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**StarDust Bum** · 06-22-2015, 11:18 AM

MLB
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, June 22

National League
Dodgers @ Cubs
Kershaw is 3-1, 1.82 in his last five starts; six of his last eight went over.

Wada is 0-0, 2.84 in his last four home starts (under 2-2).

Dodgers won three of last four games against the Cubs; over is 6-0-1 in last seven series games. LA lost five of last seven games; over is 3-1-1 in their last five games. Cubs are 5-3 in last eight games (under 5-2-1).

American League
Tigers @ Indians
Ryan is 0-1, 4.05 in his first two MLB starts (under 2-0).

Bauer is 4-2, 2.75 in his last six starts; under is 5-1-1 in his last seven.

Detroit won eight of last ten against the Indians (over 8-2); Tigers lost five of last eight games overall-- their last six road games went over. Cleveland is 2-3 in its last five games, scoring seven runs in the five games.

Blue Jays @ Rays
Hutchison is 3-0, 4.08 in his last five starts; three of last four went over.

Andreise is 1-1, 5.51 in his last four starts, three of which went over.

Blue Jays lost seven of last eight games with Tampa Bay; five of last seven series games stayed under. Toronto is 3-4 in last seven games after winning 11 in a row; five of their last seven stayed under. Tampa Bay won eight of last ten games; four of last five stayed under.

White Sox @ Twins
Danks is 0-3, 6.88 in his last three starts; five of his last eight stayed under.

Milone is 1-0, 1.93 in his last two starts; four of his last six went over.

Chicago lost six of last seven games with Minnesota; four of last six stayed under the total. White Sox won last two games after losing previous eight; they've scored 11 runs in last seven games- last six stayed under. Twins are 4-6 in their last ten games; under is 6-1-1 in their last eight.

Astros @ Angels
Oberholtzer is 2-1, 3.47 in his last four starts; last three went over.

Santiago is 0-1, 5.75 in his last three starts; six of his last eight stayed under.

Angels lost four of last six games with Houston; under is 7-1-1 in last nine series games. Astros won six of last eight games; over is 9-1-1 in their last 10 games. Halos are 3-5 in last eight games; five of their last six stayed under

Royals @ Mariners
Blanton allowed one run in five IP (73 PT) in his first '15 start.

Hernandez is 2-0, 0.60 in his last two home starts; under is 6-2-1 in his last nine starts overall.

Royals lost seven of last nine games with Seattle; under is 6-2-1 in those nine games. KC won five of its last seven games (over 6-1). Mariners won three of last five games, under is 4-2-1 in their last seven games.

Interleague
Phillies @ Bronx
Correia is 0-1, 5.06 in his two starts this season.

Pineda is 3-1, 3.80 in his last four starts; over is 5-2-1 in his last eight.

Phillies are 3-5 in last eight games with Bronx; five of last seven series games went over the total. Phils lost 11 of last 13 games; five of their last six went over the total. Bronx won four of last five games; five of last six went over.

Win-loss records this year for team with this starting pitcher:
LA-Chi-- Kershaw 8-6; Wada 4-2

Det-Clev-- Ryan 0-2; Bauer 7-6
Tor-TB-- Hutchison 9-5; Andriese 3-1
Chi-Min-- Danks 5-8; Milone 4-3
Hst-LAA-- Oberholtzer 4-1; Santiago 9-7
KC-Sea-- Blanton 1-0; Hernandez 11-3

Phil-NY-- Correia 0-2; Pineda 9-4

Times this starting pitcher allowed a run in first inning:
LA-Chi-- Kershaw 3-14; Wada 1-6

Det-Clev-- Ryan 1-2; Bauer 1-13
Tor-TB-- Hutchison 4-14; Andriese 1-4
Chi-Min-- Danks 5-13; Milone 2-7
Hst-LAA-- Oberholtzer 2-5; Santiago 3-13
KC-Sea-- Blanton 0-1; Hernandez 3-14

Phil-NY-- Correia 1-2; Pineda 4-13

**StarDust Bum** · 06-22-2015, 11:19 AM

MLB

Monday, June 22

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Trend Report
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7:05 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. NY YANKEES
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 7 games when playing NY Yankees
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 6 games
NY Yankees are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games

7:10 PM
TORONTO vs. TAMPA BAY
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games
Toronto is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games
Tampa Bay is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Toronto

7:10 PM
DETROIT vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Detroit's last 13 games when playing Cleveland
Detroit is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games at home

8:05 PM
LA DODGERS vs. CHI CUBS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Dodgers's last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Dodgers's last 5 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers
Chi Cubs are 4-13 SU in their last 17 games when playing LA Dodgers

8:10 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Chi White Sox's last 18 games when playing Minnesota
Chi White Sox are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 8 games

10:05 PM
HOUSTON vs. LA ANGELS
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
Houston is 3-10 SU in their last 13 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Angels's last 6 games when playing at home against Houston

10:10 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. SEATTLE
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City's last 6 games when playing on the road against Seattle
Kansas City is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle's last 6 games when playing at home against Kansas City
Seattle is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Kansas City

**StarDust Bum** · 06-22-2015, 11:20 AM

MLB

Monday, June 22

MLB roundup: Tigers' Martinez hits 3 homers vs. Yanks

NEW YORK -- J.D. Martinez hit three home runs and drove in six runs as the Detroit Tigers roughed up Masahiro Tanaka and snapped a four-game losing streak with an 12-4 rout of the New York Yankees on Sunday.

Martinez hit his first home run during Detroit's four-run first when he drove a 0-1 fastball from Tanaka (4-3) to the loading dock over the left-center field wall. His second home run opened the fifth when he sent a first pitch curveball over the center field wall adjacent to Monument Park and that gave him his first career two-homer game.

Martinez became the first Tiger to get three home runs in a game since first baseman Miguel Cabrera on May 19, 2013, when he hit a 1-1 fastball from rookie reliever Danny Burawa into the first row of the second deck in right field with one out in the sixth.

Victor Martinez also homered and drove in four runs for the Tigers. In his third game off the disabled list, he hit a two-run home run with two outs in the first and added a two-run single in the second.

Indians 1, Rays 0

CLEVELAND -- David Murphy's sacrifice fly with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning drove in the winning run as Cleveland shut out Tampa Bay.

Roberto Perez led off the bottom of the ninth with a single to left off right-hander Kevin Jepsen (1-5). Jason Kipnis singled to right, extending his hitting streak to 15 games. Perez went to third on the hit by Kipnis, Francisco Lindor flied out to left for the first out and Michael Brantley was intentionally walked, loading the bases. Murphy then hit a fly ball that was caught by center fielder Kevin Kiermaier, but the throw was a fraction of a second late to get the sliding Perez.

The win went to right-hander Cody Allen (1-2), who pitched the top of the ninth. Right-hander Cody Anderson, in his major league debut, was impressive, pitching 7 2/3 scoreless innings on six hits, with four strikeouts and one walk.

Reds 5, Marlins 2

CINCINNATI -- Jay Bruce snapped a 2-2 tie with a two-run homer and rookie Michael Lorenzen settled down to turn in seven solid innings as Cincinnati bounced back to beat Miami.

Todd Frazier also hit a two-run homer, and Lorenzen helped himself with an RBI single as the Reds completed a 3-1 homestand in which one game was lost to rain.

Lorenzen (3-2) lasted seven innings for the second time this season, allowing seven hits and two runs with one intentional walk and five strikeouts.

Nationals 9, Pirates 2

WASHINGTON -- Yunel Escobar had two hits in the first inning, including a three-run homer, and Bryce Harper contributed to the record-setting frame with a two-run homer as Washington swept the three-game series.

Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez (5-4), who gave up five runs in his last start, allowed just four hits and no runs in seven innings before Matt Thornton took over in the eighth. First-place Washington has won seven in a row over the second-place Pirates.

The Nationals set a franchise record of 24 innings in a row without allowing a run when Thornton set down the side in the eighth. Corey Hart hit a two-run homer in the ninth off Felipe Rivero to ruin the shutout bid by a trio of lefties.

Phillies 9, Cardinals 2

PHILADELPHIA -- Adam Morgan made a successful major league debut and got some much-needed offense from a lineup that had been struggling for weeks, as Philadelphia salvaged the series finale with St. Louis.

Morgan (1-0), who was notified late in the week that he would be moving up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to replace right-handed pitcher Seth Rosin, exited the game to raucous applause after throwing 5 2/3 innings, allowing just one run on six hits and striking out six batters on 78 pitches, 54 of which were strikes. He became the first Phillies starter to earn a win since May 23, a franchise-record span of 25 starts without a victory for the rotation.

The Phillies' offense made it easy for him, scoring more runs than it had in any game this season. The Phillies hit the scoreboard first in the bottom of the second inning in a big way, scoring three runs on Cardinals starter Michael Wacha (9-3).

Orioles 13, Blue Jays 9

TORONTO -- J.J. Hardy singled in the go-ahead run in a four-run ninth inning as Baltimore defeated Toronto.

Ryan Flaherty followed with a two-run triple against Blue Jays left-hander Brett Cecil (1-4.). The Orioles squandered a 7-0 lead and fell behind 9-7 before tying the game in the seventh on a single by Hardy.

Right-handed reliever Darren O'Day (4-0) earned the win for the second game in a row as the Orioles took the rubber match of the three-game series.

Cubs 8, Twins 0

MINNEAPOLIS -- Jake Arrieta threw a complete-game shutout, allowing just four hits and striking out seven as Chicago won the rubber match of a three-game series against Minnesota.

Arrieta improved to 7-5 and lowered his season ERA to 3.07. He retired 12 in a row between the fourth and eighth innings. The Cubs had 30 hits over the final two games of the series.

Anthony Rizzo had two hits, including a solo homer, and Dexter Fowler had a grand slam for the Cubs.

Red Sox 13, Royals 2

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- David Ortiz hit a milestone home run and Xander Bogaerts stroked three doubles and drove in three runs as Boston thrashed Kansas City Royals.

The Red Sox set season highs with runs, eight doubles and 13 extra-base hits. Left-hander Wade Miley (7-7) stymied the Royals on five hits, while striking out two and walking three in six scoreless innings.The Red Sox's 16-hit attack included three hits each by Mookie Betts, Brock Holt, Dustin Pedroia and Bogaerts.

Ortiz led off the fourth with his 476th career home run, passing Hall of Famers Stan Musial and Willie Stargell for 28th on the all-time list.

White Sox 3, Rangers 2 (11 innings)

CHICAGO -- Gordon Beckham hit his first career walk-off home run in the 11th inning to give the White Sox their second straight win after losing eight straight games.

Beckham, who had replaced Conor Gillaspie at third base in the 10th inning, launched the game-winning solo shot off Rangers reliever Alex Claudio (1-1).

White Sox reliever Jake Petricka (2-2) pitched out of bases-loaded, one-out jam in the top of the 11th to get the win.

The Rangers had tied the game 2-2 in the seventh inning on a solo home run by center fielder Leonys Martin.

Diamondbacks 7, Padres 2

PHOENIX -- Arizona All-Star candidates Paul Goldschmidt and A.J. Pollock had two-run singles, and right-hander Jeremy Hellickson struck out a season-high seven in the Diamondbacks' victory.

First baseman Goldschmidt and center fielder Pollock did their damage in a seven-run second inning off right-hander Andrew Cashner (2-9), who was victimized by two infield errors.

Hellickson (5-4) gave up two runs and six hits and did not walk a batter in six innings while making the fifth quality start in his last six. Hellickson also had an RBI when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the second, the Diamondbacks' biggest inning of the season.

Andrew Chafin had a three-inning save for Arizona, which has won seven of its last 10 games.

A's 3, Angels 2

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Scott Kazmir gave up one run over 7 1/3 innings, and Oakland defeated Los Angeles at the O.co Coliseum, taking two of three games to win the series. Kazmir had lost four straight starts against the Angels, one of his three former teams, before ending that streak.

Albert Pujols hit his American League-leading 21st home run, a two-run shot in the eighth inning off closer Tyler Clippard, cutting Oakland's lead to 3-2.

Garrett Richards (7-5) gave up three runs on eight hits over seven innings as his two-game winning streak ended. It was his third straight quality start since allowing six runs on five hits in just two-thirds of an inning in an 8-2 loss to the Yankees on June 6.

Rockies 10, Brewers 4

DENVER -- Colorado ended a long, disappointing stretch of games with a one-sided win over Milwaukee that gave the Rockies their third victory in 12 games.

Charlie Blackmon had a season-high four RBIs, and Nick Hundley tied his career high with four hits. Troy Tulowitzki drove in three runs, and Nolan Arenado homered.

Chris Rusin rebounded from two poor starts to pitch six strong innings as the Rockies won the rubber game of the series, giving them consecutive victories for the first time since June 8-9.

Braves 1, Mets 0

ATLANTA -- Julio Teheran allowed just one hit over seven shutout innings while outdueling Matt Harvey in Atlanta's victory over New York at Turner Field.

The win gave Atlanta a sweep of the three-game series and handed New York its fifth consecutive loss. Atlanta pulled within a half-game of the Mets for second place in the National League East. The Braves trail the first-place Washington Nationals by two games.

The Braves broke the scoreless tie in the seventh inning. Ryan Lavarnway doubled high off the wall in left field with two outs and scored on a pinch-hit single to shallow center field by Pedro Ciriaco.

Astros 6, Mariners 2

SEATTLE -- Houston piled up 10 hits, including home runs from Colby Rasmus and George Springer, to snap its two-game losing streak with a win over Seattle.

Rasmus broke open a close game with a two-out, two-run shot off Seattle reliever Tom Wilhelmsen in the seventh inning, giving the Astros a 5-2 lead. Springer added a solo shot to lead off the ninth.

Seven different Houston players had hits in the win, with Springer going 3-for-5 and Rasmus added a pair of hits on a day when the Astros used six pitchers. The Houston bullpen allowed only one hit over the final 5 2/3 innings, with reliever Will Harris (4-0) earning the win.

Dodgers 10, Giants 2

LOS ANGELES -- Yasmani Grandal hit two of Los Angeles' four home runs in a rout of San Francisco in front of 53,509 at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers used the victory to extend their lead over the second-place Giants in the National League West to 1 1/2 games, and to salvage one contest in the three-game weekend series.

Grandal and Adrian Gonzalez each had three of the Dodgers' 16 hits. Gonzalez and Justin Turner added a homer apiece, with Turner driving in three runs.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-22-2015, 11:20 AM

MLB
Dunkel

Monday, June 22

LA Dodgers @ Chicago Cubs

Game 951-952
June 22, 2015 @ 8:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Dodgers
(Kershaw) 15.861
Chicago Cubs
(Wada) 16.609
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago Cubs
by 1
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-180
No Run Total
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago Cubs
(+160); N/A

Detroit @ Cleveland

Game 953-954
June 22, 2015 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Detroit
(Ryan) 16.519
Cleveland
(Bauer) 15.411
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 1
9 1/2
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
-140
8
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
(+120); Over

Toronto @ Tampa Bay

Game 955-956
June 22, 2015 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
(Hutchison) 18.422
Tampa Bay
(Andriese) 11.374
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 7
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
-115
8
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-115); Under

Chicago White Sox @ Minnesota

Game 957-958
June 22, 2015 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago White Sox
(Danks) 15.248
Minnesota
(Milone) 16.896
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 1 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
-145
8
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(-145); Under

Houston @ LA Angels

Game 959-960
June 22, 2015 @ 10:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
(Oberhltzr) 11.960
LA Angels
(Santiago) 15.733
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Angels
by 4
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Angels
-125
8
Dunkel Pick:
LA Angels
(-125); Under

Kansas City @ Seattle

Game 961-962
June 22, 2015 @ 10:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Kansas City
(Blanton) 14.130
Seattle
(Hernandez) 17.295
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Seattle
by 3
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Seattle
-170
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Seattle
(-170); Under

Philadelphia @ NY Yankees

Game 963-964
June 22, 2015 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
(Correia) 16.462
NY Yankees
(Pineda) 15.318
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 1
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Yankees
-300
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(+250); Over

**StarDust Bum** · 06-22-2015, 11:21 AM

MLB
Long Sheet

Monday, June 22

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LA DODGERS (39 - 31) at CHICAGO CUBS (37 - 30) - 8:05 PM
CLAYTON KERSHAW (L) vs. TSUYOSHI WADA (L)
Top Trends for this game.
LA DODGERS are 12-18 (-10.8 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
LA DODGERS are 12-18 (-10.8 Units) against the money line in road games in games played on a grass field this season.
LA DODGERS are 8-13 (-9.2 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season.
LA DODGERS are 5-11 (-8.6 Units) against the money line in road games after a win this season.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1424-1583 (-277.2 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 762-739 (-164.4 Units) against the money line in home games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 1367-1496 (-252.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 228-232 (-63.6 Units) against the money line in home games in night games since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 39-54 (-33.2 Units) against the money line in home games after shutting out their opponent since 1997.
CHICAGO CUBS are 660-765 (-201.8 Units) against the money line after a win since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

CLAYTON KERSHAW vs. CHICAGO CUBS since 1997
KERSHAW is 4-2 when starting against CHICAGO CUBS with an ERA of 2.09 and a WHIP of 1.190.
His team's record is 4-2 (+0.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 1-5. (-4.5 units)

TSUYOSHI WADA vs. LA DODGERS since 1997
WADA is 0-0 when starting against LA DODGERS with an ERA of 2.53 and a WHIP of 1.312.
His team's record is 0-2 (-2.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 0-1. (-1.4 units)

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

DETROIT (35 - 34) at CLEVELAND (32 - 36) - 7:10 PM
KYLE RYAN (L) vs. TREVOR BAUER (R)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 144-219 (-58.8 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 since 1997.
DETROIT is 15-25 (-12.9 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
DETROIT is 57-58 (-17.7 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 39-26 (+12.7 Units) against the money line in road games after a win over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 32-36 (-12.8 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 14-21 (-15.2 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
CLEVELAND is 120-123 (-48.0 Units) against the money line in home games in June games since 1997.
CLEVELAND is 13-20 (-10.1 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
CLEVELAND is 32-36 (-12.8 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
CLEVELAND is 5-13 (-13.7 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.
CLEVELAND is 3-9 (-9.3 Units) against the money line in home games against left-handed starters this season.
CLEVELAND is 5-14 (-11.4 Units) against the money line after shutting out their opponent over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 10-21 (-16.5 Units) against the money line after a win this season.
CLEVELAND is 12-19 (-11.1 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 7-2 (+5.4 Units) against CLEVELAND this season
7 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=+4.8 Units)

KYLE RYAN vs. CLEVELAND since 1997
No recent starts.

TREVOR BAUER vs. DETROIT since 1997
BAUER is 2-0 when starting against DETROIT with an ERA of 4.34 and a WHIP of 1.517.
His team's record is 2-3 (-0.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-0. (+4.1 units)

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

TORONTO (37 - 34) at TAMPA BAY (40 - 31) - 7:10 PM
DREW HUTCHISON (R) vs. MATT ANDRIESE (R)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 18-36 (-15.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 40-31 (+9.4 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 14-6 (+9.8 Units) against the money line in June games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 574-652 (+19.9 Units) against the money line against division opponents since 1997.
TAMPA BAY is 30-22 (+9.1 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 17-8 (+10.0 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TORONTO is 14-5 (+9.4 Units) against the money line in June games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 54-62 (-27.8 Units) against the money line in home games over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 55-63 (-28.0 Units) against the money line in games played in a dome over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 62-69 (-26.2 Units) against the money line in games played on artificial turf over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 38-44 (-19.6 Units) against the money line in home games against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 26-33 (-16.4 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TAMPA BAY is 6-1 (+5.6 Units) against TORONTO this season
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+2.8 Units)

DREW HUTCHISON vs. TAMPA BAY since 1997
HUTCHISON is 2-2 when starting against TAMPA BAY with an ERA of 6.31 and a WHIP of 1.676.
His team's record is 2-3 (-0.5 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 2-3. (-1.5 units)

MATT ANDRIESE vs. TORONTO since 1997
ANDRIESE is 0-0 when starting against TORONTO with an ERA of 4.90 and a WHIP of 1.635.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.4 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

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

CHI WHITE SOX (30 - 38) at MINNESOTA (37 - 32) - 8:10 PM
JOHN DANKS (L) vs. TOM MILONE (L)
Top Trends for this game.
CHI WHITE SOX are 26-46 (-21.3 Units) against the money line in June games over the last 3 seasons.
CHI WHITE SOX are 13-21 (-11.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents this season.
MINNESOTA is 37-32 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
MINNESOTA is 23-14 (+10.9 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
MINNESOTA is 37-32 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
MINNESOTA is 16-10 (+9.5 Units) against the money line against left-handed starters this season.
MINNESOTA is 26-12 (+19.4 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MILONE is 57-34 (+23.7 Units) against the money line in all games since 1997. (Team's Record)
MILONE is 55-32 (+23.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field since 1997. (Team's Record)
MILONE is 40-19 (+22.6 Units) against the money line in night games since 1997. (Team's Record)
CHI WHITE SOX are 369-371 (+32.9 Units) against the money line in road games after a win since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 7-3 (+5.2 Units) against CHI WHITE SOX this season
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL this season . (Over=-0.6 Units, Under=-0.4 Units)

JOHN DANKS vs. MINNESOTA since 1997
DANKS is 7-14 when starting against MINNESOTA with an ERA of 5.67 and a WHIP of 1.554.
His team's record is 8-20 (-14.9 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 10-18. (-9.9 units)

TOM MILONE vs. CHI WHITE SOX since 1997
MILONE is 2-0 when starting against CHI WHITE SOX with an ERA of 1.39 and a WHIP of 0.804.
His team's record is 2-3 (-2.7 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 4-1. (+2.9 units)

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

HOUSTON (41 - 30) at LA ANGELS (35 - 35) - 10:05 PM
BRETT OBERHOLTZER (L) vs. HECTOR SANTIAGO (L)
Top Trends for this game.
LA ANGELS are 47-19 (+18.8 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 8 to 8.5 over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 107-73 (+19.7 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 41-30 (+8.5 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
HOUSTON is 17-7 (+11.9 Units) against the money line as a road underdog of +100 to +125 over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 56-55 (+14.5 Units) against the money line against division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 41-27 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
HOUSTON is 55-55 (+11.5 Units) against the money line after a win over the last 2 seasons.
LA ANGELS are 17-28 (-17.8 Units) against the money line when playing on Monday over the last 3 seasons.
SANTIAGO is 22-38 (-17.8 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)
SANTIAGO is 14-22 (-11.7 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
SANTIAGO is 2-10 (-10.0 Units) against the money line in home games after a loss over the last 3 seasons. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 4-3 (+1.1 Units) against LA ANGELS this season
5 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL this season . (Under=+4.1 Units)

BRETT OBERHOLTZER vs. LA ANGELS since 1997
OBERHOLTZER is 1-3 when starting against LA ANGELS with an ERA of 6.35 and a WHIP of 1.456.
His team's record is 1-3 (-1.3 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-2. (-1.1 units)

HECTOR SANTIAGO vs. HOUSTON since 1997
SANTIAGO is 0-2 when starting against HOUSTON with an ERA of 5.31 and a WHIP of 1.768.
His team's record is 1-3 (-2.8 units) in these starts. The OVER is 2-2. (-0.1 units)

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

KANSAS CITY (39 - 27) at SEATTLE (32 - 38) - 10:10 PM
JOE BLANTON (R) vs. FELIX HERNANDEZ (R)
Top Trends for this game.
BLANTON is 5-16 (-15.9 Units) against the money line in all games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BLANTON is 5-16 (-15.9 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BLANTON is 3-12 (-13.2 Units) against the money line in night games over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
BLANTON is 2-9 (-10.0 Units) against the money line after a loss over the last 2 seasons. (Team's Record)
KANSAS CITY is 39-27 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 44-28 (+14.4 Units) against the money line when the total is 7 or less over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 69-50 (+22.0 Units) against the money line in road games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 14-4 (+11.5 Units) against the money line in road games in June games over the last 2 seasons.
KANSAS CITY is 39-27 (+10.1 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
KANSAS CITY is 28-17 (+9.5 Units) against the money line in night games this season.
KANSAS CITY is 29-15 (+12.7 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
KANSAS CITY is 28-18 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in road games after a loss over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 32-38 (-10.6 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
SEATTLE is 16-21 (-11.0 Units) against the money line in home games this season.
SEATTLE is 47-51 (-19.4 Units) against the money line at home when the total is 7 or less over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 27-37 (-15.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
SEATTLE is 41-47 (-22.3 Units) against the money line in home games in night games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 25-30 (-9.2 Units) against the money line against right-handed starters this season.
HERNANDEZ is 18-23 (-19.1 Units) against the money line as a home favorite of -150 to -175 since 1997. (Team's Record)

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

JOE BLANTON vs. SEATTLE since 1997
BLANTON is 8-7 when starting against SEATTLE with an ERA of 3.69 and a WHIP of 1.270.
His team's record is 9-9 (-2.1 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 11-7. (+3.4 units)

FELIX HERNANDEZ vs. KANSAS CITY since 1997
HERNANDEZ is 4-4 when starting against KANSAS CITY with an ERA of 2.80 and a WHIP of 1.068.
His team's record is 5-6 (-3.6 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 6-5. (+0.1 units)

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

PHILADELPHIA (24 - 47) at NY YANKEES (38 - 31) - 7:05 PM
KEVIN CORREIA (R) vs. MICHAEL PINEDA (R)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 24-47 (-18.2 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 7-28 (-18.7 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 24-47 (-18.2 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 6-22 (-14.1 Units) against the money line in road games against right-handed starters this season.
NY YANKEES are 16-4 (+10.5 Units) against the money line in home games in night games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 355-383 (+46.8 Units) against the money line in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1997.
NY YANKEES are 53-57 (-15.2 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

KEVIN CORREIA vs. NY YANKEES since 1997
CORREIA is 0-0 when starting against NY YANKEES with an ERA of 1.50 and a WHIP of 1.667.
His team's record is 0-1 (-1.0 units) in these starts. The UNDER is 1-0. (+1.0 units)

MICHAEL PINEDA vs. PHILADELPHIA since 1997
PINEDA is 1-0 when starting against PHILADELPHIA with an ERA of 1.50 and a WHIP of 0.833.
His team's record is 1-0 (+1.0 units) in these starts. The OVER is 0-1. (-1.2 units)

**StarDust Bum** · 06-22-2015, 11:23 AM

Monday's Tip Sheet

June 22, 2015

Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago Cubs | 8:05 p.m. ET

Coming off a start in which he uncharacteristically allowed a season-high four runs at home, you can bet Clayton Kershaw (5-4, 3.29 ERA) has been itching all week for his next assignment, which is slated for game one of this four-game series at Wrigley Field between two legitimate contenders in the National League. It’s been a bit of a frustrating year for the reigning NL MVP and Cy Young award-winner, even though most pitchers would love to have his current overall numbers, but up to this point, Kershaw has already surrendered 34 earned runs -- which is just five less than the 39 he gave up all of last season in 198.1 innings pitched -- and he’s already matched last year’s total of home runs allowed with nine. At the same time, he still often flashes the incredible dominance that we’ve grown accustomed to, as evident in his 122/23 K/BB ratio thus far in his 93 innings of work. He’s actually one strikeout behind Max Scherzer for the MLB-lead, and that would indicate that Kershaw is still the same remarkably dependable ace that he’s been over the past handful of seasons. Of note, he’ll be taking on the offense that leads the NL in K’s.

Opposing the Dodger left-hander is a fellow southpaw who has impressed since being called up to the big leagues, Tsuyoshi Wada (1-1, 3.68 ERA), making his seventh start of the season. Wada looked good last year as a rookie -- a 33-year-old rookie, that is, after his lengthy stint pitching in Japan and for their national team -- when he finished 4-4 with a 3.25 ERA, and has picked up where he left off after replacing Travis Wood in the rotation. He’s coming off his best performance of the season, when he fired seven shutout innings and struck out six in Cleveland, and now draws an assignment against a lineup that ranks 23rd in OPS (.680) opposing left-handed pitching. Those infamous strong Wrigley winds will be blowing out, however, which could affect each pitcher. The linesmakers haven’t released the over/under line just yet, while Kershaw is a -170 road favorite.

Philadelphia Phillies at New York Yankees | 7:05 p.m. ET

When you do this for so many years on a daily basis, it feels good being able to talk about a veteran journeyman pitcher that everyone thought was done and had faded into obscurity. Kevin Correia (0-1, 1.69 ERA) fits that bill, who is making just his third start of the year after finishing 7-17 with a 5.44 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across two different teams in 2014. With the Phillies sporting a nightmarish rotation, which is now significantly worse with ace Cole Hamels injured, Correia has been shot into duty, and he actually hasn’t been bad in his first couple of starts. However, as someone who pitches to contact and records a low number of strikeouts, he might be in for a long day at the office against the hard-hitting Yankees in the Bronx, which could yield a lot of home runs. Correia has given up two so far.

His counterpart this evening, Michael Pineda (8-3, 3.54 ERA), is certainly someone that doesn’t pitch to contact. Hence why he owns 87 strikeouts in 81.1 innings of work, compared to just 11 walks on the year for one of the best K/BB ratios in all of baseball. He’s coming off a nine-strikeout gem in six-plus frames, holding the Marlins to one run on only one hit in the process, so if he’s in his rhythm, Philadelphia may have no shot. They did pull off the huge upset yesterday against Michael Wacha as +175 home ‘dogs, but can they do it in back-to-back days? Not to mention with soft-throwing Correia on the mound going up against a stud the caliber of Pineda. As a result, the Yankees are whopping -285 favorites. The over/under line, meanwhile, is curiously low at 7.5.

Kansas City Royals at Seattle Mariners | 10:10 p.m. ET

It’s always a notable event when “The King” himself, Felix Hernandez (10-3, 3.08 ERA), takes center stage at Safeco Field before his unique and adoring “King’s Court” in attendance. What certainly was a notable event was ten days ago, when Hernandez suffered the worst start of his career, getting absolutely pounded in Houston as he was only able to record one out, while giving up eight runs. Fortunately for the former AL Cy Young winner, Hernandez bounced back his last time out with eight shutout innings against the Giants at home, and appears to be back on track. If that’s the case, you can anticipate his usual greatness, as Hernandez has given up two runs or less in 10 of his 14 starts. He’s a -160 favorite, and Seattle is 11-3 in games he’s started.

It won’t be that easy, though, as King Felix is tasked with facing the team that leads baseball in team batting average (.274). Plus, they’ll have a serviceable veteran on the hill, Joe Blanton (1-0, 1.80 ERA), who could keep them in the ballgame, if his first start was any indication. After a stint as the club’s long reliever, Blanton made his first start as a member of the Royals, amassing five shutout innings against the Brewers last Wednesday, striking out four and walking none. In any case, the over/under is currently set at 6.5, mostly because of King Felix’s amazing numbers at home over the years.

Chicago White Sox at Minnesota Twins | 8:10 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Guess who the worst team in baseball is against left-handed pitching… the Chicago White Sox. And it’s really not even close, as the Pale Hose are last in team batting average (.207), on-base percentage (.252), and slugging percentage (.285) opposing southpaws, adding up to a putrid .536 OPS, which is nearly a full 100 points behind the team in second-to-last (Braves, .619). With one of my top sleepers entering the 2015 campaign, left-hander Tommy Milone (3-1, 3.67 ERA), set to toe the rubber for the Twins, you have to like his outlook tonight, as he’s made three starts since being recalled from the minors, and has given up two runs or less in all of them, while producing a 13/2 K/BB ratio in his 19 innings of work. He’s a -140 home favorite as a result at Target Field.

Facing him is a bit of a similar lefty, John Danks (3-7, 5.16 ERA), but one who is largely inconsistent. Some days, Danks will have his stuff working, which was certainly the case when he surprisingly spun a complete game shutout on the Astros at the very end of May. Or, he’ll get roughed up, like in the two ensuing starts after that one when he yielded ten runs combined. It makes him a tough pitcher to handicap, as you don’t really know what you’re going to get. He’s somehow been a consistent friend for under bettors, though, posting a 8-3-2 record towards ‘under’ bets this season despite his paltry numbers. The line for this one has opened up at 8.5.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-22-2015, 11:24 AM

What to expect when position players pitch

June 22, 2015

There's always something oddly fascinating about a position player pitching.

Perhaps that's because it only seems to happen during the monotony of a blowout - or during a long extra-inning game in which neither team has scored in a while.

This past week was a big one for imposters on the mound, with seven position players coming in to pitch - eight if you go back to June 12. In all, it's happened 12 times this season.

What's amusing is that occasionally these players will look semi-effective, especially when compared with the pitcher who preceded them. In Seattle's 10-0 loss to Houston on June 12, catcher Jesus Sucre took the mound and threw a scoreless eighth, needing only seven pitches to get through the inning.

In that same game, Seattle star Felix Hernandez lasted only one-third of an inning while allowing eight runs. Go figure.

Sometimes, the results are more predictable. Cleveland brought in two position players in the ninth inning of its loss to the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. Ryan Raburn allowed two runs and David Murphy gave up five as 10-0 became 17-0. Raburn and Murphy could take some solace in that all of those runs were unearned - the Indians made an error during the inning.

So what's the ''expected'' performance level of a position player on the mound? Well, since the start of 2011, position players have pitched in 66 games for a total of 58 innings, according to STATS. Their composite ERA is 6.21.

To put that in context, only two pitchers last season - Andre Rienzo and Edwin Jackson - threw at least 58 innings with an ERA higher than 6.21.

Here are a few more developments from around baseball last week:

PLUNKED

There was some controversy in Washington on Saturday when Pittsburgh's Jose Tabata was hit by a pitch with two out in the ninth inning, breaking up a perfect game attempt by Max Scherzer. Tabata's elbow appeared to move ever so slightly down toward the ball, but it's hard to say if he did that on purpose. It may have simply been a reflex.

Or it may be a byproduct of his approach at the plate. Tabata has been hit 20 times in his career - once every 88 plate appearances. The major league average this season is about once every 115 PAs.

But Tabata's hit-by-pitch rate doesn't really stand out. Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs, for example, has been hit once every 51 PAs in his career.

FANTASY FOCUS

In leagues that allow daily lineup changes, owners can take advantage of platoon splits that make otherwise nondescript players more valuable. When he's not mopping up on the mound, Raburn is a good power threat against left-handed pitchers. On the flip side, Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal has struggled against lefties but is usually worth playing when there's a right-hander on the mound.

Not all leagues allow this type of day-to-day micromanagement, but matchup advantages like this can be useful in the long run.

LINE OF THE WEEK

Scherzer's no-hitter Saturday is the easy choice here, although one of his former teammates deserves quite an honorable mention. Detroit's J.D. Martinez homered three times Sunday against the Yankees, part of a three-game series in New York in which the teams combined for 16 home runs.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-22-2015, 11:27 AM

LEADING OFF: Cabrera set to wreck Indians, King Felix vs KC

June 21, 2015

A look at what's happening all around the major leagues today:

WALK HIM!

The Indians might want to pitch around Miguel Cabrera when Detroit visits. The Tigers star is 22 for 34 (.647) with five home runs and 15 RBIs in nine games against Cleveland this season. He's also walked seven times and scored 10 runs.

THE KING AND I

Eric Hosmer is 4 for 9 against Mariners ace Felix Hernandez, who starts when the first-place Kansas City Royals open a three-city, 10-day trip in Seattle. It will be Hernandez's first outing since throwing eight shutout innings to beat Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants.

HELP ON THE WAY

All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve could be back in the lineup when the AL West-leading Houston Astros visit the Los Angeles Angels. Altuve has been out with a sore hamstring.

HARD LUCK AT HOME

The Rays begin a 10-game homestand, hosting Toronto. Tampa Bay is just 19-19 at Tropicana Field, while its 21-12 road record is the best winning percentage (.636) in the AL.

MISMATCH, MAYBE

Yankees righty Michael Pineda (8-3) took a no-hitter into the seventh inning in his last start against Miami. He now faces the Phillies, who have scored the fewest runs in the majors.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-22-2015, 11:30 AM

Cardinals ready to activate RHP Lynn

Jun 22, 2015

The team with the best record in baseball looks to get stronger later this week.

St. Louis right-hander Lance Lynn will come off the 15-day disabled list Thursday and face off against the Miami Marlins.

Lynn landed on the disabled list with a right forearm strain and is eligible to be activated on Tuesday.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, manager Mike Matheny doesn't want to push back starts for right-hander Carlos Martinez and left-hander Jaime Garcia.

Matheny said Lynn passed every test on Sunday and that "he's good to go."

Lynn has compiled a 4-4 record with a 3.07 ERA.

Left-hander Tyler Lyons replaced Lynn in the rotation and made two starts -- both wins. Matheny was unsure if Lyons would stay in the bullpen or be sent back to Triple-A Memphis.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-22-2015, 11:31 AM

Mariners release INF Weeks

Jun 22, 2015

The Seattle Mariners on Sunday night released veteran second baseman Rickie Weeks. The team designated Weeks for assignment last week.

Weeks started at second for the Milwaukee Brewers for nearly a decade, but lost the job to Scooter Gennett.

He signed a one-year deal worth about $2 million with the Mariners. In 84 at-bats, he hit .167 with two homers and 9 RBIs for the Pirates.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-22-2015, 11:33 AM

Game of the Day: Royals at Mariners

Jun 21, 2015

Kansas City Royals at Seattle Mariners (-152, 6.5)

Felix Hernandez attempts to become the American League's first 11-game winner when the Seattle Mariners open a three-game series against the visiting Kansas City Royals on Monday. Hernandez has won at least 15 games only twice in his stellar career but has a solid chance to surpass that mark and perhaps match - or eclipse - his career-high 19 victories from 2009.

Hernandez outdueled San Francisco ace Madison Bumgarner in his last start, when he allowed just four hits over eight scoreless innings. Seattle won two of three over first-place Houston over the weekend but recorded just four hits in Sunday's 6-2 loss - its second game since Edgar Martinez replaced Howard Johnson as hitting coach. Kansas City leads the American League Central by 3 1/2 games but dropped two of three to lowly Boston, including a 13-2 drubbing on Sunday. This is the first time the teams have met this season after Seattle won five of seven against the Royals last year.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FSN Kansas City, ROOT (Seattle)

LINE HISTORY: The Mariners opened as -160 favorites and have been bet down to -162. The total has held steady at 6.5 runs.

INJURY REPORT:

Kansas City - SP D. Duffy (probable Wednesday, bicep), SP Y. Ventura (15-day DL, hand), SP J. Vargas (15-day DL, hip).

Seattle - RP - D. Rollins (July 4, suspension), SP H. Iwakuma (Late June, back), SP J. Paxton (15-day DL, finger).

WHAT BOOKS SAY: "The M's are certainly winning more games of late, but they are still struggling to find offensive chemistry. It's a good thing they have Hernandez on the hill here as he seems to have regained good form. Under the radar yet again, the Royals are quietly getting the job done on a consistent basis. I think they have some dog value here in what should be a low-scoring matchup." John Lester of bookmaker.eu.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Joe Blanton (1-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (10-3, 3.08)

Blanton emerged victorious in his first start since 2013 as he allowed one run and five hits in five innings against Milwaukee on Wednesday. He pitched well in relief for Kansas City before landing the start and has recorded 17 strikeouts against three walks in 20 frames this season. Blanton is 8-7 with a 3.69 ERA in 18 career starts against the Mariners.

Hernandez was just 3-3 over a six-start span prior to the superb outing against the Giants, including the worst start of his career in which he was battered for eight runs while registering just one out against Houston on June 12. He has struggled this month, allowing 16 runs and 17 hits over 20 innings for an unsightly 7.20 ERA. Hernandez is 4-4 with a 2.80 ERA in 11 career outings against Kansas City.

TRENDS:

* Over is 4-0 in Hernandez's last four starts against the Royals.
* Under is 4-1-1 in the last six meetings in Seattle.
* Royals are 1-4 in the last five meetings.
* Mariners are 7-1 in Hernandez's last eight starts as a favorite between -152 and -200.

COVERS CONSENSUS: So far 57.42 percent of wagers are being paced on the Mariners.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-22-2015, 11:34 AM

Angels place Weaver on disabled list

Jun 22, 2015

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Right-hander Jered Weaver's rough season turned even worse Sunday when he

was placed on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his left hip.

Weaver will have a battery of tests Monday, including an MRI.

"I think it just got to a point in the last couple starts where you see mechanically he's not where he wants to be," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said before the Angels' 3-2 loss to Oakland. "His shoulder, his arm feels great, but we have to find out exactly what's going on and hopefully reset and get him back out there."

Weaver is 4-8 with a 4.75 ERA and has lost four straight starts, matching his longest such skid of his career.

Weaver said he has been dealing with some soreness in his left hip for years.

"There's always been stuff lingering," Weaver said. "Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad. Most of the time I can kind of get it to where it needs to be before a start day, in between starts. But just decided to get it to where it needs to be instead of having to battle against it all the time, give it some rest and get it back to where it needs to be and get back out there."

Weaver, though, said his sore hip had "very little" to do with his rough season and a loss of velocity.

"There's more to it than just the hip stuff," Weaver said. "Obviously velocity's down, stuff isn't as crisp. There's some things that I got to get figured out so hopefully this is a good time to do it."

Scioscia said he's hopeful that Weaver will be able to recover with rest and treatment and avoid any type of surgery.

How much pain has Weaver been in on the mound?

"It was just like a sharp pain every now and again," Weaver said. "It's just one of those things where you'd get it loosened up and it would feel great but you keep pounding on it and it would tighten up again. It wasn't anything drastic, just something me and (Scioscia) thought would be better to iron out now than toward the end of the season. Go on the DL and get this figured out and move on and come back and be strong again."

Weaver gave up four runs on six hits over 5 2/3 innings Saturday in a 4-1 loss to Oakland.

The Angels have an off day Thursday, which would have been Weaver's day to start. They won't need someone to fill his spot in the rotation until June 30 against the Yankees.

Lefty Andrew Heaney, who's at Triple-A Salt Lake, is one potential candidate, Scioscia said. Right-hander Nick Tropeano, who is expected to return to action for Salt Lake from a shoulder injury this week, is another possibility. Righty Cory Rasmus (abdominal surgery, March 2015), who's on a rehab assignment with Salt Lake, and Angels lefty Jose Alvarez, a reliever, are two other possibilities.

"There's a couple options where you'll probably have to expand your pitching staff, a couple where you could just plug a guy in," Scioscia said.

To fill Weaver's spot on the 25-man roster, the Angels recalled outfielder Alfredo Marte from Salt Lake.

**StarDust Bum** · 06-22-2015, 11:35 AM

Shields confident Padres will find form

Jun 21, 2015

PHOENIX -- Right-hander James Shields is confident that San Diego can contend this season. Why wouldn't he be? He has seen it happen.

Kansas City was 48-50 and eight games behind AL Central leader Detroit the week after the All-Star break last season, Shields' first season with the Royals, before a team meeting sparked a 25-9 run that got them back into the playoff chase. We all know what happened when the Royals made the playoffs.

Shields and Tampa Bay were 9 1/2 games back in the AL East with three weeks remaining in the 2011 season before recovering to clinch a wild card berth on the wild final day of the regular season.

"I think almost every year in Tampa we had something different. It was crazy," Shields said. "I always believe that teams go through really good stretches three times a year. The good news for us, we haven't had ours yet."

The Padres are 34-38, in fourth place in the NL West and ahead of only Colorado with three weeks remaining before the All-Star break. The middling start cost manager Bud Black his job, with Pat Murphy taking over as interim manager Tuesday.

"It's kind of cliche, but we do have a long season to play," Shields said. "We are not happy with the way we are playing right now, but I've been in way worse situations. We've just got to clean it up a little bit and move forward.

"It's a process. Any good team will tell you, you have to stick to your process, and if you stick to your process it will be good at the end of the day. If you try to change it up, it doesn't work. At the beginning of the year we had a goal, we had a plan. We're going to stick to it and go for it."

**StarDust Bum** · 06-22-2015, 11:38 AM

Diamondbacks make unpopular, head-scratching trade with Braves

Saturday night, the Diamondbacks and Braves announced a trade that left the masses perplexed. Utility man Phil Gosselin was sent to Arizona for injured starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo and pitching prospect Touki Toussaint. With the Braves reportedly picking up the rest of Arroyo's salary, it appears they essentially bought a prospect here.

The bare bones:

- Arroyo is expected back in August at the earliest from Tommy John surgery. He's making $9.5 million this season and has an option for 2016 worth $13 million (with a $4.5 million buyout if it's not picked up). He's 38 years old and went 26-22 with a 3.76 ERA in his last two full seasons.

- Gosselin, 26, is a career .282/.321/.345 hitter in 70 games. He can play second, third, shortstop or outfield, though he's best suited at either second or third. He's also sidelined with a broken thumb and will be out another four weeks.

- Toussaint is 19 years old and was the D-Backs' first-round pick last season out of high school. Baseball America ranked him as the 71st-best prospect in all of baseball this past spring and he's said to have "top of the rotation" potential by the time he develops. It won't be for a bit, though, as he is in Class A right now, where he has a 3.69 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 39 innings.

The part that makes this deal so funny is the giving up Toussaint for a piece that seems unnecessary and redundant. The D-Backs have Chris Owings (23 years old) at second, Nick Ahmed (25) at shortstop and Jake Lamb (24) at third. The outfield is so crowded that they've been using Yasmany Tomas (24) at third base as well. On the bench, the D-Backs have Aaron Hill and Cliff Pennington for depth pieces. The offense ranks second in the NL in runs scored, by the way.

Further, at 33-35, it's hardly like Arizona was looking to trade away prospect depth to add a final piece in July for a playoff push. Those are defensible at times. This wasn't that, though.

Maybe it was a salary dump?

That would be even more odd. The Phoenix area hardly qualifies for a "small market" (it's actually in the top half of the league) and the Diamondbacks just signed a $1 billion TV deal this past February.

On wanting Gosselin, Arizona GM Dave Stewart offered the following (via the Arizona Republic):

"He's a gritty, tough competitive type infielder," Stewart said. "He plays second, short, third -- a utility type role player. Our scouting reports liken him to (Dodgers infielder Justin) Turner. Not the same kind of power, but he possesses that same kind of ability to hit and put the ball in the gaps."
Again with the "gritty!" Fun times. Remember, previous GM Kevin Towers traded Justin Upton in an effort to make the team more gritty. So the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Not surprisingly, the prospect/scouting community didn't love this move for Arizona:

There was a lot more, but that's the general idea.

It needs to be noted, of course, that Stewart also told reporters they love their young starting pitching depth across the organization. If that's the case and they wanted to deal Toussaint, most scouting outlets have already noted that they surely could've gotten a lot more back than Gosselin/salary relief.

It'll be several years before we know what the Braves got in Toussaint, but we do know the D-Backs gave him up in order to 1) shed salary and 2) add a guy with limited upside at an area where they're already teeming with quality young players and depth.

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