Wednesday 6/17/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Cubs call up top prospect Schwarber
The Sports Xchange

When the Chicago Cubs drafted Kyle Schwarber with the fourth overall pick, they called him the best hitter in the 2014 MLB draft.

Now the club is calling on their top minor-league prospect with that big bat in mind.

Schwarber has 31 home runs and 28 doubles in 130 minor-league games.

Schwarber was recalled from Triple-A Iowa and will be used as the Cubs' designated hitter from Wednesday through Sunday, when Chicago plays in American League parks and needs a DH.

Team president Theo Epstein did warn, however, that the call up is temporary. Epstein said that by Sunday night, Schwarber is heading back to Iowa to work on his defense.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'Interleague'

Colorado and Houston resume their four-game home-home series at Coors Field. Astros winning the first two contest in Houston have now won 6-of-7 vs the Senior League while Rockies have yet to solve the Junior League going 0-4. Home field won't postpone further punishment for Colorado. The Rockies have compiled a 13-18 record in front of its friendly crowd and are just 7-12 playing under the light's. Additionally, Rockies are in a mound of trouble when they send Kyle Kendrick to the bump. Things have not gone well for the club recently handing the ball to Kendrick. In his last nine starts the Rockies are 1-8 behind the right-hander. On the other side, Astros have won 3 of 4 with their left-hander Brett Oberholtzer handling starter duties. Oberholtzer being a southpaw is more bad news for Colorado. The Rockies have struggled against southpaw starters going 3-9 which includes 1-5 on home field. Evidence is key in making any case, and the numbers above illustrate Houston is the right choice.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Baseball Betting: Streaks, Tips, Notes

St Louis Cardinals at Minnesota Twins June 17, 8:10 EST

When the Minnesota Twins and St Louis Cardinals resume their four game home-home interleague series at Target Field the clubs will look to continue a solid trend for 'Under' gamblers.

Cardinals one of the best 'Under' bets overall (10-22-1 O/U) have played 9 'Under', 2 'Over', 1 'Push' in interleague play. The Twins 7-3 'Under' the past ten at Target Field have a 5-2 'Under' mark vs the senior league.

Another positive for 'Under' gamblers has been when the Cardinals hand the ball to Carlos Martinez. In that case, the 'Under' has been the right choice in four of his last five trips to the mound. The fact Twins send a lefty to the mound is yet one more reason runs may be a premium. In the last 20 games the 'Under' has been reached 14 times when Cardinals face a southpaw, including 4-1 'Under' the past five. Additionally, the two 'Under' posted in St Louis the teams now hold an incredible 11-0-1 'Under' record in the last 12 meetings.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Five To Follow MLB Betting: Wednesday, June 17, 2015 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews

While many Cubs fans may still be celebrating the Blackhawks' third Stanley Cup in the past six years from Monday night's Game 6 win over Tampa Bay, there's another reason for Cubs fans to get excited. The team is calling up its top prospect -- now that Kris Bryant and Addison Russell are already big leaguers -- in catcher Kyle Schwarber on Tuesday. The Cubs start five games in American League parks on Wednesday in Cleveland. So they want to use Schwarber, who was tearing up the minors like Bryant had, at that spot (might pinch-hit Tuesday but won't start). Then, no matter what he does in those games, he will head to Triple-A for the first time. The team wants to get him a taste of the majors while adding his bat. And the Cubs want to keep him at catcher, so that's why he needs more minor-league seasoning.


Rays at Nationals (-158, 7.5)

Tampa Bay avoided disaster when star third baseman Evan Longoria was hit on the wrist by a pitch from Washington's Taylor Hill on Monday. While Longoria may have to miss a game or two, X-rays were negative. He's hitting .269 with six homers and 29 RBIs. Matt Andriese (1-1, 3.76) gets the start on the mound here for Tampa. Last time out against the White Sox, he struck out five in 5 2/3 innings of work to record his first MLB win. Prior to that, Andriese hadn't made it through four innings pitched in any of his three career starts. He has never faced Washington. It's Jordan Zimmermann (5-4, 3.74) for Washington. The Nats have lost his last two, and he hasn't been good in either. He pitched in Milwaukee on June 12 and was rocked for six runs and nine hits in 3.1 innings. Only a couple of Rays have seen him. Longoria is 0-for-2 with two strikeouts. No DH for the Rays here.

Key trends: The Rays are 2-6 in their past eight interleague road games vs. teams with a winning record. The Nats are 15-7 in their past 22 interleague home games vs. right-handed starters. The "over/under" has gone under in six of Washington's past seven at home vs. teams with a winning road record.

Early lean: Nationals and under.


Tigers at Reds (-120, 7)

Fantastic pitching matchup here between guys who also will be competing against one another for many, many free-agent dollars this coming offseason. It's lefty David Price (6-2, 2.44) for the Tigers, and I wouldn't be surprised if he gets $200 million this winter from someone. He has thrown back-to-back complete games, allowing one combined run and striking out 19 in wins over the Indians and White Sox. Joey Votto is 2-for-6 with a homer off Price. Brandon Phillips is 3-for-8 with two doubles. The Reds have won the past two starts of Johnny Cueto (4-4, 2.85). I think the Tigers will hang onto Price all season as they try to win, but Cueto won't be a Red come Aug. 1 if not sooner. Not many Tigers have seen him. J.D. Martinez and Rajai Davis are each 0-for-2. No DH for the Tigers here.

Key trends: The Tigers are 7-0 in Price's past seven vs. teams with a losing record. The Reds are 13-3 in their past 16 interleague home games vs. teams with a winning record. The under is 4-1 in Price's past five road starts.

Early lean: Anytime Price is a dog, I'm taking it. Go under.


Brewers at Royals (-121, 8)

Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell says the team will be without outfielder Carlos Gomez for a few games after he was scratched from Monday's matchup vs. Kansas City with right leg tightness. Not like the Brewers are playing for anything, so no need to rush him. Gomez also has been mentioned as a trade candidate. He's hitting .270 with five homers and 24 RBIs. Mike Fiers (3-6, 4.04) starts for the Brewers. He beat the Nationals last time out, allowing three runs and five hits in seven innings. He is 1-4 with a 5.45 ERA on the road this season, however. It's Joe Blanton for the Royals, and I honestly didn't even know that guy was still alive. Blanton (0-0, 1.80 ERA in seven relief appearances) makes his first start of the season in the place of an injured Jason Vargas. Milwaukee's Ryan Braun is 5-for-13 with an RBI off him. Adam Lind is 2-for-6 with a solo homer. Brewers add the DH.

Key trends: The Brewers have lost five straight on Wednesday. The Royals are 10-2 in their last 12 home games vs. teams with a losing road record. The under is 9-0 in Fiers' nine road starts.

Early lean: Royals and over.


Marlins at Yankees (-168, 8)

New York's Alex Rodriguez can resume his quest for 3,000 hits as he wasn't able to start either of New York's games in Miami on Monday and Tuesday because of no DH. A-Rod entered Tuesday's game in south Florida with 2,995 hits. The Yankees start big right-hander Michael Pineda (7-3, 3.74). He has been rather inconsistent since striking out a career-high 16 vs. Baltimore on May 10. Last time out, Pineda was ripped for six runs and nine hits over 4.1 innings in a loss at Baltimore. Pineda has never faced Miami. Jose Urena (1-2, 4.44), from the Dominican Republic like Pineda, goes for the Marlins. They have won his past two, and Urena has allowed only two combined runs over 12.2 innings. He has never faced the Yankees.

Key trends: Miami has lost five straight interleague home games. The Yanks are 6-2 in Pineda's past eight at home. The over is 7-0-1 in his past eight vs. teams with a losing record.

Early lean: Yankees and under.


Giants at Mariners (-121, 6)

If that Rays-Reds pitching matchup doesn't excite you, then maybe this one will. It's ace Madison Bumgarner (7-3, 3.16) for the Giants. He was a tough-luck loser to Arizona last time out, giving up a run over eight innings in a 1-0 defeat. All nine hits allowed were singles. Seattle's Logan Morrison is 5-for-12 with two RBIs off him. It's ace Felix Hernandez (9-3, 3.38) for Seattle. He actually comes off the worst start of his future Hall of Fame career, allowing a shocking eight runs (two homers) in just one-third of an inning in Houston. Hernandez is 1-2 with a 12.00 ERA in his last three games after starting the season nearly unhittable. The Giants' Buster Posey is 1-for-3 with two walks off him. Giants get to add the DH.

Key trends: The Giants are 11-1 in Bumgarner's past 12 road starts vs. teams with a losing record. The Mariners are 1-8 in their past nine at home. The over is 6-1 in Bumgarner's past seven on the road. The under is 8-1-1 in Hernandez's past 10 at home.

Early lean: Mariners and under -- even that low.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

StatFox Super Situations

MLB | HOUSTON at COLORADO
Play Against - Any team (HOUSTON) with a starting pitcher whose lasts less than 5 innings per start, with a hot starting pitcher- ERA less than 2.50 over his last 3 starts
125-74 since 1997. ( 62.8% | 48.5 units )
1-0 this year. ( 100.0% | 1.1 units )


StatFox Situational Power Trends

MLB | TEXAS at LA DODGERS
LA DODGERS are 22-1 (+19.9 Units) against the money line as a favorite of -200 or more over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was: LA DODGERS (6.2) , OPPONENT (2.4)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Wednesday's six-pack

Six best teams last year in turnover margin; it can be tough to duplicate a big number:

+14-- Arizona State-- Play USC/UCLA back/back early in season.

+16--- Louisiana Tech-- Senior QB Driskel started 15 games at Florida.

+16-- Georgia-- Dawgs are breaking in a new quarterback this year.

+18-- TCU-- Horned Frogs have 10 starters back on offense, a senior QB

+19-- Michigan State-- 54-14 last five years; most underrated program in country?

+23-- Oregon-- 13-3 vs spread in last 16 games as a road favorite.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Cokin

Bonus Play Wednesday

PIRATES (Locke) @ WHITE SOX (Danks)

Take: PIRATES -116

Yeah, I know, it’s Jeff Locke. A couple years ago, those of us who like to focus on the pitching metrics referred to him as Jeff Luck. It was kind of ridiculous just how much good fortune he was receiving start after start. I can tell you I lost more than a couple of wagers because I refused to believe that a major regression was going to take place. It eventually did, but I made a mistake in not waiting for the worm to start turning, and learned yet another valuable lesson in the process.

As for the 2015 version of Locke, he’s pitching roughly the level projected. Locke is a #4/5 starting pitcher. That’s a guy who you hope can get you six innings and hang in enough to give the team a chance to win.

Locke’s opponent tonight is another back of the rotation guy, as John Danks gets the start for the White Sox. I’d say this is a pretty even mound matchup, but if that’s indeed the case, the Pirates own a substantial edge.

The current edition of the White Sox is about as anemic as it gets, particularly against southpaws. In fact, the Pale Hose numbers against lefties as of today are about as awful as it can possibly get. So even against a low end lefty like Locke, I can’t really forecast the White Sox suddenly breaking out.

This is hot team vs. cold team all the way. The Bucs have really warmed up and if you’ve watched their games lately, you can absolutely feel the confidence. I’m afraid the White Sox are the polar opposite currently. They’re a flat entry with no real energy and let’s face it, this is a team that probably needs to make a managerial change. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to pin all this on Robin Ventura. But the team is bad and unless they just intend to pack it in for yet another season, they need to shake things up in a hurry.

As for tonight, I made the number a little higher, not on the pitching but on the other team elements, which basically all favor the Pittsburgh side. Look for the Pirates to maintain their roll with another win tonight.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jim Feist

Bonus Play for Wednesday, June 17, 2015 7:05 PM

(901) BALTIMORE ORIOLES VS (902) PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Take: (901) BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Reason: Your Bonus Play for Wednesday, June 17, 2015 is in the MLB scheduled contest between the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies. The Orioles have been hot of late, winning eight of their last 10 games to finally get back over .500 at 32-31. Can't say the same about the Phillies, who have lost seven in a row and nine of their last 10 games. The Phillies are now 22-43. In addition, they have averaged just 2.6 rpg their last 10, compared to 5.2 of the Orioles. Ubaldo Jimenez starts for the O's with a 4-3 record and nice 3.19 ERA. Jimenez has pitched well, allowing three runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. Kevin Correia makes just his second start of the season. Correia went just 5 2/3 in his first start and didn't allow a run. The Phillies offense is just pathetic, getting shut out in three of their last four games and scoring a total of seven runs in their last six games. Baltimore is hot and Jimenez has been very good. Your Bonus Play for Wednesday is on the Orioles.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports

Bonus Play WED Orioles w/ Jimmenez -160

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB MONEYLINE

MLB > (929) TEXAS@ (930) LA DODGERS | 06/17/2015 - 10:10 PM
Play ON TEXAS using the money line in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 17 Wins and 6 Losses for the this season (+17.22 units)

MLB > (915) MILWAUKEE@ (916) KANSAS CITY | 06/17/2015 - 08:10 PM
Play ON KANSAS CITY using the money line in All games at home with a money line of -100 to -125
The record is 29 Wins and 10 Losses for the last two seasons (+17.25 units)

MLB > (927) SAN FRANCISCO@ (928) SEATTLE | 06/17/2015 - 10:10 PM
Play AGAINST SEATTLE using the money line in Home games when playing on Wednesday
The record is 8 Wins and 20 Losses for the last three seasons (-18.35 units)

MLB RUNLINE
MLB > (915) MILWAUKEE@ (916) KANSAS CITY | 06/17/2015 - 08:10 PM
Play ON KANSAS CITY using the in All games at home when the run line is (+1.5, -155) to (-1.5, +160)
The record is 24 Wins and 15 Losses for the last two seasons (+22.65 units)

MLB > (929) TEXAS@ (930) LA DODGERS | 06/17/2015 - 10:10 PM
Play ON TEXAS using the in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 19 Wins and 4 Losses for the this season (+13.75 units)

MLB TOTALS

MLB > (919) ST LOUIS@ (920) MINNESOTA | 06/17/2015 - 08:10 PM
Play UNDER ST LOUIS on the total in All games in June games
The record is 9 Overs and 28 Unders for the last two seasons (+17.75 units)

MLB > (927) SAN FRANCISCO@ (928) SEATTLE | 06/17/2015 - 10:10 PM
Play OVER SAN FRANCISCO on the total in All games as a road underdog of +125 to +150
The record is 19 Overs and 5 Unders for the last two seasons (+13.8 units)

MLB > (911) BOSTON@ (912) ATLANTA | 06/17/2015 - 07:10 PM
Play OVER ATLANTA on the total in All games in all games
The record is 40 Overs and 21 Unders for the this season (+17.95 units)

MLB > (929) TEXAS@ (930) LA DODGERS | 06/17/2015 - 10:10 PM
Play OVER LA DODGERS on the total in All games in home games
The record is 71 Overs and 41 Unders for the last two seasons (+29.9 units)

MLB > (925) SAN DIEGO@ (926) OAKLAND | 06/17/2015 - 10:05 PM
Play OVER SAN DIEGO on the total in All games in all games
The record is 41 Overs and 24 Unders for the this season (+16.5 units)

MLB > (917) PITTSBURGH@ (918) CHI WHITE SOX | 06/17/2015 - 08:10 PM
Play UNDER CHI WHITE SOX on the total in Home games in night games
The record is 3 Overs and 14 Unders for the this season (+10.7 units)

MLB > (909) CHICAGO CUBS@ (910) CLEVELAND | 06/17/2015 - 07:10 PM
Play OVER CLEVELAND on the total in Home games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 35 Overs and 17 Unders for the last two seasons (+17.55 units)

MLB TOP POWERLINES

MLB > (907) NY METS @ (908) TORONTO | 06/17/2015 - 07:05 PM
Line: TORONTO -190 BTB PowerLine: TORONTO -117
Edge On: TORONTO (44)

MLB > (901) BALTIMORE @ (902) PHILADELPHIA | 06/17/2015 - 07:05 PM
Line: PHILADELPHIA +145 BTB PowerLine: PHILADELPHIA 191
Edge On: PHILADELPHIA (21)

MLB > (911) BOSTON @ (912) ATLANTA | 06/17/2015 - 07:10 PM
Line: ATLANTA -115 BTB PowerLine: ATLANTA -150
Edge On: ATLANTA (35)

MLB > (917) PITTSBURGH @ (918) CHI WHITE SOX | 06/17/2015 - 08:10 PM
Line: CHI WHITE SOX +100 BTB PowerLine: CHI WHITE SOX 146
Edge On: CHI WHITE SOX (26)

MLB > (919) ST LOUIS @ (920) MINNESOTA | 06/17/2015 - 08:10 PM
Line: MINNESOTA +115 BTB PowerLine: MINNESOTA 134
Edge On: MINNESOTA (19)

MLB > (921) HOUSTON @ (922) COLORADO | 06/17/2015 - 08:40 PM
Line: COLORADO -103 BTB PowerLine: COLORADO 174
Edge On: COLORADO (57)

MLB > (923) LA ANGELS @ (924) ARIZONA | 06/17/2015 - 09:40 PM
Line: ARIZONA -115 BTB PowerLine: ARIZONA -122
Edge On: ARIZONA (7)

MLB > (925) SAN DIEGO @ (926) OAKLAND | 06/17/2015 - 10:05 PM
Line: OAKLAND -165 BTB PowerLine: OAKLAND -158
Edge On: OAKLAND (7)

MLB > (929) TEXAS @ (930) LA DODGERS | 06/17/2015 - 10:10 PM
Line: LA DODGERS -275 BTB PowerLine: LA DODGERS -187
Edge On: LA DODGERS (43)

MLB > (927) SAN FRANCISCO @ (928) SEATTLE | 06/17/2015 - 10:10 PM
Line: SEATTLE -150 BTB PowerLine: SEATTLE 111
Edge On: SEATTLE (41)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Orioles (32-31) at Phillies (22-43)
Game: 3
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: June 17, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

The red-hot Baltimore Orioles can seemingly do no wrong during their best stretch of the season.

Nothing is going right for a Philadelphia Phillies team that's on the cusp of its longest losing streak in 16 years.

Coming off a historic power display, the Orioles will try for their 11th victory in 13 games when this four-game home-and-home series shifts to Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday night.

Baltimore (33-31) extended its surge Tuesday after scoring six times in the first inning en route to a 19-3 home victory. It was the club's highest-scoring effort since a 23-1 win over Toronto on Sept. 28, 2000.

The defending AL East champs were a season-worst six games under .500 on June 3, but they've since batted .299 with 22 home runs while averaging 6.2 runs in a 10-2 stretch. They're in position to move three games over .500 for the first time since the end of last season.

Manny Machado went 3 for 4 with two home runs, giving him a .450 average, five homers and 10 RBIs in his last 10 games. Chris Parmelee made the most of his call-up from Triple-A earlier in the day, finishing with a season-high four hits and his second career multihomer game.

Chris Davis, David Lough, Jimmy Paredes and Ryan Flaherty also went deep as Baltimore hit a franchise-record eight homers in its ninth win in 12 meetings with the Phillies (22-44).

Now the Orioles are expected to get Adam Jones back after he missed one game with a sore shoulder.

'It's fun to watch, fun to be a part of,' winning pitcher Chris Tillman said.

Phillies reliever Justin De Fratus was ejected for appearing to throw at J.J. Hardy in the sixth inning before the Phillies lost an eighth straight game for the first time since July 2013. The club hasn't dropped nine in a row since an 11-game slide in September 1999.

'Worst road trip I've ever been on as far as just the way we lost games,' right fielder Jeff Francoeur said after the team's first winless trip of at least eight games since August 1883.

Francoeur pitched the final two innings Tuesday, allowing two runs and throwing 48 pitches.

The Phillies hadn't homered during the losing streak before Maikel Franco's two-run shot in the sixth inning. They've batted .115 with runners in scoring position while totaling 10 runs over the past seven, getting shut out three times in the last five.

Baltimore's Ubaldo Jimenez (4-3, 3.19 ERA) had received 10 total runs of support over his previous five starts, going 0-1 despite a 3.72 ERA, before getting six in Friday's 11-3 home victory over the Yankees. The right-hander allowed three runs over five innings.

Jimenez has gone 0-2 with a 11.25 ERA in three career road outings against the Phillies, last facing them in 2010. Francoeur is 6 for 30 with two home runs against Jimenez, while Ryan Howard is 3 for 7 with a homer and a triple in the matchup.

Kevin Correia looks to build on a solid Phillies debut in Friday's 1-0, 13-inning loss at Pittsburgh. He worked 5 2-3 innings, allowing five hits with four strikeouts and one walk.

Correia admittedly shook off some rust in his first big-league start since August with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The right-hander has gone 2-1 with a 3.79 ERA in three career outings against Baltimore.

Machado, Jones and Matt Wieters are a combined 1 for 16 against Correia, but Lough is 7 for 11 with three doubles.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Phillies at Orioles
Mon, Jun 15 Final 0 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Phillies at Orioles
Tue, Jun 16 - Final 3 to 19
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Orioles at Phillies
Wed, Jun 17 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Orioles at Phillies
Thu, Jun 18 - 1:05PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets (35-30) at Blue Jays (34-31)
Game: 3
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: June 17, 2015 7:07 PM EDT

The Toronto Blue Jays steamrolled their way offensively through a long winning streak that had them looking like the class of the AL East, but those good fortunes have gone by the wayside against the New York Mets.

Having suffered their first back-to-back losses of the month, the Blue Jays look to return to their high-scoring ways when this four-game home-and-home series shifts to Toronto on Wednesday night.

Toronto (34-32) averaged 8.0 runs in an 11-game winning streak June 2-14 but was shut down in the two games at Citi Field. New York (36-30) won 4-3 in 11 innings Monday before a 3-2 victory Tuesday.

Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion each had an RBI in the latest defeat but the rest of the lineup mustered four hits against Matt Harvey and two relievers.

'When you run into good pitching, I don't care how good your hitting is,' manager John Gibbons said. 'That's what happens sometimes. That's some great pitching.'

Drew Hutchinson didn't have any complaints about run support in his last start, as the Blue Jays took him off the hook by overcoming an 8-1 deficit with a nine-run seventh inning in a 13-10 win over Boston on Friday.

Hutchinson (5-1, 5.75 ERA) was pounded for eight runs and allowed three homers in 2 1-3 innings. It was the shortest outing of his career not related to injury.

He'll be opposed by Jonathon Niese (3-6, 4.24), who pitched seven innings and allowed four runs - two earned - in a 5-4 win over San Francisco on Thursday. He didn't get the decision.

The left-hander had posted an 0-4 mark and 7.96 ERA in his previous five starts before regaining the form that allowed him to record a 1.95 ERA through his first six outings.

"It was a good outing to build on. My stuff felt great," Niese told MLB's official website. "My mechanics were more sound, allowing me to locate better. My pitches were doing what they're supposed to, instead of cutting off."

Niese suffered an ugly loss in his only meeting with Toronto, allowing eight runs and four homers in three innings of a 14-5 road defeat May 18, 2012.

New York's bullpen ranks among the best in baseball with a 2.84 ERA, and it's been bolstered by a very encouraging outing from closer Bobby Parnell, who recorded five outs for his first save since July 30, 2013 on Tuesday.

Parnell has made three appearances since tearing his MCL on April 2, 2014.

'Felt good. Definitely had some adrenaline going,' Parnell said. 'It was definitely a fun time to pitch. That ninth inning is always good.

'That was a big milestone. Finally had some weight off my shoulders.'


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Blue Jays at Mets
Mon, Jun 15 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Blue Jays at Mets
Tue, Jun 16 - Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Mets at Blue Jays
Wed, Jun 17 - 7:07PM EDT

GAME 4
Mets at Blue Jays
Thu, Jun 18 - 7:07PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays (36-29) at Nationals (33-31)
Game: 3
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: June 17, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

For more than a month, Jordan Zimmermann was among the best pitchers in baseball for the Washington Nationals. Lately, he's been one of the worst.

The right-hander looks to avoid losing his third straight start Wednesday night against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays.

In nine starts from April 18-June 2, Zimmermann (5-4, 3.74 ERA) went 4-1 with a 2.09 ERA that was the seventh lowest in the majors. In two games since, he's allowed 10 runs and 19 hits in 8 1-3 innings.

Pitching in his home state Friday, Zimmermann yielded six runs over 3 1-3 innings of an 8-4 loss at Milwaukee.

'It's mainly location and not hitting the spots,' he said.

Manager Matt Williams expected Zimmermann to start working through those issues shortly after his second straight clunker.

'We'll have to make some adjustments and get him ready for his next one. ... Hopefully getting the ball down in the zone a little bit," Williams said.

Facing Tampa Bay (36-30) for the first time since 2009, Zimmermann looks to help the Nationals build on Tuesday's 16-4 rout to split the first half of this home-and-home set. Wilson Ramos homered twice off a pair of position players and Bryce Harper hit his 22nd for one of the 23 hits recorded by Washington, which matched its run total from the previous four contests.

'We had a lot fun as a team,' Harper said after the Nationals scored their most runs since a 17-5 win at Baltimore on May 20, 2011.

After recording three hits for the second time in his last three games, Harper is batting .346 and went 12 for 24 with three home runs and six RBIs on the Nationals' 4-4 trip.

Washington (34-31) has dropped five of six at home while the Rays have won seven of nine on the road, where they are a major league-leading 17-11.

One day after he was hit on his left wrist by a pitch, Evan Longoria had two hits as Tampa Bay's four-game winning streak came to an end.

Steven Souza Jr., 0 for 7 with six walks in the last three games, could get the chance to face Zimmermann for the first time since he made a diving catch to secure the final out of his former teammate's no-hitter Sept. 29 against Miami.

"I went to state playing football, I've won playoff games in the minor leagues, I've hit walk-off homers," Souza, who landed in Tampa as part of a three-team, 11-player deal in December, told MLB's official website.

"But nothing was more special than coming together as a team like that and doing something like that."

Recalled from Triple-A Durham to make his first appearance since May 14, Tampa Bay's Matt Andriese (1-1, 3.76) earned his first career win Friday after he gave up two unearned runs in 5 2-3 innings of a 7-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

"It's big," he said. "Good to get the monkey off my back."

The right-hander didn't make it out of the fourth inning in any of his first three starts while posting a 6.75 ERA.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Nationals at Rays
Mon, Jun 15 Final 1 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Nationals at Rays
Tue, Jun 16 - Final 16 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Rays at Nationals
Wed, Jun 17 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Rays at Nationals
Thu, Jun 18 - 7:05PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Marlins (28-37) at Yankees (34-29)
Game: 3
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: June 17, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

A month that started so promisingly for the New York Yankees is turning sour.

Following their second lopsided defeat in five games, the Yankees try to avoid a third consecutive defeat to the visiting Miami Marlins on Wednesday night.

New York (34-30) outscored opponents 43-18 during an eight-game winning streak to open June but since has endured a 42-19 disadvantage while going 1-5. The Yankees managed three runs and 10 hits while dropping the first two of this four-game home-and-home series with Miami (29-37).

'We have not pitched well. We haven't swung the bats,' manager Joe Girardi said. 'Hopefully going home will be good medicine for us.'

Ex-Marlin Nathan Eovaldi gave up all of the franchise-record eight first-inning runs scored by the Marlins in Tuesday's 12-2 loss. It was the third time in five games the Yankees allowed nine or more runs and second in that span they lost by at least eight.

'It's a lot of fun when you're able to put together something like that," said Miami manager Dan Jennings, whose team outscored Colorado and New York 30-9 on a 5-1 homestand.

Yankees starters have posted a 9.14 ERA in the last five, a stretch that began with Friday's outing by Michael Pineda (7-3, 3.74 ERA), who allowed six runs in 4 1-3 innings of an 11-3 loss at Baltimore. The right-hander gave up three runs over 12 2-3 innings to win his previous two outings.

Pineda pitched on 10 days' rest after his turn was skipped as the team remained careful with an arm that's totaled 74 2-3 innings and averaged almost 98 pitches in 12 starts. He pitched 76 1-3 innings over 13 starts in a 2014 season in which he missed more than three months with a shoulder issue.

"They're trying to take care of me and give me a little rest," Pineda told MLB's official website. "What happened (Friday), it happens to everybody. I'm trying to keep my head up and just continue working."

He'll get his first look at Giancarlo Stanton, who hit a three-run shot for his major league-leading 24th homer Tuesday. Batting .404 with nine homers and 18 RBIs in his last 14 contests, Stanton is eager to make his first appearance at Yankee Stadium.

'That'll be cool - just the tradition they have there, the whole aura, the whole New York atmosphere,' said Stanton, who is likely to serve as the designated hitter. 'I'm sure I'll be yelled and screamed at. It'll be fun.'

Jose Urena (1-2, 4.44) allowed eight runs over 10 2-3 innings to lose his first two career starts but has yielded one in each of his last two spanning 12 2-3 innings, going 1-0 while facing Colorado both times. The right-hander allowed six hits in 6 2-3 innings of Friday's 5-1 home victory.

Though star right-hander Jose Fernandez is expected to return from Tommy John surgery early next month and Jarred Cosart is nearing a return from a bout with vertigo, Urena's spot appears safe for now.

'We'll cross that bridge when we get there,' Jennings said. 'Right now Urena is in that rotation, and somebody will have to knock him out. He has earned the right to get that opportunity every fifth day."

Ichiro Suzuki, 2 for 4 in the first two games, returns to Yankee Stadium where he hit .301 while playing the previous two-plus seasons with New York.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Yankees at Marlins
Mon, Jun 15 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Yankees at Marlins
Tue, Jun 16 - Final 2 to 12
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Marlins at Yankees
Wed, Jun 17 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Marlins at Yankees
Thu, Jun 18 - 7:05PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Sox (27-38) at Braves (31-33)
Game: 3
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: June 17, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Brock Holt and Mookie Betts helped end the Boston Red Sox's longest losing streak of the season.

They're hoping the good vibes continue with a full-strength lineup Wednesday night when their series with the Atlanta Braves shifts to Turner Field.

Boston (28-38) had been outscored 47-28 while dropping seven in a row before defeating the Braves 9-4 on Tuesday at Fenway Park. Holt became the first member of the Red Sox to hit for the cycle since John Valentin in 1996 and drove in two runs, while Betts was 3 for 5. Four other players collected two hits in an 18-hit outburst.

"There's good hitters up and down our lineup," manager John Farrell said. "We felt we were capable of putting up some runs."

Holt is batting .390 with eight walks over his last 11 games and Betts is 8 for 14 in his past four after going 3 for 24 in his previous eight.

Farrell should be working with a healthier roster Wednesday. Dustin Pedroia sat out with a sore left knee while Hanley Ramirez was sidelined after aggravating his back in Monday's loss. Both are expected back in the lineup, and Pedroia's bat would be especially helpful.

The second baseman is hitting .407 with 12 runs in his last 13 games, and he's 11 for 26 (.423) with three homers in seven interleague contests this year.

The Braves (31-34) sustained a rough outing from their starter for the second time in three days. Mike Foltynewicz gave up six runs in 4 1-3 innings Sunday against the New York Mets and Julio Teheran yielded six runs in 6 1-3 innings Tuesday.

Alex Wood (4-4, 3.56 ERA) is trying to avoid losing a third straight start for the second time in his career after surrendering eight runs over 11 1-3 innings against Pittsburgh and the Mets.

He gave up two home runs in a 5-3 loss to New York on Friday to match his total from his first 11 starts. The left-hander also issued a season-high four walks.

Wood had limited opponents to exactly one earned run while winning three straight starts prior to the back-to-back losses. He's 3-1 with a 1.64 ERA in six career interleague starts, though he's allowed two runs over 3 2-3 innings of relief against Boston.

The Red Sox are batting .179 against lefties in the past six games, and David Ortiz is 3 for his last 31 off left-handers. Pedroia, however, is 10 for his last 24 in such matchups.

Joe Kelly (2-4, 5.45) gave up four runs over six innings in Boston's 13-10 loss to Toronto on Friday. He's 0-2 with a 7.61 ERA in his last five road starts.

Kelly held the Braves to two runs over 12 1-3 innings in two starts in 2013 while with St. Louis, though shortstop Andrelton Simmons was 3 for 6.

Simmons sat Tuesday with a sore right hand but will likely return Wednesday. X-rays were negative after he was hit by a pitch Monday.

Boston has won nine of 11 in Atlanta since 2006.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Braves at Red Sox
Mon, Jun 15 Final 4 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Braves at Red Sox
Tue, Jun 16 - Final 4 to 9
Boxscores

GAME 3
Red Sox at Braves
Wed, Jun 17 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Red Sox at Braves
Thu, Jun 18 - 7:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs (34-27) at Indians (29-33)
Game: 3
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: June 17, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Kyle Schwarber is the latest of the Chicago Cubs' prized prospects to get his chance in the majors.

Following a brief debut, Schwarber will be in the lineup Wednesday night as the visiting Cubs continue their home-and-home set with the Cleveland Indians.

Though there is no billboard outside Wrigley Field like the one that praised the potential of teammate Kris Bryant prior to his much-anticipated April promotion, there's certainly intrigue surrounding Schwarber's call up. After catching the top of the ninth and striking out in the bottom half of Tuesday's 6-0 loss to Cleveland (30-33), the fourth overall pick in last year's draft will serve as the designated hitter over the next five days at Cleveland and Minnesota

'I'm just gonna stick with my approach and see what happens,' said Schwarber, who hit .320 with 13 home runs and 39 RBIs in 58 games for Double-A Tennessee. 'It's the same game that you've been playing for however many years, just at a different level. I wanna try to stick with my same approach when I'm up at the plate whenever I do get that opportunity. It's gonna be fun.'

After that five-day stint with the Cubs (34-28), Schwarber is expected to be sent down to Triple-A Iowa to refine his skills.

'It's the perfect pit stop for him on the way to Triple-A,' Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said.

The 22-year-old joins Bryant and second baseman Addison Russell as another of the Cubs' highly touted prospects to debut this season.

Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor, meanwhile, will make his home debut after he went 3 for 7 with a RBI in his first two major league contests. Two of those hits and that RBI came Tuesday in his first career start.

Carlos Santana, who was replaced in the No. 2 hole by Lindor, had a three-run homer and four RBIs out of the cleanup spot as the Indians (30-33) won their fourth straight interleague contest.

Teammate Shaun Marcum (3-1, 4.09 ERA) has a 2.41 ERA while winning two of his last three starts. The best of his five overall came Thursday when he yielded two hits and struck out five without a walk through seven innings of a 6-0 win over Seattle.

"It was nice to go out there and be able to locate the ball and take what I've been doing between starts and actually have it happen,' the right-hander said.

Anthony Rizzo has not seen Marcum since 2013, but is 3 for 5 with two doubles against him. However, he's 0 for 17 in his last four contests.

Tsuyoshi Wada (0-1, 4.84) posted a 2.30 ERA in his first three starts after the Cubs called him up from Triple-A Iowa last month but is 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA in his last two. The left-hander yielded three runs over three-plus innings in Thursday's 6-3 victory over Cincinnati.

"I see him trying to be too complicated - let's simplify this whole thing, trust your good stuff," manager Joe Maddon told MLB's official website. "Trust your stuff, don't try to fool everybody, believe in what you're doing and you'll be much better."

Wada is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA in three interleague starts but 0-4 with a 4.72 ERA in seven career outings away from Wrigley.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Indians at Cubs
Mon, Jun 15 - 8:05PM EDT ( RAIN OUT )
Recaps

GAME 2
Indians at Cubs
Tue, Jun 16 - Final 0 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Cubs at Indians
Wed, Jun 17 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Cubs at Indians
Thu, Jun 18 - 7:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers (34-30) at Reds (28-35)
Game: 3
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: June 17, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

David Price has been pitching awfully well since the beginning of May, and his last two starts have been so good that he's in position for a rare achievement.

Price looks to become the first member of the Detroit Tigers to toss three straight complete games in 25 years Wednesday night against the Reds as this series shifts to Cincinnati.

Price (6-2, 2.44 ERA) is among the AL leaders in innings pitched (92 1-3) and has the league's second-lowest ERA (1.91) since May 1, while his three complete games are tied with Toronto's Mark Buehrle for the most in the majors.

It's also one shy of the left-hander's career high set with Tampa Bay in 2013. Matching that mark Wednesday would make him the first Tiger to go the distance in three straight since Jack Morris in 1990, and the first in the majors since Cliff Lee did it with Philadelphia four years ago.

Price has a 0.83 ERA over his last four starts, allowing one run with 19 strikeouts while getting all 27 outs in each of the last two.

"His focus is always good," manager Brad Ausmus told MLB's official website, "but the last two outings, it's almost like he's turned it up a notch."

The 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner needed only 93 pitches Friday in a 4-0 win over Cleveland, with his changeup doing much of the work in keeping the Indians off balance.

"That thing, not only was it fading away, but it dropped off the table," catcher James McCann said. "I mean, when he's on, I wouldn't want to stand in the box against him."

Price came within two outs of a complete game in his only start at Cincinnati on April 11, 2014, yielding one run and four hits with 10 strikeouts in a 2-1 win with the Rays.

He held Todd Frazier without a hit in three at_bats in that meeting, but the All-Star third baseman enters this matchup hitting .537 (22 of 41) with 10 RBIs and 13 runs in his last 10 home games.

He's batting .413 in the last 11 contests overall after hitting a pair of solo homers in Tuesday's 5-2 win at Detroit.

"I just squared them up," Frazier said. "Not to be cocky about it, but I know I can hit a ball out of any park."

The Reds (29-35) are turning to Johnny Cueto (4-4, 2.85), who's been baseball's best pitcher at home and is among the majors' leaders overall with a 0.95 WHIP. The right-hander is 2-1 with a 1.25 ERA in five starts at Great American Ball Park - the best home ERA of any pitcher with five starts - after striking out nine and allowing four hits in seven innings of a 4-0 win over San Diego on June 7.

Five days later, Cueto gave up four runs while fanning nine in seven innings of a 5-4 win in 10 at Wrigley Field.

"He battled his tail off, as always," manager Bryan Price said. "He doesn't shy away from pitching in close games at all."

While this is Cueto's first meeting with Detroit (34-31), he's 4-1 with a 1.20 ERA in his last six home interleague games.

He'll face Miguel Cabrera for the first time, and the two-time MVP is 10 for 17 with two homers and nine RBIs in his past five games.

Cabrera is a .345 hitter in 14 games in Cincinnati, but this is his first visit in three years.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Reds at Tigers
Mon, Jun 15 Final 0 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Reds at Tigers
Tue, Jun 16 - Final 5 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Tigers at Reds
Wed, Jun 17 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Tigers at Reds
Thu, Jun 18 - 7:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates (36-27) at White Sox (28-34)
Game: 3
Venue: PNC Park
Date: June 17, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

The Pittsburgh Pirates' recent run of pitching performances is not simply jaw-dropping. It's historic.

Coming off yet another shutout, the Pirates now turn to Jeff Locke when their matchup with the Chicago White Sox moves to U.S. Cellular Field on Wednesday night.

Pittsburgh (37-27) won 3-0 on Tuesday to push its streak to six, five of which have come without allowing a run. The Pirates had not earned five shutouts in a span of six games since 1903.

'I haven't seen anything like this in all my years managing, a run like this of starting pitching,' manager Clint Hurdle said. '... Nobody is going to get cut if they don't throw a shutout. They're just going out there trying to keep this thing moving.'

Their current shutout streak sits at 30 innings, which matches the franchise's fifth-best mark since 1912. The team record is 46 innings, set in 1931.

Charlie Morton delivered the latest excellent outing for Pittsburgh's starting staff, allowing only four hits in seven innings. Over the winning streak, Gerrit Cole is the only Pirates starter to have allowed a run, and he leads the NL with a 1.71 ERA.

Locke (3-3, 4.90 ERA) has been the least reliable of the rotation, winning only one of his last 10 starts, although he too impressed with six shutout innings in the Pirates' 1-0, 13-inning win over Philadelphia on Friday.

Locke struck out only two batters - his fewest in six starts - but Hurdle had nothing but praise for the left-hander.

"What he showed me was a guy that went out there and was able to pitch without his 'A' game and still find a way to compete and keep a major league team off the plate," Hurdle told MLB's official website.

He will face a White Sox team that has lost five straight and managed only six hits - all singles - over two losses in Pittsburgh. Avisail Garcia is 0 for 15 in his last four games and Jose Abreu is 1 for his last 12, pacing an offense that ranks as one of MLB's worst with 3.51 runs per game.

'We've got to be able to swing the bats better,' manager Robin Ventura said. 'You tip your hat somewhat but some of it's just a funk we're in that we have to be able to find a way out of it.'

The series now continues in Chicago with John Danks (3-6, 5.16 ERA) on the mound for the White Sox (28-35). Danks had his best start of the season May 31 while going the distance in a 6-0 win over Houston, but that momentum quickly faded with an 8.10 ERA over his next two outings.

The left-hander allowed eight hits and five runs over 5 1-3 innings against Tampa Bay on Friday, losing 7-5. Danks currently owns his worst ERA since 2012 and his worst WHIP (1.53) since his rookie season in 2007.

"I felt good with what I had going, throwing strikes with multiple pitches, was down in the zone," Danks said. "It's just one of those nights where it couldn't bounce my way."

Chicago has won its last three at U.S. Cellular Field and seven of the last eight at home against the Pirates.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
White Sox at Pirates
Mon, Jun 15 Final 0 to 11
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
White Sox at Pirates
Tue, Jun 16 - Final 0 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Pirates at White Sox
Wed, Jun 17 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Pirates at White Sox
Thu, Jun 18 - 8:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals (42-21) at Twins (34-29)
Game: 3
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: June 17, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

While the organization will have to endure an off-the-field controversy, the St. Louis Cardinals continue to excel in between the lines.

They'll look for a sixth consecutive win and third in a row against the Minnesota Twins when the teams head to Target Field on Wednesday night.

The Cardinals are part of a federal investigation looking into whether some of their employees hacked into the Houston Astros' computer system. The Astros' network, called Ground Control, reportedly included databases, contract information, scouting evaluations and discussions of trades.

"The St. Louis Cardinals are aware of the investigation into the security breach of the Houston Astros' database. The team has fully cooperated with the investigation and will continue to do so. Given that this is an ongoing federal investigation, it is not appropriate for us to comment further," the team said in a statement.

A couple of hours after news of the investigation broke, the Cardinals (43-21) beat the Twins 3-2 in Tuesday's finale of a two-game series at Busch Stadium.

"We have opportunities for distraction every day," manager Mike Matheny said. "It's part of what we do, it's a big part of what we do. We divide them into the controllables and the uncontrollables and this is one of the uncontrollables. We don't have any clue what's going on."

The Cardinals have relied on their pitching during the win streak, posting a 1.60 ERA with their starters putting up a 2.14 mark. St. Louis yielded seven hits and two walks Tuesday, holding on for its third consecutive one-run win after Mark Reynolds' two-run single in the third inning.

Carlos Martinez (7-2, 2.93 ERA) will try to keep that going while earning his fourth victory in as many starts and fifth consecutive winning decision. The right-hander gave up two runs in 6 1-3 innings of last Wednesday's 4-2 win at Colorado.

Martinez, who has a 0.80 ERA in his last five starts, is making his second against an AL team. He lost 10-4 to Detroit on May 15 despite giving up two runs in five innings.

He'll face a Twins team that's been held to two runs or fewer eight times in 10 games. Minnesota (34-30) is batting .216 and has totaled 24 runs in that 2-8 stretch.

"It's a tough loss because we had our chances," manager Paul Molitor said Tuesday. "We couldn't get the big hit when we needed it."

Tommy Milone (2-1, 4.15) got two runs of support in seven innings Friday in his second start since being recalled from the minors and did not get a decision in a 6-2 loss at Texas. The left-hander gave up two runs and three hits while striking out eight.

Milone won 7-5 in his only start against the Cardinals on June 30, 2013, while with Oakland despite allowing five runs in six innings.

Twins prospect Byron Buxton will make his home debut after going 2 for 10 in his first three major league games.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Twins at Cardinals
Mon, Jun 15 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Twins at Cardinals
Tue, Jun 16 - 2 to 3
Boxscores

GAME 3
Cardinals at Twins
Wed, Jun 17 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Cardinals at Twins
Thu, Jun 18 - 1:10PM EDT

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Astros (37-28) at Rockies (28-35)
Game: 3
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: June 17, 2015 8:40 PM EDT

After finding a groove in their return home, the Houston Astros' lineup will try to stay in it when the team travels to a park that's usually proved kind to hitters.

The Astros head to Coors Field to play two more games against the Colorado Rockies beginning Wednesday night.

Houston (38-28) batted .201 and scored 16 runs in a seven-game losing streak that included six contests away from home. The Astros rebounded to hit .298 and plate 38 runs while winning four of the next five games at Minute Maid Park, including 8-5 over Colorado (28-36) on Tuesday.

Luis Valbuena drove in four runs and hit a pair of homers, giving him four on the homestand. Jose Altuve had an RBI single after sitting out three games due to an ailing right hamstring.

"We're playing really good," Altuve told MLB's official website. "We're swinging the bat, placing the ball good, playing good defense. This is a team win."

Houston now plays in Denver, where the Rockies again have the worst home ERA in the majors at 5.30. Colorado's 4.91 mark at Coors since the beginning of the 2010 season is 57 points higher than the next worst home team, Minnesota.

The Rockies also had MLB's worst home ERA in 2012 (5.97) and 2014 (5.05).

The Astros will get to face a pitcher with one of the highest ERAs among qualifying players in Kyle Kendrick (2-8, 5.87). The right-hander, though, has given up four runs in 13 2-3 innings in his last two starts and allowed two runs in 6 2-3 innings in a 5-1 defeat at Miami on Friday.

"He pitched through a couple jams, and to get us into the seventh there ... that was a great job by Kyle," manager Walt Weiss said.

Kendrick gave up one run in seven innings in his most recent start against Houston on Aug. 5, a 2-1 victory in 15 for Philadelphia. He was 0-3 with a 5.87 ERA in his previous four starts versus the Astros.

Kendrick won't have to face Colby Rasmus in this game. The Houston outfielder, 6 for 13 with a homer and five doubles in their matchups, is on the bereavement list and manager A.J. Hinch said he won't play in this series.

Brett Oberholtzer (1-1, 2.25) will face the Rockies for the first time as he tries to build on his first win in four starts this season, 10-0 over Seattle on Friday. The left-hander yielded three hits and two walks in eight innings.

"I don't know about best I've felt, but I felt good," Oberholtzer told MLB's official website. "Offense was huge for us and that allowed me to just throw strikes and let my defense play behind me."

Oberholtzer has never faced any current Colorado hitter.

The Astros have won four in a row over the Rockies. They ended a seven-game skid at Coors Field with a two-game sweep in May 2013.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rockies at Astros
Mon, Jun 15 Final 3 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rockies at Astros
Tue, Jun 16 - Final 5 to 8
Boxscores

GAME 3
Astros at Rockies
Wed, Jun 17 - 8:40PM EDT

GAME 4
Astros at Rockies
Thu, Jun 18 - 3:10PM EDT