Tuesday 7/7/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Mountaineer - Race #2 - Post: 7:22pm - Allowance - 8.0 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $18,400 Class Rating: 83

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#5 BRAVEMAN (ML=5/2)


BRAVEMAN - I like when a race sets up this way. This horse has the lone pace to crush this field. Owns the highest Equibase speed figure on the turf at this distance.

Vulnerable Contenders: #1A PONTUAL (ML=5/2), #1 XINGU (ML=5/2), #7 RED ALE (ML=7/2),

PONTUAL - This probable favorite hasn't been to the track in awhile. No works since last race. Notched a run-of-the-mill rating last time around the track in an Allowance race on May 25th. Unlikely to see an improved performance off of that number. XINGU - This entrant just hasn't looked sharp recently. RED ALE - Just don't figure that he is worth the risk at the expected odds.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: The Turf Man - BRAVEMAN - I always consider the mount with the highest average class rating in turf races. Should be a part of it today.


STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#5 BRAVEMAN to win at post-time odds of 1/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
5 with [2,8]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
5 with [2,8] with [2,4,7,8] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
5 with [2,4,8] with [2,3,4,7,8] with [2,3,4,7,8] Total Cost: $36

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Parx Racing - Race #3 - Post: 1:49pm - Maiden Claiming - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $15,000 Class Rating: 51

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#4 LEROY'S BABY (ML=3/1)


LEROY'S BABY - Moya was aboard this filly last time out and was impressed enough to take the horse right back. If this filly gets out of the gate cleanly, she'll be tough to catch. This equine didn't run well on a muddy track in her last start at Parx Racing. You should overlook that effort.

Vulnerable Contenders: #8 BREAKING THE CITY (ML=8/5), #7 PANDANCER (ML=4/1),

BREAKING THE CITY - I don't normally play a favorite that hasn't been to the track in the last two to three weeks. Just cannot bet on this racer. Didn't show me anything last time out or on Jan 1st. PANDANCER - This filly registered a speed figure in her last affair which probably isn't good enough in today's event.


STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Bet on #4 LEROY'S BABY to win if we can get at least 1/1 odds

EXACTA WAGERS:
4 with 7

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
None

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Tuesday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Delaware Park (2nd) Hauler, 7-2
(6th) Winding Road, 10-1


Finger Lakes (1st) Super Nicky, 6-1
(5th) Scorpion's Touch, 8-1


Fort Erie (3rd) Trivia Time, 10-1
(5th) Finally Ritta You, 3-1


Indiana Grand (6th) Effortlesslty, 5-1
(7th) Madison Olivia, 5-1


Mountaineer (1st) Emma's Holy Bee, 10-1
(5th) Ladbrook, 8-1


Parx Racing (4th) Star of Magic, 5-1
(6th) Now We're Talkin, 6-1


Presque Isle Downs (1st) Cherry Road, 7-2
(4th) Madly May, 5-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB Preview: Phillies (28-57) at Dodgers (47-37)

Game: 2
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: July 07, 2015 10:10 PM EDT

One night after a Los Angeles Dodgers hitter faced his former team for the first time, a Philadelphia Phillies pitcher will get to do the same.

After struggling in his return from the disabled list, Chad Billingsley would appear to have a stiff challenge in his attempt to beat the Dodgers with a red-hot Brett Anderson trying to add to his own comeback story Tuesday night.

Jimmy Rollins, the Phillies' all-time hits leader with 2,306 in 2,090 games, went 2 for 4 with the go-ahead two-run single and scored two runs in his first matchup against them since asking for a trade in December, a 10-7 victory Monday. Yasmani Grandal hit a three-run homer while helping send Philadelphia to its 10th loss in 12 games and 16th in 19 road contests.

Billingsley (0-2, 7.71 ERA) is next on the reunion tour and will face the team he won 81 games for in eight seasons before undergoing a pair of surgeries on his right elbow. The Dodgers (47-37) declined to pick up his option in October, and he was signed by the Phillies (28-57) to a one-year deal in January.

On May 5, the right-hander made his first major league start in 25 months, a 9-0 loss in Atlanta, and went back on the disabled list two weeks later because of a strained right shoulder.

He gave up seven runs and 10 hits in five innings in his return Thursday against Milwaukee, but avoided the loss when the Phillies rallied to force extra innings in an 8-7 defeat.

"He's struggling because he's coming back from issues that he's had. I thought he threw OK, but it's a work in progress," interim manager Pete Mackanin said.

Billingsley - seeking his first win since April 10, 2013 - will not only face a team that had 15 hits in the opener but also have to pitch opposite Anderson (5-4, 3.00), who is in the midst of a stirring resurgence.

Like Billingsley, the Dodgers left-hander endured a Tommy John surgery - in 2011 - along with foot, finger and back ailments since winning 11 games as a rookie with Oakland in 2009.

He's been in magnificent form lately, going 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in his last three starts, and gave up one run in seven innings while fanning seven in a 4-3 win in Arizona on Wednesday.

"He's been a godsend," catcher A.J. Ellis told MLB's official website. "I don't know where we'd be without him as our No. 3 (starter), and at times he's been a No. 1 or 2."

Anderson will face Philadelphia for the first time and only two Phillies hitters have seen him previously, Ben Revere (1 for 6) and Andres Blanco (1 for 1).

The Dodgers' Howie Kendrick, batting .452 (19 for 42) in his last 10 games, is 4 for 11 (.364) against Billingsley. Rollins is 9 for 26 (.346) including the playoffs.

Philadelphia's Cesar Hernandez is hitting .468 (22 for 47) in a career-best 11-game hit streak.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

On the diamond

The opening matchup of a mini two game interleague series is Tuesday's baseball betting focus as the Colorado Rockies host the Los Angeles Angels this evening at Coors Field. Righthander Chad Bettis will toe the rubber for Colorado tonight, bringing a 4-3 record to the hill with a 3.67 ERA. Southpaw Andrew Heaney making his third start of the season gets the call for the Angels, bringing a 1-0 record, 1.38 ERA to the hill. The fact that Heaney is a portsider is bad news for Colorado, since Rockies are just 3-13 against lefthanders, including just one win in the last seven attempts at Coors Field. This being an interleague game is yet another knock against Colorado, since the team has compiled a 1-8 record this season vs the Junior Circuit.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Streaks, Tips, Notes

Arizona at Texas July 7, 8:05 EST

Texas righthander Yovani Gallardo has not allowed a run in four starts a span of 26 1/3 innings. The hurler heads to the hill 4-2 with a 2.23 ERA in seven starts at home (5-2 TSR) and is 8-1 against the D-Bbacks with his teams 10-3 in 13 career starts. One final betting nugget, Rangers are 8-1 following a loss handing the ball to Gallardo.

Note: 'Under' gamblers are thriving in Gallardo games cashing 9 'Under', 2 'Over' and 1 'Push'

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

StatFox Super Situations

MLB | LA ANGELS at COLORADO
Play On - Any team (LA ANGELS) stranding 6.9 or less runners on base per game on the season, after scoring 7 runs or more 3 straight games
61-30 over the last 5 seasons. ( 67.0% | 30.2 units )
6-5 this year. ( 54.5% | 0.8 units )


StatFox Situational Power Trends

MLB | BALTIMORE at MINNESOTA
BALTIMORE is 18-6 (+15.3 Units) against the money line after batting .225 or worse over a 10 game span over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was: BALTIMORE (4.7) , OPPONENT (2.7)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Tuesday's six-pack

-- Jon Lester got his first-ever MLB hit last night, had a no-hitter in 7th inning, but lost to the Cardinals 6-0. Montero caught him too, not David Ross. Does this mean Kyle Schwarber could be promoted as backup catcher soon?

-- Florida State is playing its spring game in Orlando next year, in the Citrus Bowl.

-- Detroit 12, Seattle 5-- Last sixteen Tiger games went over the total.

-- Mets 3, Giants 0-- SF lost its 7th game in row. Under is 10-2-2 in first game of a Met road series.

-- Joe Johnson will make $24.8M next season; why?

-- Congrats to AJ Burnett on making his first-ever All-Star team.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Cokin

Bonus Play Tuesday

ORIOLES (Gausman) @ TWINS (Gibson) 8:10 PM

Take: ORIOLES -103

Very exciting game on Monday in the series opener between Baltimore and Minnesota. This was home run derby in spite of only six runs being scored, with Brian Dozier’s walk-off extra inning shot being the difference as the Twins came out on top.

I’m looking forward to this evening’s battle. Kyle Gibson has shown some rather dramatic improvement lately for the Twins. He was catching some good breaks early on this season, but the recent Gibson outings have been totally legit. He might well be on the verge of becoming the ace of Twins staff.

The Orioles are hoping that what they’ve seen in Kevin Gausman’s first two starts of the season are a sign of things to come. Gausman is looked upon by some as a sure thing in short spurts out of the bullpen. But the O’s want Gausman to succeed as a starting pitcher. His is a true power arm and if Gausman gets it all together, he can be a very high level big league hurler.

I don’t see much of an advantage either way here on the pitching front. Going against Gibson is no snap at this point. But Gausman has every opportunity to equal or surpass Gibson tonight.

It’s more on the team data that I’m focused on the Baltimore side tonight. The Twins can be had by hard throwing righties and even with the win last night, the Minnesota offense has not been all that productive lately. I see the Orioles having the offensive edge in this game, although it’s by no means overwhelming.

Baltimore has lose six of its last eight, so the O’s aren’t exactly sizzling right now. But the Twins have been having a really rough time stringing together good games recently. They haven’t won two in a row since mid-June, and have lost six in a row off a win. If this ends up being a battle of bullpens, I have to favor the Orioles on that count, thought the Twins relief corps has been okay of late.

I made the Orioles small chalk in this game and with the price sitting at a virtual pick ’em, I like the chances of cashing in with the Baltimore side tonight.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports

Bonus Play Tuesday Mets w/ Colon + 130

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jim Feist

Bonus Play for Tuesday, July 7, 2015 10:15 PM ET

(911) NEW YORK METS VS (912) SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Take: (911) NEW YORK METS

Reason: Your Bonus Play for Tuesday, July 7, 2015 is in the MLB contest between the Mets and Giants in San Francisco. Bartolo Colon continues to throw well, giving the team quality starts. Colon tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing three hits, walking one and striking out eight Wednesday against the Cubs. Colon was rolling Wednesday, retiring 14 straight at one point while lowering his ERA to 4.55 with the seven scoreless innings. The Giants are 1-6 in their last seven vs. the National League East. San Fran is a .500 team at home and the Giants have Matt Cain back, getting bombed in his lone start. Cain (0-1) gave up five runs on seven hits and four walks over five innings in his return from the disabled list Thursday against Miami. After missing the season's first three months with a strained flexor tendon, Cain looked pretty bad in his return. Cain turned in subpar performances in 2013 and 2014, so he's no longer and ace though the oddsmakers think so. Play the NY Mets.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mr. Vegas

Mr Vegas FREE MLB play for Tuesday, July 7, 2015. 10:15 PM

(911) NEW YORK METS VS (912) SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Take: (911) NEW YORK METS

Reason: The Mets and Giants both slumping of late. The Mets have won just two of their last five while the Giants came into this series losing six straight. The Giants were swept by both Washington and Miami in their last two series. They will send Matt Cain to the hill for only his second start since coming off the DL. Cain didn't do very well in his first start, allowing five runs over five innings and giving up three home runs. Bartolo Colon has found new life this year with the Mets, posting a 9-6 record and 4.55 ERA. Colon is coming off a fine start where he allowed no runs over seven innings to the Cubs. The Mets are a nice dog here tonight and I'm not sure Cain is ready to lay this kind of money.

Take the Mets.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

Tuesday, July 7

Trend Report

1:20 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. CHI CUBS
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Chi Cubs's last 14 games
Chi Cubs are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games

2:10 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. KANSAS CITY
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Tampa Bay's last 23 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City's last 6 games
Kansas City is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay

7:05 PM
CINCINNATI vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cincinnati's last 8 games when playing Washington
Cincinnati is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington
Washington is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cincinnati
Washington is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home

7:05 PM
OAKLAND vs. NY YANKEES
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland's last 5 games when playing NY Yankees
Oakland is 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 5 games when playing Oakland
NY Yankees are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing Oakland

7:05 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. PITTSBURGH
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Diego's last 5 games
San Diego is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
Pittsburgh is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing San Diego

7:10 PM
HOUSTON vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Houston's last 11 games when playing Cleveland
Houston is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Cleveland's last 11 games when playing Houston

7:10 PM
MIAMI vs. BOSTON
Miami is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Miami
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Miami

8:05 PM
ARIZONA vs. TEXAS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 6 games on the road
Arizona is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas's last 6 games
Texas is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games

8:05 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. CHI CUBS
St. Louis is 2-3-1 SU in their last 6 games ,when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
St. Louis4-0-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Chi Cubs are 2-4-1 SU in their last 7 games ,at home
Chi Cubs are 0-4-1 SU in their last 5 games ,when playing St. Louis

8:10 PM
ATLANTA vs. MILWAUKEE
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta's last 7 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Milwaukee's last 7 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Milwaukee is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta

8:10 PM
TORONTO vs. CHI WHITE SOX
Toronto is 3-7 SU in their last 10 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
Chi White Sox are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi White Sox's last 6 games when playing Toronto

8:10 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. KANSAS CITY
Tampa Bay is 1-3-1 SU in its last 5 games ,when playing Kansas City
Tampa Bay is 1-8-1 SU in its last 10 games ,when playing on the road against Kansas City
Kansas City8-1-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Kansas City is 2-5-1 SU in its last 8 games ,

8:10 PM
BALTIMORE vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Baltimore's last 9 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baltimore's last 6 games
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Baltimore
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 9 games when playing Baltimore

8:40 PM
LA ANGELS vs. COLORADO
LA Angels are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels's last 6 games on the road
Colorado is 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Angels
Colorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

10:10 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. LA DODGERS
Philadelphia is 2-3-1 SU in their last 6 games ,when playing LA Dodgers
Philadelphia is 3-15-1 SU in its last 19 games ,on the road
LA Dodgers are 3-5-1 SU in their last 9 games ,when playing Philadelphia
LA Dodgers are 2-4-1 SU in their last 7 games ,at home

10:10 PM
DETROIT vs. SEATTLE
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing on the road against Seattle
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle's last 6 games when playing at home against Detroit

10:15 PM
NY METS vs. SAN FRANCISCO
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of NY Mets's last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of NY Mets's last 8 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
San Francisco is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco's last 5 games at home

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Tuesday, July 7

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

TULSA (8 - 4) at ATLANTA (5 - 6) - 7/7/2015, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
TULSA is 34-20 ATS (+12.0 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
TULSA is 24-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 3-1 against the spread versus TULSA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 3-1 straight up against TULSA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

WNBA

Tuesday, July 7

Trend Report

8:00 PM
TULSA vs. ATLANTA
Tulsa is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
Tulsa is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Atlanta is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sleepyj

LA DODGERS -1.5 (-115)

Analysis: Chad Billingsly will take to the mound tonight..He has 4 starts this year and his numbers are rather bad..ERA is now at 7.71 and his WHIP is 1.86...In 21 innings pitched he a grand total of 8 strikeouts and 6 walks...He has also given up 33 hits in his 4 starts and 18ER..Dodger shad a breakout game last night as they scored 10 runs in a very exciting game..Tonight Dodgers will put Brett Anderson on mound...Anderson has looked rather good in his last 3 starts..He won all 3 games and only allowed 3ER in 20 innings pitched..His strikeouts have gone up as he has 17 in his last 2 games..This is a pure fade of Philly pitcher Billingsly..Philly hasn't seen Anderson yet this season..Philly gave all they could last night and they still came up short..This is one of the worst pitching teams in the league..Billingsly might just be the worst guy on this roster..If the Dodgers can hit like they did last night, double digits in runs won't be a far reach.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

BIG AL

Our complimentary selection for Tuesday, July 7 is:

Los Angeles Angels (Heaney) over Colorado Rockies (Bettis).

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

JOE WIZ

Tuesday.... Over 7 Houston and Cleveland

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals at Cubs

GAME: St. Louis Cardinals (54-28) at Chicago Cubs (44-37)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, July 07 - 1:20 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The St. Louis Cardinals have claimed eight of 10 meetings with the rival Chicago Cubs this season and look to continue that dominance with a doubleheader at Wrigley Field on Tuesday. The Cardinals have won five straight against the Cubs after a 6-0 victory to open the four-game series.



The Cardinals headed to Chicago slumping at the plate, having scored only 11 runs over their previous six games, but they broke out late in Monday's game. St. Louis scored all six of its runs in the final three innings after being held hitless through six innings by left-hander Jon Lester. The Cubs continue to struggle at the plate, having scored two or fewer runs in 11 of their last 13 contests. Chicago has totaled five runs in its past five games against St. Louis.

TV: 1:20 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), WGN (Chicago)



PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals LH Tyler Lyons (2-0, 5.09 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (8-5, 2.80)

Lyons has bounced between Triple-A and the big club this season, making five big-league starts over two stints in the majors. The 27-year-old has won his last two starts for St. Louis but was on the losing end of two outings at Triple-A Memphis since then. Lyons is 0-1 with a 7.36 ERA in five games (two starts) against the Cubs, including a no-decision May 5 in St. Louis.

Arrieta was left off the National League All-Star team despite worthy numbers. The 29-year-old has been terrific in his past three starts, going 2-0 while allowing two runs and 12 hits over 24 innings. Arrieta has split two decisions against the Cardinals in 2015, throwing seven scoreless frames in a win during the opening week of the season but giving up five runs (four earned) in 5 1/3 innings in a loss May 7 in St. Louis.



WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo won the players' vote to earn his second consecutive All-Star nod, while rookie 3B Kris Bryant became the first Chicago rookie named an All-Star since 2008.

2. St. Louis C Yadier Molina, RHP Michael Wacha and RHP Trevor Rosenthal were named All-Stars on Monday, joining starters SS Jhonny Peralta and OF Matt Holliday, while RH Carlos Martinez is one of five players on the NL ballot for the Final Vote.

3. Bryant is riding a seven-game hitting streak and has reached base in 24 of his past 25 home games.



PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Cardinals 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays at Royals

GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (43-41) at Kansas City Royals (46-33)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, July 07 - 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A

The Tampa Bay Rays look to improve on their major league-best road record when they battle the Kansas City Royals in a split doubleheader on Tuesday. Rain washed out the scheduled opener Monday after the Rays ended a seven-game losing streak with an 8-1 triumph at the New York Yankees on Sunday for their 22nd victory in 36 away from home.

First baseman James Loney has made an impact with his glove and bat for Tampa Bay, going 4-for-13 with three RBIs in three games since returning from a fractured finger. Rays home run leader Steven Souza Jr. (15 blasts) is questionable with a finger injury while Kansas City’s Mike Moustakas, who is second on the team with a .301 average, was placed on the bereavement list Monday. The Royals own the best record (46-33) in the American League despite losing five of their last seven contests. Four Kansas City players – outfielders Alex Gordon and Lorenzo Cain along with catcher Salvador Perez and shortstop Alcides Escobar – will start in next week’s All-Star Game.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Matt Moore (0-0, 7.71 ERA) vs. Royals RH Chris Young (7-4, 2.64)

Moore allowed four runs, six hits and two walks over 4 2/3 innings in his 2015 debut last Thursday after returning from Tommy John surgery. “He commanded his fastball,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash told reporters. “A couple of pitches got away from him, yanked a couple change-ups, but I think we all came into it knowing there’s a possibility of that happening.” Escobar is 4-for-8 with a homer against Moore, who is 0-2 in three career starts versus the Royals.

Young lost for the second time in three starts last time out but yielded only one run on six hits over 5 1/3 innings in a 2-0 loss to Minnesota. The 6-10 Texas native has limited opponents to one earned run or less in eight of his 11 starts after starting the season in the bullpen. Loney is 8-for-22 with three doubles versus Young, who is 1-2 with a 7.71 ERA in three starts against Tampa Bay.

WALK-OFFS

1. Tampa Bay RHPs Chris Archer (nine wins, 141 strikeouts) and Brad Boxberger (20 saves) were named the AL All-Star team.

2. Kansas City 1B-DH Kendrys Morales has cooled off of late with just five hits in 30 at-bats with 10 strikeouts in his last eight games.

3. In addition to the four starters, RHPs Wade Davis (nine saves, 0.25 ERA) and Kelvin Herrera (0.98 WHIP) were selected to the AL All-Star squad.

PREDICTION: Rays 6, Royals 3