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**StarDust Bum** · 05-03-2015, 01:38 AM

NBA ATS

NBA > (705) WASHINGTON@ (706) ATLANTA | 05/03/2015 - 01:05 PM
Play ON ATLANTA using the against the spread in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 25 Wins and 10 Losses for the this season (+14 units)

NBA MONEYLINE

NBA > (705) WASHINGTON@ (706) ATLANTA | 05/03/2015 - 01:05 PM
Play ON ATLANTA using the money line in All games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 19 Wins and 6 Losses for the this season (+14.2 units)

NBA > (701) MEMPHIS@ (702) GOLDEN STATE | 05/03/2015 - 03:35 PM
Play ON MEMPHIS using the money line in Road games against Pacific division opponents
The record is 14 Wins and 4 Losses for the last two seasons (+12.4 units)

NBA FIRST HALF

NBA > (701) MEMPHIS@ (702) GOLDEN STATE | 05/03/2015 - 03:35 PM
Play ON MEMPHIS in the first half in All games when playing with 3 or more days rest
The record is 9 Wins and 0 Losses for the last two seasons (+9 units)

NBA TOTALS

NBA > (701) MEMPHIS@ (702) GOLDEN STATE | 05/03/2015 - 03:35 PM
Play UNDER MEMPHIS on the total in All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season
The record is 8 Overs and 22 Unders for the this season (+13.2 units)

NBA > (705) WASHINGTON@ (706) ATLANTA | 05/03/2015 - 01:05 PM
Play UNDER ATLANTA on the total in Home games in all playoff games
The record is 11 Overs and 34 Unders for the since 1992 (+21.9 units)

NBA TOP POWERLINE

NBA > (701) MEMPHIS @ (702) GOLDEN STATE | 05/03/2015 - 03:35 PM
Line: GOLDEN STATE -10 BTB PowerLine: GOLDEN STATE -7
Edge On: GOLDEN STATE (3)

**StarDust Bum** · 05-03-2015, 01:41 AM

NHL MONEYLINE

NHL > (65) CALGARY@ (66) ANAHEIM | 05/03/2015 - 10:05 PM
Play ON ANAHEIM using the money line in All games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game
The record is 49 Wins and 16 Losses for the last two seasons (+28.85 units)

NHL > (63) MINNESOTA@ (64) CHICAGO | 05/03/2015 - 08:35 PM
Play ON MINNESOTA using the money line in Road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season
The record is 12 Wins and 5 Losses for the this season (+9.2 units)

NHL PUCKLINE

NHL > (65) CALGARY@ (66) ANAHEIM | 05/03/2015 - 10:05 PM
Play ON ANAHEIM using the in All games after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game
The record is 49 Wins and 16 Losses for the last two seasons (+28.85 units)

NHL > (63) MINNESOTA@ (64) CHICAGO | 05/03/2015 - 08:35 PM
Play ON MINNESOTA using the in Road games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season
The record is 12 Wins and 5 Losses for the this season (+9.2 units)

NHL TOTALS

NHL > (63) MINNESOTA@ (64) CHICAGO | 05/03/2015 - 08:35 PM
Play UNDER CHICAGO on the total in All games revenging a loss versus opponent
The record is 9 Overs and 26 Unders for the this season (+16.55 units)

NHL > (61) TAMPA BAY@ (62) MONTREAL | 05/03/2015 - 06:05 PM
Play OVER TAMPA BAY on the total in All games on Sunday games
The record is 7 Overs and 0 Unders for the this season (+7.2 units)

NHL > (65) CALGARY@ (66) ANAHEIM | 05/03/2015 - 10:05 PM
Play UNDER CALGARY on the total in All games in a road game where where the total is 5.5
The record is 5 Overs and 18 Unders for the this season (+11.65 units)

**StarDust Bum** · 05-03-2015, 01:43 AM

Bolts, 'Hawks, Ducks try to take 2-0 lead

May 2, 2015

The Montreal Canadiens have had six opportunities, and they haven't beaten the Tampa Bay Lightning this season.

When the Atlantic Division rivals meet next in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series, the Canadiens will still bring plenty of confidence to their home ice.

Their chances to score in Game 1 were plenty. They're counting on many more on Sunday night.

''We're around the net. We're getting it toward the net. We're doing everything right. It's just not going in,'' said right wing Devante Smith-Pelly, who was denied twice by Lightning goalie Ben Bishop in a 2-1 double- overtime loss.

The Canadiens, who swept the Lightning in four games in the first round of the playoffs last year, went 0-5 against them during the regular season with Bishop, who made 43 saves in the opener on Friday night at the Bell Centre, in the net each time. Thirteen of Bishop's stops came after regulation.

''We were well prepared to play that team,'' Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said after practice on Saturday morning. ''That's all you can ask.''

Here's a glance at the three games on the NHL slate on Sunday (all times Eastern):

---

Lightning at Canadiens, Game 2, Tampa Bay leads 1-0, 6 p.m., NBC Sports Network

STAMKOS SKID

The Canadiens have four goals in their last four playoff games and have scored only 13 times since the start of the postseason, but they're not the only ones in a slump. Lightning star Steven Stamkos has not scored in nine games, including the regular season finale, for the longest such streak since his rookie year.

Stamkos called the first-round series against Detroit an ''eye-opener,'' reminding him the variety of ways beyond goals he can contribute, but for a guy who scored 43 times during the regular season the extended streak has been surprising.

Nikita Kucherov took care of the winner in Game 1, 2:06 into the second overtime on a play that was clearly offside. Tyler Johnson leads the NHL with seven postseason goals in just eight games.

---

Wild at Blackhawks, Game 2, Chicago leads 1-0, 8:30 p.m., NBC Sports Network

THE CHICAGO CHALLENGE

The Minnesota Wild have been bounced from the playoffs by the Chicago Blackhawks in each of the last two years, and their 4-3 loss in Game 1 at the United Center dropped their record to 0-7 on the road against their division nemesis over the last three postseasons.

The Wild haven't lost consecutive games in regulation since Jan. 13, the day before they traded for goalie Devan Dubnyk. He bounced back capably from a 6-1 loss to St. Louis in Game 4 of their first-round series, so there's no worry on the Wild's part that he won't do so again.

''We still feel fine. We're not freaking out or anything,'' said left wing Zach Parise, who has 24 points in 25 playoff games with the Wild. ''We're not concerned about what's happened in the past.''

BLACKHAWKS WON'T BUDGE

The Blackhawks also raised their record to 27-0 this season when leading after two periods, including twice in the playoffs.

''It's a situation we want to be in. We like having the lead and protecting leads,'' defenseman Johnny Oduya said.

---

Flames at Ducks, Game 2, Anaheim leads 1-0, 9 p.m., CNBC

STILL UNBEATEN

Will the Anaheim Ducks ever lose any momentum?

The Ducks trailed in the third period three times in the first round against Winnipeg, but they still swept the Jets in four games to earn some extra rest. The Ducks then gave that whole rust thing a sharp check into the boards, with a 6-1 victory over the Calgary Flames in Game 1 on Thursday night.

They've had two more days to prepare for Game 2, and coach Bruce Boudreau, perhaps wary of the possibility of a drop-off at some point, put the players through a relatively strenuous practice on Saturday.

''We got a good amount of rest after that Winnipeg series and before Game 1 that we kind of needed, to get back into the swing of things and compete against each other,'' right wing Kyle Palmieri said. ''If you're in Bruce's chair, you see how well that worked, and we want to continue our good practice habits.''

The Flames relished the extra day off.

''I think it was a bit of a blessing for us,'' center Joe Colborne said. ''I'm sure they wanted to get right back out on the ice and play again after how they played.''

Coach Bob Hartley tried to keep the mood light on Friday following the blowout, showing players a movie clip of a young Brandon Bollig during meetings. Bollig had a stint as a childhood actor.

''You need to have fun. There is so much pressure that we can't control,'' Hartley said, ''that the pressure we can control, I think it's our job to keep the boys loose.''

Bollig took the ribbing in stride.

''I knew exactly how it would go. I knew guys would get a kick out of it,'' he said.

GOALIE SWITCH

Speaking of change, Hartley pulled Jonas Hiller from the net early in the second period of Game 1 after he gave up three goals on 14 shots. Karri Ramo took over, and he's been announced as the starter for Game 2.

''We prepare for both goalies. You can say you are starting Karri Ramo, but I never know,'' Boudreau said. ''I've known Bob for a long time.''

**StarDust Bum** · 05-03-2015, 01:44 AM

Wild will be without Fontaine for Game 2

May 2, 2015

CHICAGO (AP) - Minnesota Wild right wing Justin Fontaine will miss Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinal series against the Chicago Blackhawks because if a lower-body injury.

Fontaine was hurt Friday night in Game 1. Coach Mike Yeo said Saturday that Fontaine's recovery timetable was unclear, either ''day to day or it might be a week.''

Yeo did not divulge who will take Fontaine's place on the fourth line, where he had been playing with Kyle Brodziak and Matt Cooke. The candidates included Erik Haula, Jordan Schroeder, Sean Bergenheim and Ryan Carter.

Fontaine has played in six of Minnesota's seven playoff games, tallying one goal and one assist.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-03-2015, 01:45 AM

Cheat Sheet - Conference Semis

April 30, 2015

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild

Blackhawks: 13-8 SU Last 21 Meetings (Reg Season & Playoffs)
Blackhawks: 8-3 SU & 4-5-2 O/U vs Wild Last 2 Postseasons
Blackhawks: Won First Home Game in 8 Consecutive Series

Wild: Won 14 of Last 16 Road Contests
Wild: Won First Home Game in Each Playoff Meeting
Wild: Won Last 2 Regular Season Meetings this year

Betting Trends:
-- Underdogs are 2-9 Last 11 Playoff Meetings

Anaheim Ducks vs. Calgary Flames

Ducks: 14-6 SU Last 20 Meetings
Ducks: Scored 4 or more goals in 3 of last 4 games
Ducks: Haven't Lost at Home to Flames since 2006

Flames: 3-7 O/U Last 10 with 5.5 total
Flames: 5-1 ATS including 3-0 as Puck-Line Favorite
Flames: 4-0 SU & ATS Last 4 Home Games

Betting Trends:
-- Over is 6-3 Last 9 Meetings
-- In 5 games this year, Over is 4-1 with 3 of those games reaching 9 total goals

Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning: Won All 5 Meetings in Regular Season
Lightning: On a 2-4-1 O/U Run Last 7 Games

Canadiens: Swept Lightning in 2014 First Round Match-up
Canadiens: Failed to Convert 22 of Last 23 Power-Plays

New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals

Rangers: 20-4 SU as a Favorite vs Division Opponents
Rangers: 7-1 SU Last 8 Games as a Favorite
Rangers: 8-2 SU Last 10 Meetings

Capitals: 3-7 O/U Last 10 Games

Betting Trends:
-- Under is 12-5-3 Last 20 Meetings
-- Road Underdogs are 6-3 Last 9 Meetings

**StarDust Bum** · 05-03-2015, 01:52 AM

Early-season numbers that MLB bettors need to know

The Sean Doolittle-less Oakland Athletics once again found a way to chalk one up in the loss column Sunday.

The A's were leading 6-5 in the top of the ninth inning and trying to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the visiting Houston Astros when offseason acquisition Tyler Clippard surrendered a two-run, game-winning double to Astros catcher Evan Gattis. The defeat was the latest in a string of meltdowns served up by an Oakland bullpen that ranked third in ERA last season (2.91).

Most MLB insiders feel that Doolittle’s return to the Oakland bullpen will help to steady a ship that has been taking on an exorbitant amount of water through the first month of the season. But try telling that to Athletics backers, who have sat idly by on pins and needles as April lead after April lead has been blown by a unit that entered the season as one of the best in baseball.

Oakland bettors looking for a silver lining need look no further than the sportsbook offering known as the “first five innings” wager, which allows you to make a bet on which team will be winning at the conclusion of five innings, effectively eliminating bullpen consideration.

FIRST 5 INNINGS WAGERS

The beauty of a first five innings wager is that it allows bettors to focus more of their time on handicapping the starting pitchers and less on the overall quality of the bullpen. As we approach the conclusion of the first month of the 2015 MLB season, here’s a look at the Top 5 and Bottom 5 MLB teams when it comes to run differential over the first five innings of a game:

TOP 5 MLB TEAMS IN RUN DIFFERENTIAL OVER FIRST FIVE INNINGS

Toronto Blue Jays: +1.11
New York Mets: +.95
Los Angeles Dodgers: +.94
Oakland Athletics: +.84
Detroit Tigers: +.84

Don’t be surprised by the fact that Oakland currently ranks in the Top 5. Aces Sonny Gray and Scott Kazmir currently spearhead a five-man rotation that ranks seventh in baseball in team ERA at 3.42. That speaks volumes as to how bad the Athletics bullpen has been.

BOTTOM 5 MLB TEAMS IN RUN DIFFERENTIAL OVER FIRST FIVE INNINGS

Milwaukee Brewers: -1.61
Philadelphia Phillies: -1.56
Seattle Mariners: -.89
Minnesota Twins: -.83
Tampa Bay Rays: -.83

As it pertains to the current Bottom 5, pay particular attention to Tampa Bay. While it comes as no surprise to see struggling franchises like the Brewers (4-15), Phillies (7-12), Twins (8-10) and Mariners (7-11) in this group, the Rays finished Sunday tied for the AL East lead with the Yankees. Clearly, this Rays team knows how to erase an early lead.

RESILIENCY

MLB handicappers will want to consider a team’s ability to bounce back when coming off a loss. Square bettors have a tendency to lock in on a team that won the night before against a specific opponent and just assume that the same result will take place a second night in a row. Don’t fall victim to this illogical line of thinking.

Through three weeks, here are the best and worst MLB teams when coming off a loss:

TOP 5 MLB TEAMS OFF A LOSS

Chicago Cubs: 6-1
St. Louis Cardinals: 3-1
New York Mets: 3-1
Houston Astros: 5-2
Arizona Diamondbacks: 6-3

Fireworks should explode in the sky above you with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who are just 8-10 overall in 2015. This team may be destined for another sub-.500 season, but through three weeks, Arizona knows how to bounce back off a loss.

BOTTOM 5 MLB TEAMS OFF A LOSS

Cincinnati Reds: 2-7
Milwaukee Brewers: 4-11
Miami Marlins: 3-8
Colorado Rockies: 2-5
Seattle Mariners: 3-7

Interesting to see the 10-8 Rockies listed above, who have outperformed preseason expectations so far. Whether it’s early-season luck or a sign of things to come, the bottom line is that when this team finds a way to lose (or win), it tends to follow it up with the exact same result the following night.

INTERLEAGUE TOTALS

Twenty-three interleague baseball games found their way into the history books as of the close of business Sunday. And while the American League currently holds a slim 12-11 edge against NL, take careful note of the fact that Overs in these games are now 15-7-1 with an average of 9.65 runs scored per game – that’s more than a full run higher than the 8.0-run MLB average.

It’s a small sample size, but it’s worth paying attention to when wagering on MLB interleague totals in 2015.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-03-2015, 01:57 AM

Preview: Nationals (10-14) at Mets (16-8)
Game: 4
Venue: Citi Field
Date: May 03, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

Superb pitching is a big reason why the Washington Nationals are so successful against the New York Mets on the road.

Doug Fister's dominance of the Mets hasn't been limited to the Big Apple.

Fister goes for a fifth straight win over the Mets and the Nationals look to cap this four-game series with a third victory Sunday.

Washington (11-14) has followed a six-game losing streak by winning four of five, and it may not be too surprising that the success has included a trip to New York.

The Nationals have won 16 of the past 18 games at Citi Field behind a 1.79 ERA while holding the Mets (16-9) to .199 at the plate.

Gio Gonzalez improved to 6-1 with a 1.66 ERA in nine career starts there after striking out nine in seven innings of Saturday's 1-0 win. He has an explanation for the dominance in Queens.

"It's New York. It's a beautiful city. It's got great food," he said. "The weather's amazing. The airport's awesome."

Fister (1-1, 3.28 ERA) has a 1.01 ERA while winning all four of his starts against the Mets, including three passes through LaGuardia Airport.

The right-hander may be welcoming this matchup after going 0-1 while allowing 10 runs in 11 2-3 innings over his last two starts. He gave up five runs and 10 hits while committing two errors on pickoff attempts in 5 2-3 innings of an 8-4 loss at Atlanta on Monday.

Michael Taylor could be headed to the bench with Denard Span expected to be back from an abdomen injury. Taylor, though, had an RBI single Saturday, and has three hits in two games while replacing Span in the lineup.

Span, however, was hot before getting hurt, going 7 for 14 with two homers, four doubles, four RBIs and seven runs in his last three games.

The Mets are averaging 2.4 runs during a 1-4 stretch, a decrease from 4.9 while winning 13 of the previous 15. They had six hits Saturday while wasting a gem from Jonathon Niese, who allowed one run in seven innings.

"Anytime you lose it stinks, but especially when a guy gives you an effort like that and pitches as well as he did. You feel like you let him down a little bit," said Michael Cuddyer, who went 0 for 3.

New York is looking for Dillon Gee (0-1, 4.26) to help it start a turnaround.

The right-hander hasn't figured in the decisions of his last two starts, but he's allowed three runs in 14 2-3 innings following a meeting with manager Terry Collins after it appeared his spot in the rotation was in jeopardy.

Collins defended the embattled Gee on Monday after he tossed seven scoreless innings before allowing one run and exiting with two outs in the eighth of a 3-1 win at Miami.

"We can put to rest that Dillon Gee can't pitch at this level," manager Terry Collins said. "There has been a lot of talk, and I feel terrible for him. He went out there and showed he can do what he has done in the past."

Gee, though, is 1-2 with a 5.83 ERA in his last five starts against the Nationals, with four at home.

He's struggled with Bryce Harper, who is 7 for 19 (.368) with two homers off him.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Nationals at Mets
Thu, Apr 30 Final 8 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Nationals at Mets
Fri, May 1 Final 0 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Nationals at Mets
Sat, May 2 - Final 1 - 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Nationals at Mets
Sun, May 3 - 1:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-03-2015, 02:00 AM

Preview: Blue Jays (11-13) at Indians (8-14)
Game: 4
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: May 03, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

The Cleveland Indians are finding it difficult to break free of their worst start in 12 years while scuffling on the mound.

That's a trend the Indians hope to reverse behind Trevor Bauer, who has been their most consistent starter so far.

After moving past his recent bout with food poisoning, Bauer will try provide the hosts with a rare quality start as they try to avoid their seventh loss in nine games Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Giving the ball to ace Corey Kluber didn't help Cleveland (8-15) on Saturday, when the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner allowed five runs over five innings in a 11-4 loss that has the Indians needing a win to split this series.

Cleveland starters have a 7.26 ERA with only one quality start during a 2-6 stretch that has left the club with its worst record through 23 games since opening 7-16 en route to a 94-loss season in 2003.

Now Bauer (2-0, 1.80 ERA) will try to turn things around while dropping Toronto (12-13) to 3-7 on its 10-game trip.

He allowed a total of two runs with 26 strikeouts over in his first three starts - all Cleveland victories. Still battling the effects of an illness Tuesday, Bauer did not factor in an 11-5 home loss to Kansas City after giving up three runs over six innings.

The right-hander, who has never faced the Blue Jays, has pitched at least six innings in each of his four starts.

"I think he's getting comfortable out there," reliever Scott Atchison told MLB's official website. "He's got a lot of confidence."

Toronto's Russell Martin raised his average 29 points to .214 on Saturday by going 3 for 5 with a home run and a double in leading the Blue Jays' 14-hit attack. Jose Bautista has four doubles in this series after going 2 for 5 with four RBIs.

Kevin Pillar also has been a bright spot, going 11 for 25 with six extra-base hits and six RBIs in the last six games.

Drew Hutchison will try to help Toronto's overworked bullpen with a deep outing, though he's only worked into the sixth inning twice in five starts. He issued five walks and gave up six runs over four innings in Tuesday's 11-8 win at Boston.

"You expect to go seven, eight, nine (innings) every time you take the ball," he said. "So what's gone on the other four turns through before I get the ball doesn't really have an effect. You're trying to go deep every single night."

Hutchison (2-0, 6.67), however, has surrendered 13 runs and 16 hits over just 8 1-3 innings in his last two road starts. The right-hander is 2-7 with a 7.51 ERA away from Rogers Centre in 13 outings dating to last June.

In his only career start against the Indians last April, he allowed two runs and fanned nine over 5 1-3 innings but did not factor in a 3-2 road win. Carlos Santana hit a two-run homer off him, but he's 3 for 20 in his last six games entering this meeting.

Michael Bourn's status is uncertain after he was scratched Saturday because of a cervical strain. The speedy outfielder appeared to be injured Friday when he slid headfirst into the plate.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Blue Jays at Indians
Thu, Apr 30 Final 5 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Blue Jays at Indians
Fri, May 1 Final 4 to 9
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Blue Jays at Indians
Sat, May 2 - Final 11 - 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Blue Jays at Indians
Sun, May 3 - 1:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-03-2015, 02:04 AM

Preview: Phillies (8-16) at Marlins (11-12)
Game: 3
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: May 03, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

While Dee Gordon isn't showing any signs of cooling off at the plate, the Miami Marlins continue to get outstanding performances on the mound during their climb back to .500.

Now the red-hot second baseman will try to help the host Marlins to their fifth straight win Sunday when they give the ball to Jarred Cosart, who began their turnaround against the Philadelphia Phillies.

After being named to his first All-Star Game in 2014, Gordon appears to be headed for a return trip after he had three hits, stole two bases and reached base five times in Saturday's 7-0 victory.

The son of former major league closer Tom "Flash" Gordon, Dee Gordon leads the majors with a .440 average and is 16 for 23 (.696) during a stretch of six straight multi-hit games.

'He's doing everything," manager Mike Redmond said. "He's getting big hits, driving in runs, playing great defense."

Martin Prado chipped in by going 2 for 3 with a home run and four RBIs Saturday, while Marcell Ozuna has gone 6 for 9 in this series and is batting .396 over a 14-game hitting streak versus Philadelphia.

Miami's rotation also has keyed its 9-1 stretch, limiting opponents to three runs or less in every outing. Cosart started the trend for the Marlins (12-12) on April 22 when he allowed one run over six innings in a 6-1 win at Philadelphia.

The right-hander followed that effort by holding the New York Mets to two hits over eight scoreless innings before the bullpen blew his lead in Monday's 3-1 home loss - the club's only defeat since starting 3-11.

"We've been on a nice run,' Redmond said. 'You give all those guys in that room the credit. They've gone out there and grinded it out together and put a nice streak together. We're playing good baseball.'

Cosart (1-1, 2.49 ERA) has been at his best in Miami, going 2-2 with a 1.76 ERA over his last six starts there. In his only career start versus Philadelphia last month, Cody Asche's solo homer accounted for the only run.

The Phillies (8-17) have dropped five straight games and rank last in the NL with an average of 2.6 runs. They've also lost 11 of 13 on the road during their worst start since opening 8-18 in 2002.

Batting 3-4-5 in the lineup, Chase Utley (.115), Ryan Howard (.177) and Grady Sizemore (.167) went 1 for 12 on Saturday.

Philadelphia may need to break through at the plate to help Severino Gonzalez (0-1, 23.63) regroup following a rocky major league debut. He allowed seven runs and 10 hits over 2 2-3 innings in Tuesday's 11-5 loss at St. Louis.

The right-hander and catcher Carlos Ruiz became the first Panamanian-born battery to start a game in league history.

"It was an experience for him," manager Ryne Sandberg told MLB's official website. "I'm sure that he'd like to make some adjustments the next time out."

It isn't likely to get easier for Gonzalez facing a Miami team hitting .322 and averaging 5.4 runs in its past nine games.

The Marlins haven't swept three straight at home versus Philadelphia since June 29-July 1, 2012.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Phillies at Marlins
Fri, May 1 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Phillies at Marlins
Sat, May 2 - Final 0 - 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Phillies at Marlins
Sun, May 3 - 1:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-03-2015, 02:06 AM

Preview: Rays (13-10) at Orioles (10-11)
Game: 3
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: May 03, 2015 1:35 PM EDT

The Baltimore Orioles have followed a five-game losing streak by winning four of five, despite schedule changes that included a home series on the road.

The Orioles attempt to continue building momentum behind their pitching staff by concluding this three-game series with back-to-back wins over the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Sunday.

The Orioles (11-11) won back-to-back games over Boston before having two games against the Chicago White Sox postponed when riots created an unsafe environment in Baltimore. The Orioles have since won two of three with the pitchers compiling a 0.67 ERA and the starters reaching at least the seventh inning each time.

Miguel Gonzalez went 7 2-3 while combining with Brad Brach on a four-hitter in Saturday's 4-0 victory over the Rays (13-11) in the second game of a series that was moved from Camden Yards to Tropicana due to the rioting.

Wei-Yin Chen seems poised to keep the strong pitching stretch going seeing as he has a 1.96 ERA and .177 opponents' batting average in his last three starts. The left-hander hasn't pitched since allowing two runs and four hits in eight innings in a 5-4, 10-inning win over Boston on April 25.

However, Chen (0-1, 2.78 ERA) allowed three runs in 4 1-3 innings of a 6-5 win at Tampa Bay on April 7, and is 0-1 with a 4.68 ERA over his last five starts in the series.

The Rays, who are trying to rebound from their first loss in seven games at Tropicana, have been held to four hits in each of the first two games of this series.

Logan Forsythe had two of them Saturday, and is 6 for 16 (.375) with two doubles and one triple over the past four games. He's connected for two homers on four hits in 14 at_bats versus Chen, hitting a two-run shot April 7.

Nathan Karns (1-1, 4.76) has allowed nine runs and three homers with six walks in 10 innings over two starts against Baltimore. He got the nod opposite Chen last month, and surrendered six runs - four in the first - while walking four, hitting a batter and throwing a wild pitch in 5 2-3 innings in his worst performance of the season.

The right-hander is coming off his shortest of 2015. He tossed four scoreless innings in Monday's 4-1 loss to the New York Yankees, but was charged with a run after being pulled with two outs in the fifth with the bases loaded.

Karns will try to quiet Steve Pearce, who had a two-run double Saturday. He went 2 for 3 with a two-run homer off Karns last month, while Adam Jones plated two on a double in the first inning.

It's uncertain if Tampa Bay's Desmond Jennings will play after being a late scratch Saturday. He has missed the last six games with knee soreness.

"He's busted it trying to get back, but it's not progressing the way we want it to," Rays manager Kevin Cash told MLB's official website. "It just wouldn't have been a smart decision on my part to send him out there not feeling totally comfortable."

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rays at Orioles
Fri, May 1 Final 2 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rays at Orioles
Sat, May 2 - Final 0 - 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Rays at Orioles
Sun, May 3 - 1:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-03-2015, 02:09 AM

Preview: Reds (11-12) at Braves (11-12)
Game: 4
Venue: Turner Field
Date: May 03, 2015 1:35 PM EDT

Johnny Cueto is making life relatively easy for his Cincinnati Reds teammates.

The right-hander will try to win his third straight start Sunday against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.

Cueto (2-2, 1.95 ERA) went 0-2 in his first three outings but lasted seven innings in each, allowed five earned runs and struck out 10 twice while receiving only four runs of support. Finally, he's had something to show for his effort after giving up three runs and eight hits over eight innings in each of his two victories over the Milwaukee Brewers.

"It doesn't matter who is behind the plate when Johnny's pitching, you just sit down and enjoy the ride," catcher Brayan Pena told MLB's official website. "He's just special."

Cueto allowed a pair of solo homers and one other hit during Tuesday's 4-2 victory over the Brewers.

"He's smart, his baseball IQ on the mound is unbelievable," teammate Marlon Byrd said. "He knows what he's doing. He sets up hitters, he sees swings. He throws to swings he knows hitters can't get to.

After leading the NL with a career-high 243 2-3 innings in 2014, Cueto again ranks among the major league-leaders with 37 thus far.

Though he's 0-2 in four starts at Turner Field, Cueto posted a 2.77 ERA and was given just two runs of support while on the mound. In his only 2014 start against the Braves, Cueto allowed three hits and struck out 11 over eight scoreless innings of a 1-0, 10-inning loss at Atlanta.

He'll try to help Cincinnati (12-12) take this four-game set after winning 8-4 on Saturday. Zack Cozart homered for one of his three hits and Jay Bruce tripled twice as the Reds went deep three times to match their run total from the previous two contests.

Cozart is 9 for 17 in his last four games versus Atlanta (11-13), which has allowed 42 runs while losing four of its last five.

That slide began Tuesday when three of the seven runs Julio Teheran (2-1, 4.67) allowed over 5 2-3 innings were earned. However, he couldn't help hold an early 9-1 lead in the 13-12 defeat to Washington.

The right-hander gave up four runs - two earned - without a homer in 12 innings to win his first two starts but has yielded 16 - 12 earned - and six home runs over 15 innings while going 0-1 in the last three.

"I don't know what I'm doing different," Teheran said. "Maybe I'm not mixing my pitches the right way."

Manager Fredi Gonzalez wants Teheran to rely more on a fastball that's accounted for less than 50 percent of his pitches in two of his last three outings.

"He assured me his health is not an issue, so we've got to get back to some of the other stuff, and I think some of the percentages of fastball to breaking ball was not good enough," Gonzalez said.

Teheran must find the same form he showed last season while yielding seven hits over 14 scoreless innings to go 1-0 in two starts against the Reds.

Teammate Cameron Maybin had a two-run homer and three RBIs on Saturday for his second two-hit game in as many starts. He's 4 for 12 with a home run and double versus Cueto.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Reds at Braves
Thu, Apr 30 Final 5 to 1

Boxscores
GAME 2
Reds at Braves
Fri, May 1 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Reds at Braves
Sat, May 2 - Final 8 - 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Reds at Braves
Sun, May 3 - 1:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-03-2015, 02:11 AM

Preview: Tigers (15-9) at Royals (16-7)
Game: 4
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: May 03, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

Anibal Sanchez has always shined against the Kansas City Royals.

Jeremy Guthrie finally slowed down Miguel Cabrera last year, though he had his share of trouble with other Detroit Tigers.

These pitchers with high ERAs will be tasked with slowing down these top hitting clubs in this four-game series finale at Kauffman Stadium.

Sanchez (1-3, 5.46 ERA) and Guthrie will be tested since Kansas City (16-8) leads the majors with a .300 average and Detroit (16-9) is batting .277.

The next two starts for Sanchez will be against the Royals. He is 5-2 in seven starts against them with a 1.07 ERA - his lowest against any club he has faced more than once.

Sanchez has posted a 1.27 ERA in winning his last four starts versus Kansas City.

Alex Gordon has fared the best among Royals hitters versus Sanchez, going 5 for 15. Lorenzo Cain (3 for 16) and Eric Hosmer (5 for 22) have fared poorly and no Kansas City hitter has homered against Sanchez.

Detroit has dropped the right-hander's last four starts, including Tuesday's 3-2 defeat at Minnesota in which he gave up three runs in seven innings.

Guthrie (1-1, 5.87) limited Cabrera to two hits in 10 at_bats last year after the superstar batted .350 against him before 2014.

That success against Cabrera didn't translate to much against Detroit; Guthrie went 2-2 with a 7.71 ERA in four 2014 outings against the Tigers.

Victor Martinez is a .353 hitter against the right-hander while Ian Kinsler and J.D. Martinez are each batting .333. Victor Martinez, J.D. Martinez and Nick Castellanos combined to go 11 for 25 against Guthrie last year.

The Tigers can split this series and leave town in first place after David Price pitched them to a 2-1 victory Saturday with a five-hitter. Cain's homer with two outs in the ninth spoiled his shutout bid.

Manager Brad Ausmus credited leadoff hitter Anthony Gose's three-hit night as a key to the victory.

'When he gets on base in a leadoff position he can take a little pressure off the guys behind him,' Ausmus said.

Detroit has totaled four runs in this series. Its top three RBI leaders - Cabrera, Yoenis Cespedes and J.D. Martinez - have failed to drive in a run in this set.

Ausmus benched J.D. Martinez, who is mired in a 1-for-13 slide with eight strikeouts but is expected back in Sunday's lineup.

'Just sit back for a day and watch the game until you are called upon,' Ausmus said. 'It's almost like going to a spa for a day. It's mentally relaxing.'

Kansas City was stifled by Price after totaling 12 runs and 24 hits in the first two games of this series. Salvador Perez went 2 for 3 to improve to 5 for 11 in the series.

Hosmer was 0 for 4 after he went 9 for 21 over a five-game hit streak. Gordon is hitless in eight at_bats after going 9 for 19.

The Royals bullpen leads the majors with a 1.04 ERA.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Tigers at Royals
Thu, Apr 30 Final 1 to 8
Boxscores

GAME 2
Tigers at Royals
Fri, May 1 Final 1 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Tigers at Royals
Sat, May 2 - Final 2 - 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Tigers at Royals
Sun, May 3 - 2:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-03-2015, 02:13 AM

Preview: White Sox (8-12) at Twins (11-12)
Game: 4
Venue: Target Field
Date: May 03, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

The Minnesota Twins' offense has come around over the last eight games, and it's happened without yet taking any swings against John Danks.

Things could continue trending in the right direction Sunday as they try for a four-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox, though it's not just the visitors' starter who has struggled when these teams get together.

Minnesota (12-12) got back to .500 for the first time since May 24 with Saturday's 5-3 victory. The last time it won four straight happened to be a four-game home sweep of Chicago from June 19-22, and the Twins are 9-4 at Target Field against the White Sox (8-13) dating to that series.

Things have been otherwise depressing for the Twins since being 23-23 nearly a year ago with a 59-82 record, but since a 2-0 loss in Seattle on April 24, they've gone 6-2 with a .291 average and 5.50 runs per game.

Mike Pelfrey has needed that kind of offense against the White Sox, though he had a strong April.

Pelfrey (2-0, 2.25 ERA) earned his second win in as many starts in Tuesday's 3-2 victory over Detroit. The right-hander, who hadn't had consecutive wins in his previous two seasons in Minnesota, allowed two runs - one earned - and three hits in seven innings. Pelfrey last won three straight starts from May 17-June 1, 2010, when he strung four together for the New York Mets.

Last season, Pelfrey was limited to five starts because of a groin injury.

"I'm healthy, so I have high expectations of myself," Pelfrey told MLB's official website. "I feel good. I have a lot of confidence in myself that when I'm healthy, I'm going to get guys out and hopefully it keeps happening on the field."

His season started against Chicago in disappointing fashion, when he surrendered four runs and seven hits - two of which left the yard - in five innings of a 5-4 road loss on April 11.

Those numbers are pretty consistent for him against the White Sox with a 0-3 record and 6.75 ERA in six starts that have all come with the Twins. Adam LaRoche homered off him last month and is 10 for 15 in their matchups.

Danks (1-2, 5.64) has allowed at least three runs in each of his four starts, though he earned his first win in last Sunday's 5-3 home victory over Kansas City. The left-hander, however, has lost his first two road starts and is 7-16 with a 5.27 ERA in 30 away starts since the start of 2013.

Those struggles have been most prominent at Target Field, where Danks is 1-3 with a 9.55 ERA in four starts in that time as part of a 3-7 record and 6.59 ERA in 14 career starts in Minnesota.

He's faced Joe Mauer more than anyone in his career, and the Minnesota first baseman is 23 for 58 (.397), though 20 of the hits are singles. Torii Hunter (16 of 50) is one of three other players with at least 50 at_bats against Danks, and the veteran has homered four times and also went deep Saturday. Eduardo Nunez is 5 for 11 while hitting for a collective cycle.

Chicago, an AL-worst 2-10 on the road, is in danger of dropping its fifth straight and sixth in a row away from U.S. Cellular Field. It's scored eight runs on the road skid.

"For us, we just need something to fall through when we get a lot of guys on," manager Robin Ventura said. "We had some opportunities, we're just not cashing in on them right now. Eventually that's going to happen for us."

Jose Abreu is 3 for 21 against Minnesota this season.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
White Sox at Twins
Thu, Apr 30 Final 2 to 12
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
White Sox at Twins
Fri, May 1 Final 0 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
White Sox at Twins
Sat, May 2 - Final 3 - 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
White Sox at Twins
Sun, May 3 - 2:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-03-2015, 02:15 AM

Preview: Mariners (10-13) at Astros (16-7)
Game: 4
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: May 03, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

The Houston Astros have slugged their way to the best record in the AL.

Looking to continue their recent home run surge, the sizzling Astros can complete a four-game sweep of the visiting Seattle Mariners by winning 10 straight for the first time in 11 seasons Sunday.

One night after three homers produced all its runs in a 4-3 victory, Houston (17-7) went deep five times during Saturday's 11-4 rout of the Mariners. Evan Gattis homered for the second time in as many days and Jose Altuve delivered a three-run shot to help the Astros win for the 13th time in 14 games.

"I'd take us any day. Like right now we're just rolling," said Gattis, who has hit three of his four homers and recorded eight of his 13 RBIs in the last five games.

After finishing fourth in the majors with 163 home runs while losing 92 games in 2014, the Astros' 37 are again among the most in baseball. They've hit at least three in four of the last six contests.

That's helped put them in a position to set a club mark for the best record through 25 games by winning 10 in a row for the first time since a 12-game run Aug. 27-Sept. 8, 2004.

"Everything is clicking on all cylinders for them," Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon, whose team opened a 10-game trip by taking all three from Texas before arriving in Houston, told MLB's official website.

"You run into hot teams, that's just the way it goes."

Houston looks to keep rolling against ex-Astro J.A. Happ (2-1, 2.30 ERA), who is 1-0 with a 1.88 ERA in two starts versus Houston since the team traded him to Toronto in 2012. Happ earned his third victory in four career starts against the Astros on April 22, allowing a solo homer to Chris Carter and one other run over 7 1-3 innings of a 3-2 win.

'Just being aggressive and trying to get ahead of guys is big for me,' he said. 'That's the way I'm successful.'

The left-hander was able to do that Tuesday when he gave up a run and struck out nine in 6 2-3 innings of a 2-1 victory at Texas.

'Confidence is a huge thing, and just being aggressive with whatever pitch you're going to throw," Happ added.

Altuve is 1 for 7 versus Happ, but is batting .451 with two home runs and 15 RBIs during an 11-game hitting streak. His franchise-record-tying run of recording at least two hits in nine consecutive contests ended Saturday.

Happ will again oppose Roberto Hernandez (1-2, 3.80), who has allowed three runs in each of his last three starts. He lasted seven innings but took the loss against Happ on April 22.

The right-hander went six innings Tuesday to come out ahead in a 14-3 rout of San Diego.

Nelson Cruz is 2 for his last 11 with a home run versus Hernandez, but he went deep twice Saturday to increase his major league-leading total to 13. Cruz, who also homered Friday, is batting .438 with six home runs and 15 RBIs in his last 13 games at Minute Maid Park.

The Mariners (10-14) are 1-5 against the Astros in 2015, and the only other time they've been swept at Houston was in June 2007.

"I like my team. In fact, I love my team," McClendon said. "I think we'll come out of it and be fine."

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mariners at Astros
Thu, Apr 30 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores

GAME 2
Mariners at Astros
Fri, May 1 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Mariners at Astros
Sat, May 2 - Final 4 - 11
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Mariners at Astros
Sun, May 3 - 2:10PM EDT

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