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**StarDust Bum** · 08-06-2015, 12:41 AM

CFL Betting Notes - Week 7

August 4, 2015

It took a few weeks of the new CFL regular season for the favorites to finally assert themselves, but they came away with a 3-1 straight-up run in Week 6 while going 2-2 against the spread. It did not start out that way in Winnipeg’s stunning 23-13 victory against British Columbia last Thursday night as a two-point home underdog, but Edmonton got things rolling with a 30-5 rout of Saskatchewan as a 9 ½-point favorite at home.

Calgary squeezed out a tight 25-22 victory in its matchup against Montreal this past Saturday, but it could not cover as 5 ½-point home favorite. In Monday’s East Division showdown between Hamilton and Toronto, the Tiger-Cats came out on top 34-18 as five-point favorites at home.

Thursday, Aug. 6

Edmonton Eskimos (4-1 SU, 4-1 ATS) vs. British Columbia Lions (2-3 SU, 2-3 ATS)
Point-spread: PICK
Total: 47 ½

Game Overview

Through the first six weeks of the CFL regular season the Eskimos have clearly established themselves as the team to beat in the West Division both on the field and at the betting window. Edmonton is averaging 28.4 points a game while allowing an average of just 12.6 points to its opponents.

BC quarterback Travis Lulay is coming off a very shaky performance last week in which he was picked-off three times. The bright spot in the unexpected loss to Winnipeg was the running of Andrew Harris. He carried the ball 24 times and ended the game with 117 yards rushing. He also had four receptions for 51 yards in the losing cause.

Betting Trends

Edmonton has won the last two meetings SU, but it has failed to cover in six of its last eight road games against BC. The total has gone OVER in seven of the last 10 meetings there.

Friday, Aug. 7

Montreal Alouettes (2-3 SU, 3-1-1 ATS) vs. Ottawa RedBlacks (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS)
Point-spread: PICK
Total: 46 ½

Game Overview

Montreal has to be kicking itself for last week’s loss after opening up a 17 point lead on Calgary. The Alouettes did get another strong effort from quarterback Rakeem Cato, who threw for 278 yards and a score while completing 20 of his 32 attempts. His big target against the Stampeders was slotback SJ Green with seven receptions for 132 yards and a score.

Ottawa is coming off a bye and it has to be thrilled with its surprising 3-2 SU start after winning just two games all last season in its inaugural season in the CFL as the RedBlacks. Offensively, it is averaging just 21 points a game, but veteran quarterback Henry Burris is still ranked fifth in the CFL in total passing yards with 1,372 through his first five games.

Betting Trends

Montreal swept Ottawa with three SU wins last season while going 2-1 ATS, but the RedBlacks drew first blood this season with a 20-16 victory as eight-point road underdogs in Week 1. The total has stayed UNDER in all four meetings.

Saturday, Aug. 8

Saskatchewan Roughriders (0-6 SU, 0-6 ATS) vs. Toronto Argonauts (3-2 SU, 4-1 ATS)
Point-spread: Toronto -9 ½
Total: 48 ½

Game Overview

The loss of quarterback Darian Durant for the entire season continues to take its toll, but the Roughriders also have to place a good bit of the blame for their dismal 0-6 start both SU and ATS on the play of their defense. Following last week’s loss to Edmonton, this unit has been torched for an average of 32.5 points a game.

Toronto fell behind 14-0 early to Hamilton in Monday’s loss never recovered. Backup quarterback Trevor Harris put-up some solid numbers with 326 yards passing and one touchdown throw while completing 72.5 percent of his 40 attempts. It was the Argonauts’ defense that had no answer for stopping the Tiger-Cats.

Betting Trends

The Roughriders lost to Toronto 42-40 in overtime in Week 2 as three-point home favorites. They are now just 1-3 both SU and ATS in the last four meetings. The total has gone OVER in five of the last six games in this inter-division clash.

Sunday, Aug. 9

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-3 SU, 3-2-1 ATS) vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-2 SU, 4-1 ATS)
Point-spread: Hamilton -7
Total: 54

Game Overview

The Blue Bombers are off to a respectable 3-3 SU start following a second-half collapse last season in which they lost 10 of their last 12 games SU. Quarterback Drew Willy has had to battle through injury this season and last week against BC he threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns to help pace the upset. He also led the team in rushing with 72 yards on just five carries.

Hamilton has gotten a solid effort from its quarterback Zach Collaros to help pace its 3-2 SU start. He is currently ranked fourth in the CFL in total passing yards with 1,444 yards and he has completed 71.4 percent of his 168 attempts this season. In this past Monday’s victory over Toronto, he completed 21-of-27 attempts for 229 yards and three touchdowns.

Betting Trends

Winnipeg is just 1-5 ATS in the last six meetings and the total has stayed UNDER in seven of the last eight meetings in Hamilton. The Tiger-Cats won the first meeting this season 52-26 as one-point road underdogs.

**StarDust Bum** · 08-06-2015, 12:47 AM

Cfl Trend Report

EDMONTON (4 - 1) at BRITISH COLUMBIA (2 - 3) - 8/6/2015, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.

EDMONTON is 13-32 ATS (-22.2 Units) in road games after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins since 1996.
EDMONTON is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) in games played on turf over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 3-2 against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 3-2 straight up against EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

MONTREAL (2 - 3) at OTTAWA (3 - 2) - 8/7/2015, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.

MONTREAL is 17-33 ATS (-19.3 Units) in road games when playing on a Friday since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 2-1 against the spread versus OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
MONTREAL is 3-1 straight up against OTTAWA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

SASKATCHEWAN (0 - 6) at TORONTO (3 - 2) - 8/8/2015, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.

SASKATCHEWAN is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) off a division game over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in games played on turf over the last 2 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) off a loss against a division rival over the last 3 seasons.
SASKATCHEWAN is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) in dome games since 1996.
SASKATCHEWAN is 105-74 ATS (+23.6 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent since 1996.
TORONTO is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 3-2 against the spread versus SASKATCHEWAN over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 3-2 straight up against SASKATCHEWAN over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

WINNIPEG (3 - 3) at HAMILTON (3 - 2) - 8/9/2015, 5:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
HAMILTON is 5-2 against the spread versus WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
HAMILTON is 6-1 straight up against WINNIPEG over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

**StarDust Bum** · 08-06-2015, 09:46 AM

CFL

Dunkel

Week 7

Edmonton @ BC Lions

Game 121-122
August 6, 2015 @ 10:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Edmonton
109.825
BC Lions
115.597
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
BC Lions
by 6
52
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Edmonton
by 1
47 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
BC Lions
(+1); Over

Montreal @ Ottawa

Game 123-124
August 7, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Montreal
111.124
Ottawa
116.581
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Ottawa
by 5 1/2
51
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Montreal
by 1
46 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Ottawa
(+1); Over

Saskatchewan @ Toronto

Game 125-126
August 8, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Saskatchewan
106.134
Toronto
118.209
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 12
44
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 9 1/2
48
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-9 1/2); Under

Winnipeg @ Hamilton

Game 127-128
August 9, 2015 @ 5:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Winnipeg
109.264
Hamilton
121.816
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Hamilton
by 12 1/2
48
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Hamilton
by 7
54
Dunkel Pick:
Hamilton
(-7); Under

**StarDust Bum** · 08-06-2015, 09:48 AM

CFL

Week 7

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

Thursday, August 6

10:00 PM
EDMONTON vs. BRITISH COLUMBIA
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Edmonton's last 11 games
Edmonton is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against British Columbia
British Columbia is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of British Columbia's last 5 games at home

Friday, August 7

7:30 PM
MONTREAL vs. OTTAWA
Montreal is 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
Montreal is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Ottawa is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Montreal
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Ottawa's last 17 games

Saturday, August 8

7:00 PM
SASKATCHEWAN vs. TORONTO
Saskatchewan is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Saskatchewan's last 15 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Saskatchewan
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing Saskatchewan

Sunday, August 9

5:00 PM
WINNIPEG vs. HAMILTON
Winnipeg is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Hamilton
Winnipeg is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Hamilton
Hamilton is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Winnipeg
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Hamilton's last 6 games

**StarDust Bum** · 08-06-2015, 09:49 AM

CFL

Wednesday, August 5

CFL Week 7 lines hit the board

There are four more CFL games on tap in Week 7 and the lines for all four games have hit the board:

* The Edmonton Eskimos visit the B.C. Lions in what opened as a Pick with a total of 47.5, but has already moved to Edmonton -1. The Eskimos are 4-0 ATS as a favorite this season.

* A matchup between the Montreal Alouettes and the RedBlacks in Ottawa has also opened at a Pick, with a total of 46.5. The under is a combined 2-8 in the Als and RedBlacks games this season.

* The Toronto Argonauts welcome the winless Saskatchewan Roughriders to town and the Argos are big 9.5-point faves. The total opened at 48.5.

* And finally, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats opened as touchdown favorites over the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers, with a total of 54.

Underdogs and the under have been the play so far this season, with dogs going 17-5-1 ATS and the under at 17-7.

**StarDust Bum** · 08-06-2015, 09:51 AM

CFL

Thursday, August 6

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game of the day: Eskimos at Lions
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Edmonton Eskimos at B.C. Lions (+1, 47.5)

The Edmonton Eskimos look to distance themselves from the rest of the pack when they hit the road to face the BC Lions on Thursday. The Eskimos have reeled off four consecutive wins since a Week 1 loss, and are coming off an impressive 30-5 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders to move into top spot in the West Division.

Edmonton won both meetings against the Lions last season by an average margin of 20.5 points as it looks to notch five straight wins for the first time since 2011. BC dropped back-to-back games for the first time this season after a disappointing 23-13 setback to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Week 6. Travis Lulay had his worst outing of the year, throwing three interceptions as the Lions' high-powered offence, which had put up at least 27 points in each of the last three games, was held to its lowest scoring output of 2015. "Everybody is responsible," BC coach Jeff Tedford told reporters. "We all have to be accountable to get it right."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, TSN, ESPN2

LINE HISTORY: The line opened as a pick'em, but has since shifted to BC +1. The opening total of 47.5 has yet to move.

INJURY REPORT: Eskimos - QB Mike Reilly (Out-Knee) Lions - G Cody Husband (Ques-Undisclosed)

ABOUT THE ESKIMOS (4-1 SU, 4-1 ATS, 1-4 O/U): Matt Nichols bounced back after being pulled in the third quarter in Week 6 by going 27-of-39 for 300 yards and two touchdowns against the Roughriders. "He responded like he always responds," Edmonton coach Chris Jones told reporters. "He did exactly what we as a coaching staff thought he would do." Kenny Stafford is in the midst of a breakout season as the fourth-year wide receiver has hauled in 19 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns, including two in his last two games.

ABOUT THE LIONS (2-3 SU, 0-3-1 ATS, 2-2 O/U): Lulay went 22-of-33 for 255 yards and a score versus the Blue Bombers but has thrown four interceptions compared to two touchdown passes in his last two games. "We just got to get better," Lulay told reporters. "The biggest thing for us is being consistent in our execution for 60 minutes." Running back Andrew Harris continues to be BC's most consistent player as he racked up 167 yards from scrimmage against Winnipeg after accumulating 129 yards and three touchdowns in the previous week.

TRENDS:

*Eskimos are 6-0 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
*Lions are 0-6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
*Under is 12-2 in Eskimos last 14 vs. West.
*Over is 4-0-1 in Lions last 5 home games.

CONSENSUS: 53.6 percent of the community is backing the Eskies with the total split 50/50.

**StarDust Bum** · 08-06-2015, 09:52 AM

CFL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, August 6

Edmonton (4-1) @ British Columbia (2-3)-- Eskimos won/covered last four games, but three of those four were on road (won 23-12 at Ottawa); Edmonton beat BC twice LY 27-20/37-3 after going 1-9 in previous ten series games; Edmonton lost three of last four visits here, with losses by 20-10-14. Over is 8-3 in last 11 series games played here. Lions lost last two games, outscored 39-9 in second half; they're 0-4-1 vs spread this year, with only wins by FG each in only two played here. Four of five Eskimo games stayed under the total. Edmonton outscored last two foes 48-1 in second half.

**StarDust Bum** · 08-06-2015, 09:54 AM

Preview: Cardinals (68-39) at Reds (48-57)
Game: 3
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: August 06, 2015 12:35 PM EDT

Michael Wacha overcame his recent funk with some minor adjustments but he's still looking to solve his troubles on the road.

Wacha attempts to build on his latest effort with another strong performance against the Cincinnati Reds as the St. Louis Cardinals aim to cap this three-game series with back-to-back wins Thursday.

Wacha (12-4, 3.09 ERA) leads St. Louis (68-39) in wins after yielding four hits with seven strikeouts in seven innings of Friday's 7-0 win over Colorado. That was a welcome change after he posted a 6.88 ERA in his three previous starts.

"I worked on it in the bullpen, tweaked a few things, and was able to keep the ball down," Wacha said. "It felt really good. I was able to keep the ball down in the zone. I was pretty happy with the movement."

Now, the right-hander will try to carry that success onto the road, where he is 1-2 with a 7.54 ERA in his last four starts.

"You hear us sometimes saying 'out of sync,' and that's what it is," manager Mike Matheny told MLB's official website. "It looked like he almost had less effort (Friday), even though the velocity was as good, which just means he was very efficient using all of his body."

Wacha has allowed two runs in 13 1-3 innings while winning both of his starts against the Reds (48-57) this year, including a 4-1 victory in Cincinnati on April 11.

Randal Grichuk continued his strong hitting against the Reds with an RBI double and a 13th-inning homer in Wednesday's 4-3 win.

"You know the ball flies here," Grichuk said of Great American Ball Park. "It's in the back of your mind."

The rookie has a .382 average in 13 career games against Cincinnati, with nine of his 13 hits going for extra bases, including four homers.

He's batting .365 in his last 23 games, connecting for 15 extra-base hits among his 31 total. Grichuk, however, has also struck out 27 times during that stretch, giving him 83 to rank third on the team behind Mark Reynolds (92) and Matt Carpenter (85).

"He's got the potential," Matheny said. "You might see some swings-and-misses sometimes, but you also see what he does (Wednesday)."

The Reds are trying to conclude a seven-game homestand above .500 before opening a 10-game road trip.

That could be difficult with struggling Michael Lorenzen (3-6, 4.80) on the mound. The right-hander went 0-4 with an 8.61 ERA in five starts last month, completing six innings only once.

He was tagged for 13 runs and three homers with five walks in eight innings while losing his last two starts.

"It's just I need to throw pitches that I want to throw with conviction ...," said Lorenzen, who is 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA in his past three home starts.

Joey Votto is 1 for his last 11 but is batting .353 with four homers and eight RBIs in 11 games this season against the Cardinals. He's 6 for 15 with a homer and two doubles off Wacha, while Todd Frazier has one of each and is 3 for 6 in this matchup this season.

Frazier, though, has a .186 average against St. Louis this year after going 1 for 10 in this series.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cardinals at Reds
Tue, Aug 4 Final 2 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Cardinals at Reds
Wed, Aug 5 Final 4 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Cardinals at Reds
Thu, Aug 6 - 12:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 08-06-2015, 09:58 AM

Preview: Royals (63-43) at Tigers (52-55)
Game: 3
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: August 06, 2015 1:08 PM EDT

With the largest division lead in the majors, the Kansas City Royals aren't terribly alarmed by a rough stretch.

The AL Central leaders, though, would like to salvage a split of this 10-game road trip Thursday against the Detroit Tigers.

Kansas City (63-43) owns the best league's best record and is atop the Central by 9 1/2 games on Minnesota. That lofty standing makes it easy for the Royals to brush off a 2-5 stretch that matches their loss total over the previous 21 games.

They're struggling in nearly every facet, compiling a 5.52 ERA while hitting .226 in those seven games. The staff had a 2.13 ERA while Kansas City won six of the previous eight, and the team's .270 season average ranks fourth in the majors.

A lack of offense was the problem in Wednesday's 2-1 loss at Detroit (52-55), as the Royals went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position and failed to back Johnny Cueto's strong start.

One of the biggest culprits lately is Alcides Escobar, who is hitting .152 in his last eight games. Lorenzo Cain is 0 for 9 in this series after batting .342 with 20 runs in the previous 20 games.

Kansas City may have better luck at the plate with the Tigers turning to Anibal Sanchez (10-9, 4.77 ERA), who has allowed a career-high 24 homers to rank among the most in the majors - a source of frustration for the right-hander.

"It's like every hit," Sanchez told MLB's official website. "If I allow two hits in a game, it's two home runs. If I allow three hits in a game, it's three homers. If I allow one hit, it's one homer. It's crazy."

He served up two homers among nine hits Saturday, allowing six runs in 6 2-3 innings of a 6-2 loss at Baltimore.

"It's like a roller coaster right now. I don't know," Sanchez lamented.

Sanchez, though, has only allowed five homers in his last six home starts, going 5-0 with a 2.89 ERA. He's also 6-3 with a 1.98 ERA in nine career starts against Kansas City, which ranks last in the AL with 84 homers.

The only homer he's given up in two starts against the Royals this season was a leadoff blast by Escobar in a 6-2 home defeat May 9. Sanchez surrendered six runs in six innings.

Escobar is 4 for 10 in the last two years against Sanchez, while Cain is 4 for 20 lifetime in this matchup.

The Royals are turning to Yordano Ventura (6-7, 4.98), who has won both of his starts after his demotion to Triple-A Omaha was cut short by Jason Vargas needing Tommy John surgery.

The right-hander allowed one run in seven innings of a 5-1 win over Houston on July 26. He followed that six days later by retiring the first 11 batters he faced before being tagged for five runs and two homers in seven innings of a 7-6 win at Toronto.

Ventura is 2-0 with a 4.30 ERA in three games - two starts - against the Tigers. He gave up four runs and eight hits in six innings of a 6-5 loss at Detroit on May 8.

Ian Kinsler figures to be a tough out for Ventura. The Tigers second baseman is batting .542 in his last six games and is 4 for 6 against Ventura.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Royals at Tigers
Tue, Aug 4 Final 5 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Royals at Tigers
Wed, Aug 5 Final 1 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Royals at Tigers
Thu, Aug 6 - 1:08PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 08-06-2015, 10:00 AM

Preview: Dodgers (61-46) at Phillies (42-66)
Game: 3
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: August 06, 2015 1:05 PM EDT

The Philadelphia Phillies have enjoyed a surprising offensive surge over the last few weeks, but were brought back to Earth by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday.

They could be in for another drop-off Thursday against Zack Greinke, who looks to continue his historic season.

Philadelphia (42-66) won 13 of 16 while averaging 5.4 runs and recording 10-plus hits 10 times before losing 4-3 on Wednesday. The Phillies were limited to six hits, including four over starter Brett Anderson's six innings, and struck out 12 times.

After struggling with Anderson, Greinke (10-2, 1.41 ERA) could be unsolvable, especially less than a month removed from a gem against Philadelphia. He yielded only a second-inning single to Ryan Howard over eight innings in a 6-0 home victory July 9.

"If it wasn't for the base hit that Howard got, it probably would have gotten him close to a no-hitter," catcher Yasmani Grandal said.

Greinke's ERA leads the majors by more than half a point and would be the lowest for a full season since St. Louis' Bob Gibson posted a 1.12 mark in 1968.

The right-hander has surrendered two runs in back-to-back outings after six straight scoreless starts, but remains undefeated since June 13, going 5-0 with a 0.61 ERA in his last eight turns. Opponents are hitting just .141 with no homers in that span, including a 1-for-22 mark with runners in scoring position.

Greinke's stuff might be getting even better as the season wears on. He has 30 strikeouts over 31 innings spanning his last four starts after averaging 7.7 per nine innings previously.

Greinke lost his first career meeting with the Phillies in 2004 but is 5-0 with a 1.64 ERA in six matchups since, including five starts.

Domonic Brown has been one of Philadelphia's hottest bats, hitting .349 with nine RBIs in his last 12 games, but is just 1 for 12 off Greinke.

Chase Utley is expected to rejoin the club after a three-game rehab assignment with Double-A Reading, though it's unclear if he'll be activated from the disabled list Thursday. Utley, hitting just .179 in 65 games, hasn't played since June 22 due to a sprained ankle.

Los Angeles (61-46) dropped six of its first 11 after the All-Star break but is 5-1 since. Howie Kendrick had another nice game Wednesday, going 3 for 5, and is batting .367 over his last seven games, while Yasiel Puig hit his fourth home run in 13 games. Puig had homered as many times in his previous 47 contests.

They'll dig in against an improved David Buchanan (2-5, 6.44), who is 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA in his last three outings. He had given up five-plus runs in three of his five starts in April, a stretch that prompted a demotion to Triple-A.

Buchanan has drastically reduced his walks, issuing three bases on balls in his last three starts after walking 15 in the first five. His 7 1-3 innings in Friday's 9-3 win over Atlanta marked the second-longest outing of his career.

"Like I always say, I say it every day, you're constantly auditioning," interim manager Pete Mackanin told MLB's official website. "Your last outing is behind you. You've got to keep pitching well ... He's done that his last three outings for us."

Buchanan won his major league debut against Los Angeles on May 24, 2014, allowing two runs over five innings in a 5-3 victory.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Dodgers at Phillies
Tue, Aug 4 Final 2 to 6
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Dodgers at Phillies
Wed, Aug 5 Final 4 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Dodgers at Phillies
Thu, Aug 6 - 1:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 08-06-2015, 10:02 AM

Preview: Padres (52-56) at Brewers (46-63)
Game: 4
Venue: Miller Park
Date: August 06, 2015 2:10 PM EDT

The San Diego Padres had been executing better with runners in scoring position in recent weeks, but timely hits have been rare in the last few days.

They're hoping for better situational hitting to end this 10-game trip on a positive note Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Padres (52-56) won eight of 10 from July 24-Monday, going 23 for 53 with runners in scoring position in the last five victories. They've lost three of four, however, going 4 for 27 in those situations in the losses.

San Diego matched Milwaukee's 11 hits Wednesday, but was 3 for 12 with runners in scoring position in an 8-5 loss to the Brewers (46-63), who were 4 for 7.

"It would make a big difference to come out tomorrow and redirect this kind of momentum, have some fun, win a ballgame, go home 6-4 (on the trip)," interim manager Pat Murphy told MLB's official website.

Murphy did have a few reasons to be encouraged: San Diego rallied for three runs in the ninth, Justin Upton was 2 for 4 after sitting out Tuesday with a sore thumb and Yangervis Solarte extended his hitting streak to 11 games, the longest by a Padre since Will Venable's 15-game run in August 2013.

San Diego's Odrisamer Despaigne (5-7, 4.75 ERA) is aiming to win a third straight outing after back-to-back victories over Miami. He had won only once in his previous 12 starts.

"I think he was great," Murphy said after the right-hander gave up three runs over six innings in Saturday's 5-3 road win.

Despite Murphy's glowing assessment, those performances might have been misleading given Miami's major league-worst 3.5 runs per game - though Milwaukee isn't much better at 3.9 per game. Despaigne was also excellent in his only start against the Brewers, giving up one earned run while striking out nine over seven innings of a 3-2 victory for the Padres on Aug. 27, though he wasn't credited with the win.

Matt Garza (5-12, 5.17), conversely, is trying to avoid dropping a third consecutive start for the third time this year. He had three such skids in his previous nine seasons.

Garza - trying to avoid joining teammate Kyle Lohse as the only 13-game losers in the majors - is 1-5 with a 5.83 ERA in his last seven outings, walking 13 in the last five.

Though he issued four free passes Saturday against the Chicago Cubs, he was solid otherwise, allowing three runs - all on Anthony Rizzo's homer - over six innings in the 4-2 loss.

"That's the way my year has gone," Garza said of all of the damage coming on one pitch. "You have to keep going out there and going right at it."

The Milwaukee offense was lackluster as it often has been with Garza on the mound, and he fell to 1-11 when getting two or fewer runs of support.

He hasn't faced San Diego since 2011 but has fared well in three matchups, going 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 21 innings.

Upton is 2 for 15 with six strikeouts versus Garza.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Padres at Brewers
Mon, Aug 3 Final 13 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Padres at Brewers
Tue, Aug 4 Final 1 to 4
Boxscores

GAME 3
Padres at Brewers
Wed, Aug 5 Final 5 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Padres at Brewers
Thu, Aug 6 - 2:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 08-06-2015, 10:03 AM

Preview: Diamondbacks (52-54) at Nationals (55-51)
Game: 4
Venue: Nationals Park
Date: August 06, 2015 4:05 PM EDT

The Washington Nationals are doing their best to remain positive and loose during a current rough stretch.

Following a lopsided defeat, the Nationals try to bounce back and salvage a split of their four-game home series with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday.

Washington (55-51) led 2-1 after five innings Wednesday, but Arizona scored four in the sixth and three each in the eighth and ninth to hand the host its fifth defeat in the last six contests. The Nationals are 4-9 since taking two of three at home from the same New York Mets team they now trail by two games in the NL East.

'We've got a limited number of games left, and we have to play well if we want to go where we want to go,' Nationals manager Matt Williams said. 'Can (Wednesday's loss) galvanize? Yeah, we hope so.'

Washington won't panic despite being 3 1/2 games out of the second wild-card spot.

'We've just got to keep battling, keep grinding,' star Bryce Harper said. 'Just got to keep smiling, keep laughing and try to have some fun. We've got a long ways to go.'

Though the bullpen let them down Wednesday, the Nationals have batted .216 and failed to score more than four runs in eight of the last 10 contests.

Harper has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games but has two home runs and four RBIs in his last 17.

Teammate Joe Ross (2-3, 3.00 ERA) is 0-2 in his last three starts but hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of the six since making his major league debut June 6. The right-hander yielded a pair of solo homers in 6 1-3 innings while not factoring in the decision of a 3-2 loss to the Mets on Saturday.

"(He has the) ability to make pitches, (he has good) stuff," teammate Jayson Werth told MLB's official website. "His mound presence, demeanor - he is out there pitching like he has been around a while. I think he has a future in this game."

Washington will need Ross to keep the game close against an Arizona club that's won two of the first three of this series and eight of its last 10 games. Ender Inciarte, A.J. Pollock and Paul Goldschmidt - the top three hitters in the order - each had three hits Wednesday for the Diamondbacks (52-54), who have batted .290 while scoring at least six runs five times in the last eight contests.

Hitting a NL-best .339, Goldschmidt broke out Wednesday after going 0 for 15 with nine strikeouts in the previous four games.

Wellington Castillo, meanwhile, is batting .393 with six home runs and nine RBIs in his last eight.

'I don't know how to explain what's going on right now,' Castillo said. 'Just go there, see the ball, hit the ball, and just try to keep everything simple."

Jeremy Hellickson (7-7, 4.95) looks to rebound from his shortest start of the year Saturday when he matched a season high with seven runs allowed, including six on three homers, in 3 1-3 innings of a 9-2 loss to Houston.

"He just didn't have his control and where he wanted to throw the ball,' Arizona manager Chip Hale said. 'You can't make mistakes.'

The right-hander yielded a three-run homer to Werth and one other run while walking four in 5 2-3 innings, not factoring in the decision of a 9-6 loss to Washington on May 13.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Nationals
Mon, Aug 3 Final 6 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Nationals
Tue, Aug 4 Final 4 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Nationals
Wed, Aug 5 Final 11 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Diamondbacks at Nationals
Thu, Aug 6 - 4:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 08-06-2015, 10:05 AM

Preview: Red Sox (48-60) at Yankees (60-46)
Game: 3
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: August 06, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

It was a rare off night for the New York Yankees offensively, but it's been that way much of the season for one-time staff ace CC Sabathia.

Trying to get on track once more, Sabathia seeks a rare quality outing Thursday night as the Yankees wrap up their series with the Boston Red Sox.

The left-hander has endured a trying season with a career-worst 5.54 ERA. Sabathia (4-8) has not recorded a decision in his three previous starts but has done himself no favors in the last two by allowing 10 runs and 15 hits in 10 2-3 innings.

He should be good to go after a bout of dehydration following his most recent start last Thursday in Texas. The left-hander was reached for five runs and nine hits in five-plus innings while pitching in 101-degree heat in New York's 7-6 defeat.

Sabathia was hospitalized and received IV fluids during an overnight stay at an Arlington hospital before catching up with the team in Chicago the following day.

"I think I'm good," he told MLB's official website Friday. "I usually hydrate really good before games, in between games and in-between innings, nights before. This was just a tough one."

Sabathia has pitched more than six innings just once in his last 12 starts and given up four or more runs in 12 of his 20 outings. One of the good eight ones, though, came at Fenway Park on May 1 when he yielded two runs in six innings before leaving without a decision in New York's 3-2 victory.

Sabathia is 11-12 with a 4.63 ERA lifetime versus the Red Sox, with a 9-8 mark pitching for the Yankees.

The Yankees have not dropped a series since losing two of three to the Los Angels Angels on the road from June 29-July 1. Carlos Beltran extended New York's home run streak to a season-high 11 games with a solo blast in the seventh.

Red Sox slugger David Ortiz is a .239 hitter versus Sabathia with as many hits as strikeouts (16). He belted a towering fourth-inning solo homer in Wednesday night's 2-1 win, ending a seven-game drought without a long ball.

'We don't leave New York without David probably going deep one time. He just put a beautiful swing on the pitch,' manager John Farrell said.

That swing hasn't surfaced often in the Bronx this year - Ortiz is 3 for 23 with two solo homers in five games. Pablo Sandoval, though, went 2 for 4 with two doubles and is hitting .375 during a 13-game hitting streak versus New York.

Rookie Eduardo Rodriguez (6-3, 4.34) is seeking his fourth win in five decisions but struggled with his control Friday versus Tampa Bay, giving up three runs and six hits while walking four in five innings and throwing 110 pitches. He did not get a decision as the Red Sox eventually won 7-5.

The left-hander won his lone start against the Yankees on July 11, allowing solo homers to Jacoby Ellsbury and Alex Rodriguez along with three other hits in 6 1-3 innings of a 5-3 victory.

Yankees catcher Brian McCann, who flied out as a pinch-hitter to end Wednesday's game, likely will not start for the second straight contest due to inflammation in his left MCL. Rodriguez, who went 0 for 4, is hitting .207 in eight home games since the All-Star break.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Red Sox at Yankees
Tue, Aug 4 Final 3 to 13
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Red Sox at Yankees
Wed, Aug 5 Final 2 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Red Sox at Yankees
Thu, Aug 6 - 7:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 08-06-2015, 10:07 AM

Preview: Twins (54-53) at Blue Jays (57-52)
Game: 4
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: August 06, 2015 7:07 PM EDT

The Toronto Blue Jays might now have the overall talent needed to reach the postseason, and the growing confidence to get there.

They can complete a four-game home sweep of the reeling Minnesota Twins with a fifth consecutive victory Thursday night.

With Wednesday's 9-7 victory, Toronto (57-52) has won seven of the last eight on its 10-game homestand and owns a one-game lead over Baltimore for the AL's second wild-card spot. A grand slam by Jose Bautista, three-run homer from Edwin Encarnacion and a two-run shot off the bat of Josh Donaldson helped the Blue Jays continue their surge.

'We went out there (Wednesday) and we did what we do best,' Bautista said.

That power trio, combined with recent marquee additions Troy Tulowitzki and David Price, has the Blue Jays feeling good about themselves every time they step on the field.

"Winning games is fun," Tulowitzki told MLB's official website. "That makes (being here) comfortable, that makes it fun, and it's really what you come from the ballpark for."

Toronto has totaled 31 home runs while hitting at least one in 17 of the last 18 contests. Donaldson, who has homered in each game of this set to match his career high of 29, has seven home runs and 18 RBIs in the last 15 games.

The Blue Jays will try to complete the sweep of Minnesota (54-53) behind Mark Buehrle (11-5, 3.32 ERA), who is 5-1 with a 3.09 ERA in nine home starts.

His 29 wins over the Twins are the left-hander's most against any opponent. Buehrle won his fourth consecutive start against Minnesota on May 29 when he threw a six-hitter in a 6-4 victory to record one of his four complete games this season.

Brian Dozier is 3 for 7 with two doubles against Buehrle, but is batting .132 with 14 strikeouts in the last nine contests. Teammate Trevor Plouffe drove in a pair of runs Wednesday, but is 2 for his last 14 and batting .167 when facing Buehrle.

Overtaken by Toronto for that second wild-card spot with Tuesday's 3-1 defeat, Minnesota has dropped 13 of the last 17 to drop two behind the Blue Jays. Though the Twins matched their run total from the previous five contests Wednesday, they blew a 3-0 first-inning lead.

'I think we're all frustrated,' manager Paul Molitor said. 'We see what's happening and the fact that we're having trouble winning games.'

Kyle Gibson (8-8, 3.37) allowed 12 runs in 10 1-3 innings to lose his first two starts following the All-Star break, then gave up two in seven innings while not factoring in the decision of a 3-2 win over Seattle on Saturday. The Twins have provided the right-hander with two runs of support in those three starts.

Gibson has yielded one earned run over 13 2-3 innings to go 1-0 in two starts against the Blue Jays but is facing them for the first time on the road.

While Bautista and Encarnacion are a combined 1 for 9 when facing Gibson, Donaldson is 2 for 5 with a double.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Twins at Blue Jays
Mon, Aug 3 Final 1 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Twins at Blue Jays
Tue, Aug 4 Final 1 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Twins at Blue Jays
Wed, Aug 5 Final 7 to 9
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Twins at Blue Jays
Thu, Aug 6 - 7:07PM EDT

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