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**TheGame** · 07-01-2016, 07:40 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/1

July Pitchers Report
By Marc Lawrence

Fireworks and the MLB All-Star game go hand-in-hand during the month of July. It also denotes the start of the 2nd half of the MLB campaign. And as we’ve come to learn the key to each and every team’s fortune lies on the pitching staff.

Can they sustain or will they unravel like Jose Canseco going back on a fly ball? Stay tuned. What we do know is that certain pitchers love hurling this time of the season while others tend to get lit up like a roman candle on the 4thof July.

Listed below are hurlers that have enjoyed a two-to-one or better success ratio in team-starts over the course of the last three seasons during the month of July.

On the flip side, we've also listed pitchers that struggle in July, winning 33% percent or less of their team-start efforts. To qualify pitchers must have made a minimum of 10 starts, with at least one start each July over the last three years.

And for your convenience alongside each record we break down each pitcher’s greatest success or greatest failure rate either home (H) or away (A) within his good or bad month.

Note: * designates a categorical repeat appearance by this pitcher, maintaining status quo from last season’s July list.

GOOD MONTH PITCHERS:

*Chen, Wei-Yin - 9-4 (5-1 H)

The Miami left-hander has not been terribly effective with an ERA hovering around 5. If Chen can develop more command, he's shown again this year he's tough when in challenging situations, allowing .186 batting average and .271 on-base percentage with runners in scoring position.

Garza, Matt - 9-3 (5-1 H)

Since coming back from spring training injury on June 14th, the Milwaukee right-hander has been a mix of good and bad, but come through when it counted. Opposing hitters are batting over .300 against Garza, but he's held those runners in check and induced a heavy dose of ground balls that have led to outs. If he continues, this Brewers starter might be effective.

Greinke, Zack - 11-4 (6-2 H)

Though Arizona is falling short of preseason expectations, the Diamondbacks ace is not and, other than Clayton Kershaw, has arguably been as effective as any pitcher since the end of April with batters hitting around .200 against him. Once again his array of pitches are finding the right spots and fastball is cooking!

Kazmir, Scott - 10-5 (6-2 H)

When Kazmir misses on location for fastball, the other team's lineup begins to look for off-speed stuff, which has caused his inconsistency this season. When he's working the corners on the knees early in the count, this sets up secondary pitches. In the past he's done so in July, let's see what he comes up with this time.

*Kershaw, Clayton - 12-3 (8-0 A)

When either Kershaw loses or has a less than stellar performance, which is infrequent, it is home page news on most sports websites. With opponents batting just .185 against him, baseball's best pitcher has close to as many home runs surrendered (6) as walks (9) to start the month over 121 innings. It’s no wonder his name is whispered in the same company as Sandy Koufax.

Kluber, Corey - 13-4 (9-2 H)

Since winning the Cy Young award in 2014, Kluber has not been able to match that magical season, but is part of a very good Cleveland rotation. Looking ahead, if the Indians righty can do a better job than permitting .281 batting averages with runners in scoring position, all his numbers will drop and his victories will go up. Note: Kluber’s numbers above also reflect his career team mark during July.

*Liriano, Francisco - 12-2 (7-0 H)

After several fine seasons with Pittsburgh, Liriano has not been effective in 2016. Walks and home runs have done him in and in order to reflect past results of July, he's going to have to stop leaving pitches in the heart of the plate.

Peralta, Wily - 8-4 (5-1 H)

Peralta has been thoroughly ineffective all season (6.68 ERA) and was sent to minors after June 11th start. His return this month or this season depends on his Triple-A results. Note: Peralta’s numbers above also reflect his career team mark during July.

Price, David - 11-5 (7-1 A)

To date, the Boston lefty could be described as a mild disappointment, with an ERA north of 4.5 most of the season. No longer owning an upper 90's heater, Price does not blow away as many hitters as before and the fastball lacks some of the previous movement of the past. The slider has not had the usual bite from start to start. Red Sox need this ace to be one.

Ross, Tyson - 10-4 (4-1 H)

Ross has not pitched since he hit the DL with right shoulder inflammation after first start in April. San Diego Union reports a return even this month appears optimistic.
Note: Ross’ numbers above also reflect his career team mark during July.

Santana, Ervin - 11-4 (8-1 H)

Like his teammates, Santana is not having a good year, as opposing hitters are clocking him for nearly .300 average, compared to .256 over his 11-year career. Little reason to believe this month will match the past even if he improves with this Twins club.

*Volquez, Edinson - 10-5 (6-1 A)

Never a frontline hurler, Volquez numbers this campaign have matched the Royals, being very ordinary to date. The Dominican Republic native has done the job against right-handed batters, who have been knocking him around for nearly .300 average.

BAD MONTH PITCHERS:

Wood, Alex - 4-8 (0-6 A)

Wood – the only pitcher to appear on the July Bad Month list this season - was initially expected to be shut down for four weeks after landing on the 15-day disabled list at the end of May with a posterior impingement in his throwing elbow. Currently, the timetable is for mid-July return, but the oft-injured pitcher can hardly be counted on as record shows. Note: Wood’’s numbers above reflect his career team mark during July.

**TheGame** · 07-01-2016, 07:40 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/1

MLB roundup: Tigers overcome five-run deficit in ninth
By The Sports Xchange

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Down 7-2 in the ninth, the Detroit Tigers rallied for seven hits and eight runs in the final inning, stunning the Tampa Bay Rays with a 10-7 win Thursday at Tropicana Field.
The Rays had held the Tigers to four hits entering the ninth, and they were 28-1 this season when leading after eight.
Reliever Ryan Garton then gave up four singles without recording an out, and Erasmo Ramirez (7-7) gave up two more hits, then a bases-loaded walk to tie the game. A three-run double by Cameron Maybin -- who led off the inning with a single -- gave the Tigers for the unlikely lead.
Tampa Bay hadn't allowed more than five runs in any inning this season, and Detroit matched a season high with the eight-run showing.
How the ninth unraveled for the Rays: Maybin, Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and Nick Castellanos singled to chase Garton with the lead still 7-3. Ramirez gave up an RBI single to Justin Upton and a sacrifice fly to Steven Moya, then an RBI single to Jarrod Saltalamacchia to make it 7-6.
Ramirez walked Jose Iglesias to load the bases, then walked Ian Kinsler to tie the game. Maybin's double to left-center cleared the bases and completed the rally.
The bullpen disaster came after Rays starter Jake Odorizzi held the Tigers to one hit in the first five innings.

Nationals 13, Reds 4
WASHINGTON -- Switch-hitting shortstop Danny Espinosa had two homers and a career-high seven RBIs and lefty Gio Gonzalez won his first game since May 18 as the first-place Washington Nationals had three homers to blitz the Reds.
Espinosa, who has 15 homers this season, became the first player in Montreal/Washington franchise history to hit a homer from each side of the plate since Geoff Blum did it for the Expos in 2001. Espinosa is the first person in franchise history to pull off the feat in which one of the homers was a grand slam.
Ryan Zimmerman added two hits, including a homer, and three RBIs and Chris Heisey had two hits and two RBIs.
Gonzalez (4-7) allowed four runs on six hits with nine strikeouts in six innings before Matt Belisle came on in the seventh. Washington had lost the previous seven starts by Gonzalez, who was 0-6 in that stretch.

Royals 4, Cardinals 2
ST. LOUIS -- Kendrys Morales became the fourth major league player this year with multiple hits in six straight games, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and a homer to lead the Royals' interleague victory.
Morales, who went 12-for-16 in the four-game series and is 16-of-24 in the last six games, lined an RBI double to right off Mike Leake (5-6) in the sixth for a 3-1 lead. He capped his huge series with a 456-foot homer into the third deck in left field off reliever Tyler Lyons with two outs in the eighth inning.
Reliever Dillon Gee (3-2) picked up the win despite allowing a two-out solo homer to Jhonny Peralta in the sixth. Wade Davis, who blew a save chance in Kansas City's 3-2, 12-inning victory Wednesday night, worked around Peralta's leadoff hit in the ninth for his 19th save.

Indians 4, Blue Jays 1
TORONTO -- Carlos Carrasco struck out a season-best 14, Rajai Davis and Jason Kipnis homered and the Indians matched a club record with their 13th straight win.
Carrasco (4-2) held the Blue Jays to three hits, including a home run by Josh Donaldson, and two walks in 7 1/3 innings. The right-hander finished one strikeout shy of his career best, 15, set last Sept. 25 against the Kansas City Royals.
Cody Allen pitched a perfect ninth to earn his 17th save.
Toronto right-hander R.A. Dickey (5-9) allowed two home runs among eight hits while giving up three runs in seven innings.
Davis hit his eighth homer of the season, and Kipnis extended his hit streak to 12 games with his 11th homer of the season.

Mets 4, Cubs 3
NEW YORK -- Rookie right fielder Brandon Nimmo, making his first major league start as a leadoff batter, keyed a three-run rally in the seventh inning to lead the Mets.
The Mets broke a four-game losing streak. The Cubs had their three-game winning streak snapped.
The Cubs led 3-1 entering the seventh, when starter John Lackey was lifted after allowing a one-out single to Travis d'Arnaud. Pinch-hitter Alejandro De Aza worked an eight-pitch walk against right-hander Joel Peralta (1-1), after which Nimmo, playing in his fifth big league game, won a nine-pitch battle with a single.
Left-hander Pedro Strop then induced Neil Walker to hit a grounder to drawn-in second baseman Javier Baez, who fired to third to try to get Nimmo as De Aza crossed the plate. But the throw sailed past Kris Bryant and Nimmo sprinted home with the go-ahead run.
The rally made a winner out of right-hander Erik Goeddel (1-0), who threw 1 2/3 perfect innings.

Yankees 2, Rangers 1
NEW YORK - Chase Headley scored on a passed ball with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, giving New York the victory.
Headley opened the inning with a walk against Tony Barnette (5-3), and was sacrificed to second by Didi Gregorius. The Yankees had second and third after Starlin Castro weakly grounded out to first.
On a 1-1 pitch to Jacoby Ellsbury, Barnette's pitch went under Robinson Chirinos' glove and under him. The ball reached the backstop and Headley slid in head first giving New York its fourth walk-off win of the season. It also allowed thre Yankees to reach the .500 mark.
Texas lost for the fourth time in its last 16 games and was unable to match a team record for wins in a month with 21. It was the Rangers' major-league-leading ninth walk-off loss and it was their first loss decided on a passed ball since June 16, 1986 against the Angels.

Dodgers 8, Brewers 1
MILWAUKEE -- Zach Davies, the Milwaukee's rookie right-hander, fell back to earth, allowing three home runs and unable to get through the fifth inning in the loss to at Miller Park.
Davies had been on a roll the last two months, going 5-0 with a 2.64 ERA in his previous 10 starts. But he battled his command from the outset and allowed eight hits and two walks while striking out three in his first loss since April 29.
Trayce Thompson, Yasmani Grandal and Corey Seager homered for Los Angeles, and for Seager it was his 17th.
Kenta Maeda (7-5) scattered three hits and two walks in six innings, allowing just a run while striking out six.
Newcomer Bud Norris is scheduled to start for the Dodgers on Friday.

White Sox 6, Twins 5
CHICAGO -- J.B. Shuck matched a career high with three hits, including a go-ahead bloop single in the eighth inning that lifted the White Sox to a victory.
Shuck's two-out single snapped a tie and drove in Avisail Garcia, who extended the inning with a walk. Rookie Tim Anderson also had three hits for the White Sox, who won their third straight series.
White Sox closer David Robertson pitched the ninth for his 21st save of the season. Robertson gave up a one-out single to Kurt Suzuki, who represented the tying run. But Robertson struck out the side, including Danny Santana, to close out the win.
The Twins had tied the score 5-5 in the seventh on Eduardo Nunez's RBI single.
White Sox starter Carlos Rodon was perfect for 3 2/3 innings before surrendering back-to-back homers to Robbie Grossman and Brian Dozier, who homered for the third time in as many games.

Braves 8, Marlins 5
ATLANTA -- Brandon Snyder drove in two with a pinch-hit triple in a four-run sixth inning to help the Braves improve their record against the Marlins to 7-2. Nearly a fourth of the wins for the Braves (27-52) have come against Miami (41-38).
Tyler Flowers had three doubles for the Braves, while Jace Peterson, Freddie Freeman, Nick Markakis, Erick Aybar and Chase d'Arnaud all had two hits in the 14-hit outburst.
Maurico Cabrerra, making his third major league appearance, got pinch-hitter Cole Gillespie to end the game with a fly ball, recording his first save.
Justin Bour hit a three-run homer in the second inning for the Marlins. It was his 15th homer of the season and the eighth of his career against the Braves.

Giants 12, A's 6
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Madison Bumgarner made major league history at the plate and earned his ninth win of the season on the mound Thursday night as San Francisco defeated Oakland.
Bumgarner (9-4) became the first starting pitcher in 40 years to intentionally hit for himself at an American League stadium. Bumgarner, who has 13 career home runs, hit a leadoff double in his first at-bat, sparking a six-run rally in the third inning when the Giants batted around. Bumgarner went 1-for-4 and had two at-bats in the third inning.
On the mound, Bumgarner gave up four runs on seven hits, including two home runs, over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out four, walked none and ended his two-game losing streak.

Mariners 5, Orioles 3
SEATTLE -- Taijuan Walker made a triumphant return to the mound, and Seth Smith hit a two-run homer as Seattle ended Baltimore's seven-game winning streak.
Walker, who missed his previous turn in the rotation due to foot soreness, allowed just one run on four hits over 6 1/3 innings. Walker (4-6) retired the first 11 batters of the game and had a shutout going through six innings. A leadoff home run by Orioles left fielder Hyun Soo Kim in the seventh ended the shutout bid and cut Seattle's lead to 4-1.
Kim's home run was the Orioles' 56th of the month, setting a June record for homers by any team.

**TheGame** · 07-01-2016, 07:40 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/1

Preview: Indians (48-30) at Blue Jays (43-38)

Game: 2
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: July 01, 2016 1:07 PM EDT

TORONTO -- The Cleveland Indians are going for a club record when they play the Toronto Blue Jays Friday afternoon as they try to extend their winning streak to 14 games.

The Indians defeated the Blue Jays 4-1 on Thursday to equal their club record with their 13th straight win. The record was set in 1942 and matched in 1951.

The Indians also finished June with a 22-6 record, the best in franchise history for any month.

The Indians will start right-hander Josh Tomlin (9-1, 3.22 ERA), and the Blue Jays will counter with struggling right-hander Marcus Stroman (6-4, 5.33 ERA), who began the season as the No. 1 starter but has had trouble making his sinker sink and is 1-3 with an 8.44 earned-run average in his past six starts.

Indians manager Terry Francona is keeping an even keel.

"You turn the page pretty quick," Francona said after Thursday's win in which Carlos Carrasco struck out 14 in in 7 1/3 innings. "If you start taking time to sit back and evaluate (what happened) two weeks ago, then tomorrow might not be so good. I just think they're having fun trying to play the game the right way. That;s a good way to go about it."

Meanwhile, the Blue Jays have lost seven of their past 11 games after winning 20 of their previous 28.

If there was anything encouraging about the loss on Thursday, it was the return of left-handed reliever Brett Cecil from the disabled list, where he had been since May 15 with a strained triceps. He opened the season 0-5 with a 5.23 ERA in 16 outings before going on the DL but during his rehabilitation, he regained his curveball, which is vital to his success. Cecil pitched a perfect eighth inning Thursday, and manager John Gibbons and Cecil were both encouraged by the outing.

"Hopefully (his return) does bring back a boost of energy," Cecil said. "Hopefully I can get off to a good start and get these guys going a little bit. I'm not here to change the whole face of the bullpen, but they know what they need to do, I know what I need to do and hopefully we can all do it together."

Cecil will be used in late innings as bridge to closer Roberto Osuna.

"He's going into a valuable role, because we need that," Gibbons said. "We've seen him do that many times. I can't say this is his inning or that inning is his inning, but it's going to be important stuff."

Meanwhile, a good start by Stroman on Friday would be helpful for the bullpen. Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Stroman's' start Sunday, a 5-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox, was "really encouraging."

Stroman allowed seven hits and four runs in five innings. He has faced Cleveland once in his career, allowing five hits and five runs (four earned) in 1 1/3 innings in a relief appearance.

Tomlin also pitched Sunday, allowing three runs, six hits and a walk while striking out three in eight innings in a 9-3 win over the Detroit Tigers. He is 1-0 with a 5.19 ERA in his three career starts against the Blue Jays. He is 1-0 with a 5.56 ERA in two starts at Rogers Centre. He is 5-0 with a 2.76 ERA in seven starts on the road this season. He has allowed only eight walks in 362 batters faced this season. His 0.81 walks per nine innings is second in the majors to Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers (0.67).

He will be trying to pitch the Indians into history on Friday afternoon against a sellout crowd on Canada Day at Rogers Centre.

"It's something pretty special that's going on right now," said Cleveland closer Cody Allen, who earned his 17th save Thursday. "But you've also got to remember that just because we're winning ballgames right now doesn't mean it's going to be easy the next day. We know we've got our hands full for the rest of this series. That's a good club over there."

**TheGame** · 07-01-2016, 07:41 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/1

Preview: Reds (29-51) at Nationals (48-32)

Game: 2
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: July 01, 2016 6:05 PM EDT

WASHINGTON -- There has not been a lot of positive news around the last-place Cincinnati Reds this year, but slugger Adam Duvall and pitcher Anthony DeSclafani are two of them.

Duvall shares the National League lead in home runs at 22 with Chicago's Kris Bryant while DeSclafani makes his fifth start of the season Friday when he faces the first-place Washington Nationals and Tanner Roark in the second game of the series.

DeSclafani is 2-0 with a 1.52 ERA this season. In his last start, he went a career-high eight innings and gave up five hits and no runs while throwing a season-high 117 pitches in a 3-0 victory over the San Diego Padres.

The New Jersey native is 1-0 with a 2.35 ERA in five games in his career against Washington. He pitched out of the bullpen three times for the Miami Marlins against the Nationals in 2014 and made two starts last year with the Reds.

"He has commanded the bottom of the strike zone on both sides of the plate," Reds manager Bryan Price said Thursday. "His best two pitches are his fastball and slider but the ability to create speed separation with his changeup and curveball has been a big part of his success."

The right-hander has bounced back since he lasted only 2 2/3 innings on June 15 as he gave up six hits and four runs in a 9-8 loss in 13 innings to the Atlanta Braves, though he did not figure in the decision.

DeSclafani has also made five minor league rehab starts this year. He began the season on the disabled list with a strained left oblique suffered in his final spring training outing.

He made his major league debut in 2014 with the Miami Marlins.

The Reds need a good outing as Brandon Finnegan couldn't get out of the third inning on Thursday when the Nationals hit three homers in a 13-4 victory. Shortstop Danny Espinosa hit two of the homers -- one from each side of the plate.

Roark, the Washington starter Friday, is 3-1 with a 2.30 ERA in his last four starts.

The Nationals used a starting pitcher -- top prospect Lucas Giolito -- for the first time on Tuesday who was not part of the five-man rotation to the start the year.

Stephen Strasburg (10-0) went on the disabled list Sunday. When will he return?

"At this point, we still have half of the year to go. I'm more inclined not to rush him. I'm not in a hurry, personally," said Dusty Baker, the Washington manager.

Roark won 15 games as a starter in 2014 and split last season between the bullpen and the rotation as Max Scherzer supplanted him in the rotation.

**TheGame** · 07-01-2016, 07:41 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/1

Preview: Royals (42-36) at Phillies (35-45)

Game: 1
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: July 01, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

The Philadelphia Phillies' bats finally awakened during a nine-game road trip. Now the Phillies are hoping to solve their home hex, against a Kansas City Royals club that has had offensive woes of its own.

The Phillies, limited to nine runs while dropping all six games on their last homestand, scored 57 and hit .326 while going 5-4 on their trip. They wrapped it up by winning all three games in Arizona, their first sweep in the desert in 10 years and their first series victory since May 16-18 against Miami.

"When we left Philly, we became a different team," Philadelphia manager Pete Mackanin told reporters after Wednesday's 9-8, 10-inning victory over the Diamondbacks. "I'm hoping we can take this momentum and build on it."

The Phillies are slashing .258/.307/.417 and averaging 4.2 runs in 42 games on the road, but their slash line is .213/.272/.336 in hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park, where they are scoring just 2.7 runs per game in 38 outings.

Third baseman Maikel Franco is representative of the team's struggles in its own back yard. He went 10-for-34 (.294) with two homers and eight RBIs on the road trip, and is slashing .296/.372/.570 with 10 homers and 28 RBIs away from home this season. At home his numbers are .187/.220/.511, with three homers and 13 RBIs.

The Phillies will send right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (5-6, 4.23) to the mound Friday, against Royals righty Ian Kennedy (6-6, 3.96). Both are coming off victories, Hellickson having beaten San Francisco his last time out and Kennedy having shut down Houston.

Hellickson went six innings to snap a personal four-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the Giants, allowing two runs (one earned) and five hits while striking out three and walking one. Kennedy worked seven innings in a 6-1 victory over the Astros, allowing one run and three hits while striking out 11 and walking one. His strikeout total was one shy of his career high.

"Every time out you try to do that," Kennedy told reporters afterward. "It doesn't happen every time, obviously, unless you're (Clayton) Kershaw or guys like him that just go out and punch everybody else out and go seven or eight innings every single time.

"That's kind of what pitching is, make everything look like a fastball. My curveball today was better than it has been. I was staying on top of it. It was a little bit better than normal. I was just throwing fastball, curveball for the most part of the game. My slider when I needed it was down and had some good break. I threw it in some good counts."

The Royals, who beat St. Louis 4-2 on Thursday, have won four of five. The defending world champions are hitting .277 as a team, the second-best average in the major leagues, but have scored just 314 runs, which ties them for 26th.

That owes to the fact that they are just 16th in on-base percentage (.325) and 15th in slugging percentage (.413).

**TheGame** · 07-01-2016, 07:41 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/1

Preview: Cubs (51-27) at Mets (41-37)

Game: 2
Venue: Citi Field
Date: July 01, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

NEW YORK -- Thanks to a surprising comeback win Thursday night, the New York Mets snapped a four-game losing streak, but the result didn't change their approach as they try to work their way through an extended offensive drought.

"This is how we have to grind right now," Mets second baseman Neil Walker said late Thursday night following a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field.

The Mets will host the Cubs again Friday night in the second game of a four-game series.

"This was a very, very good game for us, especially on the offensive side," Walker said. "We got to grind out at-bats, make the pitchers work, got ourselves some opportunities."

Walker was credited with the game-tying RBI in the seventh inning Thursday, when Alejandro De Aza scored from third on Walker's chopper to second base. Javier Baez tried throwing out Brandon Nimmo at third, but his throw sailed past Kris Bryant, and Nimmo raced home with the winning run.

The rally was keyed by De Aza, who worked an eight-pitch walk against Joel Peralta, and Nimmo, who ended a nine-pitch battle with a single off Peralta.

"We have to do this, day in and day out, to have some success until we get on a little bit of a roll," Walker said of the Mets, who scored just eight runs during their losing streak.

The loss ended a three-game winning streak for the Cubs, who led 3-0 in the sixth inning.

"You never want to lose a game when you have the lead," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "All losses are pretty tough to swallow, especially the close ones."

Still, the Mets (41-37) weren't the only ones who left Thursday night feeling pretty good about themselves. Maddon was encouraged by how close the Cubs (51-27) came to tying the game in both the eighth and ninth innings.

The Cubs had two on and two outs in the eighth, when pinch hitter Jason Heyward grounded out to end the threat. Chicago loaded the bases with one out in the ninth before Mets closer Jeurys Familia struck out Willson Contreras and induced Baez to pop out to first.

"It indicates the kind of tenacity our group has, and I love it," Maddon said. "I actually love every second of it."

The Mets are scheduled to send right-hander Jacob deGrom to the mound against Cubs right-hander Jason Hammel.

DeGrom will be looking to earn his first win in two months. He is winless since April 30, a 10-start stretch in which he is 0-4 despite a 3.13 ERA. In his most recent start last Saturday, deGrom threw eight scoreless innings but didn't factor into the decision in the Mets' 1-0, 11-inning win at Atlanta.

Hammel is looking to snap a four-start winless streak, during which he has gone 0-3 with a 3.70 ERA as his overall ERA has risen to a season-high 2.58. He took the defeat in his most recent start Sunday, when he gave up two runs over six innings in the Cubs' 6-1 loss to the Miami Marlins.

Neither starting pitcher has beaten his Friday opponent. In three career starts against the Cubs, deGrom is 0-2 with a 6.46 ERA. Hammel is 0-3 with a 4.91 ERA in five career starts against the Mets.

**TheGame** · 07-01-2016, 07:42 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/1

Preview: Tigers (41-38) at Rays (33-45)

Game: 2
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: July 01, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tigers' wild ninth-inning rally Thursday night, taking them from a 7-2 deficit to a 10-7 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, began and ended with the bat of Cameron Maybin, who continues to step up when needed for Detroit.

"He's been great since he got back, not only as a player, hitting and manning center field, but his energy is real positive in the dugout," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "He's been great to have around, and obviously was a big player tonight."

Detroit will look for him to make an impact again Friday night in the second game of the series at Tropicana Field.

Maybin missed the first six weeks of the season after fracturing his left wrist in spring training, and he was slowed in mid-June by wrist and quadriceps ailments.

On Thursday, Maybin led off the ninth with a single and scored. He came back up with the game tied at 7-7 and outfielders drawn in, as Tampa Bay hoped to avoid letting the go-ahead run score on a sacrifice fly. He lined a shot past them to left-center field, bringing in three runs and capping a super-rare rally: Teams trailing by five or more in the ninth have just three wins in nearly 3,000 games over the past five seasons.

"Any win is always positive, but a win like that, you put a plus next to it," said Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler, who walked as part of the rally. "You come out tomorrow and try to win another game and try to continue playing well on the road."

For Detroit, the win opened a season-high, 11-game road trip and set the tone for the series against a Rays team that has dropped 13 of 15 games.

The bullpen continues to be a major vulnerability for Tampa Bay -- two scoreless innings in Wednesday's win had ended a horrid streak of 13 consecutive games in which Rays relievers allowed at least one run. They were never as bad as they were in the ninth inning Thursday, however.

Rookie Ryan Garton, who hadn't allowed a run since his major league debut on May 26, gave up four runs on four hits to open the ninth.

Erasmo Ramirez came in with the bases loaded -- he had done that five previous times this season, and had gotten out of the inning without allowing a run all five times. He wasn't as lucky Thursday, giving up four hits and two walks and dropping to 7-7 on the year, his only out coming on a sacrifice fly.

"Just awful work from me," Ramirez said. "I didn't throw my first-pitch strikes. Maybe I was too excited about the bases loaded and tried to get out of trouble quick. When you don't execute those pitches, you're in a hitter's count, and that's what I did. Something bad is going to happen when you do that."

Tampa Bay matched its largest blown lead in a ninth inning in franchise history, but Rays manager Kevin Cash said, "(Ramirez) was the right guy, right spot. It just didn't work out."

The Rays will try to bounce back Friday with left-hander Drew Smyly (2-8, 5.32 ERA) going up against right-hander Michael Fulmer (7-2, 2.40 ERA).

Smyly, who began his major league career with Detroit, has yet to beat his former team. He is 0-2 with a 5.56 ERA in two career starts against the Tigers. He took the loss at Detroit on May 21 when he gave up three runs in 6 1/3 innings.

Fulmer got the win that day, striking out a career-high 11 and giving up one run in seven innings during a 5-4 victory. That was the rookie's lone career outing against the Rays.

Fulmer has limited the opposition to no more than one run in each of his past seven starts. He is 5-1 with a 0.61 ERA in that span.

**TheGame** · 07-01-2016, 07:42 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/1

Preview: Angels (32-47) at Red Sox (42-36)

Game: 1
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: July 01, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

BOSTON -- Two teams extremely happy to see the calendar flip to July get together for three games at Fenway Park beginning Friday.

One of the teams -- the host Boston Red Sox -- still has a chance to fix things and stay in the pennant race.

The Los Angeles Angels, 8-19 in June, have lost nine of their last 10 and sit in last place in the American League West with a 32-47 record. That sounds, even this early, like a lost season.

Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox -- 10-16 in June -- are still in position to contend and open a nine-game homestand that leads up to the All-Star break.

Both teams have held team meetings in recent days, the Angels after being swept by the Houston Astros for the second straight week and the Red Sox after the Tampa Bay Rays ended an 11-game losing streak with a win over Boston on Monday.

The Red Sox won Tuesday before losing Wednesday to end a 2-4 trip.

"I like this team, I like our guys, I like the way we come in here every day and the effort that we continue to put forth," Red Sox manager John Farrell said after his team was shut out for the third time this season Wednesday. "We've got some adjustments and some work to do in certain areas. But this is a group that doesn't roll over and I'm firmly confident in them."

The meeting came after Eduardo Rodriguez was shelled in the series opener as second baseman Dustin Pedroia shouting at the pitcher on the mound. Rodriguez was sent to the minor leagues after the game, and the Red Sox still haven't named a Sunday starter against the Angels.

Rick Porcello and the offense stopped the bleeding and ended a three-game losing streak -- the Red Sox still haven't lost four in a row this season, but Matt Moore and two relievers stifled the Boston attack and David Price had another disappointing outing Wednesday.

Hanley Ramirez left that game with a right side injury after taking a hard swing but after the game said he'd be fine.

"Just my side got really tight," Ramirez said. "I talked to John and we're just trying to prevent something big. He told me that, 'We're not going to put your season on the line. Take care of that and be ready to go Friday.'"

The Red Sox, who have already used six different players in left field, hope to get Brock Holt (concussion) back soon.

They won't be getting any sympathy from the Angels, who have already used 43 players this season.

The Angels gave up 37 runs in six losses to the Astros.

"I don't think these guys are taking losing in stride, and that's a positive, but it has to be tempered with filtering out some of the frustration that could easily creep into a clubhouse or a dugout," manager Mike Scioscia said Wednesday. "Those guys seem like they're playing free and giving it everything they have, but the results aren't there."

Boston's Steven Wright, coming off his first poor performance of the season, opens the series against right-hander Jhoulys Chacin, who beat the Red Sox while with the Atlanta Braves earlier this season but is only 3-6 overall. He was 1-3 with an 8.59 ERA in five June starts with 17 walks and seven strikeouts.

Wright lasted 4 2/3 innings, yielding seven hits and eight runs (three unearned) in a loss at Texas last time out. He also surrendered only his second June home run in that game.

**TheGame** · 07-01-2016, 07:42 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/1

Preview: Marlins (41-38) at Braves (27-52)

Game: 2
Venue: Turner Field
Date: July 01, 2016 7:35 PM EDT

ATLANTA -- First baseman Freddie Freeman and pitcher Julio Teheran are the only core players left after the Atlanta Braves' two-year teardown and rebuild for the future.

Freeman has been labeled as untouchable from the start. Teheran has virtually gained the same status.

The Braves could sell high on Teheran, but general manager John Coppolella has been adamant recently that the team plans to hold on to the 25-year-old staff ace despite continuing trade rumors.

Teheran takes a 23-inning scoreless streak into his start Friday night against the Miami Marlins (41-38) and has a 2.46 ERA. He is second among major league starters with a WHIP of 0.89.

"When you start looking at All-Star pitchers, he is one," Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said. "The only thing there is his one-loss record and he can't control that with all that goes on. He's been about as good as you can get."

Teheran, given almost no offensive support, is 3-7 and has yet to record a victory at Turner Field. The right-hander is 0-4 in nine home starts despite a 2.80 ERA.

The Braves (27-52) have scored two runs or fewer while Teheran was on the mound in 12 of his 16 starts.

One of Teheran's home losses came against the Marlins, who had lost five straight to the Braves before winning 7-3 on May 29. Atlanta leads the series 7-2 after an 8-5 victory Thursday.

Teheran, 5-3 with a 2.87 ERA in 13 career starts against the Marlins, gave up five hits and three runs over 5 1/3 innings in that game, but has been on a roll since.

Teheran's scoreless stretch, which includes a one-hitter against the New York Mets, is the longest active streak in the National League and the longest by an Atlanta starter in a single season since Paul Maholm went 25 1/3 innings in 2013.

The streak comes with the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline just a month away, but Teheran has been able to concentrate only on his work at hand.

"I don't think about it, but I hear about it because there are a lot of comments," he said of the trade rumors. "I just focus on what I've been doing because this is the best I've been feeling during my career."

The Marlins and Braves were active on the trade front Thursday.

Miami, already strong at the back of the bullpen with A.J. Ramos, obtained veteran closer Fernando Rodney from San Diego in exchange for pitching prospect Chris Paddack.

Rodney, 39, was 17-for-17 in save opportunities in his first year with the Padres and had a 0.31 ERA in 28 appearances. He is expected to join the Marlins on Friday.

"We're able to shorten the game, that's for sure," manager Don Mattingly said of Rodney's addition. "We've been able to shorten it, in our minds, already. Now, it just makes it even shorter."

Ramos is 24-for-24 in save opportunities this year and has converted a team-record 33 in a row dating back to last season.

"Right now, until we have a chance to talk to Fernando, there's nothing I want to talk about role-wise publicly," Mattingly said. "I think we look at it as we just added a guy who has been rolling this year."

The Braves' trade was a multi-player deal for prospects that sent veteran right-hander Bud Norris, who was 2-1 with a 2.15 ERA in his last five starts, to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"I hate to see Bud go," Braves interim manager Brian Snitker. "The Dodgers are getting a hot pitcher."

Norris, 31, was 3-7 with a 4.22 ERA in 22 games (10 startes) after being signed as a free agent in the offseason for $2.5 million.

The deal leaves the Braves in need of starter for Saturday, with a promotion from Triple-A likely.

**TheGame** · 07-01-2016, 07:43 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/1

Preview: White Sox (40-39) at Astros (42-37)

Game: 1
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: July 01, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

HOUSTON -- Astros manager A.J. Hinch discussing his near-decision to rest second baseman Jose Altuve on Wednesday made for an amusing anecdote in the aftermath of another Houston victory over the Angels and yet another scorching performance from the red-hot Altuve at the plate.

With the Astros (42-37) set to host the White Sox (40-39) and kick off a 10-game homestand that will close the unofficial first half of the season, they come equipped with arguably the hottest hitter in the American League. Altuve finished 4-for-5 and a home run short of the cycle in the series finale against the Angels, the second time during the Astros' six-game roadie that he finished just shy of a cycle.

Altuve posted a .420/.492/.620 slash line over 26 games in June and served as the key cog fueling the Astros' 18-8 record. Altuve has played in every game this season and carried a 32-game on-base streak into July. Although the Rangers maintain an 8 1/2-game lead in the AL West, the Astros have roared back into wild card contention with their upcoming stretch at Minute Maid Park -- where they've won 12 of 14 games -- looming large as a jumping off point for the second half.

The indefatigable Altuve remains the catalyst despite the fatigue.

"At some point this homestand I'm committed to giving him a couple days (off)," Hinch said. "He's going to have a busy All-Star break, but if he continues to go like this, players don't want to come out very often."

Right-hander Mike Fiers (5-3, 4.41 ERA) gets the ball for the Astros on Friday. Fiers did not pitch when Houston visited Chicago from May 17-19, and has two no-decisions and a 1.32 ERA in two starts against the White Sox.

White Sox right-hander Miguel Gonzalez (1-3, 5.17 ERA) makes his 11th start (12th appearance) for Chicago having gone 0-2 with a 9.39 ERA while working only 15 1/3 innings over his previous three starts. Gonzalez is 1-3 with a 3.60 ERA in five career starts against the Astros.

After winning 17 of 25 games in April, the White Sox posted back-to-back losing months. However, their 6-5 victory over the Twins on Thursday sealed their third consecutive series victory.

White Sox left fielder Melky Cabrera will be sidelined for the series opener against the Astros and could miss the entire set after being prescribed with rest to combat a sprained right wrist suffered June 18.

With Cabrera out, the White Sox recalled third baseman Matt Davidson, who served as the designated hitter Thursday and finished 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored, from Triple-A Charlotte. Davidson hit .268 with 10 home runs and 46 RBIs for the Knights. He is the 15th player promoted from Charlotte this season and will spell third baseman Todd Frazier and first baseman Jose Abreu at the corner infield positions whenever Cabrera returns.

"He's been swinging it pretty good in Charlotte," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said of Davidson. "What happened to him in his journey, last year he struggled and I think he's just in a better spot than he's ever been and understands himself better. I think he's gotten over that, trying to impress and trying to do too much and the pressure that come with that.

"Even in spring training he was in a great spot and that whole experience has helped him for right now."

**TheGame** · 07-01-2016, 07:43 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/1

Preview: Rangers (51-29) at Twins (25-53)

Game: 1
Venue: Target Field
Date: July 01, 2016 8:10 PM EDT

It has been a long time since the Texas Rangers endured a three-game losing streak, something they will try to avoid Friday night in the opener of a three-game series against the Twins in Minnesota.

In fact, before losing their past two games, Texas (51-29) hadn't dropped back-to-back games since their past three-game skid, a May 16-18 three-game sweep at Oakland.

The Rangers fell to the New York Yankees on Wednesday and Thursday to split a four-game set. On Thursday, Texas lost in a particularly painful fashion: on a passed ball.

Chase Headley scampered home after a 1-1 pitch with two outs in the ninth skated under catcher Robinson Chirinos' glove to the backstop, giving the Yankees a 2-1 walk-off win. Shin-Soo Choo's leadoff homer to open the game provided the Rangers with their only run.

The Rangers are no strangers to walk-off losses -- they have a league-leading nine this season.

On the whole, things are looking up for Texas. The Rangers have an 8 1/2 game lead atop the American League West after going 20-7 in June, one win shy of matching a single-month franchise record, and their 51 wins are tied for the most in the majors with the Chicago Cubs.

The same can't be said for Minnesota, which also enters the series on a two-game skid -- but the Twins' problems go much deeper.

Minnesota (25-53) dropped two of three against the Chicago White Sox, including a 6-5 setback Thursday. The league-worst Twins went 10-17 in June and have settled comfortably into last place in the American League Central.

"We're giving up too many runs early in the ballgame," Minnesota second baseman Brian Dozier said. "We're still making some mistakes on the bases that (go) unseen but that (would) create more runs to get over the hump."

A pair of hot pitchers will toe the rubber Friday as Rangers left-hander Martin Perez (7-4, 3.44 ERA) opposes Twins righty Ervin Santana (2-7, 4.64 ERA).

Perez has won six consecutive decisions, matching his career-best stretch from 2013. He has a 3.40 ERA in his past seven starts.

Last time out, Perez held a powerful Boston Red Sox offense to one run on six hits and two walks over six innings in a 6-2 victory.

"Just keep going and continue to do my job," Perez told MLB.com. "I don't want to stop. I just want to win and help the team."

Perez has faced the Twins only once in his career, surrendering four runs over six innings in a 5-1 loss on July 6, 2012. Joe Mauer is 1-for-2 with two RBIs against Perez, although he has hit .234 against the Rangers in his career -- his second-lowest mark against an AL opponent.

Santana has allowed just three earned runs in his past two starts, including a five-inning no-decision against the Yankees last Saturday in which he allowed a run on six hits.

However, the former Los Angeles Angels pitcher hasn't had much career success against Texas, going 13-11 with a 5.67 ERA in 30 starts against the Rangers.

Adrian Beltre (.250, 15-for-60) has hammered Santana, smashing five home runs and driving in 15 runs against him. Prince Fielder (.389, 7-for-18) has hit three homers off Perez, and both he and Mitch Moreland (.320, 8-for-25) have driven in seven runs against him.

**TheGame** · 07-01-2016, 07:43 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/1

Preview: Brewers (35-43) at Cardinals (40-38)

Game: 1
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: July 01, 2016 8:15 PM EDT

ST. LOUIS -- While the Milwaukee Brewers are negotiating one of their toughest stretches of the season, the St. Louis Cardinals are seeking any kind of traction in a place that has suddenly turned cruel.

When the teams start a three-game weekend series Friday night in Busch Stadium, Milwaukee will try to reverse its recent trend of losing to St. Louis while the Cardinals will attempt to reverse a stunning streak of futility.

Thursday night's 4-2 loss to Kansas City marked St. Louis' seventh straight home defeat, its longest streak of that kind since Aug. 2-15 of 1983, and dropped its record to 15-23 at home. Last year, the Cardinals didn't lose their 23rd home game until Sept. 7.

A major factor in St. Louis' inability to win when wearing white uniforms has been its defense, or the lack of it. The Cardinals made three errors in each of their two losses to the Royals and have been charged with an major-league-high 62 errors, leading to 28 unearned runs.

By contrast, last year's 100-win team that captured the NL Central title committed only 96 errors and gave up just 47 unearned runs.

"It's a surprise to all of us," outfielder/first baseman Brandon Moss said. "We've got a lot of guys who are all defensively sound. It's just one of those things that happens.

"You want to play well in front of your home fans. You want to give them a reason to get excited. For some reason, we're not playing our best games here. I think over the course of the season, it will even out."

Based on past history, St. Louis (40-38) may have an ideal foil to help make a course correction. The Brewers (35-43) are only 13-23 on the road and have lost 10 of 15, including an 8-1 decision Thursday to the Los Angeles Dodgers that wrapped up a 3-3 homestand.

Milwaukee kicks off a six-game road trip with this series and is in the middle of a stretch where it plays 26 of 28 games against teams with winning records.

"We've been in this stretch against these teams that are at the top of the league," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "We're battling."

Milwaukee turns to veteran right-hander Matt Garza (1-0, 2.81) to start the trip. Garza is 4-4 with a 4.07 earned run average in 12 career starts against the Cardinals, and is coming off a win Saturday against Washington.

Garza will have to be cognizant of St. Louis third baseman Jhonny Peralta, who is 17-of-37 in his career against the right-hander with two homers and five RBIs.

The Cardinals will counter with left-hander Jaime Garcia (5-6, 4.09). Garcia, who had a no-decision in Sunday's11-6 win at Seattle, is 10-5 in 19 career outings against the Brewers, tied for his most wins against any opponent.

St. Louis will start Adam Wainwright (6-5, 5.04) opposite Jimmy Nelson (5-6, 3.60) on Saturday. Michael Wacha (4-7, 4.42) goes against Milwaukee's Chase Anderson (4-8, 5.45) in Sunday's series finale.

**TheGame** · 07-01-2016, 07:44 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/1

Preview: Giants (50-31) at Diamondbacks (36-45)

Game: 1
Venue: Chase Field
Date: July 01, 2016 9:40 PM EDT

PHOENIX -- The first time San Francisco visited Arizona this season, the National League West was up for grabs.

It is much closer to grabbed now.

One game separated the top four teams in the division when San Francisco touched down at Sky Harbor Airport to begin a four-game series in Arizona on May 12. None was off to a fast start. The Giants and Dodgers were .500 and tied for the lead, and the Diamondbacks and Rockies were two games below .500 and one game back. San Diego was within 2 1/2.

The Giants swept that four-game series and used it as a springboard to a 31-10 run that has given them the second-best record in the NL and a recent eight-game division lead that dropped to six over Los Angeles when Oakland took three of four in the Bay Area series that ended Thursday. Colorado sits 11 1/2 games out while Arizona is 14 and San Diego 16.

Neither the Giants (50-31) nor the Diamondbacks (36-45) have much momentum entering this three-game series that begins Friday in Chase Field, when winter targets Johnny Cueto (11-1) and Shelby Miller (2-7) meet.

While the Giants salvaged the final contest of the four-game home-and-home set against the A's, Arizona lost three straight at home to Philadelphia, taking some of the luster off a franchise record-tying 7-3 road trip leading into the Phillies series.

The Diamondbacks also might have lost-righter Zack Greinke in the process. Greinke left Tuesday's start against Philadlephia with soreness in his left oblique muscle. The D-backs believe they removed Greinke before the injury worsened, but they do not know if he can make his next start Monday. They are expected to make a decision Friday.

The Giants swept the May 12-15 series without using Madison Bumgarner, and the D-backs will miss Bumgarner again this time around. Bumgarner beat the A's 12-6 on Thursday and he was 1-for-4 with a double that ignited a six-run third inning. Bumgarner hit for himself in the game played in Oakland, the first time a pitcher intentionally was used instead of a DH since left-hander Ken Brett batted for the White Sox in 1976.

The Diamondbacks have underachieved at the halfway point, and a lot of it can be traced to their play at home, where they are 13-28. Only Atlanta (12-32) has a worse record.

"Obviously I think if you asked everybody that question, we're pretty disappointed on how the first 81 games have gone," Arizona setup man Daniel Hudson said. "There's a lot of baseball left to be played. Hopefully we can get it turned around quick and put some pressure on some other teams."

The Giants are 26-15 on the road, the best record in the league, but will be without three regulars this weekend. Hunter Pence (hamstring) has been on the disabled list since June 2 is not expected back until late in the season. Matt Duffy (Achilles) and Joe Panik (concussion) recently went on the DL.

While the NL is rich in third basemen, Arizona's Jake Lamb is making a push for All-Star consideration. Lamb has 17 homers and 55 RBIs and is leading the team in both categories. He had nine homers in June, second-most in franchise history behind Luis Gonzalez (12 in 2001).

Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford is 21-for-64 with 20 RBIs in his last 18 games.

**TheGame** · 07-01-2016, 07:44 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/1

Preview: Pirates (38-41) at Athletics (35-44)

Game: 1
Venue: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Date: July 01, 2016 10:05 PM EDT

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Sonny Gray still remembers the first time he faced the Pittsburgh Pirates as if it happened yesterday, not three seasons ago when he was a rookie.

The Oakland A's right-hander made his major league debut at PNC Park on July 10, 2013, and he pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen in a 5-0 loss to the Pirates. He struck out three and allowed one hit.

Gray will face Pittsburgh again on Friday, only this time he will start for the A's in the opener of a three-game interleague series at the Oakland Coliseum. He is bound to have flashbacks to his big league debut.

"I've got pretty cool memories, small memories I guess with the Pirates," Gray said Thursday before the Athletics' 12-6 loss to the San Francisco Giants. "That was a fun day."

In terms of wins and losses, this season hasn't been much fun for Gray, who is 3-6 with 5.03 ERA. He will take a five-game losing streak into his start Friday, and he hasn't had a victory since April 22 at Toronto.

Since being reinstated from the disabled list on June 5 after missing two weeks with a strained right trapezius, Gray has pitched well but has nothing to show for it. He is 0-1 with a 3.23 ERA in his past five starts.

"I still feel good ever since coming off the DL," said Gray, who went 33-20 with a 2.88 ERA in his first three seasons with the A's. "I still think it was the right choice to make. I didn't necessarily have to go on the DL, but that's the route we decided to go. Looking back at it, I think it was still the right call."

Gray and the A's will face a red-hot Pirates pitcher, Jeff Locke. In his past two starts, the left-hander is 2-0 with a 0.66 ERA, six strikeouts and zero walks. He outdueled Madison Bumgarner in a 1-0 victory against the Giants on June 20. Five days later, he pitched the Pirates to a 6-1 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Kenta Maeda.

Before winning back-to-back games, Locke went 0-2 with an 18.69 ERA in losses to the Colorado Rockies and the New York Mets, who combined to hit .455 against him. Somehow, he was able to bounce back.

"The guy's pitching, and he's confident out there, even going through that rough patch, those back-to-back games you wouldn't really wish on anybody at this level," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said after Locke's victory against the Dodgers. "He's handled it like a pro and just pitched through it."

Locke (7-5, 5.12 ERA) said a key to his turnaround was to stop being a perfectionist.

"Trying to make better pitches instead of perfect pitches," Locke said. "If it's a fastball away, just get it away."

Locke has faced the A's one time, on June 13, 2013, at PNC Park. He is 0-1 with a 2.57 ERA against Oakland.

The Pirates, who had an off day Thursday, have won four of their past six games. they snapped a six-game road losing streak Wednesday with an 8-1 victory against the Seattle Mariners.

The A's are 6-2 over their past eight games and have won back-to-back series, taking three of four from both the Los Angeles Angels and the Giants.

"We've definitely been playing well as of the last 10 games or so," Gray said.

The A's scored 34 runs in the four-game series against the Giants.

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MLB Betting Info. 7/1

MLB Betting Info. 7/1

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