The Bum's Sports Page For Monday August 17th Best Bets-Trends-News !

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Athletics (51-67) at Orioles (59-56)
Game: 4
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: August 17, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

The Baltimore Orioles have thus far dodged Sonny Gray, and the results have been as one might expect for a playoff contender against a last-place team with an ailing ace.

The playing field will likely even some Monday night at Camden Yards with Gray expected to start as the Oakland Athletics attempt to avoid a four-game sweep following an embarrassing loss.

Gray (12-4, 2.06 ERA) missed his scheduled start Thursday in Toronto because of back spasms but threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday without issue, so a Tuesday matchup against Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is now off the table.

"We want to get Sonny out there as soon as we can," A's manager Bob Melvin told MLB's official website. "He would love to pitch against Kershaw, and that was quite the potential marquee matchup, but he wants to be out there for his team as soon as he can."

The right-hander's last three starts make it easy to understand why Melvin won't delay with Gray winning twice with two complete games and a 0.72 ERA. He's also 6-0 with a 1.05 ERA in his last seven road starts.

Gray, however, is 1-2 with a 7.04 ERA in three starts against the Orioles - none this year - with both losses coming at Camden. Adam Jones is 3 for 8 with a home run against the Cy Young contender, while J.J. Hardy and Manny Machado are both 2 for 6.

He won't have a limited pitch count, and the A's (51-68) certainly want him to go deep after Sunday's 18-2 loss in which starter Kendall Graveman lasted just 3 1-3 innings. Baltimore had 26 hits to tie the franchise record and improved to 5-1 in the season series, averaging 7.7 runs while batting .333.

After dipping three games under .500 on July 24, the Orioles (60-56) are 14-7 and scoring 5.3 runs per game.

Gerardo Parra recorded his third career five-hit game Sunday and is 9 for 15 in this series with homers in the last two. Jones homered twice and is batting .400 with five home runs in his last six. Eight of his 22 home runs for the season have come in his last 13 games at Camden.

Chris Tillman (8-7, 4.66) has often benefited from such run support and hasn't lost since May 31, going 6-0 with a 3.57 ERA in 11 starts. He was lucky for that streak to remain alive after his last start.

The right-hander served up five runs and eight hits in 2 1-3 innings of a 6-5 loss in Seattle on Tuesday after holding his previous three opponents to one run in 23 2-3 innings. It was his first start since July 29 because of a sprained ankle, but he didn't use it or being hit on the right triceps by a liner as an excuse.

"Physically, I felt good," Tillman said. "I just was not making good pitches."

He's also squeezed through the cracks in the season series, but he's 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA in four career starts against Oakland. Coco Crisp (1 for 8) and Billy Butler (2 for 14) have struggled with Tillman, and Josh Reddick, Eric Sogard and Stephen Vogt are all 0 for 5.

Oakland has lost seven straight on the road, including the first six of its seven-game trip. It last dropped seven in a row overall and eight straight on the road on the same eight-game losing streak in 2008.

Baltimore's Matt Wieters has missed four straight games with a strained hamstring. If he doesn't show improvement Monday, he could land on the disabled list.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Athletics at Orioles
Fri, Aug 14 Final 6 to 8
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Athletics at Orioles
Sat, Aug 15 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Athletics at Orioles
Sun, Aug 16 Final 2 to 18
Boxscores • Recaps

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

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Twins (58-58) at Yankees (64-52)
Game: 1
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: August 17, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Kyle Gibson hasn't been the same since winning four straight starts heading into the All-Star break, and the New York Yankees probably aren't the team to reestablish himself against.

The right-hander's career ERA against the AL East leaders is worse than any other team, so his skid could continue Monday night as the Minnesota Twins begin their longest road trip of the year.

After seeing his season ERA dip to an impressive 2.85 during his winning streak, Gibson (8-9, 3.75 ERA) has gone 0-3 with a 7.39 mark in his last five outings, though he limited Texas to two runs with seven strikeouts in six innings of Tuesday's 3-2 win.

"It was nice to actually do my job today and give the team a chance to win," Gibson told MLB's official website. "It's been too many starts in the second half where I haven't given the team a chance."

His second start after the break came in a 7-2 home loss to the Yankees on July 26 after giving up six runs in 5 1-3 innings.

That's been the norm as Gibson has yielded at least six runs in three of his four starts against New York for a 1-3 record and 10.70 ERA. Brett Gardner is 3 for 4 with a triple and a double in the matchup and Chase Headley is 2 for 3 with a home run.

The Twins could keep up with that kind of pace considering how they've hit CC Sabathia in his last two matchups. Sabathia (4-9, 5.23) gave up five runs in 5 2-3 innings of an 8-5 win July 25 and has allowed 13 runs - eight earned - and 14 hits in 9 2-3 over the 0-1 span.

Aaron Hicks is 3 for 7 with two home runs off the left-hander, but Joe Mauer is 7 for 41 with 16 strikeouts.

Like Gibson, Sabathia is winless in five starts since the break, though the 0-1 record comes with a 4.40 ERA that's been an improvement on the rest of his season. Sabathia has limited opponents to three runs in 12 innings over his last two starts.

Much of the early season mess happened at home, where Sabathia is 2-3 with a 6.13 ERA. However, he's gone 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 17 1-3 innings of his last three outings in the Bronx, with the Yankees winning all of them.

After completing a 3-3 road trip, the Yankees (64-52) confront a three-game home skid. Sunday's 3-1 loss to Toronto denied them a three-game sweep of the team that trails them by a half game in the AL East.

"We're happy," said right fielder Carlos Beltran, who lost a flyball in the sun with two outs and no one on in the third inning, leading to all of the Blue Jays' runs. "We won the series, it's important."

Jacoby Ellsbury homered and has gone 7 for 18 in his last four games, but the center fielder is 2 for 20 in his past five at Yankee Stadium. Alex Rodriguez is hitting .091 in his last eight overall.

The Twins (59-58) haven't lost any of their three series at Yankee Stadium since the start of 2012 and have taken four of the past five meetings there.

Sunday's 4-1 win over Cleveland concluded a 4-2 homestand before they embarked on a 10-game road swing.

"We got a tough trip coming up," manager Paul Molitor said. "We just gotta keep fighting."

Brian Dozier will try to break from a .136 slump over his last six games, but he's a .172 hitter in six at Yankee Stadium.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Twins at Yankees
Mon, Aug 17 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Twins at Yankees
Tue, Aug 18 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Twins at Yankees
Wed, Aug 19 - 1:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Diamondbacks (57-58) at Pirates (68-46)
Game: 1
Venue: PNC Park
Date: August 17, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Win No. 15 has been hard to come by for Gerrit Cole, in part because of the defense behind him but also due to a dip in command.

The Pittsburgh ace takes his fourth shot at the MLB-leading victory Monday night against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks as the Pirates try for a fifth straight win overall and at home.

Cole (14-6, 2.48 ERA) hasn't gone more than six innings in three August starts while posting a 0-2 record and 4.41 ERA after going at least seven in his previous four. He has six walks and a hit batter in 16 1-3 innings this month after issuing three walks and three hit batters in his previous 36 2-3. In Wednesday's 4-2 loss in St. Louis, the right-hander gave up at least four runs for the second time this season - three of which were earned - and seven hits in 5 1-3 innings.

"Fastball location was sub-par," said Cole, but his manager provided some cover.

"He's had four outings in a row where we haven't defended the ball very well behind him," manager Clint Hurdle said. "Runs have been tainted throughout his outings. He pitched well. He deserved better."

Cole has been rewarded against Arizona, winning both of his career starts with a 1.98 ERA, though former NL Central foe Welington Castillo is 4 for 11 against him.

He's gone four starts without a victory one other time in his career - April 15-May 2, 2014.

Contrary to Cole, Jeremy Hellickson is coming off some of his best command of the season. Hellickson (8-8, 4.73) gave up an unearned run and seven hits in eight innings of Tuesday's 13-1 home win over Philadelphia, lasting at least eight innings for the first time in 56 starts since May 22, 2013. The right-hander, though, is 0-4 with an 8.67 ERA in his last six road starts.

Home venue didn't help him on April 26 against the Pirates as he surrendered four runs and seven hits in 4 2-3 innings of an 8-0 loss.

The Pirates (69-46) swept that three-game set in Arizona to improve to 7-3 in the series since the start of last season. Cole and the staff limited the Diamondbacks to two runs and a .189 average in the series.

Their latest three-game sweep was completed with Sunday's 8-1 win at the New York Mets to cap a 4-2 road trip, and they return to an MLB-best 15-3 home mark dating to July 4.

Aramis Ramirez was 4 for 5 with three RBIs in the finale against the Mets and is batting .375 his last 10 games.

The bullpen has also done its part with 11 1-3 scoreless innings over the last two games. Since surrendering seven runs on July 30, Pittsburgh relievers have allowed more than a run once with a 1.46 ERA over the 14-game span. The group was last charged with a loss on June 25, going 16-0 since for the major's longest run of positive bullpen decisions on record since 1914.

"They stay ready, always looking for opportunities to help, to pick the last guy up," Hurdle said.

The Diamondbacks (57-59) fell 2-1 in 10 innings Sunday in Atlanta while managing just three hits after Shelby Miller carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning. David Peralta had one and is batting .459 with 20 RBIs in his last 18 games. He's hitting .335 in the cleanup spot and .262 everywhere else to provide fine protection for third hitter Paul Goldschmidt.

"He's the guy, but he can't do everything," Peralta told MLB's official website. "That's why we're a team. The team's not about one person; it's about everybody. We're trying to help each other."


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Diamondbacks at Pirates
Mon, Aug 17 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Diamondbacks at Pirates
Tue, Aug 18 - 7:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Diamondbacks at Pirates
Wed, Aug 19 - 7:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Indians (54-61) at Red Sox (52-64)
Game: 1
Venue: Fenway Park
Date: August 17, 2015 7:10 PM EDT

Danny Salazar hadn't put together more than two straight quality starts prior to the All-Star break before his current hot stretch helped bring his ERA to its lowest point since April.

He might be running into the Boston Red Sox at the wrong time, though.

The Cleveland Indians right-hander looks to cool Boston's surging offense in the opener of a three-game series Monday night at Fenway Park.

Salazar (10-6, 3.26 ERA) ranks among the major league leaders in strikeouts per nine innings at 10.24, but he'd had some trouble with consistency until recently.

His ERA is his best since it was 2.08 following his second start after improving to 2-0 with a 0.84 ERA over his last three with eight strikeouts over 7 1-3 innings of Wednesday's 2-1 win against the New York Yankees.

Salazar has a 1.48 ERA while holding opponents to a .144 batting average during a stretch of six straight quality starts.

"The Yankees and Boston were the teams that everybody followed in the Dominican Republic, so I was nervous to go against (the Yankees for the first time)," Salazar said. "They're a really good team and have a lot of really good hitters. I respect them."

The 25-year-old now gets his first chance to face the Red Sox (52-65), who registered 60 hits against Seattle over the weekend. They rallied from a 7-0 deficit Sunday to tie it in the ninth before falling 10-8 in 12 innings.

Torey Lovullo, managing his third game since John Farrell was diagnosed with lymphoma, decided not to pinch-run for David Ortiz with him on second base in the ninth. Ortiz was thrown out at the plate trying to score the winning run.

Brock Holt and Travis Shaw had three hits apiece and Xander Bogaerts homered while driving in three runs.

Boston's 45 runs in the series were the most in a three-game set since the Mariners scored 47 against Toronto from April 14-16, 2000. The Red Sox's 51 runs in their last four games are the most in such a stretch since they had 54 from Sept. 4-7, 2013.

Staying hot could be difficult against the Indians, whose starters have a 2.70 ERA while allowing two runs or fewer in six of their last seven.

Matt Barnes (3-2, 5.64) has been recalled from the minors to make his first major league start for Boston in place of Steven Wright, who is on the seven-day concussion list after being struck with a ball during batting practice last week.

The right-hander has made 21 relief appearances this season for the Red Sox.

"We've asked a lot of him," Lovullo told MLB's official website. "His last start (for Triple-A Pawtucket), the word we got from player development that it was aggressive. He was throwing a lot of his pitches in the zone and doing a good job."

The Indians (54-62) have dropped three of four after Sunday's 4-1 loss to Minnesota. Abraham Almonte drove in the lone run with a sacrifice fly in the second inning.

Jason Kipnis hasn't played since Aug. 1 because of right shoulder inflammation, but manager Terry Francona said he could be activated from the disabled list for this contest. Michael Brantley, who missed the Twins series with a left shoulder issue, could be available to serve as DH.

The status of infielder Chris Johnson remains unclear after he sat out the last two games because of an infection he suspects was caused by an insect bite on his hand. He went to a Minnesota hospital and was given antibiotics.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Indians at Red Sox
Mon, Aug 17 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Indians at Red Sox
Tue, Aug 18 - 7:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Indians at Red Sox
Wed, Aug 19 - 7:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Mariners (54-63) at Rangers (58-57)
Game: 1
Venue: Globe Life Park in Arlington
Date: August 17, 2015 8:05 PM EDT

Cole Hamels' tenure with the Texas Rangers has gotten off to a rocky start, something he's not very proud of considering the bold move the club made to acquire him at the trade deadline.

That hasn't stopped the Rangers from gaining ground in the playoff race.

Texas looks to win eight in a row at home for the first time in more than four years as Hamels takes the mound against the Seattle Mariners on Monday night.

The Rangers (59-57) acquired Hamels in an eight-player trade with Philadelphia on July 31, but they've lost both of his starts as the left-hander has allowed nine runs and 16 hits in 13 2-3 innings.

Hamels, 6-8 with a 3.86 ERA in 22 starts this season, was scheduled to pitch Thursday against Minnesota but was scratched because of a groin issue he suffered against Seattle on Aug. 7.

He threw a regular bullpen session Friday.

"It was nice to get on the mound again," Hamels told MLB's official website. "To have something like this with a new team, it's not what you want. You want to come in with guns blazing and throwing shutouts like a couple of guys are doing on their new team. I'd like to be doing that, but it is better to be smart."

Hamels has allowed five home runs since the trade after surrendering that amount over his final 17 outings with the Phillies. Three came off the bats of former Ranger Nelson Cruz, Robinson Cano and Mark Trumbo 10 days ago.

Despite Hamels' struggles, Texas has gone 12-5 in its last 17 and trails Baltimore and Los Angeles in a tight race for the second wild card. Adrian Beltre and Ryan Strausborger homered in a 5-3 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday, putting the Rangers on the brink of winning five straight for the first time since a season-best seven-game run May 20-26.

Texas is seeking its first eight-game home win streak since taking nine straight July 4-23, 2011, but Seattle (55-63) has won seven of nine meetings this season, including a three-game sweep in Arlington from April 27-29.

Cruz is batting .459 with five home runs, a triple and two doubles against Texas this year. He hit his major league-high 36th homer and Cano added a two-run shot among his five hits in Sunday's 10-8, 12-inning win over Boston.

Franklin Gutierrez homered twice for the Mariners, who salvaged the series' final game after the Red Sox outscored them 37-11 in the first two. They'll send Taijuan Walker (8-7, 4.60 ERA) to the mound in this contest as he looks to continue his solid run.

Walker is 1-0 with a 2.42 ERA over his last three starts after going six innings in Tuesday's 6-5, 10-inning win over Baltimore. The 23-year-old has been much better since a conversation with then-Detroit starter David Price after a rough outing against the Tigers on July 21.

Price told Walker to throw more breaking pitches rather than just relying on his fastball and changeup.

"Once I started doing that, I am getting a lot more swings and misses on my changeup," Walker said. "I was getting a lot more takes on my fastball. After I showed that I could throw my curveball for strikes, that was another pitch they had to look for."

The right-hander had the Rangers guessing April 27, allowing an unearned run in seven innings of a 3-1 victory in his only career start against them.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Mariners at Rangers
Mon, Aug 17 - 8:05PM EDT

GAME 2
Mariners at Rangers
Tue, Aug 18 - 8:05PM EDT

GAME 3
Mariners at Rangers
Wed, Aug 19 - 2:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Giants (63-53) at Cardinals (75-41)
Game: 1
Venue: Busch Stadium
Date: August 17, 2015 8:15 PM EDT

The San Francisco Giants defeated St. Louis in last year's NLCS en route to another World Series title, and they could use more wins over the Cardinals to boost their chances of making this postseason.

Within striking distance in the NL West and wild card, the Giants are in the midst of a challenging slate that includes six matchups against the team with the best record in the majors. They'll also have to face a likely motivated Michael Wacha in the first of those Monday night.

San Francisco took five games to dispatch St. Louis before claiming its third championship in five seasons but has some work to do to make this year's playoffs. The Giants (64-53) trail the Los Angeles Dodgers by 2 1/2 games in their division and have a 3 1/2-game deficit in the wild card to the Chicago Cubs.

San Francisco started a 26-game stretch against playoff contenders by losing their slim wild-card lead in a four-game sweep at the Chicago Cubs from Aug. 6-9. The Giants rebounded by going 5-1 at home against AL West-leading Houston and Washington, completing a four-game sweep of the latter with a 5-0 victory Sunday.

"I really thought this homestand was critical for us, coming off a road trip where you get swept in a four-game series," manager Bruce Bochy said. "We really clicked everywhere in this series."

San Francisco will next embark on a seven-game road trip against teams with the NL's best two records, St. Louis (75-42) and Pittsburgh (69-46). The Giants will then return home to face the Cubs and Cardinals, winners in eight of 11.

In its first matchup with St. Louis since the NLCS, San Francisco has the added challenge of taking on a team that's produced one of its best home records in franchise history (44-18). St. Louis will also send out one of the MLB's co-leaders in victories in Wacha (14-4, 2.93 ERA).

The right-hander has allowed two runs in 20 innings while winning his last three starts and outdueled another 14-game winner, Pittsburgh's Gerrit Cole, in a 4-2 victory Wednesday.

He could become the majors' first 15-game winner Monday depending on how Cole performs against Arizona.

Wacha will face the Giants for the first time since giving up Travis Ishikawa's pennant-clinching homer in the ninth inning in Game 5. Wacha pitched six innings in a 2-0 win at Busch Stadium in his only start against San Francisco on May 31, 2014.

Chris Heston (11-7, 3.38) will seek his first victory this month in his first appearance against St. Louis. The right-hander is 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in his three starts in August, yielding one run over 6 1-3 innings in a 2-0 loss to Houston on Wednesday.

Heston has allowed a combined eight runs in 8 2-3 innings in two road starts this month.

Randal Grichuk's status for St. Louis is unknown because of right elbow tightness, and the outfielder is scheduled to have an MRI on Monday.

"We're not going to get too far ahead of this," manager Mike Matheny said. "We'll let the tests dictate how far we need to look into the future."

Grichuk is batting .324 with eight homers, 20 RBIs and a 1.025 OPS in his la


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Giants at Cardinals
Mon, Aug 17 - 8:09PM EDT

GAME 2
Giants at Cardinals
Tue, Aug 18 - 8:15PM EDT

GAME 3
Giants at Cardinals
Wed, Aug 19 - 7:15PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Marlins (46-70) at Brewers (50-68)
Game: 1
Venue: Miller Park
Date: August 17, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

Matt Garza is having his worst season since his rookie year for the last-place Milwaukee Brewers, who have undergone changes on the bench and in the front office in response to the club's overall disappointing play.

There have been some positives recently, though, and Garza takes the hill looking to help guide Milwaukee to a season high-tying fifth straight home win when he faces the Miami Marlins on Monday night.

Garza (6-12, 4.82 ERA) hasn't finished with an ERA worse than his current mark since finishing at 5.76 after 10 late-season appearances with Minnesota in 2006. The only other time he's lost 12 games was in 2009 with Tampa Bay.

The right-hander has been solid lately, however, going 2-2 with a 2.56 ERA over his last five starts to drop his ERA to its lowest mark since it was 4.80 after beating Washington on June 11. He's allowed three runs and five hits while pitching seven innings in back-to-back outings.

Garza went that distance just twice over his first 19 starts. He'll look to help the Brewers (51-68) stay hot after they completed a three-game sweep of Philadelphia with Sunday's 6-1 win.

Milwaukee set its season high of five straight home wins from July 8-21, ending that stretch with its last four-game winning streak.

The Brewers, 44-50 since manager Craig Counsell replaced Ron Roenicke on May 3, bounced back after losing their first two following general manager Doug Melvin stepping down Tuesday.

Ryan Braun passed Robin Yount as the franchise's home run leader at 251 with a grand slam in the fifth.

"Robin is obviously the greatest player in franchise history. Played here for 20 years, accomplished some amazing things," said Braun, who went hitless in his 10 other at-bats in the series. "Any time you are mentioned alongside his name, it's definitely a special accomplishment."

The Marlins (47-70), whose 19 road wins are tied with the Phillies for the fewest in the majors, have gone through their own difficulties. General manager Dan Jennings assumed managerial duties after Mike Redmond was fired in mid-May, and Giancarlo Stanton hasn't played since June 27 because of a left wrist fracture.

Miami lost 15 of its previous 20 before salvaging the finale of a three-game series against St. Louis with Sunday's 6-4 win. Dee Gordon went 3 for 5 and is hitting .407 over his last six, and Derek Dietrich hit a bases-loaded triple in the fifth while finishing with two hits.

"I was just trying to have quality at-bats with guys on base, said Dietrich, who hit .105 over his previous six. "Hopefully, I can just keep that going."

Justin Nicolino looks to help the Marlins win for just the third time in their last 11 road games. Nicolino (1-1, 4.86) was sent to the minors at the end of June after making his first two major league starts, then was recalled after Jose Fernandez went back on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right biceps last week.

The left-hander gave up four runs in 5 2-3 innings of a 5-4, 10-inning win over Boston in his first start back Tuesday.

"For me, every day is a learning process," Nicolino said. "Whatever I can do to get better and take it out there every five days, that's what I want to do."


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Marlins at Brewers
Mon, Aug 17 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Marlins at Brewers
Tue, Aug 18 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Marlins at Brewers
Wed, Aug 19 - 2:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Rays (58-58) at Astros (63-54)
Game: 1
Venue: Minute Maid Park
Date: August 17, 2015 8:10 PM EDT

The Houston Astros have been a dominant home team over the past six-plus weeks.

Scott Kazmir's only start there since joining them could also be described that way.

Kazmir tries to avoid his first three-start losing streak in five years Monday night when the Astros open a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Eager to erase the memory of a 2-7 trip, the Astros did a good job of that by taking three of four at home from Detroit this weekend. They rebounded from Saturday's 4-2, 11-inning loss with a 6-5 walkoff victory Sunday on Jose Altuve's two-out single.

Colby Rasmus hit a pair of homers and Altuve finished with three hits to help Houston (64-54) improve to a major league-best 16-3 at home since June 28.

"Every time you do something for your team and you win you're going to feel good. You're going to enjoy it," said Altuve, batting .391 in his last five at home. "Especially in the moment that we're living right now where we're in first place and we have to win."

During that 19-game span at Minute Maid Park, the Astros are batting .282 and averaging 5.5 runs while totaling 31 homers. They've also compiled a 2.53 ERA, with the starters posting a 1.55 mark in the past eight games.

Houston will try to extend its AL West lead behind Kazmir (6-7, 2.12 ERA), who ranks second in the AL in ERA and is tied for second with a .210 opponent batting average.

The left-hander hasn't missed a beat since coming over in a trade with Oakland, posting a 1.04 ERA in four starts. He's only 1-2 in those games, however, since he's twice received zero run support.

Kazmir was brilliant in his only home start of those four, allowing three hits over 7 2-3 innings against the Los Angeles Angels. He left with the game scoreless before Houston pushed across three in the ninth for a 3-0 victory.

He's lost his last two starts - both on the road - despite giving up only three earned runs over 11 1-3 innings. He committed two throwing errors and was outpitched by Madison Bumgarner in Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at San Francisco.

Kazmir, who last lost three consecutive starts Aug. 23-Sept. 3, 2010, yielded three runs and eight hits over 5 2-3 innings in a 5-2 loss at Tampa Bay on May 22.

Asdrubal Cabrera enters as the Rays' hottest hitter, batting .475 with 11 extra-base hits in 16 games since returning from the disabled list. Cabrera, though, is 1 for 15 against Kazmir.

Tampa Bay (58-59) was swept in a three-game series at Texas this weekend after falling 5-3 on Sunday. The Rays batted .315 in the three losses but that was offset by a 7.88 ERA from a pitching staff that surrendered seven homers and 11 walks.

"We ran into a pretty hot team," manager Kevin Cash said.

The last Tampa Bay pitcher to record a quality start was Erasmo Ramirez (9-4, 3.59), who was outstanding in a 2-0 win Tuesday over Atlanta.

After posting a 5.12 ERA in his three previous outings, Ramirez gave up five hits and needed only 70 pitches to get through seven-plus innings.

"I just feel like everything is working," Ramirez said. "It's been great to have that feeling."

The right-hander has pitched 12 straight scoreless innings since allowing five in the first against the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 5. He's 9-3 in 15 starts since moving into the rotation on May 14, tied for the most wins in the AL during that span.

One of those victories was a 3-1 result against the Astros on July 10, when he yielded one run in six innings.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Rays at Astros
Mon, Aug 17 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Rays at Astros
Tue, Aug 18 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Rays at Astros
Wed, Aug 19 - 8:10PM EDT

GAME 4
Rays at Astros
Thu, Aug 20 - 8:10PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: White Sox (54-60) at Angels (60-56)
Game: 1
Venue: Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Date: August 17, 2015 10:05 PM EDT

Out of playoff position for the first time in 6 1/2 weeks after a miserable road trip, the slumping Los Angeles Angels will try to get back in the groove at home.

The Angels could find some motivation in facing a Chicago White Sox team that swept them last week, and they'll also get another look at highly touted rookie Carlos Rodon, who seeks another scoreless outing against Los Angeles on Monday night.

Los Angeles (60-57) dropped a half-game behind Baltimore for the AL's second wild card with a 4-3 loss in 10 innings Sunday night in Kansas City. Huston Street couldn't preserve a one-run lead in the ninth inning en route to his club's 17th defeat in 23 games and sixth on a seven-game trip.

"We have to get something going," said outfielder Kole Calhoun, who hit a solo homer in the eighth and also tripled. "We have to get a sense of urgency going."

The Angels opened their trek with three losses to Chicago (55-60), including a 3-0 defeat Tuesday in which Rodon (5-4, 4.61 ERA) fanned a career-high 11 over seven innings.

The left-hander had allowed a combined 12 runs over 7 2-3 innings in his prior two starts and worked out of a first-inning jam against Los Angeles.

"It was really impressive stuff for (Rodon) after his last couple hadn't been his best," manager Robin Ventura said. "This was a great performance."

Rodon has totaled 12 2-3 scoreless innings in his past two road starts but now faces an Angels team that has won five of seven at home. Los Angeles has also taken the last five matchups and 11 of 14 against the White Sox in Anaheim.

The White Sox have dropped their past four on the road after winning 11 of 12. They lost two of three to the visiting Cubs this weekend, avoiding a sweep with Sunday's 3-1 victory.

Andrew Heaney (5-1, 2.53) will face the White Sox for the second time in six days. He gave up two runs over 5 2-3 innings in his first career matchup Wednesday and avoided a loss when the Angels forced extra innings in a 3-2 defeat.

The Angels have won in each of Heaney's five home starts, giving the left-hander a 3-0 record in Anaheim. However, he also gave up four runs and a career-high 10 hits over 5 2-3 innings in his most recent home start Aug. 7 against Baltimore.

Trayce Thompson went 2 for 2 against Heaney in last week's matchup and is 6 for 12 in his first five games in the majors. Tyler Flowers was also 2 for 2.

C.J. Cron went 2 for 3 against Rodon, while Albert Pujols and Mike Trout both were 0 for 3 with a pair of strikeouts. Chris Iannetta fanned in each of his three at-bats.

Pujols is batting .169 in his last 14 games versus the White Sox even after going 3 for 6 on Wednesday. Trout is hitting .208 in his last 13 versus Chicago and has struck out 19 times in 48 at-bats.

"I've been watching those guys on TV for a little while. It's special to be able to play on the same field with them," Rodon said. "They're two of the greats in this game. You get amped up when you see those guys step into the box."


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
White Sox at Angels
Mon, Aug 17 - 10:05PM EDT

GAME 2
White Sox at Angels
Tue, Aug 18 - 10:05PM EDT

GAME 3
White Sox at Angels
Wed, Aug 19 - 10:05PM EDT

GAME 4
White Sox at Angels
Thu, Aug 20 - 10:05PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Braves (52-64) at Padres (56-61)
Game: 1
Venue: PETCO Park
Date: August 17, 2015 10:10 PM EDT

A winner in his major league debut, Colin Rea will try to extend the San Diego Padres' home dominance over the Atlanta Braves in his encore.

The Padres right-hander will also get to face a team that's struggled on the road for much of the last two months Monday night.

Rea (1-0, 5.40 ERA) gave up three runs and seven hits in five-plus innings Tuesday against Cincinnati and received ample support in an 11-6 victory.

"Obviously, I was a little nervous to start the game, but I settled in pretty good," he said. "We jumped out to an early lead, and I think that was huge. I just tried to put up zeroes afterward. It was just awesome."

Rea will try to follow by adding to the Padres' franchise-best seven consecutive home wins against Atlanta. San Diego (56-62) enters this three-game series having won four of six but lost 5-0 in Colorado on Sunday in its attempt at a three-game sweep.

The Braves (53-64) have dropped 21 of 26 on the road since June 16 but head into Petco Park after taking two of three from visiting Arizona this weekend. Former Padres outfielder Cameron Maybin homered in the 10th inning in a 2-1 victory Sunday and had two hits for the fourth consecutive game.

The Braves got Maybin on April 6 as part of a six-player deal that sent their all-time saves leader Craig Kimbrel and Melvin Upton Jr. to San Diego.

"(Maybin has) had a (heck) of a year so far," manager Fredi Gonzalez told MLB's official website. "I know there's still many games to play, but this guy can defend. ... He can steal you a bag, hit you a double, base hit, and if you make a mistake hit it out of the ballpark."

Kimbrel collected two of his 33 saves as San Diego split a four-game series at Atlanta from June 8-11.

Williams Perez (4-3, 4.21) was the winner in a 4-1 victory June 10, yielding one unearned run in seven innings but has lost his three starts since returning from a bruised left foot that kept him out for a month. The rookie right-hander allowed a combined 15 runs in 10 1-3 innings in the first two defeats before giving up two runs in a career-best eight innings of a 2-0 loss Tuesday in Tampa Bay.

"That was the best start since I got hurt. I felt very good," said Perez said. "Those first two starts were very tough, but I felt very strong about this start."

Cory Spangenberg, removed from the disabled list Friday, hit a pair of doubles off Perez in the loss in June and went 7 for 16 with three two-base hits in the series.

The Braves' Jace Peterson, acquired in another six-player deal with San Diego on Dec. 19 that sent Justin Upton to the Padres, was 7 for 17 in those four games.

Nick Markakis went 6 for 13 and is a .351 hitter in 14 games against San Diego. He's batting .330 with 13 RBIs in his last 24 overall contests.


SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1
Braves at Padres
Mon, Aug 17 - 10:10PM EDT

GAME 2
Braves at Padres
Tue, Aug 18 - 10:10PM EDT

GAME 3
Braves at Padres
Wed, Aug 19 - 3:40PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

MLB MONEYLINES

MLB > (961) OAKLAND@ (962) BALTIMORE | 2015-08-17 19:05:00 - 2015-08-17 19:05:00
Play AGAINST OAKLAND using the money line in Road games in August games
The record is 3 Wins and 16 Losses for the last two seasons (-14.2 units)

MLB > (955) SAN FRANCISCO@ (956) ST LOUIS | 2015-08-17 20:05:00 - 2015-08-17 20:05:00
Play ON ST LOUIS using the money line in All games against right-handed starters
The record is 58 Wins and 26 Losses for the this season (+27.45 units)

MLB > (951) ARIZONA@ (952) PITTSBURGH | 2015-08-17 19:05:00 - 2015-08-17 19:05:00
Play AGAINST ARIZONA using the money line in All games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season
The record is 12 Wins and 39 Losses for the last two seasons (-23.95 units)

[StarDust Bum]

MLB RUNLINES

MLB > (963) CLEVELAND@ (964) BOSTON | 2015-08-17 19:10:00 - 2015-08-17 19:10:00
Play AGAINST BOSTON using the in All games when playing with a day off
The record is 6 Wins and 26 Losses for the last two seasons (-24.7 units)

MLB > (969) CHI WHITE SOX@ (970) LA ANGELS | 2015-08-17 22:05:00 - 2015-08-17 22:05:00
Play AGAINST LA ANGELS using the in All games in August games
The record is 1 Wins and 13 Losses for the this season (-14.45 units)

MLB > (953) MIAMI@ (954) MILWAUKEE | 2015-08-17 20:10:00 - 2015-08-17 20:10:00
Play AGAINST MIAMI using the in All games when playing on Monday
The record is 1 Wins and 11 Losses for the this season (-13 units)

MLB > (965) SEATTLE@ (966) TEXAS | 2015-08-17 20:05:00 - 2015-08-17 20:05:00
Play AGAINST TEXAS using the in Home games when playing with a day off
The record is 2 Wins and 16 Losses for the last three seasons (-16.9 units)

MLB > (955) SAN FRANCISCO@ (956) ST LOUIS | 2015-08-17 20:05:00 - 2015-08-17 20:05:00
Play AGAINST SAN FRANCISCO using the in Road games when playing with a day off
The record is 9 Wins and 20 Losses for the last three seasons (-21.6 units)

MLB > (967) TAMPA BAY@ (968) HOUSTON | 2015-08-17 20:10:00 - 2015-08-17 20:10:00
Play ON HOUSTON using the in All games in home games
The record is 34 Wins and 24 Losses for the this season (+17.1 units)

[StarDust Bum]

MLB TOTALS


MLB > (953) MIAMI@ (954) MILWAUKEE | 2015-08-17 20:10:00 - 2015-08-17 20:10:00
Play UNDER MIAMI on the total in All games when the total is 8 to 8.5
The record is 1 Overs and 12 Unders for the this season (+10.9 units)

MLB > (955) SAN FRANCISCO@ (956) ST LOUIS | 2015-08-17 20:05:00 - 2015-08-17 20:05:00
Play UNDER ST LOUIS on the total in Home games against right-handed starters
The record is 11 Overs and 32 Unders for the this season (+19.1 units)

MLB > (969) CHI WHITE SOX@ (970) LA ANGELS | 2015-08-17 22:05:00 - 2015-08-17 22:05:00
Play UNDER LA ANGELS on the total in All games against left-handed starters
The record is 8 Overs and 21 Unders for the this season (+11.95 units)

[StarDust Bum]

MLB TOP POWERLINES

MLB > (959) MINNESOTA @ (960) NY YANKEES | 2015-08-17 19:05:00 - 2015-08-17 19:05:00
Line: MINNESOTA BTB PowerLine: MINNESOTA-110
Edge On: MINNESOTA (25)

MLB > (951) ARIZONA @ (952) PITTSBURGH | 2015-08-17 19:05:00 - 2015-08-17 19:05:00
Line: ARIZONA BTB PowerLine: ARIZONA-187
Edge On: ARIZONA (3)

MLB > (961) OAKLAND @ (962) BALTIMORE | 2015-08-17 19:05:00 - 2015-08-17 19:05:00
Line: OAKLAND BTB PowerLine: OAKLAND106
Edge On: OAKLAND (1)

MLB > (955) SAN FRANCISCO @ (956) ST LOUIS | 2015-08-17 20:05:00 - 2015-08-17 20:05:00
Line: ST LOUIS-145 BTB PowerLine: ST LOUIS-166
Edge On: ST LOUIS (21)

MLB > (965) SEATTLE @ (966) TEXAS | 2015-08-17 20:05:00 - 2015-08-17 20:05:00
Line: TEXAS-150 BTB PowerLine: TEXAS-169
Edge On: TEXAS (19)

MLB > (953) MIAMI @ (954) MILWAUKEE | 2015-08-17 20:10:00 - 2015-08-17 20:10:00
Line: MIAMI BTB PowerLine: MIAMI-131
Edge On: MIAMI (19)

MLB > (967) TAMPA BAY @ (968) HOUSTON | 2015-08-17 20:10:00 - 2015-08-17 20:10:00
Line: HOUSTON-160 BTB PowerLine: HOUSTON-177
Edge On: HOUSTON (17)

MLB > (969) CHI WHITE SOX @ (970) LA ANGELS | 2015-08-17 22:05:00 - 2015-08-17 22:05:00
Line: LA ANGELS-151 BTB PowerLine: LA ANGELS-181
Edge On: LA ANGELS (30)

MLB > (957) ATLANTA @ (958) SAN DIEGO | 2015-08-17 22:10:00 - 2015-08-17 22:10:00
Line: ATLANTA BTB PowerLine: ATLANTA101
Edge On: ATLANTA (36)

[StarDust Bum]

CFL Betting Recap - Week 8

August 16, 2015

League Betting Notes

-- Favorites went 3-1 SU in Week 8
-- Favorites went 3-1 ATS in Week 8
-- Home/road teams posted a 2-2 SU record in Week 8
-- Home/road teams posted a 2-2 ATS record in Week 8
-- The 'Over/under' went 2-2 in Week 8

Team Betting Notes

-- Calgary (5-2) came off of their bye week and looked rejuvenated as they smashed Ottawa (4-3) by a 48-3 count. The Stampeders entered the game 0-6 ATS, but covered by a mile. They actually took care of the 'over' on their own, just their second over in seven tries this season.

-- The RedBlacks will be on the road again in Toronto (5-2), and they're not nearly as effective on the road as they are at home. Ottawa is 1-2 SU/ATS as the away team, and 3-1 SU/ATS at home. One thing that has been consistent for the RedBlacks has been the 'over', cashing for the fourth time in five games.

-- Winnipeg (3-5) was dropped at home by a 27-20 count against Toronto. The Blue Bombers have had the 'under' hit in six straight games, mostly due to their ineptitude on offense. They have average just 13.5 points per game over their past four outings.

-- Montreal (2-5) lost for the third straight games, and they failed to cover for the second consecutive outing. After starting out 3-1-1 ATS, the Alouettes have failed to cover in each of the past two. The 'under' is the play when involving Montreal, as the 'under is 6-1 overall.

-- Hamilton (5-2) slaughtered the BC Lions (3-4), winning their fourth straight game. Even more impressive, they have covered four in a row, and six of their seven games overall. The offensive outburst stopped a four-game 'under' streak, too.

-- Edmonton (5-2) will host Hamilton Friday in an early-season clash of titans. The Eskimos have covered five of the past six games, and the 'under' has also hit in five of the past six.

-- Saskatchewan (0-7) returns Saturday to host Calgary. They have dropped all seven of their games, but five of their losses have been by a combined 16 points.