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The Bum's Best Bets For Tuesday June 9th - MLB - NBA -NHL !

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  • #16
    With series tied will Cavs be favored for Game 3?

    The Cleveland Cavaliers have opened as a slight 1-point home favorite for Game 3 of The NBA Finals after holding on for a 95-93 overtime win Sunday night in Oakland.

    The Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors split the first two games straight up and against the spread.

    Meanwhile, the total for Game 3 has opened at a series low 194.5.

    Game 3 goes Tuesday night in Cleveland.

    -------------------------------------------------

    Over the popular bet in Cavs-Warriors Game 3

    Despite the absence of star point guard Kyrie Irving, the betting public at Pinnacle Sports is still believing in LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

    Sixty-percent of spread bets and 61 percent of moneyline plays are backing the wine and gold at the shop. With game time rapidly approaching, the Cavs were sitting at +7.5 as of this writing.

    On the total, 79 percent of bettors are backing the Over 199 points.

    --------------------------------------------------


    Foster has been a nightmare for home teams

    So far in the NBA postseason, home teams are just 1-10 in games Scott Foster has officiated.

    That's a trend that will appeal to bettors of the Cleveland Cavaliers prior to Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors as Foster will be on the floor once again.

    As of this writing, books are offering the Cavs as 7.5-point underdogs.

    --------------------------------------------------------

    Game of the Day: Warriors at Cavaliers

    Golden State Warriors at Cleveland Cavaliers (+1, 194)

    League MVP Stephen Curry attempts to rebound from a horrific performance when the Golden State Warriors visit the Cleveland Cavaliers in Tuesday's Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Curry was a dismal 5-of-23 shooting in Game 2 while Cleveland received 39 points from LeBron James to post a 95-93 overtime victory to even the series at 1-1.

    Curry was only 2-of-15 from 3-point range as he struggled with his shot and with the hounding defense provided by Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova. "I don't expect to shoot like this," Curry said at his postgame press conference. "I've got to play better, find better shots and be more in a rhythm throughout the course of the game for us to really assert ourselves as a team." Cleveland blew an 11-point lead with just over three minutes left in regulation before resurfacing in the overtime as it survived the loss of point guard Kyrie Irving (knee) for the rest of the series. "All that writing off and underdog title and little chances, that's a good thing," Cavaliers coach David Blatt said in his press conference. "This team has nothing on their mind but trying to win the championship."

    TV: 9 p.m. ET, ABC

    LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Cavs as 1-point faves, but that line has since hopped the fence to +1 as of this writing.

    INJURY REPORT: Cleveland - K. Irving (out for season), K. Love (out for season) A. Varejao (out for season). Golden State - N/A.

    ABOUT THE WARRIORS: Curry is just 4-of-21 from 3-point range over the first two games of the series and has looked nothing like the player who tormented the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference finals. "It happens to everybody, whether you're the MVP or a role player," Golden State coach Steve Kerr said at a press conference. "Sometimes the shots don't go in, sometimes things don't go your way. Steph will bounce back. He's a great player." Shooting guard Klay Thompson scored 34 points in Game 2 -- he's averaging 27.5 in the series -- while forward Draymond Green has been subpar by averaging 11 points on 6-of-20 shooting.

    ABOUT THE CAVALIERS: James had 16 points and 11 assists in Game 2 to go with second straight high-scoring output -- he's averaging 41.5 points, 12 rebounds and 8.5 assists -- but the defensive star was Dellavedova, who was in the starting lineup only because of Irving's injury. "Obviously, he's a guy that's been counted out his whole life," James told reporters of a player who went undrafted two years ago before catching on with Cleveland. "Probably people have been telling him he's too small, he's not fast enough, can't shoot it enough, can't handle it enough and he's beat the odds so many times." The Cavaliers could use some scoring help from slumping shooting guards J.R. Smith (8-of-26) and Iman Shumpert (4-of-17), who are shooting a combined 27.9 percent from the field.


    TRENDS:

    *Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
    *Warriors are 10-4 ATS in the last 14 meetings.
    *Over is 4-0 in Cavaliers last 4 home games.
    *Under is 11-3 in Warriors last 14 overall.

    COVERS CONSENSUS: According to Covers Consensus, 53 percent of wagers are backing the Dubs.
    Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

    Comment


    • #17
      Preview: Warriors (67-15) at Cavaliers (53-29)

      Date: June 09, 2015 9:00 PM EDT

      CLEVELAND (AP) - Once LeBron James tied up the NBA Finals with another one of his virtuoso postseason performances, his legs were in knots.

      He needed ice, treatment and rest. He wasn't the only one.

      After a pair of entertaining, exhausting, drama-filled overtime games at Golden State, everyone - players, fans, even the refs - needed a day to take a breather and recover before the Cavaliers and Warriors resume a series getting stellar TV ratings and shifting to Quicken Loans Arena for Game 3 on Tuesday night.

      As midnight approached in California following Cleveland's stunning 95-93 OT win on Sunday night, James, who scored 39 points with 16 rebounds and 11 assists, grimaced as he lifted himself from a chair on the postgame interview dais. He was hurting after playing 50 methodical minutes, one game after going 46.

      James, incredibly, believes he can give more.

      'It's a maximum of five games left in the NBA season,' he said. 'So I'm ready for whatever.'

      He has been all season.

      With James leading the way, the Cavaliers, who were already a heavy underdog before losing All-Star guard Kyrie Irving to a broken left kneecap in the opener, dragged down the Warriors and Stephen Curry, the league's MVP.

      Hounded by Cavs guard Matthew Dellavedova, who seemed to be inside his jersey, Curry missed 18 of 23 shots and ended his night with an uncharacteristic 3-point air-ball with four seconds left in overtime.

      But while Dellavedova's contributions starting in place of Irving were huge, James was again the difference and the reason why the Cavs can't be dismissed.

      The best all-around player of his generation, James has pushed a team missing two All-Stars - Irving and Kevin Love - and a franchise that has its first finals win, within three victories of an improbable title that would end Cleveland's 51-year major sports championship drought.

      James hasn't been flawless, far from it. He's twice missed potential game-winning shots in the final seconds, and has made only 40 percent of his field-goal attempts.

      However, he's dictating the pace of the game, controlling the clock and slowing the run-and-gun Warriors, who are accustomed to doing things their way. He's also motivated his teammates - James dubbed them 'The Grit Squad' - by telling them that they not only belong in this series, but they can win it.

      The Cavs may be underdogs, but James is reminding them that this is their moment. And as he chases his third title, one that would crown his brilliant career and help him make good on a promise to his home area, James has the Cavs savoring every step.

      'We have a chance to be a part of history,' he said.

      Cavs coach David Blatt has watched James with awe.

      'You'd be hard pressed to find a guy anywhere, anytime, I can think of a name or two, but that's the whole history of basketball, that can give you the kind of all-around performance and all-around leadership that LeBron does for his group,' he said. 'He really willed his guys to win that game.

      'That's what a champion does.'

      James is averaging 41.5 points, 12 rebounds and 8.5 assists in his fifth straight finals. He's drawn inspiration from doing it without Love and Irving, proving his doubters wrong and the 30-year-old suggested that there is 'other motivation' driving him.

      Maybe it's a chance to outperform Curry, tagged by some as his heir apparent as the league's biggest star.

      Curry was off the mark from the start in Game 2, and afterward he didn't have an explanation for going 2 of 15 on 3-pointers. Warriors coach Steve Kerr isn't worried about his superstar.

      'It happens to everybody, whether you're the MVP or a role player,' Kerr said. 'Sometimes the shots don't go in. Sometimes things don't go your way. Steph will bounce back. He's a great player. We'll help him. We'll try to see if we can get him into a better groove. But he'll be fine.'

      The workload on James has been overwhelming, maybe even too much for him. He's as mentally focused as he's ever been, and heading into the finals, James acknowledged his game is at its pinnacle.

      He's dug deep to make it through two games, and he may be forced to play 40-plus minutes per game from here on out.

      'Am I built for it?' said, repeating a reporter's question. 'Well, of course I'm built for it.'


      SERIES AT A GLANCE

      GAME 1
      Cavaliers at Warriors
      Thu, Jun 4 Final 100 to 108
      Recaps

      GAME 2
      Cavaliers at Warriors
      Sun, Jun 7 Final 95 to 93
      Recaps

      GAME 3
      Warriors at Cavaliers
      Tue, Jun 9 - 9:00PM EDT

      GAME 4
      Warriors at Cavaliers
      Thu, Jun 11 - 9:00PM EDT

      GAME 5
      Cavaliers at Warriors
      Sun, Jun 14 - 8:00PM EDT

      GAME 6
      Warriors at Cavaliers
      Tue, Jun 16 - 9:00PM EDT

      GAME 7
      Cavaliers at Warriors
      Fri, Jun 19 - 9:00PM EDT
      Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

      Comment


      • #18
        Preview: Red Sox (27-31) at Orioles (26-30)
        Game: 1
        Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
        Date: June 09, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

        Eduardo Rodriguez was initially called up by the Boston Red Sox to give the rotation some relief in the midst of a grueling stretch. Through two outings, he's made quite the case to remain with the club for a longer term.

        Rodriguez looks to become the ninth Boston pitcher over the last century to win his first three career starts Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

        Games in 20 consecutive days prompted the Red Sox to bring up Rodriguez, who has a 0.61 ERA while limiting Texas and Minnesota to five hits over 14 2-3 innings. The only run he's allowed came on a homer in a 6-3 win over the Twins on Wednesday.

        The left-hander is the first since at least 1900 to pitch at least seven innings while allowing no more than three hits and one run in his first two career starts. Eight Red Sox pitchers since 1914 have won their first three, with Anthony Ranaudo doing it most recently in August.

        Rodriguez was acquired from the Orioles in July in the deal that sent reliever Andrew Miller to Baltimore.

        "We have the vantage point of getting to know the person in addition to the pitcher, and he's got great aptitude, he's intelligent, in addition to the physical abilities that he demonstrates," manager John Farrell told MLB's official website. "He's a special kid."

        Boston (27-31) has won five of seven to pull out of AL East cellar, where the Orioles (26-30) now are.

        The Red Sox scored all of their runs in the eighth inning of Sunday's 7-4 home victory over Oakland to complete their first sweep. The Nos. 1-3 batters had two hits apiece, while the bottom third of the lineup combined for five RBIs. The seven runs in one inning were more than the club had totaled in any of its previous 14 games.

        Boston hasn't won four in a row since August.

        "I think the way in which we won this one has a chance or an opportunity to have as big an impact as the win itself," Farrell said.

        Baltimore has won three of four following a five-game skid and is hoping a couple of batters can take advantage of the matchup with a left-handed pitcher. Adam Jones is hitting .371 while Delmon Young is 8 for his last 15 off lefties.

        Miguel Gonzalez (5-4, 3.54) is looking for his first win in four starts, receiving two runs of support over 18 2-3 innings since his last victory. He gave up three homers over 6 2-3 innings in a 3-1 loss at Houston on Wednesday.

        "Miguel, it's just frustrating he can't get more in return for what he pitched," manager Buck Showalter said.

        Gonzalez is 5-1 with a 3.26 ERA in eight starts against the Red Sox, including two in April. He won 8-3 in Boston on April 19, surrendering three runs over five innings.

        Hanley Ramirez has hit .372 with nine RBIs in his last 11 games and is 3 for 6 with two homers against Gonzalez.

        Baltimore has taken four of seven meetings this year and 10 of the past 15. Jimmy Paredes, who is 3 for 29 over his last eight games, is 14 for 28 in his past six matchups against the Red Sox with seven RBIs in the last three.


        SERIES AT A GLANCE

        GAME 1
        Red Sox at Orioles
        Tue, Jun 9 - 7:05PM EDT

        GAME 2
        Red Sox at Orioles
        Wed, Jun 10 - 7:05PM EDT

        GAME 3
        Red Sox at Orioles
        Thu, Jun 11 - 7:05PM EDT
        Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

        Comment


        • #19
          Preview: Cubs (30-25) at Tigers (30-28)
          Game: 1
          Venue: Comerica Park
          Date: June 09, 2015 7:08 PM EDT

          Having pitched for AL teams in his first nine seasons, Jon Lester isn't as accustomed with the Chicago Cubs' opponents and vice versa.

          He'll get his first chance to face a more familiar foe when he makes his first interleague start since joining the Cubs on Tuesday night against the Detroit Tigers.

          Lester spent eight-plus seasons with Boston and part of last year with Oakland before signing with Chicago. The left-hander has experienced his ups and downs in the NL, going 4-4 with a 3.86 ERA in 11 starts.

          Lester seemed to find a groove in his six games in May, going 4-1 with a 1.76 ERA, but couldn't carry that over into this month. He yielded six runs and nine hits in five innings in Wednesday's 7-3 loss in Miami. He allowed four runs and six hits in the second.

          Lester will make his 12th career start against Detroit (30-28) including two in the postseason. The most starts he's made against NL teams are five, versus St. Louis and Philadelphia.

          "If definitely helps when you have familiarity with guys, but the bottom line is you have to execute pitches," he said.

          Lester lost both of his matchups with the Tigers last season, permitting five runs and a career high-tying 12 hits in 4 1-3 innings in an 8-6 defeat at Comerica Park on June 7, and yielding one run in five innings in a 1-0 defeat May 16. Those outings epitomize his career against Detroit, as Lester has a 1.76 ERA in five starts but a 6.69 ERA in the other six.

          The Cubs arrive in Detroit after taking three of four in Washington. Chicago (30-25) had 14 hits - one shy of matching a season high - in a 6-3 victory in Sunday's finale.

          Kris Bryant finished a home run short of the cycle and Anthony Rizzo extended his hit streak to 12 games. Rizzo, batting .386 with a 1.208 OPS during that run, will next face a struggling Anibal Sanchez (3-7, 5.69).

          The Tigers right-hander is 0-3 with a 7.71 ERA in his last four starts. He hasn't lost four consecutive decisions since a career-worst five in a row in 2011 while with the Marlins. He last faced the Cubs in 2012.

          He gave up four runs and five hits while walking four and striking out one in seven innings Wednesday in a 6-1 defeat to Oakland that was part of an eight-game losing streak for Detroit. The Tigers snapped that with a combined 13 runs and 28 hits in back-to-back wins against the Chicago White Sox this weekend after batting .214 with 22 runs during their skid.

          "I don't know if we're over the hump, but it feels a lot better than it did a few days ago," manager Brad Ausmus said.

          Miguel Cabrera has reached base in 26 consecutive games but is batting .231 in his last 11 and has two homers in his past 20. However, he is batting .400 in his last 12 home games and is 12 for 23 against Lester, the best average (.522) of any of the 115 batters who've faced him at least 17 times.

          Yoenis Cespedes, who is batting .400 with two homers in his last eight games, is 1 for 11 lifetime versus Lester.

          The Tigers are facing the Cubs for the first time since taking two of three at Wrigley Field in June 2012. They've won nine of 10 in the series, including a three-game sweep at Comerica in June 2009.


          SERIES AT A GLANCE

          GAME 1
          Cubs at Tigers
          Tue, Jun 9 - 7:08PM EDT

          GAME 2
          Cubs at Tigers
          Wed, Jun 10 - 7:08PM EDT
          Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

          Comment


          • #20
            Preview: Nationals (30-27) at Yankees (32-25)
            Game: 1
            Venue: Yankee Stadium
            Date: June 09, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

            Childhood New York Yankees fan Bryce Harper has taken baseball by storm this season as he gets ready to play his first game in the Bronx.

            Harper and hitters for the Washington Nationals and Yankees figure to have a tough time thanks to a tremendous pitching matchup.

            Masahiro Tanaka makes his first home start in nearly two months opposite Max Scherzer as the Yankees seek a seventh straight victory in Tuesday night's opener of a two-game series.

            Harper is batting .326 and leads the majors with 19 homers and a 1.170 OPS while ranking near the top with 46 RBIs. The fourth-year phenom will likely be the subject of New York tabloid speculation this week about his boyhood fascination with the Yankees, and the possibility of eventually playing for them.

            He'll have a tough assignment against Tanaka (3-1, 2.76 ERA), who is the first Yankee since 1914 to pitch at least six innings and not allow more than three hits and one run in three straight outings. Tanaka made his first start Wednesday after being out since April 23 with a strained forearm and yielded one run with a season-high nine strikeouts over seven innings of a 3-1 victory at Seattle.

            The right-hander, who hasn't pitched at home since April 12, saw his fastball clocked between 95-96 mph.

            "There's no inkling that his stuff wasn't there," manager Joe Girardi said. "It was the highest velocity that we've seen from him so that was good for us. It's good to have him back."

            Tanaka, who has never faced Washington (30-27) or any of its hitters, is 3-1 with a 1.53 ERA in four career interleague outings.

            The Yankees (32-25) seek their first seven-game win streak since Sept. 15-22, 2012. They'll see a familiar face in Scherzer (6-4, 1.85), who is 6-2 with a 3.04 ERA against them in eight starts, including two in the postseason.

            Not many New York hitters have fared well against him. Stephen Drew is 3 for 22 overall, Mark Teixeira is 3 for 19, Brett Gardner is 2 for 18 and Alex Rodriguez is 1 for 12.

            That should give the right-hander confidence after he gave up four runs in six innings in last Tuesday's 7-3 home defeat to Toronto. Scherzer had won his previous five starts behind a 1.75 ERA.

            "No matter what, you always have to flush it out and always look at the positives," he said. "You're going to have things to work on even when you have good starts so this is just one game I got beat and you just go out there with the next mentality that you're going to win the next one."

            Harper will look to stick around longer than he did the last time these teams met May 20 when he was ejected along with manager Matt Williams in the third inning of a 3-2 victory as Washington swept a two-game home set.

            Denard Span, who was 3 for 9 in that series, left Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs with back spasms and his status is unclear.

            Fellow center fielder Gardner went 5 for 13 in a weekend sweep of the Los Angeles Angels. Brian McCann is expected back in the Yankees' lineup after resting in Sunday's 6-2 victory.

            SERIES AT A GLANCE

            GAME 1
            Nationals at Yankees
            Tue, Jun 9 - 7:05PM EDT

            GAME 2
            Nationals at Yankees
            Wed, Jun 10 - 1:05PM EDT
            Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

            Comment


            • #21
              Preview: Marlins (24-33) at Blue Jays (28-30)
              Game: 2
              Venue: Rogers Centre
              Date: June 09, 2015 7:07 PM EDT

              Mark Buehrle has very few fond memories of the brief time he spent with the Miami Marlins.

              He'd much rather focus on continuing his current outstanding stretch for the Toronto Blue Jays.

              The veteran left-hander will try to extend the Toronto's season-best winning streak to seven Tuesday night while becoming the first to throw three straight complete games in five years.

              Buehrle was part of a surprisingly high-priced club that had lofty expectations in 2012 when Miami opened the taxpayer-financed Marlins Park. He signed a four-year deal as part of Miami's spending spree with a chance to be reunited with Ozzie Guillen, who had been his manager with the White Sox.

              However, his tenure with the team lasted only one tumultuous season as the Marlins finished last in the NL East. Guillen was fired and owner Jeffrey Loria ordered a huge reduction in payroll.

              Buehrle delivered a parting shot to management following his trade to Toronto after that season.

              "I'm upset with how things turned out in Miami,' he said in a statement. "Just like the fans in South Florida, I was lied to on multiple occasions."

              Now Buehrle (7-4, 4.35 ERA) is having a resurgence after a rough start to his third season with the Blue Jays (29-30). After going the distance in a 6-4 win at Minnesota on May 29, he scattered six hits in an 8-0 victory at Washington on Wednesday to lower his ERA over his last six starts to 2.84.

              Buehrle, who hadn't pitched back-to-back complete games since 2004, can become the first pitcher with three in a row since Philadelphia's Cliff Lee did it from June 16-28, 2011.

              He'll likely have to contend with Giancarlo Stanton as he tries to extend a 17-inning scoreless streak. Stanton went 3 for 4 and tied for the MLB lead with his 19th home run in Monday's 11-3 defeat.

              Marcell Ozuna is batting .400 during a nine-game hitting streak after going 2 for 4 in the opener.

              The Marlins (24-34) are turning to Dan Haren (6-2, 3.18) as they try to bounce back with their fifth win in seven games and put themselves in position to win their fourth straight series following a 3-14 stretch.

              Haren has gone 2-0 with a 2.36 ERA in his last four starts after earning his second straight victory in Wednesday's 7-3 home win over the Cubs. The right-hander allowed three runs over 5 2-3 innings.

              "Dan Haren set the tone again," manager Dan Jennings said. "Win No. 6."

              Haren is 7-3 with a 5.05 ERA in 12 career starts against the Blue Jays, though he hasn't faced them since 2012. Jose Bautista, 6 for 20 with three home runs off Haren, is batting .400 over a 12-game hitting streak.

              Josh Donaldson is just 1 for 9 in the matchup, but is 4 for 10 in his last two games and hit his 16th homer Monday. Chris Colabello extended MLB's longest active hitting streak to 18 games with a single.

              Red-hot Toronto is batting .302 with seven homers while scoring at least six runs in six straight games - its best such streak since a seven-game run in 2000.

              'I don't think any part of our lineup has a real hole in it,' third baseman Danny Valencia said. 'One to nine it's tough. Coming in here and pitching against us has got to be hard.'

              Edwin Encarnacion, who has 12 homers, is expected back after missing two games with a shoulder injury.


              SERIES AT A GLANCE

              GAME 1
              Marlins at Blue Jays
              Mon, Jun 8 Final 3 to 11
              Boxscores

              GAME 2
              Marlins at Blue Jays
              Tue, Jun 9 - 7:07PM EDT

              GAME 3
              Marlins at Blue Jays
              Wed, Jun 10 - 12:37PM EDT
              Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

              Comment


              • #22
                Preview: Brewers (20-37) at Pirates (31-25)
                Game: 2
                Venue: PNC Park
                Date: June 09, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

                Francisco Liriano has been the Pittsburgh Pirates' most ineffective starter at PNC Park, though he certainly showed signs of reversing that trend last time out.

                The left-hander should be able to make further strides facing a club that is struggling there.

                With Andrew McCutchen expected to return, Liriano will try to help Pittsburgh bounce back from its first home loss in seven games Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers.

                Two years after he went 8-1 with a 1.47 ERA in 11 starts at PNC, Liriano is 1-3 with a team-worst 6.04 mark in five outings there this season. In contrast, he's 2-1 with a 1.52 ERA in six road starts.

                He allowed 13 runs over 8 1-3 innings in his previous two at home before giving up one run with 12 strikeouts - his most since July 2012 - over six in a 9-1 win over the Mets on May 24.

                That outing began a three-start stretch in which Liriano (3-4, 3.24 ERA) has gone 2-0 with 29 strikeouts and a 0.95 ERA over 19 innings. He went seven Wednesday, yielding one run in a 5-2 victory at San Francisco.

                Following Monday's series-opening 2-0 loss through two rain delays, Liriano will try to help the Pirates avoid their first back-to-back losses since May 19-20 versus Minnesota.

                He's 2-2 with a 4.73 ERA in five starts versus Milwaukee (21-37) since joining Pittsburgh, but allowed two runs over 11 2-3 innings to win his only two meetings at PNC in 2013. Carlos Gomez has gone 9 for 18 with two home runs off Liriano, though Jonathan Lucroy is just 4 for 20.

                The MLB-worst Brewers are going after their sixth win in nine games and their first back-to-back victories over the Pirates (31-26) in the past 14 meetings.

                Milwaukee, however, has scored two runs or fewer in four of seven during this nine-game road swing. The club also has batted .200 while totaling nine runs in dropping four of five at PNC Park.

                Ryan Braun, Aramis Ramirez and Gerardo Parra had two hits apiece in the opener. Braun has gone 5 for 12 with a home run and two doubles over his last three games.

                McCutchen, 10 for 27 in his last nine home games versus Milwaukee, is likely to be back after resting a sore left knee Monday. The All-Star has batted .422 with four homers and 15 RBIs over his last 17.

                "Andrew had a day off scripted out, but he was so hot he came to me and said, 'I need to go.' I couldn't argue with that," manager Clint Hurdle told MLB's official website. "Then he showed us (the knee) ... yeah, it's time."

                Neil Walker had three hits in the opener but the rest of the team went 2 for 26 as the Pirates were shut out for the sixth time. They went 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine men.

                They'll try to get back on track against Milwaukee's Taylor Jungmann, who makes his big-league debut.

                The former first-round pick has gone 2-3 with a 6.37 ERA at Triple-A Colorado Springs, though he's shown improvement of late with a 3.92 mark over his last three starts.

                The 25-year-old Jungmann is expected to have family fly in from Texas and Colorado for the game.

                "It's something I've dreamed of my whole life," the right-hander said.


                SERIES AT A GLANCE

                GAME 1
                Brewers at Pirates
                Mon, Jun 8 Final 2 to 0
                Boxscores • Recaps

                GAME 2
                Brewers at Pirates
                Tue, Jun 9 - 7:05PM EDT

                GAME 3
                Brewers at Pirates
                Wed, Jun 10 - 7:05PM EDT
                Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                Comment


                • #23
                  Preview: Mariners (25-32) at Indians (27-29)
                  Game: 1
                  Venue: Progressive Field
                  Date: June 09, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

                  The Cleveland Indians took three of four from the Seattle Mariners as part of another successful road trip that ended last week.

                  The Indians, however, couldn't keep that momentum going at their own stadium but will try to get back on track in three more games against the slumping Mariners. They'll also have Jason Kipnis attempting to claim a piece of history in Tuesday night's series opener, and Corey Kluber on the mound.

                  Cleveland nearly swept the Mariners to close out May, spoiled only by a 2-1 defeat May 29. The Indians (27-29) finished 5-2 for the second time in as many road trips by winning two of three over Kansas City but dropped two of three to Baltimore this weekend while totaling seven runs.

                  They took a 7-3 loss in Sunday's finale, their fourth in six home games, and failed to reach .500 for the first time since April 10. Kipnis was a bright spot with his 3-for-5 that extended his home hit streak to 18 games.

                  The second baseman, batting .521 with a 1.473 OPS during that run, is on the verge of matching the longest streak since Progressive Field opened in 1994, established by Michael Brantley in 2014.

                  He'll try to tie that mark while aiding Kluber's attempt to rebound from his first loss in four starts. The right-hander threw a nine-hitter in a 4-2 defeat in Kansas City on Wednesday after going 3-0 with a 1.41 ERA in his prior four starts.

                  Kluber yielded three runs and five hits in the third.

                  "It was just a matter in that one inning, I didn't execute pitches," he said.

                  Kluber (3-6, 3.61 ERA) allowed three runs in seven innings and fanned 13 in a 5-3 win in Seattle on May 28, improving to 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in two career matchups. He has 59 strikeouts and three walks in 40 innings in his last five games.

                  Kluber faces a Mariners team that's been outscored 32-16 while losing eight of nine. Seattle ended a seven-game skid with a 2-1 win over visiting Tampa Bay on Saturday but fell 3-1 in the series finale.

                  "Right now, we are snakebit and we've got to come out of it," manager Lloyd McClendon said. "The only way to come out of it is to keep grinding it out."

                  Seattle won six of eight before that stretch, including five of six to end its most recent trip. The Mariners (25-32) will seek a season-best fourth consecutive road win with Roenis Elias (2-3, 2.94) taking the ball.

                  The left-hander took a 2-1 loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday, allowing two runs in eight innings. He gave up four runs in 5 1-3 innings in a 4-3 defeat to Cleveland on May 30, the only time he's failed to go at least six innings in his last seven starts.

                  Elias is 0-2 with a 7.15 ERA in two career matchups against the Indians and has never pitched in Cleveland. He's allowed two runs in 13 2-3 innings while winning his past two road starts, including a 4-1 victory most recently against Tampa Bay on May 25.

                  Kipnis went 0 for 3 against Elias in last month's win.

                  Logan Morrison, batting .358 in a 14-game hit streak, has a .321 average in 16 career matchups with Cleveland. Kyle Seager is a career .375 hitter against the Indians, and Austin Jackson is batting .379 in his last seven meetings.

                  SERIES AT A GLANCE

                  GAME 1
                  Mariners at Indians
                  Tue, Jun 9 - 7:10PM EDT

                  GAME 2
                  Mariners at Indians
                  Wed, Jun 10 - 7:10PM EDT

                  GAME 3
                  Mariners at Indians
                  Thu, Jun 11 - 12:10PM EDT
                  Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Preview: Padres (29-29) at Braves (27-29)
                    Game: 2
                    Venue: Turner Field
                    Date: June 09, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

                    Confidence is rarely lacking in James Shields. This season he has a right to have more of it than ever.

                    He'll look to continue the best start of his career and help the San Diego Padres to a sixth win in seven games Tuesday night against the Atlanta Braves.

                    Shields (7-0, 3.58 ERA) is among baseball's leaders in wins and strikeouts (92) and he's the only pitcher with an unbeaten record to have made at least six starts.

                    He's also put together the best start to a season by a Padre since Andy Hawkins went 11-0 in 1985.

                    Shields' swagger is making a difference in his first season with San Diego (30-29).

                    "That is always there," manager Bud Black told MLB's official website. "That's never going to leave him. He is really a competitor. That was something I sensed when I met him, and it was substantiated in spring training. And even more so during the season."

                    The Padres won for the seventh straight time with the right-hander on the mound Wednesday, as he allowed two runs in seven innings of a 7-3 victory over the New York Mets.

                    "Good hook, good change, good little cutter," Black said. "He kept the ball down and threw a strike when he needed to and worked his way through the lineup."

                    Shields hasn't faced the Braves (27-30) since 2012, but is plenty familiar with Nick Markakis, who is batting .311 with two homers and six doubles in 74 at_bats - including playoffs - in their matchups.

                    San Diego won its fourth straight against Atlanta on Monday, rallying for a 5-3 victory in 11 innings. Craig Kimbrel closed it out for his 200th save in his return to Atlanta after being traded just prior to the start of the season.

                    "It was definitely cool," said Kimbrel, who has reached the milestone in 318 games - the fastest in major league history.

                    Matt Kemp had an RBI double in the 11th and is 8 for 21 with four extra-base hits and six RBIs in the last five games.

                    Monday's loss was the fifth in six contests for the Braves, who have allowed 38 runs during that span with the bullpen posting a 6.86 ERA. Closer Jason Grilli expressed his frustration after his errant pickoff attempt led to an unearned run and his second blown save Monday.

                    "You got more of the same questions?" Grilli said. "I made a bad throw? What are we gonna run with? What do you guys want to fill the air time with? Anything?

                    "Come back (Tuesday), that's what we've gotta do."

                    Mike Foltynewicz (3-2, 4.29) tries to rebound from a disappointing outing for Atlanta. The rookie matched season highs by allowing five runs and eight hits over 5 2-3 innings but escaped without a decision in Wednesday's 9-8 loss at Arizona.

                    A reliever in 16 games with Houston last year, Foltynewicz had the best start of his career in his most recent home outing May 24, yielding one run and three hits in 7 2-3 innings of a 2-1 win over Milwaukee.

                    Freddie Freeman continued his hot stretch Monday, going 2 for 4 with one RBI to raise his home batting average against San Diego to .400. He's 11 for 27 with three homers and nine RBIs in his past seven games overall.


                    SERIES AT A GLANCE

                    GAME 1
                    Padres at Braves
                    Mon, Jun 8 Final 5 to 3
                    Boxscores • Recaps

                    GAME 2
                    Padres at Braves
                    Tue, Jun 9 - 7:10PM EDT

                    GAME 3
                    Padres at Braves
                    Wed, Jun 10 - 7:10PM EDT

                    GAME 4
                    Padres at Braves
                    Thu, Jun 11 - 12:10PM EDT
                    Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      Preview: Giants (32-26) at Mets (31-27)
                      Game: 1
                      Venue: Citi Field
                      Date: June 09, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

                      New York Mets rookie Noah Syndergaard will face one of the best hitting teams on the road when he attempts to rebound from his first dreadful performance in the majors.

                      The San Francisco Giants also might get Hunter Pence back in the lineup for Tuesday night's series opener at Citi Field.

                      After putting up a 1.82 ERA in his first four games, Syndergaard was tagged for seven runs and 10 hits in four innings in a 7-2 loss in San Diego last Tuesday.

                      "It was definitely a frustrating start for me because I felt like I had some of the best stuff I had all year," said the right-hander, who had 10 strikeouts and walked none. "I just didn't get the job done."

                      Syndergaard (2-3, 3.77 ERA) is getting some extra rest because Dillon Gee started Wednesday's finale in San Diego before being moved to the bullpen.

                      He'll take on a Giants team averaging 5.1 runs while hitting .287 in 28 road games. San Francisco (32-26) is 16-12 away from home and 16-14 in its own park, where it's batting .257 and averaging 3.2 runs.

                      The Giants have batted. 316 and plated 89 runs while winning 10 of its last 13 road games. San Francisco had double-digit hit totals in all three games this weekend in Philadelphia but just missed a sweep, falling 6-4 on Sunday.

                      New York native Joe Panik went 3 for 5 to extend his hit streak to 12 games. He's batting .388 during that run and .336 while hitting safely in 30 of his last 32 contests.

                      "I've just tried to be consistent with my stroke and not try to do too much," said Panik, who played at St. John's.

                      Pence sat out the series in Philadelphia because of an ailing left wrist. The outfielder, who missed the first six weeks of this season with a broken left forearm, is batting .343 in nine road games and .222 in his nine at home.

                      Pence is 9 for 24 with seven extra-base hits and eight RBIs in his past six games against the Mets (31-27). The Giants have won seven of eight versus New York and 11 of their last 15 at Citi Field, where Mets fans conceived the infamous Hunter Pence signs last August.

                      Buster Posey is hitting .340 with six homers in 25 career games against the Mets.

                      New York is among the majors' leaders in home ERA at 2.93 compared with a 3.90 mark on the road, and Syndergaard has allowed one run in 13 1-3 innings while winning each of his first two starts in New York.

                      He'll pitch opposite Chris Heston (5-4, 4.29), who has often experienced difficulties lately no matter where he's started. The right-hander was charged with five runs in 3 2-3 innings in a 7-4 home loss to Pittsburgh last Tuesday - the third time in four starts he permitted at least five runs.

                      Heston, who has never faced the Mets, has allowed at least five runs in three of his last four road starts.

                      New York's Michael Cuddyer, riding a 12-game hit streak, is 10 for 28 (.357) in his last seven against the Giants.

                      SERIES AT A GLANCE

                      GAME 1
                      Giants at Mets
                      Tue, Jun 9 - 7:10PM EDT

                      GAME 2
                      Giants at Mets
                      Wed, Jun 10 - 7:10PM EDT

                      GAME 3
                      Giants at Mets
                      Thu, Jun 11 - 7:10PM EDT
                      Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        Preview: Phillies (22-36) at Reds (24-31)
                        Game: 2
                        Venue: Great American Ball Park
                        Date: June 09, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

                        Aaron Harang put together a string of quality performances few expected from the 14-year veteran, but he finally stumbled his last time out against the Cincinnati Reds.

                        Whether Harang's poor outing was simply a bump in the road or something more alarming for the Philadelphia Phillies should become clear Tuesday night when he rematches with Cincinnati.

                        Harang (4-6, 2.45 ERA) enjoyed six consecutive quality starts in May and posted a 1.62 ERA in that span, while his 2.02 ERA entering June ranked eighth-best in the league.

                        That run came to an end Thursday with a 6-4 loss to Cincinnati (25-31) in which the right-hander allowed six runs, six hits and five walks over 5 2-3 innings with only one strikeout. He had gone at least six innings in 15 straight outings.

                        "I didn't feel as sharp," Harang, who pitched for the Reds from 2003-10, told MLB's official website. "I felt like I was leaving the ball up in the zone. My control wasn't as pinpoint as it had been. ... It's just one of those things you've got to rub it off and look forward to my next start against them."

                        Brandon Phillips had three hits off Harang in that contest and is batting .412 during an eight-game hitting streak.

                        Todd Frazier continued his hot stretch with three hits in the Reds' 6-4 win over the Phillies (22-37) on Monday. He's 7 for 13 with three doubles, four RBIs and three runs in the last three games.

                        Ivan De Jesus Jr. hit his first career home run and Zack Cozart also homered in the Reds' sixth win in seven home games against Philadelphia.

                        "It's not about my home run," De Jesus said. "The big thing is we won today. We're going to try to continue the same thing. We got a win today and we got a win yesterday. Tomorrow's a new day. We've got keep with the same energy and keep winning."

                        The Phillies have been unable to slow Billy Hamilton in four meetings this season. The center fielder stole his 25th base Monday, and although he is just 3 for 14 against Philadelphia, he has four steals, two runs and three RBIs in those contests.

                        Anthony DeSclafani (4-4, 3.60) bested Harang in last week's meeting and will try to win three consecutive starts for the first time. The right-hander had no strikeouts in that start for the first time in his career, but earned the win after allowing four runs in seven innings.

                        He owns a 2.77 ERA on the road compared with 4.85 at home, though he did beat Washington with six strong innings at Great American Ballpark on May 29.

                        DeSclafani has a 6.57 ERA in two starts against the Phillies.

                        Maikel Franco, who went 1 for 3 against DeSclafani last week, is 13 for 29 with four homers and eight RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak, which is one shy of the club high for this season.


                        SERIES AT A GLANCE

                        GAME 1
                        Phillies at Reds
                        Mon, Jun 8 Final 4 to 6
                        Boxscores • Recaps

                        GAME 2
                        Phillies at Reds
                        Tue, Jun 9 - 7:10PM EDT

                        GAME 3
                        Phillies at Reds
                        Wed, Jun 10 - 12:35PM EDT
                        Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          Preview: Angels (28-29) at Rays (31-27)
                          Game: 1
                          Venue: Tropicana Field
                          Date: June 09, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

                          Los Angeles Angels starters have struggled to record outs lately, and it comes at an especially poor time given the club's lack of timely hitting.

                          The Angels will try to avoid a sixth straight loss Tuesday night when they visit the Tampa Bay Rays.

                          Los Angeles (28-29) lost 6-2 to the New York Yankees on Sunday, falling below .500 for the first time since May 12. The Angels haven't dropped six straight since July 26-31, 2013, with all of those defeats coming on the road.

                          The rotation has posted a 10.73 ERA during the losing streak, while the offense is 6 for 39 with runners in scoring position. Sunday's only runs came on first-inning homers by Mike Trout and Albert Pujols.

                          "We need to step up our game," manager Mike Scioscia told the team's official website. "We need to play more consistent baseball if we're going to reach our goal. It's in this team. We feel it's in this team."

                          Trout is 3 for 18 with eight strikeouts during the skid, though each hit was a home run.

                          "We've been facing some great pitchers the last couple of days, weeks, and had some tough matchups," Trout said. "But we can't make excuses. We have to perform, win games."

                          The Rays (31-27) return home after a 7-3 road trip, concluded by limiting Seattle to four runs while winning three of four. They took two of three in Anaheim last week despite hitting .198 for the series.

                          Rookie Joey Butler is 14 for 35 over his last nine games.

                          Tampa Bay is trying to end a slide, too, however, after averaging 1.8 runs during a five-game home losing streak.

                          Matt Shoemaker (3-4, 5.08 ERA) gets the nod for the Angels, looking improved of late with a 1-1 record and 3.20 ERA in his last four outings. He hasn't allowed a home run in his last two after surrendering 13 in his first eight games. Shoemaker gave up 14 homers in 27 appearances last year.

                          "The biggest thing for me is better focus on the mound," he said. "The focus allows me to keep the ball down more. But also the in-between bullpen work. The in-between bullpens, I'm trying to focus on pounding the ball down in the zone - sometimes even below the catcher's knees."

                          The Rays have homered just once in their last five home games. They haven't lost six straight there since April 23-May 9 of last year.

                          Shoemaker won both starts against Tampa Bay in 2014 while posting a 2.45 ERA.

                          Nathan Karns (3-2, 3.63) started Wednesday's series finale at Los Angeles, giving up four runs - including three on homers by Trout and Johnny Giavotella - over five innings in a 6-5, 10-inning win.

                          He's 2-1 with a 2.38 ERA in his last four home starts.

                          Albert Pujols has hit .362 with seven homers and 12 RBIs over his last 12 games, including three home runs in last week's series. He has seven homers in his last 12 meetings.

                          Trout was 2 for 11 in last week's series, but is 9 for 23 with two homers in six games at Tampa Bay.

                          Evan Longoria has been held out of the starting lineup for two straight games due to a sore wrist.


                          SERIES AT A GLANCE

                          GAME 1
                          Angels at Rays
                          Tue, Jun 9 - 7:10PM EDT

                          GAME 2
                          Angels at Rays
                          Wed, Jun 10 - 7:10PM EDT

                          GAME 3
                          Angels at Rays
                          Thu, Jun 11 - 7:10PM EDT
                          Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Preview: Astros (34-24) at White Sox (25-30)
                            Game: 2
                            Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
                            Date: June 09, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

                            While Carlos Rodon figures to have a bright future with the Chicago White Sox, Dallas Keuchel's time appears to be now for the Houston Astros.

                            As Rodon looks to remain undefeated, Keuchel will try to help the Astros avoid their longest skid in almost a year Tuesday night with his second victory over the White Sox in 11 days.

                            Keuchel (7-1, 1.85 ERA) has emerged as an early Cy Young Award candidate, leading the AL in innings pitched while ranking second in WHIP (0.92) and third in ERA among qualified starters.

                            The left-hander provided a strong start without his best stuff Thursday, when he did not get a decision after allowing two runs over six innings in a 3-2 home loss to Baltimore. He extended baseball's longest active streak by going at least six in a 23rd straight start.

                            The 27-year-old was more dominant in his previous outing against the White Sox (26-30), giving up four hits and fanning a career-high 11 in a 3-0 complete-game home victory May 30.

                            Following Houston's 3-1 loss in Monday's opener, Keuchel hopes to put together a similar effort as the AL West leaders try to avoid their first six-game losing streak since a seven-game slide from June 30-July 6.

                            He's 2-1 with a 2.21 ERA in three career starts versus Chicago, but allowed four runs and 12 hits in just five innings of a 4-3 loss July 19 in his only meeting at U.S. Cellular Field.

                            Melky Cabrera has gone 4 for 11 with a double off him, while Avisail Garcia is 2 for 6 with a home run.

                            Garcia's two-run shot in the fourth inning proved to be the difference Monday. He has three home runs and seven RBIs over his last four games after homering four times in his previous 44.

                            The White Sox are batting .169 while totaling 13 runs over their last five games, but they're looking to win back-to-back home games for the first time since a three-game run from May 9-18.

                            Although Rodon (1-0, 3.12) has given up two runs or fewer in four of his five starts, he's received six total runs of support over his last four. He didn't get much help again Thursday while allowing one run and striking out a season-high 10 over six innings in a 2-1, 11-inning loss at Texas.

                            The rookie left-hander has had better command of late, striking out 14 and walking three in his last two outings. He had fanned 17 while issuing 15 free passes over his first three starts.

                            What's changed?

                            "Just the feel of everything," said Rodon, who was passed up by the Astros with the No. 1 pick in last year's draft, going third to the White Sox. "And throwing strikes is the key to success in this game."

                            Rodon allowed three runs - one earned - over 6 1-3 innings in a 6-3, 11-inning win at Houston on May 29. Jose Altuve, Evan Gattis and Chris Carter had two hits apiece against him.

                            Houston (34-25), however, is batting .200 with 54 strikeouts while totaling 13 runs during its skid.

                            Altuve had two of the Astros' five hits in the opener, while Carlos Correa - the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft - went 1 for 4 with an RBI in his debut.

                            'He handled himself as expected,' manager A.J. Hinch said. 'He's a big leaguer for the first day and he looked the part in every facet.'


                            SERIES AT A GLANCE

                            GAME 1
                            Astros at White Sox
                            Mon, Jun 8 Final 1 to 3
                            Boxscores • Recaps

                            GAME 2
                            Astros at White Sox
                            Tue, Jun 9 - 8:10PM EDT

                            GAME 3
                            Astros at White Sox
                            Wed, Jun 10 - 8:10PM EDT
                            Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              Preview: Royals (31-23) at Twins (33-23)
                              Game: 2
                              Venue: Target Field
                              Date: June 09, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

                              Mere percentage points separate the Kansas City Royals and the Minnesota Twins atop the AL Central, and Kendrys Morales' performances have helped provide the edge.

                              Morales could again have a say in the Royals' success against the Twins at Target Field on Tuesday night.

                              Kansas City (32-23) had lost nine of 11 before beating Texas 4-3 on Sunday, and the club opened this eight-game road trip with Monday's 3-1 win over Minnesota (33-24).

                              "We're treating it as a big series," first baseman Eric Hosmer said. "It's a team that's at the top of the division right now. They're playing good baseball. That's how seasons work. When a team is hot and a team is going through a scuffle, if we come and win a series here it can get us going."

                              Production from Morales could go a long way. He hit a two-run homer in the second inning Monday, and he's 6 for 16 with two homers and five RBIs in four victories over the Twins compared to 1 for 12 in three defeats.

                              That disparity has been evident all season, as he's hitting .354 with six homers and 34 RBIs in wins while batting .195 with one home run and seven RBIs in losses.

                              Morales is leading all designated hitters in All-Star voting and is on track to be one of a record seven Royals to be named to the starting lineup for the game at Cincinnati on July 14.

                              Hosmer is another, and he's 10 for 22 with five RBIs in his last six games at Minnesota. He had an RBI single among his two hits Monday and scored on Morales' blast.

                              Kansas City is giving the ball to Chris Young (4-2, 2.56 ERA), who has surrendered 10 runs and 15 hits - three homers - in 11 innings while losing back-to-back starts. The right-hander had a 0.78 ERA over his first 10 games, allowing one earned run in 22 2-3 innings in four starts.

                              He gave up seven runs in 14 innings in two starts against the Twins last season while with Seattle, and has surrendered two in five innings of a pair of relief appearances in 2015 - including a homer to Kurt Suzuki.

                              Minnesota has dropped three of four, but should feel good about handing the ball to Trevor May (4-3, 4.45) after he turned in the best effort of his brief career Wednesday. The right-hander yielded two hits and matched his season high with nine strikeouts in seven innings of a 2-0 win at Boston. He was aggressive, throwing strikes on the first pitch to 19 of the 23 batters he faced.

                              "That's kind of the whole philosophy of just trying to stay on," May told MLB's official website. "Have a good game plan every time we got out and be aggressive in the zone. Kind of make them beat you."

                              May is 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP over his last four starts. However, he's been hammered for eight runs and 15 hits with five strikeouts and as many walks in 10 innings while losing two starts to Kansas City.

                              Both came at home, one in August and one in April. Morales went 2 for 3 with a homer off May in the Royals' 12-3 win earlier this season.

                              Eddie Rosario, another Twins rookie, has a .383 average while getting at least one hit in each of his 14 home games since being called up from the minors last month. He hit a solo blast for one of his two hits Monday.


                              SERIES AT A GLANCE

                              GAME 1
                              Royals at Twins
                              Mon, Jun 8 Final 3 to 1
                              Boxscores • Recaps

                              GAME 2
                              Royals at Twins
                              Tue, Jun 9 - 8:10PM EDT

                              GAME 3
                              Royals at Twins
                              Wed, Jun 10 - 8:10PM EDT
                              Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                Preview: Cardinals (38-19) at Rockies (25-30)
                                Game: 2
                                Venue: Coors Field
                                Date: June 09, 2015 8:40 PM EDT

                                For a long period of time, Michael Wacha couldn't buy a win in an opposing park. It's exactly the opposite now.

                                Looking to extend his road winning streak, Wacha gets the start Tuesday night against the Colorado Rockies, who trounced the major league-leading St. Louis Cardinals in the series opener.

                                Wacha (8-1, 2.18 ERA) won his first career road start on June 11, 2013, then failed to record another victory in his next 12 starts with St. Louis (38-20) dropping 10 of those contests.

                                His fortunes have reversed this season, as Wacha is 6-0 with a 1.59 ERA in seven road outings, each resulting in a Cardinals' victory. Wacha's road ERA and WHIP (1.01) both rank among the best in the league.

                                The right-hander continued that dominance by allowing one run in seven innings of a 7-1 win at the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday.

                                "You could tell that he had a good game plan," manager Mike Matheny told MLB's official website. "I think he just had the whole package, and when you can do that and have four pitches you can throw in different spots on the plate, it's really hard to pattern somebody."

                                Wacha doesn't have fond memories of his only start at Colorado (26-30), allowing four runs and a career-high 12 hits over 4 2-3 innings on Sept. 19, 2013.

                                Charlie Blackmon went 3 for 3 off him in that contest. Troy Tulowitzki took Wacha deep and also homered in Monday's series-opening 11-3 rout. Tulowitzki drove in three runs, DJ LeMahieu and Ben Paulsen each had three hits, and Nolan Arenado added his 14th home run.

                                Tulowitzki is 17 for 33 with five homers, 14 RBIs and 10 runs during an eight-game hitting streak.

                                "I'm getting better,' Tulowitzki said. 'But at the same time, I think I can be a lot better.'

                                St. Louis has been limited to nine runs in its last four games and an injury to left fielder Matt Holliday won't help any. Holliday, fourth on the team with 26 RBIs, left the series opener with a right quadriceps strain and his status is uncertain.

                                "We don't know the extent right now,' Matheny said. 'We'll just have to wait and see.'

                                Colorado will try to make it 12 wins in 18 games behind Jorge De La Rosa (2-2, 6.15).

                                The left-hander was effective for the second time in three starts last Tuesday, yielding three runs over six innings in a 6-3 victory over the Dodgers. He posted a 9.56 ERA in his first four starts.

                                "I tried to stay calm and just throw the ball to (catcher Michael) McKenry," De La Rosa said. "That's the thing that works."

                                De La Rosa, who has an 8.44 ERA in five home starts this season, is 3-0 in three career starts against the Cardinals at Coors Field despite a 4.58 ERA.

                                A victory in one of the next two games would give the Rockies their first home series win of the season.


                                SERIES AT A GLANCE

                                GAME 1
                                Cardinals at Rockies
                                Mon, Jun 8 Final 3 to 11
                                Boxscores • Recaps

                                GAME 2
                                Cardinals at Rockies
                                Tue, Jun 9 - 8:40PM EDT

                                GAME 3
                                Cardinals at Rockies
                                Wed, Jun 10 - 3:10PM EDT
                                Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

                                Comment

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