Announcement

**StarDust Bum** · 05-15-2015, 02:17 AM

NBA MONEYLINE

NBA > (747) GOLDEN STATE@ (748) MEMPHIS | 05/15/2015 - 09:35 PM
Play ON MEMPHIS using the money line in All games against Pacific division opponents
The record is 45 Wins and 20 Losses for the last three seasons (+25.25 units)

NBA > (745) ATLANTA@ (746) WASHINGTON | 05/15/2015 - 07:05 PM
Play ON ATLANTA using the money line in All games in all games
The record is 64 Wins and 25 Losses for the this season (+25.65 units)

NBA FIRST HALF

NBA > (745) ATLANTA@ (746) WASHINGTON | 05/15/2015 - 07:05 PM
Play ON WASHINGTON in the first half in All games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 56 Wins and 30 Losses for the last two seasons (+23 units)

NBA TOTALS

NBA > (747) GOLDEN STATE@ (748) MEMPHIS | 05/15/2015 - 09:35 PM
Play UNDER MEMPHIS on the total in All games after a loss by 10 points or more
The record is 2 Overs and 13 Unders for the this season (+10.8 units)

NBA > (745) ATLANTA@ (746) WASHINGTON | 05/15/2015 - 07:05 PM
Play OVER WASHINGTON on the total in Home games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 17 Overs and 5 Unders for the this season (+11.5 units)

NBA TOP POWERLINES

NBA > (745) ATLANTA @ (746) WASHINGTON | 05/15/2015 - 07:05 PM
Line: WASHINGTON -2.5 BTB PowerLine: WASHINGTON -2
Edge On: WASHINGTON (0.5)

NBA > (747) GOLDEN STATE @ (748) MEMPHIS | 05/15/2015 - 09:35 PM
Line: MEMPHIS 5 BTB PowerLine: MEMPHIS 5
Edge On: MEMPHIS (0)

**StarDust Bum** · 05-15-2015, 02:19 AM

NHL MONEYLINE

NHL > (51) CHICAGO@ (52) ANAHEIM | 05/15/2015 - 10:05 PM
Play ON ANAHEIM using the money line in All games in a home game where where the total is 5 or less
The record is 14 Wins and 1 Losses for the this season (+12.15 units)

NHL PUCKLINE

NHL > (51) CHICAGO@ (52) ANAHEIM | 05/15/2015 - 10:05 PM
Play ON ANAHEIM using the in All games in a home game where where the total is 5 or less
The record is 14 Wins and 1 Losses for the this season (+12.15 units)

**StarDust Bum** · 05-15-2015, 02:21 AM

Conference Final Odds

May 14, 2015

Home Team listed first - Best of 7 Games (2-2-1-1-1)
(Opening Odds in parentheses)

Eastern Conference

N.Y. Rangers vs. Tampa Bay
Rangers (-155)
Lightning (+135)

Western Conference

Anaheim vs. Chicago
Ducks (-105)
Blackhawks (-115)

**StarDust Bum** · 05-15-2015, 02:22 AM

Home ice could decide conference finals

May 14, 2015

CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago Blackhawks have a sellout streak of 323 games and counting. The New York Rangers play in the world's most famous arena, and the Anaheim Ducks are undefeated at home in the playoffs. The Tampa Bay Lightning set a franchise record with an NHL-best 32 home wins this season.

Welcome to the NHL's final four, where one road win could go a long way.

Fresh off a Game 7 victory over Washington at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers host the Lightning on Saturday in the opener of the Eastern Conference finals. In the West, the Ducks put their perfect home playoff record on the line in Sunday's Game 1 against the Blackhawks, who also are 5-0 at home in the postseason.

''It's been a good run so far at home, but every round gets harder,'' Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau said Thursday.

The four remaining teams are a combined 19-5 at home this postseason. The home team is 42-27 in this year's NHL playoffs for a winning percentage of .609 that ranks ahead of last year (56-37, .602), though way below the remarkable 59-27 home record for the 2013 playoffs after the season was shortened because of labor strife.

Of course, players credit their fans for success at home, but the NHL also gives home teams the last line change after play is stopped, and last stick on the ice for faceoffs. Savvy coaches use the last line change to get the matchups they want at critical moments, and the advantage for faceoffs can produce extra possessions or help clear the puck from the defensive zone at the end of a frantic shift.

''This time of year, especially against a team's top line, you want to be able to get the right people on the ice at that moment, but when it goes down from there, you can see people playing against anybody,'' Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler said. ''It's not a huge thing that Bruce is preaching, but I think it still is a factor for us in the first couple of games.''

There also is a pronounced advantage for faceoffs. Each of the four remaining teams is better at the dot at home compared to the road, with Tampa Bay posting the biggest split at 53.1 percent at Amalie Arena and 47.8 percent in road playoff games. The next biggest difference is 4.9 points for New York (46.8 percent at home, compared to 41.9 percent on the road), and then Chicago (53.7 and 49.1) and Anaheim (56.7 and 53.9), according to STATS.

Give stars such as Tampa Bay star Steven Stamkos or New York forward Rick Nash more time with the puck, and good things happen for their teams.

Seeking their third Stanley Cup title in the last six seasons, the Blackhawks have won 24 of their last 28 home playoff games. With Joel Quenneville behind the bench and a deep group of forwards taking the ice, they are uniquely positioned to make the most of the rules for home games, but captain Jonathan Toews thinks the crowd is the biggest reason for home success in the NHL.

''When you play well and you create things and things are going your way, the crowd's behind you,'' he said. ''I think it adds to the fact of trying to take away momentum, take away energy from the other team. Everyone wants that, especially in the playoffs.''

But Chicago needs at least one road win to move on, and top-seeded Anaheim is 11-3 at the Moda Center since Feb. 27. The Ducks outscored the Jets and Flames 18-6 at home while beginning the playoffs with eight wins in nine games.

''We also feel confident playing on the road,'' Chicago forward Patrick Sharp said. ''We know Anaheim's going to be a tough place to play, but we've gone there and won before. Hopefully we can do it again.''

New York's 2-1 overtime win against Washington on Wednesday night was the Rangers' fifth victory in seven home playoffs games this year. They also improved to 7-0 at home in Game 7.

The Lightning needed a Game 7 home win against Detroit to escape the first round, and coach Jon Cooper said that is where home ice provides the biggest advantage. Home teams are 94-65 in Game 7s in the Stanley Cup playoffs, including 3-0 this year.

''I do think it matters in Game 7, and that's why you want it,'' Cooper said. ''I think that's the one game that home ice can matter.''

**StarDust Bum** · 05-15-2015, 02:23 AM

Ducks' Perry should play Sunday

May 14, 2015

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Corey Perry has missed his second straight practice with the Anaheim Ducks to rest for the Western Conference finals.

Perry stuck to a stationary bike Thursday, but coach Bruce Boudreau expects him to play when the Ducks open the series Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Perry is the top scorer in the Stanley Cup playoffs with 15 points in nine games for the Ducks, who went 8-1 in the first two rounds.

Perry left Game 5 against the Flames last Sunday after a leg-on-leg hit from Calgary's Matt Stajan in the second period, but returned moments later. Perry eventually scored the series-winning overtime goal, sending Anaheim to its first conference finals since 2007.

The 2011 NHL MVP scored 55 points in 67 regular-season games for Anaheim.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-15-2015, 02:24 AM

Rangers ready to face Lightning

May 14, 2015

NEW YORK (AP) - It would seem there are two certainties ahead for the New York Rangers.

First, they will see some very familiar faces in the lineup of their opponent in the Eastern Conference finals: Tampa Bay's Brian Boyle, Anton Stralman and, if he recovers quickly enough from an appendectomy, former captain Ryan Callahan.

Second, they will play lots of one-goal games.

The series opens Saturday at Madison Square Garden, which former Lightning players Martin St. Louis, Dan Boyle and Dominic now call home. New York has played 12 postseason games this spring and all were decided by the slimmest of margins, four in overtime, including Wednesday night's 2-1 victory in Game 7 against Washington.

The Rangers also had two one-goal outcomes at the end of the 2014 Stanley Cup finals loss to Los Angeles; the 14 straight is a record.

''You have to be smart,'' captain Ryan McDonagh said after New York capped a comeback from a 3-1 hole in the series with Washington. ''We talked about it ... to make sure shifts are short and you don't get overextended out there. We've been in situations like that before and we trust each other out there.''

It helps to have an all-world goalie like Henrik Lundqvist, who made 35 saves before Derek Stepan's goal eliminated the Capitals. It helps to have no fear of overtime, in which the Rangers are 4-0 this spring, all by 2-1 scores.

And it doesn't hurt to know you can handle the toughest situations. The Rangers, who had the NHL's best record this season, are the only team to win a series after trailing 3-1 in successive years, doing the same thing to Pittsburgh in the second round in 2014.

New York also has won six straight Game 7s.

''We have a good group that keeps their wits about them and keeps calm,'' said Stepan, who was mobbed by his teammates along the glass as Madison Square Garden shook from the cheers. ''There is no real panic. We just go out and play. We just see what happens and we just play hockey.''

They haven't played Tampa Bay since December, and the Lightning swept all three meetings. Boyle, a center and penalty-killing fiend, and Stralman, one of the NHL's most underrated defensemen, joined Tampa Bay as free agents last offseason. Callahan was dealt for St. Louis at the trading deadline last year.

Lundqvist was having few, if any, thoughts about his former teammates, and Steven Stamkos and Tyler Johnson, the Lightning's top scorers.

''I am going to enjoy this tonight and maybe tomorrow; I don't even know when we start,'' said the third goalie with six Game 7 victories, joining Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur. ''It's a team that we obviously had some problems with during the season. If there is one thing I learned throughout the year, it's that the playoffs are a different story and I look forward to that challenge.''

The Lightning eliminated Montreal is six games. They finished five points behind New York in the overall standings.

''I think our guys stay in the moment,'' said Alain Vigneault, a finalist for NHL Coach of the Year honors. ''They stay in the present and focus on what needs to be done. They go out and play and have fun doing it.''

But they make it difficult on their fans, if not on each other.

Indeed, the Rangers weren't a dominant home team this season. The Lightning were, posting the league's best home mark at 32-8-1. But New York had the best road record, 28-11-2.

Home-ice advantage barely has existed in this postseason.

So it's on to the final four for the Rangers.

''You tell your players to focus on their job and what they need to do and you (as coaches) are doing the same thing,'' Vigneault said. ''There was a lot of atmosphere, there was obviously a tense moment, but the guys just play. It's probably more stressful for the fans watching the game than it is for us.''

**StarDust Bum** · 05-15-2015, 02:25 AM

Friday's Tip Sheet

May 14, 2015

Hawks at Wizards (-2 ½, 197) – 7:00 PM EST – ESPN
Game 6 – Atlanta leads 3-2

The Hawks and Wizards went back and forth in the final few minutes of Wednesday’s Game 5 at Philips Arena but Atlanta holds the upper-hand in this series with a trip to the Verizon Center for Friday’s Game 6. The top-seeded Hawks overcame a late Paul Pierce three-pointer with eight seconds remaining in regulation as Al Horford’s layup gave Atlanta an 82-81 victory to move one win away from their first conference finals appearance since moving to Georgia in 1968.

Following three straight games topping the 100-point mark, the Hawks were limited to their third-lowest point total of the season in Game 5. Horford paced Atlanta with 23 points and 11 rebounds, but Kyle Korver’s struggles from the floor continued with a 1-of-5 shooting performance from three-point range. The Hawks were limited to 41% shooting, but held Washington to 37% shooting from the field, while the Wizards knocked down just 4-of-17 three-pointers.

John Wall returned to the lineup after missing three games with a fractured left wrist, as the Wizards’ point guard scored 15 points and dished out seven assists. Washington improved to 7-2 ATS in the playoffs by covering as seven-point underdogs, as Randy Wittman’s squad owns a remarkable 11-2 ATS record since last season as a ‘dog in the playoffs. However, the Wizards have compiled a 3-4 ATS mark as a favorite in the postseason since 2014, while laying points for the first time in this series in Game 6.

Washington has performed well as a home favorite since February 7, winning 13 of their last 14 when placed in the role, while going 8-4-2 ATS. The Hawks have yet to win three straight games in the playoffs, while putting together a 2-5 ATS ledger as a road underdog in the playoffs since 2013 (first time in ‘dog role this postseason).

VI NBA analyst Chris David is buying the ‘over’ again on Friday and he’s expecting a big rebound for both offensive units.

He explained, “I was very surprised to see the Hawks held in the eighties on Wednesday but when you shoot 22 percent from 3-point land and only get to the free throw line 11 times, you’re going to see that type of production. I’m even more surprised the oddsmakers adjusted the total down to 197 for Game 6 especially with Game 5 closing at 202. The only explanation I could see for the move is that they’re expecting the public to look for a repeat of the last game.”

“For those of you who missed it, both teams shot a combined 39 percent from the field, they combined for 9 triples and the most important factor, they only had 27 combined trips to the free throw line. I question some of Mike Budenholzer’s tactics in this series, especially with Dennis Schroder running the point late in the game, but I can’t ignore his offensive success against the Wizards. Toss out the 82-point effort in Game 5 and the Hawks have averaged 103 PPG in 12 other games since Bud has taken over in Atlanta. Coincidentally, the ‘over’ has gone 10-2 in those contests. Don’t be surprised to see late steam on the ‘over’ Friday and some heavy buy orders on the Hawks team total ‘over’ of 97 ½.”

Atlanta opened the series as -230 favorites to eliminate Washington according to Sportsbook.ag, as the Hawks are currently -700 (Bet $700 to win $100) to advance. If you have faith in the Wizards to win the next two games, Sportsbook.ag has Washington listed at +500 (Bet $100 to win $500) to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.

Warriors (-5) at Grizzlies – 9:30 PM EST – ESPN
Game 6 – Golden State leads 3-2

Following a rout in the series opener, Golden State suddenly dropped consecutive games to Memphis to fall into a 2-1 hole with Game 4 at FedEx Forum. The Warriors cruised to a 101-84 rout of the Grizzlies to even the series at 2-2 and took that momentum back home for Wednesday’s Game 5 whipping of Memphis, 98-78 to cash as 10-point favorites.

The Grizzlies jumped out to a 21-10 advantage with less than five minutes remaining in the opening quarter of Game 5, but the Warriors outscored Memphis, 16-4 to close the period and take the lead for good. Golden State limited Memphis to just 37 second half points as the Grizzlies shot below 40% from the floor for the second straight game. The Warriors connected on 14 three-pointers, including six from MVP Stephen Curry, who finished with 18 points. Neither team shot many free throws as each club converted 8-of-10 from the charity stripe.

The ‘under’ has cashed in all five games of this series, while Steve Kerr’s club has compiled a 7-1-1 mark to the ‘under’ in the postseason. Since late March, the Warriors own an 8-2 record to the ‘under’ in their last 10 road games, including a 3-1 mark in the playoffs away from Oracle Arena. In the last two losses for Memphis, Marc Gasol has made just 15-of-41 shots from the floor, while point guard Mike Conley is 9-of-25.

Tony Allen is expected to return to the lineup for Memphis in Game 6 after missing Wednesday’s loss with a hamstring strain. Allen’s offense hasn’t been much of a factor in this series (21 combined points in Game’s 2, 3, and 4), but his defense helped Memphis limit Golden State to 6-of-26 shooting from long range in the two Grizzlies’ victories. Memphis has split six contests as an underdog this postseason both SU and ATS, while looking to avoid its third losing streak of at least three games this season.

David believes that we’re starting to figure out who the better defensive team is in this series. David said, “It’s understood that Memphis is an offensive juggernaut but when you’re held to less than 86 points three times in the same series, it’s more than issues with shooting. Golden State is a very sound defensive club and it’s done a great job of keeping Memphis off the free throw line. During the season, Memphis averaged close to 23 free throw attempts per game and that average is down to 18 in this series, which includes only 10 trips in Game 5. Unless the Grizzlies get more aggressive, I don’t see this being close and would expect Golden State to close out this series on the road.”

**StarDust Bum** · 05-15-2015, 02:26 AM

Cavaliers' Irving injured in Game 6

May 14, 2015

CHICAGO (AP) - Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving was not on the court to start the second half of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Chicago Bulls, and ESPN reported he is doubtful to return.

Irving, playing on two injured legs, crumbled to the court grimacing in pain after he came down on teammate Tristan Thompson's foot with 9:47 left in the first half. He limped to the sideline and then to the locker room.

Losing Irving is a big blow for Cleveland as it tries to close out this series and avoid a decisive Game 7 at home on Sunday.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-15-2015, 02:28 AM

Warriors, Hawks try to close out series

May 14, 2015

The Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks have regained control of their respective series, doing their best to restore order in the NBA playoffs.

Though things can turn quickly in these series, and the league could easily fall right back into postseason chaos. That's exactly what the upset-minded Wizards and Grizzlies have in mind.

Monday morning when the week started, the Hawks and Warriors both were down 2-1 in their series. Now a combined four wins and five days later, they head into road contests Friday night just one win away from the conference finals.

The Warriors are looking to close out a second playoff series in the same postseason for the first time since winning the 1975 NBA title, and their confidence is high coming off a pair of impressive routs of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Golden State coach Steve Kerr just wants his Warriors to finish off the Grizzlies - now.

''You go get it done,'' Kerr said. ''It's going to be tough on the road against an excellent team. But if we can continue to play the type of defense that we have shown the last couple of games then we'll have a chance to do so.''

Atlanta leads the Wizards, but the Hawks have been anything but impressive.

Washington has battled the Hawks, playing without All-Star point guard John Wall and winning one game on a last-second shot - and losing another the same way. But Atlanta has found a way to get it done. The Hawks haven't been in this position since 1988 when they were up 3-2 against Boston, but couldn't close out the Celtics.

The Wizards don't plan on going away quietly either.

''We have to worry about one game,'' Wizards coach Randy Wittman said Thursday. ''That's all we have to worry about right now - and that's the game tomorrow night. We know what we have to do to beat the team. And it's just now a matter of going out and being the most consistent team.''

The Grizzlies also are ready for a final stand at home.

''There are no excuses,'' Grizzlies guard Mike Conley said. ''We have to take care of business at home and fight for another chance.''

A look at the two games:

---

Warriors at Grizzlies, Warriors lead 3-2, 9:30 p.m., ESPN

The Warriors have started knocking down 3s again with 14 in each of the past two games. They also figured out how to smother one of the league's best inside scoring teams, holding Memphis to 37 of 98 shooting in the paint in that span.

All that poor shooting means neither Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph nor center Marc Gasol are getting to the free throw line. Randolph has attempted only three free throws the last two games combined, and Gasol is just 7 of 8. Worse, Gasol is 15 of 41 with both men taking too many shots too far away from the basket.

Gasol said the Grizzlies have to get position closer to the basket quicker and beat the Warriors to their preferred position. They also need someone to knock down some perimeter shots to force Golden State to back somebody out defensively.

''We'll give it everything we have, and hopefully it will work out for us,'' Gasol said. ''We're going to try to execute a little better, hold the ball as long as we have to.''

---

Hawks at Wizards, Hawks lead 3-2, 7 p.m., ESPN

Veteran Paul Pierce has hit some timely 3s for Washington, and he nearly had his second game-winner in this series before Al Horford's rebound and putback gave Atlanta an 82-81 win in Game 5.

Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said they have to be better defending Pierce.

''The defense and activity and reactions to each other need to be better,'' Budenholzer said. ''Probably the ones that were defended with multiple defenders, multiple contests, he's made. Still, we've got to be better.''

The Hawks also need more from Kyle Korver who is scoring just eight points a game in this series. He is 14 of 40 shooting (35 percent) and a little worse outside the arc (12 of 35). Korver credits the Wizards for sticking with him defensively.

Wall is expected to play his second straight game Friday night even with the five fractures in his left hand and wrist.

''I told John it had to be, not only for the team's sake but for his sake, (that) he had to be mentally able to play recklessly without worrying about anything'' before Game 5. Wittman said. ''I thought that's what he did.''

Wall will need to be just as reckless in Game 6.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-15-2015, 02:30 AM

Wizards' Wall solid in return from injury

May 13, 2015

ATLANTA (AP) - John Wall hardly played like a guy who fractured several bones in his left hand 10 days earlier.

Returning to the playoffs after missing the previous three games, the Washington Wizards star scored 15 points and made what could have been a game-saving block in the closing seconds Wednesday night.

But Al Horford grabbed the offensive rebound and put back the winning shot with 1.9 seconds left, giving the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks an 82-81 victory over the Wizards and a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

''I didn't have any problems with my hand,'' said Wall, who was announced as a starter about 20 minutes before tipoff. ''I was able to play aggressive and make plays, so I was fine.''

He almost made enough plays to give the Wizards control of the series heading back home for Game 6 on Friday night.

Wall hit 7 of 16 shots, dished out seven assists, grabbed four rebounds, made four steals, and came up with his second block when Dennis Schroder drove to the basket for the Hawks with the clock winding down and Washington clinging to an 81-80 lead.

If the Wizards could have grabbed the rebound, it probably would have been over. But Horford made a game-saving play for the Hawks, who now have a chance to wrap up the series in the next game.

''We just didn't make the big plays,'' Wall said.

After showing no apparent problems during pregame warmups, the Wizards announced that Wall would be active. Coach Randy Wittman had already said Wall would not dress unless he was going to play, but Washington didn't name him as the starter right away.

Wittman even submitted a lineup that only listed four players. There was a dash drawn through the fifth spot.

Then, not long before tipoff, Wall's name was written on the lineup board.

''I thought he was great considering everything,'' Wittman said. ''I don't think he played tentatively at all. I never saw him wince or anything bother him, so that's good. He played like John - all out.''

While Wall said he didn't feel any pressure to return, he thought about veteran players such as Paul Pierce.

''Hopefully I can be back here multiple times, but this might be somebody's last ride,'' Wall said. ''I just think we have a great team, a special team that has a chance, even though we're down one. Having Paul Pierce on the team kind of made my decision a lot easier, knowing this might be his last ride.''

Ramon Sessions did a solid job filling in for Wall, averaging 14.0 points and 5.0 assists per game during his absence. But the Wizards are a totally different team with Wall, who had been averaging 17.4 points and nearly 13 assists a game in the playoffs, leading the Wizards to a first-round sweep of Toronto.

''I thought he did well,'' said Bradley Beal, who led the Wizards with 23 points in Game 5. ''You kind of cringed every time you saw him make a move to the basket and he'd fall, but he's a soldier. He's going to continue to lead us.''

Wall said 12 hours of treatment a day helped reduce the swelling and make it possible for him to return.

''We were playing so well in the playoffs early on, and getting hurt in Game 1 was tough,'' he said. ''I didn't want to rush it and wanted to make the right decision.''

**StarDust Bum** · 05-15-2015, 02:36 AM

Preview: Pirates (17-17) at Cubs (18-15)
Game: 1
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: May 15, 2015 2:20 PM EDT

In possession of baseball's longest active winning streak, the Chicago Cubs look to take advantage of an inconsistent Pittsburgh Pirates team as these NL Central rivals begin their third series of the season Friday at Wrigley Field.

Chicago (19-15) rallied for the second straight game Thursday, erasing a four-run deficit to beat the New York Mets 6-5 and complete a four-game sweep while giving manager Joe Maddon his 800th win.

'When we get down nobody's panicking, nobody's saying, `We can't do this,'' said Maddon, whose team scored in the eighth and ninth innings of Wednesday's 2-1 win. 'I think there was a great believability in the group that we could do it, and obviously we did.'

Kris Bryant went 6 for 14 with two homers in the series and Chicago's bullpen, which allowed 21 runs in 21 2-3 innings during a seven-game road trip, pitched 9 2-3 scoreless innings.

Kyle Hendricks (0-1, 4.65 ERA) will take the mound as the only Cubs starter without a win, although the right-hander put himself in position with 5 1-3 scoreless innings in Sunday's 3-2 loss in 11 at Milwaukee.

Hendricks has faced Pittsburgh (17-18) in two of his six starts this season, going 0-1 with a 4.35 ERA in a pair of losses for the Cubs.

He opposed Jeff Locke (2-2, 4.71) in the first of those outings and will do so again Friday. Locke surrendered four runs in five innings as the Pirates rallied for a 5-4 win in that matchup April 23, then was chased after allowing six runs and eight hits with three walks over 3 2-3 in a 6-2 loss five days later.

He was far better Sunday against St. Louis, pitching 6 2-3 innings and giving up three runs in a 4-3 victory, but he's 0-2 with a 6.45 ERA in his last four starts after winning his first two behind a 1.93 ERA.

Pittsburgh split a four-game home set with Chicago before dropping two of three at Wrigley from April 27-29 - the Pirates' first series defeat to the Cubs since July 5-7, 2013.

Like their weekend opponents, the Pirates enjoyed a four-game winning streak before suffering consecutive losses at Philadelphia this week. They committed two errors that led to a pair of unearned runs in Thursday's 4-2 defeat.

'We had a chance to win the series but were not able to do it,' manager Clint Hurdle said. 'We didn't handle the ball as well as we should have. We've got a lot of work to do.'

Andrew McCutchen was out of the starting lineup to get some rest before fouling out to end the game as the potential tying run. McCutchen is 5 for 25 with eight strikeouts in the seven meetings with the Cubs, going 0 for 3 and striking out twice when facing Hendricks.

Gregory Polanco is 3 for 6 against Hendricks.

Bryant has gone 9 for 26 (.346) with nine RBIs against Pittsburgh, while Anthony Rizzo, Starlin Castro and Dexter Fowler are batting .400 in the season series.

Fowler is 3 for 3 against Locke in 2015 and Castro is 3 for 5.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Pirates at Cubs
Fri, May 15 - 2:20PM EDT

GAME 2
Pirates at Cubs
Sat, May 16 - 4:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Pirates at Cubs
Sun, May 17 - 2:20PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-15-2015, 02:37 AM

Preview: Angels (17-17) at Orioles (15-17)
Game: 1
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: May 15, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Following a sweep of MLB's worst team to cap a promising homestand, the resilient Los Angeles Angels have moved past their slow start behind a string of strong performances on the mound.

Coming off his first shutout in three seasons, Jered Weaver hopes to continue the trend Friday night against the host Baltimore Orioles in a matchup between defending division champs looking to regain last season's form.

Los Angeles starters ranked sixth in the AL with a 3.62 ERA en route to the West title in 2014, but they struggled early on this season in posting a 5.25 mark while the Angels (17-17) started 5-8.

The rotation has turned things around with an MLB-best 2.86 ERA over its past 21 games. Los Angeles starters allowed two runs or fewer in seven of eight starts while the club went 6-2 to close out a nine-game homestand.

Hector Santiago and five relievers struck out a combined 14 batters in Wednesday's 2-1 win that dealt Colorado its 11th consecutive defeat. Albert Pujols' walk-off sacrifice fly scored pinch-runner Taylor Featherston in the 11th inning.

Now the Angels hope to move above .500 for the first time since April 8 as they give the ball to Weaver (1-4, 4.98 ERA) in the opener of a 10-game trip. The veteran allowed six hits in last Friday's 2-0 win over visiting Houston - his first shutout since Aug. 6, 2012.

"This is going to give him confidence. When you try and try so hard and don't get results, it's hard," shortstop Erick Aybar told MLB's official website. "Hopefully that means he takes the ball next time with more confidence."

Weaver, whose fastball topped out at 88 mph, will try to end his recent troubles on the road. He's yielded 11 runs and 16 hits - four home runs - in his last two away starts, falling to 0-4 with a 6.30 ERA in his past five there.

The right-hander had been 5-2 with a 2.28 ERA in a seven-start stretch versus Baltimore before surrendering six runs and issuing four walks over five innings in a 7-6, 12-inning road loss July 29.

Adam Jones took Weaver deep in that contest and is 3 for 9 with two homers in their matchups since 2013. J.J. Hardy, though, has gone just 3 for 23 lifetime versus Weaver.

The defending East champion Orioles (15-17), averaging 3.3 runs over their past 12 games, are trying to dig their way out of last place after taking two of three from visiting Toronto.

Jimmy Paredes stayed hot by going 2 for 4 with a double in Wednesday's 6-1 victory. The infielder is batting .347 during a career-best 12-game hitting streak and has hit in 19 of 21 overall.

Baltimore's Wei-Yin Chen (1-1, 2.52) has yielded three earned runs or fewer in each of his six outings. He earned his first victory Saturday, allowing one run and fanning seven over seven innings in a 6-2 win at Yankee Stadium.

The left-hander is 0-1 with a 5.23 ERA in two starts versus Los Angeles, with both coming on the road in 2012.

Pujols, Aybar and Mike Trout each have homered over a combined 12 at_bats when facing Chen. Aybar also has been swinging a hot stick of late, going 7 for 10 over his last three games.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Angels at Orioles
Fri, May 15 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Angels at Orioles
Sat, May 16 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Angels at Orioles
Sun, May 17 - 1:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-15-2015, 02:39 AM

Preview: Diamondbacks (15-18) at Phillies (12-23)
Game: 1
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: May 15, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Chase Anderson continues to be the Arizona Diamondbacks' most consistent starter, but his solid efforts haven't led to victories for his club.

Shutting down the low-scoring Philadelphia Phillies would help change that.

The Diamondbacks look to avoid dropping a sixth straight game started by Anderson when he takes the mound Friday night in Philadelphia.

Anderson (0-1, 2.97 ERA) has pitched at least six innings while allowing two runs or fewer four times, including his last two starts. He tossed six scoreless innings of Arizona's 1-0, 13-inning loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 3 before giving up one run in seven innings of the Diamondbacks' 6-4 defeat in 12 to San Diego on Saturday.

Manager Chip Hale decided to remove Anderson after 93 pitches against the Padres, and the bullpen promptly blew the 2-1 lead Anderson held when he left. Arizona (15-18) has scored just 10 runs in Anderson's 36 1-3 innings, winning only his season debut against the Dodgers on April 10 in 10 innings.

"I stuck to my game plan, got early outs and was able to go deep in the game," said Anderson, who also had his first career RBI against the Padres. "As a starting pitcher, that's what you want to do (to) give your team a chance to win the game."

The Diamondbacks have scored 20 runs over their last two, but closer Addison Reed gave up a grand slam with one out in the ninth of a 9-6 loss to Washington on Wednesday.

Paul Goldschmidt went 3 for 4, finishing a homer short of the cycle.

'Unfortunate way to lose, but you can't do anything but bounce back in the next game,' Goldschmidt said.

The Phillies (13-23) have scored the fewest runs in the majors, and their .232 average ranks near the bottom. But they've pushed enough across the plate while winning the last two, snapping a four-game skid with a 3-2 victory over Pittsburgh on Wednesday before taking the series finale 4-2.

Freddy Galvis added three hits Thursday to improve his average to .440 over his last seven. Ryan Howard, who went 1 for 15 over his previous five, finished 3 for 4 with a homer.

"He's squaring up the ball much better and I think gaining confidence goes with that," manager Ryne Sandberg said of Howard. "I think when a player like Ryan can get a hot, the rest of the lineup can kind of settle in and chip away."

Chad Billingsley takes the mound for his third start in his return from Tommy John surgery, which forced him to miss most of 2013 and all of '14.

The right-hander has allowed five earned runs over five innings in each of his first two outings, falling 9-0 to Atlanta on May 5 and 7-4 to the New York Mets on Sunday. He hit his third career home run against the Mets.

'I had a little better control of my fastball,' said Billingsley, whose last win came April 10, 2013. 'I was more confident with my pitches, being able to locate. I felt good. Obviously, the results aren't there. Go back to work and keep improving.'

Billingsley has made 25 starts against Arizona, none since 2012. Aaron Hill, who is batting .480 over his last eight, is 3 for 9 with two doubles and a homer off Billingsley.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Phillies
Fri, May 15 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Phillies
Sat, May 16 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Phillies
Sun, May 17 - 1:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-15-2015, 02:41 AM

Preview: Braves (15-19) at Marlins (16-19)
Game: 1
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: May 15, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

With Henderson Alvarez on a minor league rehab stint, the Miami Marlins' starting rotation could be close to receiving a boost. It could also be said it got that lift when Alvarez's injury opened a spot for David Phelps.

Phelps will try to continue strengthening his case to remain a starter when the Atlanta Braves open a three-game series in Miami on Friday night.

Alvarez landed on the disabled list April 13 with shoulder inflammation, and the club's opening-day starter could return to the majors next week.

Phelps (2-0, 2.90 ERA) struggled out of the bullpen early on, but in five starts since entering the rotation, he's 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA. The right-hander limited San Francisco to a run in six innings of Saturday's 6-2 road victory.

"I'm not going out trying to be an ace," Phelps told MLB's official website. "I'm not trying to take over what (Alvarez) was doing. I'm trying to give us a chance to win every time we go out. That's what I do every time I take the hill. I try to give us a chance to win a ballgame."

The Marlins (16-19) haven't taken two in a row since a four-game win streak April 28-May 2. They're 4-7 since, and part of the blame lies with the bullpen.

Miami relievers had a 3.92 ERA through 24 games, but they've posted a 6.16 mark in the last 11. They did deliver 3 2-3 scoreless innings in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Dodgers as the Marlins salvaged one of three in Los Angeles.

"Unfortunately we can't go back and change the games we had a chance to win but getting this win is good," reliever Bryan Morris said.

The Braves (15-19) have won four of six in the season series and seven of nine in Miami over the last year, including a three-game sweep at Marlins Park to open 2015.

Julio Teheran (3-1, 4.74) was a part of that, but since winning his first two starts, he's been battered by the home run, surrendering eight in 26 innings over five starts that have resulted in a 1-1 record and 6.23 ERA. The right-hander gave up six runs and 10 hits - two homers - with three walks in five innings of Saturday's 8-6 loss in Washington.

Much of the recent damage has come in two starts against the Nationals, and Teheran has been considerably better against the Marlins. He's 5-1 with a 2.64 ERA in nine starts, including a 2-1 victory on opening day April 6 in which he allowed a run and eight hits in six innings.

Giancarlo Stanton is 3 for 24 with eight strikeouts in their matchups and Dee Gordon is 3 for 11, which is comparatively bad for the second baseman against Atlanta. He's a career .358 hitter in 22 games against the Braves, tied for his best average against any team he's faced in more than five games.

After going 0 for 8 in his previous two contests, Gordon was 4 for 5 with two doubles Wednesday to get his average up to .426.

Atlanta has had its offensive struggles lately, losing five of six and getting two hits in Wednesday's 5-1 loss at Cincinnati.

Kelly Johnson left with an oblique strain and the cleanup hitter is headed to the 15-day disabled list. After a slow start, he'd posted a .921 OPS with 18 RBIs in 21 games.

"(Johnson) is a guy who can hit behind (Freddie) Freeman in the lineup and at least give opposing managers some thought about putting Freeman on or pitching around him," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "We'll figure out who will hit behind Freeman."

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Braves at Marlins
Fri, May 15 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Braves at Marlins
Sat, May 16 - 1:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Braves at Marlins
Sun, May 17 - 1:10PM EDT

Announcement

The Bum's Best Bets For Friday May 15th - MLB - NBA -NHL !

The Bum's Best Bets For Friday May 15th - MLB - NBA -NHL !

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment