Wednesday 9/2/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees (73-58) at Red Sox (61-71)

Game: 3
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: September 02, 2015 4:05 PM EDT

While the news regarding their All-Star slugger certainly doesn't bode well, the New York Yankees are finding ways to win without Mark Teixeira.

As they look to keep fighting in the AL East chase, the visiting Yankees are hoping Masahiro Tanaka can continue to pitch well Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox.

After missing three games at Atlanta and Monday's 4-3 loss at Fenway Park, Teixeira was sent back to New York for further tests on his injured shin. The results weren't positive as the first baseman will miss at least two weeks with a significant bone bruise.

That's a big loss since Teixeira has a team-high 31 home runs and 79 RBIs.

"We're going to be forced to see what we've got further with Greg (Bird)," general manager Brian Cashman told MLB's official website, "and when we're up against some left-handed pitching, (manager Joe Girardi's) going to be forced to look for some lineup flexibility."

Bird started against left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez in the opener, and he's 1 for 8 with four strikeouts in this series. Alex Rodriguez has been discussed as an option at first base versus southpaws, though he's played two games there in his 21 seasons.

New York (73-58) will face lefty Henry Owens (2-1, 4.03 ERA) as it goes after its eighth win in 10 road games and 11th in 14 at Fenway. Stephen Drew had a two-run double and Brett Gardner added his 13th home run Tuesday when the Yankees had five hits and struck out 15 times in a 3-1 win that kept them 1 1/2 games back of first-place Toronto.

They have had two lopsided victories and won two pitching duels on a six-game trip that ends Wednesday.

'The gratifying thing at this time of year is wins, no matter how you do it,' Girardi said. 'If you get a break or however it happens, that's the gratifying thing.'

Since enduring a rough patch in late June, Tanaka (10-6, 3.62) has limited opponents to a .211 batting average while giving up three earned runs or less in nine of 10 starts. He's been sharp on the road this season, going 4-2 with a 2.98 ERA in eight outings.

The right-hander gave up two first-inning runs Friday before settling down in a 15-4 win at Atlanta. He lasted seven, allowing three runs and five hits while striking out seven.

Tanaka is 2-0 with a 4.91 ERA in two home starts against Boston (61-71) this season. He yielded seven runs and seven hits over a career-low 1 2-3 innings in a 10-4 loss at Fenway last September.

Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez have homered off Tanaka this season. Ramirez, though, is day to day after missing five straight games due to a sore right shoulder.

David Ortiz (2 for 11), Xander Bogaerts (2 for 13) and Jackie Bradley Jr. (1 for 7) have struggled when facing Tanaka. Bogaerts had two hits Tuesday and is batting .344 over his last 22 games, while Bradley is 6 for 7 with four doubles over his past three.

Owens is making a case to be part of Boston's rotation next season, going 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in his last two starts. He made his big league debut Aug. 4 at Yankee Stadium, surrendering three runs over five innings in a 13-3 loss.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rays (66-66) at Orioles (63-69)

Game: 3
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: September 02, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

A revived offense combined with stellar performances from the rotation have put the Tampa Bay Rays in position to move back above .500.

The Baltimore Orioles continuing their late-summer swoon has also helped.

Seeking his sixth straight road victory, Erasmo Ramirez will try to help the Rays to a three-game sweep of the Orioles on Wednesday night.

Tampa Bay (66-66) is chasing Texas for the AL's second wild-card spot despite a league-low 3.78 runs per game and .248 batting average that ranks slightly higher.

The Rays, though, have been pounding the Orioles (63-69) with 25 hits, four homers and a 17-5 scoring edge through the first two of the series, including an 11-2 win Tuesday.

Starters Chris Archer and Drew Smyly combined for 16 strikeouts over 13 scoreless innings in those two games. The Tampa Bay rotation has a 1.38 ERA during a four-game winning streak in Baltimore.

Ramirez (10-5, 3.68 ERA) started that stretch May 30, striking out seven and yielding three hits in seven innings of a 3-0 win. That outing is part of an outstanding road stretch for the right-hander, who is 5-0 with a 2.91 ERA over his last 10 away starts.

Ramirez, though, struggled at home against the Orioles on July 25, surrendering five runs and seven hits in 7 1-3 innings of a 5-1 loss.

He enters this meeting looking to bounce back from one of his shortest starts of the year, yielding three runs and six hits with three walks in 4 1-3 innings of Friday's 4-2 home loss to Kansas City.

"I thought Erasmo battled really well early on," manager Kevin Cash told MLB's official website. "Maybe he wasn't as sharp as we've seen him pretty consistently. It seemed like he was trying to make that perfect pitch and couldn't quite make it. But saying that, he gave up two earned runs. So he still gave us an opportunity."

J.P. Arencibia did most of the damage Tuesday with a two-run homer and a pair of two-run singles while batting ninth in his sixth game - third start - since being recalled from Triple-A Durham.

"Very thankful to get the opportunity," said Arencibia, who is a .329 hitter with five home runs and 24 RBIs in 21 career games at Camden Yards. "This is a good team and we're in a good race."

Brandon Guyer is batting .542 in the past seven matchups with the Orioles after going 4 for 5 with an RBI double. He's 8 for 14 and has scored five runs during the Rays' three-game winning streak.

Baltimore's postseason chances have begun to fade with 12 losses in 13 games.

"We are going to have to get hot in order to get in this thing," manager Buck Showalter said.

Kevin Gausman (2-6, 4.39) is 0-4 with a 5.01 ERA in his last five starts. The right-hander gave up four runs and nine hits, including two homers, over 6 2-3 innings of a 4-1 loss at Texas on Friday.

He's 1-3 with a 5.47 ERA in five starts against the Rays, losing both at home while being tagged for eight runs and 13 hits in nine innings.

Gausman's only appearance against them this year came in relief during a 6-5 road win April 7. He got the win after allowing only Kevin Kiermaier's two-run homer in 2 1-3 innings.

He may not have to contend with Kiermaier, who has a mild right ankle sprain that sidelined him Tuesday. However, he's allowed Arencibia to go 2 for 4 with a homer and Guyer has doubled twice in three at-bats in the matchup.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Indians (64-67) at Blue Jays (75-57)

Game: 3
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: September 02, 2015 7:07 PM EDT

The Toronto Blue Jays have asked Ryan Goins to wear many hats, sticking him in five positions and placing him at or near the bottom of a lineup that has been the best in baseball for most of the season.

Despite having a less-than-glamorous role, he's been a major reason the Blue Jays have surged to the top of the AL East.

Goins was directly responsible for Toronto's latest victory, and he'll look to extend his hitting streak to eight when the Blue Jays host the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night.

The third-year utility man has made several highlight-reel catches, including a sliding grab deep in foul ground after sprinting from second base Tuesday.

Goins then delivered with his bat, hitting a two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th to give the Blue Jays (75-57) a 5-3 victory that snapped Cleveland's six-game winning streak. He's batting .441 over his last 12 for Toronto, which improved to 25-6 since Troy Tulowitzki made his team debut July 29.

The Blue Jays maintained their 1 1/2-game lead over New York atop the East despite Edwin Encarnacion's career-high 26-game hitting streak coming to an end.

'That was a big win for us,' manager John Gibbons said. 'You never expect home runs from (Goins), but he's had a few and a couple of big ones. He's smoking hot with the bat right now."

Cleveland (64-67) lost for the first time in more than a week as it continues to chase four teams for the AL's second wild card. Yan Gomes hit two homers, including a solo shot in the ninth off Jays closer Roberto Osuna that tied the game. Three of his four hits over his last five games have gone for homers.

Trevor Bauer (10-10, 4.31 ERA) takes the hill for the Indians seeking a third straight solid outing. He's bounced back from a rough stretch by allowing two earned runs in 14 1-3 innings over his last two while overcoming nine walks.

Bauer pitched eight innings of Friday's 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels after learning earlier in the day he would be replacing the ill Danny Salazar.

'One run in eight innings, we'll take that every time,' manager Terry Francona said of Bauer, who went 1-2 with an 11.91 ERA over his previous three starts before helping the Indians beat the Yankees on Aug. 23.

The right-hander didn't allow a hit for the first three innings of his only career start against the Blue Jays on May 3, then gave up six runs - including a grand slam - in the fourth before being removed with one out in the fifth.

That type of scoring output for the Blue Jays is what's helped R.A. Dickey (9-10, 4.25) get through some difficult outings recently. He's 3-0 over his last four but has posted a 6.35 ERA after pitching 6 2-3 innings of Friday's 5-3 win over Detroit.

The right-hander went 3-0 with a 0.89 ERA over his previous four starts. He has a 7.02 run-support average while going unbeaten in nine outings since losing to the Chicago White Sox on July 9.

Carlos Santana enters with a nine-game hitting streak, but he's 1 for 11 lifetime against Dickey.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Phillies (53-80) at Mets (73-59)

Game: 10
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: September 02, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Whatever the New York Mets' plan is for monitoring Matt Harvey's workload, he's responding with his best pitching of the season.

The Philadelphia Phillies have allowed Aaron Nola to go deeper into his last two starts, and the results have been every bit as impressive.

The two No. 7 overall draft choices meet for the first time Wednesday night in New York with the Mets needing a win to avoid a series loss to the worst team in baseball.

Harvey (11-7, 2.48 ERA) hasn't allowed three earned runs in any of his last eight starts, going 4-1 with a 1.29 ERA and .177 opponent batting average, and he only got stronger last month. In four August starts, the right-hander was 2-0 with a 0.33 ERA and .160 OBA.

With an eye on the playoffs, the Mets gave him 11 days between his last two starts, and Harvey responded by allowing two hits with eight strikeouts in six scoreless innings of Friday's 6-4 home loss to Boston. The 26-year-old has thrown 160 innings, which is 18 1-3 shy of his 2013 career high. With 30 regular-season games and a potential playoff run looming, there's the potential that he'll far exceed that.

"He wanted to throw another inning," manager Terry Collins said. "I said we can't do it, that's why we gave you time off."

Harvey also hasn't allowed three earned runs in any of his last eight home starts, posting a 4-0 record and 0.99 ERA. None of those came against the Phillies, but he's 5-1 with 1.99 ERA in seven career starts in the series. Domonic Brown (0 for 10 with seven strikeouts), Odubel Herrera (0 for 6), Carlos Ruiz (1 for 7) and Cody Asche (1 for 6) have all struggled.

That kind of hitting will make it difficult for Nola (5-1, 3.26) to win a third straight start in his first encounter with a potential future rival.

The 22-year-old has allowed a run and five hits in 15 innings over consecutive wins, though those games came against Miami and San Diego. The right-hander has won five of seven starts since taking a tough-luck loss in his MLB debut on July 21.

"I feel a little bit more comfortable now," Nola told MLB's official website. "I know I can pitch here. But my main goal is to pitch to win and to try and keep the guys in the best position every single time I go out."

That's been enough for interim manager Pete Mackanin.

"I'll take five pitchers just like him," Mackanin said.

Such an effort would have gone to waste in Philadelphia's 14-8 win on Tuesday. It ended a 10-game losing streak to the Mets (73-59), though New York has still won 13 of 15 in the season series. The Phillies (53-80) will now try for their first series win over the Mets in nine tries, but they haven't won consecutive games over the 6-24 run.

"It wasn't pretty, but I'd like to think that we broke the spell," Mackanin said.

New York, which has lost six of eight at home, wasted a home run from Yoenis Cespedes, his career-high 27th of the season. All nine he's hit with the Mets have come in the last 19 games, and the last four have come in his first six career games against the Phillies.

Michael Conforto went 2 for 4 in the loss, giving the rookie a .464 average in his last 10 games.

Philadelphia's Darin Ruf has two home runs and eight RBIs in his last two games, both against the Mets.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates (79-51) at Brewers (56-75)

Game: 2
Venue: Miller Park
Date: September 02, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Pittsburgh veteran Jeff Locke and Milwaukee rookie Zach Davies have more in common than one might think.

Both essentially are auditioning to remain in their respective clubs' starting rotations for as long as possible.

Locke looks to help the Pirates avoid their first three-game losing streak in more than six weeks with another resume-building performance, while Davies hopes to shine in his major league debut for the Brewers on Wednesday night at Miller Park.

Locke (7-8, 4.46 ERA) has the worst ERA on a starting staff that ranks among the major league's best with a 3.48 mark. If the Pirates (79-51) reach the NL division series, he'd likely be the odd man out despite a solid outing last Wednesday in which he allowed two runs in seven innings of a 7-2 win at Miami.

The left-hander went 1-2 with a 6.39 ERA over his previous six starts and didn't last more than 5 2-3 innings in any of them.

"We have such a good ballclub. You don't really want to have any question marks in your rotation, especially at this point in the season," Locke said. "I feel like the way I pitched, I've kind of been that for a little while.

"To put a good solid outing under your belt moving forward, if anything, it just builds a little bit more confidence and maybe puts some more confidence in the guys in the clubhouse, too."

The last time Locke went as deep as he did last week was against the Brewers (56-75) on July 19, when he allowed three runs in 7 1-3 innings of a 6-1 loss. He went a season high-tying eight innings to beat Milwaukee 6-2 on April 18 after defeated the Brewers by that same score April 10.

Locke is 3-2 with a 2.40 ERA in his last six against Milwaukee, which counters with a prospect it received in the July 31 trade that sent Gerardo Parra to Baltimore.

Davies has gone 6-8 with a 3.30 ERA in 23 starts and one relief appearance in Triple-A ball. The Brewers called him up when rosters expanded Tuesday.

"I've had coaches telling me, 'There's a chance you could go up there in September and pitch a little bit,'" Davies told MLB's official website. "It's never real until it actually happens. Now that I'm here, it's real to me."

The right-hander is known more for his command than his power, and he'll likely get a good first test against a Pirates team that leads the NL wild-card race.

Pittsburgh, though, is on the verge of losing three straight for the first time since July 17-19 after a 7-4 loss Tuesday. The club managed just four hits in the first seven innings against Jimmy Nelson before Aramis Ramirez - playing his first game in Milwaukee since being dealt to the Pirates on July 23 - Jung Ho Kang and Pedro Alvarez homered.

The loss dropped the Pirates six games behind Central-leading St. Louis.

Milwaukee has won three of four and likely won't be intimated by Locke after touching up Pirates ace Gerrit Cole for five runs in the first two innings and chasing him after four Tuesday.

Adam Lind had two doubles and drove in a pair of runs, while Jean Segura had two hits and three RBIs. Segura, who is 6 for 13 over his last three, has gone 6 for 10 with a double off Locke this season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers (61-70) at Royals (80-51)

Game: 2
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: September 02, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

The hype might not be at levels of last season, but Yordano Ventura could be having the most successful stretch of his young career.

The 24-year-old will try to build on his recent consistency Wednesday night at home against the Detroit Tigers, though he's still battling control issues.

Ventura (9-7, 4.41 ERA) began August by allowing 11 runs in 12 innings over two starts but escaped without a loss. He's since gone 3-0 with a 1.08 ERA and .167 opponent batting average, 32 strikeouts and 12 walks in 25 innings over his last four.

In Thursday's 5-3 home win over Baltimore, the right-hander impressed his manager with some in-game adjustments after issuing two walks in the first inning.

"He was rushing it, he was flying open. His pitch count was up," Ned Yost told MLB's official website. "But then he made an adjustment, slowed his tempo down, and he was down through the zone and got his pitch count manageable. His curveball was excellent, fastball up to 100 mph, changeup good."

Ventura is 3-0 with a 4.56 ERA in four starts and a relief appearance against the Tigers. That's mostly because of a 10.17 run-support average, though he did get his current reboot started by limiting them to two hits with eight strikeouts and six walks in six scoreless innings of a 6-1 home win Aug. 11.

Ian Kinsler (5 for 11) and Victor Martinez (4 for 10 with two home runs) have seen him well, but Nick Castellanos is 1 for 9.

Those guys and the rest of the Detroit lineup have been failing Randy Wolf rather than the other way around. Wolf (0-2, 2.57) hasn't been given a run of support in 14 innings of his two starts.

The left-hander gave up a run and five hits in seven innings of Thursday's 2-0 home loss to the Los Angeles Angels, and the 39-year-old will now face a pitcher that celebrated his eighth birthday eight days before his MLB debut.

"I feel like every start I kind of have to, in a way, prove people wrong, that I'm not at the geriatric level quite yet," Wolf said.

Before the impressive work against the Angels, the last time he'd gone seven innings and allowed fewer than three earned runs was June 13, 2012 - his only career start against the Royals. Wolf gave up a run and six hits in a 4-3, 11-inning loss in Kansas City while with Milwaukee.

The Royals might do more against him with Jonny Gomes. The veteran outfielder, acquired Monday from Atlanta, is 12 for 23 with two home runs off Wolf. His .522 average in their matchups is the highest of any player, active or retired, with more than 18 at-bats against Wolf.

Last-place Detroit (61-70) opened this three-game series with Tuesday's 6-5 win for its fourth in six meetings with Kansas City (80-51) to even the season series at 7-all. The Royals, however, have a 12-game lead in the AL Central, and health figures to be a greater concern than any late-season performances against the Tigers.

The Royals will be without reliever Kelvin Herrera and outfielder Alex Rios for at least two weeks due to the chickenpox, and there's a fear that it could further spread.

"Think there is always a concern because these guys were in for three or four days before they showed signs of it," Yost said. "Since that point, (trainer) Nick Kenney has done a real good job of monitoring."

They did get Alex Gordon back after missing 48 games with a strained groin, and the left fielder was 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mariners (62-71) at Astros (73-60)

Game: 3
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: September 02, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Scott Kazmir isn't entirely at fault for winning just twice with the Houston Astros.

He shouldered the blame, however, for his latest performance.

Kazmir attempts to find some consistency and help the Astros bounce back from a rare home loss against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night.

Kazmir is 2-4 in seven starts since being acquired from Oakland on July 23. The left-hander, though, has compiled a 2.64 ERA while being backed by 12 total runs - two or fewer in four of those games.

Run support hasn't been the only issue for Kazmir, who has lost four of his last five starts behind a 3.94 ERA.

Kazmir (7-9, 2.45 ERA) allowed three runs in seven innings of Friday's 3-0 loss at Minnesota. His struggles came in the fourth, giving up two runs and hitting two batters - one with the bases loaded.

"Normally in those situations, I kind of amp it up a little bit and give them a different look, maybe throw a little bit harder, and when I tried to do that, it was just side-to-side with everything and pulling everything, so that was unfortunate," Kazmir told MLB's official website.

"Hitting two guys, that's just something you can't do, especially when you've got guys on early on in the inning, so that was frustrating."

Kazmir certainly felt better against the Mariners on July 2, yielding two hits with seven strikeouts in eight innings of a 4-0 win. He's 2-1 with a 1.29 ERA in his last four starts against Seattle.

Houston's addition of Kazmir could prove even more important with Scott Feldman scheduled to undergo an MRI on his shoulder Wednesday. The right-hander lasted 2 2-3 innings in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to Seattle (62-71).

The Astros (73-60) have won nine of the last 11 matchups in Houston and own the AL's best home record at 46-22, winning 22 of 28.

The Mariners are turning to Taijuan Walker (10-7, 4.53) for his regular turn in the rotation after a cramp in his right hip flexor forced him to exit after 84 pitches in Friday's 2-0 road win over the Chicago White Sox. The right-hander allowed three hits with six strikeouts in 6 1-3 innings.

"I haven't (had an injury like that), that's why I was a little shocked, a little scared, when I went down," Walker told MLB's official website. "It was just tight, just kind of grabbed. It was tight for a couple seconds and then it was good."

Walker will try to continue his recent dominance on the road, going 6-0 with a 2.29 ERA and 0.97 WHIP over his last nine starts - yielding one run or none in six.

He was roughed up in an 11-4 defeat at Houston on May 2, giving up eight runs and three homers in three innings. He had a 2.70 ERA while winning his first three starts there.

Walker has also struggled with Jose Altuve, who is 6 for 16 with a homer and two doubles off him.

Altuve enters this matchup on a tear, batting .416 in his last 24 games while getting a hit in 21 of them. He's got five hits in this series, making him a .370 career hitter against Seattle at Minute Maid Park.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox (61-69) at Twins (68-63)

Game: 2
Venue: Target Field
Date: September 02, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

As Miguel Sano makes a late push for AL Rookie of the Year, the Minnesota Twins are carrying their resurgence into their first meaningful September in five years.

After the slugger's big effort keyed another home win, the Twins hope left-hander Tommy Milone can continue his career dominance of the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night.

Just two months into his big league career, Sano has been a major contributor for the Twins. He hit his 14th home run in 50 games Tuesday to even things up in the seventh inning before Minnesota (68-63) rallied to a series-opening 8-6 win.

Although it might be too late to catch Houston's Carlos Correa in the Rookie of the Year race, Sano is living up to his early season ranking as one of the MLB's best prospects. He's batting .343 with nine homers and 23 RBIs in his last 19 games, while his 1.219 OPS is among the AL's best marks.

The Dominican has done it all while playing through a mild strain of his hamstring.

'Sano is the next Miguel Cabrera, in a couple years,' teammate Eduardo Escobar said.

After seemingly playing their way out of the playoffs during a 9-21 stretch, the Twins have gotten back into a tight race with Texas for the second wild card by winning nine of 11.

Minnesota, which will likely snap a string of four straight 90-loss seasons, has batted .342 with 11 homers and 7.5 runs per game while taking seven of eight home games versus Chicago.

The Twins will try to keep producing for Milone (6-4, 3.86 ERA), who hopes to bounce back after allowing five runs over 5 1-3 innings in Thursday's 5-4 loss at Tampa Bay.

Milone hasn't been able to get out of the sixth in three starts since missing 2 1/2 weeks in early August with a sprained elbow, but he's 4-1 with a 3.16 ERA in his last six at home.

Milone has been outstanding against the White Sox, going 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA in six career starts. He gave up 10 hits but only two runs over six innings in a 13-2 home win June 22.

Avisail Garcia is 5 for 9 off him, though Tyler Flowers (2 for 13), Melky Cabrera (1 for 8), Alexei Ramirez (2 for 16) and Adam Eaton (0 for 9) haven't fared as well. Eaton matched a career high with four hits in the opener, leaving him 9 for 14 in his last three games versus Minnesota.

Garcia, who hit his 12th home run Tuesday, is batting .381 in the season series. Adam LaRoche had two hits in the opener and is 9 for 17 with a homer and three doubles in his last five games at Minnesota.

Since going 1-2 with a 9.33 ERA over a four-start stretch, Carlos Rodon (6-5, 4.15) has turned things around with a 2-1 record and a 1.61 mark over his last four. The rookie left-hander will try to help the White Sox (61-69) avoid their seventh loss in 10 games.

"I've just learned how to pitch a little more, I'll put it that way," he told MLB's official website.

Rodon has gone 1-1 with an 0.98 ERA over his last four road outings. In one of three relief appearances in May, he allowed six hits over three scoreless innings in a 5-3 loss at Minnesota.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals (66-65) at Cardinals (86-46)

Game: 3
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: September 02, 2015 8:15 PM EDT

If the Washington Nationals are going to make a September push, they're probably going to need Max Scherzer to start pitching like a Cy Young Award candidate again.

The right-hander may be especially motivated to turn things around in his hometown.

Mired in arguably his worst stretch, Scherzer will try to help the Nationals end their road woes Wednesday night in a showdown with Michael Wacha and the St. Louis Cardinals.

A native of Chesterfield, Missouri, Scherzer (11-11, 2.88 ERA) was drafted by St. Louis in the 43rd round in 2003 before opting to attend the University of Missouri.

He was selected by Arizona three years later as the 11th overall pick. Scherzer last pitched at Busch Stadium in the final start of his 2008 rookie year with the Diamondbacks.

The 2013 AL Cy Young winner looked like a 2015 NL candidate on July 19 when he was 10-8 with a 2.08 ERA and had thrown a no-hitter versus Pittsburgh in June. However, he's struggled to a 1-3 record and 5.63 mark over his last seven outings.

The 31-year-old will try to avoid dropping a career-worst fourth consecutive start after giving up four runs and six hits, including two home runs, over seven innings in Friday's 4-3 home loss to Miami.

"Slider, changeup, curveball, they are all there," Scherzer told MLB's official website. "I'm not sitting here kicking chairs around because I'm frustrated how I pitched. My stuff is there."

Scherzer is 0-2 with a 3.71 ERA in three career starts against the MLB-leading Cardinals. In his only other meeting this season, he yielded two runs over seven innings in a 4-1 loss April 23.

Mark Reynolds is day to day after leaving Tuesday's 8-5 win when he was hit by a pitch on the right wrist. Brandon Moss delivered a walk-off, three-run homer as the Cardinals scored five in the last two innings.

The Nationals (66-65) missed a chance to trim their 6 1/2-game deficit behind the first-place New York Mets in the NL East. They've dropped nine straight in St. Louis and 12 of 15 overall on the road.

"We had a two-run lead in the eighth and couldn't get it done," said manager Matt Williams, whose club also blew a two-run lead in the seventh in Monday's 8-5 defeat.

St. Louis (86-46), which is 40 games over .500 for the first time since 2005, has averaged 6.5 runs during a 9-1 stretch. Stephen Piscotty is batting .421 with 11 RBIs over a nine-game hitting streak.

"Just the style of play that they bring every single day," manager Mike Matheny said. "They are deserving to have whatever kind of acknowledgment is out there."

Wacha (15-4, 2.69), who has replaced injured Adam Wainwright as the club's ace, has gone 4-0 with an 0.92 ERA over his last six starts and is 4-1 with a 1.99 mark in his past seven at Busch.

The 24-year-old has been dominant versus Washington, going 2-1 with an 0.79 ERA in three outings. He earned the win opposite Scherzer in April, giving up one run over seven innings.

Bryce Harper (2 for 9), Anthony Rendon (1 for 6), Ian Desmond (1 for 9) and Jayson Werth (0 for 6) haven't had much success versus Wacha. Werth, though, had his third straight two-hit game Tuesday.

Wilson Ramos is batting .394 with three homers over a nine-game hitting streak, while Ryan Zimmerman is batting .303 with five home runs and 15 RBIs over his last eight.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks (65-68) at Rockies (53-78)

Game: 3
Venue: Coors Field
Date: September 02, 2015 8:40 PM EDT

For a series featuring two NL West teams which are out of playoff contention, there's been some excitement between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies this season.

For lovers of offense, that is.

The clubs conclude the Coors Field portion of their 19-game series Wednesday night, and in the likely event of at least one of them scoring four runs, it'll extend the longest active streak in the NL of games in which at least one team reaches that mark.

After Arizona won 5-3 in Colorado to take both ends of Tuesday's doubleheader, there hasn't been a game in which both teams scored under four runs in the last 20 meetings. Detroit and Cleveland lead baseball with 30 straight such games.

The last time the Diamondbacks (65-68) and Rockies (53-78) played in Colorado with both being held under four was the first meeting of 2013. They've since split 26 games with Arizona scoring 5.7 per game and batting .307 while Colorado has 6.0 and .299 marks.

Seventy home runs have been hit in those 26 contests, which doesn't bode well for two inexperienced pitchers. Colorado's Jon Gray will be making his sixth big league start, while Chase Anderson's first full season in the majors has included plenty of off nights.

Gray (0-0, 6.00 ERA) has surprisingly made it through his last two starts without a loss. The right-hander got off to an impressive start with a 2.40 ERA and .185 opponent batting average in his first three starts after being called up Aug. 4, but he's since lasted a total of six innings while allowing 10 runs and 15 hits.

The 23-year-old and third overall draft pick in 2013 gave up three runs and seven hits in 4 1-3 innings of Friday's 5-3 loss in Pittsburgh, throwing a season-high 89 pitches.

Dealing with an innings ceiling of 30-35 with the big league club after throwing 114 1-3 for Triple-A Albuquerque, he was initially supposed to be held to 75 pitches per start. He's at 21 innings after five starts, so he may only get one more after this.

"It'll be very exciting, and I'm looking forward to it," Gray said of losing the restrictions. "But right now I'm trying to throw as many zeros up as I can, fast."

He hasn't put up many at Coors, posting an 8.44 ERA and .362 opponent batting average in his first three starts before the home fans.

Anderson (6-5, 4.22) is 1-2 with an 8.62 ERA in three starts in Denver, including a 10-5 loss June 23 in which he allowed a career-high eight runs in 4 2-3 innings.

Prior to that game, the right-hander was 3-1 with a 2.84 ERA while enjoying a promising sophomore campaign. Including that contest, he's 3-4 with a 6.22 since, though he's been better lately with a win and 1.42 ERA in his last two.

Wilin Rosario (7 for 10 with a homer and two doubles), Charlie Blackmon (4 for 18 with two homers and a double) and Nolan Arenado (3 for 14 with two homers) have contributed to the damage against Anderson, but Carlos Gonzalez is 0 for 9 with six strikeouts.

Arenado hit his NL-leading 32nd homer Tuesday, while Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt reached 27. A.J. Pollock left the yard for the second time in the first three games of the series. Four of his 15 this season have come against Colorado.

"It's probably an out in most parks," Pollock said. "It definitely was a little bit helped from the Colorado air."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants (69-63) at Dodgers (74-57)

Game: 3
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: September 02, 2015 10:10 PM EDT

As Clayton Kershaw nears a career high for strikeouts, his only concern is leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a victory - something he hasn't done this season against the San Francisco Giants.

The left-hander will try to help the Dodgers complete a three-game home sweep and perhaps finally earn a win against the Giants on Wednesday night.

Kershaw (11-6, 2.24 ERA) matched a season high with 14 strikeouts while allowing a homer and two other hits in eight innings of Friday's 4-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

'He's the best lefty in the game, and the best pitcher in the game as well,' Chicago catcher Miguel Montero said.

Though that's a matter of opinion, Kershaw has an 0.95 ERA with 105 strikeouts and eight walks in his last 11 starts, and is 6-0 in the last 10 since losing at Miami on June 27. The NL leader with 236 strikeouts, Kershaw is 13 shy of topping his career best set in 2011.

However, his focus is on helping Los Angeles (74-57) increase its West Division lead over San Francisco to 6 1/2 games with an eighth win in the last nine contests.

'I take outs as fast as possible,' Kershaw said. "Leading the league in outs is cool."

Though he's recorded his share of outs in three starts against the Giants (69-63) in 2015, Kershaw is 0-2 with a 3.54 ERA in those matchups. Each outing came opposite San Francisco ace Madison Bumgarner, who won't get the chance for a fourth this season after allowing two runs in seven innings and was outdueled by Zack Greinke in Tuesday's 2-1 loss.

San Francisco, which has totaled 10 runs during a four-game losing streak, was last swept in a series at Dodger Stadium in May 2013. Since June 21, the Giants are 10-22 on the road.

"You don't ever lose hope,' Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. 'We're a good run away from getting back in this thing and we've done that.'

Bochy hands the ball to Mike Leake (9-6, 3.53), who will try a fourth time to earn his first victory since the Giants acquired him from Cincinnati on July 30. The right-hander, who endured a 15-day disabled list stint with a hamstring strain last month, has a 3.38 ERA during his time in San Francisco.

Facing the Dodgers for the first time this season, Leake is 2-3 with a 5.18 ERA against them as a starter.

Justin Turner is 5 for 10 against Leake, but 1 for 15 in his last five contests. Andre Ethier hit .375 with three home runs in 24 games last month, and is 7 for 15 with a double and two homers off Leake.

Buster Posey is 3 for 9 with a home run against Kershaw this season, and is batting .429 in his last seven games.

Brandon Crawford is 1 for 18 with seven strikeouts against Kershaw, but the All-Star shortstop might not have a chance to end those struggles due to a sore calf suffered after being hit with a pitch in Monday's 5-4, 14-inning defeat.

"He's pretty sore," Bochy told MLB's official website. "That calf swelled up pretty good when he got hit."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rangers (69-62) at Padres (64-68)

Game: 3
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: September 02, 2015 10:10 PM EDT

Cole Hamels' comfort level with the Texas Rangers is increasing. It's sure to get better against the San Diego Padres.

Hamels looks to continue his dominance of his hometown team and help the Rangers conclude this three-game series with back-to-back wins Wednesday night.

Sitting three games under .500 at the July 31 trade deadline, Texas (69-62) acquired Hamels (2-1, 3.89 ERA) from Philadelphia in search of a turnaround.

That's happened with the Rangers going 20-10 after beating San Diego 8-6 on Tuesday. They're one game ahead of Minnesota for the AL's second wild-card spot and three back of Houston for first in the West.

Hamels has also settled down, winning his last two starts by yielding three runs in 14 innings. The left-hander dominated Baltimore on Friday, fanning 10 and allowing one run and two hits in eight innings of a 4-1 victory.

"This is what everybody kind of envisioned when we traded for him," catcher Chris Gimenez said.

Hamels will now attempt to improve upon his 6-0 record and 1.24 ERA over his last eight starts against the Padres (64-68). He's 5-0 with a 1.47 ERA over his last six at Petco Park.

"This is the part of the season where everything is and everything's focused on. This is where you have to be at your best," said Hamels, who is 21-12 with a 2.93 ERA in 47 games in September - including a 1.96 ERA in six last year.

Elvis Andrus is hitting .378 over his past 11 games. The shortstop has three hits in this series, driving in two runs Tuesday and stealing home to cap Texas' four-run seventh.

Andrus is a .382 hitter in 10 meetings with San Diego.

The Padres give the ball to Ian Kennedy, who's 4-3 with a 2.32 ERA and 9.66 strikeouts per nine innings over his last eight starts. He's been particularly outstanding over the last four, compiling a 1.48 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 24 1-3 innings. However, he's split all four decisions since he's been backed by four total runs.

"Kennedy has been building up," manager Pat Murphy told MLB's official website. "The last three or four he's been on it. I'm confident where he's at."

The right-hander allowed two runs - one on a wild pitch - and two hits but issued five walks while hitting a batter in 6 2-3 innings of Friday's 7-1 loss at Philadelphia.

"Another one where he can say he pitched well and gave us a chance," Murphy said.

Kennedy (8-12, 3.94) has won four straight starts at home behind a 1.57 ERA.

He's 0-2 with an 8.10 ERA in two starts against Texas - both on the road. He gave up four runs and two homers with three walks in 4 1-3 innings of a 4-3 loss July 10.

Kennedy has had a tough time with Adrian Beltre and Prince Fielder, who are a combined 6 for 16 with three homers off him.

Beltre is batting .389 in his last 10 games after getting a pair of hits and scoring twice Tuesday.

Matt Kemp has been a force for the Padres, hitting .354 with six homers and 25 RBIs in his last 16 games. The right fielder came a triple shy of the cycle while driving in four runs Tuesday.

He's 7 for 18 with three doubles off Hamels.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Which MLB futures bets actually have a chance at the World Series?
By JOE FORTENBAUGH

Since Major League Baseball transitioned to a 10-team playoff format in 2012, 23 of the 30 (.766) clubs to qualify for the postseason found themselves either on top of their respective divisions or within 2.5 games of the divisional lead on September 1.

Expand that criteria from within 2.5 games of the divisional lead to 5.0 games and you’ll find 27 of the 30 (.900) teams to earn a postseason berth within our data set. During this time frame, the 2012 St. Louis Cardinals made it to the playoffs from further out in the divisional hunt than any other team at a distance of 9.5 games.

We mention these statistics because the dog days of summer have officially concluded and the postseason push has finally commenced. With that in mind, let’s separate the contenders from the pretenders and analyze the upcoming schedules for the clubs with a legitimate shot of winning the World Series.

Playoff probability: Percentage chances of qualifying for the 2015 postseason
World Series probability: Percentage chances of winning the 2015 World Series
*World Series odds courtesy of the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook
*Playoff and World Series probabilities courtesy of Fangraphs

1. New York Mets (73-58, first in NL East with 6.5-game lead)

Games remaining: 31 (14 home, 17 road)
Opponent’s winning percentage: .439
Home stretch: 3 of 10 opponents with .500 or better record
Playoff probability: 82.6 percent
World Series probability: 6.1 percent
World Series odds: 6/1

Combine a highly-favorable schedule over the final two months of the regular season with the trade deadline acquisition of centerfielder Yoenis Cespedes and what do you get? In the case of the New York Mets, the result is a month of August that concluded with a 20-8 record with an average of 6.0 runs per game scored.

The Mets are streaking at the moment and will face only three teams over the rest of the season (at Washington, vs. New York Yankees, vs. Washington) with a .500 record or better. No wonder this club has seen its World Series odds plummet from 25/1 to 6/1 in just one month’s time.

2. Washington Nationals (66-64, second in NL East trailing by 6.5 games)

Games remaining: 32 (18 home, 14 road)
Opponent’s winning percentage: .460
Home stretch: 3 of 11 opponents with .500 or better record
Playoff probability: 19.7 percent
World Series probability: 2.6 percent
World Series odds: 25/1

Sure, the Nationals are technically in the postseason hunt and boast a soft schedule to finish up the 2015 campaign, but center fielder Denard Span has been lost for the season (torn labrum) while his teammates have watched a two-game lead in the National League East on July 31 turn into a 6.5-game deficit in just over a month.

With the Pirates and Cubs tearing apart the National League at the moment, the only way for the Nationals to make it into October is via a divisional title, which appears too tall an order with the way the Mets have been playing.

3. San Francisco Giants (69-62, second in NL West trailing by 4.5 games)

Games remaining: 30 (16 home, 14 road)
Opponent’s winning percentage: .472
Home stretch: 2 of 10 opponents with .500 or better record
Playoff probability: 11.7 percent
World Series probability: 1.0 percent
World Series odds: 20/1

The defending champs are just lying in the weeds at the moment and have the luxury of playing their final seven games of the season within the friendly confines of AT&T Park. Not only that, but right fielder Hunter Pence, second baseman Joe Panik and center fielder Angel Pagan are all expected back in action in the coming weeks.

With the way the Dodgers have let the Orange & Black hang around this season, don’t be surprised if Bruce Bochy’s crew delivers yet another strong finishing kick in the month of September.

4. Kansas City Royals (80-50, first in AL Central with 13-game lead)

Games remaining: 32 (15 home, 17 road)
Opponent’s winning percentage: .486
Home stretch: 2 of 11 opponents with .500 or better record
Playoff probability: 100.0 percent
World Series probability: 10.4 percent
World Series odds: 7/2

They were 90 feet away from a championship last fall, own Major League Baseball’s second-best bullpen, boast a bona fide ace in former Cincinnati Red Johnny Cueto and find themselves 13 games up in the American League Central with just one month to play.

But between the recent surge exhibited by the Toronto Blue Jays along with the short price of 7/2 to win the World Series, this isn’t exactly the most tempting play on the board.

5. Texas Rangers (68-62, second in AL West trailing by 4 games)

Games remaining: 32 (17 home, 15 road)
Opponent’s winning percentage: .487
Home stretch: 4 of 10 opponents with .500 or better record
Playoff probability: 59.2 percent
World Series probability: 3.1 percent
World Series odds: 16/1

A wild card berth seems plausible thanks to the trade deadline acquisition of starting pitcher Cole Hamels, but do you trust this franchise to advance to the American League Divisional Series and then knock off either Toronto or Kansas City? Yeah, me neither.

6. Houston Astros (73-59, first in AL West with 3.5-game lead)

Games remaining: 30 (14 home, 16 road)
Opponent’s winning percentage: .487
Home stretch: 5 of 10 opponents with .500 or better record
Playoff probability: 95.2 percent
World Series probability: 10.7 percent
World Series odds: 9/1

It’s been a hell of a ride for a city that has witnessed some of the worst baseball in the sport’s history over the last decade, but it still feels as if the Astros are a year or two away from a serious World Series push. However, a rotation that features Dallas Keuchel and Scott Kazmir along with a Top-12 offense has to at least command some respect from the betting public.

7. Toronto Blue Jays (74-57, first in AL East with 1.5-game lead)

Games remaining: 31 (14 home, 17 road)
Opponent’s winning percentage: .492
Home stretch: 2 of 10 opponents with .500 or better record
Playoff probability: 99.5 percent
World Series probability: 13.3 percent
World Series odds: 5/1

Have you seen this lineup? Did you notice the franchise-record 21 wins in the month of August? Between a legitimate frontline ace in David Price and an offense that has paved the way for an MLB-leading plus-191 run differential, there’s no hotter team in all the land than the Toronto Blue Jays.

8. St. Louis Cardinals (85-46, first in NL Central with 5-game lead)

Games remaining: 31 (15 home, 16 road)
Opponent’s winning percentage: .492
Home stretch: 5 of 10 opponents with .500 or better record
Playoff probability: 100.0 percent
World Series probability: 10.5 percent
World Series odds: 6/1

There is absolutely nothing that can derail this team from qualifying for the playoffs. The Cardinals own not only MLB’s top-rated starting rotation in terms of earned run average (2.79), but the club also features the lowest bullpen ERA in baseball at 2.33. At 6/1, this is a far more attractive futures wager than laying 7/2 on Kansas City or 7/1 on the playoff-inept Dodgers.

9. Los Angeles Dodgers (73-57, first in NL West with 4.5-game lead)

Games remaining: 31 (14 home, 17 road)
Opponent’s winning percentage: .493
Home stretch: 4 of 10 opponents with .500 or better record
Playoff probability: 91.1 percent
World Series probability: 20.0 percent
World Series odds: 7/1

Between the injuries, overall dysfunction and flammable bullpen (4.04 ERA, 23rd in MLB), 7/1 is far too short a price to lay Don Mattingly’s Dodgers. A $300 million bankroll can buy you a lot of recognition, but it can’t guarantee that three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw finds a way to exorcise his postseason demons.

10. Pittsburgh Pirates (79-50, second in NL Central trailing by 5 games)

Games remaining: 33 (14 home, 19 road)
Opponent’s winning percentage: .501
Home stretch: 5 of 10 opponents with .500 or better record
Playoff probability: 99.9 percent
World Series probability: 7.8 percent
World Series odds: 10/1

They’ve got the makeup of a legitimate contender that can go toe-to-toe with anybody in baseball, but you can’t help but feel at least a slight bit of trepidation in the fact that Pittsburgh may need to beat the red-hot Chicago Cubs just for a shot at the National League Divisional Series.

11. New York Yankees (72-58, second in AL East trailing by 1.5 games)

Games remaining: 32 (18 home, 14 road)
Opponent’s winning percentage: .504
Home stretch: 3 of 10 opponents with .500 or better record
Playoff probability: 96.3 percent
World Series probability: 7.1 percent
World Series odds: 12/1

The pinstripes rank second in run production and 10th in bullpen ERA this season, but a starting rotation that ranks 20th in the major leagues in earned run average is a serious concern as October approaches.

12. Los Angeles Angels (65-66, third in AL West trailing by 7.5 games)

Games remaining: 31 (15 home, 16 road)
Opponent’s winning percentage: .504
Home stretch: 6 of 10 opponents with .500 or better record
Playoff probability: 16.3 percent
World Series probability: 0.9 percent
World Series odds: 40/1

Perhaps the Halos find a way to close strong and make the playoffs, but an offense that ranks 23rd in runs per game isn’t going to get anybody all hot and bothered.

13. Chicago Cubs (74-56, third in NL Central trailing by 10.5 games)

Games remaining: 32 (15 home, 17 road)
Opponent’s winning percentage: .507
Home stretch: 5 of 11 opponents with .500 or better record
Playoff probability: 94.7 percent
World Series probability: 5.6 percent
World Series odds: 14/1

Similar to Houston in the sense that they’re apparently ready to contend a year or two early while also similar to Pittsburgh in that they’ll have to win an ultra-difficult wild card game in order to advance to the NLDS. Still, we can’t blame you for backing the fan-friendly Cubs and ace Jake Arrieta at the reasonable price of 14/1.

14. Minnesota Twins (67-63, second in AL Central trailing by 13 games)

Games remaining: 32 (16 home, 16 road)
Opponent’s winning percentage: .511
Home stretch: 4 of 10 opponents with .500 or better record
Playoff probability: 15.9 percent
World Series probability: 0.2 percent
World Series odds: 40/1

They’ve done a lot with a little and have a very bright future thanks to young talent like second baseman Brian Dozier, but the Twins have nowhere near the arsenal necessary to contend with the powerhouse clubs of the American League like Kansas City, Toronto and Houston.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mariners elevate four players
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

The Seattle Mariners added right-handers Jose Ramirez and Tony Zych, infielder Shawn O'Malley and outfielder Stefen Romero before their game against the Houston Astros on Tuesday as rosters expanded to 40 players.

O’Malley, 27, was batting .297 for Triple-A Tacoma with five home runs, 39 RBIs and 20 stolen bases in 89 games. He has played in 11 major league games with the Angels.

Ramirez, 25, played in nine games for Tacoma and was 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA 13.0 IP) in relief after being optioned to the Triple-A team on Aug. 3. He is joining the Mariners for the second time this season. He came to Seattle at the trade deadline from the New York Yankees after making three appearances for the Yankees this year and eight in 2014.

Romero, 26, has played in Triple-A all season and has a .292 batting average with 17 home runs and 79 RBIs in 116 games.

Zych, 25, has gone between Double-A Jackson & Triple-A Tacoma this year. His combined record is 1-2 with a 2.98 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings and 40 games. The Mariners obtained the former Cubs pitcher on April 2.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Braves promote Cuban INF Olivera
The Sports Xchange

Cuban infielder Hector Olivera was called up to the major leagues for the first time on Tuesday by the Atlanta Braves.

The Braves also activated left-hander Manny Banuelos from the 15-day disabled list and recalled right-handers Dan Burawa and Brandon Cunniff and infielder Daniel Castro from Triple-A Gwinnett.

Four months after defecting from his native country, Olivera signed a six-year, $62.5 million contract that included a $28 million signing bonus with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who dealt him to Atlanta in July as part of a three-team, 13-player trade that included the Miami Marlins.

The 30-year-old Olivera is batting .272 with two homers in 35 minor league games this season at second and third base. A hamstring injury limited his playing time. In 10 games for Triple-A Gwinnett after the trade, Olivera hit .231 with three RBIs.

Olivera was a member of the Cuban national team that won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yankees promote RHP Bailey
The Sports Xchange

The New York Yankees called up former All-Star closer and Rookie of the Year Andrew Bailey on Tuesday.

Bailey returns to the major leagues at age 31 for the first time since the 2013 season, when he suffered a shoulder injury with the Boston Red Sox. Injuries have plagued Bailey since he pitched for the Oakland Athletics from 2008 to 2011 and made the American League All-Star team in 2008 and 2009..

In December 2011, Bailey was traded to the Red Sox for Josh Reddick and two minor leaguers. He posted six saves and a 7.04 ERA in 2012 and went 3-1 with eight saves and a 3.77 ERA in 2013.

Bailey has been with the Yankees' organization since 2014 and had a 2.19 ERA in 12 1/3 innings in Triple-A this season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Iglesias cashing the Under with ease
Stephen Campbell

In Raisel Iglesias's past seven outings, the Under has gone 6-1.

The Cincinnati Reds hurler is scheduled to get the nod Wednesday opposite Jason Hammel and the Chicago Cubs.

At the time of writing, the total for the game was off the board.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Five To Follow MLB Betting: Wednesday, September 2, 2015 Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews

Monday night was the deadline for teams to acquire players in trades who cleared waivers and have them eligible for the postseason. Four contenders added some outfield help. The Cubs got Austin Jackson since Jorge Soler might miss the rest of the regular season with an injury; Jackson is the best player on this list. The Giants, who have battled outfield injuries all season, added Alejandro De Aza from the Red Sox; the Royals acquired Jonny Gomes from the Braves; and the Dodgers got Justin Ruggiano from Seattle. None of those trades are odds-altering, but I like the Jackson move. Also, on Tuesday the big-league rosters expanded, so several guys are going to get called up over the next couple of weeks.


Rays at Orioles (-138, 8)

Interesting news from Baltimore's loss to Tampa on Monday night as the team started Manny Machado at shortstop for the first time in his big-league career. He was groomed to be the Orioles' future there but had played third base since being called up in August 2012 -- and at a Gold Glove level. Usual starting shortstop J.J. Hardy remains on the DL. He also has a long-term deal, so I don't see the O's moving Machado to short full time unless they can find a taker for Hardy. Unless Hardy can play second or third. Baltimore starts Kevin Gausman (2-6, 4.39) here. He gets some of the worst run support in MLB as the O's are averaging only 2.51 runs in his 11 starts. He has pitched 2.1 innings of relief vs. the Rays this year and is 1-0 with a 7.71 ERA. Tampa's Erasmo Ramirez (10-5, 3.68) is 1-1 with a 2.87 ERA in 15.2 innings this year against the Birds. Adam Jones is 3-for-9 with two doubles off him.

Key trends: The Rays are 5-2 in Ramirez's past seven road starts vs. teams with a losing record. The Orioles are 3-7 in Gausman's past 10 at home. The "over/under" is 4-0 in Ramirez's past four on the road. The under is 5-0 in Gausman's past five on Wednesday.

Early lean: Rays and over.


Reds at Cubs (-157, TBA)

Among the Sept. 1 call-ups, probably the most interesting is the Cubs' Javier Baez, who once was a higher-regarded prospect than current Cubs rookie stars Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber. This might be a make-or-break month for Baez if playing for Chicago is in his future. The team reportedly tried to trade him ahead of the July 31 deadline. Baez was tearing up Triple-A of late, but then he did that last year and was a strikeout machine when called up to the bigs. He should get plenty of playing time at second base and maybe third if the Cubs use Bryant in the outfield at times. The Cubs face Raisel Iglesias (3-6, 3.92) in this matinee. He faced the Cubs on July 21 and allowed two runs over 5.2 innings in a no-decision. Chicago goes with Jason Hammel (7-6, 3.42). He hasn't gone more than six innings since July 3. Hammel is 0-0 with a 2.70 ERA in two starts this year vs. the Reds. Joey Votto is 3-for-17 with a homer and two RBIs off him.

Key trends: The Reds are 1-5 in Iglesias' past six on the road. The Cubs are 2-7 in Hammel's past nine at home vs. teams with a losing record. The over is 5-1 in Hammel's past six at home.

Early lean: Cubs and over (probably 8ish).


Nationals at Cardinals (-122, 6.5)

This is your ESPN Wednesday night game and will have live betting at sportsbooks. Looks to be the top pitching matchup of the day as well. It's Michael Wacha (15-4, 2.69) for the home side, and he'll get some Cy Young votes. He hasn't personally lost since July 26 and hasn't given up more than two earned runs in a start since that same date. He did win in Washington on April 23, allowing one run over seven innings. Anthony Rendon is 1-for-6 with a homer off him. Jayson Werth is 0-for-6. Washington's Max Scherzer (11-11, 2.88) has been in a bit of a funk. He has a 6.00 ERA over his past seven starts. Scherzer should be jacked up here, though, as he grew up in St. Louis as a Cardinals fan. Matt Carpenter is 2-for-3 with a double off him. Brandon Moss is 3-for-4 with a homer and six strikeouts.

Key trends: The Cards are 8-2 in Wacha's past 10 during Game 3 of a series. The under is 8-2-1 in Scherzer's past 11 vs. teams with a winning record. The under is 5-0 in Wacha's past five at home.

Early lean: Cardinals and under.


Yankees at Red Sox (+135, 8.5)

Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira has been sent back to New York for more tests on his right leg and he will miss at least this series. Rookie Greg Bird will start at first base. The Red Sox start rookie left-hander Henry Owens (2-1, 4.03). Boston has won his past two, with Owens allowing two runs in each. His big-league debut was Aug. 4 at the Yankees, allowing three runs over five innings. The Yankees' Masahiro Tanaka (10-6, 3.62) is 2-0 with a 4.91 ERA in two starts this year against Boston. David Ortiz is 2-for-11 with a solo homer off him. Pablo Sandoval is 2-for-6 with a dinger.

Key trends: The Yanks are 6-1 in Tanaka's past seven vs. the AL East. The under is 5-2 in his past seven on the road. The over is 5-0 in Owens' past five overall.

Early lean: Yankees and under.


Giants at Dodgers (-220, 6)

The slumping Giants don't figure to get better Wednesday night against L.A.'s Clayton Kershaw (11-6, 2.24). He has allowed three earned runs combined over his past four starts, although L.A. is just 2-2 in those because the Dodgers aren't scoring much with him on the mound. All that talk about Kershaw's struggles at the beginning of the season is dead and gone. Other than a four-run outing on Aug. 7 against Pittsburgh, Kershaw has not allowed more than one run in a start since June 22. He is 0-2 with a 3.54 ERA in three starts vs. the Giants in 2015, but those were all early in the year. Buster Posey hits .203 off him with two homers and 15 strikeouts in 69 at-bats. Brandon Belt almost surely will get the game off. He's an ugly 3-for-34 with 19 strikeouts vs. Kershaw. Pretty sure I could do that. It's Mike Leake (9-6, 3.53) for the Giants. He hasn't faced the Dodgers in 2015. Chase Utley is 2-for-15 with a homer off him. Andre Ethier is 7-for-15 with two homers.

Key trends: The Dodgers are 11-3 in Kershaw's past 14 during Game 3 of a series. The under is 10-2 in his past 12 overall. The under is 7-2-1 in Kershaw's past 10 at home vs. the Giants.

Early lean: Dodgers and under.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Cokin

Bonus Play Wednesday

PIRATES (Locke) at BREWERS (Davies) 8:10 PM

Take: BREWERS +130

There are not a lot of spots where I want to even consider trying to buck the Bucs right now. But the one scenario that remains somewhat appealing is when Jeff Locke is the starting pitcher on the road.

To be fair, Locke has done pretty well in his last couple of away outings. But his overall data in road games is less than appealing, and that makes him a dicey road chalk pitcher even with that powerhouse supporting cast.

Zach Davies will make his debut for the Brewers tonight. Davies was a trade deadline mover, heading the Brewers way in the Gerardo Parra deal. Davies is not a great stuff prospect and I suspect he won’t be much more than a #4 starter long term. But one thing he has working in his favor is command of all his pitches and that ability to locate should serve him well as he attempts to outperform the scouting reports.

I’m a fan of giving first-time starters a roll. The opposition hasn’t seen him at all, and whole the Pirates will obviously be armed with plenty of information, seeing a guy live for the first time is a different story, and it’s often that goes the pitcher’s way.

The Brewers were dead in the water from Opening Day this year, but the team has played somewhat respectably since Craig Counsell took over as manager. Not that 48-57 is a sensational ledger, but Milwaukee has been competitive under Counsell. This looks like a winnable spot, at least from a price perspective, and I’m looking to cast my lot with the Brewers to get the upset tonight.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Arthur Ralph Sports

Bonus Play WED Texas w/Hamels -125