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

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Dave Cokin

Bonus Play Wednesday

MARLINS at PADRES (Nicolino/Perdomo) 3:40 PM

Take: OVER 8.5 -120

If you’re looking for what projects as a bottom of the barrel starting pitcher matchup, Justin Nicolino vs. Luis Perdomo fits the bill.

Nicolino has actually been a little better than I expected for the Marlins. That’s really not saying much, however. He’s a pitch to contact type with a very low K rate. Nicolino is generating only a 13.8% soft contact rate, so I think it’s fair to say that even with a .328 BABIP, he’s perhaps getting a bit fortunate. The one mystery to me is that Nicolino has actually been racking uno some strikeouts lately. He’s recorded 20 in his last four starts, covering 21.2 innings. But he has also surrendered 35 hits in that stretch, so with his normal K rate, it’s fair to offer he might be getting blown up.

Luis Perdomo has been hit very hard, and he’s really only starting because the Padres are woefully short on starting pitchers. In effect, the Padres have lost four projected starters, three to injury and one in a trade. So Perdomo, who had not even gotten as far as AA ball in the Cardinals organization, is now a starting pitcher for San Diego. The results have not been surprising.

It certainly would appear as though the offenses for these two teams have the advantage today. That’s amplified by the fact the rather impotent Friars have actually been raking against lefties this season. It’s a day game at Petco, which helps as the ball generally carries better in the afternoon than the evening at this ballpark. As for the weather, it’s going to apparently be on the cool side on Wednesday, but whatever breeze should be heading out to right according the forecast.

I would expect runs to be fairly plentiful in this game, with either or both starting pitchers good candidates to get blown up. The oddsmakers never make it easy, as the number here is 8.5 with juice. But I see this one having a very good chance to get to double figures, so I’ll go Marlins-Padres Over for the Wednesday Bonus Play.

 

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Jim Feist

Jim Feist's Comp MLB Pick, Wednesday, June 15, 2016 8:15 PM

(969) CLEVELAND INDIANS VS (970) KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Take: UNDER

Reason: Your Bonus Play for Wednesday, June 15, 2016 is in the MLB scheduled contest between the Cleveland Indians and the Royals from Kansas City. A pair of strong arms and strong defensive teams clash in the AL Central. The Indians are 33-16-5 under the total away vs a team with a winning record. 30-year old Corey Kuber (6-6, 3.65 ERA) goes here, throwing great allowing 71 hits in 88+ innings and 87 Ks. The team is 4-1 in his last five starts, off 6-2 win over the Angels, throwing 9 innings allowing hits with 8 strikeouts. He has struck out 8 or more batters in 6 straight starts. Cleveland is 42-14-3 under the total on the road against a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600. Kansas City has great bullpen depth and starter Ian Kennedy (4-5, 4.06 ERA) has been great at home with a 1.46 ERA. Kansas City is 6-1-1 under the total against a team with a winning record. Play Cleveland/Kansas City Under the total.

 

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Arthur Ralph Sports

Bonus Play: WED RedSox w/ Wright

 

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Red Dog Sports

Chapecoense AF vs Gremio

Bonus Play Draw +209

I like the draw in the match between Gremio and Chapecoense AF. I think it ends 1-1.

Gremio 1

Chapecoense 1

 

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Martin Griffiths

France vs Albania

Bonus Play France -1½

France made heavy weather of beating Romania in the first game, maybe it was nerves, maybe it was pressure, who knows, but they did not play to the standard that the talent they have at their disposal warrants.

Albania did far better against Switzerland than most people thought, especially when they were reduced to ten men and they will not be the walkovers that most probably expect.

That said, they are playing France, the host side, a team full of world class talent and a team who are probably more settled now they have the first game out of the way.

If the French players play to their full potential then they would beat Albania easily and I do expect them to play to their talents this evening.

I take France to win, they are clearly the better side and they will probably cover the spread which is set at 1.5 goals.

I expect Albania to give a good account of themselves, but sometimes they play against a team that is simply better than them and that is what will happen tonight in Marseille.

I take France to cover the spread.

 

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Mike Lundin

Mariners vs Rays

5* MLB Free Pick Seattle Mariners

The Tampa Bay Rays have won eight of their past 10 after an 8-7 win against the Seattle Mariners last night. I like the Mariners to rebound with a win to tie the series Wednesday night.

Drew Smyly (2-7, 4.94) will take the ball for the Rays, and he has struggled lately. The left-hander has surrendered a total of 17 runs and 25 hits in 15 innings in his last three starts and had his last start skipped to give him a mental break. He gave up six runs on 10 hits in five innings of a 6-4 loss at Seattle on May 10 and odds are he'll get hit hard once again.

The Mariners turn to Nathan Karns (5-2, 4.09 ERA) who held Cleveland to one run on a pair of hits in 4 1/3 innings. He has struggled with his command lately with 10 walks in his last two starts, but Tampa Bay is not a team that draws a lot of walks and its .313 on base percentage ranks in the bottom third of the major leagues. Karns will make his first start against the team he spent the last two seasons with.

Rays are 1-4 in Smyly's five starts at the Trop this year, Mariners are 5-1 in Karns' six road starts.

 

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Scott Spreitzer

Yankees vs Rockies

Bonus Play New York Yankees

I'm backing the NY Yankees on Wednesday. New York scored 10 runs and lost on Tuesday but the Yankees should score plenty of runs again to win against Colorado's Chad Bettis today. The right-hander has been pummeled to the tune of 22 runs and 32 hits in only 16 1/3 innings his last four starts. Bettis escaped with a no-decision as the Rockies beat Pittsburgh 11-5 in his last outing. Colorado lost his three previous appearances by a combined score of 25-14 and Bettis is 1-2 with a 6.41 ERA at home this season. Ivan Nova has lasted at least six innings his last five starts and has walked just nine batters in 55 1/3 innings. The Yankees have won 11 of Nova's last 12 interleague starts. Colorado heads into Wednesday 17-17 on the road but just 14-16 at home. We'll back the NY Yankees on Wednesday afternoon. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

 

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Marc Lawrence

Tigers vs White Sox

Play - Detroit Tigers vs. Sale

Edges - Tigers: Mike Pelfrey 3.86 ERA away as opposed to 6.61 ERA at home this season. White Sox: Chris Sale: 1-3 with 6.76 ERA last four overall team starts. With all three of Sale’s 13 team start losses this season coming at the hands of A.L. Central division foes, and Sale off a phony ‘inside-out’ win over Kansas City in his most recent start last Friday in which he hurled 6 innings while allowing 12 batters on base in a 7-5 victory, we’ll back the big ugly dog here tonight. We recommend a 1* play on Detroit. Thank you and good luck as always.

 

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Brad Diamond

Brewers vs. Giants
Play: Giants -207

The Giants (40-26) jump back in against the Brewers (30-35) out in the Golden Gate area this afternoon. SF has won 4 straight, the Brewers losers of back-to-back games. The Giants have a 6 game lead in first place over LA in the West. Milwaukee's season is almost over considering they are 15 games back to the Cubs in the NLC. Recently, the Giants show 13-3 against Milwaukee, 8-1 in San Francisco. In addition, SF formulates another major edge of 8-0 with RHP Cueto (9-1, 2.16) against losing units. Milwaukee is trying to rebound Wednesday with RHP Nelson, but he is 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA last three times out. And, the Brewers with the hurler are 0-6 versus >.500 units.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Bob Harvey

Indians vs. Royals
Play: Indians -131

The top two teams in the American League Central division square off in Kansas City where the Royals host the first-place Cleveland Indians. First pitch is slated for 8:15 PM EST at Kauffman Stadium where the pitching matchup features Corey Kluber toiling for Cleveland (35-29, 31-33 RL) and Ian Kennedy working for KC with has won four straight overall including the first two games of the series.

The Royals (34-30, 35-29 RL) have won eight in a row at home to improve to 21-7. Salvador Perez smacked a two run homer in Tuesday’s 3-2 victory and is now 12 for 24 in his last six games. However the KC backstop is just 4 for 25 (.160)

Indians RH Corey Kluber (6-6, 3.65 ERA) vs. Royals RH Ian Kennedy (4-5, 4.06)

Kluber (6-6, 3.65 ERA) registered his second complete game of the season on Friday after permitting two runs and three hits in a 6-2 triumph over the Los Angeles Angels. Since starting the year 0-3 with a 6.16 ERA, Kluber has rebounded with four victories in his last five outings. Included in that run is a dazzling effort against versus Kansas City on June 5 in which Kluber scattered two hits and struck out six in as many innings of a 7-0 victory.

Kennedy (4-5, 4.06) fell to 0-3 in his last six outings following a less than stellar effort against the Chicago White Sox on Friday. Kennedy, who has surrendered 11 home runs in his last six appearances, served up four gopher balls in a 7-5 loss to the Chisox. Kennedy yielded two blasts and five runs in a 7-1 setback against Cleveland on June 4, a markedly different performance than when he scattered four hits over seven frames in a 7-0 rout of the Indians on May 7.

The home team has won eight of the nine contests in the season series.

 

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Larry Ness

Cleveland Indians at Kansas City Royals
Pick: Cleveland Indians

The Kansas City Royals beat the Cleveland Indians 2-1 on Monday and 3-2 on Tuesday, setting up a three-game sweep opportunity tonight at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals have won four in a row after snapping an eight-game losing streak this past Saturday. Tonight’s pitching matchup features 2014 Cy Young winner Corey Kluber (6-6, 3.65 ERA) up against Ian Kennedy (4-5, 4.06 ERA). Kluber has been much better this year away from home, going 4-2 with a 2.96 ERA in seven road starts (team is 4-3). 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.

Ian Kennedy gave up a career-high four HRs and allowed seven runs in a 7-5 loss Friday to the Chicago White Sox. He has now lost his past three decisions and has not won since May 7 when he won at Cleveland, a span of six starts (Royals are 3-3).
Kennedy allowed two HRs and five runs in a 7-1 setback against Cleveland on June 4, a markedly different performance than when he scattered four hits over seven innings in a 7-0 rout of the Indians on May 7. Over his six-start winless stretch, Kennedy has allowed 11 HRs. However, Kennedy does own a 1.46 ERA in four starts this season at Kauffman Stadium.

Kluber has turned around his 2016 season after a disastrous 0-3 start with a 6.16 ERA. He’s 4-1 over his last five outings, posting a 1.53 ERA in the four wins. That stretch includes a dominating performance vs Kansas City on June 5 in which he scattered two hits and struck out six in as many innings of a 7-0 victory. NO sweep here!

 

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Jesse Schule

Los Angeles at Arizona
Pick: Arizona +1.5

The Dodgers have split their first two games of this series in Arizona, but despite a sub .500 road record, they are heavy favorite in the rubber match. Nobody likes to bet against Clayton Kershaw, but the Dodgers ace has a history of struggling here in Arizona. Kershaw (9-1, 1.52 ERA) allowed a pair of runs on five hits, striking out 13 in a 3-2 win at San Francisco his last time out. He's just 1-3 with a 5.79 ERA in his last four starts at Chase Field. The D'Backs are batting .265 over a combined 136 at bats in previous meetings with Kershaw. That's better than their team batting average against the rest of the major leagues so far this season. The D'Backs hand the ball to Patrick Corbin, who has shown flashes of brilliance in recent starts. Corbin (3-5, 4.81 ERA) allowed four runs on five hits, striking out six in 6 1/3 innings in an 8-6 home loss to Miami his last time out. He's 0-4 with a 7.53 ERA in six starts at home this season, but he's 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA against the Dodgers. Jean Segura is swinging a hot bat of late. He was 4-for-4 last night, and he's batting .327 at home this season.

 

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Will Rogers

Miami vs. San Diego
Pick: Miami

The Marlins scored five times in the top of the first inning in last night's win at PETCO, and they may get off to another fast start here in the series finale Wednesday afternoon. The Padres turn to a struggling pitcher, and their defense hasn't done them any favors either. San Diego's fielding percentage of .981 ranks 28th in the major leagues.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - With Tyson Ross on the DL and James Shields traded to Chicago, 23 year old right-hander Luis Perdomo is getting a shot in the rotation. So far it's been nothing short of a disaster, as he's conceded 10 runs on 18 hits over 10 innings in two starts since coming out of the bullpen. He wasn't exactly effective as a reliever either, posting an ERA of 10.17 in nine appearances in the month of April.

2. San Diego's Bullpen - The Padres relief pitchers have posted an ERA of 4.68 so far this season. The only two teams that rank worse are Cincinnati and Texas, and at least they have the excuse of pitching in a hitter's park.

3. X-Factor - The Marlins Martin Prado is batting .333 so far this season (3rd in the National League), and he was 2-for-5 last night.

 

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Stallone Sports

MLB TWINS/ANGELS ‑110 o8.5

 

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Silvas Sports

MLB CHICAGO CUBS +135

 

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Valley Sports

MLB CHICAGO WHITE SOX ‑170

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees at Rockies

GAME: New York Yankees (31-33) at Colorado Rockies (31-33)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, June 15 - 3:10 PM EST
WHERE: Coors Field, Denver, Colorado
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Colorado Rockies showed off the best and worst of their home field, blowing most of a nine-run lead before holding on for a wild 13-10 victory over the New York Yankees on Tuesday. Winners of five of their last six contests, the Rockies look to complete a two-game interleague sweep of the Yankees on Wednesday afternoon.

The victory came at a price for the Rockies as left fielder Gerardo Parra was carted off the field with what appeared to be a serious injury to his lower left leg after shortstop Trevor Story barreled into him while chasing a flyout. Story rebounded from the mishap with a two-run homer and RBI single while Carlos Gonzalez homered among four hits as Colorado won for the fifth time in six games. Didi Gregorius clubbed a three-run homer and boosted his batting average to .405 in 11 games at Coors Field for New York, which rallied for seven runs in the eighth inning. Carlos Beltran, who leads the Yankees in homers and RBIs, missed the series opener after he woke up Tuesday with swelling in his left knee.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, YES (New York), ROOT (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Iván Nova (5-3, 4.39 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Chad Bettis (4-5, 5.85)

Nova won his second straight start by holding the Los Angeles Angels to three runs over 6 1/3 innings in his last outing - the first time he has yielded fewer than four runs over his last four turns. Although Nova has been able to curb the number of walks allowed, he has surrendered at least one homer in each of his last seven starts and eight total in that span. Nova has been shaky away from home, logging a 2-2 record and 6.00 ERA in six appearances (three starts).

Bettis is mired in an ugly four-start winless drought, although he escaped with a no-decision last time out despite allowing five runs (four earned) over three innings against Pittsburgh. Like Nova, Bettis is having trouble keeping the ball in the park as he's yielded six homers and allowed 22 runs over 16 1/3 innings in his last four turns. Pitching at hitter-friendly Coors Field is another detriment for Bettis, who is allowing opposing hitters to bat .327 in five home starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Rockies face a roster decision on SS Jose Reyes, whose Triple-A rehab stint ends Wednesday after he served a 51-game suspension for domestic violence.

2. The Yankees signed 1B Ike Davis, who registered a pinch-hit RBI single Tuesday and will be in the starting lineup Wednesday.

3. The Rockies placed LHP Chris Rusin on the 15-day disabled list, activated C Tony Wolters and recalled RHP Miguel Castro from Triple-A Albuquerque.

PREDICTION: Yankees 8, Rockies 5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Dodgers at Diamondbacks

GAME: Los Angeles Dodgers (34-32) at Arizona Diamondbacks (29-38)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, June 15 - 3:40 PM EST
WHERE: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Los Angeles Dodgers look to break even on their six-game road trip when they visit the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday afternoon for the finale of their three-game series. Los Angeles began the trek with a victory at San Francisco but dropped its next three contests before putting on a power display in a 7-4 triumph Tuesday.

Joc Pederson led a four-homer outburst with a pair of solo blasts and has launched three of his 11 shots over his last three games. Arizona is closing out a nine-game homestand in search of a winning record as it has split the first eight contests. Jean Segura was the offensive star for the Diamondbacks on Tuesday, raising his average to .309 by going 4-for-4 with the team's lone extra-base hit (a double) and scoring a pair of runs. Segura is riding a six-game hitting streak during which he has gone 12-for-24 with four multi-hit performances.

TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FSN Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (9-1, 1.52 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (3-5, 4.81)

Kershaw has been superb since being tagged for five runs over seven innings by Miami on April 26, going 7-0 in eight starts while allowing a total of seven runs over 63 2/3 frames. The 28-year-old Texan has tossed three complete games during that stretch and has reached double digits in strikeouts in eight of his last 10 outings. Kershaw has posted a 2.76 ERA while striking out 157 over 140 innings in 23 career starts against Arizona but owns just an 11-8 record.

Corbin remains in search of his first home victory of the season as he escaped his outing against Miami on Friday with a no-decision after yielding four runs on five hits and two walks in 6 1/3 innings. The 26-year-old from Clay, New York, is 0-4 with a ghastly 7.53 ERA in six turns at Chase Field this year. Corbin enters with a 3-4 record and 3.78 ERA in 10 career games (nine starts) against the Dodgers after settling for a no-decision at Los Angeles on April 12, when he gave up just one run and six hits over six frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. X-Rays were negative on Dodgers RHP Kenta Maeda, who exited Tuesday's game with a bruise on his lower right leg after being hit by a line drive.

2. Arizona has successfully converted a franchise-record 41 straight save opportunities.

3. Los Angeles expects to have RF Yasiel Puig back on Monday as he has been sidelined since June 3 with a strained left hamstring.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 3

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Marlins at Padres

GAME: Miami Marlins (34-31) at San Diego Padres (26-40)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, June 15 - 3:40 PM EST
WHERE: Petco Park, San Diego, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


The Miami Marlins scored 18 runs in the first 10 innings of the series and look to complete a three-game sweep of San Diego when they visit the Padres on Wednesday afternoon. After rolling up 13 runs in the opener, the Marlins scored five times in the first inning on Tuesday en route to a 5-2 victory.

The light-hitting Jeff Mathis hit his third career grand slam to cap Tuesday's first-inning uprising as Miami improved to 4-4 on its nine-game road trip. Ichiro Suzuki grounded out as a pinch-hitter and his professional hit total remains at 4,255 - 2,977 in the major leagues, 1,278 in Japan - one behind all-time major-league leader Pete Rose. San Diego has dropped four straight games and five of its last six while becoming the third team in the majors to reach 40 losses with Tuesday's defeat. The Padres are a season-worst 14 games below .500 and have a four-game series against National League East-leading Washington looming on the slate.

TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), FSN San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Justin Nicolino (2-3, 4.76 ERA) vs. Padres RH Luis Perdomo (1-2, 9.50)

Nicolino is 0-3 over his last seven starts after winning his first two outings of the season. He was hit hard by Arizona in his last turn, when he gave up season highs in runs (five) and hits (12) while receiving a no-decision. Nicolino has pitched more than six innings just once this season, with that occurring when he blanked the Los Angeles Dodgers on two hits over 7 1/3 innings on April 27.

Perdomo is filling the rotation spot of injured Andrew Cashner and is making his third start of the season. He pitched 5 2/3 innings of relief against Colorado on Friday as Cashner departed after one batter and gave up four runs (three earned) and eight hits. Perdomo has posted an 11.74 ERA at Petco Park this season, allowing 32 hits and 11 walks in just 15 1/3 innings at the pitcher-friendly ballpark.

WALK-OFFS

1. Padres 1B Wil Myers is just 1-for-13 over his last four games after opening June with seven multi-hit performances in a nine-game stretch.

2. Miami 3B Martin Prado is 5-for-8 in the series and a robust 17-for-33 during an eight-game hitting streak.

3. San Diego designated C Hector Sanchez for assignment on Tuesday and recalled INF Ryan Schimpf from Triple-A El Paso.

PREDICTION: Marlins 9, Padres 6

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Brewers at Giants

GAME: Milwaukee Brewers (30-35) at San Francisco Giants (40-26)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, June 15 - 3:45 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A


If the San Francisco Giants keep playing so well, there might not be any need for them to seek reinforcements at next month’s trade deadline. The Giants have built a six-game lead over the second-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West and stand a season-high 14 games above .500 heading into Wednesday’s series finale against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers.

Many experts thought San Francisco would falter without star right fielder Hunter Pence, who is out until early August with a right hamstring strain, but the Giants improved to a major league-best 23-8 since May 11 with Tuesday’s 3-2 victory. Left fielder Angel Pagan returned from the disabled list and batted seventh, but first baseman Brandon Belt left the game in the seventh inning after being hit by a pitch on his right ankle and is listed as day-to-day. The Giants have won eight of their last nine games at AT&T Park against Milwaukee, which has opened its nine-game road trip with back-to-back losses. The Brewers have a burgeoning star in shortstop Jonathan Villar, who leads the majors with 23 stolen bases and continues to produce from the leadoff spot with a .299 average, five homers and 26 RBI.

TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, MLB Network, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Jimmy Nelson (5-5, 3.43 ERA) vs. Giants RH Johnny Cueto (9-1, 2.16)

Nelson lost his second straight start last Thursday despite holding the Mets to two runs over 5 1/3 innings. The former University of Alabama star turned 27 earlier this month and has recorded a team-leading eight quality starts this season. Joe Panik has four hits in seven at-bats against Nelson, who made his first start of the season against the Giants on April 5 and allowed two runs on five hits over 7 1/3 innings in a 2-1 loss.

Cueto yielded two runs and struck out eight over eight innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers last Friday. The 30-year-old has been as good as advertised since joining the Giants as a free agent during the offseason with three complete games among his 13 starts. Ryan Braun is 10-for-47 with a home run against Cueto, who is 10-3 with a 2.79 ERA in 19 career starts against the Brewers, including 7-0 with a 1.73 ERA in his last seven outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Giants placed RHP Matt Cain (hamstring) on the disabled list and recalled RHP Chris Stratton from Triple-A Sacramento.

2. Milwaukee RHP Michael Blazek (elbow) began a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Colorado Springs on Tuesday.

3. The Giants are 16-7 in one-run games compared to the Brewers' 11-10 mark.

PREDICTION: Giants 5, Brewers 1