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**StarDust Bum** · 05-08-2015, 12:05 AM

NBA MONEYLINE

NBA > (717) CLEVELAND@ (718) CHICAGO | 05/08/2015 - 07:05 PM
Play ON CHICAGO using the money line in All games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 73 Wins and 42 Losses for the last three seasons (+43.55 units)

NBA > (719) HOUSTON@ (720) LA CLIPPERS | 05/08/2015 - 10:35 PM
Play ON LA CLIPPERS using the money line in All games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 20 Wins and 10 Losses for the this season (+12.05 units)

NBA TOP POWERLINES

NBA > (717) CLEVELAND @ (718) CHICAGO | 05/08/2015 - 07:05 PM
Line: CHICAGO -2 BTB PowerLine: CHICAGO -1
Edge On: CHICAGO (1)

NBA > (719) HOUSTON @ (720) LA CLIPPERS | 05/08/2015 - 10:35 PM
Line: LA CLIPPERS -4 BTB PowerLine: LA CLIPPERS -8
Edge On: LA CLIPPERS (4)

**StarDust Bum** · 05-08-2015, 12:07 AM

NHL MONEYLINE

NHL > (7) ANAHEIM@ (8) CALGARY | 05/08/2015 - 09:05 PM
Play ON CALGARY using the money line in Home games after a division game
The record is 17 Wins and 3 Losses for the this season (+14.4 units)

NHL PUCKLINE

NHL > (7) ANAHEIM@ (8) CALGARY | 05/08/2015 - 09:05 PM
Play ON CALGARY using the in Home games after a division game
The record is 17 Wins and 3 Losses for the this season (+14.4 units)

**StarDust Bum** · 05-08-2015, 12:09 AM

JR Smith joins LeBron for Gm 3 vs Bulls

May 7, 2015

The statue outside is of Michael Jordan. The court inside, come playoff time, has often belonged to LeBron James.

James is headed back to Chicago - with J.R. Smith joining him for the first time in the series - when the Cleveland Cavaliers face the Bulls on Friday night in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Los Angeles Clippers host the Houston Rockets in the other game on the NBA's playoff schedule after a leaguewide night off Thursday. That series is tied 1-1.

So is the East series after James had 33 points and eight rebounds Wednesday night in Cleveland's 106-91 victory. The Cavaliers will have to win in Chicago after losing home-court advantage by dropping the series opener, and James has often been up to the task.

His teams are 5-2 at the United Center in the postseason, with James averaging 28.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists, according to STATS. That includes a series victory with the Cavs in 2010 and two with Miami.

''We're looking forward to the challenge, like we do every night. We know it's going to be a tough environment,'' James said after Game 2.

''These guys don't particularly know,'' he said about his inexperienced Cavs teammates, ''but I've been there before and I know how hard it is to win in that building. Those fans are amazing and they feed off their crowd and they play exceptional basketball at home, so we have to be just as good as we were tonight.''

Smith could help with that. Suspended for the first two games of the series for striking Boston's Jae Crowder in Game 4 of the Cavs' first-round sweep, he hasn't played since April 26, though Cavs coach David Blatt isn't worried that having to reintegrate him will be a problem.

''Absolutely it's an addition and a positive one. To that, there's no negative side,'' Blatt said. ''We're getting one of our main guys back, a guy who knows how to play, a guy who's been a big contributor and a guy who fits in with us. I don't see any negative in that, only a positive.''

A look at the two games Friday:

---

Cavaliers at Bulls, tied 1-1, 8 p.m. EDT, ESPN

Blatt said Iman Shumpert, who injured his groin in Game 2, was feeling better Thursday and was hopeful of playing. He said Shumpert's health could determine if he remains in the starting lineup or if Smith reclaims his spot.

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau seems committed to keeping his lineup as is, even with center Joakim Noah struggling. Noah is 1 for 14 from the free throw line in the postseason and Thibodeau was asked Thursday if he would consider starting backup forward Taj Gibson instead.

''Not right now,'' Thibodeau said. ''When Jo was on the floor, we were a plus. You've got to look at a lot of things. We'll see how it unfolds, but Jo brings a lot to our team.''

Noah is leading the Bulls with 10.8 rebounds per game in the postseason and said his free-throw woes haven't become a mental thing.

''It's disappointing,'' he said. ''I've just got to keep working and make them tomorrow.''

---

Rockets at Clippers, tied 1-1, 10:30 p.m. EDT, ESPN

Chris Paul tested his injured hamstring on the court Thursday, though it's still unknown if he can play Friday in the first game at Staples Center since his series-winning shot against San Antonio last Saturday in Game 7.

''My guess is it's going to come down to the eye and feel test. With hamstrings, there really is no gauge,'' Clippers coach Doc Rivers said.

The Clippers took the opener in Houston without Paul and had a nine-point lead at halftime of Game 2 before the Rockets surged ahead behind James Harden's big fourth quarter and won 115-109.

''We've got momentum,'' Harden said. ''That second half we played extremely well and we're going to take this momentum and take it into Game 3. It's going to be a great test for us.''

If Paul can't play, the pressure remains on Blake Griffin, who was dominant in the first three halves without his point guard but seemed to wear down in the second half of Game 2. He had only eight points after scoring 26 before the break.

''In the first half, he got what he wanted. In the second half, we made it a little more difficult for him,'' Rockets center Dwight Howard said. ''He's a terrific scorer, especially in the open court. We just have to do a better job of fighting for 48 minutes and not allowing him to have those big games.''

**StarDust Bum** · 05-08-2015, 12:10 AM

Wall has multiple fractures in left wrist

May 7, 2015

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Washington Wizards say All-Star guard John Wall suffered five non-displaced fractures in his left wrist and hand, and his playing status has not been determined.

Wall was hurt in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Atlanta Hawks. Initial X-rays were negative, but ''multiple examinations'' on Wednesday revealed the injuries, the team announced Thursday.

Washington hosts Atlanta for Game 3 on Saturday. The Hawks won Game 2 to even the series at 1-1.

Though he practiced following Sunday's series-opening win in Atlanta, Wall was a surprise inactive for Game 2 Tuesday. With his left wrist noticeably swollen, the point guard struggled with various drills during pregame warm-ups.

The Wizards added they and Wall are consulting with multiple physicians and specialists to determine the best course of action.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-08-2015, 12:18 AM

2015 NBA Playoffs: Series schedules, results, TV info and playoff bracket

Western Conference Semifinals

L.A. CLIPPERS
vs. HOUSTON ROCKETS

Game 1 - Monday, May 4
Los Angeles Clippers 117, Houston 101

Game 2 - Wednesday, May 6
Houston 115, Los Angeles Clippers 109 - Series tied 1-1

Game 3 - Friday, May 8
Houston at Los Angeles Clippers, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Game 4 - Sunday, May 10
Houston at Los Angeles Clippers, 8:30 p.m. (TNT)

Game 5 - Tuesday, May 12
Los Angeles Clippers at Houston, (TNT)

Game 6 - Thursday, May 14
Houston at Los Angeles Clippers, (ESPN) - If necessary

Game 7 - Sunday, May 17
Los Angeles Clippers at Houston - If necessary

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
vs. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

Game 1 - Sunday, May 3
Golden State 101, Memphis 86

Game 2 - Tuesday, May 5
Memphis 97, Golden State 90 - Series tied 1-1

Game 3 - Saturday, May 9
Golden State at Memphis, 8 p.m. (ABC)

Game 4 - Monday, May 11
Golden State at Memphis, 9:30 p.m. (TNT)

Game 5 - Wednesday, May 13
Memphis at Golden State, TBD (TNT)

Game 6 - Friday, May 15
Golden State at Memphis, TBD (ESPN) - If necessary

Game 7 - Sunday, May 17
Memphis at Golden State, TBD - If necessary

Eastern Conference Semifinals

CHICAGO BULLS
vs. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

Game 1 - Monday, May 4
Chicago 99, Cleveland 92

Game 2 - Wednesday, May 6
Cleveland 106, Chicago 91 - Series tied 1-1

Game 3 - Friday, May 8
Cleveland at Chicago, TBD (ESPN)

Game 4 - Sunday, May 10
Cleveland at Chicago, 3:30 p.m. (ABC)

Game 5 - Tuesday, May 12
Chicago at Cleveland, TBD (TNT)

Game 6 - Thursday, May 14
Cleveland at Chicago, TBD (ESPN) - If necessary

Game 7 - Sunday, May 17
Chicago at Cleveland, TBD (TNT) - If necessary

WASHINGTON WIZARDS
vs. ATLANTA HAWKS

Game 1 - Sunday, May 3
Washington 104, Atlanta 98

Game 2 - Tuesday, May 5
Atlanta 106, Washington 90 - Series tied 1-1

Game 3 - Saturday, May 9
Atlanta at Washington, 5 p.m. (ESPN)

Game 4 - Monday, May 11
Atlanta at Washington, 7 p.m. (TNT)

Game 5 - Wednesday, May 13
Washington at Atlanta, TBD (TNT)

Game 6 - Friday, May 15
Atlanta at Washington, TBD (ESPN) - If necessary

Game 7 - Monday, May 18
Washington at Atlanta, 8 p.m. (TNT) - If necessary

**StarDust Bum** · 05-08-2015, 12:22 AM

2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs second-round matchups, TV schedule

Eastern Conference

New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals

EASTERN CONFERENCE ROUND TWO

GAME DATE/SERIES LOCATION TIME NATIONAL TV

Game 1: Capitals 2, Rangers 1 Washington leads 1-0 New York 7:30 p.m. ET NBCSN

Game 2: Rangers 3, Capitals 2 Series tied 1-1 New York 12:30 p.m. ET NBC

Game 3: Capitals 1, Rangers 0 Washington leads 2-1 Washington 7:30 p.m. ET NBCSN

Game 4: Capitals 2, Rangers 1 Washington leads 3-1 Washington 7:30 p.m. ET NBCSN

Game 5 Friday, May 8 New York 7 p.m. ET NBCSN

Game 6 (if necessary) Sunday, May 10 Washington TBD TBD

Game 7 (if necessary) Wednesday, May 13 New York TBD TBD

Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

EASTERN CONFERENCE ROUND TWO

GAME DATE/SERIES LOCATION TIME NATIONAL TV

Game 1: Lightning 2, Canadiens 1 (2OT) Tampa Bay leads 1-0 Montreal 7 p.m. ET NBCSN

Game 2: Lightning 6, Canadiens 2 Tampa Bay leads 2-0 Montreal 6 p.m. ET NBCSN

Game 3: Lightning 2, Canadiens 1 Tampa Bay leads 3-0 Tampa Bay 7 p.m. ET USA

Game 4: Thursday, May 7 Tampa Bay 7 p.m. ET NBCSN

Game 5 (if necessary) Saturday, May 9 Montreal TBD TBD

Game 6 (if necessary) Tuesday, May 12 Tampa Bay TBD TBD

Game 7 (if necessary) Thursday, May 14 Montreal TBD TBD

Western Conference

Anaheim Ducks vs. Calgary Flames

WESTERN CONFERENCE ROUND TWO

GAME DATE/SERIES LOCATION TIME NATIONAL TV

Game 1: Ducks 6, Flames 1 Anaheim leads 1-0 Anaheim 10 p.m. ET NBCSN

Game 2: Ducks 3, Flames 0 Anaheim leads 2-0 Anaheim 10 p.m. ET CNBC

Game 3: Flames 4, Ducks 3 (OT) Anaheim leads 2-1 Calgary 9:30 p.m. ET USA

Game 4 Friday, May 8 Calgary 9:30 p.m. ET NBCSN

Game 5 Sunday, May 10 Anaheim TBD TBD

Game 6 (if necessary) Tuesday, May 12 Calgary TBD TBD

Game 7 (if necessary) Thursday, May 14 Anaheim TBD TBD

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild

WESTERN CONFERENCE ROUND TWO

GAME DATE/SERIES LOCATION TIME NATIONAL TV

Game 1: Blackhawks 4, Wild 3 Chicago leads 1-0 Chicago 9:30 p.m. ET NBCSN

Game 2: Blackhawks 4, Wild 1 Chicago leads 2-0 Chicago 8:30 p.m. ET NBCSN

Game 3: Blackhawks 1, Wild 0 Chicago leads 3-0 Minnesota 8 p.m. ET NBCSN

Game 4 Thursday, May 7 Minnesota 9:30 p.m. ET NBCSN

Game 5 (if necessary) Saturday, May 9 Chicago TBD TBD

Game 6 (if necessary) Monday, May 11 Minnesota TBD TBD

Game 7 (if necessary) Wednesday, May 13 Chicago TBD TBD

**StarDust Bum** · 05-08-2015, 12:33 AM

Preview: Royals (17-10) at Tigers (17-11)
Game: 1
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: May 08, 2015 7:08 PM EDT

The AL Central won't be decided this weekend in Detroit, but it already seems like the teams battling at Comerica Park will be vying for that title all season.

David Price matches up against one of his favorite opponents Friday night as the Tigers and Kansas City Royals meet in another early season showdown.

Detroit won its fourth consecutive Central title last season, beating out Kansas City by one game but lost to Baltimore in the division series as the Royals came within one game of winning the World Series.

This season is already shaping up to be another close race with Kansas City (18-10) entering Friday with the slightest of leads over the Tigers (18-11).

These teams split a four-game series at Kauffman Stadium last week as Detroit took the first two before Price tossed a five-hitter in a 2-1 victory Saturday. He gave up four singles prior to surrendering Lorenzo Cain's two-out home run in the ninth inning. Price (3-1, 2.93 ERA) struck out three, walked none and recorded 16 of his outs on three pitches or fewer.

'I always want to get 27 outs,' Price said. 'I want that every fifth day.'

That was the latest dominant performance by the left-hander versus the Royals. He's 2-0 with a 1.16 ERA in five appearances - four starts - for his best ERA against any opponent he's faced more than once.

Alex Gordon and Kendrys Morales are a combined 4 for 27 against Price.

The Tigers return home after salvaging a split of their 10-game trip with Thursday's 4-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Kyle Lobstein pitched into the eighth inning and Miguel Cabrera scored twice and drove in a run to help Detroit avoid the sweep.

"You don't want to get swept by anyone and we have Kansas City coming when we get home," third baseman Nick Castellanos said. "So to go back home on a positive note is big."

While the Tigers still rank among the league leaders with a .275 batting average, most of that damage came early in the season. They batted .303 with 14 home runs during an 11-2 start compared to hitting at a .250 clip with 11 homers during a 7-9 stretch.

Detroit's hitters aren't too familiar with Yordano Ventura (2-2, 4.94), who makes his first start since serving a seven-game suspension for his role in a brawl with the White Sox. The right-hander last appeared April 29, allowing five runs and four walks over 5 1-3 innings in a 7-5 loss at Cleveland.

Ventura won his only start against the Tigers on June 17, yielding three runs in seven innings of an 11-4 victory at Comerica Park.

Kansas City also has cooled following a fast start, going 11-10 after winning its first seven games, but it's coming off a 7-4 victory over Cleveland on Thursday. Eric Hosmer hit a three-run homer in the first inning and Mike Moustakas had three hits and two runs.

Hosmer is batting .366 with four homers and 13 RBIs in the last 10 games and is 23 for 53 (.434) over his past 14 against Detroit.

The Royals are 9-0 in series openers, tying the 1983 team mark to start a season.

Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias is unlikely to play Friday after aggravating a groin injury Wednesday.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-08-2015, 12:34 AM

Preview: Red Sox (13-15) at Blue Jays (14-15)
Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: May 08, 2015 7:07 PM EDT

The Boston Red Sox's offense ranked among the worst in the AL last season, contributing to a second last-place finish in three years.

And while the lineup again isn't producing as expected, Boston's starting rotation hasn't provide much help, either.

After firing their pitching coach, the Red Sox look to avoid a sixth defeat in seven games Friday night as they begin a three-game road series against the Toronto Blue Jays, who also have struggled on the mound.

Boston (13-15) has been outscored 25-15 over its last six and went 2 for 28 with runners in scoring position while dropping two of three to Tampa Bay. David Ortiz had his eight-game hitting streak end in Wednesday's 5-3 defeat, and Mike Napoli's average over his last eight stands at .133 after he went 1 for 4.

The Red Sox's .214 average over their last six dropped it to .239 on the season, one year after finishing 13th in the AL with a .244 mark.

"Maybe we just need to back off a little bit and stop trying so hard. I don't know," Napoli said. "(The numbers are) there in front of us. We're seeing it. We're living it. Just have to go out there and get the job done."

Boston's consistent inability to score only provides more problems with the rotation giving up runs at an alarming rate. The starters rank among the worst in the majors with a 5.54 ERA, and the Red Sox on Thursday decided they'd seen enough, firing pitching coach Juan Nieves.

Wade Miley (1-3, 7.15 ERA) has contributed to the staff's woes by allowing at least six earned runs twice. He's also walked 11 in 22 2-3 innings, but is coming off his best outing after giving up three runs in seven innings and not issuing a free pass in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the New York Yankees.

"Instead of trying to make too good of a pitch, 3-1, 3-0, I just needed to execute a pitch and get a ground-ball out rather than walk a guy," Miley said.

The left-hander also didn't have his best stuff in his only start against the Blue Jays (14-15) while with Arizona on Sept. 3, 2013. Miley allowed five runs, eight hits and walked two over 1 2-3 innings in the shortest start of his career, taking a 10-4 loss.

Walks have been a big problem as well for Aaron Sanchez, who issued six - the second time in three starts he walked at least that many - while giving up two runs in 5 2-3 innings of an 11-4 win over Cleveland on Saturday.

The right-hander's 108 pitches followed a 107-pitch outing against the Red Sox on April 27, when he walked two and gave up four runs in 5 2-3 innings before Mookie Betts' RBI single in the bottom of the ninth gave Boston a 6-5 win.

Sanchez (2-2, 4.62) ranks among the worst in baseball with an average of 17.7 pitches per inning.

"These last few starts, he's been pretty effective but he's walked a lot of guys too," manager John Gibbons said. "Over time, that's not going to work, so he's got to get in the zone better."

Blue Jays starters have a 5.40 ERA, which ranks near the bottom of the majors. Mark Buehrle pitched five solid innings Wednesday, though, helping Toronto beat the Yankees 5-1.

Russell Martin homered for the fourth time in five games and Chris Colabello had four hits. Colabello, called up from the minors on Tuesday, went 6 for 8 with two doubles in the final two games of the series.

The Red Sox took two of three from the Blue Jays at Fenway Park from April 27-29.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-08-2015, 12:35 AM

Preview: Braves (14-14) at Nationals (14-15)
Game: 1
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: May 08, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Seeing Bryce Harper build on the best offensive show of his career could go a long way toward boosting the surging Washington Nationals' inconsistent lineup.

The slugger will try to lead the Nationals to their eighth win in 10 games Friday night in the series opener against the visiting Atlanta Braves.

The 22-year-old Harper became the youngest player to have a three-homer game since Joe Lahoud on June 11, 1969, in Wednesday's 7-5 win over Miami. He hit one 393 feet in the second inning, a two-run shot that sailed 442 feet in the third and a 445-foot blast in the fifth before an RBI groundout in the seventh gave him a career-high five RBIs.

Harper, whose 26 walks lead the majors, has eight home runs and 20 RBIs through 29 games after finishing with 13 homers and 32 RBIs in 100 contests in 2014.

"That's how I expect myself to play," he said. "If it's hitting homers, hitting doubles, that's what I need to do."

Wednesday's power display was a good sign for the right fielder after he had gone 1 for 17 in Washington's previous five games. The Nationals (14-15) failed to score more than one run in four of them. They're 4-8 when he goes hitless.

Washington's best offensive performances came in the final two games of a series in Atlanta from April 27-29. The Nationals lost the opener 8-4 for their sixth straight defeat overall before totaling 13 runs and 15 hits in each of the next two games, sparking the club's current 7-2 stretch.

Harper went 3 for 8 with two doubles and four walks in those two victories after going hitless in the first game, including 0 for 2 with a walk off left-hander Eric Stults - Atlanta's starter Friday. Harper is 4 for 22 versus southpaws this season.

That's the only win for the 35-year-old Stults (1-2, 4.91 ERA), who allowed two runs and four hits over 6 1-3 innings. He didn't serve up a homer that day but has allowed five in as many outings this season after surrendering 26 in 2014, tied for fifth-most in the majors. Stults gave up two homers, 11 hits and six runs over seven innings in Saturday's 8-4 loss to Cincinnati.

Danny Espinosa is 5 for 9 with a homer against Stults, including a single and a double last month as he went 7 for 11 in the series.

Atlanta (14-14) is opening a nine-game road trip after totaling 16 runs in its last two games to beat Philadelphia in both. Andrelton Simmons and Freddie Freeman each had three hits in Wednesday's 7-5 win, capping a 5-5 homestand.

Simmons has heated up this month, going 10 for 21 while hitting safely in all six games. Freeman is 9 for 16 with seven RBIs in his last four and was 8 for 13 against the Nationals last month.

"Going into Washington, you wanted to feel good with a couple wins back-to-back," said Freeman, who hit .475 in 10 games in D.C. last year.

Gio Gonzalez (2-2, 3.86) hasn't enjoyed such success in this matchup, going 0-7 with a 5.32 ERA in his last eight starts against the Braves. However, he hasn't faced them since August and is coming off his second scoreless outing in three starts, striking out nine over seven innings in Saturday's 1-0 win over the New York Mets.

Simmons has gone 5 for 14 with two homers against Gonzalez since the start of 2013.

Washington's Jayson Werth could miss a third straight game due to an achy shoulder.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-08-2015, 12:36 AM

Preview: Mets (18-10) at Phillies (10-19)
Game: 1
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: May 08, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Matt Harvey's bid to become the first pitcher in the majors to six victories is coming not only against a team he's historically dominated, but also one that's been among the worst in baseball offensively.

Extending his season-opening winning streak Friday night in Philadelphia would give him a 6-0 record against the Phillies, as well as make him the first New York Mets pitcher to win his first six starts in a season since 1990.

Harvey (5-0, 2.41 ERA) matched Pedro Martinez's 5-0 mark from 2006 with last Friday's 4-0 home victory over Washington. He limited the Nationals to five hits and struck out only three, but his strikeout-to-walk ratio of 8.50 remains among the best in the majors.

He can equal Frank Viola (1990), Dwight Gooden (1988) and Dick Selma (1968) as the only pitchers in team history to win their first six starts of a season. Selma's streak had relief appearances mixed in, and only Viola won his first seven starts.

Harvey received 26 runs of support through his first four starts, but he made one run enough against Washington.

"That's what the definition of an ace is," outfielder Michael Cuddyer said.

The Phillies had three runs in six innings of a 6-5 Mets victory April 14, giving Harvey a 1.60 ERA in six starts in the series. Ryan Howard (1 for 10 with seven strikeouts), Ben Revere (1 for 7) and Carlos Ruiz (0 for 5) highlight the struggles against him.

Chase Utley figures to be back in the Philadelphia lineup after sitting out the last two games. The second baseman, batting .103 in 87 at_bats, is 6 for 15 with no strikeouts against Harvey. He homered along with Cody Asche in the April matchup against the right-hander, and Utley later went deep off reliever Sean Gilmartin.

Cole Hamels (1-3, 4.14), the only Philadelphia starting pitcher to deny Harvey a win, has had highs and lows through six starts. He allowed six runs and 10 hits in six innings of Saturday's 7-0 loss in Miami, an outing that followed two in which he allowed one earned run over 13 innings.

The left-hander is issuing 4.62 walks per nine innings.

"When I don't locate I think I get hammered," Hamels said.

Early season struggles are nothing new. Hamels' first seven starts last season resulted in a 1-3 record and 4.43 ERA before he went 8-6 with a 1.91 over the 23 that followed. His first 2014 start against the Mets was forgettable, but he was 1-0 with a 0.93 ERA in the four that followed.

Cuddyer (1 for 15) and Lucas Duda (2 for 16) have struggled against Hamels, but Curtis Granderson (5 for 11) and Juan Lagares (11 for 25) have thrived.

Granderson homered along with Dilson Herrera in Wednesday's 5-1 win over Baltimore. New York (18-10) took both games from the Orioles after dropping seven of 10. It's batting .220 in its 5-7 stretch, but Herrera's 3-for-3 day could give the banged-up club some hope after the 21-year-old went 1 for 13 in his first four games.

The Mets swept the three-game series in New York from April 13-15, giving them four straight wins over the Phillies and victories in 20 of 26. They've also gone 21-7 in Philadelphia over the previous three seasons.

The Phillies (10-19) fell 7-5 in Atlanta on Wednesday, dropping two of three in the series, though they're showing some life offensively with a .271 average in four games after hitting an MLB-worst .219 until that point. Revere was 4 for 5 with three doubles Wednesday and is 9 for 19 in four games.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-08-2015, 12:37 AM

Preview: Cardinals (20-7) at Pirates (12-15)
Game: 1
Venue: PNC Park
Date: May 08, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

September sweeps each of the last two years were key reasons why the St. Louis Cardinals won the NL Central and relegated the Pittsburgh Pirates to a wild-card spot.

It appears the surging Cardinals are more impatient for a third straight division title as they begin a bid for a second three-game sweep of the Pirates this month starting Friday night.

Off to the best start in franchise history in the modern era at 21-7, St. Louis just completed a 9-2 homestand highlighted by a three-game sweep of Pittsburgh last weekend. The Cardinals had walk-off wins in each game, thanks in part to a bullpen that limited the Pirates (13-15) to two runs - both coming on homers in Sunday's 3-2, 14-inning victory - over 15 1-3 innings.

That relief corps shined throughout the homestand, going 6-0 with a 1.01 ERA and four saves over 44 2-3 innings. Trevor Rosenthal put the finishing touches on a 5-1 win Thursday, striking out two in the ninth for his 10th save as the Cardinals took three of four from the Chicago Cubs.

"We just enjoy being together and seeing each other succeed," Rosenthal told MLB's official website. "I think the model we've shown through this year is that we've shown we can encourage each other and keep pushing one another to get better. We're just happy to see the guy in front of us do well and the guys behind us do well."

St. Louis already has a 6 1/2-game lead - the largest of any in the majors - on the strength of its 16-5 record versus NL Central opponents. The Cardinals have won six straight series against their division rivals after splitting a rain-shortened set at Wrigley Field to open the season.

"I saw a toughness in some big situations that you don't necessarily see," manager Mike Matheny said. "Sometimes you're waiting around to August to see that group that grinds. It's nice to see it early. That's the bar. That's what it should look like."

Michael Wacha (4-0, 1.93 ERA) has been among those setting that bar and gets his second crack at Pittsburgh in five days. Though he was denied a win Sunday, he scattered five hits and two walks in 6 2-3 scoreless innings and has a 2-0 record and 0.90 ERA in three starts against NL Central rivals this year.

Wacha is 1-0 with a 1.31 ERA in four appearances versus Pittsburgh, with the win coming in the September 2013 sweep.

Pittsburgh's hangover from its lost weekend in the Gateway City finally ended Thursday with a 7-2 win over Cincinnati that stopped a season-worst five-game skid. A.J. Burnett pitched seven solid innings and Andrew McCutchen went 3 for 4 with an RBI for the Pirates, who were 5 for 15 with runners in scoring position after going 2 for 36 during the losing streak.

'It's what we're capable of doing on a daily basis,' McCutchen said. 'We have the team capable to do it. We're just going to keep going out there. We're not right where we need to be yet and that's the great thing.'

If there are silver linings for Pittsburgh having a quick turnaround to face St. Louis, it's having won 13 of 19 at PNC Park between the teams the last two years and turning to Francisco Liriano (1-1, 1.95).

He's 3-1 with a 1.76 ERA in his last eight starts versus the Cardinals and pitched well against them Saturday, giving up one run and three hits in eight innings of a 2-1, 11-inning loss.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-08-2015, 12:38 AM

Preview: Twins (15-13) at Indians (10-16)
Game: 1
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: May 08, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

The Minnesota Twins know there's still a ton of time left in the season, but they can't help being excited about the way they're playing.

The same can't be said about the Cleveland Indians, whose inability to string together victories has them sitting at the bottom of the AL.

Minnesota looks for an eighth win in nine contests Friday night when it visits Cleveland to begin a three-game series.

The Twins opened with six losses in seven games and were still four games under .500 on April 24, but they've since won 10 of 13.

Minnesota took three of four from visiting Oakland and improved to 16-13 following Thursday's 6-5 victory. The Twins are three games above the break-even mark for the first time since finishing 94-68 in 2010 to win the Central title.

"We had this confidence from Week 1, it's just hard to show it with a 1-6 record," third baseman Trevor Plouffe said. "We knew we could do it. But talk is cheap. You have to go out there and win. That's what we've been doing lately."

The Twins have been doing it at home. They completed an 8-3 stretch at Target Field on Thursday and are an AL-best 12-5 at home, but they've gone 4-8 on the road.

"I've always thought that when your team is playing better, you have to keep your perspective and it should make you hungry to find those little things that can make your team better," manager Paul Molitor told MLB's official website. "So you keep pushing."

Minnesota has received a nice boost from outfielder Eddie Rosario since calling him up from Triple-A Rochester on Monday with Oswaldo Arcia going on the disabled list. Rosario homered on the first pitch he saw in his first major league at-bat in Wednesday's 13-0 win and drove in two runs Thursday.

"It's a good first couple of games for him," Molitor said. "He's kind of feeling his way, but he looks fairly confident."

Mike Pelfrey (2-0, 2.63 ERA) has one of the Twins' wins on the road but is coming off his shortest outing of the season. The right-hander was staked to a 7-0 lead Sunday but struggled with his control as he walked two and hit three batters in 3 1-3 innings of a 13-3 win over the Chicago White Sox.

"Realistically, I'm mad I had to come out of the game with a seven-run lead," he said. "I didn't give them a choice."

Pelfrey is 1-1 with a 2.67 ERA in five starts against the Indians. He faced them April 17 and gave up a run and three hits with four walks in five innings of a 3-2 win in 11.

Trevor Bauer (2-0, 3.38) is also coming off a poor start, allowing six runs and seven hits while walking three in 4 1-3 innings of a 10-7 win over Toronto on Sunday. The right-hander is 0-2 with a 5.47 ERA in four starts against Minnesota.

Cleveland (10-17) has alternated a loss and a win in the last nine games, falling 7-4 at Kansas City on Thursday. The Indians haven't posted back-to-back victories since the second and third games of the season.

"We've got to get it going soon, because you can't be here all year saying, 'We can't get it going.' It's about time where we start making it go," utilityman Mike Aviles said.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-08-2015, 12:40 AM

Preview: Rangers (11-16) at Rays (15-13)
Game: 2
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: May 08, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

While seeking to keep the Texas Rangers unbeaten on their road trip, Yovani Gallardo will attempt to avoid matching his longest string of losing starts.

A repeat of last season's performance against the Tampa Bay Rays would go a long way toward helping Gallardo accomplish both goals Friday night.

Texas (12-16) improved to 4-0 on its trek by holding on for a 5-4 win in Thursday's opener against Tampa Bay (15-14) and got four runs in the second after Chris Archer threw a wild pitch on what would have been an inning-ending strikeout.

The Rangers have outscored opponents 25-9 on their trip while batting .273, and their five-game road win streak is their longest since a nine-game run in August 2013. They hit .220 and scored 31 runs while dropping eight of their prior 10 games.

"Everybody did a good job tonight," closer Neftali Feliz told MLB's official website. "Everybody has been working hard, trying to get better."

Gallardo (2-4, 4.05 ERA) has only seen a combined two runs of support in dropping three consecutive starts and three of the 12 runs he's allowed in his past 17 2-3 innings have been unearned. He gave up two runs in his first six innings Sunday against Oakland but was charged with two more after he left with two outs in the seventh in a 7-1 loss.

Gallardo dropped four consecutive starts once in his career - from May 10-26, 2013, while with Milwaukee.

The right-hander took a 5-0 win in his only start against Tampa Bay on July 30, scattering four hits and one walk in seven innings at Tropicana Field.

He might not have to face Evan Longoria in this matchup after the third baseman was scratched with flu-like symptoms Thursday, ending an MLB-best streak of 270 consecutive games played. Longoria is hitting .365 in his last 14 games and has batted .351 in his last nine against Texas.

"It just didn't make sense for him to be out there," manager Kevin Cash said.

In his first start against an AL West team, Nathan Karns (1-1, 4.05) will try to snap a string of four straight winless outings. The right-hander has given up one run in each of his past two games but hasn't pitched past the fifth inning in either one.

Karns yielded two hits and one walk in five scoreless innings Sunday against Baltimore but the Rays bullpen couldn't hold a two-run lead in a 4-2 defeat. He will likely be fresher for this game since he threw 66 pitches after averaging 100.4 in his first five outings.

Logan Forsythe, batting .361 in his last nine games, is 1 for 7 with three strikeouts lifetime against Gallardo.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-08-2015, 12:41 AM

Preview: Reds (14-13) at White Sox (10-14)
Game: 1
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: May 08, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

The Chicago White Sox own a better record against the Cincinnati Reds than they do versus any opponent.

That means little Friday night since they are sending Hector Noesi to the mound.

Noesi has lost six straight starts for the White Sox heading into the opener of this three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field.

Chicago (10-15) is 14-3 against Cincinnati, including 4-1 at home, but these teams haven't met since 2009.

The White Sox begin the weekend by starting Noesi (0-3, 6.75 ERA), who has posted a 5.94 ERA in losing his last six outings - three this year. The right-hander gave up five runs over 4 1-3 innings in Saturday's 5-3 defeat at Minnesota.

Though Noesi hasn't pitched well in this losing streak, the White Sox haven't helped him by totaling seven runs of support.

That's been an issue all season for Chicago, one of baseball's lowest scoring teams with 3.3 runs per game and a major league-low 14 homers. The White Sox have not gone deep in 10 of their last 11 games.

Cincinnati (14-14) can't be certain of the status of Joey Votto, who was ejected and then made contact with home plate umpire Chris Conroy in Wednesday's 3-0 win at Pittsburgh. Votto, who will likely face a suspension, went 0 for 4 in Thursday's 7-2 defeat to the Pirates.

Votto, second on the team with a .311 average, has admitted that he made contact with Conroy.

The Reds will play their first interleague game after going 6-14 in such contests a year ago for baseball's second-worst mark. They went 1-9 on the road against the AL.

Shortstop Zack Cozart may be back in the lineup after missing all three games in Pittsburgh when he was hit by a pitch on the wrist Sunday in Atlanta.

"There is still inflammation in there right now, but it just feels way better," Cozart told MLB's official site. "I swung, took soft toss, and did my normal routine and it felt really good."

Cincinnati may like its chances of adding to Noesi's woes because starter Jason Marquis (3-1, 5.22) leads the NL with a run support average of 9.82. The Reds have totaled 28 runs in his three-start win streak, with the right-hander posting a 4.66 ERA.

Marquis gave up three runs over 6 1-3 innings in Saturday's 8-4 win at Atlanta.

This will be his first start against Chicago since 2008.

Adam LaRoche is a .289 hitter against Marquis in 38 at_bats and Melky Cabrera is 0 for 8. Chicago may want to use Emilio Bonifacio, who is 7 for 16 against Marquis but didn't play in this week's three-game home set against Detroit.

The White Sox, who fell 4-1 to the Tigers on Thursday, have taken two of three in every home series. Jose Abreu, homerless in his last 11 games, is hitting .356 at home compared to .212 on the road.

"You want to win every game, but taking two of three from a good team like them is a good step for us," center fielder Adam Eaton said.

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