Wednesday 4/6/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Hornets (44-33) at Knicks (31-47)

Date: April 06, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

Kemba Walker is taking the blame for the Charlotte Hornets staring at their longest losing streak in three months.

Slow starts and another possible absence from Nicolas Batum are bigger concerns.

With Batum's status unknown, Walker and the Hornets attempt to continue their success against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.

Charlotte (44-33) is making just its third playoff appearance in 12 seasons. The Hornets are sixth in the Eastern Conference, one game back of Boston and Miami, who are tied for fourth.

They're also three games ahead of seventh-place Indiana with five to play.

Charlotte, though, would like to avoid its first three-game skid since losing seven in a row from Dec. 30-Jan. 10. That could put the Hornets in danger of falling further in the conference standings, a prospect that's not very appealing after losing back-to-back games to the teams holding the top two seeds. The Hornets lost 96-90 at Toronto on Tuesday after falling 112-103 at East-leading Cleveland two days earlier.

Charlotte trailed by 10 points after the first quarter of both games, combining to shoot 32.5 percent from the floor and 3 for 15 from 3-point range.

"The other night against Cleveland and (Tuesday) we just started out really flat," Walker said. "We're not the type of team that can do that. We have to play well from the start.

"I really put it on myself. When we're really good, I'm the one that's setting the tempo. I haven't been doing that for my team lately."

Walker is having a career year with 21.0 points per game, but he only had 11 against the Raptors after scoring 29 versus the Cavaliers.

He's totaled 59 points on 58.8 percent from the floor - 6 of 12 from long range - over the last two visits to MSG. A Bronx native, Walker scored 26 in a 97-84 home win over the Knicks (31-47) on Jan. 23.

Batum missed that matchup with a toe sprain, and he could be sidelined again after a left knee injury forced him to miss one game. The guard is second on the team with 15.2 points per game, but he only had four in a 102-94 loss at New York on Nov. 17.

If Batum is out again, Jeremy Lin would get the nod for a second straight game after totaling 21 points and seven assists Tuesday. He's averaging 16.0 points in nine games against the Knicks after briefly starring for them in 2011-12, where the "Linsanity" craze began.

The Knicks have dropped four of their last five, averaging just 90.0 points in those defeats. They shot 34.4 percent from the floor and 7 for 25 from 3-point range in losing 92-87 to Indiana on Sunday. However, that performance came while resting Carmelo Anthony and without Kristaps Porzingis, who is sidelined with a sore right shoulder.

New York will have Anthony back.

"I'm good to go. I'll play the rest of this week," said Anthony, the team leader with 22.0 points per game.

Anthony was held to nine points on 4-for-11 shooting at Charlotte on Jan. 23 after averaging 33.8 over his previous five meetings. That stretch started with an MSG-record 62 points in a win Jan. 24, 2014.

With Porzingis out, the Knicks will likely have Derrick Williams starting at forward for the fourth straight game. He's averaging 14.3 points on 51.7 percent shooting over the last three games.

Williams led the Knicks with 19 points and 14 rebounds off the bench against the Hornets in January.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockets (38-39) at Mavericks (39-38)

Date: April 06, 2016 9:30 PM EDT

Maybe the most pivotal game down the stretch for the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks is a rematch of their first-round playoff series last season.

It could decide which one sneaks into the postseason and which is left out this time around.

With just a handful of games left and an ever-important tiebreaker on the line, the Rockets visit Dallas on Wednesday night seeking their 11th win in the last 14 games of this in-state rivalry.

The two teams join Utah in a tight three-team race for the Western Conference's final two postseason spots while Memphis and Portland sit not too far ahead in the Nos. 5-6 seeds.

Houston (38-39) can simplify its path into the playoffs with a third straight win in this four-game season series, pulling even with and earning the tiebreaker over the Mavericks (39-38). The Rockets have won three of the last four games in Dallas, including one victory in the first-round series which Houston won in five games on the way to the West finals.

If the Mavericks win, they would have a two-game edge on the Rockets with four games left. Plus, the season series would be split and the tiebreaker would remain up in the air based on Southwest Division and conference records.

While Dallas has challenging games left against the Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, Jazz and San Antonio, Houston closes with four of the bottom five teams in the West - Phoenix, the Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota and Sacramento.

'It's a minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour thing,' Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. 'You're in the fight and every possession going whistle to whistle could be the one that turns it one way or another."

The Mavericks dropped 10 of 12 from March 3-27 but have rebounded with four straight wins behind stifling defensive pressure. They've held opponents to 86 points per game on 42.1 percent shooting while forcing 17.5 turnovers per game during the win streak.

Dallas held the Timberwolves to 40.8 percent shooting and 4 of 21 on 3-pointers while forcing 18 turnovers in Sunday's 88-78 road win.

However, the Mavs have averaged only 93.5 points on 41.6 percent shooting during their streak without the injured Chandler Parsons (knee surgery) and Deron Williams (sports hernia). Dirk Nowitzki made only 4 of 18 shots for 13 points in Minnesota, but J.J. Barea continued to be a spark plug with 21 points and six assists.

The point guard, key to Dallas' 2011 championship run, has averaged 21.5 points and six assists in the last six games to help fill the void left by Williams, who is not close to returning.

The Mavericks will draw one of the toughest containment tests in the NBA against Houston's James Harden.

Harden, second in the league behind Stephen Curry with 28.7 points per game, went off for 15 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 118-110 win over his former team, Oklahoma City. He added nine assists during his 11th 40-point game.

'We were just all in attack mode, making play after play, putting pressure on every single player,' Harden said. 'It was very important for us.'

Harden hasn't shot well against Dallas this season, averaging 24.3 points while shooting 35.5 percent and 22.7 on 3s, but he's added 10 rebounds and 9.7 assists per game. The four-time All-Star logged one of his three triple-doubles of the season with 23 points, 15 boards and 10 assists in a 115-104 win Jan. 24 in the teams' last meeting.

The Rockets have alternated wins and losses in their last six games and haven't posted back-to-back victories in nearly a month.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Thunder (54-24) at Trail Blazers (42-37)

Date: April 06, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

With their sights set on the West's fifth seed, the Portland Trail Blazers may have the path to get there.

Winners of seven straight at Moda Center, the Blazers begin a season-ending three-game homestand seeking to secure a playoff spot in Wednesday night's matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Though home-court advantage for the opening round is unattainable, the Trail Blazers have a chance to enter the postseason with plenty of momentum. They'll host non-contenders Minnesota and Denver after facing a Thunder team that's already locked into the No. 3 seed.

Portland (42-37) has a magic number of one to clinch a berth and trails fifth-place Memphis by one-half game, an impressive feat for a team that underwent a massive offseason makeover and was nine games under .500 on Jan. 9.

By surpassing the Grizzlies, the Blazers can avoid a first-round draw with the Thunder, who easily won both meetings in Oklahoma City this season but lost 115-110 in Portland on Jan. 10. Whether that scenario is beneficial is debatable, as Portland lost three of four to its other potential quarterfinal opponent, the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Blazers return home having won five of six following Tuesday's 115-107 victory at Sacramento, receiving 30 points from C.J. McCollum and season highs of 20 points and 16 rebounds from Maurice Harkless to earn just their second win in their last 11 road games.

"Most of our (road) losses were to playoff-caliber teams,' coach Terry Stotts said. 'It's been tough for us lately on the road.'

Portland has had a far easier time at home, especially of late. It's won 16 of 18 at Moda Center and has outscored opponents by an average of 13.7 points over its last six there, allowing 97.8 points per game on 40.9 percent shooting during that stretch.

Oklahoma City (54-24) has lost four straight when scoring under 111 points and is a pedestrian 19-21 when failing to hit that number. The Thunder had no problem reaching that mark on Tuesday, amassing 75 points over the second and third quarters while pulling away to beat Denver 124-102.

Kevin Durant had 26 points and Russell Westbrook compiled 13 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists for his 17th triple-double this season, the most of any player since Magic Johnson's 17 in 1988-89.

Westbrook has notched six during the Thunder's 10-2 stretch, including a 17-point, 16-assist, 10-rebound effort in a 128-94 rout of Portland on March 14.

'He's one of those rare guys that can dominate a game without taking a shot,' coach Billy Donovan said. 'He distributed, he rebounded, he pushed the tempo. He created a lot of scoring opportunities for our team.'

With the Thunder's playoff position set, there's a chance Donovan could rest players on the second of a back-to-back, though he said he's hesitant to do so with the team playing so well.

'Sometimes when you rest players you take away that rhythm and flow but you eliminate the risk of injury,' he said. 'What we are going to do is after every game we will evaluate where each individual player is at.'

The Thunder, who opened this four-game trip with Sunday's 118-100 defeat at Houston, have lost three straight at Portland.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Clippers (49-28) at Lakers (16-61)

Date: April 06, 2016 10:30 PM EDT

With little to compete for in the playoff race, the Los Angeles Clippers can focus on spoiling Kobe Bryant's final game against them.

The Clippers will also seek their 11th consecutive win in the series Wednesday night and a sweep of back-to-back matchups.

The Clippers (49-28) are now locked into the Western Conference's No. 4 seed after Oklahoma City claimed its 54th victory in Denver on Tuesday. They finished off a 103-81 blowout of the Lakers not long after that game ended with Chris Paul scoring 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Jeff Green chipping in 21 off the bench.

"Our main goal in these (upcoming) games is to work on us, stay sharp and not take these games for granted," forward Blake Griffin said. "These games can be a great learning experience for us. It's not hard. It's different."

Bryant was held to six points on 2-of-12 shooting in his final game as a visiting player at Staples Center. The next matchup against the Clippers is his penultimate home contest, and his career will come to a close during a visit from Utah next Wednesday.

"As much as I can play, I will play. I mean I've got two home games left. It's been crazy," he said. "I'm going to lace them up and go."

Bryant's current total of 68 regular-season games against the Clippers will stand as his most versus any opponent, edging out 67 against Golden State and the Memphis/Vancouver Grizzlies.

"He's meant a lot to the game of basketball. You can see it not just from Lakers fans but fans all over the world," Griffin said. "He's been great, motivating, inspiring. He's done a lot of things for basketball. To be on the court with him these last couple of times is special."

The Clippers' 10 consecutive wins over the Lakers (16-61) matches their longest active win streak versus any opponent and is tied for their fourth-longest overall. They have also won 10 straight over Detroit.

It's unclear if the Clippers will rest Griffin during their attempt to extend their intracity win streak. He's totaled 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting in his two games since returning from injuries and a team suspension.

"Talking to him after (Tuesday's win), he said he felt great. We plan on playing him (Wednesday), but I'm going to wait until he wakes up in the morning," coach Doc Rivers said. "Sometimes your body feels different in the morning. So we'll see."

Rivers might get veteran forward Paul Pierce back after a four-game absence due to a sprained right ankle and bruised right knee. The Clippers coach and Pierce competed in a pair of NBA finals against Bryant, splitting the two, and numerous other clashes.

Paul has totaled 52 points on 20-of-33 shooting in his two games since he was allowed to rest during a 119-117 loss at Oklahoma City on Thursday. He's averaging 25.0 points on 62.7 percent shooting - his best versus any opponent - in his three games against the Lakers this season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA Odds: Wednesday, April 6 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 4/5/2016

I don't really know which team qualifies as the worst playoff club in NBA history, but I'd like to nominate the Memphis Grizzlies now that it has been determined that star point guard Mike Conley won't be able to return for the postseason, joining All-Star center Marc Gasol, solid big man Brandon Wright and guard Mario Chalmers on the sidelines. Conley probably has played his final game with the franchise as a pending free agent. Memphis as currently constituted is definitely not playoff-caliber and is almost surely going to get swept in the first round by the Warriors, Spurs, Thunder or Clippers. I assure you each of those teams is praying to face Memphis in Round 1. As of right now the Grizzlies are the No. 5 seed but could easily lose out and drop all the way to No. 8. Doubt there's enough time left in the regular season for the Grizz to miss the playoffs entirely.


Cavaliers at Pacers (TBA)

First of an ESPN doubleheader and should have live betting at sportsbooks. Could also be a first-round Eastern Conference playoff preview if Indiana finishes eighth instead of seventh. I'm thinking the Cavs might rest a starter or two here as they were in Milwaukee on Tuesday. Kyrie Irving was questionable for that one as it was with a sprained ankle that kept him out Sunday. Indiana doesn't have the option of resting guys. It won a second straight road game Sunday, 92-87 at the Knicks. Paul George had a sore ankle but hit the tiebreaking jumper with 23.6 seconds left. He probably wouldn't play here if the game wasn't so important. Cleveland is 3-0 in the series this season but winning by an average of just 4.3 points.

Key trends: The Cavs are 0-5-1 against the spread in the past six meetings. The "over/under" has gone under in five straight Indiana home games overall.

Early lean: I think Pacers will beat a depleted Cleveland team.

Pistons at Magic (pick'em, 210)

Second of a back-to-back for Detroit as it was in Miami on Tuesday, but it also can't afford to give anyone the night off. Orlando beat Memphis 119-107 on Sunday for its fourth win in five games. Nikola Vucevic had 25 points off the bench. The Magic are 0-2 against the Pistons this season, both blowouts. But they were both in Detroit.

Key trends: The Pistons are 5-0 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 4-0 in the previous four.

Early lean: Magic and over.

Nets at Wizards (-13.5, 206)

Brooklyn lost a fifth straight Sunday, 106-87 to New Orleans and probably won't win again this season with both Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young shut down for the remainder of it. Thomas Robinson had his fourth straight double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds in the loss. Washington lost 114-109 at the LA Clippers on Sunday. Bradley Beal was just 2-for-16 from the field for eight points. John Wall extended his streak to 13 straight games with 10 or more assists, second longest in the NBA this season. Washington is the only opponent the Nets have faced just once this season. They Wizards won that game 111-96 back on Dec. 26.

Key trends: The Nets are 2-6 ATS in the past eight meetings. The under is 5-1 in the past six.

Early lean: Normally I'd give these points vs. that sorry Nets roster, but Wizards essentially have no reason to care as well. So take the Nets. Go under.

Pelicans at Celtics (-14, 207.5)

New Orleans was in Philadelphia on Tuesday. Boston won a second straight Sunday, 107-100 at the Lakers. Isaiah Thomas scored 26 points, and the Celtics clinched a playoff berth. Jae Crowder added 22 points for Boston, which avoided a trap game after shocking the Warriors on Friday in Oakland. The C's were without Avery Bradley due to "good personal reasons." He should play here. But Evan Turner won't due to injury. Boston won the first meeting 111-93 in New Orleans and has taken three straight overall in the series.

Key trends: The Pelicans are 0-5 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 6-1 in Boston's past seven games.

Early lean: Celtics and under.

Hornets at Knicks (+4.5, 197)

Charlotte was in Toronto on Tuesday with both Al Jefferson and Nic Batum questionable after each sat Sunday. New York lost 92-87 at home to Indiana on Sunday. Carmelo Anthony got the game off for rest, and Kristaps Porzingis and Jose Calderon were both out with injuries. Don't expect to the latter two here but Anthony is expected to play. The Hornets lead the season series 2-1, winning both at home.

Key trends: The Hornets are 6-2 ATS in the past eight meetings. The under is 3-0-1 in the previous four.

Early lean: Wait on Batum and Jefferson.

Rockets at Mavericks (pick'em, 211)

Second ESPN game with live betting. This one is huge with Dallas at No. 7 in the West but just a game ahead of No. 9 Houston. The Rockets got a huge win Sunday, 118-110 over Oklahoma City. James Harden had 41 points, his 11th game with at least 40 this season. That's one behind leader Steph Curry. Dallas won a fourth straight Sunday, 88-78 in Minnesota. J.J. Barea and Wesley Matthews combined for 40 points. Dallas has held each opponent under 90 points in the winning streak. Houston has won two straight in this series and six of the past eight.

Key trends: The Rockets are 7-2 ATS in the past nine meetings. The under is 4-0 in Houston's past four on the road and in Dallas' past four overall.

Early lean: Rockets and under.

Thunder at Trail Blazers (TBA)

Oklahoma City was in Denver on Tuesday and I'm not sure why the Thunder would play Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook here in the back-to-back and locked into the No. 3 seed. Portland was in Sacramento on Tuesday and still trying to get the No. 5 seed and thus might play everyone. The Thunder lead the season series 2-1 but lost in Portland on Jan. 10. The Blazers have won four of the past five meetings at the Moda Center.

Key trends: The home team is 4-0 ATS in the past four. The over is 11-3 in Portland's past 14 vs. the West.

Early lean: Wait on the OKC lineup.

Clippers at Lakers (+11.5, 208)

It's the final game for Kobe Bryant against good buddy Chris Paul and the Clippers. Bryant this week talked about how he regretted that he never got to play with Paul when the NBA voided his potential trade to the Lakers from New Orleans. That's assuming both Paul and Kobe play here as these teams also played Tuesday with the Clippers as the home team. Kobe has said he wants to play the rest of the games.

Key trends: The under is 11-3 in the Lakers' past 14 at home. They are 2-5 ATS in their past seven in the second of a back-to-back.

Early lean: Wait and see what happens Tuesday. If Clippers blow Lakers out, I would take the points here. Tough to do that on back-to-back nights.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Wednesday's hot teams
-- Cleveland won seven of its last nine games (2-4 last 6AF). Indiana is 5-3 in its last eight games (3-4HU).
-- Pistons won seven of their last ten games (1-6 last 7AU). Orlando won four of its last five games (4-1 last 5HF).
-- Pelicans won three of their last five games (5-2 last 7AU). Boston is 6-2 in its last eight games (11-5 last 16HF).
-- Dallas won its last four games (0-3 last 3HU).
-- Portland won five of its last six games (7-6HU). Thunder won eight of last ten games (7-4 last 11AF).
-- Clippers won six of their last seven games (3-1 last 4HF).

Cold teams
-- Brooklyn lost its last five games (0-6 last 6AU). Washington lost five of its last seven games (5-3 last 8HF).
-- Hornets lost three of last five road games (6-1 last 7AF). Knicks lost four of their last five games (3-1 last 4HU).
-- Rockets lost five of their last eight games (6-8AF).
-- Lakers lost six of their last seven games (3-6 last 9HU).

Series records
-- Nets lost six of their last eight games with Washington.
-- Cavaliers won their last four games with Indiana.
-- Pistons won their last five games with Orlando.
-- Celtics won their last three games with New Orleans.
-- Knicks lost five of last six games with Charlotte.
-- Houston won seven of last nine games with Dallas.
-- Thunder won three of last four games with Portland.
-- Clippers won ten in row vs Lakers, covering one of last four.

Totals
-- Five of last six Brooklyn-Washington games stayed under.
-- Five of last seven Cleveland games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last seven Detroit-Orlando games went over total.
-- Last five New Orleans games stayed under the total.
-- Nine of last ten New York games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last eight Houston games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Thunder games went over the total.
-- Last five Laker-Clipper games stayed under the total.

Back/backs
-- Cavaliers covered two of last seven if they played night before.
-- Detroit covered seven of last eight if it played the night before.
-- Pelicans covered six of last nine if they played the night before.
-- Hornets won seven in row (5-2 vs spread) if they played night before.
-- Thunder is 1-4-1 vs spread last six games if they played nite before Portland covered four of last five if they played night before.
-- Clippers are 7-4 in last 11 games if they played night before. Lakers are 2-5 in last seven games if they played night before.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Previews, Streaks, Tips, Notes

Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers April 6, 7:00 EST

Cavaliers haven't been a profitable to play as road chalk this year (12-18-2 ATS) and have been a terrible play for bettors facing the Pacers of late going 0-6 against the betting line. Cleveland 1-7 ATS last eight trips into Indiana you bet bet King-James and his Cavaliers at some risk.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Northfield: Wednesday 4/6 Analysis + Pick Four ticket
By Jeremey Day

DRF HARNESS

Race 8 - $10,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

Jeremey’s $1 Pick Four Play:

2,3,4,5,7,9 / 4,7 / 7 / 5,6 = $24


Best Bet: TRAFICANT (2nd)

Spot Play: EXCITABLE BOY (14th)


Race 1

(3) MISS HKB has had a tough time getting it going this year so far, but faces slightly weaker tonight. (1) MILANO GRANDE gets the best post with the top driver. (2) ANGEL LAND has just been racing evenly; command a price.

Race 2

(5) TRAFICANT has a ton of upside making his second career start. (1) WHISPERED MARCH should also be tighter with a start under his belt. (2) VALENEOUS showed some promise early on.

Race 3

(7) TIELER BEA HOTSPUR looks terrible on paper but could pick up the pieces at a big price with some racing luck. (4) EARLYMORNINARRIVAL was the driver‘s choice but looks to offer low value. (9) FOREVER HAPPY will also offer a big price in a wide open race.

Race 4

(5) DIAMOND DUNN makes his third start of the year for a new barn; threat. (3) HUSTLINHANNAH takes a huge drop down to the bottom level. The mare also benefits from the top driver. Veteran trotter (1) SON OF A SPUR put in a good effort off a long layoff. The 11-year-old gets the best post and has room to improve.

Race 5

In a weak field, (2) CIRCLE M DIRECTOR makes her second start for new connections. (5) DAYTON ANGEL picks up a positive driver change; threat. (4) FLIRTATIOUSLY is a well bred filly that is a threat with a smooth trip.

Race 6

(2) WESTERN FELLA has been facing much tougher and will be used very aggressively. (4) WINDSONG DESTROYER was close at this level two back. The pacer looks to offer a big price. (6) DIFFERENCE MAKER drops in class making his second start back.

Race 7

In a wide open, tough race to gauge, (4) DONTBEACHATME is capable of a decent effort with a good setup. (3) WINTER CRUISE picks up huge driver change and lands a good post. (1) RIDGE PARK is 0 for the year, but can hit the board with the best starting post.

Race 8

(7) CAMCUN will look to make it two straight bumping up in class. (4) BEANS AND WEENIES adds first time Lasix coming off a nice qualifier. (9) TUG RIVER CLAUDE is making his first start for the top barn.

Race 9

(4) WOLF CREEK PEGASUS has been very competitive at this level. (7) PRINCE BEACON is probably the horse to beat, looking to make it three straight against similar. (1) LUNATIC FRINGE is a lightly raced pacer that makes his first start of the year and is one of few in the race with upside.

Race 10

(7) HANGIN JUDGE will be tough to beat with an easy early lead. (9) I‘VE GOT SPIRIT keeps the top driver and should be sharper second start back off a long layoff. (8) LIGHTENING WAR dead-heated with the top choice last week, but finds himself in a tough spot with the far outside post.

Race 11

(6) DREAMER’S CAN FLY burned cash last week while tiring a bit late. The pacer looks to be faster than most of the field. (5) PLAYER‘S SWEETIE is just now back in racing shape and could have more to offer. (9) CRACKED GLASS fits in at this level and could be the sleeper in the race.

Race 12

(6) ROSE RUN NELLIE has been competitive against better on the year and just needs to mind his manners against a weak bunch. (2) TYMAL BLING faces slightly weaker and looks to be in line for a nice trip up close. (1) VICTORY CANDY MAN will look to drop and pop down in class with the best post; threat.

Race 13

(5) JUST CROWNED is a well bred gelding that owns some back class and should find this field to his liking; fires early. (1) LIGHTNINGINTHESKY doesn’t win often but has shown some life in his last few. (9) VON RYAN’S EXPRESS has been facing much tougher and will offer a big price.

Race 14

(9) EXCITABLE BOY keeps the top driver and has room to improve in his second start back off a really long layoff. (2) SIR BARTON looks to be in line for a nice ground-saving trip up close. (5) MONEY GUNS LAWYERS picks up a big driver change and will be much closer turning for home.

Race 15

(4) SALESMAN has shown a decent burst of speed. If the pacer minds his manners he‘s a threat. (3) WAR IMAGE is the horse to beat with an easy early lead. (6) LIMA RITCH will blow up the tote board one of these weeks; threat.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Wednesday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Aqueduct (2nd) Starago, 6-1
(8th) Amazing Anne, 7-2


Charles Town (1st) Wager These Terms, 5-1
(8th) Beelzeboss, 7-2


Evangeline Downs (1st) Eugene's Moment, 5-1
(6th) Picante Caliente, 6-1


Gulfstream Park (5th) Starship Maiden, 8-1
(8th) Awesome Sting, 4-1


Mahoning Valley (2nd) Just a Minute, 8-1
(3rd) Capiche, 7-2


Oaklawn Park (2nd) Flyin Trey, 8-1
(9th) Stellacreek, 3-1


Penn National (2nd) Builder Jak, 6-1
(3rd) Gone Mountain, 10-1


Sunland Park (7th) Scootin for Gold, 6-1
(10th) Big A's Darlin, 6-1


Tampa Bay Downs (2nd) Exchange the Limit, 5-1
(9th) Air Squadron, 3-1


Turf Paradise (1st) Grindcicle, 9-2
(6th) Our Princecharming, 4-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jays (2-1) at Rays (1-2)

Game: 4
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: April 06, 2016 1:10 PM EDT

J.A. Happ is eager to begin another opportunity with the Toronto Blue Jays, even if it comes at a venue that's given him some bad memories.

The offseason addition hopes to make a strong first impression in his second tour of duty with the defending AL East champions in Wednesday's series finale with the Tampa Bay Rays.

In need of reinforcements to a rotation that lost David Price to free agency and Mark Buehrle to retirement, the Blue Jays reunited with Happ on a three-year, $36 million contract in November. The left-hander went 19-20 over three seasons with Toronto before being traded to Seattle prior to the 2015 campaign.

"I really enjoyed (the people) there and watching from afar, seeing what this team did last year, it's fun to watch this team and I wanted to come back and be a part of that," Happ said at his introductory conference call.

After producing mixed results with the Mariners, Happ (11-8, 3.61 ERA in 2015) put together the best stretch of his nine-year major league career following a trade to Pittsburgh on July 31. The 33-year-old went 7-1 with a 1.34 ERA over his final nine starts while striking out 56 in 53 2-3 innings.

Happ hasn't garnered much success at Tropicana Field, where he's compiled a 6.88 ERA in four starts and sustained a frightening injury in one. He was struck in the head by a line drive during his first stint with Toronto in May 2013, missing nearly three months with a skull fracture.

He'll take the mound off the Blue Jays' initial loss of 2016. After winning the first two of this season-opening four-game set, Toronto appeared to be on its way to another Tuesday after scoring two ninth-inning runs on an apparent throwing error by Rays second baseman Logan Forsythe. However, Jose Bautista was called out for interference attempting to break up a double play at second base, taking both off the board and resulting in a 3-2 Tampa Bay victory.

'It turned the game into a joke,' Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said of the call. 'That's flat embarrassing. That cost us a chance to win a major league game.'

Tampa Bay had moved ahead on Forsythe's two-run homer off Brett Cecil in the eighth.

Forsythe finished 3 for 4 and Corey Dickerson had his second homer of the series for Tampa Bay. Jake Odorizzi struck out 10 over 5 2-3 innings, giving the Rays 36 over the first three games.

Forsythe is just 2 for 13 against Happ, though other Rays have hit him well. Steve Pearce is 7 for 19 with three homers in the matchup and Logan Morrison 7 for 14, though he's 0 for 9 for the series.

Matt Moore (3-4, 5.43) gets the start for Tampa Bay seeking to build off a strong finish to 2015. After posting an 8.42 ERA in his first eight starts upon returning from Tommy John surgery in July, the left-hander went 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA over his final four. He capped that run by yielding one run over six innings in a 12-3 home win over the Jays on Oct. 4.

"Last year, we saw basically two personalities," Rays manager Kevin Cash told MLB's official website. "You saw a guy trying to find his way coming back from an injury, then feeling pretty good about himself the last four or five starts."

Moore is 4-1 with a 2.89 ERA in his past five starts against Toronto. Russell Martin is 3 for 7 with two homers against him, however, and Chris Colabello 3 for 4 with one home run.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants (2-0) at Brewers (0-2)

Game: 3
Venue: Miller Park
Date: April 06, 2016 1:40 PM EDT

Jeff Samardzija has a tough opening act to follow.

After Johnny Cueto excelled in his San Francisco Giants debut, Samardzija attempts to pitch his new team to a three-game sweep of its season-opening series with the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.

The Giants homered four times and collected 15 hits to support an ailing Madison Bumgarner in a 12-3 rout in Monday's opener, but relied on Cueto's sharp seven-inning effort to win 2-1 on Tuesday. The 2014 NL Cy Young runner-up yielded a run on six hits in his first outing since signing a six-year, $130 million with San Francisco in December.

"I'm going to be here for a long time based on the contract that I signed,' Cueto said. 'It's good that I had a good outing, especially the first one.'

San Francisco also spent big on Samardzija in hopes of bolstering a rotation that lacked consistent options behind Bumgarner during last season's disappointing 84-78 finish. The right-hander received a five-year, $90 million deal despite a lackluster 11-13 record and 4.96 ERA in 32 starts with the Chicago White Sox in 2015.

Samardzija looked worthy of the investment by tossing five scoreless innings in his final spring tune-up, retiring 15 consecutive Oakland hitters after allowing a leadoff triple in Thursday's Bay Bridge exhibition.

He does draw a historically tough opponent in his initial assignment. Samardzija is 0-5 with a 4.85 ERA in nine career starts against Milwaukee and owns a 6.55 ERA in six starts at Miller Park, where he's surrendered seven homers in 39 2-3 innings.

Ryan Braun and Chris Carter have three career homers each off Samardzija, with Braun 10 of 20 against him and Carter 7 of 15.

Coming off a 94-loss season, this current Brewers team isn't as threatening as past editions as the organization undergoes a full-scale rebuilding phase with much of the top talent at the minor league level.

Milwaukee did receive a solid start from 26-year-old Jimmy Nelson on Tuesday and seeks another from Taylor Jungmann in the finale. The 2011 first-round pick is being moved up a day to take the scheduled turn of Matt Garza, placed on the disabled list Tuesday with a right lat strain that will sideline the veteran 4 to 6 weeks.

"I think Matt had a good spring. He had put himself in a good place to bounce back from 2015, so it's disappointing for him," manager Craig Counsell told MLB's official website.

Jungmann went 9-8 with a 3.77 ERA in 21 starts during a promising rookie campaign last season. He was particularly tough at home, winning his final four decisions and compiling a 5-2 record and 2.21 ERA in nine starts while allowing just two home runs in 53 innings.

The right-hander surrendered six homers in 17 1-3 innings in five spring training starts, however.

Nelson scattered five hits - one a solo homer from Brandon Crawford - and two runs over 7 1-3 innings.

The Giants have won 10 of 11 from Milwaukee and swept a three-game set at Miller Park last May.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners (1-1) at Rangers (1-1)

Game: 3
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: April 06, 2016 2:05 PM EDT

Judging by certain statistics, last season wasn't a particularly good one for Colby Lewis. In the only one that truly matters, however, he's never been better.

Lewis makes his season debut Wednesday when the Rangers and Seattle Mariners close a three-game series in Arlington.

Texas won the teams' season opener 3-1 on Monday despite getting only one hit before Seattle broke out its power bats en route to a 10-2 victory Tuesday. Nelson Cruz and Robinson Cano hit solo homers, while Seth Smith and Luis Sardinas each added two-run shots in a six-run eighth.

Getting burned by the longball was one of Lewis' problems last season, but he also set career highs in wins (17), innings (204 2-3) and starts (33).

Texas would gladly take another 17-win season from Lewis, even with some of the same deficiencies he displayed a year ago. The right-hander ranked among the AL's worst in hits (211) and homers allowed (26) and had the seventh-worst ERA (4.66).

He clearly benefited from the Rangers' potent offense, as his 6.20 run support average was the second-highest in the AL and the highest for a Ranger since Derek Holland's team-record 7.64 in 2011.

The right-hander went 0-2 with a 3.95 ERA in two starts against the Mariners last season, and is 1-4 with a 5.08 ERA in his last six meetings.

This is a very favorable matchup for several Seattle hitters. Kyle Seager is 10 for 27 with two homers and two doubles against Lewis, Cano is 7 for 18 and Franklin Gutierrez is 6 for 16 with two home runs.

Cruz continues to haunt his former team. Since leaving the Rangers after the 2013 season, the slugger is batting .351 with nine homers and 18 RBIs in 25 games against them.

Texas tries to get its offense in gear against Wade Miley after totaling five runs and eight hits in the first two games. The top three hitters in the Rangers' order - Delino DeShields, Shin-soo Choo and Prince Fielder - are a combined 1 for 19 with seven strikeouts thus far.

Miley makes his Mariners debut after he was acquired from Boston in December.

The left-hander's first season in the AL brought mixed results. He went 11-11 with a 4.46 ERA for the last-place Red Sox, but led the team in wins, starts (32), innings (193 2-3) and quality starts (17).

He was better in the second half of the season, posting a 4.09 ERA in his final 14 starts after he had a 4.80 mark in 18 before the All-Star break.

Miley split a pair of outings against the Rangers last season, allowing six runs and nine hits over four-plus innings in an 8-0 loss in Arlington on May 30.

Tuesday's win was the first for Seattle manager Scott Servais, who spent six years in player development with Texas. Servais got into a shouting match with reigning AL Manager of the Year Jeff Banister in the eighth inning.

The pair exchanged words after former Mariners reliever Tom Wilhelmsen hit Chris Iannetta with a pitch.

'I've said it since the day I got the job, it's OK to show emotion once in a while,' Servais said. 'Obviously, there were some things that went back and forth tonight, but that's part of the game.'

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockies (1-1) at Diamondbacks (1-1)

Game: 3
Venue: Chase Field
Date: April 06, 2016 3:40 PM EDT

It's been nearly two years since Tyler Chatwood pitched in the major leagues. That came in the same park he'll take the mound for his return from Tommy John surgery.

The right-hander tries to help the visiting Colorado Rockies take Wednesday's decisive series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

After going 8-5 with a 3.15 ERA in 20 starts in 2013, Chatwood made only four before his 2014 season ended April 29 when he allowed three runs in five-plus innings of a 5-4 victory at Arizona.

Following a long recovery, Chatwood is eager to return to a major league mound after he went 1-0 with a 3.21 ERA in five spring training contests. He then solidified his return by throwing 84 pitches over seven innings in a Triple-A game last week.

"It's been a long time," Chatwood, 19-21 with a 4.23 ERA in 61 starts, told MLB's official website. "I'm excited to get back with my teammates and compete again."

While his pitches and innings will be monitored, Chatwood looks to help Colorado (1-1) bounce back after it blew a four-run lead in Tuesday's 11-6 defeat. Rookie shortstop Trevor Story homered for the third time but the Rockies allowed Arizona to score nine runs over the sixth and seventh innings after scoring six of their own in the fourth.

'They're unbelievable to watch,' Arizona starter Shelby Miller said of his new teammates. 'They play so hard. They never give up. You can see it in the dugout. ... Just the mentality that they have at the plate and just in general is something like I've never seen before.'

Paul Goldschmidt homered and drove in four runs for the Diamondbacks (1-1), who have scored and allowed 16 runs in two games.

After Zack Greinke and Miller were roughed up in their Arizona debuts, Patrick Corbin looks to build on a stellar spring training run Wednesday.

The left-hander, who also returned from elbow surgery to go 6-5 with a 3.60 ERA in 16 starts last season, went 2-0 with a 1.71 ERA in five starts this spring.

"He's commanding all his pitches," manager Chip Hale said. "He pretty much can throw any of his pitches in any count. And those are weapons that not a lot of pitchers have."

The Diamondbacks have won Corbin's last nine starts against Colorado. He's 5-0 with a 3.14 ERA in his last eight against the Rockies, but gave up five runs and 10 hits in 5 1-3 innings while not factoring in the decision of an 8-6 win over them Oct. 1.

Goldschmidt has reached base in 37 straight games against the Rockies - one shy of Luis Gonzalez's club record set against Colorado from June 25, 2000-Sept. 21, 2002. Goldschmidt is 1 for 7 with two walks and been hit by a pitch against Chatwood.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said he expects to rule soon on any possible discipline for Colorado shortstop Jose Reyes, who was suspended with pay under baseball's new domestic abuse policy. Story, though, has made up for the absence by homering for each of his first three career hits in 10 at-bats and driving in five runs.

Colorado's DJ LeMahieu is 4 for 6 with a homer and three RBIs in the series. He's batting .364 with a home run and two triples in 22 at-bats against Corbin.

Nolan Arenado is 3 for 19 against him.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers (1-0) at Marlins (0-1)

Game: 2
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: April 06, 2016 4:55 PM EDT

Jose Fernandez is the undisputed ace of the Miami Marlins staff, but he had to wait a bit to make his 2016 debut and continue his dominance at home.

The right-hander looks to remain perfect at Marlins Park on Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers.

First-year Miami manager Don Mattingly chose to start free agent acquisition Wei-Yin Chen in Tuesday's opening 8-7, 11-inning loss to Detroit for the purpose of managing Fernandez's workload from the get-go. Fernandez was the NL's rookie of the year in 2013, but has been limited to 19 starts the past two seasons. He returned from Tommy John surgery last year to go 6-1 with a 2.92 ERA in 11 starts while also dealing with a strained biceps.

Fernandez is slated to work anywhere from 180-200 innings this season.

'You kind of set (him) up for what's best for the club,' Mattingly said. 'One day with days off or rest. ... You map it out moving forward through the whole season. If it stays on that schedule, over half his starts are on extra days rest.'

Fernandez was initially disappointed with Mattingly's decision, but understood the logic.

'Of course, everybody wants to pitch opening day. Every pitcher,' said Fernandez, who struck out 24 in 18 1-3 innings during spring training.

"It's no big deal. ... The big thing is on how I'm feeling.'

Making his 27th home start, Fernandez looks to improve on his 17-0 mark and lower a 1.40 ERA at Marlins Park. He yielded one run and fanned 31 in 24 innings over four home starts prior to giving up six in five innings in his final 2015 outing there Sept. 25 against Atlanta.

This will be Fernandez's first appearance against Detroit, which hands the ball to ex-Marlin Anibal Sanchez. An inflamed triceps almost left the right-hander to open the season on the disabled list, but he threw 91 pitches over 4 2-3 innings Friday to satisfy the Tigers coaching staff.

"My only goal is I want to be available every five days, 100 percent," Sanchez told MLB's official website. "Ready to help the team."

He hopes for a better overall effort after going 10-10 with a 4.99 ERA in 25 starts in 2015. Sanchez went 0-3 with a 7.01 ERA in his last five before finishing the season on the DL with a rotator cuff issue.

Sanchez, who spent his first seven-plus seasons with the Marlins, struck out eight over five scoreless innings at Miami in his only appearance against his former team in September 2013.

Ian Kinsler had four RBIs, including a run-scoring single in the 11th for one of his three hits Tuesday. Kinsler, Victor Martinez and Anthony Gose each homered for Detroit, which led 7-4 in the ninth before Francisco Rodriguez blew the save by allowing three runs and four hits.

'The fire in this team is huge,' Tigers catcher James McCann said. 'They make a comeback, and we're able to fight through it and come out on top - that's a big win.'

Kinsler is 16 for 24 with eight RBIs in his last five interleague games.

Dee Gordon had three hits and Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run homer off Justin Verlander for the Marlins, who are trying to avoid going 0-2 for a second consecutive season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Sox (1-0) at Indians (0-1)

Game: 2
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: April 06, 2016 6:10 PM EDT

No matter the state of the 2015 Boston Red Sox, Clay Buchholz was enjoying a bounce-back season when he suffered a flexor strain that wound up ending his year.

Nine months later, he's set to debut against Cleveland on Wednesday night as the Red Sox try to win the first two of a three-game road series against a trinity of impressive Indians arms.

Buchholz suffered the elbow injury on July 10 and was transferred to the 60-day disabled list 18 days later. Prior to departing that final game early, the right-hander had won four straight starts with a 0.87 ERA. He didn't give up more than an earned run in his last five to complete a 7-7 year with a 3.26 ERA in 18 starts after going 8-11 with a 5.34 mark in 2014.

His manager said his spring work pointed toward further departure from that anomaly, culminating with a run and two hits allowed in four innings of his final start on Thursday.

"With each successive start here in camp, his arm strength has continued to improve," John Farrell told MLB's official website. "... It was a good tuneup for him, for Game 2 (of the regular season). But increased arm strength was most encouraging today.

"He didn't need any extra rest - took the ball each and every start, and showed improvement as we get closer to the opener here. A very good camp."

How many starts he can be expected to make remains in question. Buchholz has never started 30 games and has averaged 20.7 over the last three seasons, but did all he could to prepare for more this season.

"I got the right amount of innings in," Buchholz said. "The up and downs are always the most important part. If you get through those healthy, that's what you want. So that's been good."

His counterpart, meanwhile, is coming off a particularly impressive conclusion to his first 30-start season. In his last 10, Carlos Carrasco was 4-4 with a 2.48 ERA and .163 opponent batting average, including three nine-inning efforts.

The right-hander finished the season 14-12 with a 3.63 ERA. His 10.58 strikeouts per nine innings ranked fifth in the majors behind Cy Young contenders Chris Sale, Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer and Chris Archer. His WHIP (1.07) was 11th, and he was one of 16 pitchers with an opponent OPS (.646) under .650.

Following Corey Kluber in the rotation along with Danny Salazar, the Indians are hoping for big things.

"Both of those guys, the sky's the limit," pitching coach Mickey Callaway said of Carrasco and Salazar. "I think either one could win a Cy Young this year coming up. The thing Kluber had (when he won the award in 2014), that's always been him - his personality, the way he worked - that's always been him. The other two, we've had to guide into that direction and they're getting there."

It'll be on one of them to get the Indians' first win after Boston opened the series with Tuesday's 6-2 victory. Mookie Betts and David Ortiz each hit two-run homers. Travis Shaw backed up his manager's decision to start him at third base over Pablo Sandoval by going 2 for 5 along with Betts, Ortiz, Hanley Ramirez and Brock Holt.

Ortiz hit .178 in spring training, but it's no secret how he feels about exhibition contests.

"He's still got it, absolutely,' David Price said of his new teammate after earning the win. "I know he doesn't care about spring training. He's saving it all for the season. The opposing pitchers don't want to see him in that box."

The Indians are starting the season without Michael Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall. There's no timetable for Brantley's return from shoulder surgery, while Chisenhall (wrist) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Thursday at Triple-A Columbus.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals (0-2) at Pirates (2-0)

Game: 3
Venue: PNC Park
Date: April 06, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

Juan Nicasio was exceptional during spring training for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Now, the harder part comes as he tries to carry that over to games that count.

Nicasio makes his Pirates debut Wednesday night when the Pirates try to complete a three-game season-opening sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park.

Nicasio signed a one-year deal with the Pirates in December with the expectation that he would bolster an already strong bullpen. However, the right-hander struck out 24 over 15 scoreless innings this spring and allowed only 10 hits to earn the fifth starter spot ahead of Ryan Vogelsong.

"When you've been a starter in the past, and you move to the bullpen, in my heart, I think I can be a starter again," Nicasio told the team's official website. "I prayed to God to give me the opportunity to be a starter, because I think I can pitch as a starter."

Nicasio, who made 53 relief appearances for the Los Angeles Dodgers lastseason, hasn't been a full-time starter since 2014 with Colorado.

St. Louis will counter with right-hander Mike Leake, who signed a five-year, $80-million contract for the richest deal the Cardinals have ever given to a pitcher. He was brought in to help fill the void left by Lance Lynn, who will miss the entire 2016 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in November.

Leake pitched for Cincinnati from 2010 to 2015 before being traded to San Francisco on July 30. In 30 combined starts with the Reds and Giants last season, the 28-year-old went 11-10 with a 3.70 ERA and 119 strikeouts over 192 innings.

He posted a 9-5 record with Cincinnati but struggled to find consistency after the trade, going 2-5 with a 4.07 ERA in nine starts with San Francisco.

Leake struck out 24 over 20 innings this spring, tossing four scoreless innings in his most recent outing.

"I think those games are usually the ones you kind of put on the shelf (as)what you try to do every time," Leake said after his final spring start. "If you're pumping strikes and attacking guys, that's the first motto of a pitcher, I guess you could say."

Having spent the majority of his career in the NL Central, Leake is no stranger to the Pirates. He's won his last seven decisions against them, going 17 starts since his last loss May 5, 2012. Leake is 8-3 with a 3.01 ERA in 24 starts in the series.

The right-hander has been particularly effective against Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco, holding them to a combined 9 for 52 with 14 strikeouts.

Polanco, though, celebrated his new five-year contract by scoring the winning run in Pittsburgh's 6-5, 11-inning win Tuesday. Jordy Mercer singled home Polanco from second with one out in the 11th.

Mercer finished with two hits and has two RBI during Pittsburgh's 2-0 start. He hit just .197 with four RBIs in 18 games last April.

'I think the spring training thing really helped me out,' Mercer said. 'It's kind of the first time where I didn't really have to fight for position. I could work on some things and see different pitches and do some different things. It was a different spring training for me and it's bleeding into the season as well.'

The Cardinals left 10 runners on in a 4-1 loss in the opener, and are 3 for 22 with runners in scoring position through two games.

'We had some strikeouts again but I thought we had a better approach at the plate today,' manager Mike Matheny said. 'Better execution, not necessarily, but guys taking better at-bats today.'

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Astros (1-0) at Yankees (0-1)

Game: 2
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: April 06, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

New York Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda has looked like a top-of-the-rotation starter at times during his career. However, injuries and stretches of inconsistency have prevented him from sustaining it over a full season.

The Yankees hope the right-hander begins to realize his full potential thisseason, and he makes his first start Wednesday against the Houston Astros.

Pineda, who hasn't thrown more than 171 innings since entering the league in2011 with Seattle, endured a very inconsistent 2015, posting a 3.64 ERA with 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings in the first half before those totals dropped to 5.80 and 7.5 following the All-Star break.

He finished the season 12-10 with a 4.37 ERA.

Still, his 7.43 strikeout-to-walk ratio was not only the best in the AL, butthe highest ever by a Yankee who pitched at least 150 innings.

Pineda allowed four home runs in his final spring start and compiled a 4.50 ERA overall.

"I feel very confident with what 'I've done in spring training," said Pineda, who was 0-2 with a 5.11 ERA against the Astros last year. "I'm feeling good and ready for the season."

Pineda will try to get the Yanks into the win column after a controversial 5-3loss in Tuesday's season opener. With the score tied 2-all, Houston's Carlos Correa reached on an eighth-inning dribbler that Dellin Betances threw over first baseman Mark Teixeira, allowing Jose Altuve to score the go-ahead run. The Astros added two runs more to win their fourth straight opener.

"That was a great win, man," said Correa, who homered and had two RBI. "It wasfun to be out there, Yankee Stadium again, be able to start a season and get agood win. It was a great game all around."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi argued that Correa should have been called out for running on the fair side of the foul line, causing Betances to throw the ball over Teixeira. After the four umpires conferred, the call was upheld and Girardi played the remainder of the game under protest.

Collin McHugh gets the start for Houston looking to build off a breakout season.

McHugh, whose 19 wins last season were second only to teammate Dallas Keuchel in the AL, set career highs in starts (32) and innings (203 2-3). He also had a 3.89 ERA and induced groundballs at a career-high clip, as both his 1.46 groundball to flyball ratio and 46.0 percent groundball rate were the highest of his career.

The right-hander wasn't particularly sharp this spring, going 1-1 with a 4.61 ERA. He allowed four runs and six hits over five innings Thursday against Milwaukee.

"I felt OK," McHugh said. "I felt good. My command was not good. I didn't have good command. I didn't have a putaway pitch today, which typically combines for what happened."

McHugh has been outstanding in two career starts against New York, winning both with a 1.88 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 14 1-3 innings.

He will likely face Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, who sat Tuesday against the left-handed Keuchel. Gardner, though, hasn't fared much better against McHugh, as he's 1 for 6 with three strikeouts.

The Astros have outscored the Yankees 29-6 during four straight wins in the Bronx, including last season's wild-card victory.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins (0-1) at Orioles (1-0)

Game: 2
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: April 06, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

Yovani Gallardo was quite possibly the most important offseason acquisition by the Baltimore Orioles. They likely felt better about the move following his final spring training outing.

That's when Gallardo showed how positively he could affect the rotation after an otherwise frightening exhibition season. The veteran right-hander looks for a similar performance Wednesday night in his first meaningful start for Baltimore as he faces the Minnesota Twins.

Both teams had Tuesday off after a long day to open the season at Camden Yards, with two rain delays causing the game to last more than 5 1/2 hours. Eventually, Baltimore won 3-2 when Matt Wieters singled home Chris Davis in the ninth inning.

'You want to win the first one, but to be able to sit around here as much as we did today, it's a lot better feeling going home with a win,' said Wieters, who was 0 for 4 with two strikeouts before delivering the game-winning hit.

Having a veteran like Wieters behind the plate could make a big difference for Gallardo (13-11, 3.42 ERA). The only spring game he caught that Gallardo started came Thursday against Atlanta, and he allowed one hit in five scoreless innings. In his other three exhibition outings - all without Wieters catching - Gallardo was torched for 15 runs and 16 hits, including five homers, in just eight innings.

"Of course, anytime you go out there and pitch well, it's always a positive thing," Gallardo said. "Especially the last one, it's very important to get that timing, get that rhythm down in the last start of spring training to prepare for the regular season. You've got to be ready. From here on out, there's no excuses."

Gallardo's previously poor spring followed a second half with Texas in which he had a 4.69 ERA as opponents hit .323 against him. Those numbers were 2.62 and .231, respectively, before the All-Star break.

Still, it marked his seventh straight season of at least 30 starts and 180 innings.

"I feel good about adding Gallardo," said manager Buck Showalter, whose starters' 4.53 ERA last season was second-worst in the AL. The rotation's 915 2-3 innings were three off the league low.

Gallardo hopes to enjoy a debut like the one teammate Mark Trumbo had Monday, delivering four hits in his first game after coming over from Seattle.

Trumbo struck out all three times when he last faced Minnesota's Kyle Gibson (11-11, 3.84) in 2014 but homered off him the previous year.

Gibson's 0.82 home runs allowed per nine innings over the past two seasons ranks eighth in the AL, one reason the Twins view him as a vital piece of the rotation. He threw a team-high 194 2-3 innings in 2015.

The right-hander posted a 2.78 ERA in six spring starts despite most recently surrendering four runs and seven hits in five innings against Boston on Thursday. Still, Gibson said he was "pretty happy" with that performance.

He's 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in three starts against Baltimore, limiting Adam Jones to 1 for 8 and Davis to 0 for 5.

Gallardo threw 5 2-3 scoreless innings in his only start versus the Twins last year and is 2-2 with a 3.14 ERA in eight career outings against them.

Joe Mauer has gone 7 for 14 with four walks against him and had two of Minnesota's seven hits Monday. He's batting .386 in his last 18 games against the Orioles.

Slugger Byung Ho Park went 1 for 3 with a run in his big-league debut.

"It's surprising I wasn't as nervous as I thought I'd be," Park told MLB's official website through a translator. "I was comfortable out there from the get-go."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals (1-0) at Braves (0-1)

Game: 2
Venue: Turner Field
Date: April 06, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

From a perspective of individual performances, opening day couldn't have provided much more promise for the Washington Nationals. Their MVP homered in his first at-bat, their main offseason acquisition provided a game-winning hit and their ace was effective.

Now it's on to Stephen Strasburg for what the club hopes can be a more complete season and an extension of his late-2015 form as the Nationals seek a two-game sweep of the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night at Turner Field.

Strasburg, entering the last season of his contract, was by no means bad last season. His WHIP (1.11), strikeouts per nine innings (10.96) and fielding-independent pitching (2.84) were in line with his career numbers, but injuries limited him to 23 starts and 127 1-3 innings. He went 11-7 with a 3.46 ERA and .236 opponent batting average - both career highs.

But any struggles he experienced with those injuries were largely forgotten over his last 10 starts with the right-hander returning from more than a month off due to a left oblique strain and going 6-2 with a 1.90 ERA and .179 OBA.

"I don't know the reason for it, but I do know that I did have some injuries and I wasn't commanding the baseball like I have in the past," Strasburg told MLB's official website. "I tried to battle through it and the mechanics were a little bit off. Once I started to look at video and started to see exactly what was going on, that's when I was able to make some adjustments."

Strasburg has won his last three starts versus the Braves while compiling 18 scoreless innings, though that's only gotten him to 6-7 with a 3.77 ERA in 19 career starts against them. Among players with at least 20 plate appearances against him, Freddie Freeman's .429 average (12 for 28 with three home runs and two doubles) is the best in baseball. The first baseman homered on opening day along with Adonis Garcia.

The clubs started the season Monday with Washington's 4-3 win in 10 innings. Bryce Harper homered in the first inning, and Daniel Murphy went deep in the fourth before his RBI double in the 10th capped his Nationals debut. Max Scherzer limited Atlanta to two solo homers over seven innings to help manager Dusty Baker to his first win since going 90-72 with Cincinnati in 2013.

"It's kind of like the game telling me, welcome back," Baker said.

Bud Norris is also hoping for a career resurgence in his Atlanta debut after going 3-11 last season with Baltimore and San Diego and finishing with a career-worst 6.72 ERA in 11 starts and 27 relief appearances. He finished the spring 1-3 with a 6.46 ERA in six starts, but that leveled out some with five runs allowed in 11 innings over his last two outings.

"These last couple (of starts), it's really important to get deeper into the game and really kind of fine tune everything," Norris said after giving up three runs and six hits in five innings against the Orioles on Thursday. "My breaking ball was much sharper today, and the sinker felt good to both sides of the plate. It was nice pitching deep in the game."

Norris also dealt with health issues last season - he was placed on the disabled list twice during a particularly draining battle with bronchitis - and Atlanta is eying a return to his 15-8 record and 3.65 ERA in 28 starts in 2014 with the Orioles.

The right-hander is 2-1 with a 5.33 ERA in seven games against the Nationals. Ryan Zimmerman is 5 for 14 with three homers against him.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Phillies (0-1) at Reds (1-0)

Game: 2
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: April 06, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

It was a promising start to what could end up being an insufferable season for the Cincinnati Reds, though it came against the only team that won fewer games a year ago.

In a matchup of two rookie-laden clubs in a rebuilding season, a pair of young hurlers take the mound Wednesday night as the Reds seek their sixth straight victory over the lowly Philadelphia Phillies.

Cincinnati entered this season with its young pitching staff a major question mark, though it was the Phillies' relievers that failed late on opening day Monday at Great American Ball Park.

Starter Jeremy Hellickson delivered six strong innings for the visitors, but the Reds pounded the Phillies' bullpen for five runs in the eighth en route to a 6-2 win - their sixth in a row and ninth in 10 meetings at Cincinnati.

The Phillies were one of the only teams the Reds handled last season, topping them four straight times after dropping the first two meetings. Cincinnati still finished with its worst record since 1982 at 64-98, while MLB-worst Philadelphia went 63-99 for its worst mark since 1972.

But 2016 started out right for the Reds when Zach Cozart had three hits in his first game since tearing a tendon and two ligaments in his right knee against the Phillies in June, and Raisel Iglesias pitched six solid innings before the bullpen held up.

"Everybody makes this big deal about opening day. In the standings, it could be the least important day of the year," right fielder Jay Bruce told MLB's official website. "But it's awesome to get that win and get the momentum going the right way."

Offseason overhauls left each team with few recognizable players. Bruce and Joey Votto remain for the Reds, each logging two-run singles in the eighth inning Monday, and the Phillies still have Ryan Howard.

Less identifiable is Brandon Finnegan, who makes his fifth career start Wednesday for the Reds. The 22-year-old left-hander was acquired in the July trade that sent Johnny Cueto to Kansas City.

He went 2-2 with a 4.18 ERA in six appearances - four starts - with Cincinnati last season but posted a 10.05 ERA in six spring games. Finnegan draws the early outing on an inexperienced and already depleted staff.

The Reds placed four of their young starters on the 15-day disabled list Sunday, including top hurler Anthony DeSclafani - the ace of an all-rookie rotation for a major-league record 64 games to close 2015.

Philadelphia, too, features a young staff with Hellickson and Charlie Morton the only two starters with more than one year of MLB experience.

Wednesday's starter Aaron Nola made his big league debut last summer. The 22-year-old right-hander, the seventh overall draft pick in 2014, had been considered for opening day after going 6-2 with a 3.59 ERA in 13 starts last season.

Philadelphia's work-in-progress bullpen without a proven closer might be of more concern than who takes the ball in the first inning. David Hernandez, James Russell and Hector Neris earned a crack Monday but combined to allow five earned runs in the eighth.

"I hope that the right guys are here right now," manager Pete Mackanin told MLB's official website. "We'll continue through the season and we'll see who rises to the occasion."

The first Philadelphia home run came from Freddy Galvis, who has top prospect J.P. Crawford to fend off for the shortstop job.