 ERA in 20 appearances (14 starts) versus New York.

Eovaldi notched his fourth victory in a row with six superb innings at Arizona, yielding only one hit and one run while not walking a batter for the second time in three turns. The 26-year-old Texas native has permitted six runs over 19 innings in last three outings to remain unbeaten since a loss against Oakland on April 20. Eovaldi also came out on the short end of a 4-2 decision at Toronto on April 14, allowing all the runs on a pair of homers.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York is trying to win six games in a row for the first time since June 2015.

2. Blue Jays 3B Josh Donaldson homered twice in the last three games and had a three-run blast versus Eovaldi last month.

3. Yankees LHP Aroldis Chapman has converted all six save opportunities.

PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Blue Jays 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockies at Red Sox

Current Conditions - Boston

CLOUDS AND SUN 50 °F
Wind: E 17
5-Day Forecast GAME: Colorado Rockies (21-22) at Boston Red Sox (27-17)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 24 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz continues to insist that he is retiring at the end of the season despite still being one of the most productive hitters in the league. Ortiz finished a triple shy of the cycle during a 4-for-4 effort on Sunday and tries to keep the hits coming when the Red Sox host the Colorado Rockies in the opener of a three-game interleague series on Tuesday.

Ortiz narrowly missed the triple he needed for the first cycle of his career when a drive to the warning track in center field glanced off the wall and into the stands for his second ground-rule double on Sunday. The 40-year-old designated hitter is batting .329 – one of three Boston players to end the weekend in the top five in the American League in batting average - with 11 home runs and leads the majors with a slugging percentage of .684. Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is one of the top sluggers in the National League with a slugging percentage of .605 but went 0-for-8 in the last two games at Pittsburgh. Colorado is enduring a brutal stretch with games in 27 straight days after a rain delay of nearly four hours on Sunday ended in a postponement and forced the Rockies to finish up the three-game series with the Pirates on Monday's scheduled off day -- losing 6-3.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Jorge De La Rosa (1-3, 10.18 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH David Price (6-1, 5.53)

De La Rosa will be activated from the disabled list to make the start and has been out since suffering a groin strain in an outing on April 26. The Mexico native was off to a brutal start before the injury and completed five innings in only one of his first five outings. De La Rosa worked a total of five innings and was charged with eight runs on 11 hits – three home runs – and four walks in his last two starts.

Price has put together two straight solid outings after a brutal stretch and appears to be settling in with Boston. The former Cy Young Award winner yielded a total of three runs and 11 hits while striking out 17 over 14 total innings in the last two outings. Price faced the Rockies twice in interleague play and has yet to come away with a win, going 0-2 with a 5.93 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox CF Jackie Bradley Jr. has hit safely in 27 straight games – seven short of tying the franchise record.

2. Rockies CF Charlie Blackmon is 22-for-61 over the last 15 games.

3. Boston has homered in a franchise-record 22 straight games.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 10, Rockies 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Phillies at Tigers


Current Conditions - Detroit


RAIN 49 °F
Wind: NE 13
5-Day Forecast GAME: Philadelphia Phillies (25-20) at Detroit Tigers (22-22)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 24 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


It was only a matter of time until the Detroit Tigers offense would get hot and start outscoring other teams, and they are in a scorching stretch at the moment. The Tigers will try to pound their way to a fourth straight win and pull above .500 when they host the Philadelphia Phillies in the second of a three-game series on Tuesday.

Detroit averaged 2.9 runs while dropping 11 of 12 earlier this month but is turning things around with an average of 6.6 runs and wins in seven of the last eight contests. The Tigers took the home-run route to Monday’s 5-4 victory as Miguel Cabrera delivered a pair of blasts and J.D. Martinez and Nick Castellanos each went deep before Victor Martinez’s RBI single provided the winning run. The Phillies have dropped three of four and five of the last eight due in part to a lack of offense. Philadelphia scored more than four runs only once in the last eight games – a 5-0 win over Atlanta on Sunday – and its 146 runs on the season ranks 29th in the majors ahead of only the Braves.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, FSN Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Jeremy Hellickson (4-2, 3.99 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Justin Verlander (3-4, 4.58)

Hellickson is looking for his third straight win after holding Cincinnati and Miami to a combined two earned runs and nine hits over 13 innings in his last two turns. The 29-year-old added 13 strikeouts in those 13 frames and has 50 against 13 walks in 49 2/3 innings this season. Hellickson began his career in the American League with the Tampa Bay Rays and is 2-3 with a 1.86 ERA in five career starts against the Tigers.

Verlander has been at the top of his game in three straight starts but has only one win to show for his efforts. The former AL MVP allowed a total of four runs in 22 1/3 innings while striking out 27 in those three outings and finally got enough run support on Wednesday to come away with a win over Minnesota. Verlander won his lone previous start against the Phillies and is 25-4 with a 3.14 ERA in 36 career interleague starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cabrera is 13-for-21 with five home runs, a double and a triple in the last six games.

2. Phillies 1B Ryan Howard is 0-for-16 with seven strikeouts in his last five contests.

3. Detroit CF Cameron Maybin (wrist) is 14-for-24 in seven games since coming off the disabled list.

PREDICTION: Tigers 6, Phillies 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Brewers at Braves

GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (18-26) at Atlanta Braves (12-31)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 24 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Atlanta Braves return home to begin a 10-game homestand Tuesday against Milwaukee with a new manager, a newfound power stroke and at least a semblance of confidence after splitting their past six contests. Atlanta lost Sunday’s series finale at Philadelphia but is 3-3 since interim manager Brian Snitker took over, and the next task is to improve on a dreadful 2-17 home record.

Something has to give in the three-game series as the Brewers have yet to win a road series this season, going 0-5-2 after opening a six-game swing by being swept by the New York Mets. Milwaukee left fielder Ryan Braun went 1-for-4 Sunday in his first action after missing four games with a stiff back; Braun ranks second in the major leagues in hitting at .360. Atlanta started last week with just nine homers on the season, but slugged nine in seven games last week. Snitker has mixed and matched the lineup, and one benefactor has been journeyman Chase d’Arnaud, whose five-game hitting streak was snapped Sunday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin, FSN Southeast (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Jimmy Nelson (4-3, 3.07 ERA) vs. Braves RH Julio Teheran (1-4, 2.73)

Nelson leads Milwaukee with six quality starts and is holding opponents to a .221 batting average, and limited the Cubs to five hits in 7 1/3 shutout innings Wednesday. The 26-year-old won four of his first six decisions of the season and has held opponents to two earned runs or less in seven of his first nine outings. He lost his only career start against the Braves last season in Atlanta, giving up two runs on five hits with five walks in 5 2/3 innings.

Teheran has been sensational in his final six starts and he finally got enough offensive support Wednesday at Pittsburgh to get his first victory, firing 7 2/3 shutout innings of five-hit ball with no walks. He has posted a 1.15 ERA in those six starts, while giving up two earned runs over 26 2/3 innings (0.68 ERA) in four starts this month. Teheran is 2-2 in five career starts against Milwaukee with a 2.04 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Milwaukee’s bullpen pitched three scoreless innings Sunday, and has posted a 1.61 ERA in the past 16 games.

2. Atlanta 2B Gordon Beckham has reached base in 16 of his past 19 games and leads all Braves’ regulars in hitting at .308.

3. Brewers C Jonathan Lucroy has battered the Braves in 25 career games, batting .354 with four homers and 13 RBIs.

PREDICTION: Braves 4, Brewers 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs at Cardinals

Current Conditions - St. Louis

P/SUNNY 71 °F
Wind: W 13
5-Day Forecast GAME: Chicago Cubs (29-14) at St. Louis Cardinals (24-21)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 24 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

After handing the Chicago Cubs a season-high third consecutive loss, the St. Louis Cardinals hope to cut farther into their deficit in the National League Central when the rivals continue a three-game series Tuesday in St. Louis. Randal Grichuk’s walkoff homer in the ninth inning lifted the Cardinals to a 4-3 win Monday and evened the season series at two games apiece.

The Cardinals’ bench continued its late-inning heroics in Monday’s win, as Matt Adams hit a tying two-run blast in the seventh inning for St. Louis’ major league-leading ninth pinch-hit homer. The win pulled the Cardinals within six games of Chicago, which owns the best record in baseball and a five-game cushion over second-place Pittsburgh. The Cubs have lost their last three contests by a total of four runs, including back-to-back one-run defeats. Chicago has lost six of its last eight overall, scoring three or fewer runs in seven games over that span.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, CSN Chicago, FSN Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jason Hammel (5-1, 2.31 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Michael Wacha (2-4, 4.03)

Hammel endured his roughest outing of the season Thursday at Milwaukee, allowing a season-high four runs over six innings to suffer his first loss. The 33-year-old served up a pair of home runs after allowing only one over his first seven starts. Hammel is 3-3 with a 5.26 ERA in eight starts against the Cardinals, including a victory April 19 in which he gave up one run over six innings.

Wacha has lost four straight decisions and only avoided a fifth straight loss last time out because of excellent run support. The 24-year-old has lasted only four innings in each of his last two starts, allowing six runs in each. Wacha is 3-3 with a 4.86 ERA in nine games (eight starts) against the Cubs and has avoided them so far this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 2B/OF Ben Zobrist went 3-for-4 Monday and is 16-for-38 during a 10-game hitting streak.

2. Cardinals OF Stephen Piscotty had his five-game hitting streak snapped Monday but is still 10-for-20 over his past six contests.

3. Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo, who has just two hits in his last 30 at-bats, is 10-for-22 with two homers versus Wacha.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Cubs 4

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels at Rangers

Current Conditions - Arlington

SUNNY 81 °F
Wind: SSE 12
5-Day Forecast GAME: Los Angeles Angels (21-24) at Texas Rangers (25-20)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 24 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Arlington, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

After benefiting from a high-powered offense, the Los Angeles Angels continued their winning ways with one swing of the bat to emerge victorious in the series opener versus the Texas Rangers. The Angels will vie for their ninth win in 12 contests on Tuesday, when the American League West rivals continue their three-game series at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas.

Veteran slugger Albert Pujols launched a two-run homer in Monday's 2-0 triumph and is 11-for-29 (.379) with seven RBIs and six runs scored in his last eight contests. Teammate Johnny Giavotella recorded his seventh multi-hit performance and fifth double during his 12-game hitting streak. While the Angels evened the season series at four victories apiece, the Rangers saw their three-game winning streak come to a halt despite Ian Desmond continuing his torrid pace. The 30-year-old registered his second straight multi-hit effort in the series opener and has three homers, three doubles and 13 RBIs in his last 13 contests.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), FSN Southwest (Texas)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jhoulys Chacin (1-2, 5.21 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Martin Perez (1-4, 3.48)

Chacin was fortunate to walk away with a no-decision in his second start since being acquired from Atlanta. The 28-year-old Venezuelan allowed four runs on six hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings versus the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. Chacin, who has yet to face Texas in his career, has struggled with free passes as he's issued 11 walks in his last five outings.

Perez suffered his second straight setback after permitting four runs in seven innings of an 8-1 loss at Oakland on Wednesday. The 25-year-old Venezuelan fell to 1-2 lifetime versus the Angels after allowing three runs and issuing a season high-tying five walks in 6 1/3 innings of a 3-1 defeat on April 10. Perez's last victory versus Los Angeles came nearly three years ago (Aug. 5, 2013).

WALK-OFFS

1. Texas 2B Rougned Odor is slated to have the appeal of his eight-game suspension for punching Toronto OF Jose Bautista heard on Tuesday.

2. Los Angeles CF Mike Trout has hit safely in six straight and 11 of his last 12 contests.

3. The Rangers placed OFs Shin-Soo Choo (hamstring) and Drew Stubbs (toe) on the disabled list and recalled OF Jared Hoying and INF Joey Gallo from Triple-A Round Rock.

PREDICTION: Angels 4, Rangers 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Orioles at Astros

Current Conditions - Houston

M/CLOUDY 84 °F
Wind: E 12
5-Day Forecast GAME: Baltimore Orioles (26-16) at Houston Astros (17-28)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 24 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Chris Tillman aims to win his sixth consecutive start when the Baltimore Orioles visit the Houston Astros on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series. Tillman has a 1.62 ERA during the stretch and allowed one run or fewer in three of the five outings.

Tillman has helped the Orioles win 10 of their last 14 games and Baltimore possesses the best record in the American League. The Orioles opened a nine-game road trip by winning two of three against the Los Angeles Angels but were routed 10-2 on Sunday. Houston has lost four consecutive games and scored just five runs in the span as it continues to experience an underachieving season. The Astros were expected to contend for their second consecutive playoff berth but instead are saddled with the second-worst record in the American League.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), ROOT (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Chris Tillman (6-1, 2.61 ERA) vs. Astros RH Doug Fister (4-3, 4.22)

Tillman has pitched six or more innings in six consecutive starts and has given up just 26 hits in 39 1/3 innings during the stretch. This will be Tillman's third road start of the season and he is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA away from home compared to 5-0 with a 2.04 ERA at home. Tillman is 2-2 with a 2.45 ERA in four starts against the Astros and has handled Jose Altuve (2-for-11) and George Springer (1-for-9).

Fister has won three consecutive decisions and has a 3.08 ERA over his last four starts to overcome a rocky start. He also has pitched six or more innings in each of his last six outings and issued just four walks over his past four starts after giving up a career-worst seven against Seattle on April 25. Fister is 4-2 with a 4.63 ERA in eight career appearances (seven starts) against the Orioles and has struggled with Pedro Alvarez (5-for-9, one homer) and Chris Davis (5-for-13, two homers).

WALK-OFFS

1. Orioles 3B Manny Machado went 0-for-8 with six strikeouts in the final two games of the Angels' series and has gone hitless in six of his last nine games while buried in a 4-of-36 rut.

2. Houston DH/C Evan Gattis is 8-for-22 with three homers over the past six games.

3. Baltimore C Matt Wieters is 13-of-28 with three homers and eight RBIs over his last eight contests.

PREDICTION: Orioles 6, Astros 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Royals at Twins

GAME: Kansas City Royals (23-21) at Minnesota Twins (11-33)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 24 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Kansas City Royals are starting to resemble the team that won the World Series last year, while the Minnesota Twins are spiraling out of control. After cruising to victory in the series opener, the Royals vie for their eighth straight win over Minnesota on Tuesday as the American League Central rivals play the second contest of their three-game set.

Salvador Perez extended his hitting streak to nine games in emphatic fashion, going 5-for-5 and falling a homer shy of the cycle in Kansas City's 10-4 triumph on Monday. Lorenzo Cain recorded his third consecutive multi-hit performance and has collected five RBIs in his last six contests, but he is 0-for-8 with six strikeouts in his career versus Tuesday starter Ervin Santana. While the red-hot Royals have won seven of their last 10 contests, the tumbling Twins have lost seven of their last eight overall and 10 of 11 at home. Veteran Joe Mauer homered among his three hits in the series opener and has enjoyed considerable success versus Tuesday starter Edinson Volquez, against whom he is 8-for-19 (.421) in his career.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN Kansas City, FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Edinson Volquez (4-4, 3.79 ERA) vs. Twins RH Ervin Santana (1-2, 3.13)

Volquez fell to 1-4 with a gaudy 6.00 ERA in his last five starts after yielding four runs and seven hits in six innings versus Boston on Wednesday. The 32-year-old Dominican looks to bounce back against Minnesota, versus which he struck out a season-high 10 batters in 5 2/3 frames of a no-decision on April 10. Volquez owns a 3-1 record with a 2.13 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in seven career appearances against the Twins.

Santana's bid for his second straight victory essentially was thwarted by Toronto's Edwin Encarnacion, who belted a two-run homer on Thursday to leave the 33-year-old Dominican with a no-decision. Santana permitted those two runs and three other hits in a season-high eight innings. The veteran also received a no-decision in his last outing versus Kansas City despite yielding two runs and six hits in as many frames on April 8.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City OF Paulo Orlando is 15-for-26 (.577) with a homer and nine RBIs in his last seven contests.

2. Minnesota RF Miguel Sano is 2-for-17 (.118) with nine strikeouts in his last five games.

3. The Royals placed OF Alex Gordon on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured scaphoid bone and a sprain in his right wrist.

PREDICTION: Royals 6, Twins 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians at White Sox

Current Conditions - Chicago

CLOUDY 51 °F
Wind: NE 12
5-Day Forecast GAME: Cleveland Indians (23-20) at Chicago White Sox (27-19)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 24 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

Chris Sale strives to continue his historic start when the Chicago White Sox host the American League Central-rival Cleveland Indians on Tuesday in the third contest of their four-game series. Sale has won his first nine starts of the season, the second-best season-opening stretch in franchise history behind Eddie Cicotte (12) in 1919.

Sale has posted back-to-back complete-game victories without issuing a single walk and is limiting opposing batters to a .163 average. He is aiming to become the first 10-game winner in the major leagues while counterpart Josh Tomlin also is unbeaten, becoming the first Cleveland pitcher to start 6-0 since Cliff Lee in 2008. The teams split a doubleheader on Monday as the Indians belted six homers, including one in each game by Jose Ramirez. Todd Frazier went 4-for-7 with two walks in the twinbill and has belted two homers in his last three games.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), CSN Chicago Plus

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Josh Tomlin (6-0, 3.56 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Chris Sale (9-0, 1.58)

Tomlin has been the recipient of terrific run support as Cleveland has scored five or more runs in six of his seven outings. He pitched a season-best 7 2/3 innings in his last turn, when he allowed two runs and five hits in a victory over Cincinnati. Tomlin is 2-2 with a 3.44 ERA in seven career appearances (six starts) against Chicago and has struggled with Austin Jackson (7-for-16) while dominating Melky Cabrera (1-for-14).

Sale has given up 39 hits in 68 1/3 innings while striking out 62 and walking just 10. The AL ERA leader has been even more difficult to score on over his past seven outings as he has compiled a 0.99 ERA during that span. Sale defeated the Indians on April 9, when he gave up three runs and six hits in seven frames, and is 5-6 with a 3.69 ERA in 26 career appearances (15 starts) against Cleveland.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox RF Adam Eaton was 0-for-8 in the doubleheader after bringing a nine-game hitting streak into the series.

2. Cleveland 1B/DH Carlos Santana, who is 1-for-12 over his last three games, is batting .308 with one homer in 39 career at-bats against Sale.

3. Chicago 1B Jose Abreu is 2-for-20 with no RBIs over his last five contests.

PREDICTION: White Sox 4, Indians 0

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Athletics at Mariners

Current Conditions - Seattle

CLOUDY 57 °F
Wind: CLM 0
5-Day Forecast GAME: Oakland Athletics (20-26) at Seattle Mariners (26-18)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 24 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Oakland Athletics are making themselves at home in Seattle this season and look to win at Safeco Field for the fifth straight time when they visit the Mariners in Tuesday's middle contest of a three-game set. Oakland recorded a 5-0 victory in Monday's series opener and has allowed just four runs in the four games in Seattle.

The Athletics are attempting to get back into the American League West race and halted a four-game losing streak while snapping Seattle's four-game winning streak. Fourth-place Oakland stands seven games behind the Mariners, who lead the division by 1 1/2 games over the Texas Rangers. Athletics third baseman Danny Valencia had a two-run double in the series opener and has six homers and 14 RBIs over his past 11 games. Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano is just 2-for-14 over the last four games but has a sparkling .352 average in May.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, CSN California (Oakland), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Kendall Graveman (1-6, 5.48 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Nathan Karns (4-1, 3.33)

Graveman has lost five consecutive starts since picking up his lone victory of the season against the New York Yankees on April 20. He lost to the Yankees on Thursday in his best outing of the losing streak — giving up two runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. Graveman is 1-1 with a 2.76 ERA in four career appearances (two starts) against Seattle, including a loss May 2 when he allowed four runs and 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Karns has won four straight decisions since losing to Oakland in his Seattle debut April 9. He is 1-1 with a 5.73 in two starts against the Athletics this season and 1-2 with a 4.86 ERA in three career outings. Karns, who has 48 strikeouts in 46 innings, has given up one or fewer runs in four of his eight starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Athletics C Stephen Vogt has five RBIs over the last two games and his homer on Monday was his first since April 28.

2. Seattle SS Chris Taylor went 1-for-3 but committed two throwing errors in Oakland's four-run eighth inning in his first major-league game this season after being recalled when starting SS Ketel Marte (thumb) was placed on the disabled list.

3. Oakland learned that RF Josh Reddick won't require surgery on his fractured left thumb — he was injured May 19 and will miss approximately four weeks.

PREDICTION: Mariners 5, Athletics 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Reds at Dodgers

Current Conditions - Los Angeles

SUNNY 68 °F
Wind: S 10
5-Day Forecast GAME: Cincinnati Reds (15-30) at Los Angeles Dodgers (23-23)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 24 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

If Clayton Kershaw could start every other day, the Los Angeles Dodgers might possibly be unstoppable. But since even three-time Cy Young award winners need their rest, Kershaw will be on the bench Tuesday as the Dodgers continue their three-game series against the visiting Cincinnati Reds, who are hitting .202 during their season-high eight-game losing streak.

Kershaw gave his overworked bullpen a much-needed rest and threw a complete-game two-hit shutout in Monday’s 1-0 victory as the Dodgers evened their record at 23-23 and won their seventh straight against Cincinnati. Howie Kendrick has provided a boost of late by playing multiple positions and breaking out of an early-season slump with a .310 average and 10 runs scored this month. The Reds have been shutout in two of their last three games and need more production from third baseman Eugenio Suarez, who was held out of Monday’s game after going 0-for-11 with 10 strikeouts in last weekend’s three-game series against Seattle. One of the few bright spots has been the play of shortstop Zack Cozart, who is batting a team-high .321 and doubled to open Monday’s game for his 500th career base hit.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Daniel Wright (MLB debut) vs. Dodgers RH Mike Bolsinger (0-1, 6.23)

Wright is set to make his major league debut in place of Tim Adleman, who landed on the disabled list with a strained left oblique. The 25-year-old didn’t enter the season as a top prospect but earned the call after posting a 0.79 ERA through 34 innings between Triple-A Louisville and Double-A Pensacola. Wright, who began the year as a reliever, will be the 10th different pitcher to start a game for Cincinnati this season.

Bolsinger is starting in place of Ross Stripling, who was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City after tossing three innings in relief Sunday. The 28-year-old has been limited this season because of a left oblique strain but was called upon to make a spot start against the Angels on Wednesday and allowed three runs in 4 1/3 innings. Bolsinger, who has never faced Cincinnati, owns a 4-4 record and 3.51 ERA in 13 career games (12 starts) at Dodger Stadium.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dodger C Yasmani Grandal has been held out of the starting lineup for the last two games because of a sore ankle and is considered day-to-day.

2. Cincinnati RF Jay Bruce is hitless in his last 14 at-bats since belting a solo home run against Cleveland on Wednesday.

3. The Dodgers placed RHP Chin-Hui Tsao on the 15-day disabled list with a right triceps strain and recalled LHP Luis Avilan from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Reds 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Padres at Giants

Current Conditions - San Francisco

SUNNY 72 °F
Wind: NW 12
5-Day Forecast GAME: San Diego Padres (19-27) at San Francisco Giants (28-19)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 24 - 10:15 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The San Francisco Giants attempt to continue their dominance in the season series when they host the San Diego Padres on Tuesday for the second contest of their three-game set. San Francisco posted a 1-0 walk-off victory in Monday's series opener to improve to 7-0 versus its National League West rival this year and has limited San Diego to a total of three runs in their last four meetings.

Hunter Pence delivered a pinch-hit RBI double with two outs in the ninth inning to make a winner of Johnny Cueto, who tossed his third complete game and second shutout of the season — all of which have come against San Diego. While the Giants have won 12 of their last 13 contests, the Padres have dropped six of their last eight overall and three of four on the road. Three of San Diego's four setbacks in San Francisco were by one run, with two ending as 1-0 decisions. The Padres managed only two hits Monday — one of which was recorded by Matt Kemp, who had gone 1-for-28 over his previous seven contests.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN, FSN San Diego, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Andrew Cashner (2-3, 4.93 ERA) vs. Giants RH Jeff Samardzija (6-2, 2.66)

Cashner returns from a stint on the disabled list because of a strained right hamstring to make his first start since May 8. The 29-year-old Texan has allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his last six outings but has gone just 2-2 in that span. Cashner fell to 2-6 lifetime against the Giants on April 27, when he yielded six runs (three earned) on four hits and four walks over 2 2/3 innings at San Francisco.

Samardzija is coming off his second victory of the season against the Padres, an eight-inning outing Thursday in which he allowed one run and three hits while striking out eight at San Diego. With the win, the 31-year-old native of Indiana improved to 5-1 with a 3.14 ERA in eight career games — six starts — versus the Padres. Samardzija has given up one run over eight frames in three of his last four turns and has recorded 29 strikeouts while issuing only three walks in those four outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Pence didn't start for the third straight game Monday because of a mildly strained hamstring.

2. San Diego optioned RHP Colin Rea to Triple-A El Paso on Monday.

3. Each of San Francisco's last two victories were 1-0 finals.

PREDICTION: Giants 8, Padres 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA
Dunkel

Tuesday, May 24


Golden State @ Oklahoma City

Game 715-716
May 24, 2016 @ 9:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Golden State
134.726
Oklahoma City
128.207
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Golden State
by 6 1/2
218
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Golden State
by 1 1/2
222
Dunkel Pick:
Golden State
(-1 1/2); Under

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA
Long Sheet

Tuesday, May 24

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GOLDEN STATE (82 - 13) at OKLAHOMA CITY (65 - 31) - 5/24/2016, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 52-40 ATS (+8.0 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 41-33 ATS (+4.7 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 49-39 ATS (+6.1 Units) as a favorite this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 59-42 ATS (+12.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 41-28 ATS (+10.2 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 67-47 ATS (+15.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 26-35 ATS (-12.5 Units) after scoring 105 points or more this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 28-39 ATS (-14.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 6-6 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 8-5 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
7 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Tuesday, May 24

Trend Report

9:00 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Golden State
Oklahoma City is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing Golden State

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA
Short Sheet

Tuesday, May 24

Golden State at Oklahoma City, 9:00 ET
Golden State: 10-2 ATS revenging a loss vs opponent
Oklahoma City: 12-22 ATS after having won 4 of their last 5