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**StarDust Bum** · 06-24-2015, 03:36 AM

Preview: Tigers (37-34) at Indians (32-38)
Game: 3
Venue: Progressive Field
Date: June 24, 2015 12:10 PM EDT

Though Justin Verlander won't make his scheduled start, the Detroit Tigers are having little trouble supporting whomever takes the mound at Progressive Field.

They'll look to continue that trend Wednesday and complete a series sweep with their seventh straight road win over the Cleveland Indians.

Shortly after Tuesday's 7-3 victory, Detroit (37-34) announced that some back stiffness would prevent Verlander from making his third start since a season-opening stint on the disabled list for a strained right triceps.

"He could probably go out there," manager Brad Ausmus said. "We're just going to be cautious and make sure he's healthy. We want to get rid of it before he starts again."

Verlander is 0-1 with a 6.17 ERA in two starts since making his season debut June 13 versus Cleveland (32-38). The right-hander hopes he won't miss more than this start.

"It's just kind of lingered a hair longer than we thought, trying to get over the hump," he said. "In talking with our trainers and our coaching staff, they just don't really think at this point that it's worth it and push it and risk further injury."

Right-hander Buck Farmer, who allowed seven runs and nine hits in five-plus innings of a 12-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels in his only outing this season May 28, was recalled from Triple-A Toledo to fill in.

Though the Tigers have scored six runs for Farmer while he's gone 0-2 with a 14.29 ERA in three career starts dating to August, they've averaged 8.0 and batted .340 to win all five meetings at Progressive Field this season.

Detroit has scored at least seven runs in each of its last six at Cleveland, where it's won 11 of 12 and the Indians have dropped eight of their last 11.

Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez each had two hits and Yoenis Cespedes drove in two more runs as the Tigers won their third in a row. Cabrera has hit .619 (26 for 42) while Detroit has gone 9-2 against the Indians in 2015.

Martinez is 7 for 21 (.333) with seven RBIs in five games since missing a little more than a month with knee inflammation. Cespedes has five RBIs in the series and is batting .378 in his last nine road contests.

Cabrera, Cespedes and Martinez are a combined 7 for 12 this season versus Carlos Carrasco (8-6, 4.35 ERA), who is 1-1 with a 7.20 ERA against the Tigers in 2015. The right-hander dropped to 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA at home this month after he allowed two of his three runs on solo homers over 6 2-3 innings of a 4-1 loss to Tampa Bay on Friday.

"You never want to see the homers, but two solo homers and a sac fly," manager Terry Francona said. "On a lot of nights, we're probably saying he pitched pretty well."

Cleveland second baseman Jason Kipnis has hit safely in 18 consecutive contests and is batting .505 with 15 RBIs during a 27-game home hitting streak that is tied for the team's second-longest since 1914. The record of 31 was set by Hal Trosky in '36.

Kipnis, however, is concerned only with helping the Indians turn things around.

"We're just going to have to play better baseball," said Kipnis, who is hitting .354 versus Detroit this season. "It's a matter of going to the ball park each day and going out and doing it."

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Tigers at Indians
Mon, Jun 22 Final 8 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Tigers at Indians
Tue, Jun 23 Final 7 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Tigers at Indians
Wed, Jun 24 - 12:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 06-24-2015, 03:39 AM

Preview: Blue Jays (38-35) at Rays (41-32)
Game: 3
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: June 24, 2015 12:10 PM EDT

After winning a club-record 11 consecutive games to quickly climb the ladder in the AL East, the Toronto Blue Jays have stumbled against a pair of division opponents.

With the situation in the East beginning to coalesce around four teams, the Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays conclude their three-game series Wednesday at Tropicana Field.

The Blue Jays (38-35) entered play June 15 just one game out of first place, but in just over a week since, the Rays (41-32) have won six of nine to claim sole possession of the top spot. The New York Yankees are second, while Baltimore just took two of three in Toronto over the weekend to move to 7-5 against the Jays, who are now three games out.

Tampa Bay improved to 7-2 versus Toronto with Tuesday's 4-3 win. Chris Archer outworked Blue Jays knuckleballer R.A. Dickey to win his sixth straight decision, allowing three hits over eight innings.

Also enjoying his own streak is Toronto's Marco Estrada (5-3, 3.92 ERA), who will try to win his fifth straight outing after beginning his time in the rotation with a five-start stretch May 5-27 in which he went 0-3 with a 5.02 ERA.

During his streak, the right-hander has lowered that mark to 3.96, allowing 11 earned runs with 20 strikeouts over 25 innings and a .223 opponent batting average.

Estrada carried a no-hitter into the eighth against Baltimore on Friday before a broken-bat blooper wrecked his bid leading off the inning. Toronto went on to win 5-3 for its ninth straight home victory.

"We knew the changeup was a big pitch for him," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of Estrada, who threw a career-high 118 pitches. "He's got great arm speed on it. It's one of those that you can know it's coming and still not get a good pass at it."

While he has never started against Tampa Bay, Estrada faced Rays hitters in a pair of relief appearances earlier this season that totaled 4 1-3 shutout innings with just two hits allowed. He is 0-1 with a 1.13 ERA against Tampa Bay.

Opposing Estrada will be rookie right-hander Nathan Karns (4-3, 3.53), who hasn't been going deep into games - reaching the seventh only twice in 14 starts - but has been strong in his previous two with just two earned runs allowed over 11 1-3 innings.

In those outings, he held his own against Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale on June 14 before outdueling Cleveland's Carlos Carrasco on Friday to get his first win since May 13.

"Karnsy was really good," Rays manager Kevin Cash told MLB's official website. "I thought after the first inning - he looked a little out of whack falling behind some guys, threw a couple of pitches you could tell he was a little out of sync, but credit to him (for) kind of developing and maturing into a pitcher here that he's able to slow the game down a little bit and start making some pitches."

Karns earned the first win of his career in his only start against Toronto on Sept. 12, surrendering two hits over seven innings in a 1-0 victory. He's allowed only a .201 batting average in seven starts against AL East opponents this season.

Gibbons said left-hander Brett Cecil is out as closer after allowing 10 earned runs over his last 5 2-3 innings. His likely replacement is righty Roberto Osuna, who struck out five over two innings in Monday's 8-5 win for his first career save.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Blue Jays at Rays
Mon, Jun 22 Final 8 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Blue Jays at Rays
Tue, Jun 23 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Blue Jays at Rays
Wed, Jun 24 - 12:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 06-24-2015, 03:41 AM

Preview: White Sox (30-39) at Twins (38-32)
Game: 3
Venue: Target Field
Date: June 24, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

Though Chris Sale has a chance to further etch his name in baseball history, it won't mean much to him if the Chicago White Sox can't build on their latest victory.

The left-hander looks to continue his impressive run during Wednesday's decisive road finale against the Minnesota Twins.

After striking out 12 but yielding a two-run homer in a 2-1 loss at Tampa Bay on June 14, Sale (6-3, 2.74 ERA) retired the first 17 batters, equaled a season high with 14 strikeouts and allowed two hits over eight innings before David Robertson blew a 1-0 lead in Friday's 2-1 defeat to Texas.

That second straight hard-luck effort overshadowed another gem by Sale, who can become the first pitcher since 1914 to fan at least 12 in six straight games after joining Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson as the only ones to do it five consecutive times.

'It's an honor to get my name mentioned with them, but it's something more for (the media) and friends and family," said Sale, who is 3-1 with an 0.72 ERA in his last five starts and can become the first player since Johnson in 2001 to strike out at least 10 in seven consecutive outings.

"I'm here for one reason and that's winning ballgames," he said. "All the other stuff is more of a distraction than anything, really."

Sale also won't lament the lack of run support over the last two outings or call out his teammates while sitting last in the AL Central at 31-39.

"The way it's going, it's easy to sit there and point fingers, but that's his maturity level," manager Robin Ventura told MLB's official website about Sale, who has a club-record 25 double-digit strikeout games. "His leadership qualities are coming out. This is what is taking shape. This is the guy that he has become. It's impressive."

Sale's been solid while going 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA versus Minnesota (38-33) at home this season. However, he allowed a season-high nine runs over three innings in his shortest outing of 2015, a 12-2 defeat at Target Field on April 30.

Chicago snapped a seven-game road slide with Tuesday's 6-2 victory that also was its third in four contests overall and first in six at Minnesota this season. Jose Abreu had four hits for the White Sox, who scored more than three runs for the first time in 10 games and had more than two hits with runners in scoring position (5 for 16) for the first time in 19.

"We got a chance to win the series and that's what we'll focus on," infielder Gordon Beckham said.

Abreu is batting .393 in his last 14 games and .339 in 15 career contests at Target Field.

He's 7 for 17 (.412) with three doubles versus Phil Hughes (5-6, 4.47), who looks to build on his strongest outing of the season after he allowed a solo homer and one other hit in eight innings of a 7-2 win Friday over the Chicago Cubs.

"It's definitely the best of the year so far," Hughes said. "So far this year, it's been a bit disappointing for me."

The right-hander is 0-1 with a 3.46 ERA in two starts against the White Sox this season that both came on the road.

Brian Dozier and Torii Hunter are each 3 for 10 with a double and a home run versus Sale this season, and Joe Mauer is 3 for 6 with a double.

Hunter is batting .341 (15 or 44) versus Chicago in 2015.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
White Sox at Twins
Mon, Jun 22 Final 2 to 13
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
White Sox at Twins
Tue, Jun 23 - Final 6 TO 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
White Sox at Twins
Wed, Jun 24 - 1:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 06-24-2015, 03:44 AM

Preview: Reds (32-37) at Pirates (40-30)
Game: 2
Venue: PNC Park
Date: June 24, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Although the dominant run by their pitchers ended, the Pittsburgh Pirates' offense delivered a breakout performance to continue their home winning streak.

Now they may be able to begin a new outstanding stretch on the mound behind the major league leader in wins.

Gerrit Cole looks to win his seventh consecutive start as the Pirates try for their eighth straight home win Wednesday night against the Cincinnati Reds.

Pittsburgh hadn't allowed a run in 30 innings at PNC Park before Jeff Locke gave up three in the first inning Tuesday. The club responded with seven of its own in the fourth for a series-opening 7-6 victory.

The Pirates totaled three runs in three losses at Washington before Andrew McCutchen and Francisco Cervelli homered during the big fourth.

'You lose like we did against the Nationals, you're pretty amped up,' said McCutchen, batting .471 in his last five home games. 'Somewhat of a slow start, but that's why you play the whole game.'

The Pirates (40-30) appear to be good hands as Cole (11-2, 1.78 ERA) looks to help them reach their longest home winning streak since a 10-game run from June 28-July 18, 2004.

The right-hander has given up just five earned runs in 42 1-3 innings over a six-start winning streak. He's looking to become the first Pirate to win seven in a row since A.J. Burnett won eight straight in 2012.

He yielded two runs and three hits over seven innings Thursday despite matching a season low with four strikeouts and a season high with three walks in a 3-2 road win over the Chicago White Sox.

Cole has gone 15-2 over his last 19 starts - easily baseball's best record since Sept. 2.

"(The wins) are a testament to how well we've played as a team around me," he said after beating the White Sox. "I always go out there to give us a chance to win, but it's a team accomplishment."

Cole's only home loss came May 6 versus Cincinnati when he allowed three runs over five innings in a 3-0 defeat while opposing Mike Leake. He's 0-2 with a 4.70 ERA in four starts against the Reds (32-37).

Former Pirate Marlon Byrd homered off him in that game and is 4 for 10 lifetime, while Brandon Phillips is 5 for 11 and Todd Frazier is 4 for 11 with two homers.

Jay Bruce is 12 for 25 with three home runs over his last six games after going 2 for 5 with his 12th home run Tuesday, but he has just one hit in nine at_bats when facing Cole.

The Reds will try to avoid their 15th loss in 18 road games as Leake (4-4, 4.01) looks to extend an 18-inning scoreless streak at PNC Park. The right-hander, 7-3 with a 3.10 ERA in 22 starts versus Pittsburgh, allowed six hits over eight shutout innings while opposing Cole in May.

Leake had another strong outing Friday when he gave up two hits and fanned seven over seven innings in a 5-0 home win over Miami. He's 2-0 with a 2.42 ERA in four June starts.

McCutchen has seen Leake more than anyone, going 15 for 61 (.246) with two home runs. Starling Marte is 6 for 30 off him, while Gregory Polanco has gone 1 for 9.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Reds at Pirates
Tue, Jun 23 Final 6 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Reds at Pirates
Wed, Jun 24 - Final 0 to 1

GAME 3
Reds at Pirates
Thu, Jun 25 - 7:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 06-24-2015, 03:50 AM

Preview: Orioles (37-33) at Red Sox (31-41)
Game: 2
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: June 24, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

A few years ago, it would've been hard to envision the Baltimore Orioles dominating the Boston Red Sox. That's the reality now, and they have a chance to accomplish something the franchise hasn't in over half a century.

Red-hot Baltimore looks to push its wining streak against the Red Sox to seven on Wednesday night at Fenway Park.

During a stretch of 14 straight losing seasons from 1998-2011, the Orioles' record against the Red Sox was emblematic of their problems. They lost 62 of 79 meetings from Sept 3, 2005-April 24, 2010, before a memorable win on the final day of the 2011 season signaled a change.

Baltimore has gone 43-24 since, including eight wins in 11 games this year after Tuesday's series-opening 6-4 victory, their sixth straight in the series. The Orioles haven't won seven in a row against Boston since 1961.

Opponents haven't made much difference lately to Baltimore (37-33), which is a major league-best 12-3 since June 7. That success can be attributed mostly to an offense that is averaging 6.7 runs with 25 homers and batting an eye-popping .376 with runners in scoring position during that span.

David Lough, starting for the sixth time in seven games in place of injured center fielder Adam Jones, hit a three-run homer.

"I don't get many of them, not as many as he gets," Lough said of his third homer in 10 games after getting one in his first 41, "but it was good to get that up on the board."

Manny Machado continued his torrid pace with two hits and an RBI, his fifth straight multi-hit effort. Machado is 30 for 67 (.448) with 16 RBIs in his last 16 games.

Jones is dealing with a sore right shoulder and may not play until Friday against Cleveland.

"These guys count on me to be in there every day," Jones told MLB's official website. "I count on myself to be in there every day. Oriole fans, (Buck) Showalter counts on me to be in there every day. It's tough, because I feel like I'm letting my teammates down, but they understand."

Bud Norris (2-5, 7.57 ERA) aims to continue his improvement for the Orioles since a three-week stint on the DL due to bronchitis. He's 1-1 with a 3.78 ERA in three starts since returning after going 1-4 with a 9.88 ERA in his first six. Norris allowed two runs and five hits over six innings in a 2-1 loss at Philadelphia on Thursday.

The right-hander received plenty of offensive support against the Red Sox on April 26, giving up three runs over 6 2-3 innings in an 18-7 victory. He's 0-2 with a 4.08 ERA in three starts at Fenway.

Boston (31-41) has lost five of six at home, posting a 7.07 ERA in that stretch. Red Sox starting pitchers have a 6.59 ERA in the season series against the Orioles, but Clay Buchholz limited them to two runs over six innings in a 4-1 loss April 18.

Buchholz (4-6, 3.87) has a chance to win back-to-back starts for the first time this season after allowing two unearned runs in seven innings of Thursday's 5-2 victory at Atlanta.

The right-hander tossed eight scoreless innings June 2 against Minnesota for his only win in seven home starts. He's 0-4 with a 5.73 ERA in his other six games there.

Buchholz has lost his last two starts against Baltimore after going 2-0 with a 1.75 ERA in four prior matchups.

Chris Davis is 7 for 22 with a pair of homers when facing Buchholz. Travis Snider and Matt Wieters, however, are a combined 7 for 47.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Orioles at Red Sox
Tue, Jun 23 Final 6 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Orioles at Red Sox
Wed, Jun 24 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Orioles at Red Sox
Thu, Jun 25 - 1:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 06-24-2015, 03:54 AM

Preview: Phillies (25-47) at Yankees (38-32)
Game: 3
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: June 24, 2015 1:05 PM EDT

Every start Cole Hamels makes has the feel of an audition.

The New York Yankees are likely among his potential suitors, and they'll get an up close look at the left-handed ace Wednesday when they try to prevent him, Mikael Franco and the Philadelphia Phillies from completing a three-game sweep.

The most sought-after pitcher heading into the trade deadline, Hamels (5-5, 2.96 ERA) is being scrutinized by nearly every team with playoff aspirations. Multiple reports have stated he is willing to waive his no-trade clause for the right destination.

His $22.5 million annual salary through 2018 makes his likely landing spot a big-market team, and the Yankees (38-33) are still as big market as it gets. New York may be in a position of need given CC Sabathia has struggled all season - further evidenced by giving up two homers and six runs in 4 2-3 innings in Tuesday's 11-6 loss - and, despite his success, Masahiro Tanaka generates anxieties due to arm issues since arriving from Japan.

Scouts will break down Hamels, who brings additional intrigue to the Bronx after missing his last scheduled start due to a strained right hamstring. He was sharp in his last outing June 14, however, striking out a season-high 12 in seven innings of Philadelphia's 1-0, 11-inning loss at Pittsburgh and scattering four hits and one walk.

"There are times when you just want to be smart no matter what the circumstances are," Hamels told MLB's official website Monday, one day after a successful bullpen session. "I know they're a little bit different than previous circumstances in previous years, but I'm not going to change the way I like to play the game and prepare for the game."

The Phillies (26-47) have failed to provide Hamels any runs in three of his last four starts, and his 2.58 run-support average is tied with St. Louis' Lance Lynn for the lowest in the NL. There is optimism Hamels will get some backing as Franco has gone 6 for 8 with three homers and 10 RBIs in the two victories in New York, and Philadelphia is enjoying its best three-game stretch of the season offensively with 31 runs and 42 hits.

Franco is the first player in the majors to drive in 10 or more runs in a three-game series this year and the 12th since 1914 to have 10 or more RBIs in a two or three-game series versus the Yankees.

'Using the whole field,' Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. 'Right now he's a pretty good force right in the middle of the lineup.'

As the Yankees ponder chasing Hamels, Ivan Nova is finally joining their rotation. The right-hander is making his first start in 14 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery and hopes to provide a spark to a rotation that is last in the AL in opponent batting average (.280) and among the worst with a 4.50 ERA.

"It was the moment that we were waiting for," Nova said Monday. "I was coming in here each and every day and making sure that I did everything right. I was pitching in the minors, trying to get everything done and good to go. ... I'm really anxious and happy to be back."

New York has allowed 34 runs during a three-game skid and given up nine or more in six of its last 12 games. That has overshadowed an offense hitting .361 with 19 homers while averaging 8.0 runs the last six contests.

'It's not enjoyable to watch and it's not enjoyable to be a part of,' manager Joe Girardi said.

Alex Rodriguez is 11 for 25 with three homers and 10 RBIs during a seven-game hitting streak. With 3,006 hits, he is one shy of tying Al Kaline for 27th all-time.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Phillies at Yankees
Mon, Jun 22 Final 11 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Phillies at Yankees
Tue, Jun 23 - Final 11 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Phillies at Yankees
Wed, Jun 24 - 1:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 06-24-2015, 03:56 AM

Preview: Braves (35-35) at Nationals (37-33)
Game: 2
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: June 24, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

It took longer than most anticipated, but the Washington Nationals are beginning to make good on expectations as the team to beat in the NL East.

After their series-opening win over the Atlanta Braves, they've matched their largest division lead of the season, though exceeding it Wednesday night against Shelby Miller could prove difficult.

Washington (38-33) has won four straight behind elite pitching, and Tuesday's 3-1 win was no exception. The starting staff has allowed one earned run in that span and enters with a scoreless streak of 21 1-3 innings.

The Nationals are 2 1/2 games up on the New York Mets, matching the lead they held entering play on May 26.

Atlanta (35-36) won the first meeting of the season, but Washington has taken six straight since while scoring 8.5 runs per game and batting .363. Danny Espinosa is hitting .441 on a 10-game hitting streak in the series.

Michael A. Taylor's adding to the offense lately with a 7-for-15 stretch in his last four.

"He is finding his way as a big leaguer," manager Matt Williams told MLB's official website.

The problem is Washington's recent mound presence is more reminiscent of Miller's against the Nationals than anything opponent Jordan Zimmermann has provided.

Miller (5-3, 1.99 ERA) hasn't won in his last six starts, but that's been due to little fault of his own even though he's been more hittable than his early season dominant form. He's 0-2 with a 2.97 ERA in that span, and he dropped his season ERA back below two after allowing four runs - one earned - and seven hits in 5 2-3 innings of Thursday's 5-2 home loss to Boston.

The right-hander has received a 1.73 run-support average in the six starts with a .270 opponent batting average after posting a .156 mark through his first eight outings.

Some fielding issues behind him accounted for much of the trouble against the Red Sox, but Miller took blame for serving up hittable stuff.

"I gave up some hits over the middle of the plate that were pretty crucial at times and they ended up putting a good inning together against me," Miller said.

Washington has had no success against him, with Miller going 2-0 with a 0.73 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 24 2-3 innings in four career starts. Ian Desmond (1 for 12), Denard Span (1 for 11) and Bryce Harper (1 for 8) have been the major contributors to Miller's .170 OBA against the Nationals.

Zimmermann (5-5, 3.75) has lost three straight starts with a 7.63 ERA, though his last was at least passable. The right-hander, who has never lost four straight starts, gave up three runs and eight hits while striking out eight in seven innings of last Wednesday's 5-0 home loss to Tampa Bay. The two home runs he allowed brought his season total to just five, and he's limited opponents to six in his last 23 home starts.

"I thought it was good. A couple of solo home runs. I could live with that," Zimmermann said.

He's been substantially better at home, going 3-3 with a 2.75 ERA and .257 OBA in eight starts as opposed to 2-2 with 5.40 and .338 marks in six road outings.

Zimmermann won't have to face Freddie Freeman (wrist), who is 9 for 24 in their matchups but went on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, and Andrelton Simmons (3 for 19) and Cameron Maybin have struggled (2 for 11) against him.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Braves at Nationals
Tue, Jun 23 - Final 1 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Braves at Nationals
Wed, Jun 24 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Braves at Nationals
Thu, Jun 25 - 4:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 06-24-2015, 03:58 AM

Preview: Cardinals (46-24) at Marlins (30-42)
Game: 2
Venue: Marlins Park
Date: June 24, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Jaime Garcia's quick emergence after coming off the disabled list has helped the St. Louis Cardinals soften the blow of losing Adam Wainwright and Lance Lynn to injuries.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny would be even more pleased if his club's offense quit wasting his quality outings.

The left-hander takes the mound Wednesday night looking to help the visiting Cardinals deal the Miami Marlins their sixth defeat in seven games.

Garcia (2-3, 1.76 ERA) made his season debut May 21 after recovering from shoulder surgery and hasn't shown any signs of being the oft-injured pitcher who made a total of only 16 starts over the previous two seasons.

He's stepped up to help Cardinals (46-24) post the best record in baseball and lead the majors with a 2.72 ERA despite Wainwright (torn left Achilles) and Lynn (strained right forearm) being on the disabled list.

Garcia pitched eight innings in a 4-0 win over Kansas City on June 12 before allowing four hits in six scoreless innings of the Cardinals' 2-1 loss to Minnesota on Thursday.

He walked two after not issuing a free pass in his previous four starts, but that hardly presented a problem. St. Louis has scored either one run or none four times when Garcia is on the mound, losing each of those contests.

"If I were him I'd be pretty confident right now," Matheny said. "Every time he's going out there he's taking us deep into games and not giving up many opportunities, and he seems to be able to be one pitch away almost all the time. It's a rough loss."

St. Louis ranks near the middle of the pack in runs but rallied from an early deficit to beat the Marlins 4-3 on Tuesday. Jayson Heyward homered and Xavier Scruggs had a two-run double in a three-run fourth that tied it before Mark Reynolds' infield single in the seventh drove in Scruggs.

Giancarlo Stanton's MLB-leading 26th homer in the first was a two-run shot that traveled 484 feet, matching his longest of the season. The Marlins (30-42) couldn't hold on, though, and have totaled just 15 runs during a 1-5 stretch.

"When you play a team like the Cardinals, there's a reason they have the record that they have," manager Dan Jennings said. "When you get leadoff guys on, you have to get them over and get them in. Unfortunately, we didn't do that."

Miami, which had won nine of its previous 11 at home, now turns to Mat Latos to help it get back on track after he struggled at the end of his last outing.

Latos (2-4, 5.37) had a 3-1 lead and got the first two outs in the sixth at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, but he allowed a double before a tying two-run homer ended his night.

"All game I had a pretty good feel for my two-seamer," Latos said. "I had some good movement on it. (The last) one didn't move."

The right-hander was much better in his previous outing June 13, giving up one run while striking out 11 in seven innings of a 4-1 home win over Colorado. He went 0-2 with a 10.18 ERA in his first six starts at Marlins Park.

Latos is 4-1 with a 2.31 ERA in his last six against the Cardinals, but he hasn't faced them since he was with Cincinnati in 2013. Yadier Molina (12 for 31), Jon Jay (11 for 30) and Matt Holliday (11 for 29) have had success against Latos, and Garcia hit a two-run triple off him in 2012.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cardinals at Marlins
Tue, Jun 23 Final 4 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cardinals at Marlins
Wed, Jun 24 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Cardinals at Marlins
Thu, Jun 25 - 7:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 06-24-2015, 04:00 AM

Preview: Athletics (31-41) at Rangers (37-33)
Game: 2
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: June 24, 2015 8:05 PM EDT

Although the Oakland Athletics remain largely irrelevant in the AL West, at this rate they may start believing it's not out of the question to get there again this season.

They're fewer than 10 games under .500 for the first time since entering play on May 13 at 13-22 and will be seeking their eighth win in 10 games Wednesday night while trying to secure another series victory in Texas.

After a series-opening 8-6 win Monday, Oakland (32-41) is chasing its third four-game win streak in under four weeks - part of an 18-11 span since it was an MLB-worst 14-30 through May 22. Toronto is the only AL team with a better winning percentage in that time.

The Athletics have won three in a row against the Rangers (37-34) and haven't lost a series in Texas in over two years, going 13-4 since with 5.8 runs per game. In their last nine overall, they're averaging 6.9 runs and batting .304.

Ben Zobrist homered for the third time in seven games and is hitting .419 in the last nine. Josh Phegley went deep for the third time in his last six, but Oakland expects fellow catcher Stephen Vogt (elbow) back in the lineup Wednesday. Leadoff hitter Billy Burns extended his hitting streak to a career-best 13 and is batting .343 in his last 24.

That lineup will be up against Wandy Rodriguez, who is unbeaten in six starts. Rodriguez (4-2, 3.20 ERA) is 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA in that span with his worst outing of the bunch coming last Wednesday despite him earning the win. The left-hander surrendered three runs and nine hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 5-3 win at the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Even with the impressive span, he's still looking for his first home win since joining Texas to begin the season. He's 0-2 with a 5.06 ERA at Globe Life Park as opposed to 4-0 with a 2.28 mark on the road.

He's up against Kendall Graveman, who is finally providing the form the A's hoped for after a promising spring.

Graveman (3-4, 4.02) has deserved better in consecutive losses, surrendering three runs and 13 hits in 15 innings while receiving one run of support. In his last three, he's pitched better than he has all year with an 0-2 record and 1.64 ERA while going at least seven innings in each after topping out at six in his first seven outings.

In Thursday's 3-1 home loss to San Diego, Graveman gave up two solo home runs among five hits in seven innings. He walked one to drop his walks per nine innings to 1.23 in those three starts after posting a 3.97 mark through seven starts that were interrupted by a stint in Triple-A.

"When you get up and experience some failure, you actually have to understand what you are doing wrong," Graveman said. "There's a growing process no matter how long you play the game. I understood that when I went down there I had to work on a few things."

The right-hander opened the season April 9 by allowing eight runs - seven earned - and seven hits in 3 1-3 innings at home against Texas with Shin-soo Choo and Mitch Moreland both going deep.

Texas is in danger of matching a season-worst four-game losing streak, though it at least got its bats going Monday after totaling six runs in the previous four games.

The Rangers got Adrian Beltre (thumb) back from a 19-game absence, though he's not yet 100 percent.

"I can't remember the last time I played without pain," Beltre told MLB's official website. "It's just a matter of tolerating it."

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Athletics at Rangers
Tue, Jun 23 -Final 8 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Athletics at Rangers
Wed, Jun 24 - 8:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Athletics at Rangers
Thu, Jun 25 - 2:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 06-24-2015, 04:02 AM

Preview: Dodgers (39-32) at Cubs (38-30)
Game: 3
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: June 24, 2015 8:05 PM EDT

The Los Angeles Dodgers had never lost both games when Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke pitched back to back before the Chicago Cubs accomplished the feat in the first two of this series.

Mike Bolsinger doesn't have the resume of Kershaw or Greinke, but the Cubs certainly don't plan to take him lightly.

Chicago looks to move 10 games over .500 for the first time in seven seasons by extending its winning streak to five when it faces the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Wrigley Field.

Kershaw and Greinke pitched consecutive games 13 times before the start of this four-game set, and Los Angeles (39-33) had never lost both. The streaking Cubs (39-30) put an end to that run, as Kris Bryant homered twice in Monday's 4-2 victory before Chris Denorfia's sacrifice fly in the 10th gave Chicago a 1-0 win Tuesday.

Anthony Rizzo singled and is 8 for 20 with three homers and a double during a five-game hitting streak.

The Cubs improved to 8-3 in extra innings while winning their major league-high 18th one-run game. They haven't been 10 games over .500 since going 97-64 to win the NL Central in 2008.

'You have to take things. Nobody gives you anything here,' manager Joe Maddon said. 'You've got to take things, so I love the way our guys are going about their business.'

Bolsinger (4-2, 2.87 ERA) made his second career start April 24, 2014, at Wrigley Field while with Arizona and allowed an unearned run in 6 2-3 innings of a 5-2 victory.

The right-hander was traded to the Dodgers in the offseason and had a 2.25 ERA through his first eight starts before allowing five runs and eight hits in 5 1-3 innings of Friday's 9-5 loss to San Francisco.

"The good thing is, it's self-inflicting things and things I can learn from," Bolsinger said. "It's not like I'm going out there and getting the snot beat out of me. It's a learning method. It's tough, but you learn from it."

Kyle Hendricks (2-3, 4.28) received a difficult lesson in his last start, allowing career worsts of seven runs and 11 hits in five innings of Friday's 7-2 loss to Minnesota.

The right-hander went 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA over his previous five outings.

'To win ballgames you've got to pitch well and play defense. That's pretty clear,' Hendricks said. 'But the first part of that's pitching well. I can only do what I can, and ... you can't give up 11 hits in five innings.'

Hendricks was much better in his only start against the Dodgers, giving up one earned run and four hits in seven innings of an 8-2 win Aug. 1. Cubs starters have a 0.72 ERA during their winning streak, and Hendricks looks to shut down a Los Angeles team that has dropped eight of 11.

The Dodgers had only three hits Tuesday, with one coming when Yasiel Puig was awarded a triple after Cubs outfielders Mike Baxter and Matt Szczur couldn't track his shallow fly ball. They've scored three runs or fewer eight times during their slump.

Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler didn't start after spraining his ankle in the series opener, but he walked as a pinch-hitter in the 10th. He's considered day to day.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Dodgers at Cubs
Mon, Jun 22 Final 2 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Dodgers at Cubs
Tue, Jun 23 - Final 0 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Dodgers at Cubs
Wed, Jun 24 - 8:05PM EDT

GAME 4
Dodgers at Cubs
Thu, Jun 25 - 2:20PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 06-24-2015, 04:04 AM

Preview: Mets (36-36) at Brewers (26-46)
Game: 2
Venue: Miller Park
Date: June 24, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

The New York Mets have no answers offensively during a winless trip, though they could make strides facing a pitcher who has been battered at Miller Park.

As the Mets try to avoid their longest skid in four years, Jimmy Nelson hopes to help the Milwaukee Brewers take the first two of this three-game series Wednesday night.

New York (36-36) is having trouble getting anything going during its road swing, batting .168 with four home runs and eight runs scored while losing all six games.

Curtis Granderson provided one of the few highlights with his 10th home run Tuesday as the Mets had four hits for the second straight game in a 3-2 defeat.

Dilson Herrera (1 for 17), Juan Lagares (3 for 23), Lucas Duda (3 for 21) and Michael Cuddyer (3 for 21) are among those scuffling on the trip. It certainly doesn't help that David Wright, Daniel Murphy and Travis d'Arnaud are out with injuries.

'Unless someone fooled me and we're this bad,' manager Terry Collins said. 'But I don't think we are.'

The Mets haven't lost seven straight since April 2011 and are looking to break through against Nelson. The right-hander has given up double-digit hits in back-to-back losses for the first time in 27 starts.

After allowing seven runs and 10 hits over five innings in a 7-2 home defeat to Washington on June 13, Nelson yielded three runs and a career-worst 11 hits over five in Friday's 3-2 loss at Kansas City.

"He was hit hard," manager Craig Counsell told MLB's official website. "I think we were fortunate to get through those five innings with three runs."

Nelson (3-8, 4.64 ERA) also has struggled at Miller Park, going 0-3 with a 6.93 ERA in his last four starts. However, he's gone 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA in two career starts against the Mets.

The NL Central-worst Brewers (26-46) can claim their first back-to-back wins since June 11-12 if they can beat Bartolo Colon (9-5, 4.81) for the second time this season.

The 42-year-old will try to regroup after allowing seven runs and nine hits over 4 1-3 innings in Friday's 7-1 loss at Toronto. He had gone 3-1 with a 3.46 ERA over his prior four outings.

Colon - trying to become the NL's second 10-game winner - has received a decision in a club-record 26 consecutive starts, going 16-10 with a 4.45 ERA since July 23.

The right-hander has faced the Brewers twice since 2002. He allowed one run over seven innings in a 6-1 road win in June 2013 and gave up six runs over five innings in a 7-0 home defeat in May.

Ryan Braun homered off Colon in that contest, Gerardo Parra has a home run and a double in three at_bats in the matchup and Aramis Ramirez is 4 for 9 with a homer.

Adam Lind is 6 for 19 with a home run versus Colon. He had an RBI single and hit the seventh-inning double that Cuddyer misplayed, allowing Carlos Gomez to score the go-ahead run Tuesday.

'Nothing's going our way right now,' Cuddyer said after the Mets fell to .500 for the first time since they were 3-3 on April 12.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mets at Brewers
Tue, Jun 23 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Mets at Brewers
Wed, Jun 24 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Mets at Brewers
Thu, Jun 25 - 2:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 06-24-2015, 04:06 AM

Preview: Diamondbacks (34-35) at Rockies (30-39)
Game: 2
Venue: Coors Field
Date: June 24, 2015 8:40 PM EDT

Although much of the focus went to superstars Paul Goldschmidt and Troy Tulowitzki, Nolan Arenado stole the show for the Colorado Rockies in the series opener.

The Arizona Diamondbacks, meanwhile, failed in another attempt to reach the elusive .500 mark.

Arenado and the rest of the last-place Rockies hope to keep swinging the bats with authority Wednesday night when they go after a season high-tying fourth straight victory.

Arizona's Goldschmidt (.355) went 1 for 4 Tuesday to take a slim lead on Miami's Dee Gordon (.354) in the MLB batting race, while Colorado's Tulowitzki had two hits to reach base in his 22nd straight game.

Arenado, however, made his mark with two home runs - including a go-ahead three-run shot - in the Rockies' 10-5 victory. He's batting .385 with four homers over a 10-game hitting streak and .378 with five home runs in a nine-game streak at Coors.

'If you had told me in spring training I would have hit (a career-high) 19 home runs by this point, I would have said, `No shot,'' Arenado said. 'I've just been putting some good swings on the ball and luckily they have been going out. It's just nice to hit the ball hard and help my team win.'

Wilin Rosario, DJ LeMahieu and Brandon Barnes also went deep as Colorado (31-39) hit a season-high five home runs. The club has batted .331 while averaging 7.5 runs over its last four games.

The Rockies now hope to have star Carlos Gonzalez back after he missed the opener with a left hand sprain.

'Right now, we think it's going to be a day to day deal,' manager Walt Weiss said. 'One or two days. With the hand, it's always a little concerning with hitters. But I feel like it's not too serious.'

Nick Ahmed and Welington Castillo each homered to help Arizona build an early 3-1 advantage before its four-game winning streak in the season series was dashed when Colorado scored six in the fifth inning.

The Diamondbacks (34-36) also failed to get back to .500 for the fourth time during a 7-4 stretch.

They'll try to bounce back against right-hander David Hale (2-2, 5.28 ERA), who is 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA in his last two starts after going 2-0 with a 4.12 ERA in his first three.

Hale allowed season highs of five runs and 10 hits over five innings in Friday's 8-4 loss to visiting Houston. He's surrendered six homers in his past three home starts.

In his only appearance against the Diamondbacks, Hale surrendered two runs and three hits in 2-3 innings of relief in a 6-5 road loss June 8, 2014, while with Atlanta.

Arizona's Allen Webster (1-1, 6.55) will try to regroup after he allowed six runs and walked five over 5 1-3 innings in Friday's 7-1 home loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"It's always a challenge," Webster told MLB's official website. "I didn't have my command that I had the previous game, but went out there and battled."

The right-hander, who made 18 starts over his first two seasons with Boston, limited San Francisco to two runs and two hits while walking three over 5 2-3 innings in a 4-2 road win June 13.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Rockies
Tue, Jun 23 - Final 5 to 10
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Rockies
Wed, Jun 24 - 8:40PM EDT

GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Rockies
Thu, Jun 25 - 3:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 06-24-2015, 04:09 AM

Preview: Royals (40-27) at Mariners (32-39)
Game: 3
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: June 24, 2015 10:10 PM EDT

A solid showing against three of the majors' top teams has the Seattle Mariners in position to record a winning homestand.

The Mariners can do it with a second straight victory over the AL Central-leading Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night.

Rookie Mike Montgomery struck out 10 while tossing a four-hitter and Dustin Ackley hit a two-run homer for one of his three hits as Seattle (33-39) evened this series with a 7-0 victory Tuesday to improve to 4-3 on an eight-game stay at Safeco Field.

It was the third time the Mariners scored at least five runs during that stretch and the second shutout on a homestand that began by splitting two with San Francisco then taking two of three from AL West-leading Houston.

Seattle starters have a 2.74 ERA, 46 strikeouts and just seven walks on the homestand.

Roenis Elias (4-4, 3.56 ERA) contributed to that success Friday when he gave up a home run on his first and last pitch but struck out 10 and yielded two other hits in between to last seven-plus innings in a 5-2 victory over the Astros.

"I think it's just what's inside him," Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said of the left-hander, who has allowed two or fewer runs in six of his last eight starts and is 1-1 with a 2.40 ERA at home this month.

"He gets after it. ... He doesn't shy away. He's a tough cookie."

Elias went 1-0 with a 3.09 ERA versus Kansas City last season.

Following a second lopsided defeat in three games, the Royals (40-28) hand the ball to Danny Duffy (2-3, 5.87) in his first appearance since he landed on the disabled list May 25 with biceps tendinitis.

Duffy, who last pitched in the majors May 16, posted a 2.35 ERA and struck out 10 with a walk in two rehab starts for Triple-A Omaha. During that time, the left-hander also tweaked his delivery after allowing 14 runs, 15 hits and 10 walks over 9 2-3 innings to lose his last three starts before going on the DL.

"I feel great," Duffy told MLB's official website. "The (bullpen sessions) have been great. I'm feeling really comfy with my new delivery. Everything is on a downhill (plane). When I'm missing, I'm missing north and south."

Duffy has a 1.86 ERA despite going 0-1 in two starts versus Seattle.

Robinson Cano, who had two hits Tuesday, is 3 for 8 with a homer versus Duffy. Austin Jackson is 1 for 18 in his last five games but 6 for 20 with two doubles and a home run against him.

Teammate Nelson Cruz could start a second consecutive game as the designated hitter or even rest while he continues to deal with a pelvic bone injury.

"We'll probably just keep him off his feet for a while and have him DH," McClendon said of Cruz, who is 0 for 6 in the series and has hit only one of his 19 home runs in his last 24 games.

Alex Gordon is 1 for 11 in the last four games but is 3 for 6 versus Elias.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Royals at Mariners
Mon, Jun 22 Final 4 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Royals at Mariners
Tue, Jun 23 - Final 0 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Royals at Mariners
Wed, Jun 24 - 10:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 06-24-2015, 04:19 AM

Preview: Astros (42-31) at Angels (36-36)
Game: 3
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: June 24, 2015 3:35 PM EDT

The Houston Astros don't hit much for average despite having reigning AL batting champion Jose Altuve in their lineup, but they have the potential to hit the ball out of the park with every swing of the bat.

Matt Shoemaker knows that all too well.

After another power display, the Astros look to take two of three from the host Los Angeles Angels when they try to rough up Shoemaker again Wednesday.

Houston's .242 average ranks among the worst in the majors, though it has risen eight points since Carlos Correa made his major league debut June 8. Correa is hitting .308 after going 3 for 6 with a three-run homer and four RBIs in Tuesday's 13-3 win.

Correa's 20 hits are the most in franchise history for a player through 15 major league games, breaking the record shared by Doug Rader (1967) and Josh Anderson (2007).

'He's not a secret anymore. He's a good player, and he's very comfortable up here,' manager A.J. Hinch said. 'He's not scared off by the moment and he's not timid at all.'

The AL West-leading Astros (42-31) lead the majors with 107 home runs and have won 29 of 31 games when hitting two or more. They've homered in 10 straight for the club's longest streak since a 12-game run in 2007.

Five Astros have reached double digits in homers, including Luis Valbuena, who hit two Tuesday to give him a team-high 19. He's batting just .195, though, and seven of his 11 hits over his last 11 games have left the park.

'(Valbuena isn't) getting a lot of hits to improve his batting average, but he does damage,' Hinch said. 'When you watch him every day, he doesn't seem like a guy who's hitting under .200.'

Shoemaker (4-5, 5.20 ERA) has surrendered six homers in 12 1-3 innings over two starts and two relief appearances against the Astros, including a May 9 loss when he allowed six runs in three innings of a 6-5 defeat.

Altuve, Colby Rasmus and Chris Carter homered off Shoemaker in that contest, one of a number of starts this season the right-hander has struggled after going 16-4 with a 3.04 ERA as a rookie in 2014.

Shoemaker has allowed at least five runs in four outings after doing so only once in 20 starts last season. He gave up five and eight hits - including two homers after not allowing any in his previous four starts - through four-plus innings before the Angels (36-36) rallied for a 12-7 win over Oakland on Friday.

Albert Pujols has been putting on a home run show of his own lately, hitting 15 while batting .356 over his last 25 games. He hit two in a 4-3 win over Houston in Monday's series opener.

Pujols went 1 for 2 with a walk Tuesday as Los Angeles fell for the third time in four games. The Angels look to bounce back against Lance McCullers, who is coming off the worst outing of his short career.

McCullers (3-2, 2.45) gave up five runs - three earned - in 4 1-3 innings of Friday's 5-2 loss to Seattle. The 21-year-old allowed two runs or fewer in five of his first six starts since making his major league debut against Oakland on May 18.

"It was frustrating all night," McCullers said.

The right-hander, though, has held opponents to a .189 average while striking out 46 in 40 1-3 innings.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Astros at Angels
Mon, Jun 22 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Astros at Angels
Tue, Jun 23 - 13 to 2
Boxscores

GAME 3
Astros at Angels
Wed, Jun 24 - 3:35PM EDT

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