Wednesday 6/1/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Assiniboia Downs

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 1 - Claiming - 7.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $7500 Class Rating: 66

FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 117 LBS.; OLDER, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE IN 2016 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $3,500 MANITOBA BRED RESTRICTED RACES RACES NOT CONSIDERED FOR ELIGIBILITY PURPOSES).


RECOMMENDED CHOICES

The Walker Group Picks

# 3 KODIAK'S PRIDE 5/2


# 4 QUANTUM MECHANICS 8/5


# 5 STARSHIP BELLAGIO 4/1


KODIAK'S PRIDE looks decent to best this field. Husbands has been scorching the last month, winning at a nifty 21 percent clip. With a decent 63 speed figure last time out, will surely be a factor in this contest. Shows signs of the look of a profitable play, averaging a solid 59 speed rating which is one of the strongest in this field. QUANTUM MECHANICS - Boasts reliable speed figs on average overall when matched with the rest of this group of horses in this race. Morales should be able to get this filly to break out quickly for this race. STARSHIP BELLAGIO - The extreme drop in competition can only help out this horse this time out. Have to consider solely on class, with some of the most respectable class numbers of this group of horses in this race.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Woodbine

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 6 - Allowance - 7.0f on the Dirt. Purse: $47500 Class Rating: 82

FOR ONTARIO SIRED FILLIES THREE YEARS OLD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN OR CLAIMING OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. WEIGHT, 122 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE OTHER THAN CLAIMING SINCE MAY 1 ALLOWED 2 LBS.


RECOMMENDED CHOICES

The Walker Group Picks

# 6 MADISON WAY 5/1


# 4 SUGAR JONES 8/5


# 3 MARSANTROPIST 9/5


My selection for this race is MADISON WAY. With Campbell uptop her, this filly will almost certainly be able to break out sharply here. Must be given a chance based on the decent Equibase Speed Figure posted in the last affair. Formidable average speed figures in dirt sprint races make this equine a contender. SUGAR JONES - Has solid speed figs and has to be considered for a bet in this competition. There is a decent chance that this entry's late pace will improve with second time Lasix. MARSANTROPIST - Her 77 average has this filly with among the strongest Equibase Speed Figures in this event. This horse enters today's contest with second time Lasix.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Mountaineer Park - Race #6 - Post: 8:50pm - Claiming - 5.5 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $6,600 Class Rating: 69

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#1 DISTINCTIVE HUMOR (ML=8/1)
#2 PUMPIDU (ML=3/1)
#3 THIS IS ELIZA (ML=4/1)


DISTINCTIVE HUMOR - As the only speedy sort in the race, I expect this mare to be long gone. Mare is a few starts into a comeback here. Should give a big race today. PUMPIDU - Sipp brings her back again. I advocate you stick with this live mare. Trainer, Sipp, has been deliberate with this mare off the layoff. Look for a solid effort today. That 69 fig this mare garnered in her last affair tells me she's a chief player this time around. THIS IS ELIZA - Dropped down in class last out, running against the same type today. Widely used handicapping angle - 3rd or 4th start after a layoff generally leads to a big effort. Should run big today. Look for this one to go all the way home at some decent odds in this race. Ran fifth in last race, but not more than five from the lead at the end.

Vulnerable Contenders: #7 RUNAWAY LIZ (ML=5/2), #5 ERICAFROMAMERICA (ML=9/2), #4 GROSSO (ML=6/1),

RUNAWAY LIZ - If you keep playing these sort of 'hanger' types, you're going to be frustrated frequently. Where is the pace? None to be found in here to set things up for this entrant. ERICAFROMAMERICA - Can't bet on this entrant in today's sprint of 5 1/2 furlongs. Hasn't even finished in the money in a sprint race recently. The speed fig last race out doesn't fit very well in this event when I look at the class figure of today's event. Mark this animal as a vulnerable competitor. GROSSO - Not easy to play any horse in a short distance event if she hasn't finished in the money in a sprint in the last sixty days. Long breather, then came back and finished fifth. Hard to expect much better in today's event.


STRAIGHT WAGERS:
#1 DISTINCTIVE HUMOR to win at post-time odds of 4/1 or better

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [1,2,3]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Box [1,2,3] Total Cost: $6

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
None

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

Bar

Thistledown - Race #8 - Post: 4:25pm - Maiden Special - 6.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $21,500 Class Rating: 70

Rating: Golden DollarGolden DollarGolden DollarGolden Dollar

#6 HEART OF A RANGER (ML=9/2)
#1 ROAN FEATHERS (ML=7/2)


HEART OF A RANGER - I think this filly is coming into top form. ROAN FEATHERS - Have to give this filly a shot. Ran a strong race last race out within the last 30 days. Using this jockey/trainer combination is a smart choice.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 EXCLUSIVE (ML=4/1), #3 BITABRICK (ML=6/1), #7 MOSTLY GHOSTLY (ML=8/1),

EXCLUSIVE - Have to put a question mark next to the latest speed figure since it was acquired in the mud. BITABRICK - In this instance, this questionable contender's inability to close ground in the last event is definitely troubling. Should have at least hit the board in the last couple months in a short distance contest to be any kind of value at modest odds in a sprint. MOSTLY GHOSTLY - Would have to get much more than the morning line odds of 8/1 to play this horse.

Top HatGUEST COMMENTARY: Winston - HEART OF A RANGER - One of the class angles that my good buddy Solo and I play, is to look at the lifetime earnings per start. This horse is at the top in my book.


STRAIGHT WAGERS:
Put your money on #6 HEART OF A RANGER on the nose if you can get odds of 3/2 or more

EXACTA WAGERS:
Box [1,6]

TRIFECTA WAGERS:
Skip

SUPERFECTA WAGERS:
Pass

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Northfield: Wednesday 6/1 Analysis + Pick Four ticket
By Jeremey Day

DRF HARNESS

Race 8 - $10,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

Jeremey’s $1 Pick Four Play:

4,5,7,9 / 1 / 2,4 / 3,7,9 = $24


Best Bet: SNEAKY SAM (3rd)

Spot Play: HYD DAT SHOOTER (10th)


Race 1

(5) CAVIAR CRUISER well bred gelding ran up the score last out in a big way and will look to do it again. (6) SECRET SWAN three-year-old just missed to a nice horse in his last effort. (4) COOTER DUNN four-year-old owns ability.

Race 2

(2) MASTER'S SWEETIE owns only one win on the year but is capable with a good setup. (1) PEMBROKE POPEYE gets the best post in a weak field. (4) SNOWSON gelding trotter might be the fastest in the field if he minds his manners.

Race 3

(8) SNEAKY SAM was going for three straight last week before an untimely miscue. The 3-year-old is better than this bunch. (3) MIKES MAJESTIC lightly raced 3-year-old has shown steady improvement in most of his starts. (5) WEGOFERDAPRIZE has been better in the qualifiers and own a good burst of speed.

Race 4

(2) BEANBAG HANOVER put in a much improved effort last week against similar. (9) HANDSOM HERBIE sophomore pacer has room to improve in his second lifetime start. (6) THIRD DATE just raced evenly last week; use underneath.

Race 5

(7) RAILROAD LANE will look to make it three straight wins at this track. (5) LOFTY HUNTER was a consistent fair track earner last year. The gelding could be sitting on a good effort off the bench. (4) TIPONTAB three-year-old colt has some upside in a field full of question marks.

Race 6

(6) FIFTH AVENUE LADY pacing mare gets sent out for proven connections against a suspect bunch. (1) FLUKY'S GIRL mare is 0 for the year but gets the best post and has been competitive at this level. (2) BIG BAD PUDDYCAT filly showed some ability early on but has been terrible in her last two; command a price.

Race 7

(9) GCA'S HAPPY HAUER well bred mare will look to make it three straight and looks to be getting better every week. (5) COUNT ON KAMI filly made a ton of money last year but has some question marks coming into the race off a scratch. (1) WINN DIXIE DUNN gets the best post but is best used underneath.

Race 8

(4) PL DRAGON is capable of a big three-quarters of a mile and just needs to ration out his speed. (5) REGIL TIGER faces a much weaker field this week; fires early. (9) FLYING METRO owns a recent win against softer and is capable of hitting the ticket with a smooth trip.

Race 9

(1) THE NEXT TRIUMPH well bred sophomore comes into the race off a big victory against sire stakes competition. (7) NOCOUNT went a really nice mile last week. The 3-year-old has much more to offer. (9) PHOTO DUNN has just been racing evenly but looks to be in line for a ground-saving trip up close.

Race 10

(4) HYD-DAT SHOOTER is capable of pacing a good mile especially with a fast pace to close into. (2) LOVE YOU BAD should be closer turning for home this week; threat. (9) GLASS PACK veteran pacer is closing in on a million dollars in career earnings.

Race 11

(3) UPFRONT CHIP DADDY really stepped up in a big way last week. (7) SAY IT BEST will look to make it four wins in six starts; versatile. (9) CHAD has been facing slightly tougher and can hit the ticket with a good setup.

Race 12

In a really weak field, (3) FOXY FORCE filly has been more consistent than most of the field; threat. (4) POPPET comes into the race off a much improved qualifier. (5) HOORAYI'MONMYWAY could have the most upside in the field and has been facing much tougher.

Race 13

(5) CAMCUN drops in class and has been competitive against better on the year. (1) ABSOLUTE PURITY hit the ticket at this level last week and gets the best starting post. (3) CHAMPION'S CLUB is capable of pacing a fast mile and will offer a big price.

Race 14

(6) ROSE RUN LOGAN nine-year-old is better than this group when he stays trotting. (7) ROMPAWAY ELVIS just needs to find a way into the race for a chance late. (4) MISS RILEY has just been racing evenly but can jump up with a big mile from time to time; threat.

Race 15

(9) OK FAME has put in two nice efforts in a row against slightly better. (3) BRYDAN'S TOY has hit the board against better on the year but owns only one win. (1) NATHAN drops in class with the best post.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Tuesday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Finger Lakes (2nd) Junaluska, 6-1
(4th) Tricoastal, 6-1


Fort Erie (1st) Bel Ayr Bay, 6-1
(6th) Wakeboarder, 6-1


Indiana Grand (1st) On the Centerline, 5-1
(5th) Harlan's Howling, 4-1


Mountaineer (3rd) Purim's Legend, 9-2
(4th) Scipion's Gold, 7-2


Parx Racing (3rd) Hekla, 8-1
(7th) Big Momma, 7-2


Presque Isle Downs (2nd) Unlikely Scenario, 6-1
(3rd) Boone Station, 3-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

June Pitchers Report
By Marc Lawrence

You know the saying, “May flowers bring June showers.”

For Major League Baseball pitchers hurling during the month of June, showers are hopefully not in their immediate plans. Instead, it’s the hope of all MLB starting pitchers to stay around long enough in their starts to avoid having to clean up and go home early.

Listed below are hurlers that have enjoyed a two-to-one or better success ratio in team-starts over the course of the last three seasons during the month of June. On the flip side, we've also listed pitchers that struggle in June, winning 33% percent or less of their team-start efforts.

To qualify pitchers must have made a minimum of 10 starts, with at least one start each June over the last three years. And for your convenience alongside each record we break down each pitcher’s greatest success or greatest failure rate either home (H) or away (A) within his good or bad month.

Note: * designates a categorical repeat appearance by this pitcher, maintaining status quo from last season’s June list.


GOOD MONTH PITCHERS:

Arrieta, Jake - 8-4 (6-2 A)

Only Clayton Kershaw has been in Arrieta's stratosphere since 2015. The right-hander is in the right organization which has allowed his abundant talents to flourish and this season opposing batters are hitting a mere .168 against him. His effortless delivery and mid-90's fastball causes a lot of swings and misses as does his breaking pitches.

Cole, Gerrit - 10-2 (6-0 A)

Cole is now the ace of the Pittsburgh staff and expertly commands a two and four-seam fastball in the mid to upper 90's which he can sink or have riding action. After a sluggish start to season, his ERA is down to close to 2.50 and expect him to have another fine month. Note: Cole’s numbers above reflect his career team mark during June.

*Colon, Bartolo - 10-5 (7-0 H)

The 43-year old right-hander just keeps churning along on staff that is very talented and youthful. Colon knows how and where to spot his fastball, which he tosses 70 or more percent of the time and blends in a quick slider that has excellent depth. The fact is Colon understands his craft and wins.

Lackey, John - 11-5 (6-1 H)

Remember for years no pitcher in his right mind would want to pitch at Wrigley Field, now they line up for the chance. Being a talented young team helps and Lackey is the right fit, with fastball he keeps low in the zone and sinker opposing hitters cannot elevate. Through two months, the batter's Lackey has faced are at a lowly .209 batting average and his WHIP is sick 0.97.

Sanchez, Anibal - 9-4 (8-3 H)

The Detroit hurler has gotten off to a rugged start with ERA over 6 as June began. Sanchez's problems revolve around lack of pitch placement, not even having 2-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio and giving up more than a hit an inning. Of the 58 hits allowed, 11 have left the yard and if the Tigers are going to be contenders in the AL Central, Sanchez will have to throw like previous June's.

*Scherzer, Max - 11-4 (6-2 A)

If you research Mad Max's numbers, many are at or below career norm, yet he begins this month with an ERA over 4. The problem is too many pitches right down the middle, which is why he on pace to give up 45 home runs (15 thru May). If Scherzer solves this, he will have a great rest of the year.

Tillman, Chris - 11-3 (4-1 A)

After an off year in 2015, the Orioles righty has come back in a big way. When he's at his best like he has been this year, Tillman works his low 90's heater at the knees on both sides of the dish and his curve and changeup have sharp downward motion. He starts this month with hitters at .203 batting average versus his tosses.

Volquez, Edinson - 11-5 (7-1 A)

The Royals right-hander is doing what he does best, as in nine of his 11 starts for Kansas City he has induced double digit groundball outs. Volquez is still thought to be a power pitcher and gets numerous weak swings with tilted curve and deluxe changeup he will throw on any count.

*Zimmermann, Jordan - 12-5 (8-3 H)

After an unbelievable start, Zimmermann has drifted back to the previous career numbers. He pulled a groin late last month, but is expected to make start on June 3rd and continue from that point. His strengths include four pitches he trusts to throw for strikes and he has shown greater durability thus far in the AL.


BAD MONTH PITCHERS:

Miller, Shelby - 6-12 (2-6 A)

After disastrous start with Arizona, having ERA over 7, maybe a trip to the DL with bad finger on throwing hand will settle Miller down, who looks like he is trying to throw a no-hitter on every pitch and is getting hammered. The talent has always been in place, just not the execution as this record shows. Note: Miller’s numbers above reflect his career team mark during June.

Verlander, Justin - 4-10 (2-5 H)

No longer equipped with high 90's fastball, Verlander tends to give up runs in bunches these days. He can be sailing along for three to five innings and then give up three or four runs in single inning. Without the necessary secondary pitches, he's become easier to hit a third time through the lineup.

Weaver, Jered - 5-10 (1-6 A)

It is sometimes tough to watch former aces who were among the best in the game, as their stuff is in decline and they are not close to what they used to be. This is the case of Weaver, whose fastball barely reaches 85 MPH, which makes his breaking ball and assortment of change-ups less effective. It is no accident at this juncture hitters are clocking him for .311 BA.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Updated Award Odds

Two months into the MLB season and several players are putting together a terrific campaign. The Westgate Las Vegas Superbook released the latest odds for the MVP award, Cy Young award, and home run champion.

In the National League, Cubs’ right-hander Jake Arrieta and Dodgers’ southpaw Clayton Kershaw are each the favorite to claim the Cy Young award at 8/5 odds (Bet $100 to win $160). Arrieta and Kershaw each own ERA’s of below 2.00, along with Mets’ standout Noah Syndergaard (18/1). Washington’s Stephen Strasburg (9/2) has compiled a perfect 9-0 record through 11 starts, while San Francisco ace Madison Bumgarner (18/1) was unbeaten in six May starts to improve to 6-2 with an ERA of 2.12.

Over in the American League, Chris Sale of the White Sox is the odds-on favorite to claim the Cy Young award at 2/3 odds (Bet $150 to win $100). Although Sale is winless in his last two starts, the Chicago southpaw has put together a 9-1 record with an ERA of 2.29. David Price is a distant second at 8/1 odds, as the Boston left-hander owns a 7-1 mark in spite of a bloated ERA of 5.11.

Bryce Harper began the season with the highest odds to capture another National League MVP alongside Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado. The Washington right fielder has dropped behind Arenado and Mets’ slugger Yoenis Cespedes, who are each listed at 3/1 odds to win the MVP. Cespedes leads the National League in home runs with 15, while Arenado is one behind with 14, while the Rockies’ standout leads the NL in runs batted in with 39. Harper is batting only .242 on the season, but has walked 48 times, which is tied for first in the NL alongside Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.

Orioles’ third baseman Manny Machado is the surprising favorite to win the American League MVP through two months at 9/4 odds (Bet $100 to win $225). Machado has solid numbers across the board by batting .313 to go along with 20 doubles and 13 home runs. For the analytics crowd, Machado owns the best WAR (wins above replacement) in the league at 3.2. Mariners’ second baseman Robinson Cano (11/4 odds) has put together a solid season as one of the leaders in the American League with 15 homers, while driving in 44 runs.


National League Cy Young Odds

Pitcher Opening Odds Current Odds

Jake Arrieta, CHC 2/1 8/5
Clayton Kershaw, LAD 2/1 8/5
Stephen Strasburg, WSH 7/1 9/2
Madison Bumgarner, SF 15/1 18/1
Noah Syndergaard, NYM 15/1 18/1
Jose Fernandez, MIA 30/1 30/1
Max Scherzer, WSH 12/1 30/1
Johnny Cueto, SF 40/1 30/1
Jeff Samardzija, SF 40/1 40/1
Jon Lester, CHC 18/1 40/1
Gerrit Cole, PIT 25/1 50/1
Jacob deGrom, NYM 25/1 60/1
Jason Hammel, CHC 40/1 100/1
Carlos Martinez, STL 40/1 200/1
Vince Velasquez, PHI 100/1 200/1
Kenta Maeda, LAD 100/1 200/1


American League Cy Young Odds

Pitcher Opening Odds Current Odds

Chris Sale, CWS 5/7 2/3
David Price, BOS 8/1 8/1
Cole Hamels, TEX 15/1 10/1
Felix Hernandez, SEA 12/1 15/1
Jordan Zimmermann, DET 15/1 18/1
Jose Quintana, CWS 15/1 18/1
Chris Tillman, BAL 20/1 20/1
Danny Salazar, CLE 20/1 20/1
Rick Porcello, BOS 20/1 25/1
J.A. Happ, TOR 25/1 25/1
Marcus Stroman, TOR 25/1 25/1
Corey Kluber, CLE 50/1 30/1
Josh Tomlin, CLE 50/1 60/1
Taijuan Walker, SEA 50/1 80/1
Mat Latos, CWS 60/1 100/1
Chris Archer, TB 100/1 100/1


National League MVP Odds

Player Opening Odds Current Odds

Nolan Arenado, COL 11/4 3/1
Yoenis Cespedes, NYM 5/1 3/1
Bryce Harper, WSH 11/4 7/2
Anthony Rizzo, CHC 3/1 7/2
Kris Bryant, CHC 10/1 7/1
Giancarlo Stanton, MIA 10/1 15/1
Andrew McCutchen, PIT 30/1 30/1
Daniel Murphy, WSH 50/1 30/1
Trevor Story, COL 50/1 80/1
Paul Goldschmidt, ARZ 50/1 80/1
Hunter Pence, SF 200/1 100/1
Matt Carpenter, STL 200/1 100/1
Ryan Braun, MIL 100/1 200/1
Matt Holliday, STL 200/1 200/1
Matt Kemp, SD 200/1 200/1
Buster Posey, SF 200/1 200/1


American League MVP Odds

Player Opening Odds Current Odds

Manny Machado, BAL 5/2 9/4
Robinson Cano, SEA 3/1 11/4
Mike Trout, LAA 8/1 11/2
Josh Donaldson, TOR 12/1 15/1
Todd Frazier, CWS 15/1 15/1
David Ortiz, BOS 15/1 15/1
Eric Hosmer, KC 20/1 20/1
Jose Altuve, HOU 12/1 25/1
Miguel Cabrera, DET 60/1 30/1
Mookie Betts, BOS 50/1 30/1
Mark Trumbo, BAL 30/1 40/1
Xander Bogaerts, BOS 40/1 40/1
Nelson Cruz, SEA 50/1 40/1
Chris Davis, BAL 30/1 40/1
George Springer, HOU 40/1 50/1
Adrian Beltre, TEX 50/1 50/1
Jose Bautista, TOR 40/1 50/1
Edwin Encarnacion, TOR 40/1 60/1
Dustin Pedroia, BOS 40/1 80/1
Carlos Correa, HOU 60/1 100/1


Home Run Title Odds

Player Current Odds

Yoenis Cespedes, NYM 7/1
Chris Davis, BAL 7/1
Nolan Arenado, COL 7/1
Mark Trumbo, BAL 7/1
Giancarlo Stanton, MIA 8/1
Bryce Harper, WSH 8/1
Manny Machado, BAL 10/1
Todd Frazier, CWS 12/1
Field 18/1
Mike Trout, LAA 18/1
Jose Bautista, TOR 20/1
Edwin Encarnacion, TOR 25/1
Kris Bryant, CHC 25/1
Josh Donaldson, TOR 25/1
David Ortiz, BOS 30/1
Anthony Rizzo, CHC 30/1
Nelson Cruz, SEA 30/1
Miguel Cabrera, DET 40/1
Miguel Sano, MIN 40/1
Khris Davis, OAK 40/1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB roundup: Betts belts three homers in win
By The Sports Xchange

BALTIMORE -- Mookie Betts homered three times and drove in five runs to back the pitching of Eduardo Rodriguez, and the Boston Red Sox defeated the Baltimore Orioles 6-2 Tuesday night for their third consecutive win.
It was Betts' first career three-homer game, and his five RBIs were also a personal best as Boston increased its American League East lead to three games.
Betts became the first Red Sox leadoff hitter to homer three times in a game in at least 100 years.
Betts, who has 12 home runs and 40 RBIs, lined out in the fourth and grounded out in the ninth. He also made a diving catch in shallow right.

Dodgers 5, Cubs 0
CHICAGO -- Adrian Gonzalez's eighth-inning single broke a scoreless tie, and Los Angeles rolled victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.
Three Los Angeles pitchers combined on a one-hitter.
The loss snapped a streak for Chicago, which had recorded victories in 23 straight starts by Jake Arrieta. Arrieta, who pitched seven scoreless innings, had a personal 20-game win streak snapped with the no decision.
The Cubs saw a six-game winning streak snapped, while the Dodgers won their third in four games.

Cardinals 10, Brewers 3
MILWAUKEE -- Matt Carpenter had four hits including a pair of RBI triples and Jedd Gyorko hit his sixth home run of the season as St. Louis beat Milwaukee.
Carpenter finished a home run short of the cycle, scored four runs and drove in three as the Cardinals combined for 14 hits and broke open the game with five runs in the eighth inning.
Mike Leake evened his record for the season with six effective innings, holding Milwaukee to two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out four.

Rockies 17, Reds 4
DENVER -- Colorado set a franchise record with 14 extra-base hits, including hitting seven home runs in a drubbing of Cincinnati.
Nolan Arenado hit two homers and drove in four runs. Charlie Blackmon led off the game with a homer for the second straight day and belted his first career grand slam in the seventh, tying his career high with five RBIs.
DJ LeMahieu tied his career high with four hits, including a homer and two doubles, and had two RBIs. Carlos Gonzalez had a homer, double and two RBIs. And Tony Wolters had a career-high three hits, including two doubles.

Royals 10, Rays 5
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer and Kendrys Morales combined to drive in nine runs as Kansas City breezed past Tampa Bay.
Cain homered and drove in four runs. Hosmer had three hits and drove in a pair of runs. Morales hit a two-run homer in the sixth and singled in another run in the five-run fourth.
The three combined to go 7-for-14 with a walk and scored five runs.

Marlins 3, Pirates 1
MIAMI -- Jose Fernandez pitched seven scoreless innings and Christian Yelich broke up a scoreless duel with an RBI single to lead Miami over Pittsburgh.
The Marlins survived a shaky ninth inning from closer A.J. Ramos, who walked two batters and allowed a single as the Pirates loaded the bases with no outs. Gregory Polanco, who hit his first career grand slam on Monday, nearly got another one as he flew out to the warning track in center field for a sacrifice fly.
After that, Jung Ho Kang struck out looking at a curveball, and Starling Marte flew out to right to end the game. Ramos earned his 16th save.

Nationals 5, Phillies 1
PHILADELPHIA -- Daniel Murphy hit a go-ahead home run, one of four homers by the Nationals as Washington beat Philadelphia.
Jayson Werth, Danny Espinosa and Stephen Drew also connected for Washington, which won its third straight.
Espinosa and Drew hit back-to-back shots in the ninth inning, and Drew's was an inside-the-park blast.

Blue Jays 4, Yankees 1
TORONTO -- Kevin Pillar singled home the go-ahead run, Darwin Barney added a two-run single in the three-run seventh inning and Toronto defeated New York.
Toronto's J.A. Happ allowed four hits, two walks and one run in six innings. He struck out three and did not factor in the decision.
New York's CC Sabathia allowed five hits, one walk and two runs in six-plus innings. He struck out four in taking his second straight loss in the past week to Toronto.

White Sox 6, Mets 4
NEW YORK -- Tyler Saladino reached base in all four plate appearances and hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning as Chicago snapped a seven-game losing streak.
The White Sox came back from a 4-0 deficit to win for just the fourth time in their last 20 games. The Mets have lost three of four.
The White Sox only got two runners as far as second base in the first five innings against Mets' Steven Matz. But Jose Abreu led off the sixth with a walk and Todd Frazier, whose two errors earlier in the game led to a pair of unearned runs, followed with a two-run homer to cut the gap in half.

Giants 4, Braves 0
ATLANTA -- Jake Peavy celebrated his 36th birthday by throwing seven scoreless innings, getting a hit and scoring a run in San Francisco's win over Atlanta.
Peavy won for the first time since April 23 and earned his first career victory at Turner Field. He faced the minimum and allowed only one hit.
He struck out three, did not allow a walk, and threw 57 of his 77 pitches for strikes.

Rangers 7, Indians 3
CLEVELAND -- Colby Lewis pitched six scoreless innings and Bryan Holaday and Jurickson Profar homered to lead Texas over Cleveland.
Lewis pitched six shutout innings on two hits with two strikeouts and two walks. The only hits allowed by Lewis were a pair of third inning singles. He retired 18 of the 22 batters he faced.
Corey Kluber pitched seven innings and took the loss. The Indians have scored three runs or fewer in all six of Kluber's losses. Cleveland has scored 11 runs total in those six games.

Mariners 16, Padres 4
SEATTLE -- Seth Smith hit two of Seattle's five home runs in a rout of San Diego.
The Mariners led 16-0 after scoring in each of the first five innings. Position playes Christian Bethancourt and Alexi Amarista combined to pitch a scoreless eighth inning Rangers 7, Indians for San Diego.
Padres starter James Shields gave up eight hits, including three homers, and 10 runs -- all earned -- in 2 2-3 innings.

Astros 8, Diamondbacks 5
PHOENIX -- George Springer had three hits, including a homer, and drove in four runs and Luis Valbuena homered in Houston's win.
Springer hit a three-run homer in the second inning after Arizona took a 2-0 lead in the first. He also singled in a run in a four-run fourth off Diamondbacks left-hander Patrick Corbin.
Jose Altuve and Jake Marisnick had two hits and an RBI for Houston, which has won four in a row and seven of eight.

A's 7, Twins 4
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Danny Valencia homered, doubled and drove in three runs, powering Oakland to its fourth straight victory, a win against Minnesota at the Oakland Coliseum.
The A's beat the Twins for the second straight game and will go for the series sweep Wednesday afternoon.
Stephen Vogt went 3-for-5 with a two-run double in the eighth inning, extending Oakland's lead to 7-4. Vogt scored two runs.
Robbie Grossman went 3-for-4 with three doubles, drove in a run and scored twice for the Twins.

Angels 11, Tigers 9
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Los Angeles pounded out a season-high 17 hits but had to survive a late rally by Detroit before pulling out a win at Angel Stadium.
C.J. Cron's second homer of the night, a two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth off Tigers reliever Mark Lowe, won it.
The Angels hit the ball hard from the outset, homering in each of the first three innings and grabbing a 9-2 lead after four innings.
The Tigers, though, didn't go quietly. They made the most of their eight hits, as five of them went over the fence. The biggest was a grand slam by Ian Kinsler in the seventh inning that cut a 9-4 deficit to 9-8. Victor Martinez's homer in the eighth inning tied the game at 9-9.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox (28-25) at Mets (29-22)

Game: 3
Venue: Citi Field
Date: June 01, 2016 1:10 PM EDT

With their lengthy skid in the past, the Chicago White Sox begin June with something positive to build on.

The visiting White Sox look to win their first series in more than three weeks in Wednesday's finale against the New York Mets.

Todd Frazier and Tyler Saladino each hit two-run homers as Chicago (28-25) overcame a 4-0 deficit to snap its seven-game losing streak with Tuesday's 6-4 win. It was the fifth win in 20 games for the White Sox, whose last winning series came against Minnesota from May 6-8.

"Losing, it's tough on everybody," Saladino told MLB's official website. "It weighs on you a little bit. You definitely lose a little bit of sleep. Getting the win, I mean, it's a boost of morale."

Chicago last won a series on the road with a sweep of Toronto from April 25-27.

"Everybody shows up and keeps going through the routine, through the grind, getting ready for the game," Saladino said. "Everybody is in it the same way. Go out and play as hard as we can."

Saladino has made the most of his recent opportunities by going 5 for 9 with two home runs and five RBIs in his last three games. He had one homer in his previous 22 games.

Frazier's only two hits in his last 27 at-bats have left the park.

After losing for the third time in four contests, the Mets turn to Jacob deGrom (3-1, 2.81 ERA) to get back on track.

The right-hander was 0-1 with a 4.63 ERA in four outings prior to his strong effort in a no-decision against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, allowing a run and three hits while striking out seven in seven innings in a 6-5 victory.

"There's still some work (that needs to be done), but this is a step in the right direction," deGrom said. "I didn't give up as many hard-hit balls tonight. Location was a lot better tonight, minus the walks. I'd like to avoid some of those 3-2 counts and keep the pitch count a little lower, but we're going in the right direction."

Though deGrom is making his first appearance against the White Sox, Jimmy Rollins is 1 for 8 against him while Frazier is 0 for 2.

Miguel Gonzalez (0-1, 4.50) makes his sixth start for Chicago after allowing three runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings while not factoring in the decision of a 7-5 loss at Kansas City on Friday.

Though the right-hander has never faced the Mets, Yoenis Cespedes is 6 for 13 against him. James Loney is 5 for 26 when facing Gonzalez.

Acquired from San Diego on Saturday, Loney went 0 for 4 in his 2016 debut Tuesday.

"I've always wanted to be in a winning atmosphere," he said. "I've had that in my career in the past, and it feels great to go to the playoffs, but I've never won a World Series, so I'm looking forward to working toward that."

New teammate Neil Walker has homered in back-to-back games and is batting .407 in his last eight contests.

The Mets (29-22), who lead the NL with 73 home runs, have hit at least one in 11 consecutive games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals (28-25) at Brewers (23-29)

Game: 3
Venue: Miller Park
Date: June 01, 2016 1:40 PM EDT

Jaime Garcia made the necessary adjustments to bounce back from his shortest outing in nearly four years for the St. Louis Cardinals. The veteran southpaw hopes much doesn't change from his history against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Garcia seeks his fifth straight win over the Brewers when the visiting Cardinals go for a sweep at Miller Park on Wednesday.

St. Louis (28-25) pounded out 26 hits and 16 runs in taking the first two games of this series. Matt Carpenter has totaled seven runs while going 4 for 5 in each game, including a double and two triples with two RBIs in Tuesday's 10-3 victory.

Jedd Gyorko added a three-run home run, and the Cardinals finished with 14 hits for their fourth win in five meetings this season against Milwaukee (23-29) and fifth straight victory at Miller Park.

Garcia (4-4, 3.47 ERA) entered Friday's game against Washington coming off a pair of ineffective starts in which he allowed 15 hits and eight runs in 7 1/3 innings.

However, the left-hander regained control of his sinking fastball to hold the Nationals to a pair of runs in seven innings during a 6-2 win.

'You can tell when his (sinker) is there,' manager Mike Matheny said of Garcia, who opened the game with four scoreless innings. 'He had very good movement and used his changeup and slider, but the sinker was a great pitch for him tonight.'

Garcia previously posted his shortest outing since June 5, 2012, with 2 1/3 innings while allowing 10 hits and five runs in a 7-2 loss to Arizona on May 22.

'I made some adjustments I needed to make,' Garcia said. 'That's part of baseball, that's part of pitching.'

The southpaw is 10-4 with a 2.45 ERA in 17 regular-season starts against the Brewers. Garcia has a 1.45 ERA and 0.72 WHIP in five matchups since the beginning of 2015, winning the last four.

His only one this season was a one-hitter April 14 in which he walked one and struck out 13 in a 7-0 win. It was his fourth career complete game and first since May 6, 2011 - also against the Brewers.

Ryan Braun has faced Garcia more than any other big league hitter, batting .204 with two home runs in 54 at-bats. Braun returned Tuesday after missing two games with neck stiffness, contributing an RBI double.

Zach Davies (2-3, 5.40) finally grabbed his first career win at Miller Park in seven tries Friday and will try to make it two straight there. The second-year pitcher allowed five runs - two earned - in 5 2/3 innings of a 9-5 victory over Cincinnati.

All three runs on Adam Duvall's first-inning homer became unearned after a postgame scoring change took away a two-out double from the previous hitter, Jay Bruce, and gave outfielder Ramon Flores an error.

"It's frustrating on my part," Davies said. "I know that if something like that happens in the field, it's my job to get back after it. And I left a curveball up for a strike and got crushed."

However, Davies retired the next 10 hitters and was good enough to improve his career numbers at Miller Park to 1-3 with a 4.81 ERA. He has a 3.00 ERA in his last three outings there.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins (15-36) at Athletics (24-29)

Game: 3
Venue: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Date: June 01, 2016 3:35 PM EDT

What seemed like a brutal matchup for Pat Dean last week turned into his first major league win for the Minnesota Twins. Next, he faces a youngster also seeking his second career victory.

A pair of rookie left-handers square off on Wednesday when Dean and the visiting Twins hope to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Oakland Athletics, who send Sean Manaea to the mound seeking a fifth straight win.

Oakland (24-29) extended its winning streak to four games with Monday's 3-2 victory and Tuesday's 7-4 win, pushing its run over Minnesota (15-36) to four straight.

Danny Valencia drove in three runs and Steven Vogt added three hits and two RBIs on Tuesday, with the big blast Valencia's two-run home run in the third inning. Oakland's Nos. 2-4 batters have combined to hit .465 the last four games.

'It's a good feeling we have in here,' Vogt said. 'We're playing good, complete baseball. We're coming up with timely hitting, something we weren't doing earlier.'

They hope to keep rolling in the series finale against Dean, who earned his first MLB win when faced with a daunting assignment on Friday in Seattle.

Dean (1-1, 3.43 ERA) held the Mariners to two runs and four hits in seven innings while striking out eight in a 7-2 victory, besting former AL Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez. It was the rookie left-hander's second start and fourth appearance since being called up May 11.

Dean, a 27-year-old who had been in the minor leagues for seven years prior to his promotion, settled down after allowing an opposite-field homer to the second batter he faced.

He retired the next seven hitters on the way to his longest outing in the big leagues.

"I talked to him after the first inning," Twins manager Paul Molitor told MLB's official website. "To give up a home run like that, then come back and get a couple of good hitters was a good sign. I think he was able to turn the page rather quickly."

Manaea (1-3, 7.03) pitched into the sixth inning in each of his last three starts, though after logging his first win, he has lost the last two with a 5.68 ERA.

The rookie gave up three runs and nine hits in six innings of Friday's 4-1 loss to Detroit, surrendering his fifth home run in six starts while walking two and striking out four.

Still, the 24-year-old feels like he is progressing.

'My slider was non-existent my first couple of games and now it's coming around,' Manaea said. 'The change has been huge for me and the fastball has always been there. My slider is pretty effective when I'm throwing it where I want to, and just going inside and not letting them get their hands extended.'

Oakland has won 15 of 18 at home against Minnesota.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers (31-21) at Indians (26-24)

Game: 6
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: June 01, 2016 6:10 PM EDT

In order to regroup from his first loss in nearly 10 months, Cole Hamels will have to solve his issues against the Cleveland Indians.

After his career-best 12-game winning streak came to a close, the left-hander looks to deliver the visiting Texas Rangers a sweep of the Indians on Wednesday night.

Texas (31-21) extended its winning streak to four with victories in the first two games of this series, which also gave the AL West-leading Rangers five wins in their last six against Cleveland (26-24).

Colby Lewis allowed two hits over six shutout innings and Bryan Holaday and Jurickson Profar homered in Tuesday's 7-3 victory, Texas' ninth in 11 games.

The Rangers' only loss in the last week came in Hamels' last start, a rarity since he joined the club last July.

Hamels (5-1, 3.34 ERA) surrendered six runs in 4 2/3 innings of a 9-1 loss to Pittsburgh on Friday. It was his shortest outing since July 19 with Philadelphia and his first loss since his second outing with the Rangers on Aug. 7.

Hamels had been 7-0 with a 3.87 ERA in 13 career outings in Arlington including one victory over the Rangers. He gave up eight hits, two home runs, walked a pair and hit two more batters while getting denied Texas' franchise record for consecutive victories, a mark he will instead share with Bobby Witt from 1990.

Hamels had the second-longest winning streak in the majors behind Jake Arrieta of the Chicago Cubs.

'If you pitch long enough, you're going to have games like this,' Hamels said. 'You're going to have good games, bad games, a ton of games in between. You just kind of move forth and try to plug away again.'

Though Hamels is 3-0 with a 1.63 ERA in four road starts, he has lost both of his career outings against the Indians. He was rocked in both, allowing a combined 14 hits and 11 runs in 10 innings in starts from 2007 and '13.

Cleveland's Trevor Bauer (3-2, 4.34) has been solid in his last four starts with a 3.65 ERA, though he has suffered the loss in two of his last three. He took a no decision in Friday's 6-4 loss to Baltimore, allowing three runs and nine hits in six innings.

Bauer gave up all three runs in the first, moving his ERA in the opening inning to 7.50.

'Unfortunately, the ball didn't bounce our way today, it bounced theirs,' said Bauer, who struck out four and walked two. 'It sucks the way I started the game. I wish I could've stayed out there a little longer for my team, but what can you do?'

The right-hander was also roughed up a bit in his two career starts against Texas in 2014, allowing seven runs and 11 hits with six walks in 13 2/3 innings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals (32-21) at Phillies (26-26)

Game: 3
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: June 01, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

Citizens Bank Park might not seem like a good place for Max Scherzer to forget his troubles with the long ball. Yet, he always dominates the Philadelphia Phillies regardless of venue, and they haven't shown much power in their hitter-friendly park.

The Washington Nationals sure have, in particular Bryce Harper, but there's a good chance he will remain in the dugout Wednesday night when Scherzer looks to pitch them to a three-game sweep.

Washington (31-21) didn't miss Harper on Tuesday, collecting four homers in a 5-1 victory. The reigning NL MVP was out with a right knee bruise suffered when he was hit by Jeremy Hellickson's fastball in a 4-3 win Monday.

"It just feels the same as yesterday," Harper told MLB's official website. "There's nothing good or bad or anything."

With the slugger saying the knee was as sore Tuesday afternoon as it was Monday night, manager Dusty Baker might lean toward playing it safe. Baker mentioned the Nationals being off Thursday - that would give his star three full days to recover if he sits out Wednesday - plus the Phillies are starting left-hander Adam Morgan and Harper is batting .115 against southpaws since April 21.

Harper, though, has flourished in Philadelphia, hitting .457 with eight homers and 14 RBIs in his last nine games there.

Scherzer's track record in Philly is also impressive, yielding four runs in 21 innings with 22 strikeouts. Excluding a loss in his 2008 rookie season, the right-hander is 5-0 with a 1.65 ERA in seven starts against the Phillies with three home runs allowed.

Scherzer (5-4, 4.05 ERA) has served up a major league-high 15 homers this season, including 10 in his last five starts. Stephen Piscotty's grand slam was one of only three hits he allowed in seven innings of Friday's 6-2 loss to St. Louis.

'I know I've been giving up a ton of home runs,' Scherzer said, 'but that one, that's just an execution thing. That's just me not throwing the right pitch at the right time and with poor execution.'

Baker was bothered more by the four walks he issued, including one with the bases loaded.

'It wasn't the home run pitch,' Baker said. 'It was the walks before the home run. That's what really hurt.'

He makes a good point. In four games when Scherzer has walked no more than one batter, he's 4-0 with a 1.45 ERA. In his other seven starts, he's 1-4 with a 5.95 ERA.

Ryan Howard is 1 for 18 with 11 strikeouts against Scherzer, and Maikel Franco is 1 for 12. They share the team lead with eight homers, but at home, Howard didn't have one in May and Franco has one all season.

Philadelphia has 13 homers in 24 games at Citizens Bank Park while opponents have 31. The Phillies have hit twice as many homers on the road and are averaging a league-worst 2.8 runs at home.

'We're just getting out-homered every night,' manager Pete Mackanin said. 'Once again, I feel like it's a broken record. We're not hitting.'

Daniel Murphy has homered in both games of this series, part of Washington's 21 home runs in its last 10 games in Philadelphia. The Nationals have won 10 of 12 there.

Murphy, riding a 10-game hitting streak, tied a franchise record with 47 hits in May as he batted .416 with seven homers and 23 RBIs.

Morgan (1-3, 6.67) is facing the powerful Nationals for the first time after giving up three homers Friday at Wrigley Field, allowing six runs in four innings. It was the third straight defeat for Morgan, owner of the Phillies' highest ERA.

The only team against which he's had a quality start is NL-worst Atlanta, which has scored the fewest runs in baseball. Excluding two outings versus the Braves, Morgan has a 10.26 ERA with 27 hits allowed in 16 2/3 innings.

"At this level, you have to be more consistent to be successful, and he's capable of doing it," Mackanin said.

Philadelphia (26-26) has lost five straight and is at risk of falling under .500 for the first time since being 9-10 on April 24.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers (24-27) at Angels (24-28)

Game: 3
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: June 01, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

Matt Shoemaker probably looks back fondly â?? and now longingly â?? at a rookie season in which he won four of every five of his decisions for the Los Angeles Angels.

On Wednesday night against visiting Detroit, that ratio will be thrown in his face in the form of Tigers rookie Michael Fulmer, but it's the Angels going for the sweep.

Shoemaker (3-5, 5.96 ERA) went 16-4 with a 3.04 ERA in 2014 and has unraveled since, going 10-15 with a 4.83 mark.

Fulmer (4-1, 3.97) might not be quite as deserving of his record as Shoemaker was as a rookie, but he's certainly earned the last two wins. The right-hander gave up three hits in 7 2/3 scoreless innings of Friday's 4-1 win in Oakland, six days after limiting Tampa Bay to a run and four hits over seven innings of a 5-4 home victory.

"I'm still learning," Fulmer said. "I feel so much more comfortable. I just trust everything. It feels good to get big league hitters out any way I can."

It's also got to be a bit of a relief for the 23-year-old to be producing after the Tigers traded away Yoenis Cespedes in the deal that sent Fulmer on his way from the New York Mets on July 31.

"We paid dearly for him," bench coach Gene Lamont said. "I'm not knocking the kid, but he came in a pretty big trade for Cespedes. You expect to get something good for Cespedes and he's done a good job for us so far. I think he's shown enough that he's going to stay here for a while."

The Angels once said the same about Shoemaker, and the right-hander might finally be getting his season going in a positive direction. He gave up two runs and struck out 11 in a career-high 8 1/3 innings of Friday's 7-2 home win over Houston following a dominant effort against Baltimore, yielding three hits in 7 1/3 scoreless innings with a career-best 12 strikeouts.

"This is reminiscent of a couple years ago, but with a little something extra," manager Mike Scioscia said. "Everything in the last couple starts has come together for him. â?¦ These last two games have been as good as you can pitch."

Shoemaker has dominated the Tigers regardless of year, going 2-0 with a 0.46 ERA in three starts. Victor Martinez (0 for 6), Miguel Cabrera (1 for 9) and J.D. Martinez (1 for 7) have yet to figure him out.

Los Angeles (24-28) has won the first two of the three-game series, and Tuesday's 11-9 victory secured its fourth straight series win over the Tigers while extending its home winning streak against them to nine.

C.J. Cron hit a pair of two-run homers, including a walk-off shot after the Angels blew a 9-2 lead. Mike Trout was 2 for 3 with a three-run homer, and Jefry Marte was 4 for 4 with a two-run blast on the same day he was recalled from the minors.

Detroit (24-27) has dropped four straight after winning nine of 11. They've given up 32 runs on the skid, and even a substantial uptick in offense against the Angels wasn't enough. Ian Kinsler had a grand slam while Cabrera, J.D. Martinez, Victor Martinez and Upton also homered.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Sox (32-20) at Orioles (28-22)

Game: 3
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: June 01, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

The Boston Red Sox recently surpassed the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the AL East. The way they're playing, it doesn't appear that spot will be relinquished any time soon.

Boston's prodigious offense takes aim at Mike Wright as it seeks a third straight win over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night.

Since losing nine of their first 17 games, the Red Sox (32-20) are an AL-best 24-11 and most of that success can be attributed to a deep and powerful offense. Boston leads the majors in batting average (.294), runs (308), doubles (134) and slugging percentage (.489).

The lineup features a slew of hot hitters, and now Mookie Betts can be added to that group after he homered three times and drove in five in Tuesday's 6-2 win. Betts opened the game with a home run, added a three-run shot in the second and a seventh-inning blast made him the first Red Sox player with a three-homer game since Will Middlebrooks in 2013.

'This is probably the best night,' Betts said. 'It's the first time I've ever done that (at any level).'

Xander Bogaerts went 1 for 5 to extend his hitting streak to 24 games. He's batting .393 with five homers and 17 RBIs during the run.

It's the second-longest in the majors this season behind teammate Jackie Bradley Jr., whose 29-game streak ended Thursday. Bradley was placed on the paternity list Tuesday.

'Jackie leaves us today for the birth of his child,' manager John Farrell said. 'If he has a boy, I think he ought to name him Mookie after tonight's outing.'

David Ortiz is batting .469 with 13 RBIs during an eight-game streak but failed to homer for the first time in four games, and was held without an RBI after recording at least one in six straight.

'They're the best team in baseball right now, so you have to be on your game,' said Baltimore's Kevin Gausman, who gave up two of Betts' homers. 'If you're not, it's tough against this team, against this lineup, against their bullpen."

The Orioles (28-22), who held the division's top spot most of May, have lost 10 of 15 to drop a season-high three games behind Boston. The rotation has compiled a 6.10 ERA during the team's 2-7 stretch, with 14 home runs allowed in 48 2/3 innings.

Wright (2-3, 5.50 ERA) seems an unlikely candidate to slow Boston. The right-hander has an 11.25 ERA in two starts against the Red Sox with three homers surrendered in eight innings. He was a 9-5 winner at Fenway Park on April 12, yielding four runs in five innings while throwing 96 pitches.

Wright wasn't sharp Friday at Cleveland, giving up three runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings of a 6-4 win.

Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia are a combined 5 for 10 with three homers in this matchup.

The Red Sox look to continue their surge behind Joe Kelly (2-0, 6.30), who seeks his 11th consecutive win. The right-hander is 10-0 with a 3.93 ERA in 14 starts dating to last season, though he's completed six innings just once in his past seven outings.

He was tagged for five runs and nine hits over 4 2/3 innings in a 7-5 loss at Toronto on Friday.

Kelly is 2-2 with a 5.10 ERA in six starts against the Orioles, but he overcame five walks to allow two runs through five innings in a 4-2 home victory April 13.

Chris Davis (5 for 10) and Pedro Alvarez (5 for 16) have both homered off Kelly.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees (24-27) at Blue Jays (28-26)

Game: 3
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: June 01, 2016 7:07 PM EDT

Following a rough two-game stretch, Masahiro Tanaka appears to have regained his form.

He's usually been solid on the road against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Looking to win a third straight start, the right-hander tries to keep the New York Yankees from being swept in a three-game series at Toronto for the first time in 16 seasons Wednesday night.

Tanaka (3-0, 2.89 ERA) gave up 10 earned runs over 39 1/3 innings of his first six starts, then equaled that amount over 12 of his next two. Since then, he's allowed one run while going seven in each of the last two.

He yielded two hits without a run in Friday's 4-1 victory at Tampa Bay.

'He was so efficient with his pitches," teammate Alex Rodriguez said of Tanaka, who has gone 11 straight starts without losing a decision. "He could have pitched a complete game.'

Making his third straight start away from Yankee Stadium, Tanaka is 2-0 with a 1.34 ERA in five road outings. It began April 12 at Toronto, where he allowed a two-run double to Jose Bautista but lasted five innings - partly because of four walks - while not factoring in the decision of a 3-2 victory.

He's 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA in three starts at Rogers Centre, where New York (24-27) has been outscored 19-7 during a four-game skid. Last swept in a series of at least three games at Toronto in 2000, New York has totaled five runs in three overall.

'The guys in the room have to get it done,' manager Joe Girardi said after Tuesday's 4-1 defeat. 'It's been a struggle for most of the year.'

Darwin Barney had a two-run single and Kevin Pillar singled home the go-ahead run in a three-run seventh for the Blue Jays (28-26), who have won nine of 12.

With shortstop Troy Tulowitzki banged up, Barney is 6 for 14 in four games.

Aaron Sanchez (4-1, 3.29) gave up a solo homer to Brian McCann, one other run and two other hits in six innings in that April loss opposite Tanaka. It was Sanchez's first start against the Yankees after 10 career relief appearances.

That was one of the eight times in 10 starts the right-hander has yielded three or fewer earned runs. It also was the case Friday against Boston, when he gave up three earned in 6 2/3 innings while taking a no-decision in the 7-5 home victory.

Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Chase Headley are a combined 0 for 13 against Sanchez. Headley, who had two hits Tuesday, is batting .351 in his last 11 games.

With one hit and nine strikeouts in 16 at-bats since coming off the disabled list Thursday, Rodriguez might sit for a third straight contest.

Jason Grilli could make his Toronto debut after being acquired Tuesday from Atlanta. The 39-year-old former closer went 1-2 with a 5.29 ERA with two saves in 21 games for the Braves this year but apparently is valued by the Blue Jays.

'There's a lot that we like about Jason and how he complements this team,' general manager Ross Atkins said. 'The first thing that comes to mind is experience."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants (33-21) at Braves (15-36)

Game: 3
Venue: Turner Field
Date: June 01, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

The San Francisco Giants won't be missing much with Matt Cain landing on the disabled list, but there's still no telling what Albert Suarez is capable of in a starting role in the majors.

The 26-year-old figures to make his debut in the rotation Wednesday night as the Giants play the third of a four-game set in Atlanta.

Cain landed on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring after just 1 2/3 innings of Friday's loss in Colorado. Suarez (1-1, 2.25 ERA) replaced him and pitched the next five innings but gave up three runs and five hits to take the loss.

The rookie had held opponents scoreless in seven innings of his first four big league appearances. His manager was pleased with the effort, given the circumstances.

"He did a nice job for us. He stepped into a tough situation and kept us in the game," Bruce Bochy told MLB's official website.

He was recalled on May 6 from Triple-A Sacramento, where he was 1-3 with a 2.88 ERA in three starts and two relief efforts after signing a minor league deal in the offseason. The right-hander spent all of last season in Double-A Arkansas (Los Angeles Angels) as a starter, going 11-9 with a 2.98 mark in 27 outings.

The Giants (33-21) didn't name a starter for Wednesday before Tuesday's game in case Suarez was needed, but Jake Peavy made sure that wasn't the case with the right-hander turning in his best start of the season as San Francisco evened the series with a 4-0 win. The right-hander gave up one hit and faced the minimum 21 batters after a double play took care of his only baserunner.

San Francisco is now 16-3 since last stringing together losses, and the starting pitching has been beyond impressive. The rotation is 11-2 with a 1.67 ERA in those games while giving up more than an earned run just three times.

Denard Span had three of the Giants' five hits and is at 10 for 23 in his last six games to boost his average from .253 to .274.

The Braves (15-36) had won three of four with 4.8 runs per game, but they quickly reverted to the kind of offense that's made their season miserable. Even with that modest uptick in offense, Atlanta is batting .202 over a 5-7 period.

The Braves send Williams Perez to the mound. Perez (2-1, 3.72) has been solid in his last two starts after giving up six runs in six innings of a loss in Pittsburgh on May 16. The right-hander is 1-0 with two runs allowed in 12 1/3 innings since, though he came away with a no-decision in Friday's 4-2 home win over Miami after giving up two runs and seven hits in six innings.

In four home starts, he's gone 1-0 with a 2.86 ERA. In three away, his ERA is exactly two runs higher.

Perez faced San Francisco twice last season and was 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA. Buster Posey was 3 for 3 in their matchups.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates (29-22) at Marlins (27-25)

Game: 3
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: June 01, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

Jonathon Niese's case of whiplash has subsided recently after watching plenty of his pitches leave the ballpark in a hurry during a difficult stretch.

He should be hoping Giancarlo Stanton's injury keeps him out at least another day.

Stanton is just one of the Miami Marlins to have success off Niese, who looks to help the Pittsburgh Pirates avoid a fourth loss in five games Wednesday night in South Florida.

Niese (5-2, 4.42 ERA) has been great over his last three, going 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA after allowing one run in six innings of Friday's 9-1 win at Texas. He posted a 7.36 ERA while giving up seven homers over his previous four outings.

'I've been working hard between games, and it's been showing in games,' Niese said. 'I know I have it in me, but in my sides in between games I was able to work on the mechanical part of it.'

The left-hander allowed another homer against the Rangers, though, and the 12 he's surrendered are among the most in the majors.

'He's working and developing,' manager Clint Hurdle said. 'The delivery's repeating itself. He's physically getting in a good place.'

Stanton homered off him last season when the Marlins roughed up Niese on May 30, but Niese bounced back with seven strong innings in his last start against them Aug. 4 while with the New York Mets.

The Marlins slugger is hitting .414 with four homers off Niese, and Dee Gordon (5 for 10), Marcell Ozuna (5 for 12) and Chris Johnson (10 for 27) also have had success against him.

Stanton, though, is still dealing with a sore right side and didn't start for the seventh straight game Tuesday. Manager Don Mattingly said he would've been available to pinch-hit, leaving open the possibility that he could be back in the starting lineup to face Niese.

"We'll go through the same process (Wednesday), batting practice again," Mattingly said. "If that goes good again we'll see where he's at."

Miami (27-25) had dropped three of its previous four prior to Tuesday's 3-1 victory as Ichiro Suzuki had two hits to tie Sam Crawford for 31st on MLB's all-time list, 37 short of 3,000.

J.T. Realmuto went 3 for 4 and Christian Yelich's RBI single in the seventh put the Marlins ahead for good.

The Pirates (29-22) scored two runs or fewer for the third time in four games after exploding for 10 runs and 14 hits while winning Monday's series opener. They were held scoreless until Gregory Polanco's sacrifice fly in the ninth.

Pittsburgh looks to bounce back against Adam Conley (3-3, 4.15), who continues to have control issues.

Conley's average of 14.19 baserunners allowed per nine innings is among the highest in the majors. He walked a career-high seven in a loss to Washington on May 22, then walked another and hit three batters over 4 1/3 innings while getting a no-decision in the Marlins' 4-2 loss to Atlanta on Friday.

The left-hander led 2-0 going into the fifth, then gave up two runs on four straight hits that chased him.

"At this point, (he's) got to execute," Mattingly said. "You've got to get the ball where you want it, and make sure you're getting the ball to your spots. If you don't get your spots, and get into bad counts, you're going to give up some hits."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Dodgers (28-25) at Cubs (35-15)

Game: 3
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: June 01, 2016 8:05 PM EDT

After bouncing back from his roughest outing of 2016, Jon Lester hopes to fare better against the Los Angeles Dodgers this season than he did last year.

The left-hander looks to help the Chicago Cubs rebound from their first loss in more than a week Wednesday night against the Dodgers at Wrigley Field.

Lester (5-3, 2.48 ERA) lasted just 2 2/3 innings May 21 at San Francisco, where he allowed five runs, six hits and three walks in a 4-3 defeat. Six days later, he yielded an earned run and struck out seven in 6 1/3 innings of Friday's 6-2 home victory over Philadelphia.

"I wasn't worried about my start (against San Francisco) at all," Lester told MLB's official website.

Lester lowered his ERA to 2.29 at Wrigley Field, where he's fanned 45 and walked 11 in six starts.

He faced the Dodgers (28-25) at home and on the road last season but lost both times, giving up nine runs and 12 hits in 10-plus innings.

After Los Angeles was held to one hit in Monday's 2-0 defeat at Wrigley, Scott Kazmir and two relievers held the Cubs (35-15) to one while breaking out for a 5-0 victory Tuesday.

'It's really just a big win for us,' Kazmir said.

The loss snapped Chicago's six-game winning streak and a 23-game run in those started by ace Jake Arrieta, who threw seven scoreless innings.

'You play this game long enough and you're going to lose a game here and there,' Arrieta said. 'It was a good streak and we'll get started on something else.'

Corey Seager hit a three-run homer for one of his three hits as the Dodgers snapped a 26-inning scoreless stretch against Chicago. Seager has hit .391 with two home runs while Los Angeles has gone 3-2 on a seven-game trip.

Mike Bolsinger (1-1, 4.50) is scheduled to make his third start of the season and first since last Tuesday. The left-hander gave up a two-run homer but only two other hits and struck out six in 5 2/3 innings of an 8-2 win over Cincinnati.

"Definitely a confidence booster," said Bolsinger, who came off the disabled list May 18 from an oblique injury. "I felt like I got over the hump, and I'm ready to go."

Bolsinger didn't face many hurdles while going 1-0 with a 1.24 ERA in two career starts against the Cubs - both at Wrigley.

Anthony Rizzo is 0 for 6 against Bolsinger, but Jason Heyward and Addison Russell are a combined 4 for 6 with a double apiece.

Ben Zobrist, who has never faced Bolsinger, had his 16-game hitting streak end while striking out in all three at-bats Tuesday.

Lester's personal catcher, David Ross, is 6 for 16 with two doubles, a home run and five RBIs in the last six games he's made a plate appearance.

It's uncertain if Los Angeles' Yasiel Puig will be available after he was a late scratch Tuesday because of a sore left hamstring. He is 2 for 14 with five strikeouts in his last five games.