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**StarDust Bum** · 06-19-2015, 02:06 AM

WNBA Betting Recap - 6/8-6/14

June 14, 2015

League Betting Notes (from Monday, June 8 through Sunday, June 14)

-- Underdogs went 8-6 straight up
-- Underdogs went 10-4 against the spread (ATS)
-- Home teams posted a 9-5 SU record
-- Home/road teams posted a 7-7 ATS record
-- The 'under' went 8-5-1

Team Betting Notes

-- For the second straight week, it was the 'under' edging out the 'over' on totals in WNBA play. In the opening week of play the 'under' went 6-4 and in Week 2 it was 8-5-1.

-- Phoenix (2-2) picked up just their second win in four tries, cooling off Minnesota (3-1) by an 81-66 count despite entering as an 8-point underdog. The Mercury also cashed +330 on the moneyline.

-- The 'under' has connected in three of the first four games for the Lynx, and the total record is identical for the Mercury with the under at 3-1.

-- After a nightmare opening weekend, Atlanta (2-3) bounced back with a pair of wins in three tries this week. However, they're still just 1-4 ATS overall on the season, and the 'under' is 3-1-1 for the Dream.

-- Washington (3-1) picked up a road victory, cashing as a 4.5-point underdog at New York (3-2). The Liberty are 3-0 SU against everyone else, and 0-2 against the Liberty. The loss also marked a 4-0 ATS run to open the season for New York.

-- Tulsa (3-1) picked up a 73-62 road win at San Antonio (0-3) Sunday, and that moves the Shock to 4-0 ATS on the young season.

-- The 'under' has hit in all three games for the Stars so far this season. They have a rematch with the Shock in Oklahoma Tuesday.

-- Indiana (1-4) is off to a terrible start, and they suffered yet another loss and non-cover Sunday at the hand of Chicago (2-2). The Fever have opened the season 0-5 ATS. They'll look to get their first cover on the road Friday in Atlanta.

-- Lastly, Connecticut (3-1) posted an impressive 82-64 victory against Atlanta. The Sun have opened the season 4-0 ATS, and the 'under' is 3-0-1 through four games for Connecticut.

-- Los Angeles (0-2) has had only two games so far, both against Seattle (2-2). The Sparks are 0-2 ATS, too, so they'll be happy to see someone else on the schedule, even if it is Minnesota Tuesday.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-19-2015, 02:16 AM

Preview: Shock (4-1) at Mystics (3-1)

Date: June 19, 2015 7:00 PM EDT

The Tulsa Shock are in the midst of the WNBA's longest active drought without a postseason appearance.

Off to the best start in franchise history, they appear poised to finally end that slump.

On Friday night they'll try to end a different skid against the Washington Mystics, against whom they've dropped four straight meetings.

Tulsa improved to 4-1 Tuesday with an 88-61 win over San Antonio, defeating the Stars for the second time in three days. Plenette Pierson scored 20 points and was 9 of 13 from the field after going 2 for 10 in Sunday's win. In her 13th season in the league and second stint with the Shock, Pierson is averaging a career-high 14.8 points.

Riquna Williams scored a season-high 16 off the bench, helping Tulsa's reserves outscore San Antonio's 41-25.

Skylar Diggins also scored 13 points, and Brianna Kiesel was 3 for 9 from the field but had eight assists. The rookie out of Pittsburgh made her second straight start in place of Odyssey Sims. Sims, who suffered a left knee injury against Seattle on June 9, isn't expected to play until Tulsa returns home June 26 against New York at the earliest.

This matchup figures to be a clash of styles as the Shock's 81.0 points per game are the second-most in the WNBA. Tulsa's high-powered offense is powered by a league-best 39.5 percent shooting from 3-point range.

The Mystics (3-1) rank ninth at 68.8 points per game, but they also have yet to yield more than 68. Opponents are shooting 34.8 percent from the field.

Tulsa is also improving defensively, though, allowing just 56.0 points per game in its last three contests.

Ivory Latta scored 20 in Washington's 74-59 win Sunday at New York, pulling the Mystics within one-half game of first-place Connecticut in the Eastern Conference. Latta is averaging a team-high 12.5 points, and though she's shooting just 30.0 percent, she was 6 for 13 against the Liberty, including 3 for 8 from 3-point range.

Washington averaged 86.5 points while winning both meetings last season. Diggins averaged 17.5 points and 4.0 assists but the Shock were held to 37.4 percent shooting.

WNB HEAD TO HEAD

Jul 25, 2014 Score ATS Results
TUL 77 Cover: 0
WAS « 82 Under: 159
Tools: Recaps

Jul 12, 2014 Score ATS Results
WAS « 91 Cover: 20.5
TUL 74 Over: 165
Tools: Recaps

**StarDust Bum** · 06-19-2015, 02:19 AM

Preview: Fever (2-4) at Liberty (3-2)

Date: June 19, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

The Indiana Fever sputtered offensively to begin the season, but seem to be finding some consistency.

They seek a third win in four games Friday night when they visit the New York Liberty, who defeated them last week.

Indiana (2-4) lost its first three games but has been playing better more recently, winning 90-79 at Atlanta on Tuesday. The Fever, who had been averaging 73.8 points, scored their most this season despite being without Natasha Howard, Erlana Larkins and Shavonte Zellous due to injuries. Their statuses are unclear for this matchup.

Five players scored in double figures, including Marissa Coleman, who had a team-high 18, and Maggie Lucas, who matched a career high with 17. Tamika Catchings followed her 27-point, 13-rebound performance four days earlier against Phoenix with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and the Fever were 9 for 19 from 3-point range.

Natalie Achonwa, who leads all rookies with 11.2 points per game, added 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting.

The Fever are looking to avenge an 86-79 setback at New York on June 9. Tina Charles scored 21 while Essence Carson had 14 for the Liberty, who trailed by three at halftime but pulled away after outscoring Indiana 24-13 in the third quarter.

Catchings had 13 points and seven rebounds in her season debut after being sidelined with a knee injury suffered before training camp.

New York (3-2) fell to 2-1 at home in Sunday's 74-59 loss to Washington. The Liberty, led by 12 points apiece from Carson and Carolyn Swords, were done in by a late 15-2 run.

They were 1 for 8 from 3-point range and are shooting 22.8 percent from deep, the second-worst mark in the WNBA. Indiana has been much better from long distance, making 34.6 percent of its attempts.

The Liberty announced rookie forward Rebecca Allen is out for the season with a right knee cartilage injury. Allen played only two games, scoring six points in a June 5 win over Atlanta.

Indiana leads the all-time series, 35-22, though it's 15-15 in games at Madison Square Garden. The Fever are trying to avoid a third straight loss there after falling 73-61 Aug. 17.

WNB HEAD TO HEAD

Jun 9, 2015 Score ATS Results
IND 79 Over: 165
NEW « 86 Cover: 4
Tools: Recaps

Aug 17, 2014 Score ATS Results
IND 61 Under: 134
NEW « 73 Cover: 8.5
Tools:

Aug 14, 2014 Score ATS Results
NEW 63 Under: 139
IND « 76 Cover: 7
Tools: Recaps

Aug 10, 2014 Score ATS Results
IND « 90 Cover: 14
NEW 76 Over: 166
Tools: Recaps

May 31, 2014 Score ATS Results
NEW 66 Under: 136
IND « 70 Cover: 1
Tools: Recaps

**StarDust Bum** · 06-19-2015, 02:22 AM

Preview: Sky (2-2) at Dream (2-4)

Date: June 19, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

A thrilling first-round series in which the Chicago Sky knocked off the Atlanta Dream last year turned out to be quite a duel between Elena Delle Donne and Angel McCoughtry.

Those players are the WNBA's leading scorers as these teams meet for the first time since the playoffs Friday night in Atlanta.

Chicago (2-2) won in three games last year, with the road team capturing every contest as McCoughtry outscored Delle Donne 80-77.

The Sky superstar stole the spotlight in an 81-80 victory in the decisive game. She scored 17 of her 34 points in the fourth quarter and nailed the winning jumper with 8.4 seconds left as Chicago rallied from 20 points down.

McCoughtry scored 17 points after she exploded for 39 in a 92-83 Game 2 victory.

These players are setting the pace in 2015, with Delle Donne averaging 30.5 points and McCoughtry 19.7. McCoughtry is also second in the league with 2.3 steals per game.

Both teams are dealing with key absences. Chicago center Sylvia Fowles remains away from the team after demanding a trade and guard Allie Quigley is with Hungary for the Eurobasket tournament.

The Dream (2-4) are without Tiffany Hayes and reserve forward/center Aneika Henry, who are officially suspended since they are competing in a 3-on-3 tournament in Azerbaijan.

There's an added subplot in this matchup since the Sky signed Jacki Gemelos on Wednesday. The 26-year-old guard could make her WNBA debut after she played her college ball at Southern California for current Dream coach Michael Cooper.

Gemelos suffered five ACL tears - four in college - before she was drafted in 2012 by Minnesota, which cut her that year and in 2013. Gemelos then tried out for Atlanta last year and was cut again.

'That cut the deepest,' Gemelos said of being released by the Dream. 'I didn't know if I could keep going. I felt like I had been let down by basketball so many times. I questioned if it was worth it.'

Chicago led by 14 after one quarter and 32 at the half in Sunday's 98-72 rout at Indiana. The Sky faced double-digit deficits after one quarter in consecutive losses before that contest.

'The mindset was getting off to a really great start,' coach Pokey Chatman said. 'We've kind of struggled (previously) in the first quarter. That's when you should be the most ready."

Sancho Lyttle scored 19 and McCoughtry had 15 in Atlanta's 90-79 loss to the Fever on Tuesday.

WNB HEAD TO HEAD

Aug 26, 2014 Score ATS Results
CHI « 81 Cover: 5
ATL 80 Over: 161
Tools: Recaps

Aug 24, 2014 Score ATS Results
ATL « 92 Cover: 12
CHI 83 Over: 175
Tools: Recaps

Aug 22, 2014 Score ATS Results
CHI « 80 Cover: 6.5
ATL 77 Over: 157
Tools: Recaps

Aug 10, 2014 Score ATS Results
ATL 69 Under: 149
CHI « 80 Cover: 5
Tools: Recaps

Jul 25, 2014 Score ATS Results
CHI « 79 Cover: 13
ATL 75 Under: 154
Tools: Recaps

Jul 13, 2014 Score ATS Results
CHI 79 Cover: 5
ATL « 81 Over: 160
Tools: Recaps

Jun 7, 2014 Score ATS Results
CHI 59 Under: 156
ATL « 97 Cover: 32
Tools: Recaps

May 24, 2014 Score ATS Results
ATL 73 Over: 160
CHI « 87 Cover: 12
Tools: Recaps

**StarDust Bum** · 06-19-2015, 02:25 AM

Preview: Sun (4-1) at Mercury (2-2)

Date: June 19, 2015 10:00 PM EDT

The Phoenix Mercury have won 22 straight overall at home and just knocked off a previously unbeaten opponent.

The Connecticut Sun have four straight victories and are one of two unbeaten road teams.

The Sun look to continue their surge and end the Mercury's streak Friday night in the middle game of their Western Conference trip.

Phoenix (2-2) won 81-66 over Minnesota on Sunday, handing the Lynx their first defeat in a rematch of last year's West finals. DeWanna Bonner scored 22 points and Candice Dupree added 16.

The Mercury's last home loss was a 78-74 defeat to San Antonio on May 23.

"Of course you want to protect home court, that's what we say every time you step on that court," Bonner said. "We just want to give the fans a show and they help us a lot."

Connecticut (4-1) hasn't lost since a 73-68 home defeat to Washington in its June 5 opener. The Sun are enjoying their longest win streak since a six-game run June 7-25, 2014.

Rookie Chelsea Gray scored 16 points and Camille Little and Alex Bentley each added 12 in Tuesday's 79-58 rout over Seattle. The Sun have captured both road games this year.

Connecticut's leading scorer is Bentley, who is 14th in the league with 14.0 points per game. She is one of four Sun players to average double digits in points, joining Kelsey Bone (12.6), Alyssa Thomas (10.6) and Jasmine Thomas (10.2).

The Mercury also have four players who score in double digits, led by Bonner's 19.3 average that is third-best in the WNBA.

The Sun are second in the league in 3-point shooting at 38.3 percent. Gray is second in the WNBA at 61.5 percent among players on pace to make at least 25 3-pointers this season.

New Mercury point guard Leilani Mitchell has a team-high 13 assists and is a big reason the club is averaging a league-low 11.8 turnovers. Phoenix enjoyed a 16-9 edge in assists Sunday.

"Look, we're still a work in progress," coach Sandy Brondello said. "But you saw what we're capable of doing on any given night so it was good."

These teams split two 2014 meetings.

This marks the fifth game of Brittney Griner's seven-game suspension for a domestic violence incident.

WNB HEAD TO HEAD

Jul 17, 2014 Score ATS Results
CONN 85 Over: 186
PHO « 101 Cover: 4.5
Tools: Recaps

Jun 12, 2014 Score ATS Results
PHO 95 Over: 191
CONN « 96 Cover: 7.5
Tools: Recaps

**StarDust Bum** · 06-19-2015, 02:30 AM

i'LL POST THE MINNESOTA LYNX AND SAN ANTONIO STARS WRITE UP WHEN AVAILABLE.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-19-2015, 02:32 AM

Preview: Tigers (34-32) at Yankees (35-30)
Game: 1
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: June 19, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

With the Yankee Stadium crowd eager to witness history, Alex Rodriguez is in prime position to achieve his latest milestone.

Considering his success versus Justin Verlander, there's a good chance it could happen Friday night when New York faces a Detroit Tigers team that should have Victor Martinez available.

After reaching 2,999 career hits by recording two for a second straight night, Rodriguez walked in his final at-bat Thursday as the crowd stood ready to snap the camera on their cell phones in the eighth inning of a 9-4 win over Miami.

"The fans just want to see the players do well, that's the bottom line, and he has done well," manager Joe Girardi said of the support for Rodriguez, who has come back strong from a season-long drug suspension. "Sometimes people pull for people to fight back and get back up, when they've been knocked down."

Rodriguez, who earlier this season eclipsed 2,000 RBIs and passed Willie Mays for fourth on the all-time home run list - he is now sitting on 666 - is set to become the 29th player to reach 3,000 hits.

"I don't even know how to describe it. It feels great," said Rodriguez, who is batting .413 with eight RBIs in his last 13 at home.

Rodriguez has hit .357 (10 for 28) with four home runs and a double during the regular season against Verlander, whose scheduled start Thursday at Cincinnati was rained out.

After missing the first two-plus months with a strained triceps, the right-hander threw 87 pitches and allowed two runs in five innings before Cleveland rallied for a 5-4 win Saturday.

"Felt good to be on a big-league mound. Felt pretty good overall," he said. "The rhythm wasn't quite there, but overall I felt pretty good. Hopefully, the body and arm respond well moving forward."

Since 2011, Verlander had thrown fewer than 90 pitches in only three starts prior to Saturday with an average of 111.4 in that span. The plan is to gradually extend him back to his normal workload.

"Moving forward, a couple starts down the road, it would be a no-brainer," manager Brad Ausmus said. "But right now, I think it was a smart move."

In his only start versus New York (35-30) last season, Verlander allowed solo homers to Brian McCann and Chase Headley over seven innings of a 5-1 defeat Aug. 6.

All signs point to Martinez being in the Tigers' lineup for the first time since going on the disabled list May 19 with inflammation in his surgically repaired left knee.

"He feels good," Ausmus said. "He feels like he's ready."

Struggling with a .216 average, one homer and 15 RBIs in 34 games, Martinez went 5 for 17 with a double in four minor league rehab starts. He went 0 for 13 in his last four major league contests and is 0 for 10 in four versus New York this season.

Martinez went 0 for 4 earlier this year against Adam Warren (4-4, 3.78 ERA), who is 2-3 with a 4.91 ERA in seven road starts but 2-1 with a 2.20 ERA in five at Yankee Stadium.

As the right-hander tries to win his third straight home start, he'll need to be more efficient after yielding three runs, six hits and three walks in 4 2-3 innings while not factoring in the decision of Sunday's 5-3 victory at Baltimore.

He gave up four first-inning runs to go with five hits and four walks in 5 2-3 innings of a 13-4 win at Detroit on April 22. Miguel Cabrera went 1 for 2 against Warren in that contest and is 11 for 22 with three homers and 12 RBIs in his last six games.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Tigers at Yankees
Fri, Jun 19 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Tigers at Yankees
Sat, Jun 20 - 7:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Tigers at Yankees
Sun, Jun 21 - 1:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 06-19-2015, 02:34 AM

Preview: Orioles (34-32) at Blue Jays (35-32)
Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: June 19, 2015 7:07 PM EDT

After dropping two straight road games, the Toronto Blue Jays have rebounded by continuing their success at Rogers Centre.

They'll look to win nine straight at home for the first time in 17 seasons Friday night in the series opener against the Baltimore Orioles.

Toronto's 11-game overall winning streak - which matched a franchise record - ended with back-to-back losses at Citi Field this week, but the club has regrouped nicely by outscoring the New York Mets 15-1 to win both home meetings that followed.

"It goes back to being a day-to-day process," third baseman Josh Donaldson said. "You've got to go out there and prove you're the better team."

The Blue Jays (36-32) have batted .297 with a 57-19 run advantage in their last eight at home. They last won nine straight there Aug. 27-Sept. 7, 1998, to match the second-longest home streak in club history.

After R.A. Dickey tossed 7 1-3 strong innings in Thursday's 7-1 win, Toronto starters have a 1.87 ERA in their last eight at Rogers Centre.

Though Marco Estrada (4-3, 4.24 ERA) has won three straight starts for the first time in his career, he hopes for a more efficient outing after yielding five runs, seven hits and three walks in five innings of Sunday's 13-5 win at Boston.

The right-hander, who has benefited from 21 runs while on the mound in his last two starts, had completed at least six innings over his previous four.

In his second start since joining the rotation, Estrada gave up three runs on homers to Manny Machado and Chris Davis in five innings of a 5-2 loss at Baltimore on May 11.

Despite allowing 14 runs, Toronto swept a three-game home series from the Orioles (34-32) in April.

Machado is batting .407 (11 for 27) with three home runs, four doubles and eight RBIs in his last seven against the Blue Jays. He led off Thursday with a homer and added another hit, but the Orioles managed five total while losing for the third time in 14 games, 2-1 at Philadelphia.

"We've been playing good ball," said Bud Norris, who allowed a two-run homer to Ryan Howard. "We're trying to hit our stride."

J.J. Hardy is 1 for 10 versus Toronto this season but is batting .390 during an 11-game hitting streak.

It's uncertain if teammate Adam Jones will play after missing three straight with a shoulder injury. Though Jones has hit safely in 10 of 12, he's 3 for 17 in his last four.

Looking to avoid losing a third consecutive start will be Mike Wright (2-2, 4.13), who didn't yield a run over 14 1-3 innings to go 1-0 in his first two career starts last month but has an 8.36 ERA while losing two of his last three.

The right-hander has allowed five runs in each of his last two outings that sandwiched a brief trip to Triple-A Norfolk. He yielded six hits and walked three while throwing 104 pitches in five-plus innings of Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Yankees.

"It (stinks) whenever you walk three people," Wright said. "I was throwing some good pitches and they kept fouling them off and kept battling."

Donaldson is 11 for 26 with five RBIs in the last six at home, and hitting .324 with two homers and nine RBIs in nine overall versus Baltimore this season.

Teammate Kevin Pillar is 12 for 28 with five RBIs in the last seven contests.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Orioles at Blue Jays
Fri, Jun 19 - 7:07PM EDT

GAME 2
Orioles at Blue Jays
Sat, Jun 20 - 1:07PM EDT

GAME 3
Orioles at Blue Jays
Sun, Jun 21 - 1:07PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 06-19-2015, 02:35 AM

Preview: Pirates (38-27) at Nationals (34-32)
Game: 1
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: June 19, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

A.J. Burnett and Gerrit Cole have developed a friendly competition as both attempt to run away with the NL ERA title for the surging Pittsburgh Pirates.

After watching Cole throw another solid outing, Burnett will try to close the gap on his teammate Friday night against a Washington Nationals team that could be without Bryce Harper.

Burnett (6-2, 1.89 ERA) is coming off the best outing of his resurgent season, yielding five hits over nine innings of Sunday's 1-0, 11-inning home win over Philadelphia.

It was the first time since 2012 that the 38-year-old pitched nine innings without allowing a run.

"Pitch efficiency all over the place," manager Clint Hurdle told MLB's official website.

Hurdle's club has a 0.69 ERA during its eight-game winning streak, part of a 21-5 stretch.

Only Cole (1.78) and Zack Greinke (1.81) of the Dodgers have better ERAs than Burnett in the NL. Cole allowed two runs over seven innings of a 3-2 road win over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.

"He's still ahead of me?" Burnett told MLB's official website after his last start. "When you watch him do what he does, then I get to come out behind him, it's motivation. It makes me want to go a little more."

Burnett will get that chance as he tries to lead Pittsburgh (39-27) to its first nine-game winning streak since June 2013 in the opener of this three-game series.

The right-hander has gone 7-2 with a 2.21 ERA in his last 11 starts against Washington (34-33). He held the Nationals to one run over seven innings of a 3-1 win in his last outing at Nationals Park on Sept. 6.

He might not have to deal with Harper after the star outfielder fell in the wet outfield while making a throw Thursday and left with a strained left hamstring in Washington's 5-3 loss to Tampa Bay.

Harper is batting .344 with 22 home runs and 53 RBIs.

'Be smart about it, of course,' said Harper, who will be evaluated Friday. 'I want to be in there, but if I don't feel right tomorrow, then maybe taking that day off might help me a little bit.'

Anthony Rendon went 7 for 16 with three home runs off Burnett last season, while Denard Span was 7 for 19 with two doubles. Span had two hits Thursday after missing one game due to back tightness and Yunel Escobar finished with his third five-hit game of the season.

The Nationals, however, have batted .205 while totaling eight runs during a four-game slide at home. They haven't lost five straight there since a six-game skid in July 2013.

Joe Ross (1-1, 3.46) looks to build on a strong second big-league start and help Washington avoid its eighth loss in nine home games. He allowed two runs and struck out eight over eight innings of Saturday's 7-2 victory at Milwaukee.

The right-hander will get his first look at the Pirates, who have continued to roll despite scoring three or fewer runs in nine of 11 games.

Corey Hart had three hits Thursday while Josh Harrison, Starling Marte, Pedro Alvarez and Jung Ho Kang had two apiece. Harrison has gone 16 for 35 during an eight-game hitting streak.

The Nationals have won the past four meetings.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Pirates at Nationals
Fri, Jun 19 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Pirates at Nationals
Sat, Jun 20 - 4:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Pirates at Nationals
Sun, Jun 21 - 1:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 06-19-2015, 02:37 AM

Preview: Cardinals (43-23) at Phillies (23-45)
Game: 1
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: June 19, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Mike Matheny didn't sound worried that the pending investigation into the St. Louis Cardinals would affect his players, though they certainly haven't played their best over the last few days.

They'll try to avoid matching a season high with a third straight loss Friday night when they visit the Philadelphia Phillies in a matchup between baseball's best and worst clubs.

St. Louis (43-23) had won five straight before falling 3-1 on Wednesday at Minnesota, and lost 2-1 to the Twins on Thursday on Kennys Vargas' walkoff solo shot. The Cardinals had been 34-0 when leading after seven innings but are now in danger of dropping three in a row for the second time this year.

They've totaled five runs while batting .211 in three games since news broke Tuesday regarding a federal investigation into whether the Cardinals illegally hacked into the Houston Astros' player database. The team announced Wednesday it was confident that no high-level executives were involved upon completing an internal review.

"There's going to be extra questions, there's going to be extra attention," Matheny said. "We've got a good group of guys who have been around and had potential distractions that they've stayed the course. And that's all we're asking them to do."

Philadelphia (23-45) snapped a nine-game skid in a 2-1 win over Baltimore on Thursday, getting a two-run homer by Ryan Howard. The Phillies still have just 20 runs over their last 10 games, though Howard is a .351 career hitter against the Cardinals with 20 home runs and 61 RBIs in 61 matchups.

"It feels good to get off a losing streak," said Jonathan Papelbon, who recorded his 13th save in as many chances. "It's tough losing. Nobody wants to lose. Nobody likes losing. We do anything we can to prepare to win a game, but things haven't been going our way."

Cole Hamels will miss this scheduled start because of a mild hamstring strain. Expected to be one of the hottest commodities at the trade deadline, the Phillies are hopeful the injury won't be serious enough to affect his value in the eyes of other teams.

Phillippe Aumont will be recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make his first major league start in Hamels' place. Aumont is 3-4 with a 2.35 ERA in 14 minor league games this year, including 10 starts. He struck out a season-high nine over 5 2-3 scoreless innings Sunday against Norfolk.

Aumont is 1-5 with a 6.13 ERA in 45 big-league relief appearances and struggled in five games last year, giving up 12 runs in 5 2-3 innings.

Starting for the Cardinals will be Tyler Lyons (1-0, 5.00 ERA), who recorded his first win in 14 starts going back to 2013 on Saturday. He gave up two runs - both on homers - over five innings of a 3-2 victory versus Kansas City in his return to St. Louis after another stint in the minors. The left-hander posted a 5.54 ERA in three starts last month in his first turn up from Triple-A Memphis, but has another chance to impress Matheny and company as he fills in for the injured Lance Lynn.

"I don't think he was overthinking things here today," Matheny told MLB's official website. "I think it's frustrated him in the past when he starts almost doubting himself when he gets into the big situations, and today it just looked like he was able to shut it out and continue to make pitches. It was impressive. He did a real nice job."

Howard is 7 for 47 with 18 strikeouts off lefties.

The Phillies lost three of four at St. Louis from April 27-30, giving up 26 runs. The Cardinals, though, have averaged 2.6 runs in their last 11 games.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cardinals at Phillies
Fri, Jun 19 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Cardinals at Phillies
Sat, Jun 20 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Cardinals at Phillies
Sun, Jun 21 - 1:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 06-19-2015, 02:39 AM

Preview: Rays (37-30) at Indians (30-34)
Game: 1
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: June 19, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

While the Tampa Bay Rays have made a run to the top of the AL East behind some outstanding starting pitching, the Cleveland Indians have been in a funk offensively.

Nathan Karns has been an unlikely contributor on the mound, and he'll try to help the Rays win for the 15th time in 20 games Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at Progressive Field.

Tampa Bay ace Chris Archer picked up another victory despite not having his best stuff Thursday when four relievers chipped in with a scoreless inning apiece in a 5-3 win at Washington.

The Rays took three in the four-game stretch, allowing 16 runs Tuesday but giving up a total of four in their wins. The rotation has been one of MLB's best with a 2.89 ERA in the past 23 contests.

Karns (3-3, 3.67 ERA) entered the season with just five career starts, but he's gone 2-2 with a 2.88 ERA in his last nine starts and has pitched quite effectively against everyone but the Los Angeles Angels.

After giving up nine runs over 10 2-3 innings in two starts against the Angels, Karns got back on track Sunday when he allowed one run over six in a 2-1 home win over the White Sox. The right-hander scattered seven hits and struck out eight but did not factor in the decision.

"There isn't a lot of panic out there, I think that with the amount of innings he's pitched, the amount of starts he's gotten, that he's built more confidence," manager Kevin Cash told MLB's official website.

Karns has allowed two runs or fewer in nine of his past 12 starts. He'll get his first look at the Indians, who rank near the bottom of the majors with eight home runs and 2.9 runs per game this month.

After they were blanked for the fourth time this season Wednesday, Giovanny Urshela delivered an RBI single in the seventh inning as Cleveland beat the Cubs 4-3.

Michael Brantley is batting .393 over an eight-game home hitting streak, while Jason Kipnis extended his streak to 12 and is batting a major league-best .394 since May 1.

Catcher Yan Gomes, however, could be sidelined after leaving Thursday's game with neck tightness.

"It's all muscular - it's fine," manager Terry Francona said. "I don't know if he'll catch (Friday) or not, but he's OK."

The Indians (31-34) are looking to win back-to-back contests for the first time since a three-game winning streak from May 30-June 2 as they give the ball to Carlos Carrasco (8-5, 4.38).

Carrasco allowed five runs over four innings in a 7-3 home loss to Baltimore on June 7 before rebounding Saturday by giving up three runs with eight strikeouts over 5 2-3 in a 5-4 win at Detroit.

The right-hander improved to 4-1 with a 3.52 ERA over his last five starts.

Carrasco has gone 1-2 with a 3.10 ERA in four career outings versus Tampa Bay (38-30). He yielded one earned run and fanned 10 over 7 2-3 innings in a 2-0 home loss Sept. 27.

Evan Longoria has the most experience in the matchup, going 2 for 10 with a home run. Longoria, Logan Forsythe and Asdrubal Cabrera had two hits apiece Thursday, while Joey Butler hit his fifth homer.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rays at Indians
Fri, Jun 19 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Rays at Indians
Sat, Jun 20 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Rays at Indians
Sun, Jun 21 - 1:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 06-19-2015, 02:40 AM

Preview: Marlins (29-38) at Reds (30-35)
Game: 1
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: June 19, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Inclement weather has delayed plenty of Cincinnati Reds baseball at Great American Ball Park this season.

This time, the rain worked to the Reds' advantage.

Hot-hitting Todd Frazier, who was scheduled to have Thursday off, now gets his rest without having to miss a game as the Reds host the opener of a three-game series with the Miami Marlins on Friday night.

Frazier is hitting .404 with six homers and seven doubles over his last 12, but manager Bryan Price planned to rest the slugger for Thursday's matchup with Detroit. Cincinnati has had eight rain delays totaling 13 hours, 40 minutes and now one postponement after the contest was called 37 minutes after the scheduled time of first pitch.

That gave the Reds (30-35) a much-needed day off after Frazier's walkoff grand slam in the 13th inning Wednesday followed a rain delay of 1 hour, 20 minutes in an 8-4 win. Frazier homered earlier in that contest after hitting two solo shots in Tuesday's 5-2 victory.

Frazier's 22 homers trail only Miami right fielder Giancarlo Stanton's 25 for the major league lead.

'He's a special guy,' Price said of Frazier. 'He's really taken it upon himself to be a guy who's delivering consistently in the middle of our order. It's been fun to watch from my seat, for sure.'

Frazier went deep for his only hit in five career at_bats against Dan Haren (6-3, 3.22 ERA), who is 2-1 with a 2.72 ERA over his last six starts after allowing three runs in six innings of Sunday's 4-1 loss to Colorado. He allowed three runs or fewer for the 11th time in 13 starts and gave up just one hit over his last five innings after surrendering two homers in the first.

The right-hander hadn't allowed a first-inning run all season.

'He didn't have the rhythm and tempo that he normally has," manager Dan Jennings said.

Haren gave up five homers over two starts in Cincinnati the past two seasons, but only one of those came while he allowed two runs in 5 1-3 innings of a 6-2 victory June 9, 2014, while with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Stanton has homered in two of his last three games in Cincinnati. He added to his baseball-best total with a solo shot in the sixth inning Thursday and is hitting .450 with seven homers and four doubles over his last 11.

The Marlins (29-39), though, fell 9-4 and dropped both games in the Bronx against the Yankees to push their road skid to five.

"If the season stops now, it's still not going that well," said Stanton, who reached 25 homers 14 games faster than any other player in franchise history. "We've got to keep going."

Stanton is 2 for 9 with a homer and four strikeouts lifetime against Mike Leake, who was supposed to start Thursday.

Leake (3-4, 4.35) has had an up-and-down year, posting a 2.36 ERA through seven starts before having it jump more than two runs over his next three. He's bounced back in June, going 1-0 with a 3.32 ERA over his three outings after giving up three runs in five innings of Cincinnati's 4-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.

The right-hander, who has a 6.23 ERA at home, is 3-1 with a 2.10 ERA in four career starts against the Marlins.

Miami infielder Martin Prado was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with right shoulder pain sustained from his stumble over first base three days earlier.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Marlins at Reds
Fri, Jun 19 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Marlins at Reds
Sat, Jun 20 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Marlins at Reds
Sun, Jun 21 - 1:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 06-19-2015, 02:43 AM

Preview: Mets (36-31) at Braves (32-34)
Game: 1
Venue: Citi Field
Date: June 19, 2015 7:35 PM EDT

After getting roughed up in consecutive games north of the border by the top-scoring team in the majors, the New York Mets probably can't wait to get back into NL East play.

Atlanta has been one of the main punching bags on New York's way to plenty of division success, and the next chance comes Friday night at Turner Field against a Braves starter making his MLB debut.

The Mets (36-32) fell 7-1 Thursday night in Toronto, completing a two-game sweep at the hands of the Blue Jays by a 15-1 total. They beat the Blue Jays in two in New York prior to that, but are batting .183 in the last four games with eight runs scored.

The run at the Rogers Centre came on a Lucas Duda homer, snapping a scoreless streak of 21 innings. Duda is 12 for 27 against the Braves this year, and Juan Lagares has stretched a nine-game hitting streak through the team's meager production.

"We're playing a little sluggishly right now," manager Terry Collins said. "We need to find some energy."

The Mets have won nine of 12 against the Braves dating to the last series of 2014, and they're 23-12 versus their own division this season.

The opponent hasn't been much of a determining factor in Jacob deGrom's widespread success.

DeGrom (7-4, 2.33 ERA) gave up a run and five hits while striking out nine in seven innings of Saturday's 5-3 loss to Atlanta. He wasn't stuck with the decision and is 4-0 with a 1.25 ERA and .162 opponent batting average over his last six starts to match the longest unbeaten streak of his career. He's also gone at least seven innings in five straight outings.

"That's the deGrom I'm used to," catcher Travis d'Arnaud told MLB's official website.

The right-hander improved to 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA in four career starts against the Braves, though Chris Johnson is 5 for 11 off deGrom. Johnson, however, has been relegated to pinch-hit duties the past two days and is now batting just .149 against right-handers.

The Braves (32-35) fell 5-2 to Boston on Thursday to split a two-game set after doing the same earlier in the week at Fenway Park. They're now in danger of matching their low-water mark of four games under .500 entering play on May 15.

The loss came with Freddie Freeman sidelined because of a sprained wrist, and the first baseman remains day to day.

Cameron Maybin was the only Atlanta player with two hits, boosting his June average to .388 in 15 games.

The club's six hits matched its lowest total during a 9-10 span in which it's hit .290 with 5.2 runs per game. That's because the pitching has been a big concern, with Atlanta posting a 4.53 ERA and .284 opponent batting average over the past 16 games.

DeGrom is facing Matt Wisler, who was part of the return in the Craig Kimbrel trade.

One of the Braves' top prospects, Wisler was promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett, though it might not be ideal timing after the right-hander allowed seven runs and eight hits with two walks in 3 2-3 innings last Friday. The 22-year-old is 3-4 with a 4.29 ERA in 12 starts, but he'd allowed just two runs in his previous 16 1-3 innings.

The opportunity comes after the club sent Mike Foltynewicz to Gwinnett on Wednesday after he'd allowed 14 earned runs in 15 2-3 innings this month.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mets at Braves
Fri, Jun 19 - 7:35PM EDT

GAME 2
Mets at Braves
Sat, Jun 20 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Mets at Braves
Sun, Jun 21 - 5:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 06-19-2015, 02:45 AM

Preview: Red Sox (28-39) at Royals (37-25)
Game: 1
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: June 19, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Although they didn't need to score a lot in their latest victory, the Kansas City Royals
continue to pound out hits at a dizzying pace during their winning streak.

That could spell trouble for Eduardo Rodriguez as he tries to regain the form that led to a historic start to his season.

The AL Central-leading Royals will try to match their longest streak in a month Friday night, while the last-place Boston Red Sox chase rare back-to-back road victories.

Kansas City had 13 hits and was 3 for 9 with runners in scoring position but couldn't push across a run after the second inning in Thursday's 3-2 home win over Milwaukee.

The Royals (38-25) have recorded double-digit hits in a season-best four consecutive games, winning each while batting .379 with 12 extra-base hits and 7.0 runs per contest.

Alcides Escobar led the way Thursday with three hits, while Eric Hosmer and Alex Gordon each had two. Escobar is 8 for 18 during the streak, Omar Infante is 8 for 15 and Mike Moustakas 6 for 15.

"The last two weeks ... the whole team was like .200, now it's coming back," Escobar told MLB's official website. "Every guy in this room is playing good."

The Royals, who have a pair of four-game winning streaks during this 8-2 stretch, last won five in a row May 17-23. They won a season-high seven in a row to open the season.

Rodriguez (2-1, 3.55) appears to be in a tough spot as he looks to rebound from a rocky outing for Boston.

The left-hander went 2-0 with a 0.44 ERA while becoming the first pitcher to go six or more innings while allowing no more than one run and three hits in his first three starts. However, he gave up nine runs over 4 2-3 innings in Sunday's 13-5 home loss to Toronto.

"It was a little bit out of control," said Rodriguez, who threw 45 of 88 pitches for strikes. "I just have to throw better pitches."

The Royals rank among baseball's leaders with a .275 average against left-handers. Lorenzo Cain is hitting .347 in 72 at_bats versus southpaws and .343 over a nine-game hitting streak.

Kansas City recalled Yohan Pino from Triple-A Omaha to take Yordano Ventura's turn in the rotation. Ventura, the opening day starter, was placed on the disabled list due to right ulnar nerve inflammation.

Pino was 4-2 with a 4.93 ERA with Omaha and is 0-1 with 0.64 mark in six big-league relief appearances. He's never faced the Red Sox (29-39), though recent acquisition Alejandro De Aza is 5 for 7 against him.

Boston had dropped eight of nine before earning a split of its four-game home-and-home series against Atlanta with Thursday's 5-2 road win. The club is 3-12 on the road since last winning consecutive away games May 13-14.

Brock Holt is 8 for 13 with a home run, two triples and a double over his last three games, while Mookie Betts has gone 10 for 18 in his past five.

Pablo Sandoval could return after he was benched for using his Instagram account during Wednesday's loss. He's hitting .452 during an eight-game hitting streak.

Dustin Pedroia, however, is day to day after missing two of the last three games with knee inflammation.

"Regardless of what has gone on, a win is always a good thing," manager John Farrell said.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Red Sox at Royals
Fri, Jun 19 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Red Sox at Royals
Sat, Jun 20 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Red Sox at Royals
Sun, Jun 21 - 2:10PM EDT

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