Wednesday 6/8/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Wednesday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Charles Town (6th) Nick the Trick, 3-1
(7th) Scarlet Emerald, 3-1


Delaware Park (2nd) Thirsty Thursday, 3-1
(6th) Jockey Jills Dream, 6-1


Evangeline Downs (2nd) Gentleman George, 5-1
(8th) Persuade Me Lady, 5-1


Finger Lakes (3rd) Ex Ex Ex, 4-1
(6th) Making History, 7-2


Gulfstream Park (5th) Jingle Bells, 5-1
(8th) Pomme d'Or, 7-2


Indiana Grand (3rd) Meetmeforasmoke, 3-1
(6th) Hoochie Poochie, 6-1


Louisiana Downs (4th) Airborne Austin, 3-1
(6th) Run Lanie Run, 8-1


Mountaineer (1st) Mypennyfromheaven, 9-2
(8th) Red Ale, 4-1


Penn National (1st) Demographic Trend, 5-1
(2nd) Brilliant Warrior, 4-1


Presque Isle Downs (1st) Yessum Boss, 6-1
(4th) Howling Wolf, 7-2


Thistledown (3rd) Venture Road, 9-2
(7th) Wilsperfectsuccess, 9-2


Woodbine (6th) Marilyns Last Love, 8-1
(7th) Allowed, 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: Five walk-off winners
By The Sports Xchange

MINNEAPOLIS -- Brian Dozier's walk-off homer in the 11th inning lifted the Minnesota Twins to a 6-4 win over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, snapping a three-game losing streak.
Dozier hit one deep to left off Miami right-hander Dustin McGowan (0-2) with two outs in the 11th to complete the Twins rally.
Minnesota (17-40) got a pair of homers from leadoff hitter Eduardo Nunez and another from Robbie Grossman. Left-handed starter Pat Dean allowed seven hits in 4 1/3 innings for the Twins, who are now 3-5 in interleague play. Lefty Buddy Boshers (1-0) pitched the 11th for the Twins to get the win.
The Marlins (30-28) lost for the third time in four games, despite the efforts of starter Adam Conley who struck out eight Twins and threw 100 pitches in 6 2/3 innings of work. It was the fourth time in his last six starts that Conley has pitched into the sixth inning or deeper.

Tigers 3, Blue Jays 2 (10 innings)
DETROIT -- Ian Kinsler's bases-loaded single in the 10th inning completed a late rally as Detroit won its fifth straight by stunning Toronto at Comerica Park.
Justin Upton led off the bottom of the 10th with a single up the middle against Joe Biagini (3-2). Jarrod Saltalamacchia walked on a 3-2 pitch. Upton beat the throw to third base on Jose Iglesias' sacrifice bunt, loading the bases.
Kinsler followed with a bouncer over the head of third baseman Josh Donaldson.

Padres 4, Braves 3
SAN DIEGO -- Wil Myers singled home Alexei Ramirez with one out in the ninth to cap a two-run rally and give San Diego a walk-off win over Atlanta at Petco Park.
The loss was the sixth straight for the Braves. The Padres have won five of seven games on their homestand.
The Padres tied the score at 3-3 when catcher Derek Norris greeted Braves right-handed closer Arodys Vizcaino with a home run leading off the bottom of the ninth.

Reds 7, Cardinals 6
CINCINNATI -- Joey Votto's solo home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted Cincinnati to a wild victory over St. Louis at Great American Ball Park.
Adam Duvall hit a three-run home run and Billy Hamilton added a rare solo shot for the Reds, who won for the seventh time in 10 games since snapping an 11-game losing streak.
Votto's homer was his 11th of the season. It came on a 2-0 pitch from Kevin Siegrist, giving him five walk-off homers in his career.

Dodgers 4, Rockies 3
LOS ANGELES -- Trayce Thompson hit his second walkoff home run this season to give Los Angeles a win over Colorado at Dodger Stadium.
With two outs, Thompson teed off on Carlos Estevez's 97-mph fastball and drove it into the left-field stands for the walkoff win. Thompson has both of the Dodgers' walkoff homers this season.
Kenley Jansen (2-10) earned the win with one inning of scoreless relief. Estevez (1-3) took the loss.

Orioles 9, Royals 1
BALTIMORE -- Mark Trumbo, Chris Davis, Adam Jones and Ryan Flaherty all homered as Baltimore handed Kansas City its sixth straight loss in a game that featured a huge fifth-inning brawl.
Trumbo finished the night 2-for-4 with four RBIs and now has 20 homers this season. He also had a two-run double during the four-run first inning as the Orioles took a lead they never lost en route to their third straight victory and sixth in seven games.
Davis, Jones and Flaherty all added solo homers. Trumbo and Davis hit back-to-back blasts after the melee in the fifth where Orioles shortstop Manny Machado raced to the mound after Royals starter Yordano Ventura hit him with a pitch on the left hip/lower back.

Brewers 5, Athletics 4
MILWAUKEE -- Chris Carter hit two home runs and Zach Davies took a no-hitter into the seventh inning as Milwaukee beat Oakland at Miller Park.
Coming off the best start of his career, when he spun eight shutout innings against the Cardinals with a personal-best nine strikeouts, Davies (4-4) picked up right where he left off against Oakland, facing just one over the minimum through his first five innings.
The only A's player to reach was Yonder Alonso, who drew a two-out walk in the second.

Pirates 3, Mets 1 (Game 2)
PITTSBURGH -- Juan Nicasio limited the struggling Mets to one run over five innings, backup catcher Chris Stewart had two key hits and Pittsburgh completed a doubleheader sweep of New York.
The Pirates had lost five of six before taking the opener, also 3-1, as left-hander Jonathon Niese gave up four hits over seven shutout innings in his first start against the team that traded him last winter. Jordy Mercer hit his first homer in PNC Park in 22 months.
Mets left-hander Steven Matz (7-2) had lost only once previously in the majors before dropping the first game, while Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom (3-2) had lost only once this season before giving up three runs over six innings in the second.

Pirates 3, Mets 1 (Game 1)
PITTSBURGH -- Former New York Mets left-hander Jonathon Niese limited his former team to four hits in seven shutout innings, Jordy Mercer hit his first homer in his home park in 22 months and Pittsburgh beat New York in the first game of a doubleheader.
Niese (6-2), traded by the Mets to Pittsburgh six months ago for second baseman Neil Walker, was in control from the start -- allowing multiple base runners in an inning only once.
Niese struck out two, walked two and got 14 outs on ground balls in outdueling Mets left-hander Steven Matz (7-2), who lost for only the second time in 15 career starts.

Phillies 3, Cubs 2
PHILADELPHIA -- Jerad Eickhoff snapped a personal two-game losing streak and reliever Jeanmar Gomez escaped jams in the final two innings as Philadelphia beat Chicago.
Ryan Howard homered for Philadelphia, which won for just the third time in 12 games.
Eickhoff (3-8) went seven innings, allowing one run and two hits while striking out eight and walking two. He retired 10 straight hitters between the first and fourth -- six via strikeout.

Yankees 6, Angels 3
NEW YORK -- Carlos Beltran hit a two-run home run, Michael Pineda pitched a season-high seven innings, and New York defeated Los Angeles at Yankee Stadium.
Beltran homered for the second night in a row, and Starlin Castro also went deep for the Yankees, who have 22 homers in their past 11 home games. Austin Romine and Alex Rodriguez added RBI singles, and Rob Refsnyder contributed a sacrifice fly as New York beat the Angels for the seventh consecutive time at home.
Pineda (3-6) took a shutout into the fifth inning. He wound up allowing three runs and four hits while finishing seven innings for the first time since July 4 against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Rangers 4, Astros 3
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Ian Desmond hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning off Dallas Keuchel to send Texas to a victory over Houston.
With the victory, Texas is 8-0 against Houston this year and has won 12 consecutive games over the Astros at Globe Life Park in Arlington.
Desmond went 2-for-4 and Jurickson Profar extended his hitting streak to 11 games, matching the club's season high. Profar, making his professional debut at first base, also was 2-for-4, including a base hit in the eighth preceding Desmond's home run.

Nationals 10, White Sox 5
CHICAGO -- Anthony Rendon went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run and three RBIs, and Washington rolled to a win over Chicago.
Bryce Harper had a double and three RBIs for the Nationals, who compiled 12 hits and six walks. Washington won its second straight game and improved to 8-2 in interleague play.
Jose Abreu and Todd Frazier drove in two runs apiece to lead the White Sox. Chicago (29-29) dropped its fourth consecutive game and fell for the 19th time in 25 contests.

Diamondbacks 5, Rays 0
PHOENIX -- Jake Lamb and Paul Goldschmidt homered and right-hander Zack Greinke threw his fifth career shutout to help Arizona to a shutout victory over Tampa Bay at Chase Field.
Lamb's three-run homer in the fourth inning off left-hander Matt Moore (2-4) broke a scoreless tie, and Goldschmidt's two-run homer in the sixth inning gave Greinke plenty of cushion.
Greinke (8-3) gave up three hits, all singles, and struck out two in winning his fifth straight start. He walked two and did not allow a runner past first base while extending his scoreless innings streak to 16.

Red Sox 5, Giants 3
SAN FRANCISCO -- Xander Bogaerts blooped a two-run single to center field with one out in the 10th inning, delivering Boston a victory over San Francisco in the opener of a two-game interleague series.
The win was Boston's eighth in its last 10 matchups with the Giants and improved its all-time interleague record to 203-148, the second-best in baseball.
Backup catcher Sandy Leon led of the 10th with a double off the fifth Giants pitcher, right-hander Santiago Casilla (1-1).

Mariners 7, Indians 1
SEATTLE -- Wade Miley shaved off most of his grizzly beard before throwing seven shutout innings to lead Seattle to a victory over Cleveland.
Nelson Cruz hit two home runs as the Mariners snapped a four-game slide and ended Cleveland's season-long winning streak at six games.
Miley (6-2) bounced back from a rough outing his last time out to silence the Indians' bats for seven innings, allowing just four hits while striking out three.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cubs (40-17) at Phillies (29-30)

Game: 3
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: June 08, 2016 1:05 PM EDT

PHILADELPHIA -- Two pitchers trending in opposite directions square off Wednesday afternoon when the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies conclude a three-game series.

Cubs right-hander John Lackey has warmed up with the weather, but Phillies righty Vince Velasquez is seeking to regain his early season form.

The 37-year-old Lackey (6-2, 2.88 ERA) pitched to a 4.97 ERA in April but is 3-1 with a 1.83 ERA since May 1. The 14-year veteran has won his last two starts, and his last time out he combined with three relievers to shut out Arizona.

Velasquez, who turned 24 on Tuesday, began the season by pitching 15 consecutive scoreless innings, including a complete-game three-hitter against San Diego in which he struck out 16.

Through five starts, Velasquez (5-2, 3.67) was 4-1 with a 1.44 ERA, but is 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA since. That includes a loss to the Cubs in Wrigley Field on May 29 in which the second-year man allowed seven runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. He has not pitched more than five innings in his last four starts.

It's not surprising that Chicago manager Joe Maddon has called Lackey the "linchpin" of the Cubs' rotation, according to Major League Baseball's official web site.

Phillies manager Pete Mackanin, meanwhile, doesn't know what to make of Velasquez, who was acquired from Houston in an offseason trade.

"When he pitched that game against San Diego, I think he kind of thought he had it figured out," Mackanin said before Velasquez took a no-decision Friday against Milwaukee. "Why wouldn't you feel that way? Then he got hit around a little bit. All of a sudden the wheels start spinning."

Instead of attacking hitters, Velasquez started nibbling.

"I think that pitchers have a tendency when they get hit, all of a sudden they're pitching away from contact," Mackanin said. "That's what I think he's been going through."

Velasquez needed 94 pitches (57 strikes) to slog through 4 1/3 innings against the Brewers, allowing two runs and four hits while striking out six and walking three. He stalked off the mound when Mackanin removed him.

"I didn't like the way he gave me the ball," Mackanin said after the game. "We talked afterwards and we're cool. I didn't want to take him out with a lead in the fifth nor did he want to come out, but sometimes it happens."

Velasquez admitted he was frustrated.

"Who wants to be taken out of the game?" he said. "But I have to hand the ball over."

That same day Lackey worked 6 2/3 shutout innings against Arizona, allowing five hits while striking out nine and walking two. He told reporters he was seeking to make amends for a poor outing against the Diamondbacks earlier in the season.

More than that, though, he was continuing a trend. In his previous start he went seven innings to beat the Phillies, allowing one run on four hits.

Small wonder that Maddon regards him as a linchpin.

"I'm good with that, yeah," Lackey said, according to MLB.com. "I take a lot of pride in being somebody you can count on, somebody who takes the ball and somebody who goes deep into games and somebody who you know what you're going to get."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jays (31-29) at Tigers (30-28)

Game: 3
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: June 08, 2016 1:10 PM EDT

DETROIT -- Jose Bautista might be the majors' unusual leadoff hitter. The Toronto Blue Jays plan to keep him there a little while longer.

The Blue Jays have an 11-6 record since manager John Gibbons elevated the 35-year-old slugger to the top spot in the order. Bautista, who is two home runs shy of 300 for his career, has hit five home runs and walked 10 times while hitting safely in 12 of those 17 games.

Bautista will likely be the first batter when the Blue Jays wrap up a three-game series at Detroit on Wednesday. Toronto dropped the first two, including a 3-2, 10-inning loss on Tuesday.

"We've been winning, that's the bottom line," Gibbons said. "I still don't view him as a leadoff guy and eventually he may not be there. The benefit is he might get that extra at-bat. The top three guys might get an extra at-bat that they otherwise might not get."

Bautista has some qualities that add to his leadoff appeal. He has walked an American League-high 45 times and ranks among the top 10 in pitches per plate appearance. He has a .359 on-base percentage despite batting .223.

"He's got a great eye," Gibbons said. "He's going to take his walks and get on base. Hopefully, he sets it up for the next few. It still looks odd hitting him leadoff."

The Blue Jays might eventually move second baseman Devon Travis to leadoff but Travis is batting just .174.

"We've been debating since last winter who was going to be our leadoff guy," Gibbons said. "That was kind of a constant topic. Personally, I didn't think (Bautista) would be too excited about it, to be honest with you, but he was."

Bautista has only faced the Tigers' scheduled starter, Jordan Zimmermann, four times with one hit. Zimmermann is tied for second place in the American League with eight victories, including his last start on Friday, when he held the Chicago White Sox to two runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Zimmermann missed his previous outing with a mild groin strain.

"I should be fine," Zimmermann said. "I haven't had any issues this week. I should be able to go 110 or 115 (pitches) or whatever they need. No limitations and everything feels good."

The Tigers have held opponents during their season-high-tying five-game winning streak to a total of 11 runs. Their starting staff has stabilized through the efforts of Zimmermann, longtime ace Justin Verlander and rookie sensation Michael Fulmer.

"We've been pitching well lately," said Zimmermann, who will be opposed by veteran knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. "Fulmer's been lights out and Ver has been pitching great for a bunch of starts in a row. I feel like we're starting to click and come together."

Dickey has the most losses (six) and second-worst ERA (4.21) among Toronto's starting five but he's coming off a win over Boston on Friday. He held the Red Sox without an earned run in 6 2/3 innings despite issuing five walks.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays (26-31) at Diamondbacks (26-35)

Game: 3
Venue: Chase Field
Date: June 08, 2016 3:40 PM EDT

PHOENIX -- Zack Greinke gave up three hits Tuesday.

Paul Goldschmidt got three.

It was the scenario the Diamondbacks envisioned when they signed Greinke to a six-year, $206.5 million free-agent deal in the offseason, and it played out perfectly in a 5-0 victory over Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Greinke threw his first shutout since July 13, 2013 and Goldschmidt was a triple short of the cycle when the D-backs evened the series at one game apiece while breaking the Rays' four-game winning streak.

Arizona (26-35) will attempt to win its third home series in the last four Wednesday afternoon, when right-hander Archie Bradley faces Jake Odorizzi. The Rays (26-31) will attempt to finish their 10-game road trip at .500 after losing three in Kansas City but taking three of four in Minnesota.

Greinke (8-3) gave up three singles and two walks and did not permit a runner as far as second base while striking out two. He needed only 104 pitches while winning his fourth game in a row and dropping his ERA to a season-low 3.84. He has thrown 16 consecutive scoreless innings.

Greinke recorded his 150th career victory, joining Bartolo Colon, CC Sabathia, John Lackey and Justin Verlander as the only active pitchers to reach that milestone. Five of Greinke's last six wins have come after Arizona losses.

Bradley has won two of his last three starts, and has made two quality starts since joining the starting rotation for good on May 29, after right-handers Shelby Miller and Rubby De La Rosa were placed on the disabled list.

Bradley has given up eight hits and four runs while striking out 19 in his last two outings, a 6-3 victory over San Diego on May 29 and a 2-1 loss at the Cubs last Friday.

Odorizzi threw a career-high 120 pitches in his most recent start Friday, going six innings in a no-decision, and manager Kevin Cash said the Rays will monitor him accordingly. Starter Matt Andriese, whose next turn falls on an off day Thursday, will be in the bullpen Wednesday in case he is needed.

"He (Odorizzi) has had a pretty good workload his last two, three starts, so we'll definitely take that into the decision as to how the game is being managed," Cash said.

Goldschmidt has raised his batting average to .272, the highest it has been since the first week of the season, with a recent hot streak that included his three-hit game Tuesday, when he was a triple short of the cycle. He has reached base in 13 straight games, hitting .386 with five doubles, three homers and 11 RBIs in that stretch.

"Just trying to have some good at-bats and hit the ball," Goldschmidt "Just trying to be consistent, make some consistent hard contact, hard line drives. If you do that, things will take care of themselves."

Goldschmidt leads the majors in walks and is third in on-base percentage.

Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria, who has a 10-game hitting streak and has five homers in his last five games, is expected to be back in the lineup after sitting out Tuesday. That broke a streak of 159 straight starts.

"I hate taking days off," Longoria said. "It is even hard for me to come to terms with them when I know I need them.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mets (31-26) at Pirates (32-26)

Game: 3
Venue: PNC Park
Date: June 08, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

PITTSBURGH -- The legendary Satchel Paige once uttered the famous line, "Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you."

That might be good advice for the veterans in the Pittsburgh Pirates' rotation.

What might be gaining on the Pirates' starters are top three pitching prospects, Jameson Taillon, Tyler Glasnow and Chad Kuhl, all of whom aren't just winning at Triple-A Indianapolis but are dominating.

And Taillon, after much anticipation, is coming up to make his major league debut Wednesday night against the New York Mets -- six years and one day after being the No. 2 overall pick in the June 2010 draft. He was selected right between Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado.

"We believe he's worked out," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "The opportunity is his."

With the Pirates already flirting with a double-digit deficit in the NL Central, and looking more realistically at a wild card -- sounds familiar, huh? -- the other two top-tier prospects might not be that far away from moving into Pittsburgh's rotation.

Especially with right-hander Juan Nicasio (5-4) and left-hander Francisco Liriano (4-5) struggling of late in the rotation. Liriano didn't make it out of the of the fourth inning during a 9-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, giving up six earned runs in 3 1/3 innings. He is 3-4 in his past seven starts.

Trying to get the lefty straightened out, Hurdle will move back Liriano's next start -- scheduled for Wednesday -- to Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Nicasio made his best start in more than a month Tuesday night, limiting the Mets to one run over five innings in a 3-1 Pirates victory in the nightcap of a doubleheader that Pittsburgh swept. That effort followed four starts in which he allowed at least three earned runs in each.

Taillon is an intriguing prospect -- some major league scouts are high on him, others are less excited -- whose path to the majors was delayed by Tommy John surgery in April 2014 and hernia surgery in July 2015.

"As a young 18-year-old (being drafted), I didn't think this is probably the path I saw myself taking, when you're young and naive," Taillon said of his rather slow ascent to the majors. "But it's my journey and my path, and it's kind of what I've had dealt for me. It's made it sweeter (to get to the majors).

This season, Taillon was 4-2 with a 2.04 ERA for Triple-A Indianapolis, with 61 strikeouts and six walks in 61 1/3 innings. He was in Columbus, Ohio, with his team, watching Netflix, when Indianapolis manager Dean Treanor informed him he was going to Pittsburgh.

"I kind of blacked out from adrenaline," Taillon said.

While Hurdle isn't committing to more than one start for Taillon, the right-hander is visibly excited about being called up. He posted a Twitter message relating how, as a youngster, he practiced signing his autograph in anticipation of being a big-leaguer.

Taillon will oppose one of the majors' top starters, Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard (6-2, 1.91 ERA), who gave up two runs and six hits over seven innings in his last start -- a 6-1 win over the Miami Marlins on Friday. Syndergaard has struck out eight or more in seven of his 11 starts, and his ERA trails only those of the Los Angeles Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw (1.46) and the Chicago Cubs' Jake Arrieta (1.80) among qualified major league starters.

Syndergaard has opposed the Pirates only once, giving up four runs -- one earned -- and six hits over six innings on May 22, 2015, at PNC Park. He is 4-1 with a 1.85 ERA in five road starts this season.

The Mets are scrounging for runs, getting only one each in their last three games -- losses by 1-0 to the Marlins and 3-1 and 3-1 to the Pirates.

"There's no instant fix or (way to) scramble the lineup," New York manager Terry Collins said. "It's a total package ... but we've got some guys struggling."

Mets second baseman Neil Walker went 1-for-4 in both games of a doubleheader Tuesday in Pittsburgh, his hometown and the city where played for six seasons before being traded to New York in December.

"It's a case where we just have to keep grinding and throwing up good at-bats," Walker said. "If we do that, things will eventually change because there is too much talent in this lineup for us not to produce."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels (26-32) at Yankees (28-30)

Game: 3
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: June 08, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

NEW YORK -- For a majority of the season, the New York Yankees have struggled to produce offense.

Carlos Beltran has been the exception on a team with a .239 batting average.

Beltran has helped the Yankees get the first two games of their four-game series with the Los Angeles Angels by hitting home runs and the veteran switch-hitter will look to maintain his hot bat Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium.

In the first two games, Beltran has homered from the right side of the plate, which statistically is his weaker side.

He is hitting .263 (19-for-72) as a right-handed hitter but on Monday, he hit a tiebreaking three-run home run off left-hander Jose Alvarez with two outs in the eighth inning and Tuesday Beltran hit a two-run shot with one out in the first off left-hander David Huff.

Beltran is batting .272, leads the Yankees with 15 home runs and has reached two milestones this season. On May 15 against the Chicago White Sox, he became the fourth switch hitter to reach 400 career home runs and Tuesday his home run was also his 1,000th career extra-base hit.

"I'm happy to be able to accomplish something like that," Beltran said. "I know that it's something that not many players have done it and I guess the triples early in my career helped me to get there."

Beltran is batting .328 (22-for-67) with seven home runs and 19 RBIs in his last 19 games.

"He's leading the team right now," New York catcher Austin Romine said.

He will be facing a right-hander in Jered Weaver on Wednesday. Beltran has 10 home runs off right-handed pitching this season and his only two hits in six at-bats against Weaver are home runs.

The veteran outfielder's swings have helped the Yankees win two in a row following a stretch of eight losses in 12 games.

"Pretty bad shape," manager Joe Girardi said Monday night. "We'd be a lot of games down of .500, but another big hit from (Beltran)."

The Yankees also won Tuesday because Michael Pineda pitched well in a season-high seven innings and they will be hoping Nathan Eovaldi can do the same Wednesday.

Eovaldi is 6-0 with a 3.35 ERA in his last eight starts but also comes off one of his most disappointing losses of the season. On Friday in Baltimore, Eovaldi was unable to protect a 5-2 lead and allowed five runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 6-5 loss.

The Angels have dropped their last seven visits to New York and hope Weaver can end their skid. Weaver has lost four of his last six decisions but comes off a solid outing in Pittsburgh on Friday.

During a 9-2 win, Weaver allowed two runs and six hits over six innings. The win came after he had been tagged for 17 earned runs in his previous four outings.

"A couple of bad pitches, but I felt OK for the most part," Weaver said. "You can be more aggressive (with a lead) and (you) don't have to be as fine with pitches."

Weaver is 7-5 with a 5.83 ERA in 15 regular-season starts against the Yankees, but like the Angels, he has struggled in Yankee Stadium. In five career appearances at the current stadium, Weaver is 1-3 with an 8.71 ERA.

So far, things have not gone well for the offense in New York. The Angels have been held to six hits or less in 10 of their last 12 meetings with the Yankees while Mike Trout and Albert Pujols are a combined 2 for 13 in the series.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Royals (30-28) at Orioles (34-23)

Game: 3
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: June 08, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

BALTIMORE -- There were some fireworks when the Baltimore Orioles laid a 9-1 spanking on the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday, which had nothing to do with the lopsided score.

A brawl started when Royals starter Yordano Ventura hit Orioles third baseman Manny Machado with a 99-mph fastball.

Machado jawed at Ventura in his previous at-bat, and the right-hander nailed him around the left hip/lower back with the first pitch when the shortstop came up in the fifth. Machado then threw off his helmet, raced to the mound and fired a hard right that appeared to hit Ventura's face.

"You know, Ventura, in Manny's (earlier) at-bat, was pitching him in," Kansas City manager Ned Yost said. "Obviously, he didn't like it. I don't know who's at fault there."

As a result, Wednesday's game figures to have some extra tension.

"Bring it on," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "Bring it on. We'll handle it. You try not to let one person's actions speak for a lot of people but it's been going on for a while with him."

On top of the extracurriculars, the Royals will try to snap their season-high six-game losing streak while the Orioles attempt to a complete a three-game sweep of the defending world champs when the two teams meet on Wednesday night.

The Royals won six in a row and had moved into first place in the American League Central after stumbling earlier in May and slipping below .500.

Kansas City lost five in a row earlier this season and has been inconsistent at times. Yost said he's got a veteran team that's dealt with these situations before.

"It helps a lot to be able to know that you're going to get through it," Yost said. "You've just got to continue to come out ready to play every single day. It helps when you've been through it a number of times, and then have come through it and you've been successful because of it."

The Orioles, meanwhile, have won six of their last seven and three in a row after Boston took the first two games of their four-game series last week.

The Orioles are trying to close their 10-game homestand with a bang. Baltimore bounced back to score 25 runs and win the last two games of the four-game series with Boston.

After that, the Orioles took two of three from the Yankees and the first two games of this series. They'll send top starter Chris Tillman (7-1, 3.33 ERA) to the hill against Kansas City's Edinson Volquez (5-5, 4.03).

Tillman has won six straight decisions but struggled a bit in his last two starts, giving up six homers overall. He'd allowed just three in his first 10 outings.

Volquez also has struggled lately. The right-hander is just 2-5 with a 5.51 ERA in his last eight starts after beginning the season 3-0 with a 1.09 ERA in his first four.

The Orioles might be getting some help for their struggling starting rotation shortly. Yovani Gallardo had a rehab start at Triple-A Norfolk Tuesday and could be in line to make a start on Sunday in Toronto.

Showalter said that the Orioles will make a decision in the next few days.

Injuries are hurting the Royals in recent times. They avoided bigger problems when third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert came back Tuesday after injuring his arm in Monday's game when Baltimore second baseman Jonathan Schoop tried to stop a double play throw but the ball still came out of his hand.

Cuthbert started Tuesday and went 1-for-4.

Yost also said that Alex Gordon (fractured right wrist) has been shagging balls and began his throwing program Monday but there's no date for his return yet.

Kansas City is looking to avoid a second straight series sweep on Wednesday. The six-game losing skid is a season high but there will be plenty to focus on if anything like Tuesday's brawl happens again, as there's no question the Orioles felt Ventura threw at Machado.

"There's a lot of people that are not in baseball because of the way they act," Orioles starter Ubaldo Jimenez said. "(Ventura) needs some help."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Cardinals (30-28) at Reds (22-36)

Game: 2
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: June 08, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

CINCINNATI -- Alfredo Simon wasn't on the Cincinnati Reds' radar as a potential acquisition this past offseason until injuries hit several members of their starting rotation during spring training. The Reds took a flyer on the 35-year old Simon hoping he would log innings until their young starters returned.

It hasn't worked out very well. Simon is averaging fewer than five innings per start and owns an 8.94 ERA through 10 outings. In April, he averaged fewer than two innings per start, including a one-inning stint on April 15 at Busch Stadium when the Cardinals scored four runs including a pair of homers.

Simon gets a chance to atone for that dismal performance when Cincinnati faces St. Louis in the second game of a three-game set on Wednesday night at Great American Ball Park. A victory would give the Reds only their fourth series win over the Cardinals in the past 11 played in Cincinnati.

"We need (more) innings out of Simon as a veteran pitcher and that will happen when he keeps his pitches down," said Reds manager Bryan Price. "At some point in time, I have to see him improve and give us those types of innings. He's going to have to get better."

Simon was better in his last outing Thursday at Colorado, lasting seven innings with four earned runs and plenty of offensive support in an 11-4 win.

Opposing Simon on Wednesday night will be Cardinals left-hander Jaime Garcia, whose 10 victories against Cincinnati are tied with Oliver Perez for most among active pitchers.

Garcia is 10-4 with a 3.50 ERA against the Reds over 19 appearances including 17 starts.

In the last 21 series against St. Louis, the Reds have gone 7-14, including a 3-7 mark in the last 10 series played at Great American Ball Park.

But, Cincinnati (22-36) has a leg up in this series after winning 7-6 on first baseman Joey Votto's walk-off homer in the ninth. The Cardinals rallied from a 6-1 deficit to tie the score in the ninth setting up Votto's heroics.

The Reds have won seven of 10 games and five of six since snapping an 11-game losing streak.

"We're in a really good spot right now," said Price. "We're swinging the bats and the starting pitching has been there every night."

The Cardinals (30-28) offense got a boost Tuesday when Jhonny Peralta returned from the disabled list and went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs. Peralta started at third base on Tuesday and could make his 215th appearance there on Wednesday.

"We know what he has the potential to do," said Cardinals manager Mike Matheny of Peralta. "He's a guy who just goes about his business. He's a consistent presence. We enjoy having him on this team."

Cincinnati is batting .319 on the current homestand and .371 with runners in scoring position.

"Things are going well right now," said Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton. "We just got to keep rolling tomorrow."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Athletics (25-33) at Brewers (27-31)

Game: 2
Venue: Miller Park
Date: June 08, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

MILWAUKEE -- Chase Anderson will try to keep his recent hot stretch going Wednesday, when the Milwaukee Brewers wrap up a quick, two-game, interleague series with the Oakland Athletics at Miller Park.

Anderson has gone 2-1 with a 2.59 ERA in his last four starts, including a near no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs on May 17.

"I'm just trying to carry each outing into the next and get better each time," said Anderson, who Milwaukee acquired in an offseason deal, along with infielder Aaron Hill, in exchange for shortstop Jean Segura and right-hander Tyler Wagner. "Because you look at (Zach) Davies and Jimmy (Nelson) and those guys, they're starting to do well. So you just want to keep the line going and just do my part and pitch deep into games. That's why we're here."

He will be facing the A's for just the second time in his career; Anderson took no-decision after allowing two runs on five hits over six innings in a 6-4 Arizona victory on August 28 of last year.

Jessie Hahn will get the nod for Oakland, which is looking to snap a four-game losing streak,

Hahn was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on May 17 for his second big league stint of the season and has gone 1-2 with an 8.05 ERA in four starts since. Opponents have been batting .342 against him during that stretch, but Hahn has allowed just one home run.

He's coming off his worst start of the season, having allowed six hits and a career-high seven earned runs in just 2/3 of an innings of a 12-2 rout by Houston last Friday.

"I thought it was going to be a really good night, but once I got started, everything felt out of whack," Hahn said after the game. "Toward the end of it, I was definitely a little frustrated, and I think I got a little overaggressive and made some stupid pitches. I just didn't feel right."

He'll have his work cut out for him against a Brewers offense that includes one of the league's hottest hitters in catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who extended his hitting streak to 10 games Tuesday in Milwaukee's 5-4 victory.

Lucroy is batting .515 (18-for-36) during that stretch, with three home runs and 11 RBIs to improve his average to .316 on the season. He, along with Ryan Braun -- batting .335 this year -- and first baseman Chris Carter, the team leader with 16 home runs, including two Tuesday, have made the heart of Milwaukee's order one of the more formidable in the National League.

Their production has put them right smack in the center of trade rumors as the non-waiver deadline begins to draw near.

"I've learned over the years that it does you very little good to focus on things that are out of your control," Braun told ESPN.com over the weekend. "Obviously, I'm aware of it. I have friends in different cities who text or call and keep me filled in on the trade rumors. But I don't pay much attention to it because I don't have any control over it.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Marlins (30-28) at Twins (17-40)

Game: 2
Venue: Target Field
Date: June 08, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

MINNEAPOLIS -- In the most strictly technical sense, Ricky Nolasco didn't ever play for the Miami Marlins, so facing them for the first time should be no big deal.

Indeed, Nolasco -- now a Minnesota Twins right-handed starter -- spent the first six of his big-league seasons playing pro baseball in South Florida, but the Marlins played their games in a football stadium then, had "Florida" as their geographic identifier, and were awash in teal, as opposed to the rainbow of bright colors the team wears now, so it's all different.

In any case, Nolasco will face Miami for the first time on Wednesday in Game 2 of the Twins-Marlins interleague series, and will be making his team-leading 12th start of the season with the team that traded for him a decade ago, and gave him his first big-league opportunity.

He will also see a familiar face on the opposing bench, as Marlins manager Don Mattingly was his boss for 15 starts in 2013, when Nolasco went 8-3 with a 3.52 ERA for Mattingly's Los Angeles Dodgers after coming to Chavez Ravine in a midseason trade.

"He pitched good for us," Mattingly said on Tuesday, recalling their time together in Southern California. "I don't know how many he won -- the first six or seven with us, but he was good out of the gate I know that. Ricky is a good kid, I liked having him."

Nolasco made one postseason start for the Dodgers that year, getting the nod in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, and taking the loss as the Cardinals won 4-2.

The Twins staff may again get a boost from the team's newfound ability to clear the fences. Four of their runs in Tuesday's 6-4 come-from-behind win versus the Marlins came via the long ball, and the Twins have hit seven homers in their last two games.

"We have been showing signs of (power) and along the way we go into little streaks where we hit them in bunches," said Twins manager Paul Molitor, who got his 100th career win on Tuesday. "Different guys doing it, and trying to get as many guys as we can involved on the offensive side just to keep the balance, but it's nice when it goes over, that's for sure."

Miami, which inaugurated a nine-game, three-city road swing on Tuesday, will counter with lefty Wei-Yin Chen (3-2, 4.25 ERA) looking to break out of a slump. The Marlins have won one of their last four, and slugger Giancarlo Stanton is struggling mightily, having gone 1-for-19 at the plate in June.

"That's the kind of games we've been playing, we're in one-run games," Mattingly said after Tuesday's come-from-ahead loss. "We really haven't left ourselves a lot of room for error. We put a lot of pressure on our pen to absolutely hold teams there."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals (35-23) at White Sox (29-29)

Game: 2
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: June 08, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

CHICAGO -- James Shields knows how a trade can energize a team.

"I've been on a lot of teams where we've gotten new guys, and sometimes having a new face in the clubhouse will change the atmosphere and change the mood a little bit," the right-hander said.

A strong performance by Shields on Wednesday could help lift his new teammates' spirits. The veteran will make his White Sox debut when reeling Chicago (29-29) plays host to the Washington Nationals (35-23).

After a 10-5 loss to the Nationals on Tuesday, the White Sox have lost 19 of their past 25 games. Once the runaway leader in the American League Central, Chicago now sits in fourth place in the division behind the Cleveland Indians, the Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers.

The Nationals are in a much better position as they approach the season's 60-game mark. Washington has won six of the past eight games and owns an 8-2 record in interleague play.

Nationals manager Dusty Baker praised his team's offense, which has scored double-digit runs in each of the past two games. Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon each drove in three runs in the Tuesday win.

"Good hitting breeds confidence, and confidence is spreading around," Baker said.

Shields will do his best to reduce Washington's confidence. The White Sox acquired the 34-year-old on Saturday for right-hander Erik Johnson and third base prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. Although left-handers Chris Sale and Jose Quintana were performing well at the front end of the rotation, the team needed a reliable No. 3 starter and was willing to pay for it.

Shields went 2-7 with a 4.28 ERA in 11 starts this season for the Padres. He finished 15-14 with a 4.00 ERA in 44 starts as a Padre after signing a four-year, $75 million deal with San Diego on Feb. 11, 2015.

Despite his up-and-down performance, Shields expressed confidence that he could find success on Chicago's South Side. He said he was happy to return to the American League, where he spent nine seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays and Kansas City.

"I'm here to do my job, and that's to pitch once every five days and post (victories)," Shields said. "I've been on a lot of winning cultures. I've been in the playoffs quite a bit, so I know how to win."

Then again, so does right-hander Max Scherzer (6-4, 3.87 ERA), who will start for the Nationals on Wednesday. The three-time All-Star and 2013 American League Cy Young Award winner is familiar with Chicago hitters after spending five seasons with Detroit. Scherzer is 12-6 with a 2.54 ERA in 23 career starts against the White Sox.

As for Shields, he does not expect to feel any additional jitters in his new uniform.

"Emotion-wise, I'm not going to be too high or too low," Shields said. "If I was a rookie or barely in the league, I probably would be a little more emotional. But I'm going to go out there and do exactly what I do, my same routine."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians (32-25) at Mariners (32-26)

Game: 3
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: June 08, 2016 10:10 PM EDT

SEATTLE -- Taijuan Walker has provided plenty of insight but very few excuses during his freefall from an amazing April that saw him go 2-0 with a 1.33 ERA.

The Seattle Mariners' 23-year-old starting pitcher has gone 0-6 with a 7.86 ERA in seven starts since then.

"I have to figure it out," Walker told reporters after his last start, a 7-3 loss to Texas. "It's just being intense and really going out there and going right after them with conviction. I have to get after it from pitch one."

The Mariners hope that Walker has that kind of intensity when he takes the mound for Wednesday's game against surging Cleveland. The Indians streaked to six consecutive wins before Seattle starter Wade Miley finally ended their streak with seven shutout innings on Tuesday night.

It was the third consecutive quality start for a Seattle rotation that struggled over the first few days of June.

"Just try to keep the tank rolling," Miley said after beating the Indians 7-1 Tuesday.

The Indians (32-24) have their own rotation issues after using Triple-A call-up Cody Anderson in a spot start Tuesday. The plan is for Danny Salazar to return to his turn in the rotation next week after he took a start off to rest a sore shoulder, but things have been in a state of flux during the Seattle series.

Carlos Carrasco moved back one day to pitch Wednesday's game. It will mark his second start since coming off the disabled list.

The Indians could only have one healthy catcher for the game, although designated hitter Carlos Santana has played there as recently as 2014. Yan Gomes, who has started 42 of the Indians' 57 games this season, suffered a testicular contusion after taking a foul tip to the groin Tuesday night. He was taken to a local hospital and was scheduled to undergo an ultrasound, although manager Terry Francona did not know his status as of late Tuesday.

"I don't think he's probably having the best night of his life," Francona said.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Wednesday, June 8, 2016, Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews

The first big trade of the 2016 season was finalized over the weekend when the Chicago White Sox got some stability for their rotation in landing right-hander James Shields from the San Diego Padres for minor-league pitcher Erik Johnson and shortstop prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. Shields is still owed about $58 million over the rest of his contract, but he can opt out after this season. I somewhat doubt he does because Shields hasn't been very good and he's not going to get that in free agency. The White Sox will only be on the hook for somewhere between $27 million and $31 million on that deal if Shields keeps it. So that seems like a pretty good trade for Chicago. Shields is a very nice No. 3 starter, and that's all the White Sox wanted. He's ultra-durable too. Shields is the only pitcher to exceed 200 innings in each of his past nine seasons. He makes his White Sox debut on Wednesday. Chicago is currently +1100 to win the pennant.


Braves at Padres (-143, 7)

Don't be surprised if one (or both) of the starting pitchers in this 3:40 p.m. ET game is dealt before the July 31 trade deadline as both are definitely available for the right price -- the Padres would pretty much trade anyone at this point. It's Julio Teheran (1-6, 2.92) for Atlanta, and I've heard him linked to the Red Sox and Cubs; Boston needs pitching way more than Chicago does right now. Teheran gave up three solo homers over 5.2 innings in his last start at the Dodgers. He didn't get a decision in two starts last year vs. San Diego with a 2.77 ERA. The Padres' Yangervis Solarte is 5-for-6 off him with a homer. It's lefty Drew Pomeranz (5-5, 2.22) for the Friars, and his value will never likely be higher. He would fetch more than Shields because he's only 27 and is left-handed. Only Pomeranz and Cubs ace Jake Arrieta have five starts without allowing an earned run this year. Just a few Braves have seen him. Freddie Freeman is 0-for-2. Ender Inciarte is 1-for-1.

Key trends: The Braves are 0-5 in Teheran's past five vs. teams with a losing record. The Padres are 1-4 in Pomeranz's past five vs. teams with a losing record. The "over/under" has gone under in five of Teheran's past six. The under is 6-1 in Pomeranz's past seven.

Early lean: Padres and under.

Mets at Pirates (+128, 7.5)

The last thing the Mets can afford is another injury, but outfielder Juan Lagares has been diagnosed with a partially torn ligament in his left thumb. He was hurt making a diving catch in Miami on Saturday. The team hasn't actually put him on the DL yet as there's hope he can play through it, but that seems rather unlikely. Lagares is hitting .276 this season and is a very good defensive player. The Mets start ace Noah Syndergaard (6-2, 1.91) here. He beat the Marlins on Friday, allowing two runs and whiffing nine in seven innings. Syndergaard has faced the Pirates once, in his third career start last year, and gave up four runs (one earned) in six innings. The Pirates have called up their top pitching prospect and one of the highest-rated in baseball in righty Jameson Taillon to make his big-league debut. Taillon, the No. 2 overall pick in 2010, has had some injury issues in his career. This season at Triple-A, he's 4-2 with a 2.04 ERA in 10 starts with 61 strikeouts and only 44 hits allowed in 61.2 innings. Taillon didn't pitch in 2014 or '15 due to Tommy John and then hernia surgery. The Pirates were scheduled to start Francisco Liriano here, but the struggling lefty has been pushed back to Saturday.

Key trends: The Mets are 4-1 in Syndergaard's past five on the road. The under has hit in six of his past nine vs. the NL Central.

Early lean: Mets and under.

Angels at Yankees (-168, 9)

This is nationally televised by the MLB Network (outside the L.A. and New York markets) and will have live betting at sportsbooks. The Angels start Jered Weaver (5-4, 5.18). He beat the Pirates on Friday, allowing two runs and six hits over six innings. But he usually doesn't fare too well against the Yankees with a career 5.83 ERA in 15 career starts against them. Alex Rodriguez is a career .379 hitter off him with five homers and eight RBIs in 29 at-bats. Brett Gardner is only 4-for-22 against Weaver with 11 strikeouts. New York could decide to trade Nathan Eovaldi (6-2, 4.09) if the Yankees fall out of the race. He didn't help his value on Friday, giving up five runs in 5.1 innings in a loss in Baltimore. But he hasn't personally lost since April 20. Mike Trout is 4-for-10 off him with an RBI. Yunel Escobar is 3-for-7.

Key trends: The Halos are 4-10 in Weaver's past 14 on the road. The Yankees are 4-1 in Eovaldi's past five at home. The over is 5-1 in Weaver's past six vs. New York.

Early lean: Yankees and over.

Nationals at White Sox (+142, 8.5)

Washington adds the DH here. With Shields (2-7, 4.28) in tow, the White Sox have shifted Miguel Gonzalez to the bullpen. Shields comes off maybe the worst start of his career, allowing 10 runs in 2.2 innings in Seattle on May 31. He was ripped publicly by one of the owners on a radio show soon after. It was the third game this season that Shields allowed at least two homers. He also has a career-worst 2.11 strikeouts-to-walks ratio, but I still believe it's a solid move for the Pale Hose. Shields has a 4-1 record and a 3.00 ERA over 11 career starts at Chicago's U.S. Cellular Field. The Nationals' Bryce Harper is 1-for-3 off him with a double. Anthony Rendon is 2-for-4. Washington's Max Scherzer (6-4, 3.87) beat the Phillies last time out, allowing two runs and striking out 11 in eight innings. He has made 23 career starts vs. the White Sox and has a 2.54 ERA in them. Jose Abreu is 5-for-17 against Scherzer with a double.

Key trends: The Nats are 8-3 in Scherzer's past 11 on the road. The White Sox are 1-7 in their past eight in Game 2 of a series. The under is 3-0-1 in Scherzer's past four interleague starts.

Early lean: Nationals and under.

Red Sox at Giants (-131, 6.5)

Boston loses the DH for this game. If David Ortiz doesn't start Tuesday's game, he's expected to this be in there for this one at first base. But if he did start Tuesday, he won't Wednesday. How does a David Price-Madison Bumgarner showdown in Game 1 of the World Series sound? Certainly possible and they oppose one another here. All Bumgarner (7-2, 1.91) did last time out was shut out the Braves on four hits over 7.2 innings while striking out 11 to win his sixth straight decision (tying career high) and homered for the second time this season. Over his last 190 plate appearances, Bumgarner has homered 11 times. Thursday was the third time Bumgarner has homered and struck out 10 batters in the same game in his career. The only player with more of those type of games in the divisional era (since 1969) is Hall of Famer Steve Carlton with five. Bumgarner has 13 career homers, two shy of the franchise record for a pitcher. The most for any pitcher in the divisional era is Carlos Zambrano with 24. Bumgarner, who wants to compete in the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game (but the Giants aren't going to let him and risk injury), has never faced Boston. Price (7-2, 4.88) has shaken off a rough start to the season by allowing three earned runs or fewer in five straight starts. Buster Posey is 3-for-7 with a homer off Price.

Key trends: The Red Sox are 4-1 in Price's past five on the road. The Giants are 9-2 in Bumgarner's past 11 at home vs. teams with a winning record. The under is 8-3 in those 11.

Early lean: Giants and under.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'Nationals take on Pale Hose'

Washington Nationals at Chicago White Sox June 8, 8:10 EST

The Chicago White Sox and Washington Nationals go at it in the second of a three game interleague series at U.S. Cellular Field. According to current odds the Nationals are -$1.55 road favorites.

Nationals have Max Scherzer taking the ball in game-two. Scherzer tossing eight innings, allowing two runs, five hits and two walks while striking out 11 in his last outing carries a 6-4 record, 3.87 ERA to the mound. Scherzer also has an abundant amount of experience vs White Sox acquired pitching for Detroit. In twenty-three starts against the South Siders the right-hander went 12-6-5 with a 2.54 ERA.

White Sox count on newly acquired James Shields in this one. The right-hander carries into Chicago a 2-7 record, 4.28 ERA, 57-27 SWR over 67.1 innings through 11 starts. Shields will certainly be looking for a better performance that his last one with Padres in which he lasted just 2 2/3 innings allowing 2 long-ball, a whopping 10 runs recording his seventh loss of the season. Shields lost his only start vs Washington wearing a Padres uniform.

Nationals ridding a 6-2 overall stretch after spanking Pale Hose 10-5 in the opener, 8-2 vs the Junior Circuit this season, White Sox hitting a rough patch losing four consecutive, 11 of their last 13 and 17 of their last 22 games ride Washington again tonight.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

Wednesday's games

National League games

Cubs @ Phillies
Lackey is 3-1, 1.73 in his last six starts; four of his last five stayed under.

Velasquez is 0-1, 8.31 in his last three starts; five of his last six went over.

Cubs are 11-3 in last 14 games; seven of their last nine games stayed under the total. Philly is 5-13 in last 18 games; five of their last seven games went over.

Mets @ Pirates
Syndergaard is 4-0, 1.44 in his last five starts (over 6-3 in last nine).

Highly-touted prospect Taillon makes MLB debut here; he was 4-2, 2.04 in ten AAA starts this season.

Mets are 4-8 in last ten road games; their last three games stayed under. Pittsburgh is 3-1 in its last four games; seven of their last nine home games went over.

Cardinals @ Reds
Garcia is 1-3, 5.59 in his last four starts; four of his last six stayed under.

Simon is 1-2, 9.74 in his last four starts; over is 5-0-1 in his last six starts.

St Louis is 5-6 in its last 11 road games; seven of their last ten games went over total. Reds won six of last eight games; ten of their last eleven games went over.

Braves @ Padres
Teheran is 0-2, 3.50 in his last three starts; five of his last six stayed under.

Pomeranz is 3-2, 2.00 in his last six starts; six of his last seven stayed under. .

Atlanta is 10-19 on the road; five of their last seven road games stayed under. Padres won four of their last five games; ten of their last 14 games went over the total.

Rockies @ Dodgers
Rusin is 0-4, 6.26 in his last four starts, three of which stayed under.

Maeda is 2-0, 1.59 in his last two starts; four of his last five went over.

Dodgers won 11 of last 15 games; seven of their last eight games stayed under total. Colorado lost 11 of its last 15 games (under 4-1 in last five).


American League games

Angels @ New York
Weaver is 2-1, 3.79 in his last thee starts; over is 5-3 in his last eight.

Eovaldi is 5-0, 2.97 in his last six starts; three of his last four stayed under.

Bronx won three of last four games; under is 7-4-1 in their last 12 games. Angels lost three of last four games, with five of last six going over the total.

Royals @ Orioles
Volquez is 1-2, 5.76 in his last four starts (under 7-4-1). .

Tillman is 6-0, 2.93 in his last nine starts (under 8-4). .

Royals lost their last six games; over is 10-3-2 in their last 15. Baltimore won six of its last seven games (over 5-2 in last seven).

Blue Jays @ Tigers
Dickey is 2-2, 3.58 in his last five starts (under 4-1).

Zimmerman is 3-0, 5.89 in his last three starts, which all went over; Detroit scored 29 runs in those three games.

Toronto won nine of its last 13 games, but lost last two; under is 8-4 in its last 12 road games. Detroit won six of last seven games; over is 16-6-2 in their last 24 home games.

Astros @ Rangers
Fister is 4-0, 2.86 in his last seven starts (under 5-3-1 in last nine).

Darvish is 2-0, 3.37 in two starts this year (over 1-1).

Astros are 11-4 in last 15 games, but lost 12 in row in Arlington; seven of their last ten games went over. Texas is 14--3 in its last 17 games, six of their last eight games went over the total.

Indians @ Mariners
Carrasco is 3-1, 3.29 in his last four starts, three of which stayed under.

Walker is 0-6, 7.60 in his last seven starts; four of his last six went over.

Indians won six of last seven games; over is 7-3-2 in their last 12 games. Seattle lost eight of its last 12 games- over is 11-2-1 in its last 14 games.


Interleague

A's @ Brewers
Hahn is 1-3, 8.14 in his last five starts; his last four starts went over. .

Anderson is 2-1, 2.86 in his last four starts; four of his last five stayed under

Oakland lost its last six road games (over 4-1-1). Milwaukee is 9-5 in its last 14 games, over is 8-3-1 in its last 12 games.

Nationals @ White Sox
Scherzer is 2-2, 3.38 in four starts since his 20-strikeout game; his last three starts stayed under the total.

Shields makes his White Sox debut here; he was 0-2, 8.81 in his last three San Diego starts. Five of his last seven starts stayed under.

Washington won nine of last 12 road games; eight of its last ten games went over the total. White Sox lost 19 of last 25 games; under is 7-3 in their last ten home games.

Marlins @ Twins
Chen is 0-1, 4.37 in his last four starts (over 6-5).

Nolasco is 1-4, 7.24 in his last six starts; nine of his last ten starts went over.

Marlins lost three of last four games; over is 12-6-1 in their last 19 road games. Twins lost six of last eight games; seven of their last eight home games went over.

Rays @ Diamondbacks
Odorizzi is 2-1, 2.35 in his last four starts; six of his last eight starts stayed under.

Bradley is 2-1, 4.94 in four starts, three of which went over.

Arizona.lost six of last nine games; five of last six Diamondback games stayed under the total. Tampa Bay won four of last five games; over is 15-3-1 in their last 19 road games.

Red Sox @ Giants
Price is 3-1, 3.00 in his last five starts; over is 6-2-1 in his last nine starts.

Bumgarner is 6-0, 1.45 in his last eight starts; three of his last four stayed under.

Boston lost four of its last six games; over is 4-2-2 in their last eight road games. Giants won five of last six home games; over is 6-3-1 in their last ten games.


Teams won-lost records when this pitcher starts:

Chi-Phil-- Lackey 7-4; Velasquez 7-4
NY-Pitt-- Syndergaard 7-4; Taillon 0-0
StL-Cin-- Garcia 5-6; Simon 3-7
Atl-SD-- Teheran 2-10; Pomeranz 5-6
Col-LA-- Rusin 2-4; Maeda 6-5

LA-NY-- Weaver 5-6; Eovaldi 7-4
KC-Balt-- Volquez 7-5; Tillman 10-2
Tor-Det-- Dickey 3-9; Zimmerman 8-2
Hst-Tex-- Fister 8-3; Darvish 2-0
Cle-Sea-- Carrasco 5-0; Walker 4-7

A's-Mil-- Hahn 3-3; Anderson 4-7
Wsh-Chi-- Scherzer 7-5; Sheilds 0-0/2-9
Mia-Minn-- Chen 6-5; Nolasco 4-7
TB-Az-- Odorizzi 6-6; Bradley 3-1
Bos-SF-- Price 8-4; Bumgarner 9-3


Starting pitchers allowing 1+ runs in first inning:

Chi-Phil-- Lackey 3-11; Velasquez 3-11
NY-Pitt-- Syndergaard 2-11; Taillon 0-0
StL-Cin-- Garcia 3-11; Simon 4-10
Atl-SD-- Teheran 2-12; Pomeranz 1-11
Col-LA-- Rusin 2-6; Maeda 1-11

LA-NY-- Weaver 3-11; Eovaldi 2-11
KC-Balt-- Volquez 2-12; Tillman 2-12
Tor-Det-- Dickey 4-12; Zimmerman 1-10
Hst-Tex-- Fister 3-11; Darvish 0-2
Cle-Sea-- Carrasco 0-5; Walker 2-11

A's-Mil-- Hahn 1-6; Anderson 4-11
Wsh-Chi-- Scherzer 5-12; Sheilds 4-11
Mia-Minn-- Chen 4-11; Nolasco 7-11
TB-Az-- Odorizzi 2-12; Bradley 1-4
Bos-SF-- Price 4-12; Bumgarner 2-12


Umpires

Chi-Phil-- Last seven Wegner games went over the total.
NY-Pitt-- Over is 8-3 in last eleven Porter games.
StL-Cin-- Four of last five Conroy games went over.
Atl-SD-- Last five Hernandez games went over.
Col-LA-- Road team won seven of last nine Hamari games.

LA-NY-- Five of last seven Fagan games went over.
KC-Balt-- Favorites won six of last nine Bucknor games.
Tor-Det-- Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Guccione games.
Hst-Tex-- Three of last four Hoberg games stayed under.
Cle-Sea-- Underdogs won four of last five Muchlinski games.

TB-Az-- Six of last seven Danley games went over.
A's-Mil-- Underdogs won four of last seven Hickox games.
Wsh-Chi-- Favorites won seven of last eight Cederstrom games.
Mia-Minn-- Four of last five Layne games went over.
Bos-SF-- Last four Timmons games went over the total.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Wednesday's six-pack

-- Ben Simmons signed with Nike, taking less money than adidas offered.

-- Colorado's rookie SS Trevor Story has 16 HRs, but only six of them have been at Coors Field.

-- Cubs' pitcher Kyle Hendricks is a scratch golfer.

-- Maryland's basketball team is 9-0-1 vs spread in its last 10 conference tournament games; Ohio State is 0-6-1 vs spread in its last seven.

-- Eight of last 12 Super Bowl champs made the playoffs again the next year; nine of 11 made it the second year, eight of last 13 the third year.

-- Compare that to Super Bowl losers; only four of last 15 made the playoffs the third year after that Super Bowl loss. It would appear as if winning a title helps in sustaining the success of the program over a period of time.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

#1 Sports

Wednesday's Free Selection: Washington Nationals - 145

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mike Wynn

Bonus Play: MLB St Louis w/Garcia -170 Over Cincinnati