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**StarDust Bum** · 08-14-2015, 02:42 AM

MLB RUNLINES

MLB > (925) LA ANGELS@ (926) KANSAS CITY | 2015-08-14 20:10:00 - 2015-08-14 20:10:00
Play ON KANSAS CITY using the in Home games when playing with a day off
The record is 7 Wins and 0 Losses for the this season (+11.05 units)

MLB > (919) SEATTLE@ (920) BOSTON | 2015-08-14 19:10:00 - 2015-08-14 19:10:00
Play AGAINST BOSTON using the in All games when playing with a day off
The record is 5 Wins and 26 Losses for the last two seasons (-26.3 units)

MLB > (917) NY YANKEES@ (918) TORONTO | 2015-08-14 19:05:00 - 2015-08-14 19:05:00
Play ON TORONTO using the in All games in August games
The record is 10 Wins and 1 Losses for the this season (+10.15 units)

MLB > (929) CHICAGO CUBS@ (930) CHI WHITE SOX | 2015-08-14 16:10:00 - 2015-08-14 16:10:00
Play AGAINST CHI WHITE SOX using the in Home games after 3 or more consecutive wins
The record is 1 Wins and 15 Losses for the last three seasons (-15.5 units)

MLB > (927) DETROIT@ (928) HOUSTON | 2015-08-14 20:10:00 - 2015-08-14 20:10:00
Play ON HOUSTON using the in All games in home games
The record is 33 Wins and 23 Losses for the this season (+17.1 units)

MLB > (921) TAMPA BAY@ (922) TEXAS | 2015-08-14 20:05:00 - 2015-08-14 20:05:00
Play ON TEXAS using the in All games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 37 Wins and 15 Losses for the this season (+17.5 units)

**StarDust Bum** · 08-14-2015, 02:43 AM

MLB TOTALS

MLB > (913) WASHINGTON@ (914) SAN FRANCISCO | 2015-08-14 22:15:00 - 2015-08-14 22:15:00
Play UNDER SAN FRANCISCO on the total in Home games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 2 Overs and 16 Unders for the this season (+13.8 units)

MLB > (907) MIAMI@ (908) ST LOUIS | 2015-08-14 20:15:00 - 2015-08-14 20:15:00
Play UNDER ST LOUIS on the total in Home games in games played on a grass field
The record is 16 Overs and 39 Unders for the this season (+19.95 units)

MLB > (911) CINCINNATI@ (912) LA DODGERS | 2015-08-14 22:10:00 - 2015-08-14 22:10:00
Play OVER LA DODGERS on the total in All games in home games
The record is 84 Overs and 51 Unders for the last two seasons (+32.6 units)

MLB > (905) PHILADELPHIA@ (906) MILWAUKEE | 2015-08-14 20:10:00 - 2015-08-14 20:10:00
Play OVER PHILADELPHIA on the total in All games against right-handed starters
The record is 53 Overs and 33 Unders for the this season (+19.35 units)

MLB > (929) CHICAGO CUBS@ (930) CHI WHITE SOX | 2015-08-14 16:10:00 - 2015-08-14 16:10:00
Play UNDER CHI WHITE SOX on the total in Home games when playing against a team with a winning record
The record is 11 Overs and 26 Unders for the this season (+13.6 units)

MLB > (925) LA ANGELS@ (926) KANSAS CITY | 2015-08-14 20:10:00 - 2015-08-14 20:10:00
Play OVER LA ANGELS on the total in Road games when playing with a day off
The record is 120 Overs and 65 Unders for the since 1992 (+51.15 units)

**StarDust Bum** · 08-14-2015, 02:46 AM

MLB TOP POWERLINES

MLB > (929) CHICAGO CUBS @ (930) CHI WHITE SOX | 2015-08-14 16:10:00 - 2015-08-14 16:10:00
Line: CHICAGO CUBS BTB PowerLine: CHICAGO CUBS123
Edge On: CHICAGO CUBS (13)

MLB > (917) NY YANKEES @ (918) TORONTO | 2015-08-14 19:05:00 - 2015-08-14 19:05:00
Line: NY YANKEES BTB PowerLine: NY YANKEES-163
Edge On: NY YANKEES (37)

MLB > (919) SEATTLE @ (920) BOSTON | 2015-08-14 19:10:00 - 2015-08-14 19:10:00
Line: SEATTLE BTB PowerLine: SEATTLE106
Edge On: SEATTLE (11)

MLB > (901) PITTSBURGH @ (902) NY METS | 2015-08-14 19:10:00 - 2015-08-14 19:10:00
Line: PITTSBURGH BTB PowerLine: PITTSBURGH-107
Edge On: PITTSBURGH (10)

MLB > (923) CLEVELAND @ (924) MINNESOTA | 2015-08-14 20:10:00 - 2015-08-14 20:10:00
Line: MINNESOTA+135 BTB PowerLine: MINNESOTA113
Edge On: MINNESOTA (22)

MLB > (925) LA ANGELS @ (926) KANSAS CITY | 2015-08-14 20:10:00 - 2015-08-14 20:10:00
Line: KANSAS CITY-135 BTB PowerLine: KANSAS CITY-156
Edge On: KANSAS CITY (21)

MLB > (905) PHILADELPHIA @ (906) MILWAUKEE | 2015-08-14 20:10:00 - 2015-08-14 20:10:00
Line: PHILADELPHIA BTB PowerLine: PHILADELPHIA-143
Edge On: PHILADELPHIA (17)

MLB > (907) MIAMI @ (908) ST LOUIS | 2015-08-14 20:15:00 - 2015-08-14 20:15:00
Line: ST LOUIS-211 BTB PowerLine: ST LOUIS-232
Edge On: ST LOUIS (21)

MLB > (909) SAN DIEGO @ (910) COLORADO | 2015-08-14 20:40:00 - 2015-08-14 20:40:00
Line: SAN DIEGO BTB PowerLine: SAN DIEGO122
Edge On: SAN DIEGO (12)

MLB > (913) WASHINGTON @ (914) SAN FRANCISCO | 2015-08-14 22:15:00 - 2015-08-14 22:15:00
Line: WASHINGTON BTB PowerLine: WASHINGTON138
Edge On: WASHINGTON (8)

**StarDust Bum** · 08-14-2015, 02:48 AM

Preview: Cubs (65-48) at White Sox (54-58)
Game: 1
Venue: U.S. Cellular Field
Date: August 14, 2015 4:10 PM EDT

Jeff Samardzija's insistence on hitting the open market this offseason has led to him reportedly tabling talks for an extension with both Chicago clubs in just over a year.

It's also part of the reason he's riding out the last season of his contract on the South Side rather than potentially contributing to the Chicago Cubs' resurgence.

Samardzija tries to cool off his former team as the Chicago White Sox host the North Siders in the opener of a three-game series Friday.

Cubs management reportedly offered Samardzija a five-year, $85 million extension that he rejected last year before the right-hander posted a 2.83 ERA in 17 starts. With the Cubs on their way to a last-place finish, they dealt Samardzija and Jason Hammel to Oakland on July 4, 2014, for a package of prospects that included Addison Russell, a regular starting infielder for the Cubs (65-48) since making his debut April 21.

Samardzija (8-7, 4.62 ERA) might be hard-pressed to find an offer better than the Cubs' now. He hasn't discussed an extension with the White Sox (54-58) since they acquired him from the A's during the offseason and hasn't helped his cause by allowing at least four runs in 11 of 23 starts.

He pitched a season-low 4 2-3 innings in each of his last two, allowing nine runs in a loss to the New York Yankees on Aug. 2 and seven in Saturday's defeat at Kansas City.

It's the first time Samardzija has gone fewer than five innings in back-to-back outings since he became a full-time starter with the Cubs in 2012.

"You play two good teams, and if you aren't on your game, it's going to come back to get you," Samardzija said. "You've got five days and you start again."

Samardzija now makes his first start against his former team after spending parts of seven seasons with the Cubs, who have won seven in a row and 13 of 14 to move into the NL's last playoff spot while gaining ground on wild-card leading Pittsburgh.

The last six victories have come with Starlin Castro starting on the bench and Russell shifting from second base to shortstop. Chris Coghlan has moved to second to open a spot in left field for rookie Kyle Schwarber.

Schwarber snapped an 0-for-11 slump by hitting two of the Cubs' five homers and driving in four runs in Thursday's 9-2 win over Milwaukee.

The Cubs haven't won eight straight since a nine-game run May 26-June 3, 2008.

'That's the mindset that we need to have, is we're playing in the playoffs every day,' Schwarber said.

The White Sox dropped eight of their previous 10 before Avisail Garcia's RBI double in the 13th gave them a 3-2 win Wednesday and three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels.

They're attempting to catch the Angels for the second wild card but also have to jump five other teams in a tight race.

"(The Cubs) are playing well, so you want it to be fun and meaningful games," manager Robin Ventura told MLB's official site. "I think we're getting to that point."

The White Sox took two of three at Wrigley Field from July 10-12, including a 1-0 win in the opener. Right-hander Kyle Hendricks (6-5, 3.73) has gone 2-1 with a 4.34 ERA in five starts since tossing seven innings for the Cubs in that contest, and he'll oppose Samardzija in this matchup.

Ventura said designated hitter Adam LaRoche, mired in a 1-for-16 slump, will start after pinch-hitting in the 9th on Wednesday.

The Cubs have won five of seven at U.S. Cellular Field since 2012.

'I know the atmosphere's going to be great,' Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Cubs at White Sox
Fri, Aug 14 - 4:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Cubs at White Sox
Sat, Aug 15 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Cubs at White Sox
Sun, Aug 16 - 2:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 08-14-2015, 02:50 AM

Preview: Athletics (51-65) at Orioles (57-56)
Game: 1
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: August 14, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

The Baltimore lineup and Orioles starter Ubaldo Jimenez are probably eager to get back in action for very different reasons. While Baltimore's batters had to sit through an off day after being no-hit, Jimenez is coming off his best start of the season.

The former can get back on track Friday night against what figures to be the visiting Oakland Athletics' Triple-A call-up as the latter seeks a follow-up gem.

Seattle's Hisashi Iwakuma baffled Baltimore (57-56) in its 3-0 loss Wednesday to send it to a second straight series defeat, and Adam Jones wasn't just brushing it off and looking ahead.

"It's not just a normal loss," Jones said after watching his average dip to .174 in 11 games this month. "We're going down in the history books on the bad side of a no-hitter."

Jimmy Paredes is hitting .077 in his last eight games, and Gerardo Parra is at .196 in 11 contests with the Orioles after batting .328 in Milwaukee. Matt Wieters wasn't in the lineup because of a hamstring strain suffered Tuesday, and he's considered day to day.

Jimenez (9-7, 3.79 ERA) saw his ERA balloon to a season-high 4.04 before the right-hander limited the Los Angeles Angels to two hits in eight innings of Saturday's 5-0 road win.

"I really needed it," Jimenez told MLB's official website. "It's not easy coming to the stadium every day, and know you're not doing what you're supposed to do - especially with the situation we're in, fighting for a playoff spot."

He's had an easier time at home with a 6-2 record and 2.87 ERA in nine starts, and he's gone at least seven innings in seven of those. He came nowhere near that in his last start against the A's, surrendering six runs and two hits with five walks in 2 1-3 innings of an 11-1 home loss on June 8, 2014.

Brett Lawrie (3 for 8), Billy Butler (9 for 28) and Josh Reddick (3 for 10) have all homered against him, but Danny Valencia (1 for 8) and Eric Sogard (0 for 6) have struggled.

Collectively, that group did little in Toronto as the A's (51-65) were swept in three games. They scored seven runs in the series and are batting .214 in the last 14 games.

Butler is hitting .159 in his last 20 contests, but Lawrie broke from a 1-for-18 slump by going 2 for 4. Valencia went hitless for the first time in his seven games with the A's, including hitting into a bases-loaded double play in the first inning. Oakland is batting .198 with runners in scoring position over the last 10.

"That can be a little disheartening," manager Bob Melvin said.

The bigger problem might be keeping runs off the board on the road. Over a 1-7 away span since the All-Star break, Oakland starters have a 6.63 ERA, and that's not being helped by the uncertainty surrounding Sonny Gray. The A's ace was scratched Thursday due to back spasms and he won't start the series opener, which likely leaves Oakland with Brad Mills from Triple-A to make his MLB season debut.

The left-hander is 4-11 with a 4.45 ERA in 22 starts with Nashville. Mills is 4-4 with an 8.15 ERA in 13 starts and seven relief efforts over parts of five seasons with Oakland, Toronto and the Los Angeles Angels, but strangely he's won all three starts against the Orioles with a 1.56 ERA. Jones is 1 for 8 with a home run and three strikeouts against him.

Baltimore won two of three in Oakland from Aug. 3-5, knotting the series at 17-all since 2011.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Athletics at Orioles
Fri, Aug 14 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Athletics at Orioles
Sat, Aug 15 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Athletics at Orioles
Sun, Aug 16 - 1:35PM EDT

GAME 4
Athletics at Orioles
Mon, Aug 17 - 7:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 08-14-2015, 02:52 AM

Preview: Mariners (54-61) at Red Sox (50-64)
Game: 1
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: August 14, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

The Seattle Mariners are heading east following a historic pitching performance. The Boston Red Sox return home following one they'd like to forget.

Two days after Hisashi Iwakuma tossed the fifth no-hitter in franchise history, the Mariners begin a six-game road trip Friday night against a Red Sox team reeling from a lopsided loss.

Iwakuma joined Hideo Nomo as the only Japanese-born pitchers to throw a no-hitter in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Baltimore. It was the first no-no by an American League hurler since teammate Felix Hernandez's perfect game against Tampa Bay on Aug. 15, 2012, ending a streak of 11 straight by NL pitchers.

The veteran right-hander walked three and got help from a dazzling catch in the ninth inning by Kyle Seager, who made an over-the-shoulder grab of David Lough's foul ball near the third-base stands for the first out.

"He was so good that I'm answering these questions on a foul ball. That's how good he was today," Seager told MLB's official website.

Mike Montgomery (4-4, 3.25 ERA) will have a tough act to follow for Seattle (54-61), winner of seven of 10.

The rookie is trying to regain the form of his first seven major league starts in which he went 4-2 with a 1.62 ERA and two shutouts. Montgomery has gone 0-2 with a 5.93 ERA in his last six outings.

He allowed three runs in four innings of Saturday's 11-3, 11-inning loss to Texas and issued four walks, giving him 15 over his past four starts.

Montgomery, who's never faced Boston, is 3-1 with a 3.06 ERA in six road starts.

Nelson Cruz is expected to return to the Mariners' lineup after missing Wednesday's game with neck spasms. The major league home run leader brings a 21-game hitting streak into Fenway Park, where he's a career .391 hitter with six homers.

Cruz extended his tear with his 34th home run Tuesday and has 13 with 17 RBIs while batting .411 during the streak. He's 5 for 11 against Joe Kelly, who looks to build on an encouraging start and help Boston (50-64) bounce back from Wednesday's 14-6 loss at Miami.

The Marlins battered Red Sox pitching for 17 hits and 10 sixth-inning runs to complete a two-game sweep.

Kelly (4-6, 5.96) has had his struggles as well in a season that includes a month-long demotion to Triple-A. Though the right-hander has posted a 7.11 ERA in four starts since returning, he's won his last two while receiving 14 runs of support.

He pitched well in the most recent one, a 7-2 victory at Detroit last Friday, recording seven strikeouts and yielding two runs in 5 1-3 innings.

"He attacked the zone, he was down in the strike zone," manager John Farrell said. "I thought he had probably one of the best changeups of the season."

Kelly, 2-3 with a 6.27 ERA in nine home starts, threw five scoreless innings in his lone career meeting with Seattle, a 5-3 home loss Aug. 22.

Farrell returned Wednesday after missing the previous game while recovering from hernia surgery, but the Red Sox were without Hanley Ramirez for a fourth straight contest due to a sore left foot. The left fielder spent Thursday with doctors determining whether further tests are needed.

David Ortiz homered twice Wednesday and has gone 9 for 15 in his last three games. He's amassed five homers and nine RBI in his past seven.

These teams split four games in Seattle in May. The Mariners had lost nine straight at Fenway Park before recording a three-game sweep last August.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mariners at Red Sox
Fri, Aug 14 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Mariners at Red Sox
Sat, Aug 15 - 1:35PM EDT

GAME 3
Mariners at Red Sox
Sun, Aug 16 - 1:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 08-14-2015, 02:54 AM

Preview: Pirates (65-46) at Mets (63-52)
Game: 1
Venue: Citi Field
Date: August 14, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Riding the league's most productive offense over the past three weeks to the top of the NL East, the New York Mets are already talking about the playoffs.

A three-game series with a potential postseason opponent could build that confidence.

The red-hot Mets go for an eighth straight home win Friday night in their first meeting with the Pittsburgh Pirates since being swept three months ago.

New York (63-52) has surged past Washington into the division lead behind a 14-4 stretch, during which it's averaging an NL-best 5.6 runs. It averaged 2.8 in its previous 20 games, winning nine.

The increased production compliments a pitching staff that ranks second in the majors with a 3.18 ERA.

"I think we'd be a tough team in the playoffs," said Kelly Johnson, who had a solo homer and a pair of RBI doubles in Thursday's 12-3 win over Colorado.

The Mets outscored the Rockies 23-5 to sweep the four-game set and match St. Louis' major league-leading 42 home victories. They're trying to move 12 games over .500 for the first time since finishing 2008 at 89-73.

The Mets, however, have lost 12 of the past 16 meetings with Pirates (66-46) and were outscored 21-4 while dropping all three in Pittsburgh from May 22-24.

"Looking forward to it. Hopefully we can even that out," said Curtis Granderson, who homered and drove in three runs Thursday.

The Pirates, who hold the NL's first wild-card spot, are looking to build on Thursday's 10-5 win at NL Central-leading St. Louis, ending an eight-game losing streak at Busch Stadium.

"You try not to make things too important, but this was big for us," said second baseman Neil Walker, who came a homer shy of the cycle while adding two RBIs.

Andrew McCutchen is hitting .429 with three homers and 11 RBIs in the last eight games. He's a .338 career hitter against the Mets, going 6 for 10 with two homers, two doubles, four RBIs and as many runs in May.

J.A. Happ, acquired from Seattle at the trade deadline, gets the ball after his last turn was skipped due to off days. He surrendered four runs in 4 1-3 innings of a 5-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs in his Pirates debut Aug. 4.

The left-hander, who hasn't faced the Mets since 2012, is 2-1 with a 2.93 ERA in five starts on six or more days of rest over the past two seasons.

New York is turning to Bartolo Colon (10-11, 4.76 ERA), who is 1-7 with a 5.30 ERA over his last nine starts. He allowed four runs and nine hits in 6 2-3 innings of Sunday's 4-3 loss at Tampa Bay.

The right-hander gave up five runs in six innings of a loss at Pittsburgh on June 29, 2014 - in his last matchup - after winning the two previous meetings by allowing one run in 14 1-3 innings.

A stiff back could land Lucas Duda on disabled list if he's out for a fourth straight game. He didn't feel up to playing Thursday after taking medication.

"There's a concern," Terry Collins said. "The level's 5. Defcon 5."

Duda is hitting .375 with nine homers and 12 RBIs in his past nine home games. He's 4 for 12 with three homers and four RBIs in the last four home meetings with Pittsburgh.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Pirates at Mets
Fri, Aug 14 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Pirates at Mets
Sat, Aug 15 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Pirates at Mets
Sun, Aug 16 - 1:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 08-14-2015, 02:55 AM

Preview: Diamondbacks (56-57) at Braves (51-63)
Game: 1
Venue: Turner Field
Date: August 14, 2015 7:35 PM EDT

The Arizona Diamondbacks had no trouble producing runs in their last series. History says they may have a more difficult time in their next game.

Arizona enters Friday night's matchup with the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field after scoring 32 runs in taking two of three from Philadelphia. The Diamondbacks had at least 15 hits in each game and homered six times over the first two while batting .403 for the series.

"They can really swing it," said Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola, who beat the Diamondbacks 7-6 on Wednesday. "The whole stadium knew they were going to come out swinging. They have a lot of guys in that lineup that have done a lot of damage."

That lineup is getting contributions in addition to star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who finished a home run shy of the cycle Wednesday to raise his MLB-best average to .341. David Peralta is 11 for 15 with eight RBIs over his last four games, Aaron Hill is 8 for 14 in his past five and A.J. Pollock went 8 for 15 with six runs in the series.

Arizona (56-57) has won 12 of 18 as it begins a 10-game road trip, though success has been sporadic in prior meetings with Atlanta starter Julio Teheran (7-6, 4.57 ERA).

Teheran has yielded two runs or less each time in going 2-1 with a 2.35 ERA in four starts against the Diamondbacks, winning the last two. He pitched six shutout innings at Turner Field in 2013 and allowed two runs in seven last season in Phoenix.

Goldschmidt is 0 for 9 with four strikeouts against Teheran and Hill 1 for 6. Peralta, limited to pinch-hitting duties Wednesday by a strained quadriceps, is 2 for 3 off the right-hander.

Teheran is 2-2 over his last seven outings but posted five quality starts. He shut out Miami through six innings Aug. 7 before permitting three runs in the seventh and leaving with a no decision.

Teheran also has been tough at Turner Field, where he's 5-1 with a 2.52 ERA in 11 starts.

The spiraling Braves (51-63) return home following consecutive losses to Tampa Bay and are an MLB-worst 9-21 since July 8. Atlanta enters this three-game set off Wednesday's 9-6 defeat in which the Rays scored six seventh-inning runs off rookie relievers Matt Marksberry and Ryan Kelly.

'It's a box of chocolates sometimes when you have inexperienced guys in the bullpen,' manager Fredi Gonzalez said. 'Sometimes you don't make a play and give those guys an opportunity to get back in the game, and sometimes the inexperience shows.'

Atlanta gets its first look at Robbie Ray (3-7, 3.13) as the rookie tries to stop a tough stretch of his own. After posting a 2.16 ERA over his first eight starts, the left-hander has gone 0-3 with a 4.88 ERA in his last five.

Ray failed to go beyond five innings in three of four starts before allowing three runs on a pair of homers through six of Saturday's 4-1 defeat to Cincinnati.

Peralta is expected to be back in the lineup along with Yasmany Tomas, who sat out Wednesday with left calf tightness.

The Diamondbacks won two of three from visiting Atlanta from June 1-3 but have dropped 11 of 13 at Turner Field.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Braves
Fri, Aug 14 - 7:35PM EDT

GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Braves
Sat, Aug 15 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Braves
Sun, Aug 16 - 1:35PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 08-14-2015, 02:59 AM

Preview: Rays (58-56) at Rangers (56-57)
Game: 1
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: August 14, 2015 8:05 PM EDT

As a high schooler in Arlington, Texas, Nathan Karns would often attend Rangers games and think about what it would be like to pitch in the big leagues.

Now the right-hander will be the one standing on the Globe Life Park mound as he makes his first start back home.

In a matchup with wild-card implications, Karns will try to lead the Tampa Bay Rays to their fifth consecutive victory Friday night in the opener of a three-game series.

A pitching career that began at Arlington's Martin High School and continued at Texas Tech University will come full circle with Karns' first full season as a starter with Tampa Bay.

The 27-year-old is getting the chance to pitch at Globe Life in front of friends and family.

"The opportunity is definitely something I've dreamt about for a long time," he told MLB's official website. "... There's a lot of history of me going there for games, but it'll be awesome to give something back to my parents and everyone else involved who got me to this point."

Karns (7-5, 3.52 ERA) has limited opponents to two or fewer runs in 14 of his last 18 starts, though he allowed four runs over five innings of Saturday's 5-4 home win over the New York Mets.

In his only other meeting with Texas on May 8, Karns gave up two runs and four hits while striking out nine over seven innings of an 8-2 win at Tropicana Field.

The Rays (58-56) will try to continue their climb in the wild-card race with their eighth win in nine games, while the Rangers (56-57) seek a season-high fifth consecutive home victory.

Texas had totaled five runs during a three-game losing streak before wrapping up a 2-4 trip with Thursday's 6-5 win over Minnesota. Mitch Moreland had a career-high four hits - including his 17th home run - and Adrian Beltre added three hits after going 3 for 27 over his previous seven.

'We needed that one,' Moreland said. 'Good to carry a little bit of momentum back home.'

Former Tampa Bay draft pick Josh Hamilton isn't expected to be available for a third straight game due to soreness in his left knee. The club has ordered an MRI on the 34-year-old slugger.

Martin Perez will make his sixth start since returning from Tommy John surgery. After going 0-2 with a 10.50 ERA in his first three outings, the left-hander has gone 1-0 with a 1.88 mark in his past two.

Perez (1-2, 5.81) is 0-1 with a 4.35 ERA in two games - one start - against the Rays. Evan Longoria is 3 for 4 with a home run off him and he's batting .356 with three homers over his last 11 against Texas.

While it ranks near the bottom of the majors in most offensive categories, Tampa Bay has hit .296 with 13 home runs while scoring 5.6 per game over its last seven.

Asdrubal Cabrera has led the surge, batting .490 while recording at least one hit in 13 of his last 14 games. The shortstop has also gone 7 for 17 in his last four against the Rangers.

Outfielder Desmond Jennings is expected back after missing 3 1/2 months due to left knee surgery.

The teams split a four-game series at Tropicana in May but the Rays have won five of six in Arlington.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rays at Rangers
Fri, Aug 14 - 8:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Rays at Rangers
Sat, Aug 15 - 8:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Rays at Rangers
Sun, Aug 16 - 3:05PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 08-14-2015, 03:01 AM

Preview: Phillies (46-69) at Brewers (48-68)
Game: 1
Venue: Miller Park
Date: August 14, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

The Philadelphia Phillies entered the All-Star break as the worst team in baseball by 9 1/2 games, in part because their closest competition straddled the break with 17 wins in 23 games.

Those Milwaukee Brewers have since fallen off, and Philadelphia has emerged from the break as one of the majors' top teams. A three-game series begins Friday night at Miller Park, and the pitcher that helped the Phillies climb from the cellar last week has a shot at doing the same six days later.

Philadelphia (46-69) dropped two of three in Arizona to begin the week and again fall behind Miami for MLB's worst record, but Wednesday's 7-6 win moved it to 17-7 in the second half. It's a half game behind the Marlins in the NL East and 1 1/2 back of Milwaukee (48-68).

Cameron Rupp homered for the third time with eight RBIs in six games this month after going deep once with seven RBIs in his first 43 of the year.

"I'm feeling comfortable," Rupp told MLB's official website. "I'm getting pitches to hit that I can drive, staying within myself and trying not to do too much. I think there's more there."

Even with the added power, it seems unlikely the Phillies will be able to continue climbing if the starting pitching doesn't pick it up. Over an 8-6 span, the rotation has a 6.75 ERA and .353 opponent batting average, though Adam Morgan's latest outing was much better.

Morgan (3-3, 4.06 ERA) was impressive in his first two big league starts before falling into a five-start rough patch with a 1-2 record and 5.61 ERA. The rookie left-hander emerged from that in Saturday's 4-2 win in San Diego, limiting the Padres to two runs - one earned - and six hits in six innings to help vault Philadelphia from the bottom of the majors.

He retired the first nine batters, but then again fell into some inconsistency. The first time through the lineup, he's limiting opponents to a .242 average. In the second and third, they're batting .305.

"The second time through the lineup I tried to be too fine," Morgan said.

His opposition is also seeking some consistency. Wily Peralta is 1-2 with a 6.06 ERA in three starts since returning from more than two months on the disabled list with a strained oblique. Even so, after giving up three runs in seven innings of Saturday's 3-0 loss to St. Louis, Peralta (2-7, 4.48) feels like he's headed in the right direction.

"I threw better than the last time," Peralta said. "After the second inning I started feeling better with my breathing and commanding my offspeed pitches."

The right-hander has struggled even more against Philadelphia in three career starts, going 1-2 with an 8.82 ERA. Domonic Brown is 3 for 7 with a home run, but is batting .174 in his last eight games.

The Brewers swept a four-game set in Philadelphia from June 29-July 2 while batting .364 with an average of seven runs per game, but the Phillies did the same to the Brewers from July 7-10, 2014, to improve to 13-6 at Miller Park since the start of 2010.

After Thursday's 9-2 loss at the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee is heading into the series fresh off a three-game sweep. The Brewers are 6-16 since the 17-6 run, losing five of six with two runs a game and a .196 average.

Ryan Braun has managed consecutive 3-for-4 efforts, and he's batting .437 with 10 home runs in his last 31 contests against the Phillies. The right fielder remains one homer shy of matching Robin Yount's franchise record of 251.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Phillies at Brewers
Fri, Aug 14 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Phillies at Brewers
Sat, Aug 15 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Phillies at Brewers
Sun, Aug 16 - 2:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 08-14-2015, 03:03 AM

Preview: Indians (53-59) at Twins (57-57)
Game: 1
Venue: Target Field
Date: August 14, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Minnesota's chances at its first postseason berth in five years are fading fast.

The Twins' second matchup with Corey Kluber in less than a week likely won't help matters, either, given the way the right-hander has dominated them lately.

They open a three-game series against Kluber and the Cleveland Indians on Friday night at Target Field.

The Twins (57-57) held a one-game edge for the AL's top wild-card spot on July 17, but they have since dropped 17 of 24 to fall three games out of a playoff spot. Its starters have a 6.15 ERA in that span, and that group has failed to deliver a quality start in seven of the last nine contests after Ervin Santana surrendered five runs in six innings of Thursday's 6-5 loss to Texas.

The rotation's struggles were compounded Thursday when Phil Hughes was placed on the disabled list Thursday with lower back inflammation. Hughes, who was originally scheduled for this outing, will be replaced by Trevor May (8-7, 4.09 ERA) - who will make his first start since July 1.

Kluber (7-12, 3.46 ERA) is 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA and 39 strikeouts over 33 1-3 innings in his last four meetings with Minnesota. The Twins hit .109 against him in two matchups this year after he three-hit them and struck out 10 in Cleveland's 8-1 home win Sunday.

The Twins were hitless until Joe Mauer's seventh-inning single.

"The one I hit was probably the best one I saw all day, " said Mauer, whose .226 average in 31 at-bats versus Kluber is his fifth-lowest facing an active pitcher against whom he has at least 30 at-bats.

"You can't miss a pitch like that with a guy like that. He was nasty. There was a reason why he won the Cy Young last year. He looked a lot like that (Sunday)."

Mauer isn't the only middle-of-the-order hitter struggling against Kluber. Brian Dozier is batting .107 in 28 at-bats with nine strikeouts, while Torii Hunter, who is hitting .429 with 12 RBIs in seven games against Cleveland, is 3 for 18 while with seven strikeouts against the right-hander.

Kluber is 2-6 with a 4.16 ERA in 12 road starts this year but has a 2.74 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 23 innings in his last three at Minnesota.

Cleveland (53-60) had a four-game winning streak snapped in Thursday's 8-6 loss to the New York Yankees, though Yan Gomes was 3 for 4 and is batting .381 with eight RBIs in his last five games.

May, who is 4-7 with a 4.37 ERA in 15 starts, is 4-0 with a 2.51 ERA in 13 appearances since being moved to relief duty. Manager Paul Molitor said he'd be limited to about 50 pitches and will get another start next week at Baltimore.

"Right now I don't really want to turn him into a yo-yo man so to speak," Molitor said. "I don't want him to start two games and go back. We just have to see how it plays out."

May gave up six runs and nine hits over four innings in an 8-2 loss at Cleveland on May 10 to fall to 2-2 in four starts in the series, but he threw two scoreless innings of relief in last week's series.

"Starting's just pitching, I guess, but fortunately it's against a team we just saw," he told MLB's official website. "I was able to get in against them a couple times so it's a good way to start."

Minnesota leads the season series 5-4.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Indians at Twins
Fri, Aug 14 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Indians at Twins
Sat, Aug 15 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Indians at Twins
Sun, Aug 16 - 2:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 08-14-2015, 03:05 AM

Preview: Tigers (55-59) at Astros (62-53)
Game: 1
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: August 14, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

A homestand maybe never sounded so good to the Houston Astros. Even better, it starts with Dallas Keuchel on the mound.

Keuchel takes an unblemished season record at Minute Maid Park into a matchup against the Detroit Tigers - and possibly Miguel Cabrera - on Friday night.

The Astros stumble into this 10-game stretch at home with a slimmed AL West lead from another poor road trip. Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Giants snapped a four-game losing streak and shut the door on a 2-7 trek through Arlington, Oakland and San Francisco.

"It was nice to squeeze one out of here," manager A.J. Hinch said. "... It hasn't been easy for us on this trip. To be able to shake hands afterward was a good feeling. We needed it."

Returning home for 10 days, including next week's four games with Tampa Bay and three against the Los Angeles Dodgers, could further help Houston get on track. Whereas the Astros (62-53) are a major league-worst 4-17 on the road since July 4, they have won 14 of 16 at Minute Maid Park and are an AL-best 38-18 at home.

Keuchel (13-6, 2.40 ERA) became the first pitcher in franchise history to win his first 10 home decisions in a season when he last pitched in Houston, allowing two hits in six innings of a 9-2 victory over Arizona on Aug. 1. He's the first in the majors to do that since Zach Greinke with Milwaukee in 2011.

In his 12 home starts, Keuchel sports a 1.26 ERA which is second-best in baseball behind teammate Scott Kazmir (1.22). They're the only two pitchers who have yet to surrender a home run at home with at least six starts.

While Keuchel has won his last five outings at home and allowed two runs in his last 30 innings there, he has lost three straight road starts after giving up three runs and a season high-tying 10 hits over 7 2-3 innings in last Friday's 3-1 loss in Oakland.

"I can't put myself in hitters' counts consistently early on," Keuchel said. "I need to find my groove."

The left-hander has not lost consecutive starts this year and now looks to tie Seattle's Felix Hernandez for the AL lead in wins.

That task would be tougher if Cabrera returns. The Tigers (55-59) struggled to a 15-20 record without the former MVP, who has spent six weeks on the disabled list with a strained left calf.

"If all goes well, he may be activated Friday, as long as he says he feels good," manager Brad Ausmus told MLB's official website before Wednesday's sweep-preventing 7-4 win in Kansas City.

He added that Cabrera, who went 7 for 15 during a four-game split against the Astros in May, might play Friday before being rested Saturday and playing Sunday.

Ausmus will make his own return in Houston for the 10th anniversary celebration of the Astros' 2005 NL championship team. He was Houston's catcher for two stints of his 18-year career, from 1997-98 and 2001-08.

Alfredo Simon (10-6, 4.74) opposes Keuchel and hopes to shake off a groin injury that has hampered his last two starts, allowing 10 runs in 12 1-3 innings against Baltimore and Boston. The right-hander has an 8.29 ERA in his past nine outings but is 2-0 in the last four.

Simon beat the Astros on May 22, giving up two unearned runs in seven innings, and is 2-0 with a 1.10 ERA in five career appearances against them.

Houston center fielder Carlos Gomez was limited to pinch-hitting duty Wednesday to rest the left knee he banged into the wall while making a catch Tuesday, but he's expected to return to the lineup Friday.

Ian Kinsler is 6 for 19 against Keuchel while Victor Martinez is 3 for 6 with a homer, which came in Keuchel's last matchup against Detroit. Keuchel allowed only one other run in 7 2-3 innings to beat the Tigers in a 6-2 victory May 8, 2014.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Tigers at Astros
Fri, Aug 14 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Tigers at Astros
Sat, Aug 15 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Tigers at Astros
Sun, Aug 16 - 2:10PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 08-14-2015, 03:07 AM

Preview: Marlins (46-68) at Cardinals (73-40)
Game: 1
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: August 14, 2015 8:15 PM EDT

Jaime Garcia was working on a splendid outing against Miami in June when he suffered an injury that kept him out for a month.

The St. Louis Cardinals left-hander has continued to pitch effectively since his return - even overcoming a high walk count in his last two starts - and will try to stifle the Marlins again Friday night.

Garcia (4-4, 1.77 ERA) yielded a solo homer and four singles while walking none in seven innings at Miami on June 24. The Cardinals (73-41) appeared ready to send him out for another inning as they allowed him to bat in the eighth, but he strained his groin after singling and scoring a run in a 6-1 victory.

Garcia didn't return until July 28 and has quickly gotten back in the groove. He's allowed one run in 12 innings in his past two starts and pitched two-hit ball over seven in a 3-0 win at Milwaukee on Saturday.

Garcia produced that scoreless performance despite issuing four walks for the second straight game.

"My philosophy of pitching is getting quick outs to avoid deep counts. Unfortunately I haven't been able to do that the last couple of games, but I've still got the job done," he told MLB's official website.

Garcia is 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA in three starts against the Marlins (46-68), who are batting .345 with 23 runs during a three-game win streak. They tied a franchise record with a 10-run inning in a 14-6 win over Boston on Wednesday and rookie J.T. Realmuto had five of his six RBIs in the sixth, including his first career grand slam.

"We have to continue to have positives," second baseman Dee Gordon said. "The last few games we've played well. We've been playing better, so we just got to continue to be positive."

The Cardinals couldn't complete a three-game sweep of visiting Pittsburgh on Thursday, losing 10-5, but exited that series with a six-game lead in the NL Central.

St. Louis swept its three road games against Miami from June 23-25 and will try to earn a fifth consecutive win in the series Friday. The Marlins have lost 21 of 27 away from home.

Tom Koehler, meanwhile, has a 2.03 ERA in his past five road starts but didn't get enough support in a 7-2 loss in Atlanta on Saturday, his third in a row overall. The right-hander yielded three runs in six innings after giving up a combined 12 runs over 10 1-3 innings in his prior two games.

Koehler (8-9, 3.75) has split his two starts against St. Louis and earned a 6-5 win in his most recent Aug. 11, 2014, allowing three runs in five-plus innings.

Jason Heyward, batting .383 in his last 23 games against Miami, has six hits in his last 11 at-bats versus Koehler and is hitting .365 in his last 15 overall contests. Matt Carpenter is batting .377 with seven homers and 13 RBIs in his past 14 games, but is a .183 hitter in his 17 against the Marlins.

Mark Reynolds has two homers in three at-bats versus Koehler.

Miami's Ichiro Suzuki needs one more hit to match Ty Cobb with his 4,191st as a professional. The Marlins outfielder, who had 1,278 hits in Japan, is 1 for 6 lifetime against Garcia and 0 for 13 in his last five games versus St. Louis.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Marlins at Cardinals
Fri, Aug 14 - 8:15PM EDT

GAME 2
Marlins at Cardinals
Sat, Aug 15 - 7:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Marlins at Cardinals
Sun, Aug 16 - 2:15PM EDT

**StarDust Bum** · 08-14-2015, 03:09 AM

Preview: Padres (54-61) at Rockies (47-66)
Game: 1
Venue: Coors Field
Date: August 14, 2015 8:40 PM EDT

Tyson Ross is cemented among the list of pitchers with no luck at Coors Field.

Unlike others who have struggled in the hitter-friendly ballpark, Ross has pitched well but hasn't received much help from his own offense.

The San Diego Padres right-hander looks for some rare run support in Friday night's series opener with the Colorado Rockies.

Since joining the Padres (54-61) in 2013, Ross has an 0-4 record in four starts in Denver. Ross pitched to a 3.92 ERA in those four outings - much better than the MLB average of 5.22 since the start of the 2013 season - but his offense provided him with just three combined runs at the offense-friendly field. It's the fewest runs of support among the 27 pitchers who have made at least four starts at Coors since 2013.

Colorado's lineup hasn't quite been there for Ross this season, either. Ross (8-9, 3.39 ERA) has won all six starts that he received more than three runs, compared to a 2-9 mark at three runs or less.

His last two outings have seen both sides with a 13-5 win over Milwaukee on Aug. 3 and a 4-2 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday. Ross started shaky in both, allowing two first-inning runs before settling down.

He retired the final 14 batters he faced against the Phillies.

"Sometimes you start off rough, sometimes you finish rough," said Ross to MLB's official website. "It's all about making adjustments, coming out the next inning and settling down and finding ways to get outs."

San Diego snapped a six-game losing streak with two home wins over Cincinnati to start the week, but they were denied a sweep with Wednesday's 7-3 loss. The Padres, who have totaled 12 runs in their last five losses, have won seven of nine games against the Rockies this year.

Colorado (47-66) will look to Yohan Flande (2-1, 3.86) to snap its own four-game skid. Flande has jumped up and down from the minors throughout the last two seasons, and he spent stints in May and July out of the Rockies' bullpen.

He was inserted into Colorado's rotation in late July, though, and he has a 3.68 ERA three starts - all on the road. The left-hander picked up his first career win July 28 and then added another in an emergency extra-inning relief appearance on Aug. 5.

Due to that bullpen outing, Flande lasted just 4 2-3 innings on Sunday against Washington. He served up three home runs, surpassing the two he had surrendered over 28 innings in 10 previous outings this year.

"He's a strike-thrower - that's what he does," Colorado manager Walt Weiss said. "He sinks the ball and he's got a good changeup."

Flande went 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in two starts against San Diego in his 2014 rookie season.

Colorado left fielder Corey Dickerson has four hits in 11 at-bats against Ross in his career, including a home run and double.

Carlos Gonzalez, who is 1 for 7 with three strikeouts lifetime versus Ross, is mired in an 0-for-12 slump. He is also 0 for 12 at home against the Padres this season, but is batting .412 with six homers and 14 RBIs in eight games at Coors since the All-Star break.

SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Padres at Rockies
Fri, Aug 14 - 8:40PM EDT

GAME 2
Padres at Rockies
Sat, Aug 15 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Padres at Rockies
Sun, Aug 16 - 4:10PM EDT

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