The Bum's Sports Page For Friday June 19th Best Bets-Trends-News !

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Cubs (35-28) at Twins (36-30)
Game: 1
Venue: Target Field
Date: June 19, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Despite back-to-back wins over the top team in baseball, the Minnesota Twins' June has been sparse compared to the first two months of the season. Wins are coming by slim margins, and that's not going to change without improved offense.

More support Friday night at Target Field could be especially necessary given Phil Hughes' recent struggles and the Chicago Cubs' Kyle Hendricks showing consistency.

The Twins (36-30) completed a two-game home sweep of St. Louis with a 2-1 victory Thursday to give them three wins in five, but they've scored 2.8 runs per game in a 6-11 span this month. Minnesota averaged 4.6 runs through May.

Of their last 10 victories, five have come by a run and four by two. Minnesota had seven or fewer hits for a fourth straight game Thursday.

Joe Mauer tied it in the eighth with his third home run before Kennys Vargas connected on a two-out walk-off shot in the ninth. Mauer has batted .179 in the last 16 games while Vargas is at .171 in 11 contests straddling a stint in Triple-A.

"It was a couple big moments for guys looking for something to hopefully get jump-started," Twins manager Paul Molitor told MLB's official website.

Mauer is 10 for 28 against the Cubs, but Vargas is 4 for 22 versus NL pitching.

The bullpen has helped make some recent success possible with 11 scoreless innings over the 3-2 span, while the rotation has given them a chance to win by not allowing more than three runs in that stretch.

That dates to Hughes' last start, when the right-hander allowed three runs and nine hits in six innings of Sunday's 4-3 win at Texas.

Hughes (4-6, 4.79 ERA) won all four of his starts against NL opponents last season with a 2.42 ERA, and the Twins have taken seven of the last nine meetings with Chicago.

Hendricks (2-2, 3.80) is making his 13th start, matching the total from his rookie season, though he seems to be gathering momentum.

The right-hander yielded a run and four hits with seven strikeouts in five innings of Saturday's 4-3 home win over Cincinnati, throwing just 57 pitches and having his outing cut short by a rain delay. Hendricks didn't earn the decision but is 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA in his last five starts.

The Cubs (35-29) fell 4-3 in Cleveland on Thursday but continued to see promise from their latest young addition.

Kyle Schwarber was 2 for 4 with his first career home run, and the midweek call-up is 6 for 10 with five runs and four RBIs in his first three games. The 22-year-old catcher, who cruised through Chicago's farm system, has only been in the lineup as the designated hitter.

That's something the Cubs can continue in Minnesota, after which they plan to send him back to the minors.

"I'm just trying to take advantage of an opportunity that's been put in front of me," Schwarber said. "Whenever I can get in there - DH, catcher, whatever - I'm going to do it to the best of my ability. I've got to take advantage of what I'm getting here. Some people never make it to the big leagues. I'm in the big leagues right now, so I've got to take advantage of it."

Teammate Kris Bryant has continued to do that, batting .351 during a 14-game hitting streak.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cubs at Twins
Fri, Jun 19 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Cubs at Twins
Sat, Jun 20 - 2:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Cubs at Twins
Sun, Jun 21 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Brewers (24-43) at Rockies (28-38)
Game: 1
Venue: Coors Field
Date: June 19, 2015 8:40 PM EDT

No team in baseball has better offensive numbers on its home field than the Colorado Rockies since they joined the majors as an expansion club 22 years ago.

They've got the best home batting average in the league again this season, but that not translating into victories has become the most frustrating aspect of the Rockies' slump.

A pair of struggling teams begin a three-game series Friday night as the Milwaukee Brewers look to avoid a seventh straight loss while dealing host Colorado a ninth defeat in 10 games.

The Rockies (28-38), who have taken advantage of Denver's thin air to lead the majors in home average, hits and home runs since 1993, are in the NL West basement and have dropped three straight at Coors Field. They were swept in a four-game home-and-home set with Houston, losing 8-4 at Denver on Thursday.

Colorado leads the majors with a .297 average at home but is 13-20 there. The Rockies have finished below .500 in four straight seasons despite posting a 45-36 home mark in each of the last two.

Carlos Gonzalez hit a three-run homer in the first inning Thursday to give the Rockies a two-run lead. He's homered in three straight games but has batted .185 over his last seven, with four of his five hits in that stretch leaving the ballpark.

'That's unacceptable,' Gonzalez said of the club's record at Coors. 'We have a home-field advantage and we have to dominate at home. That's how it's been in Rockies history.'

Troy Tulowitzki had two hits for the second straight day and is batting .397 over his last 17, including .459 in nine home games. Tulowitzki and Gonzalez are tied for fourth in the majors in home batting average at .324 since the start of 2006, Tulowitzki's rookie year.

Pitching has always been the problem for Colorado, though Jorge De La Rosa (4-2, 4.91 ERA) is among the few hurlers to thrive with the Rockies. He's won his last two home starts and looks to help end Colorado's skid after setting the team record with his 73rd victory in Sunday's 4-1 win over Miami.

He allowed one run in seven innings and is 4-0 with a 2.56 ERA in his last five starts, including wins in his last three.

De La Rosa spent his first 2 1/2 seasons with Milwaukee and has struggled against his former team, going 2-2 with a 7.92 ERA in six starts. He allowed four runs over six innings of a 10-4 win in his last matchup June 29.

Braun, 10 for 14 with three homers and four doubles against De La Rosa, went hitless Thursday as Milwaukee (24-43) was swept in four games by Kansas City with a 3-2 defeat.

The Brewers, without Carlos Gomez in three of the last four because of groin and hip issues, have been outscored 39-19 during their six-game skid, with Braun going 1 for 22 with seven strikeouts in that stretch.

They'll turn to Taylor Jungmann to help them get back in the win column. Jungmann (1-1, 2.25) replaced the injured Wily Peralta and beat Pittsburgh 4-1 on June 9 after allowing one run in seven innings of his major league debut, but he struggled in Sunday's 4-0 loss to Washington.

The right-hander gave up two runs and seven hits while walking two and throwing 105 pitches in five innings.

"He had a tough day, but kept us in the game, and that's a success," manager Craig Counsell said.

Colorado swept three games in Milwaukee from April 6-8, but was swept by the Brewers in the last series at Coors Field from June 20-22.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Brewers at Rockies
Fri, Jun 19 - 8:40PM EDT

GAME 2
Brewers at Rockies
Sat, Jun 20 - 4:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Brewers at Rockies
Sun, Jun 21 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Angels (34-33) at Athletics (29-40)
Game: 1
Venue: O.co Coliseum
Date: June 19, 2015 9:35 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Angels have not been able to figure out Sonny Gray since he made his major league debut with the Oakland Athletics nearly two years ago.

That's especially been the case this season, though they're not the only team he's managed to shut down.

The major league leader in ERA looks to beat the Angels for the second time this week and fourth time in as many matchups in 2015 as these teams open a three-game series in Oakland on Friday night.

Gray (8-3, 1.60 ERA) will again be matched up with Matt Shoemaker (4-5, 4.85) after beating him in Anaheim on Sunday. Gray allowed an unearned run, five hits and struck out nine with no walks over 7 2-3 innings of an 8-1 victory.

'It's fun every time I go out there,' Gray said. 'It's still real early, but it's just nice to go out there and get some innings and put the team in a position to win. I'm just throwing the ball well.'

The right-hander is 3-0 with a 1.19 ERA against the Angels (34-33) this season and 5-1 with a 2.11 mark in nine career matchups, including eight starts.

'Every time we've faced him, he's been tough on us,' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. 'So we'll have to hopefully try and figure something out - because in our division, we're going to face him a bunch of times.'

Gray has posted a 1.04 ERA in going 4-1 in his last five starts, striking out 31 and walking four in 34 2-3 innings.

'My fastball location is better and I'm throwing a lot more strikes,' he said. '... And when you do that, you're going to win more times than not.'

Gray has been especially tough on Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. They are both 4 for 22 in the matchup, with Trout striking out 10 times but also homering twice. Kole Calhoun is 3 for 24 with nine strikeouts and Chris Iannetta is hitless in 10 at_bats while striking out four times.

'I'm under the impression that he's doing that to everybody,' Iannetta said. 'He's one of the best in the game, and I don't think he gets enough notoriety for how good he really is.'

Shoemaker allowed four runs in 5 2-3 innings Sunday after going 1-0 with a 1.45 ERA in his previous three starts. The right-hander is 0-2 with a 6.91 ERA in three outings against Oakland (29-40) this year.

The Athletics failed in their bid for a season-best fifth straight win Thursday, falling 3-1 to San Diego while being held to five hits. They had 20 hits in a 16-2 victory Wednesday.

'A game like that when you give up a couple runs, you expect to be in a better position,' manager Bob Melvin said. 'We just didn't do enough offensively."

Los Angeles won for the second time in three contests Thursday, beating Arizona 7-1. Trout went 2 for 4 with an RBI triple and is 12 for 29 (.414) in the last eight games, while Efren Navarro and Carlos Perez drove in two runs apiece.

"We got production independently from what (Kole Calhoun) and Mike and Albert are going to do," Scioscia told MLB's official website. "And that's critical."


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Angels at Athletics
Fri, Jun 19 - 9:35PM EDT

GAME 2
Angels at Athletics
Sat, Jun 20 - 4:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Angels at Athletics
Sun, Jun 21 - 4:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Padres (33-36) at Diamondbacks (32-34)
Game: 1
Venue: Chase Field
Date: June 19, 2015 9:40 PM EDT

Despite his status as baseball's only regular starter without a loss, this season has been anything but typical for James Shields.

Shields can improve to 8-0 with a win over Arizona on Friday night, but the San Diego Padres may have some concerns about his home run and innings totals as they continue an eight-game trip in this opener against the Diamondbacks.

The Padres (33-36) had a busy offseason that included signing Shields (7-0, 3.59 ERA) to a four-year, $75 million deal. The right-hander has been durable throughout his career, chewing up at least 200 innings in every one of his full major league seasons since 2007, but that hasn't fully been the case this year.

While his strikeouts-per-nine-innings rate of 10.68 is by far a career best, Shields hasn't tossed more than seven innings in 14 starts and his 16 homers allowed are tied for second-most in MLB - well on pace to eclipse the 23 he gave up over 34 outings in 2014.

San Diego was expecting to get a lot more innings out of Shields after he threw 21 complete games between '07-14, tying Adam Wainwright and Felix Hernandez for the fourth-most in baseball in that span.

Shields has failed to earn a decision five times when he's allowed two earned runs or fewer while working at least six innings, including twice in his last four starts.

"We have to win," he said after departing Sunday with a 2-1 lead before the Padres lost 4-2 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 12. "We have to win that game. The game was ours to lose and we have to do a better job of bearing down and getting that win right there."

One thing Shields won't have to concern himself with is the streak of Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who went 0 for 4 in Thursday's 7-1 loss to the Angels to end his run of successfully reaching base at 28 games.

Goldschmidt remains a big threat, though, with a .357 average that's among the major league leaders. He went 2 for 3 with a home run against Shields in Arizona's 6-5 loss May 8.

Thursday's loss marked the eighth time since April 24 that Arizona (32-34) failed with a chance to get back to .500.

"I don't think anybody is thinking about that," manager Chip Hale said. "We just didn't play well enough today and they did."

San Diego had dropped 11 of 14 before beating Oakland 3-1 on Thursday to salvage a win in the four-game home-and-home series and give interim manager Pat Murphy his first victory.

"It's a little silly to make it about me today," said Murphy, who was hired Tuesday after Bud Black was fired a day earlier. "It was kind of a must-win, but you still have to let the game flow. If you try to force it, a lot of bad stuff can happen."

With the Padres in position to overtake Arizona for third in the NL West, right-hander Rubby De La Rosa (5-3, 5.27) will oppose Shields and try to deny San Diego its first back-to-back wins since a four-game streak June 2-6.

De La Rosa had worked just five innings and allowed two homers in each of his previous three outings before throwing eight in a 4-0 win at San Francisco on Sunday. He had gone 0-1 with a 12.00 ERA and .368 opponent batting average during the rocky patch.

He is 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA in his career against San Diego with both wins coming earlier this season.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Padres at Diamondbacks
Fri, Jun 19 - 9:40PM EDT

GAME 2
Padres at Diamondbacks
Sat, Jun 20 - 10:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Padres at Diamondbacks
Sun, Jun 21 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rangers (36-30) at White Sox (28-36)
Game: 1
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: June 19, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Personal accomplishments mean little to Chris Sale if he's not helping the Chicago White Sox win.

Looking to bounce back from a frustrating defeat, the left-hander tries to keep the White Sox from an eighth consecutive loss Friday night against the visiting Texas Rangers.

Sale (6-3, 3.01 ERA) had yielded one run and struck out 39 while walking three over 22 2-3 innings during a three-start winning streak. He allowed one hit heading into the seventh Sunday at Tampa Bay before Asdrubal Cabrera hit a two-run homer in the 2-1 defeat.

"We had 'em pretty much where we wanted, and it was a stupid mistake walking the guy (ahead of Cabrera), then a fastball right down the middle and you lose the game," Sale said. "It was really nothing more than that."

The result overshadowed a 12-strikeout performance for Sale, who can become the first to fan at least that many in five straight starts since Pedro Martinez in 1999. Sale's 61 strikeouts since May 23 are by far the most in the majors during that time, but that doesn't matter to a veteran who took the blame for his recent loss.

"Plain and simple, I got beat," he said.

Sale's recent run of dominance included a 9-2 win at Texas (36-31) on June 3 in which he gave up three hits and struck out 13 over seven scoreless innings.

Looking to avoid dropping eight straight for the second time in three seasons, the White Sox (28-36) have scored more than four runs only once in the 14 games that followed Sale's gem at Texas.

They've batted .141 with 42 strikeouts while totaling five runs in the last five and managed 13 hits during a four-game home-and-home sweep at the hands of Pittsburgh.

Former Ranger Geovany Soto homered for one of Chicago's three hits Thursday in a second consecutive 3-2 home defeat to the Pirates.

"We are out here grinding and fighting every day to get the win," Soto said of the White Sox, who are 5-30 when scoring three or fewer runs. "I feel we are in the same boat and everybody is pulling the same way. It's going to turn around."

Avisail Garcia entered June batting .323, but is hitting .132 in 15 games this month. His slump began by going 0 for 11 while the White Sox lost two of three at Texas.

Colby Lewis (6-3, 4.37 ERA) gave up a two-run homer to Adam Eaton and five other hits in seven innings of a 15-2 win June 2 to lower his ERA to 1.24 while winning a fifth straight start versus Chicago.

Though his last two starts at U.S. Cellular Field came in 2011 and '14, Lewis did not yield a run and went the distance in both.

The right-hander has allowed three runs and gone seven innings in each of his last two outings, most recently in Saturday's 11-7 victory over Minnesota.

"I've got to keep it close," Lewis said. "That's it."

He'll try to help the Rangers rebound after their three-game winning streak against the Los Angeles Dodgers ended when Keone Kela balked home a run with two outs in the ninth of Thursday's 1-0 loss at Chavez Ravine.

"It was a balk," manager Jeff Banister said. "It was very slight, but it was there."

Chicago native Adam Rosales should be in the lineup considering he's 7 for 14 with three home runs versus Sale.

Joey Gallo began his career by going 5 for 12 with two homers and five RBIs in three games against the White Sox just over two weeks ago, but has hit .190 with three home runs and five RBIs in 12 contests since.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rangers at White Sox
Fri, Jun 19 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Rangers at White Sox
Sat, Jun 20 - 2:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Rangers at White Sox
Sun, Jun 21 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Astros (40-28) at Mariners (30-36)
Game: 1
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: June 19, 2015 10:10 PM EDT

Lance McCullers saw no issue with being removed halfway through the game in his last start against the Seattle Mariners despite not allowing a single hit.

That's partly because the Houston Astros had roughed up Roenis Elias enough that McCullers' services no longer were needed.

McCullers and Elias oppose each other again Friday night as the Astros seek a sixth straight victory in the opener of a three-game series in Seattle.

Houston's winning streak began with Sunday's 13-0 victory over the Mariners, when McCullers (3-1, 2.00 ERA) threw 90 pitches while walking four in five hitless innings. Manager A.J. Hinch decided the 21-year-old's pitch count in his sixth career start was high enough to sit him with an 11-run lead.

'We pitch to win ball games and to get this team down the road into the playoffs,' McCullers said. 'Not going back out there was not a big deal.'

The right-hander hasn't allowed more than three runs since making the jump from Double-A for his major league debut May 18. McCullers is one of multiple rookies contributing for the Astros (40-28) as they became the first AL club to 40 victories by capping a four-game sweep of Colorado with Thursday's 8-4 victory.

Preston Tucker homered for the second straight day and fellow rookie Carlos Correa had three stolen bases. George Springer is batting .468 during an 11-game hitting streak after going 2 for 5.

Springer has hit in the leadoff spot for the last six games in place of reigning AL batting champion Jose Altuve, who has been receiving treatment for a hamstring injury.

'It never ceases to amaze me with this team,' Hinch said. 'Different contributions all the way through.'

Elias (3-4, 3.67) had been giving the Seattle rotation a boost by allowing two runs or fewer in five of his six starts before the Astros touched him up for eight over 3 1-3 innings Sunday.

'He just didn't have much command, and it was a tough day for him in a lot of different ways,' manager Lloyd McClendon said of Elias, who entered that contest with a 2.79 ERA.

Houston wasted little time getting to Elias, scoring three in the first inning Sunday after plating two in the first and another in the second May 1 as Elias took the loss in the Astros' 4-3 win May 1.

They've won eight of 10 meetings this season while outscoring the Mariners 64-34. Seattle (30-37), which has a .233 team average that is tied with Milwaukee for the worst in the majors, had trouble getting its offense going again Thursday, falling 7-0 to San Francisco and getting shut out for the fourth time during a 3-5 stretch.

Nearly half of the Mariners' 17 runs in that slump - during which they're batting just .185 - came in an 8-1 win over the Astros on Saturday. Seattle especially has had trouble at home lately, plating 18 runs while losing nine of 11.

Nelson Cruz hasn't homered since May 27 and is 1 for 17 over his last five. Robinson Cano, hitting just .237, sat out Thursday with a stiff lower back, and Kyle Seager's consecutive games streak ended at 192 when he was scratched with food poisoning.

It's unclear if Cano and Seager will play as Houston seeks a seventh victory in the last nine meetings in Seattle.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Astros at Mariners
Fri, Jun 19 - 10:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Astros at Mariners
Sat, Jun 20 - 10:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Astros at Mariners
Sun, Jun 21 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Giants (36-32) at Dodgers (38-29)
Game: 1
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: June 19, 2015 10:10 PM EDT

The last time San Francisco and Los Angeles met, the Giants shut out the Dodgers to continue a trend in what's been a lopsided season series.

After nearly a month apart, such a loss would normally be an afterthought entering the next meeting, but it wasn't any ordinary shutout. It wasn't a perfect game. It wasn't a no-hitter. It wasn't even a complete game from a San Francisco starter.

It was a series shutout, something neither team had been a part of in one of at least three games since 2012 - also with the Giants blanking the Dodgers in three - so it figures to be on the minds of both teams Friday night at Dodger Stadium as the scoreless streak could reach historic levels.

The Giants have won seven of nine over the Dodgers, though both losses came in a three-game series in Los Angeles from April 27-29. What followed from May 19-21 was a three-game sweep that extended San Francisco's shutout streak against the Dodgers to 31 innings.

That's tied for the Giants' best since moving from New York and the franchise's eighth longest dating to 1912 against an opponent, bringing the record of 38 innings against Philadelphia from 1917-18 within reach. Thirty-eight is also the Dodgers' franchise record dating to 1912 for consecutive scoreless innings - which came at the hands of the Boston Bees in 1937 - and the current run is tied for the fifth longest in club history.

Another blanking would match the Giants' four straight shutouts of the Phillies in 1917-18 and hand the Dodgers their first four-game stretch against an opponent without scoring.

San Francisco (36-32) might have foreshadowed its role in history with Thursday's 7-0 win in Seattle, while Los Angeles (38-29) needed a ninth-inning balk to score in a 1-0 walk-off win over Texas.

The Dodgers ended a three-game losing streak but have scored seven runs in the last four. Adrian Gonzalez is in a 5-for-46 slump, and the first baseman has batted .155 in his last 16 games against the Giants.

Having Yasiel Puig back in the lineup against San Francisco could help. He's a career .317 hitter against the Giants and missed the May series.

He'll face Chris Heston (6-5, 3.76 ERA), making his first start in the rivalry after appearing in relief twice last season.

"Any time we're squaring off against the Dodgers, it's a big series," Heston told MLB's official website. "The teams battle it out every year for the division."

This will be his second start since throwing a no-hitter June 9 against the New York Mets at Citi Field, and the follow-up effort was mediocre. The right-hander gave up three runs - two earned - in five innings of Sunday's 4-0 home loss to Arizona.

In five starts following outings in which he allowed more than an earned run, he's 4-0 with a 1.93 ERA.

Los Angeles' Mike Bolsinger has evened out over his last four starts with a 1-1 record and 3.97 ERA. Bolsinger (4-1, 2.25) allowed two runs and six hits with three walks in 4 2-3 innings of Sunday's 4-2 win in San Diego, his shortest outing of the year.

"The bullpen came in and saved the day," Bolsinger said after Los Angeles relievers went 7 1-3 scoreless as part of a current six-game stretch with a 1.04 ERA.

The right-hander had started the season by going 3-0 with a 0.71 mark in four starts. The only game he didn't win in that span was his season debut against the Giants, in which he gave up a run in 5 2-3 innings of a 3-2 road loss April 23. He faced them twice last season with Arizona and is 0-2 with a 3.44 ERA in the three games.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Giants at Dodgers
Fri, Jun 19 - 10:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Giants at Dodgers
Sat, Jun 20 - 7:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Giants at Dodgers
Sun, Jun 21 - 8:08PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Blatt: Bron bond more than meets the eye

June 18, 2015

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) - Even after guiding a team wrecked by injuries to the NBA Finals in his first season, Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt can't escape a narrative that's shadowed him for months.

His relationship with superstar LeBron James remains a trendy, touchy topic.

On Thursday, as a national column painted an unflattering portrait of how James treated him during postseason games, Blatt said he considers coaching the four-time MVP a privilege and they have a positive connection.

''People sometimes judge things on a game or on a period of time and they forget that we're in there working together and striving to make the utmost of our team and of our situation day to day,'' Blatt said, ''and a bond develops over time that is a lot more than what meets the eye.''

Two days after the Cavaliers' season ended with a Game 6 loss to Golden State in the NBA Finals, Blatt and general manager David Griffin both addressed the team's upcoming plans to rebuild its roster, re-sign several core players including James, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson and improve a bench - aging at the back end - that didn't provide enough help against the Warriors.

And while there's plenty of work to be done, Blatt, who said he ''absolutely'' intends to return next season, doesn't believe his bridge with James needs major repair.

It's no secret that James didn't always seem engaged with his coach during timeouts - anyone who watched the Cavs this season witnessed that - and there were times when he disagreed with Blatt, even questioned his strategies. But James' respect for Blatt seemed to grow as the season went on.

In fact, following Tuesday's pregame shoot-around before Game 6, James and Blatt walked off the court at Cleveland Clinic Courts with their arms around each other.

Blatt, who joined the Cavs last year after winning numerous titles in Europe, was asked if he adjusted his coaching style to accommodate James, the world's best player.

''Absolutely, yes,'' he said. ''He is a galvanizing player. He is our best player. He's the league's best player. He's a winner. He's a proven champion. I think it's important that he feels empowered and at the same time that he knows that he's very much a part of this team. He's exhibited that, and always put the team's success beyond his.

''Now if he has felt that he has something to say and wants to impose his will in terms of influencing in a positive way on those around him, that's a good thing. That's a good thing for all, and I certainly encourage that and certainly respected the fact that LeBron's heart was in the right place.''

Griffin pointed out that just two weeks ago James, in the midst of a playoff run made more challenging because of season-ending injuries to Love and Kyrie Irving, praised Blatt's performance this season by saying he had done ''a hell of a job.''

''That's what the man said,'' said Griffin, who agreed with James' assessment, adding the Cavs went 33-3 in their last 36 games in which James, Love and Irving played together.

Griffin has grown tired of the negativity directed at Blatt.

''It never has to go away because it's all conjecture,'' he said. ''So I think one thing David did as well as anybody I've ever seen, and I wish I did better, was just ignore the noise from the media perspective. Because frankly, none of that means anything. We know what actually takes place here.''

The Cavaliers had a remarkable run, making the finals for just the second time and pushing the Warriors as hard as they could before running out of bodies. Griffin hoped to keep his roster mostly intact, but he could be faced with some big decisions.

He expects both James and Love to opt out of their contracts and become free agents. James signed a two-year deal last summer with the ability to opt out after one, and he may re-sign a one-year deal in order to capitalize on an expected surge in the salary cap following the 2016-17 season. Also, James wants to keep pressure on the Cavs to continue to add quality players.

Love's situation may be more complicated. After he underwent shoulder surgery, Love said he expects to be back with Cleveland next season. He, too, might prefer signing a one-year contract, but it's possible the Cavs will offer him a longer package and more security to gauge his commitment.

Griffin said the club intends to re-sign forward Tristan Thompson, a rebounding force who was invaluable when Love got hurt and could demand a maximum-level contract. Griffin will extend qualifying offers to restricted free agents Iman Shumpert and Matthew Dellavedova.

He would also like to add younger bench players, ''guys that are more in a 26-to-30 range perhaps. Maybe finding the peak of their careers.''

Above all, Griffin wants to keep the momentum going for the Cavs, who lived up to expectations, overcame adversity to beat Chicago and Atlanta in the playoffs, and came within two wins of a title.

''We very much intend to keep this group together,'' he said. ''You look at that as a group that's the potential to be special, special good.''

[StarDust Bum]

Warriors believe more titles may ensue

June 18, 2015

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - The parade is not until Friday. The Golden State Warriors are already looking ahead to what could be a promising future.

And with their young core under contract and MVP Stephen Curry just entering his prime, the Warriors believe their first NBA championship in 40 years could be the start of many more.

''There's potential for us to build this long-term,'' Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Thursday.

The Warriors rolled to a franchise-record 67 wins during the regular season before dispatching New Orleans, Memphis and Houston in the Western Conference playoffs. They won their first title since 1975 on Tuesday night when they finished off LeBron James and the depleted Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

The victory capped off a 2014-15 campaign that wasn't just a drought-breaker - it was historic.

The Warriors totaled 83 wins in all, the third-highest ever. Only the 1995-96 and 1996-97 Chicago Bulls won more, and Kerr played on both of those teams.

''It's ironic, but the unexpected thing is everything went exactly as we hoped. That never happens,'' Kerr said.

Along with hearing from President Barack Obama, Kerr has received congratulations from former teammates and coaches. Some even teased him for winning as a rookie coach.

''It's that easy huh?'' Kerr said former Spurs teammate Tim Duncan texted.

General manager Bob Myers, the NBA Executive of the Year, is hoping to capitalize on the roster flexibility he has masterfully made happen and give the Warriors a chance to hang more championship banners soon.

Nearly every key contributor - Curry, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, Andre Iguodala, Andrew Bogut, Shaun Livingston and Festus Ezeli - is locked up through at least next season.

Draymond Green is a rare exception. The versatile forward is set to become a restricted free agent, meaning the Warriors can match any offer he receives.

Green expects to be back and the team intends to pay whatever salary he commands, even if that means going into the league's luxury tax, which Myers said he has been given authority to do from owner Joe Lacob.

''I always said, `Players that help you win and certainly win at the level we won at, you want to keep,''' Myers said. ''And we'll do everything we can to keep him. Thankfully, the rules are in our favor.''

Green, the runner-up for defensive player of the year, got his shot this season after starter David Lee injured his left hamstring in the final preseason game. Lee, who is owed $15.4 million next season in the final year of his deal, will likely be on the way out to limit the team's tax hit.

The Warriors will need to make a decision on reserve forward Marreese Speights, who has a $3.8 million team option next season. Reserve guard Leandro Barbosa, who played for the $1.4 million veteran minimum this season, will be a free agent. And Barnes and Ezeli, part of the franchise's acclaimed 2012 draft class with Green, are eligible for contract extensions.

Myers said it's too early to tell what will happen this offseason but he feels good about the team's ability to remain a contender.

''When you have the success that we had, you'd like to keep it together as much as possible,'' Myers said.

A move also will need to be made on Kerr's staff.

Kerr will need to find a new lead assistant as associate head coach and offensive guru Alvin Gentry is leaving to become the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans. Kerr could promote assistant Luke Walton or try to attract a more experienced coach such as Brian Shaw or Mike D'Antoni.

Kerr said Walton could be a head coach someday, but he has just begun to think about replacing Gentry and whether Walton is ready for that role. First, he wants to enjoy the championship parade through downtown Oakland and bask in the storybook season.

Of course, there's little down time for a title-winning team.

The NBA draft is next week (the Warriors have the last pick in the first round), free agency talks start July 1 and then it's a matter of weeks before training camp when the Warriors try to do what the franchise has never done: repeat as champions.

Kerr said the challenge is balancing the burden that has been lifted off players' shoulders and keeping the same edge that won them a championship.

''There's a freedom that comes with winning the first one,'' Kerr said, ''but you can't let that freedom erode in terms of the fabric of the daily work that you put in.''

---

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Friday, June 19


National League
Pirates @ Nationals
Burnett is 6-1, 2.47 in his last eight starts; over is 5-3 in his last eight.

Ross is 1-1, 3.46 in his first two MLB starts.

Pirates won last eight games, allowing seven runs (five shutouts)- ten of their last 11 games stayed under. Pittsburgh lost its last four games with Nationals; home side won seven of last eight series games. Washington lost three of last four games; over is 6-2-1 in their last nine.

Cardinals @ Phillies
Lyons is 1-0, 6.00 in his four starts, last three of which stayed under.

Aumont is making first MLB start; he is 1-5, 6.58 in 45 relief stints, totalling 39.2 innings. He is 3-4, 2.35 in ten AAA starts this year.

Phillies lost nine of last ten games; six of their last eight stayed under total. Cardinals won six of last nine games with Philly; over is 4-2-1 in last seven series games. St Louis lost four of its last five road games; their last eight games overalll stayed under the total.

Marlins @ Reds
Haren is 2-1, 2.72 in his last six starts, four of which stayed under.

Leake is 1-0, 3.79 in his last three starts; five of his last six went over.

Reds are 8-2 in last ten home games- four of last five overall stayed under. Miami lost seven of last ten games with Cincinnati; road team won eight of ten games- under is 4-2-1 in last seven. Marlins are 5-11 in last 16 road games.

Mets @ Braves
deGrom is 4-0, 1.45 in his last six starts, five of which went over.

Wisler is making first MLB start; he is 3-4, 4.29 in 12 AAA starts this year.

Mets won six of last seven games with Atlanta; nine of last ten series games went over. NY is 3-13 in its last 16 road games- their last four games overall stayed under total. Braves are 3-5 in their last eight games; over is 5-2-1 in those eight games.

Brewers @ Rockies
Jungmann is 1-1, 2.25 in his first two MLB starts (under 2-0).

de la Rosa is 3-0, 2.70 in his last three starts, all of which stayed under.

Brewers lost last four games with Colorado; four of last five went over; they lost last six games overall, outscored 39-13- six of their last eight games went over the total. Rockies lost eight of last nine games, with last four going over.

Padres @ Diamondbacks
Shields is 3-0, 3.18 in his last seven starts; five of his last six went over.

de la Rosa is 1-1, 7.45 in his last five starts, four of which went over.

San Diego won four of last six games with Arizona; seven of last ten series games went over. Padres are 1-3 since changing managers- three of the four games went over. D'backs won five of last seven games, with six of the seven staying under the total.

Giants @ Dodgers
Heston is 2-2, 2.88 in his last four starts; six of his last eight went over.

Bolsinger is 4-0, 1.01 in his last four home starts; six of his last nine starts overall stayed under.

Giants won nine of last ten games with Dodgers, sutting them in last three games- home side won nine of last ten series games- six of last eight stayed under total. SF lost six of last eight games overall; six of their last seven went under total. Dodgers lost three of last four games; five of last six went under total. LA scored 12 runs in their last six games.

American League
Tigers @ Bronx
Verlander allowed two runs in five IP (87 PT) in his first '15 start.

Warren is 2-1, 2.92 in his last four starts; five of his last six stayed under.

Detroit lost six of last nine games with Bronx; four of last five stayed under total. Tigers lost three of last five games overall- their last three road games went over. Bronx won nine of its last ten home games.

Orioles @ Blue Jays
Wright is 0-2, 10.00 in his last two starts.

Estrada is 3-0, 5.50 in his last three starts, all of which went over; Jays scored 31 runs in the three games.

Baltimore lost five of last seven games with Toronto; over is 5-3-1 in last nine series games. Orioles won eight of last ten games; over is 5-3 in O's last eight games. Blue Jays won 13 of last 15 games; last four stayed under.

Rays @ Indians
Karns is 0-2, 3.81 in his last five starts; six of his last six stayed under.

Carrasco is 4-1, 4.99 in his last five starts, four of which went over.

Tampa Bay lost three of last four games with Cleveland; Rays won six of last seven games overall-- over is 5-2-1 in their last eight. Indians are 4-3 in last seven games.

Red Sox @ Royals
Rodriguez is 2-1, 3.55 in his first four starts (over 2-2).

Pino is making first '15 start; he was 2-5, 5.07 in 11 starts for Minnesota LY, has allowed two runs in 14 IP in relief (six games) this year. He was 4-2, 4.93 in six AAA starts this season.

Red Sox won six of last seven games with Kansas City; three of last four went over the total. Boston lost eight of last ten overall; over is 4-2-2 in their last eight. Royals won eight of last ten; three of their last four went over.

Rangers @ White Sox
Lewis is 2-0, 3.43 in his last three starts; eight of his last nine went over.

Sale is 3-1, 0.92 in his last four starts; six of his last seven stayed under.

Texas won four of last five games with the White Sox; over is 5-3-1 in last nine series games. Rangers won five of last seven games; four of their last five stayed under. Chicago was outscored 34-14 in losing last seven games; four of their last five stayed under.

Angels @ A's
Shoemaker is 1-1, 2.96 in his last four starts; three of his last four road starts went over the total.

Gray is 4-1, 1.30 in his last five starts; over is 4-1-1 in his last six.

Oakland won four of its last five games; four of those five went over total. but A's lost four of last five against the Angels- five of last six series games went over total. Halos are 2-3 in last five games; their last three stayed under.

Astros @ Mariners
McCullers is 3-1, 2.25 in his six starts (under 4-2).

Elias is 1-3, 5.96 in his last four starts; nine of his last ten stayed under.

Astros won eight of last ten games with Seattle; last five went over the total. Houston won last five games, scoring 43 runs; their last seven went over the total. Mariners lost five of their last eight games, three of their last four stayed under total.

Interleague
Cubs @ Twins
Hendricks is 2-1, 2.53 in his last five starts, four of which stayed under.

Hughes is 0-2, 5.50 in his last three starts; four of his last six stayed under.

Cubs lost seven of last nine games with Minnesota; last three series games went over total, but teams haven't met since '12. Chicago is 5-3 in last eight games; four of its last five stayed under. Twins are 3-2 in last five games; all five of those games stayed under the total.

Win-loss records this year for team with this starting pitcher:
Pitt-Wsh-- Burnett 8-5; Ross 1-1
StL-Phil-- Lyons 2-2; Aumont 0-0
Mia-Cin-- Haren 8-5; Leake 4-9
NY-Atl-- deGrom 8-5; Wisler 0-0
Mil-Col-- Jungmann 1-1; de la Rosa 5-4
SD-Az-- Shields 9-5; de la Rosa 8-5
SF-LA-- Heston 8-5; Bolsinger 5-3

Det-NY-- Verlander 0-1; Warren 8-4
Balt-Tor-- Wright 2-3; Estrada 3-5
TB-Clev-- Karns 6-7; Carrasco 8-5
Bos-KC-- Rodriguez 2-2; Pino 0-0
Tex-Chi-- Lewis 6-7; Sale 8-4
LAA-A's-- Shoemaker 6-6; Gray 8-6
Hst-Sea-- McCullers 3-3; Elias 3-7

Cubs-Min-- Hendricks 7-5; Hughes 5-8

Times this starting pitcher allowed a run in first inning:
Pitt-Wsh-- Burnett 1-13; Ross 0-2
StL-Phil-- Lyons 2-4; Aumont 0-0
Mia-Cin-- Haren 1-13; Leake 3-13
NY-Atl-- deGrom 5-13; Wisler 0-0
Mil-Col-- Jungmann 0-2; de la Rosa 3-9
SD-Az-- Shields 2-14; de la Rosa 4-13
SF-LA-- Heston 1-13; Bolsinger 3-8

Det-NY-- Verlander 0-1; Warren 4-12
Balt-Tor-- Wright 2-5; Estrada 2-6
TB-Clev-- Karns 4-13; Carrasco 6-13
Bos-KC-- Rodriguez 0-4; Pino 0-0
Tex-Chi-- Lewis 2-13; Sale 5-12
LAA-A's-- Shoemaker 3-12; Gray 1-14
Hst-Sea-- McCullers 0-6; Elias 4-10

Cubs-Min-- Hendricks 1-12; Hughes 3-13

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Friday, June 19

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7:05 PM
DETROIT vs. NY YANKEES
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
Detroit is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
NY Yankees are 9-1 SU in their last 10 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Yankees's last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit

7:05 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Pittsburgh's last 11 games
Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Washington's last 10 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh

7:05 PM
ST. LOUIS vs. PHILADELPHIA
St. Louis is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of St. Louis's last 6 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 8 games
Philadelphia is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing St. Louis

7:07 PM
BALTIMORE vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Baltimore's last 8 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Baltimore is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
Toronto is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

7:10 PM
MIAMI vs. CINCINNATI
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
Miami is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 6 games when playing at home against Miami
Cincinnati is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing Miami

7:10 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Tampa Bay is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Cleveland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay

7:35 PM
NY METS vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of NY Mets's last 6 games on the road
NY Mets are 3-13 SU in its last 16 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Mets
Atlanta is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against NY Mets

8:10 PM
TEXAS vs. CHI WHITE SOX
Texas is 3-8 SU in their last 11 games when playing on the road against Chi White Sox
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Texas's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi White Sox's last 5 games at home
Chi White Sox are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing Texas

8:10 PM
BOSTON vs. KANSAS CITY
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 7 games on the road
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Kansas City
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Kansas City's last 16 games

8:10 PM
CHI CUBS vs. MINNESOTA
Chi Cubs are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games on the road
Chi Cubs are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games
Minnesota is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs

8:40 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. COLORADO
Milwaukee is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Milwaukee's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Colorado's last 9 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
Colorado is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee

9:35 PM
LA ANGELS vs. OAKLAND
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Angels's last 6 games on the road
LA Angels are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Oakland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oakland's last 6 games when playing LA Angels
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland's last 5 games

9:40 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. ARIZONA
San Diego is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Arizona
San Diego is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Arizona
Arizona is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arizona's last 6 games at home

10:10 PM
HOUSTON vs. SEATTLE
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 5 games
Houston is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing Houston
Seattle is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Houston

10:10 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. LA DODGERS
The total has gone OVER in 13 of San Francisco's last 18 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Francisco's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games
LA Dodgers are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Friday, June 19


Phillies' Hamels will miss start due to strained hamstring

The Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday scratched left-hander Cole Hamels from his scheduled start Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Hamels (5-5, 2.96 ERA) has a mild right hamstring strain, the team announced.

Right-hander Phillippe Aumont will be recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make his first major-league start Friday.

The 2007 first-round pick is 1-5 with a 6.13 ERA in 45 career relief appearances for the Phillies. In 10 starts for Lehigh Valley this season, he is 3-4 with a 2.55 ERA.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Friday, June 19


Pittsburgh @ Washington

Game 901-902
June 19, 2015 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
(Burnett) 15.119
Washington
(Ross) 13.175
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 2
6 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
N/A

St. Louis @ Philadelphia

Game 903-904
June 19, 2015 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
(Lyons) 15.830
Philadelphia
(Aumont) 14.212
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-180
8
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-180); Over

Miami @ Cincinnati

Game 905-906
June 19, 2015 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
(Haren) 14.567
Cincinnati
(Leake) 13.848
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
by 1
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cincinnati
-130
8
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(+110); Over

NY Mets @ Atlanta

Game 907-908
June 19, 2015 @ 7:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Mets
(deGrom) 15.184
Atlanta
(Wisler) 16.342
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Atlanta
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Mets
No Line
N/A
Dunkel Pick:
Atlanta
N/A

Milwaukee @ Colorado

Game 909-910
June 19, 2015 @ 8:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
(Jumgmnn) 14.448
Colorado
(DeLaRosa) 17.387
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Colorado
by 3
11 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Colorado
-155
10
Dunkel Pick:
Colorado
(-155); Over

San Diego @ Arizona

Game 911-912
June 19, 2015 @ 9:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Diego
(Shields) 15.143
Arizona
(DeLaRosa) 16.587
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Arizona
-110
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(-110); Under

San Francisco @ LA Dodgers

Game 913-914
June 19, 2015 @ 10:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Francisco
(Heston) 16.949
LA Dodgers
(Bolsinger) 15.812
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Francisco
by 1
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-155
7
Dunkel Pick:
San Francisco
(+135); Under

Detroit @ NY Yankees

Game 915-916
June 19, 2015 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
(Verlander) 17.269
NY Yankees
(Warren) 15.772
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 1 1/2
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Yankees
-125
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
(+105); Over

Baltimore @ Toronto

Game 917-918
June 19, 2015 @ 7:07 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Baltimore
(Wright) 16.724
Toronto
(Estrada) 15.669
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Baltimore
by 1
10
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-155
9
Dunkel Pick:
Baltimore
(+135); Over

Tampa Bay @ Cleveland

Game 919-920
June 19, 2015 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
(Karns) 17.879
Cleveland
(Carrasco) 16.680
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
-165
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(+145); Under

Boston @ Kansas City

Game 921-922
June 19, 2015 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
(Rodriguez) 14.114
Kansas City
(Pino) 15.579
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Kansas City
by 1 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Kansas City
-150
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Kansas City
(-150); Over

Texas @ Chicago White Sox

Game 923-924
June 19, 2015 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Texas
(Lewis) 13.867
Chicago White Sox
(Sale) 15.475
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago White Sox
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago White Sox
-165
7
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago White Sox
(-165); Under

LA Angels @ Oakland

Game 925-926
June 19, 2015 @ 9:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Angels
(Shoemaker) 14.526
Oakland
(Gray) 16.164
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oakland
by 1 1/2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oakland
-165
7
Dunkel Pick:
Oakland
(-165); Over

Houston @ Seattle

Game 927-928
June 19, 2015 @ 10:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
(McCullers) 16.679
Seattle
(Elias) 15.156
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 1 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-120
7
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-120); Under

Chicago Cubs @ Minnesota

Game 929-930
June 19, 2015 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago Cubs
(Hendricks) 15.786
Minnesota
(Hughes) 14.242
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago Cubs
by 1 1/2
9 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
-110
8
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Cubs
(-110); Over

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Friday, June 19

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game of the Day: Pirates at Nationals
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pittsburgh Pirates at Washington Nationals (OFF, OFF)

The struggling Washington Nationals may have to start a three-game home series against the red-hot Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday without slugger Bryce Harper. The 22-year-old, who boasts 22 homers and 53 RBIs, suffered what was deemed a mild hamstring strain before leaving in the sixth inning of Thursday’s 5-3 loss to Tampa Bay and will be re-evaluated Friday.

The Nationals have dropped 14 of their last 20 games and managed just three runs in their last two games after scoring 16 at Tampa Bay on Tuesday. Injury-plagued Washington must find a way to raise its level of play against the Pirates, who have won a season-high eight straight contests after a 3-2 victory against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. Pittsburgh has allowed only six earned runs during its streak and owns a major league-best 1.75 ERA in June. Josh Harrison has hit safely in eight straight contests (16-for-35) and Andrew McCutchen is 9-for-23 during a six-game run for the Pirates.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), MASN2 and WUSA 9 (Washington)

LINE HISTORY: Lines have yet to be posted with the status of Bryce Harper unconfirmed.

INJURY REPORT: Pirates - 2B Neil Walker (Ques-Virus) Nationals - LF Bryce Harper (Doub-Hamstring)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH A.J. Burnett (6-2, 1.89 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Joe Ross (1-1, 3.46)

Burnett has been quite unlucky in his last two starts, allowing one run and 10 hits combined over 16 innings without gaining a victory, after winning the previous six. The 38-year-old Arkansas native, who owns 161 career wins, is 4-0 with a 2.51 ERA in seven road starts in 2015. Anthony Rendon is 7-for-16 with three homers and nine RBIs against Burnett, who is 12-5 in 23 appearances (22 starts) with a 3.19 ERA versus the Nationals.

Ross has yielded five runs and 13 hits in his first 13 innings in the big leagues, splitting a pair of starts. The 22-year-old California native struck out eight and threw 108 pitches while permitting two runs over eight frames to beat Milwaukee last Saturday and has walked one batter overall. Ross, who was drafted in 2011 by San Diego in the first round, was 2-2 in nine starts with Double-A Harrisburg before being recalled.

TRENDS:

*Pirates are 6-0 in their last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
*Nationals are 0-6 in their last 6 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
*Under is 10-1 in Pirates last 11 overall.
*Over is 5-0 in Nationals last 5 games following a loss.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Friday, June 19


Wind blowing in at Target Field Friday

According to weather forecasts, wind will be blowing in from rightfield at Target Field when the Minnestota Twins host the Chicago Cubs Friday evening.

Temperatures in Minnesota will be in the high-70s during gametime and skies should be clear.

According to our MLB Stadiums info, the Over/Under count is 1-3 at Target Field when wind blows in from right.

Friday's probable pitchers are Kyle Hendricks for the Cubs and Phil Hughes for the Twins. Oddsmakers have the total at 8.