Wednesday 9/21/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Astros (80-71) at Athletics (66-85)

Game: 3
Venue: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Date: September 21, 2016 3:35 PM EDT

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Houston Astros right-hander Collin McHugh said he doesn't spend much time thinking about his pitching history, but maybe he should make an exception going into his start against the Oakland A's on Wednesday afternoon.

McHugh is 5-1 with a 3.00 ERA in eight career starts against Oakland. Then there is his history of September success. McHugh is 10-0 with a 3.08 ERA in his past 12 September starts since 2014 as an Astro. This season, he is 2-0 with a 3.31 ERA in September.

McHugh (11-10, 4.66 ERA) is 1-0 with a 3.63 ERA in three starts against the A's this year, beating them in his most recent meeting on Aug. 30 in Houston. He threw six shutout innings with five strikeouts and one walk in six innings during a 3-1 victory.

"I can't think too far back," McHugh said Tuesday. "I know I faced them a few weeks back, three or four starts ago, threw the ball pretty well against them. But it's a good lineup. Any lineup you face in the major leagues is a major league lineup.

"Even at this point in the season, even with the guys that they're bringing up, whether you're in contention or not, every guy here is a major-leaguer, and any team's capable of beating any team on any given day. That's the beauty of baseball."

The Astros won the first two games in the series and will go for the sweep Wednesday. After beating the A's 2-1 in 10 innings on Tuesday night, Houston moved to within two games of the Baltimore Orioles for the American League's second wild-card spot.

McHugh, who has a four-game winning streak, is coming off of one of his best starts of the season. He held the Seattle Mariners scoreless on two hits over seven innings Friday in a 6-0 victory. He struck out six and walked two.

"I felt good," McHugh said. "Command-wise, I probably felt as sharp as I've felt all season the last month or so."

A's rookie right-hander Daniel Mengden (2-7, 5.68 ERA) will make his 13th start of the season and is coming off arguably his best outing of the year. He blanked the Kansas City Royals on a season-low three hits over seven innings Thursday in a 14-5 victory. Mengden struck out six and didn't walk a batter for the first time this season. Before that start, he had allowed two or more runs every outing.

"That's been one of my biggest flaws since I've been up here, the amount of walks I've had," Mengden said. "If you look at my stats in the minor leagues, my walks have been good compared to strikeouts. When I got up here, I think that's where I got into most of my trouble.

"Free passes are the worst. They'll kill you as a pitcher. I'm just trying to throw strikes. Getting ahead is the biggest thing."

A's manager Bob Melvin said Mengden attacked hitters at Kansas City.

"It was just pounding the strike zone," Melvin said. "I think he'd been getting behind in counts, maybe picking a little too much at the corners as opposed to throwing the ball over the plate and getting ahead. And he did that really effectively, so hopefully the confidence goes into his next start because I think he understands when he throws the ball over the plate, he's got a good chance to get hitters out and stay in the game a little bit longer.

"For a while there, he was getting behind and throwing a lot of pitches. They were making him work pretty hard and he was coming out of games early, (but) I think he got past that in his last outing."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Blue Jays (83-68) at Mariners (79-72)

Game: 3
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: September 21, 2016 3:40 PM EDT

SEATTLE -- The Toronto Blue Jays have spent a good part of recent weeks chasing the Boston Red Sox in the American League East standings and the Baltimore Orioles in the AL wild-card race.

After Tuesday night, the Blue Jays are beginning to look more like the hunted.

Their 10-2 win over Seattle put the Blue Jays atop the wild-card standings and applied a significant blow to the Mariners' playoff chances.

Toronto (83-68) has won two in a row and suddenly is in better position than it has been in a while.

"With that early game (Wednesday afternoon), this was a big win tonight," Toronto right fielder Michael Saunders said late Tuesday night. "It's going to come earlier than usual, and hopefully we can carry this momentum into (Wednesday)."

The first order of business is to finish off a sweep of the fading Mariners, who host Toronto in the final game of the three-game series Wednesday.

The Blue Jays plan to have starter Aaron Sanchez (13-2) back on the mound after a blister delayed his latest start. Sanchez got roughed up his last time out, but his blister problems appear to be somewhat resolved as he heads into Wednesday's game.

The Mariners (79-72) will counter with No. 1 starter Felix Hernandez, who hasn't pitched like an ace this season. Hernandez (11-6) is coming off a forgettable start in the opening game of the Houston series last Friday, and he needs to step up in one of the few big-game starts of his career.

Hernandez has never pitched in a postseason game, and most of his September starts over his 11-year career have come with the Mariners out of postseason contention.

Seattle is still alive this time around, but the Mariners' chances are growing slimmer with each loss. They entered the Toronto series in need of at least two wins, and now the Mariners will just try to salvage one.

The good news for Seattle is that Baltimore has also fallen on hard times, so the Mariners are still within striking distance in the wild-card race. The bad news is that two other teams -- Detroit and Houston -- have now passed Seattle and are added obstacles.

"It's disappointing, no doubt," Seattle manager Scott Servais said after Tuesday's loss, "but it is what it is. We've got to get back to playing good baseball."

The Mariners have scored two runs or fewer in five of their past six games, and their offense is running out of gas at a bad time. Tuesday was another example, as Seattle took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning but didn't score again the rest of the way.

Five games against fellow AL wild-card contenders Toronto and Houston have left the Mariners with a 1-4 record, and Seattle hasn't looked good in the process.

"That's kind of been the story of our season," Servais said. "We're either really, really good, or we have some ugly nights."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Red Sox (87-64) at Orioles (82-69)

Game: 3
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: September 21, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

BALTIMORE -- The Boston Red Sox sit comfortably atop the American League East and can further distance themselves from the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night.

Boston dominated the first two matchups of the crucial four-game series, outscoring Baltimore 10-4. The Red Sox lead the fading Orioles by five games, and another victory will likely shift Baltimore's focus solely on retaining one of the two wild-card berths.

"I think there is growing confidence in our clubhouse daily," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "We've responded to a number of challenges, whether it's on the road or coming from behind to win ball games in the division. Those are key. When you succeed in those, that's a snowball effect that takes place. To balance that out, no one is taking any of that for granted."

Clay Buchholz (7-10, 5.20 ERA) tries to lead the Red Sox to their seventh straight victory. The right-hander was dominant in his last outing against the Yankees, when he picked up the win after allowing two runs on seven hits over six innings.

The Orioles turn to Ubaldo Jimenez (7-11, 5.94 ERA) to gain some much-needed momentum. He has surprisingly been one of Baltimore's best pitchers over the past month. Jimenez was put in the rotation when Chris Tillman went on the disabled list Aug. 24. From there, Jimenez has thrived and helped the playoff push.

In his last outing, Jimenez gave the Orioles bullpen a rest by throwing seven innings in a 5-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. However, Jimenez has struggled against the Red Sox, going 2-5 with a 7.39 ERA in 13 starts.

While Baltimore manager Buck Showalter declined to describe any game as a "must win," his team sorely needs a victory.

"We know how many opportunities there are and there's still an opportunity for us," Showalter said. "They are a good team, like all the teams are at this level, but especially a team having as good of a year as they are. It's one thing to want to do it, as much as our guys want to, but you get a couple pitching performances against us like we've had the last two nights it's a challenge."

The biggest challenge for Jimenez will be containing Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts, who has pounded Orioles' pitching this season. Betts has hit safely in all eight games at Camden Yards, batting .561 with eight home runs and 15 RBIs over that span.

David Ortiz also dominated the Orioles' pitching staff. On Tuesday, Ortiz got his 36th home run, a three-run shot in the seventh inning, that proved to be the decisive blow in the 5-2 victory.

"This was really huge," Bradley said. "We faced a really good team in Baltimore. To get two wins right away is very vital for us. I think it will help us keep building on our momentum and finish strong."

The 36 homers by Ortiz are the most by any player in his final season, one ahead of Dave Kingman in 1986. Ortiz has six home runs in his past nine games at Camden Yards.

"I'll try to hit a couple more so nobody can reach me," Ortiz said. "It's just a number, man. I'm just trying to help this ballclub. I don't care about personal numbers. I care about winning."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: White Sox (72-79) at Phillies (68-83)

Game: 2
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: September 21, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

PHILADELPHIA -- If the Chicago White Sox are going to limit their opponents offensively, they're going to need to keep them from running rampant on the basepaths.

In a 7-6 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night, the White Sox allowed three stolen bases before Cesar Hernandez was thrown out trying to steal second in the eighth inning.

That continues a troubling theme with rookie catcher Omar Narvaez behind the plate. In 215 innings, he allowed 21 stolen bases while catching only two runners, a success rate of 8.7 percent.

Those steals proved troublesome against the Phillies (69-83), with Odubel Herrera (two) and rookie Roman Quinn putting themselves in scoring position for the top four of the Philadelphia lineup that went 8-for-15 on Tuesday.

Manager Robin Ventura, though, didn't seem too worried afterward about the trend, hesitating to put all the blame on the 24-year-old from Venezuela who was first called up in July.

"You're going to need some help from your pitchers," Ventura said. "Those guys are pretty speedy, so it's not for a lack of trying or having the arm to do it. It's just you've got to be able to time it up right."

Stealing bases isn't something new to the Phillies, who are 11th in the majors in steals (87). But the addition of Quinn, a 23-year old rookie, to the lineup -- Phillies manager Pete Mackanin has had him batting second in the order -- gives them another set of afterburners on the base paths.

"Quinn has elite level speed," Jake Thompson said after winning Tuesday's game. "It's fun watching those guys get going out there. There's probably only maybe three or four teams in the league that have someone who can run like Quinn. Whenever he gets his feet going, it's fun to watch."

Ventura has a veteran to help Narvaez out on the mound Wednesday in Chris Sale as the White Sox (72-79) attempt to even the two-game series.

Sale (16-8, 3.03 ERA) can equal his career high for wins in a season. He's one behind the 17 he won in 2012, his first season as a full-time starter and first of five straight All-Star appearances.

In three September starts, he's 1-1 with a 2.52 ERA, striking out 30 against two walks in 25 innings.

The Phillies counter with Jerad Eickhoff, who has been steady all season long despite a general lack of run support (3.4 runs per game), going 10-14 with a 3.74 ERA in his first full major league season.

Since the All-Star break, he's 4-4 with a 3.66 ERA, though he's coming off a bit of a rough outing, when he gave up a three-run seventh-inning home run as part of allowing six runs (three earned) in 6 2/3 innings of a 15-2 loss to Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Eickhoff could benefit from the continued surge of center fielder Odubel Herrera, who is 15-for-28 over his last seven games after a 3-for-4, three-RBI performance Tuesday.

"Herrera's swinging the bat very well and that's really nice to see," manager Pete Mackanin said. "We needed him to do that. He looks like he's getting more selective. He's not taking those wild swings and it's paying off."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Braves (60-91) at Mets (80-71)

Game: 3
Venue: Citi Field
Date: September 21, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

NEW YORK -- As the last-place team in the National League East, the Atlanta Braves can afford to let someone learn on the job, as right-handed pitcher Ryan Weber will begin to do Wednesday night.

Their opponents, the New York Mets, are in the thick of the NL wild-card race, and veteran right fielder Jay Bruce may not have any time left to snap out of a nearly two-month slump.

Bruce's place in -- or out -- of the lineup is sure to be a central topic Wednesday night, when the Mets try to avoid being swept by the Braves in the finale of a three-game series at Citi Field.

Atlanta right-hander Julio Teheran threw seven strong innings Tuesday, when the Braves withstood a late Mets comeback to eke out a 5-4 win. The result, coupled with wins by the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals, dropped New York into a three-way tie with the Giants and Cardinals for the two NL wild-card spots.

The Giants, Cardinals and Mets are all 81-70.

The Mets looked as if they might be mounting a dramatic comeback during a three-run eighth inning Tuesday, when Eric Campbell -- a .172 hitter who had not batted in the majors since May 30 -- produced the second run of the frame with a pinch-hit RBI single. He batted in place of Bruce, who led the NL in RBIs prior to an Aug. 1 trade to the Mets.

Bruce, who didn't start either Sunday or Monday, went 0-for-3 Tuesday and is batting just .176 in 39 games with the Mets. He is 3-for-37 (.081) dating back to Sept. 5.

Manager Terry Collins said it was a difficult decision to pinch-hit for the left-handed-hitting Bruce against southpaw Ian Krol but that he did so in the best interests of the team.

"It's one of the worst things you can do as a manager -- pinch-hit for a star, especially one of the elite power hitters in the game," Collins said. "But you know, my job is to try to win the game."

Bruce -- a three-time All-Star with 237 career homers -- said it was the first time he could remember being lifted for a pinch hitter but that he understood Collins' decision.

"He didn't need to explain that to me," said Bruce, who actually was replaced by a pinch hitter eight times previously. "I obviously get how the game is played, and you know what his thought process was there. I don't deserve any explanations from the manager. He's the manager, he makes the decisions."

Perhaps Bruce will get a chance to redeem himself against Weber, who will be making his second start of the season and his first since Sept. 5. Overall this year, he is 1-1 with a 5.46 ERA in 15 outings.

Weber earned the opportunity to return to the rotation by throwing 4 2/3 innings of one-run relief in place of right-hander John Gant last Friday against the Washington Nationals.

"He did such a good job the other day," Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said Monday. "(He) was efficient and extended it so well, and he's somewhat stretched out. Just get the bird off the ground and get us in flight, see where we end up."

Weber is 0-0 with a 7.56 ERA in two career games (one start) against the Mets.

The Braves (60-91) look increasingly likely to end up with fewer than 100 losses, something that seemed inconceivable when manager Fredi Gonzalez was fired following a 9-28 start that had the club on pace to lose 120 games.

Atlanta is 51-63 under Snitker and needs to win just three of its final 11 games to avoid the franchise's first 100-loss season since 1988.

"They are big (games) for us -- that's why we're going out there to win, not to show up," Snitker said. "We're going out to try to win the ballgame."

Ageless right-hander Bartolo Colon (14-7, 3.14 ERA) will look to serve as the stopper for the Mets. The 43-year-old veteran, who needs one more win to become only the fourth pitcher to ever win at least 15 games at age 43 or older, is 9-3 with a 2.48 ERA in 14 career starts against the Braves.

In three starts against Atlanta this year, Colon is 1-1 with a 1.71 ERA.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Nationals (88-63) at Marlins (76-75)

Game: 3
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: September 21, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

MIAMI -- It's your move, Max Scherzer.

After Jose Fernandez of the Miami Marlins threw a gem on Tuesday night, beating the Washington Nationals 1-0, now it's time for another star in this series, Scherzer of the Washington Nationals, to try to match.

Scherzer, who starts on Wednesday against Miami, is in the running to win the NL's Cy Young award.

Scherzer (17-7, 2.78 ERA) entered Tuesday tied for first in the NL in wins and sixth in ERA. He also leads the majors with 259 strikeouts.

Fernandez (16-8, 2.86 ERA, 253 strikeouts) is also in the running for Cy Young.

Among the other candidates are three pitchers from the Chicago Cubs -- Jake Arrieta (17-7, 2.96 ERA), Jon Lester (17-4, 2.40) and Kyle Hendricks (15-8, 2.06) -- as well as Johnny Cueto (16-5, 2.86) and Madison Bumgarner (14-9, 2.57) of the San Francisco Giants.

Washington's Stephen Strasburg (15-4, 3.60 ERA) had been in the race until he got hurt. Clayton Kershaw (11-3, 1.73 ERA) of the Los Angeles Dodgers was the favorite until he got hurt.

When you add up all the numbers and all the variables, the Cy Young race is too close to call.

But if you ask Nationals players, they are no doubt backing Scherzer.

"Every out matters to him," Nationals center fielder Trea Turner told the media after his last start. "He goes out every inning and throws up zeroes. He's a competitor."

Scherzer will probably get just two more starts this regular season, so 20 wins do not seem possible. But if he were to get to 19 wins, it would be the second-best season of his career in that category. He won 21 games in 2013 when he finished 21-3 with a 2.90 ERA with the Detroit Tigers.

His current 2.78 ERA is the lowest of his nine-year career.

On Wednesday, Scherzer will face Miami's Tom Koehler, who has a much more modest goal. He has a chance to win at least 10 games for the third straight season. He is 30-35 during that span.

Against the Nationals (88-63), Koehler will try to send the NL East leaders to their fifth straight loss, which would be a bit of an alarming slump just a couple of weeks before the playoffs start.

"The thing I take out of it is I quit counting," Nationals manager Dusty Baker said of his team's losing streak. "We're just not getting that big hit."

The Marlins (76-75), meanwhile, are looking for their fourth straight win. They are also looking to keep their slim postseason hopes alive while making life more difficult for the teams they are chasing in the NL wild-card race -- the New York Mets, the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals.

"I don't know what the elimination number is," Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. "But I know if we can go about think about putting a win up on the board every day, then it makes it harder (on the teams Miami is chasing)."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Yankees (78-72) at Rays (64-86)

Game: 2
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: September 21, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Billy Butler has hits in his first five games as a member of the New York Yankees, the best streak to start a career in pinstripes in more than two years. His two doubles Tuesday helped the Yankees to a 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays to snap a five-game losing streak.

"Billy's done a really good job," manager Joe Girardi said. "We brought him in here to face left-handers. He had a couple of doubles again today. He's swung the bat really well for us. It's important that you try to spread it around -- the more guys you have stacked together that can swing the bat obviously helps."

As the Yankees struggle to stay alive in the American League wild-card chase, trailing by 3 1/2 games with 12 to play, every win carries urgency now. New York will try to win Wednesday against a pitcher with near-historic success against them.

Rays starter Alex Cobb (1-0, 3.06) is making his fourth start since returning from Tommy John surgery, but he has always pitched well against the Yankees. For his career, he's 5-2 with a 2.13 ERA, and among pitchers with 10 or more starts against New York, the .187 average is the lowest in baseball history.

Cobb earned his first win of the season last week against Toronto, going 6.2 innings and holding the Blue Jays to two hits and one run. He faced the Yankees just two weeks ago, allowing three earned runs in six innings and taking a no-decision.

What helps the Yankees is that RHP Masahiro Tanaka also has phenomenal career numbers against the Rays -- he's 5-0 with a 2.42 ERA, with 47 strikeouts against only two walks. Overall, he's 13-4 with a 2.97 ERA that is the lowest in the AL, giving him a chance to be the Yankees' first AL ERA champ since Rudy May in 1980. In his last eight starts overall, he's 6-0 with a 1.86 ERA, so hits will be hard to come by for both teams Wednesday.

The Rays will have to figure out how to get past Yankees rookie catcher Gary Sanchez, who has 17 home runs in his first 44 games, including the game-winning three-run home run in seventh inning of Tuesday's 5-3 win.

"I know Gary Sanchez is having a tremendous year," Rays manager Kevin Cash said after Tuesday's loss, deciding to allow reliever Brad Boxberger to pitch to Sanchez rather than intentionally walk him with first base open and two outs.

They'll also need to step up at the plate, after striking out 16 times against the Yankees on Tuesday, matching New York's staff high this season and their most in any nine-inning road game since 2012. The Yankees now have 42 come-from-behind wins, their most in any season since 2012.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Royals (77-74) at Indians (87-63)

Game: 2
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: September 21, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

CLEVELAND -- Cy Young Award candidate Corey Kluber will start for the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday night in game two of their three-game series with the Kansas City Royals. Kluber will get two more starts after this one. He'll start Sept. 25 against the White Sox and Sept. 30 in Kansas City.

That will put Kluber in line to start game one of the Division Series, assuming the Indians reach the postseason. How the Indians' starting rotation lines up for the postseason after Kluber's game one start is a topic of heavy conversation in Cleveland these days.

With Nos. 2 and 3 starters Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar suffering season-ending injuries, the Indians' postseason rotation is up in the air. Trevor Bauer will be the No.2 starter and Josh Tomlin, who pitched well in Tuesday's 2-1 win, is the best bet to be the No. 3 starter.

Indians officials will undoubtedly consider the possibility of only using three starters, and pitching Kluber and/or Bauer on short rest in the postseason.

"It's going to depend on how guys are pitching when we get toward the playoffs," Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway said. "The good thing is Kluber and Bauer can probably pitch on three days rest whenever you need them to. We've got that in our advantage for sure."

Indians officials will ponder their options with their postseason rotation over the next 13 games. At some point they will clinch their first Central Division title since 2007. Their magic number for clinching is down to six.

Six of the Indians' last 13 games are against the Royals, the defending American League champions. The Royals' playoff hopes this season are fading, but they are still mathematically in the race for a wildcard spot.

Wednesday night the Royals will send Ian Kennedy (11-9, 3.60) to the mound against Kluber (17-9, 3.12).

In four starts against the Indians this year Kennedy is 2-2 with a 6.00 ERA. In six career starts vs. Cleveland Kennedy is 2-2 with a 5.59 ERA.

Kennedy will be coming into the game on a roll. He hasn't lost a game since July 25. In 10 starts since then he is 5-0 with a 2.14 ERA.

Kluber has basically been on a season-long role. In his last 13 starts he is 9-1 with a 2.28 ERA, having pitched himself into position to possibly win his second Cy Young Award in three years.

In three starts against the Royals this year Kluber is 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA. In 17 career starts against Kansas City Kluber is 6-6 with a 3.23 ERA.

Both teams are coming off a dramatic 2-1 Indians victory Tuesday night. The Indians won it on a walk-off RBI single by Brandon Guyer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Indians lead the majors with 11 walk-off wins, which have come at bats by nine different players.

"With a good team, that's how it works," said Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona. "One through nine, one through twelve, one through 14, whatever it takes."

The Royals are still seething from an eighth inning rally that saw them have the potential go-ahead run at third with one out, only to have Christian Colon and Whit Merrifield called out on strikes that the Royals didn't think were strikes.

"There are a lot of things that happened in the ninth, but what went on in the eighth took us completely out of the inning," Royals manager Ned Yost said.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Reds (63-88) at Cubs (96-55)

Game: 3
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: September 21, 2016 8:05 PM EDT

CHICAGO -- Robert Stephenson is back with the Cincinnati Reds this month, getting the chance to finish as strongly as he started the 2016 season.

Stephenson (2-1, 4.97 ERA) will make his sixth career appearance, fourth start, when he face the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday at Wrigley Field. He was recalled by the Reds earlier this month.

In April, the 23-year-old right-hander became the first Reds pitcher to win his first two big league games since Larry Luebbers in 1993. He earned those victories after Cincinnati right-hander Homer Bailey was deemed unable to pitch at the start of the season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery.

Stephenson was sent to Triple-A Louisville in late April, and he spent the bulk of the season in the minors. He went 8-9 with a 4.41 ERA in 24 starts for Louisville, including wins in his final two starts while allowing a total of three earned runs.

"We want to see Robert, and we're giving him a chance to pitch in his regular comfortable role, which is as a starter," Price said when Stephenson was called up Sept. 2. "This is an opportunity for him to continue to find his way.

In three starts this month, Stephenson is 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA. On Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he allowed four runs on four hits in five innings during a no-decision.

Bailey, meanwhile, threw an uneventful bullpen session at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, maintaining hopes that he may yet see major league action in the season's final games.

"He was feeling good so he (wanted) to do it today," Price said. "(But) if there is a risk or concern about his surgically repaired injury, then he will certainly not take the field."

Bailey had his elbow reconstructed in the middle of the 2015 season. He returned to the Reds this season to make six appearances between July 31 and Aug. 28, going 2-3 with a 6.65 ERA. He subsequently was shut down due to biceps tenderness.

Stephenson's mound opponent Wednesday will be John Lackey (9-8, 3.42 ERA). The right-hander is the last Chicago starter without a double-digit win total. That is partly due to a stay on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder stiffness last month. He hopes to join the 10-win group in his 28th start of the season.

Lackey got a no-decision in his last start -- a 5-4, come-from-behind Cubs win over the Brewers in 10 innings Friday. He is 2-1 with a 2.36 ERA in his past seven starts, but he is 1-2 with a 6.38 ERA in three starts against Cincinnati this season.

In his career against the Reds, Lackey is 4-4 with a 3.65 ERA in 12 starts.

Behind the Lackey, the Cubs' bullpen could have a familiar face back.

Right-handed reliever Pedro Strop, out since Aug. 11 after undergoing surgery to repair meniscus tear of his left knee, is expected to be activated from the disabled list later this week. He could make up to five appearances in the final two weeks of the season.

Strop threw about 20 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday and reported no problems. He is 2-2 with a 2.89 ERA in 50 appearances this season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Angels (65-86) at Rangers (90-62)

Game: 3
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: September 21, 2016 8:05 PM EDT

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers own one of the deepest lineups in baseball, in part, because of what they've been able to get at the bottom end.

The last third of the lineup for much of the season has been Mitch Moreland, rookie Nomar Mazara and Elvis Andrus. Moreland and Mazara each have at least 20 home runs. Andrus is batting close to .300.

"We talk about it all year long, the ability to stretch our lineup out," manager Jeff Banister said. "We've really gotten some tremendous production out of the bottom third of our lineup this year."

The Los Angeles Angels, like the rest of the American League, have been witness to what the Rangers can do deep in the order. Texas has won the first two games of the final series between the AL West rivals thanks in large part to the last three hitters in the lineup.

Mazara has hit two homers in the series. Elvis has four hits, including a home run, and scored the winning run Monday. Moreland drove in a run in Tuesday's 5-4 victory.

"The pitcher just can't take a break," Banister said. "Up and down the lineup, there are hitters than can hurt you with the long ball, single you and double you to death, and they can take a walk when they need to."

The Rangers shoot for the sweep with Derek Holland taking what would have been Cole Hamels' normal turn in the rotation. Hamels was pushed back to Friday's series opener at Oakland to get him on track to start the opener of the AL Division Series on Oct. 6.

Holland appears destined for the bullpen once the postseason rolls around. The lefty made three quality starts after returning from a two-month stint on the disabled list but was shelled in his last two outings.

Banister hasn't officially set the playoff rotation yet, other than lining up Hamels and Yu Darvish for the first two games. Holland does have time to make an impression on his manager.

Jered Weaver takes the rubber for the Angels, making his 30th start of the season and 14th on the road. The veteran right-hander has enjoyed his most success against Texas, going 17-8 with a 3.38 ERA. Those are Weaver's most wins against any opponent.

Though a playoff berth is imminent, the Rangers are trying not to look ahead. Texas' magic number to clinch the AL West is down to two.

"We've got a ballgame we need to play (Wednesday)," Banister said. "We're facing a guy we haven't had a whole lot of success against. We need to find a way to put some runs on the board. We need for Derek Holland to go out and pitch a good game."

Banister isn't consumed with the wild card race and who the Rangers might face in the ALDS.

"I've got a number of people doing that for me," he said. "We've got as many scouts out there as possible on all situations. We have to earn the right to play them, and we haven't done that yet."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Pirates (75-75) at Brewers (68-83)

Game: 2
Venue: Miller Park
Date: September 21, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

MILWAUKEE -- Coming from Chicago, where sold-out crowds packed Wrigley Field throughout a four-game weekend series with the NL Central champion Cubs, to Miller Park, where a handful of diehards were on hand Tuesday night to open the final home stand of the season, was certainly a bit of a culture shock for the rebuilding Milwaukee Brewers.

But their job, manager Craig Counsell says, will remain the same over the final few weeks.

"That's part of being a professional," Counsell said Tuesday night after the Brewers came out flat in a 6-3 loss to Pittsburgh. "That's how it works. There's certainly a different atmosphere here than at Wrigley Field. It's a different atmosphere, but it's still a competition."

Even without the crowds and postseason buzz in the air, the Brewers were happy to be back at Miller Park, where they have posted a respectable 39-37 record this season.

"It wasn't as loud, but still, it's nice to come home," first baseman Chris Carter said.

They'll try to get back to their winning ways Wednesday when they continue a three-game series with the Pirates, who are still clinging to slim hopes of gaining a wild-card spot for the third consecutive season.

Pittsburgh will take the field 4 1/2 games behind St. Louis for the second NL spot, with two teams in between.

Right-hander Chad Kuhl takes the mound for his 12th major league start looking to close that gap; he has faced Milwaukee once already this season, allowing two runs over 6 1/3 innings but taking no decision in Pittsburgh's 3-2 victory on Aug. 25 at Miller Park.

That loss snapped a nine-game losing streak at Milwaukee; since then, the Pirates have won five in a row at Miller Park, their longest winning streak in Milwaukee since taking six in a row there in 2002.

"You can't really make it too big," Kuhl said. "You just have to treat it like another day; and, once you get out there, it's just you vs. the hitter. You don't make any park or any player bigger than it is."

The Brewers counter with right-hander Jimmy Nelson, who is hoping to finish an up-and-down season on a high note.

He began the year 5-3 with a 2.88 ERA through his first 11 appearances but has gone 3-11 with a 5.57 ERA over his last 19 outings.

Nelson showed signs of improvement Thursday, holding the Cubs to just three runs despite giving up eight hits while striking out seven over six innings in a 5-4 victory that prevented Chicago from clinching the Central Division crown.

Even with the current losing streak to the Pirates, the Brewers have dominated the series with their divisional rivals: Since 2007, Milwaukee is 64-22 against the Pirates at Miller Park and 103-61 against them overall.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Tigers (80-70) at Twins (55-96)

Game: 2
Venue: Target Field
Date: September 21, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

MINNEAPOLIS -- With every win critical in the season's final weeks, the Detroit Tigers are turning to Buck Farmer on Wednesday for his first major-league start of the season.

Detroit's final rotation spot has been a mess, and Mike Pelfrey allowed four runs in 1 2/3 innings in his last start against the Minnesota Twins. So, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus elected to go with Farmer on Wednesday against Minnesota, with Detroit clinging to playoff hopes as the last team out in the American League.

"Every game counts," said starter Matt Boyd, who beat the Twins on Tuesday. "This is what you live for, you know? I wouldn't want it any other way. Back against the wall, we're fighting our way out and we're going to keep fighting. It's the way we want it."

Farmer has a 4.07 ERA in 13 relief appearances this season, but he hasn't started a game in the majors since Aug. 29, 2015.

In 20 minor league starts this season, Farmer was 5-6 with a 3.96 ERA for Triple-A Toledo. The right-hander's longest major league outing of the season has been 4 1/3 innings -- he held the Twins scoreless last week.

Ausmus had a simple reason for turning to Farmer, with the Tigers (80-70) entering Wednesday 1 1/2 games behind Baltimore for the second wild-card spot in the AL.

"He pitched better," Ausmus told MLB.com, "plain and simple."

The Twins will start rookie Jose Berrios (2-7, 8.88 ERA) as they try to snap a four-game losing streak and avoid 100 losses. Minnesota's 8-1 loss on Tuesday was their 96th defeat of the season, matching the team's mark in 2012 and 2013. The Twins lost 99 games in 2011, and the franchise record is 102 losses in 1982.

Pitching has been the biggest culprit in Minnesota's downfall, but the offense has suddenly gone cold. The Twins have scored five runs in their four-game losing streak.

"We didn't score much in New York and that trend kind of continued tonight," manager Paul Molitor said after Tuesday's loss. "We had a pretty good day against Boyd last week, but he made amends going eight strong innings."

Minnesota has scored the 10th-most runs in the majors but has allowed the second-most.

In his first major-league season, Berrios hasn't been able to translate his minor-league success. One of the top pitching prospects in baseball this season, Berrios has allowed 38 earned runs in his last 34 1/3 innings.

Berrios went four innings against the New York Mets in his last outing, giving up two runs on four hits and three walks.

Second baseman Brian Dozier continues to do his part on offense. He extended his hitting streak to 23 games on Tuesday and is one homer shy of setting the AL record for second basemen. He has hit 39 of his 41 homers while playing second base.

"I don't know how much it's on his mind," Molitor said of the hitting streak. "It's a nice thing to put together. I'm sure he still has some of the numbers power-wise that are still lingering out there, potentially, for him to try find his way into some elite company. In fact, maybe being the all-time leader at second base is still within his reach. But the hitting streak has been just kind of a bonus to show that he's out there grinding it out despite the fact that we're looking at a season that's been closing in on some pretty bad numbers in terms of total losses."

Both teams are dealing with injuries to key hitters.

Detroit second baseman Ian Kinsler missed Tuesday's game as he deals with a concussion and Ausmus said Kinsler is "doubtful" for Wednesday. Designated hitter Victor Martinez has swelling in his right knee after being hit by a pitch and Ausmus said, "We'll just have to see," about Martinez's availability.

Twins slugger Miguel Sano took batting practice and fielded grounders on Tuesday as he deals with lower back tightness. Sano has been out since Sept. 12, although there is optimism he could return soon.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Diamondbacks (63-88) at Padres (64-87)

Game: 3
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: September 21, 2016 9:10 PM EDT

SAN DIEGO -- During Tuesday night's 70-minute rain delay at Petco Park, some fans wondered why the Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks were working so hard to get the game played.

Well, for one, neither team really wanted to play a doubleheader on Wednesday's get-away day.

Secondly, the worst teams in the National League West are in a head-to-head struggle for prime position in next June's amateur draft.

Going into Wednesday night's series finale at Petco Park, the Padres are sitting in the No. 4 slot following two straight wins over the Diamondbacks to escape the National League West basement. And Arizona is now tied for the third-worst record in the major leagues.

While both the Padres and Diamondbacks would benefit more by losing at this point in terrible seasons, each team is playing something of their aces Wednesday night.

Well, the Diamondbacks are certainly playing their ace. Right-hander Zack Greinke is 12-6 with a 4.54 ERA. And, during the course of his National League career, Greinke has been tough on the Padres -- with the exception of that 2013 scrap with Carlos Quentin that landed Greinke on the disabled list with a broken collarbone.

Greinke is 7-1 against the Padres in 15 starts, with a 1.96 ERA and a .189 opponent batting average. He is 1-0 with a 3.54 ERA in three starts against the Padres this season.

Over his last two starts, Greinke has a 3.00 ERA, having allowed four earned runs in 12 innings. And he's far from satisfied.

"I felt pretty good, but not perfect," Greinke said. "I've just been missing by a little bit on just about every pitch. I've not been able to put a whole start together of good pitches. I'm getting behind and trying to make a good pitch, and just missing by little bit again."

The Padres' starter is not an ace, but the Padres are beginning to believe that 23-year-old Rule 5 pick Luis Perdomo has the pitches and mindset to develop into this one.

Padres manager Andy Green calls the development of Perdomo as a starting pitcher one of the biggest plusses of the season. Pitching coach Darren Balsley says Perdomo, who a year ago at this time had finished a season at low Class A, is not satisfied just to reach the majors.

"He is absolutely driven to be the best pitcher he can possibly be," Balsley said recently. "He's not happy with the strides he has made this season -- and they have been huge. He wants to be something special."

Perdomo has been over his last five starts. During the run, he has allowed 11 runs on 32 hits and five walks, with 22 strikeouts, in 35 innings. Perdomo is 3-2 with a 2.83 ERA during the run and has the only complete game pitched by a Padre this season.

Overall, Perdomo is 8-9 with a 5.68 ERA in 18 starts. His ERA has fallen in 12 of his last 14 starts.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Giants (80-71) at Dodgers (85-66)

Game: 3
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: September 21, 2016 10:10 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES -- San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy hopes a gut-check victory Tuesday will be the boost his club needs as it fights for its playoff life.

The Giants buckled down for a pivotal, 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, just one night after a ninth-inning meltdown in a 2-1 loss seemed to send the San Francisco into a freefall.

Instead of finding themselves on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, the Giants (80-71) go into Wednesday's action tied with the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals in the National League wild-card race.

They also pulled within five games of the Dodgers in the NL West. So a victory at Chavez Ravine would not only give San Francisco a win in the three-games series but would keep alive the team's hopes in the division, given the Giants host Los Angeles Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 in the final series of the season.

"It's going to be a dogfight the rest of the way," Bochy said after his team snapped a three-game losing streak. "But tonight we grinded one out and got the job done, and that's a good start. It's the type of win you can build on, and we know we have guys who have gotten the job done before."

If they're going to build on that momentum, they've got the right guy on the hill. Lefty Matt Moore carries an 11-11 record, but he has saved his best stuff for the stretch drive. Moore sports a 4-1 record in his past five starts. That included a workmanlike effort in his last start on Friday against St. Louis, in which he allowed two runs in five innings of an 8-2 San Francisco victory.

Even better, he has found success against the Dodgers. Moore is 2-1 in three starts against them this season, holding them scoreless for 15 1/3 innings at one point.

The Dodgers will counter with rookie sensation Kenta Maeda (15-9). The 28-year-old right-hander from Osaka, Japan, recorded his 15th win of the season in his last start, Sept. 16 at Arizona. In five innings, Maeda struck out six and allowed one run on three hits, getting the decision in Los Angeles' 3-2 victory.

The win put Maeda within two of the Dodgers rookie record set by Rick Sutcliffe in 1979, as he has really come into his own toward the end of the season. Maeda is 7-2 in his past 10 starts, over which he has limited batters to a .222 average while whiffing 53 and walking just 13.

The Giants have found Maeda tough to solve; he has won both starts against San Francisco this year.

The Dodgers have dropped two of the past three games, but they are still in the driver's seat, with a magic number of seven to clinch the division.

"We'll just keep plugging away," manager Dave Roberts said. "You can't let yourself get too high or too low."

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Five to Follow MLB Betting: Wednesday, September 21, 2016, Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews

If there's one reason the San Francisco Giants' streak of winning the World Series in even-numbered years this decade will end, it's probably going to be the bullpen. That group blew another game on Monday in a big one against the Dodgers. It was the ninth time this season that the Giants lost when leading after eight innings, a franchise record. Since Aug. 13, the bullpen's ERA has topped 6.00 in the ninth or later compared to a 1.51 mark in all other innings during that span. Manager Bruce Bochy had pulled closer Santiago Casilla from that role a few weeks ago. He used three guys to protect Madison Bumgarner's 1-0 lead on Monday in Derek Law, Javier Lopez and Hunter Strickland. They didn't get a single out in the bottom of the ninth. Bochy will be second-guessed for pulling MadBum considering he had given up just one hit and was at 97 pitches. If the Giants miss the playoffs by one game, look back at Monday's result.


Blue Jays at Mariners (-110, 8)

A 3:40 p.m. ET start on the MLB Network in some markets and a very good pitching matchup -- not impossible we see the same pitchers in the AL wild-card game. Toronto All-Star Aaron Sanchez (13-2, 3.17) will make his first start in 10 days as the team wants to conserve his innings and he also was dealing with a blister. Sanchez was roughed up on Sept. 11 by the Red Sox, allowing six runs in just 3.2 innings, his shortest outing of 2016. He hasn't faced the Mariners this year. Kyle Seager is 2-for-3 career against him with a homer. Seattle's Felix Hernandez (11-6, 3.79) also comes off a subpar outing, giving up six runs and eight hits in 4.1 innings vs. Houston. He has now allowed six runs in three of his past four. King Felix hasn't seen Toronto this year. Jose Bautista is a career .320 hitter off him with three homers in 25 at-bats. Russell Martin might get the afternoon off behind the plate as he's only 3-for-23 off Hernandez with nine strikeouts.

Key trends: The Blue Jays are 0-4 in their past four in Game 3 of a series. The Mariners are 5-1 in Hernandez's past six at home. The "over/under" has gone under in five of Sanchez's past seven on the road. The under is 5-1-2 in Hernandez's past eight at home vs. teams with a winning record.

Early lean: Mariners and under.

Red Sox at Orioles (+105, 10)

First of an ESPN doubleheader and should have live betting at sportsbooks. Boston's Clay Buchholz (7-10, 5.20) comes off a quality start against the Yankees, giving up two runs over six innings. He is 0-2 with a 6.35 ERA in three outings this year vs. Baltimore (one start) and 5-3 with a 5.10 ERA in 10 career appearances at Camden Yards. Adam Jones is 10-for-35 career against him with two homers and 11 RBIs. Chris Davis is 9-for-27 with two homers and eight walks. Baltimore has won four straight starts by Ubaldo Jimenez (7-11, 5.94). He allowed four runs and seven hits over seven innings last time out vs. Tampa Bay. Jimenez has a 3.51 ERA since the All-Star break compared to 7.38 before it. He's 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA in two starts this year against Boston. Dustin Pedroia is a career .379 hitter off him in 29 at-bats. Xander Bogaerts is 7-for-18 with five RBIs.

Key trends: The Red Sox are 6-1 in Buchholz's past seven in Baltimore. The Orioles are 8-2 in Jimenez's past 10 at home vs. teams with a winning record. The over is 4-1 in Buchholz's past five in Baltimore.

Early lean: Orioles and over.

Yankees at Rays (+117, 7)

You can pretty much stick a fork in the Yankees' playoff chances, especially with the news that center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury and second baseman Starlin Castro are both probably done for the season. Ellsbury has a knee problem -- he hasn't been totally ruled out yet -- and Castro a hamstring and he's basically finished. Ellsbury was a pretty big disappointment this season, but the trade of Adam Warren to the Cubs for Castro worked out pretty well, especially considering the Yankees got Warren back in the Aroldis Chapman trade. Castro was hitting .273 with 21 homers and 69 RBIs. If New York is officially eliminated, this could be the final start of the season for Masahiro Tanaka (13-4, 2.97). He hasn't given up more than two earned in six straight starts. Tanaka is 3-0 with a 2.22 ERA in four starts vs. the Rays this year. Evan Longoria is just 2-for-20 against him. Brad Miller is 4-for-21 with two homers. Tampa's Alex Cobb (1-0, 3.06) has made three starts in his return from Tommy John surgery, and they've each gotten better. He allowed four runs over six innings at the Yankees on Sept. 8. New York's Brian McCann is 4-for-10 vs. Cobb with two solo homers. Gary Sanchez is 0-for-3.

Key trends: The Yankees are 7-0 in Tanaka's past seven vs. Tampa. The under is 5-1 in Cobb's past six at home vs. New York. The Rays are 5-2 in his past seven there.

Early lean: Rays and under.

Royals at Indians (-188, 7.5)

With the season-ending injuries to Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, perhaps the Tribe should put ace Corey Kluber in bubble wrap until the playoff starts rather than starting him on Wednesday against the Royals. Kluber (17-9, 3.12) wasn't as sharp as usual Friday vs. Detroit but got the win in giving up four runs over seven innings with seven strikeouts. All four runs came courtesy of Justin Upton's bat. Kluber is 1-1 with a 2.50 ERA in three starts vs. Kansas City. Eric Hosmer hits .277 off him in 47 career at-bats with three homers, 13 RBIs and 10 strikeouts. Alex Gordon is just 6-for-35 off him with 15 strikeouts. Kansas City's Ian Kennedy (11-9, 3.60) took a no-decision on Friday vs. the White Sox in allowing two runs over six innings. Kennedy is 2-2 with a 6.00 ERA against the Indians. Francisco Lindor is 4-for-10 off him with two doubles. Tyler Naquin is 3-for-6 with two homers and five RBIs.

Key trends: The Indians are 5-2 in Kluber's past seven at home vs. Kansas City. The Royals are 2-5 in Kennedy's past seven road starts vs. teams with a winning record. The under is 9-4 in Kluber's past 13 on Wednesday.

Early lean: Indians and under.

Giants at Dodgers (-154, 7)

Second ESPN game. Giants lefty Matt Moore (11-11, 4.06) won a second start in a row Friday, giving up two runs over five innings against the Cardinals. He continues to be a bit wild as Moore walked at least three for the seventh time since coming over in the deadline deal with Tampa Bay. Moore pitched at the Dodgers on Aug. 25 and had a no-hitter broken up by Corey Seager with two outs in the ninth. Moore wasn't allowed to finish as he was at a career-high 133 pitches. Howie Kendrick is 6-for-18 career off him with six strikeouts. Adrian Gonzalez is 3-for-16. Dodgers rookie Kenta Maeda (15-9, 3.24) was pulled after five innings in Arizona last time out, allowing one run and three hits while throwing 94 pitches. This will be only his fourth start this year on four days rest in back-to-back outings instead of five (or more). Maeda is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two starts against San Francisco. Joe Panik is 2-for-3 with a homer off him. Brandon Belt is 2-for-6 with a double and RBI.

Key trends: The Dodgers are 5-0 in Maeda's past five at home. The under is 5-0 in Moore's past five on the road.

Early lean: Dodgers and under.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'Mariners, Blue Jays Battle to Stay in Playoff Hunt'

The Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners are locked in a race for a wild-card spot in the American League. The Blue Jays won the first two games of this three game set 3-2 Monday, 10-2 Tuesday and will finish off the series in Seattle on Wednesday.

For the Wednesday closer, the Blue Jays will go with Aaron Sanchez (13-2, 3.17 ERA), who was knocked for six runs on five hits over 3.2 innings in an 8-11 home loss to the Boston Red Sox. In an attempt to monitor his innings, management held Sanchez out from his next start. The 24-year-old All-Star might get back on track on the road. Away from home, Sanchez is 8-1 in 15 starts this season with an ERA of 2.62.

Felix Hernandez (11-6, 3.79 ERA) was roughed up for six runs (five earned) on eight hits over 4.1 innings in a 0-6 home loss to Houston in his last start. The 30-year-old former Cy Young winner has now allowed five runs or more in three of his last four starts. Hernandez is 5-3 in 11 home starts with an ERA of 4.10.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

Wednesday’s games

National League

Nationals @ Marlins
Scherzer is 5-0, 2.09 in his last six starts; under is 11-4 in his last 15. Washington won his last seven road starts.

Koehler is 0-3, 5.00 in his last five starts; four of his last five home starts stayed under. Miami is 5-2 in his last seven home starts.

Washington lost six of last seven road games; under is 10-2 in their last 12 road games. Marlins won five of last six home games; under is 13-1 in Miami’s last 14 home games.

Braves @ Mets
Weber allowed five runs in three IP (57 PT) in hsi first ’16 start.

Colon is 4-0, 2.52 in his last six starts; his last four stayed under. Mets are 7-6 in his home starts.

Atlanta is 6-8 in its last 13 games; eight of Braves’ last nine road games went over. Mets won five of last seven home games; six of last eight games at Citi Field stayed under the total.

Reds @ Cubs
Stephenson is 0-1, 6.75 in his last three starts (over 3-2).

Lackey is 1-1, 2.76 in his last five starts; under is 6-3 in his last nine. Cubs won five of his last six home starts.

Reds lost six of last seven games; four of last six Cincinnati games went over. Chicago are 13-4 in last 17 home games; four of last five Cub home games stayed under the total. Cubs have already clinched their division.

Pirates @ Brewers
Kuhl is 1-3, 4.62 in his last five starts (over 5-5-1). Pirates are 5-1 in his road starts.

Nelson is 1-1, 6.00 in his last four starts (over 3-1). Milwaukee is 2-6 in his last eight home starts.

Pirates won five of last six games; over is 5-0-1 in their last six games. Milwaukee won four of last six games; four of their last five games went over.

Cardinals @ Rockies
Weaver is 0-2, 5.79 in his last four starts (under 4-3).

Marquez is making his first MLB start; he was 11-6, 3.13 in 26 AAA starts this year. He’s allowed three runs in 5.1 IP in three relief stints in big leagues.

Cardinals won their last four games; under is 8-3 in their last 11 games. Colorado is 7-10 in its last 17 games; six of last eight games at Coors Field stayed under.

Diamondbacks @ Padres
Greinke is 0-3, 7.56 in his last three starts; over is 6-2 in his last eight. Arizona is 8-3 in his road starts.

Perdomo is 1-2, 4.74 in his last three starts; his last four stayed under. San Diego is 3-3 in his home starts.

Arizona lost four of last five games; four of their last five games stayed under. Padres won four of last six home games; seven of their last nine games stayed under.

Giants @ Dodgers
Moore is 4-1, 3.45 in his last five starts (under 4-1). Giants are 3-2 in his road starts.

Maeda is 2-1, 2.60 in his last three starts; three of his last four stayed under. Dodgers won his last five home starts.

Giants lost six of last nine games; under is 12-6 in their last 18 games. Dodgers won six of last seven home games; under is 11-3 in their last 14 games.


American League

Red Sox @ Orioles
Buchholz is 3-0, 3.54 in his last five starts; under is 6-3 in his last nine. Bostn won his last three road starts.

Jimenez is 2-0, 3.52 in his last three starts; over is 12-4-1 in his last 17. Orioles are 7-2 in his last nine home starts.

Boston won its last six games; their last three games stayed under. Orioles lost five of last seven home games; under is 14-1-1 in last 16 games at Camden Yards.

New York @ Rays
Tanaka is 6-0, 1.86 in his last eight starts; under is 8-4 in his last 12. New York won six of his last nine road starts.

Cobb is 2-0, 3.57 in three starts this year (over 2-0-1).

New York lost seven of last nine games; four of last five NY games went over. Tampa Bay lost three of last four games; Rays’ last seven home games went over the total.

Royals @ Indians
Kennedy is 5-0, 2.68 in his last seven starts; over is 4-1-1 in his last six. KC won his last three road starts.

Kluber is 4-1, 3.34 in his last five starts; under is 6-4-1 in his last 11. Tribe won nine of his last ten home starts.

Royals won three of last four games; over is 19-4-1 in KC’s last 24 games. Cleveland won five of last six home games; four of Indians’ last six home games went over.

Angels @ Rangers
Weaver is 3-1, 4.08 in his last five starts; five of his last six stayed under. Angels are 6-7 in his road starts.

Holland is 0-2, 8.38 in his last two starts; his last three went over. Rangers won his last four home starts.

Angels lost 11 of last 14 games; under is 8-0-2 in their last ten games. Rangers are 10-3 in last 13 home games; over is 8-3 in their last 11 home games. Texas is 36-10 in one-run games.

Tigers @ Twins
Farmer is making his first ’16 start; he was 0-4, 7.36 in 14 MLB games (5 starts) LY, is 5-6, 3.96 in 20 AAA starts this year. He is 0-0, 4.07 in 13 relief stints for Detroit this year (24.1 IP).

Berrios is 0-6, 10.41 in his last seven starts; over is 6-2-1 in his last nine. Minnesota is 0-6 in his home starts.

Detroit is 5-8 in its last 13 games; over is 9-4 in their last 13 road games. Twins lost seven of last nine games; under is 8-1-1 in their last ten games.

Astros @ A’s
McHugh is 4-0, 2.96 in his last five starts; three of his last four stayed under.

Mengden is 1-1, 1.50 in his last two starts; Oakland is 1-5 in his home starts. Over is 7-2 in his last nine starts.

Astros won five of last six games; under is 8-3 in their last 11 games. Oakland lost its last five home games; under is 6-1 in A’s last seven home games.

Blue Jays @ Mariners
Happ is 2-0, 3.00 in his last two starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five. Toronto is 7-1 in his last eight road starts.

Iwakuma is 2-0, 2.07 in his last two starts; under is 7-2 in his last nine. Seattle is 8-5 in his home starts, but lost last two.

Blue Jays won our of last six games; under is 5-1-1 in their last seven road games. Seattle lost four of last five games; over is 8-4 in their last 12 home games.


Interleague
White Sox @ Phillies
Shields is 0-3, 6.39 in his last six starts (under 4-2). Chicago is 1-6 in his road starts.

Thompson is 1-2, 2.49 in his last four starts (under 3-0-1).

White Sox lost their last four games; over is 8-1 in Chicago’s last nine road games. Phillies are 5-3 in last seven games; under is 9-5-3 in their last 17 home games.


Teams’ record when this pitcher starts:

Wsh-Mia– Scherzer 21-10; Koehler 12-18
Atl-NY– Weber 0-1; Colon 19-11
Cin-Chi– Stephenson 3-2; Lackey 15-12
Pitt-Mil– Kuhl 8-3; Nelson 12-18
StL-Col– Weaver 3-4; Marquez 0-0
Az-SD– Greinke 15-10; Perdomo 10-8
SF-LA– Moore 5-4/9-12; Maeda 19-11

Bos-Balt– Buchholz 8-11; Jimenez 12-11
NY-TB– Tanaka 22-8; Cobb 2-1
KC-Clev– Kennedy 15-15; Kluber 18-12
LA-Tex– Weaver 13-16; Holland 10-9
Det-Min– Farner 0-0; Berrios 2-10
Hst-A’s– McHugh 19-11; Mengden 3-9
Tor-Sea– Sanchez 16-11; Hernandez 14-8

CWS-Phil– Sale 17-12; Eickhoff 14-16


# of time pitcher allows 1+ runs in first inning:
Wsh-Mia– Scherzer 9-31; Koehler 9-30
Atl-NY– Weber 0-1; Colon 9-30
Cin-Chi– Stephenson 2-5; Lackey 9-7
Pitt-Mil– Kuhl 4-11; Nelson 10-30
StL-Col– Weaver 2-7; Marquez 0-0
Az-SD– Greinke 9-25; Perdomo 7-18
SF-LA– Moore 6-30; Maeda 5-30

Bos-Balt– Buchholz 8-19; Jimenez 12-23
NY-TB– Tanaka 4-30; Cobb 3-3
KC-Clev– Kennedy 10-30; Kluber 6-30
LA-Tex– Weaver 10-29; Holland 3-19
Det-Min– Farner 0-0; Berrios 4-12
Hst-A’s– McHugh 11-30; Mengden 4-12
Tor-Sea– Sanchez 6-27; Hernandez 3-22

CWS-Phil– Sale 9-29; Eickhoff 10-30


Umpires

Wsh-Mia– Favorites won five of last six Scheurwater games.
Atl-NY– Seven of last nine Segal games went over.
Cin-Chi– Underdogs are 9-7 in last 16 Tumpane games.
Pitt-Mil– Four of last six Layne games went over.
StL-Col– Underdogs are 6-4 in last ten Fairchild games.
Az-SD– Three of last four Whitson games went over.
SF-LA– Nine of last ten Gonzalez games went over.

Bos-Balt– Over is 9-2 in last eleven Baker games.
NY-TB– Underdogs are 12-10 in last 22 Iassogna games.
KC-Clev– Over is 7-2-1 in last ten BWelke games.
LA-Tex– Six of last nine Wolcott games stayed under.
Det-Min– Under is 11-5 in last sixteen Cederstrom games.
Hst-A’s– Four of last five Fagan games went over.
Tor-Sea– Last six Ripperger games went over total.

CWS-Phil– Six of last nine Eddings games went over.


Teams’ records in first five innings:

Team (road-home-total)- thru 9/20

Arizona 24-37-11…..34-39-6…….58-75
Atlanta 28-37-11…..26-35-13……54-72
Cubs 39-25-10……45-23-10…….84-48
Reds 21-43-9……35-38-5…….56-81
Colo 27-34-13…..35-36-4……..62-70
LA 31-33-11……46-23-8…….76-56
Miami 32-34-10…..32-25-17…….64-59
Milw 25-42-10……40-25-10…..65-67
Mets 32-44-10……36-28-11……68-62
Philly 24-32-18…..29-34-14……53-64
Pitt 24-40-13…..42-26-6……66-65
St. Louis 36-34-7……28-33-13…….64-67
SD 24-50-5…..33-34-6……..57-84
SF 35-35-7…….38-22-14……73-57
Wash 38-24-15….30-22-22……68-46

Orioles 30-37-9…….37-32-8…….67-69
Boston 32-30-11……45-23-9…….77-53
White Sox 31-35-10…….39-31-6……..70-66
Cleveland 38-27-10……37-30-7……..75-57
Detroit 32-33-10…….31-36-5……..63-69
Astros 30-35-13…..34-29-8……..64-64
KC 28-37-12……32-28-14……60-65
Angels 30-39-7…….27-35-13…….57-74
Twins 29-37-13…….25-39-13…..54-76
NYY 26-40-8……34-31-13……..60-71
A’s 27-40-8……27-35-15……54-74
Seattle 35-29-11……34-28-13……69-57
Tampa Bay 28-32-13……33-33-12……61-65
Texas 28-39-11…….38-26-9……66-65
Toronto 46-26-5……..40-30-5……86-56

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Wednesday’s six-pack

Over/under win totals for the upcoming NBA season, from the world’s greatest sportsbook, the Westgate Casino in Las Vegas:

Golden State Warriors 66.5

Los Angeles Clippers 53.5

Los Angeles Lakers 24.5

Miami Heat 36.5

Oklahoma City Thunder 45.5

San Antonio Spurs 56.5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

#1 Sports

Wednesday's Free Selection: New York Mets - 205

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mike Wynn

Bonus Play: MLB Texas w/Holland -200 Over LA Angels