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**StarDust Bum** · 05-31-2015, 02:28 AM

Preview: Marlins (19-30) at Mets (27-22)
Game: 3
Venue: Citi Field
Date: May 31, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

Bartolo Colon appears to be back on track as he tries to tie for the MLB lead in victories, though it won't be easy now that Giancarlo Stanton has broken out of his lengthy slump.

As the ageless right-hander goes after his eighth win for the New York Mets, Stanton will try to stay hot Sunday while leading the Miami Marlins to their first three-game sweep at Citi Field in almost six years.

Colon (7-3, 4.82 ERA) went 6-1 with a 3.30 ERA over his first seven starts, though he followed with a brief stumble when he posted a 12.54 mark while dropping consecutive home starts.

The three-time All-Star seemed to have bounced back Monday when he had his first quality start since May 5. A day after his 42nd birthday, he yielded three runs over six innings in a 6-3 win over visiting Philadelphia.

Now Colon has an opportunity to move into a tie for the major league lead in victories.

"I'm really happy and surprised that I'm pitching the way I'm pitching," he told MLB's official website.

Colon has already seen Miami (20-30) twice this season, allowing one run over seven innings in a 4-1 home win April 17 before giving up four over 6 2-3 in a 7-3 road defeat April 29. He's 4-3 with a 3.42 ERA in seven career starts against the Marlins, but he's gone 2-0 with a 1.23 mark in two meetings at Citi Field.

Stanton has gone 5 for 8 with two home runs and a double when facing Colon. That certainly doesn't bode well for the Mets after the slugger went 2 for 4 with two homers - giving him 15 on the season - in Saturday's 9-5 win.

According to the Mets, his 455-foot blast in the ninth inning was the longest homer ever at Citi Field.

"Since I've started here, they've brought the fences in a couple of times," Stanton said. "That's always good for us."

The All-Star outfielder had been 6 for 44 with two home runs over his previous 12 games. He's batting .333 with a 1.268 OPS while hitting eight homers and driving in 14 in 12 games versus New York since September.

Christian Yelich snapped a seventh-inning tie with a two-run single, while J.T. Realmuto and Jeff Baker also went deep. Yelich is 10 for 29 over a seven-game hitting streak, while MLB batting leader Dee Gordon has hit safely in eight straight.

After dropping 14 of 17 heading into the series, the Marlins seek their first three-game sweep at Citi Field since September 2009. They also haven't won three straight road games since a five-game run from July 24-Aug. 5.

David Phelps (2-2, 3.56) also gets his third look at the Mets (27-23), who will try to avoid getting swept at home for the first time since Aug. 12-14, versus Washington.

The right-hander opposed Colon in the April 17 defeat, allowing one run and one hit over 4 2-3 innings. He then gave up two runs over six innings but did not get a decision in a 4-3 win April 28.

Phelps had gone 2-0 with a 1.75 ERA over his first six starts before yielding eight runs over 11 innings in dropping each of his last two. He surrendered four runs and eight hits over six innings in Monday's 4-2 loss at Pittsburgh.

Miami's Donovan Solano is expected to again fill in for shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria, who missed Saturday's game because of a bruised left shoulder. Solano is 3 for 4 lifetime versus Colon.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Marlins at Mets
Fri, May 29 Final 4 to 3
Boxscores

GAME 2
Marlins at Mets
Sat, May 30 - Final 9 - 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Marlins at Mets
Sun, May 31 - 1:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-31-2015, 02:32 AM

Preview: Nationals (28-20) at Reds (20-27)
Game: 3
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: May 31, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

The Washington Nationals have had to deal with injuries to two stars during their stay in Cincinnati.

First, Stephen Strasburg. Then, Bryce Harper.

Harper may again sit for Sunday's series finale with the Reds as the Nationals try to avoid getting swept for the first time in more than a month.

Washington (28-21) lost Friday 5-2 after Strasburg suffered a neck injury in the second inning, as Cincinnati (21-27) got to the Nationals bullpen for four runs.

Before Saturday's game, the Nationals put Strasburg on the 15-day disabled list and then scratched Harper due to a sore back sustained from being hit by a pitch Friday. Washington led by one until Casey Janssen surrendered four runs in the eighth inning to lose 8-5 - the Nationals' first consecutive defeats since a six-game skid April 22-27, which included a three-game sweep to Miami.

Harper's status remains uncertain but said his back still hurt after Saturday's game.

'I tried to get loose but when I went on the field, it didn't feel very good,' Harper said after missing his first game. 'It's more of a bone bruise. When I swing and I turn, it doesn't feel very good. I don't want to switch anything up. I don't want to try to do something else that I haven't been doing.'

Harper has been on a torrid pace, batting .448 with 13 home runs, 28 RBIs and 23 runs in his last 20 games.

Michael Taylor replaced Harper in the lineup Saturday and hit a three-run homer to break out of a 1-for-27 slump.

Washington touted the seventh-best ERA from its bullpen prior to this series (2.98), but that relief core has given up eight runs over 9 2-3 innings in Cincinnati.

Tanner Roark (1-2, 2.49 ERA) will look to eat some innings Sunday, although it's unlikely the right-hander will last too long in only his second start this season. Roark, who joined the rotation following an injury to Doug Fister, allowed one run and three hits while throwing 66 pitches in five innings in Monday's 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs.

Roark posted a 1.38 ERA in going 1-1 in two starts against Cincinnati last season.

Michael Lorenzen (1-1, 3.12) will start for the Reds, who have won their first series since taking two of three from Atlanta from May 11-13 and will go for their first sweep since opening the season with three wins over Pittsburgh.

Zach Cozart and Billy Hamilton had two RBIs apiece Saturday and Joey Votto homered for a second consecutive day to give him nine on the season. Todd Frazier also contributed with two doubles and two runs and is 7 for 11 with two homers and three doubles in his last three games.

The Reds have won three of four following a nine-game losing streak.

"We wanted to win the series," Cozart told MLB's official website. "It's been a while for us to do that. To do it versus a good team makes it even better. They've been playing well, and obviously, we haven't.

"To get these two wins and play the way we've played, it makes us know that when we do everything the right way and play hard, we'll be just fine."

Lorenzen has been excellent over his last three starts, posting a 1.50 ERA in 18 innings. The rookie right-hander allowed one run and two hits in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Colorado.

Marlon Byrd is 1 for 7 with five strikeouts against Roark and only Cozart - 1 for 6 with a double - has an extra-base hit against the Nationals starter.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Nationals at Reds
Fri, May 29 Final 2 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Nationals at Reds
Sat, May 30 - Final 5 - 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Nationals at Reds
Sun, May 31 - 1:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-31-2015, 02:35 AM

Preview: Rays (24-25) at Orioles (23-24)
Game: 3
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: May 31, 2015 1:35 PM EDT

While Jake Odorizzi has been exceptionally reliable for the Tampa Bay Rays, the offense supporting him has not returned the favor.

With their long losing streak finally over, the visiting Rays will look to scratch across some runs for Odorizzi on Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles.

Odorizzi (3-5, 2.31 ERA) has been outstanding in May, posting a 2.20 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in five outings. But he hasn't won any of his last four, with Tampa Bay (25-25) scoring just five runs in that stretch.

Odorizzi's run-support average for the season is 2.17, which ranks as the second-lowest in the majors. He surrendered two runs - one earned - in seven innings Monday for his fifth consecutive quality start, but fell to Seattle 4-1.

"Odo was exactly consistent again with what he does," manager Kevin Cash told MLB's official website. "Goes out there and gives up two runs. ... Just incredible how consistent he's been throughout the year."

Odorizzi didn't need much help April 8 in his season debut, holding Baltimore to two hits over 6 2-3 innings in a 2-0 home win. That was a far cry from his last trip to Camden Yards on Aug. 25, when he gave up career highs of eight runs, 11 hits and four homers in four innings of a 9-1 loss.

He'll take the mound Sunday following an excellent outing from Erasmo Ramirez, who tossed seven scoreless innings to beat Baltimore 3-0 and end the Rays' six-game losing streak.

Steven Souza Jr. hit a home run for the second consecutive game and Joey Butler smacked his third homer in the victory.

'It's nice to get a big lead and hold it,' Cash said. 'The guys played really good defense behind Erasmo. A good, solid ballgame on our part.'

Chris Tillman (2-6, 5.59) takes the mound for Baltimore (23-25) also looking to snap a losing streak. The right-hander has dropped his last five decisions and has not won since April 18, though he has shown noticeable improvement of late.

After posting a 6.34 ERA through his first seven starts, Tillman has a 2.70 mark in his last two. He allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings Tuesday, falling to Houston 4-1.

"Lot of positives, defensively and the way I was able to execute some pitches," Tillman said. "All four of them were there for the most part."

Two of Tillman's best starts this season came on the road against the Rays. He's allowed three runs and just seven hits over 13 2-3 innings, and is 3-1 with a 1.26 ERA in his last four starts in the series.

Tillman, like many pitchers, has had trouble dealing with Evan Longoria. Tampa's star third baseman is 15 for 38 (.395) with six homers and three doubles in their matchups.

The Orioles' last 10 losses have come when they've scored two or fewer runs, and Chris Davis is 3 for 38 in those contests.

Davis is batting .324 with a 1.179 OPS and 23 RBIs in 22 wins. He figures to play a major role again Sunday, especially if Adam Jones cannot go. Jones missed Saturday's contest with an injured left ankle and is day to day.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rays at Orioles
Fri, May 29 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores

GAME 2
Rays at Orioles
Sat, May 30 -Final 3 - 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Rays at Orioles
Sun, May 31 - 1:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-31-2015, 02:37 AM

Preview: Rockies (20-26) at Phillies (19-31)
Game: 3
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: May 31, 2015 1:35 PM EDT

Nolan Arenado's latest performance at the plate has the Colorado Rockies on the verge of the franchise's first road sweep against the Philadelphia Phillies.

He'll try to stay locked in while leading his team to a seventh win in eight games Sunday.

Arenado is batting .458 (11 for 24) with four homers and 12 RBIs in his last six games after registering a solo shot and an RBI single in a 5-2 victory Saturday. The Rockies (21-26) finished with 10 hits, giving them double digits in seven of the past 10 games, and they're batting .288 while averaging 6.0 runs in that stretch.

Ben Paulsen homered for the second straight game and is batting .359 since being called up from the minors May 19.

"He came up last year and performed extremely well and he's doing the same this year," manager Walt Weiss told MLB's official website. "He's a good hitter, not just a power hitter. He hits the ball to all fields and drives the ball."

The Phillies have been nowhere near as proficient as Colorado, totaling 11 runs during a season high-tying six consecutive defeats while batting .211. They've gone 0 for 20 with runners in scoring position in the past three while plating a combined three runs.

"We were getting the big hit and we've lacked that in the cold streak," manager Ryne Sandberg said. "We have to keep knocking on the door, and somebody needs to come up with the big hit."

That would seem to give Colorado a prime opportunity for the three-game sweep and Jordan Lyles (2-5, 5.10 ERA) a promising chance to end his woes.

Lyles is 0-4 with a 7.43 ERA in his last five starts and was forced to leave in the fifth inning in last Saturday's 10-8 loss to San Francisco because of a sprained left toe. The right-hander also pitched just one inning against the Los Angeles Angels on May 13 because his pitching hand was bruised by a line drive.

Lyles went through some tests Friday that left Weiss assured that he could perform in this outing.

"We put him through the ringer. He did all right, so we feel pretty good about him making the start," Weiss said.

Lyles is facing the Phillies (19-32) for the second time in three starts. He took a 4-3 loss in Denver on May 18, allowing four runs in six innings, and is 1-1 with a 3.41 ERA in five lifetime starts against Philadelphia.

Lyles is also 4-18 with a 5.49 ERA in the 35 career afternoon games, including 33 starts.

Opposing him is Jerome Williams (3-4, 5.33), who will seek a fourth win in the past five home starts. The right-hander is 3-1 with a 3.45 ERA in five games at Citizens Bank Park this season and 0-3 with a 7.46 ERA in his five away from there.

Williams, however, had a relatively solid outing Tuesday at the New York Mets with just one lackluster inning, allowing three runs, three hits and two walks in the third. He yielded two hits and two walks in his other five innings.

Williams was charged with five runs in five innings in a 7-3 loss at Colorado on May 21. Brandon Barnes went 3 for 3 with a double and Michael McKenry, batting .342 in 15 games against Philadelphia, had a two-run homer and two walks.

The Phillies haven't lost seven in a row since an eight-game skid in July 2013.

Colorado, loser of 21 of 26 in Philadelphia prior to this series, is seeking to win four straight for the first time since its 4-0 start to this season.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rockies at Phillies
Fri, May 29 Final 4 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Rockies at Phillies
Sat, May 30 - Final 5 - 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Rockies at Phillies
Sun, May 31 - 1:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-31-2015, 02:40 AM

Preview: Diamondbacks (22-25) at Brewers (16-33)
Game: 3
Venue: Miller Park
Date: May 31, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

Paul Goldschmidt is once again proving too difficult to handle at Miller Park.

The combination of the Arizona slugger and right-hander Chase Anderson, who is seeking to finish off a stellar month, could provide the ideal recipe for the Diamondbacks to complete a three-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.

Goldschmidt is batting .489 with six homers and 16 RBIs in 11 career regular-season games in Milwaukee after going 3 for 5 with a pair of longballs in Saturday's 7-3 victory. That average is the best among players with at least 40 plate appearances at Miller Park.

He's also hitting .442 with four homers in his last 10 overall matchups with the Brewers, and had three doubles in Friday's series opener.

"When he's going good, we usually have a really good chance to win. That's a fact," manager Chip Hale said. "The one thing he does is drive runs in. A lot of guys can get hits, but do they get hits at the right time of the game? Goldy seems to do that."

Goldschmidt, batting .469 with four homers in his last nine games, will try to propel the Diamondbacks (23-25) to an eighth win in nine games in Milwaukee since 2013.

They are expected to face a pitcher that's coming from Double-A to make his major league debut, Tyler Wagner, on Sunday.

Arizona will also seek its ninth win in 13 overall contests with Anderson (1-1, 2.59 ERA) heading to the mound. He is 1-0 with a 1.39 ERA in his five starts this month and 1-0 with a 1.72 ERA in five on the road this season.

Anderson gave up a season-high 10 hits but limited the damage to two runs in six innings in Monday's 3-2, 10-inning loss in St. Louis.

"I just want to keep my team in the game, do my job and try to go as long as possible," he said.

Anderson took a 4-1 loss in his only start against Milwaukee on June 19, giving up three runs in six innings at Chase Field.

The Brewers (16-34) called up Wagner after placing Wily Peralta on the disabled list for a strained left oblique. The 24-year-old right-hander went 5-1 with a 2.01 ERA in nine starts at Biloxi, his first season above Class A.

"The biggest thing for me is just being able to slow things down and try not to notice the 40,000 people here at Miller Park," Wagner said. "It's going to be quite the task, but I think I'm up for it."

Wagner also has the difficult job of helping the Brewers avoid their second eight-game losing streak this season and their first eight-game skid at home since April 27-May 16, 2010.

Khris Davis likely won't be available to lend Wagner or any other Brewers pitcher some support in the near future. The outfielder is expected to undergo surgery Tuesday after tearing cartilage in his right knee in Saturday's first inning.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Brewers
Fri, May 29 Final 7 to 5
Boxscores

GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Brewers
Sat, May 30 Final 7 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Brewers
Sun, May 31 - 2:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-31-2015, 02:42 AM

Preview: Blue Jays (23-28) at Twins (29-19)
Game: 3
Venue: Target Field
Date: May 31, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

Drew Hutchison owns the majors' best run-support average for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Minnesota Twins starter Ricky Nolasco doesn't own that distinction only because he hasn't pitched enough innings to qualify for it.

These right-handed starters have combined for nine wins even though each has a 5.12 ERA as they match up Sunday at Target Field.

Hutchison (4-1, 5.12 ERA) owns a run-support average of 9.00, though he didn't need that much help Monday as he threw 96 pitches in a four-hitter for his second career shutout in a 6-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

"I got a lot of early swing ground balls and got double plays," he said. "That was the key to getting deep in the game and keeping the pitch count down."

Nolasco (5-1, 5.12) actually has a 9.09 run-support average, but a stint on the disabled list that kept him out most of April is why he has not pitched enough to qualify. He has posted a 3.77 ERA in winning all five starts since returning.

The injury problems resulted in a difficult start in which he was booed for not being able to get through the sixth inning. Nolasco finally cleared that hurdle Monday by giving up two runs in 7 2-3 innings in a 7-2 home win over Boston.

"The last couple starts I was frustrated not being able to finish that sixth inning," Nolasco said. "So I thought it was good to go deep in the game."

While no Twins hitter has more than three at_bats against Hutchison, Nolasco has more experience against the Blue Jays (23-28) with a 4.15 ERA and no decisions in three starts. Jose Reyes is a .346 hitter in 52 at_bats versus Nolasco, Edwin Encarnacion is 5 for 14 and Jose Bautista is 1 for 8.

One hitter Nolasco hasn't faced is Josh Donaldson, who had a single in three at_bats in Saturday's 3-2 loss for Toronto. That ended the longest home run streak of Donaldson's career at four - the longest by a Blue Jays hitter since Bautista's five-game streak Aug. 26-31.

Donaldson had five homers and 10 RBIs during his four-game run. He is batting .408 during a 19-game hitting streak against the Twins.

Minnesota (29-19) evened this three-game set as Brian Dozier tripled in the tiebreaking run in the seventh inning.

The Blue Jays, who ended a five-game road slide with Friday's 6-4 victory, went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position one day later and hit into double plays in the first three innings.

Encarnacion was the first Toronto hitter to do so and was 0 for 3. The slugger has just a single over his last 19 at_bats.

Former Twins outfielder Chris Colabello is batting .385 during a 10-game hitting streak for Toronto.

Torii Hunter, who has a team-high 30 RBIs, is expected back in the Twins lineup after a scheduled day off Saturday. Hunter, who will match Justin Morneau for eighth place on Minnesota's all-time list with his 1,278th game, is batting .323 during an eight-game hitting streak.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Blue Jays at Twins
Fri, May 29 Final 6 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Blue Jays at Twins
Sat, May 30 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Blue Jays at Twins
Sun, May 31 - 2:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-31-2015, 02:45 AM

Preview: White Sox (22-25) at Astros (30-19)
Game: 3
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: May 31, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

Judging by the Chicago White Sox's latest performance, Jose Abreu's return can't come soon enough.

The slugger appeared to avoid a significant injury on his finger but his status is unclear for Sunday's finale against the Houston Astros.

After leaving a series-opening win in Houston, Abreu was forced to sit out Saturday because of his sore right index finger. He said Friday through a translator that he has been dealing with the injury for around two weeks.

The White Sox (22-26) lost 3-0 without him and produced just four singles, one of which came off the bat of Avisail Garcia after he missed five games due to an ailing right knee.

The X-rays on Abreu's finger didn't show any structural damage but with his team off Monday, Chicago manager Robin Ventura could make it three straight days of rest for his star. Abreu, batting .282 with a team-best eight homers and 29 RBIs, went 2 for 4 before leaving Friday.

"We'll see how he feels. Today, he's not doing much," Ventura told MLB's official website Saturday. "He's not hitting on the field before the game, just day to day and see how he does if something surfaces or it gets better."

The White Sox will face Roberto Hernandez (2-3, 4.77 ERA), who might be fighting to keep his spot in the rotation with Brett Oberholtzer set to return from the disabled list Monday.

Hernandez didn't aid his cause by giving up seven runs in five innings last Sunday in Detroit - five in the first. He avoided the loss when Houston (31-19) rallied for a 10-8 win.

The right-hander has a 5.52 ERA in five starts this month after posting a 3.80 ERA in April.

Hernandez is 9-6 with a 5.71 ERA in 17 career starts against White Sox with the most recent on April 26, 2013.

The Astros look for their seventh win in the last 10 home games against Chicago while adding to their success against another struggling starter, John Danks (2-4, 5.69). The left-hander is 0-3 with a 9.15 ERA in four starts versus Houston and allowed a combined 15 runs in nine innings in his two matchups in 2014.

Danks heads into this meeting having given up 11 runs in 10 1-3 innings in his last two games but did not get a decision in a 10-9 loss to Toronto after yielding six runs in five innings Tuesday.

The Astros have matched their best start in franchise history from 1998 despite a .235 average that's one of the worst in the majors. They're making strides lately, however, by hitting .282 in their last six games.

"It's nice to be a part of something like that where the past two years we were pretty much down and everybody counted us out," first baseman Chris Carter said. "So it's nice to get this recognition now and hopefully we can keep doing (this)."

Evan Gattis is 12 for 24 with seven extra-base hits in that stretch and went 2 for 4 with a solo homer - his third in six games - in Saturday's victory. Gattis is 8 for 21 in five career games against the White Sox.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
White Sox at Astros
Fri, May 29 Final 6 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
White Sox at Astros
Sat, May 30 Final 0 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
White Sox at Astros
Sun, May 31 - 2:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-31-2015, 02:48 AM

Preview: Royals (29-18) at Cubs (25-22)
Game: 3
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: May 31, 2015 2:20 PM EDT

The Kansas City Royals' lineup hasn't been performing consistently lately but had one of its better efforts in the series opener against the Chicago Cubs.

They might have an opportunity to build on their showing with Alex Rios expected to return from injury Sunday at Wrigley Field.

Rios came off the disabled list Saturday but had his return to the field delayed when that night's game was rained out. It will be made up Sept. 28 on the final Monday of the regular season.

Kansas City (29-18) is batting .246 and averaging 3.5 runs in its last 11 games, a significant decrease from its .291 average and 5.1 runs per contest in its first 36. The Royals have scored three runs or fewer seven times in the last 11, including each of their season-high four consecutive losses.

They ended that skid with an 8-4 victory over the Cubs on Friday and totaled 11 hits with a trio of solo homers. Kansas City also benefited from a pair of Chicago errors in their highest-scoring performance since a 12-1 win over the New York Yankees on May 15.

The Royals look to improve to 6-1 against the NL in Rios' scheduled return from a fractured left hand. The outfielder hasn't played since getting hit by a pitch in Minnesota on April 13 and the career .279 hitter was batting .321 with eight RBIs in his first seven games with the team.

"He was really swinging the bat good when he left," manager Ned Yost said. "But it may take him some time."

Yost gives the ball to Yordano Ventura, who is seeking a second win in eight starts. The right-hander threw seven innings in a 3-0 victory against Cincinnati on May 19 but took a 6-1 loss to St. Louis on Sunday, allowing four runs in seven innings.

Ventura (3-4, 4.64 ERA) is pitching his first game in Chicago since the Royals' bench-clearing brawl with the White Sox on April 23, which led to a seven-game suspension. He's appeared to calm down following three confrontations in his first four games.

Ventura will make his first start against the Cubs (25-22), who are batting .206 while averaging 3.0 runs during a 4-7 stretch. Chicago, the majors' leader with 466 strikeouts, has fanned 29 times in the past two games with 15 Friday.

"They showed why they went to the World Series last year. We showed why we're not ready yet," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.

Tsuyoshi Wada (0-0, 2.70) will make his first start versus the Royals.

The left-hander has pitched in two games since returning from a strained groin and yielded one run in 5 1-3 innings in Monday's 2-1 loss to Washington. He has struck out 15 over 10 innings and while right-handed hitters are batting .194 (6 for 31) with a home run and double against him, lefties are 2 for 5 with a homer and double.

The Royals rank second in the majors with a .293 average against southpaws.

The only Cubs to face Ventura - Dexter Fowler, Miguel Montero and David Ross - are a combined 5 for 10 with one home run and two doubles.

Montero is batting .370 with a home run and five doubles while hitting safely in 11 of his last 12 games against the Royals.

Kansas City's Omar Infante is hitting .371 in his past 18 versus the Cubs.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Royals at Cubs
Fri, May 29 Final 8 to 4

GAME 2
Royals at Cubs
Sat, May 30 -Final RAIN OUT

GAME 3
Royals at Cubs
Sun, May 31 - 2:20PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-31-2015, 02:50 AM

Preview: Red Sox (22-27) at Rangers (24-25)
Game: 4
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: May 31, 2015 3:05 PM EDT

While Wandy Rodriguez is enjoying somewhat of a revival with the surging Texas Rangers, Joe Kelly could be pitching for the last-place Boston Red Sox with his rotation spot on the line.

Rodriguez will try for his second win in 11 days over the visiting Red Sox on Sunday, when Kelly hopes to keep the Rangers from their 10th win in 12 games by rebounding from the worst start of his career.

After averaging 7.8 runs in its previous six games to cover for a rotation that had an 8.19 ERA, Texas (25-25) has received key contributions from its starters in taking two of the first three in this series.

Nick Martinez allowed two runs over seven innings in the opener before Yovani Gallardo gave up one earned run over six in Friday's 7-4 win. Top prospect Chi Chi Gonzalez then took a no-hitter into the sixth in Saturday's 8-0 rout.

The Rangers now have a chance to move above .500 for the first time since June 6. They're also going for their first home series win this season after failing six times.

'We've got to get on that roll, that this is our house,' manager Jeff Banister said.

Texas has won four of the five games this month started by Rodriguez, who was an opening day signing after getting released by Atlanta. He's held teams to one run in four of seven starts, though those outings have come on the road. He's failed to make it out of the fifth inning in either start in Arlington.

Rodriguez (2-2, 3.60 ERA) seeks better command after allowing three runs while walking five over 5 1-3 innings in a 4-3 win at Cleveland on Tuesday. He did not factor in the decision after surrendering a pair of first-inning home runs.

The left-hander gave up one run and four hits over 6 2-3 innings in a 3-1 win at Fenway Park on May 21. He should be able to replicate that success against a Boston team that is hitting an AL-worst .214 versus lefties.

David Ortiz (7 for 58), Pablo Sandoval (5 for 46) and Mookie Betts (9 for 47) are among those scuffling against left-handers. Ortiz had two of the team's five hits Saturday after sitting out two games in the midst of a 3-for-31 slump.

Kelly (1-4, 6.24) reportedly may be on the verge of losing his place in the rotation after he was tagged for seven runs and eight hits in a career-low 1 2-3 innings in Monday's 7-2 loss at Minnesota.

He had posted a 2.03 ERA in his previous two outings following a four-start stretch in which he went 0-2 with an 8.86 mark.

"There's no denying the stuff," manager John Farrell, whose club has lost eight of 11, told MLB's official website.

In his only start versus Texas since 2013, Kelly yielded two runs over seven innings in a 2-1 home defeat May 20. The right-hander struck out seven but Robinson Chirinos' third-inning home run proved to be the difference.

Adrian Beltre has gone 3 for 6 when facing Kelly, but he's just 1 for 13 in this series. Leonys Martin is 7 for 18 in his last five home meetings with the Red Sox (22-28) after going 2 for 4 with two RBIs Saturday.

Adam Rosales is 5 for 7 with three runs scored in the past two games after he matched a career high with four hits.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Red Sox at Rangers
Thu, May 28 Final 5 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Red Sox at Rangers
Fri, May 29 Final 4 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Red Sox at Rangers
Sat, May 30 Final 0 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Red Sox at Rangers
Sun, May 31 - 3:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-31-2015, 11:56 AM

Preview: Dodgers (29-19) at Cardinals (32-17)
Game: 3
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: May 31, 2015 2:15 PM EDT

Immediately after Adam Wainwright went down with a season-ending Achilles injury, the St. Louis starting staff experienced more than two weeks of struggles.

The Cardinals have turned that around, and plenty of the recent success has to do with Carlos Martinez, who takes the mound Sunday against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers.

In 15 games after Wainwright went down on April 25, the starting staff had a 5.06 ERA and .294 opponent batting average. The rotation claimed only four victories during a 10-5 stretch for the team, despite a 5.59 run-support average.

In 18 since, the rotation has a 2.55 ERA to move to the top of the majors at 3.07 for the season.

Martinez (4-2, 3.54 ERA) is coming off his best home start in Monday's 3-2, 10-inning victory over Arizona. The right-hander limited the Diamondbacks to five hits while striking out eight in seven scoreless innings.

"It's a shame we couldn't hold it for him," manager Mike Matheny said. "He had some of the consistency that we've wanted to see."

Combined with 6 1-3 scoreless in his previous start at the New York Mets, the 23-year-old is three innings shy of the personal-best 16 1-3 he went without allowing a run between Aug. 22-Sept. 23, though all of that came in relief.

Martinez has faced the Dodgers four times, and in three starts he's never made it more than 4 2-3 innings while posting a 5.54 ERA. The five active Dodgers who have faced him - A.J. Ellis, Adrian Gonzalez, Andre Ethier, Scott Van Slyke and Jimmy Rollins - are a combined 5 for 24 (.208) against him.

This time, he'll be up against a Los Angeles lineup that finally cleared its head in Saturday's 5-1 win. Before a four-run sixth inning, the Dodgers (29-19) had been held scoreless in 42 innings on the road with four straight shutouts.

"It was a relief, for sure," manager Don Mattingly said. "It was good to put a few up."

Yasmani Grandal returned after missing six games with a concussion and connected on a three-run homer, giving the catcher a .420 average and 1.248 OPS with 18 RBIs in his last 16 games.

The Cardinals (32-17) saw their five-game overall and home winning streaks come to an end. Matt Holliday left in the fourth inning due to illness, but he walked an inning before to extend his franchise-record streak of games reaching safely to start a season to 44. Dating to last season, he's reached in 46 straight, the franchise's longest run since Jim Edmonds went 47 in 2004.

He's just 4 for 22 since the start of 2014 against the Dodgers, but an absence Sunday could complicate getting to a Los Angeles starting staff that's posted a 1.36 ERA in the last five games. Brett Anderson is next in line to extend that.

Anderson (2-2, 3.47) has been strong this month, but has been overshadowed by offensive struggles. The left-hander didn't earn the decision after allowing two runs and seven hits in seven innings of Monday's 6-3 home win over Atlanta. He's 1-1 with a 2.12 ERA and eight total runs of support in five starts this month.

The latest start nearly ended in the fifth inning with back stiffness, but he continued on and is starting on regular rest.

"People have labeled him soft in his career and injury-prone, but this is an example to us just how tough this guy is," Ellis told MLB's official website.

He hasn't faced the Cardinals, but he's been strong against Peter Bourjos (1 for 10) and Jhonny Peralta (1 for 9 with a home run), the only two St. Louis players he's encountered.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Dodgers at Cardinals
Fri, May 29 Final 0 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Dodgers at Cardinals
Sat, May 30 Final 5 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Dodgers at Cardinals
Sun, May 31 - 2:15PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-31-2015, 11:59 AM

Preview: Braves (24-25) at Giants (30-21)
Game: 4
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: May 31, 2015 4:05 PM EDT

Though their latest winning streak has ended, the San Francisco Giants have a chance to cap an extremely successful month on a positive note.

Trying to do his part, Madison Bumgarner can continue his own May success by winning a fourth straight start Sunday against the visiting Atlanta Braves.

Despite falling 8-0 on Saturday, San Francisco (30-21) has won a major league-leading 21 of 29 games this month and can conclude its most successful month in 61 years with a victory in the finale. A 22nd victory would be the club's best since the 1954 World Series champion team based in New York went 24-4 in June.

The Giants' recent defeat was their third in 16 contests, and snapped a five-game winning streak. It was their fourth loss in 19 games at home, and first time being shut out anywhere over the last 39 contests.

'It's a mark of a pretty good team when it doesn't happen very often,' shortstop Brandon Crawford said about being blown out.

Bumgarner (6-2, 3.00 ERA), 5-1 with a 2.15 ERA in his last seven starts, gave up three runs over six innings of Tuesday's 6-3 victory at Milwaukee to improve to 9-1 with a 2.17 ERA in 11 May contests since the start of last season. The left-hander has not allowed a run in two of his last three home outings.

"He's good at what he does," Brewers manager Craig Counsell told MLB's official website. "He's a great competitor."

Though Bumgarner gave up four runs and seven hits in five innings of a 10-4 home win over the Braves on May 14 of last year, he's posted a 1.80 ERA while winning four straight starts against them.

Juan Uribe is batting .306 with a homer in 36 at_bats versus Bumgarner.

After belting a two-run homer for one of his three hits Saturday, the veteran infielder is 4 for 12 in four games since he was acquired by Atlanta (24-25) from the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Teammate Jace Peterson also had three hits as the Braves matched their run output from losing four of their first five on a 10-game trip.

'I sit down in the dugout night after night and seems like months and you see the out of town scoreboard and see everybody else scoring nine runs and eight runs," manager Fredi Gonzalez said after the Braves beat the Giants for the fourth time in the last 15 meetings.

Julio Teheran (4-2, 4.91) allowed two earned runs and 11 hits over 12 2-3 innings to go 1-0 in the two starts prior to giving up eight - including six in the fourth - and 10 hits over 4 1-3 innings of an 8-0 loss at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday.

"It was one bad inning,' said Teheran, who won 14 games in each of the last two seasons. 'I'm going to have to keep working to get back to where I want to be, the way I was the last two years.'

The right-hander is 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA against the Giants.

Buster Posey, 7 for 11 with two home runs against Teheran, should be in the lineup after being rested Saturday. Posey is hitting .356 in his last 17 games at AT&T Park.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Braves at Giants
Thu, May 28 Final 0 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Braves at Giants
Fri, May 29 Final 2 to 4
Boxscores

GAME 3
Braves at Giants
Sat, May 30 Final 8 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Braves at Giants
Sun, May 31 - 4:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-31-2015, 12:01 PM

Preview: Pirates (26-23) at Padres (24-27)
Game: 4
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: May 31, 2015 9:10 PM EDT

While Andrew McCutchen and Josh Harrison lead the way offensively, the Pittsburgh Pirates' outstanding work on the mound is helping them stay on a roll against the San Diego Padres.

As the All-Stars look to pad two of MLB's best stretches at the plate, Jeff Locke will try to extend his 10 2-3 scoreless innings streak as the visiting Pirates go for a ninth win in 10 games Sunday night.

Pittsburgh (26-23) batted .319 while averaging 6.6 runs during a seven-game winning streak that included Thursday's series-opening 11-5 victory before managing six hits in Friday's 6-2 loss.

The Pirates then scored three times through the first eight innings Saturday before breaking the game open with a two-run ninth in a 5-2 victory. McCutchen, who went 2 for 3 with two walks, delivered the key blow with an RBI double.

The 2013 NL MVP was hitting .188 on May 6, but is batting .380 with five home runs and 17 RBIs in 22 games since to raise his average to 86 points. He's also hitting a major league-best .459 in 10 games since May 20.

Harrison leads all of baseball with a .435 average in 14 games since May 14. The third baseman went 2 for 5 Saturday after missing one game due to a sore shoulder suffered while sliding in the opener.

Pittsburgh starters have contributed to the team's hot streak by posting a 1.66 ERA over the last nine games. Charlie Morton provided the latest gem, allowing one earned run and three hits over seven innings.

Locke (3-2, 4.70 ERA) appears poised to continue the trend after overcoming four walks in 5 2-3 scoreless innings of a 5-1 win over visiting Miami on Tuesday. He had blanked Minnesota over his final five innings in a 4-3, 13-inning home loss May 20.

"He made pitches when he had to," manager Clint Hurdle told MLB's official website. "No inning got away from him."

In his only career start versus San Diego in September 2013, Locke allowed four runs over five innings.

Jedd Gyorko went 2 for 3 with a three-run home run facing the left-hander in that contest. The second baseman went 2 for 3 with a walk Friday, but he's just 3 for 20 over his last 10.

Matt Kemp is 3 for 5 with a double off Locke dating to his time with the Dodgers, while Justin Upton has gone 3 for 7 with two homers going back to his days in Atlanta. Upton and Will Middlebrooks had one hit - an Upton ninth-inning single - in seven at_bats Saturday after they had gone a combined 20 for 47 in the previous six.

The Padres (24-27) hope to provide runs for Odrisamer Despaigne as they try to avoid an eighth loss in 10 home games.

Despaigne (2-3, 5.23) is coming off his best outing Tuesday when he gave up five hits over six innings in a 4-0 road win over the Los Angeles Angels. Since going 0-2 with a 16.88 ERA in his first two starts since returning to the rotation, the right-hander is 0-1 with a 1.50 mark over his last two while receiving no runs of support.

"He's had some buzz (velocity) lately," manager Bud Black said.

Despaigne has a 2.70 ERA in 11 career home starts as he faces Pittsburgh for the first time.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Pirates at Padres
Thu, May 28 Final 11 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Pirates at Padres
Fri, May 29 Final 2 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Pirates at Padres
Sat, May 30 Final 5 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Pirates at Padres
Sun, May 31 - 9:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-31-2015, 12:04 PM

Preview: Yankees (26-24) at Athletics (19-33)
Game: 4
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: May 31, 2015 4:05 PM EDT

Jesse Chavez's pitching line is beginning to look like a typo was made either in his record or ERA because the two numbers he's posted aren't often seen in the same row.

Look over to the run-support column and things become clear.

Chavez is getting not only the worst run support in the majors, but his mark as a starter hasn't been seen in a decade. The Oakland Athletics will try to change that for him Sunday as they seek a series win against the visiting New York Yankees.

As the losses continued pilling up for Chavez (1-5, 2.44 ERA) with his third in four starts in falling 1-0 at home to Detroit on Tuesday, the right-hander had possibly the best outing of his career by limiting the Tigers to an unearned run and five hits in eight innings.

His 1.05 run-support average is the lowest in the majors with No. 2 Jake Odorizzi's 2.17 mark more than doubling it. As a starter, Chavez has a 1.20 RSA in 45 innings, the lowest as a starter in that many innings since Zack Greinke's 0.77 in 46 2-3 innings in 2005.

"His win-loss isn't even close to indicative to how well he's pitched," manager Bob Melvin told MLB's official website. "He can't knock in runs. All he can do is pitch and keep the other team down, and he did that."

It hasn't been a problem against the Yankees with a 3-0 record, 2.29 ERA and 7.32 RSA in two starts and two relief outings. He's earned victories in the last three appearances, including two starts last season. Brian McCann is 0 for 7 with four strikeouts against him.

The Yankees (26-24) won the third game of the series 5-3 on Saturday to end a five-game road skid. Still, they've dropped nine of 11 away overall and 11 of 13 in Oakland (19-33).

Carlos Beltran homered and Chase Headley was 3 for 5, giving the third baseman a .370 average in seven games. All of Beltran's four home runs have come in the last 16 games, and he's batting .308 in 24 games this month after hitting .162 in April.

"I'm just getting better results," Beltran said. "Sometimes I have been too passive at the plate, so my mentality is to hit. If I'm too patient, it puts me in a hole."

Alex Rodriguez has a nine-game hitting streak and is making his third attempt to pass Barry Bonds for second on the all-time RBI list. The embattled sluggers are tied with 1,996.

For Oakland, Billy Burns had two hits for a third straight game, and Josh Reddick broke from an 0-for-10 skid by going 3 for 4.

They'll face Adam Warren, who has secured his spot in the New York rotation despite the impending return of Masahiro Tanaka. Warren (3-3, 3.91) held Kansas City to a run and two hits in 6 1-3 innings of Tuesday's 5-1 win. He lost his previous two starts, but is 1-2 with a 2.96 ERA in his last four and in position to win consecutive starts - or appearances of any kind - for the first time in his career.

"He's pitching as well as anyone in our rotation right now," manager Joe Girardi said. "The young man's getting the job done for us."

Against Oakland, Warren is 0-1 with 2.19 ERA in five relief efforts.

A's reliever Sean Doolittle (left shoulder) returned to the disabled list three days after making his season debut.

New York outfielder Slade Heathcott (right quad strain) landed on the DL 10 days after making his major league debut.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Yankees at Athletics
Thu, May 28 Final 4 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Yankees at Athletics
Fri, May 29 Final 2 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Yankees at Athletics
Sat, May 30 Final 5 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Yankees at Athletics
Sun, May 31 - 4:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 05-31-2015, 12:06 PM

Preview: Indians (23-26) at Mariners (24-25)
Game: 4
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: May 31, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

After a rough April, the Cleveland Indians are about to conclude a successful May.

They'll do so by trying to win a third straight road series Sunday against the Seattle Mariners.

Cleveland (23-26) hit .238, averaged 3.8 runs and posted a 4.54 ERA while going 7-14 in April, but is batting .260, scoring 5.0 per contest and sporting a 3.73 ERA to go 16-12 this month. Jerry Sands hit a two-run homer and Shaun Marcum yielded two runs to improve to 2-0 as the Indians won for the seventh time in 10 road contests, 4-3 on Saturday.

Recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Thursday, Sands is 9 for 24 with six RBIs in 10 games this season.

'I was ready to play since I got here and whenever they called my number I was ready to get in there and help this team,' said Sands, who played in 12 games for Tampa Bay last season.

It's uncertain how long he'll be around with first baseman Carlos Santana expected to be available Sunday after missing the last three games while on paternity leave.

"Everything is good," manager Terry Francona told MLB's official website. "I think (Santana's) comfortable. So, he's good to go. ... He was like, 'No, I'll be there.'"

Santana has two home runs and six RBIs in his last six contests.

Teammate Jason Kipnis' nine-game hitting streak ended with an 0-for-4 night, but the second baseman still leads the majors with a .430 average in May. His 49 hits this month are the most in one month in the majors since Melky Cabrera had 51 in May 2012 with San Francisco.

"He's attacking every game," Francona said. "He's in the middle of everything."

Cleveland's Danny Salazar (5-1, 3.65 ERA) doesn't appear to have any lingering issues from a cut on his middle finger suffered while not factoring in the decision of Tuesday's 4-3 loss to Texas.

"It really bothers him on his offspeed pitches," pitching coach Mickey Callaway said. "He really kind of yanks on that part of the finger."

The right-hander allowed only a three-run homer in the fifth that ended his 10 1-3-inning scoreless run. With six strikeouts over 5 2-3 innings of work, Salazar leads the majors in strikeouts per 9 innings (12.04).

He is making his first appearance against the Mariners (24-25), who can record a winning May by finishing 15-13 with a victory.

Robinson Cano homered for the first time since April 14 with a two-run shot in the third inning Saturday but Seattle stranded nine and went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.

"We just couldn't get the big hits when we needed them," manager Lloyd McClendon said.

Cano, who did not start Thursday or Friday because of the flu, is 6 for 17 in his last five after going 0 for 11 in the previous three.

After J.A. Happ (3-1, 3.71) allowed seven runs in eight-plus innings over his last two starts - both on the road - he should be eager to take the mound at Safeco Field, where he's 2-1 with a 2.05 ERA in four outings.

The left-hander went 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA as a starter versus Cleveland while pitching for Houston and Toronto.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Indians at Mariners
Thu, May 28 Final 5 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Indians at Mariners
Fri, May 29 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Indians at Mariners
Sat, May 30 Final 4 to 3
Boxscores

GAME 4
Indians at Mariners
Sun, May 31 - 4:10PM EDT

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