The Bum's Sports Page For Thursday July 23rd Best Bets-Trends-News !

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Marlins (40-55) at Padres (44-51)
Game: 1
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: July 23, 2015 10:10 PM EDT

San Diego and Miami are known for great weather, picturesque beaches and relaxing lifestyles.

Those city's baseball teams, unfortunately, are enduring the NL's longest postseason droughts and have already fired their managers after failing to meet expectations.

Misery may love company when the underachieving Padres and Marlins meet for the first time Thursday night to start a four-game series at Petco Park.

Miami (40-55) has the longest postseason drought in the NL, last reaching the playoffs when it won the 2003 World Series. San Diego (44-51) is tied with the New York Mets for the league's second-worst dry spell, having last qualified in 2006.

Both clubs had hope thanks to some major offseason moves.

The Marlins re-signed slugger Giancarlo Stanton to a record $325 million, 13-year deal and added veterans Dee Gordon, Michael Morse and Martin Prado. Stanton and Gordon, however, are currently injured.

The new-look Padres added Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, Melvin Upton Jr., Will Middlebrooks, Derek Norris and closer Craig Kimbrel. Those batters are all hitting below their career averages, Middlebrooks was sent to the minors Wednesday and Kimbrel has his worst career ERA.

Miami general manager Dan Jennings took over as manager for Mike Redmond on May 17. San Diego fired Bud Black on June 15, with Pat Murphy named interim manager.

The similarities with these clubs extend to the fact that Thursday's right-handed starters have identical 3.38 ERAs. The Padres send Tyson Ross (6-7) to the mound to face the Marlins' Tom Koehler (7-6).

Ross is allowing a major league-low 0.23 homers per nine innings, though he is also last in baseball with 4.38 walks per nine innings. He is 3-0 with a 2.23 ERA in his last six starts, with San Diego winning five of them.

Ross gave up three runs in 6 2-3 innings Saturday and did not get a decision in a 5-4 victory over Colorado. He allowed one run over seven innings to earn a 10-1 victory over the Marlins last year in his lone career start versus them.

Prado has faced him the most among Miami hitters, going 4 for 16.

Koehler has a 1.97 ERA in his last five outings, winning the first three but losing the last two. He surrendered three runs and three hits in six innings Saturday in a 3-1 loss at Philadelphia.

Koehler won his lone career start against the Padres last year by giving up two runs in six innings in an 8-2 rout. Justin Upton is 6 for 16 against him, though he has missed the last three games with a strained muscle in his side.

Miami seeks its first three-game road win streak after starters Mat Latos and Jose Fernandez notched victories in this week's three-game set with Arizona. Closer A.J. Ramos loaded the bases to start the ninth before striking out the side in Wednesday's 5-3 victory.

"Not good for the manager's heart, but pretty exciting," Jennings said.

San Diego totaled four runs in consecutive home defeats to San Francisco, managing six hits with a solo homer by Jedd Gyorko in Wednesday's 7-1 loss.

"It's disappointing but we put ourselves in a good position and didn't execute when we had to," Murphy said.

The Padres took four of seven 2014 matchups.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Marlins at Padres
Thu, Jul 23 - 10:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Marlins at Padres
Fri, Jul 24 - 10:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Marlins at Padres
Sat, Jul 25 - 8:40PM EDT

GAME 4
Marlins at Padres
Sun, Jul 26 - 4:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Thursday, July 23


MLB roundup: Bolsinger, Dodgers beat Braves

ATLANTA -- The Los Angeles Dodgers were in desperate need of a quality start from the back end of their rotation, and Mike Bolsinger supplied it Wednesday.

Bolsinger allowed just three hits and an unearned run over seven innings and the Dodgers salvaged the final game of the series with a 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves at a sweltering Turner Field.

The Dodgers scored all three runs in the fifth inning, on an RBI single by Alberto Callaspo, an RBI double by Jimmy Rollins and an RBI single by Joc Pederson.

Atlanta starter Julio Teheran gave up all three runs and allowed six hits and three walks over seven innings. He struck out 11.

Nationals 4, Mets 3

WASHINGTON -- Danny Espinosa hit a two-out double to drive in Michael A. Taylor and break a tie during a three-run eighth as Washington came back to beat New York and take the rubber gamer of the three-game set.

Taylor had a two-run, two-out single in the eighth off reliever Bobby Parnell to the game at 3-3. Espinosa then came through with the game-winner against Parnell (1-1).

The winning pitcher was Matt Thornton (1-0), who pitched a scoreless eighth, while Drew Storen got his 29th save with a perfect ninth.

The first-place Nationals extended their lead to three games over the Mets, who have lost four of the last five to Washington.

Phillies 5, Rays 4 (10 innings)

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies finished a successful homestand with a celebration, beating Tampa Bay on Odubel Herrera's RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Ben Revere went 3-for-5 with an RBI to raise his batting average to .300, while Domonic Brown also collected three hits and scored the winning run after singling in the 10th.

The Phillies have won back-to-back series for the first time this season and are 5-1 to start the second half.

Indians 7, Brewers 5

MILWAUKEE -- Michael Brantley had three hits, including a three-run home run, and Cleveland bullpen allowed only one run over the final 6 1/3 innings.

Brantley, a former Brewers prospect who was shipped to Cleveland in the 2008 trade that brought C.C. Sabathia to Milwaukee, finished a triple short of the cycle and extended his hitting streak to five games as Cleveland ended an eight-game losing streak against Milwaukee.

Brewers first baseman Adam Lind finished with four hits and four RBIs, including a two-run home run in the first inning.

Rangers 10, Rockies 8

DENVER -- Texas blew an early five-run lead but beat Colorado when Elvis Andrus singled home two runs in the ninth.

The Rockies, who fell behind 5-0 in the second, tied the game at 8 with a four-run eighth. Nick Hundley hit his seventh homer with one out, and Carlos Gonzalez hit his 14th homer, a three-run shot with two outs off Tanner Scheppers (3-2).

Rougned Odor, who atoned for making two errors on the same play in the fourth, finished a double shy of the cycle as he drove in two runs and scored three.

Giants 7, Padres 1

SAN DIEGO -- Buster Posey lined a two-run double to right field in the seventh inning to propel San Francisco over San Diego.

The Padres led 1-0 after five innings before San Francisco tied the game on Brandon Belt's two-out homer in the sixth and scored three runs in both the seventh and eighth innings -- all against the Padres' bullpen after James Shields had departed.

The Giants' second straight win made a winner of Matt Cain (2-1) and was the reigning World Series champions' eighth win in the last nine games. Cain allowed one run -- a homer by Jedd Gyorko in the second inning -- on five hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out six.

Yankees 4, Orioles 3

NEW YORK -- Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez homered, leading New York past Baltimore.

The Yankees improved to a season-best 11 games above .500 while beating the Orioles for the fifth time in six games at Yankee Stadium.

Teixeira hit his 24th home run of the season with one out in the first inning off Baltimore right-hander Kevin Gausman (1-2). Rodriguez hit his 20th with one out in the fifth, also off Gausman.

Reds 9-5, Cubs 1-6

CINCINNATI -- Pinch hitter Taylor Teagarden's RBI single off Cincinnati closer Aroldis Chapman drove home the go-ahead run, lifting the Chicago Cubs to a victory in the second game of a day-night doubleheader.

Joey Votto homered and Mike Leake allowed one run and four hits in eight innings in the Reds' victory in the afternoon game.

Reds left fielder Marlon Byrd prevented the Cubs from scoring the go-ahead run in the eighth inning of the nightcap when he threw out Dexter Fowler attempting to score on Anthony Rizzo's single. The play was reviewed to determine whether Reds catcher Brayan Pena violated the home-plate collision rule, but replay confirmed he did not.

Tigers 9, Mariners 4

DETROIT -- Nick Castellanos' grand slam highlighted an eight-run, third-inning outburst, and Detroit overcame two Nelson Cruz home runs in a victory over Seattle.

Castellanos' eighth home run of the season helped Anibal Sanchez (10-7) win his seventh consecutive decision. Sanchez allowed four runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings while striking out six. Joakim Soria got the last four outs for his 22nd save.

Ian Kinsler contributed four hits, including two during the highest scoring inning of the season for Detroit. He scored twice and knocked in a run.

Royals 5, Pirates 1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer homered, lifting Kansas City past Pittsburgh.

The Royals scored four runs in the seventh, highlighted by Moustakas' three-run homer with two outs. Jarrod Dyson's safety squeeze bunt single brought home Omar Infante for the first run of the inning.

Right-hander Edinson Volquez (9-5) claimed the victory, holding the Pirates to a run over 7 2/3 innings. He struck out eight, one shy of his season high, and yielded eight hits.

Astros 4, Red Sox 2

HOUSTON -- Rookie Preston Tucker socked two home runs, and Collin McHugh proved elusive enough to help Houston beat Boston.

Tucker slugged his seventh and eighth home runs of the season and provided the Astros with a four-run lead through five innings. It was the first multi-homer game of his career.

McHugh (11-5) faced 13 batters in the first four innings and then had to weave in and out of trouble to complete seven innings. While McHugh allowed two runs, both in the sixth, he stranded five baserunners between the fifth and seventh, his last inning, to maintain control.

Cardinals 3, White Sox 2

CHICAGO -- Yadier Molina's bases-clearing triple in the eighth inning helped lift St. Louis to a come-from-behind victory over Chicago.

Molina's liner to the right field corner off David Robertson drove home Randal Grichuk, Pete Kozma and Jason Heyward.

Cardinals reliever Miguel Socolovich (4-1) worked the seventh inning for the win. Trevor Rosenthal pitched a one-two-three ninth for his 29th save.

Marlins 5, Diamondbacks 3

PHOENIX -- Jose Fernandez struck out a season-high 11 in seven innings, doubled in a run and scored another in Miami's victory over Arizona.

Fernandez (3-0) doubled in the final run of a three-run second inning for a 3-0 lead the Marlins never lost. He gave up five hits and walked two -- his first two walks of the season -- in his fourth start since returning from Tommy John surgery.

J.T. Realmuto and Ichiro Suzuki each had an extra-base hit, drove in a run and scored for the Marlins, who won their second in a row.

Angels 5, Twins 2

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Johnny Giavotella and Kole Calhoun combined for half of the Angels' 12 hits, leading Los Angeles past Minnesota. However, the Angels lost third baseman David Freese for at least two weeks with a broken right index finger.

C.J. Wilson (8-7) got the win, but needed help from his bullpen after making 105 pitches in a five-inning outing. Wilson gave up two runs on six hits and two walks, then got stellar relief from Fernando Salas, Trevor Gott, Joe Smith and Huston Street (25th save), who combined to shut out the Twins on three hits over the final four innings.

Street became the 27th pitcher in major league history to record 300 career saves.

A's 4, Blue Jays 3 (10 innings)

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Pinch hitter Ike Davis' infield single with two outs in the 10th scored Josh Reddick from third base, giving Oakland a victory over Toronto.

The victory came five innings after A's manager Bob Melvin was ejected from the game. Melvin nonetheless was credited with his 369th win as A's manager, moving him into third place on the Oakland list.

Reddick, a late-game replacement, set up Davis' heroics with an opposite-field double with one out in the 10th off Roberto Osuna (1-4). Reddick took third on third baseman Brett Lawrie's grounder before Davis beat out a ground ball to shortstop.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Thursday, July 23


Pirates getting wins in Liriano's home starts

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 4-0 in the last four ball games that Francisco Liriano has starter at PNC Park. The 31-year-old lefty is scheduled to get the ball as the Buccos tangle with the Washington Nationals Thursday.

Those Pirates' wins have come against the Chicago White Sox (11-0), Atlanta Braves (3-2), San Diego Padres (3-2) and, most recently, the St. Louis Cardinals (6-5).

Liriano has figured in the decision just once in those previous four trips to the mound in front of the home fans. He owns a record of just 2-4 in 10 home starts and has an ERA of 3.86.


Dodgers cashing Under bets in Kershaw's starts

The Under has gone 5-0 in the last five Los Angeles Dodgers' games when lefty Clayton Kershaw gets the start. Kershaw is scheduled to take the mound when the Dodgers meet the New York Mets at Citi Field Thursday.

Over the course of those five starts, Kershaw has allowed just five earned runs in 38 innings of work. His last time out, he went eight strong and didn't allow a run as the Dodgers trumped the Washington Nationals 4-2 on July 18 finishing below the closing total of 7.


Yankees slumping with Tichenor behind the plate

The New York Yankees are just 1-4 in their last five ball games with umpire Todd Tichenor calling balls and strikes behind home plate. Tichenor will be working the Yankees' meeting with the Baltimore Orioles Thursday afternoon.

Tichenor has not worked a Yanks' game behind home yet this season, but did work three in 2014. The Yankees went 1-2 in those games, including two losses to the Orioles: 14-5 on April 8 and 2-1 on September 4.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, July 23

National League

Nationals @ Pirates

Fister is 0-2, 5.29 in his last three starts; his last four stayed under.

Liriano is 1-0, 2.05 in his last four starts; he missed his last start (neck).

Washington won last seven games with Pittsburgh; home side won nine of last ten series games. Nationals are 5-3 in last eight games; over is 2-0-1 in their last three games. Pirates lost five of last six games, three of those four stayed under the total.

Dodgers @ Mets

Kershaw is 2-0, 0.38 in his last three starts; his last five stayed under.

Colon is 0-4, 6.83 in his last five starts; six of his last eight stayed under.

Dodgers lost three of last four games with the Mets; over is 8-1-1 in last ten series games. LA split its last eight games; under is 14-4-1 in their last 19 road games. Mets lost four of last six games; over is 3-1-1 in last five.

Brewers @ Diamondbacks

Fiers is 2-0, 2.18 in his last five starts; over is 4-2-1 in his last seven.

Godley is making MLB debut; he was 9-4, 2.75 in 15 AA starts.

Road team won seven of last nine Milwaukee-Arizona games; five of last seven went over total. Brewers won four of last five games- three of last four went over total. Diamondbacks lost eight of their last nine games- three of last four stayed under.

Marlins @ Padres

Koehler is 0-2, 6.00 in his last two starts; under is 4-0-1 in his last five.

Ross is 1-0, 2.53 in his last four starts; over is 2-1-1 in his last four at home.

San Diego won four of last five games with Miami; home side won eight of last ten series game; Padres lost last two games after winning previous five. Over is 16-6-1 in their last 23 at home. Miami won its last two games after it lost previous four- over is 5-3 in its last eight games.

American League

Orioles @ Bronx

Jimenez is 0-2, 4.32 in his last three starts; over is 4-2-1 in his last seven.
Tanaka is 2-0, 3.07 in his last two starts; six of his last nine stayed under.
Home side won nine of last 11 Baltimore-Bronx games; last three series games stayed under. Orioles are 3-8 in last 11 road games- under is 10-4-1 in their last 15 games. Bronx is 10-4 in last 14 games; their last five stayed under.

Mariners @ Tigers

Iwakuma is 2-0, 1.32 in his last two starts; seven of his last nine went over.

Price is 5-1, 1.81 in his last eight starts; four of his last six went over total.

Seattle lost six of last nine games; under is 10-4-1 in Seattle's last 15 road games. Tigers lost six of last nine games; over is 25-3-1 in their last 29 games, 13-1-1 in their last fifteen at home. Mariners lost three of last four games with Detroit; six of last seven went over.

Red Sox @ Astros

Miley is 0-1, 4.26 in his last three starts; over is 5-3 in his last eight.

McCullers is 1-1, 2.63 in his last four starts; over is 2-1-1 in his last four starts at home.

Red Sox are 0-6 since All-Star break, outscored 34-9. Boston is 5-5 in its last ten games with Houston; seven of the ten games went over total. Astros lost seven of last eleven games (under 7-3-1).

Blue Jays @ A's

Hutchison is 1-1, 7.47 in his last three starts; his last five went over.

Kazmir is 3-1, 1.74 in his last seven starts; seven of his last nine went under.

Home side won eight of last nine Toronto-Oakland games; Jays lost five of last six games in Oakland- under is 8-1-1 in last ten series games. Toronto lost eight of last 12 road games. A's won five of last seven games; under is 5-3-1 in their last nine.

Twins @ Angels

Santana is 1-0, 3.66 in three starts (under 2-1).

Richards is 3-1, 2.12 in his last four starts; four of his last six stayed under.

Angels won last nine games with Minnesota; over is 7-2-1 in last ten tilts in series. Halos are 20-7 in last 27 home games, 11 of last 13 stayed under the total. Minnesota lost last four games; five of last six stayed under the total.

Interleague

Royals @ Cardinals

Young is 1-1, 4.77 in his last three starts; under is 3-1-1 in his last five.

Lackey is 4-1, 1.63 in his last seven starts; three of his last four went over.

Kansas City lost last three games with St Louis; under is 7-1-2 in last 10 series games. Royals won six of last eight series games- five of last seven stayed under total. Cardinals won four of last five games; over is 5-3 in last eight.

Win-loss records this year for team with this starting pitcher:
Wsh-Pitt-- Fister 4-8; Liriano 8-10
LA-NY-- Kershaw 10-9; Colon 9-9
Mil-Az-- Fiers 11-8; Godley 0-0
Mia- SD-- Koehler 9-8; Ross 10-10

Balt-NY-- Jimenez 10-8; Tanaka 9-3
Sea-Det-- Iwakuma 2-4; Price 15-4
Bos-Hst-- Miley 10-9; McCullers 5-6
Tor-A's-- Hutchison 12-7; Kazmir 8-10
Min-LAA-- Santana 2-1; Richards 11-6
Chi-Clev-- Samardzija 9-10; Bauer 9-9

KC-StL-- Young 9-5; Lackey 11-8

Times this starting pitcher allowed a run in first inning:
Wsh-Pitt-- Fister 3-12; Liriano 2-18
LA-NY-- Kershaw 4-19; Colon 5-18
Mil-Az-- Fiers 1-19; Godley 0-0
Mia- SD-- Koehler 3-17; Ross 5-20

Balt-NY-- Jimenez 3-18; Tanaka 3-12
Sea-Det-- Iwakuma 2-6; Price 3-19
Bos-Hst-- Miley 4-19; McCullers 1-11
Tor-A's-- Hutchison 7-19; Kazmir 2-18
Min-LAA-- Santana 0-3; Richards 2-17
Chi-Clev-- Samardzija 10-19; Bauer 3-18

KC-StL-- Young 1-14; Lackey 3-19

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Thursday, July 23

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

1:05 PM
BALTIMORE vs. NY YANKEES
Baltimore is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games
Baltimore is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
NY Yankees are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 5 games

1:08 PM
SEATTLE vs. DETROIT
Seattle is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Seattle's last 8 games on the road
Detroit is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit's last 8 games when playing at home against Seattle

3:35 PM
TORONTO vs. OAKLAND
Toronto is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Oakland
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Toronto's last 10 games when playing Oakland
Oakland is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oakland's last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto

3:35 PM
MINNESOTA vs. LA ANGELS
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Angels
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
LA Angels are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
LA Angels are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing Minnesota

7:05 PM
WASHINGTON vs. PITTSBURGH
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games on the road
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Pittsburgh is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington

7:10 PM
LA DODGERS vs. NY METS
LA Dodgers are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of LA Dodgers's last 20 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of NY Mets's last 11 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of NY Mets's last 9 games when playing at home against LA Dodgers

7:10 PM
CHI WHITE SOX vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi White Sox's last 5 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Chi White Sox are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games

7:15 PM
KANSAS CITY vs. ST. LOUIS
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City's last 6 games on the road
St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

8:10 PM
BOSTON vs. HOUSTON
Boston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 7 games when playing on the road against Houston
Houston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

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

10:10 PM
MIAMI vs. SAN DIEGO
Miami is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Miami is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Diego
San Diego is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Miami
The total has gone OVER in 15 of San Diego's last 22 games at home

[StarDust Bum]

MLB
Dunkel

Thursday, July 23


Washington @ Pittsburgh

Game 901-902
July 23, 2015 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Washington
(Fister) 16.357
Pittsburgh
(Liriano) 14.167
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Washington
by 2
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Pittsburgh
-175
7
Dunkel Pick:
Washington
(+155); Over

LA Dodgers @ NY Mets

Game 903-904
July 23, 2015 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Dodgers
(Kershaw) 15.296
NY Mets
(Colon) 16.079
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Mets
by 1
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Mets
-210
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
NY Mets
(+175); Over

Milwaukee @ Arizona

Game 905-906
July 23, 2015 @ 9:40 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Milwaukee
(Fiers) 16.474
Arizona
(Godley) 13.301
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Milwaukee
by 3
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Milwaukee
-120
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Milwaukee
(-120); Under

Miami @ San Diego

Game 907-908
July 23, 2015 @ 10:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
(Koehler) 12.867
San Diego
(Ross) 14.438
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Diego
by 1 1/2
5
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Diego
-160
6 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Diego
(-160); Under

Seattle @ Detroit

Game 909-910
July 23, 2015 @ 1:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Seattle
(Iwakuma) 12.945
Detroit
(Price) 16.774
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 4
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Detroit
-155
8
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
(-155); Under

Baltimore @ NY Yankees

Game 911-912
July 23, 2015 @ 1:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Baltimore
(Jimenez) 14.588
NY Yankees
(Tanaka) 16.694
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Yankees
by 2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Yankees
-160
8
Dunkel Pick:
NY Yankees
(-160); Under

Minnesota @ LA Angels

Game 913-914
July 23, 2015 @ 3:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Minnesota
(Santana) 17.165
LA Angels
(Richards) 16.204
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Minnesota
by 1
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Angels
-170
7
Dunkel Pick:
Minnesota
(+150); Over

Toronto @ Oakland

Game 915-916
July 23, 2015 @ 3:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
(Dickey) 17.546
Oakland
(Kazmir) 14.727
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 3
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oakland
-115
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-105); Over

Chicago White Sox @ Cleveland

Game 917-918
July 23, 2015 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago White Sox
(Samardzija) 14.612
Cleveland
(Bauer) 18.105
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 3 1/2
6
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
-140
7 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-140); Under

Boston @ Houston

Game 919-920
July 23, 2015 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
(Miley) 13.642
Houston
(McCullers) 16.262
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Houston
by 2 1/2
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-145
8
Dunkel Pick:
Houston
(-145); Under

Kansas City @ St. Louis

Game 921-922
July 23, 2015 @ 7:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Kansas City
(Young) 16.669
St. Louis
(Lackey) 15.568
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Kansas City
by 1
8
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-145
7
Dunkel Pick:
Kansas City
(+125); Over

[StarDust Bum]

Hitters wind at Yankee Stadium Thursday

The ball could fly out of Yankee Stadium for left-handed hitters Thursday afternoon with a nine mile per hitters wind gusting out to the short porch in right field for Thursday's contest with the Baltimore Orioles.

However, both starters will try their best to make sure this isn't the case.

The Yankees, currently -150 favorites, send Masahiro Tanaka (3.65 ERA, 5-7 O/U) to the mound to take on Baltimore's Ubaldo Jiminez (3.29 ERA, 7-9 O/U). The total is currently at 8.0.

[StarDust Bum]

Angels still red-hot as winning streak continues

The Los Angeles Angels extended their season-long winning streak to seven games by topping the Minnesota Twins 5-2 Wednesday night.

The streak has propelled the Angels to the top of the American League West and at 54-40 now sit two games ahead of the upstart Houston Astros.

The Angels will try to make it eight in a row when they close out their series with the Twins Thursday afternoon. They will send Garret Richards (10-6, 3.24 ERA) to the hill to face off against the Twins Ervin Santana (1-0, 3.66 ERA).

The Angels are currently -166 home favorites.

[StarDust Bum]

Red Sox's slide continues

The Boston Red Sox's season seems to be quickly coming to an end after losing their seventh consecutive game, falling 4-2 to the Houston Astros Wednesday night.

The Red Sox now sit 11 games behind the first place New York Yankees in the American League East and are dead last in the American League at 42-53.

Boston will try to end their slide Thursday night in Houston, when they send left-hander Wade Miley (8-8, 4.49 ERA) to take on the Astros' righty Lance McCullers (4-3, 2.52 ERA). The Red Sox are currently +126 dogs.

[StarDust Bum]

Jays' Dickey will start in place of ailing Hutchison

Jul 23, 2015

OAKLAND, Calif. -- When Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons disclosed before Wednesday's game that his scheduled pitcher for Thursday, right-hander Drew Hutchison, was ill and a question mark to make the start, he didn't sound all that disappointed.

Nothing against Hutchison, who at 9-2 has one of the best winning percentages in the American League.

Rather, this had everything to do with Monday's travel day.

Because Gibbons elected to retain a five-man rotation following the All-Star break despite a day off just three games into the second half, the Blue Jays had the luxury of pushing right-hander R.A. Dickey and maybe even fellow righty Marco Estrada up a day without cutting into their normal rest period.

And that they did, announcing after the game that Dickey would replace Hutchison as the starter Thursday.

The knuckleballer last pitched Saturday. Had the Blue Jays played Monday, Dickey would have been in line to pitch Thursday on four days' rest.

Even though they were forced to make the change, the Blue Jays will roll with it comfortably.

The same would go for Estrada on Friday at Seattle. He last pitched Sunday. He would be available on four days' rest should Hutchison need even one more day.

The Blue Jays have another day off next Monday, which would allow Gibbons to further tinker with his rotation should he choose to do so.

[StarDust Bum]

Red Sox's Buchholz to be sidelined indefinitely

Jul 23, 2015

HOUSTON -- Already saddled with ineffective starting pitching, the Boston Red Sox revealed on Wednesday that right-hander Clay Buchholz will be sidelined indefinitely after undergoing a platelet-rich plasma injection in his bothersome right elbow.

Buchholz had been the Red Sox's most effective starter. But he landed on the 15-day disabled list on July 11 with a right elbow flexor strain and initially balked at the PRP procedure. But a recent reexamination revealed the same diagnosis and Buchholz, who had been playing catch as part of his rehab, conceded to the injection.

"There's going to be a little bit of a shutdown time now as a result, which is consistent with a PRP injection," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "The total time with that is yet to be determined."

The Red Sox are scrambling with their rotation, having recalled right-hander Joe Kelly from Triple A Pawtucket to start on Wednesday night after optioning left-hander Brian Johnson, who made his major league debut on Tuesday night, to Pawtucket. Not one member of the Red Sox's current rotation has even a league-average adjusted ERA, and Boston remains short a starter heading into its weekend series against Detroit.

Left-hander Wade Miley will start the series finale against the Astros on Thursday night followed by right-hander Rick Porcello and lefty Eduardo Rodriguez against the Tigers on Friday and Saturday.

[StarDust Bum]

Yanks' Tanaka set to be stretch-drive contributor

Jul 22, 2015

NEW YORK -- Any game that Masahiro Tanaka pitches in can be considered a big event simply for the interest and coverage it often generates in the United States and in his native Japan.

On Thursday, the New York Yankees will start a big game of another caliber. He will pitch in a pennant-race game against a division foe, the Baltimore Orioles, in the second half of the season.

It will the first start of that magnitude for Tanaka since last year, when the Yankees were trying to stay afloat in the American League East with a battered rotation. After resting and then rehabbing a partial tear in his elbow for 10 weeks, he returned to make two late-September starts.

"Regardless of where the team is, it's great to be able to be on that mound to be pitching," Tanaka said through an interpreter Wednesday before the Yankees' 4-3 win over the Orioles. "I had that injury and I wasn't able to go out there and do my job, but this year being healthy, I'm able to do that."

How Tanaka pitches will go a long way toward deciding if the Yankees will maintain their lead in the AL East. In his own mind, Tanaka believes he will notice the magnitude more later in the year.

"Looking ahead, once we get really closer to October, then I think the atmosphere will be a little bit more exciting," Tanaka said. "My thoughts might change at that point."

This year, the elbow has not presented any issues other than the fear that the tear could increase to the point where surgery is needed. It was a concern early in the season, especially when Tanaka missed a month with a right forearm strain and tendinitis in his right wrist.

The focus Thursday will be strictly on Tanaka's pitching.

"There's been a lot expected of him in these types of months and (against) the big teams, and you're curious to see how he handles it here," New York manager Joe Girardi said. "The one thing I would tell you is just do your job, you can't do the job for every other starter. You just have to do your job and go out and pitch a good game.

"I think he likes the big moment. I think he embraces it. It makes me think he'll handle it fine."

[StarDust Bum]

Leake's value rising for Reds

Jul 22, 2015

CINCINNATI -- If Mike Leake is auditioning for a new team, the line of potential suitors now might extend out the front gates of Great American Ball Park.

The 27-year-old Cincinnati Reds right-hander has allowed one earned run in his last two starts totaling 16 innings. He has won six of his past nine starts.

In the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon against the Cubs, Leake gave up one run and four hits in eight innings with no walks and six strikeouts.

He retired the final 16 batters in the Reds' 9-1 victory. The Cubs salvaged a split with a 6-5 win in the nightcap.

"When he's pitching his game, it's attack mode early, then he's able to expand the zone," said Reds manager Bryan Price. "The one thing that shows up every day is his competitiveness."

A free-agent following this season, Leake is rumored to be on the trading block if a desirable deal is there for the Reds' taking by the July 31 trade deadline.

"If I'm traded I'm traded. If I'm not I'm not," said Leake, who now is 8-5 this season with a 3.78 ERA in 20 starts. "I'm trying to show myself and that I can be better than I've been. That's my goal, to get better every day."

Price served as Cincinnati's pitching coach for the first four seasons of Leake's career, and is fully aware of the possibility that Leake's start on Wednesday could be his last at Great American Ball Park.

"It's challenging for everybody," said Price, of the trade speculation. "But I'll defer questions about how things affect players to the player. I don't think trade rumors make it any easier."

Leake has been a mainstay in the Reds' rotation since he debuted in 2010, against the Cubs at Great American Ball Park.

"It would be ironic if my first and last starts here were against the same team," said Leake. "I can't control what happens."

[StarDust Bum]

Dodgers desperately trying to upgrade rotation depth

Jul 22, 2015

ATLANTA -- Asked about the state of his rotation, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly tried not to be too pessimistic late Tuesday.

Before he could try to put out a positive spin, a dose of reality set in.

"You want me to put a word on it? Disarray, maybe?" Mattingly said.

In left-hander Clayton Kershaw and right-hander Zach Greinke, the Dodgers have the top one-two duo in baseball.

The rest of the rotation? Not so good.

Mattingly felt a lot better, though, Wednesday when right-hander Mike Bolsinger allowed just three hits and an unearned run over seven innings in a victory over the Atlanta Braves and good news came back on left-hander Brett Anderson.

An MRI confirmed that Anderson, who departed Tuesday's loss in the third inning, just had inflammation and a not a more serious issue with his left Achilles tendon.

Still, the Dodgers are urgently trying to upgrade their rotation, with both right-hander Johnny Cueto and left-hander Cole Hamels as potential targets.

"I don't know that we could ratchet up our search for starting pitching any more," Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi said.

The Braves have lost left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu and right-hander Brandon McCarthy for the season, and right-hander Carlos Frias is also on the disabled list.

There is hope now that Anderson may be able to avoid the DL.

"I wouldn't say 100 percent in the clear, but somewhat in the clear going forward to be sure," he said said. "The sheath around my tendon is a little inflammed, but it was intact. Just one of those things going forward to watch and monitor."

Anderson, who was shocked how much better he felt Wednesday morning than Tuesday night, will play catch on Thursday and then the Dodgers will know more about his status.

"If feel good, then I'll throw my normal pen the next day and kind of go from there," he said. "Hopefully I can continue on (a positive) path, and it was just kind of a fluke deal where it grabbed and bothered me, and I'm able to go out for the next (start)."

[StarDust Bum]

Braves hoping to have Freeman back soon

Jul 22, 2015

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta offense has suffered without Freddie Freeman in the lineup, but the Braves still have been able to play close to .500 baseball without their first baseman.

They are hoping to have their only real power threat back by the time their upcoming 10-game road trip reaches Philadelphia on July 30.

Freeman began intensified workouts in Florida on Wednesday at the team's training complex and plans to test his right wrist fully in two rehab games for Triple-A Gwinnett early next week before the targeted return against the Phillies.

"Now, it's just the waiting game," Freeman said after taking full batting practice for the first time on Tuesday at Turner Field. "I've got to go through the rehab process."

Freeman hasn't played since June 27 and the Braves have gone 13-16 since while averaging less than three runs per game. The team had scored four runs per game with the slugger.

Missing more than a month has been frustrating for Freeman, who had played in 243 consecutive games before going on the disabled list.

His right wrist discomfort lingered longer than expected and he did not experience any relief until fluid was drained from his right hand last week and he had two cortisone injections.

"It's starting to feel close to 100 percent and I think we're really, really close," Freeman said.