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**StarDust Bum** · 05-17-2015, 02:06 AM

NBA MONEYLINE

NBA > (751) LA CLIPPERS@ (751) HOUSTON | 05/17/2015 - 03:05 PM
Play ON LA CLIPPERS using the money line in Road games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 12 Wins and 5 Losses for the this season (+12.9 units)

NBA TOTALS

NBA > (751) LA CLIPPERS@ (751) HOUSTON | 05/17/2015 - 03:05 PM
Play OVER LA CLIPPERS on the total in All games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season
The record is 43 Overs and 21 Unders for the last two seasons (+19.9 units)

**StarDust Bum** · 05-17-2015, 02:08 AM

NHL MONEYLINE

NHL > (51) CHICAGO@ (52) ANAHEIM | 05/17/2015 - 03:05 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 | 05/17/2015 - 03:05 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** · 05-17-2015, 02:10 AM

Cheat Sheet - Conference Final

May 15, 2015

Anaheim Ducks vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Series Price: Blackhawks -115, Ducks -105

Team Trends

Ducks: 5-0 SU Last 5 Home Games
Ducks: 6-3 O/U Last 9 Games

Blackhawks: 7-2-1 O/U Last 10 Games
Blackhawks: 5-0 SU Last 5 Home Games
Blackhawks: 5 Game Winning Streak Overall
Blackhawks: 4-1 SU Last 5 vs Anaheim

Head-to-Head Trends

-- Corey Crawford (Blackhawks): 9-4-1 Record vs Ducks
-- Road Team has won Last 4 Meetings
-- Under is 8-2 Last 10 Meetings

Exact Games Odds - 7 Game Series (2-2-1-1-1)
4 Games Blackhawks Win 10/1
5 Games Blackhawks Win 5/1
6 Games Blackhawks Win 4/1
7 Games Blackhawks Win 9/2

4 Games Ducks Win 10/1
5 Games Ducks Win 9/2
6 Games Ducks Win 5/1
7 Games Ducks Win 7/2

New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Series Price: Rangers -150, Lightning +130

Team Trends

Lightning: 4-1 SU Last 5 Meetings
Lightning: 4-2 SU Last 6 Road Games
Lightning: 7/16 (43.7%) on the Power-Play Last 5 Games

Rangers: 1-10 ATS & 2-9-1 O/U This Postseason
Rangers: 5-2 SU Last 7 Home Games

Head-to-Head Trends

-- Underdog is 5-1 SU Last 6 Meetings
-- Over is 4-1-1 Last 6 Meetings

Exact Games Odds - 7 Game Series (2-2-1-1-1)

4 Games Lightning Win 10/1
5 Games Lightning Win 13/2
6 Games Lightning Win 7/2
7 Games Lightning Win 4/1

4 Games Rangers Win 12/1
5 Games Rangers Win 11/2
6 Games Rangers Win 9/2
7 Games Rangers Win 7/2

Odds to win Stanley Cup

New York Rangers 9/5
Chicago Blackhawks 9/4
Anaheim Ducks 5/2
Tampa Bay Lightning 5/1

**StarDust Bum** · 05-17-2015, 02:13 AM

NBA Playoffs - Game 7 Facts

May 15, 2015

Game 7 Quick Facts

-- The NBA has had 120 Game 7’s in playoff history

-- The home team is 96-24 (79%) in those games

-- This will be the second Game 7 of the 2015 NBA Playoffs.

-- The 2014 postseason featured five Game 7's. The home team went 4-1 in those games and the lone visitor to win was Brooklyn, who defeated Toronto 104-103 in overtime.

-- The 'over' has cashed in five of the last six Game 7's in the NBA Playoffs.

-- Houston has gone 5-4 in Game 7's, the last instance coming in the 2009 NBA Playoffs.

-- Since the Clippers moved to Los Angeles, the team is 3-1 in Game 7's.

-- Doc Rivers has coached in 11 Game 7's and owns a 6-5 career record (Orlando 0-1, Boston 4-4, Los Angeles 2-0)

Houston Game 7 History
1981 Western Conference Semifinals
Houston 105 at San Antonio 100

1993 Western Conference Semifinals
Seattle 103 vs. Houston 100

1994 Western Conference Semifinals
Houston 104 vs. Phoenix 94

1994 NBA Finals
Houston 90 vs. New York 84

1995 Western Conference Semifinals
Houston 115 at Phoenix 114

1997 Western Conference Semifinals
Houston 96 vs. Seattle 91

2005 Western First Round
Dallas 116 vs. Houston 76

2007 Western First Round
Utah 103 at Houston 99

2009 Western Conference Semifinals
Los Angeles Lakers 89 vs. Houston 70

L.A. Clippers Game 7 History

2006 Western Conference Semifinals
Phoenix Suns 127 vs. L.A. Clippers 107

2012 Western Conference First Round
L.A. Clippers 82 at Memphis 72

2014 Western Conference First Round
L.A. Clippers 126 vs. Golden State 121

2015 Western Conference First Round
L.A. Clippers 111 vs. San Antonio 109

ALL-TIME GAME 7 ROAD WINNERS

Year Road Team Home Team Round

2014 Brooklyn 104 Toronto 103 First round

2013 Chicago 99 Brooklyn 93 First round

2012 L.A. Clippers 82 Memphis 72 First round

2009 Orlando 101 Boston 82 Conference semifinals

2007 San Antonio 91 New Orleans 82 Conference semifinals

2007 Utah 103 Houston 99 First round

2006 *Dallas 119 San Antonio 111 Conference semifinals

2005 Detroit 88 Miami 82 Conference finals

2005 Indiana 97 Boston 70 First round

2002 *L.A. Lakers 112 Sacramento 106 Conference finals

2000 New York 83 Miami 82 Conference semifinals

1995 Indiana 97 New York 95 Conference semifinals

1995 Houston 115 Phoenix 114 Conference semifinals

1982 Philadelphia 120 Boston 106 Conference finals

1981 Kansas City 95 Phoenix 88 Conference semifinals

1981 Houston 105 San Antonio 100 Conference semifinals

1978 Washington 105 Seattle 99 NBA Finals

1976 Phoenix 94 Golden State 86 Conference finals

1974 Boston 102 Milwaukee 87 NBA Finals

1973 New York 94 Boston 78 Conference finals

1971 Baltimore 93 New York 91 Conference finals

1969 Boston 108 L.A. Lakers 106 NBA Finals

1968 Boston 100 Philadelphia 96 Division finals

1948 Philadelphia 85 St Louis 46 Semifinals

(*) Asterisk denotes overtime

**StarDust Bum** · 05-17-2015, 02:18 AM

Irving sits out practice, rests knee

May 16, 2015

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) - LeBron James should have had a stethoscope hanging around his neck as he reeled off the latest medical updates on him and his teammates.

''It goes without saying that we're banged up right now,'' the pseudo Dr. J said Saturday.

As they prepare to meet the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference finals, the Cavaliers are hurting.

Kyrie Irving has a tender left knee and sore right foot, James played the past two games on a sprained left ankle and has ''other nicks and bruises,'' guard Iman Shumpert has a strained groin, forward Tristan Thompson a bruised shoulder and Kevin Love is out for the postseason following shoulder surgery.

Fortunately for the Cavs, they've got time to ice those injuries and heal before Game 1 on Wednesday night in Atlanta.

Of all Cleveland's aches and pains, Irving's knee injury is the most significant and bears watching. The All-Star point guard has been dealing with tendinitis in the knee for several weeks, and he aggravated the condition on Thursday in the first half of Game 6 in Chicago. He sat out the final 33 minutes as the Cavs closed out the Bulls by getting a huge contribution from Irving's backup, Matthew Dellavedova, who scored a team-high 19 points.

Irving was seen Friday by team doctors, who prescribed rest and Cleveland's playmaker did not participate in Saturday's workout at Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Cavs coach David Blatt said Irving's status for the series opener remains in question. At this point, all the team can do is hope he gets better.

''We sat Ky out and he's going through a lot of treatment and we're monitoring and just hoping that he progresses from here until game time,'' Blatt said. ''We're very much on top of this obviously and Ky is doing everything he possibly can to get well.''

Irving has been toughing out his first NBA postseason since spraining his right foot in Game 2 of Cleveland's opening-round series against Boston. He scored 25 in Game 5 against Chicago, and said before the series close-out win that he had never undergone more treatment to prepare for one game.

But it all went for naught when he tweaked his knee, and Irving spent the remainder of the game on the bench with his leg wrapped. Cleveland also got a scare when Thompson, the club's relentless rebounder, got flipped while making a layup and landed hard on his shoulder. But other than being sore he's OK.

The Cavs have managed to advance despite their health issues, but they'll need to be closer to 100 percent to handle the Hawks, the East's top-seeded team which beat Cleveland three out of four times in the regular season.

James has been impressed with Atlanta's balance.

''You can't just key in on one guy,'' he said. ''All five guys that's on the floor at that time, you have to have your antennae up. I think it starts with Jeff Teague. He's an All-Star for a reason. His aggressiveness, the way he pushes the tempo, and then it just falls in to everyone else on that team. They do a great job of playing together.''

After turbulence caused in the regular season by injuries, trades and endless scrutiny, the Cavs have bonded during the playoffs, partly because of adversity. They lost Love in Game 4 of the Boston series and then endured a two-game suspension for J.R. Smith, and now they're dealing with an assortment of bumps and bruises.

''Every experience for us is a learning experience,'' James said. ''Even for myself being the leader of the team. Throughout adversity, with the injuries, with the suspension, with everything we've had, we've gotten tougher and tougher. We've grown even closer together. So it's definitely been great to see.

''To be able to overcome everything we're going through internally, to put it out on the floor and just say, `No matter what we're going through we're going to continue to play for one another and whatever happens, happens.' That's all we can give. We can give our maximum effort, what we've been doing, and we'll see what happens at the end of the day.''

**StarDust Bum** · 05-17-2015, 02:19 AM

Atlanta has reason to cheer in playoffs

May 16, 2015

ATLANTA (AP) - From Cliff Levingston taking the final shot instead of Dominique Wilkins to the largest four-game blowout in NBA history, the Atlanta Hawks have plenty of playoff lowlights.

Now, finally, there's something to cheer about.

For the first time, the Hawks are headed to the Eastern Conference finals, just one step away from playing for the first championship since the franchise moved from St. Louis to the Deep South in 1968.

''They deserve it,'' said Wilkins, a Hall of Famer and probably the greatest player in team history. ''They really just came together as one and put a great run together.''

Wilkins was part of another memorable era in Atlanta history, the leader of a high-flying team that, until now, came the closest to advancing past the second round.

The Hawks were up 3-2 on Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics in 1988 but squandered a chance to wrap up the conference semifinals in Atlanta. Clinging to a two-point lead in Game 6, the Celtics double-teamed Wilkins on the final possession, forcing Levingston to put up an awkward left-handed shot with one second remaining.

He missed, of course, and the Celtics wrapped up the series in the deciding game, an epic duel between Wilkins and Bird in which Boston held on for a 118-116 victory.

Atlanta has made it to the second round only eight times since then, three of those ending in sweeps. Most notably, the Hawks took an unprecedented thumping at the hands of the Orlando Magic in 2010, losing four straight games by an average of 25.25 points. Booed off the court in the final two contests at home, the team fired coach Mike Woodson shortly afterward.

There will be nothing but adulation when the Hawks open the conference finals against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night, a sign of how much the city has adopted this team after years of apathy.

''It's been incredible,'' Wilkins, now a team executive and television commentator, said Saturday in a telephone interview. ''We're finally embracing our heritage, embracing a culture of basketball, and embracing the history of this team.''

That history includes a few highlights and plenty of bumps.

When the Hawks moved to Atlanta 47 years ago, they were one of the NBA's top teams. Playing at tiny Alexander Memorial Coliseum on the Georgia Tech campus, they continued their strong play by reaching the division final the first two years in their new home, only to get blown out both times by the Los Angeles Lakers. The city barely seemed to notice its newest big-league team, which averaged 4,474 fans during its debut season and just 5,210 the next even though the Hawks won the Western Division title.

Things changed after Wilkins, a star at the University of Georgia, was acquired in 1982. By the late `80s, Wilkins was joined by Levingston, Kevin Willis, Antoine Carr, Doc Rivers and Spud Webb on one of the league's up-and-coming teams. The Hawks sold out the Omni on a regular basis and won at least 50 games four years in a row (the only time that's happened in franchise history), but they never figured out a way to get by those great Boston teams and other Eastern powerhouses.

''That was just a different era of basketball. Everybody was so good, particularly in the East,'' Wilkins remembered. ''Boston had five Hall of Famers. There was also Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Milwaukee, just so many good teams.''

These Hawks are a definite underdog in the conference finals, despite a 60-22 mark during the regular season, winning three out of four against the Cavaliers and having home-court advantage.

They don't mind a bit.

''We have a whole team that's been underdogs for the majority of their lives,'' guard Kyle Korver said. ''So it's probably a more familiar role for us.''

Wilkins likes Atlanta's chances.

''They played `em well during the regular season,'' he said. ''A lot of times, that doesn't mean anything because the playoffs are a different type of basketball. But it gives them confidence going into the series. Getting to the Eastern Conference finals, we believe we can win. We know we can win.''

Wilkins doesn't want to look too far ahead, but he can't help envisioning what it would be like if the Hawks advance to the NBA Finals.

''Oh man, this town would be out of control,'' he said, his voice rising. ''And we'd be right in the middle of it.''

**StarDust Bum** · 05-17-2015, 02:22 AM

Cavaliers push through to Eastern finals

May 15, 2015

CLEVELAND (AP) - LeBron James sat in his usual middle seat at the postgame podium talking about another playoff win, one moving him closer to another NBA championship.

He was joined by unlikely company, a point guard to his right and power forward to his left but not the same ones he began these playoffs with a few weeks ago.

The superstar was flanked by Matthew Dellavedova and Tristan Thompson - hardly the Big 3, more like Cleveland's Unexpected 3.

Showing resiliency and toughness with contributions from the team's most unsung players, the Cavs ended Chicago's season on Thursday night by beating the Bulls 94-73 to win the semifinal series in six games, advancing to play either Washington or Atlanta for the Eastern Conference title.

Without Kevin Love, their best rebounder who was knocked out by a shoulder injury in the opening round, and without All-Star guard Kyrie Irving, who re-injured his left knee in the first half of Game 6.

This season of turmoil, scrutiny and expectation as James chases a title for his home region, rolls on.

''The power of team trumps all,'' said first-year coach David Blatt.

The Cavs will have nearly a week to heal bumps and bruises and hope Irving can recover from a sprained right foot and tendinitis in his left knee. Irving spent the second half of Thursday's game as a benched cheerleader, his knee wrapped, his stomach in knots.

''A week of treatment and it all goes down in one play,'' he said.

Irving's injury forced the Cavs to turn to Dellavedova, a scrappy, undrafted Australian whose previous biggest moment of the series came when he put Chicago's Taj Gibson in a leg lock during a skirmish in Game 5. But in Game 6, the 6-foot-4 Dellavedova, a Saint Mary's (California) product who downs a cup of black coffee right before every game, scored a team-high 19 points.

''This guy right here,'' James said, motioning toward his new sidekick. ''He's not the most athletic, fastest, greatest shooter in our league but I'd put him out there with anybody. This guy has to guard Kyrie Irving every single day in practice. That's not an easy task. But when your mind is true, I just think the game gives back to you.''

It was validation for the teammate known affectionately as ''Delly.'' His turnovers and shaky shot selection early in the season prompted Cavs general manager David Griffin to search for a backup point guard at the trading deadline. Griffin had already dealt for Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith and Timofey Mozgov, pieces that have positioned the Cavs for a title shot.

But Dellavedova never stopped working and it paid off.

''I guess I wasn't playing as well as I would have liked, helping the team,'' he said. ''I'm just happy that they stuck with it, and I'm doing the job.''

Thompson's journey this season has been just as impressive. When the Cavs traded for Love last summer, Thompson was shoved to the bench after starting 82 games in each of the two previous seasons. But instead of pouting or complaining, the Canadian embraced his new role, becoming one of the league's top reserves.

''I went in and punched the clock,'' he said.

He grabbed 17 rebounds in Game 6 and the No. 4 overall pick in 2011 continually outworked Chicago's big men to keep possessions alive for the Cavs.

Thompson has grown close with James. They share the same agent, Rich Paul, and Thompson looks to James as both role model and mentor.

''I am playing with this father here,'' Thompson said, nodding at James. ''Delly, Kyrie and I saw an opportunity to play with one of the best. It started on Labor Day when LeBron was the first one in the gym and last one out. We knew we would have to catch up if he does that. It would mean working three of four times harder than he did.''

Just as he did in leading Miami to four straight Finals, James is making those around him better.

And James might be enough for Cleveland, where his supporting cast seems to change every game.

James bristled when asked if he felt that the reconfigured Cavs are no longer favorites.

''Underdog? Me?'' he said incredulously. ''I will never be an underdog. I think we have a great chance. That's what we're here for. We're gonna play hard, we're gonna give ourselves a fighting chance.'

**StarDust Bum** · 05-17-2015, 02:27 AM

Preview: Braves (16-19) at Marlins (16-20)
Game: 3
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: May 17, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

For the Miami Marlins' current slump, there's plenty of blame to go around.

None, though, should go to Giancarlo Stanton.

Following yet another wasted home run by Stanton, the Marlins will turn to Henderson Alvarez in his first start off the disabled list Sunday against an Atlanta Braves team looking for its second consecutive sweep in Miami.

Stanton launched a 478-foot solo shot Saturday in a 5-3 loss to Atlanta (17-19), his third homer of the series and fourth in four games. He has two other tape-measure shots in that span, including one Friday and another that left Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, but Miami also lost both of those games. He's driven in seven of Miami's 12 runs over the past four games and ranks atop baseball with 36 RBIs.

Still, the Marlins (16-21) keep losing. They've dropped five of six, failing to score more than three runs in each defeat.

Stanton has 11 of Miami's 24 home runs.

"We need to get some guys going," reliever Tom Koehler said. "His enormous home runs don't really mean much - they still only count as one. We've got to put it all together."

Saturday's loss saw Miami drop to 0-8 when allowing 12 or more hits, and Mat Latos surrendered five runs - including a second-inning grand slam to Jace Peterson - before leaving in the fourth inning after being hit in the leg with a line drive.

The Marlins are batting .167 with runners in scoring position in the last five games, including 3 for 21 in this series.

"We've had some opportunities to get big hits and we haven't been able to get it," manager Mike Redmond said. "When you talk about winning ballgames and getting on those big rolls and streaks, you have to get those big two-out hits, and we just haven't been able to get them."

Miami hopes the return of its opening day starter provides a spark.

Alvarez (0-2, 4.50), sidelined since April 13 with right shoulder inflammation, posted a 2.65 ERA last season and led the Marlins to victories in both outings against Atlanta. Alvarez got another crack at the Braves on April 6 and surrendered two runs in seven innings of a 2-1 loss.

Atlanta ended up sweeping that three-game set in Miami and will look to accomplish that feat again Sunday behind Shelby Miller (4-1, 1.60).

Acquired from St. Louis in the offseason, Miller has yet to allow more than two earned runs through seven starts. He has been especially dominant over his last two, allowing one run and six hits while striking out 16 over 16 innings.

The right-hander owns a 0.90 ERA in two outings against the Marlins this year, both Braves' victories.

"Shelby Miller is as good as you want him to be," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He's a special guy."

He'll pitch in front of an offense that had all eight positional starters notch hits on Saturday. Peterson's home run was the first of his career and Todd Cunningham, called up from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, is 6 for 8 with three runs in the series.

Freddie Freeman is 6 for 18 with one home run and three doubles against Alvarez, who is looking to avoid starting a season 0-3 for the first time.

Stanton is hitless against Miller this season but belted two home runs against the right-hander on Aug. 11.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Braves at Marlins
Fri, May 15 Final 5 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Braves at Marlins
Sat, May 16 Final 5 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

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

**StarDust Bum** · 05-17-2015, 02:30 AM

Preview: Brewers (13-23) at Mets (20-16)
Game: 3
Venue: Citi Field
Date: May 17, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

As Citi Field fans get their first glimpse of a potential top-of-the-rotation pitcher, they shouldn't expect to see him at the bottom of the lineup.

Noah Syndergaard could cap a memorable 24-hour stretch in Queens if he can follow the New York Mets' slump-busting outburst by earning his first major league victory Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Manager Terry Collins could have Syndergaard batting eighth for this matinee after starter Jacob deGrom did Saturday night while Wilmer Flores dropped to No. 9 even though he led New York with five homers. It was the first time the Mets had their home run leader bat ninth since 1967, and the move worked to perfection as deGrom had three hits and Flores highlighted a 10-run fourth inning with a grand slam in a 14-1 win.

"It's not like he's Giancarlo Stanton," Collins said of Flores.

New York (21-16), which had its highest-scoring inning since 2006, compiled a season-best 16 hits after entering on a five-game losing streak during which it totaled 10 runs.

Syndergaard did bat eighth in his big league debut Tuesday at Wrigley Field, striking out twice, but more importantly showed promise on the mound after being hailed as the Mets' most prized prospect. The 6-foot-6 right-hander held the Chicago Cubs scoreless through five innings before fading in the sixth, when he recorded only one out and gave up three runs in a 6-1 loss.

Regularly reaching the high 90s with his fastball and displaying a sharp curve, Syndergaard struck out six but walked four and surrendered six hits. Opposing pitcher Jake Arrieta said "he was electric," and Collins was fairly dazzled as well.

"Obviously, he's got good stuff and I was certainly impressed with how he threw it," he said.

Syndergaard has been excited for his Citi Field debut since recently seeing reporters tweet about the electric atmosphere there.

"It's been something I've wanted to experience since that point," he told MLB's official website. "I'm looking forward to stepping on that mound."

He'll have trouble winning if the Mets don't solve Wily Peralta (1-4, 3.80 ERA). Every other team to face him more than once has beaten the right-hander, but Peralta has won all three starts he's made against New York with a 1.35 ERA - his best against any opponent.

Peralta is seeking a fifth consecutive quality start, having posted a 2.42 ERA in the last four.

Curtis Granderson is 4 for 5 with a homer off Peralta, and he was 3 for 5 with a homer Saturday.

Ryan Braun drove in Milwaukee's only run with a sacrifice fly after homering twice Friday. Carlos Gomez, whose big league career began with the Mets, had two hits Saturday and is a .444 hitter in 11 games at Citi Field.

Luis Sardinas, part of the Yovani Gallardo deal, had two hits on his 22nd birthday in his Brewers debut. He was called up to help fill in for shortstop Jean Segura (finger).

"There's a pretty good competition to make the team at shortstop," Sardinas told MLB's official website. "... You want to (show) the organization, 'I want it.' Now, for me, it's really important, because I want to stay here for a long time. I don't want to go back to Triple-A."

Peralta has allowed four homers in his last three starts and the Brewers (13-24) have served up a major league-worst 54.

The Mets are 14-4 at home with a 2.50 ERA.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Brewers at Mets
Fri, May 15 Final 7 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Brewers at Mets
Sat, May 16 Final 1 to 14
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Brewers at Mets
Sun, May 17 - 1:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-17-2015, 02:32 AM

Preview: Giants (18-18) at Reds (18-18)
Game: 4
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: May 17, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

Hunter Pence is back, and the same could be said of the San Francisco Giants' offense.

They may not need to do much with Chris Heston getting the ball.

Heston aims to build on his first complete game - and the only one by a member of the Giants - as the club goes for its longest road winning streak over the Cincinnati Reds in nearly a decade Sunday.

San Francisco (19-18) ranks near the bottom of the majors with 26 homers and 3.68 runs per game, but the team may be capable of changing that with Pence returning to action.

The Giants had season highs of 16 hits and three homers while pounding Cincinnati 11-2 on Saturday. Pence, second on the team last year with 20 homers and 74 RBIs, went 2 for 3 with a double and three runs in his first game since breaking his left forearm when he was hit by a pitch March 5.

"It's just nice to have him back and have his energy in the dugout and on the field," shortstop Brandon Crawford said. "To have him flying around the bases like that, it's fun to watch."

Pence, who has a .429 average during a 12-game hitting streak against the Reds, helped San Francisco top its previous season high in scoring, set a day earlier in a 10-2 win over the Reds (18-19). The Giants' five homers in the last two games match their total over the previous 11.

Crawford had one of them Saturday, connecting for a grand slam and driving in a career-high six runs. While Crawford has five hits and seven RBIs in the last two games, Brandon Belt is 6 for 10 with two homers, six RBIs and five runs.

Another offensive outburst in the finale of this four-game set could give San Francisco three straight wins at Cincinnati for the first time since Aug. 15-17, 2005.

Heston (3-3, 2.91 ERA) is likely to be a factor, as he's allowed one or no earned runs in five of his seven starts since replacing the injured Matt Cain (forearm) in the rotation.

"I just pound the bottom of the strike zone," Heston told MLB's official website. "Everything below the knees, really. Anything above the knees is probably up."

The right-hander retired the last 22 batters on his way to a two-hitter in an 8-1 win at Houston on Tuesday. He became the first Giants rookie to throw a complete game since Cain's one-hitter in 2006 and the first to do it with 10 strikeouts since Roger Mason on Oct. 4, 1985.

Heston is facing the Reds for the first time, and they're hitting .128 with runners in scoring position at home - 4 for 41 while splitting the last eight games. They went 1 for 9 in that scenario while stranding 11 runners Saturday.

Joey Votto is 2 for 12 with four strikeouts in this series and is batting .146 over the past 12 home games.

Anthony DeSclafani (2-3, 2.79) also is struggling, going 0-3 with a 4.71 ERA and 14 walks in 21 innings over his last four starts. The right-hander allowed three runs and seven hits and left trailing after the sixth inning Tuesday in a 4-3 win over Atlanta.

DeSclafani has never faced the Giants.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Giants at Reds
Thu, May 14 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Giants at Reds
Fri, May 15 Final 10 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Giants at Reds
Sat, May 16 Final 11 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Giants at Reds
Sun, May 17 - 1:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-17-2015, 02:34 AM

Preview: Angels (18-17) at Orioles (15-18)
Game: 3
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: May 17, 2015 1:35 PM EDT

Injury and sickness has forced Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter to shuffle his starting rotation this weekend.

That's opened an opportunity for Mike Wright, who will make his major league debut Sunday opposite red-hot Garrett Richards and the surging Los Angeles Angels.

Baltimore (15-19) originally had Bud Norris scheduled to start Saturday and Chris Tillman for Sunday. Norris, though, was scratched with a case of bronchitis and Tillman's start was skipped while he deals with lower back stiffness. Ubaldo Jimenez was moved up one day to replace Norris and Wright will be inserted into Tillman's spot.

Wright was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday when reliever Jason Garcia was put on the disabled list. The 6-foot-6 right-hander went 3-0 with a 2.64 ERA in six starts for the Tides, striking out 30 in 30 2-3 innings.

"He's another one of those guys we think highly of," Showalter said. "He's physically ready to go and hopefully he'll be able to present himself well against a good club."

Wright will be asked to help the Orioles avoid their first home sweep of the season after totaling two runs - both on homers - in the first two games of this series. Baltimore was held to three hits in Saturday's 6-1 loss as Los Angeles (19-17) did all its scoring after the sixth inning on en route to its fifth straight win.

Mike Trout and David Freese homered for the Angels, who received another strong pitching performance. Matt Shoemaker allowed three hits over seven innings, lowering the team's ERA during the win streak to 1.15. The bullpen has tossed 12 scoreless innings in that stretch, yielding five hits and striking out 14 without a walk.

'Our pitching staff has been great,' catcher Chris Iannetta said. 'It has really been picking up our offense.'

A 3-8 slide has dropped the Orioles four games under .500 for the first time since 2011. They are batting .218 and averaging 3.0 runs in those 11 contests.

"We're just not getting the timely hits right now,' said Steve Pearce, who homered Saturday. 'We've been hitting. We just have not been scoring runs. It's one of those things that's happened to be going against us all year.'

Adam Jones is hitting .236 with four RBIs in May after batting .400 with 19 RBIs in April. This has also been a poor month for Chris Davis (.180), Alejandro De Aza (.154) and Caleb Joseph (.195).

Generating offense won't be any easier against Richards (3-1, 2.27 ERA), who is 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA in his last four starts and took a no-hitter into the seventh inning Sunday against Houston. He eventually allowed one run and four walks over 6 2-3 innings with 10 strikeouts in a 3-1 victory.

'I've put in a lot of time this offseason, and from day one, I knew that I was going to be back within a month or so,' Richards said. 'And I've been moving in the right direction.'

The right-hander has never fared well against the Orioles, however, posting an 8.74 ERA and yielding four homers in two starts. Jones is 3 for 8 with a home run against Richards.

Los Angeles' Erick Aybar is batting .409 over his last 12 games and was moved into the cleanup spot Saturday. He went 1 for 4 with a run but the Angels' No. 4 spot hasn't produced an RBI in 12 games.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Angels at Orioles
Fri, May 15 Final 3 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Angels at Orioles
Sat, May 16 Final 6 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

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

**StarDust Bum** · 05-17-2015, 02:35 AM

Preview: Diamondbacks (15-19) at Phillies (14-23)
Game: 3
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: May 17, 2015 1:35 PM EDT

A string of solid starts has aided the Philadelphia Phillies in what's easily their longest win streak of this season.

The Phillies' lineup also contributed significantly to the latest victory and Sean O'Sullivan is hoping to see a repeat performance from the offense as he attempts to end his four-year winless drought Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Philadelphia's rotation has a 2.08 ERA in the team's four consecutive wins, dropping its season mark from 5.14, second-worst in the NL, to 4.77. Jerome Williams gave up three runs in five innings Saturday in a 7-5 victory, and the Phillies (15-23) produced 13 hits while matching their highest run total in 2015.

Grady Sizemore had four hits and Chase Utley went 2 for 3 with a pair of RBIs, boosting his average to .138. Philadelphia is near the bottom of the NL with a .236 average, 20 homers and 114 runs, but is batting .307 with 15 runs in its last three games.

"I like what I'm seeing, and it's coming from different guys," manager Ryne Sandberg said. 'The timing is good with some guys getting hot and others joining in. I think it's snowballed with some momentum.'

O'Sullivan (0-2, 5.06 ERA) hasn't seen that level of hitting this season and in his continued attempt to earn his first major league win since May 12, 2011. The right-hander lost his ninth decision in 18 games (13 starts) since his last victory on Tuesday in his return from left knee tendinitis.

O'Sullivan, who made two starts before his stint on the disabled list, gave up three runs in five innings in a 7-2 defeat to Pittsburgh. He's received a combined two runs of support in 16 innings this season.

"I definitely feel like there's an opportunity and I'm doing everything I can to take advantage of it," O'Sullivan said.

In his first start against Arizona (15-20), O'Sullivan will try to lead Philadelphia to its first sweep of the Diamondbacks since July 27-29, 2010, and its 11th win in the last 14 matchups.

Arizona, losers in six of eight and three in a row, is hoping to see Josh Collmenter (3-4, 5.27) rebound from the worst outing of his career. The right-hander was charged with nine runs while recording just four outs in an 11-1 loss to Washington on Monday.

"Even the couple of good pitches I made turned into a couple slow rollers, a couple of hits. I couldn't control the damage from that point," Collmenter said.

Collmenter gave up six runs and a career high-tying 11 hits in 2 2-3 innings in his most recent start against the Phillies on July 26, a 10-6 win in 10 innings in Philadelphia. He pitched six scoreless innings in his other matchup in 2014, a 5-4 home win April 25.

Utley, batting .357 in his last 12 games against the Diamondbacks, is 5 for 9 lifetime against Collmenter.

Aaron Hill homered in his only at-bat against O'Sullivan and was limited to pinch-hitting duties Saturday because of illness.

Hill, who flew out in his lone at-bat, is hitting .432 with three homers and 10 RBIs while batting safely in 10 of his last 13 games. He's batting .368 in his last 11 against Philadelphia.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Phillies
Fri, May 15 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Phillies
Sat, May 16 Final 5 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

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

**StarDust Bum** · 05-17-2015, 02:37 AM

Preview: Yankees (21-16) at Royals (23-13)
Game: 3
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: May 17, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

Until Masahiro Tanaka returns, the New York Yankees are hoping they have enough depth in their rotation to withstand another injury.

Chris Capuano will try to provide the Yankees a boost in his return from the disabled list Sunday against the Kansas City Royals.

New York (22-16) put a third starting pitcher on the DL with Chase Whitley suffering a partial tear of his ulnar collateral ligament Thursday, which might require Tommy John surgery. Ivan Nova is still recovering from that procedure, and Tanaka is trying to work his way back from an ailing right arm.

"It's not what you want, obviously," manager Joe Girardi told MLB's official website. "You've got to deal with it. It's all over the game. That's what it is. As an organization, you try to prepare the best way you can by having depth. With some of the guys going down, we have guys coming back."

CC Sabathia provided just the kind of performance New York needed to end a season-worst four-game win streak with a 5-1 victory Saturday. Chase Headley hit a three-run homer while sending the Royals (23-14) to a third loss in eight games and Alex Rodriguez added his 664th home run - his fourth in nine games.

Capuano will try to follow that up with his own strong showing in his return from a strained right quad, an injury suffered in spring training. The left-hander went 2-3 with a 4.25 ERA in 12 starts for the Yankees in 2014 after being released by Boston, signed to a minor league deal by Colorado, then traded to New York on July 24.

"He's a guy that should be able to give us 90 pitches," Girardi said. "That's usually what he's going to give us anyway. I think I would watch when he has to cover first because that's how (the injury) happened."

Capuano will face Kansas City for the first time in his 11 seasons, and Sunday's game will give him at least one start against every major league team.

He'll pitch opposite Edinson Volquez (2-3, 3.19 ERA), who is 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA in three starts this month after going 2-2 with a 1.91 ERA in four April outings. The right-hander gave up four runs in five-plus innings Tuesday in a 7-6, 10-inning win at Texas, his first game since dealing with a blister on his right thumb May 7.

Volquez is facing New York exactly one year after giving up a career-high four homers and five runs in 6 1-3 innings in a 7-1 loss at Yankee Stadium for Pittsburgh. Brett Gardner and Mark Teixeira were among the Yankees to homer off him.

Omar Infante is one of two healthy Royals regulars to have faced Capuano, going 7 for 18 with two homers. Kendrys Morales, who had a 10-game hitting streak end Saturday, is 0 for 3.

New York's Carlos Beltran is 11 for 29 with two homers and seven RBIs during an eight-game hitting streak, raising his average 46 points to .233. He is 6 for 17 lifetime against Volquez.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Yankees at Royals
Fri, May 15 Final 1 to 12
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Yankees at Royals
Sat, May 16 Final 5 to 1
Boxscores

GAME 3
Yankees at Royals
Sun, May 17 - 2:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-17-2015, 02:39 AM

Preview: Rays (20-17) at Twins (20-16)
Game: 3
Venue: Target Field
Date: May 17, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

It's been over a month since Chris Archer started anywhere but Tropicana Field, and Tampa Bay's No. 1 starter might be itching to shed the home uniform.

When he does Sunday against the Minnesota Twins, he'll take the mound riding an impressive road scoreless streak as the Rays try to avoid a sweep. Even if Archer's away success continues, the tricky part could be bettering Kyle Gibson at Target Field.

Archer (3-4, 2.59 ERA) was strong in Tuesday's 4-2 home win over the New York Yankees, surrendering two runs and seven hits while striking out eight in seven innings. Both runs came in a messy first before the right-hander settled in.

"You can probably make the argument this is Arch's most impressive start, the way it started and then what he did to finish it," manager Kevin Cash told MLB's official website. "That game could have easily got out of hand. Hopefully, we all think it's probably a sign of him progressing to being that pitcher we all think he's capable of being - and is being."

It was his fifth straight home start and sixth in eight outings this season. The two away starts account for 14 innings of a career-best and current MLB-best 20 2-3 scoreless on the road, and dating to May 16, 2014, he's 7-3 with a 1.56 ERA in his last 15 road starts. One of those came in Minnesota on July 20, giving Archer a 3-0 record and 0.49 ERA in three starts against the Twins.

Gibson (3-2, 2.70) is 0-3 with a 9.98 ERA versus the Rays, but his recent home form has been outstanding.

Gibson hasn't allowed a run in 16 2-3 innings over two-plus starts at home as part of a five-start winning streak at Target Field with a 1.60 ERA. That's tied with Scott Baker (2011) and Max Scherzer (2011-14) for the top streaks in the ballpark's young history.

He was about as impressive in Tuesday's 2-1 loss in Detroit while holding the Tigers to a run and five hits in seven innings. The right-hander wasn't stuck with the decision and is 2-0 with a 0.96 ERA in his last four starts. A fourth-inning homer is the only run he's allowed in 24 innings.

It was the fourth time in seven starts Minnesota hasn't given him more than a run of support, and neither Gibson (2.91 RSA) nor Archer (2.40) are getting much in the way of help.

"It's disappointing when you get a game like the one Gibson just pitched and you can't get him any run support," Twins manager Paul Molitor said.

The Twins (21-16) have done a bit better in the first two games of the series with Saturday's 6-4 win setting them up for the sweep. At home, they've won nine of 10 and are an AL-best 14-5 while batting .291 and posting a 3.49 ERA. Away, they're 7-11 with a .231 average and 4.72 ERA.

Brian Dozier homered for the second straight game and fourth time in seven as part of an eight-game hitting streak that's boosted his average to a season-high .262, but he's 0 for 8 against Archer. Torii Hunter has a 10-game hitting streak against Tampa Bay.

"You hope that they remember the feeling and the confidence that they've displayed in these games," Molitor said.

Prior to this series, the Rays (20-18) had been 15-4 at Target Field. It's been nearly a year since they were last swept in a road series, dropping two in Miami from June 2-3 as part of a 10-game road skid. The Twins last swept them in four in July 2006 in Minnesota.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rays at Twins
Fri, May 15 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rays at Twins
Sat, May 16 Final 4 to 6
Boxscores

GAME 3
Rays at Twins
Sun, May 17 - 2:10PM EDT

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