Announcement

**StarDust Bum** · 05-24-2015, 12:33 AM

NBA MONEYLINE

NBA > (511) ATLANTA@ (512) CLEVELAND | 05/24/2015 - 08:35 PM
Play AGAINST ATLANTA using the money line in Road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season
The record is 7 Wins and 23 Losses for the last three seasons (-20.3 units)

NBA FIRST HALF

NBA > (511) ATLANTA@ (512) CLEVELAND | 05/24/2015 - 08:35 PM
Play ON CLEVELAND in the first half in All games after allowing 85 points or less
The record is 18 Wins and 4 Losses for the last three seasons (+13.6 units)

NBA TOTALS

NBA > (511) ATLANTA@ (512) CLEVELAND | 05/24/2015 - 08:35 PM
Play UNDER CLEVELAND on the total in All games on Sunday games
The record is 62 Overs and 124 Unders for the since 1992 (+55.8 units)

**StarDust Bum** · 05-24-2015, 12:34 AM

NHL TOTALS

NHL > (67) TAMPA BAY@ (68) NY RANGERS | 05/24/2015 - 08:05 PM
Play OVER TAMPA BAY on the total in All games on Sunday games
The record is 13 Overs and 3 Unders for the last two seasons (+10.75 units)

**StarDust Bum** · 05-24-2015, 12:36 AM

Lightning's Bishop looks to snap slump

May 23, 2015

NEW YORK (AP) - Take the spotlight off goaltender Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference finals and put it on Ben Bishop of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

If it sounds fickle, that's the way it's been for the goaltenders in this series between two of the NHL's top-scoring teams.

Game 1 was tight checking. Two was a Lightning blowout. Three was a shootout and the last one Lundqvist stole for the Rangers with a 38-save performance in a 5-1 win that evened the series at 2-all.

Lundqvist was special in Game 4 after giving up 12 goals in losing the previous two games.

Now the focus is on Bishop heading in Game 5 on Sunday night at Madison Square Garden. The big goaltender, who has a 10-2 career mark against the Rangers, has given up 10 goals in the past two games.

''I just don't think you get here to this point in the season and even into the playoffs without having a goaltender, a guy that bails you out when you need to be bailed out,'' Lightning coach Jon Cooper said Saturday. ''Ben Bishop has bailed us out some games. Have we bailed him out?

''Sure we have sometimes. But for the most part, Bishop has been rock solid for us. Especially for a kid that's not played in an NHL playoff game before, there is a brighter light on him, and all he's done is passed every test that gets sent his way. ''

Like Rangers coach Alain Vigneault, Cooper had no intention of switching goaltenders, calling the suggestion ''preposterous.''

Bishop didn't play poorly in Game 4. The five goals came on a breakaway by Rick Nash, a rebound by Chris Kreider, a Keith Yandle shot that went off a Lightning defender, and two power-play goals, including Nash's second on a rebound.

While not happy about giving up 10 goals in two games, Bishop reacted much like Lundqvist after his struggles. He planned to learn.

''You never want to give up 10 goals in two games, but we did,'' he said. ''We'll go back and look at it, and adjust.''

Despite the Rangers' margin of victory, the Lightning had the better of play at times, particularly in the second period. The game could easily have been another shootout had Tampa Bay buried its chances.

''Every game is a new game,'' Rangers forward Martin St. Louis said. ''The stuff that might work in Game 3 might not work in Game 4, and it comes down to making good reads sometimes and look sharper at other times in games. Depending on how you're reading the rush or reading the play, do you pull back or do you jump in a lot?

''You really have to be aware of everything that's going on the ice and making the best move you can.''

Not only did Lundqvist rebound in Game 4, the Rangers also got big games from Nash and St. Louis. A 42-goal scorer in the regular season, Nash got his first two goals of the series on Friday and St. Louis scored his first of the playoffs this season after failing to convert several outstanding chances.

''It's a struggle when you're not scoring,'' Nash said Saturday. ''I think it tests you mentally, it tests you emotionally. But at the end of the day it's not about you, it's about the team and anything you can do to help the team win. If the team's winning, you're obviously happy and smiling.''

The Rangers' also have produced on the power play, getting two extra-man goals in each of the past three games. They are 6-for-13 during that span.

''I think we've just got to play better,'' Lightning defenseman Braydon Coburn said. ''There are a lot of aspects of the game that go into playing defense. Obviously, our penalty kill, we've got to make sure we shut them down and defensively we've got to pick things up.''

NOTES: Six of the Rangers' last 12 playoff series have been tied 2-all, dating to the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against Ottawa in 2012. New York is 4-1 in those series. ...New York has allowed two goals or fewer goals in 12 of 16 playoff games this year. ...Lightning captain Steven Stamkos has scored in three straight games and five of his last six.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-24-2015, 12:38 AM

Rangers searching for answers on D

May 21, 2015

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Henrik Lundqvist seems baffled.

The New York Rangers allowed 12 goals in losing their last two playoff games, and one of the NHL's top goalies is at a loss to explain why.

If Lundqvist and his teammates can't find answers in a hurry, their chances of overcoming a 2-1 deficit in the best-of-7 Eastern Conference finals don't appear good.

''It's really challenging for me, the way they move the puck and find open ice for the shot, the way they get scoring chances from right in front. They're good, but I need to be more consistent with my game plan,'' Lundqvist said Wednesday night after a 6-5 overtime loss in Game 3.

Game 4 is Friday night, with the Lightning looking to move a step closer to a spot in the Stanley Cup and the Rangers hoping even the series heading back to New York for Game 5 on Sunday.

''Sometimes as a team, we can be a little bit better, but also I have to be better,'' Lundqvist said. ''We're not going to win if I give up six goals.''

And the Rangers realize they have to help their goalie.

The speedy Lightning are only halfway to the four wins necessary to advance, however the way they've forged their series edge after dropping Game 1 2-1 on the road has been impressive.

The Rangers have a fast team, too, yet they've still had difficulty keeping up with Tampa Bay's Triplets, the high-scoring line featuring Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov.

Johnson scored his NHL playoff-leading 12th goal, Palate scored twice and Kucherov rammed the Game 3 winner past Lundqvist 3:33 into overtime.

''We found a way, and that's what the playoffs are all about - finding a way,'' Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said. ''It wasn't pretty at times, but you get the win and that's all that matters.''

Both team squandered two-goal leads Wednesday night. Tampa Bay went ahead again with under 6 minutes left in regulation, only to see the Rangers counter with under 2 minutes remaining.

Lundqvist said it's been tough to keep track of the puck with the Lightning seemingly able to do anything they want the past two games.

And while the Rangers say they need to do a better job on defense in front of the goaltender, both teams agree it won't be easy to slow the pace of play.

''I think both teams want to play fast. I think that's been our identity all season long,'' Stamkos said.

''How do you slow a game down between two really fast teams?'' Lightning coach Jon Cooper offered. ''I think it's just two hockey teams trying to win a game. If it's 6-5 or 2-1, you're still trying to win a game.''

Nevertheless, it's difficult to imagine the Rangers prevailing without finding a way to get back to playing low-scoring games.

Nine of the 15 games they've played this postseason have been decided by a score of 2-1, with New York winning seven of those games.

Still, coach Alain Vigneault rejected the notion that his team has to prevent the Lightning from setting the tempo.

''I don't think either team can dictate the pace of the game,'' Vigneault said Thursday, noting the Rangers did score five goals on Tampa Bay's Ben Bishop in Game 3.

''It was a good hockey game,'' the coach added.

Tampa Bay won Game 2 on the road, converting three of six power-play opportunities. Wednesday night, they scored at least five goals on Lundqvist for the fourth time in six meetings between the teams this season (including three regular season games).

Rangers center Derek Stepan said a lack of discipline, leading to penalties, undermined New York in Game 2. He called Game 3 ''just one of those games'' where each team was able to take advantage of mistakes by the other and put the puck in the net.

Even though the Lightning won, they weren't entirely comfortable with it turning into a run-and-gun game.

''We think we definitely have the talent to'' play that way,'' center Alex Killorn said. ''But I think prefer not to trade chances because you never know what could happen. I think if we played a more structured game defensively, that would be to our advantage.''

The Rangers aim to play better defense, too, in hopes of giving Lundqvist a chance.

''You have to believe you can make a difference,'' the goalie said. ''I have to play better. I'll do whatever I can.''

New York is counting on it.

''Hank is very accountable, very demanding of himself,'' Vigneault said. ''He's going to do what any good goaltender does. He's going to put (Wednesday's) game behind him and move on to (Friday night).''

**StarDust Bum** · 05-24-2015, 12:40 AM

Cavs' Irving tests knee, questionable

May 23, 2015

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) - Cavaliers All-Star guard Kyrie Irving played one-on-one while wearing a brace on his left knee, but remains questionable for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Irving sat out Cleveland's Game 2 win Friday in Atlanta after visiting famed surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Florida earlier in the day. Irving has been slowed by tendinitis in his left knee, an injury that resulted from him compensating for a sprained right foot.

Irving made sharp cuts and moved well Saturday during a short workout watched intently by coach David Blatt and the training staff.

Blatt says Irving's status for Sunday will depend on how he feels and a doctor's assessment. Blatt adds that the team's 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series will have no bearing on whether Irving plays.

**StarDust Bum** · 05-24-2015, 12:45 AM

Preview: Astros (27-16) at Tigers (26-17)
Game: 4
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: May 24, 2015 1:08 PM EDT

Anibal Sanchez has struggled at home, where he gave up three straight homers in his last outing.

Up next for him is the team that leads the majors in longballs.

Sanchez has an excellent record, however, against the Houston Astros as he tries to help the Detroit Tigers capture a four-game set Sunday.

Sanchez (3-5, 5.60 ERA) fell to 1-3 with a 7.57 ERA in his last five home starts after allowing seven runs over 3 2-3 innings in Tuesday's 8-1 defeat to Milwaukee. He surrendered consecutive homers to Ryan Braun, Adam Lind and Aramis Ramirez in the third.

The right-hander has allowed nine homers in 54 2-3 innings after giving up four in 126 in 2014.

"It's been clearly something that is uncharacteristic for Sanchie. Long ball wasn't an issue last year, but this year it's been a little bit of a different story now," manager Brad Ausmus said.

Houston (28-16) has homered 62 times, though it hasn't connected in its last 20 innings in this series. Sanchez is 4-1 with a 2.15 ERA in eight career starts against the Astros, who he didn't face last year.

Colby Rasmus has faced Sanchez the most among Houston hitters, going 4 for 19 with a homer and 11 strikeouts. Jason Castro has two doubles in 11 at_bats and Jose Altuve is 2 for 8 in this matchup.

Detroit (26-18) had its three-game win streak snapped with a 3-2 loss Saturday, with Ian Kinsler hitting into a triple play in the fifth inning with the Tigers ahead by one. The Astros responded with the go-ahead runs in the sixth.

'I'm thinking we're in trouble,' Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. 'We had no outs, we had the bullpen getting ready, so we had a lot of action going.'

The sloppy game featured three total errors and a wild pitch by Houston starter Lance McCullers when he was issuing an intentional walk.

Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias bruised his left knee and exited after the fifth inning, with Hernan Perez replacing him. Iglesias, second on the team with a .333 average, is day to day.

Miguel Cabrera is batting .415 during an 11-game hitting streak, going 5 for 10 with three walks and three strikeouts in this series. Former Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games with a .373 average.

Altuve is hitless in his last 10 at_bats and has seen his average dip to .294. It has fallen below .300 this weekend for the first time since he was at .297 on April 22.

Houston starter Roberto Hernandez (2-3, 3.99) is a familiar nemesis to Detroit from his days with Cleveland from 2006-12. He is 8-6 with a 4.10 ERA in 18 career starts against the Tigers.

Cabrera is a .359 hitter with three homers in 39 at_bats off the right-hander. Rajai Davis is 9 for 21 off Hernandez and Yoenis Cespedes has two doubles in as many at_bats.

Hernandez allowed two runs in six innings Tuesday to earn a 6-4 home win over Oakland. He pitched at least six innings for the seventh straight outing.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Astros at Tigers
Thu, May 21 Final 5 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Astros at Tigers
Fri, May 22 Final 2 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Astros at Tigers
Sat, May 23 Final 3 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Astros at Tigers
Sun, May 24 - 1:08PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-24-2015, 12:47 AM

Preview: Mariners (19-22) at Blue Jays (19-25)
Game: 3
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: May 24, 2015 1:07 PM EDT

Although the Seattle Mariners have leaned on solid starting pitching in this series with the Toronto Blue Jays, they may have to find another route to success in the finale.

Looking to finish the three-game sweep Sunday, the Mariners will turn to the erratic Taijuan Walker, who has struggled through the early portion of his first full MLB season.

Walker (1-4, 7.47 ERA) was rated by MLB.com as the fourth-best overall prospect in 2013 and posted a 2.89 ERA over 53 innings during the past two seasons. However, in his first stint as a rotation mainstay for Seattle (20-22), the 22-year-old owns this season's worst ERA among starters with at least 35 innings pitched.

He was chased Tuesday after allowing four runs, seven hits and four walks in 3 2-3 innings against Baltimore.

"His command wasn't there and he struggled with his velocity as well. Certainly was not one of his best outings," manager Lloyd McClendon said. "More than anything, he's probably just trying to find the strike zone. It's unfortunate. He's got to learn to get after it and rely on his stuff.

"With a young pitcher like Taijuan, in five starts there's going to be two bad ones, one's going to be OK, then two are going to dazzle you. We have to show patience."

McClendon would appear to be correct in his assessment of Walker, who has managed to impress on a few occasions this season. He has two quality starts and struck out a season-high eight while allowing only one run against Houston on April 21.

His best outing of last season came against Toronto. Walker allowed just one run and four hits through eight innings and struck out six in a tough-luck 1-0 loss Sept. 24.

Walker will follow two strong outings from the top of the Mariners' rotation. Felix Hernandez pitched seven solid innings against Toronto (19-26) for his seventh win of the season Friday before James Paxton had a quality start Saturday in Seattle's 3-2 victory.

Aaron Sanchez (3-4, 4.17) will look to avoid the sweep for the Blue Jays, who have dropped nine of their last 11.

Also 22 years old and a top prospect - rated 35th overall in 2014 - Sanchez has been impressive in his first season as a starter, allowing more than three earned runs only once. He's also coming off 7 1-3 quality innings Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels.

Sanchez's only issue has been poor command, which has led to high pitch counts and early exits. Sanchez ranks last in baseball with 6.35 walks per nine innings and has gone past the sixth only twice despite averaging over 105 pitches in his last five outings.

Gibbons, however, remains unconcerned with the development of his young pitcher.

"You look at his starts, he keeps getting better and better and better," Gibbons told MLB's official website. "When the season is all said and done he'll be on his way."

Seattle's Kyle Seager extended his hitting streak to nine Saturday with his sixth home run of the year after Nelson Cruz launched his 17th on Friday.

Chris Colabello has homered in both contests for Toronto. The right fielder is batting .379 since joining the big league club May 5.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mariners at Blue Jays
Fri, May 22 Final 4 to 3
Boxscores

GAME 2
Mariners at Blue Jays
Sat, May 23 Final 3 to 2
Boxscores

GAME 3
Mariners at Blue Jays
Sun, May 24 - 1:07PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-24-2015, 12:49 AM

Preview: Reds (18-23) at Indians (18-23)
Game: 3
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: May 24, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

While the stumbling Cincinnati Reds hope their rotation doesn't miss its ace for long, the Cleveland Indians are enjoying a resurgence behind a string of strong performances from their starters.

The visiting Reds will try to avoid their longest losing streak in six years without All-Star Johnny Cueto on Sunday, when Trevor Bauer looks to throw the latest gem for the red-hot Indians.

Cincinnati starters had posted an 11.57 ERA over six straight losses before offensive woes led to Saturday's 2-1 loss at Progressive Field. The Reds had nine hits off Corey Kluber but went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position.

"We just didn't capitalize on those opportunities," said manager Bryan Price, who displayed some of the team's frustration when he was ejected before Saturday's first pitch.

They've gone 1 for 24 in those situations over the last four games and have been outscored 49-17 during a seven-game losing streak. Cincinnati (18-24) twice had seven-game skids last season but hasn't had a longer one since dropping eight in a row July 28-Aug. 4, 2009.

Making matters worse, Cueto has been scratched from Sunday's start because of elbow stiffness. Price says he doesn't believe the injury is serious, though he'd like to give the right-hander extra time between starts.

Cueto, who won a career-high 20 games while leading the NL in strikeouts in 2014, entered Saturday leading the majors with 65 1-3 innings pitched and tops Cincinnati's starters with a 3.03 ERA.

"He's been our workhorse - so if he needs a little rest, he certainly has earned it," Price said.

Cuban rookie Raisel Iglesias (1-0, 3.94 ERA) will fill in after allowing three runs and seven hits over three innings in his last two relief appearances. He had a 2.77 ERA in two starts before Cincinnati opted to go with a four-man rotation.

The right-hander must contend with the red-hot Jason Kipnis, who had the go-ahead RBI double in the eighth inning Saturday. The second baseman leads the majors in May with a .465 average, a .545 on-base percentage and 23 runs.

Kipnis is also batting .591 during a 11-game home hitting streak and has gone 9 for 16 in his last four against the Reds.

Cleveland starters have a 1.47 ERA over the past six games after Kluber allowed one run over eight innings to extend the club's winning streak to five - the longest by the Indians (19-23) since a six-game run May 30-June 4, 2014.

Bauer (3-1, 3.31) hopes to continue that trend after allowing one run and four hits over 7 1-3 innings in each of his last two starts. After striking out 10 in his previous outing, he fanned seven in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Chicago White Sox for his first victory since April 15.

"I feel a bit better mechanically and I'm probably back to where I need to be," Bauer said. "I also feel better attacking guys."

In his only start against the Reds, the right-hander gave up four runs and issued five walks over three innings of a 4-0 loss in 2012 while with Arizona.

Cincinnati's Joey Votto had been 3 for 20 over his previous five contests before going 2 for 4 with a double Saturday. Jay Bruce is 11 for 22 over a six-game hitting streak, while Brandon Phillips is 6 for 13 over his last three.

Devin Mesoraco won't be available after he experienced pain in his left hip Friday during catching drills.

Cleveland's Yan Gomes, a 2014 Silver Slugger catcher, is expected to be activated after missing 37 games due to a sprained right knee.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

Reds at Indians
Fri, May 22 Final 3 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Reds at Indians
Sat, May 23 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Reds at Indians
Sun, May 24 - 1:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-24-2015, 12:52 AM

Preview: Athletics (14-30) at Rays (24-19)
Game: 4
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: May 24, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

A slumbering offense that hasn't done much to help ace Sonny Gray in recent outings finally showed some life as the major league-worst Oakland Athletics ended their latest losing streak.

Now the visiting A's will try to provide some run support for their right-hander as they attempt to win consecutive games for the first time in almost six weeks Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Oakland (15-30) had averaged just 2.9 runs while dropping 14 of its previous 16 games before Eric Sogard delivered an RBI single and former Ray Sam Fuld added a two-run single to key Saturday's 5-0 win.

'They came through for us,' manager Bob Melvin said. 'A win is what they did. We desperately needed a win.'

Sogard and Josh Reddick finished with two hits apiece as the A's snapped their four-game skid and reached double-digit hits for the second time in their last eight. They also scored more than three for the first time in nine games in Tampa.

Sogard has been a bright spot, going 5 for 10 in the first three of this four-game series. Billy Burns had his first career RBI Saturday, but is 2 for 17 with six strikeouts over his past four games.

Coco Crisp was hitting .044 in 13 games before being placed on the disabled list before the game with a cervical strain. Melvin also said Brett Lawrie is a little banged up and could miss his second straight game Sunday.

Gray (4-2, 1.92 ERA), who ranks among MLB leaders in ERA, is 0-2 in his last three starts with Oakland scoring just five runs for him. He didn't have his best stuff Tuesday, allowing three runs, seven hits and three walks over five innings in a 6-4 loss at Houston.

The 25-year-old now looks to lead the A's to their first back-to-back wins since April 13-14.

Gray limited the Rays to one run over 14 2-3 innings in his first two starts against them before he was tagged for seven runs in 4 1-3 innings in a 7-3 home loss on Aug. 6.

James Loney is 3 for 7 with two walks off him, though Desmond Jennings (1 for 9), Evan Longoria (2 for 9), David DeJesus (1 for 6) and Nick Franklin (1 for 6) have scuffled in the matchup.

The Rays (24-20) had batted .302 with five homers while averaging 5.0 runs during a 4-1 stretch before managing six hits and going 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position Saturday.

DeJesus looks to stay hot after going 10 for 23 (.435) over his last seven games.

Tampa Bay has held opponents to three or fewer runs nine times while posting a 2.44 ERA during a 7-4 stretch. Erasmo Ramirez (2-1, 6.44) hopes to continue that trend while helping the Rays bounce back from their first home loss in six games.

The right-hander threw five scoreless innings in a 6-1 home win over the New York Yankees in his return to the rotation May 14. He allowed three runs in the second inning Tuesday but didn't give up a hit in his other four in a 5-3 win at Atlanta.

Ramirez hasn't had much success versus Oakland, going 0-5 with a 4.99 ERA in six career starts. Reddick, though, won't be thrilled to see him again since he's 0 for 11 with four strikeouts.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Athletics at Rays
Thu, May 21 Final 0 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Athletics at Rays
Fri, May 22 Final 2 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Athletics at Rays
Sat, May 23 Final 5 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Athletics at Rays
Sun, May 24 - 1:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-24-2015, 12:55 AM

Preview: Brewers (16-27) at Braves (20-21)
Game: 4
Venue: Turner Field
Date: May 24, 2015 1:35 PM EDT

Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell believes Jimmy Nelson discovered the key to his success last time out when he didn't allow an outfield fly ball after the third inning.

That's a trend the right-hander might be able to continue against a team that rarely hits fly balls over the wall.

Nelson will try to post consecutive wins for the first time in his career Sunday when the visiting Brewers try for a series split against the Atlanta Braves.

After allowing five home runs in dropping his previous two starts, Nelson (2-4, 3.73 ERA) earned his first win in seven outings - and just his fourth in 21 career starts - when he gave up one run and three hits over eight innings in Tuesday's 8-1 victory at Detroit.

The 25-year-old coaxed a season-high 13 groundouts against the Tigers after he had gotten a total of 24 over his previous four starts. He didn't allow a fly ball to the outfield in his final five innings.

"(Groundballs) started coming in bunches," Counsell told MLB's official website. "I think that's who Jimmy is going to be."

Nelson hopes to build on that performance after an up-and-down start. He had a 1.35 ERA through his first three outings before posting a 6.75 mark over the next four.

"He's got good stuff, he just has to put it together. We know how good he can be," third baseman Aramis Ramirez said. "It's just like I say, go out there and be consistent."

A former Braves fan while attending the University of Alabama and growing up in Niceville, Florida, Nelson should have a good chance to remain a ground-ball machine as he faces Atlanta (21-21) for the first time.

The Braves have one of the highest groundball-to-flyball ratios in the majors at 1.65. They're tied for last in the majors with 26 home runs after failing to hit one in the past six games and 12 of 14.

However, Atlanta enters with a chance to get above .500 for the first time since April 27 partly because of how well it does with runners in scoring position. The Braves are among the MLB leaders in that category with a .302 average after going 4 for 10 in Saturday's 3-2, 11-inning victory. They were 7 for 16 in those situations in Thursday's 10-1 series-opening win before going 0 for 3 in Friday's 11-0 defeat.

Cameron Maybin and Freddie Freeman each have three RBIs in the series, Nick Markakis has gone 5 for 11 with two doubles and Jace Peterson came through with the single that drove in Alberto Callaspo with the winning run Saturday.

"Probably one of the most fun times I've ever had playing baseball," Peterson said of the victory celebration.

Atlanta will try to claim its seventh win in nine games by giving the ball to Mike Foltynewicz (2-1, 5.32). He's looking to recover from his first defeat after yielding five runs over five innings in Tuesday's 5-3 home loss to Tampa Bay.

"It's only my fourth start and I'm just still trying to learn things," he said. "I'm trying to make my mechanics clean and all that stuff, working on the slider still. But other than that, it's just baby steps and it's coming along good now."

The right-hander will have to contend with Ryan Braun in his first look at the Brewers (16-28). Braun is batting .367 with five home runs and 16 RBIs over his last nine games and has driven in at least one in five straight.

Carlos Gomez contributed two doubles Saturday and is hitting .375 over his last six games. Ramirez, however, is still seeking his first hit in the series (0 for 9) and is 3 for 25 over his past seven.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Brewers at Braves
Thu, May 21 Final 1 to 10
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Brewers at Braves
Fri, May 22 Final 11 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Brewers at Braves
Sat, May 23 -Final 2 - 3
Boxscores

GAME 4
Brewers at Braves
Sun, May 24 - 1:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-24-2015, 12:57 AM

Preview: Phillies (18-26) at Nationals (25-17)
Game: 3
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: May 24, 2015 1:35 PM EDT

Among the unexpected stories of this season, few have been more surprising than the inconsistencies of the Washington Nationals' starting rotation.

Following yet another poor outing, the Nationals will turn to Gio Gonzalez on Sunday afternoon to face the Philadelphia Phillies and Aaron Harang.

Washington (25-18) has enjoyed steady performances from starters Max Scherzer and Jordan Zimmermann, who've combined for a 2.31 ERA, but the remainder of the staff has failed to meet expectations.

Stephen Strasburg and Gonzalez have headlined those struggles. The former allowed six runs in 3 2-3 innings Saturday to inflate his ERA to 6.50 as Washington fell 8-1, ending a season-best six-game winning streak.

"We need to play well to give ourselves a chance to win," manager Matt Williams said. "Today was a clunker, but all in all over the past couple weeks its been darn good. I'm not worried about their intensity level. It was just one of those games. We'll get back at it tomorrow."

Ryan Howard hit his 10th home run and rookie Maikel Franco added a two-run shot for Philadelphia (19-26), which has won eight of 11.

Howard is 8 for 18 in his last four games with three home runs, three doubles and four RBIs. His homer Saturday was his 40th all-time against the Nationals - third-most against any opponent.

'Just the way he took the at_bats, his approach, was the vintage Ryan Howard I've grown accustomed to seeing, especially that home run that he hit,' said winning pitcher Cole Hamels.

Howard will have a tough assignment Sunday against Gonzalez, who he is 0 for 11 against lifetime with six strikeouts.

Gonzalez (3-2, 4.94 ERA) looks to rebound from consecutive poor outings, however. The left-hander has managed to avoid losses in both starts despite allowing 11 runs over 10 innings while walking four and striking out four.

He surrendered six runs for the second time this season, lasting five innings before leaving without a decision in an 8-6 win over the New York Yankees on Tuesday. He's enjoying a 5.51 run support average, which ranks near the top of the NL, and the Nationals have won six of his eight starts.

This is a very favorable matchup for Ben Revere, who is 9 for 22 against Gonzalez. Freddy Galvis has also hit Gonzalez well, going 6 for 17 with a homer and two doubles.

Washington can win its eighth consecutive series and move to 16-5 this month with a victory Sunday, but will be up against Harang (4-3, 1.82), who has been a revelation for Philadelphia.

The 37-year-old ranks among the league leaders with a 0.98 WHIP and has not allowed an earned run in either of his last two starts. He gave up three unearned runs and three hits over six innings but didn't receive a decision Tuesday in a 6-5 loss at Colorado.

Harang is 3-1 with a 1.91 ERA in his last five starts against the Nationals.

Bryce Harper went 0 for 4 Saturday, marking his first full game without reaching base since May 5. Harper, whose homer Friday was his 11th in 14 games, is 9 for 20 with a home run against Harang.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Phillies at Nationals
Fri, May 22 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Phillies at Nationals
Sat, May 23 Final 8 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Phillies at Nationals
Sun, May 24 - 1:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-24-2015, 01:00 AM

Preview: Mets (24-19) at Pirates (19-22)
Game: 3
Venue: PNC Park
Date: May 24, 2015 1:35 PM EDT

The New York Mets' starting pitching had been a strength all season, but the rotation has hit a slight bump against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Trying to avoid a three-game sweep, the Mets will somewhat modify that staff Sunday when they look for their first road win in seven tries.

Noah Syndergaard was outpitched by Gerrit Cole in Friday's 4-1 loss and Matt Harvey followed consecutive scoreless outings by getting tagged for a career-high seven runs in a career-low four innings in Saturday's 8-2 defeat. Andrew McCutchen hit his sixth home run of the season, Pedro Alvarez hit his eighth and Josh Harrison extended his hitting streak to 10.

The Mets' starters entered Saturday ranked third in the majors with a 3.43 ERA.

"It's just a pretty terrible outing," Harvey said.

Now they'll turn to Jonathan Niese (3-4, 3.72 ERA), coming off a dreadful start of his own, allowing a career high-tying eight runs and 11 hits in five-plus innings in Tuesday's 10-2 loss to St. Louis. He is 3-1 despite a 4.41 ERA in six starts against the Pirates (20-22) with the Mets winning five times.

Dillon Gee will also be in the mix, and his reintroduction to the roster Sunday likely marks the start of a six-man rotation. After suffering a groin strain on May 9 that landed him on the disabled list, Gee was replaced by Syndergaard, who earned his stay with three strong starts and a 3.63 ERA to begin his career.

The six-man rotation will allow the Mets (24-20) to more strategically manage the innings of Syndergaard, second-year pitcher Jacob deGrom and Harvey, coming off elbow surgery in 2014.

"We've got a lot of managing to do of workloads," manager Terry Collins told MLB's official website. "A lot of it. When you add Noah to deGrom to Harvey, there's a lot of maneuvering that needs to be done. ... We'll come up with a plan that's hopefully going to work for us all."

Pittsburgh will go with Francisco Liriano (1-4, 4.15), whose only previous outing against the Mets came two years ago.

Liriano has revitalized his career since joining Pittsburgh in 2013, but provided cause for concern Tuesday with his shortest outing as a Pirate. The left-hander allowed seven runs in two innings in an 8-5 loss to Minnesota.

"That start didn't work out well for him. He'll be back. He'll be better," manager Clint Hurdle said. "He's going to work. He's going to take ownership of it."

He takes the hill following dominant starts from Cole, who went 8 1-3 innings in the series opener, and A.J. Burnett, who lowered his ERA to 1.37 with one run allowed while striking out 10 in seven innings Saturday.

New York is 2 for 31 (.065) with runners in scoring position during its six-game road losing skid. Prior to this series, the Mets were swept in four games at the Chicago Cubs from May 11-14.

David Wright's return has been pushed back after the third baseman was shut down for at least another week because of a back problem. Wright, who hasn't played since mid-April, has been diagnosed with stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column. He will rest one week before being reassessed.

'It's just something that seems to be taking longer than we initially thought,' Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said. 'The way it was progressing, (doctors) thought it would be gone by now.'

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mets at Pirates
Fri, May 22 Final 1 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Mets at Pirates
Sat, May 23 Final 2 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Mets at Pirates
Sun, May 24 - 1:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-24-2015, 01:02 AM

Preview: Twins (23-18) at White Sox (19-20)
Game: 3
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: May 24, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

There's something about the Chicago White Sox that continues to bring out the best in the Minnesota Twins' pitching staff.

Kyle Gibson has had a hand in that success.

The right-hander looks to stymie the White Sox for the second time this month Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field.

Minnesota (24-18) has posted a 2.65 ERA while going 6-3 versus Chicago this season, and allowed 14 runs while winning five of the last six meetings. The Twins have a 4.51 ERA in their other 33 contests.

Second-year right-hander Trevor May became the latest Twin to handle the White Sox (19-21), allowing three runs and striking out nine over a career-high seven innings of Saturday's 4-3 victory. Minnesota has won twice while playing three straight one-run games.

"Runs in today's game are tough to come by," Twins manager Paul Molitor said.

Last in the AL averaging 3.7 runs, Chicago is 1-4 since winning six in a row and has failed to score more than three runs in any of its last six contests.

Gibson (3-3, 2.98 ERA) allowed three runs and eight hits over five innings of an 11-3 loss to Tampa Bay last Sunday. In his previous four starts, Gibson yielded 18 hits while going 2-0 with an 0.96 ERA. That stretch included a May 1 outing when he gave up four hits over eight innings of a 1-0 victory over the White Sox.

"I think it was one of those nights where once I got into a groove things were going pretty good," Gibson told MLB's official website.

Jose Quintana (2-4, 4.13) was the hard-luck loser in that contest, lasting seven innings and yielding the lone run on a wild pitch in the fifth. Though Chicago has dropped four of Quintana's last seven starts against the Twins, he's gone 3-1 with a 1.81 ERA.

The left-hander has a 2.18 ERA in his last five overall but is 1-3 while receiving an average of 2.18 runs of support during that stretch. He allowed two runs, eight hits and walked four in seven innings of a 3-1 loss to Cleveland on Tuesday.

Torii Hunter, 10 for 26 versus Quintana, homered in the second inning off Chris Sale on Saturday to help Minnesota improve to 14-5 against left-handed starters. He's batting .429 with two home runs and four RBIs in the last five against the White Sox.

Though Joe Mauer didn't start Saturday, he'll be in the lineup for the finale. Mauer went 0 for 2 with a walk versus Quintana earlier this month but is batting .391 with two home runs all-time against him.

"His Quintana numbers are pretty good," Molitor said. "So he'll be back in there (Sunday)."

Jose Abreu is 0 for 6 with three strikeouts against Gibson, who is 1-0 but with a 4.26 ERA in two starts at Chicago. Abreu's 17-game hitting streak ended by going 0 for 4 with two strikeouts Saturday.

Teammate Alexei Ramirez is 7 for 12 with three RBIs in the last three home games versus Minnesota. He went 0 for 4 versus Gibson this month but is 3 for 6 with a home run and double against him at U.S. Cellular.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Twins at White Sox
Fri, May 22 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Twins at White Sox
Sat, May 23 Final 4 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Twins at White Sox
Sun, May 24 - 2:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-24-2015, 01:05 AM

Preview: Cardinals (27-15) at Royals (27-14)
Game: 3
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: May 24, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

The Kansas City Royals haven't swept a home series from the St. Louis Cardinals in 14 years.

It won't be easy ending that drought since St. Louis has won 10 straight regular-season starts by Michael Wacha.

Wacha can become the NL's first seven-game winner if he earns his first interleague victory in seven tries and ends the Royals' five-game win streak Sunday.

This three-game set between the top teams in each league has begun with Kansas City (28-14) winning 5-0 on Friday and 3-2 a day later in a rain-shortened game that was called in the sixth inning. Alex Gordon hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the second.

"We'll take it," said Gordon, batting .410 in his last 12 games against the Cardinals. "We knew the weather was coming and it was going to be bad, so we wanted to make sure we had that lead after the fifth inning just to be sure."

St. Louis (27-16) has dropped a season-high three straight and seeks to avoid being swept for the first time. The Cardinals were last swept in Kansas City from June 12-14, 2001, going 27-12 thereafter at Kauffman Stadium.

Wacha (6-0, 2.13 ERA) has a 2.39 ERA during the Cardinals' 10-game regular-season win streak with him on the mound, including eight this season. He can match Seattle's Felix Hernandez for baseball's most victories.

The right-hander established a career high with his sixth win Tuesday, surrendering two runs in seven innings in a 10-2 rout of the New York Mets.

"He's improved," manager Mike Matheny told MLB's official website. "I think he's just getting a better idea of how to use his stuff each night, and he's adjusting real well."

Wacha is 0-1 with a 2.77 ERA in two starts against the Royals and 0-3 with a 3.60 ERA in six in interleague play. The Cardinals lost his first five starts against the AL before a 2-1 win at Cleveland on May 14.

St. Louis' Matt Holliday is hitless in six at_bats in this series, though he has been hit by a pitch in each contest to keep alive an impressive streak. He has reached base in his first 40 games, two shy of Albert Pujols' club record from 2008.

His streak is 42 straight regular-season games dating to last season; Stan Musial has the club record with 55 in 1943. Holliday is also among baseball's leaders with a .455 average with runners in scoring position.

He has a double in two at_bats against Yordano Ventura (3-3, 4.56), who is 3-0 with a 2.52 ERA in four career interleague starts. That includes a 3-2 win in his only appearance against the Cardinals on June 5, when he outdueled Wacha by allowing two runs in six innings.

Ventura snapped a five-start winless streak by going seven innings in Tuesday's 3-0 home win over Cincinnati. The right-hander left after 88 pitches due to an index fingernail tear from his previous outing that flared up again.

"I started to feel something in the sixth inning and (manager Ned Yost) just told him let's get your ready for the next start, let's take you out of this one," Ventura said through teammate Christian Colon acting as his interpreter.

Kansas City third baseman Mike Moustakas was removed after four innings Saturday with a bruised left collarbone.

St. Louis slugger Jason Heyward sat out due to tightness in his hip.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez is 4 for 6 in this series and batting .375 during a nine-game hitting streak.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cardinals at Royals
Fri, May 22 Final 0 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cardinals at Royals
Sat, May 23 - Final 2 - 3
Boxscores

GAME 3
Cardinals at Royals
Sun, May 24 - 2:10PM EDT

Announcement

The Bum's Best Bets For Sunday May 24th - MLB - NBA -NHL !

The Bum's Best Bets For Sunday May 24th - MLB - NBA -NHL !

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment