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**TheGame** · 08-15-2016, 08:07 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/15

MLB roundup: Mets' Matz takes no-hit bid into 8th
By The Sports Xchange

NEW YORK -- Steven Matz carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning and combined with two relievers on a four-hit performance as the New York Mets posted a 5-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday.
Matz (9-8) was pulled after giving up a one-out single to Alexei Ramirez in eighth. He walked two and struck out eight in earning just his second win in his last 14 starts. Matz was trying to throw the second no-hitter in the 54-year history of the Mets.
Manager Terry Collins immediately pulled Matz after the hit. The crowd gave a standing ovation to Matz, who grew up on Long Island about an hour east of Citi Field.

Nationals 9, Braves 1
WASHINGTON --- Tanner Roark pitched seven strong innings, Anthony Rendon hit a three-run homer and Bryce Harper had an RBI double in his first game in more than a week as Washington beat Atlanta to win the three-game series.
Roark (13-6) scattered five hits while yielding one run to the Braves.
The Nationals, who went 5-3 on their homestand, are now a season-high 22 games over .500. Washington maintained an 8 1/2-game lead over Miami in the National League East.

Marlins 5, White Sox 4
MIAMI -- Adeiny Hechavarria scored from second on a sacrifice bunt as Miami snapped a three-game losing streak, rallying to beat Chicago.
The game ended on a play at the plate as Marlins left fielder Christian Yelich threw out Carlos Sanchez, who tried to score from second on a two-out single by Tyler Saladino.
The Marlins took a 3-2 lead in the fifth on a bunt by Ichiro Suzuki. Catcher Omar Narvaez threw Suzuki out at first, but when White Sox pitcher Chris Sale didn't move to cover the plate, Hechavarria came all the way around. Sale (14-6) allowed eight hits and five runs in 6 2/3 innings.

Blue Jays 9, Astros 2
TORONTO -- Troy Tulowitzki, Russell Martin and Edwin Encarnacion hit home runs, Marcus Stroman pitched into the seventh inning and Toronto defeated Houston.
Tulowitzki had three RBIs as the Blue Jays won the rubber match of the three-game series to maintain their lead in the American League East.
Stroman (9-5) allowed five hits and two runs (one earned) with eight strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.

Red Sox 16, Diamondbacks 2
BOSTON -- Mookie Betts blasted three home runs and had eight RBIs to help Rick Porcello remain undefeated at home this season as Boston routed Arizona.
Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a two-run homer and had three RBIs and Dustin Pedroia logged his team-record fifth-career five-hit game and added two RBIs in the 19-hit attack.
The Red Sox have won three straight games after losing four of five.

Rays 12, Yankees 3
NEW YORK -- Evan Longoria tied a season high with four RBIs and highlighted a six-run fourth inning with a bases-clearing double as Tampa Bay rolled over New York.
Corey Dickerson and Nick Franklin each hit a three-run homers while Logan Forsythe added a solo blast for the Rays, who reached double digits in runs for the eighth time this season.
Longoria went 7-for-11 in the three-game series and his 47 RBIs at the current Yankee Stadium are the most among visiting players. He recorded his 22nd career game with at least four RBIs and fourth against the Yankees.

Brewers 7, Reds 3
MILWAUKEE -- Ryan Braun hit two home runs and Wily Peralta struck out five as Milwaukee avoided a sweep with a victory over Cincinnati
Braun doubled his first time up and then homered in his next two trips, finishing the day 3-for-5 with five RBIs and a pair of runs scored. Since the All-Star break, Braun is batting .378 with eight home runs and 20 RBIs.
The Brewers stole four bases in the first inning as they put three on the board against Reds left-hander Cody Reed, who was tagged for six runs on five hits and three walks with a strikeout.

Phillies 7, Rockies 6
PHILADELPHIA -- Reserve infielder Jimmy Paredes had his best offensive game of the season, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a run scored to lead Philadelphia past Colorado.
Acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays on June 1, Paredes put the Phillies on the board in the bottom of the second with an RBI single and made it 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth with a solo shot.
Phillies reliever Severino Gonzalez, who entered the game three batters into the fourth inning after an injury sustained by starter Adam Morgan, picked up his first win of the season.

Royals 11, Twins 4
MINNEAPOLIS -- Paulo Orlando and Lorenzo Cain each had four-hit games -- with Orlando finishing a double short of the cycle -- to lead Kansas City over Minnesota.
Orlando finished the three-game series 7-for-13, tripling to lead off the game and hitting a three-run blast off Twins starter Hector Santiago in the fourth inning that broke the game open.
Cain, who entered the series finale 0-for-9 at the plate, matched his career high with four hits. It was the second time this season Cain has had four hits at Target Field (May 24) and the 11th time in his career.

Tigers 7, Rangers 0
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Behind a complete-game shutout from rookie pitcher Michael Fulmer and four home runs, Detroit finished off a series win by blanking Texas.
The Tigers took two of three over the weekend behind dominant pitching. The day after Matt Boyd and company blanked the Rangers 2-0, Fulmer did the same.
The Rangers couldn't figure out Detroit's pitching after Friday's 8-5 win. After scoring eight runs in the first five innings of the opener, the AL West leaders didn't cross the plate over the next 22 frames.

Indians 5, Angels 4
CLEVELAND -- Tyler Naquin had three hits and Jason Kipnis homered to lead Cleveland over Los Angeles.
The Indians swept the four-game series, outscoring the Angels 37-12. The loss was the Angels' 10th in a row, marking their longest losing streak since they dropped 11 straight games in July 1999.
Trevor Bauer (9-5) pitched six innings to get the win. Cody Allen worked the ninth to earn his 22nd save.

Orioles 8, Giants 7
SAN FRANCISCO -- Jonathan Schoop completed a six-run comeback by belting a three-run home run with two outs in the ninth inning, allowing Baltimore to overtake San Francisco and earn a series win in the interleague matchup.
Matt Wieters had a career-high five hits and Mark Trumbo smacked his major-league-leading 34th home run as the Orioles rallied from a 7-1 deficit with two runs in the seventh inning and two in the eighth before Schoop's blast.
Record-setting closer Zach Britton pitched out of a two-on, two-out jam in the bottom of the ninth for his 37th consecutive save this season and 41st dating to last September.

Mariners 8, Athletics 4
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Kyle Seager had two doubles and drove in four runs, Adam Lind hit his 17th homer and left-hander Wade LeBlanc threw six solid innings as Seattle posted a win over Oakland at the Oakland Coliseum.
The Mariners, who took two of three from the A's to win the series, have won eight of their past nine games.
LeBlanc allowed three runs on five hits, struck out seven and walked one. He made his seventh start and eighth appearance for the Mariners since being acquired in a trade on June 22 from the Toronto Blue Jays, who had him pitching for Triple-A Buffalo. The Mariners are 7-1 in his eight outings.

Pirates 11, Dodgers 3
LOS ANGELES -- Jody Mercer and Sean Rodriguez hit decisive first-inning home runs and Chad Kuhl surrendered six hits in six innings as Pittsburgh defeated Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium.
Kuhl won his second game against the Angels this season. The Pirates won all six of his career starts.
Dating to 1930, this is the second longest streak among Pittsburgh starting pitchers. The Pirates won each of the first seven starts that Jim Nelson made in 1970 between June 15 and July 17.

Cardinals 6, Cubs 4
CHICAGO -- Stephen Piscotty hit a three-run home run as St. Louis scored five runs in the eighth inning in a victory over Chicago to split their four-game series.
The Cubs have lost two straight after their 11-game winning streak was snapped on Saturday. They're also dealing with an injury to starting pitcher John Lackey.
Lackey exited with right shoulder stiffness after a 2-2 pitch to Randal Grichuk with two outs in the seventh. Lackey bent over and appeared to grimace after his final pitch, a curveball. Justin Grimm replaced him and threw one pitch to strike out Grichuk.

**TheGame** · 08-15-2016, 08:07 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/15

Preview: Red Sox (64-52) at Indians (67-48)

Game: 1
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: August 15, 2016 1:10 PM EDT

CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Indians are in an odd segment of their schedule in which they will play three different teams on three consecutive days at Progressive Field.

On Sunday, the Indians posted a 5-4 victory over the reeling Los Angeles Angels. Cleveland will host the Boston Red Sox on Monday before the Chicago White Sox come to town the following day for the first contest of a three-game series.

Monday's contest between the Indians and Red Sox is a makeup of a game that was postponed on April 7. The Indians will send Josh Tomlin (11-5, 4.18 ERA) to the mound, while Boston's starter will be Drew Pomeranz (0-2, 5.26).

Pomeranz is a former first-round pick by the Indians, who selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 2010 June Draft. In 2011, the Indians traded Pomeranz to Colorado as part of the trade that brought Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland.

Since then, Pomeranz has bounced from the Rockies to pitch for Oakland, San Diego and Boston. In a combined 27 starts with San Diego and Boston this year, Pomeranz is 8-9 with a 3.03 ERA - including 0-2 with a 5.26 in five starts for the Red Sox.

Pomeranz has failed to record a decision and owns a 3.00 ERA in five career appearances against the Indians, all of them in relief.

Tomlin got off to a very fast start this season, but has struggled over the last month. He was 9-1 with a 3.21 ERA on July 1, but is 2-4 with a 6.88 ERA and eight home runs allowed in 34 innings in his last six outings.

The long ball has plagued Tomlin through most of his starts. He has allowed 27 homers, which ties him for the most of any American League pitcher.

The Indians, however, have plenty of support behind Tomlin. The addition of left-hander Andrew Miller to the Indians' bullpen has bolstered manager Terry Francona's late-game options.

Miller, closer Cody Allen and set-up man Bryan Shaw are the three chess pieces Francona has for the late innings in games the Indians are leading. Francona has stuck with Allen in the closer's role so far, with Shaw in the seventh and Miller in the eighth.

"We're still trying to figure out how we're going to use guys (late in games)," Miller said. "Flexibility is a positive I can offer. Any way (Francona) wants to use me, I'll happily oblige."

In their win over the Angels Sunday, Francona had Miller pitch the seventh and eighth innings and Allen the ninth. The two relievers combined to retire all nine batters they faced to preserve the win.

"With the way he was throwing, the best thing to do is to stay out of the way. That was phenomenal," Francona said of Miller's two-inning, six-batter domination of Angels hitters.

The matchup between the Indians and Red Sox will be one that features the two highest scoring teams in the American League. Boston leads the AL with an average of 5.51 runs per game and Cleveland is second at 5.11. The Red Sox are coming off a 16-2 pummeling of Arizona on Sunday.

"We've gone through some cycles offensively," Boston manager John Farrell said. "It looks like we're headed into one of those better cycles that we've seen strong offensive output."

Monday's game will be the first of Boston's 11-game, four-city road trip that will also include stops in Baltimore, Detroit and Tampa Bay.

"It's definitely really important," Mookie Betts said of the road trip after belting three homers versus the Diamondbacks on Sunday. "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."

Betts wasn't fazed by playing in four different parks over a five-day stretch.

"You've just got to go play," he said. "You can't let those type of things affect you."

**TheGame** · 08-15-2016, 08:07 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/15

Preview: Blue Jays (67-51) at Yankees (60-57)

Game: 1
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: August 15, 2016 7:05 PM EDT

NEW YORK -- A little over a year ago, the Toronto Blue Jays were chasing the New York Yankees when the teams met for a three-game series at Yankee Stadium.

The Blue Jays swept the series, caught the Yankees two weeks later and claimed their first division title since 1993.

This year, the roles are reversed and the Yankees will look to inch closer to the Blue Jays when the teams open a three-game series on Monday night at Yankee Stadium.

The Blue Jays outscored the Yankees 10-1 during its three-game sweep last Aug. 7-9 at Yankee Stadium, won nine of the final 13 meetings and the American League East by six games. The Blue Jays have continued to do well against the Yankees this year by winning seven of the first nine meetings.

All of those meetings took place in the first two months of the season when the Yankees were still struggling to recover from a dreadful 9-17 start. Eventually, New York's inability to fully recover led to four trades around the non-waiver deadline, but selling off veterans has the opposite effect for the Yankees.

The Yankees (60-57) have won eight of their last 13 games and are within 4 1/2 games of Boston for the second wild card and 6 1/2 games behind Toronto.

New York was unable to keep pace with either team and was handed a 12-3 loss Sunday afternoon by the Tampa Bay Rays.

The last meeting against Toronto was June 1 and 10 players on New York's 25-man roster are currently not on the active roster.

Three of the notable names who are on the roster are Gary Sanchez, Tyler Austin and Aaron Judge. When the Yankees last faced Toronto, Sanchez was recovering from a thumb injury, Judge was hitting .224 in Triple-A and Austin was batting .259 in Double-A.

Sanchez is batting .275 (11-for-40) in 10 games while splitting time between catcher and designated hitter. Judge homered for the second straight day and is the second Yankee to do so in his first two major league games.

They were part of a lineup with eight players under 27, marking the first time since Oct. 1, 1967, that the Yankees fielded a lineup that young.

"You know, I'm just trying to go out there and do a job and get on base for the team," Judge said. "I was comfortable Day One. I've just got to keep it going."

Now Judge and the Yankees will try to do it against one of the best teams in the American League for the last two months.

Toronto had a .500 record when it began its three-game sweep of New York. The Blue Jays have had a winning record since they were 40-25 after Troy Tulowitzki, Russell Martin and Edwin Encarnacion homered in a 9-2 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

"We hit some homers," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "That's what we do best. The key is to get guys on base and then pop one here and there. We've been (in a) little lull for a little over two weeks. I just stress that it's a matter of time."

The Blue Jays have 166 home runs, but 17 in the last 13 games. Since its sweep against the Yankees last August, Toronto's power has not hit a lull as it has 28 home runs in the last 22 games against the Yankees.

R.A Dickey is scheduled to start for Toronto and has drastic splits for road and home games. In Toronto, he is 2-8 with a 5.57 ERA in 13 starts, but outside of Canada he is 6-4 with a 3.51 ERA in 11 starts.

One of those road starts was May 24 in New York when Dickey allowed four runs and five hits in 6 2/3 innings of a 6-0 loss. Dickey had a 4.60 ERA after falling to 7-5 lifetime against the Yankees. Since then, his ERA has stayed the same thanks to allowing at least four earned runs in four of his last five starts.

Chad Green will start for the Yankees and is among those young players to experience struggles especially as a starting pitcher. The right-hander is 1-2 with a 7.50 in four starts in the majors and was demoted after allowing three runs and eight hits in 3 2/3 innings on Aug. 3 against the New York Mets.

With Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre, Green is 7-6 with a 1.52 ERA in 16 games.

"I think all players hit bumps, whether you're young or old," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "But one thing I think part of our focus has to be is helping those kids get through those bumps because you don't get here unless you're talented enough."

**TheGame** · 08-15-2016, 08:08 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/15

Preview: Marlins (61-56) at Reds (48-68)

Game: 1
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: August 15, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

CINCINNATI -- Billy Hamilton and Dee Gordon first met as prospects in the Arizona Fall League on their way to the majors. The two speedsters, who are now vital batters at the top of their respective lineups, will have a reunion over the next four days in Cincinnati.

Hamilton's Reds host Gordon and the Miami Marlins for the first contest of a four-game series Monday night at Great American Ball Park. Left-hander Brandon Finnegan (7-8, 4.45 ERA) is due to pitch for the Reds, while right-hander David Phelps (5-6, 2.40) makes his third start for the Marlins since being moved into the rotation on Aug. 5.

Gordon and Hamilton didn't see each other when the Marlins swept a three-game series in Miami leading into the All-Star break. Gordon was serving an 80-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball's performance-enhancing drug program. In the 15 games since his return, Gordon is hitting .321 with seven stolen bases.

Hamilton leads the majors with 51 steals. He is the first player in the major leagues since Michael Bourn (2009-11) to have at least 50 stolen bases in three consecutive seasons, and he's the first Reds' player to accomplish the feat since Joe Morgan did it five straight seasons (1972-76).

Hamilton's giving himself the opportunities for those steals by getting on base at the highest rate in his career. His OBP is up to .318 after going 3-for-4 against Milwaukee on Sunday, marking his 22nd multi-hit game of the season.

Since the All-Star break, Hamilton is hitting .324 with 21 runs scored, five doubles, one triple, three RBIs, 29 steals and 12 walks. The Reds (48-68) have gone 16-11 in that span, winning seven of the nine series they've played.

"It's not as much the stolen bases as it is just how he affects everything else during the game," Brewers manager Craig Counsell told MLB.com about Hamilton. "Does he affect the pitcher? That's a big part of what we believe in with the running game, is, 'Can we affect the pitcher? Can we change his delivery? Can we affect his stuff to the hitter?'"

Miami (61-56) ended a three-game losing streak with a 5-4 win against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. The Marlins are still 8 1/2 games behind Washington in the NL East but are in the thick of the NL wild card race, seeking the franchise's first playoff appearance since 2003.

Staying in the race with St. Louis, Pittsburgh and the New York Mets got tougher on Sunday when the team placed right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (groin) and pitcher Adam Conley (finger tendonitis) on the 15-day disabled list. An MRI revealed Stanton has a Grade 3 groin strain, putting the rest of the season in jeopardy for him.

"The best-case scenario is a six-week return," Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said Sunday. "There's still an opportunity to get (Stanton) back before the end of the season, but it was a significant injury."

Stanton has 25 home runs, 70 RBIs and a slugging percentage of .497 this season.

"You're disappointed, but it's one of those things that you talk about as a ballclub from spring training forward," said Marlins manager Don Mattingly. "Nothing can get in our way. You've just got to move forward."

Phelps had 50 relief appearances before starting at Colorado on Aug. 5.

Finnegan will be making his 24th start of the season. In his last three starts, he's allowed 12 hits and just three runs in 18 innings. Finnegan has thrown 129 1/3 innings this season, and the Reds are keeping an eye on that total as the end of their season approaches.

"We could use off days and extra starters in September to give guys longer breaks and allow them to stay in the rotation," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "If we stayed with a five-man rotation, at some point the innings will accumulate where he would finish the season in the bullpen."

**TheGame** · 08-15-2016, 08:08 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/15

Preview: Royals (57-60) at Tigers (63-54)

Game: 1
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: August 15, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

DETROIT -- The Kansas City Royals headed to Detroit's Comerica Park last month well positioned for a playoff push. They return Monday looking like nothing more than spoilers.

The defending champions lost two of three in their first series at Comerica this season, starting them on a post-All-Star break slide. They've gone from two games above .500 to three games below that mark, virtually assuring they will not a third straight trip to the postseason.

Two four-game losing streaks and a three-game slide during the ensuing three weeks after the series loss in Detroit dropped Kansas City to a season-worst seven games below .500 before a recent upswing. The Royals have won six of their last eight, including an 11-4 win over Minnesota on Sunday -- their second-highest scoring output this season.

Right-hander Ian Kennedy, who will start the opener of the three-game series, has perked up in his last three starts. He has allowed just two runs in 19 1/3 innings during that span but only has three no-decisions to show for it. Kennedy (6-9) has gone winless in his last eight starts, with his last victory coming June 26 against Houston.

Kennedy, who signed a five-year, $70 million contract during the offseason as a free agent, feels like he has some momentum heading into his 24th start of the season.

"The last couple starts have been building off each other, and keeping that same thing in between starts -- the same routine," Kennedy said to the Kansas City Star.

Kennedy gave up one run and six hits in 6 1/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in his last start, which the Royals won in extra innings.

In two starts against Detroit this season, Kennedy has a loss and a no-decision despite allowing a combined three earned runs.

"He's had some lulls, but for the most part, he's gone deep into games," manager Ned Yost told the Kansas City Star. "He's kept us in games."

The Tigers are coming off back-to-back shutout victories over Texas, including a complete-game, 7-0 whitewash by Rookie of the Year award candidate Michael Fulmer on Sunday.

"To take two out of three after being swept in Seattle is certainly a good ending to a road trip that started out poorly," Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said during his postgame interview.

Tigers left-hander Daniel Norris will make his second start since returning from Triple-A Toledo. Norris (1-0), who went on the 15-day disabled list in early July with a right oblique strain, gave up one run and seven hits in five innings at Seattle on Tuesday. He was in line for a victory before the Mariners rallied for an extra-innings win.

Norris got a no-decision in his lone career start against Kansas City.

Detroit is in survival mode while trying to remain in striking distance of American League Central leader Cleveland. Center fielder Cameron Maybin, third baseman Nick Castellanos and shortstop Jose Iglesias are on the 15-day disabled list, as well as starting pitchers Jordan Zimmermann and Mike Pelfrey.

"There's no reason to dwell on injuries," second baseman Ian Kinsler told the Detroit News. "There's no reason to dwell on what-ifs. We have who we have to play and we're going to win the games we have to win with the players we have to put on the field."

Kinsler should be happy to see Kennedy on the mound. Detroit's leadoff hitter has five extra-base hits in 12 career at-bats against Kennedy.

**TheGame** · 08-15-2016, 08:08 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/15

Preview: Padres (50-67) at Rays (47-69)

Game: 1
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: August 15, 2016 7:10 PM EDT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- As the Tampa Bay Rays return home from a 2-4 road trip at the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees, their three-game series with the San Diego Padres brings a reunion with former Rays player Wil Myers.

Myers won the American League Rookie of the Year with Tampa Bay in 2013 but saw his numbers drop considerably in 2014, hitting .222 after .293 as a rookie. He was traded to San Diego in a three-team deal that brought outfielder Steven Souza to Tampa Bay.

Myers, 25, is just now showing the form that the Rays had hoped for when they acquired him from the Royals, but he said he has no ill will toward his former team.

"When I was in Tampa, I was young and dumb," Myers told the Padres' official site this week. "I did a lot of things that weren't great, as far as just being a big-leaguer. I've really felt like I've grown as a big-leaguer, grown as a teammate. That's one thing I wish that I could've given Tampa."

Tampa Bay has gotten middling results from Souza, 27, who has raised his average to .244 this season with 11 home runs and 37 RBIs. While his average is 19 points higher than last season, his on-base percentage has dropped by 20, with his walks cut in half while he continues to struggle with a high strikeout rate.

Both teams come in after going 2-4 on road swings -- the Rays are now home for 10 straight and the Padres are wrapping up their road trip in Florida. San Diego saw Mets pitcher Steven Matz take a no-hitter into the eighth inning Sunday on the way to a 5-1 Mets win, and the Rays bounced back to close a series at the Yankees with a 12-3 win.

Third baseman Evan Longoria continues to wield a hot bat, with three hits and four RBIs to spark a game in which all nine Rays starters had hits and scored.

"We had a nice offensive approach and it was nice to see," said Rays manager Kevin Cash, whose team had 21 runs in two wins last week and 15 in four losses. "(Longoria) has been outstanding. His at-bats, his approach, everything he does. He's a guy you want when guys are on base. Right now, he's seeing everything really well."

Tampa Bay (47-69) has found surprising consistency since the All-Star break from Drew Smyly, now 4-11 after two wins in his last three starts. He has thrown four straight quality starts, allowing exactly two earned runs in each of his last three.

San Diego (50-67) has a far less proven arm on the mound in rookie right-hander Luis Perdomo, who is 5-6 but carries a 6.80 ERA, having shown inconsistent results in his time as a reliever and starter this season. He hasn't fared well in interleague play this season, but neither has Smyly, who is 1-3 all time against National League teams with a 4.62 ERA.

**TheGame** · 08-15-2016, 08:09 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/15

Preview: Athletics (52-66) at Rangers (69-50)

Game: 1
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: August 15, 2016 8:05 PM EDT

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers suddenly can't score any runs despite fielding a lineup that is among the most potent in baseball.

The American League leaders don't seem to be concerned with a scoring drought that's stretched to 21 innings and included rare back-to-back home shutouts by Detroit. Texas hasn't scored since the fifth inning on Friday.

"It's going to happen," Texas' Carlos Beltran said. "Baseball is a game of ups and downs. We feel we have a good team and feel like we'll be able to bounce back."

The Rangers (69-50) hope to get back on track against A.L. West rival Oakland in the opener of a three-game series Monday night at Globe Life Ballpark. The Athletics are beginning a six-game road trip.

Texas has seen its lead in the division fall to 5 1/2 games over Seattle after the two straight losses. That's the smallest lead for the Rangers since Aug. 3.

They'll continue to lose ground if the bats don't get it going. The Rangers were shut out in two straight at home for the first time since Sept. 16 and 18, 2009 against Oakland and the Los Angeles Angels. Texas had never been blanked in back-to-back home games within the same series at Globe Life Park.

But the Rangers aren't ready to panic, especially considering the boost they've received since adding Beltran and Jonathan Lucroy at the trade deadline

"We have a good offense," manager Jeff Banister said. "We like our offense. We like what our guys can do."

The Athletics have been a thorn in Texas' side despite being fourth in the West at 52-66. Oakland is 6-4 against the Rangers this season, including 2-1 in Arlington.

Khris Davis has been especially hard on Texas. The left fielder has seven home runs and 19 RBIs against the Rangers in those 10 games.

Davis also joined the 30-homer club for the first time in his career with a two-run blast in Sunday's 8-4 loss to the Mariners. He's gone deep in three straight games for the second time in his career.

"I'm just trying to do me and help the club out and have fun with the boys," Davis said.

Davis is the first Oakland player with at least 30 home runs since Brandon Moss in 2013.

The A's are hoping for another solid outing from Ross Detwiler (1-0, 2.13) in the series opener. The left-hander was called up from Triple-A Nashville last Wednesday and pitched eight scoreless innings in his Oakland debut.

After starting the season with Cleveland, Detwiler was traded to the A's on July 17.

Texas counters with Martin Perez, who is 7-8 with a 4.22 ERA. The lefty is winless in his last eight starts dating back to July 1, going 0-4 with a 5.77 ERA over that span.

He is seeking to avoid matching the longest losing streak of his career. Perez has induced a MLB-leading 31 double plays this season, tying the club's single-season record set by C.J. Wilson in 2011.

**TheGame** · 08-15-2016, 08:09 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/15

Preview: Nationals (69-47) at Rockies (56-62)

Game: 1
Venue: Coors Field
Date: August 15, 2016 8:40 PM EDT

DENVER -- After an abysmal road trip, the Colorado Rockies will try to regroup at home. It won't be easy since they begin a three-game series Monday with the Nationals and conclude their six-game homestand with a weekend series against the Cubs.

The Rockies were swept in three games at Philadelphia, finishing a 1-4 road trip that began with two games at Texas. In the three losses to the Phillies, the Rockies' starters combined to pitch just 11 1/3 innings. Tyler Chatwood pitched into the fourth Sunday but was dealing with the same upper back tightness that forced him out of a start in mid-June and onto the disabled list, causing him to miss two starts.

Sunday's loss was the ninth in 11 games for the Rockies, who are six games below .500 for the first time since July 22.

Charlie Blackmon hit two homers Sunday, giving him five in the three-game series, a club record, and a career-high 20 homers, one more than he hit in 2014. Blackmon has raised his average to a season-high .324, the result of an astounding power surge. In his past nine games, Blackmon is hitting .548 (23-for-42) with three doubles, eight home runs, 14 RBIs, 15 runs scored.

"I'm seeing the ball well, but I'm not going to get too excited about it, because I know tomorrow or next week or whatever, things aren't going to go so well," said Blackmon, who is hitting .322 with nine homers at Coors Field and .326 with 11 homers on the road.

The Rockies are hoping that Monday against the Nationals, left-handed starter Jorge De La Rosa can take some stress off the bullpen with a decent outing. De La Rosa will make his 300th major league appearance and 235th start Monday. He's 2-3 with a 3.99 ERA (47 1/3 innings, 21 earned runs) in his past eight games with the Rockies 2-6 in those outings. While De La Rosa has been in those eight games, the Rockies have scored a combined 20 runs.

He was not involved in the decision in a 5-4 loss Wednesday at Texas when he gave up seven hits and three runs in five innings and left trailing 3-1. De La Rosa is 4-3 with a 5.06 ERA in 10 games, seven starts, at home this season. He's 5-1 with a 3.44 ERA in nine starts with the Rockies against the Nationals and 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA in five starts against them at Coors Field.

The Rockies and Nationals will play for the first time this season. The Nationals have played every other club in the National League. In addition to the Nationals, the Rockies have still not played Milwaukee this season.

The Nationals are embarking on a nine-game road trip that will also take them to Atlanta for four games and Baltimore for two. The Nationals' 33-24 record on the road is the second-best road record in the majors. They have won three of their past four games and eight of their past 11. At 69-47, the Nationals are a season-high 22 games above .500.

Left fielder Jayson Werth didn't play Sunday in Washington's 9-1 win over Atlanta, keeping his on-base streak on hold. Werth has reached base in a career-high 42 straight games. It's the longest on-base streak in the majors this season and one behind the club record 43-game on-base streak of Ryan Zimmerman. His streak extended from April 8-May 25, 2009.

Right fielder Bryce Harper, who had gone 9-for-67 (.134) with one homer and five RBIs since the All-Star break and missed the previous five games with a stiff neck, returned to the lineup Sunday. He went 1-for-3 with a run-scoring double on his first at-bat and two runs scored. Nationals manager Dusty Baker was going to give Harper another day off but relented when he pleaded his case to play.

Baker said, "I told him "No,' and he told me 'Please.' How do you tell a grown man (no) that says so politely that he wants to play? So, I put him back in the lineup. He actually sounded like a little kid when he said so, and you know I'm partial to kids sometimes."

Max Scherzer, who is 12-7 with a 2.80 ERA and leads the majors with 208 strikeouts, will start Monday for the Nationals. He's 1-4 with a 4.35 ERA in four career starts against the Rockies and 0-3 with a 5.32 ERA in four starts at Coors Field.

But Scherzer has been very good lately. In eight starts dating from June 29, Scherzer is 4-2 with a 1.44 ERA with 70 strikeouts and 11 walks in 56 1/3 innings. During that span, he has held opposing hitters to a .157 average and a .472 OPS.

**TheGame** · 08-15-2016, 08:09 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/15

Preview: Mets (59-58) at Diamondbacks (48-69)

Game: 7
Venue: Chase Field
Date: August 15, 2016 9:40 PM EDT

PHOENIX -- The New York Mets picked things up after manager Terry Collins lit into them Thursday afternoon.

Maybe it is Arizona Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale's turn.

New York left-hander Steven Matz took a no-hitter into the eighth inning of a 5-1 victory over San Diego on Sunday, marking the first time the Mets had won consecutive games before the All-Star break, July 6-7 against Miami and Washington.

After sweeping the Mets to draw Collins' ire early in the week, the Diamondbacks lost the final three contests of the six-game road trip in Boston by a combined score of 31-9. The Red Sox finished it off with a 16-2 victory over Zack Greinke on Sunday, as Mookie Betts had three homers -- one off Greinke in each of the first two innings -- and Dustin Pedroia had five hits.

"It was one of those days," Hale told reporters. "We've all been there. We've all been on the good side. We've all been on the bad side. It's a tough day. It's a tough day for the pitching staff. It's one of those days you deal with. That's our ace, our No. 1 guy. They got him. We win as a team, we lose as a team. Today was a tough one."

The Mets and Diamondbacks will begin a three-game series Monday at Arizona, a quick turnaround after the Tuesday-Thursday series in Citi Field last week.

Collins challenged the Mets' effort after they were outscored 17-5 in the series. Arizona trailed in only one of the 27 innings, that's when the Mets scored in the first inning of the series opener.

"I know one thing -- there's got to be a passion to come and play," Collins told reporters after the Diamondbacks finished the sweep in a 9-0 shutout Thursday behind rookie right-hander Braden Shipley.

"You owe a responsibility to our fan base, the organization and yourself to respect this game to come out and grind it out. ... You're going to get beat and you're going to get beat bad sometimes. But you need to pick yourselves up and move on. ... Starting (Monday), we're going to get after it. And those who don't want to get after it, I will find somebody else who does, because in Las Vegas there's a whole clubhouse filled with guys who want to sit in this room."

Arizona left-hander Robbie Ray will face right-hander Bartolo Colon in the first game of the series Monday, a rematch of Arizona's 3-2, 12-inning victory last Wednesday and the next start for each. Ray gave up three hits with no walks in seven scoreless innings in that one. He did not walk a batter, a career first in games he had pitched into the seventh.

Colon gave up only one run, that coming after Jean Segura stole second base in the third inning, took third on a throwing error by the catcher and scored on Paul Goldschmidt's single.

Colon is attempting to become the 18th pitcher in major league history and the third this season to beat all 30 teams. The D-backs are the only team he has not beaten in a career that began in 1997. Cubs right-hander John Lackey and Nationals right-handed Max Scherzer did it this season. Colon is 0-1 with a 3.20 ERA in three career starts against the Diamondbacks.

Arizona stole 13 bases in 15 attempts in the series, tied for the third-most in the majors in a three-gamer series since the Diamondbacks began play in 1998. Only Miami (17, 2000) and Texas (14, 2010) had more.

The Diamondbacks got three quality starts in the Mets' series, the first time that had happened since they had four quality starts in a four-game sweep at Philadelphia from June 17-20.

Arizona starters gave up 23 runs (17 earned) in 8 2/3 innings against Boston, and left-hander Patrick Corbin was moved to the bullpen after giving up eight runs (four earned) Friday. Corbin (4-12) leads the majors in losses and earned runs (82) in his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery that cost him the 2014 season.

**TheGame** · 08-15-2016, 08:10 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/15

Preview: Mariners (62-54) at Angels (49-68)

Game: 1
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: August 15, 2016 10:05 PM EDT

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Seattle Mariners will seek to continue their recent surge at the expense of a reeling divisional opponent when they meet the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night to begin a four-game series at Angel Stadium.

The Mariners enter the series with 10 victories in their past 12 games to move into second place in the American League West. Seattle trails the first-place Texas Rangers by 5 1/2 games in the divisional race and the Boston Red Sox by two games in the competition for the final wild-card spot.

"We are playing loose and we have nothing to lose," Mariners manager Scott Servais told the Seattle Times. "That's how we need to play and that's how we're going to go about it."

The Angels, however, own a 10-game losing streak, the team's worst since 1999 and the longest in manager Mike Sciocia's 17-year tenure. A four-game weekend sweep in Cleveland proved especially painful. The Indians out-scored Los Angeles 37-12 and stole eight bases in a 13-3 rout Friday night.

Nine of the Angels' 10 losses came on their just-completed road trip, which became the team's worst since 1969 and which began when the Mariners' swept Los Angeles on Aug. 5-7.

Seattle will send right-hander Felix Hernandez to the mound after he recorded one of his best performances of the season Wednesday night.

The American League's Cy Young Award winner in 2010 permitted just one run and three hits in seven innings against the Detroit Tigers, collected eight strikeouts and issued four walks while throwing a season-high 117 pitches. The Mariners scored twice in the bottom of the eighth inning to earn a 3-1 victory.

"It may have been one of the better outings he's had all year," Servais told the Seattle Times. "He located and kept the ball down. He does not give in late in the game. He's not going to beat himself and he's going to continue to make pitches. That's why he's Felix."

In his past two starts, Hernandez conceded only five runs, six hits and seven walks in 15 innings while amassing 14 strikeouts. The right-hander, who missed seven weeks because of a strained right calf, has 22 strikeouts in his past 20 innings.

Opposing Hernandez is right-hander Ricky Nolasco, making his second start since coming from the Minnesota Twins for left-hander Hector Santiago in a four-player trade Aug. 1.

Nolasco has not won since July 9 but in his last start Wednesday night against the Chicago Cubs, he allowed just two runs and one walk in six innings while conceding six hits and striking out six in a 3-1 loss.

"That was a very encouraging start," Scioscia said afterward. "For the most part, he had command of his sinker. He really spun the ball with a couple of different breaking balls, and that's when he's at his best."

Another member of the Angels' rotation will have a more important test Monday. Right-hander Garrett Richards, who went on the disabled list May 2 with an injured ulnar collateral ligament, will have his elbow examined. Richards hopes to avoid Tommy John surgery by relying on stem-cell therapy to regenerate tissue.

"I literally feel like my arm is just refreshed," Richards told the Orange County Register. "Everything feels great. My shoulder feels nice and loose. I feel zero discomfort in my arm, nothing even close to what I was feeling when I was put on the DL."

After an MRI on Aug. 3 showed continued progress, Richards started intensifying his limited rehabilitation program.

"I'm just continuing to do my internal rotational stuff, staying on my lifting and doing more exercises that simulate more throwing motions," Richards told MLB.com. "I'm doing a lot of weighted-ball stuff in a throwing motion, so that's added stress more than a normal baseball would. Everything feels completely normal. I'm hopeful that this works."

**TheGame** · 08-15-2016, 08:10 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/15

Preview: Pirates (59-56) at Giants (66-51)

Game: 1
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: August 15, 2016 10:15 PM EDT

SAN FRANCISCO -- Ryan Vogelsong will make his first start against the San Francisco Giants in 12 years Monday when the Pittsburgh Pirates open a three-game series against the National League West leaders.

Vogelsong, 39, played seven seasons for the Giants, including 2012 and 2014, when he started seven games and went 3-0 in the postseason as the club was winning a pair of World Series championships.

The 12-year veteran was allowed to leave as a free agent last winter, signing with the Pirates while the Giants were adding free agents Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija.

The Giants have since acquired a third new starter, Matt Moore, in a trade with Tampa Bay. The left-hander will oppose Vogelsong in the series opener.

Vogelsong last faced the Giants as a starter on Aug. 12, 2004, when he was the losing pitcher for the Pirates in a 7-0 home loss. He allowed three runs on six hits in five innings that day.

He started a game for the Pirates at AT&T Park in San Francisco earlier that season, limiting the Giants to two runs on eight hits over six innings in a 4-2 win.

He did not get a decision in that game, and has gone 0-1 with a 5.74 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) against the Giants.

Vogelsong went 48-49 with a 3.93 ERA over two stints with the Giants that covered all or parts of seven seasons. He started 132 games for San Francisco.

"He's never a foe; he's someone we're competing against," Giants right fielder Hunter Pence said of his former teammate. "I'll always be a fan of Ryan Vogelsong. You enjoy competing with him, and you're grateful for the honor to compete against him."

The right-hander will be making his third start (fifth appearance) this season for the Pirates. He's gone 1-2 with a 2.67 ERA, which would be a career-low if he were able to finish the season with it.

Vogelsong recorded his best season ERA as a Giant in 2011, when he made the NL All-Star team en route to a 13-7 record and 2.71 ERA.

He has pitched well for the Pirates since joining the starting rotation in August following the club's trade of Francisco Liriano to the Toronto Blue Jays. He's allowed just one earned run in 12 innings against Atlanta and San Diego, although the Pirates lost both games, 5-2 to the Braves and 4-0 to the Padres.

"It's no secret that I feel more comfortable (starting)," said Vogelsong, who has been used both as a starter and a reliever by the Giants and Pirates in his career. "For some reason, when I start, I feel like my stuff is better."

The Pirates flew to San Francisco on Sunday night on the heels of taking two of three from the Giants' NL West rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Like Vogelsong, the Giants' Moore has been the victim of a scarcity of run support. He has yet to record a win for San Francisco in two starts since the trade despite allowing a total of just four runs on six hits in 12 innings at Philadelphia and Miami.

The Giants have split those games, beating the Phillies 3-2 and losing to the Marlins 2-0. Moore received a no-decision and a loss in those games.

The 27-year-old will be making his AT&T park debut Monday, and will be facing the Pirates for the first time in his six-year career.

The Giants are coming off a stunning, 8-7 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, a game San Francisco led 7-1 in the seventh inning.

**TheGame** · 08-15-2016, 08:10 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/15

Monday's Diamond Notes
By Joe Williams

Hottest team: Indians (4-0 past four, 6-2 past eight)

The Indians swept the Angels in a four-game set over the weekend, winning by a combined total of 37 runs to 12. Now, they set their sights on the Boston Red Sox Monday afternoon in a makeup of a rainout from back on April 7. Boston uses former Tribe prospect Drew Pomeranz, who continues to search for his first win since being acquired from the San Diego Padres after the All-Star break. Josh Tomlin faces the former first-round pick of the Indians, and he is also looking to slap the brakes on a skid. Tomlin has allowed 14 runs and 17 hits over 8 2/3 innings over the past two outings. He is 2-2 with a 5.94 ERA over six career appearances, including five starts, against the Red Sox.

Coldest team: Angels (0-10 past 10)

The Angels are in a nosedive and they're not showing any signs of pulling out of it. The Halos were broomed in Cleveland in a four-game set over the weekend, their third straight series resulting on the short end of a sweep. The good news is that they return home after a disastrous road trip, but the bad news is that the Seattle Mariners and Felix Hernandez will be awaiting them. The M's have won eight of their past nine, and they're 6-1 in their past seven against right-handed starting pitching while going 5-1 in their past six inside the division. On the flip side, the Angels are 3-14 in their past 17 vs. RHP, 2-14 in their past 16 against winning teams and 0-4 in their past four divisional games.

Hottest pitcher: Max Scherzer, Nationals (12-7, 2.80 ERA)

Scherzer is coming off a hard-luck loss against the Cleveland Indians last time out, as he allowed just one run and three hits with one walk and 10 strikeouts over seven innings Aug. 9. He is 2-1 with a 2.05 ERA and a sparkling 0.73 WHIP over 22 innings with 27 punchouts and just four walks. The Nats have won nine of their past 12, and they're 4-0 in their past four road games against teams with a losing overall record. Washington is also 6-2 in Scherzer's past eight road outings, while the Nats are 11-5 in their past 16 road games against left-handed starting pitching.

Coldest pitcher: Josh Tomlin, Indians (11-5, 4.18 ERA)

Tomlin had been on fire earlier in the season, but he has certainly tailed off of late. In his past three outings he has a 9.19 ERA with a 1.79 WHIP over 15 2/3 innings. He hasn't issued a ton of walks, he has just left plenty of pitches over the plate and he has been getting hammered. As mentioned above, he has struggled over his career against the Red Sox. And while he has a 5-2 record in nine home starts, he has a 4.33 ERA and opponents are hitting a robust .275 against him at Progressive Field over 52 innings.

Biggest UNDER run: Royals (11-4 past 15)

The Royals are in the midst of a long-term 'under' run, and the under is 3-1 in their past four against the Tigers, including 2-1 in their three games at Comerica Park this season. The under is a perfect 5-0 in Kansas City's past five against a team with a winning overall record, and 5-1 in their past six road outings against left-handed starting pitching. The under has also cashed in six stragiht starts by Ian Kennedy, and 5-1 in his past six assignments against teams with a winning overall mark.

Biggest OVER run: Rays (8-1 past nine, 11-4 past 15)

The Rays pitching staff has allowed six or more runs in five of the past seven games, and Drew Smyly has been very hittable so another 'over' is likely coming. The over is 11-3-3 in Smyly's past 17 starts overall, and 6-2-1 in his past nine on astroturf. The over is also 4-1 in San Diego's past five against teams with a losing record, 6-2-1 in their past nine interleague games against a southpaw and 18-7-2 in their past 27 interleague games.

Matchup to watch: Diamondbacks vs. Mets
The Mets hit the road trying to get on track after an ugly homestand and inability to piece together a win streak. The Mets have managed a 1-11 record in their past 12 games following a win. They're also just 4-13 in their past 17 against National League West teams, 1-5 in their past six against left-handed starting pitching and 2-7 in their past nine games against teams with an overall losing record. The Diamondbacks have also been struggling, posting an 0-5 mark in their past five home games against teams with a winning record, and 12-29 in their past 41 games overall. New York has won seven of the past nine in the desert, and the Mets have won nine of Bartolo Colon's past 13 outings, including 5-2 in his past seven road assignments.

Betcha didn’t know: Pirates RHP Ryan Vogelsong faces the Giants, his former employer, in Monday's series opener. He has a better knowledge of AT&T Park than his counterpart, Giants LHP Matt Moore, who is making his first career start at his new home park, and just his third with the Giants since coming over in a trade from Tampa Bay. Vogelsong is 9-13 over 40 appearances (36 starts) since the start of the 2013 season in San Francisco, but he has a stellar 3.69 ERA with 179 strikeouts over 221 2/3 innings while posting a .242 opponent batting average.

Biggest public favorite: Rays (-170) vs. Padres

Biggest public underdog: Reds (+120) vs. Marlins

Biggest line move: Angels (+135 to +115) vs. Mariners

**TheGame** · 08-15-2016, 08:10 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/15

MLB betting cheat sheet and odds: Marlins malaise

Our MLB cheat sheet breaks down the best MLB betting notes so you can handicap every series like a pro this week, including the Miami Marlins who received some really bad news in their chase for a National League wildcard spot.

Minnesota Massacre

An incredible offensive display in July by the Minnesota Twins has given way to repeated pitching meltdowns as we reach the middle of August. The Twins dropped an 11-4 decision to the Kansas City Royals on Sunday for their fifth loss in the past six games; they’ve surrendered a whopping 53 runs over that stretch, the main contributor to their 5-1 O/U mark in that span. The Twins are easily the top over team in baseball (72-40-6) heading into a six-game road swing against hosts Atlanta and Kansas City.

Breaking Even

Speaking of the Royals, they’re back to being the closest break-even bet in baseball following Sunday’s one-sided win over Minnesota. The defending World Series champions are a +2 in units won through 117 games, slightly ahead of the San Diego Padres (+6). Kansas City has been one of the safest bets at home (36-21), but has been positively abysmal away from Kauffman Stadium (21-39). The Royals will look to improve that wretched road mark as they open a three-game set Tuesday in Detroit.

Marlins Malaise

The Miami Marlins face an uphill climb in their quest to reach the National League postseason. The Marlins learned Sunday they’ll be without star slugger Giancarlo Stanton for the rest of the season with a groin injury. Miami enters this week’s action a whopping 8 1/2 games behind the division-leading Washington Nationals, and in a multi-team battle for the second NL wild-card spot. But take heed, Marlins fans: Miami is 5-3 SU and +231 units in eight games with Stanton out of the lineup.

Batting Stats

* We’ve said before that Jose Altuve is pivotal to the Houston Astros’ success, and he proved it again Sunday - going 0-for-4 in a 9-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. The Astros fell to 7-19 SU and 8-17-1 O/U when Altuve - the runaway American League batting leader - fails to record a hit.

* Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds continues to be one of the most torrid hitters in the second half, adding a pair of hits in four at-bats Sunday to boost his post-All-Star-break average to .463. The Reds are an impressive 16-11 SU and 12-12-3 O/U over that stretch.

Pitching Stats

* Bet against Danny Duffy at your peril. The Royals left-hander opens the week fourth in baseball in units won ($1,172) and is on an impressive stretch in which Kansas City has won each of his last nine starts. He has allowed two runs or fewer in seven of those nine outings.

* Fans at Camden Yards will be treated to quite the showdown Wednesday when Boston Red Sox lefty David Price takes on Orioles ace Chris Tillman. Price has been one of the worst value pitchers in baseball this season (-$941) while Tillman comes in leading the majors in units won ($1,553).

Totals Trend

The Toronto Blue Jays have been an Under bettor’s dream so far this season, going 18-35-3 O/U away from the hitter-friendly confines of Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays embark on a pivotal six-game road trip beginning Monday night at Yankee Stadium.

**TheGame** · 08-15-2016, 08:11 AM

Re: MLB Betting Info. 8/15

MLB

Monday’s games

National League

Marlins @ Reds
Phelps is 0-1, 0.96 in two starts for Miami (under 2-0).

Finneran is 2-0, 1.50 in his last three starts; five of his last seven went over. Reds are 3-6 when he starts at home.

Marlins are 4-8 in last 12 games, 11-7 in road series openers. Four of last five Miami road games went over. Cincinnati is 15-10 in its last 25 games, 7-2 in last nine home series openers. Over is 5-1-1 in their last seven games.

Nationals @ Rockies
Scherzer is 3-1, 2.09 in his last six starts; seven of his last eight stayed under. Washington is 9-5 in his road starts.

De la Rosa is 1-0, 3.09 in his last four starts (under 3-1). Rockies are 3-4 in his home starts.

Nationals are 8-3 in last 11 games, 10-8 in road series openers. Last four Washington games went over the total. Colorado lost nine of last 11 games; they’re 10-9 in road series openers. Over is 6-2-1 in last nine Colorado games.

Mets @ Diamondbacks
Colon is 0-3, 4.18 in his last six starts; six of his last seven stayed under. Mets lost five of his last six road starts.

Ray is 0-3, 6.46 in his last four starts; over is 3-1-1 in his last five. Arizona lost five of his last seven home starts.

New York lost 12 of last 18 games; they’re 2-5 in last seven road series openers. Under is 22-7 in their last 29 road games. Arizona lost six of last eight home games; they’re 4-15 in home series openers. Over is 14-3-1 in their last 18 home games.

Pirates @ Giants
Vogelsong is 0-1, 1.89 in four starts this year (over 2-2).

Moore is 0-1, 3.00 in two starts for the Giants (under 2-0).

Pirates are 4-9 in last 13 road games, 12-8 in road series openers. Under is 9-4 in their last 13 road games. Giants are 9-18 since All-Star break, 8-10 in home series openers. Under is 6-2 in their last eight home games.

American League

Red Sox @ Indians
Pomeranz is 0-2, 5.26 in five starts this year; three of his last four stayed under.

Tomlin is 1-3, 8.31 in his last four starts; over is 12-5-2 in his last 19 starts. Cleveland won seven of his nine home starts.

Red Sox won their last three games, scoring 31 runs; they’re 7-2 in last nine road series openers. Under is 12-3 in last 15 Boston road games. Cleveland won its last five home games; they’re 12-6 in home series openers. Six of last eight Indian home games went over.

Blue Jays @ New York
Dickey is 1-3, 7.96 in his last five starts (over 4-1). Toronto split his ten road starts.

Green is 1-2, 8.35 in four starts this year (over 3-0-1).

Blue Jays are 8-4 in last 12 games, 11-7 in road series openers. Last seven Toronto road games stayed under. New York won four of last five games; they’re 12-4 in last 16 home series openers. Four of last five New York games went over the total.

Royals @ Tigers
Kennedy is 0-0, 1.93 in his last three starts; nine of his last ten stayed under. Kansas City lost his last eight road starts.

Norris is 1-0, 4.24 in four starts this year (over 2-2).

Royals won six of last eight games; under is 12-4 in their last 16. KC is 5-13 in its road series openers. Detroit won eight of last ten home games; they’re 8-1 in last nine home series openers. Five of last seven Detroit games stayed under.

A’s @ Rangers
Detwiler threw eight shutout innings (108 IP) in his first start this season.

Perez is 0-4, 7.08 in his last eight starts; six of his last nine stayed under. Texas won his last eight home starts.

A’s lost three of last four games; they’re 10-8 in road series openers. Six of last eight A’s games stayed under. Texas lost three of last four games; they got shut out last couple days. Rangers are 12-6 in home series openers. Under is 11-2-2 in their last fifteen games.

Mariners @ Angels
Hernandez is 2-0, 3.81 in his last four starts; five of his last six went over. Seattle is 4-3 in his road starts.

Nolasco is 0-1, 5.25 in his first two starts for the Angels (over 1-1).

Mariners are 10-2 in last 12 games, 3-8 in last 11 road series openers. Six of last eight Seattle road games went over. Angels lost their last ten games; they’re 9-9 in home series openers (won last four). Five of last seven Angel games stayed under total.

Interleague

Padres @ Rays
Perdomo is 0-2, 6.94 in his last two starts (over 8-4). San Diego is 5-3 in his road starts.

Smyly is 2-0, 2.52 in his last four starts; over is 13-4 in his last 17 starts. Tampa Bay is 4-6 in his home starts.

Padres lost five of last seven games; they’re 12-7 in road series openers. Four of last five San Diego games stayed under. Tampa Bay lost five of last seven games; they’re 7-12 in home series openers. Eight of Rays’ last nine games went over total.

Teams’ record when this pitcher starts:

Mia-Cin– Phelps 1-1; Finnegan 9-15
Wsh-Colo– Scherzer 14-10; De la Rosa 7-10
NY-Az– Colon 14-9; Ray 7-16
Pitt-SF– Vogelsong 1-3; Moore 1-1/9-12

Bos-Clev– Pomeranz 2-3/9-8; Tomlin 16-5
Tor-NY– Dickey 9-15; Green 2-2
KC-Det– Kennedy 10-13; Norris 2-2
A’s-Tex– Detwiler 1-0; Perez 13-11
Sea-LA– Hernandez 9-6; Nolasco 0-2/9-12

SD-TB– Perdomo 7-5; Smyly 9-13 (3-0 last 3)

# of time pitcher allows 1+ runs in first inning:

Mia-Cin– Phelps 0-2; Finnegan 7-24
Wsh-Colo– Scherzer 8-24; De la Rosa 8-17
NY-Az– Colon 7-23; Ray 5-23
Pitt-SF– Vogelsong 0-4; Moore 5-23

Bos-Clev– Pomeranz 4-22; Tomlin 11-21
Tor-NY– Dickey 6-24; Green 3-4
KC-Det– Kennedy 8-23; Norris 0-4
A’s-Tex– Detwiler 0-1; Perez 10-24
Sea-LA– Hernandez 3-15; Nolasco 10-23

SD-TB– Perdomo 6-12; Smyly 6-22

Announcement

MLB Betting Info. 8/15

MLB Betting Info. 8/15

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