Tuesday 8/4/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Burnett has flexor strain, will miss four weeks
Stephen Campbell

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett has been diagnosed with a flexor strain, the team announced Monday.

The timetable for the veteran's return is approximately four weeks. The news will be greeted with a sigh of relief in Bucco land as the injury was initially thought to be potentially career-ending.

Burnett has posted an 8-5 record with a 3.06 ERA and 114 strikeouts in 21 appearances this season. Pittsburgh (61-43 ahead of Monday's contest with the Chicago Cubs) has a 12/1 shot of winning the World Series at the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'High Flying Blue Birds'

Toronto and Minnesota get ready to duel again after the Blue Jays walked off with a 5-1 victory Monday in David Price's debut. With the win Toronto has now won 5-of-7 on this current 10 game home stand. Marco Estrada (8-6, 3.53 ERA) will toe the rubber for John Gibbons' crew. The righthander off a solid 3 hit 2 run victory vs Royals last time out has won 4 of his last 5 in front of the friendly crowd at Rogers Center. Estrada matches pitches with Phil Hughes (10-6, 4.11 ERA). The Twins' righty picked up the win last outing at home, but did get crushed for 2 long-ball, 10 hits, 5 runs over 5 innings of work and has surrendered 25 homers in 21 starts. Tough matchup for Hughes against one of the leagues top homerun bashers. Adding to the problem, Hughes has struggled on the road this campaign posting a 2-4 record (3-6 TSR) and Minnesota as a team has followed in that same vein recently losing 15 of their last 22 in enemy territory. Evidence is the key in making any case and the numbers above illustrate that Toronto is the right choice.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Streaks, Tips, Notes

Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox August 4, 8:10 EST

'Under' has been the right choice in Chicago home games this season as Pale Hose have posted 33 'Under' 16 'Over', 1 'Push'. 'Under' gamblers should rejoiced in another cashed ticket Tuesday as Chris Sale heads to the mound. The 'Under' is 10-3-2 in Sale's last 15 starts and has paid dividends in 8 of his last 10 home starts vs a team with a losing record.

Sportsbooks expecting a low-scoring affair have the total at 6.5 runs

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Five To Follow MLB Betting: Tuesday, August 4, 2015 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews

This is my first "Five To Follow" since the MLB trade deadline on Friday afternoon. Earlier last week I mentioned the deadline might be a dud because so many big names had already been moved. I was somewhat being sarcastic, but it also turned out that I was right. It was a total dud. The only big name who moved on Friday was Detroit sending outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to the Mets. I am stunned the Padres didn't do a single thing. Overall you would have to say the Blue Jays, Royals and Mets helped themselves the most for this season. The Tigers are easily much worse than they were a week ago. Remember, there are still going to be some moves. Players just have to clear waivers now -- or be dealt to the team who claims said player. It goes by reverse order of standings.


Mets at Marlins (+110, 7.5)

Speaking of the Mets, I sure didn't see their home sweep of the Nationals over the weekend coming. The teams are now tied for the NL East lead. The Pirates are going to be one wild-card team. So that last spot will come down to the NL East runner-up, the Cubs and the Giants. Probably the hottest player in baseball right now is Mets first baseman Lucas Duda. He hit a two-run homer off Jordan Zimmermann in Sunday's win. It was hits ninth dinger in the past 28 at-bats. In his first two games hitting behind Cespedes, Duda is 5-for-7 with three homers. It's lefty Jonathan Niese (5-9, 3.63) here for New York. He faced the Marlins on May 30, allowing five runs over seven innings. Lefty Brad Hand (1-2, 5.12) goes for Miami, which traded 40 percent of its rotation last week. He has made only three starts in 27 appearances this season. Hand is 0-1 with a 4.19 ERA in 3.2 innings vs. the Mets. Duda is 5-for-14 with a homer and four RBIs off him.

Key trends: The Mets are 1-5 in Niese's past six vs. teams with a losing record. The Nats are 2-8 in their past 10 vs. a lefty. The "over/under" has gone under in four of Niese's past five on the road. The over is 6-0-1 in his past seven vs. Miami.

Early lean: Marlins and over.


Dodgers at Phillies (+173, 8)

Lefty Alex Wood makes his Los Angeles debut here; he was acquired in that crazy 13-player deal involving Atlanta (Wood's old team) and Miami. Then there was talk the Dodgers were close to flipping Wood to the Cubs. Wood (7-6, 3.54) was great in his final Braves start, shutting out the Orioles over 7.1 innings. He is 1-1 with a 3.94 ERA in three starts this season against the Phillies. Carlos Ruiz is 6-for-9 with two doubles and five RBIs off him. Phillies starter Jerome Williams (3-8, 6.36) was hit around for 10 hits and four runs over 4.2 innings last time out. I don't know why he hasn't been released yet. It's probably coming. Andre Ethier is 2-for-4 with an RBI off him.

Key trends: The Dodgers are 2-5 in their past seven following an off day. The Phillies are 6-1 in Williams' past seven with five days of rest. The over is 4-1-1 in his past five vs. teams with a winning record.

Early lean: Dodgers and over.


Giants at Braves (+120, 7.5)

Atlanta is awaiting MRI results on the thumb of defensive wizard shortstop Andrelton Simmons on Monday. He was hurt diving for a ball on Saturday. X-rays revealed no fracture, but he's going to miss at least a few more days. Simmons is hitting .254 with 30 RBIs. Daniel Castro will start in Simmons' place. Atlanta starts All-Star Shelby Miller (5-8, 2.44) here. The Braves have lost his past eight starts, scoring more than three runs just once in that stretch. Miller pitched in San Francisco on May 28 and allowed a run and five hits over seven innings. Nori Aoki is 8-for-21 with a solo homer off him. San Francisco's Jake Peavy (2-4, 4.12) comes off his best start of the year, shutting out the Brewers on four hits over six innings. He hasn't faced Atlanta this season. Nick Markakis is 6-for-18 with a homer and two RBIs off him.

Key trends: The Giants are 6-0 in Peavy's past six vs. teams with a losing record. The Braves are 0-5 in Miller's past five at home. The over is 5-1 in Peavy's past six on the road. The under is 5-0 in Miller's past five.

Early lean: Giants and under.


Rays at White Sox (-131, 6.5)

Terrific pitching matchup between All-Stars here. For Tampa, it's Chris Archer (9-8, 2.54). He didn't allow an earned run last time out (two unearned), striking out 11 Tigers and giving up just three hits over seven innings. The Rays did lose that game, however, and have dropped four of his past five. Archer took a no-decision vs. the White Sox on June 13, allowing three runs over seven innings. Red-hot White Sox hitter Melky Cabrera is 5-for-20 off him with three RBIs. Lefty Chris Sale (9-6, 3.20) goes for the Pale Hose. He was uncharacteristically off last time out, allowing seven runs and 12 hits (career high) over five innings against the Red Sox. He is 2-3 with a 3.48 ERA lifetime vs. the Rays. Evan Longoria is just 1-for-11 with six strikeouts off him.

Key trends: The Rays are 7-2 in their past nine vs. a lefty. The Sox are 4-1 in Sale's past five vs. teams with a losing record. The under is 6-0 in Sale's past six at home.

Early lean: White Sox and under.


Mariners at Rockies (-115, 11)

It's top Colorado pitching prospect Jon Gray here. He was taken one spot after Kris Bryant (Gray was No. 3 overall) in the 2013 draft. Lot of people thought the Cubs would take Gray instead. Gray, 23, has been pitching this season for Triple-A Albuquerque. He is 6-6 with a 4.33 ERA in 21 games (20 starts). He started slowly, but since May 2 he is 6-3 with a 3.17 ERA, 93 strikeouts and 33 walks over 17 outings. The Rockies have nothing to play for at this point so might as well bring him up and let him learn in the majors in preparation for next season. The spot for Gray opened when righty Kyle Kendrick suffered inflammation in his right shoulder on Friday night against the Cardinals. It's lefty Vidal Nuno (0-1, 2.02) for Seattle; he's taking the spot of J.A. Happ, who was traded to Pittsburgh. Nuno has a 2.11 ERA in 18 relief appearances since being acquired from Arizona on June 3.

Key trends: The Rockies are 2-9 in their past 11 at home vs. lefties. The over is 4-1 in Colorado's past five interleague games vs. a lefty.

Early lean: Rockies and under.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Tuesday's six-pack

-- Over is 53-26-1 in New England regular season games the last five years.

-- Since '07, Patriots are 11-13 vs spread as a divisional home favorite, 23-14 in games outside the AFC East.

-- Add up season over/under win totals for NFC East teams the last five years and you get: under 13-6-1-- those four teams have been overrated.

-- Cincinnati has gone over its total five of the last six seasons.

-- Over last eight years, Miami is 10-24 vs spread as a home favorite.

-- Over last seven years, Buffalo is 3-17-1 vs spread in games that followed an upset win by the Bills. Can Rex Ryan make them more consisten?

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Teyas Sports

8/4/2015 FREE PICK ROCKIES UNDER 11

DID YOU KNOW? WHEN UMP JEFF NELSON IS BEHIND HOME PLATE (INDIANS @ ANGELS TONIGHT) THE HOME TEAM IS 27-11 HIS LAST 38 GAMES CALLING BALLS & STRIKES

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jim Feist

Take: (911) ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

Reason: Your Bonus Play Tuesday, August 4, 2015 is in the MLB contest between the St. Louis Cards and Reds in Cincinnati. The Cardinals are 7-1 following an off day. St. Louis has it all, power pitching, great defense and the best pen in the game. The Cardinals are 9-3 vs. a team with a losing record. Starter John Lackey (2.78 ERA, 9-6) has had another fine campaign, allowing 2 runs or less in nine straight starts. Lackey gave up one run on two hits and one walk while striking out eight in eight innings in Wednesday's 1-0 loss to the Reds. The Cardinals squandered another strong outing from Lackey, who has posted a 1.67 ERA during his last nine outings -- all quality starts. The Reds are 3-7 in their last 10 games vs. a right-handed starter. Cincinnati is 3-5 in the last eight starts made by Anthony DeSclafani, who walks too many batters (46 in 120 innings). And the Cardinals are 51-21 vs. a right-handed starter, plus Cardinals are 6-2 in the last 8 meetings. Play the Cardinals.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jeff Saad of Las Vegas Sports Services

8/4/2015: Tuesday Bonus Play:

Your Bonus Play for Tuesday, August 4 is on : 908. Atlanta Braves

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Cokin

Bonus Play Tuesday

CUBS (Arrieta) @ PIRATES (Happ) 7:05 PM

Take: CUBS -125

The Pirates made some minor adds at the deadline, with one of this pickups being lefty JA Happ. The veteran southpaw will make his Bucs debut tonight. Happ draws a very tough mound adversary this evening as Jake Arrieta throw for the Cubs.

I see a big edge here for Arrieta. He’s had an outstanding season to date. Errata has now arrived at that point where even when he’s not at his best, he’ll usually find a way to grind out six innings and give his team a decent chance to win the game.

The Pirates should be thrilled if they can get six okay frames from Happ. He was really struggling for the Mariners and while the change in scenery might be beneficial, Happ is definitely not what I’d call a go with guy at the present time. Happ has had serious command issues of late. His control has been less than stellar and his strikes are getting too much of the plate on a regular basis. Happ doesn’t have great stuff to begin with, and if he’s not locating properly, he’s can get overwhelmed by big league hitters.

With the rainout on Monday night, the Cubs five-game winning streak remains intact. So even though the overall team data would favor the Pirates, that’s more than offset by the edge on the mound with Arrieta vs. Happ and the current form that favors the Cubs. The oddsmakers have made a good adjustment with the road team a decent sized favorite, but I believe there’s ample reason to accept the price and play the Cubs as road chalk.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports

Bonus Play TUES Mets w/ Niese -120

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Scott Spreitzer

Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates

Bonus Play Chicago Cubs

I'm recommending a play on the Cubs with Arrieta over Happ. J.A. Happ heads from Seattle to Pittsburgh and gets the start with A.J. Burnett hitting the DL with an elbow injury. Happ was not having a good season in Seattle and had been saddled with a 7.43 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, and .302 BAA in his last six appearances, including five starts. Jake Arrieta will aim for his 9th straight quality start tonight and he's likely to get it having better success on the road this season than at Wrigley Field. Arrieta has two strong starts against the Pirates this season, including one start at PNC. He went 2-0 in his previous three starts before this season against the Bucs, with a 2.50 ERA & 1.17 WHIP. The Cubs have won five straight games overall, and they're on a 6-0 run when Arrieta is listed as a road favorite. I'm recommending a play on the Cubs on Tuesday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Art Aronson

1* Bonus Play Minnesota Vikings.

What you see is what you get each year from Pittsburgh, which builds through the draft, doesn’t sign a lot of free agents and basically comes at you. How much Ben Roethlisberger has left is a question asked every September given the number of hits he takes. The biggest change will be at defensive coordinator, where legend Dick Lebeau is gone – which may mean the LBs will be freer to attack the pocket.

The Vikes have Adrian Peterson back and things seem to have calmed down a bit in Minnesota. But then again, Mike Wallace has been on board for only a few months. Vikes are looking for a huge Year 2 improvement from Teddy Bridgewater and if they get it they can make things sticky in the North.

In 2014/15 the Steelers were 1-3 SU/ATS in the preseason and in 2013/14 they were 0-4 SU/ATS. After missing the playoffs in 2013/14, Pittsburgh returned last year only to lose 30-17 to the Ravens in the Wildcard round. Mike Tomlin has clearly not been very worried about winning in the preseason the last few years.

Last year the Vikes went 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in the preseason, after going 1-3 SU/ATS in 2013/14 and 1-3 SU/ATS in 2012/13. For a team which is desperately trying to get back to the playoffs, the preseason suddenly becomes a lot more important.

There are many players on Minnesota which have something to prove, while Pittsburgh will surely be happy to just go through the motions and leave Canton without any significant injuries.

Minnesota would seem to be the more motivated team in this one, consider laying the short points.

AAA Sports

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

CAPPERS ACCESS

Cubs
Nationals(RL)
Orioles

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Coach Fletcher's Tuesday Free Pick
Tuesday, August 4

The Pick Los Angeles Angels -111

Shoemaker Out to Silence Indians


Matt Shoemaker had a break out season in 2014. He didn't start out this season with the same results he showed last year, but in his last 5 starts Shoemaker has been hard to hit.

The Pitchers

Shoemaker, Angels Carrasco, Indians

? 5-7, 4.24 era 11-8, 4.03 era

? 1-0, 0.96 era last 3 1-1, 3.79 era last 3

? 1-2, 3.06 era last 7 3-2, 3.47 era last 7

? 3-6, 3.80 era last 15 7-6, 3.83 era last 15

? 1-6, 4.04 era home 7-2, 2.82 on road

? 5-5, 4.22 era night 8-5, 3.78 era night

? 1-1, 1.78 era July 2-2, 3.72 era July

1-0, 2.25 era vs Cleveland (2014) 0-0, 3.46 era vs Angels (2011)

Carrasco is an above average pitcher with a good road record. If you don't remember Shoemaker from last year he went 16-4 with a 3.04 era. I think he shuts down Cleveland tonight.

The Hitters

The Angels are pretty inconsistent hitting and scoring runs. They've had extended streaks of low output, but I expect they will respond at home after the horrible 1-8 road trip.

Angels Indians

? 4.2 runs per game 3.8 runs per game

? 4.0 runs at home 3.8 runs on road

? 4.3 runs per game vs RHP 4.0 runs per game vs RHP

? 4.0 runs per game last 7 3.4 runs per game last 7

? 4.2 runs per game grass 3.7 runs per game grass

? 4.4 runs per game night 3.6 runs per game night

? MLB HR per game - 7th MLB HR per game - 23rd

? Total bases 17th MLB Total bases 23rd MLB

? 24th MLB batting avg 21st MLB bastting avg

? 13th MLB slugging % 21st MLB slugging %

? 20th MLB on base % 10th MLB on base %

The Angels have the edge in offense especially at night.

Odds and Ends

Angels Indians

? 55-49 48-56

? 32-21 home 28-24 road

? 44-32 night 30-35 night

? 39-39 vs RHP 34-32 vs RHP

? 33-28 vs team w/losing rec 22-29 vs team w/winning record

The Angels also have some big advantages here.

Coach's Conclusion:

This is a must win situation for the Angels. They can't afford to fall any farther back and can actually gain on Houston if the Rangers keep beating them. I'm taking Shoemaker to toss a gem here.

The Play Los Angeles Angels -111

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

WNBA

Tuesday, August 4

Trend Report

7:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. CONNECTICUT
San Antonio is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Connecticut
San Antonio is 6-16 SU in its last 22 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Connecticut's last 13 games
Connecticut is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home

8:00 PM
INDIANA vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Indiana's last 7 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Indiana is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 8-15 ATS in its last 23 games when playing Indiana
Chicago is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home

10:00 PM
TULSA vs. PHOENIX
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Tulsa's last 23 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Tulsa's last 10 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
Phoenix is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing Tulsa
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Phoenix's last 18 games when playing Tulsa

10:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. LOS ANGELES
Minnesota is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Minnesota is 6-16 SU in its last 22 games when playing on the road against Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 5-17 SU in its last 22 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Los Angeles's last 9 games

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

Tuesday, August 4

Trend Report

7:05 PM
CHI CUBS vs. PITTSBURGH
Chi Cubs5-0-1 SU in their last 6 games on the road
Chi Cubs5-0-1 SU in their last 6 games
Pittsburgh11-2-1 SU in its last 14 games at home
Pittsburgh15-6-1 SU in their last 22 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs

7:05 PM
LA DODGERS vs. PHILADELPHIA
LA Dodgers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of LA Dodgers's last 24 games on the road
Philadelphia is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

7:05 PM
ARIZONA vs. WASHINGTON
Arizona is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Arizona
Washington is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Arizona

7:05 PM
BOSTON vs. NY YANKEES
Boston is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Boston's last 8 games
NY Yankees are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of NY Yankees's last 7 games at home

7:07 PM
MINNESOTA vs. TORONTO
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Toronto's last 10 games at home

7:08 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. DETROIT
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Kansas City's last 16 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City's last 5 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Detroit's last 16 games when playing Kansas City
Detroit is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home

7:10 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. CINCINNATI
St. Louis is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of St. Louis's last 10 games
Cincinnati is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 7 games

7:10 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco's last 6 games on the road
San Francisco is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Atlanta is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
Atlanta is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games at home

7:10 PM
NY METS vs. MIAMI
NY Mets are 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
NY Mets are 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Miami
Miami is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games when playing NY Mets

8:05 PM
HOUSTON vs. TEXAS
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 7 games when playing on the road against Texas
Houston is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Texas
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Texas's last 7 games when playing at home against Houston
Texas is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Houston

8:10 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. CHI WHITE SOX
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Tampa Bay's last 8 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi White Sox's last 5 games
Chi White Sox are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing Tampa Bay

8:10 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. MILWAUKEE
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of San Diego's last 12 games when playing Milwaukee
San Diego is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Milwaukee is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Milwaukee is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing San Diego

8:40 PM
SEATTLE vs. COLORADO
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Seattle's last 14 games on the road
Seattle is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Colorado
Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle
Colorado is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home

10:05 PM
BALTIMORE vs. OAKLAND
Baltimore is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Oakland
Baltimore is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oakland's last 5 games
Oakland is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games

10:05 PM
CLEVELAND vs. LA ANGELS
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games on the road
Cleveland is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of LA Angels's last 9 games
LA Angels are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Sox at Yankees

GAME: Boston Red Sox (47-59) at New York Yankees (59-45)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 04 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
LINE: 177, -193 TOTAL: 8.5

The last time the Boston Red Sox faced the New York Yankees, they had plans of getting back into the race in the American League East. When the Red Sox visit the Yankees on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series, both teams will be in vastly different positions.

Boston dropped two of three at home to New York in front of the All-Star break and then lost 11 of 13 on the other side to join the race for worst record in baseball instead. The Yankees watched other teams make big moves at the trade deadline and then went out and put up 27 runs in three games at Chicago against the White Sox over the weekend to push their lead in the East to 5 1/2 games. New York is averaging 8.6 runs while winning six of its last nine games and opens a six-game homestand on Tuesday, with the Toronto Blue Jays scheduled to visit after the Red Sox leave town. Facing that surging Yankees’ offense will be left-hander Henry Owens, who is set to make his major-league debut for the Red Sox opposite Masahiro Tanaka.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NESN (Boston), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Henry Owens (NA) vs. Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (7-4, 3.80 ERA)

Rick Porcello was schedule to make the start but was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday with inflammation in his right triceps. That opens the door for Owens, who came into the season as one of Boston’s top pitching prospects and is 3-8 with a 3.16 ERA in 21 starts for Triple-A Pawtucket in 2015 despite 56 walks in 122 1/3 innings. The 6-6 Californian is the third southpaw to debut for the Red Sox this season after Eduardo Rodriguez and Brian Johnson.

Tanaka had a three-start winning streak come to an end when he was reached for four runs and nine hits in six innings at Texas on Wednesday. The Japan native matched a season high with three walks in that turn but kept the ball in the park after yielding five home runs in his previous two outings. Tanaka battled through five innings to earn a win over Boston on April 12 and is 2-2 with a 4.70 ERA in four career starts against the division rivals.

WALK-OFFS

1. Red Sox 3B Pablo Sandoval (forearm) was limited to one at-bat over the weekend and is day-to-day.

2. New York 1B Mark Teixeira has five homers and nine RBIs in his last four games.

3. Boston 1B Travis Shaw went 6-for-8 with two homers, five runs scored and three RBIs in the last two games.

PREDICTION: Yankees 9, Red Sox 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks at Nationals

GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (51-53) at Washington Nationals (54-50)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 04 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
LINE: 174, -189 TOTAL: 6.5

The slumping Washington Nationals find themselves in unfamiliar territory as they reside in second place in the National League East. Washington looks to prevent its fifth straight loss and seventh in nine outings on Tuesday when they continue their four-game series against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks.

Washington has seen its offense go limp before a four-run uprising in ninth inning on Monday proved not to be enough as it fell one game behind the first-place New York Mets. Bryce Harper is 15-for-46 (.326) in his last 12 contests overall and carries an eight-game hitting streak against the Diamondbacks. For its part, Arizona has been quite streaky as it has won seven of nine after dropping nine of its previous 11. Welington Castillo continued his torrid stretch with one of his team's four homers in Monday's 6-4 victory in the series opener, improving to 9-for-23 (.391) with five blasts, six RBIs and eight runs scored in his last six contests.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (2-3, 3.21 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Max Scherzer (11-8, 2.22)

Corbin snapped a three-game skid after allowing one run on three hits in six innings of an 8-2 triumph over Seattle on Wednesday. The 26-year-old has permitted two earned runs or fewer and four hits or fewer in four of his five starts since returning from Tommy John surgery. Corbin has split two of his career decisions versus Washington, with a five-run outing over five innings in his last meeting.

Scherzer rebounded from a rare tough outing on Thursday by scattering three singles over seven scintillating innings in a 1-0 victory over Miami. The 31-year-old improved to 2-0 in his career versus the team that selected him with the 11th overall pick of the 2006 draft after permitting one run over seven frames in an 11-1 rout of Arizona on May 11. By his impressive standards, Scherzer has struggled at home by posting a 4-5 mark with a 2.70 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington 3B Yunel Escobar is 5-for-18 with one homer, two RBIs and two runs scored during his four-game hitting streak.

2. Arizona SS Nick Ahmed homered on Monday and is 6-for-8 in his last two games after going 4-for-53 in his previous 15.

3. Diamondbacks LF David Peralta also went deep on Monday and is 11-for-24 (.458) in his last seven contests.

PREDICTION: Nationals 3, Diamondbacks 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs at Pirates

GAME: Chicago Cubs (57-47) at Pittsburgh Pirates (61-43)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 04 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
LINE: -125, 115 TOTAL: 7


The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates will try again to begin their abbreviated series Tuesday. The visiting Cubs brought a five-game winning streak to Pittsburgh but were slowed by two lengthy rain delays before Monday’s scheduled series opener was postponed.



The rainout delayed a key clash in the National League wild-card chase, which Pittsburgh leads by four games over the Cubs, who have a half-game edge over San Francisco for the second berth. Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta looks to add to his career-high win total and continue his strong performance against Pittsburgh (4-1, 2.43 ERA in six starts). Andrew McCutchen (7-for-17) is the only Pirates hitter who has had success against Arrieta. The Pirates counter with left-hander J.A. Happ, who was acquired at the trade deadline to fill the rotation spot created by A.J. Burnett’s elbow injury.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), ROOT (Pittsburgh)



PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (11-6, 2.62 ERA) vs. Pirates LH J.A. Happ (4-6, 4.64)

Arrieta has recorded eight consecutive quality starts and is 7-2 with a 2.14 ERA while holding opponents to a .195 batting average since June 1. The 29-year-old limited Milwaukee to two runs over six innings in a no-decision in Thursday’s 5-2 victory. Arrieta has been dominant against the Pirates this season, allowing two runs over 14 innings with 14 strikeouts while splitting two decisions.

Happ got off to a solid start with Seattle this season but struggled to a 1-5 mark and a 6.65 ERA over his last 10 appearances (nine starts). The 32-year-old is winless in his last five outings and was tagged for seven runs (six earned) in 3 1/3 innings in a loss at Minnesota to end his tenure with the Mariners. Happ is 1-2 with a 5.57 ERA in four starts against the Cubs, but he hasn’t faced them since 2012.



WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 3B Kris Bryant, who left Sunday’s game with dizziness following a collision on a slide into second base, was in the lineup Monday but told reporters he will reconsider sliding head-first.

2. The Pirates have homered in a season high-tying seven consecutive games and are 37-20 when hitting a home run this season.

3. Chicago CF Dexter Fowler has reached base safely in 17 consecutive games and is batting .333 with a .475 on-base percentage over that stretch.



PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Pirates 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Dodgers at Phillies

GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (60-45) at Philadelphia Phillies (41-65)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, August 04 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
LINE: -180, 165 TOTAL: 8

After Howie Kendrick played a key role in helping Los Angeles sweep the only team he had ever played for prior to this season, the Dodgers will look to do the same for his double-play partner. Jimmy Rollins, who played his first 15 seasons with the Phillies, will make his first trip to Philadelphia as a visitor on Tuesday when Los Angeles opens a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park.

Rollins won the 2007 National League MVP and was a three-time All-Star during his career with the Phillies, setting team records with 2,306 hits and 494 doubles before a trade last offseason sent him to the Dodgers. The 36-year-old shortstop has struggled in his first year with Los Angeles (batting a career-low .216), although he went 5-for-15 with a home run and five RBIs as the Dodgers took three of four at home from Philadelphia in early July. Kendrick belted two homers over the weekend against the Los Angeles Angels – the team he spent his first nine seasons with – and the Dodgers (60-45) won their fourth straight game to improve to a season-best 15 games over .500. Despite owning the worst record in the majors at 41-65, the Phillies figure to pose a formidable challenge to the NL West leaders as they are a league-best 12-3 since the All-Star break despite a 6-2 setback at home against Atlanta on Sunday.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Alex Wood (7-6, 3.54 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Jerome Williams (3-8, 6.36)

Wood, who was acquired from Atlanta as part of a three-team, 13-player trade on Thursday, deserved a better fate in his final start with the Braves last Monday, when he gave up three singles and two walks over 7 1/3 scoreless frames in a no-decision. The 24-year-old North Carolina native has done his best work on the road in 2015, going 5-3 with a 2.82 ERA in 13 away outings. Wood has faced the Phillies three times this season, winning his last start against Philadelphia on July 4 despite surrendering four runs on 10 hits over 7 1/3 innings.

Williams hasn’t won since May 16 and continued to languish in Wednesday’s 8-2 loss at Toronto after yielding four runs on a season-high tying 10 hits in 4 2/3 frames. The 33-year-old journeyman, who is one of only two veterans left in the rotation following the trade of Cole Hamels, has permitted four or more runs five times in his last six turns and only struck out more than four batters twice all year – both times in April. Williams hasn’t faced the Dodgers since 2012 and is 2-3 with a 4.97 ERA in five starts against them.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Dodgers posted back-to-back shutouts against Philadelphia on July 8-9 and lead the majors with 15.

2. Phillies 1B Ryan Howard, who is batting just .145 against southpaws this season, is 14-for-30 with nine runs scored and 12 RBIs during an eight-game hitting streak.

3. Dodgers rookie All-Star CF Joc Pederson is hitless in his last 17 at-bats and has struck out three times in each of his last three contests, raising his NL-high total to 128.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Phillies 5