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MLB Betting Info. 8/16

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  • MLB Betting Info. 8/16

    StatFox Super Situations


    MLB*|*PITTSBURGH*at*SAN FRANCISCO
    Play On - Home teams when the money line is +125 to -125 (SAN FRANCISCO) with a team slugging percentage .390 or worse on the season (NL) against opponent with a hot starting pitcher- ERA less than 2.00 over his last 3 starts
    118-75*over the last 5 seasons.**(*61.1%*|*47.1 units*)
    5-3*this year.**(*62.5%*|*2.3 units*)




    StatFox Situational Power Trends


    MLB*|*MINNESOTA*at*ATLANTA
    MINNESOTA is 28-19 (+21.7 Units) against the money line in Road games vs. teams whose hitters strike out 7 or more times/game in the second half of the season*over the last 2 seasons.
    The average score was: MINNESOTA (5.5) , OPPONENT (5.0)

  • #2
    Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/16

    MLB roundup: Mariners' Hernandez earns 150th career win
    By The Sports Xchange


    ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Right-hander Felix Hernandez earned his 150th career victory Monday night in the Seattle Mariners' 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels in front of 35,840 at Angel Stadium.
    Hernandez (7-4) amassed eight strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings, induced 11 groundouts, issued four walks and conceded two runs on four hits. The American League's 2010 Cy Young Award winner retired 11 of 12 batters between the third and seventh innings.
    The victory enabled Seattle to remain 5 1/2 games behind the first-place Texas Rangers in the American League West and two games behind the Boston Red Sox, who hold the second wild-card spot.
    Right-hander Tom Wilhelmsen pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings of relief with one strikeout, and closer Edwin Diaz added another strikeout while retiring all three batters he faced for his seventh save. Nelson Cruz added his 30th home run of the season.


    Rangers 5, Athletics 2
    ARLINGTON, Texas -- Adrian Beltre's 10th career grand slam turned around the game for Texas, who rallied for a victory over Oakland.
    Texas, which came into the game on a 21-inning scoreless streak, saw that stretch extended to 24 by Oakland starter Ross Detwiler (1-1) as the A's built a 2-0 lead.
    Elvis Andrus cut Oakland's advantage to 2-1 with an RBI single in the fourth inning before Beltre gave Texas the lead in the fifth.
    A hit batter and two singles loaded the bases for Beltre, who blasted a homer off Detwiler into the stands in left.


    Diamondbacks 10, Mets 6
    PHOENIX -- Welington Castillo tied a career high with four hits, drove in two runs and had two of Arizona's seven doubles in its victory over New York at Chase Field.
    Castillo had RBI singles in a three-run first inning and in the sixth inning for an 8-2 lead, and he doubled and scored in the third and fifth innings. Arizona had 16 hits, nine for extra bases.
    Paul Goldschmidt had three hits, including a double and a triple, to help left-hander Robbie Ray (6-11) break a three-game losing streak.


    Royals 3, Tigers 1
    DETROIT -- Ian Kennedy pitched 6 2/3 strong innings to collect his first victory since June 26 and suddenly resurgent Kansas City edged Detroit at Comerica Park.
    Kennedy (7-9) snapped a streak of eight consecutive starts without a victory, though he was unlucky in his last three outings. He has gone at least six innings and given up one or no runs in fourth straight starts. He allowed one run on five hits and struck out five on Monday.
    Eric Hosmer, Raul Mondesi and Lorenzo Cain drove in the Royals' runs.


    Rays 8, Padres 2
    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Drew Smyly held the Padres to one hit in seven innings, and Tampa Bay opened a 10-game homestand with a win over San Diego at Tropicana Field.
    Smyly (5-11) threw his fifth consecutive quality start, his only blemish a first-inning solo home run by Alexei Ramirez. The left-hander struck out four and walked two.
    The Rays won their second straight, while the Padres fell for the sixth time in eight games.


    Yankees 1, Blue Jays 0
    NEW YORK -- Chad Green retired the first 12 hitters he faced, struck out a career-high 11 hitters in six outstanding innings and combined with three relievers on a three-hitter as the New York Yankees edged the Toronto Blue Jays 1-0 on Monday.
    Aaron Judge drove in the only run with an RBI double in the fourth inning for the Yankees (61-57), who won for the seventh time in 10 games.
    Green began his fifth start with a 7.50 ERA as a starting pitcher but resembled the right-hander who had eight strikeouts in eight innings July 3 at San Diego.


    Red Sox 3, Indians 2
    CLEVELAND -- David Ortiz and Jackie Bradley Jr. each homered in a three-run sixth inning, and that was all Boston needed to post a victory over Cleveland at Progressive Field.
    Cleveland had a chance to tie it in the bottom of the ninth as Francisco Lindor led off the inning with a double into the left-field corner against Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel.
    Mike Napoli drew a walk, and was replaced by pinch runner Tyler Naquin. Kimbrel struck out Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis before Abraham Almonte popped out to second on a 3-2 pitch to end the game.


    Marlins 6, Reds 3
    CINCINNATI -- David Phelps earned his first win of the season as a starter by allowing two runs and striking out eight batters in 5 1/3 innings as Miami beat Cincinnati at Great American Ball Park. Miami used six relievers to back up Phelps' effort.
    Martin Prado went 3-for-5 while Chris Johnson and Marcell Ozuna each hit solo home runs to back up Phelps (6-6) in his third start of the season. Phelps had made 50 appearances out of the bullpen before getting his first start on Aug. 5 at Colorado.
    He was pulled after giving up a one-out single to Ivan De Jesus with a 4-1 lead in the sixth inning.


    Nationals 5, Rockies 4
    DENVER -- Bryce Harper, once again a force in the middle of Washington's lineup, doubled home the go-ahead run in the seventh inning as Washington came back to beat Colorado.
    The reigning Most Valuable Player in the National League, Harper went 9-for-67 (.134) after the All-Star break and then missed five games with a stiff neck. He returned Sunday and drove in a run with a double. Harper ramped up his offense against the Rockies in the series opener at Coors Field, going 3-for-3 with two doubles and two walks.
    The loss was the fourth straight and 10th in 12 games for the Rockies. The Nationals kicked off a nine-game road trip with their third straight win and fourth in five games.


    Pirates 8, Giants 5
    SAN FRANCISCO -- Gregory Polanco drove in four runs with a home run and a single, helping make right-hander Ryan Vogelsong's return to AT&T Park a winning one in Pittsburgh's victory over San Francisco.
    Center fielder Andrew McCutchen saved two runs with a diving catch and the Pittsburgh outfield threw out two Giants baserunners, helping Vogelsong win on a night when he was roughed up for four runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings.
    The win was the third in four games in California for the Pirates (60-56), who remained tied in the loss column with Miami (62-56) and St. Louis (62-56) in the race for the second National League wild-card playoff spot.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/16

      Preview: Brewers (52-64) at Cubs (73-43)


      Game: 1
      Venue: Wrigley Field
      Date: August 16, 2016 8:05 PM EDT


      CHICAGO -- Following back-to-back series with teams very much in the postseason hunt the Chicago Cubs now play three against teams far off the pace.


      While mathematically alive, the Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres are all playing sub-.500 baseball and trail leaders in their respective divisions by 10 1/2 games or more.


      The Cubs (73-43) swept a pair from the Los Angeles Angels last week and then split a four-game series with division rival St. Louis to maintain a 12-game lead in the National League Central.


      The Brewers and Cubs open a four-game series with Tuesday's day-night doubleheader at Wrigley Field. One game is a makeup from an April 27 rainout. Milwaukee (52-64) is fourth in the NL Central, 21 games behind Chicago.


      The Brewers bring in one of baseball's hottest bats in Ryan Braun, batting .381 with 26 runs, nine homers, 21 RBIs and 14 walks since the All-Star Break.


      "He's really locked in and producing, for sure," said Brewers manager Craig Counsell. "We were worried a little about what would happen after losing the hitter (Jonathan Lucroy) behind him but he's responded really well and he's certainly been swinging the bat great."


      The Cubs counter with a pitcher making his first start of the season in Tuesday's opener and a short-handed bullpen exposed in last weekend's Cardinals series.


      Right-hander Trevor Cahill gets a spot start in Tuesday's 12:20 p.m. game against Brewers righty and ex-Cub Matt Garza (4-4, 4.83 ERA). Chicago's Jason Hammel (12-5, 2.90 ERA) carries a five-start winning streak into Game 2 against Milwaukee's Chase Anderson (7-10, 4.93 ERA) at 7:05 p.m.


      Cahill will come off the disabled list and serve as 26th man for Tuesday's doubleheader. He has been sidelined since July 9 with patellar tendinitis in his right knee but made six recent starts with Triple-A Iowa, going 0-3 with a 4.58 ERA.


      He is 1-3 with a 3.07 ERA in 33 appearances with the Cubs this season.


      Bullpen weakness was a contributing factor in Cubs losses on Saturday and Sunday.


      Reliever Hector Rondon returned on Sunday after being out 12 days with a sore triceps. He gave up a go-ahead three-run homer to Stephen Piscotty in the eighth inning.


      "His stuff wasn't as crisp as normal.," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "The fastball velocity wasn't up there. He obviously did not throw the ball where he wanted to."


      Pedro Strop is out four to six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery last week for a left meniscus tear.


      "Not having Stroppy -- we just have to figure this out," Maddon said. "We have to restructure this somehow."


      Chicago also had another pitching scare on Sunday night when starter John Lackey departed in the seventh inning with shoulder stiffness.


      But Lackey said after the game that he was fine. He figures to start again later this week at Colorado.


      "I'm OK," he said after Sunday's game. "(An) extra bullpen session was probably not the best for me. I feel a little tight since then. Nothing crazy. Trust me. I've been out there feeling a lot worse. I'll be all right."

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/16

        Preview: Dodgers (65-52) at Phillies (56-63)


        Game: 1
        Venue: Citizens Bank Park
        Date: August 16, 2016 7:05 PM EDT


        PHILADELPHIA -- For those in attendance at the Philadelphia Phillies' series opener against the Dodgers, the night will mean much more than just an opportunity to see an interdivision game.


        It will be a chance to welcome one of the franchise's favorite players back home.


        Chase Utley, who helped the Phillies to a 2008 World Series championship, will make his first visit to Citizens Bank Park as an opposing player on Tuesday night in what is sure to be an emotional evening for one of the cornerstones of the franchise's best squads.


        Utley, the team's starting second baseman from shortly after his 2003 call-up until his trade midway through last season, accumulated 1,623 hits, 142 home runs and 916 RBIs in his time in Philadelphia, making six All-Star Games and finishing in the top 10 in MVP voting on three occasions.


        His ultra-competitive nature and professional demeanor made him beloved in a town that values hard work above all else, and his departure -- while a necessary move given the team's rebuilding status -- was seen as the end of an era in the city.


        "Obviously I have so many great memories from playing in the stadium and in front of those great fans," Utley told Philly.com before the Dodgers hosted the Phillies last week. "It's going to be exciting. It might be a bit emotional. But I'm looking forward to it."


        Most of Utley's long-time teammates are also gone, though first base Ryan Howard and catcher Carlos Ruiz -- both likely in their final seasons in Philadelphia -- still remain.


        Los Angeles entered Monday's action one game behind San Francisco in the National League West, and has a 3 1/2-game lead in the NL wild-card race over Saint Louis, which is up only a half-game over the rest of the field.


        Philadelphia is 6 1/2 games in back of the Cardinals, 10 games behind the Dodgers.


        The Dodgers will start right-hander Kenta Maeda (11.7, 3.31 ERA) on Tuesday. He has been the Dodgers' most consistent pitcher, but struggled the last time he faced the Phillies, allowing three runs in five innings.


        On Wednesday, the Dodgers will go with left-hander Scott Kazmir, who is 9-6 with a 4.44 ERA.


        As the Phillies try to chase down a wild-card spot over the final stretch of the season, manager Pete Mackanin is just hoping his starting pitching rotation can hold together.


        A line drive off the left (throwing) arm of starter Adam Morgan led to his removal in the fourth inning of Sunday's 7-6 win over the Colorado Rockies, just the latest Phillies starter to suffer an injury.


        Vince Velasquez (8-4, 3.94), who will start the series opener, suffered a biceps strain that has caused him to miss several starts in June and July. Although he has made his last four starts, he hasn't made it past the sixth inning in any of them. Jake Thompson (1-1, 8.68 ERA), who is pitching Wednesday, is making his third career start.


        Jeremy Hellickson (back) had to leave his last start early, as did Zach Eflin (foot). Eflin, it turns out, was pitching with a broken bone in his foot and is likely done for the season.


        "We've got the day off (Monday), they're going to inform me on whatever they have on Tuesday," Mackanin said.


        How heavily has Philly's bullpen been taxed? Over the Phillies' last 14 games, Mackanin has used an average of 3.6 relief pitchers per game for nearly five innings per game (4.78). The 50 2/3 innings they've pitched in August are second-most in the NL and third-most in the majors.


        The last time Mackanin was able to use fewer than three relievers for fewer than three innings in one game was on July 29, when Vincent Velasquez went six innings before two relievers threw an inning each. Of course, it helped that Atlanta didn't need to bat in the ninth inning.


        "I looked back at my chart and we've been five innings, four innings, five innings, three innings with our starters and that really taxes the bullpen," Mackanin said.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/16

          Preview: Blue Jays (67-52) at Yankees (61-57)


          Game: 2
          Venue: Yankee Stadium
          Date: August 16, 2016 7:05 PM EDT


          NEW YORK -- On the wild-card front, the New York Yankees were not able to make any more progress on their deficit but they were able inch a little closer to first place Monday night.


          The Yankees will look to gain another game on at least one front Tuesday night when they continue a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium.


          New York has won nine of its last 14 since the non-waiver trade deadline, which saw the trades of Aroldis Chapman, Carlos Beltran and Andrew Miller. The Yankees have tied a season high by going four games over .500 for the third time and this stretch has coincided with a younger roster, which was displayed during the series opening 1-0 win.


          Rookie Chad Green struck out 11 in six innings while retiring the first 13 hitters and Aaron Judge had an RBI double in his third career game off R.A. Dickey. Green also was pitching to catcher Gary Sanchez, who is hitting .302 in 11 games since joining the Yankees on Aug. 3.


          "I don't think anybody thought we were giving up," Green said. "Obviously when you trade Beltran, Miller and Chapman, everybody thinks you're giving up but you still got great players here. So the young guys are going out there, trying to enjoy the moment and take it day-by-day."


          The Yankees won despite going 2-for-18 with runners in scoring position and stranding 14 but are 5 1/2 games out of first place for the second time in three days. They have not been less than five games out of the lead since April 28.


          In terms of the Yankees interests in winning the division, their ideal scenario is to hope the Boston Red Sox beat the Orioles while they beat Toronto. If merely getting into the playoffs is fine, New York fans should root for the Orioles since the Yankees are 4 1/2 games out of the second wild-card spot.


          Regardless of what unfolds in Baltimore, the Yankees will need continued improvement from Michael Pineda. Although Pineda is 6-10 with a 5.07 ERA, he is 4-4 with a 3.81 ERA in his last 13 starts.


          The Yankees have won nine of those starts, including last Thursday in Boston. New York rallied late for a 4-2 win and Pineda put the Yankees in position to win by allowing two runs and eight hits in six innings.


          "I thought he battled," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "They had baserunners, but he made some really big pitches when he had to."


          Pineda has made pitches when he has to at times against the Blue Jays, going 2-3 with a 3.54 ERA in nine starts. He faced the Blue Jays April 13 in Toronto and allowed two earned runs and five hits in six innings.


          Despite Monday's loss, Toronto still is the American League's best road team. Toronto has lost three straight road games for the third time this season although it still has won seven of its last 11 games outside of Canada.


          "It's crucial," Toronto manager John Gibbons said before Monday's loss. "You got to hold your own on the road."


          Toronto's only four-game road losing streak was two losses in Tampa Bay April 5-6 and two in Boston April 15-16.


          After Dickey allowed a run and four hits in five innings, Marco Estrada will take the mound Tuesday. Estrada took the loss in the April 16 game but has not lost a road start since, going 4-0 with a 2.85 ERA in his last eight road outings.


          Estrada was outstanding Aug. 3 in Houston when he allowed one run and four hits in seven innings. He followed it up by laboring through five innings last Tuesday in a 9-2 loss to Tampa Bay when he allowed three runs and seven hits while throwing 113 pitches.


          "Just a little rusty, I guess," Estrada said. "Those things are going to happen. At least I gave the team a chance, I thought there were a few pitches that could have gone my way. I've got to do a better job I guess of getting ready."


          In 12 starts on more than four days' rest, Estrada is 4-5 with a 3.57 ERA and the Blue Jays hope he resembles the pitcher who allowed one run and four hits in seven innings Aug. 3 in Houston.


          The amount of rest has not mattered against the Yankees for Estrada, who is 3-2 with a 3.92 ERA in seven starts against them since joining the Blue Jays last season.


          Estrada held the Yankees to a .243 average last year but has been sharper this season as evidenced by the .140 (7-for-50) mark New York had off him in two May starts this season.


          On five days rest, he allowed three runs and four hits in seven innings during an 8-4 win at New York on May 25 and on May 30, he allowed three hits in eight scoreless innings during a 4-2 home victory.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/16

            Preview: Red Sox (65-52) at Orioles (66-51)


            Game: 1
            Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
            Date: August 16, 2016 7:05 PM EDT


            BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles are finally returning home Tuesday, but they'll have to face the Boston Red Sox in the first game of an important two-game American League East series at Camden Yards.


            Baltimore returns to town after going 5-5 on a long, three-city, 10-game trip that took the team to series against the White Sox, A's and Giants.


            The Orioles (66-51) ended the trip with a stunning 8-7 victory over San Francisco on Sunday, rallying from an early six-run deficit to win in the ninth on Jonathan Schoop's two-out, three-run homer.


            The Orioles have an American League-best 39-17 home record, and 11 of their final 16 games this month are in Baltimore, something they'll likely look forward to.


            Baltimore had an off-day Monday after the long trip, and manager Buck Showalter said the team could need a few days to become re-settled to life back at home.


            "It'll take two or three days for guys to get back acclimated to the time zone, but Boston's not going to feel sorry for us," Showalter said in the Baltimore Sun. "They're trying to accomplish the same thing we are. But we knew it was going to be a challenging road trip, and guys competed all the way through it, and we're still engaged in a competition. We haven't heard friendly voices in quite a while."


            The Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays are tied for first in the American League East, with Boston one game back in third.


            Boston (65-52) is coming off of a 3-2 victory in a make-up game at Cleveland Monday.


            Yovani Gallardo (4-4, 5.17 ERA) will start for the Orioles versus Eduardo Rodriguez (2-5, 5.43) in Tuesday's 7:05 p.m. game. Gallardo has found more success recently and suffered a hard-luck loss in Oakland in his last start, throwing well but losing 1-0 last Wednesday.


            Rodriguez, a former Oriole prospect, has pitched much better lately but still is winless in his last five starts. The left-hander gave up one run on just three hits in seven innings last Thursday against the Yankees but came away with a no-decision.


            The Red Sox are going to the second city of an 11-game road trip. They'll head to Detroit and Tampa Bay after Baltimore and are aware of what these games mean.


            "It's definitely really important," Boston outfielder Mookie Betts said. "We're playing against some division guys and somebody we're in a race with, so it's going to be tough. They're really good teams, but we're a good team, too."


            The Red Sox, like the Orioles and Blue Jays, have gone on a number of good runs this season. Boston appears to be on one again, having won four straight games to stay in the three-team battle for the American League East lead.


            In Monday's win over Cleveland, retiring slugger David Ortiz crushed a long home run that helped the Red Sox to another crucial victory.


            "Every win matters," Ortiz said on MLB.com. "We are in August right now, and we have to go for it. Any game you win, that's what matters to us."


            On Monday, the Red Sox called up infielders Marco Hernandez and Deven Marrero along with pitcher Heath Hembree. They also had put right-hander Steven Wright on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 8, due to a shoulder strain. First baseman Hanley Ramirez got placed on the bereavement list on Monday.


            The day before, Boston sent pitcher Roenis Elias back to Triple-A Pawtucket.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/16

              Preview: Marlins (62-56) at Reds (48-69)


              Game: 2
              Venue: Great American Ball Park
              Date: August 16, 2016 7:10 PM EDT


              CINCINNATI -- Don Mattingly doesn't want anyone feeling sorry for the Miami Marlins. Yes, the Marlins are likely to be without Home Run Derby champion Giancarlos Stanton for the rest of the season after the slugger suffered a Grade 3 groin strain this past weekend, but that doesn't mean hopes for the franchise's first postseason berth since the World Series championship season of 2003 are kaput.


              The Marlins are 2-0 without Stanton and will be seeking to make it three in a row (and four games straight overall) when they face former teammate Anthony DeSclafani Tuesday night in the second game of a four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The Reds acquired DeSclafani in a December 2014 trade that sent pitcher Mat Latos to the Marlins.


              DeSclafani won his first six decisions after starting the season on the disabled list with a strained left oblique. He suffered his first loss of the season in his last outing when he gave up three runs on six hits in five innings in a 3-2 loss at St. Louis. He's walked five batters in his last 11 innings after walking just seven in his previous 52 2/3 innings.


              "I'm in the midst of trying to get a better feel and get back on a better roll," said DeSclafani. "I've been walking some guys and I'm trying to get back to filling up the strike zone and throwing better quality pitches. I feel as if I haven't done that as of late."


              DeSclafani has faced the Marlins once since the trade, taking the loss in a 5-0 defeat at GABP last season. He allowed three runs on four hits in five innings in that game.


              Mattingly announced late Monday night that right-hander Jose Urena will be recalled from Triple-A New Orleans to start Tuesday against the Reds. Urena is 1-3 in 19 appearances (three starts) for the Marlins this season. The loss of Adam Conley to the disabled list has left a spot open in the Marlins' rotation.


              Mattingly said he has faith in the team as it is made up now even without Stanton, who has 25 home runs and 70 RBIs. The Marlins are tied with St. Louis for the second National League wild-card spot.


              "You just want to move forward with your club because you don't have time to look back and go 'Ohhhh, we're not going to be as good,' " said Mattingly. "I don't say this in a negative way about Giancarlo because in the past I think when you'd read about the Marlins it was Giancarlo and all of these little guys with him. Now, we've got a lot of good players here. It's really an insult to the rest of them to think we can't do anything without Giancarlo."


              Left fielder Christian Yelich and third baseman Martin Prado each have 40 multi-hit games to lead the team. Prado has driven in 20 runs since July 27. Center fielder Marcell Ozuna has been struggling over his last 15 games (9-for-55) but he has doubled and homered in the last two games after going 11 straight games without an extra-base hit.


              "It's not too much pressure because we know we have the ability to play this game," said Ozuna. "We have a lot of young guys here, a lot of guys with talent and we have fun out there. That's the most important part to winning more games."


              The Reds sat shortstop Zack Cozart and second baseman Brandon Phillips in Monday's (6-3) loss to the Marlins. For Cozart, who did pinch hit in the ninth inning and drew a walk, it was a scheduled day off but Phillips was dealing with a knee contusion suffered on a recent road trip.


              Center fielder Billy Hamilton was banged up against the Marlins Monday night. He twice ran into the wall in the outfield; he took extra bases away from Ozuna in the first inning but couldn't come down with a ball off of Prado's bat in the third, a hit that went for a triple. Hamilton left the game with a knee contusion.


              Phillips and Hamilton will be re-evaluated Tuesday.


              "Billy has a contusion. He ran into the wall twice," said Reds manager Bryan Price. "Basically, the entire side of his body from his shoulder to his knee is a contusion. The knee was more prominent."

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/16

                Preview: Royals (58-60) at Tigers (63-55)


                Game: 2
                Venue: Comerica Park
                Date: August 16, 2016 7:10 PM EDT


                DETROIT -- Justin Verlander habitually gives the Kansas City Royals fits. Danny Duffy has done that to everyone over the past three months.


                Their matchup at Comerica Park on Tuesday, when the Detroit Tigers play host to the Royals, has all the makings of a stellar pitching duel.


                Verlander (12-6, 3.42 ERA) has re-established himself as the Tigers' ace, and he enters his 25th start of the season in top form. He has recorded six consecutive quality outings, including a seven-inning performance at Seattle on Wednesday when he held the Mariners to one run.


                Matched against Mariners ace Felix Hernandez that night, Verlander wound up with a no-decision. Verlander, who hasn't lost since June 26 against the Cleveland Indians, could face a similar situation on Tuesday.


                "Most pitchers, when their counterpart is well-known or one of the better pitchers in the league, it gives you a little more adrenaline," Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said. "I think that probably happened when Verlander and Felix pitched against each other."


                Verlander ranks second in the America League in strikeouts with 170 and fourth in opponents' batting average at .216.


                The Royals know all too well how effective Verlander can be. He has 22 career wins against them, the most by an active pitcher. He also won both of his starts against Kansas City this season while notching 17 strikeouts.


                Duffy isn't focused on the pitching matchup.


                "It's fun competing against those guys in general," Duffy said. "I don't look at who I'm going up against because I don't have to get him out."


                Duffy (9-1, 2.82 ERA) was moved into the rotation on May 15 and has emerged as the Royals' most reliable arm. He is 9-1 with a 2.79 ERA as a starter, including his current eight-game winning streak. He recorded his first career complete game in his last start against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.


                "I've been really simplified with everything. It sounds super boring, but that's just kind of where I'm at," he said. "Trust is crucial. Trusting your stuff and trusting who's behind you. I have all of that. I trust my stuff, and I trust my boys."


                Duffy is 4-6 with a 3.43 ERA in 16 career outings against Detroit, including four appearances this season.


                "He's always had great stuff, and he seems to have pitched well against us for the most part," Ausmus said. "The big thing is he's really throwing strikes now. He's always had a real good fastball, but he's throwing strikes and he's become what a lot of people thought he would be, a dominant left-handed starter."


                Ausmus' club has been hit hard by injuries recently, and another one cropped up to a premier player on Monday. First baseman Miguel Cabrera left the Tigers' 3-1 loss to the Royals prior to the fifth inning with a left biceps strain. He was injured reaching for an errant throw by starting pitcher Daniel Norris in the first inning.


                Ausmus considers the injury minor and said Cabrera might even return to the lineup for Tuesday night's game. Detroit already has three starting position players on the disabled list -- center fielder Cameron Maybin, third baseman Nick Castellanos and shortstop Jose Iglesias.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/16

                  Preview: White Sox (56-61) at Indians (67-49)


                  Game: 1
                  Venue: Progressive Field
                  Date: August 16, 2016 7:10 PM EDT


                  CLEVELAND -- Each team will run out their ace Tuesday as the Chicago White Sox visit Progressive Field for the first game of a three-game series with the American League Central Division-leading Cleveland Indians.


                  Corey Kluber (12-8, 3.21) will start for the Indians while Jose Quintana (9-8, 2.85) will start for the White Sox.


                  Kluber hasn't lost a game since July 3. In six starts since then, he is 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA, while holding opposing hitters to a .200 batting average. In 13 career starts vs. the White Sox, Kluber is 5-4 with a 3.51 ERA. His last start against Chicago was on May 25 of this year when he gave up one earned run on seven hits with nine strikeouts and one walk in a 4-3 Indians victory.


                  Quintana is 4-0 with a 2.11 ERA in his last seven starts. In 16 career appearances vs. Cleveland, 14 of them starts, he is 5-2 with a 2.68 ERA. In six career starts at Progressive Field he is 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA.


                  The White Sox are in fourth place in the AL Central, 11 1/2 games behind the division-leading Indians. So the Sox, to a certain degree, are already looking ahead to next year. Whether manager Robin Ventura is part of that future remains to be seen.


                  Ventura is in the final year of his contract. In his five years as manager, the White Sox are 353-412. The Sox were 85-77 in 2012, Ventura's first year on the job, and the only year he's had a winning record.


                  Ventura is not spending a lot of time worrying about his future with the team.


                  "The focus is on these guys and winning games," Ventura told MLB.com. "There's plenty of time to look at it in the offseason. I've never felt like there is a reason for either side to have to do something just because I don't have a contract next year. It doesn't mean I won't have one and it doesn't mean I will have one. You just go through it and do what you're supposed to do, and this is what I'm supposed to do right now."


                  Indians manager Terry Francona has no worries regarding his job security. The Indians are in first place in their division and seemingly headed for the postseason for the second time in Francona's four years as manager. He is signed through the 2018 season, with club options for the 2019 and 2020 season.


                  Of more immediate concern for Francona is keeping the Indians rolling toward a division title. On Monday, All-Star outfielder Michael Brantley underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. Brantley only appeared in 11 games this year due to a series of setbacks in his rehab from surgery on the shoulder last November.


                  The Indians had been hoping that Brantley would eventually return to the lineup this season. That's not going to happen now, but Francona is not pushing the panic button.


                  "We've basically played the whole year without him, so we just need to keep playing like always," Francona said.


                  The Indians have lost some star power without Brantley, but the offense has been remarkably productive, despite the loss of its best all-around hitter. The Indians are second in the league in runs scored.


                  That should be enough to support one of the top starting rotations in the majors. As for Brantley, there's always next year.


                  "He'll come back and find a way to be as good as ever," Francona said.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/16

                    Preview: Twins (47-71) at Braves (44-74)


                    Game: 1
                    Venue: Turner Field
                    Date: August 16, 2016 7:10 PM EDT


                    ATLANTA -- Minnesota Twins right-hander Ervin Santana threw a complete game in the first interleague start against his former team. The veteran pitcher and the Twins are hoping for better fortune against the Atlanta Braves this time, though.


                    Santana, who lost a 2-0 decision to Atlanta in Minnesota on July 26, will take the mound again Tuesday night in the opener of a two-game set at Turner Field.


                    The Braves won both games at Target Field, following the victory over Santana by winning 9-7 the next night.


                    Santana was 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA for Atlanta in 2014 before signing with the Twins as a free agent. The 33-year-old is 5-9 this year, but has a 3.62 ERA and hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his past nine starts.


                    Braves third baseman Adonis Garcia homered in the second inning against Santana in Minnesota and that run was enough to beat him as the Twins managed just five hits off five Atlanta pitchers.


                    Despite the two victories in Minnesota, the Braves still trail the Twins in the race to escape the worst record in the majors. Atlanta is 44-74 at the bottom of the National League, while Minnesota is an American League-worst 47-71.


                    Both teams have played better the last few weeks, although each is coming off a lopsided loss. The Twins fell 11-4 to Kansas City on Sunday to complete a 2-5 homestand, while the Braves lost 9-1 at Washington to finish a 5-5 road trip that started 4-1.


                    "One of the more difficult games to watch us play on the defensive side," said Twins manager Paul Molitor, whose team committed four errors. "Aesthetically, not very pretty at all. We had a chance to make a lot of plays and we didn't make very many of them."


                    Braves rookie Tyrell Jenkins continued to struggle with his control against the Nationals, walking three while allowing seven runs in 4 2/3 innings.


                    "You can't put extra guys on base or it'll bite you, and it did," Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said. "It would have been nice to win this, take the series and have a winning road trip."


                    Joel De La Cruz, who is 0-5 with a 4.09 ERA, will try to make the Twins earn their way on as he makes his sixth start for the Braves in the opener against the Twins. He was hit on the right knee by a line drive in his most recent start, but hasn't had further issues.


                    The right-hander will have to be careful with Twins second baseman Brian Dozier, who hit three homers against the Royals over the weekend and has 17 since June 26 to lead the majors.


                    Twins third baseman Miguel Sano, limited to designated hitter last week because of a sore right elbow, had an MRI exam on Monday. He underwent Tommy John surgery on the elbow in 2014.


                    The Twins have gone 22-17 since July 2, leading the majors in runs scored, hits, doubles, triples, batting average and on-base percentage during the stretch.


                    Minnesota hit a speed bump, though, against Houston and Kansas City.


                    "Not a good game, not a good homestand," Molitor said. "We come home 5-2 and things kind of turned in the middle of the week. ... We have a lot of people that have a lot to play for here. There's a lot of things up in the air. I hope they understand that."


                    The Braves are 26-28 since June 15 and 11-8 since July 26 as first baseman Freddie Freeman and center fielder Ender Inciarte have gone on hot streaks at the plate.


                    Freeman is 13-for-28 with five home runs in the past nine games, while Inciarte has hit .354 and reached base safely in 25 consecutive games.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/16

                      Preview: Padres (50-68) at Rays (48-69)


                      Game: 2
                      Venue: Tropicana Field
                      Date: August 16, 2016 7:10 PM EDT


                      ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- One day after Wil Myers returned to face the Rays, another former Tampa Bay player will oppose his former team Tuesday.


                      San Diego Padres right-hander Edwin Jackson, who made headlines for and against the Rays, will oppose Tampa Bay left-hander Blake Snell in the middle game of a three-game series at Tropicana Field.


                      Jackson pitched for Tampa Bay from 2006-08, then threw an unusual no-hitter for the Arizona Diamondbacks against the Rays on June 25, 2010. He somehow walked eight batters in a 149-pitch gem.


                      The 32-year-old veteran opened this season as a reliever with the Marlins (0-1, 5.91 ERA in eight outings), but he has fared well since joining the Padres (3-1, 3.62 ERA in five starts). His last outing saw him scatter two hits over seven scoreless innings while striking out seven in a win against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.


                      For his career, Jackson is 3-2 with a 2.54 ERA in his career against the Tampa Bay.


                      While Jackson has appeared with 11 major league teams, Snell has made just 11 major league starts. The rookie is 3-5 with a 3.18 ERA and coming off his worst outing of the season, when he lasted only 1 2/3 innings and gave up five runs (two earned) in a loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday.


                      Snell has 58 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings, for the best rate in the American League among rookie pitchers with 50 or more innings. His only previous interleague outing was a strong one, when he struck out nine and held the Rockies to one hit in six scoreless innings at Colorado on July 19.


                      "There's been a lot of impressive things about Blake Snell," Rays manager Kevin Cash told MLB.com. "His confidence, not to be confused with cockiness -- the confidence and the way he feels he can go out there and compete has been so impressive. The way he acted right after that game is pretty impressive. ... I know he's itching to get back out there."


                      The Rays have had improved starting pitching since the All-Star break, with Monday's starter, Drew Smyly, improving to 3-0 in his past five starts with a 2.25 ERA. He has more wins in those five starts than in his first 18 this season. On Monday, he used a deceptive mix of pitches to leave the Padres' hitters guessing.


                      The Rays are 14-15 since the All-Star break, recovering from a terrible month entering the break, and improved starting pitching has been a big part of the turnaround.


                      Snell is just coming into his rhythm as a young starting pitcher, but Smyly said the staff as a whole has built a positive momentum in the past month, one it hopes to continue through the final six weeks of the season.


                      "You have to go out there and believe, to execute pitches and expect good results to come," Smyly said. "I don't know if it's luck, but everything evens out over the course of the season."


                      After giving up three runs in the first two innings Monday, the Padres are looking for a quicker start Tuesday.


                      "We just didn't play that well, didn't come out with the intensity we should have early in the game," said Myers, who went 1-for-4. "I think we need to do a little better job, me especially -- the whole team needs to do a better job early in the games, because we've been fighting late. But those first few at-bats early in the game are just as important. That's one thing we need to do going forward, making sure we have more intensity early in the games."

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/16

                        Preview: Athletics (52-67) at Rangers (70-50)


                        Game: 2
                        Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
                        Date: August 16, 2016 8:05 PM EDT


                        ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers could use a Ryan Dull-like impact from newly acquired Lucas Harrell Tuesday when the Rangers face Oakland.


                        Dull is the Oakland right-hander who has come out of nowhere to become one of the best relievers in the American League this year.


                        Harrell isn't in the bullpen, but Texas needs Harrell (1-0) to pitch like the guy who came out of nowhere after playing in Korea last year to become a commodity Atlanta was able to deal to Texas last month.


                        So far, the results haven't been good as Harrell has a 5.74 ERA in his three starts with Texas and is coming off a start in which he allowed six runs in six innings of work. Harrell has pitched just 15 2/3 innings in his three starts and knows he's got to get things going Tuesday against Oakland.


                        Texas has two starters on the mend in Colby Lewis and Derek Holland so it's imperative the turnaround for Harrell starts soon.


                        "There's no pressure on me," Harrell said. "When you've got a team this good, you just go out there and keep the game close. I've never really felt like I've put pressure on myself or anything. I know what I can do and if I go out there and execute everything will take care of itself."


                        Harrell spent part of his time in his Sunday bullpen session working on his mechanics with pitching coach Doug Brocail. The focus was staying back with his hips through his delivery. Harrell said when he doesn't do that, the ball comes out of his hand flat. That could one of the reasons he's allowed 18 hits in his time with Texas.


                        Dull hasn't had any issues with his mechanics or anything else this season with the Athletics. After posting a 4.24 ERA in his 17 innings of work last year with Oakland, he's exceeded all expectations in his rookie year.


                        In 54 appearances, Dull has a 2.15 ERA in 58 2/3 innings of work and 58 strikeouts. He's been even better as the season has gone on, as he's allowed just five earned runs in his last 35 1/3 innings of work and opponents are hitting just .138 against in his last 35 games.


                        Dull may be a victim of his own success though. He pitched just 78 innings last year, which was a career high. As he gets close to that number this year, the A's may opt to dial his innings back to keep the 26-year-old healthy.


                        With the A's 1 1/2 games behind the Rangers after Monday's 5-2 loss, that's certainly a consideration.


                        "It's tough not to use him in certain situations, but I'm probably going to stay away from him, not to tip my hand here, but games that we're behind in," manager Bob Melvin said. "He's gotten a little bit of a break here recently with a couple of days off, but I know at one point I think he was second in the league in appearances, but maybe down to fifth or sixth right now (sixth). I think there has been a significant workload."

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/16

                          Preview: Cardinals (62-56) at Astros (61-57)


                          Game: 1
                          Venue: Minute Maid Park
                          Date: August 16, 2016 8:10 PM EDT


                          HOUSTON -- While two games won't be enough for either the St. Louis Cardinals or Houston Astros to establish the momentum that has eluded both over the past month, their brief interleague series at Minute Maid Park could at least serve as a potential ignition.


                          The Cardinals (62-56) claimed the final two games of their four-game set with the Cubs in Chicago over the weekend, closing that series where they began it relative to their position in the National League Central -- 12 games back of the Cubs. St. Louis last won three consecutive games July 27-29 (the finale against the New York Mets and the first two games of its series in Miami) and is 16-14 since the All-Star Game break.


                          Left-hander Jaime Garcia (9-8, 3.93 ERA) will get the start for St. Louis on Tuesday night. He lost to the Astros on June 14 at Busch Stadium, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits with two strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings in a 5-2 setback. The Cardinals lost 4-1 the following day as Houston completed the sweep.


                          Garcia is 2-6 with a 6.15 ERA in his career against the Astros. His 10 starts against Houston are his most against an opponent outside the NL Central.


                          St. Louis will be without left-handed reliever Kevin Siegrist, who departed in the eighth inning on Sunday with arm soreness. Siegrist has been plagued with a dead arm since returning from the disabled list last month and was removed after shaking his arm while on the mound Sunday in Chicago.


                          Cardinals manager Mike Matheny is hopeful that Siegrist can rebound over the next week, with St. Louis facing three scheduled off-days during that stretch.


                          Siegrist led the majors with 81 appearances last season, finishing 7-1 with a 2.17 ERA. He is 5-2 with a 2.92 ERA in 50 appearances this season.


                          "It wasn't worth (continuing) at that point," Siegrist said to MLB.com. "I was shaking my arm out a little bit, really trying to get it going. It's been hard coming back from being on the DL and trying to get my arm back in shape. I kind of went through a little dead arm-type feeling, and it's been hit or miss."


                          The Astros (61-57) are dealing with bullpen issues as well. Closer Ken Giles spent the weekend on the paternity list while right-hander Luke Gregerson returned from the 15-day disabled list (left oblique) and allowed a solo home run in the seventh inning of a 9-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. Houston also relied on rookie right-handers James Hoyt and Jandel Gustave in the setback.


                          "We'll continue to grind through it," Astros manager A.J. Hinch told MLB.com. "We'll have our full bullpen back by Tuesday. That'll be a nice return."


                          Astros left-hander Dallas Keuchel (7-11, 4.56 ERA) will make his second career start against the Cardinals. He is 0-1 with a 9.45 ERA in two prior appearances (one start).


                          The Astros are 13-16 since the All-Star break with three three-game losing skids during that stretch. They dropped the final two games of their series in Toronto and are in the midst of 14 road games during a 16-game stretch.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/16

                            Preview: Nationals (70-47) at Rockies (56-63)


                            Game: 2
                            Venue: Coors Field
                            Date: August 16, 2016 8:40 PM EDT


                            DENVER -- Colorado Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu gets little national recognition, despite having won a Gold Glove in 2014 and starting for the National League All-Star team the following year.


                            LeMahieu had his third four-hit game of the season and the fourth of his career Monday night in a 5-4 loss to the Washington Nationals. He's hitting .337 with a .410 on-base percentage and moved into second place in the race for the NL batting title.


                            When the series continues Tuesday, LeMahieu will try to make up ground on Nationals infielder Daniel Murphy, who went 1-for-4 on Monday and leads the league with a .347 average. He lost one point on his average Monday, while LeMahieu added six points to his.


                            "He's a really good player," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "He gets on base. He has one of the highest averages in the league. He's had a great year, and he's worked real hard to turn himself into this kind of player."


                            LeMahieu has a career-high eight homers among his career-high 38 extra-base hits and has scored 76 runs and driven in 43. He has nearly as many walks (52) as strikeouts (62) and is hitting .288 (62-for-215) on the road and .390 (78-for-200) at Coors Field.


                            "He uses the whole field," Weiss said. "Those are the guys that typically you think of as a guy who can win a batting title."


                            The Rockies have lost four straight games and 10 of their past 12 and at 56-63 have slipped seven games below .500 for the first time since July 21. Chad Bettis will start Tuesday for the Colorado Rockies, which might be a good omen. The Rockies have lost just one of the past six games he has started and are 15-9 when he takes the mound. The Rockies are 10-2 in his past 12 starts with Bettis going 6-1 with a 4.96 ERA in those games.


                            This will be Bettis' first start and second career appearance against Washington.


                            Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez, who will oppose Bettis, is 8-9 with a 4.24 ERA. In his last start Wednesday against Cleveland, Gonzalez allowed four runs in five innings but earned the victory in Washington's 7-4 win. Gonzalez is 4-2 with a 3.00 ERA in his past seven starts, limiting opposing hitters to a .221 batting average and a .684 OPS in that span.


                            Gonzalez is 2-0 with a 3.75 ERA in two career starts against the Rockies and 1-0 with a 6.00 ERA in one career start at Coors Field.


                            Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth, who had a day off Sunday, went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and a walk in Monday's win. He has reached base in 43 consecutive games, tying Ryan Zimmerman for the Nationals' longest on-base streak. Zimmerman reached base safely in 43 straight games from April 8-May 25, 2009.


                            During his current streak, Werth is batting .263 (40-for-152) with 31 walks and a .384 on-base percentage.


                            "It's a product of my approach," Werth said of his on-base streak. "And my approach has been pretty solid now since the early part of June or late May, somewhere in there. I got away from it at the beginning of the season. My focus has always been to get on base. If you get on base, good things can happen to you."

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/16

                              Preview: Mets (59-59) at Diamondbacks (49-69)


                              Game: 2
                              Venue: Chase Field
                              Date: August 16, 2016 9:40 PM EDT


                              PHOENIX -- The Diamondbacks will attempt to continue their domination of the New York Mets when the teams meet against Tuesday at Chase Field.


                              Arizona has won the first four games of the season series after posting a 10-6 victory Monday, the first game of a three-game set at home.


                              The Diamondbacks swept the Mets in Citi Field last Tuesday-Thursday, outscoring them 17-5. The D-backs have trailed in only one of the 36 innings played, that when the Mets scored in the first inning of the first game last Tuesday.


                              The D-backs opened the game with the highest ERA (5.09) in the majors, but you cannot tell it by the way they have pitched against the Mets.


                              "They have a good offensive team, and you have to pitch against them," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "Some of the ERAs, people have hit them. We haven't been hitting. We've had a tough time scoring.


                              "With our pitching, when you score six runs you should win the game. We let them get ahead, and we couldn't stop them."


                              Arizona rookie right-hander Braden Shipley (2-1) finished off the sweep in New York last week with seven scoreless innings in a 9-0 victory in his fourth major league start. He will make his fifth Tuesday.


                              Shipley has given up two runs in 19 innings in his last three starts, all quality starts, and against the Mets became the second pitcher in franchise history with an RBI and a stolen base in the same game.


                              Right-hander Noah Syndergard (9-7) will oppose Shipley, the same matchup as last Wednesday.


                              The Diamondbacks scored three runs and had four stolen bases in five innings off Syndergaard in the last meeting. They had 13 stolen bases in 15 attempts in the three-game series, and they had two more stolen bases Monday. Syndergaard has given up a major league-high 36 stolen bases. Opponents have been thrown out four times.


                              Arizona had nine extra-base hits -- seven doubles, a triple and a home run -- in their outburst against Bartolo Colon on Monday, turning things around after being outscored 31-9 while losing a three-game series at Boston over the weekend.


                              "Offense was outstanding," Arizona manager Chip Hale said. "They kept coming. It's something we talked about in spring training and it was great to see."


                              Welington Castillo provided some needed pop in his return, tying a career high with four hits and getting two doubles after missing six games last week when his wife delivered their second child. Because of some since-resolved complications, Castillo stayed with his family instead of going to Boston last weekend.


                              "My mind felt free," Castillo said. "I have the baby at home, my wife too. They're both healthy so I'm just here to do what I love to do. You worry about your wife, is anything bad going to happen? The baby was too big. Now I'm (good) and I'm going to do everything I can do to help my team win."


                              Arizona manager Chip Hale called Castillo's performance "pretty impressive.


                              "It's tough to miss a whole road trip and have all the stress you have with the wife and the baby and to come back and get those hits was great," he added.

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