MLB
Tuesday, September 22
Trend Report
7:05 PM
BALTIMORE vs. WASHINGTON
Baltimore6-2-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Washington
Baltimore is 6-13-1 SU in its last 20 games ,on the road
Washington is 1-3-1 SU in its last 5 games ,when playing at home against Baltimore
Washington is 3-6-1 SU in its last 10 games ,when playing Baltimore
7:07 PM
NY YANKEES vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of NY Yankees's last 12 games when playing Toronto
NY Yankees are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing Toronto
Toronto is 18-6 SU in its last 24 games at home
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
7:08 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. DETROIT
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Chi White Sox's last 25 games on the road
Chi White Sox are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 7 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox
7:10 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. BOSTON
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Tampa Bay's last 12 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games when playing Tampa Bay
Boston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Tampa Bay
7:10 PM
ATLANTA vs. NY METS
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Atlanta's last 18 games when playing NY Mets
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games
NY Mets are 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets's last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
7:10 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. MIAMI
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games at home
Miami is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Philadelphia
8:05 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. CHI CUBS
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Milwaukee's last 20 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games on the road
Chi Cubs are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games
8:10 PM
LA ANGELS vs. HOUSTON
LA Angels are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
LA Angels are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 7 games
Houston is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Angels
8:10 PM
CLEVELAND vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Cleveland's last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Cleveland's last 12 games
Minnesota is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Cleveland
8:10 PM
SEATTLE vs. KANSAS CITY
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Seattle's last 11 games on the road
Seattle is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
Kansas City is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kansas City's last 5 games
8:15 PM
CINCINNATI vs. ST. LOUIS
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Cincinnati's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 5 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
St. Louis is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Cincinnati
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of St. Louis's last 13 games when playing Cincinnati
8:40 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. COLORADO
Pittsburgh is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Colorado's last 5 games at home
Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
10:05 PM
TEXAS vs. OAKLAND
Texas is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas's last 6 games
Oakland is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Texas
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Oakland's last 11 games at home
10:10 PM
ARIZONA vs. LA DODGERS
Arizona is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Arizona is 1-9 SU in their last 10 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers
The total has gone OVER in 6 of LA Dodgers's last 8 games when playing Arizona
LA Dodgers are 11-3 SU in their last 14 games when playing Arizona
10:10 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. SAN DIEGO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco's last 5 games when playing on the road against San Diego
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Francisco's last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Diego's last 5 games when playing at home against San Francisco
San Diego is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against San Francisco
Tuesday, September 22
Trend Report
7:05 PM
BALTIMORE vs. WASHINGTON
Baltimore6-2-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Washington
Baltimore is 6-13-1 SU in its last 20 games ,on the road
Washington is 1-3-1 SU in its last 5 games ,when playing at home against Baltimore
Washington is 3-6-1 SU in its last 10 games ,when playing Baltimore
7:07 PM
NY YANKEES vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of NY Yankees's last 12 games when playing Toronto
NY Yankees are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing Toronto
Toronto is 18-6 SU in its last 24 games at home
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
7:08 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. DETROIT
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Chi White Sox's last 25 games on the road
Chi White Sox are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 7 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox
7:10 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. BOSTON
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Tampa Bay's last 12 games on the road
Tampa Bay is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games when playing Tampa Bay
Boston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Tampa Bay
7:10 PM
ATLANTA vs. NY METS
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Atlanta's last 18 games when playing NY Mets
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games
NY Mets are 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Mets's last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
7:10 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. MIAMI
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games at home
Miami is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Philadelphia
8:05 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. CHI CUBS
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Milwaukee's last 20 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games on the road
Chi Cubs are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games
8:10 PM
LA ANGELS vs. HOUSTON
LA Angels are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
LA Angels are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 7 games
Houston is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Angels
8:10 PM
CLEVELAND vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Cleveland's last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Cleveland's last 12 games
Minnesota is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Cleveland
8:10 PM
SEATTLE vs. KANSAS CITY
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Seattle's last 11 games on the road
Seattle is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
Kansas City is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kansas City's last 5 games
8:15 PM
CINCINNATI vs. ST. LOUIS
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Cincinnati's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati's last 5 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
St. Louis is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Cincinnati
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of St. Louis's last 13 games when playing Cincinnati
8:40 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. COLORADO
Pittsburgh is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Colorado
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Colorado's last 5 games at home
Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
10:05 PM
TEXAS vs. OAKLAND
Texas is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas's last 6 games
Oakland is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Texas
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Oakland's last 11 games at home
10:10 PM
ARIZONA vs. LA DODGERS
Arizona is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Arizona is 1-9 SU in their last 10 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers
The total has gone OVER in 6 of LA Dodgers's last 8 games when playing Arizona
LA Dodgers are 11-3 SU in their last 14 games when playing Arizona
10:10 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. SAN DIEGO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco's last 5 games when playing on the road against San Diego
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Francisco's last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Diego's last 5 games when playing at home against San Francisco
San Diego is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against San Francisco
WNBA
Tuesday, September 22
Trend Report
7:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. NEW YORK
Washington is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Washington's last 15 games
New York is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
New York is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Washington
8:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. MINNESOTA
Los Angeles is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Los Angeles is 1-12 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Los Angeles
Minnesota is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Los Angeles
Tuesday, September 22
Trend Report
7:00 PM
WASHINGTON vs. NEW YORK
Washington is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Washington's last 15 games
New York is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
New York is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Washington
8:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. MINNESOTA
Los Angeles is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Los Angeles is 1-12 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Los Angeles
Minnesota is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Los Angeles
Coach Fletcher’s Tuesday MLB Bonus Play
Tuesday, Sept. 21
Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals
The Pick Cards Run line -1.5 -105
Sampson, Lackey Face Off in St. Louis
These guys are 2 of my favorite pitchers – but for vastly different reasons. Sampson is a great go against guy. Lackey is a great go to guy. We will try to use them both appropriately today by taking this game -1.5 for the Cardinals at a generous -105.
The Pitchers
Sampson, Reds
Keyvius Sampson is 2-5 with a 7.09 era. But seriously, he is worse than that. Sampson is back after missing a start due to a family matter. I think the Reds may have been better off for that, no disrespect intended to Sampson. In his last 3 starts, remember I said starts, Sampson has gone a total of 11 1/3 innings. During that time he has given up 15 hits and 11 earned runs. He has walked 8 and fanned 7. In his first 10 games, Sampson is 2-5 with a 7.09 era as mentioned above. He actually was decent in his first 2 appearances. But he has regressed horribly. In his last 7 starts Sampson is 1-4 with an 8.89 era. In the last 27 1/3 innings he has pitched, Sampson has given up 45 hits. He has walked 17 and struck out 20. That is one of the worst BB:K ratios in the league. He’s improved on the road where his record is an amazing 2-1 with a 5.60 era. Even on the road he has given up21 hits in 17 2/3 innings. At night he is 2-4 with a 7.34 era. At night he has pitched 34 1/3 innings and given up 49 hits. Post All-Star break he is 2-5 with a 7.09 era. He has pitched 39 1/3 innings in that span and allowed 52 hits. Left handers are hitting .370 against him and right handers are hitting.275. This is not a good resume.
Cincinnati Bullpen – 4.11 era on the road ; 34 saves and 18 blown saves
Lackey, Cards
Lackey is 12-9 on the year with a 2.79 era. He likes pitching at home where he is 8-4 with a 2.01 era. In Lackey’s last 3 starts his era is 2.11. He had a start against Cincinnati on Sept. 11 and went 7 innings allowing 7 hits and 2 runs. He walked 3 and fanned 10. Lackey is 2-2 against Cincinnati lifetime with a 2.96 era. He lost once to them this year when he went 8 innings and allowed only 1 run on 2 hits. Lackey is a model of consistency. In his last 7 games he’s gone 3-2 with a 2.40 era. In his last 15 he’s gone 6-5 with a 2.26 era. He’s 9-9 at night with a 2.02 era. Since the All-Star break Lackey is 5-4 with a 2.50 era. LH hit .268 against him and RH hit .244.
Cardinal Bullpen – 2.36 era at home ; 59 saves and 12 blown saves
The Cards lead all of MLB with a staff era of 2.92 overall and 2.70 at home. Cincinnati comes in at 23rd in all of MLB with an average of 4.22 runs given up per game. It drops minutely to 4.19 on the road.
If this was a game strictly played by the numbers the Reds would score 2 or 3 at the most and the Cards would score at least 6. Unfortunately games aren’t played that way and the Cards do have trouble scoring runs at times. Against Sampson that shouldn’t be the case.
Hitters
Reds
The Reds average 4.1 runs per game. That happens to be 1/10th of a run higher than the Cardinal average, but that’s just half of the story. We’ll talk about what the teams give up in Odds and Ends. The Reds score 3.8 runs per game on the road and 4.1 against RHP. In their past 7 games they have averaged 5.0 rpg. At night and in division they average 4.3 runs per game. Just for perspective, they have been outscored by their opponent in every single category. They rank 22nd in MLB batting average at .250. On the road they slip to .244. The Reds on base % is 15th in MLB at .315. It is .306 on the road. They are 17th in MLB hits per game at 8.59 overall and 8.43 on the road.
Cardinals
The Cardinals average 4.0 runs per game. At home they score just 3.8 and vs RHP they net 4.0. They have averaged 4.9 in their last 7 games and score 4.1 at night and 3.9 in division. By way of comparison, they have scored more than their opposition in every single category. They rank 14th in MLB batting average at .253 which moves to .259 at home. They are also 14th in on base % with .321 and .328 at home. The Cards are 16th in MLB hits per game at 8.60.
Odds and Ends
The Reds are 62-86. The Cards are 94-55.
The Reds have a run differential of MINUS 0.4. The Cards have a PLUS run differential of 0.8.
The Reds are 29-45 on the road. The Cards are 50-24 at home.
The Reds are 1-2 when a road dog of +175/+200. The Cards are 4-0 as home favorite between -200/-225.
The reds are 31-36 against division. The Cards are 40-26 against division.
The Reds are 46-55 at night. The Cards are 65-38 at night.
The Reds are 47-64 vs RHP. The Cards are 72-37 vs RHP.
The Reds are 43-62 when playing teams with winning records.
The Cards are 69-37 when playing teams with losing records.
The Cards are 33-21 vs Cincinnati in the last 3 years.
The Cards are 10-6 vs Cincinnati this year.
The Cards are 17-7 against Cincinnati at home during the past 3 years.
The Cards are 4-2 against Cincinnati at home this season.
Coach’s Conclusion
I actually would have no problem laying the lumber here and taking the Cards at -220 or -225. But for most players the logical bet here would be to lay the -1.5 and get a juicy -105 line. If there were two different pitchers going I might not take the run line due to the Cardinals lack of offense. However, Lackey doesn’t screw around and he will give it all he has until they take him out and bring in the best bullpen in baseball. Samson, well, that’s another story entirely. I taking the Cards -105 minus the 1.5 runs.
Note: You might take a look at these numbers. The hold true for this year only. It is not a trend that has lasted through the years.
11 of 16 games in this series in 2015 have gone UNDER.
5 of 6 games played at St. Louis this year have gone UNDER.
Those are pretty powerful numbers, but Sampson could give up 8 himself.
The Play St. Louis Runline -1.5 -105
Tuesday, Sept. 21
Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals
The Pick Cards Run line -1.5 -105
Sampson, Lackey Face Off in St. Louis
These guys are 2 of my favorite pitchers – but for vastly different reasons. Sampson is a great go against guy. Lackey is a great go to guy. We will try to use them both appropriately today by taking this game -1.5 for the Cardinals at a generous -105.
The Pitchers
Sampson, Reds
Keyvius Sampson is 2-5 with a 7.09 era. But seriously, he is worse than that. Sampson is back after missing a start due to a family matter. I think the Reds may have been better off for that, no disrespect intended to Sampson. In his last 3 starts, remember I said starts, Sampson has gone a total of 11 1/3 innings. During that time he has given up 15 hits and 11 earned runs. He has walked 8 and fanned 7. In his first 10 games, Sampson is 2-5 with a 7.09 era as mentioned above. He actually was decent in his first 2 appearances. But he has regressed horribly. In his last 7 starts Sampson is 1-4 with an 8.89 era. In the last 27 1/3 innings he has pitched, Sampson has given up 45 hits. He has walked 17 and struck out 20. That is one of the worst BB:K ratios in the league. He’s improved on the road where his record is an amazing 2-1 with a 5.60 era. Even on the road he has given up21 hits in 17 2/3 innings. At night he is 2-4 with a 7.34 era. At night he has pitched 34 1/3 innings and given up 49 hits. Post All-Star break he is 2-5 with a 7.09 era. He has pitched 39 1/3 innings in that span and allowed 52 hits. Left handers are hitting .370 against him and right handers are hitting.275. This is not a good resume.
Cincinnati Bullpen – 4.11 era on the road ; 34 saves and 18 blown saves
Lackey, Cards
Lackey is 12-9 on the year with a 2.79 era. He likes pitching at home where he is 8-4 with a 2.01 era. In Lackey’s last 3 starts his era is 2.11. He had a start against Cincinnati on Sept. 11 and went 7 innings allowing 7 hits and 2 runs. He walked 3 and fanned 10. Lackey is 2-2 against Cincinnati lifetime with a 2.96 era. He lost once to them this year when he went 8 innings and allowed only 1 run on 2 hits. Lackey is a model of consistency. In his last 7 games he’s gone 3-2 with a 2.40 era. In his last 15 he’s gone 6-5 with a 2.26 era. He’s 9-9 at night with a 2.02 era. Since the All-Star break Lackey is 5-4 with a 2.50 era. LH hit .268 against him and RH hit .244.
Cardinal Bullpen – 2.36 era at home ; 59 saves and 12 blown saves
The Cards lead all of MLB with a staff era of 2.92 overall and 2.70 at home. Cincinnati comes in at 23rd in all of MLB with an average of 4.22 runs given up per game. It drops minutely to 4.19 on the road.
If this was a game strictly played by the numbers the Reds would score 2 or 3 at the most and the Cards would score at least 6. Unfortunately games aren’t played that way and the Cards do have trouble scoring runs at times. Against Sampson that shouldn’t be the case.
Hitters
Reds
The Reds average 4.1 runs per game. That happens to be 1/10th of a run higher than the Cardinal average, but that’s just half of the story. We’ll talk about what the teams give up in Odds and Ends. The Reds score 3.8 runs per game on the road and 4.1 against RHP. In their past 7 games they have averaged 5.0 rpg. At night and in division they average 4.3 runs per game. Just for perspective, they have been outscored by their opponent in every single category. They rank 22nd in MLB batting average at .250. On the road they slip to .244. The Reds on base % is 15th in MLB at .315. It is .306 on the road. They are 17th in MLB hits per game at 8.59 overall and 8.43 on the road.
Cardinals
The Cardinals average 4.0 runs per game. At home they score just 3.8 and vs RHP they net 4.0. They have averaged 4.9 in their last 7 games and score 4.1 at night and 3.9 in division. By way of comparison, they have scored more than their opposition in every single category. They rank 14th in MLB batting average at .253 which moves to .259 at home. They are also 14th in on base % with .321 and .328 at home. The Cards are 16th in MLB hits per game at 8.60.
Odds and Ends
The Reds are 62-86. The Cards are 94-55.
The Reds have a run differential of MINUS 0.4. The Cards have a PLUS run differential of 0.8.
The Reds are 29-45 on the road. The Cards are 50-24 at home.
The Reds are 1-2 when a road dog of +175/+200. The Cards are 4-0 as home favorite between -200/-225.
The reds are 31-36 against division. The Cards are 40-26 against division.
The Reds are 46-55 at night. The Cards are 65-38 at night.
The Reds are 47-64 vs RHP. The Cards are 72-37 vs RHP.
The Reds are 43-62 when playing teams with winning records.
The Cards are 69-37 when playing teams with losing records.
The Cards are 33-21 vs Cincinnati in the last 3 years.
The Cards are 10-6 vs Cincinnati this year.
The Cards are 17-7 against Cincinnati at home during the past 3 years.
The Cards are 4-2 against Cincinnati at home this season.
Coach’s Conclusion
I actually would have no problem laying the lumber here and taking the Cards at -220 or -225. But for most players the logical bet here would be to lay the -1.5 and get a juicy -105 line. If there were two different pitchers going I might not take the run line due to the Cardinals lack of offense. However, Lackey doesn’t screw around and he will give it all he has until they take him out and bring in the best bullpen in baseball. Samson, well, that’s another story entirely. I taking the Cards -105 minus the 1.5 runs.
Note: You might take a look at these numbers. The hold true for this year only. It is not a trend that has lasted through the years.
11 of 16 games in this series in 2015 have gone UNDER.
5 of 6 games played at St. Louis this year have gone UNDER.
Those are pretty powerful numbers, but Sampson could give up 8 himself.
The Play St. Louis Runline -1.5 -105
Scott Spreitzer
San Diego Padres
The Giants still have a chance to garner a playoff spot, but their chances are quite slim. I suspect they'll be even worse when tonight's game in SDG goes final. The Giants send struggling Chris Heston to the mound. SFO has lost each of his last seven starts and the right-hander has been tagged for a 5.03 ERA & 1.62 WHIP. The Giants began limiting his innings on August 1 and Heston has seen a serious down-tick in his effectiveness. Four of the last five times he has thrown 90 or more pitches he has done so while failing to reach five full innings. SDG sends Tyson Ross to the hill and few hurlers have been as consistent as the Padre righty. Ross has a 2.94 ERA & 1.25 WHIP in his last 26 starts. I'll look for the Padres and Ross to take advantage of a SFO squad that has won just 13 of their last 38 road games.
San Diego Padres
The Giants still have a chance to garner a playoff spot, but their chances are quite slim. I suspect they'll be even worse when tonight's game in SDG goes final. The Giants send struggling Chris Heston to the mound. SFO has lost each of his last seven starts and the right-hander has been tagged for a 5.03 ERA & 1.62 WHIP. The Giants began limiting his innings on August 1 and Heston has seen a serious down-tick in his effectiveness. Four of the last five times he has thrown 90 or more pitches he has done so while failing to reach five full innings. SDG sends Tyson Ross to the hill and few hurlers have been as consistent as the Padre righty. Ross has a 2.94 ERA & 1.25 WHIP in his last 26 starts. I'll look for the Padres and Ross to take advantage of a SFO squad that has won just 13 of their last 38 road games.
Preview: Orioles at Nationals
GAME: Baltimore Orioles (73-76) at Washington Nationals (78-71)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles shared several similarities on their way to division titles in 2014 and appear to be mimicking each other again this season, albeit with much less on the line. The Nationals and Orioles look to keep their faint playoff hopes alive Tuesday when they renew their Beltway Series rivalry with the first of three games in the nation’s capital.
Washington and Baltimore each won 96 games last season, running away with the National League East and American League East, respectively, before watching their seasons end in the divisional round against their league’s pennant winner. The Nationals (78-71) won for the seventh time in eight games following Sunday’s 13-3 rout of Miami, but reside 6 1/2 games behind the New York Mets with 13 left to play. The Orioles (73-76) completed the first leg of their 10-game road trip by splitting a four-game series with Tampa Bay following a 7-6 setback Sunday, but they are six games behind Houston for the second wild-card spot in the AL. The scheduled first contest of the Beltway Series was postponed due to rain Monday and will be made up at 4:05 p.m. Thursday.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Ubaldo Jimenez (11-9, 4.31 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (11-7, 3.83)
Jimenez continued to struggle with his control in Tuesday’s victory versus Boston, surrendering four runs on six hits and three walks in five frames in a no-decision. The 31-year-old Dominican has issued 12 free passes over his last four turns after walking a total of 15 batters over his previous eight outings. Jimenez hasn’t faced Washington since 2011 but has dominated the Nationals in seven career starts, going 5-1 with a 2.61 ERA.
Gonzalez has rebounded from a late-August swoon, going 2-0 with a 1.47 ERA in three September outings after yielding two runs and matching a career high with 12 strikeouts in seven frames en route to a 12-2 win at Philadelphia on Wednesday. The 30-year-old Floridian has posted 26 strikeouts during his hot streak while also holding opposing hitters to a .172 batting average. Gonzalez settled for a no-decision July 10 at Baltimore, allowing one run on six hits over six innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Washington 3B Yunel Escobar has hit safely in 19 of his last 21 games and is batting .422 with 13 RBIs with 16 runs scored over that stretch.
2. Baltimore 1B Chris Davis’ two-run shot in Sunday’s loss was his major league-leading 43rd homer and allowed the Orioles to become the fourth team this season to hit at least 200.
3. Nationals RF Bryce Harper is hitting .435 with four doubles, 10 home runs, 18 RBIs, 17 walks and 24 runs scored in 19 September contests.
PREDICTION: Nationals 6, Orioles 3
GAME: Baltimore Orioles (73-76) at Washington Nationals (78-71)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 7:05 PM EST
WHERE: Nationals Park, Washington, District of Columbia
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles shared several similarities on their way to division titles in 2014 and appear to be mimicking each other again this season, albeit with much less on the line. The Nationals and Orioles look to keep their faint playoff hopes alive Tuesday when they renew their Beltway Series rivalry with the first of three games in the nation’s capital.
Washington and Baltimore each won 96 games last season, running away with the National League East and American League East, respectively, before watching their seasons end in the divisional round against their league’s pennant winner. The Nationals (78-71) won for the seventh time in eight games following Sunday’s 13-3 rout of Miami, but reside 6 1/2 games behind the New York Mets with 13 left to play. The Orioles (73-76) completed the first leg of their 10-game road trip by splitting a four-game series with Tampa Bay following a 7-6 setback Sunday, but they are six games behind Houston for the second wild-card spot in the AL. The scheduled first contest of the Beltway Series was postponed due to rain Monday and will be made up at 4:05 p.m. Thursday.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Ubaldo Jimenez (11-9, 4.31 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (11-7, 3.83)
Jimenez continued to struggle with his control in Tuesday’s victory versus Boston, surrendering four runs on six hits and three walks in five frames in a no-decision. The 31-year-old Dominican has issued 12 free passes over his last four turns after walking a total of 15 batters over his previous eight outings. Jimenez hasn’t faced Washington since 2011 but has dominated the Nationals in seven career starts, going 5-1 with a 2.61 ERA.
Gonzalez has rebounded from a late-August swoon, going 2-0 with a 1.47 ERA in three September outings after yielding two runs and matching a career high with 12 strikeouts in seven frames en route to a 12-2 win at Philadelphia on Wednesday. The 30-year-old Floridian has posted 26 strikeouts during his hot streak while also holding opposing hitters to a .172 batting average. Gonzalez settled for a no-decision July 10 at Baltimore, allowing one run on six hits over six innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Washington 3B Yunel Escobar has hit safely in 19 of his last 21 games and is batting .422 with 13 RBIs with 16 runs scored over that stretch.
2. Baltimore 1B Chris Davis’ two-run shot in Sunday’s loss was his major league-leading 43rd homer and allowed the Orioles to become the fourth team this season to hit at least 200.
3. Nationals RF Bryce Harper is hitting .435 with four doubles, 10 home runs, 18 RBIs, 17 walks and 24 runs scored in 19 September contests.
PREDICTION: Nationals 6, Orioles 3
Preview: Yankees at Blue Jays
GAME: New York Yankees (82-67) at Toronto Blue Jays (86-64)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 7:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Toronto Blue Jays have had their way with the New York Yankees, winning 12 of the 17 matchups between the teams to open a 3 1/2-game lead atop the American League East Division. That represents the most wins the Blue Jays have ever had in one season against the Yankees, who look to even the three-game series Tuesday at Toronto.
Monday's 4-2 victory boost the Blue Jays' record to 8-3 against New York since Aug. 7, including winning three of four at Yankee Stadium from Sept. 11-13. Marco Estrada, who surrendered a major league-worst 29 home runs with Milwaukee last year, goes for his 14th win for the Blue Jays on Tuesday. Estrada has the second-lowest ERA (2.70) in the American League in the second half of the season, behind only teammate David Price, who pitched seven scoreless innings in the series opener. Rookie Luis Severino will be under pressure for the Yankees as he attempts to beat Toronto for the first time in three starts.
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, ESPN, YES (New York), RSN (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Luis Severino (4-3, 3.12 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (13-8, 3.14)
Severino bounced back from a rocky outing against Toronto by limiting Tampa Bay to one run and six hits over 5 2/3 innings for his fourth victory in five starts. His lone setback during that stretch came against the Blue Jays on Sept. 11, when he was pounded for six runs over 2 1/3 innings - the shortest outing of his brief career. He also took the loss in Toronto on Aug. 16, giving up three while striking out a career-best nine.
Estrada had a shaky outing against the Yankees on Sept. 12, but he rebounded by blanking Atlanta on three hits over eight innings. Estrada escaped with a no-decision against New York despite surrendering three homers and giving up four runs over five innings in an eventual 9-5 victory. Catcher Brian McCann is 7-for-17 against Estrada, who took the loss with six innings of two-run ball against the Yankees on Aug. 15.
WALK-OFFS
1. Blue Jays RF Jose Bautista is 9-for-21 in his last five games against the Yankees.
2. Yankees RHP Nathan Eovaldi (right elbow inflammation) will not be able to resume throwing until next week.
3. Blue Jays LF Ben Revere is 10-for-24 versus New York in the past five meetings.
PREDICTION: Blue Jays 6, Yankees 5
GAME: New York Yankees (82-67) at Toronto Blue Jays (86-64)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 7:07 PM EST
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Toronto Blue Jays have had their way with the New York Yankees, winning 12 of the 17 matchups between the teams to open a 3 1/2-game lead atop the American League East Division. That represents the most wins the Blue Jays have ever had in one season against the Yankees, who look to even the three-game series Tuesday at Toronto.
Monday's 4-2 victory boost the Blue Jays' record to 8-3 against New York since Aug. 7, including winning three of four at Yankee Stadium from Sept. 11-13. Marco Estrada, who surrendered a major league-worst 29 home runs with Milwaukee last year, goes for his 14th win for the Blue Jays on Tuesday. Estrada has the second-lowest ERA (2.70) in the American League in the second half of the season, behind only teammate David Price, who pitched seven scoreless innings in the series opener. Rookie Luis Severino will be under pressure for the Yankees as he attempts to beat Toronto for the first time in three starts.
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, ESPN, YES (New York), RSN (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Luis Severino (4-3, 3.12 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Marco Estrada (13-8, 3.14)
Severino bounced back from a rocky outing against Toronto by limiting Tampa Bay to one run and six hits over 5 2/3 innings for his fourth victory in five starts. His lone setback during that stretch came against the Blue Jays on Sept. 11, when he was pounded for six runs over 2 1/3 innings - the shortest outing of his brief career. He also took the loss in Toronto on Aug. 16, giving up three while striking out a career-best nine.
Estrada had a shaky outing against the Yankees on Sept. 12, but he rebounded by blanking Atlanta on three hits over eight innings. Estrada escaped with a no-decision against New York despite surrendering three homers and giving up four runs over five innings in an eventual 9-5 victory. Catcher Brian McCann is 7-for-17 against Estrada, who took the loss with six innings of two-run ball against the Yankees on Aug. 15.
WALK-OFFS
1. Blue Jays RF Jose Bautista is 9-for-21 in his last five games against the Yankees.
2. Yankees RHP Nathan Eovaldi (right elbow inflammation) will not be able to resume throwing until next week.
3. Blue Jays LF Ben Revere is 10-for-24 versus New York in the past five meetings.
PREDICTION: Blue Jays 6, Yankees 5
Preview: White Sox at Tigers
GAME: Chicago White Sox (72-78) at Detroit Tigers (69-81)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 7:08 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
After evening their season series by sweeping a doubleheader from the Detroit Tigers, the Chicago White Sox look to continue their good fortune when they play the third contest of the four-game series on Tuesday. Strong pitching performances dominated the discussion on Monday and Jose Quintana will vie for his career-high 10th win when he takes the mound versus the host Tigers on Tuesday.
Adam Eaton, who is riding a 10-game hitting streak, had an RBI single in Chicago's 2-0 victory in the opener before sitting out the nightcap in which the White Sox posted a 3-2 triumph. Eaton has recorded three straight two-hit performances and is batting 34-for-110 (.309) in his career versus Detroit. Chicago improved to 3-2 on its 11-game road trip and 7-7 in the season series with the cellar-dwelling Tigers, who have dropped three in a row following a four-game winning streak. Alex Avila belted a solo homer in the nightcap, but is just 1-for-8 in his career against Quintana.
TV: 7:08 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Jose Quintana (9-10, 3.45 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Daniel Norris (2-2, 4.28)
Quintana's most recent bid for double-digit victories was thwarted by a leaky bullpen as he settled for a no-decision versus Oakland on Thursday. The 26-year-old Colombian, who allowed one run on four hits in seven innings against the Athletics, is 3-0 and has permitted just 11 earned runs in his last six outings. Quintana owns a 4-3 career mark versus Detroit, but is 0-2 with two no-decisions against the division rival this season.
Norris will likely be on a short leash as he makes his second start since returning from nearly a four-week stay on the disabled list with an oblique strain. The 22-year-old yielded one solo homer as his lone hit versus Minnesota before exiting after 3 2/3 innings. Norris, who will likely be limited to approximately 65 pitches on Tuesday, is 0-2 with a gaudy 9.00 ERA in three home starts this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Chicago 1B Jose Abreu, who was named American League co-Player of the Week on Monday, is 12-for-31 (.387) with two homers and 10 RBIs in his last eight games.
2. Detroit RF J.D. Martinez is 0-for-11 in his last three contests after riding an eight-game hitting streak.
3. White Sox RF Avisail Garcia, who played with the Tigers from 2012-13, has driven in 26 runs in 29 career games versus his former team.
PREDICTION: White Sox 4, Tigers 3
GAME: Chicago White Sox (72-78) at Detroit Tigers (69-81)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 7:08 PM EST
WHERE: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
After evening their season series by sweeping a doubleheader from the Detroit Tigers, the Chicago White Sox look to continue their good fortune when they play the third contest of the four-game series on Tuesday. Strong pitching performances dominated the discussion on Monday and Jose Quintana will vie for his career-high 10th win when he takes the mound versus the host Tigers on Tuesday.
Adam Eaton, who is riding a 10-game hitting streak, had an RBI single in Chicago's 2-0 victory in the opener before sitting out the nightcap in which the White Sox posted a 3-2 triumph. Eaton has recorded three straight two-hit performances and is batting 34-for-110 (.309) in his career versus Detroit. Chicago improved to 3-2 on its 11-game road trip and 7-7 in the season series with the cellar-dwelling Tigers, who have dropped three in a row following a four-game winning streak. Alex Avila belted a solo homer in the nightcap, but is just 1-for-8 in his career against Quintana.
TV: 7:08 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, FSN Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Jose Quintana (9-10, 3.45 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Daniel Norris (2-2, 4.28)
Quintana's most recent bid for double-digit victories was thwarted by a leaky bullpen as he settled for a no-decision versus Oakland on Thursday. The 26-year-old Colombian, who allowed one run on four hits in seven innings against the Athletics, is 3-0 and has permitted just 11 earned runs in his last six outings. Quintana owns a 4-3 career mark versus Detroit, but is 0-2 with two no-decisions against the division rival this season.
Norris will likely be on a short leash as he makes his second start since returning from nearly a four-week stay on the disabled list with an oblique strain. The 22-year-old yielded one solo homer as his lone hit versus Minnesota before exiting after 3 2/3 innings. Norris, who will likely be limited to approximately 65 pitches on Tuesday, is 0-2 with a gaudy 9.00 ERA in three home starts this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Chicago 1B Jose Abreu, who was named American League co-Player of the Week on Monday, is 12-for-31 (.387) with two homers and 10 RBIs in his last eight games.
2. Detroit RF J.D. Martinez is 0-for-11 in his last three contests after riding an eight-game hitting streak.
3. White Sox RF Avisail Garcia, who played with the Tigers from 2012-13, has driven in 26 runs in 29 career games versus his former team.
PREDICTION: White Sox 4, Tigers 3
Preview: Rays at Red Sox
GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (72-78) at Boston Red Sox (72-77)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Boston Red Sox have climbed out of last place in the American League East for the first time since June 9 and Xander Bogaerts played a major role after his go-ahead grand slam Monday. Bogaerts looks to stay hot and extend his hitting streak to 11 contests as the Red Sox host the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday in the second of a four-game set.
Bogaerts, who homered in two of his last three outings, and Dustin Pedroia are both 18-for-46 during 10-game hitting streaks as Boston edged past the Rays into fourth place after winning 20 of its last 31. The Red Sox lead the season series 9-7 after the 8-7 slugfest on Monday and can clinch it with one more victory in the last three. The Rays dropped to 6-12 since opening September with a victory, giving up 48 runs in the last 10 contests. Tampa Bay rookie Richie Shaffer belted a 435-foot homer Monday and registered his second career multi-hit game.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Matt Moore (1-4, 7.06 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Henry Owens (3-2, 4.33)
Moore is winless in his last six starts, but produced his best performance of 2015 last time out when he limited Baltimore to two hits over seven scoreless innings with nine strikeouts before the bullpen blew the lead. The 26-year-old has struggled against the Red Sox this season, allowing 14 runs (12 earned) and 18 hits in eight innings combined. David Ortiz is 8-for-18 with three homers versus Moore – two on Sept. 12.
Owens faces Tampa Bay for the first time after stringing together two outstanding outings, permitting one run and nine hits combined over 13 innings with a win and a no-decision. The 23-year-old rookie did not issue a walk for the first time in his career in 7 2/3 scoreless frames at Baltimore on Wednesday. Owens has not pitched well at home, recording a 1-1 record with a 6.86 ERA in four starts at Fenway Park.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tampa Bay 2B Logan Forsythe boasts 17 homers in 146 games this season after registering 18 in the first 338 contests of his career.
2. Ortiz owns 578 career doubles, tied with former Red Sox and Rays INF Wade Boggs for 20th on the all-time major league list.
3. Rays OF Brandon Guyer is 5-for-7 with two homers, four runs scored and two RBIs in his last three games.
PREDICTION: Rays 4, Red Sox 3
GAME: Tampa Bay Rays (72-78) at Boston Red Sox (72-77)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Boston Red Sox have climbed out of last place in the American League East for the first time since June 9 and Xander Bogaerts played a major role after his go-ahead grand slam Monday. Bogaerts looks to stay hot and extend his hitting streak to 11 contests as the Red Sox host the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday in the second of a four-game set.
Bogaerts, who homered in two of his last three outings, and Dustin Pedroia are both 18-for-46 during 10-game hitting streaks as Boston edged past the Rays into fourth place after winning 20 of its last 31. The Red Sox lead the season series 9-7 after the 8-7 slugfest on Monday and can clinch it with one more victory in the last three. The Rays dropped to 6-12 since opening September with a victory, giving up 48 runs in the last 10 contests. Tampa Bay rookie Richie Shaffer belted a 435-foot homer Monday and registered his second career multi-hit game.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Matt Moore (1-4, 7.06 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Henry Owens (3-2, 4.33)
Moore is winless in his last six starts, but produced his best performance of 2015 last time out when he limited Baltimore to two hits over seven scoreless innings with nine strikeouts before the bullpen blew the lead. The 26-year-old has struggled against the Red Sox this season, allowing 14 runs (12 earned) and 18 hits in eight innings combined. David Ortiz is 8-for-18 with three homers versus Moore – two on Sept. 12.
Owens faces Tampa Bay for the first time after stringing together two outstanding outings, permitting one run and nine hits combined over 13 innings with a win and a no-decision. The 23-year-old rookie did not issue a walk for the first time in his career in 7 2/3 scoreless frames at Baltimore on Wednesday. Owens has not pitched well at home, recording a 1-1 record with a 6.86 ERA in four starts at Fenway Park.
WALK-OFFS
1. Tampa Bay 2B Logan Forsythe boasts 17 homers in 146 games this season after registering 18 in the first 338 contests of his career.
2. Ortiz owns 578 career doubles, tied with former Red Sox and Rays INF Wade Boggs for 20th on the all-time major league list.
3. Rays OF Brandon Guyer is 5-for-7 with two homers, four runs scored and two RBIs in his last three games.
PREDICTION: Rays 4, Red Sox 3
Preview: Braves at Mets
GAME: Atlanta Braves (60-91) at New York Mets (85-65)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
A return to National League play is just what the New York Mets needed to accelerate their pursuit of a division title and they look to continue their domination of the visiting Atlanta Braves on Tuesday when the teams resume their three-game series. The Mets eased to a 4-0 victory Monday night to improve to 5-0 against the Braves in a 12-day span.
New York whittled its magic number to seven for clinching the East and extended its lead over Washington to 6 1/2 games with 12 to play. With their next nine games against three of the worst teams in the NL - Atlanta, Cincinnati and Philadelphia - the Mets have a chance to wrap up the division before a season-ending three-game set against the Nationals. Yoenis Cespedes collected three hits Monday to break out of a 1-for-19 rut while Daniel Murphy is 11-for-33 with eight RBIs over the last eight games. Right fielder Nick Markakis (neck) is expected back in the lineup after missing two games for the Braves, who have been shut out 16 times this season and four times in the past 21 games.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Matt Wisler (5-8, 5.63 ERA) vs. Mets RH Logan Verrett (1-1, 2.89)
Wisler saw his winless drought stretch to his last 10 outings after giving up four runs and nine hits in a 5-0 setback against Toronto in his last start. The 23-year-old rookie acquitted himself well in his previous turn, permitting two runs on seven hits over six innings in a 5-1 setback to the Mets. Wisler had his best start in his major-league debut against the Mets with eight innings of one-run ball on June 19.
Verrett has thrived as a spot starter as the Mets attempt to curb the innings on their young pitchers, and he'll make another in place of Jacob deGrom against the Braves. Verrett allowed one run on three hits over five innings versus Miami in his last outing and turned in a gem in a similar situation versus Colorado on Aug. 23 with eight innings of one-run ball. He gave up a run in a relief appearance versus Atlanta on June 20.
WALK-OFFS
1. Braves RHP Mike Foltynewicz, hospitalized over the weekend with blood clots, underwent surgery Monday to remove part of his first rib.
2. Mets RHP Addison Reed has not allowed a run in 11 appearances since he was acquired from Arizona.
3. Braves C Christian Bethancourt is expected to be out a few games after jamming his left thumb on a tag play Sunday.
PREDICTION: Mets 5, Braves 3
GAME: Atlanta Braves (60-91) at New York Mets (85-65)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Citi Field, New York City, New York
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
A return to National League play is just what the New York Mets needed to accelerate their pursuit of a division title and they look to continue their domination of the visiting Atlanta Braves on Tuesday when the teams resume their three-game series. The Mets eased to a 4-0 victory Monday night to improve to 5-0 against the Braves in a 12-day span.
New York whittled its magic number to seven for clinching the East and extended its lead over Washington to 6 1/2 games with 12 to play. With their next nine games against three of the worst teams in the NL - Atlanta, Cincinnati and Philadelphia - the Mets have a chance to wrap up the division before a season-ending three-game set against the Nationals. Yoenis Cespedes collected three hits Monday to break out of a 1-for-19 rut while Daniel Murphy is 11-for-33 with eight RBIs over the last eight games. Right fielder Nick Markakis (neck) is expected back in the lineup after missing two games for the Braves, who have been shut out 16 times this season and four times in the past 21 games.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Matt Wisler (5-8, 5.63 ERA) vs. Mets RH Logan Verrett (1-1, 2.89)
Wisler saw his winless drought stretch to his last 10 outings after giving up four runs and nine hits in a 5-0 setback against Toronto in his last start. The 23-year-old rookie acquitted himself well in his previous turn, permitting two runs on seven hits over six innings in a 5-1 setback to the Mets. Wisler had his best start in his major-league debut against the Mets with eight innings of one-run ball on June 19.
Verrett has thrived as a spot starter as the Mets attempt to curb the innings on their young pitchers, and he'll make another in place of Jacob deGrom against the Braves. Verrett allowed one run on three hits over five innings versus Miami in his last outing and turned in a gem in a similar situation versus Colorado on Aug. 23 with eight innings of one-run ball. He gave up a run in a relief appearance versus Atlanta on June 20.
WALK-OFFS
1. Braves RHP Mike Foltynewicz, hospitalized over the weekend with blood clots, underwent surgery Monday to remove part of his first rib.
2. Mets RHP Addison Reed has not allowed a run in 11 appearances since he was acquired from Arizona.
3. Braves C Christian Bethancourt is expected to be out a few games after jamming his left thumb on a tag play Sunday.
PREDICTION: Mets 5, Braves 3
Preview: Phillies at Marlins
GAME: Philadelphia Phillies (56-94) at Miami Marlins (64-86)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Miami Marlins had a nice run bridging August and September that likely ensured them of avoiding last place in the National League East. The Philadelphia Phillies, who currently occupy that basement, will try to make the Marlins earn their spot in third place when they visit Miami for the opener of a three-game series Tuesday.
The Marlins, Phillies and Atlanta Braves were engaged in a spirited battle for last place and future draft positioning until Miami went out and won 12 of 16. That run ended over the weekend with three straight losses, but Miami (64-86) will play nine of its final 12 games against Philadelphia and Atlanta as it tries to hold onto third place and any sort of momentum heading into the offseason. The Phillies are looking for any signs of optimism as they rebuild and did not get many from their offense while posting three straight 2-1 losses at Atlanta over the weekend to run its latest slide to six in a row. Philadelphia, which has totaled five runs in the last five games, will try to generate some offense against Marlins starter Tom Koehler on Tuesday.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, FSN Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Aaron Harang (5-15, 5.04 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Tom Koehler (10-13, 3.90)
Harang is 0-4 in his last eight starts and failed to make it through six innings in six of those turns. The veteran went five frames against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 13 and allowed three runs on six hits and a walk without factoring in the decision. Harang’s best start in the last eight came at Miami on Aug. 22, when he scattered two runs and two hits across seven innings and finished without a decision.
Koehler is coming off back-to-back wins and yielded a total of three runs and nine hits in 14 innings. The 29-year-old struggles with his control at times and issued at least four walks in four of his last six outings. Koehler lost his last start against Philadelphia and is 2-2 with a 4.12 ERA in nine career games - seven starts – against the division rival.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Phillies shut down rookie LHP Adam Morgan for the remainder of the season.
2. Marlins 3B Martin Prado (wrist) has missed the last three games and is day-to-day.
3. Miami RF Giancarlo Stanton (hand) continues to take swings in the cage but it is unlikely he'll return this season.
PREDICTION: Marlins 5, Phillies 2
GAME: Philadelphia Phillies (56-94) at Miami Marlins (64-86)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 7:10 PM EST
WHERE: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Miami Marlins had a nice run bridging August and September that likely ensured them of avoiding last place in the National League East. The Philadelphia Phillies, who currently occupy that basement, will try to make the Marlins earn their spot in third place when they visit Miami for the opener of a three-game series Tuesday.
The Marlins, Phillies and Atlanta Braves were engaged in a spirited battle for last place and future draft positioning until Miami went out and won 12 of 16. That run ended over the weekend with three straight losses, but Miami (64-86) will play nine of its final 12 games against Philadelphia and Atlanta as it tries to hold onto third place and any sort of momentum heading into the offseason. The Phillies are looking for any signs of optimism as they rebuild and did not get many from their offense while posting three straight 2-1 losses at Atlanta over the weekend to run its latest slide to six in a row. Philadelphia, which has totaled five runs in the last five games, will try to generate some offense against Marlins starter Tom Koehler on Tuesday.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, FSN Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Aaron Harang (5-15, 5.04 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Tom Koehler (10-13, 3.90)
Harang is 0-4 in his last eight starts and failed to make it through six innings in six of those turns. The veteran went five frames against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 13 and allowed three runs on six hits and a walk without factoring in the decision. Harang’s best start in the last eight came at Miami on Aug. 22, when he scattered two runs and two hits across seven innings and finished without a decision.
Koehler is coming off back-to-back wins and yielded a total of three runs and nine hits in 14 innings. The 29-year-old struggles with his control at times and issued at least four walks in four of his last six outings. Koehler lost his last start against Philadelphia and is 2-2 with a 4.12 ERA in nine career games - seven starts – against the division rival.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Phillies shut down rookie LHP Adam Morgan for the remainder of the season.
2. Marlins 3B Martin Prado (wrist) has missed the last three games and is day-to-day.
3. Miami RF Giancarlo Stanton (hand) continues to take swings in the cage but it is unlikely he'll return this season.
PREDICTION: Marlins 5, Phillies 2
Preview: Brewers at Cubs
GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (63-87) at Chicago Cubs (88-62)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Jake Arrieta has beaten 13 different teams this season, but the Milwaukee Brewers aren’t one of them. The Chicago Cubs right-hander will try to change that when he aims for his 20th victory of the season Tuesday at Wrigley Field.
Arrieta is 2-3 with a 3.19 ERA in seven career starts against Milwaukee, including an 0-1 mark and 4.91 ERA in two meetings in 2015. He hopes his third crack at the Brewers this season will produce a milestone victory – the Cubs haven’t had a 20-game winner since Jon Lieber in 2001 and have had only two since 1977. Right-hander Tyler Cravy will make a spot start for the Brewers in place of Jimmy Nelson, who will not pitch again this season after taking a line drive off his head in his last start. Chicago, which remains two games behind Pittsburgh for the top wild-card spot and six back of St. Louis in the National League Central, has won eight straight meetings and leads the season series 10-4.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), CSN-Plus (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RP Tyler Cravy (0-7, 6.42 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (19-6, 1.96)
Cravy gets the nod to start on what is sure to be a bullpen day for the Brewers. The 26-year-old rookie has made five big-league starts but has been working in relief throughout September, going 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in 6 2/3 innings over five appearances this month. Cravy made a start against the Cubs on Aug. 13 in Chicago and gave up four runs in 4 1/3 innings to take the loss.
Arrieta let win No. 20 get away last time out, squandering a late 2-0 lead in a no-decision at Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old had won his previous eight starts and has won 13 of his last 14 decisions. He hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in a start since a loss to Cleveland on June 16.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs INF Starlin Castro is hitting .381 with five homers and 17 RBIs in 36 games since losing the starting shortstop job to rookie Addison Russell.
2. Milwaukee is 0-82 when trailing after eight innings.
3. Brewers OF Ryan Braun told reporters he will need back surgery following the season.
PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Brewers 2
GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (63-87) at Chicago Cubs (88-62)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 8:05 PM EST
WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Jake Arrieta has beaten 13 different teams this season, but the Milwaukee Brewers aren’t one of them. The Chicago Cubs right-hander will try to change that when he aims for his 20th victory of the season Tuesday at Wrigley Field.
Arrieta is 2-3 with a 3.19 ERA in seven career starts against Milwaukee, including an 0-1 mark and 4.91 ERA in two meetings in 2015. He hopes his third crack at the Brewers this season will produce a milestone victory – the Cubs haven’t had a 20-game winner since Jon Lieber in 2001 and have had only two since 1977. Right-hander Tyler Cravy will make a spot start for the Brewers in place of Jimmy Nelson, who will not pitch again this season after taking a line drive off his head in his last start. Chicago, which remains two games behind Pittsburgh for the top wild-card spot and six back of St. Louis in the National League Central, has won eight straight meetings and leads the season series 10-4.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee), CSN-Plus (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RP Tyler Cravy (0-7, 6.42 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (19-6, 1.96)
Cravy gets the nod to start on what is sure to be a bullpen day for the Brewers. The 26-year-old rookie has made five big-league starts but has been working in relief throughout September, going 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in 6 2/3 innings over five appearances this month. Cravy made a start against the Cubs on Aug. 13 in Chicago and gave up four runs in 4 1/3 innings to take the loss.
Arrieta let win No. 20 get away last time out, squandering a late 2-0 lead in a no-decision at Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old had won his previous eight starts and has won 13 of his last 14 decisions. He hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in a start since a loss to Cleveland on June 16.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs INF Starlin Castro is hitting .381 with five homers and 17 RBIs in 36 games since losing the starting shortstop job to rookie Addison Russell.
2. Milwaukee is 0-82 when trailing after eight innings.
3. Brewers OF Ryan Braun told reporters he will need back surgery following the season.
PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Brewers 2
Preview: Indians at Twins
GAME: Cleveland Indians (74-74) at Minnesota Twins (76-73)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Minnesota Twins and the Cleveland Indians are still alive in the race for the second American League wild card, but time is running out. The Twins will try to gain on the Houston Astros and knock the Indians back when they host the opener of a three-game series Tuesday.
Minnesota (76-73) stands three games behind the Astros for the second wild card while Cleveland (74-74) is 4 1/2 back with less than two weeks left in the regular season. The Twins seemed to be doing all they could to play themselves out of the race with a five-game losing streak before recovering with an 8-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. The Indians don’t seem to be in much of a rush to make up the ground either, trading wins and losses over the last nine games just as their .500 record would suggest. Cleveland, which has lost seven of the 12 meetings with Minnesota this season, sends Danny Santana to the mound Tuesday while the Twins counter with Ervin Santana.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FSN North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Danny Salazar (13-8, 3.48 ERA) vs. Twins RH Ervin Santana (5-4, 4.55)
Salazar put together his best start of the month against Kansas City on Wednesday, scattering one run and four hits across seven innings to pick up the win. The 25-year-old Dominican battled through some inconsistency at the end of August and beginning of September but has posted back-to-back quality starts. Salazar had one of his best starts the last time he faced Minnesota on May 10, allowing one run and one hit while matching a season high with 11 strikeouts in seven frames.
Santana is in a groove at the moment and is 3-0 with a total of five runs allowed in 29 innings over his last four starts. The 32-year-old Dominican fought his control a bit with four walks Wednesday but limited the damage to two runs in seven innings against Detroit. Santana endured his worst start of the season in Cleveland on Aug. 8, surrendering eight runs and 10 hits in 2 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Twins RHP Phil Hughes (back) will start in place of LHP Tommy Milone (shoulder) on Wednesday.
2. Cleveland 2B Jason Kipnis is 6-for-13 in the last three games - one more hit than he managed in his previous 11 contests.
3. Minnesota RF Torii Hunter has recorded multiple hits six times during a nine-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Twins 5, Indians 4
GAME: Cleveland Indians (74-74) at Minnesota Twins (76-73)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Minnesota Twins and the Cleveland Indians are still alive in the race for the second American League wild card, but time is running out. The Twins will try to gain on the Houston Astros and knock the Indians back when they host the opener of a three-game series Tuesday.
Minnesota (76-73) stands three games behind the Astros for the second wild card while Cleveland (74-74) is 4 1/2 back with less than two weeks left in the regular season. The Twins seemed to be doing all they could to play themselves out of the race with a five-game losing streak before recovering with an 8-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. The Indians don’t seem to be in much of a rush to make up the ground either, trading wins and losses over the last nine games just as their .500 record would suggest. Cleveland, which has lost seven of the 12 meetings with Minnesota this season, sends Danny Santana to the mound Tuesday while the Twins counter with Ervin Santana.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FSN North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Danny Salazar (13-8, 3.48 ERA) vs. Twins RH Ervin Santana (5-4, 4.55)
Salazar put together his best start of the month against Kansas City on Wednesday, scattering one run and four hits across seven innings to pick up the win. The 25-year-old Dominican battled through some inconsistency at the end of August and beginning of September but has posted back-to-back quality starts. Salazar had one of his best starts the last time he faced Minnesota on May 10, allowing one run and one hit while matching a season high with 11 strikeouts in seven frames.
Santana is in a groove at the moment and is 3-0 with a total of five runs allowed in 29 innings over his last four starts. The 32-year-old Dominican fought his control a bit with four walks Wednesday but limited the damage to two runs in seven innings against Detroit. Santana endured his worst start of the season in Cleveland on Aug. 8, surrendering eight runs and 10 hits in 2 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Twins RHP Phil Hughes (back) will start in place of LHP Tommy Milone (shoulder) on Wednesday.
2. Cleveland 2B Jason Kipnis is 6-for-13 in the last three games - one more hit than he managed in his previous 11 contests.
3. Minnesota RF Torii Hunter has recorded multiple hits six times during a nine-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Twins 5, Indians 4
Preview: Angels at Astros
GAME: Los Angeles Angels (76-74) at Houston Astros (80-71)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Houston Astros posted a pivotal victory in the series opener and look to defeat the visiting Los Angeles Angels for the second straight night when the teams clash again on Tuesday. Houston sits one game behind the first-place Texas Rangers in the American League West and leads the Minnesota Twins by three games in the battle for the second wild-card spot, while the Angels are another half-game back.
Los Angeles has dropped two straight games at a time in which it can't afford to lose more ground to the Astros, who have won three consecutive contests. Angels first baseman/designated hitter Albert Pujols is in a 2-for-35 funk over his last nine games and is batting just .143 with one homer in 70 September at-bats. Astros shortstop Carlos Correa is the likely AL Rookie of the Year and he slammed his 19th homer in 88 games during Monday's 6-3 victory. Houston designated hitter Evan Gattis slugged his 26th blast and is 10-for-28 with three homers and 10 RBIs over the last seven games.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), ROOT (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Hector Santiago (8-9, 3.47 ERA) vs. Astros RH Lance McCullers (5-6, 3.18)
Santiago experienced a horrible time against Minnesota in his last outing by giving up five runs and five hits in two-thirds of an inning. He was fortunate to avoid a loss and has dropped five of his last six decisions. Santiago received a no-decision against Houston on Sept. 12 when he allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings and is 0-2 with a 4.11 ERA in eight career appearances (six starts) against Houston.
McCullers is 0-3 over his last six turns after getting his major-league career off to a good start. He lost to Texas in his last outing when he gave up three runs and five hits in six innings. McCullers is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA in three starts against the Angels and has struggled with shortstop Erick Aybar (4-for-9, two doubles).
WALK-OFFS
1. Astros 2B Jose Altuve had three hits in the series opener and is 7-for-16 over the past four games.
2. Los Angeles RHP Joe Smith (ankle) missed his fourth straight game stemming from an incident at a hotel and underwent an MRI exam on Monday.
3. Houston CF Carlos Gomez (intercostal strain) has missed nine straight games and INF Marwin Gonzalez (finger, wrist) sat out the last five contests.
PREDICTION: Astros 8, Angels 6
GAME: Los Angeles Angels (76-74) at Houston Astros (80-71)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Houston Astros posted a pivotal victory in the series opener and look to defeat the visiting Los Angeles Angels for the second straight night when the teams clash again on Tuesday. Houston sits one game behind the first-place Texas Rangers in the American League West and leads the Minnesota Twins by three games in the battle for the second wild-card spot, while the Angels are another half-game back.
Los Angeles has dropped two straight games at a time in which it can't afford to lose more ground to the Astros, who have won three consecutive contests. Angels first baseman/designated hitter Albert Pujols is in a 2-for-35 funk over his last nine games and is batting just .143 with one homer in 70 September at-bats. Astros shortstop Carlos Correa is the likely AL Rookie of the Year and he slammed his 19th homer in 88 games during Monday's 6-3 victory. Houston designated hitter Evan Gattis slugged his 26th blast and is 10-for-28 with three homers and 10 RBIs over the last seven games.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), ROOT (Houston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Hector Santiago (8-9, 3.47 ERA) vs. Astros RH Lance McCullers (5-6, 3.18)
Santiago experienced a horrible time against Minnesota in his last outing by giving up five runs and five hits in two-thirds of an inning. He was fortunate to avoid a loss and has dropped five of his last six decisions. Santiago received a no-decision against Houston on Sept. 12 when he allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings and is 0-2 with a 4.11 ERA in eight career appearances (six starts) against Houston.
McCullers is 0-3 over his last six turns after getting his major-league career off to a good start. He lost to Texas in his last outing when he gave up three runs and five hits in six innings. McCullers is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA in three starts against the Angels and has struggled with shortstop Erick Aybar (4-for-9, two doubles).
WALK-OFFS
1. Astros 2B Jose Altuve had three hits in the series opener and is 7-for-16 over the past four games.
2. Los Angeles RHP Joe Smith (ankle) missed his fourth straight game stemming from an incident at a hotel and underwent an MRI exam on Monday.
3. Houston CF Carlos Gomez (intercostal strain) has missed nine straight games and INF Marwin Gonzalez (finger, wrist) sat out the last five contests.
PREDICTION: Astros 8, Angels 6
Preview: Mariners at Royals
GAME: Seattle Mariners (73-77) at Kansas City Royals (87-62)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Kansas City Royals will likely wrap up their first division title since 1985 sometime this week. The Royals will attempt to shave their magic number down further with another win when they host the Seattle Mariners in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday.
Kansas City owns a magic number of three and an 11-game lead on the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central after avoiding a three-game sweep with a 10-3 victory at Detroit on Sunday. The Royals will try to put some momentum together heading toward the playoffs at home after going 4-6 on their just-completed road trip. The Mariners are not likely to make the playoffs but are proving to be a factor in the postseason race after claiming series wins against the wild-card hopeful Los Angeles Angels and AL West-leading Texas Rangers. Seattle sends Hisashi Iwakuma to the mound Tuesday opposite veteran right-hander Jeremy Guthrie.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FSN Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Hisashi Iwakuma (8-4, 3.90 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jeremy Guthrie (8-7, 5.55)
Iwakuma struck out nine and allowed one run against the Angels on Wednesday but was removed after six innings due to a stiff back. The Japan native has surrendered three or fewer runs in eight of his last nine starts but failed to complete seven innings in five straight. Iwakuma is 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA in three career starts against Kansas City.
Guthrie is moving back into the rotation to give Danny Duffy a rest and had one of his better relief appearances at Cleveland on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings. The Stanford product is making his first start since Aug. 19 and is 8-7 with a 5.65 ERA in that role this season. Guthrie was roughed up for six runs and nine hits over five innings in a loss at Seattle on June 23.
WALK-OFFS
1. Royals DH Kendrys Morales set a franchise record with 15 total bases Sunday - three home runs and a triple.
2. Seattle rookie SS Ketel Marte has hit safely in eight straight games.
3. Kansas City SS Alcides Escobar (elbow) missed the last two games and is day-to-day after being hit by a pitch Friday.
PREDICTION: Mariners 7, Royals 4
GAME: Seattle Mariners (73-77) at Kansas City Royals (87-62)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Kansas City Royals will likely wrap up their first division title since 1985 sometime this week. The Royals will attempt to shave their magic number down further with another win when they host the Seattle Mariners in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday.
Kansas City owns a magic number of three and an 11-game lead on the Minnesota Twins in the American League Central after avoiding a three-game sweep with a 10-3 victory at Detroit on Sunday. The Royals will try to put some momentum together heading toward the playoffs at home after going 4-6 on their just-completed road trip. The Mariners are not likely to make the playoffs but are proving to be a factor in the postseason race after claiming series wins against the wild-card hopeful Los Angeles Angels and AL West-leading Texas Rangers. Seattle sends Hisashi Iwakuma to the mound Tuesday opposite veteran right-hander Jeremy Guthrie.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, ROOT Northwest (Seattle), FSN Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Hisashi Iwakuma (8-4, 3.90 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jeremy Guthrie (8-7, 5.55)
Iwakuma struck out nine and allowed one run against the Angels on Wednesday but was removed after six innings due to a stiff back. The Japan native has surrendered three or fewer runs in eight of his last nine starts but failed to complete seven innings in five straight. Iwakuma is 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA in three career starts against Kansas City.
Guthrie is moving back into the rotation to give Danny Duffy a rest and had one of his better relief appearances at Cleveland on Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings. The Stanford product is making his first start since Aug. 19 and is 8-7 with a 5.65 ERA in that role this season. Guthrie was roughed up for six runs and nine hits over five innings in a loss at Seattle on June 23.
WALK-OFFS
1. Royals DH Kendrys Morales set a franchise record with 15 total bases Sunday - three home runs and a triple.
2. Seattle rookie SS Ketel Marte has hit safely in eight straight games.
3. Kansas City SS Alcides Escobar (elbow) missed the last two games and is day-to-day after being hit by a pitch Friday.
PREDICTION: Mariners 7, Royals 4
Preview: Reds at Cardinals
GAME: Cincinnati Reds (63-86) at St. Louis Cardinals (94-56)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 8:15 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The St. Louis Cardinals continue their pursuit of their third straight National League Central title when they play the second contest of a three-game series versus the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday. St. Louis, which has already clinched its franchise-best fifth consecutive postseason appearance, holds a four-game lead over division-rival Pittsburgh.
Tommy Pham scored a run to ignite an eighth-inning rally in Monday's 2-1 win and is 11-for-27 with four homers and 10 RBIs in his last seven contests. Jhonny Peralta is also starting to heat up with four hits, two RBIs and as many runs scored in his last three games after going 3-for-21 in his previous six contests. While the Cardinals are keeping an eye on the postseason, the Reds (63-86) have long since stopped entertaining those thoughts as they jockey with Milwaukee (63-87) to stay out of sole possession of the cellar. Joey Votto has reached base in 38 consecutive games and is 3-for-9 with two homers versus Tuesday starter John Lackey.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Keyvius Sampson (2-5, 7.09 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH John Lackey (12-9, 2.79)
Sampson looks to alter his fortune on the mound after missing his latest turn in the rotation to tend to a family matter. The 24-year-old has lost three straight appearances and is 0-4 in his last six after allowing four runs in three innings of a 5-3 setback to San Francisco on Sept. 14. Sampson has yielded 27 runs in his last 22 1/3 innings and has pitched at least six frames on only one occasion this season.
Lackey scattered five hits over seven scoreless innings to pick up the win in a 6-3 triumph over Milwaukee on Thursday. The 12 wins on the season are the best the 36-year-old has recorded since posting 14 with the Boston Red Sox in 2010. Lackey owns a scintillating 8-4 mark and 2.01 ERA at home this season, but is 0-2 in four meetings with Cincinnati this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cincinnati 2B Brandon Phillips is 11-for-26 (.423) with six RBIs in his last six contests.
2. St. Louis 3B Matt Carpenter is 10-for-24 (.417) with three homers, four RBIs and six runs scored in his last six games.
3. Reds 3B Todd Frazier is 5-for-14 with a homer and three RBIs in his last three contests.
PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Reds 3
GAME: Cincinnati Reds (63-86) at St. Louis Cardinals (94-56)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 8:15 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The St. Louis Cardinals continue their pursuit of their third straight National League Central title when they play the second contest of a three-game series versus the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday. St. Louis, which has already clinched its franchise-best fifth consecutive postseason appearance, holds a four-game lead over division-rival Pittsburgh.
Tommy Pham scored a run to ignite an eighth-inning rally in Monday's 2-1 win and is 11-for-27 with four homers and 10 RBIs in his last seven contests. Jhonny Peralta is also starting to heat up with four hits, two RBIs and as many runs scored in his last three games after going 3-for-21 in his previous six contests. While the Cardinals are keeping an eye on the postseason, the Reds (63-86) have long since stopped entertaining those thoughts as they jockey with Milwaukee (63-87) to stay out of sole possession of the cellar. Joey Votto has reached base in 38 consecutive games and is 3-for-9 with two homers versus Tuesday starter John Lackey.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FSN Ohio (Cincinnati), FSN Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Keyvius Sampson (2-5, 7.09 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH John Lackey (12-9, 2.79)
Sampson looks to alter his fortune on the mound after missing his latest turn in the rotation to tend to a family matter. The 24-year-old has lost three straight appearances and is 0-4 in his last six after allowing four runs in three innings of a 5-3 setback to San Francisco on Sept. 14. Sampson has yielded 27 runs in his last 22 1/3 innings and has pitched at least six frames on only one occasion this season.
Lackey scattered five hits over seven scoreless innings to pick up the win in a 6-3 triumph over Milwaukee on Thursday. The 12 wins on the season are the best the 36-year-old has recorded since posting 14 with the Boston Red Sox in 2010. Lackey owns a scintillating 8-4 mark and 2.01 ERA at home this season, but is 0-2 in four meetings with Cincinnati this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cincinnati 2B Brandon Phillips is 11-for-26 (.423) with six RBIs in his last six contests.
2. St. Louis 3B Matt Carpenter is 10-for-24 (.417) with three homers, four RBIs and six runs scored in his last six games.
3. Reds 3B Todd Frazier is 5-for-14 with a homer and three RBIs in his last three contests.
PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Reds 3
Preview: Pirates at Rockies
GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (90-60) at Colorado Rockies (63-87)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 8:40 PM EST
WHERE: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the verge of clinching a National League playoff spot as they visit the Colorado Rockies in Tuesday's second contest of a four-game set. Pittsburgh posted a 9-3 victory in the series opener and will sew up at least a wild-card berth if it defeats Colorado and San Francisco loses to San Diego.
The Pirates possess a two-game advantage over the Chicago Cubs for the right to host the wild-card game and reside four games behind the first-place St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central. Pittsburgh, which has won three straight games, smacked 15 hits in the opener with left fielder Starling Marte — who homered — and shortstop Jordy Mercer each going 4-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez slugged his 17th homer and is 4-for-11 with two homers and six RBIs against scheduled Rockies starter Chris Rusin. Colorado shortstop Jose Reyes is just 5-for-32 over his past eight games and he traditionally struggles (2-for-21) against scheduled Pittsburgh starter J.A. Happ.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh, Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH J.A. Happ (9-8, 3.84 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Chris Rusin (5-8, 5.11)
Happ lost to the Chicago Cubs in his last turn to snap a five-start winning streak. He allowed two runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Cubs to drop to 5-2 with a 1.96 ERA in eight starts since being acquired from the Seattle Mariners. Happ is 2-0 with a 1.86 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) against the Rockies and picked up the win on Aug. 29 when he gave up one run and five hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Rusin is 1-3 with a 9.00 ERA over his last five outings, including one start in which he allowed 11 runs in two-plus innings. He received a no-decision against the Los Angeles Dodgers in his last turn when he gave up three runs and five hits in six innings. Rusin is 1-3 with a 4.26 ERA in five career starts against Pittsburgh and took the loss against Happ last month when he gave up three runs and five hits in six innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rockies CF Charlie Blackmon had two steals in the opener to raise his total to 40 - the first Colorado player to reach that total since Willy Taveras stole 68 in 2008.
2. Pittsburgh CF Andrew McCutcheon has walked eight times while going 2-for-6 over the last three games.
3. Colorado 2B DJ LeMahieu is 4-for-32 over his last eight games and his average has dropped 12 points to .305.
PREDICTION: Pirates 10, Rockies 4
GAME: Pittsburgh Pirates (90-60) at Colorado Rockies (63-87)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 8:40 PM EST
WHERE: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the verge of clinching a National League playoff spot as they visit the Colorado Rockies in Tuesday's second contest of a four-game set. Pittsburgh posted a 9-3 victory in the series opener and will sew up at least a wild-card berth if it defeats Colorado and San Francisco loses to San Diego.
The Pirates possess a two-game advantage over the Chicago Cubs for the right to host the wild-card game and reside four games behind the first-place St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central. Pittsburgh, which has won three straight games, smacked 15 hits in the opener with left fielder Starling Marte — who homered — and shortstop Jordy Mercer each going 4-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez slugged his 17th homer and is 4-for-11 with two homers and six RBIs against scheduled Rockies starter Chris Rusin. Colorado shortstop Jose Reyes is just 5-for-32 over his past eight games and he traditionally struggles (2-for-21) against scheduled Pittsburgh starter J.A. Happ.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh, Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH J.A. Happ (9-8, 3.84 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Chris Rusin (5-8, 5.11)
Happ lost to the Chicago Cubs in his last turn to snap a five-start winning streak. He allowed two runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Cubs to drop to 5-2 with a 1.96 ERA in eight starts since being acquired from the Seattle Mariners. Happ is 2-0 with a 1.86 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) against the Rockies and picked up the win on Aug. 29 when he gave up one run and five hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Rusin is 1-3 with a 9.00 ERA over his last five outings, including one start in which he allowed 11 runs in two-plus innings. He received a no-decision against the Los Angeles Dodgers in his last turn when he gave up three runs and five hits in six innings. Rusin is 1-3 with a 4.26 ERA in five career starts against Pittsburgh and took the loss against Happ last month when he gave up three runs and five hits in six innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rockies CF Charlie Blackmon had two steals in the opener to raise his total to 40 - the first Colorado player to reach that total since Willy Taveras stole 68 in 2008.
2. Pittsburgh CF Andrew McCutcheon has walked eight times while going 2-for-6 over the last three games.
3. Colorado 2B DJ LeMahieu is 4-for-32 over his last eight games and his average has dropped 12 points to .305.
PREDICTION: Pirates 10, Rockies 4
Preview: Rangers at Athletics
GAME: Texas Rangers (80-69) at Oakland Athletics (64-86)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 10:05 PM EST
WHERE: O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Texas Rangers appeared to suffer a letdown over the weekend after taking control of the American League West with a four-game sweep of second-place Houston and cannot afford to let it happen again. Texas, which leads the Astros by a game, opens a six-game road trip with the first of three against the last-place Oakland Athletics on Tuesday before finishing the trek with three versus Houston.
Designated hitter Prince Fielder was 8-for-16 with three home runs, eight RBIs and nine runs scored in the Astros series before going 0-for-10 as Texas lost two of three to Seattle. Third baseman Adrian Beltre, though, kept rolling after going 9-for-17 with four RBIs and four runs versus Houston with a 4-for-9 performance versus the Mariners. Oakland (64-86), which owns the worst record in the AL, dropped two of three to the Astros over the weekend to wrap up a 4-6 road trip that it began by losing two of three to the Rangers. Texas' Martin Perez came up big with a victory over Houston in his last start and opposes Sean Nolin, who defeated the Rangers earlier this month as he continues to audition for a spot in the 2016 rotation.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Southwest (Texas), CSN California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Martin Perez (3-5, 4.96 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Sean Nolin (1-1, 3.24)
Perez snapped a two-start losing streak after allowing one run and scattering nine hits in seven innings of a 14-3 victory over the Astros on Wednesday as part of Texas' four-game sweep of Houston. It was the third quality start in the last four outings for the 24-year-old Venezuelan, who is 0-4 with a 5.18 ERA in six road turns this season. Perez is 3-4 with a 5.59 ERA in seven starts versus Oakland and last faced the Athletics on April 29, 2014.
Nolin picked up a no-decision after yielding two runs, five hits and three walks in five innings of Oakland's 4-2 victory over the White Sox in Chicago on Thursday in his third start this season and fourth of his career. The 25-year-old New York native defeated Texas 5-3 on Sept. 12 after permitting one run and five hits while striking out five in 5 2/3 innings. Nolin, who was acquired from Toronto in the Josh Donaldson trade during the offseason, posted a 2.66 ERA in 14 games (12 starts) with Triple-A Nashville before being a September call-up.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rangers CF Delino DeShields is expected to return to the lineup after missing Sunday's game with a bruised knee.
2. The Athletics are 14-28 when their opponents start a left-hander, the second-worst mark in baseball (Colorado, 9-28).
3. Oakland has already wrapped up the season series 10-6.
PREDICTION: Athletics 3, Rangers 2
GAME: Texas Rangers (80-69) at Oakland Athletics (64-86)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 10:05 PM EST
WHERE: O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Texas Rangers appeared to suffer a letdown over the weekend after taking control of the American League West with a four-game sweep of second-place Houston and cannot afford to let it happen again. Texas, which leads the Astros by a game, opens a six-game road trip with the first of three against the last-place Oakland Athletics on Tuesday before finishing the trek with three versus Houston.
Designated hitter Prince Fielder was 8-for-16 with three home runs, eight RBIs and nine runs scored in the Astros series before going 0-for-10 as Texas lost two of three to Seattle. Third baseman Adrian Beltre, though, kept rolling after going 9-for-17 with four RBIs and four runs versus Houston with a 4-for-9 performance versus the Mariners. Oakland (64-86), which owns the worst record in the AL, dropped two of three to the Astros over the weekend to wrap up a 4-6 road trip that it began by losing two of three to the Rangers. Texas' Martin Perez came up big with a victory over Houston in his last start and opposes Sean Nolin, who defeated the Rangers earlier this month as he continues to audition for a spot in the 2016 rotation.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Southwest (Texas), CSN California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rangers LH Martin Perez (3-5, 4.96 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Sean Nolin (1-1, 3.24)
Perez snapped a two-start losing streak after allowing one run and scattering nine hits in seven innings of a 14-3 victory over the Astros on Wednesday as part of Texas' four-game sweep of Houston. It was the third quality start in the last four outings for the 24-year-old Venezuelan, who is 0-4 with a 5.18 ERA in six road turns this season. Perez is 3-4 with a 5.59 ERA in seven starts versus Oakland and last faced the Athletics on April 29, 2014.
Nolin picked up a no-decision after yielding two runs, five hits and three walks in five innings of Oakland's 4-2 victory over the White Sox in Chicago on Thursday in his third start this season and fourth of his career. The 25-year-old New York native defeated Texas 5-3 on Sept. 12 after permitting one run and five hits while striking out five in 5 2/3 innings. Nolin, who was acquired from Toronto in the Josh Donaldson trade during the offseason, posted a 2.66 ERA in 14 games (12 starts) with Triple-A Nashville before being a September call-up.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rangers CF Delino DeShields is expected to return to the lineup after missing Sunday's game with a bruised knee.
2. The Athletics are 14-28 when their opponents start a left-hander, the second-worst mark in baseball (Colorado, 9-28).
3. Oakland has already wrapped up the season series 10-6.
PREDICTION: Athletics 3, Rangers 2
Preview: Diamondbacks at Dodgers
GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (72-78) at Los Angeles Dodgers (85-64)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Los Angeles Dodgers are letting the San Francisco Giants hang around the division race as they enter Tuesday's contest against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks. The series-opening loss to Arizona was the third straight for Los Angeles, which leads the Giants by seven games in the National League West with 13 games to play.
The Dodgers have a four-game road series against San Francisco at the beginning of next week and are hoping to clinch the division before making the trek to the Bay Area. They will have to play better than Monday's 8-4 loss as Arizona racked up 17 hits and received homers from first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, second baseman Aaron Hill and left fielder Yasmany Tomas. The Diamondbacks roughed up scheduled Dodgers starter Alex Wood for eight runs (six earned) and eight hits in 1 2/3 innings of a 12-4 victory on Sept. 11 and Goldschmidt is 4-for-7 with two homers against the left-hander. Los Angeles first baseman Adrian Gonzalez slugged his 28th homer Monday as he closes in on his fifth 30-homer campaign — the other four coming in 2007-10 when he was a member of the San Diego Padres.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (4-12, 3.72 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Alex Wood (11-10, 3.63)
Ray defeated Los Angeles on Sept. 11 when he gave up two hits over five shutout innings. That victory is the only one in his last nine decisions despite striking out eight on four occasions during the stretch. All three of Ray's career starts against the Dodgers have come this season and he has gone 1-2 with a 3.06 ERA.
Wood allowed one hit over eight shutout innings while dominating Colorado in his last start. It was the second time in three starts in which he held the opponent scoreless and he's 4-4 with a 3.83 ERA in nine starts since being acquired from the Atlanta Braves. Wood is 1-2 with a 4.34 ERA in six career appearances (three starts) against the Diamondbacks.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers rookie INF Corey Seager has reached base in each of his 16 major-league games, the best streak in franchise history since Jim "Junior" Gilliam reached in 24 straight contests in 1953.
2. Goldschmidt is one homer away from his second 30-homer season — he had 36 in 2013.
3. Los Angeles 3B Justin Turner (knee) missed his second straight game and underwent an MRI exam in hopes of identifying the issue.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 5, Diamondbacks 4
GAME: Arizona Diamondbacks (72-78) at Los Angeles Dodgers (85-64)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The Los Angeles Dodgers are letting the San Francisco Giants hang around the division race as they enter Tuesday's contest against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks. The series-opening loss to Arizona was the third straight for Los Angeles, which leads the Giants by seven games in the National League West with 13 games to play.
The Dodgers have a four-game road series against San Francisco at the beginning of next week and are hoping to clinch the division before making the trek to the Bay Area. They will have to play better than Monday's 8-4 loss as Arizona racked up 17 hits and received homers from first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, second baseman Aaron Hill and left fielder Yasmany Tomas. The Diamondbacks roughed up scheduled Dodgers starter Alex Wood for eight runs (six earned) and eight hits in 1 2/3 innings of a 12-4 victory on Sept. 11 and Goldschmidt is 4-for-7 with two homers against the left-hander. Los Angeles first baseman Adrian Gonzalez slugged his 28th homer Monday as he closes in on his fifth 30-homer campaign — the other four coming in 2007-10 when he was a member of the San Diego Padres.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (4-12, 3.72 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Alex Wood (11-10, 3.63)
Ray defeated Los Angeles on Sept. 11 when he gave up two hits over five shutout innings. That victory is the only one in his last nine decisions despite striking out eight on four occasions during the stretch. All three of Ray's career starts against the Dodgers have come this season and he has gone 1-2 with a 3.06 ERA.
Wood allowed one hit over eight shutout innings while dominating Colorado in his last start. It was the second time in three starts in which he held the opponent scoreless and he's 4-4 with a 3.83 ERA in nine starts since being acquired from the Atlanta Braves. Wood is 1-2 with a 4.34 ERA in six career appearances (three starts) against the Diamondbacks.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers rookie INF Corey Seager has reached base in each of his 16 major-league games, the best streak in franchise history since Jim "Junior" Gilliam reached in 24 straight contests in 1953.
2. Goldschmidt is one homer away from his second 30-homer season — he had 36 in 2013.
3. Los Angeles 3B Justin Turner (knee) missed his second straight game and underwent an MRI exam in hopes of identifying the issue.
PREDICTION: Dodgers 5, Diamondbacks 4
Preview: Giants at Padres
GAME: San Francisco Giants (78-71) at San Diego Padres (70-80)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Petco Park, San Diego, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The San Francisco Giants are mathematically alive for a postseason berth and it might stay that way a little longer as they visit the San Diego Padres on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series. San Francisco has won five straight versus San Diego after taking the final two contests of a three-game series at Petco Park in July and sweeping a three-game set earlier this month at home while outscoring the Padres 43-8 during the streak.
It is a bleak situation, though, for the Giants, who are seven games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West and 9 1/2 back of the Chicago Cubs for the final wild card spot through Sunday's games. San Francisco catcher Buster Posey has recorded 10 RBIs in his last seven contests and has 93 this season as he bids to reach 100 for the second time in his career, and is hitting .327 - third in the NL. San Diego kicks off a nine-game homestand after a 3-6 road trip began with three losses to the Giants while right fielder Matt Kemp is two RBIs shy of recording 100 for the third time. San Francisco's Chris Heston is winless in his last eight starts (0-5) and opposes Tyson Ross, who is 0-1 with a 2.37 ERA in his last three turns.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco), FSN San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Chris Heston (11-10, 3.61 ERA) vs. Padres RH Tyson Ross (10-10, 3.18)
Heston received a no-decision after allowing three runs, three hits and four walks while striking out eight in five innings of San Francisco's 9-8 loss to Cincinnati on Sept. 15. The 27-year-old Floridian won his first two starts coming out of the All-Star break - including one over San Diego - before posting a 5.12 ERA during his slide. Heston is 2-1 with a 3.26 ERA in three starts covering 19 1/3 innings versus the Padres this season.
Ross settled for a no-decision after permitting one run and four hits while matching a season high with nine strikeouts in six innings of San Diego's 6-4 loss in Arizona on Sept. 15. The 28-year-old Californian's last victory came Aug. 31, when he yielded three hits and fanned seven in seven innings of a 7-0 victory over Texas. Ross is 3-3 with a 3.69 ERA in nine games (seven starts) against the Giants - 1-1, 3.46 in two turns early this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Ross has 194 strikeouts - one shy of his career high - and needs six to reach 200, which would mark the first time in Padres history two pitchers reached that plateau in the same season. James Shields went over 200 on Sunday.
2. San Francisco has tied a major league record with five pitchers homering in the same season - Madison Bumgarner five; Mike Leake (one with the Giants), Tim Hudson, Jake Peavy and Ryan Vogelsong (one apiece) - and its total of nine is the most since the 1934 staff belted 10.
3. San Diego is 58-0 when leading after eight innings this season.
PREDICTION: Giants 3, Padres 2
GAME: San Francisco Giants (78-71) at San Diego Padres (70-80)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, September 22 - 10:10 PM EST
WHERE: Petco Park, San Diego, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
The San Francisco Giants are mathematically alive for a postseason berth and it might stay that way a little longer as they visit the San Diego Padres on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series. San Francisco has won five straight versus San Diego after taking the final two contests of a three-game series at Petco Park in July and sweeping a three-game set earlier this month at home while outscoring the Padres 43-8 during the streak.
It is a bleak situation, though, for the Giants, who are seven games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West and 9 1/2 back of the Chicago Cubs for the final wild card spot through Sunday's games. San Francisco catcher Buster Posey has recorded 10 RBIs in his last seven contests and has 93 this season as he bids to reach 100 for the second time in his career, and is hitting .327 - third in the NL. San Diego kicks off a nine-game homestand after a 3-6 road trip began with three losses to the Giants while right fielder Matt Kemp is two RBIs shy of recording 100 for the third time. San Francisco's Chris Heston is winless in his last eight starts (0-5) and opposes Tyson Ross, who is 0-1 with a 2.37 ERA in his last three turns.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco), FSN San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Chris Heston (11-10, 3.61 ERA) vs. Padres RH Tyson Ross (10-10, 3.18)
Heston received a no-decision after allowing three runs, three hits and four walks while striking out eight in five innings of San Francisco's 9-8 loss to Cincinnati on Sept. 15. The 27-year-old Floridian won his first two starts coming out of the All-Star break - including one over San Diego - before posting a 5.12 ERA during his slide. Heston is 2-1 with a 3.26 ERA in three starts covering 19 1/3 innings versus the Padres this season.
Ross settled for a no-decision after permitting one run and four hits while matching a season high with nine strikeouts in six innings of San Diego's 6-4 loss in Arizona on Sept. 15. The 28-year-old Californian's last victory came Aug. 31, when he yielded three hits and fanned seven in seven innings of a 7-0 victory over Texas. Ross is 3-3 with a 3.69 ERA in nine games (seven starts) against the Giants - 1-1, 3.46 in two turns early this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Ross has 194 strikeouts - one shy of his career high - and needs six to reach 200, which would mark the first time in Padres history two pitchers reached that plateau in the same season. James Shields went over 200 on Sunday.
2. San Francisco has tied a major league record with five pitchers homering in the same season - Madison Bumgarner five; Mike Leake (one with the Giants), Tim Hudson, Jake Peavy and Ryan Vogelsong (one apiece) - and its total of nine is the most since the 1934 staff belted 10.
3. San Diego is 58-0 when leading after eight innings this season.
PREDICTION: Giants 3, Padres 2
