Wednesday 6/15/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Rick Needham at Belmont Park

RACE #2 - BELMONT PARK - 2:01 PM

EASTERN POST 8.0 FURLONGS DIRT FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD $16,000.00 CLAIMING $28,000.00 PURSE

#4 MEGAN'S MUSE
#6 WARRIORS DIVA
#5 OAKS
#7 MAJESTICCONFECTION

#4 MEGAN'S MUSE, a 5-1 shot on top folks, takes a class drop (-2), and has produced "POWER RUN PERFORMANCES" in each of her last five starts, hitting the board in a pair, facing better company in each of those five "adventures" than she will face in this claiming field today. #6 WARRIORS DIVA, the morning line favorite, is the pace profile leader in this field racing at today's distance of a mile on the dirt, and has hit the board in four of her last five outings with two of those efforts, including a win in her last start, also qualifying as "POWER RUNS."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Northfield: Wednesday 6/15 Analysis + Pick Four Ticket
By Jeremey Day

DRF HARNESS

Race 8 - $10,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

Jeremey’s $1 Pick Four Play:

6 / 9 / 2,5,6,7 / 2,3,9 = $12


Best Bet: MODERN WARFARE (15th)

Spot Play: CRAIG MICHAEL (10th)


Race 1

(1) COOTER DUNN picks up the top driver with the best post. The 4-year-old was really good last week. (6) SNEAKY SAM three-year-old took a bad step trying to make a move at the leader last start. The gelding could be the only threat to the top choice. (5) WE LOVE CAVIAR owns ability but has yet to put it all together.

Race 2

(6) HEZA RUBE owns more wins in the series than the entire field combined. The trotter can make it four of five with a good setup. (3) CELTIC MERCHANT just missed to the top choice in his last start; threat. (7) PATIENT I D trotting mare is probably the fastest in the race but is up against it from a tough post.

Race 3

(3) THE NEXT TRIUMPH looks to make it four straight against a weak bunch. (2) D COUNT three-year-old is fast enough to make a race out of it if he stays trotting. (1) MOV DANIEL gelding can hit the ticket at a price if he minds his manners.

Race 4

(5) EYE CANDY might need a start coming off a long layoff, however the 3-year-old is one of few in the race with some upside. (2) DAYTON ANGEL has just been racing evenly but picks up a huge driver change with a good starting post. (9) THETIS has room to improve second start back.

Race 5

(4) WEGOFERDAPRIZE made a miscue in the sire stakes after a huge effort the start prior. The 3-year-old looks to offer the best price of the contenders. (1) MISSING CHIP gets sent out for proven connections with the best starting post. (3) NOCOUNT picks back up a low percentage pilot; use underneath.

Race 6

In a tough race to gauge, (7) BABY BUNTIN looks to be improving for a new barn and already owns a win at this level. (5) GYPSY OSBORNE has just been racing evenly but also owns a recent win against similar. (4) BEANBAG HANOVER comes into the race off two nice efforts for a proven trainer.

Race 7

(7) KANDY KRISP filly appears to be getting better with every start and finds a suspect bunch. (4) ONEEYEDMOMMA had a good freshman campaign but needs more to hit the top spot. (3) WEST RIVER ZAIDA has finished second in two straight and owns a good burst of speed.

Race 8

(6) CRANK IT UP scored an easy win down in class last week. The well bred pacer will need to avoid an early speed duel but a similar effort makes him tough to beat. (4) GREAT AMERICAN has burned heavy cash in five straight. The pacer gets sent out for the top connections but has really lacked stamina late. (2) MONEY GUNS LAWYERS looks to be in line for a ground saving trip; use underneath.

Race 9

(9) HOORAH HOORAH filly looks to make it two straight against a field full of question marks. (5) TT'S EBONY finished a good second to the top choice last out and has room to improve. (4) FOXY FORCE closed decent ground last week from a tough spot.

Race 10

(5) CRAIG MICHAEL was a game winner when last seen at this level. (2) BLUEBIRD IDEAL dropped and popped last week drawing off. The 6-year-old keeps the top driver but will need more. (6) DALLAS SEELSTER comes off a nice win and could have more to offer.

Race 11

(3) MORELAND FLASH is very inconsistent from week to week but can win at this level with a good effort. (2) WESTERN COBY four-year-old has not won a race since winning eight times as a freshman. The pacer finds a very weak field; threat. (9) GETT'ER DONE DUNE owns a big burst of speed when timed right.

Race 12

(1) POPPIN TAGS three-year-old gelding will look to make it two straight to kick off his career. (5) ROSE RUN RAE filly has room to improve off a decent effort. (4) OU NIP TOO needed his last start off the bench and should have more to offer.

Race 13

(9) PLAYMAKER has just been racing evenly as of late, but the pacer has been competitive against better on the year and will offer a monster price. (6) FANGLED HANOVER gets sent out for the top barn but hasn't been able to get the job done at this level in two straight. (3) DONTBEACHATME rarely wins but is capable with some racing luck.

Race 14

In a very tough race to handicap, (3) SCOOTIN MAJESTY comes off a win at this level and has room to improve against a field full of question marks. (2) FLYING SOUTH the effort three back was good enough to hit the board against these. (6) MISTY MORNINGLIGHT picks up a huge driver change but looks to offer low value; use caution.

Race 15

(9) MODERN WARFARE should be able to handle this group if the driver can work out a decent trip from the second tier. (5) KING RICHARD has just been racing evenly but just missed at this level two back. (3) FOREVERS A DEAL owns only one win on the year; use underneath.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Wednesday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE

Belmont Park (5th) Narvaez, 7-2
(7th) Animal Appeal, 4-1


Charles Town (1st) Bunny Slipper, 3-1
(3rd) Darnluckyducky, 5-1


Delaware Park (4th) My Charming Clyde, 3-1
(7th) Moon River, 3-1


Evangeline Downs (2nd) Ronda Michelle, 3-1
(7th) Ginger Tee, 10-1


Finger Lakes (3rd) Bluemoonofsaratoga, 7-2
(9th) Queen Victoria, 3-1


Indiana Grand (5th) Arcelor, 5-1
(8th) Sugar Devil, 7-2


Louisiana Downs (6th) Drinking Fund, 7-2
(7th) Fore Mary, 7-2


Mountaineer (2nd) Old Centre, 5-1
(7th) Runaway Liz, 7-2


Penn National (1st) Feeling Groovy, 7-2
(4th) Fleeting Fancy, 3-1

Prairie Meadows (5th) Kris's Parker, 3-1
(9th) Prairie Night, 3-1

Presque Isle Downs (3rd) Raglin River, 5-1
(5th) Trickme Not, 7-2


Thistledown (6th) Dancewhileitstorms, 6-1
(7th) Kyles Marigold, 9-2


Woodbine (3rd) Robin's Song, 8-1
(6th) Star Journey, 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]

MLB roundup: Rookie Taillon pitches Pirates past Mets
By The Sports Xchange

NEW YORK -- Jameson Taillon carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning in his second major league start and picked up his first career win by allowing two hits in eight shutout innings on Tuesday night as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the New York Mets 4-0 at Citi Field.
Jung Ho Kang and Starling Marte hit two-run homers in the sixth and eighth innings, respectively, for the Pirates.
Taillon, who made his major league debut against the Mets last Tuesday, was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis before the game to fill the rotation spot vacated by injured Gerrit Cole. A six-pitch first inning against a depleted New York lineup missing five Opening Day starters provided an early hint that Taillon might flirt with history.
The Mets' only base runners in the first six innings were Kevin Plawecki, who was hit by a pitch in the third, and Yoenis Cespedes, who drew a walk in the fourth. The closest Taillon came to giving up a hit was on slow rollers to first base by Curtis Granderson in the fourth and Alejandro De Aza and Asdrubal Cabrera in the sixth.
Taillon's bid to throw the Pirates' first no-hitter since 1997 -- and to become the third pitcher in history to throw a no-hitter in his second career start -- ended in the seventh when Granderson led off with a clean single between second baseman Josh Harrison and shortstop Jordy Mercer, each of whom dived for the ball.

Cubs 4, Nationals 3
WASHINGTON -- Albert Almora Jr. had an RBI double with one out in the top of the ninth inning to break a tie as Chicago beat the Washington in a matchup of division leaders.
Sacrifice flies by Anthony Rendon and Ben Revere helped the Nationals rally from a 3-1 deficit in the late innings.
Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez allowed three runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings. Chicago's John Lacker gave up two run and four hits in six-plus innings in his 400th career start

Orioles 3, Red Sox 2
BOSTON -- Manny Machado hit a two-run homer, Chris Tillman threw 120 pitches in seven strong innings and Baltimore held off Boston to reclaim first place in the American League East.
Jonathan Schoop added a solo home run for the Orioles, who have won five of eight meetings and hold a one-game lead over the Red Sox. Tillman allowed one run and five hits to improve to 9-1 and Zach Britton struck out four to get a five-out save.
Jackie Bradley Jr. homered for the Red Sox, who wasted a good outing from David Price. Price allowed three runs and five hits while getting 11 strikeouts in eight innings.

Blue Jays 11, Phillies 3
TORONTO -- Josh Donaldson hit a grand slam and drove in five runs as Toronto rolled past Philadelphia.
Ezequiel Carrera, Kevin Pillar and Edwin Encarnacion also homered for the Blue Jays (36-31), who have won four of their past five games.
Cesar Hernandez homered for the Phillies (30-35), who have lost 14 of their past 18 games.

Royals 3, Indians 2
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Salvador Perez hit a two-run homer with two outs in the eighth and Kansas City beat Cleveland for its fourth straight victory.
Joakim Soria picked up the win by pitching 1 2/3 innings as Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis were unavailable.
Carlos Santana homered and Jason Kipnis had an RBI single for Cleveland. Josh Tomlin allowed a home run to Whit Merrifield among six hits in seven innings.

Astros 5, Cardinals 2
ST. LOUIS -- Doug Fister pitched 7 1/3 innings and had a two-run single to lead Houston past St. Louis.
Fister posted his sixth straight win by allowing two runs and five hits. Colby Rasmus homered and Marwin Gonzalez added an RBI double for Houston.
Jamie Garcia allowed eight hits and four runs (three earned) as St. Louis had its five-game winning streak stopped.

Rays 8, Mariners 7
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Evan Longoria hit a three-run homer and Corey Dickerson had the tiebreaking single as Tampa Bay scored four times in the seventh inning to beat Seattle.
Dickerson had three hits for the Rays, who matched their biggest comeback of the season by rallying from a four-run deficit.
Seattle lost starter Taijaun Walker in the fourth inning with an aggravated Achilles tendon. Kyle Seager hit a two-run homer and Leonys Martin drove in two runs for the Mariners.

Reds 3, Braves 1
ATLANTA - Jay Bruce hit a three-run homer in the first inning and Cincinnati held on to beat Atlanta.
Bruce hit his 15th home run of the season and helped the Reds improve to 11-6 after an 11-game losing streak. Cincinnati secured the win when Blake Wood worked out of a bases-loaded jam with nobody out in the ninth.
Julio Teheran allowed four base runners in seven innings and retired 20 of the last 22 batters he faced.

Tigers 11, White Sox 8
CHICAGO -- Justin Upton had four RBIs, James McCann drove in a pair of runs and Miguel Cabrera had four hits as Detroit beat Chicago.
The Tigers scored seven runs over the third and fourth innings to build a 10-2 lead. Upton's two-run triple sparked a four-run fourth, which included a RBI double by J.D. Martinez, who had three hits.
Tyler Saladino drove in four runs for the White Sox.

Rockies 13, Yankees 10
DENVER -- Carlos Gonzalez had four hits, including a home run in the bottom of the eighth inning as Colorado held on for a victory over New York.
The Rockies held a 12-3 lead through seven innings but the Yankees erupted for seven runs on eight singles and roughed up Justin Miller and Miguel Castro.
The Yankees lost their third straight and have the same record as Colorado as Nathan Eovaldi allowed six runs and eight hits in four-plus innings.

Dodgers 7, Diamondbacks 4
PHOENIX -- Joc Pederson homered twice and Chase Utley homered and drove in four runs as Los Angeles weathered the loss of right-hander Kenta Maeda for a victory over Arizona at Chase Field.
Pederson broke up right-hander Archie Bradley's no-hitter in the fifth inning, and Justin Turner and Pederson hit bases-empty homers in the sixth inning to put the Dodgers ahead for good.
Maeda was removed from the game with what the Dodgers called a right lower leg contusion after being struck by a Paul Goldschmidt line drive in the last of the sixth inning.
Jean Segura had four hits and scored twice for the Diamondbacks, whi had a season-long three-game home winning streak broken.

Angels 5, Twins 4
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Los Angeles did all of its damage early and a strong effort by the bullpen made it stand up in a win over Minnesota at Angel Stadium.
The Angels had six hits in the first two innings and 10 hits through five, all of them coming against former Angels pitcher Ervin Santana. Johnny Giavotella and Kole Calhoun both homered for L.A., but the Twins kept it close with early runs against Angels starter Jhoulys Chacin.
The Angels finished with 12 hits, including two each from Giavotella, Calhoun, Yunel Escobar, Jefry Marte and Gregorio Petit. Robbie Grossman, Joe Mauer and Juan Centeno had two hits apiece for the Twins.

Marlins 5, Padres 2
SAN DIEGO -- Jeff Mathis capped a five-run first with the third grand slam of his career and right-handed starter Tom Koehler allowed two runs over six innings Tuesday as Miami defeated San Diego at Petco Park.
Koehler gave up six hits and a walk while striking out eight. Right-handed closer A.J. Ramos picked up his 20th save.
Left-hander Drew Pomeranz, who gave up all five Marlins runs in the first, took the loss. The Padres have lost four straight.

Rangers 10, A's 6
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Robinson Chirinos, Ryan Rua and Elvis Andrus hit home runs, and left-hander Martin Perez won his fifth straight start as Texas defeated Oakland at the Oakland Coliseum.
Perez gave up four runs on nine hits over seven innings while striking out two and walking none. He hasn't lost a game since May 18, an 8-1 defeat to Oakland at the Coliseum. Perez had lost nine straight decisions on the road before ending that skid Tuesday.
A's left-hander Eric Surkamp, who was recalled Tuesday from Triple-A Nashville, gave up seven runs on seven hits, including two home runs, over 2 1/3 innings. He's winless in seven starts for the A's this season and has lost has past seven major-league starts. Khris Davis went 2-for-4 with a double, drove in two runs and scored once for the A's.

Giants 3, Brewers 2
SAN FRANCISCO -- Madison Bumgarner won a seventh consecutive game for the first time in his career, limiting Milwaukee to four hits in San Francisco's victory.
Angel Pagan, activated from the disabled list earlier in the day, broke a seventh-inning tie when he scored on a wild pitch, sending the Giants to the eighth win in their last nine meetings with the Brewers dating back to last season.
The Brewers' second straight defeat at the start of its nine-game trip came on a night when right-hander Matt Garza made his season debut.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

AL Value Starters
By Joe Nelson

Most of the elite starting pitchers reside in the National League as only three of MLB’s top 17 leaders in FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) are AL starters at this point in the 2016 season. Even so, it still costs a premium to back well established AL starters such as Corey Kluber, Chris Sale, Justin Verlander, among others.

Here are some names that won’t offer the same chance of a dominant outing but can often be found with much more reasonable pricing and could be worth a look in many future matchups.

Matt Shoemaker (Los Angeles Angels): Pitching for the struggling Angels will keep Matt Shoemaker in the underdog role in many matchups but the 29-year old right-hander has pitched much better than his 3-7 record indicates. Shoemaker has been on a particularly strong run since mid-May, actually posting some of the best numbers in the AL in the past month. Shoemaker has pitched at least seven innings in five consecutive starts while posting 48 strikeouts in that span and delivering four quality starts. He owns a 5:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio on the season and his FIP is more than a run lower than his ERA. Opportunities in late June against Oakland and Houston could be favorable for Shoemaker even with an erratic offense providing support behind him.

C.C. Sabathia (New York Yankees): Many felt C.C. Sabathia’s career might be over when he stepped away from the team late last season but after a mediocre April in 2016 Sabathia has been on a roll in recent weeks and starting to look like the All Star starter of past seasons. His 2.28 ERA is a bit lower than will be sustainable but Sabathia has not allowed more than three runs in any of his 10 starts this season. His strikeout rate isn’t close to his best seasons and he is allowing frequent walks but he has allowed just two home runs in nearly 60 innings, no small feat for a Yankees pitcher. Sabathia has delivered great recent outings against formidable offensive teams including the Blue Jays, Orioles, and Tigers and he has a strong bullpen to help him pull out wins even with a limited offense for New York.

Collin McHugh (Houston Astros): With a 5-5 record and a 5.22 ERA McHugh is among the many Astros that has disappointed this season but his strikeout rate continues to climb back up in recent starts and strong outings may be ahead for the curveball artist that has been a bit streaky the past two seasons. McHugh has posted 37 strikeouts over his last five starts and while he has had few dominant outings he has gone nine straight starts without allowing more than four runs. His numbers have been hurt by pitching in some tough venues with recent road starts at Boston, Arizona, and Texas and his control has been excellent with one or zero walks allowed in nine of his 13 starts this season. The Astros may be on the verge of making a run to climb back into the postseason race and McHugh could offer some value in the coming weeks with his marginal conventional numbers.

Sean Manaea (Oakland Athletics): Young starters with potential are frequently overvalued when they get off to hot starts and AL starters like Michael Fulmer, Matt Andriese, and Danny Duffy are starting to get a bit overvalued. From a value perspective the rocky first three starts Sean Manaea are a great benefit as his conventional numbers still look pretty rough despite clearly turning a corner on the mound. The 24-year old rookie allowed 16 runs in his first 13 innings of work but in five starts since his numbers have improved dramatically. His strikeout numbers are climbing and he has allowed just 30 hits in his last five starts spanning nearly 33 innings. Take away one brutal start at Fenway Park vs. the league’s best offense and his numbers look much more reasonable and while Oakland doesn’t look like a playoff contender, they have a similar record to division foes Houston and Los Angeles despite being valued like one of the worst teams in the AL. Pitching at the Coliseum should also allow for some favorable situations for the young left-hander.

Colby Lewis (Texas Rangers): The Rangers have the best record in the American League and supporting Colby Lewis won’t cost the premium that backing Cole Hamels, Yu Darvish, or even Martin Perez will. Lewis owns a FIP that is more than a run higher than his ERA but his numbers have been improving since the first month of the season and the bottom line is that he is now 21-7 in his last 28 decisions since May of last season. His 3.45 FIP is the 12th best in the AL over the last month and given how well the Rangers are playing Lewis will be worth a look in future matchups as the 36-year old continues to provide solid starts behind a team that has been dominant at home and shown improvement in the bullpen. Texas has had a knack for winning close games this season and Lewis could continue a charmed late career run.

Trevor Bauer (Cleveland Indians): The rotation for the Indians features high end talent but backing Corey Kluber or Danny Salazar will be expensive even with some erratic results for those strikeout artists. Bauer isn’t as dazzling but he has allowed three or fewer runs in eight of his nine starts since moving into the rotation in late April. Bauer is still producing a decent strikeout rate and he has for the most part kept the ball in the ballpark with only six home runs allowed in over 68 innings of work. Bauer is getting a much greater rate of ground balls than he did the past two seasons and while his strikeout numbers are a bit less impressive than were projected early in his career, he has also lowered his walk rate and he has become a more reliable and consistent starter on a first place team.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees (31-33) at Rockies (31-33)

Game: 2
Venue: Coors Field
Date: June 15, 2016 3:10 PM EDT

DENVER -- First baseman Ike Davis makes his first start for the New York Yankees and Colorado Rockies starter Chad Bettis will try to regain his form from earlier in the season when the clubs conclude their two-game series.

Davis made his Yankees debut Tuesday in their 13-10 loss. He pinch hit with the bases loaded in what became a seven-run eighth and floated a run-scoring single to right. Davis stayed in the game and struck out in the ninth against closer Carlos Estevez.

Davis returned to the big leagues after undergoing left hip surgery in August to repair a torn labrum as well as multiple fractures and bone chips.

"It was pretty gnarly in there," Davis said.

He signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers in February, choosing them over the Yankees so he could continue working with his rehab specialist in Arizona. During spring training, Davis suffered a tear of his lateral collateral ligament but was able to avoid surgery.

He played 39 games with Triple-A Round Rock and hit .268 with four homers, 25 RBIs and a .786 OPS. The Rangers never brought him up, and Davis exercised an out clause in his contract to sign with the Yankees.

"It's been a long but pretty rewarding road, so far as just getting healthy and making it back to the big leagues," Davis said. "That's really all I can say is, it's just awesome."

Davis will platoon with Rob Refsnyder at first base, a position where the Yankees have been decimated. First basemen Mark Teixeira (right knee) and Chris Parmelee (right hamstring) are on the disabled list, and Dustin Ackley and Greg Byrd are out all season following shoulder surgery. The Yankees have been using Refsnyder, a second baseman by trade, at first base.

Referring to Davis, manager Joe Girardi said: "We're going to play him against right-handers, and we'll go from there. Ref's done a good job and we've asked a lot of Ref." Girardi, when asked about the appeal of Davis, said: "He understands the position. He's a left-handed bat, Ike's played in New York, so he understands that part of it. It was someone we were interested in before in the offseason."

Bettis is 4-5 with a 5.85 ERA in 13 starts. He was the Rockies' most reliable starter early in the season but has struggled recently. He is coming off a season-low three-inning outing Thursday against Pittsburgh, a start when he was given a 6-1 lead in the second but allowed four runs in the third and was lifted afterr 71 pitches.

Bettis has worked fewer than five innings in his three of his past four starts. In that span, he is 0-3 with a 11.57 ERA and has allowed 32 hits, including six homers, and seven walks with 11 strikeouts.

Asked where Bettis needs to improve, Rockies manager Walt Weiss said: "It's just location, the ball getting in the middle of the plate. Leaving the rubber sometimes a little early. We want to see the pitch mix with Chad -- use all of his pitches and he's gotten away from that a little bit."

In particular, Bettis has made sparing use of his curveball and changeup. He is a fast-worker at all times, but sometimes Bettis' tempo is too fast.

Regardless, he is a tenacious competitor, who even when he is scuffling and searching for solutions is highly respected by his teammates and by Weiss.

"The thing is with Bettis, I always feel good when he's starting," Weiss said. "I feel like we're going to win the game that day; so that hasn't changed."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Marlins (34-31) at Padres (26-40)

Game: 3
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: June 15, 2016 3:40 PM EDT

SAN DIEGO -- All things are pointing toward a Miami Marlins sweep Wednesday afternoon as they conclude a three-game series -- and a nine-game road trip -- against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

The Padres are an incredible 1-20 this season in the final games of series. They are also starting a 23-year-old Rule 5 draftee who has a 9.50 ERA as right-hander Luis Perdomo (1-2) will be facing Miami left-hander Justin Nicolino (2-3, 4.76 ERA).

"I don't put much stock in our record in the final games of series other than to know we have to do better to be successful," Padres manager Andy Green said recently. "We're playing hard. I don't think you can find a reason why the record is what it is."

And if you need another stat to favor the Marlins, the Padres are 0-7 in day games this season. Oh, they have also lost four straight to fall to 14 games below .500 for the first time this season.

As for the Marlins ...

"We're building a little momentum," said Marlins manager Don Mattingly after Tuesday night's 5-2 victory over the Padres. "A win tomorrow would give us a winning road trip going into a 10-game homestand (that ends with four games against the Chicago Cubs)."

The Marlins improved to 20-15 on the road Tuesday.

Now it is up to the 24-year-old Nicolino, who will be facing the Padres for the first time. Nicolino is 1-1 on the road this season with a 4.63 ERA. He is also 0-1 in day games. Nicolino has worked 51 innings over nine starts. Opponents are hitting .313 against the Florida native, who has allowed 62 hits and 14 walks for a 1.49 WHIP.

The wildcard is Perdomo, who was force-fed into the Padres rotation when Andrew Cashner went on the 15-day disabled list with a neck strain June 11 a week after the Padres traded James Shields to the Chicago White Sox.

This will be Perdomo's third start and 18th appearance. His most recent start was June 5 against Colorado when he gave up six runs on eight hits and a walk in 4 1/3 innings against the Rockies at Petco Park. In his two starts, he has given up eight runs on 12 hits and three walks in 6 1/3 innings.

He is, however, coming off his most impressive outing of his rookie season.

Perdomo entered the June 10 game at Colorado with one out in the first after Cashner was forced to depart with his neck issue. Perdomo worked a career-high 5 2/3 innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on eight hits and a walk with a career-high seven strikeouts. He stretched out to 100 pitches.

"Remember, this is a kid who before this year never pitched higher than Class A," Green said recently. "I like his approach, his attitude. He's game for anything. Nothing really gets to him. He loves to play. We've seen a lot of improvement recently.

"This is a kid who I think has a chance to pitch well at this level."

As for being game for anything. Perdomo has appeared in one game since June 10 -- as a pinch-runner. And he stole a base.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Dodgers (34-32) at Diamondbacks (29-38)

Game: 3
Venue: Chase Field
Date: June 15, 2016 3:40 PM EDT

PHOENIX -- Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw will bring the best pitching credentials in baseball into his Wednesday afternoon start against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Diamondbacks might be the team that cares the least about his dominating numbers.

Kershaw might lead the major league pitchers in virtually every statistical category two weeks into June, but the Diamondbacks have found a way to hold their own against him in his career, even during his last five remarkable seasons.

Arizona has beaten Kershaw eight times in 23 starts, the most of any team in the major leagues. It is true the Diamondbacks have seen him plenty in the National League West, but none of the other teams in the division has fared as well.

Kershaw is 18-7 with a 1.62 ERA against San Francisco, 17-5 with a 3.20 ERA against Colorado and 14-6 with a 2.05 ERA against San Diego. He is 11-8 with a 2.76 ERA against Arizona.

An in-depth look at the numbers reveals more of the same. The Diamondbacks' batting average (.238), on-base percentage (.296), slugging percentage (.351) and OPS (.647) against Kershaw are the highest among opponents who have faced him more than three times.

Not that the Diamondbacks and opposing starter Patrick Corbin should expect a day at the park.

Kershaw (9-1) already has three shutouts, tied for the major league lead, and has given up 59 hits in 100 2/3 innings. He has 122 strikeouts and six -- six -- walks. He leads the majors in ERA (1.52) and WHIP (0.65).

Kershaw has finished first, second, first, first and third in the last five NL Cy Young Award votes, but his splits thus far as the best they have ever been.

"Clayton has been Clayton," Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner said. "He's a guy that changes the mentality of this team every time he takes the ball. I think that is something that as a club that we are trying to get to sustain it every day, but there is definitely a different demeanor when we know he is taking the mound for us.

"It's one thing to have six walks. It's another thing to have all the strikeouts. It is even more impressive. It doesn't surprise any of us. We all know the amount of work and how dedicated he is. He's our guy, and there's a reason he's an ace and a multi-Cy Young winner."

Turner has four hits, including a homer, and a walk in the first two games of the series at Chase Field. He had one of the Dodgers' four homers in a 7-4 victory on Tuesday, when Joc Pederson hit two.

The Diamondbacks will attempt to win their first home series against the Dodgers since May 16-18, 2014, in Wednesday's finale. They were 6-13 against the Dodgers last season and 4-15 against them in 2013.

Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt had an RBI single on Tuesday to extend his streak of reaching base to 19 games. He is hitting .391 since May 27.

Goldschmidt has been particularly hard on the Dodgers, with 23 homers and 67 RBIs in 81 games against them. Both numbers are the most by any player against the Dodgers since Goldschmidt made his major league debut on Aug. 1, 2011.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Brewers (30-35) at Giants (40-26)

Game: 3
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: June 15, 2016 3:45 PM EDT

SAN FRANCISCO -- Johnny Cueto will attempt to extend his winning streak over the Milwaukee Brewers to eight games when the San Francisco Giants go for a series sweep on Wednesday afternoon.

The veteran right-hander, who began his streak on Sept. 25, 2012, as a member of the Cincinnati Reds, will be seeking to become just the 12th pitcher to win as many as eight in a row over the Brewers in their 48-year history.

Randy Johnson holds the record with 14 straight wins over the Brewers.

Cueto hasn't just beaten the Brewers consistently for 3 1/2 seasons, he has dominated them. Milwaukee has scored only 10 runs in the seven games while Cueto has fashioned a 1.73 ERA in 52 innings.

Interestingly, the streak has endured despite less-than-stellar offensive support. The Reds totaled just 24 runs (4.0 average) in the first six wins, and the Giants added to Cueto's string with a 2-1 win at Milwaukee in the second game of the season on April 5.

The Giants have beaten the Brewers in four of five meetings this season and currently stand at a season-best 14 games above .500. It's a great place to be, especially with a guy whose 13 starts have produced 11 wins this season looking to extend the club's four-game winning streak.

"It's all about the next day," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said after Tuesday"s 3-2 win. "We have another good pitcher going."

An eighth consecutive win by Cueto would match the fourth longest ever against against the Brewers. Only Johnson, Jose Lima (10) and Dave Stewart (nine) had longer runs.

One big reason for Cueto's rule over the Brewers has been his ability to shut down Milwaukee's Ryan Braun, who has gone just 2-for-12 (.167) with four strikeouts during the streak and 10-for-47 (.213) with 14 strikeouts in his career against the nine-year veteran.

Only Adam Wainwright, who has faced Braun 71 times and whiffed him on 20 occasions, has struck him out more often.

Brewers right-hander Jimmy Nelson, the hard-luck losing pitcher in the April game, will get a third crack at ending the streak in a rematch on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old has allowed fewer hits than Cueto in each of their previous head-to-heads but has come away a 2-1 loser in each.

Nelson allowed just three hits in eight innings as opposed to Cueto's five over eight in their first duel on April 22, 2015, when Cueto was with the Reds.

The Giants got to Nelson for just five hits in 7 1/3 innings in the April meeting, and Cueto was surrendering six hits in seven innings to the Brewers.

Shortstop Brandon Crawford's home run led to Nelson's demise earlier this season.

Nelson posted a win in his only other start against the Giants, outpitching Tim Lincecum in a 4-3 Brewers victory on Aug. 5, 2014.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell walked away from Tuesday's narrow defeat at the hands of Giants ace Madison Bumgarner recognizing Wednesday's series finale didn't promise to be any easier.

"It's tough to put up a crooked number," he said of a stagnant offense, "when your opportunities are at a minimum."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs (44-19) at Nationals (40-25)

Game: 3
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: June 15, 2016 4:05 PM EDT

WASHINGTON -- Jason Hammel has spent part of his career in the American League with Tampa Bay, the team that drafted him, and the Baltimore Orioles.

But the Chicago Cubs starter is no stranger to the Washington Nationals and Nationals Park, where he will pitch Wednesday against Stephen Strasburg (10-0, 3.03) and the Nationals.

"I love the stadium. I love the atmosphere," Hammel said of Nationals Park. "It is a beautiful ballpark. The energy is great."

Hammel (7-2, 2.36), who has also pitched for the Colorado Rockies, certainly loves to face the Nationals. He is 9-0 in his career against Washington in 12 starts with a 3.16 ERA. It is the most wins without any losses for any active pitcher against one team.

Born in South Carolina, Hammel lived in the Pittsburgh area as a young boy before settling in a suburb of Seattle with his family. The lanky right-hander said the Nationals have traditionally been a right-handed hitting team, which favors him.

That has changed with the addition of Washington second baseman and lefty swinger Daniel Murphy, who has been leading the majors in hitting in his first season with the Nationals.

"He is a presence," Hammel said of Murphy. "It is protection for (Bryce) Harper, it is protection for (Jayson) Werth. He knows what he is doing. He is a hitter you have to be careful with."

The Cubs certainly found that out last October when Murphy was a one-man wrecking machine for the New York Mets in a win over Chicago in the National League Championship Series.

Washington manager Dusty Baker, the Cubs skipper from 2003-06, said Strasburg is not bothered by things such as rain delays and hot weather as he was in the past.

"He's probably stronger mentally and not affected by things," Baker said. "I heard little things would bother him. His demeanor (now) is almost boring."

Strasburg has not faced the Cubs since Aug. 22, 2013, when he went 8 2/3 innings and allowed seven hits and four earned runs with two walks and eight strikeouts.

Hammel became a free agent after the 2013 season and signed with the Cubs. He was traded by Chicago to the Oakland Athletics on July 5, 2014, then became a free agent after that season. Hammel signed Dec. 12, 2014 as a free agent with the Cubs and last year was 10-7 with a 3.74 ERA in 31 starts with the club.

Hammel threw a normal bullpen session Sunday in Atlanta to prepare for his next start.

"I try to stick to my routine," said Hammel, who normally throws 40 to 60 pitches during his side work in between starts. "I will throw a lot of fastballs."

The Cubs hope he can turn in another solid start Wednesday. He has allowed just 52 hits in 68 2/3 innings this year, with 24 walks and 60 strikeouts.

"His breaking stuff has been outstanding," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Hammel. "He has been pitching deep into games. I believe he may be feeding off the rest of the staff a little bit. But he had a good first half last year, too."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jays (36-31) at Phillies (30-35)

Game: 3
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: June 15, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

TORONTO -- Somewhere along the way, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Toronto Blue Jays passed each other going in different directions.

On May 18, the Phillies defeated the Miami Marlins 4-2 and they were considered early-season surprises with a 24-17 record, one game out of first in the National League East.

On the same day, the Toronto Blue Jays had stamped themselves as early-season disappointments, losing 6-3 to the Tampa Bay Rays. Their fifth straight loss put their record at 19-23, seven games off the pace in the American League East, the division they won in 2015.

After the Blue Jays defeated the Phillies 11-3 on Tuesday afternoon, the positions had been reversed.

It was the 18th loss in the past 24 games for the Phillies, and the 17th win in the past 25 games for the Blue Jays.

"Every night's a test for everybody," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said. "There's a lot of good teams out there, and we haven't been beating many lately."

They did beat the Blue Jays 7-0 on Monday but that is their only win in their past six games.

One of the reasons for the Blue Jays' revival has been the gradual improvement of the hitting, which was a strength last season and a disappointment last year.

"Our guys are coming around," said winning pitcher Marcus Stroman after the game Tuesday. "It's only a matter of time and everyone in the lineup is swinging it well. Now it just becomes more important for the staff to give our hitters an opportunity each and every game. ... we know how powerful our offense is."

Edwin Encarnacion, who missed the game Monday with a jammed finger, is one of the reasons. He hit his 16th homer of the season Tuesday and has hit four in his past five games. He has 40 RBIs over his past 38 games.

"Edwin's been doing a great job for us, driving the ball, hitting some big homers for us," Josh Donaldson said. "Today I felt like it was a total team effort up and down the lineup. We did a great job of driving the ball, and then getting some guys on base and then doing a good job with runners in scoring position."

Donaldson, the 2015 American League MVP Award winner, has been doing well himself. He ruined Zach Eflin's major league debut on Tuesday, connecting for two doubles, a grand slam and five RBIs in the three at-bats he had against the right-hander who lasted 2 2/3 innings.

Encarnacion played first base Tuesday, which is where he should be Wednesday and Thursday as the four-game interleague series moves to Philadelphia, where the DH will not be used. Jose Bautista, who missed three games with a sore thigh, has been DH in his first two games back but is expected to return to right field on Wednesday.

Left field is a question mark. Left fielder Michael Saunders was replaced by pinch-hitter Darwin Barney for what would have been his second at-bat of the six-run third inning. Saunders had tightness in his right thigh. Blue Jays manager John Gibbons does not feel the injury is serious but could not say if Saunders would be available on Wednesday.

If Bautista plays right field as expected, Ezequiel Carrera would move from right to left to replace Saunders.

The Blue Jays also will make roster moves on Wednesday after left-hander Aaron Loup was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo and left-hander Scott Diamond was designated for assignment.

The Phillies have injury questions themselves. Third baseman Maikel Franco missed the two games in Toronto and is listed as day-to-day with a mild right knee sprain.

Mackanin said he hopes that Franco will be able to play Wednesday.

"We'll find out tomorrow," Mackanin said. "He said was still a little sore today so I didn't use him but he said he might be OK tomorrow."

Marco Estrada (4-2, 2.57 ERA) starts for Toronto on Wednesday and he has been one of the better pitchers this season and in the second half of last season. Despite run support of 3.4 runs per game, he has not lost since April 27. He was acquired in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers before the 2015 season so he is no stranger to the National League game.

Just as Phillies starter Jeremy Hellickson (4-4, 4.34 ERA) is no stranger to the Blue Jays from pitching with Tampa Bay. He is 5-4 with a 3.45 ERA in 15 career starts against Toronto.

Asked if there were any positives from Tuesday's loss, Mackanin said: "One thing, we didn't decimate our bullpen."

And that could be a blessing on Wednesday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates (33-31) at Mets (34-29)

Game: 2
Venue: Citi Field
Date: June 15, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

NEW YORK -- The Pittsburgh Pirates stopped a losing streak Tuesday night thanks to an unexpected contributor. The New York Mets will be counting on their most likely All-Star Game candidate to do the same Wednesday.

Ace right-hander Noah Syndergaard takes the mound Wednesday night for the Mets, who will try to snap a three-game losing streak when they host the Pirates at Citi Field.

Pirates rookie right-hander Jameson Taillon got the three-game series off to a good start for Pittsburgh on Tuesday, when he carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning of his second career start and earned his first big league victory with eight innings of two-hit ball in a 4-0 win.

The victory ended a five-game skid for the Pirates (33-31), who moved within 1 1/2 games of the Mets (34-29) for the second wild card spot in the National League.

"It's a big shot in the arm," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "We've been on a slide."

The offensively challenged Mets -- who had five opening day starters out of the lineup because of injury Tuesday -- need Syndergaard to provide a shot in the arm of his own on the mound, if not at the plate too. The long-haired right-hander, who is 6-2 with a 2.00 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 76 2/3 innings, has two homers this season, a total exceeded by only five players currently on New York's active roster.

"Our lineup is what it is, because this is what we have," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "So I'm not going to sit here and complain about it. We've got to get it done. (Wednesday) night, we'll get after it again."

The only injured Mets player with a chance to return Wednesday is second baseman Neil Walker, who missed a second straight game with a sore lower back. Left fielder Michael Conforto, who pinch-hit Tuesday, will likely need another day off as he waits for a cortisone shot to take effect in his sore left wrist. First baseman Lucas Duda, third baseman David Wright and catcher Travis d'Arnaud are all on the disabled list.

The Pirates may get some news about one of their injured stars as well Wednesday. Trainer Todd Tomczyk is expected to speak to the media regarding ace right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole, who made room for Taillon on the active roster Tuesday by going on the disabled list with a right triceps injury he suffered while pitching agains the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Reds (26-39) at Braves (18-46)

Game: 3
Venue: Turner Field
Date: June 15, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

ATLANTA -- Anthony DeSclafani was slated to be the Opening Day starter for the Cincinnati Reds.

Instead, the right-hander didn't make his first major league appearance this season until last Friday in Cincinnati, working six innings in a 2-1 interleague victory by the Reds over the Oakland A's.

It was a belated but encouraging outing for DeSclafani, who will make his second start Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves.

DeSclafani strained his left oblique muscle in his last start of spring training and then suffered a setback after two minor league rehab outings in late April.

He didn't get back on the mound until late May, making three rehab starts for Triple-A Louisville before facing Oakland.

DeSclafani allowed eight hits in six innings against the A's, but the Reds turned three double plays and he gave up just one run, on a third-inning homer by Stephen Vogt.

DeSclafani walked three and struck out two, throwing 102 pitches.

"I didn't make it easy on myself, that's for sure. But I was super-anxious just to be out there," he said. "I felt really good. I felt maybe too good. I don't know if that's such a thing, but I grinded out there, and the guys played great defense behind me."

DeSclafani went 9-13 with a 4.05 ERA last season in 31 starts as a rookie after the Reds acquired him from Miami as part of the trade that sent Mat Latos to the Marlins.

DeSclafani admitted he was too keyed up early against Oakland in his first start. It should be more back to normal against the Braves.

"I was everything ... nervous, anxious. I had a lot of adrenaline I had to try to control from the start of the game," he said.

DeSclafani is trying to make up for a late start to the season. His opponent on Wednesday is hoping that his season has turned around.

Bud Norris lost his spot in the Braves rotation, but was forced back in when Mike Foltynewicz went on the disabled list.

The veteran has responded to two good outings, limiting opposing hitters to a .167 batting average in 11 innings.

Norris got a no-decision in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, then allowed four hits and a run over seven innings in a home victory last Friday against the Chicago Cubs.

Norris struck out six and walked none while improving his record to 2-7 and lowering his ERA to 4.75.

"He's been great," Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said. "He followed up a really solid start with another one. You can't say enough about what he did. He went down to the 'pen and did a great job for us, but the two starts when we needed him have been really good."

The Reds (26-39) have won the first two games of the four-game series, given them an 11-6 record since an 11-game losing streak.

The Braves (18-46) have the worst record in the majors and are 7-27 at home.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Orioles (37-26) at Red Sox (36-27)

Game: 2
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: June 15, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

BOSTON -- Baltimore's victory in Tuesday night's series opener in Boston could be seen as a tone-setter for the three-game series between the American League East's top two teams.

Not according to manager Buck Showalter, whose team will look to beat the Red Sox for the sixth time in nine meetings Wednesday night at Fenway Park.

"Not at all," Showalter said. "We've got 99 games left. You don't send messages, you don't set tones. There's 99 games left. Just get a good seat and buckle up."

The Orioles (37-26) took a one-game lead over the Red Sox in the AL East with Tuesday's 3-2 victory and Showalter managed it like a playoff game. Chris Tillman threw 120 pitches in seven innings and Zach Britton struck out four in getting a five-out save.

Manny Machado hit a two-run homer and Jonathan Schoop added a solo shot for the Orioles. Jackie Bradley Jr.'s solo blast and Hanley Ramirez's RBI single accounted for the Boston's runs Tuesday.

"We're competing and I think we're having fun as a team," Bradley said. "Obviously we didn't win tonight, but (we) can come back out tomorrow and try to compete again."

Boston would seem to have the edge in the pitching matchup of Steven Wright (7-4, 2.09 ERA against Tyler Wilson (2-5, 4.73).

Wright has staked his claim as one of the American League's best pitchers this season by leading the AL in ERA and holding opponents to a .203 average. Only Cleveland's Danny Salazar has allowed a lower average than the knuckleballer.

Wright is 1-0 with a 1.84 ERA in three career appearances against Baltimore, including his lone start against the Orioles on May 30. That performance was Wright's latest of three complete-game efforts this year, giving up two runs on four hits and five walks with seven strikeouts.

He tossed an effective 7 1/3 innings in his last start Friday at Minnesota, getting the win after allowing one unearned run on seven hits and two walks while striking out six.

As well as he has pitched, Wright has not been quite as sharp at Fenway Park, going 3-1 with a 3.07 ERA in five starts. On the road, Wright is 4-3 with a 1.54 ERA through seven starts.

Baltimore's active batters have a collective .086 lifetime average (3-for-35) against Wright and no Oriole has more than one hit off him.

Ryan Flaherty (1-for-6) has a double and an RBI, Nolan Reimold (1-for-2) has a triple and three walks and Jonathan Schoop is 1-for-5.

Adam Jones (0-for-5) and Matt Wieters (0-for-1) have gone hitless versus Wright, but each has an RBI against him.

Wilson is seeking his first career win against the Red Sox, although he has a 2.79 ERA in two previous appearance against Boston.

Wilson, a 26-year-old in his second major league season, is 0-1 with a 2.79 ERA in two career games against Boston, including one start. He opposed Wright on May 30 and allowed three runs on eight hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.

Wilson has already made an appearance at Fenway Park this season, giving up two hits and striking out two in three innings on April 13.

He surrendered a season-high-tying five runs on seven hits and three walks and struck out three in 5 2/3 innings last Thursday at Toronto.

Xander Bogaerts is 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs and a walk against Wilson. Bradley (1-for-4) also has an RBI off Wilson and Mookie Betts is 2-for-5.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners (34-30) at Rays (30-32)

Game: 2
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: June 15, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Seattle Mariners bullpen was tasked with a heavy load Tuesday after starter Taijuan Walker left the game in the fourth inning, and relievers couldn't hold a three-run lead in the seventh, leading to an 8-7 Tampa Bay Rays win at Tropicana Field.

On a night in which the Rays' final three pitchers had eight outs of no-hit relief with just one walk, immediately follow by a double play, Seattle couldn't get the outs it needed from a pair of reliable arms.

In the seventh, Nick Vincent got into trouble, giving up a hit to Rays catcher Curt Casali, who was hitting in the No. 9 slot in the lineup and entered the game with a .176 average. He advanced to second when Vincent walked shortstop Brad Miller, bringing up Evan Longoria -- with seven home runs in his previous nine games -- as the tying run. Longoria's three-run shot tied the game, and then things got worse.

Mike Montgomery has had struggles with his first pitches out of the bullpen, and Tuesday, his first eight pitches were balls, putting two on for outfielder Corey Dickerson, who already had a home run and triple. Dickerson came through with an RBI single for the go-ahead run, and Seattle took its fourth loss in five games.

"We had a lot of opportunities tonight to score more runs than we actually did," Mariners manager Scott Servais said. "We didn't take advantage of everything. Their guy (starter Jake Odorizzi) hung in there, and that proved to be the difference. We had some up there but didn't get quite enough."

The Rays, who have had their share of bullpen issues with overworked relievers and inconsistency of late, got two key outs from rookie Ryan Garton, who picked up his first major league win, then got a 1-2-3 eighth from Xavier Cedeno and a hitless, scoreless ninth from Alex Cedeno, who is now 19-for-19 on save opportunities.

Tampa Bay has a new arm in its bullpen in Matt Andriese, who moves out of the rotation despite a 5-0 record and 2.83 ERA in his seven starts. He moves out to make room for rookie Blake Snell, who will make just his second career start Thursday against Seattle. Wednesday's starter is a familiar face for the Rays -- Nathan Karns, traded from Tampa Bay in the offseason -- he's 4-1 in his last eight starts, with a 3.73 ERA and holding opponents to a .245 average.

If Tuesday was any indication -- whether it is Karns or Rays starter Drew Smyly -- another close game will come down to which bullpen can step up in the final innings, which helped the Rays match their biggest comeback of the season in Tuesday's win.

"That was an awesome win," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "We haven't had too many like that where we've come from behind. Everybody, it seemed, played a part, even the guys who came in late. We just kind of stayed the course."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Astros (31-35) at Cardinals (35-29)

Game: 2
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: June 15, 2016 7:15 PM EDT

ST. LOUIS -- Colby Rasmus enjoyed a successful homecoming on Tuesday night in the Houston Astros' 5-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Now he tries for an encore Wednesday night when Houston attempts to sweep the teams' two-game interleague series.

Rasmus homered off former teammate Jaime Garcia to snap a 1-1 tie in the fifth, then started a two-run rally in the seventh with a one-out single, later scoring on a stunning two-run single by pitcher Doug Fister.

Rasmus, who belted 50 homers in just over 2 1/2 seasons with St. Louis before being dealt at the 2011 trade deadline to Toronto, admitted to looking forward to his Busch Stadium return.

"With all the excitement coming in, I felt thankful that I was able to help our team and give us a good little boost," Rasmus said.

"He's a good friend and had a good game," Garcia said of Rasmus.

Perhaps Rasmus can help the Astros solve the mystery known as Adam Wainwright, who has dominated them like few pitchers have. Only Houston's move to the American League before the 2013 season has kept Wainwright from picking on it to the extent he did from 2006 to 2012.

Wainwright (5-4, 5.21 ERA) enters Wednesday night's start with a 13-1 record and 1.57 ERA against the Astros, the lowest ERA of any MLB pitcher with at least 10 starts against them. He has won his last seven starts against Houston dating to Aug. 2, 2009.

What's more, Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina are in line to make Cardinals history. Should Molina get the nod, as is expected, he and Wainwright will team for their 198th start together, one more than the previous record held by Bob Gibson and Tim McCarver.

The Astros will counter with right-hander Collin McHugh (5-5, 5.22), who after a 19-7 season in 2015 has yet to find the consistency that marked his last two years. McHugh is coming off his second shortest start of the year, going only 3 2/3 innings and allowing four runs on Thursday in a 5-3 loss at Texas.

McHugh has faced St. Louis only twice in his career, going 0-1 without reaching the sixth inning in either outing.

The series opener notwithstanding, the Cardinals have been one of the sport's best offensive teams this year, averaging 5.5 runs per game, batting .267 and belting 87 homers -- a pace tht would net them more than 200 by season's end.

Houston manager A.J. Hinch liked many things about Tuesday night's win, particularly that his team was able to make more consistent contact. After fanning a whopping 634 times in the first 65 games, the Astros whiffed only five times against four St. Louis pitchers.

"We put the ball in play tonight at a better rate," Hinch said.

Rasmus was guilty of two strikeouts, giving him 70 in 216 at-bats, but did enough damage to remind Cardinals fans what they once had.

"I just wanted to come out here and enjoy the moment," he said. "The homer felt good. It was a feeling I felt before here, but now I'm on the other side."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers (33-31) at White Sox (32-33)

Game: 3
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: June 15, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

CHICAGO -- After Chris Sale won his first nine starts, he needed three starts to become baseball's first 10-game winner as he fought through some uncharacteristic struggles.

Even when he's not at his best, the Chicago White Sox ace remains an elite talent. Despite some recent rocky outings, Sale will attempt to became the first 11-game winner in the major leagues on Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers.

Sale is coming off a six-inning outing against Kansas City when he allowed five earned runs and 11 hits but was bailed out by the White Sox offense, which put up seven runs. Afterward, Sale focused on the team win rather than dwelling too much on the quality of his outing.

"It didn't work out for me, but were still in here (celebrating)," Sale said.

"Even when he has struggled, Sale has become the White Sox most consistent starter in a rotation that has undergone its own roller coaster ride.

"The White Sox parted ways with John Danks and Mat Latos and brought in James Shields, who has struggled mightily in his first two outings in Chicago. Carlos Rodon has been a mixed bag and Jose Quintana hasn't gotten enough run support as the Sox have fallen on hard times after starting 23-10.

Through all of that, Sale has provided a sense of stability for manager Robin Ventura.

"You know when he goes out there pretty much what you're going to get," Ventura said. "That's the biggest thing is you see you have a pretty good shot of getting some innings and getting a win."

Sale will face Mike Pelfrey on Wednesday in the series finale between the Tigers and White Sox.

Pelfrey (1-6) has experienced his own struggles and has lost three of his last four starts after four straight no-decisions. His last victory came June 4 against the White Sox when he allowed two runs and five hits in six innings.

Sale, meanwhile, will look for his second straight victory in a season when he has often fought his own emotions in the outings when he has had difficulty finding the strike zone.

On numerous occasions, Sale has admitted he needs to throw fewer

"angry pitches," which have played a major role in taking him off his game and impacting his efficiency.

And yet, for opposing hitters, Sale remains a tough test -- partly because of his repertoire of pitches but more because of the way he goes about his business.

"He's just funky, he's weird," Tigers third baseman Nick Castellanos said. "He has weird mechanics, he is very unorthodox. It's just different coming at you with the way he throws it so it makes it more difficult."

That will make the Tigers' approach to facing Sale on Wednesday a familiar one that has been used by many other teams before them.

"As a lineup, you just have to make him throw a lot of pitches and try to get to the bullpen as early as possible," Castellanos said.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians (35-29) at Royals (34-30)

Game: 3
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: June 15, 2016 8:15 PM EDT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Whit Merrifield knows the Kansas City Royals will have to bring their A-game to complete a sweep of the first-place Cleveland Indians.

The Royals edged out the Indians by one run in each of the first two games and will go for the series sweep Wednesday night.

"They're a really good team," said Merrifield, who has homered in the first two games. "We're going to have to be clicking on all cylinders, put together some good at-bats, get some clutch hits, pitch well, play good defense and run the bases smart. If we do all those things, we're in pretty good shape. Against a team like Cleveland, you can't make many mistakes, so hopefully we can play a clean game."

Why are the Indians so good?

"They have it all," Merrifield said. "They have good starting pitching, a good bullpen, their lineup is tough, they are scrappy, they're fast. They've got guys that can hit for power. They play solid defense. They do it all.

"I think they are a very similar team to what we are. When you play a team like that you have to grind out at-bats and grind out innings, play at the top of your game and hope you come out with a win."

So far the Royals have been at the top of their game. They have won four in a row after snapping an eight-game losing streak Saturday.

Bryan Shaw absorbed the loss Tuesday, giving up a two-run homer to Salvador Perez with two out in the eighth. In his past three appearances, Shaw is 0-2 and his earned run average has jumped from 4.63 to 5.68.

Manager Terry Francona, however, is reluctant to remove Shaw from his eighth inning role.

"I don't want an alternative," Francona said of replacing Shaw as the primary setup man. "He went like 24 innings without giving up an earned run, now he's had three (bad) outings. That would not be a smart move on my part. He's been a good pitcher for us. His stuff is good. We can't run away from a guy when he has a tough week. It doesn't make sense to me."

Shaw's blown save deprived Josh Tomlin, who had held the Royals to one run over seven innings, of picking up his ninth victory.

"It's very frustrating," Shaw said. "He pitched his butt off. He kept us right where we needed to be all the game. He got us the opportunity to win the ball game. I couldn't hold it, doing my job. It sucks for him, obviously."

Right-hander Corey Kluber, the 2014 American League Cy Young Award winner, draws the Indians starting assignment for the series finale. Kluber is 4-2 with a 2.96 ERA in seven road starts this season. He threw a complete-game to beat the Angels 6-2 in his previous start, allowing two runs on three hits, while striking out eight and walking one.

Perez has been baffled by Kluber by going 4-for-25 (.160) while shortstop Alcides Escobar is 8-for-42, .190, with no RBIs.

Royals right-hander Ian Kennedy gave up a career-high four home and allowed seven runs in a 7-5 loss Friday to the Chicago White Sox. He has lost his past three decisions and has not won since May 7 when he won at Cleveland. Kennedy has a 1.46 ERA in four starts this season at Kauffman Stadium.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Twins (20-44) at Angels (28-37)

Game: 3
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: June 15, 2016 10:05 PM EDT

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Twins left fielder Robbie Grossman has more hits (24), runs scored (16) and extra-base hits (seven) against the Angels than any other team in the majors except one (Rangers).

Though Grossman did most of his damage against the Angels while playing for the Houston Astros, he goes into Wednesday's series finale in Anaheim doing the same thing playing for the Twins.

He went 2-for-4 with a home run and three runs scored in the series opener Monday, and 2-3 with a walk and two runs scored Tuesday.

It's an opportunity for Grossman that nearly didn't happen, considering his travails the past couple of years. He was released by the Astros following last season before signing with the Indians.

Grossman played the first six weeks of the season for the Indians' Triple-A team in Columbus before he opted out of his minor league contract May 16.

The Twins took a chance on him and it immediately paid dividends. He played one game for the Twins' Triple-A team in Rochester before joining the big league club. And in his first game for the Twins, he went 3-for-4 with a homer, double and three RBIs.

In fact, he's been the club's best hitter since that first game May 20, leading the team in walks (21), doubles (nine), RBIs (15), average (.333), on-base percentage (.471) and slugging percentage (.630).

The Twins, though mired in last place in the American League Central at 20-44, have at least been competitive since Grossman joined the club. Since Grossman donned the Twins uniform for the first time, Minnesota is 10-14. It was 10-30 without him.

"I don't think anyone would have expected him to maybe get an opportunity to not only get up here as quickly as he did, but become a regular," Molitor told MLB.com. "He's playing well enough to earn a chance to be in there on an almost everyday basis for now."

He'll face an Angels starting pitcher in Hector Santiago who has struggled mightily of late. Santiago had his best game of the season May 15 when he shut out the Mariners on two hits over eight innings.

In his five starts since, he has failed to get through the third inning three times. Only once in those five starts did he pitch more than four innings. His ERA during those starts is 12.18.

"He's pitched some really good games this year for us," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "It seems like it's been one extreme or the other. We can absorb a tough start when you only get into the fifth inning or the sixth inning, but too many times with Hector we're looking at the second inning and having to get somebody up and try to get out of an inning. He's trying hard, it's just a tough stretch for him."

Santiago's season has mirrored the Angels', who have had some bright spots but find themselves 12 games behind first-place Texas in the AL West.