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MLB Betting Info. 7/3

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  • MLB Betting Info. 7/3

    StatFox Super Situations




    MLB | TEXAS at MINNESOTA
    Play Against - Home underdogs with a money line of +125 or more (MINNESOTA) after having lost 4 or 5 of their last 6 games, a terrible team (<=38%) playing a team with a winning record
    91-32 over the last 5 seasons. ( 74.0% | 41.4 units )
    12-8 this year. ( 60.0% | -1.1 units )




    StatFox Situational Power Trends


    MLB | TEXAS at MINNESOTA
    TEXAS is 91-68 (+38.4 Units) against the money line vs. an AL team with an on base percentage .320 or worse over the last 2 seasons.
    The average score was: TEXAS (4.7) , OPPONENT (4.3)

  • #2
    Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/3

    'Interleague Over Gamblers Cashing'


    Three month's worth of baseball in the books 'Over' gamblers are cashing at a healthy 56.9% clip when American League clubs take on National League teams. The 'Over' has been the correct choice in 188 games vs 124 'Under', 18 'Push'.


    In the Junior Circuit, the Detroit Tigers (10-2 O/U), Los Angeles Angels (11-3-1), Minnesota (11-1-1) lead the way. In the Senior Circuit it's San Diego Padres (7-1 O/U), Pittsburgh Pirates (9-3), Colorado Rockies (8-2) cashing consistently for 'Over' gamblers.


    Over the weekend, Kansas City-Philadelphia, Pittsburgh-Oakland, NY Yankees-San Diego will be trying to keep 'Over' bettors happy.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/3

      How run differential can be the key to cashing MLB runline bets
      By JOE FORTENBAUGH

      Behind yet another incendiary performance from a member of their starting rotation, the white-hot Cleveland Indians matched a franchise record in Thursday night’s 4-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays by winning their 13th consecutive game.

      The Tribe’s current winning streak is the longest by any team in Major League Baseball this season as well as the longest run of success the club has strung together since winning 13 straight in 1951.

      Thursday’s accolades belonged to 29-year-old righty Carlos Carrasco, who is now 1-0 with a 1.14 ERA, 27 strikeouts and just seven walks in three starts during Cleveland’s 13-game rampage through professional baseball. A rampage, mind you, that has featured the Indians outscoring the opposition 80-26 (+54 run differential), which is good for a winning margin of 4.15 runs per game.

      Predictably, gambling twitter immediately responded with some variation of the following data: If you had bet to win $100 on every game Cleveland was listed as a favorite during the team’s current 13-game winning streak and risked $100 on Cleveland when the Indians assumed the underdog position during said streak, you would currently be up $1,337.

      That’s a respectable chunk of change for less than two week’s worth of work. But with Cleveland’s moneyline prices beginning to surge due to the team’s recent onslaught against all comers, could you have found a way to turn a similar profit without assuming as much risk?

      The answer, of course, is yes. And all you would have had to do was replace your moneyline bets with run line wagers.

      For the uninitiated, a run line bet is essentially Major League Baseball’s version of the NFL point spread, with one team listed as a 1.5-run favorite, the other listed as a 1.5-run underdog and corresponding odds attached to both spreads. For example, the Indians were listed as -120 favorites for Thursday night’s game against the Blue Jays (+110) on the moneyline, but were posted at the more appealing price of +130 if you were willing to lay 1.5 runs against Toronto (-150). The benefit is the opportunity to back the better team with less financial risk, while the downside is the fact that Cleveland had to win by two or more runs to cash the run line bet as opposed to simply winning the game by any margin to cash the moneyline ticket.

      Since the Indians launched their 13-game tirade against the rest of Major League Baseball back on June 17 in Cleveland against the White Sox, the Tribe have been listed as a moneyline favorite 11 times and run line favorite four times. And if you were to bet to win $100 every time Cleveland was a favorite and risk $100 in each instance the Indians were listed as an underdog, here’s how your portfolio would break down:

      13 moneyline bets: 13-0 record, $1,884 risked, $1,337 won

      13 run line bets: 11-2 record, $1,468 risked, $1,129 won

      By simply substituting run line bets for moneyline bets during Cleveland’s 13-game winning streak, your profits would have dropped by 15.5 percent, but your overall risk assumed would have plummeted by 22.1 percent. That’s not a bad tradeoff when you need to win by two or more runs with a pitching staff that has limited the opposition to just 2.0 runs per game during its 13-game stretch of nothing but victory celebrations.

      But here’s the tricky part: It’s easy to come swooping in after a team has won 13 straight matchups and exclaim, “Hey, you should have been betting the run line instead of the moneyline!” After all, hindsight is 20/20. What we need to identify is a way of determining which teams offer the best chance for success when betting the run line.

      Thankfully, we have those rankings for you, as well as something else you should be taking into consideration.

      Below you will find Major League Baseball’s 30 member organizations ranked by run line winning percentage entering Thursday night’s slate of action. In addition, you’ll notice a number in parenthesis next to each team’s record. That number represents the run differential ranking for each club entering Thursday night as well. For example, when you see a (6) next to the Texas Rangers, you’ll know that Texas ranks sixth in MLB in run differential.

      1. Texas Rangers: 52-28 (6)
      2. Baltimore Orioles: 46-31 (7)
      3. San Diego Padres: 46-33 (25)
      4. Detroit Tigers: 45-34 (15)
      5. Chicago Cubs: 44-34 (1)
      6. Kansas City Royals: 44-34 (18)
      7. Cleveland Indians: 43-35 (2)
      8. Colorado Rockies: 42-36 (16)
      9. Oakland A’s: 42-36 (23)
      10. St. Louis Cardinals: 41-37 (4)
      11. Washington Nationals: 42-38 (3)
      12. Milwaukee Brewers: 40-38 (26)
      13. Toronto Blue Jays: 41-40 (11)
      14. Boston Red Sox: 39-39 (5)
      15. Miami Marlins: 39-39 (14)
      16. San Francisco Giants: 39-41 (8)
      17. Philadelphia Phillies: 39-41 (27)
      18. Cincinnati Reds: 39-41 (30)
      19. Chicago White Sox: 38-41 (17)
      20. Seattle Mariners: 37-41 (10)
      21. Houston Astros: 37-42 (12)
      22. Los Angeles Dodgers: 37-44 (9)
      23. Arizona Diamondbacks: 37-44 (21)
      24. Pittsburgh Pirates: 36-43 (19)
      25. Minnesota Twins: 35-43 (29)
      26. Atlanta Braves: 34-44 (28)
      27. New York Yankees: 34-44 (20)
      28. Tampa Bay Rays: 32-46 (22)
      29. Los Angels Angels: 32-47 (24)
      30. New York Mets: 30-48 (13)

      The first question you may be asking yourself is, “Why run differential?” That’s an excellent inquiry. Essentially, we want to look at each team’s run differential to give us an idea of which squads have the firepower to consistently cover 1.5 runs while also examining which clubs get blown out on a regular basis. As you’ll notice in the rankings above, five of the top ten run line clubs (Rangers, Orioles, Cubs, Indians and Cardinals) also rank within the top ten in run differential, while five of the bottom ten run line clubs (Angels, Rays, Braves, Twins and Diamondbacks) also rank within the bottom ten in run differential. So based on this simple correlation alone, we’ve discovered that a third of the league’s run line record matches up with its run differential ranking.

      One team to keep an eye on moving forward in regards to run line wagering is the Philadelphia Phillies, who have lost 28 of their last 39 games after commencing the season with a 24-17 record. What’s intriguing about Philadelphia is that despite winning just 43.8 percent of their contests this season, the 2008 World Champions are a shocking 18-9 (.666) in one-run games in 2016. That type of performance in one-run affairs is extremely difficult to sustain over the course of a 162-game season, so don’t be surprised if the Phillies exhibit a regression in that department in the very near future.

      As for the Indians, who knows when Cleveland’s starting rotation will hit a rough patch and regress to the mean. After all, this club hasn’t lost since the Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/3

        MLB roundup: Blue Jays halt Indians' 14-game winning streak
        By The Sports Xchange


        TORONTO -- Josh Donaldson tied the game with a home run in the seventh, then singled home the go-ahead run in the three-run eighth as the Toronto Blue Jays ended the Cleveland Indians' winning streak at 14 with a 9-6 victory on Saturday.
        Rajai Davis became the eighth Cleveland player to hit for the cycle but it was not enough to continue the club's record winning streak. Davis completed the cycle with a single in the ninth inning against Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna.
        Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run homer and Troy Tulowitzki hit a two-run shot in addition to Donaldson's solo shot for Toronto. Carlos Santana also homered for Cleveland.


        Angels 21, Red Sox 2
        BOSTON -- C.J. Cron had six hits, including two home runs, to lead a 22-hit attack as last-place Los Angeles walloped Boston.
        Carlos Perez had five hits and drove in six runs, Cron drove in five and Albert Pujols hit his 575th career homer and drove in five for the Angels, who scored 11 runs in the seventh inning. It was the sixth time in franchise history the Angels scored 20 runs in a game -- the first time since Aug. 25, 2004.
        Pujols became the eighth player ever to reach both 575 home runs and 1,750 RBIs. He has 15 homers and 55 RBIs this season, while Cron became the third Angel with six hits in a game
        Mookie Betts had two doubles and his 17th homer for the Red Sox.


        White Sox 7, Astros 6
        HOUSTON -- Dioner Navarro had four RBIs on a two-run triple and a two-run single as Chicago edged Houston.
        Navarro's two-run, two-out single to right field in the fifth inning chased Astros right-hander Doug Fister and provided the White Sox a 5-4 lead they never relinquished.
        Second baseman Jose Altuve hit his 14th homer for the Astros, who lost to Chris Sale (14-2), the winningest pitcher in the majors. Sale allowed five runs (four earned), six hits and one walk with nine strikeouts in seven innings.


        Twins 17, Rangers 5
        MINNEAPOLIS -- Max Kepler hit a pair of three-run homers and had seven RBIs as Minnesota rolled over Texas.
        Kepler's seven RBIs set a new franchise rookie record. Teammate Miguel Sano, Oswaldo Arcia and legendary Tony Oliva all had six RBIs as rookies with the Twins.
        The 17 runs scored was a season high for Minnesota, which has the worst record in baseball (26-54). Eduardo Nunez had four hits, including a pair of doubles, and Sano had a two-run homer and knocked in three.


        Mets 4, Cubs 3
        NEW YORK - New York defeated Chicago for the third straight time in a rematch of 2015 National League Championship Series participants and also feasted on Cubs starter Jake Arrieta.
        Arrieta (12-3) suffered a rough outing, and was knocked out of the game in the sixth inning after giving up back-to-back singles with one out. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner gave up four runs, eight hits and two walks and struck out four as he surrendered four earned runs or more for the second straight game.
        Mets starter Bartolo Colon allowed two runs and four hits in six innings, striking out five and walking three.


        Cardinals 3, Brewers 0
        ST. LOUIS -- Adam Wainwright scattered seven hits in seven scoreless innings, walking two and striking out five as he posted his 13th career win against Milwaukee, tying his most against any opponent.
        Wainwright overcame allowing leadoff singles in four straight innings. He induced double-play balls to wipe out hits in the fourth, fifth and sixth. Center fielder Tommy Pham followed the third double play by racing to the warning track for an over-the-shoulder grab of Chris Carter's liner.
        Kolten Wong had a two-run single in the fourth inning and scored on Greg Garcia's bunt single.


        Braves 9, Marlins 1
        ATLANTA -- Freddie Freeman and Jace Peterson hit homers as Atlanta rocked Miami ace Jose Fernandez.
        Freeman hit a two-run homer in the first inning and Peterson added a three-run shot in the sixth after that inning was prolonged by an error. A seven-run sixth inning knocked out Fernandez (10-4), who gave up eight hits and was charged with all nine runs (six earned).
        Atlanta (28-53) claimed its eighth victory in 11 games against the Marlins (42-39) this season. The Braves have a winning record against no other team.


        Tigers 3, Rays 2
        ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Justin Verlander struck out eight and Ian Kinsler hit his 15th home run of the season as Detroit slipped past Tampa Bay.
        Verlander allowed one earned run, four hits and one walk and lowered his ERA to 4.11 en route to his eighth win. Kinsler's homer broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning.
        Rays starter Blake Snell struggled to find his control during his fifth career start, which resulted in four walks and a handful of sticky situations. The 23-year-old walked two Tigers in the second inning, a costly move when the next hitter, Jose Iglesias, hit a two-out single up the middle to send in Detroit's first run.


        Royals 6, Phillies 2
        PHILADELPHIA -- Kendrys Morales had two home runs and four RBIs and Danny Duffy pitched 8 2/3 stellar innings while doing some damage at the plate as Kansas City topped Philadelphia.
        Morales drilled a three-run homer, his 13th home run of the season, off the scoreboard in right field to cap a five-run outburst for Kansas City in the second inning. Three batters before, Duffy had his first major-league hit and RBI when his bunt went over the head of Phillies starter Aaron Nola and into no man's land, where no play could be made by a Phillies infielder.
        Duffy was dominant, striking out eight and giving up seven hits in the longest outing of his six-year career.


        Reds 9, Nationals 4, 10 innings
        WASHINGTON -- Tucker Barnhart had an RBI single -- his third hit of the game -- to break a tie in the top of the 10th inning as Cincinnati scored five times in the extra frame to beat Washington, ending a six-game winning streak for the National League East leaders.
        The last-place Reds halted a five-game losing streak. Zack Cozart also had three hits for the Reds and Adam Duvall and Brandon Phillips had two apiece.
        Trailing 4-1, Washington's Danny Espinosa had a two-run homer in the eighth and Bryce Harper tied the game later in the frame with an RBI single off reliever Blake Wood.


        Padres 2, Yankees 1
        SAN DIEGO -- Melvin Upton Jr. homered on the first pitch of the ninth inning thrown by left-hander Andrew Miller to give San Diego a walk-off win over New York at Petco Park.
        It was Upton's third walk-off homer of the season.
        Brad Hand (2-2) pitched a scoreless ninth to get the win. Miller suffered his first loss to fall to 5-1.


        Diamondbacks 6, Giants 5
        PHOENIX -- Welington Castillo hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the eighth inning and drove in four runs as Arizona snapped a six-game losing streak with a victory over San Francisco at Chase Field.
        Michael Bourn doubled off Giants starter Jeff Samardzija to open the eighth inning before left-hander Josh Osich entered and walked the only batter he faced, Jake Lamb.
        Castillo hit a 2-1 pitch from Hunter Strickland (3-1) for his 10th homer of the season. Castillo hit his second homer in as many nights after not hitting one at home since April 24.


        Mariners 12, Orioles 6
        SEATTLE -- Seattle belted five home runs to beat Baltimore for the third consecutive night.
        Mike Zunino, playing in his first game of the season, homered twice, while teammates Nelson Cruz, Seth Smith and Adam Lind also went deep for Seattle. Home runs by Zunino, Cruz and Smith opened up an 8-1 Seattle lead over the first four innings.
        Baltimore lost its third game in a row despite 12 hits, one short of the Orioles' cumulative total in the first two games of the series. First baseman Chris Davis hit his 21st home run of the season and drove in three runs.


        Pirates 4, Athletics 2, 10 innings
        OAKLAND, Calif. -- David Freese and Gregory Polanco hit RBI singles in the top of the 10th inning, and Pittsburgh held on for a victory against Oakland at the Oakland Coliseum.
        Erik Kratz lined a leadoff single in the 10th off A's left-hander Daniel Coulombe and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Freese drove him in with a single to left. After Coulombe intentionally walked Andrew McCutchen, Adam Frazier singled to left, but Coco Crisp threw out Freese at the plate. Polanco followed with an RBI single to center, driving in McCutchen.
        Right-hander Mark Melancon pitched a scoreless ninth for his 19th straight save and 23rd overall, but it didn't come easily. Josh Reddick singled with one out and went to third on Khris Davis' two-out single. But Melancon struck out Stephen Vogt to end the game.


        Dodgers 6, Rockies 1
        LOS ANGELES -- Left-hander Scott Kazmir pitched six shutout innings to lead Los Angeles to a win over Colorado in front of 46,608 at Dodger Stadium.
        Kazmir (7-3), who has not lost since May 9, posted his fifth consecutive victory. The left-hander retired 13 of 14 batters between the first and fifth innings and finished with 10 strikeouts while scattering three hits and a hit batsman in his six innings.
        Justin Turner got three of the Dodgers' 10 hits. Adrian Gonzalez and Trayce Thompson each drove in two runs as Los Angeles used its fifth win in six games to move within five games of the first-place San Francisco Giants in the National League West.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/3

          Preview: Indians (49-31) at Blue Jays (44-39)


          Game: 4
          Venue: Rogers Centre
          Date: July 03, 2016 1:07 PM EDT


          TORONTO -- The Cleveland Indians found out that they did not like to lose on Saturday when the Toronto Blue Jays beat them 9-6.


          It has been a long time since they experienced the losing feeling. It was June 15 when they lost 9-4 to the Kansas City Royals.


          Between losses they won 14 games, the longest winning streak in club history.


          "Losing is hard, I don't care," Indians manager Terry Francona said after the game Saturday.


          The loss was only the seventh by the Indians in their last 30 games. Before the Blue Jays used a three-run eighth to beat them on Saturday, they had won eight in a row on the road as well.


          The Indians were down to the Blue Jays 3-1 and 5-3 and came back to gain a 6-5 lead.


          "We showed a lot of what we're about," catcher Chris Gimenez said. "We got down a few times early in the game and were able to claw back. Especially after last night (a 2-1 win in 19 innings), I think it could have been easy for a lot of guys to just kind of throw in the towel and say, 'Hey, we'll get them tomorrow.'


          "I think it shows a lot of what this team is about. We've got something special going on here."


          Blue Jays manager John Gibbons was impressed by the way both team played after the marathon on Friday.


          "It was a big game, you could feel it," Gibbons said. "Everybody was tired. Both teams were exhausted. A number of guys on both teams were down, things like that.


          "But both teams put on a pretty good show. A good entertaining game. We needed that win more than they did."


          Gibbons and Edwin Encarnacion missed nearly all of the game Friday after being ejected because they argued balls and strikes in the first inning.


          "Myself and Eeddie were the most rested guys on either team," Gibbons said.


          Encarnacion made his presence felt in the first inning Saturday with a three-run homer.


          The Indians will try to start a new winning streak Sunday when they send out right-hander Corey Kluber (8-7. 3.50 ERA) against Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ (10-3, 3.70 ERA).


          Both pitchers were 4-1 in June. The difference is how they did it. Kluber had a 2.19 ERA in five starts, holding opponents to a .154 batting average and a .194 on-base percentage.


          Happ had a 5.28 ERA in June.


          Kluber is 1-2 with a 4.82 ERA in three career starts against the Blue Jays.


          While the Indians have been surging, the Blue Jays have been hanging on. The win Saturday was only their fifth in the last 13 games,


          The Blue Jays will try to salvage a split of the series Sunday, and get two wins in a row.


          Josh Donaldson, who tied the game Saturday with a home run and singled in the go-ahead runs, is not fussy. He will take the wins where they come.


          "Any win is important, no matter if you've won 14 in a row or lost 14 in a row," Donaldson said. "It's major-league baseball, and it's going to come down to the wire. We'll take every win."

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/3

            Preview: Cubs (51-29) at Mets (43-37)


            Game: 4
            Venue: Citi Field
            Date: July 03, 2016 1:10 PM EDT


            NEW YORK -- When the New York Mets stumbled home Wednesday after losing three straight games to the Washington Nationals, there seemed to be a better chance the Mets would be worried about falling below .500 by the end of a four-game series against the Chicago Cubs than talking about a potential sweep of the presumptive World Series favorites.


            Yet the Mets have a chance to break out the brooms Sunday afternoon in the finale of a National League Championship Series rematch at Citi Field. New York posted its third straight win with a 4-3 victory over the Cubs on Saturday night.


            The Mets have outscored the Cubs, who have the lowest ERA in the majors at 2.97, by a margin of 18-8. Not bad for a team that scored 17 runs in the six games preceding the Cubs' arrival.


            "You've got to believe you can compete," Mets manager Terry Collins said Saturday night. "But then when you go out and do it, it means a lot. The confidence that it sends throughout the clubhouse -- there's no other way to do it except to go out there and beat one of the real, real good teams three times."


            The three straight losses to the Mets (43-37) have continued a monthlong skid of sorts for the Cubs (51-29), who have gone 12-14 since June 5. Chicago is 2-11 against teams with a winning record -- the Mets, Washington Nationals, Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals -- during that stretch.


            "Every team we're playing is gunning for us," Cubs utilityman Ben Zobrist told reporters Saturday afternoon. "They know we've got the best record in the league. And they're showing up to play against us. They're not showing up like this to play against other teams."


            The Cubs will try to avoid the sweep behind left-hander Jon Lester, who will oppose Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard in a matchup of aces and potential All-Star Game starters.


            Lester was named the National League's Pitcher of the Month for June on Saturday after a stretch in which he went 4-0 with a 1.41 ERA. Overall this season, Lester has a 2.03 ERA, second best in the NL behind injured Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw.


            "We want to finish it off (Sunday)," Collins said. "Lester's pitching great, but we certainly are right now playing pretty good. So we need to hopefully go out and get some pitches to hit and do some damage with them."


            Syndergaard absorbed his most damage of the season in his most recent start last Tuesday, when he gave up five runs in three innings and took the loss as the Mets fell 11-4 to the Washington Nationals. The next day, multiple media outlets reported Syndergaard is pitching with a bone spur in his right elbow, accounts corroborated by Syndergaard on Thursday.


            Lester is 2-0 with a 2.50 ERA in three career regular-season starts against the Mets. He took the loss in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series last Oct. 17, when he gave up four runs in 6 2/3 innings in the Cubs' 4-2 loss at Citi Field.


            Syndergaard lost his lone regular-season start against the Cubs in his major league debut on May 12, 2015, when he gave up three runs in 5 1/3 innings as the Mets fell 6-1. He picked up the win in Game 2 of the NLCS last Oct. 18, when he allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings in the Mets' 4-1 victory.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/3

              Preview: Tigers (43-38) at Rays (33-47)


              Game: 4
              Venue: Tropicana Field
              Date: July 03, 2016 1:10 PM EDT


              ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- With the All-Star Game fast approaching next week, it's natural for teams to evaluate their progress at the unofficial halfway point of the season. That Detroit won its third straight against host Tampa Bay on Saturday marked what the Tigers hoped to be a turning point in a thus-far mediocre season.


              Detroit has pounded out 23 runs on so far this series, which concludes on Sunday. Second baseman Ian Kinsler made note of the good feeling the team shares lately, but added the pitching staff has just as much to do with the team's success as its bats.


              "Our bullpen is shaping up nicely, our rotation is shaping up, too," Kinsler said. "(Francisco Rodriguez) has done an unbelievable job. Justin Wilson and Shane Greene have done an unbelievable job, and then we obviously have guys who can be steady down there in Alex Wilson and Kyle Ryan, guys that can provide you innings.


              "As long as we can stay healthy, like we have been saying since spring training, we should be OK."


              Verlander took home honors Saturday after collecting eight strikeouts in seven innings. On Sunday, Mike Pelfrey will get the ball as the Tigers attempt to secure a road series sweep versus Tampa Bay.


              Pelfrey won his last start, against Miami, despite allowing 12 hits over 5 1/3 innings. He seeks his first win since June 4, but is 0-5 on the road this season with a 4.19 ERA.


              Saturday marked the exact midpoint in the Tigers season. Detroit has posted a 43-38 record so far, a number that's encouraging considering the team endured 11 losses in 12 games to kick off May.


              But manager Brad Ausmus would still like improvement in the second half.


              "Overall, the first half hasn't been bad, but we'd like it to be better," he said. "Pitching is the key in baseball, period."


              Saturday's loss for the Rays marked the 15th in their last 17 games as Tampa Bay still seeks to round the corner before it's too late.


              Perhaps one of the Rays' biggest problems so far is a rash of untimely injuries that have decimated their roster, especially in the outfield. Entering Sunday's series finale with Detroit, Tampa Bay has 28 roster moves in 32 days. Nine players have been put on the DL in the past 50 days including four outfielders -- Kevin Kiermaier, Mikie Mahtook, Brandon Guyer and Steven Souza Jr.


              With all of the walking wounded and a sometimes cobbled-together roster, it's no wonder the Rays are still just short of jelling as a team.


              "Any mistake or something that works against us seems to turn into a run against us right now," Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. "I think the best way we overcome that is come out and do what we did against Boston and kind of create the runs ourselves. Gives the guys some breathing room."


              The Rays (33-47) reach the midpoint of their season on Sunday.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/3

                Preview: Reds (30-52) at Nationals (49-33)


                Game: 4
                Venue: Nationals Park
                Date: July 03, 2016 1:35 PM EDT


                WASHINGTON -- The Washington Nationals had a decision to make before hosting the Cincinnati Reds in the series finale on Sunday at Nationals Park.


                And the Nationals were in the situation of having to choose between using unbeaten pitcher Stephen Strasburg (10-0, 2.90) or top pitching prospect Lucas Giolito (0-0, 0.00) to start against the last-place Reds.


                That is a choice that many teams wish they had to make.


                "It's not up to me, it's up to how Strasburg feels," manager Dusty Baker before Saturday's game. "Right now he's feeling pretty good, but the decision will probably be made tomorrow. It might be a gametime decision."


                After the game, Baker said: "We're getting one of our main men Stras back tomorrow. He can put us back in sync for the remainder of the first half."


                Strasburg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft, went on the disabled list June 26, retroactive to June 16, with an upper back strain. If he comes off the DL to pitch Sunday, the Nationals will have to make a roster move.


                His place in the rotation was filled on Tuesday by Giolito, another former first-round pick who went four innings and allowed just one hit against the New York Mets in a rain-shortened outing.


                It was the first big league appearance for Giolito, considered the top pitching prospect in the minors this year.


                The big right-hander from Los Angeles had never pitched above Double-A Harrisburg before he was called up to start against the Mets. One scenario would be for the Nationals to send Giolito to Triple-A Syracuse, then call him back up later in the year.


                "On any given night, he has three well-above-average pitches working for him," Mark Scialabba, the director of player development for the Nationals, said of Giolito. "Along with his fastball and curve, which are well documented, his changeup has become a weapon he can use against both left- and right-handed hitters. He's a tremendous student of the game and is striving to become a complete pitcher with the ability to field his position and hold runners well."


                The Nationals and general manager Mike Rizzo are not hesitant to dip into their minor league system to aid the 25-man roster.


                Last June, right-hander Joe Ross -- who started against the Reds on Saturday night -- was summoned from Double-A Harrisburg to join the rotation. He was later sent back to Triple-A Syracuse, then was called back up to Washington to end the season.


                The Reds will send lefty John Lamb (1-4, 4.60) to the mound on Sunday. He has never faced the Nationals.


                Cincinnati has begun an 11-day, 10-game road trip in rough fashion after a 13-4 loss Thursday and then a 4-3 loss in 14 innings on Friday. They came through with a 9-4 win in 10 innings late Saturday. It was the first extra-inning loss at home for Washington after nine such wins over the past two years.


                The Reds were 7-2 against the Nationals over the last two series before the four-game series began here Thursday.


                Manager Bryan Price had to juggle his lineup on Saturday.


                He dropped second baseman Brandon Phillips to the No. 6 spot in the order against Washington.


                "It's just trying to get him back to where he is really feeling comfortable at the plate," Price said of Phillips.


                Joey Votto was a late scratch from the lineup just before the game with a sore right shoulder. Price said he is day-to-day. The injury came in Friday's game when Votto dove into second on a double.

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                • #9
                  Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/3

                  Preview: Angels (33-48) at Red Sox (43-37)


                  Game: 3
                  Venue: Fenway Park
                  Date: July 03, 2016 1:35 PM EDT


                  BOSTON -- Matt Shoemaker is due for some good fortune.


                  The Angels right-hander is coming off a strong June that saw him run up a 2.14 ERA in six starts, good enough to place him in the running for mention for things like Pitcher of the Month.


                  One problem -- he didn't win a game, as his team suffered through an 8-19 month that sent it spiraling into last place in the American league West.


                  "Matt is on an incredible run," manager Mike Scioscia said after his pitcher's last outing.


                  Incredible run. No results -- something Shoemaker hopes to turn around when he faces the Red Sox in Sunday's series finale at Fenway Park.


                  He can only hope his teammates, who scored 21 runs to even the three-game series on Saturday night, saved some for him on Sunday.


                  Shoemaker will face a former Angel, journeyman right-hander Sean O'Sullivan, who will come up from Triple-A Pawtucket for the spot start.


                  "It's not that frustrating because it's a long season and it's the game of baseball," Shoemaker, who has allowed four earned runs and struck out 20 in 19 1/3 innings over his last three starts, said after the bullpen failed to hold his win last week -- in his second straight strong start against the Houston Astros.


                  "My job is to try to go out and put up zeros as much as I can. For the bullpen, it's the same thing. Sometimes things don't go our way."


                  Shoemaker, 7-10 last year after a 16-4 run in 2014, is 3-8 with a 4.12 ERA this season. In June, he was 0-3 as his ERA dropped from 5.85 to 4.12. He joined Pedro Martinez (New York Mets, 2006) as the only pitchers ever to go winless in a month with an ERA under 3.00 and with at least 45 strikeouts.


                  He hasn't won since May 27.


                  Shoemaker has been brilliant in two career games, one start, against the Red Sox, going 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 10 2/3 innings against Boston.


                  Current Red Sox hitters are a combined 1-for-24 against Shoemaker, with both Xander Bogaerts and Dustin Pedroia coming in at 0-for-4.


                  O'Sullivan was 1-0 with a 7.94 ERA in three games, two starts, with the Red Sox earlier this season. One of nine starters used by the club in 2016, he comes up on a Triple-A run that saw him go 4-0 with a 2.61 ERA in six starts.


                  He got the nod over right-hander Aaron Wilkerson, the former Independent League pitcher who is 4-1 with a 2.20 ERA with Pawtucket -- as the Red Sox hit the official midway point with their 81st game.


                  "That was the recommendation (of the minor league people)," manager John Farrell said Friday. "Wilkerson, we recognize, has been throwing the ball well there. The recommendation was for Sean to come back up here and pitch on Sunday."


                  O'Sullivan, out of options, was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on May 16, but he returned to Pawtucket after clearing waivers.


                  Overall at Pawtucket, he is 6-2 with a 2.79 ERA in 11 starts this season.


                  He was 5-2 with the Angels in 2009 and 2010.


                  Now, he has to try to turn around what happened to his team, losers of seven of their last 11, on Saturday night.

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                  • #10
                    Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/3

                    Preview: Royals (43-37) at Phillies (36-46)


                    Game: 3
                    Venue: Citizens Bank Park
                    Date: July 03, 2016 1:35 PM EDT


                    PHILADELPHIA -- With the recent struggles of Aaron Nola and the inconsistent performances from the likes of Jeremy Hellickson and Zach Eflin in recent weeks, one can make a legitimate argument that the Phillies' starting pitching is currently in a state of flux as Jerad Eickhoff has been the only steady performer in the rotation.


                    The hope is Vince Velasquez's return can help bring some more stability.


                    When the Phillies (36-46) host the Kansas City Royals (43-37) on Sunday afternoon in the rubber match of the teams' three-game set, the powerful right-hander will make his first start at home since leaving after throwing just two pitches in a game against the Chicago Cubs on June 8.


                    Velasquez was diagnosed with a right biceps strain and missed almost three weeks of action before he returned to the hill Monday in Arizona. In his return, Velasquez, who was acquired in December from the Houston Astros in a package in return for closer Ken Giles, silenced the Diamondbacks by giving up just five hits and striking out seven over five shutout innings in an 8-0 Philadelphia victory.


                    Replicating that success on Sunday will be no easy task against the defending World Series champion Royals and red-hot slugger Kendrys Morales.


                    After mashing two homers in Saturday night's 6-2 win over the Phillies, Morales is 26-for-46 with five doubles, seven home runs and 21 RBIs over his last 12 games. That's good for a .565 average during that span.


                    "I feel really good at the plate and the key is I'm making hard contact when I'm swinging the bat," Morales said through the Royals' team interpreter after Saturday night's victory. "Pitch selection is key for me. When I see a pitch I can drive, I'm going to swing at it. Things are going good right now."


                    Morales typically is a designated hitter. But with the groove Morales is in these days, Royals manager Ned Yost found it difficult to take Morales out of his lineup this week as Kansas City visited St. Louis and Philadelphia, both National League cities.


                    So on this road trip, Yost has elected to play Morales in the outfield, where he hadn't played since 2008 when the Cuban slugger was with the Los Angeles Angels.


                    "It's worked out really good," Yost said. "The first couple of days it was like, 'OK, I'm really interested to see this happen.' But now, this has worked out really, really well for us. ... He hasn't hurt us. It's been a real pleasant surprise."


                    With his recent surge, Morales now has his average up to .264 on the season.


                    There are a couple of streaks to keep an eye on Sunday.


                    Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar enters Sunday riding a 13-game hitting streak, the longest of his career during a single season. He had an 18-game streak that stretched from the end of 2014 into 2015.


                    Phillies outfielder Peter Bourjos is riding an 11-game hit streak of his own. It ties the longest streak for a Phillie this season. Odubel Herrera did it in April. A hit on Sunday would tie the longest hitting streak of Bourjos' career.


                    Philadelphia is looking to get back on the winning side of the ledger after having its four-game win streak snapped on Saturday night.

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                    • #11
                      Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/3

                      Preview: White Sox (41-40) at Astros (43-38)


                      Game: 3
                      Venue: Minute Maid Park
                      Date: July 03, 2016 2:10 PM EDT


                      Two starting pitchers who haven't had much success lately will try to get back on track Sunday when the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros conclude their three-game series at Minute Maid Park in Houston.


                      Left-hander Jose Quintana (5-8, 3.18 ERA), who will start for Chicago, is looking to halt a nine-start streak without a win. He's 0-7 during those nine starts with a 4.58 ERA. His last victory was May 8 against the Minnesota Twins, when he gave up just one run on six hits.


                      Houston right-hander Collin McHugh (5-5, 4.58 ERA), meanwhile, is looking for his first win since May 30. He has suffered one loss and four no-decisions in his past five starts.


                      On Tuesday, Quintana lasted seven innings, giving up four runs, six hits and one walk while striking out eight in a 4-0 loss to the Twins.


                      One of the problems for Quintana is that he's suddenly giving up home runs. Twins second baseman Brian Dozier hit two against him on Tuesday -- the fifth and sixth homers he has allowed in the past four games. Before that, Quintana was touched for only two homers in his first 12 starts.


                      But Quintana's record against the Astros could bode well for him Sunday. He is 2-1 with a 2.78 ERA in six career starts against Houston.


                      McHugh is going through a similar dry spell with only one win in his last nine starts. But McHugh's numbers indicate that he hasn't pitched that badly despite the lack of wins.


                      The 29-year-old gave up two runs in six innings against the Los Angeles Angels in his last start and has allowed only five runs in his previous three trips to the mound.


                      McHugh has an 0-2 career record against the White Sox but gave up only two runs in seven innings when he faced them on May 19.


                      The Astros will be trying to rebound after the White Sox ended Houston's four-game winning streak with a 7-6 victory on Saturday in the middle game of the series. It was only the second loss in the past 13 games for the Astros.


                      Houston also brings into the rubber match a streak of five consecutive series victories.


                      Center fielder J.B. Shuck and designated hitter Dioner Navarro played key roles for the White Sox as ace Chris Sale posted his major league-leading 14th victory. Shuck had a home run and triple and Navarro produced a triple and four RBIs.


                      Second baseman Jose Altuve, named the American League Player of the Month for June, was a key contributor for the Astros with a home run and three RBIs. Shortstop Carlos Correa also has been hot for the Astros, driving in nine runs in the past five games.


                      The White Sox may get left fielder Melky Cabrera back after he missed the last four games with a sprained right wrist. Before his injury, he was hitting .423 with two doubles, two home runs, six RBIs and four runs scored in his six previous games.

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                      • #12
                        Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/3

                        Preview: Rangers (52-30) at Twins (26-54)


                        Game: 3
                        Venue: Target Field
                        Date: July 03, 2016 2:10 PM EDT


                        Minnesota bounced back from a three-game losing streak in a big way Saturday afternoon, and now the Twins are seeking their biggest series victory of the season in Sunday's finale against the Texas Rangers.


                        The Twins (26-54) had a historic performance from Max Kepler, who drove in a club rookie record seven runs, blasting a pair of home runs -- including a three-run shot -- as Minnesota cruised to a 17-5 victory at Target Field.


                        "I think when you have a big day like today and you hit a couple over the fence, it bodes well mentally," Twins manager Paul Molitor said of Kepler.


                        It was the Twins' biggest offensive output since a 20-run outburst against Detroit on Aug. 22, 2014, and it left them with a chance to take a three-game set against the American League-leading Rangers (52-30).


                        "We set the tone in the first inning with our sloppy play," said Rangers manager Jeff Banister, whose team surrendered four runs in the frame. "We couldn't get out of the first."


                        Texas won the opener Friday, using an Ian Desmond solo homer in the 10th inning to claim a 3-2 victory.


                        The Rangers now turn to staff ace Cole Hamels (9-1, 2.60 ERA) to stop the bleeding and stave off a fourth loss in the last five contests.


                        The left-hander has been on a roll lately, going 4-0 with a 0.65 ERA in his last four starts. On Tuesday, Hamels tossed seven scoreless innings and struck out seven to silence the New York Yankees in a 7-1 victory.


                        Unfortunately for Minnesota, home-field advantage likely won't have much of an impact on Hamels, who has won a Rangers' record nine consecutive decisions in road starts. He is 6-0 with a 1.44 ERA on the road this year.


                        Hamels is 1-0 with a 5.21 ERA in three career starts against Minnesota. Brian Dozier is the only Twins hitter with more than one hit off Hamels, going 2-for-5 with a double.


                        Dozier extended his on-base streak to a major-league-leading 24 games with a second-inning walk Saturday.


                        The news wasn't all good for Minnesota on Saturday, as it lost shortstop Eduardo Escobar to a left hamstring strain in the second inning after he sustained the injury when sliding into home an inning earlier.


                        Twins manager Paul Molitor said Escobar would be re-evaluated Sunday.


                        Kyle Gibson (1-5, 5.12 ERA) will be tasked with completing the Twins' series victory, making his fourth career start against Texas.


                        The right-hander is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA against the Rangers, and he's looking to build on an encouraging outing his last time out.


                        Gibson pitched seven scoreless innings Tuesday in a 4-0 road win against the Chicago White Sox, allowing just five hits and a walk while fanning a season-high seven.


                        He hadn't tossed a scoreless outing since last Sept. 30, a nine-strikeout performance over six innings at Cleveland.


                        Elvis Andrus is 3-for-10 with a home run and two RBIs against Gibson. Robinson Chirinos (4-for-5) has also taken Gibson deep. Prince Fielder and Adrian Beltre also have two hits apiece against Gibson.

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                        • #13
                          Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/3

                          Preview: Brewers (35-45) at Cardinals (42-38)


                          Game: 3
                          Venue: Busch Stadium
                          Date: July 03, 2016 2:15 PM EDT


                          ST. LOUIS -- While the St. Louis Cardinals continued their recent trend of solid to outstanding work from their starting pitchers on Saturday, the Milwaukee Brewers kept moving the needle in the wrong direction.


                          Adam Wainwright's seven shutout innings gave St. Louis a 3-0 win and deepened Milwaukee's recent skid offensively. In losing three straight games, the Brewers have managed just two runs.


                          Weather permitting, Milwaukee will try to figure things out against the Cardinals in Sunday's series finale at Busch Stadium.


                          "We're in a little bit of a funk offensively," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "We're just in one of those couple-day stretches of struggling to get things going and create opportunities."


                          St. Louis (42-38) has tended to do that to Milwaukee (35-45) in recent years. It owns a 6-2 advantage in this year's season series, outscoring it by 48-14, and is 45-20 against the Brewers, dating to the start of the 2013 season.


                          But a 90 percent chance of rain might present Milwaukee with a temporary reprieve. While the teams played through showers for most of Saturday's game, some forecasts are calling for as many as 2-3 inches of rain Sunday.


                          Nothing could dampen the Cardinals' mood after perhaps their best defensive game of the season. They turned four double plays, used a nifty deke at second base to steal an eighth-inning out and denied at least two hits with outstanding plays to turn hard-hit balls into outs.


                          It was a stark contrast from their previous three games, in which they made eight errors and other mental mistakes.


                          "Just good plays all the way around," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. "Being able to trust your defense is one of those confidence-boosters for your pitching staff. They don't have to be perfect."


                          Michael Wacha (4-7, 4.42 ERA) gets the call for the Cardinals on Sunday. He has pitched well in his last four starts, all of them quality, and has won two straight outings, including an 8-4 verdict on Tuesday night in Kansas City.


                          Wacha, who lost seven straight decisions from April 23 to June 22, has displayed much better command lately. He has hit the lower parts of the strike zone with his fastball, enabling him to use his changeup as a wipeout pitch.


                          Wacha, who's 3-0 with a 4.22 ERA in five career outings against the Brewers, will be opposed by right-hander Chase Anderson (4-8, 5.45). He's coming off a 6-5 loss on Tuesday night to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who rocked him for eight hits and six runs (five earned) in four innings.


                          That outing actually qualifies as an improvement of sorts for Anderson, who has been hit so hard in his last three starts that his ERA during that span dropped to 12.71 after Tuesday night. But he has enjoyed good outings in his two career starts against St. Louis, allowing only two earned runs in 12 innings.


                          Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina is expected to make his 73rd start in 81 games and is looking to build on his 1,500th career hit that he accomplished in the fourth inning Saturday.


                          "He's been one of the greatest Cardinals ever," Wainwright said of his longtime battery mate. "We were excited for him."

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                          • #14
                            Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/3

                            Preview: Pirates (40-41) at Athletics (35-46)


                            Game: 3
                            Venue: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
                            Date: July 03, 2016 4:05 PM EDT


                            OAKLAND, Calif. -- It's been 40 days since Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Francisco Liriano won a game. He'll try to end that drought Sunday afternoon against the Oakland A's and impressive rookie pitcher Daniel Mengden.


                            Liriano had ERAs of 3.38 or lower in each of his past three seasons with Pittsburg and went a combined 35-25. This year, he's 4-8 with a 5.33 ERA, more than a full run higher than his career mark of 4.05.


                            A mysterious lack of command has been a key to Liariano's struggles. In his previous start, he walked five and lasted only 4 1/3 innings in a 5-4 loss to the Dodgers on Monday. He gave up four hits and five runs (four earned).


                            Over his past six starts, Liriano is 0-5 with a 7.12 ERA with 24 walks in 30 1/3 innings. He's allowed five home runs and 36 hits during that stretch. He hasn't won a game since May 24 against Arizona.


                            "I've been here before," Liriano said after his loss to the Dodgers. "I've just got to stay positive and keep working."


                            Liriano went 6-12 with a 5.34 ERA in 2012, pitching for the Twins and White Sox, before signing with the Pirates as a free agent on Feb. 8, 2013. In his first season with Pittsburgh, he went 16-8 with a 3.02 ERA. He walked 63 and struck out 163 in 161 innings.


                            "I would never have called him a pinpoint pitcher his whole career," Pirates catcher Chris Stewart said Saturday before the Pirates' 4-2, 10-inning victory. "I think this year is a little more out of the zone with certain things, falling behind a lot of hitters and putting guys on base, and it seems like guys are getting big hits against him when they're on base.


                            "It's just a matter of him going out, trusting his stuff, attacking the strike zone, establishing the fastball command early, and that way he'll get the chases on the other stuff."


                            Mengden is 1-3 in four starts, but he has a 2.81 ERA and is coming off his first career major league victory. He allowed two hits and four runs over a career-high 7 2/3 innings in an 8-3 victory Monday against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park.


                            Mengden started the season with Double-A Midland, was promoted to Triple-A Nashville then was called up to the A's on June 11. He has 26 strikeouts and nine walks over 25 2/3 innings. With each major league start, his confidence has grown.


                            "Every time you step on the rubber and get out there you gain experience and confidence and trust in yourself, as well," said Mengden, who will try to prevent the Pirates from sweeping the three-game series. "Getting used to the atmosphere, the type of hitters you're facing. The more and more you do it, the easier it gets, and I guess the more confidence you'll get. And I've been throwing well, so that always helps with the confidence and trusting my stuff. It's a lot of fun."


                            Mengden scouted the Pirates hitters on Monday in the series opener and again on Tuesday. He knows what to expect when he takes the mound in the series finale.


                            "They have a lot of balance to their whole lineup," Mengden said. "Speed, power. They're a good team. ... It's always nice seeing a few guys face a team before you face them."

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                            • #15
                              Re: MLB Betting Info. 7/3

                              Preview: Giants (51-32) at Diamondbacks (37-46)


                              Game: 3
                              Venue: Chase Field
                              Date: July 03, 2016 4:10 PM EDT


                              PHOENIX -- The Diamondbacks understand what they are up against entering the second half of the season, and their comeback victory against San Francisco on Saturday was a step in the right direction.


                              Welington Castillo's three-run homer in the eighth inning put the finishing touches on a four-run comeback for an exhilarating 6-5 victory, snapping a six-game losing streak.


                              As for something to build on as the teams prepare for the final game of a three-game homestand, time will tell.


                              "I hope so," said Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who made a lunging stop with a runner on first base to preserve reliever Jake Barrett's first major league victory and Brad Ziegler's 17th save for the final out Saturday.


                              "You'd like to say yes, but who knows if you can. You show up tomorrow and it is zero-zero and it doesn't really matter that much. We need the win, just because we know how far back we are from San Fran and even in the wild card, so any win is going to be big. Hopefully the momentum carries over, but I know they are not going to be fazed by it.


                              "They are fine coming off losses, and it is not like if we would have lost we would have showed up and been hanging our heads tomorrow. Hopefully we can win the series."


                              The D-backs (37-46) will send left-hander Robbie Ray against Giants right-hander Albert Suarez in the finale of the three-game series at Chase Field on Sunday.


                              Arizona's victory Saturday was the first by the home team in the first 10 games of the season series. The Diamondbacks swept a four-game series at AT&T Park on April 18-21 before the Giants swept a four-gamer series at Chase Field on May 12-15. The Giants won the opener of this series Friday, coming back from two three-run deficits in a 5-4 victory.


                              "That is one we let get away," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said Saturday.


                              Castillo has homered in two consecutive games and has hit four of his 10 homers against the Giants this season. He had seven in his first 21 games before going 28 games without one, connecting again June 17.


                              Asked if his homers come in bunches, Castillo drew chuckles when he said, "That's what it looks like. I've been feeling good lately. I know I went through a tough moment. I don't worry about my hitting. I know I can hit a little bit. Just time, and it's going to come."


                              Arizona third baseman Jake Lamb had two hits and a walk Saturday and is close to becoming the fourth player (five occurrences) in franchise history to have 20 doubles and 20 homers before the All-Star break. Lamb hit his 19th double Saturday and has 18 homers after hitting one in each of the three previous games. Only Paul Goldschmidt (twice), Matt Williams and Jay Bell have done it.


                              Ray (4-7) threw six shutout innings for his first victory of the season at San Francisco on April 19, and he is 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA in two career starts against the Giants. He averages 10.42 strikeouts per nine innings, seventh highest among NL starters and third highest among left-handers.


                              Suarez (3-1) will make his sixth start Sunday and also has made six relief appearances. He took Matt Cain's spot in the starting rotation when Cain went out with a right hamstring strain. He has a 4.39 ERA in five starts and will gave the Diamondbacks for the first time.

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