Tuesday 8/23/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers (65-59) at Twins (49-75)

Game: 1
Venue: Target Field
Date: August 23, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Detroit Tigers haven't played their best baseball during the last two weeks but finally have a chance to get back on track when they open a three-game series against the last-place Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night at Target Field.

The Tigers, 4-6 in their last 10 games and clinging to viability in the American League Central standings, have played a grueling schedule since the month began, including series against postseason contenders Seattle and Kansas City as well as division leaders Texas and Boston.

Minnesota is neither, and since going 15-11 in July, the Twins have stumbled to a 9-11 start in August, including a four-game series sweep last weekend at the hands of the surging Royals.

It was the first time since 1999 that the Royals took all four games of a series with the Twins and the first since 1975 in Kansas City.

"I'm very frustrated," Twins manager Paul Molitor said, according to MLB.com. "To (go to Kansas City) and have to endure (those) four games. Some of these situations and environment where guys need to step up, our mental toughness needs to improve.

"Hopefully, we do that as we get more experience from our younger core. That's what it takes to win on the road against a team that's playing well."

Detroit trails first-place Cleveland but is one of a handful of teams within striking distance of Baltimore for the second AL wild-card spot. The Tigers came away with a 10-5 win over the Red Sox on Sunday, securing a series split against a team that entered the weekend on a six-game winning streak.

The series saw the return of outfielder Justin Upton, who has struggled in his first season in Detroit. Things got so bad last week that Tigers manager Brad Ausmus benched him for a few days after a 1-for-31 skid.

Upton spent time with hitting coach Wally Joyner and returned Saturday, getting a double off the center-field fence in his first game back before slugging two homers in Sunday's win.

"I continue to let him know he's the kind of guy that can carry a team," Tigers outfielder Cameron Maybin told MLB.com. "Not to put any pressure on himself, but he's that type of talent. We're going to need him to do things like that, that he's capable of doing. And it's something to watch when he does. When he gets them, he gets them."

Tuesday's opener features right-handers Anibal Sanchez for the Tigers against Kyle Gibson for the Twins.

Sanchez took a no-hitter into the seventh inning his last time out against the Royals but ended up with a no-decision, striking out eight and walking two while surrendering one hit in seven innings. He had a quality start against Minnesota on July 19, allowing three runs and striking out 10 in six innings but took the loss.

Gibson is coming off a complete game against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday when he allowed three runs and eight hits and fanned six. He has struggled in eight career starts against Detroit, posting a 3-4 record with a 5.04 ERA.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Phillies (58-67) at White Sox (59-64)

Game: 1
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: August 23, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

CHICAGO -- The Philadelphia Phillies will visit Chicago's South Side for the first time since 2004 when they open a two-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night.

Much has changed in the 12 years since the teams last met at U.S. Cellular Field. The White Sox won the World Series in 2005 and the Phillies won it in 2008, but neither team has sniffed the postseason as of late.

The Phillies (58-67) are hoping to avoid a third consecutive last-place finish in the National League East. They have lost four of their past six games and have been outscored 41-19 during that span.

The White Sox (59-64) have not fared much better, as they are on pace for their fourth straight sub-.500 season. However, home games are proving to be a different story. Back-to-back wins over the weekend against the visiting Oakland Athletics pushed Chicago's home record to 31-27, compared with its road record of 28-37.

"Home games, away games, it doesn't matter," White Sox outfielder Adam Eaton said. "I don't know what our splits are right now, but I think we enjoy playing on the road just as much as playing at home.

"The rivalry of going into someone's house and winning has been fun for us. We enjoy winning at home, as well. All games matter, especially in the position we're in as a unit right now."

Left-hander Carlos Rodon (3-8, 4.26 ERA) will start for the White Sox. The 23-year-old never has faced the Phillies during his career, and he is 2-2 with a 5.96 ERA in five career interleague matchups.

Lately, Rodon has shown glimpses of the talent that led to him being the No. 3 overall selection in the 2014 draft. He has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his past three starts against the Baltimore Orioles, Miami Marlins and Cleveland Indians. He is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 18 innings during that span.

The Phillies will send rookie right-hander Jake Thompson (1-2, 8.79 ERA) to the mound for the fourth start of his big-league career. The 22-year-old was a second-round draft choice by the Detroit Tigers in 2012 before they shipped him to the Texas Rangers in 2014 for right-handed relief pitcher Joakim Soria. One year later, the Rangers dealt Thompson to Philadelphia as part of a package to acquire left-hander Cole Hamels.

In his first three starts, Thompson has not made it past the fifth inning. He has allowed 14 earned runs in 14 1/3 innings, including five runs in five innings in his most recent outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Command has been a problem for Thompson, who has issued nine walks to go along with 11 strikeouts.

"The one that's putting me in the most amount of trouble is my sinker," Thompson told the Delaware News Journal. "Not commanding it down in the zone, falling behind and trying to use four seams to get back in pitcher's counts. Just struggling with it a little bit."

Phillies manager Pete Mackanin expressed confidence in the rookie pitcher. Before his promotion, Thompson was 11-5 with a 2.50 ERA in 21 starts for Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

"Pitching is all about repeating your mechanics and making good pitches," Mackanin told the News Journal. "In time, he'll get there."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets (62-62) at Cardinals (66-57)

Game: 1
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: August 23, 2016 8:15 PM EDT

Defense, pitching and home games have been sources of irritation for the St. Louis Cardinals.

But hitting homers can cover a multitude of sins, and St. Louis is currently in position for its sixth straight postseason berth because it continues to crush the ball over the wall.

As the Cardinals start a three-game series Tuesday night with the New York Mets at Busch Stadium, they'll do so having belted a National League-high 173 homers, including 26 in their last 12 games.

Only Baltimore (192) and Toronto (179) have drilled more homers than St. Louis, and both have the advantage of playing their home games in hitters' parks.

"It's not the only way we can score runs, but it's our main way," Cardinals first baseman Brandon Moss said. "We've got a lot of guys in the lineup that can do a lot of damage, and it puts some stress on pitchers. It's nice to have guys in the lineup who can change a game like that."

Moss has done more than any St. Louis hitter to change games with the long ball, even though he missed nearly a month with a sprained ankle. In just 290 at-bats, Moss has cracked 23 homers, his latest on Sunday in a 9-0 win at Philadelphia.

The Cardinals recorded four homers in that game, including their 14th pinch-hit blast of the year by Jeremy Hazelbaker in the eighth inning. That tied the all-time MLB record and capped a 6-3 road trip that gave St. Louis (66-57) a 1 1/2-game lead over Miami for the NL's second wild-card spot.

However, the Cardinals play their next six games at home, where they are only 28-33 this year. That might provide a glimmer of hope for New York, which needs all the positives it can get at this point.

At 62-62, the defending NL champs are 4 1/2 games behind St. Louis and need at least a series win, if not a sweep. They are coming off a series split in San Francisco, thanks to a 2-0 win on Sunday night.

"If you're going to win, your good players have to play good. We ride those guys," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "Hopefully, this is the start of what we want to do."

The series opener pits left-handers on the mound as the Cardinals trot out Jaime Garcia (10-8, 4.11 ERA) against Jonathon Niese (8-7, 5.30).

Garcia has won his last three starts, although he was propped up by the offense in an 8-5 decision on Aug. 16 in Houston, allowing five runs in five-plus innings. His only outing against New York earlier this year resulted in a 3-1 loss on July 26 in the nightcap of a doubleheader.

Niese has faced St. Louis three times this season while pitching for Pittsburgh, going 1-1 and allowing 13 runs off 24 hits in 16 innings. He absorbed a 13-5 defeat Wednesday night at Arizona in his first start with the Mets.

In an appealing matchup Wednesday night, the Cardinals' Carlos Martinez (11-7, 3.24 ERA) faces Jacob deGrom (7-6, 2.73). Adam Wainwright (9-7, 4.71) will pitch Thursday night's series finale for St. Louis against a starter to be determined, as Steven Matz will skip his turn after being diagnosed with a left shoulder strain on Monday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves (45-80) at Diamondbacks (52-73)

Game: 2
Venue: Chase Field
Date: August 23, 2016 9:40 PM EDT

PHOENIX -- Freddie Freeman kills it at Chase Field.

Paul Goldschmidt does so just about everywhere.

Act II of the four-part series featuring two of the best first basemen in a National League full of them -- Anthony Rizzo, Joey Votto, Adrian Gonzalez, come on down -- will continue Tuesday, when the Atlanta Braves and the Arizona Diamondbacks play the second game of a four-game series.

If history is the guide, there will be plenty more production from first base forthcoming.

Freeman had two homers and 10 total bases and Goldschmidt had three hits, including the game-winning, walk-off homer, in Arizona's 9-8 victory in the series opener at Chase Field on Monday.

Freeman tied the game by leading off the top of the ninth inning with his second homer of the game -- on a 3-0 pitch, no less. Goldschmidt led off the bottom of the inning with his fourth career game-ending homer.

"Two of the best in the league right here going at it," Arizona manager Chip Hale said.

Freeman has a career-high 26 homers this season, and he added a double to his two homers Monday in his return to the lineup after missing the Sunday game against the Washington Nationals because of a sore right middle finger. Freeman took a cortisone shot Saturday night, and the healing process usually takes about 48 hours. So much for the standard operating procedure.

"The finger felt good," said Freeman, who hit a two-run homer to the opposite field in left-center field in the first inning. "Didn't know what to expect today. Decided to be aggressive in my first at-bat."

In the ninth inning, "Just looking for a strike. I knew he didn't want to walk the leadoff guy. That's why I was going for it 3-0."

The D-backs knew he would be going for it, also. He was 3-for-4 with a homer in four previous times making contact on a 3-0 pitch.

His performance at Chase Field is nothing new. Freeman has six homers and 11 RBIs in his past five games in Phoenix, dating to his last game in 2014.

"He is a very good hitter, one of the best in the major leagues, and especially in this ballpark," Hale said.

And Goldschmidt ...

"He's our guy," Hale added.

Goldschmidt hit his 19th Monday on a changeup he was determined not to try to do too much with, although the pitch ended in the left field seats. He said he was just attempting to start the line moving.

"Tie game or extra innings, the tendency is to try to hit home runs," Goldschmidt said, "and that just has not worked out for me or other guys. It kind of creeps into the back of your head. You try to do too much and try to hit a home run.

"I think a lot of time it's mental. 'Hey, one swing can change this game.' I didn't want to give in to that thought process. I've had a few at-bats where I felt like I took a little too big of a swing and just got myself out."

Not that time.

Attempting to cool off the first basemen on Tuesday will be Arizona right-hander Archie Bradley (4-8, 5.04 ERA) and Atlanta rookie right-hander Rob Whalen (1-2, 5.73).

Bradley gave up five runs in five innings in his only career start against Atlanta last season.

Over his past 11 starts, Bradley has just one win. He is coming off a poor outing Thursday at San Diego, when the he allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.

Whalen, who will be making his fifth major league start, has never faced the Diamondbacks. He was acquired from the Mets at the 2015 trade deadline in a deal that sent Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe to New York.

After winning his major league debut by throwing five innings of four-run ball against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Aug. 3, Whalen is 0-2 with a 5.29 ERA in his past three outings.

On Thursday against the Nationals, he yielded three runs (one earned) on three hits in six innings. Whalen walked three and struck out six.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians (72-51) at Athletics (53-72)

Game: 2
Venue: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Date: August 23, 2016 10:05 PM EDT

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Cleveland Indians hope that good news in the short term will lead to encouraging prospects for the long run when they send right-hander Danny Salazar to the mound to face the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night.

The pitching pairing has the look of a mismatch, with the first-place Indians sending their second-biggest winner (Salazar, 11-4, 3.57 ERA) against the last-place Athletics' second-biggest loser (left-hander Sean Manaea, 4-8, 4.73 ERA).

However, that is presuming a healthy Salazar shows up, and that is far from a sure thing.

Salazar had to be pulled after one inning in his last start, Thursday at home against the Chicago White Sox. He was seeing his first action since returning from a disabled-list stint caused by a sore elbow, a 17-day layoff during which he received a cortisone shot.

The 26-year-old reported no discomfort after the 34-pitch debacle in which he allowed three runs on one hit and three walks.

Salazar looked so out of sorts, he was sent to the bullpen to throw the equivalent of three more innings, just to get in a good workout.

"The main thing," Salazar said afterward, "was to feel good, and I did. I feel great."

He didn't look great, though, and that is what concerns the Indians.

In fact, Salazar hasn't look good since the start of July, after having been one of baseball's best pitchers while posting a 10-3 record and a 2.22 ERA.

His ERA in four July starts ballooned to 6.14, the ninth highest in the American League, and nobody in the majors has been worse in August, when his ERA has exploded to 27.00 in two starts.

Bring on the A's, who wish they had Salazar's problems.

Oakland had to fine two players Monday for fighting, including the guy who was on the receiving end of a punch that gave him a concussion.

A's manager Bob Melvin said he expects to have Danny Valencia back in the lineup Tuesday. He was the one who got upset when Billy Butler reportedly questioned his loyalty to his shoe-endorsement company before the Friday game in Texas.

Butler hasn't played since the fight and now finds himself on the seven-day concussion disabled list. Valencia recorded two hits in the Athletics' contests Friday and Saturday before not starting the past two games. He struck out as a pinch hitter Monday.

The A's looked like a team in disarray Monday in a 1-0, series-opening loss to the Indians. They managed just six hits off Cleveland starter Carlos Carrasco, who had been roughed up for 33 runs in his previous 30 1/3 innings.

The lack of offense cost A's rookie Andrew Triggs, who failed to record his first major league win despite six shutout innings.

"You feel for him," A's manager Bob Melvin said of Triggs. "You can't help but pull for a guy who's a great team guy."

If there is a positive for the A's entering the Tuesday game, it is that their eight-game loser appears to be in better form than the Indians' 11-game winner.

Manaea has recorded all four of his wins at home while compiling a 4-3 record and a 3.45 ERA in 12 starts.

The rookie has never faced the Indians.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs (79-45) at Padres (53-72)

Game: 2
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: August 23, 2016 10:10 PM EDT

SAN DIEGO -- One pitcher is looking forward to October. The other pitcher has very few starts remaining this season.

That's the pitching matchup Tuesday night as the Padres "host" the Cubs for the second of three games at Petco Park ... or what Cubs fans call Wrigley Field West.

Starting for the Cubs will be reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta, whose 15-5 record and 2.75 earned run average in 24 starts puts him in the running for a repeat. But Arrieta says that is not his focus heading into the stretch.

"We've done very well," Arrieta said recently. "But everyone knows it's about what happens from here on out."

Starting for the Padres Tuesday night will be left-hander Christian Friedrich, who will be making the 18th start of a season that is winding down.

Yes, the Padres still have almost six weeks to go until the finish line. But they will be shutting Friedrich down any start now.

"He's already worked twice as many innings this season in a different role than he worked last year," Padres manager Andy Green said recently. "We like him. We're going to protect him."

Friedrich, 29, has a 4-9 record with a 4.69 ERA in 17 starts for the Padres since being promoted from Triple-A El Paso on May 13. He has worked 94 innings. He also worked 18 innings in the minors before joining the Padres. Last season, working out of the Colorado Rockies bullpen, Friedrich worked 58 1/3 innings in 68 appearances.

At the moment, Friedrich is a member of a six-man rotation. But Green has said the Padres will likely return to a five-man rotation with two days off in a span of five days starting Thursday.

The sixth man out in all likelihood will be Friedrich.

"I feel good," said Friedrich, "but I know the thinking."

As for Arrieta, he's on full throttle.

But he hasn't had great luck in his two previous starts at Petco Park. Arrieta is 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA in the Padres home, although he hasn't pitched there since 2014. Arrieta is 9-2 on the road this season with a 3.29 ERA in 12 starts.

He is also coming off one of his weaker starts. Against the Brewers on Aug. 18, Arrieta issued a career-high seven walks and gave up and allowed five runs in 5 2/3 innings. He still collected his 15th win in the Cubs 9-6 victory.

Arrieta's 2.75 ERA ranks fifth in the National League, just ahead of Jon Lester's 2.81 mark after Monday night.

Arrietta leads the major leagues with a .186 opponents' batting average and figures to be facing five, and possibly six, left-handed hitters Tuesday night, including switch-hitters Yangervis Solarte and Luis Sardinas on the left side of the Padres infield. Recently, the Padres have been using the left-handed Brett Wallace at first in some games against right-handed pitchers with first baseman Wil Myers moving to right.

Sardinas, who was promoted from Triple-A El Paso Monday, will be making his first start at shortstop for the Padres and is expected to make the majority of the starts at short for the rest of the season as the Padres cut back on the starts make by former Chicago White Sox Alexei Ramirez.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants (68-56) at Dodgers (69-55)

Game: 1
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: August 23, 2016 10:10 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES -- Despite having a starting rotation that continues to be ravaged by injuries, the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers remain a confident bunch heading into a three-game showdown beginning Tuesday with the second-place San Francisco Giants.

"We're looking forward to it," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

Adrian Gonzalez launched three of the Dodgers' seven home runs and had a career-high eight RBIs in Monday's 18-9 romp against the Reds in Cincinnati. However, the injury bug struck again as neck and back problems plagued starter Scott Kazmir, who couldn't make it out of the third inning and allowed four runs on six hits with three walks and a strikeout.

Kazmir is expected to undergo an MRI in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Kazmir is the latest in a string of casualties that have hurt the club's starters for much of the season. Ace Clayton Kershaw (herniated disk), who is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Tuesday and could return in September, Brandon McCarthy (right hip soreness) and Rich Hill (blisters on pitching finger) remain on the disabled list.

However, Hill, who has yet to make his Dodgers' debut since being acquired from the Oakland Athletics at the trading deadline, and Brett Anderson are penciled in to start against the Giants on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Anderson, who returned Aug. 14 from herniated disk surgery against the Pittsburgh Pirates, served up five runs and lasted just one inning before departing with a wrist injury. Anderson also had his last start Saturday cut short by a blister on his left index finger Saturday at Cincinnati.

Another starter, Bud Norris, has been in and out of the rotation with injuries, while Hyun-Jin Ryu (left shoulder surgery) has yet to pitch this season.

Still, despite all those painful scenarios, they haven't short-circuited the Dodgers (69-55) battling the Giants for the division lead.

The Giants (68-56), who were off Monday and trail the Dodgers by a game after a four-game split with the New York Mets over the weekend, have stumbled to an 11-23 record since the All-Star break.

"I do think we're playing better ball," manager Bruce Bochy said, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "The guys are swinging it pretty good. Some games we've scored some runs and the pitching has not been quite as sharp."

Giants All-Star Madison Bumgarner (12-7, 2.25 ERA) will oppose the Dodgers' Kenta Maeda (12-7, 3.29 ERA) in the opener.

Bumgarner is 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA in two starts against the Dodgers this season. In his last start Thursday against the Mets, Bumgarner gave up four runs on six hits in five innings but claimed the decision in a 10-7 win. He also homered.

The Giants have claimed six of the 10 meetings against the Dodgers.

Maeda last pitched Aug. 16 at Philadelphia, fanning nine, walking one and holding the Phillies to two runs on three hits in six innings. Maeda is 4-0 with a 3.45 ERA since July 23.

He beat the Giants in his only start against them on April 17, limiting San Francisco to a run on four hits in seven innings with seven strikeouts and a walk in a 3-1 decision.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees (63-61) at Mariners (67-57)

Game: 2
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: August 23, 2016 10:10 PM EDT

SEATTLE -- What can Gary Sanchez do for an encore?

The New York Yankees' rookie catcher, and blossoming star, keeps raising the bar higher every night. All he did Monday was earn American League player of the week honors and then hit two homers in a 7-5 loss to the Seattle Mariners.

"It's been unbelievable," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said after Sanchez went 3-for-4 with two home runs, three RBIs and threw a runner out trying to steal second. "The way he's swung the bat. The way he plays defense. ... He's been extremely impressive."

Sanchez and the Yankees (64-60) will be back at Safeco Field on Tuesday night, led by a starting pitcher who pitches pretty well in the stadium. Veteran left-hander CC Sabathia, who is scheduled to start Tuesday, has an all-time record of 8-1 and a career ERA of 2.16 at Safeco Field.

That might not matter much if the 36-year-old southpaw can't shake his recent struggles. Sabathia is 2-6 with a 6.78 ERA over his past 11 starts, giving up 13 home runs in that span.

That might generate some excitement for a Seattle team that hit three home runs in the Monday win over the Yankees.

"Win by the home run, die by the home run," Seattle manager Scott Servais said afterward.

The Yankees (63-61) hit four homers in the loss, all of them coming against Seattle starter Cody Martin. Having spent most of the season at Triple-A Tacoma, Martin might be sent back there before Tuesday's game if the Mariners decide to bring right-hander Taijuan Walker back to start the game against the Yankees. The team had not announced a Tuesday starter as of late Monday night, but Walker (4-7, 4.10 ERA) looks like the most likely option. He's made three starts in Tacoma since being demoted earlier this month, and the team could bring the former top prospect back up for the long haul.

How Walker fares down the stretch could be a big factor in whether the Mariners (67-57) are able to stay in the AL wild-card race. Another key is 22-year-old closer Edwin Diaz, who has converted all 10 of his save opportunities this season but has struggled in each of his past three outings.

Like the Yankees' Sanchez, Diaz has brought a rookie fascination to his team's fan base. He's instantly become one of the most popular players on the Mariners, with a 100-mile-an-hour fastball coming from a rather slight frame, and Seattle's ascent into the playoff hunt has coincided with Diaz taking over for struggling closer Steve Cishek at the beginning of August.

Diaz was almost unhittable for his first two weeks as a closer, but he allowed three total runs in back-to-back outings before Servais gave him a two-game break over the weekend. Fill-in closer Tom Wilhelmsen blew Sunday's game with a four-run ninth inning, then Diaz returned to action in Monday's series opener and quickly pitched himself into trouble with a walk, a one-out single and a balk. But the rookie phenom wiggled out of it to strand runners on second and third base in the 7-5 win.

"The fastball right now is a little bit of a challenge," Servais said, "but he regrouped. That's what happens when you're 22 years old. He'll learn."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Tuesday's Diamond Notes
By Joe Williams

Hottest team: Royals (8-0 past 8, 11-1 past 12)

The Royals have played their way right back into the thick of the Wild Card race in the American League with their eight-game winning streak, and extended hot streak. The Royals have also won four in a row on the road, and they're 6-0 in their past six games against a starting pitcher with a WHIP greater than 1.30, for which Marlins SP Andrew Cashner certainly qualifies. The Royals are also 5-0 in their past five against right-handed starting pitching while winning each of Yordano Ventura's past four outings. On the flip side, the Marlins are 4-10 in their past 14 vs. RHP, 1-5 in their past six at home against righties and 0-4 in their past four interleague home outings against right-handed starters.

Coldest team: Angels (3-14 past 17)

The Angels hit the road for Toronto to face the first-place Blue Jays. That's not good for a Halos team which has dropped 10 straight on the road, last winning July 26 away from home. The Angels turn to Tyler Skaggs to snap the road woes, but he hasn't been very effective. The Angels are 0-4 in his past four outings, and they're 6-23 in their past 29 road games against right-handed starters. Nothing lines up in the favor of the Angels, as the cold streak should continue north of the border. Toronto has won 17 of their past 24 at home, and they're 5-1 in their past six against American League West foes.

Hottest pitcher: Ivan Nova, Pirates (9-6, 4.83 ERA)

Nova's overall numbers certainly aren't impressive, but he is unbeaten in three outings since coming aboard with the Pirates in a trade from the New York Yankees. He is 4-0 with a 4.41 ERA in three August starts, allowing eight runs with no walks and 12 strikeouts over 16 1/3 innings as a member of the Bucs. The Pirates have been victorious in all three of his outings, too. The Astros have been red hot lately, so this will be a huge test. However, while Houston is 25-10 in their past 35 interleague games, they are just 4-9 in their past 13 against right-handed starting pitchers.

Coldest pitcher: Sean Manaea, Athletics (4-8, 4.73 ERA)

The rookie for the Athletics has won just one of his past nine starts, although he has chopped more than a run from his overall ERA since July 5. Still, he is facing a red-hot Indians team which is 7-1 in their past eight road outings against a team with a losing record and 13-3 in their past 16 against American League West foes. The Tribe has built their first-place standing in the American League Central Division on the backs of the dregs of the league, winning 28 of their past 37 against teams with an overall losing record, including a 1-0 pitcher's duel win in Monday's series opener. The A's have lost four straight against the Indians.

Biggest UNDER run: Athletics (7-0 past six, 13-3 past 16)

Another day, another under for the A's, who continue to struggle scoring runs. They dropped the series opener against Carlos Carrasco and the Indians by a 1-0 count. Carrasco had been struggling allowing the long ball, but that wasn't a problem over eight scoreless innings with four hits and no walks allowed Monday while punching out nine A's. The Oakland lineup consists of a majority of players who came up from Triple-A Nashville. During their 1-8 run the Athletics are averaging just 3.1 runs per game, and if you take out a nine-run outburst in a win Aug. 19, they are averaging 2.4 runs in the eight losses.

Biggest OVER run: Braves (6-0 past six, 10-1 past 11 and 5-0 past five road games)

The offense has been flowing for the Braves lately, and their pitching staff continues to get punched around. That makes for plenty of 'over' results. In their past six games the Atlanta pitching staff is allowing 8.5 runs per game, taking care of the over on their own in four of the six outings. The over is also 20-6 in Arizona's past 26 games at home, 36-14-1 in their past 51 overall and 9-1-1 in Archie Bradley's past 11 home starts. All signs point to another high-scoring game just like Monday's wild series opener which saw Arizona eek out a 9-8 walk-off winner.

Matchup to watch: Dodgers vs. Giants

The Dodgers head home to Chavez Ravine looking to turn aside the rival Giants. Hopefully for L.A. they didn't leave all of their offense in Cincinnati, as they thrashed the Reds 19-8 while smashing seven home runs. Runs should be significantly harder to come by with Madison Bumgarner on the bump for San Francisco. The Giants are 5-12 over their past 17 road games, and 2-6 in their past eight outings. They just haven't been very Giant-like lately, including just 2-5 over their past seven outings by Madison Bumgarner. The Dodgers have won 29 of their past 41 at home, and they're 5-2 in Kenta Maeda's past seven starts against a team with a winning overall record. The Giants have lost six of their past seven in L.A., and they're 0-4 in MadBum's past four outings against the Dodgers.

Betcha didn’t know: CC Sabathia has had a ton of success against the Mariners over his career, and the Bronx Bombers generally fare very well when Carsten Charles is on the bump. The Yankees are a perfect 5-0 in Sabathia's past five starts at Safeco Field, and they're 11-2 in his past 13 starts overall against the M's. The Yankees have won eight of their past nine in Seattle, and the Yankees have won nine of their past 13 against the Mariners. New York has won 14 of their past 19 against American League West foes. The Mariners are 3-7 in Taijuan Walker's past 10 outings, including 2-5 in his past seven against teams with an overall winning mark.

Biggest public favorite: Cubs (-225) at Padres

Biggest public underdog: Pirates (+115) vs. Astros

Biggest line move: Braves (+150 to +125) at Diamondbacks

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Tuesday, August 23, 2016, Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews

Perhaps I buried the defending World Series champion Kansas City Royals too early. They were the worst team in baseball in July with a 7-19 record, dropping to as low as seven games under .500 and 9.5 games out of the AL's second wild-card spot. On Sunday, the Royals won their eighth straight game and 13th in the past 15 to get four games above .500 and just 3.5 games out of the second wild-card spot. The rotation's ERA in that stretch, led by Cy Young candidate Danny Duffy, is 2.53. August has been a good month for this team in each of the past two seasons. I still doubt they make the playoffs, but now it's not inconceivable. The schedule does toughen up the next two weeks, starting Tuesday night at NL wild-card hopeful Miami. Kansas City is +2000 to repeat as the AL champion.


Royals at Marlins (-103, 8)

Kansas City turns to Yordano Ventura to keep the winning streak going, with the Royals losing the DH -- which is usually Kendrys Morales, but it's possible he plays the field. Ventura (8-9, 4.46) took a no-decision in Detroit last Wednesday in allowing a run and five hits over 6.1 innings. The Royals have won his past four. This will be his first career start vs. the Marlins. Ichiro Suzuki has faced him, going 0-for-2. Martin Prado is 0-for-3. Miami's Andrew Cashner (4-9, 4.92) looks for his first win since being traded from San Diego. He pitched solidly in his last outing, allowing a run and five hits over five innings in Cincinnati, but the Marlins have dropped his past four. He hasn't faced the Royals this year. Morales, if he gets in the lineup, is 2-for-3 off him with a homer. Eric Hosmer is 1-for-2 with two RBIs.

Key trends: The Royals are 0-8 in Ventura's past eight interleague starts. The Marlins are 4-1 in their past five vs. teams with a winning record. The "over/under" has gone under in four of Ventura's past five on the road.

Early lean: Marlins and under.

Nationals at Orioles (-133, 9)

Battle of the Beltway, with the game shown on the MLB Network. Washington will add the designated hitter. Bryce Harper is starting to hit for the Nationals, batting .333 with two homers and 12 RBIs in 45 at-bats this month (entering Monday) after missing five games in it early with neck spasms and amid reports he's playing through a shoulder injury. The Nats go with rookie Reynaldo Lopez (2-1, 4.37) here. He has made four big-league starts, and his last was easily his best, allowing one earned run and striking out a career-high 11 over seven innings in Atlanta. This will be his first look at an American League team. Baltimore's Kevin Gausman (4-10, 4.11) beat Houston in his last start, allowing five runs and seven hits over 6.2 innings and whiffing eight. It's his first look at Washington this season. Harper is 0-for-2 career off him with a walk. Wilson Ramos is 2-for-3 with a homer.

Key trends: The Nats are 1-5 in their past six on Tuesday. The Orioles are 5-0 in Gausman's past five at home. The over is 6-2 in his past eight interleague starts.

Early lean: Orioles and over.

Rangers at Reds (+103, 9)

Texas loses the DH for this interleague game (usually Carlos Beltran, but he can play the outfield). The Rangers also get good news with the return of lefty pitcher Derek Holland (5-5, 5.20). He hasn't pitched in the majors since June 20 against Baltimore due to a shoulder problem. The Rangers aren't quite sure how he will respond, so Manager Jeff Banister says he will hold back a long reliever in case a problem arises. Holland has never faced the Reds but is 3-5 in his career in interleague play with a 4.48 ERA. One of the National League's best pitchers since the All-Star break has been Cincinnati's Dan Straily (9-6, 3.72). He beat the Marlins last time out, allowing two runs and six hits over six innings. The Reds have won seven straight of his starts. Straily lost in Texas on June 22, giving up four runs over six innings. Elvis Andrus can't hit him, going 1-for-22 with six strikeouts. Adrian Beltre is 7-for-24 against him with three RBIs.

Key trends: The Rangers are 4-0 in Holland's past four interleague starts. The Reds are 4-0 in Straily's past four at home. The under is 5-2 in Texas' past seven series openers.

Early lean: Reds and under.

Red Sox at Rays (-110, 8)

This could be the final start for Clay Buchholz as the Red Sox are expected to activate All-Star knuckleballer Steven Wright from the disabled list this weekend. Buchholz (4-9, 5.42) might avoid being demoted back to the bullpen if he pitches like he did last time out, allowing a run and six hits over six innings in Detroit. Buchholz hasn't faced the Rays this year. Logan Morrison is 5-for-12 career off him with two homers and six RBIs. Evan Longoria is a .217 hitter against him with 16 strikeouts in 46 at-bats. Tampa Bay's Chris Archer (7-16, 4.18) comes off his best start of the year, throwing 7.1 shutout innings against San Diego with nine strikeouts. He hasn't been good at all vs. Boston this year, going 0-3 with an 8.10 ERA in 16.2 innings. David Ortiz is a career .382 hitter off him with three homers and 16 RBIs in 34 at-bats. Xander Bogaerts is 7-for-19 against him with two RBIs.

Key trends: The Red Sox are 1-4 in Buchholz's past five vs. the Rays. Tampa is 0-4 in Archer's past four vs. the Red Sox. The over is 6-0 in Archer's past six vs. Boston.

Early lean: Red Sox and over.

Giants at Dodgers (-109, 6.5)

San Francisco lefty Madison Bumgarner (12-7, 2.25) wasn't as sharp as usual in his last start vs. the Mets but did get the win, allowing four runs (on a grand slam) and six hits over five innings. He also homered. It was Bumgarner's third home run this season and the 14th of his career. He nearly hit another vs. the Mets. Bumgarner became the second pitcher in the modern era to allow a grand slam then hit a go-ahead home run in the same inning. The other was Hal Jeffcoat with the 1957 Cincinnati Reds. Bumgarner is 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA in two starts vs. the Dodgers this year. You might see Enrique Hernandez get a spot start in the outfield for L.A. as he's 10-for-16 career off Bumgarner with three homers and five RBIs. Josh Reddick is 2-for-3 off him with a homer. L.A. goes with Kenta Maeda (12-7, 3.29). He won in Philadelphia last Tuesday, allowing two runs over six innings. Maeda beat the Giants in his lone start against them, giving up a run over seven innings on April 17. Joe Panik is 1-for-2 off him with a homer.

Key trends: The Giants are 0-4 in Bumgarner's past four vs. L.A. The under is 4-1 in his past five at the Dodgers. The under is 5-2 in Maeda's past seven at home.

Early lean: Giants and under.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

Monday’s games

National League

Mets @ Cardinals
Niese is 1-4, 8.15 in his last six starts; under is 6-3 in his last nine.

Garcia is 3-0, 3.00 in his last three starts; his last three home starts stayed under. Cardinals are 5-7 in his home starts.

Mets are 7-11 in last 18 games, 2-7 in last nine road series openers. Six of last seven New York games went over the total. St Louis won six of last seven games, won their last four home series openers. Over is 5-2-1 in their last eight home games.

Rockies @ Brewers
Gray is 0-2, 14.25 in his last three starts (over 3-0). Colorado lost five of his last six road starts.

Anderson 3-0, 2.86 in his last five starts; he left his last start in first inning with a quad injury. His last five starts stayed under. Brewers won his last three home starts.

Rockies won four of last six games; six of last eight Colorado road games went over. Milwaukee lost six of last eight games; four of last five Brewer games went over the total.

Braves @ Diamondbacks
Whalen is 1-2, 6.55 in four starts this year (over 3-1).

Bradley is 0-2, 11.00 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Arizona is 3-5 in his home starts.

Braves lost eight of last nine games; 10 of last 11 Atlanta games went over. Arizona is 5-7 in last 12 home games; eight of last nine Arizona games went over the total.

Cubs @ Padres
Arrieta is 3-0, 2.79 in his last three starts; over is 6-3-1 in his last ten starts. Cubs are 8-3 in his road starts, but 1-3 in his last four.

Friedrich is 0-3, 4.58 in his last three starts; three of his last four stayed under. Padres are 4-3 in his home starts (1-3 in last four).

Cubs are 17-4 in last 21 games; five of last seven Chicago games stayed under. San Diego lost seven of last ten games; seven of last nine games at Petco Park went over total.

Giants @ Dodgers
Bumgarner is 2-1, 2.25 in his last three starts; three of his last four went over. Giants lost his last four road starts.

Maeda is 4-0, 3.45 in his last five starts; five of his last six went over the total. Dodgers won four of his last five home starts.

Giants lost six of last eight games, are 2-7 in last nine road series openers. Over is 7-2 in last nine Giant games. Dodgers lost three of last four games, are 6-3 in last nine home series openers. Over is 7-2-1 in last ten games at Dodger Stadium.


American League

Angels @ Rays
Skaggs is 0-2, 7.11 in his last four starts (over 3-2).

Dickey is 1-4, 6.97 in his last six starts; (over 4-2). Blue Jays are 3-10 in his home starts.

Angels are 2-15 in last 17 road games, 2-9 in last 11 road series openers. Under is 7-2 in last nine Halo games. Toronto is 9-4 in its last 13 home games, 8-12 in home series openers. Over is 7-3-1 in Jays’ last 11 home games.

Red Sox @ Rays
Buchholz is 0-5, 7.07 in his last eight starts; four of his last five stayed under. Boston is 1-4 in his road starts.

Archer is 2-1, 2.79 in his last three starts; four of his last five road starts stayed under. Tampa Bay is 3-9 in his home starts.

Red Sox won nine of last 11 games; under is 16-6-1 in Boston’s last 23 road games. Tampa Bay won six of last eight games; over is 10-2 in Rays’ last 12 home games.

Tigers @ Twins
Sanchez is 1-1, 4.06 in his last five starts; under is 5-2-1 in his last eight. Detroit is 1-8 in his road starts.

Gibson is 3-1, 4.78 in his last six starts; his last four went over. Minnesota is 4-5 in his home starts.

Tigers are 4-10 in last 14 games, 7-13 in road series openers. Under is 7-2 in Detroit’s last nine games. Minnesota lost nine of last 12 games; they’re 8-12 in home series openers. Over is 16-4-2 in Twins’ last 22 games.

Indians @ A’s
Salazar is 0-1, 16.71 in his last three starts; his last five went over the total. Cleveland split his eight road starts.

Manaea is 1-3, 5.70 in his last four starts; under is 9-5-1 in his last 14 starts. Oakland won five of his last six home starts.

Indians are 9-3 in last 11 games; under is 7-2 in their last nine road games. Oakland lost eight of last nine games; under is 13-3 in their last 16 games.

New York @ Mariners
Sabathia is 1-2, 5.01 in his last four starts; four of his last five went over. New York won four of his last five road starts.

Walker 1-1, 6.45 in his last five starts; three of his last four stayed under. Mariners won his last three home starts.

New York won four of last six games; four of last five New York road games stayed under. Seattle won nine of last ten home games; Mariners’ last five games went over the total.


Interleague

Astros @ Pirates
Musgrove is 1-1, 5.12 in his first three MLB starts (over 1-1-1).

Nova is 2-0, 4.41 in three starts for the Pirates (under 2-1).

Astros won their last four games; over is 9-4 in their last 13 games. Pittsburgh lost their last four games; five of last six Pirate home games stayed under.

Nationals @ Orioles
Lopez is 2-0, 1.93 in his last two starts (over 3-1).

Gausman is 2-3, 5.74 in his last five starts; under is 12-5 in his last 17. Orioles won his last five home starts.

Washington is 7-4 in its last 11 road games; five of Nationals’ last six games went over the total. Baltimore lost five of last seven games; under is 14-3-1 in last 18 games at Camden Yards.

Rangers @ Reds
Holland is 0-1, 9.00 in his last three starts, last of which was June 20 (over 6-6-2). Texas is 3-5 in his road starts.

Straily is 6-0, 2.25 in his last seven starts; his last four went over. Reds are 9-3 in his home starts.

Rangers are 6-3 in last nine road games, 5-8 in last 13 road series openers. Last three Texas games went over the total. Cincinnati is 12-5 in last 17 home games, 5-1 in last six home series openers. Over is 10-3-1 in Reds’ last 14 games.

Royals @ Marlins
Ventura is 2-0, 2.25 in his last three starts; six of his last eight stayed under. Royals are 5-8 in his road starts.

Cashner is 0-2, 6.00 in four starts for Miami (over 2-2).

Royals won their last eight games, are 7-13 in road series openers. Under is 4-1-1 in their last six games. Miami won its last three games, but lost last five home series openers. Over is 6-3 in Marlins’ last nine games.

Phillies @ White Sox
Thompson is 1-2, 8.79 in his first three MLB starts (over 2-0-1).

Rodon is 1-0, 2.50 in his last three starts; over is 4-2 in his last six. White Sox won three of his last four at home.

Phillies are 6-9 in last 15 road games (over 10-4-1), 4-1 in last five road series openers. White Sox are 7-3 in last ten home games, 1-4 in last five home series openers. Under is 5-2 in their last seven home games.


Teams’ record when this pitcher starts:

Col-Mil: Gray 10-12; Anderson 9-14
NY-StL: Niese 0-1/9-9; Garcia 13-11
Atl-Az: Whalen 2-2; Bradley 8-10
Chi-SD: Arrieta 16-8 (3-0 last 3); Friedrich 7-10
SF-LA: Bumgarner 15-11; Maeda 16-9 (5-0 last 5)

LAA-Tor: Skaggs 1-4; Dickey 9-16
Bos-TB: Buchholz 4-11; Archer 8-18
Det-Min: Sanchez 4-15; Gibson 9-8
Clev-A’s: Salazar 14-7; Manaea 8-10
NY-Sea: Sabathia 11-11; unknown

Hst-Pitt: Musgrove 1-2; Nova 3-0/7-8
Wsh-Balt: Lopez 2-2; Gausman 9-13
Tex-Cin: Holland 8-6; Straily 14-9 (7-0 last 7)
KC-Mia: Ventura 13-11 (4-0 last 4); Cashner 1-3/7-9
Phil-Chi: Thompson 1-2; Rodon 7-13


# of time pitcher allows 1+ runs in first inning:

Col-Mil: Gray 8-22; Anderson 7-22
NY-StL: Niese 4-19; Garcia 9-24
Atl-Az: Whalen 3-4; Bradley 8-18
Chi-SD: Arrieta 3-24; Friedrich 7-17
SF-LA: Bumgarner 6-26; Maeda 5-25

LAA-Tor: Skaggs 2-5; Dickey 6-25
Bos-TB: Buchholz 7-15; Archer 12-26
Det-Min: Sanchez 7-19; Gibson 9-17
Clev-A’s: Salazar 4-21; Manaea 1-18
NY-Sea: Sabathia 5-22; unknown

Hst-Pitt: Musgrove 1-3; Nova 5-18
Wsh-Balt: Lopez 2-4; Gausman 8-22
Tex-Cin: Holland 2-14; Straily 8-23
KC-Mia: Ventura 5-24; Cashner 7-19
Phil-Chi: Thompson 1-3; Rodon 6-20


Umpires

Col-Mil– Over is 5-2-1 in last eight Emmel games.
Atl-Az– Three of last four Vanover games went over.
Chi-SD– Three of four Lentz games stayed under.

Bos-TB– Favorites won seven of last nine Kulpa games.
Clev-A’s– Five of last seven Carlson games stayed under.
NY-Sea– Underdogs are 5-4 in last nine Nelson games.

Hst-Pitt– Last four Baker games went over the total.
Wsh-Balt– Underdogs are 12-6 in last 18 Little games.


Teams’ records in first five innings:

Team (road-home-total)- thru 8/22

Arizona 22-30-11…..23-34-5…….45-64
Atlanta 24-30-8……18-31-13……42-61
Cubs 33-19-8……40-17-8…….73-36
Reds 17-37-7……29-30-4……46-67
Colo 23-28-11…..26-32-4……49-60
LA 27-26-9……36-20-7……63-46
Miami 28-26-9…..29-18-13……57-44
Milw 19-37-7……34-21-7……..53-58
Mets 25-40-9……27-24-9……52-54
Philly 20-27-15….23-29-11……43-54
Pitt 18-33-10…..37-21-4…….55-53
St. Louis 29-27-6……24-25-12….53-52
SD 19-40-4……28-28-6…..47-68
SF 27-28-7……31-18-13……58-46
Wash 33-19-13…..25-18-16…..58-37

Orioles 23-32-7…….32-24-8…….55-56
Boston 23-27-9……39-17-8…….62-44
White Sox 28-28-8……32-26-2……60-54
Cleveland 34-21-7……29-26-5…….62-47
Detroit 25-29-8……30-25-4…….55-54
Astros 25-28-11…..29-24-7…….54-52
KC 24-32-8……25-23-13……49-55
Angels 22-33-7…….23-30-10…..45-63
Twins 23-32-11…..20-32-11……43-64
NYY 20-34-8……27-28-9…….48-62
A’s 20-34-8……23-29-12……43-63
Seattle 29-25-8……29-20-12……58-45
Tampa Bay 21-25-10……30-28-9…….51-53
Texas 24-34-8…….28-21-9…….52-55
Toronto 38-19-4……..35-24-4……73-43

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Tuesday’s six-pack

— Conor MacGregor has a broken bone in his foot/ankle and could be out of UFC for as much as six months.

— Josh Reddick is hitting .152 for the Dodgers; this week he jammed a finger while ordering room service in the hotel. Seriously.

— Of the 29 major league GMs (Miami’s GM job is listed as vacant), 11 went to Ivy League schools as undergraduates.

— Four other GMs went to MIT, Amherst or Wesleyan.

— Arizona’s Dave Stewart is only current GM who didn’t go to college.

— Indy CB Vontae Davis has ligament damage in his ankle, might miss the first month of the season. Colts signed Antonio Cromartie to help take his place.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

#1 Sports

Tuesday's Free Selection: Chicago White Sox - 155

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mike Wynn

Bonus Play: MLB St Louis w/Garcia -170 Over NY Mets

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Razor Sharp

FREE PICK FOR TUESDAY: Take BALTIMORE (Gausman) -130 over Washington

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Totals4U

Tuesday's Free Selection: San Francisco Giants/Los Angeles Dodgers under 7

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Platinum Plays

Free Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates w/Nova +100 over Houston

 

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Golden Dragon Sports

Free Pick Minnesota Gibson +103

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Huddle Up Sports

Bonus Play: Arizona Bradley -125

 

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Hawkeye Sports

Tuesday's Free Selection: Washington Nationals + 125