MLB Betting Info. 8/4

[TheGame]

National League


Giants @ Phillies
Moore makes his SF debut; he was 2-1, 2.57 in his last three starts for Tampa Bay. Eight of his last ten stayed under.
Velasquez is 3-1, 2.75 in his last six starts; three of his last four stayed under. Phillies are 5-3 in his home starts.
Giants lost nine of last ten road games; eight of their last 12 games stayed under. Phillies are 7-9 in last 16 games. Eight of last 11 Philly home games stayed under.


Pirates @ Braves
Vogelsong was 0-0, 1.29 in two starts earlier in season (over 2-0).
Jenkins is 1-1, 4.95 in his four starts (under 3-0-1).
Pittsburgh lost seven of last nine road games; seven of last nine Pirate road games stayed under. Atlanta is 7-12 in last 18 games; five of last seven Brave games went over.


Cardinals @ Reds
Former Red Leake is 1-1, 9.73 in his last two starts; over is 8-3 in his last 11 starts. Cardinals are 6-3 in his road starts.
Finnegan is 3-1, 5.57 in his last four starts; four of his last five went over. Reds lost three of his last four home starts.
Cardinals lost three of last four games, over is 6-0-1 in their last seven. Cincinnati is 11-6 in its last 17 games; four of Reds’ last six games stayed under the total.


Dodgers @ Rockies
Maeda 2-1, 3.80 in his last four starts; his last three went over. Dodgers are 6-3 in his road starts.
Chatwood is 2-0, 0.75 in his last two starts (under 14-4-1). Rockies are 4-6 in his home starts.
Dodgers lost seven of last ten road games; over is 8-3-1 in LA’s last 12 road games. Colorado won 11 of last 13 games; under is 11-5-2 in their last 18 games.


American League


Twins @ Indians
Santana is 2-2, 2.48 in his last five starts; six of his last seven stayed under. Twins are 2-6 in his road starts.
Clevinger is 0-1, 8.79 in three starts, last of which was May 29; all three games went over.
Twins are 10-5 in last 15 games, scoring 35 runs last three nights; over is 12-4 in Minnesota’s last 16 road games. Cleveland lost last three games; over is 10-2-2 in their last 14 home games.


Royals @ Rays
Kennedy is 0-2, 6.61 in his last three starts; Royals lost his last seven road starts. Seven of his last eight starts stayed under.
Smyly is 1-0, 2.25 in his last two starts; over is 12-3 in his last 15 starts. Tampa Bay is 3-6 in his home starts.
Royals lost 19 of last 27 games- they’re 3-19 in last 22 games not started by Duffy; eight of last 11 KC road games stayed under. Tampa Bay won five of last seven home games; under is 15-5 in Rays’ last 20 games.


Rangers @ Orioles
Griffin is 1-0, 2.53 in his last two starts; over is 5-2-1 in his last eight. Texas is 5-3 in his road starts.
Miley was 1-1, 2.07 in his last two starts for Seattle; four of his last five starts stayed under.
Rangers won seven of last 11 games but lost last two; five of their last six games stayed under.
Baltimore won its last three games; under is 9-0-1 in their last ten home games.


White Sox @ Tigers
Quintana is 1-1, 2.78 in his last five starts; his last three went over. White Sox are 6-4 in his road starts.
Zimmerman was 0-2, 13.15 in is last three starts before going on DL after his July 5 start; over is 7-1-1 in his last nine starts. Detroit is 5-3 in his home starts.
White Sox lost 11 of last 13 road games; three of last four Chicago games went over. Detroit won its last nine games; four of last six Tiger games went over.


A’s @ Angels
Hahn is 0-2, 9.00 in his last three starts (over 4-4). He is 0-3, 14.90 in his three road starts (under 2-1).
Nolasco makes his Angel debut here; he was 1-4, 5.80 in his last seven starts for Minnesota. Over is 16-4 in his last 20 starts.
Oakland lost its last five games; over is 4-2-2 in their last eight games. Angels won ten of last 12 home games; four of their last six games stayed under.


Blue Jays @ Astros
Happ is 8-0, 2.77 in his last nine starts; over is 6-3-1 in his last ten. Blue Jays are 6-4 in his road starts.
Fiers is 1-1, 6.20 in his last four starts; over is 10-5-1 in his last 16. Houston won his last five home starts.
Blue Jays won five of last six road games; their last three games stayed under. Houston lost seven of last nine games; under is 12-4-1 in last 17 Astro home games.


Red Sox @ Mariners
Pomeranz is 0-2, 7.54 in three starts for Boston (under 2-1).
Miranda is making his first MLB start; he was 4-7, 3.93 in 19 AAA starts this year, and allowed three runs in two IP in his one MLB appearance.
Red Sox are 4-9 in their last 13 games; ten of last 11 Boston road games stayed under. Seattle lost four of last six games; under is 5-3 in their last eight home games.


Interleague


Mets @ Bronx
Colon is 1-2, 6.62 in his last three starts; under is 5-2-1 in his last eight. Mets are 6-3 in his road starts.
Eovaldi is 2-1, 3.00 in his last three starts; over is 6-3 in his last nine. Bronx is 6-3 in his home starts.
Bronx lost five of last seven games; last five Bronx games went over. Mets lost six of their last eight games; over is 6-1-1 in last eight Met games.


Teams’ record when this pitcher starts


StL-Cin– Leake 10-11; Finnegan 7-22
SF-Phil– Moore 0-0/9-12; Velasquez 10-8
Pitt-Atl– Vogelsong 1-1; Jenkins 2-2
LA-Colo– Maeda 13-9; Chatwood 12-7
Tex-Balt– Griffin 9-4; Miley 0-0/10-9
Min-Clev– Santana 5-15; Clevinger 1-2
Chi-Det– Quintana 11-10; Zimmerman 10-6
KC-TB– Kennedy 9-12 (0-6 last 6); Smyly 7-13 (1-6 last 7)
Tor-Hst– Happ 16-5; Fiers 11-8
A’s-LA– Hahn 4-4; Nolasco 0-0/9-12
Bos-Sea– Pomeranz 1-2/9-8; Miranda 0-0
NYM-NYY– Colon 13-7; Eovaldi 10-9


Starting pitchers allowing 1+ runs in first inning


StL-Cin– Leake 7-21; Finnegan 7-22
SF-Phil– Moore 3-21; Velasquez 3-17
Pitt-Atl– Vogelsong 0-2; Jenkins 2-4
LA-Colo– Maeda 5-22; Chatwood 7-19
Tex-Balt– Griffin 1-13; Miley 7-19
Min-Clev– Santana 6-20; Clevinger 2-3
Chi-Det– Quintana 4-21; Zimmerman 4-16
KC-TB– Kennedy 8-21; Smyly 6-20
Tor-Hst– Happ 5-21; Fiers 3-19
A’s-LA– Hahn 2-8; Nolasco 9-21
Bos-Sea– Pomeranz 4-20; Miranda 0-0
NYM-NYY– Colon 7-20; Eovaldi 5-19


Umpires


SF-Phil– Over is 5-3 in last eight Iassogna games.
Pitt-Atl– Over is 12-2-1 in last 15 TBarrett games.
StL-Cin– Underdogs are 8-6 in last 14 Hamari games.
LA-Col– Last three Timmons games stayed under.
Tex-Balt– Under is 4-0-1 in last five HGibson games.
Min-Clev– Six of last nine Reynolds games stayed under.
Chi-Det– Under is 11-4-1 in last sixteen O’Nora games.
KC-TB– Underdogs won six of last seven Holbrook games.
Tor-Hst– Four of last five Tichenor games went over.
A’s-LA– Under is 8-3 in last eleven Cooper games.
Bos-Sea– Over is 4-0-1 in last five Emmel games.
NY-NY– Over is 11-1-2 in last 14 Wolcott games.

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/4

MLB: Streak, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com


Toronto Blue Jays at Houston Astros


Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays conclude a four game series at Minute Maid Park Thursday evening. Sports Interation has Toronto -$1.20 road favorites with the total set at 8.5 runs.


Mike Fiers toes the rubber for Astros, bringing a 7-4 record to the hill with a 4.42 ERA. In his last start the righthander tagged with a no-decision tossed 6 1/3 innings of 1 run ball in Stros 3-2 loss at Detroit. Fiers will relish the return to home field where he sports a 6-2 record with a 9-2 Team Start Record in eleven assignments.


Fiers will be matching pitches with Toronto's southpaw J.A. Happ, who continued his dominant season last effort striking out 11 while allowing 3 hits, 1 run in a Jays 9-1 win vs Orioles. With the victory, Happ carries a 14-3 record, 3.16 ERA into the contest.


Happ doing Toronto's bidding bodes well for the team. The Blues Jays have won his last nine starts and eleven of his last twelve trips to the mound. Additionally, the fact Happ is a portsider is bad news for the Stros, since Houston has lost three of four against lefthanders, including 0-3 the last three attempts

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/4

Thursday's Diamond Notes
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com


Hottest team: Rockies (11-2 last 13)


Even though Detroit currently owns the longest winning streak in baseball at eight, Colorado is showcased here for its tear since the All-Star break. Yes, the Rockies captured six of seven games from the last-place Braves in this stretch, but road series victories over the Orioles and Mets, while trying to finish off a home sweep of the Dodgers isn’t too shabby. In its first two wins over Los Angeles, Colorado has scored 19 runs, while the Rockies are riding a six-game winning streak at Coors Field. Tyler Chatwood seeks his 11th victory of the season for Colorado tonight, as the right-hander has allowed a total of one earned run in his past two wins.


Coldest team: Mets (3-7 last 10)


The Subway Series concludes tonight in the Bronx as the Mets go for the series split with the Yankees. The Mets have allowed 15 runs in two losses to the Yankees, including nine in Wednesday’s defeat. Top hitter Yoenis Cespedes was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday, another blow for this Mets’ offense that has scored two runs or less four times in the past 10 games. Bartolo Colon takes the mound for the Mets this evening, as the veteran has given up at least five earned runs in three of his last five outings, while facing the Yankees for the first time since 2014.


Hottest pitcher: J.A. Happ, Blue Jays (14-3, 3.16 ERA)


Toronto has won nine consecutive starts made by the southpaw, while Happ yielded only five earned runs in five July starts. Happ is fresh off a pair of home victories over the Mariners and Orioles in which he gave up only four hits and one earned run in 13 innings of work to improve to 9-1 at the Rogers Center this season. Toronto has won 10 straight outings from Happ in the favorite role, as he is short chalk tonight in the finale at Houston. The Blue Jays have two of the first three games from the Astros, while Houston has scored only six runs in the last five contests.


Coldest pitcher: Drew Pomeranz, Red Sox (8-9, 3.09 ERA)


San Diego had a major fire sale this season, dumping many players from a team that was thought to compete for a playoff berth. Pomeranz was brought to Boston in July to help out the Red Sox pitching staff in the competitive AL East, but the Sox are just 1-2 in his first three outings. The left-hander has given up 12 earned runs in 14.1 innings of work, while not lasting past the sixth inning in any of his three outings with Boston. This season with the Padres and Red Sox, those teams are 4-6 in his 10 road starts as Boston looks for a series split with Seattle tonight.


Biggest UNDER run: Royals (5-2 last seven)


Kansas City received a pair of solid pitching performances in each of the first two victories at Tampa Bay before getting shelled in Wednesday’s 12-0 defeat. The Royals’ offense has been dreadful on this road trip by scoring three runs or less in all seven contests, while posting a 2-5 record. Dating back to July 3, the defending champions have plated three runs or fewer in 13 of the past 14 road contests, resulting in a 9-5 mark to the UNDER. Ian Kennedy heads to the hill for Kansas City today, as the Royals have drilled five straight UNDERS in his previous five road starts.


Biggest OVER run: Cardinals (6-0-1 last seven)


St. Louis snapped a three-game losing streak in Wednesday’s 5-4 victory over Cincinnati, but many OVER players were not happy. The game pushed on 9, but the Cardinals scored four runs in the first inning, while the Reds put up two in the bottom of that frame. The two NL Central rivals combined for three runs the rest of the game, halting the Cardinals’ six-game OVER streak. In five of seven games during this stretch, St. Louis has crossed home plate at least five times, while hitting the OVER in six of the past seven road series finales. Former Red Mike Leake takes the mound in today’s matinee, as the right-hander has been torched of late by allowing 19 hits and 13 runs in his last two starts, resulting in two OVERS.


Matchup to watch: Rangers vs. Orioles


Baltimore continues its home domination this season after edging Texas on Wednesday, 3-2. The Orioles go for the sweep tonight after beating Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels the last two nights to improve to 39-16 on home. Wade Miley makes his Baltimore debut after spending the first four months with Seattle this season, as the southpaw is coming off a spectacular performance in a 4-1 victory over the Cubs as a +210 underdog in his past outing. However, Miley hasn’t had much luck against the Rangers this season, allowing 14 earned runs in three starts, with the Mariners going 1-2 in those games.


A.J. Griffin has given up at least one home run in each of his past seven starts, as the Rangers’ right-hander is coming off a home victory over the Royals in his last outing. Texas has been swept three times on the road this season, while dropping four of its past six road series finales. Baltimore has pulled off five home sweeps, while owning a 5-1 record at home when going for the sweep this season.


Betcha didn’t know: The Braves have been terrible at home this season, but there is a telling number about them following a victory at Turner Field. Atlanta has dropped seven straight games off a home win since June 23, coming off Wednesday’s comeback victory over Pittsburgh. In this span, the Braves have won back-to-back games only twice with both instances coming as heavy underdogs on the road.


Biggest public favorite: Red Sox (-140) at Mariners


Biggest public underdog: Rangers (+115) at Orioles


Biggest line move: Angels (-130 to -140) vs. Athletics

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/4

August Pitchers Report
By Marc Lawrence


With the MLB trading deadline officially closed, and the NFL preseason whetting our pigskin palates, the month of August sets the table for the stretch run of the baseball season. Which pitchers can we count on to satisfy our tastes, and which ones figure to sour our stomachs?


Take a look below.


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


On the flip side, we've also listed pitchers that struggle in August, winning 33% percent or less of their team-start efforts.


To qualify pitchers must have made a minimum of 10 starts, with at least one start each April over the last three years. And for your convenience alongside each record we break down each pitcher’s greatest success or greatest failure rate either home (H) or away (A) within his good or bad month.


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


I’ll be back next month with September’s Good Month Pitchers.


Until then, as legendary singer and songwriter Neil Diamond would say, enjoy the hot August nights.


GOOD MONTH PITCHERS:


Arrieta, Jake - 10-5 (6-3 A)


After being Clayton Kershaw-like for nearly 12 months, the Cubs starter has "regressed" back to just being among the best starters in baseball. Arrieta has a nearly 3-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio and only allows a base hit 70 percent of the time in innings pitched this season, among the finest in the majors.


Duffy, Danny - 11-4 (6-1 H)


After starting the season as a reliever, the Kansas City left-hander was forced back into the rotation based on need and he has responded. Since June, after a pair of starts, Duffy has put up an ERA of just over 3.00 and opposing batters have just a .289 on-base percentage against him.


*Gallardo, Yovani - 9-4 (5-2 A)


Not close to the same pitcher he used to be with Milwaukee, with ERA so far this season approaching almost two runs higher than career average (5.37 vs. 3.73). The lost velocity is to blame and secondary pitches have less bite. For Baltimore to win AL East, Gallardo has to find some of his old magic.


Greinke, Zack - 10-5 (5-2 H)


After being on the shelf with oblique injury since late June, Greinke is close to returning for Arizona if no reoccurrence were to take place after a rehab start or two this month. After pathetic start to season, the D-Backs prized starter has cut ERA by 2 1/2 runs and is close to career norms in all major categories. Elite starter.


*Hamels, Cole - 12-6 (8-4 H)


Having typical Hamels season, with low numbers across the board. In bigger picture, underrated high level hurler who has not been getting acclaim after Phillies fall, but has been ace with Texas. As usual, left-handed batters have no chance with .176 batting average and .287 slugging percentage.


*Iwakuma, Hisashi - 12-5 (7-1 A)


Not having normal season for Seattle, with hits allowed much higher than usual for Iwakuma. However, has won four of five starts and the Mariners are 10-3 when the righty has toed the rubber since May 20. With Felix Hernandez back, this pair could lead Seattle charge to postseason.


Milone, Tom - 7-3 (4-1 A)


Milone starts for bad Minnesota club and is inconsistent as ever. Of his 74 hits allowed in only 59 2/3 innings, 11 have gone the yard. Maybe he can keep the ball down and spot his pitches better like previous August’s.


*Sanchez, Anibal - 9-3 (5-1 H)


With decreased velocity and no action on breaking pitches, Sanchez ERA has been six or higher almost all season. Not sure if he can respond this month, with opponents having BA over .300 and owning a WHIP of 1.64.


*Strasburg, Stephen - 13-3 (8-1 H)


Only July 21st, Strasburg suffered first loss of entire season after 13 consecutive wins. Though the fastball is no longer in upper 90's all the time, the breaking pitches disappear from batter's view and he's been exceptional. If Strasburg has true to form month, he will have real shot at 20 wins in 2016.


Teheran, Julio - 11-5 (7-2 H)


Suffered lat strain in late July and has been a victim of no run support from bad Braves club with 2.81 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and opposing batters at only .205 batting average. Note: Teheran’s record also represents his MLB career team start mark during the month of August.


Weaver, Jered - 12-5 (7-3 A)


Shell of his former self at 33. Never a hard thrower, Weaver's fastball only occasionally makes the upper 80's these days and his once dominating changeup is a pitch batter's wait on now with lack of variance of speed of pitches. Will blend good and really awful performances these days.


*Zimmermann, Jordan - 12-6 (8-3 H)


On July 24th had excellent rehab start and will be rejoining Detroit this month. After sensational start with Tigers, Zimmermann was tagged for at least five runs in four of his last five outings. Detroit needs the Zimmermann they had early in the season to have chance to catch Cleveland in AL Central.


BAD MONTH PITCHERS:


Gray, Sonny - 5-11 (0-7 A)


Given Gray's troubles this month, his woes of all season are very likely to continue. Gray simply has been more hittable the entire season, permitting those with bats to hit almost 50 points higher than normal batting average permitted of .233. Note: Gray’s record also represents his MLB career team start mark during the month of August.


*Hellickson, Jeremy - 4-11 (2-9 A)


Back of the rotation starter, Hellickson has largely performed better than expected for Philadelphia and as this article went live, he was rumored to be traded. His KW ratio is significantly higher at 4 to 1 compared to 3 to 1 for his career. Will he be able to maintain the rest of season?


Kazmir, Scott - 5-11 (1-7 A)


The Dodgers port-sider has 9-4 record, but his 4.41 ERA is still above career average of 3.98. Durability has been issue all season, with too many starts around five innings for what is supposed to be Los Angeles No. 2 or 3 starter.


Koehler, Tom - 4-13 (0-10 A)


Above average arm but always up or down and unless he pulls a Rich Hill, at 30 is not likely to change. An 8-8 record, 4.18 ERA and WHIP of 1.46, is about what we have come to expect from Mr. Koehler. Note: Koehler’s record also represents his MLB career team start mark during the month of August.


*Miley, Wade - 5-11 (1-6 A)


Overrated lefty who does not miss many bats and fails to come anywhere close to averaging punch-out an inning. Strictly an innings-eater and provides nothing more than 50-50 chance to win.


Miller, Shelby - 5-11 (2-8 H)


Demoted to Triple-A in July after disastrous campaign. Miller hopes to regain confidence and repair mechanics that are really out of whack and return to Arizona yet this season.


Samardzija, Jeff - 5-13 (3-8 H)


After appearing as the No.3 starter San Francisco wanted for two months, Smards has returned to same old serviceable pitcher of the past and seen his ERA climb from 2.84 to present 4.30 heading into this month.

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/4

MLB roundup: Tigers win eighth straight
By The Sports Xchange


DETROIT -- J.D. Martinez blasted a go-ahead, solo home run in his first at-bat since June 16, lifting the Detroit Tigers to their eighth consecutive victory, a 2-1 decision over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.
Martinez, who was activated from the 15-day disabled list earlier in the day, jumped on the first offering from White Sox ace Chris Sale in the eighth inning. The left-center-field blast was the second career pinch-hit home run by Martinez, who had been sidelined with a fractured right elbow.
Shane Greene (2-2) picked up the victory with 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, including two strikeouts. Francisco Rodriguez escaped a bases-loaded jam to notch his 30th save in his 900th career appearance. He is the 25th pitcher in major league history to have 900 appearances.


Cubs 5, Marlins 4
CHICAGO -- Matt Szczur scored on a wild pitch to cap a three-run ninth inning as Chicago rallied to a walk-off victory.
The Cubs trailed 4-2 entering the ninth but A.J. Ramos gave up a leadoff double to Miguel Montero, a single to Javier Baez and walked Szczur on five pitches to load the bases.
Dexter Fowler hit a sacrifice fly to right-center to score Montero. Ben Zobrist walked to bring home Baez and Ramos' two-out wild pitch sailed past Miami catcher Jeff Mathis and allowed Szczur to score the game-winner.


Orioles 3, Rangers 2
BALTIMORE -- Baltimore's Kevin Gausman outdueled Texas ace Cole Hamels, leading the Orioles to their third straight victory.
Gausman (3-8) allowed two runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts over seven innings. It was only his third win in 19 starts this season.
Matt Wieters had a pair of RBIs for the Orioles, who improved to 39-16 at Camden Yards -- the best home record in the majors. Zach Britton picked up his American League-leading 33rd save for Baltimore. Carlos Beltran hit his first homer for Texas since being traded from the Yankees on Monday.


Blue Jays 3, Astros 1
HOUSTON -- Marco Estrada pitched seven strong innings and Josh Donaldson slugged a pair of home runs as Toronto topped Houston.
Donaldson produced his ninth career multi-homer game and third this season with home runs in consecutive plate appearances. He belted his 26th and 27th homers on the year in support of Estrada (7-4), who allowed one run on four hits with seven strikeouts to pace the Blue Jays.
Jose Bautista homered just ahead of Donaldson in the sixth inning off Astros right-hander Collin McHugh (7-8). Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna set the side down in order in the ninth inning for his 23rd save.


Twins 13, Indians 5
CLEVELAND -- Minnesota continued its devastating attack on Cleveland pitching with a third consecutive rout. The Twins have won the first three contests of the four-game series, outscoring the Indians 35-16 and outhitting Cleveland 48-27.
Minnesota starter Tyler Duffey (6-8) gave up five runs and eight hits in six innings, but that was good enough to get the win.
Joe Mauer had his second four-hit game of the series and added four RBIs. In the series, Mauer is 10-for-15 with five doubles, a triple, a home run and six RBIs. Eddie Rosario added three hits and three RBIs for the Twins.


Rockies 12, Dodgers 2
DENVER -- Colorado took advantage of a Los Angeles pitching ploy and pounded the Dodgers. The win was the 11th in 13 games for the onrushing Rockies (54-53) and moved them above .500 for the first time since they were 20-19 on May 18.
Colorado walloped five home runs, including two by Carlos Gonzalez, who left the game after fouling a ball off his left ankle in the seventh inning. Four homers came against Dodgers call-up Brock Stewart, who departed after facing five batters in the four-run fifth inning that put the Rockies ahead 9-2.
Nolan Arenado, Mark Reynolds and DJ LeMahieu also went deep for the Rockies. Justin Turner homered for the Dodgers.


Nationals 8, Diamondbacks 3
PHOENIX -- Daniel Murphy and Trea Turner homered, and Max Scherzer earned his 12th win and contributed two RBIs.
Murphy broke a 1-1 tie with a bases-empty homer in the sixth inning, and Scherzer capped the three-run rally with a two-run single for a 4-1 lead.
Scherzer (12-6) pitched through bases-empty homers by Jake Lamb in the sixth inning and Yasmany Tomas in the seventh inning for his seventh consecutive quality start. He is 4-1 with a 1.46 ERA in seven starts since June 29.


Phillies 5, Giants 4 (12 innings)
PHILADELPHIA -- Maikel Franco, who tied the game with an eighth-inning, two-run single, singled home the winning run in the 12th for Philadelphia.
Ryan Howard and Cameron Rupp hit back-to-back homers in the seventh inning for the Phillies, who erased a 4-0 deficit to win for the fourth time in six games.
Buster Posey drove in three runs for San Francisco, which is a major-league-worst 4-13 since the All-Star break.


Yankees 9, Mets 5
NEW YORK -- Mark Teixeira hit a three-run homer in the second inning and nearly sparked a benches-clearing incident three innings later as the New York Yankees beat the New York Mets at Yankee Stadium.
Teixeira gave the Yankees the lead for good when he homered off Steven Matz (8-8) with two outs in the second. With one out in the fifth, the switch-hitting first baseman was hit on the left knee by Matz's first pitch.
Teixeira took exception to being hit and immediately began yelling and glaring at Matz. Teixeira tossed his shin guard in the air and walked toward first base while being restrained by Yankees third baseman Chase Headley and Mets catcher Rene Rivera. Both benches emptied but never got past the foul lines and relievers from both teams stood in front of the warning track in case things escalated further.


Rays 12, Royals 0
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- One day after being one-hit, Tampa Bay bounced back with 14 hits while holding Kansas City to two.
Jake Odorizzi (6-5) pitched his third straight scoreless start and the Rays got three-run homers from Steven Souza and Kevin Kiermaier as they came within one run of their season high for scoring.
Kansas City was ugly all around, matching season highs for errors (three) and walks (seven), including one with the bases loaded.


Padres 12, Brewers 3
SAN DIEGO -- Yangervis Solarte and rookie Jabari Blash homered to lead San Diego's 14-hit attack in the rubber match of a three-game series.
Padres starter Edwin Jackson retired the first 11 Brewers he faced and took a shutout into the eighth inning en route to his second win in four starts since being acquired by San Diego. Jackson also had an RBI double, stole the first base of his career and scored a run.
The Padres had seven extra-base hits and four steals in addition to the two homers while building an 11-0 lead before Milwaukee scored three in an eighth inning, capped by a two-run Ryan Braun homer to center.


Cardinals 5, Reds 4
CINCINNATI -- Stephen Piscotty homered, and Brandon Moss doubled twice and drove in two runs to lift St. Louis.
St. Louis starter Michael Wacha (7-7) allowed two runs and six hits in five innings. After blowing a two-run lead in the ninth inning Tuesday, the Cardinals' banged-up bullpen held off another Reds rally.
Cincinnati's Joey Votto extended his career-high hitting streak to 17 games with an RBI single. Rookie left-hander Cody Reed (0-6) took the loss.


Braves 8, Pirates 4
ATLANTA -- Atlanta spotted Pittsburgh four runs in the first inning before rallying to hand starter Rob Whalen a victory in his major league debut.
Whalen, who was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett and signed his major league contract only hours before the game, allowed four runs on four hits and four walks, with five strikeouts. He did not allow a hit after the second inning.
Atlanta's bullpen held the Pirates at bay. Ian Krol, Mauricio Cabrera, Chris Withrow and Jim Johnson each pitched a perfect inning of relief. The final 15 Pittsburgh batters were retired in order.


Mariners 3, Red Sox 1
SEATTLE -- Solo home runs from Nelson Cruz, Mike Zunino and Adam Lind helped Seattle end Boston starter Rick Porcello's six-start winning streak.
Cruz, Zunino and Lind homered in the third, sixth and seventh innings, respectively, while Seattle starter Hisashi Iwakuma threw 7 1/3 shutout innings.
New Mariners closer Edwin Diaz earned his second consecutive save despite a shaky ninth inning that included a single, a hit batter and a wild pitch as the Red Sox scored their run. Diaz got Travis Shaw and Sandy Leon to ground out to end the game.


Angels 8, A's 6
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Albert Pujols' two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth lifted the Los Angeles Angels to an 8-6 win over the Oakland A's on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium.
Pujols unloaded on a 3-1 pitch from Ryan Dull with Mike Trout on first base, ending the game a half-inning after Los Angeles reliever Cam Bedrosian blew a 6-5 lead.
Trout and Pujols each had three hits, and Andrelton Simmons two for the Angels. Yonder Alonso, Billy Butler, Crisp, Vogt and Healy had two hits apiece for Oakland.

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/4

Preview: Twins (43-64) at Indians (60-45)


Game: 4
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: August 04, 2016 12:10 PM EDT


CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins will meet Thursday afternoon at Progressive Field in the final game of their four-game series. Based on what has happened in the first three games, the fact that there is one more game left in the series is good news for Minnesota and bad news for Cleveland.


Minnesota has reached double figures in runs in each of the first three games and put a frightful pounding on Cleveland's vaunted starting rotation.


In the first three games, Minnesota has outscored the Indians 35-16 and outhit Cleveland 48-27.


"We've gotten it going offensively. You've got to enjoy these things whenever they come along," Twins manager Paul Molitor said.


Indians manager Terry Francona said, "They've done it to us three days in a row. They've had their way with us and it's not a fluke. They've beat us around."


In the past three games, Indians starting pitchers Danny Salazar, Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer combined for a 22.68 ERA, as they allowed 21 earned runs and 23 hits in 8 1/3 innings.


As if getting blown out in three consecutive games wasn't bad enough, the Indians, if they don't turn it around soon, are in danger of falling out of first place in the American League Central for the first time in two months.


Cleveland, which has been alone in first place since June 4, has lost seven of its last 11 games, and that has coincided with an eight-game winning streak by second-place Detroit. The Indians led the division by as many as 7 1/2 games on July 20, but their lead over the Tigers is now down to two games.


"You've got to play through the tough times because they are inevitable. They happen to everyone," Francona said. "But I' confident we'll bounce back."


To do so, the Indians will have to rely on rookie right-hander Mike Clevinger, who will be recalled from Triple-A Columbus and start Thursday. Clevinger is taking Danny Salazar's spot in the rotation. Salazar was placed on the disabled list Tuesday with an inflammed right elbow.


Clevinger was 11-1 with a 3.00 ERA at Columbus. He was up with the Indians earlier this season and appeared in four games, three of them starts. In those four appearances, he was 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA. He is considered one of the top pitching prospects in the organization, and the Indians could use a boost. Cleveland's starting pitcher has lasted fewer than four innings in all three games of the Minnesota series.


After Wednesday's game, the Indians optioned pitchers Shawn Armstrong and Cody Anderson to Columbus. They will recall two pitchers on Thursday, one of whom will be Clevinger.


The Twins have quietly become one of the hotter teams in the American League. They've won four games in a row, six of their last seven games, and in their last 25 games they are 16-9.


In Thursday's game, the Twins will start left-hander Hector Santiago, who will be making his Twins debut, after being acquired earlier in the week in a trade with the Angels. As a member of the Angels, Santiago faced Cleveland on June 10 and gave up six runs and seven hits in 1 1/3 innings.


In 22 starts overall this year, Santiago is 10-4 with a 4.25 ERA. In seven career starts against the Indians, he is 2-2 with a 5.94 ERA.

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/4

Preview: Royals (51-56) at Rays (43-63)


Game: 4
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: August 04, 2016 12:10 PM EDT


ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The resurgence of Rays starter Jake Odorizzi, now with three straight scoreless starts, is a reminder of the strong starting pitching Tampa Bay was supposed to have this season, though it's frustrating those starts were seldom found in the previous two months.


"Obviously we'd all like to be like this from the start of the season to the end," Odorizzi said. "It's nice to be on it now, and you just keep plugging away and I knew things would get better. You just have to stay the course."


Odorizzi hasn't given up a run in his last 20 2/3 innings, four short of the team record for a starting pitcher. His turnaround is what the Rays need from the rest of their rotation such as Thursday starter Drew Smyly, who goes into the series finale against the Kansas City Royals with a 3-11 record and a 5.29 ERA.


His last start, however, was what the Rays are looking for -- six innings, four hits and two runs in a victory over the Yankees. To continue where Odorizzi left off, he'll have to be nothing like the pitcher the Royals saw May 31.


In that start, Smyly lasted only four innings -- matching his shortest outing of the year -- and gave up a season-high 12 hits while tying his high with eight runs in a 10-5 loss.


Inconsistency is something the Royals pitchers know well.


Thursday starter Ian Kennedy is 6-9 with a 4.23 ERA. His last outing against the Rays, moreover, is something you'd want to repeat, holding Tampa Bay to one run (unearned) on three hits in six innings. In 11 starts since, he's given up at least one earned run in every start.


Royals manager Ned Yost has tried nearly anything to solve his pitchers' problems. Knowing that Wednesday starter Edinson Volquez had struggled in the first inning, Yost had pitching coach Dave Eiland warm Volquez up before the game, but stop early, sitting him down for a moment. He then got him back up for the rest of warmups, thinking the pronounced break would seem like a first inning to his mechanics and bypass his early issues.


"The four-run first did us in," Yost said, pleased that Volquez held the Rays to two runs in the next five innings before his bullpen imploded. "If we eliminate the first inning, we're right in the game."


The Royals had beaten the Rays in 12 of 13 previous meetings, so a loss Thursday and a season split will be disappointing for a team still just five games below .500 but bearing little resemblance to last year's championship team.


Fixing those problems will start in the first inning, where Royals pitchers have a 6.48 ERA, the worst in the majors. The Rays hit for the cycle in their first seven at-bats Wednesday -- double, single, home run, triple -- so nearly anything from Kennedy will be a step in the right direction.

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/4

Preview: Cardinals (57-50) at Reds (43-63)


Game: 3
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: August 04, 2016 12:35 PM EDT


CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Reds are in the midst of a rebuilding process centered around their young pitching. On Thursday, they'll face St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Mike Leake, who was an integral part of the Reds' future when he was selected eighth overall by them in the 2009 draft.


Leake, whom the Reds traded to the San Francisco Giants at the non-waiver deadline last July, was signed by the Cardinals as a free-agent in December. He's 8-8 with a 4.50 ERA in 21 starts this season for St. Louis. He'll be making his second career start against Cincinnati.


Throughout his career, Leake has been an innings-eater who's able to limit his walks and be pitch-efficient without relying on strikeouts. His first season in a Cardinals uniform has been no different.


Coming into Thursday's start at Great American Ball Park, Leake has not walked a batter in a career-high 30 straight innings, the longest active streak in the major leagues and second-longest this season.


Despite his outstanding control, Leake has given up his share of runs this season. He allowed six runs and seven hits in five innings in his last start. In his only other meeting against the Reds, the 28-year old San Diego native allowed six runs and 10 hits while escaping with a no-decision in a 7-6 walk-off Cincinnati win June 7 at Great American Ball Park, where he has 34 victories.


Cincinnati's starter in Thursday's finale of a three-game series is left-hander Brandon Finnegan, whom the Reds got from the Kansas City Royals last July in the Johnny Cueto trade.


Finnegan has been a victim of tough luck this season, but not in his last start Friday when he tossed six shutout innings in a 6-0 win at San Diego.


He has 10 quality starts but three times was the victim of a blown save and was the Reds' starter on April 21 when the Cubs' Jake Arrieta tossed a no-hitter at Great American Ball Park. Finnegan suffered a 1-0 loss on May 23 at Dodger Stadium.


The Reds hope to have shortstop Zack Cozart back in the lineup Thursday after he missed two starts with a bruised right ring finger.


"He did make great improvements from last night," Reds manager Bryan Price said Wednesday. "but this gives him a chance to go through more treatment and be in there tomorrow."


Cincinnati won Tuesday's opener on Scott Schebler's three-run, walk-off home run. The Cardinals rebounded with a 5-4 victory Wednesday behind a pair of doubles and two RBIs by Brandon Moss, Stephen Piscotty's homer and solid relief work.


The Cardinals come into Thursday's rubber game having won 18 of the past 22 series against the Reds. In the last 11 series at Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati has won only three.


"We've got talent out there," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. "Some days it's just easier than others for whatever reason. It's never easy. Some days it's hard to get anything to go your way."

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/4

Preview: Giants (61-46) at Phillies (50-59)


Game: 3
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: August 04, 2016 1:05 PM EDT


PHILADELPHIA -- Left-hander Matt Moore, one of the more noteworthy acquisitions at Monday's non-waiver trade deadline, makes his first start for the San Francisco Giants when they attempt to salvage the finale of a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday afternoon.


The 27-year-old Moore, who will be opposed by Vince Velasquez (8-3, 3.32 ERA), was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for third baseman Matt Duffy and two minor leaguers, shortstop Lucius Fox and right-handed pitcher Michael Santos.


"It's hard to keep a smile off my face when I think about the things to come and being part of this group," Moore told reporters Tuesday, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.


Moore, 7-7 with a 4.08 ERA in 21 starts for the Rays this season, was an All-Star in 2013, when he went 17-4 with a 3.29 ERA. He underwent Tommy John surgery the following season, and in 2015 compiled a 3-4 record, with a 5.43 ERA.


He has begun to regain his form of late, going 4-2 with a 1.99 ERA in his last six outings with Tampa Bay.


"(Tampa Bay) is where I was raised but I've been watching what's been going on here for a while and I'm very grateful to be a part of it," Moore said, according to CSNBayArea.com. "It's quite a turnaround from where we were in Tampa, in bad shape. To be here in first place is a pretty cool feeling."


The Phillies reportedly discussed trading Velasquez to the Texas Rangers before Monday's deadline, but ultimately held on to the 24-year-old right-hander, who was acquired from the Astros in December in the deal that sent reliever Ken Giles to Houston.


Velasquez was charged with a 2-1 loss to Atlanta his last time out after allowing two runs in six innings. He is 3-1 with a 2.75 ERA in six starts since a stint on the disabled list in June with a right biceps strain, and has never faced the Giants.


The Phillies used a five-run eighth inning to beat San Francisco 13-8 in the series opener and erased a 4-0 deficit to win 5-4 in 12 innings Wednesday.


San Francisco had six hits and scored all their runs in the first three innings against emergency starter Phil Klein, then added two more hits in the fourth. They managed only two hits in nine scoreless innings against Klein and six relievers thereafter.


Klein, recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley when Wednesday's announced starter, Aaron Nola, went on the disabled list with a strained right elbow, began a stretch that saw Phillies pitchers retire 19 straight hitters between the fourth and 10th.


"That's the difference in the game -- we couldn't tack on," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "We couldn't do anything with their bullpen. We couldn't get anybody on. Four runs in this ballpark, anything can happen. ... Their pen shut us down completely."


San Francisco is a major league-worst 4-13 since the All-Star break.


"It's hard to believe," starting pitcher Johnny Cueto said through an interpreter. "We're a good team. The only thing we can do is keep grinding and keep putting our best effort out there, every time we go out."

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/4

Preview: White Sox (51-56) at Tigers (59-48)


Game: 3
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: August 04, 2016 1:10 PM EDT


DETROIT -- Jordan Zimmermann can stop watching his streaking team and start contributing again.
The red-hot Detroit Tigers will get even stronger with the return of one of the top pitchers on Thursday.
Zimmermann will make his first start since June 30 when he takes the mound for the finale of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox. Zimmermann, who is 9-4 with a 3.95 ERA, has been sidelined with a right neck strain.
"It was miserable," he said of his time on the 15-day disabled list. "The only time I've been out prior to this was when I had Tommy John (in 2009). It's not something I ever want to do again, but it's baseball and injuries do happen. It can happen on any pitch. I'm glad it was just a month and nothing major that led to surgery."
Zimmermann didn't feel particularly sharp during two rehab starts with Triple-A Toledo but still gave up just one run in eight innings. He also threw two bullpen sessions in recent days. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus believes Zimmermann can throw approximately 90 pitches in his return.
"I faced a few live hitters down in Triple-A, but it's not like the hitters up here," Zimmermann said. "You have that in the back of your mind -- how are you going to feel when you get out there? But there's going to be a lot of adrenaline and I'll be ready."
Detroit right fielder J.D. Martinez was certainly ready when he returned from the DL on Wednesday. Martinez blasted a go-ahead solo homer in a pinch-hitting appearance to give the Tigers a 2-1 victory, their eighth straight.
He's expected to be back in the lineup on Thursday.
"You don't get many moments like that during the course of a season," Ausmus said of Martinez's eighth-inning homer off White Sox ace Chris Sale. "It was really almost perfect. I guess the only way it would have been more perfect is if it was the bottom of the ninth."
Martinez fractured his right elbow crashing into a wall in Kansas City on June 16. He didn't have a home run in eight rehab games at Triple-A Toledo but ripped one on the first pitch he saw in his major-league return.
"At that point, your adrenaline takes over," he said.
The fading White Sox got more bad news on Wednesday when center fielder Charlie Tilson was diagnosed with a torn left hamstring. He will undergo season-ending surgery on Thursday.
Tilson was injured during his major-league debut chasing after a Miguel Cabrera double on Tuesday. He's the fourth White Sox player to suffer an injury this season just before or during his team debut.
"He gets called up, gets a hit in his first at-bat and after that, it all gets taken away from you for a while," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "It's definitely odd, I'll say that. I wouldn't call it a curse, but I feel bad for all of them."
Tilson's injury opens the door for Avisail Garcia to revive his stalled career. Garcia hit two home runs against his former club, the Tigers, on Tuesday. He was 0-for-2 on Wednesday but was hit by a pitch and also drew a walk.
"His last week is probably the best I've seen him since we got him," Ventura said of Garcia, who was acquired in the summer of 2013. "He's starting to figure out some things as far as elevating the ball and swinging the bat."
Left-hander Jose Quintana will oppose Zimmermann. Quintana is 3-0 with a 1.95 ERA in his last five starts, including 6 2/3 shutout innings against Detroit.

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/4

Preview: Athletics (47-60) at Angels (49-58)


Game: 3
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: August 04, 2016 7:05 PM EDT


ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Ricky Nolasco will make his Angels debut Thursday against the Oakland A's, three days after coming to Los Angeles in a trade from the Minnesota Twins.


Nolasco, who was born in nearby Corona, Calif., was happy to learn he was heading back home to pitch.


"I'm just excited to be back in California and doing what I can to help the Angels win as many games as possible," Nolasco told the Orange County Register.


Nolasco, though, was not the reason the Angels traded their top pitcher this season -- Hector Santiago -- to the Twins. Alex Meyer, a hard-throwing, 6-foot-9 right-hander, was the key to the deal. Meyer, however, has yet to reach his lofty potential and was sent by the Angels to Triple-A Salt Lake.


Nolasco was more of a salary dump, though the Twins are picking up a portion of his salary. He is making a guaranteed $12 million this year and will receive $12 million next year.


After winning 13 games combined playing for the Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013, Nolasco signed a four-year, $49 million contract with the Twins, but he was a bust. In 2 1/2 years with the Twins, Nolasco went 15-22 with a 5.44 ERA in 57 games (56 starts). He was 4-8 with a 5.13 ERA in 21 starts this year.


Nolasco, though, isn't discouraged.


"I understand what happened there," he said. "I feel I pitched better than the numbers say."


Likewise, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said he believes the 33-year-old right-hander still has some good games left in him.


"When we've seen him up close, he's always been tough on us," Scioscia said. "He spins the ball very well, and he has a fastball that has movement on it. Hopefully he can put pitches together and get another pitch or try and adapt a little bit and find some consistency. But his stuff is good."


In four career starts against the A's, Nolasco is 2-1 with a 3.33 ERA.


Nolasco will be opposed Thursday starter by Oakland right-hander Jesse Hahn, who will be called up from Triple-A Nashville for the fourth time this season.


Hahn went 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in his first stint with the A's, 1-3 with an 8.34 ERA in his second stint, then 0-0 with a 1.17 ERA in his third stint. In eight starts overall, he is 2-4 with a 5.53 ERA.


Against the Angels on Thursday, Hahn will have the benefit of pitching under the sun. He is 2-1 with a 2.77 ERA in four daytime starts this year, as opposed to 1-3 with an 9.92 ERA in four nighttime starts. Thursday's game sort of falls in the middle, scheduled to start at 4:05 p.m. PDT.


Hahn also can lean on his two career starts against the Angels, both coming last year, when he went 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA.


Though Hahn has not been a mainstay in the A's rotation this season, he has accomplished one major goal -- staying healthy. He missed time last year with a strained forearm, which caused some concern.


"The main objective is just to be healthy," Hahn told the San Francisco Chronicle back in spring training. "I got my base a little stronger, and I'm hoping to incorporate my legs more."

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/4

Preview: Rangers (62-46) at Orioles (61-45)


Game: 3
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: August 04, 2016 7:05 PM EDT


BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles will look to complete a three-game sweep of the Texas Rangers in a battle of first-place teams on Thursday.
The Orioles won the opener 5-1 with the help of four solo homers and a masterful performance by starter Dylan Bundy. Kevin Gausman then outdueled Texas ace Cole Hamels, leading the Orioles to a 3-2 victory the following night.
Wade Miley (7-8, 4.98 ERA), acquired from the Seattle Mariners on Aug. 1, will make his Orioles debut and try to keep the momentum going in the series finale.
"We're playing some good teams," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "If you look at our schedule, it's a top-rated schedule the rest of the way. You know what? Our guys are pretty good, too. They enjoy the competition. They don't shirk from it. They like people telling them they shouldn't be able to do it. They like proving people wrong. They've done that for quite a while."
Wiley is expected to give the Orioles an immediate boost as the only left-hander in the rotation and his ability to throw deep into games -- an area where Baltimore has struggled all season. Left-handers are also batting just .239 against him this season.
"We needed a left-handed pitcher to complement our rotation, and Wade's a workhorse," Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said. "He's pitched in the American League effectively. He's got all the qualities to help our club, and not just for this year, for next year. We've liked his skills for a while, going back to the first winter meetings. We tried to acquire him in a trade with Arizona. And he had a terrific year."
The Rangers will look to avoid the sweep with right-hander A.J. Griffin (4-1, 3.99 ERA), who is beginning to regain his form after an earlier stint on the disabled list with right shoulder stiffness. Griffin picked up his first win since April 26 in his last outing against the Kansas City Royals. He gave up two runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Griffin joined Hamels as the only Rangers starter to post a win in July. Griffin hopes to play a key role in the first-place Rangers' stretch run toward the playoffs.
"You can't take this job for granted," Griffin told the Fort Worth Star Telegram after the game. "There's someone always trying to take your job from you. To be part of something that's great like we have here in Texas right now, you're scratching and clawing to stay around."
The Rangers boosted their lineup with the addition of Carlos Beltran and Jonathan Lucroy at the trade deadline. Their lineup, however, has been mostly contained by Orioles pitching. Manager Jeff Banister is hopeful that will change in the final regular-season game between the teams.
"This is a quality lineup, they're going to hit and put runs up on the board," Banister said of the Orioles. "You have to pitch to go out and pitch your best game.

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/4

Preview: Mets (55-52) at Yankees (54-53)


Game: 4
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: August 04, 2016 7:05 PM EDT


NEW YORK -- On Wednesday, the New York Mets had Yoenis Cespedes hitting ahead of Jay Bruce.
Their two biggest bats were positioned in the lineup hoping to spark an offense that has struggled in many facets, including situational hitting.
Now the Mets will have to wait to see it again as Cespedes will be going on the disabled list with a strained right quadriceps on Thursday when they conclude the "Subway Series" against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
Cespedes did not start the previous three games with the injury he initially sustained July 8. He missed two games before the All-Star break and the first two of the second half.
Then the injury recurred Saturday and he did not appear again until getting a pinch-single Tuesday. Cespedes told manager Terry Collins he was feeling fine after Tuesday's game and again Wednesday over lunch, which followed a round of golf for the outfielder.
He was the designated hitter Wednesday when he went 1-for-5. The Mets planned on using him there through Sunday before hoping to return him to the outfield next week.
Instead, Cespedes was reinjured on his penultimate swing of the ninth inning when he struck out swinging.
Cespedes' DL stint, which will start three days after Bruce was obtained, became the latest injury for the Mets, who have lost 14 of their last 22 games and are 8 1/2 games out of first place.
"It's pretty frustrating," Collins said. "We've had to battle through a lot of things. We've been inconsistent on both sides of the ball. We've go out and will get a real good pitching performance and the next night we'll give up four or five.
"And one night we'll hit four homers and the next night we leave the bases loaded. It's pretty frustrating, but it's the game and we've got to fight through it."
Now the Mets will be counting on Bruce to do better than his two 0-for-4 nights and wait at least two weeks to use him and Cespedes together.
"I think the move we made the other day, even though Jay's gotten off to a rough start in two games, but I think it should tell our players, 'Hey, look. We're in this,'" Collins said. "Teams that are out of it, they don't make those kind of moves. So I think it's a real positive move for us and I think, hopefully, as we kinda smooth things out after tomorrow night, we'll start to see some effects from it."
The Mets have struggled to smooth many things out recently despite having a winning record since April 22.
Since finishing April at 15-7, they are 40-45 overall. The last time the Mets seemed headed for a run that resembled anything from the last two months of 2015 was June 30-July 7 when they won seven of eight to get to 47-38 and three games out of first place.
Situational hitting has plagued the Mets all year and Wednesday was not any different. They took a 2-0 lead on four hits in the first inning and a 3-2 lead in the second but also bounced into three double plays and went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
Lack of consistency led the Yankees to trade off four players from July 25 to Aug. 1 and return home with talk of integrating prospects. The tipping point toward selling was a three-game sweep in Tampa Bay over the weekend, but the Yankees have responded by taking two of the first three.
The Yankees have scored 15 runs in their last two wins and Wednesday's game was highlighted by Mark Teixeira's three-run homer and his reactions to being hit in the left knee by Steven Matz and being accused of stealing signs in the seventh by reliever Hansel Robles.
"Tonight was one of those nights where everybody was having a good time," Teixeira said. "We were having some laughs. We got a little fired up for a little bit, but it was a good win."
Bartolo Colon, who won eight games for the Yankees in 2011, will start for the Mets and this time will pitch on regular rest. After throwing 87 pitches on July 26 against the St. Louis Cardinals, Colon allowed five runs and seven hits in five innings on three days' rest in a 7-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Saturday.
Colon is 5-7 with a 5.98 ERA in 18 appearances against the Yankees but has never faced a rebuilding edition of New York.
Nathan Eovaldi is 9-7 with a 4.78 ERA and like so many other Yankees consistency has been difficult at times for the hard-throwing right-hander. This season, Eovaldi has won six straight starts and also gone winless in six consecutive outings.
It was the winless skid that temporarily sent him to the bullpen before the All-Star break. Since returning, Eovaldi is 2-1 with a 2.79 ERA in four appearances.
Eovaldi is 1-3 with a 4.98 ERA in eight starts against the Mets.

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/4

Preview: Pirates (53-52) at Braves (38-69)


Game: 3
Venue: Turner Field
Date: August 04, 2016 7:10 PM EDT


ATLANTA -- Don't expect to see Andrew McCutchen on Thursday when the Pittsburgh Pirates make the final appearance at Turner Field. He won't be playing.


Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle, looking for anything that might get the center fielder's bat in gear, decided to bench him for the three-game series against the Braves.


Why not give it try, since nothing else has worked, Hurdle said.


"Let's try this because we have tried just about everything else," Hurdle said.


The final contest of the three-game series features Atlanta rookie right-hander Tyrell Jenkins (1-2, 4.91) against veteran right-hander Ryan Vogelsong (1-1, 3.74), who is making his first start since getting hit in the face by a pitch May 23.


The two teams have split the first two games of the series. Pittsburgh is 4-2 against Atlanta this year.


McCutchen has suffered through a very atypical season. The veteran is batting .241 -- 52 points below his career average -- with 15 home runs and 43 RBIs. It is unlikely he will be able to extend his streak of five straight years with at least 80 RBIs. If the Pirates have any hopes staying in the picture for the wild card spot, they need McCutchen to return to form.


"The man has tried everything," Hurdle said. "At this point we're asking him to step away, hit the pause button and get away from it for three games."


McCutchen is 1-for-12 with one RBI on the six-game road trip.


McCutchen hesitantly agreed to give Hurdle's plan a try, although he didn't necessarily agree with the ploy.


"I wouldn't be taking days off," McCutchen said. "Not something I prefer for myself. They seem to think so. We'll see."


The pitching matchup offers quite a contrast with Jenkins, 24, making his fourth career start against Vogelsong, 39, trying to extend his career.


Jenkins picked up his first major league win in his last start against the Phillies, going six innings and allowed only an unearned run. Jenkins has allowed two runs or fewer in three of his four starts. Jenkins, the 2015 Minor League Pitcher of the Year for the Atlanta organization, has never faced Pittsburgh.


In four rehab starts since he was struck in the left eye, Vogelsong was 1-2 with a 2.86 ERA. He will be making his third start of the season and first against Atlanta. Vogelsong is 2-3 with a 5.08 ERA in eight career appearances (five starts) against the Braves.


The Pirates may need to make a decision on catcher Franciso Cervelli, who was hit in the head by a pitch Tuesday and was being monitored for a concussion. If Cervelli needs to go on the concussion disabled list, he would be replaced by Elias Diaz, who was brought to Atlanta in case he was needed. The Pirates are likely to make a decision before Thursday's game.

[TheGame]

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/4

Preview: Blue Jays (61-47) at Astros (56-51)


Game: 4
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: August 04, 2016 8:10 PM EDT


HOUSTON -- After earning at worst a series split with a 3-1 victory Wednesday night, the Toronto Blue Jays enter the series finale against the Houston Astros almost as concerned with the start they'll get the following day.


Left-hander J.A. Happ (14-3, 3.16 ERA) starts the series finale for the Blue Jays (61-47). Happ is 3-1 with a 3.50 ERA in six starts against the Astros, for whom he went 18-28 with a 4.84 ERA over parts of three seasons following his trade from the Phillies on July 29, 2010.


Left-hander Francisco Liriano (6-11, 5.46 ERA) follows Happ in the rotation, making his first start with the Blue Jays on Friday night in Kansas City against the Royals. Liriano and two prospects joined the organization Monday following a trade deadline deal with the Pirates.


Liriano has scuffled this season as he led the majors with 69 walks prior to the trade. But the Blue Jays are confident that Liriano can be reborn, in part because he will be reunited with former Pirates catcher Russell Martin.


"I think you just need to watch him and let him go out and pitch before you jump the gun," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "He's back with Russ. Let him pitch. There's nothing worse than trying to pinpoint something in someone's mind before you see him.


"He may go out there and shine like there's nothing to it."


Right-hander Mike Fiers (7-4, 4.42 ERA) starts the series finale for the Astros. Fiers has appeared in just two games (one start) against the Blue Jays in his career, going 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA over eight innings. Once in the precarious position of losing his spot in the rotation, Fiers has rebounded to go 1-0 with a 2.03 ERA over his last two starts.


Like the Blue Jays, the Astros (56-51) have one eye on their weekend rotation. With right-hander Lance McCullers landing on the 15-day disabled list with a mild elbow sprain, rookie right-hander Joe Musgrove makes his first career start against the Rangers on Sunday.


Musgrove excelled in his major league debut on Tuesday night, pitching 4 1/3 scoreless innings of relief with eight strikeouts, matching the major league record for strikeouts in relief in a major league debut. Musgrove arrived from Triple-A Fresno on Sunday poised to start in place of right-hander Doug Fister (paternity list) on Monday night.


Instead, opportunity knocked one day later and Musgrove validated the trust the organization showed with his promotion.


"We thought he could handle it which is why we were going to give him an opportunity if Fister was gone," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. "We really like this guy. He's got a lot of charisma; he's got a lot of polish to him. Even to be able to come in and warm up in front of a full crowd and both teams waiting and the umpire sort of pushing the action, it's not easy. His maturity came through with rave reviews.


"He made some really good hitters look uncomfortable and I think that's a good sign. He's going to have a big test with his first start against the Rangers but I think the way he's handled this season, the way he's matured over the year is why we gave him the opportunity on the front end."