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**StarDust Bum** · 07-12-2015, 02:36 AM

Preview: Reds (39-46) at Marlins (37-51)
Game: 4
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: July 12, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

Even following an impressive victory, the Miami Marlins continue to stumble through a difficult campaign.

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Now with another All-Star injured, the Marlins go up against the Cincinnati Reds' red-hot Johnny Cueto on Sunday as they wrap up the first half of the season.

Miami (37-51) plated its most runs of the season in Saturday's 14-3 win over Cincinnati (39-46), but lost Dee Gordon to a dislocated thumb in the process. Gordon, who was slated to be the NL's starting second baseman at the All-Star Game, is likely to miss a week or two.

He leads the Marlins with a .338 average, and ranks second in baseball with 33 stolen bases, trailing only Cincinnati's Billy Hamilton (44).

'There is definitely some relief it's not as bad as it could have been,' Gordon said. 'It's just sore. I actually was moving it around afterward ... It is what it is. You can't sit there and cry about it.'

Miami's .420 winning percentage ranks as the fifth-lowest pre-All-Star break record in franchise history, and with Giancarlo Stanton (left wrist fracture) also on the shelf, Miami will not have an active representative at Tuesday's Midsummer Classic.

"When it rains it pours, apparently," Stanton told MLB's official website. "Never good to see. I just feel bad that he won't be able to go and make his first start in the All-Star Game. ... He's trying to make plays. He's trying to make stuff happen. It's unfortunate, obviously."

Dan Haren (6-5, 3.34 ERA) can add one more victory to that record Sunday when he looks for his first win since June 3. The right-hander's ERA and WHIP (1.06) are his best since 2011, but he has received only nine total runs of support in his last six outings, wasting four quality starts.

Haren allowed only one run in six innings of a 4-3 loss to Boston on Tuesday, and took the loss against Cincinnati on June 19, surrendering two runs in 6 1-3 innings of a 5-0 defeat.

Miami could struggle to support their starter again Sunday against Cueto (6-5, 2.61), who tossed a two-hitter in a 5-0 win at Washington on Tuesday. The right-hander has a 1.17 ERA in his last three outings, but just a 3.36 ERA on the road this season, compared with a 1.64 at home.

Cueto owned a 7.08 ERA in four starts at Miami from 2008-2012 before rebounding with seven solid innings in a 3-1 win at Marlins Park on July 31.

The Reds can wrap up their first half with a 4-2 road trip, but have averaged only 2.4 runs through the first five games. Todd Frazier's production has slowed, as the All-Star third baseman has not scored a run in 11 games, and Joey Votto is 2 for 9 in his last three.

More concerning, however, is the play of Cincinnati's bullpen, which allowed nine runs and 13 hits - the most given up by their relievers since 2009 - in 3 2-3 innings Saturday after working 6 1-3 scoreless innings over their previous three games.

"We just made a lot of mistakes," manager Bryan Price said. "There's a lot of elevation mistakes. If you go back and look, see how many base hits were on good, quality, well-located pitches. There weren't many."

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Reds at Marlins
Thu, Jul 9 Final 0 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME2
Reds at Marlins
Fri, Jul 10 Final 1 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Reds at Marlins
Sat, Jul 11 Final 3 to 14
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Reds at Marlins
Sun, Jul 12 - 1:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 07-12-2015, 02:39 AM

Preview: Diamondbacks (42-44) at Mets (46-42)
Game: 3
Venue: Citi Field
Date: July 12, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

The New York Mets were hoping to enter the All-Star break on the heels of another dazzling performance by rookie sensation Steven Matz but an injury altered those plans.

Jonathon Niese will instead get the nod as the Mets go for a four-game winning streak Sunday against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks.

New York (46-42) has one of the best pitching staffs in baseball with a 3.23 ERA that's picked up the slack for an offense batting a major league-low .232.

All-Star Jacob deGrom and fellow starters Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey have combined for a 1.17 ERA over the last three games.

Matz, who yielded two runs and struck out 14 over 13 2-3 innings to win his first two starts, was supposed to get the call Sunday, but a partial tear of his left lat muscle has him out at least four weeks.

While the injury has New York pondering a return to a five-man rotation from six, Niese (4-8, 3.58 ERA) will try to lead it to a sixth win in seven tries.

The left-hander allowed three hits in eight innings of Monday's 3-0 win at San Francisco after going 0-6 with a 5.26 ERA over his nine prior outings.

"It's been a while. That felt good," said Niese, whose losing streak included giving up three runs in six innings of a 7-2 defeat at Arizona on June 5.

In six career starts versus the Diamondbacks (42-44), Niese is 2-3 with a 6.29 ERA - his highest against any NL team.

The Mets, though, have won three straight meetings by scoring 14 runs and hitting nine homers. Harvey's two-run blast was one of their three homers Saturday while he also allowed two runs with nine strikeouts in seven innings of a 4-2 win.

Lucas Duda has four RBIs while homering on both of his hits through the first two games of this series after batting .160 with two homers and 11 RBIs over his previous 36 contests.

The Diamondbacks have 11 hits and four runs in two games after batting .310 while averaging 5.7 runs during a 6-3 stretch.

All-Star Paul Goldschmidt is 0 for 7 in this series, giving him a .163 average in 49 at-bats in 12 games at Citi Field.

Arizona is turning to Rubby De La Rosa (6-4, 4.89), who is looking to bounce back from his latest performance after going 2-0 with a 1.30 ERA over his previous four starts.

The right-hander was roughed up for four runs in the opening inning before giving up two more and getting pulled with no outs in the sixth of a 6-4 loss to Colorado on Sunday.

"He settled down and had four beautiful innings, as good as you can pitch," manager Chip Hale told MLB's official website. "Rubby had a tough go, that's definitely not a step forward."

De La Rosa yielded one run in 15 innings while winning his only decision in his last two road starts. He's facing the Mets for the second time, losing at home with the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 4, 2011.

New York closer Jeurys Familia has converted saves in five straight appearances - including both games of this series - and his 26 are a franchise record before the break.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Mets
Fri, Jul 10 Final 2 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Mets
Sat, Jul 11 Final 2 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Mets
Sun, Jul 12 - 1:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 07-12-2015, 02:41 AM

Preview: Astros (49-41) at Rays (45-45)
Game: 3
Venue: Tropicana Field
Date: July 12, 2015 1:10 PM EDT

Lance McCullers had a couple extra days to ponder his first major league start in his home town as the Houston Astros try to limit his innings for a late-season push.

They won't need the right-hander beyond the first week of October unless they snap out of their current funk.

Houston sends McCullers to the mound against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday at Tropicana Field looking to avoid a sixth straight defeat.

McCullers (4-2, 2.16 ERA) grew up in Tampa and was a standout a Jesuit High School, attending Rays' games any time he got the chance. He originally was scheduled to start Friday's series opener, but manager A.J. Hinch has been trying to keep the rookie fresh for a late-season push.

The 21-year-old has allowed one run in three straight starts and will be pitching on six days' rest after throwing 101 pitches in just five innings of Houston's 5-4 loss to Boston last Sunday.

McCullers has made 10 starts since his major league debut May 18, holding opponents to a .203 average while striking out 61 in 58 1-3 innings.

"I think we're going to have a little bit of an interesting time trying to manipulate the schedule a little bit to stretch me out a little bit further as the year goes on," McCullers told MLB's official website. "I'll just have to get used to it."

Houston fans had become accustomed to losing in recent years until a hot start to 2015. The Astros (49-41), however, have dropped seven of eight while struggling offensively and another defeat coupled with a Los Angeles Angels win would drop them into second place in the AL West for the first time since April 18.

They've scored four runs during a five-game skid and finished with three hits in Saturday's 3-0 loss. Carlos Correa hit .315 in his first 25 games after making his major league debut June 8, but he's gone 2 for 23 in the last six.

'One of the more unexplainable things is when a team gets into a team-wide rut like this,' Hinch said. 'Right now it feels like we need to be perfect to scratch across some runs."

The Rays (45-45) haven't been lighting up the scoreboard lately either, but they've won back-to-back games for the first time since a four-game run from June 17-20. They were a season-best 10 games over .500 following that winning streak, then dropped 15 of 18.

Tampa got to All-Star Dallas Keuchel early Saturday, scoring each of its runs in the second on a two-run single from Rene Rivera and RBI hit by Brandon Guyer.

Matt Moore looks to help the Rays complete the sweep as he makes his third start in his return from Tommy John surgery.

Moore (0-0, 8.00) allowed four runs in 4 2-3 innings of a 5-4, 10-inning loss to Cleveland in his season debut July 2 before giving up four runs in 4 1-3 innings of Tuesday's 9-5 loss to Kansas City.

The left-hander was sharp in his only start against the Astros in 2013, allowing two hits and striking out nine in seven innings of a 12-0 victory. Colby Rasmus is the only Astro with more than five at-bats against Moore, going 1 for 12 with five strikeouts.

Asdrubal Cabrera left Saturday after scoring on Rivera's hit because of a strained right hamstring, leaving his status for this contest unclear.

"The doctor told me he doesn't think it was that bad," Cabrera said. "That's why we will wait until tomorrow."

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Astros at Rays
Fri, Jul 10 Final 1 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Astros at Rays
Sat, Jul 11 Final 0 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Astros at Rays
Sun, Jul 12 - 1:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 07-12-2015, 02:43 AM

Preview: Nationals (47-39) at Orioles (44-43)
Game: 3
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: July 12, 2015 1:35 PM EDT

Max Scherzer won't be pitching in Tuesday's All-Star Game, but he will be on the mound for Washington's final contest before the break.

That could mean bad news for the struggling Baltimore Orioles.

Scherzer seeks his 10th victory for the Nationals on Sunday at Camden Yards.

Though he's been selected for his third consecutive Midsummer Classic, Scherzer (9-7, 2.12 ERA) won't be participating. A clause in the collective bargaining agreement allows pitchers who start on the Sunday before to pitch in the All-Star Game, but Scherzer has elected not to.

"It's a great honor to be able to pitch in an All-Star Game," manager Matt Williams said, "But his view is that the most important thing is to help us win games."

Scherzer is looking to join Felix Hernandez as the only other pitcher to win at least 10 games before the break each of the last three seasons. He'll have to shake off his worst outing of the year, however, after giving up five runs over a season-low 4 2-3 innings in Tuesday's 5-0 loss to Cincinnati.

"I've had stinkers before. It's just part of the deal," he told MLB's official website. "I don't get fazed by them anymore."

Scherzer is trying to snap his third two-game skid of the season, and he was nearly untouchable the last time he pitched after a second straight loss. He struck out a career-high 16 in a one-hit 4-0 win at Milwaukee on June 14.

The right-hander is 3-1 with a 3.92 ERA in six career starts against Baltimore.

Bryce Harper and Danny Espinosa went deep Saturday in a 7-4 victory, snapping a three-game losing streak for the Nationals (47-39). The Orioles (44-43) lost for the ninth time in 12 games, a span in which they're 7 for 80 (.088) with runners in scoring position. They were hitting a major league-best .319 previously.

"We're just going through it right now, a tough period" said Steve Pearce, who hit his seventh homer. "We've got to try to battle through it, and we'll do it."

Chris Davis is 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position in the last 12, while J.J. Hardy and Jimmy Paredes are a combined 0 for 19 in such situations. Davis is 7 for 17 against Scherzer and Jones is 9 for 18. Hardy is 4 for 23.

Opponents are 7 for 16 off Scherzer with runners in scoring position over his last three starts. They had been 11 for 56 (.196).

Baltimore's Wei-Yin Chen (4-4, 2.82) hasn't lost in six starts, though he has surrendered two solo shots in each of his last three. The six home runs match the most he's ever allowed in a three start-span.

The left-hander's 1.50 home runs allowed per nine innings marks the highest rate of his four-year career, though manager Buck Showalter has been OK with the long balls given Chen's ability to limit the damage.

"Usually (solo home runs) don't beat you," Showalter told MLB's official website. "(Chen) found his step there and gave us a really good chance to win. Two runs are two runs anyway you look at it."

Chen is 1-2 with a 6.60 ERA in three career starts against Washington, surrendering four home runs in 15 innings.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Nationals at Orioles
Fri, Jul 10 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Nationals at Orioles
Sat, Jul 11 Final 7 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Nationals at Orioles
Sun, Jul 12 - 1:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 07-12-2015, 02:45 AM

Preview: Yankees (47-40) at Red Sox (42-46)
Game: 3
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: July 12, 2015 1:35 PM EDT

With their home losing streak against the New York Yankees over, the Boston Red Sox can try for an accomplishment that has eluded them for two years - beating their arch rivals in a series at Fenway Park.

That task will fall Sunday afternoon to Wade Miley, who has been a steady presence in Boston's rotation over recent weeks.

The Red Sox (42-46) had lost five straight against New York (47-40) before Saturday's 5-3 victory. Hanley Ramirez hit his 19th home run, Alejandro De Aza had two hits and two runs and Eduardo Rodriguez pitched 6 1-3 innings in Boston's ninth win in 12 games.

They haven't won a series against the Yankees at Fenway since Sept 13-15, 2013.

'Everyone in that dugout knows full well where we are,' manager John Farrell said. 'Tonight was a big win for us, with a chance to win the series tomorrow.'

Miley (8-7, 4.50 ERA) has yet to record a win against the Yankees despite a 1.05 WHIP in three meetings, but has won three of his last five games overall while posting a 3.26 ERA - best among active Red Sox starters since June 16.

The left-hander recorded a season-high nine strikeouts Tuesday, surrendering three runs in 6 2-3 innings of a 4-3 win against Miami.

"Wade's performance tonight was a very strong one," Farrell said. "He was sharp. He had a very good fastball."

New York will enter the All-Star break leading the AL East for the first time since 2012 thanks to a high-powered offense, though runs have been more difficult to come by lately. Ranking second in baseball with 4.6 runs per game, the Yankees have averaged 3.3 runs in their last 12 games while scoring three or fewer eight times.

Jacoby Ellsbury and Alex Rodriguez have been bright spots in that effort, each hitting a home run on Saturday. Ellsbury is hitting .353 with four RBIs in four games since returning from a right knee sprain. Rodriguez has homered in three of his last five games and has hit safely in all eight contests against the Red Sox this season, batting .345.

Nathan Eovaldi (8-2, 4.45) will take the mound for New York looking to replicate his performance at Boston on May 2, when he allowed two runs in 6 2-3 innings of a 4-2 win.

The right-hander had a 5.12 ERA through 13 outings this season, but has not allowed more than two runs in any of his last four starts. He gave up two over 5 1-3 innings before leaving without a decision in a 4-3 loss to Oakland on Tuesday.

"I feel like I threw the ball pretty well tonight," Eovaldi told MLB's official website. "My split felt good tonight. I've just got to do a better job of going deeper into ballgames.

This is an extremely favorable matchup for Pablo Sandoval, who is 12 for 17 with a home run and three doubles against Eovaldi. Among current players with at least 17 at-bats, Sandoval is tied with Washington's Anthony Rendon (against Atlanta's Alex Wood) for MLB's best batting average against a single pitcher.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Yankees at Red Sox
Fri, Jul 10 Final 5 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Yankees at Red Sox
Sat, Jul 11 Final 3 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Yankees at Red Sox
Sun, Jul 12 - 1:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 07-12-2015, 02:47 AM

Preview: Blue Jays (45-45) at Royals (51-34)
Game: 3
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: July 12, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

Edwin Encarnacion circled the bases after his homer snapped a 27-inning scoreless streak for the Toronto Blue Jays, providing some relief for a struggling offense that has been among the best in baseball.

That blast also helped end the Kansas City Royals' winning streak, and the Blue Jays will send Felix Doubront to the mound Sunday looking to take two of three heading into the All-Star break.

Toronto (45-45) dropped below .500 for the first time since early June after a 3-0 loss in Friday's series opener, the second straight shutout for the team that leads the majors in runs by a wide margin.

Encarnacion's two-run homer in the fourth inning Saturday plated Toronto's first runs since the fifth inning of Wednesday's 7-6, 11-inning loss to the Chicago White Sox. Danny Valencia added a three-run shot in the ninth as the Blue Jays snapped the Royals' six-game winning streak with a 6-2 victory.

"We did what we do," manager John Gibbons said. "A couple of homers, and that was the difference."

Valencia entered the contest in the sixth for record-setting All-Star vote-getter Josh Donaldson. Gibbons said Donaldson has been battling an illness and became dehydrated from the heat.

Despite those obstacles, the Blue Jays picked up their first win since Doubront (1-0, 2.00 ERA) gave up one run in 6 2-3 innings of Tuesday's 2-1 victory over the White Sox in his first start of the season.

The left-hander, released by the Chicago Cubs on March 28, was called up from the minors July 3 and pitched 2 1-3 innings of relief in a loss to Detroit in his only other appearance.

'I'm so blessed to be (in the majors) again and have the opportunity with this team,' Doubront said. "I tried to help the team win. That's the main goal.'

Doubront last faced the Royals in 2013 with Boston and gave up three runs and walked four in four innings of a 5-3 win. He has a 5.87 ERA in three career starts against Kansas City (51-34), which had only five hits Saturday.

The AL Central-leading Royals finished with at least 11 in each of their last five but struggled to get much going in their third game without Alex Gordon, who is expected to miss eight weeks with a severe groin strain.

Mike Moustakas has gone hitless in the series since returning from the bereavement list and is 3 for 39 over his last 11.

"We've got the best winning percentage in the American League. What more do you want?," manager Ned Yost said. "We're doing fine."

The Royals look to bounce back behind Edinson Volquez, who has had to grind in each of his last two outings.

Volquez (8-4, 3.40) tossed 91 pitches while allowing five runs in five-plus innings of a 6-5 loss to Houston on July 1 before throwing 101 over five and giving up one run in a 7-1 victory over Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

The right-hander has had similar trouble against the Blue Jays. Volquez is 0-3 with an 8.84 ERA while not getting past the fifth in any of his career four career starts against Toronto, including a 7-2 loss in the most recent outing when he allowed six runs May 4, 2014, while with Pittsburgh.

Jose Reyes, who is riding a seven-game hitting streak, is 6 for 9 off Volquez.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Blue Jays at Royals
Fri, Jul 10 Final 0 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Blue Jays at Royals
Sat, Jul 11 Final 6 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Blue Jays at Royals
Sun, Jul 12 - 2:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 07-12-2015, 02:49 AM

Preview: Tigers (44-43) at Twins (48-40)
Game: 4
Venue: Target Field
Date: July 12, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

The Minnesota Twins have pounded their way to a successful homestand leading into the All-Star break.

They'll look to maintain that offensive success while trying for a third consecutive victory over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.

Minnesota (48-40) has belted eight homers while averaging 6.0 runs and 10 hits to go 5-1 on a seven-game home stay. Less than 24 hours after a seven-run ninth resulted in Friday's improbable 8-6 victory, the Twins recorded 16 hits en route to a 9-5 win over Detroit (44-43).

'Every time we step on the field we're ready to win the ballgame. Real gritty and right from the get-go," said second baseman Brian Dozier, who was named an All-Star injury replacement Saturday.

Torii Hunter hit a towering two-run homer and Trevor Plouffe and Eddie Rosario each had three hits as Minnesota's Nos. 5-9 hitters went 11 for 19 with six RBIs. Rosario is 5 for 8 in the last two games.

The Twins' offensive surge could continue against Shane Greene (4-6, 5.82 ERA), who was recalled to make his first major league appearance since June 10. The right-hander allowed one earned run over 23 innings to win his first three starts then went 1-6 with an 8.60 ERA in his last 10.

He gave up 22 runs in 14 2-3 innings to lose his final four outings before being demoted to Triple-A Toledo, where he was 1-1 with a 3.42 ERA in five starts. Manager Brad Ausmus has not decided if Greene will remain with the Tigers following the break.

"He's been working hard down there," Ausmus told MLB's official website. "No one wants to get sent down to Triple-A from the big leagues. I've never met anyone that's happy about that move."

Greene began his season April 9 by yielding an unearned run and four hits in eight innings of a 7-1 home victory over the Twins. On April 29, he was tagged for seven and nine hits in 4 1-3 innings of a 10-7 win at Minnesota.

Plouffe is 3 for 6 with a home run against Greene this season.

Kyle Gibson (7-6, 3.04), meanwhile, tries to win four straight starts for the first time in his three-year career. He's posted a 1.74 ERA in the last three, and allowed a two-run homer and struck out seven in six innings of Tuesday's 8-3 victory over Baltimore.

'All these are learning experiences and definitely a good feeling when you can go out there and execute a couple of pitches when you don't feel your best,' Gibson said.

The right-hander opposed Greene on April 9 when he yielded six runs, eight hits and walked a season-high five in 3 2-3 innings. He was much better at Detroit on May 12, allowing a J.D. Martinez homer over seven innings in a 2-1, 10-inning defeat.

Martinez has homered twice off Gibson this season, and is 7 for 17 (.412) against him overall. Teammate Anthony Gose is 4 for 6 with a double against Gibson in 2015.

Neftali Feliz pitched a scoreless inning Saturday, hours after Detroit signed him following his release from Texas last week. Feliz, who recorded 72 saves for the Rangers in 2010 and '11, was 1-2 with a 4.58 ERA and six saves in 18 games for Texas this season.

'Feliz was good, yeah,' Ausmus said. 'If he can pitch similar to that on a regular basis, he can be a nice addition to the bullpen.'

He was brought in to help a Tigers bullpen that ranks among the worst in baseball with a 4.02 ERA and has yielded nine runs in 6 1-3 innings over the last two contests.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Tigers at Twins
Thu, Jul 9 Final 4 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Tigers at Twins
Fri, Jul 10 Final 6 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Tigers at Twins
Sat, Jul 11 Final 5 to 9
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Tigers at Twins
Sun, Jul 12 - 2:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 07-12-2015, 02:51 AM

Preview: White Sox (41-44) at Cubs (46-40)
Game: 3
Venue: Wrigley Field
Date: July 12, 2015 2:20 PM EDT

Jake Arrieta doesn't need an All-Star Game invitation to verify his status as one of the NL's top pitchers. He doesn't even consider his exclusion a snub.

What's most important to him and manager Joe Maddon is that he's giving the Chicago Cubs a chance to win every time he takes the mound.

The Cubs need a victory Sunday at Wrigley Field to avoid being swept by the crosstown rival White Sox, who counter with another hot pitcher in Jose Quintana.

Arrieta (9-5, 2.80 ERA) has been especially effective over his last four starts while going 3-0 with a 1.17 ERA and 0.75 WHIP. He allowed two runs over 6 2-3 innings in a 7-4 victory over St. Louis on Tuesday.

"He's a strike-thrower," Maddon said. "His stuff is in that elite category of stuff. ... He's an elite pitcher."

The right-hander is part of a large group of NL pitches with a sub-3.00 ERA that left All-Star manager Bruce Bochy with tough decisions. Ultimately, Arrieta became one of the odd men out.

"I figured I had a shot. I just knew that there are a lot of (pitchers) putting together tremendous years," Arrieta said. "There were some guys left off that could have easily been in there, but it's just about the amount of spots they have."

Arrieta didn't have All-Star stuff the last time he faced the White Sox (41-44), though, as he allowed four runs and nine hits in four innings of a 12-5 win May 8, 2014.

That's the only victory in the last six meetings for the Cubs (46-40), who dropped Friday's opener 1-0 and were shut down again the next day in a 5-1 defeat. All-Star rookie Kris Bryant went hitless with three strikeouts Saturday and is 2 for 17 over his last five.

Carlos Rodon and Chris Sale kept the majority of Cubs' lineup quiet through the first two games. The Cubs haven't helped themselves by hitting into six double plays.

"We've seen good pitching,' Maddon said. 'That's it. We are a swing-and-miss team. That's part of our DNA. They've gotten the better of us, but I'm not discouraged in the least.'

White Sox starters have a 1.99 ERA and are holding opponents to a .198 average during a 9-2 stretch, including four straight wins. Now Quintana (4-8, 3.69) looks to improve those fantastic numbers.

Quintana is 2-2 with a 2.70 ERA over his last six starts and has struck out 19 while not walking any over the last three. He gave up two runs and four hits over eight innings Tuesday in a tough-luck 2-1 loss to Toronto.

He struck out five straight over the fourth and fifth innings and at one point retired 10 consecutive hitters. He's gone eight straight starts pitching at least six innings while allowing three runs or fewer.

"I try to do what is best for me every five days," Quintana said. "I try to get a win for us every time. It's the middle of the season. Let's change it the next start."

The White Sox provided enough offense the last time Quintana faced the Cubs, as he allowed one run in seven innings of a 3-1 victory May 5, 2014. They scored fewer than three runs in three of their last four prior to Saturday.

Cubs catcher Miguel Montero will have an MRI after leaving before the third inning with a left thumb injury. David Ross has been medically cleared from a concussion and could be activated to replace Montero in this contest if needed.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
White Sox at Cubs
Fri, Jul 10 Final 1 to 0
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
White Sox at Cubs
Sat, Jul 11 Final 5 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
White Sox at Cubs
Sun, Jul 12 - 2:20PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 07-12-2015, 02:52 AM

Preview: Braves (42-46) at Rockies (38-49)
Game: 4
Venue: Coors Field
Date: July 12, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

The Colorado Rockies have disappointed during the season's first half, but they've put themselves in position to head into the All-Star break on a positive note.

They'll look to finish off a four-game sweep of the Atlanta Braves on Sunday at Coors Field.

Colorado (38-49) is a non-factor in the playoff picture as it stands, currently 8 1/2 games out of the NL's second wild-card spot. However, after a 3-2 victory Saturday, the Rockies can match a season high with a fourth straight win and their first-ever four-game sweep of Atlanta (42-46)

They're batting .357 over the last four games, and Carlos Gonzalez clinched Saturday's win with a ninth-inning single. Gonzalez, who homered for the second straight day, is 12 for 25 with three home runs and four doubles in his last six games. Charlie Blackmon is 14 for 31 in his last seven after going 3 for 4 with a triple.

Keeping Colorado's lineup in check represents the final first-half assignment for starter Alex Wood (6-5, 3.34 ERA). Wood is taking the mound three days after throwing two pitches in Thursday's 5-3 loss, not returning after a 2 hour, 6 minute rain delay.

"I was pretty surprised that they wanted us to start that game, but that's the way it goes," said the left-hander, who is 4-2 with a 2.11 ERA over his last seven road starts. "You've just got to deal with it and move on and I look forward to taking the ball on Sunday."

Wood won his only other start against Colorado, allowing three runs over seven innings in an 11-3 home victory July 30, 2013.

The Rockies' nine homers against lefties are the second-fewest in the majors, though Nolan Arenado took Wood deep in their matchup two years ago. Troy Tulowitzki, whose hitting streak was snapped at 21 games Saturday, is 14 for 28 off lefties since May 29.

There's some uncertainty behind Wood after Jason Grilli tore his Achilles in the ninth inning Saturday. Grilli, who is out for the season, suffered the injury while attempting to cover first base.

Grilli, who took the loss after being charged with the go-ahead run, has converted 24 of 26 save opportunities with a 2.94 ERA. He's been one of the few highlights amid a terrible bullpen, which owns a 4.30 ERA that ranks near the bottom of baseball.

Jim Johnson might be the top candidate to slide into the closer role. Though he has converted only five of eight save opportunities, he owns a 15 2-3 innings scoreless streak and recorded 101 saves for Baltimore from 2012-13.

Chad Bettis (4-4, 4.95) gets the ball for Colorado trying to bounce back from the worst outing of his career. He gave up 10 runs and eight hits - including four homers - over 2 1-3 innings in a 10-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday. The four homers matched what he had allowed in 61 1-3 innings on the season.

"Chad had been one of our most consistent starters and had been throwing the ball really well for us," manager Walt Weiss said. "He had a lot of balls in the middle of the plate, belt high, and they didn't miss them."

Bettis lost his only start against Atlanta, surrendering five runs in five innings in an 11-2 road defeat Aug. 1, 2013.

These teams were a combined 1 for 16 with runners in scoring position Saturday.

Colorado's five-game winning streak in the series is its longest ever.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Braves at Rockies
Thu, Jul 9 Final 3 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Braves at Rockies
Fri, Jul 10 Final 3 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Braves at Rockies
Sat, Jul 11 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Braves at Rockies
Sun, Jul 12 - 4:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 07-12-2015, 09:06 AM

Preview: Phillies (29-61) at Giants (45-43)
Game: 3
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: July 12, 2015 4:05 PM EDT

The San Francisco Giants have snapped out of their slump in staggering fashion and it shouldn't come as a surprise that it's at the expense of the woeful Philadelphia Phillies.

The Giants look to continue pounding the Phillies in Sunday's finale of this three-game series that leads into the All-Star break.

San Francisco (45-43) is tied with Colorado for the highest batting average in the NL at .270. The Giants, though, were scuffling with a .217 mark while losing eight of nine games before taking advantage of a series with Philadelphia (29-61) and its 29th-ranked ERA of 4.82.

They've totaled 23 runs and 37 hits in winning the first two games of this series, including Saturday's 8-5 victory.

San Francisco typically flexes its offensive muscle against the Phillies, hitting .322 and averaging 6.0 runs while winning 11 of the last 14 matchups.

Matt Duffy has seven hits and four RBIs in this series after going 5 for 33 in the nine prior games. The rookie third baseman came a homer shy of the cycle Saturday.

"The door was opened for him and he's taken advantage," center fielder Angel Pagan said of Duffy, who replaced Pablo Sandoval at third this season. "He's really impressive."

Duffy's .481 average (13 for 27) against the Phillies is his highest against any opponent with at least 10 at-bats.

Buster Posey, one of four Giants going to Tuesday's All-Star Game in Cincinnati, also gets in on the act against Philadelphia with a career .380 average. He's collected five hits in this series, giving him a .404 average with 17 RBIs in the last 14 games overall.

Chris Heston (8-5, 3.51) gets the ball for San Francisco seeking to win a third straight decision. He's 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA in his last six starts after compiling a 4.29 ERA through his first 11. The rookie's recent success started with a no-hitter against the New York Mets on June 9.

The right-hander shut down the Mets again Monday, allowing three hits over 7 1-3 scoreless innings while walking four before leaving without a decision in a 3-0 loss.

"I wish I would have not walked so many people and just tighten the zone a little better," said Heston, whose nine hit batters are the most in the NL. "But other than that I thought it went pretty well."

He'll face a Phillies team on the brink of setting a franchise records for losses before the break.

They've tied the mark from 1997 by dropping 14 of the past 17 games.

Chad Billingsley (1-2, 6.67) takes the mound after allowing two runs in six innings of Tuesday's 7-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was the right-hander's first win since April 2013 after Tommy John surgery sidelined him for 25 months.

"There were times when I thought I would never pitch again, and I didn't know how my arm was going to feel once I got back to throwing," Billingsley said. "But here I am. I'm a baseball player again, and I haven't done that a whole lot."

Billingsley will now face the Giants for the first time since a win with the Dodgers at AT&T Park on July 28, 2012. He's 2-4 with a 2.97 ERA in 12 career starts there.

He's had all kinds of trouble with Posey, Hunter Pence and Brandon Crawford, who are a combined 24 for 48 against him.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Phillies at Giants
Fri, Jul 10 Final 2 to 15
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Phillies at Giants
Sat, Jul 11 Final 5 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Phillies at Giants
Sun, Jul 12 - 4:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 07-12-2015, 09:09 AM

Preview: Brewers (38-51) at Dodgers (50-39)
Game: 3
Venue: Dodger Stadium
Date: July 12, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

The Milwaukee Brewers have been extremely successful on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Adding another victory at Chavez Ravine on Sunday could be difficult with the struggling Kyle Lohse on the mound, however.

The Brewers (38-51) won 7-1 Saturday, their 13th in 18 meetings at Dodger Stadium, a span during which they've posted a 2.75 ERA with 15 quality starts. Taylor Jungmann tossed a three-hitter to put Milwaukee in position to take its third straight road series.

Carlos Gomez drove in five runs, becoming the first Brewer with four-plus RBIs three times in seven games and the first in the majors since Alfonso Soriano did it for the New York Yankees from Aug. 13-20, 2013. Gomez is batting .421 with nine extra-base hits and 13 RBIs in his last 10 road games against Los Angeles.

Gerardo Parra also continued his best season ever, hitting his ninth home run to bring him one shy of his career high. He owns a personal-best batting average (.309) and slugging percentage (.496) and is hitting .425 over his last 10 contests.

The Brewers have won eight of nine on the road while averaging 6.9 runs. Aramis Ramirez is 13 for 29 with 11 RBIs in that span.

Milwaukee might need another big day from its lineup with Lohse (5-10, 6.29 ERA) on the mound. The right-hander owns the majors' highest qualifying ERA and the highest by a Brewer before the All-Star break since Glendon Rusch was at 7.90 in 2003. It's trending upward, too, as he's 2-6 with a 7.11 mark in his last nine outings with just two quality starts.

The 20 home runs allowed by Lohse tie him with San Diego's Ian Kennedy for the second-most in the NL. He gave up one along with four runs and a season high-matching 11 hits over five innings in a 5-3 loss to Atlanta on Monday.

"He hasn't been able to get on a roll. He hasn't had that start when it all comes together," manager Craig Counsell said. "He's had to fight his way through starts."

Lohse has been better in eight road starts with a 4.53 ERA compared to 8.06 at home.

He's 2-4 with a 4.50 ERA in 11 career starts against the Dodgers.

Yasmani Grandal had two hits for Los Angeles (50-39) and is 12 for 28 over his last 10 games.

Adrian Gonzalez went 0 for 3 to fall to 6 for 40 over his last 12 contests, though he's 10 for 26 with two homers and five doubles off Lohse.

Brett Anderson (5-5, 3.12) pitched five innings in a 7-2 loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday, giving up three earned runs to match the total he allowed while winning three straight starts.

"I beat myself," he said. "I felt good early and then there were some weird hits. It was just frustrating. A couple pitches here and it cost us the game."

This marks the left-hander's first matchup with Milwaukee.

Of the 11 Brewers with at least 30 at-bats against lefties, only Jean Segura is hitting better than .274, going 19 for 62 (.306).

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Brewers at Dodgers
Fri, Jul 10 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Brewers at Dodgers
Sat, Jul 11 Final 7 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Brewers at Dodgers
Sun, Jul 12 - 4:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 07-12-2015, 09:11 AM

Preview: Padres (40-49) at Rangers (42-45)
Game: 3
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: July 12, 2015 3:05 PM EDT

Though the San Diego Padres expected more from their revamped roster this season, a dramatic win heading into the All-Star break could have tide-turning potential.

Two in a row would be even better.

The Padres will go for just that Sunday against the Texas Rangers, who hope to end a dismal homestand on a positive note.

Capped by Yangervis Solarte's two-out, go-ahead two-run homer, San Diego (40-49) scored three in the ninth inning Saturday to top Texas 6-5. The Padres had dropped nine of 11 and were 1-43 when trailing after eight innings.

"What they did in the ninth, really important," Padres interim manager Pat Murphy told MLB's official website. "There's days you feel like you'll never win another game and nothing goes your way, every lineout, every call. You start being a victim. They owned that ninth inning, and that's what it's about."

The six runs represented the Padres' largest output in 12 games. They averaged 1.9 runs and batted .186 in the previous 11 contests.

Texas (42-45) has lost 14 of 19, including six of seven on this homestand. Mitch Moreland hit two home runs for the third time in 11 games, but closer Shawn Tolleson blew his first save of the season.

"Tolley has been great all year," Colby Lewis said. "We all go through things. You're not going to be perfect every time out. It's just one of those things. We don't have any less confidence in him."

Seeking to salvage four wins on its 10-game road trip, San Diego will go with Tyson Ross (5-7, 3.56 ERA), who figures to be fresh considering his two-inning stint on Tuesday in which the right-hander was pulled following a lengthy rain delay.

In his last three full outings, Ross is 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 21 innings. He has allowed three or fewer runs in 16 of his 18 starts this season - yielding four runs in each of the other two - and has a 2.68 ERA in his last eight on the road.

Ross has the longest active homerless streak in the majors at 80 innings, last surrendering one April 28.

Yovani Gallardo (7-7, 2.67) has also been very difficult to take deep, going nine-plus starts and 60 innings without allowing one.

His 33 1-3 scoreless innings streak to come to an end Tuesday in a 4-2 loss to Arizona. The right-hander did not yield a run from June 15-July 2 while lowering his ERA from 3.45 to 2.56 in that span.

"I knew about it, but I wasn't thinking about it too much. I go out there every night trying not to give up runs," Gallardo told MLB's official website. "It was fun, now it's a matter of starting up another one."

Albeit less impressive, Gallardo does own an eight-inning scoreless stretch against the Padres, who he shut down for six innings on Aug. 27 while with Milwaukee.

Matt Kemp is 7 for 17 (.412) with two homers in his last four games, and is hitting .300 with a home run and two doubles against Gallardo. He has picked up the slack for Justin Upton, who is batting .105 in his last 10 games.

Texas' 16 home wins are tied with Milwaukee for the fewest in the majors.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Padres at Rangers
Fri, Jul 10 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Padres at Rangers
Sat, Jul 11 Final 6 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Padres at Rangers
Sun, Jul 12 - 3:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 07-12-2015, 09:13 AM

Preview: Angels (47-40) at Mariners (41-47)
Game: 4
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: July 12, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

Though the Los Angeles Angels have been cooled off a bit by the Seattle Mariners, they still have a chance to head into the All-Star break atop the AL West.

The Angels can possibly find themselves in that position by managing a split of their four-game road set with the Mariners on Sunday.

Los Angeles (47-40) has been held to two runs in its two losses over the first three of this set, but can take a one-half game lead in the division with a victory Sunday and loss by first-place Houston. Despite falling 5-0 on Saturday, the Angels are 36-25 since they were seven games out of first on May 4 and had won nine of 10 prior to facing Seattle (41-47).

The Angels, who last sat alone atop the West on April 17, are focused on the long haul.

"Everybody's sticking together right now," shortstop Erick Aybar told MLB's official website. "We'll see what happens (after the All-Star break)."

Hisashi Iwakuma survived a no-out, bases-loaded jam in the first and allowed three of Los Angeles' four hits over eight strong innings. Mike Trout had one of those hits, and is batting .375 in his last 11 contests.

The Angels might feel confident they can rebound behind Andrew Heaney (2-0, 1.77 ERA), who has allowed four runs, struck out 17 and walked three in 20 1-3 innings over three starts since making his Angels debut June 24. He gave up half of those runs and overcame eight hits in 7 1-3 innings of Tuesday's 10-2 rout of Colorado.

"I'm just comfortable with what I'm doing," the left-hander said. "I'm confident in what I'm doing and being able to just be aggressive with what I've got."

Considered the Angels' top prospect after being acquired in the December deal that sent second baseman Howie Kendrick to the Dodgers, Heaney is making a case to remain in the rotation when veteran Jered Weaver returns from a hip issue.

"I do my thing, I go out there and pitch, and whatever happens, happens," Heaney said. "I'd like to think I've given myself an opportunity."

He'll try to tame a Mariners' lineup that received a combined seven hits from Nelson Cruz, Kyle Seager and ex-Angel Mark Trumbo on Saturday. Trumbo, who drove in a pair of runs, is 12 for 22 in his last seven contests.

Cruz is hitting .464 (13 for 28) in the last seven games against Los Angeles after going 2 for 19 in the first five meetings this season.

Seattle's Taijuan Walker (7-6, 4.53) posted a 1.68 ERA while winning six of seven prior to giving up five runs on three homers in six innings of a 7-6, 11-inning home victory over Detroit on Tuesday. The right-hander, who last lost June 3 to the New York Yankees, was much better June 26 when he yielded a homer to Trout and didn't walk anybody over seven innings of a 3-1 victory at Anaheim.

Teammate Austin Jackson went 0 for 5 on Saturday in his return from missing the previous two contests with back spasms. Though Jackson is 4 for 32 with nine strikeouts in nine games this month, Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon doesn't seem too concerned.

"I believe Austin is going to be just fine,' he said.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Angels at Mariners
Thu, Jul 9 Final 2 to 7
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Angels at Mariners
Fri, Jul 10 Final 7 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Angels at Mariners
Sat, Jul 11 Final 0 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Angels at Mariners
Sun, Jul 12 - 4:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 07-12-2015, 09:15 AM

Preview: Cardinals (56-32) at Pirates (52-35)
Game: 4
Venue: PNC Park
Date: July 12, 2015 8:05 PM EDT

The St. Louis Cardinals will enter the All-Star break with the best record in baseball. The Pittsburgh Pirates, however, are the hottest team.

After Andrew McCutchen delivered in the clutch, the Pirates look to draw closer to the Cardinals in the NL Central by concluding this four-game series with a third straight victory Sunday night.

St. Louis (56-32) had a season-high nine-game lead on second-place Pittsburgh (52-35) after beating the Chicago Cubs on June 28.

The Pirates have won 10 of 12 to reduce that deficit to 3 1/2 games, the smallest it's been since May 24.

McCutchen kept Pittsburgh surging Saturday, connecting for a two-run walkoff homer to beat the Cardinals 6-5 in 14 innings. The homer - the five-time All-Star's second on three hits in this series - also extended his hitting streak to a career-high 18 games, during which he has a .355 average and 14 RBIs.

"We had grit all over," manager Clint Hurdle said of the Pirates rallying three times Saturday. "I'm proud, always been proud of these guys. Tonight was just another example with an exclamation point behind it.

"Grit, determination, perseverance, keep playing the game. When something doesn't go right, you keep playing the game."

Jung Ho Kang has four hits with a triple and two RBIs in two games, driving in McCutchen before scoring in a two-run eighth that forced extra innings Saturday. The rookie third baseman is 9 for 22 in six home meetings with St. Louis.

The Cardinals, losers of four of six, squandered three different leads Saturday.

'We had the lead three different times, and that's something that doesn't typically slip away,' St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. 'But today was one of those days.'

Francisco Liriano (5-6, 2.99 ERA) gets another shot at the Cardinals after his run of solid outings against them came to an end in the most recent matchup.

After going 4-1 with a 1.97 ERA in his first 10 starts versus St. Louis - including the playoffs - the left-hander was reached for six runs and two homers over 6 1-3 innings in an 8-5 loss May 8.

Liriano has been impressive in his last three games, going 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA after allowing two runs in six innings and not figuring in the decision of Tuesday's 3-2 win over San Diego.

Jhonny Peralta is batting .327 with three homers in 49 career at-bats against Liriano, while Mark Reynolds, who homered twice Saturday, is 1 for 18 with eight strikeouts.

St. Louis is sending rookie Tim Cooney (0-0, 3.95) to the mound again in place of Jaime Garcia, who is expected to return from a left groin strain after the break.

Cooney, a Pennsylvania native, has allowed four runs in 11 1-3 innings of two starts since being recalled from Triple-A Memphis.

The left-hander yielded one run and three hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 5-3 loss to the Cubs on Tuesday.

"Tim did a real nice job and we'll give him another spot," Matheny told MLB's official website.

Randal Grichuk is 10 for 24 in his last seven games against Pittsburgh. He had three hits with a pair of doubles Saturday but his error in the eighth led to a Pittsburgh rally.

The Pirates have won four of five and 17 of the past 24 regular-season home meetings with the Cardinals.

Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong left Saturday's game an inning after being hit by a pitch in the 11th.

'His hammy had tightened up because of that hit by pitch so I had to get him out,' Matheny said. 'It didn't seem to be anything serious; just hit him in a bad spot that's all.'

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cardinals at Pirates
Thu, Jul 9 Final 4 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cardinals at Pirates
Fri, Jul 10 Final 2 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Cardinals at Pirates
Sat, Jul 11 Final 5 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Cardinals at Pirates
Sun, Jul 12 - 8:05PM EDT

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